SEEMA July Issue 2022 by SEEMA

JULY 2022

INSIDE

A CHAMPION OF PLURALISM MUSICAL MAESTRO ANNETTE PHILIP SKIN CARE FOR THE SUMMER

PLUS

THE GROWING TRIBE OF WOMEN PHYSICIANS

5 APPS TO MAKE COOKING EASIER

QUEEN OF CONTENT BELA BAJARIA’S MOVE TO MAKE NETFLIX GLOBAL

Streaming now Hindi

HINDI

MALAYALAM

HINDI

PUNJABI

HINDI

Ash Gupta page 38

Annette Philip page 12

The Best Places to Go Whitewater Rafting in US page 88

FASHION

SEEMA RECOMMENDS

5 Fashion Must-Haves for the Summer

PIONEERS 8

A Champion of Pluralism

Be Indian The Growing Tribe of Women Physicians

FEATURES 38

Friend to the Stars

Dress up Your Deck

BEAUTY 56

Skin Care for the Summer

HOROSCOPE 97

Forecast With Farzana

7 Web Series to

ON THE COVER

Binge-Watch This Summer

If I Could Choose Again, I Would Choose to

ENTERTAINMENT

Ready, Set, Pack

FOOD & DRINKS 68

5 Apps to Make Cooking Easier

Summer Quenchers

Great Backyard Food

Queen of Content: Bela Bajaria’s Move to Make Netflix Global

Minus the Grill

TRAVEL 84

Road Trip Tips

The Best Places to Go Whitewater Rafting in the US

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Shrugging off the Torpor of Summer

he heat is on. As we kick off July, the hottest month in the northern hemisphere, we enter the dog days, the summer doldrums. “Doldrum” is a nautical term to describe the phenomenon near the equator in which the trade winds from the northern and southern hemispheres collide and rise upwards, resulting in calm, windless waters, where ships could remain unmoving for weeks. In the financial markets, summer doldrums also signify a seasonal slump in the economy due to lack of activity. For most of us, summer doldrums is code for hot, lazy and listless days JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 6

too hot and sticky for us to step outdoors, and too boring and dull to stay indoors. So what does one do in July? We have some ideas. How about you dress your backyard deck to make it a shady and cool retreat? Add chic furniture, create privacy, and set up an outdoor swing or hammock. Quench your thirst with our five light, flavorful summer drinks that will also help you stay hydrated and cool. Hit the beach or try whitewater rafting. There’s nothing like being in the water to cool you off. Not into water activities? Then set out on a road trip and share some family time together; we have 10 tips to make your road trip fun and stress-free. Wondering what to wear and pack? Well we have those covered as well, with ideas for summer attire to cool you off and our favorite things to pack for a trip. And don’t

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forget to take care of your skin. Summer heat does a number on your skin and so we have tips to keep your skin hydrated, moist and blemish free. Summer doldrums means that it is too hot to turn on the grill or break a sweat making elaborate meals. We understand. So we have come up with ideas for backyard meals that you can make without the grill that are easy to put together and satisfying. And if you are in the mood to try new recipes, check out our favorite cooking apps for ideas on what to make on a lazy summer day. Summer is also a great time to catch up with movies and TV series. So if you like vegging out in front of the TV, we have just the thing for you: bingeworthy Netflix programs to keep you occupied and beat the boredom on those lazy, listless days. Speaking of Netflix, we have an exclusive interview with Bela Bajaria, head of Global TV content at Netflix. Bajaria has transformed content on Netflix not to mention created an inclusive and diverse, global array of content for our watching pleasure. We talk to Bela who explains how she gets things done. And we have Annette Philips who has infused South Asian music into the famous Berklee College of Music. We bring you stories describing the hopes and aspirations of impressive South Asian women physicians. We hail other pioneers, including Seema Jain, who brought diversity, inclusion and equity at Marriott, showing how they drive growth for the company! So sit back in your rocker, or lounge in your backyard hammock, and read the July issue of SEEMA magazine. You’ll be well rid of those summer doldrums!

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Seema Jain, founder of Seva Global LLC

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A Champion of Pluralism

Seema Jain is here to make the world a more diverse place PRATIKA YASHASWI

eema Jain was a finance nerd until her job at Marriott International required her to push up sales. In the middle of the brutal 2008 recession, she spotted a group of Indian travelers at a nearby hotel. She wanted them to stay at her Marriott Residence Inn property. Working closely with the general manager, she showcased its cultural amenities, including Indian breakfast, Indian newspapers, Indian TV stations, Bollywood nights, educating the staff on Indian culture. The Indian clientele increased

from 15% to 30% within a year, and revenue soared. She was able to replicate these results for over 14 other cultures and communities, and became Marriott’s multicultural director. This is perfectly in line with what many companies are starting to implement more systematically with diversity, equity, inclusion, and belonging (DEIB) programs within their companies. When the pandemic ended her time with Marriott, it allowed her to bring her knowledge to other organizations and industries through

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on, like race and disability? Seva Global offers a wide array of services to foster cultural competence across organizations. I help deliver customized solutions and consultations to increase employee engagement, enhance customer experience, and drive bottom-line results. I provide cultural training, workshops, webinars (both in-person and virtually), as well as consultation services. Additionally, I am often booked for speaking engagements for various organizations and corporations. We also have overarching presentations discussing growing business through understanding cultures and cultural competency’s business impact. Overall, I work on business development, sales, and content creation to help other companies become more culturally competent. What are some obstacles the companies you’ve worked with frequently struggle with regarding diversity and inclusion? Many companies don’t realize that DEIB is one side of the coin, and cultural competency is the flip side. By understanding the people we work with, the clients we serve, and the communities we live within, we can all live more fulfilling lives and accomplish more together. There are both business and financial gains that are achieved with cultural intelligence. The companies that make time and put effort into incorporating these crucial topics into their company culture can far exceed those who do not.

her own company, Seva Global. Apart from being a corporate whiz, she’s also a working mom who runs two NGOs and continues to give back to her community. How does she do it all? We find out. How would you explain your job to a child, say a sevenyear-old? I teach people how to work with others that may be different from you. I bet you have a friend from another country. You might notice they eat different foods, listen to different music, or celebrate other holidays. I have the best job in the world, and that is to help people understand how everyone is different yet similar in ways. I want to make sure that when you grow up, you can make a difference in this world by appreciating what other cultures are about. What does your role specifically entail? Are there specific areas of cultural competence that you focus 10 | SEEMA.COM | JULY 2022

Tell us about the two non-profits you run. There is Supporting Excellence in Education Foundation, and one focusing on advancing Jain heritage and culture in the West. Why are these causes important to you? In 1993, I helped start Young Jains of America (YJA), a national youth organization, to share the heritage and culture of Jainism. In 1998, I co-founded the Supporting Excellence in Education Foundation (SEED), which awards scholarships to Indian high school students. YJA is very important to me as I want to ensure that future generations have a place to convene, discuss their culture and religion, and bond with one another. It serves as an opportunity to meet other Jain youths and maybe, eventually, life partners. I am so proud of this organization’s growth and success. I just finished my term on the board of trustees and will be presenting a session at the next YJA conference in Dallas this July. This organization will always have a special place in my heart. SEED was the perfect intersection of my desire to help

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“I HAVE BEEN BLESSED WITH FANTASTIC TIME MANAGEMENT SKILLS. I GIVE MY FATHER, DR. SURENDRA SINGHVI, TOTAL CREDIT IN THIS AREA. WHEN I WAS GROWING UP, MY FATHER MADE ME KEEP A LOG OF HOW MUCH TIME I SPENT IN EACH ACTIVITY EVERY DAY (READING, EATING, PLAYING, GETTING READY, RELIGION, STUDYING, ETC.)” youth, connect to my culture, and promote educational opportunities for Indian American youth who need financial assistance. I always strive to give back to my communities and create a positive impact, and these organizations have helped me do so. My company name comes from the Sanskrit word seva, which describes the act of selfless service. I try to bring this idea into all facets of my life. How do you manage work and run your non-profits at the same time? How do you get so much done? I have been blessed with fantastic time management skills. I give my father, Dr. Surendra Singhvi, total credit in this area. When I was growing up, my father made me keep a log of how much time I spent in each activity every day (reading, eating, playing, getting ready, religion, studying, etc.). Luckily, I have developed strong time management skills and excellent multi-tasking skills from those days. My involvement with YJA is now minimal – I am there to support the youth and serve as an advisor. While I have left SEED Foundation to pursue other interests, I stay in touch with all the board members to keep up to date on the foundation’s activities. As a working mom and new entrepreneur, managing my day from work to personal is a must. I love routine, starting my day with a workout (yoga, cardio, or strength training). I love to walk and catch up with calls to parents and friends during this time. I plan my family meals to ensure a healthy diet and make time for myself and my husband in the evenings. We are empty-nesters and are enjoying this new lifestyle. We love entertaining and having friends and family over. I feel balanced with work and family responsibilities, but I can be overwhelmed at times. That’s when I decide to take things off my list to achieve harmony within. Life is about deciding your priorities. Today, my biggest focuses are my family and aging parents, as well as growing my business.

Seema Jain speaking at a recent event

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PIONEER | SEEMA

‘If I Could Choose Again, I Would Choose to Be Indian’ Musical maestro Annette Philip on finding her joy ABHIJIT MASIH

he’s an incredible vocalist, a professional recording and performing artists, a composer, pianist, AND the founder and director of the Berklee Indian ensemble, which broughtSouth Asian music to the Berklee College of Music in Massachusetts. Annette Philip is known for her dense choral arrangements and concept-driven productions with memorable collaborations with the likes of A.R. Rahman, Zakir Hussain, Bill Whelan and Buster Williams. The artist shared her incredible journey with SEEMA – from the backwaters of Kerala to the Back Bay in Boston. Tell us about your Indian roots and your

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years there before moving to the U.S. and your association with Berklee College of Music. My family is originally from Kerala in South India, but both my parents were based in Delhi when I was born. We moved to Singapore for about eight years, which is where a lot of changes started to happen. We finally came back when I was about 11. Coming back to India close to being a teenager was a very interesting time. I really understood what my Indian identity meant, because I always felt a little bit of an outsider in Singapore. I enrolled in the same school that my mother used to study in, That was really a very pivotal experience for me – feeling rooted, feeling that sense of connection with where she

Annette Philip is a vocalist, recording and performing artist, composer, and pianist, as well as founder and director of the Berklee Indian Ensemble JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 13

PIONEER | SEEMA had grown up. So India has been such an amazing and integral part of everything. The way I dress to my tastes in food, the music that I love. I think if I could choose again, I would choose to be Indian.

“‘WOMEN OF THE WORLD’ WAS ACTUALLY FOUNDED BY A DEAR FRIEND OF MINE, AYUMI UEDA. SHE’S A JAPANESE VOCALIST. HER IDEA WAS TO CREATE A SPACE FOR MUSICIANS, SPECIFICALLY WOMEN, TO EXPLORE ART AND CULTURE, POLITICS AND RELIGION AND ALL THESE DIFFERENT THINGS THROUGH THE LENS OF MUSIC”

How did you get interested in music and what training did you go through in becoming this talented musician? My parents, even though not musicians, always loved listening to music. So even as a child, different artists were being played at home – from all sorts of genres. But when we were in Singapore, my mother would let me watch some cartoons once I had finished all my homework. Surprisingly, I would keep insisting that we would stop at this one particular channel. And there was this rotund older gentleman singing in a very unusual style. Turned out it was Luciano Pavarotti, the amazing opera tenor. What I got obsessed with was his accompanist, his pianist. And so I would go around playing piano on every flat surface. And I’m so grateful to my parents for observing that and giving it the attention it deserved. Neither of them knew how to play the piano or had ever been exposed to it. But they looked around for a piano teacher. Really, that was the most amazing gift I could have ever imagined. So that’s really where it all started. While living in Singapore, I was exposed not only to piano but also I started playing trumpet and recorder and different things and when we returned back to India I had the opportunity in my high school to do a little bit of singing. I really again have to thank my teachers. Sir Samuel, with whom I am still in touch, noticed that I might have the singing bug, not just the piano bug. I owe much to him, because, up until that point, when I was around maybe 12 or 13, I had always considered myself much more of a pianist than a vocalist. Since then, I self trained vocally, got into musicals. Eventually, much later, after becoming a professional musician, I wanted to go to Berklee for a while. That was a completely different experience. I guess, that’s the nutshell of the musical training, so to speak, but probably the biggest training has been on stage, you know, in the studio, at arenas, that’s where you learn the most. What was parents’ reaction to you pursuing music as a career instead of the traditional career paths most Indian parents desire for

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Annette Philip with the a capella quartet Women of the World. Left to right: Débo Ray, Annette Philip, Ayumi Ueda and Giorgia Renosto

their children? For me music and my academics were co-curricular – you know, parallel pathways. My family always put education very, very high, the topmost priority really, which I think is similar in most South Asian families. The sort of deal that they had with me was, as long as you can get all A’s, you can keep doing all these hobby-type things. It was only much later when I was doing music professionally and there was this moment where I realized that I had crossed the threshold in terms of income from music-related work that I had to pay taxes at a very young age, that I think it dawned on my father specifically that maybe this isn’t just a hobby, maybe this is a career. So I think I sort of paid my dues. I did go to college for journalism and media studies. You founded ‘Artistes Unlimited’ in India way back and, more recently ‘Women of the World.’ Tell us about these two collectives and their specialties. ‘Artistes Unlimited’ was born primarily because I had these opportunities to see other musicians, but always in a competitive environment. I felt that that was sort of alien to music-making and creativity.

When I finished college, a few of my friends with me said, ‘What if there was this space where musicians from the city could come together and could do high-production-level concerts and with high quality music, but in a non-competitive environment?’ That was really the driving force for creating ‘Artistes Unlimited.’ It very quickly became a massive collective, bringing young people together. Eventually, it was people of all ages. We had musicians from the age of 10 to around 45. And it was a family and in many ways. I think it was instrumental in bringing a capella music to Delhi. It was a platform where you musicians could realize that the arts can be a fulfilling and economically viable way of life. ‘Women of the World’ was actually founded by a dear friend of mine, Ayumi Ueda. She’s a Japanese vocalist. Her idea was to create a space for musicians, specifically women, to explore art and culture, politics and religion and all these different things through the lens of music. Primarily, live together as musicians if we were collaborating together. We’ve been around since 2008. All four members are all Berklee alumni. We sing in 37 languages. There’s Ayumi Ueda JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 15

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“THAT WAS A CHILDHOOD DREAM COMING TRUE. HE’S JUST SUCH AN INCREDIBLE MENTOR, SUCH A VISIONARY, AS A MUSICIAN, AS A PERFORMER AS A COMPOSER. I’VE JUST LEARNED SO MUCH FROM HIM. THE OPPORTUNITY TO DO DUETS, OR JUST BE PART OF HIS BAND AND TOUR HAS JUST BEEN INCREDIBLE. I OWE HIM SO MUCH”

from Japan, Débo Ray, who is Haitian but American, and Giorgia Renosto, from Italy. I’m the Indian representative. We have traveled all over the world, including India, and had an amazing time when we toured. Most importantly, it’s a sisterhood. We learned so much from each other because we’re so different culturally, because of our backgrounds, and then there’s just this curiosity for music and education in everything that we do. Both of these projects are very, very, very dear to me, and I don’t think I would be the person I am today without everything that I’ve learned through both of these projects. Collaborations in music always bring out unique masterpieces. Which have been the most satisfying for you as an artist and a music lover? One of the most memorable and life-changing collaborations has been with Mr. A.R. Rahman. He first was an honorary doctorate recipient at Berklee. That in and of itself was just such an amazing experience. But about a year after, in 2014, we did that tribute concert I had the wonderful opportunity to go on tour with Mr. Rahman. That was a childhood dream coming true. He’s just such an incredible mentor, such a visionary, as a musician, as a performer as a composer. I’ve just learned so much from him. The opportunity to do duets, or just be part of his band and tour has just been incredible. I owe him so much. Berklee is like your home. You studied there, you are a faculty member at Berklee College of Music since 2010. Tell us about the blank slate they gave you to create the Berklee Indian Ensemble and what it does? I got this blank slate where the mandate was, to create really anything that doesn’t exist currently. My sense was that we should have an ensemble that celebrates Indian music in all its forms and allows for musicians from many different parts of the world to come in, bring their own cultural influences, and explore Indian music and the vastness of it. It all started. 2011... from a single idea. It has now grown into an institute all of its own. It’s now called the Berklee India Exchange. We have done workshops, productions, and residencies with several high-profile artists from India. We’ll be launching a professional touring unit, we have plans to create a foundation in India to raise funds for the work we’re doing in India to create more access to music education for students from South Asia. And many more things, including dreams of a stadium show and what not. So it’s just JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 17

PIONEER | SEEMA

Annette Philip performing with Indian music composer AR Rahman

been a wonderful journey. It’s so inspiring, [calling for] a lot of hard work with a really motivated team. You are both an accomplished musician and performing artist. What advice would you give young girls who want to take the musical career path? First and foremost, follow your joy. Find out what it is that you love and what makes you excited to wake up and jump into on a daily basis. Secondly, equip yourself with knowledge. I think looking for avenues, both for learning as well as to just broaden your horizons, is really important. Whether it’s finding the right teacher or getting involved with a group that does the kind of projects you want to do, or even just signing up for an internship with a musical band or a festival organizer. Gaining exposure is really important. Thirdly, I would just say, take risks, start something, whatever it may be, and come back to your why. And I think the paths begin to open on their own. 18 | SEEMA.COM | JUNE 2022

Being the core vocalist of the Indian Ensemble must require a regular practice regime. How much time do you devote to practice? Well, on a good day, I do about 90 minutes to two hours. [That’s] on a day that I can really take the time. I think the most important thing is just making sure that you sing every day. And I have made sure to continue having a teacher. I think that’s really important for anyone who’s a professional, You know, athletes do that. I think it’s important for everyone to have someone that they look up to, that can continue to guide them along their path as they keep growing. As a vocalist what is your favorite song to sing? I don’t have a favorite song. I think there are too many to choose from. But I improvise. I think that that would be my favorite thing to do. If I’ve had to sing a little bit right now it will be a song that I wrote with my partner. It’s called “Amazing.”

ANNETTE P H I L I P S’ TRIBUTE TO THE L AT E L AT A MANGESHKAR “Lataji’s music and her singing was the soundtrack of my parents’ childhood, and then for me as well. I mean, this is a legend who performed for almost seven decades. This is a lifetime of music. We really have lost a legend. I think I’m still at a little bit of a loss for words, because of the kind of impact that she’s had on music as a whole, especially for Indians. In so many ways her voice has helped people heal and celebrate and go through grief. Her voice has been the soundtrack to so many of our lives. I can’t put it in a better way. I think one of my favorite songs is “Aap Ki Nazron Ne Samjha.” What a storyteller she was, Just an incredible inspiration!

THE GROWING TRIBE of

Women Physicians Two AUA alumni discuss their journeys to success ABHIJIT MASIH

here has been a significant rise in the number of women physicians in the country. The increase in the physician workforce is proportionate to the steady increase in the enrollment of female medical students. According to the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) the percentage of female physicians in the workforce has increased significantly in the last 15 years. From 28.3% in 2007 it had reached 36.3%

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in 2019. The percentage is heavily skewed towards women, an example of which is the American University of Antigua, where 61% of the students are female and 39% male. Amidst the recent Graduation celebrations, two of the Graduate from AUA 2022 batch spoke to SEEMA about their inspiration, their journey in medicine and their advice to girls who may be considering following their footsteps into becoming female physicians and growing their tribe.

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E SH A JA I N

Bor n and raised in Toronto, C anada , to immig rant parent s f rom nor ther n India , Jain made the be st of the color f ul Indian cult ure at home , including t raining in classical dance , ar t , swimming , soccer, and playing the piano. She also gained accredit ation to teach others in the se f ields . Unbek nown st , this bred in her a passion for education which would later dove -t ail into a career of medic al clinical education . Jain had an early int roduction to medicine through her father, who is also a physician . His cont ribution s and ser vice to his community and their familie s motivated her to pursue something just as meaning f ul . She soon realized that medicine would be the be st way to combine her passion s and ser vice to others , So she pursued her medical t raining at the Americ an University of Antig ua in 2016 . She found herself g ravit ating towards all aspect s of medicine , but valued the long-lasting relation ships a family physician builds with patient s and their familie s . So she chose family medicine as the per fect f it . T his specialty allowed Jain to combine her passion s for clinical education , global and local community out reach , and academia in her f ut ure practice .

INSPIRATION: Jain considers the greatest inspiration to be right at home. As she described it, “My father was a huge inspiration to me, and opened my eyes to the world of medicine. Seeing him interact with his patients and their families provided me with a true sense of appreciation and gratification for this field. It was not until my grandfather was diagnosed with

Stage 4 gastric cancer did I really value the medical community. Through the due diligence of my father and my nana’s (grandfather’s) family doctor, they were able to catch the disease at a curable stage and allowed for a successful recovery. More importantly, I had my nana back!” What was curious for Jain was the fact that her grandfather had remained with the same family

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PIONEER | SEEMA physician for more than 30 years. Jain recalls his simple response: “He said, it is because of that long-lasting and trustworthy relationship we have built, that keeps me at ease. From that moment onwards, it was clear that if I could have any minimal amount of the effect this doctor had on my nana and our family, I knew I would be in the right place.” EXPERIENCE AT AUA: A recent graduate from the American University of Antigua, Jain fondly talks about her experience on the island. “It was amazing, yet challenging. Navigating a foreign country and a foreign medical system was difficult, and I soon realized that developing a strong support system is essential to success. I was able to connect with peers and faculty one on one, and in groups, for me to feel the most comfortable, and ultimately excel. More importantly, I was able to achieve a balance between my academics, my passions for clinical education, and my hobbies. I excelled after my first semester at AUA, and became a medical scholar. I tutored cellular biology, biochemistry, and neurology. I drew upon my previous experiences as a dance/swimming/piano teacher and channeled it into my medical journey.” INCREASING PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MEDICINE: Jain notes the substantial increase of women in medicine. “I credit this to the empowerment that women have been given to pursue their educational dreams,” she said. “I remember talking to my nani (grandmother) about Indian culture not being supportive for women seeking higher education. The women before us have paved the way for people like me, so know that we CAN succeed. We have succeeded now and in the past, and we will continue to break barriers for all the future female physicians to come. ADVICE TO SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN: She suggests trying out what she did: laboring hard to achieve career goals. “Nothing worth having comes easy,” she said. “Choosing a medical career requires hard work, commitment, and dedication, but is truly gratifying. To me, a life dedicated to medicine allows for ultimate satisfaction. Most importantly, creating a strong support system is crucial to overcoming the challenges that lie in any medical career. Asking for help, reaching out to faculty, peers, and family, is something I highly stress. Medicine is a team sport, whether that is in your medical education, or practicing as a physician.” 22 | SEEMA.COM | JULY 2022

M E H A K SH A R M A

Shar ma was bor n and raised in Queen s , New York . Her parent s mig rated f rom P unjab, India , to en sure her a shot at the American dream for the family. T he elde st of three , she g rew up in a multi-generational home and g reatly value s family time . Be side s spending time with her family and f riends , st aying active with her 12-year-old labrador, Cr uiser, is another thing that she appreciate s . Shar ma is an inter nal medicine re sident in F lorida and hope s to specialize post-re sidency.

INSPIRATION: There were multiple factors that influenced Sharma’s decision to get into medicine. “My mother used to be a secretary at a pediatrician’s office,” she said.. “Dr. Gupta was my first exposure to medicine, and his office became my second home. However, my mother began working at the office of a prominent internist in Long Island, Dr. Krishana Jajoo who took note of my curiosity. He pushed me into building my pre-med portfolio. He wanted to see passionate doctors in the community and saw that drive in me. He even gifted me my first stethoscope. I enjoyed seeing how he handled the South Asian community, and his duties went beyond simple diagnoses from them. Culturally, South Asians revere doctors but

are hesitant to take advice. However, Dr. Jajoo dedicated himself to providing a healthier lifestyle for his patients, and I wanted to emulate that. I fell in love with developing the patient-physician relationship and its role in patientcentered care. From high school to college, I continued to shadow different fields of internal medicine. I realized no other field valued a humanistic approach to therapy while still being challenged with complex thinking in formulating a diagnosis. Also, as a first-generation South Asian woman, it was vital for me to ensure that my parents’ sacrifices were well worth it. I fell in love with medicine, and this education empowers me. EXPERIENCE AT AUA: Fresh off the island having graduated from AUA, Sharma’s experience there was something she had not anticipated. She recalls, “My experience at AUA was nothing that I thought it would be. Friends and family advised that a medical career was challenging, so I went to AUA with the mindset that failure is not an option. I dedicated myself to medical education on the island and did exceptionally well. The faculty and staff supported me throughout my endeavors, noting my strong passion for healthcare and science. They offered me the resources I needed to perform at the level of an American Medical Graduate. Most importantly, I received tremendous support from faculty that believed in me, even when I doubted myself. AUA provided the tools needed to gain a competitive residency and helped me earn a spot at a flagship residency program.” INCREASING PERCENTAGE OF WOMEN IN MEDICINE The reason there is an increased majority of women taking up medicine Sharma feels is the realization not to conform. She says, “More women realize they do not need to follow society’s expectations of gender-specific roles. The medical landscape is shifting away from a male-dominated field, empowering women and inspiring them to seek happiness in life and work.” ADVICE TO SOUTH ASIAN WOMEN Sharma wants others to learn from her experience. “I was indecisive, and it was mainly my fear and insecurities,” she said. “Have faith in yourself and have faith in the journey. Take the time to shadow and volunteer in the hospital to see if other roles interest you. However, push yourself when pursuing this career because it is enriching. The number of hours put into school is nothing compared to the feeling you get when a patient thanks you for helping them in their journey. Also, everyone looks great in scrubs!”

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COVER STORY | SEEMA

Bela Bajaria’s Move to Make Netflix Global

ABHIJIT MASIH

CREDIT: HARPER FOR EXCLUSIVE ARTISTS USING KERATASE

QUEEN OF CONTENT

COVER STORY | SEEMA

n movies, you are either the leading lady or the best friend. Bela Bajaria is neither. In fact, she takes the call on both parts and greenlights the script. Just a few days before the much-awaited TV series “Stranger Things” Season 4 was released on Netflix, we spoke to Bela Bajaria, the head of Global TV Content at Netflix. It was probably the same week that TIME Magazine honored Bajaria as one of the 100 most influential people of 2021. The inclusion on the list, perhaps no surprise to many who have followed Bajaria’s trajectory within the entertainment space. In less than two years since taking over as head of all TV content at the streaming giant, she has employed all her years of experience of television programming and content creation which she acquired first at CBS and then at Universal Studios. Much like the popular series, stranger things have occurred in Bajaria’s life and in her journey which started in East Africa. Her family had to leave their home due to the anti Asian sentiments brewing at that time. A time where thousands of were expelled from the country, mostly Indians. A journey that started with the deportation, to becoming the content head of the streaming platform; that has a series on tyrants in history, focusing on the forced migration of an ethnic group from Africa, that she herself was a part of, is an astonishing twist of fate.

COVER STORY | SEEMA

rican te ed Ame h c t a w jaria e Bela Ba erican cultur m A t u o ab

to fit levision

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Like many families that were expelled from East Africa, Bajaria and her family moved to England where they tried to integrate with the large South Asian community there. Destiny brought them to America when Bajaria was nine years old. She recalls yet another move, to a new country where the initial days were tough. “It was a very difficult period, when we moved to Los Angeles,” she said. “Being Indian felt like such a weird thing. People didn’t know anything about Indian people. At least when I was in London, there was a big Indian community. There was definitely racism there, but people knew that you belonged to this larger group. In Los Angeles, I was a brown Indian girl with a British accent. So I had multiple weird things happening at the same time when I was young. I knew that at the end of the day, I had to lose one of those things. The brown Indian wasn’t going anywhere. So I needed to lose the accent.” The best way to do that for the young Bajaria was to watch American television. What started as a way of fitting in and learning about American culture soon set her on course to her future career. The American hustle that most South Asian immigrants get to know firsthand was something that wasn’t new to Bajaria and her family. The experience of setting up business in Africa and in the UK led the family to set up a car wash center in the U.S. That became a training ground for the young Bajaria. “There was so much that I learned from being part of this family business,” she said. “The responsibility as owners about how you do everything right, every piece of it. There’s no job too small for one to do when you know when it’s your own family business. Even when I got my first job at CBS all the way through to now. I feel … as if I am running each of my divisions or departments as my own car wash. It’s my business. I’m responsible for it. I’m responsible for the people in it and their businesses.” Apart from the lessons at the car wash, she learned many lessons at home. They provided her with knowledge that Bajaria still taps into for inspiration and for business operations. Being witness to her parents’ struggle and

COVER STORY | SEEMA

ADV IC E FOR YOUNG PROFESSIONALS “Be ready to be proactive, because they’re much harder to learn and there are mentors all around us. I think sometimes people wait for a more formal mentor relationship. I think it’s very important to be proactive, and put yourself out there. You don’t need somebody to say, Oh, you’re doing great work, because they may already be seeing you and you just don’t know it. I’ve had that experience in my career that I was just proactive and really put myself out there. But I’m also putting myself out there because I want to learn. So none of that time is wasted. You are learning and reading and watching. It’s very important to make sure to understand that you have people all around you to learn, and it doesn’t have to be a formalized relationship.” ON HOW TO GET INTO THE ENTERTAINMENT BUSINESS “There are a lot of places that are making entertainment right now, apply and just get to be an assistant just get in the door, because it’s important to get on the track of where you want to be. The second is, you have to be aware and careful not to listen to a lot of noise around you. There can be a lot of people around you who would be negative about it, or putting doubts or all the reasons why it’s difficult. You definitely can do it. You just have to know that and believe that you can do it. I think it’s very important to drown out the noise. When I went into the entertainment business 25 years ago, there were a lot of naysayers. I heard a lot of that but I just don’t listen to people. What is amazing is that then there’ll be a few people even in your corner and even in your extended Indian family, who will be supportive. So focus on those one or two voices and drown out the rest.”

Bela Bajaria is responsi ble for hit Netflix shows like The Queen’s Gambit and Sq uid Games

sacrifice, and being the eldest child, Bajaria felt the responsibility to succeed. She mentions some qualities that she absorbed while growing up within a family that kept the Indian culture alive. “A characteristic for me would be the idea of group versus individual,” she said. “This idea of community or village versus individual, to me, is a very strong component of it. I care deeply about the group and how people interact with each other. I think I also manage in a lot of ways, my teams sort of with that in mind.” As the global head of content at Netflix she is responsible for hit shows like “The Queen’s Gambit,” “Squid Games” and various other scripted and unscripted shows. The road to the top is paved with hard work and sound ethics. Bajaria attributes that to her family, deeming it a requisite feature in an all Indian upbringing in America. Watching television, which began as a need to embrace American culture, Bajaria soon began watching content from different places. Bollywood was

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PHOTO CREDIT: AS TRID STAWIARZ / GE TTY IMAGES FOR NE TFLIX)

Bela Bajaria with direct or Shawn Levy and Netfli x Chief Marketing Officer “Stranger Things” Season Marian Lee Dicus at Ne 4 New York premiere tflix’s

an essential ingredient in the Indian household. Besides Hollywood and Hindi cinema, there were also certain accessible British programs she continued to follow. “I really grew up watching a lot of different stories,” she said, adding that she used to watch some shows with her grandparents who lived with the family, and some with my friends her age. She was intrigued how many people were watching the same story at the same time. Watching television alone does not get you a career in the entertainment industry. While a wide-ranging and eclectic viewing tally did help, Bajaria said, “I always admired storytelling and I was intrigued by entertainment. So many different people are experiencing the same show and may be getting different things and the connection they make to it. I was always interested in how something is put together from behind the scenes or behind the camera. And so for me, it really started with the admiration of storytelling and writers.” Bajaria could have been successful before the camera, too. For, she took part in beauty pageants and won the Miss India USA and Miss India Worldwide contests in 1991. But that was not the life for her. “I never did it to have a career in front of the camera,” 32 | SEEMA.COM | JULY 2022

she said, speaking from her office in LA, “The idea was connecting with my culture and community, and connecting with Indian women around the world. It ended up being an extraordinary time with so much growth, because I did meet really interesting women from all over the world, and realized how much we had in common, even when we were from different countries. But an interesting thing happened..: I kind of became Indian on my own terms…, not through my parents or my family, I kind of forged my own kind of relationship with the culture and the community.” Though she didn’t pursue a professional career in the glamour world, the experience provided her a platform in entertainment. She acknowledges the part those contest played. “The pageant was a great joy. I learned so many things during that time. I do believe by the time I had my first job as an assistant at CBS, I had done so many different things in different countries that it had given me a lot of skill set when I went into the workplace.” She got a foot in the door when she became an assistant at CBS. To learn more and absorb everything she spent hours in the CBS videotape library, updating herself on

PHOTO CREDIT: THEO WARGO / GETTY IMAGES

Bela Bajaria at the Netflix’s “Stranger Things” Season 4 New York Premiere at Netflix Brooklyn with the cast of the show

all the shows and films, reading scripts and more to gain skills for the job. “It was early days and obviously, very important,” Bajaria said of her time at CBS. “I realized that I had access to all of this information, access to scripts, and the videotape library and being able to see early cuts of a show. I had all this access to learn. So I made a promise to myself that I would absorb and be a sponge, I would learn and read and watch and really use that time there as an education. I think it’s really important to be proactive.” Those hard initial days helped her break out and become one of the first South Asian women to head a major Hollywood studio at NBC Universal. She has been instrumental in getting the shows you love to the screen

before you, and would gladly take the blame for the hours you spend binge-watching one of these shows. If you have binge watched some show on Netflix this past weekend, chances are it is because of Bajaria. Among others, she made Mindy Kaling a household name. Kaling acknowledged Bajaria as the one who changed her life. Bajaria, perhaps identifying her own personal story and cultural identity, that was showcased in “The Mindy Project.” Bajaria talks about Mindy and how the show was greenlit, “The truth is, she’s just incredibly talented. And I was just merely there to support her great talent. It’s funny, it was titled “It’s Messy” maybe only for a day or two. When I was at Universal Television, I was really determined to sell it to our sister network, to which

Left to right: Karamo Brown, Bobby Berk, Antoni Porowski, Bela Bajaria, Ted Sarandos, co-CEO and chief content officer at Netflix, Tan France, Jonathan Van Ness

NBC had passed on the pilot. [Kaling] had such a unique voice and it was such a great script. We ended up selling it to Fox Network the same year, and it launched as “The Mindy Project.” Ultimately, we sold it another time to Hulu, and “The Mindy Project” went on to run for 117 episodes. I was so proud of that show and of her. When you run a studio, you need to advocate and champion writers. That was my job and she was talented, and I was gonna fight for it.” The position at Netflix is not all bed of roses and comes with recent thorns in the form of loss of subscribers for the streaming giant, for the first time ever. For the first time in a decade, the company is losing subscribers in the face of intense competition from other streaming platforms. But Bajaria appears to be up to the task. “I think competition in so many ways is great for consumers,” she said. “At the end of the day, I want to make sure we have the best shows. I want to make sure we have your favorite show. Someone’s daughter’s favorite show, my husband’s favorite show, his friend’s favorite show. That is what we’re looking to do – offer a wide range of quality and variety. Making sure that we have the best series and films, whether that is unscripted or documentary, film or TV series. It could be in English, it could be in Korean, it could be an indie, it could be

in French, it could be in many different niches, but to really serve our members to keep subscribers is to make sure that we’re always surprising people, always having the best next show.” Ensuring and providing that to the subscribers is what she believes is her role as the person who decides what we watch on Netflix. Bajaria plans to invest in better and original content and concentrate and rely on regional teams to come up with hard hitting and innovative programming. Bajaria believes in not letting personal choices come in the way of determining of what the audience wants. She explains her selection method: “We can’t make shows for me, right? That’s not the lens or the filter. People have such a wide range of tastes, so I think it’s always very important to embrace and honor the audience who enjoys a certain show. The way that we do it is that we have local teams in all these different countries, which have green-light authority. They know the writers, know the culture, know the community and there are different teams who make different shows, because we want to make sure that we have a wide breadth of case and background and what gets made because we don’t want to have one filter. And so it’s always important to have the audience first, and understanding, appreciating and respecting that the audiences have a wide range of tastes.”

“IT’S FIRST IMPORTANT TO REMEMBER THAT OUR CORE BUSINESS, ALL THAT WE DO IS MAKE TV SERIES AND FILMS. WE ARE AN ENTERTAINMENT COMPANY AND THAT IS OUR ALL DAY LONG BUSINESS AND THAT IS WHAT WE FOCUS ON” The rapid reduction in cable TV subscribers, with an estimated 7 million expected this year, and armed with a spending budget of $18 billion this year, Netflix seems on course to steady the ship. It is competing for eye balls with media giants, such as Warner Bros, Discovery, Disney, Amazon and Apple, which can outspend Netflix for content creation. But spending is not a guarantee of success, the key is to spend on what people want to watch. Bajaria explains what sets Netflix apart and gives the company the edge over the competition, “There are several things that set us apart,” Bajaria said. “It’s first important to remember that our core business, all that we do is make TV series and films. We are an entertainment company and that is our all day long business and that is what we focus on. I think the other thing is accessibility, right? You can go on Netflix, and you can click play and watch a TV series, you can click and watch “Ozark” in the U.S., and you can scroll right over and play and watch “Squid Game” as well. There is accessibility of so much storytelling around the world. Our platform and our product is amazing and so user friendly, and such an easy thing to navigate into. I do think our access, with the wide range of shows and movies we have, definitely sets us apart.” Another reason Netflix lost subscribers lies in the recent increase in subscription rates, may have been the leading anti-consumer decisions taken by Netflix. However, Bajaria validated the reports that there might be a more economical pricing tier that may be launched soon to counter the increase in subscription. She said, “We spoke about this in our earnings call, maybe doing an ads-price tier. I think the good thing about that is that it giver access to more people. What is affordable or accessible to them would be an ads-price tier. If somebody can’t afford it, making sure there’s different tiers that could make it more accessible. So we have discussed offering that and we’re just working on that.” Recent roadblocks notwithstanding, Bajaria has her ducks in a row with a comprehensive three-point plan for expansion. “We started the unscripted group and now have big

Bela Bajaria with Mindy

Kaling

shows like ‘Queer Eye,’ ‘Is It Cake,’ ‘Indian Matchmaking,’ ‘Selling Sunset,’ ‘Love Is Blind,’ which have really broken through. In the last few years, we have expanded more and more into a local language series and are really growing our local language originals around the world. More recently, we have expanded into gaming, which seems such a natural extension of storytelling of movies and TV series. I still think, at the end of the day, it has to be that we have great series and movies. And that’s why people are going to come and continue to come on Netflix.” For most people the way to de-stress and unwind is to JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 35

COVER STORY | SEEMA

FAVORITE ACTOR: Female actor: I’m going to say Shabana Azmi, Meryl Streep and Alia Bhatt. MALE ACTOR: Morgan Freeman. FAVORITE HOLLYWOOD MOVIE: I don’t know if I have a favorite Hollywood movie. FAVORITE BOLLYWOOD MOVIE: “Gangubai Kahthiawadi.” Very, very powerful story. FAVORITE NETFLIX SERIES: I love so many of them. I’m very excited about :Stranger Things.” I love “The Crown.” “The Crown” is exquisitely produced and crafted in every way. I love “Indian Matchmaker.” I really love when those episodes come in. There are so many things I love; it’s hard for me to pick a Netflix series. There’s too many. ON OTHER NON NETFLIX PLATFORMS: Soccer. No cricket. Sorry to all my Indian family. A MOVIE THAT YOU CAN WATCH NUMBER OF TIMES: I am going to cheat by naming multiple movies. I would say “Breakfast Club,” “Elf,” “Devil Wears Prada,” and “Good Will Hunting.” UNRELEASED SERIES THAT YOU’RE LOOKING FORWARD TO WATCHING: We have a series called “The Lying Life of Adults,” based on Elena Ferrante’s novel in Italy. I’m really excited - and that hasn’t come out yet. It’s still very early days but I’m excited about that. FAVORITE FOOD: I love every traditional good Gujarati food - roti, dal and bhindi. FAVORITE PLACE TO VACATION: Oh, I love to travel. It’s such a hard one to pick a favorite. It’s India or Mexico. Those are the two places I love, every time I go to either.

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watch a film or a TV series. What does the person who helps others de-stress do to unwind herself? Bajaria tells us about her downtime routine. “I have three children, so I unwind by spending time with them,” she said. “They have their own individual interests or hobbies, so I do different things with them. I really love to watch soccer or other sports. I really do enjoy my yoga time, which really gets me in the right headspace. But I also do enjoy a great Netflix series binge, too.” An inspirational top executive in the entertainment industry, Bajaria has brought incredible shows like “The Witcher,” “The Sacred Games” and “Blood and Water,” from around the world. A journey that started as a weird brown girl trying to lose her British accent to fit in and assisting at the family owned car wash center, Bajaria has come a long way. She has been “trending” like Netflix categories within the entertainment industry and as a popular South Asian woman role model. Bajaria says her biggest achievement has been to show to these young women that a brown girl can run a major Hollywood studio. “When I ran Universal Television, I thought that was the greatest personal achievement,” Bajaria said. “It’s very meaningful to me because if there’s a first there can be a second, a 20th and a 30th. To me, what that represents is bigger than a personal achievement. It is being in a job to oversee global television and [give] a voice to storytellers from around the world; showing different cultures and different stories on a global platform is a very rewarding thing to be a part of considering where I started when I first came to the U.S.” Entertainment is an unconventional career choice, especially for a South Asian woman. However, she canceled out the voices of naysayers and, instead, focused on the handful of people that supported her. She talked about the strong bonds of sisterhood among South Asian women “You’re doing it in a way through SEEMA to highlight that, right? That is the first thing of sisterhood and sharing and hopefully people feeling inspired,” Bajaria said. “I think in the last two or three years there has been a very strong community of South Asian women, especially in these different fields - coming together and making sure we are there to support and advocate for each other. I have definitely felt that in the last couple of years. I also feel now there is not just room for one person at the table.” Bajaria has experienced the essential elements of moviemaking in her own personal life and through her job ensures that the shows she commissions do not lack these elements - including suspense, laughter, violence, romance, reality but most of all to guarantee happy endings.

PHOTOGRAPHER: ASH GUPTA @ASHGUPTASLIFE @838MG PHOTO ASSIST / DIT: TUHAN BEDI @TUHANBEDI LIGHTING TECHNICIAN: TEESHAY SHAH @_TEESHAY HAIR: HARPER: LE BLANC @HARPERARTIST MAKEUP: KRISTENE BERNARD @KRISTENEBMAKEUP POST PRODUCTION: ANASTASIYA MAKAROVA @SFUMATO.RETOUCH/ RUTVIK KATURI @RUTVIKKATURI PRODUCER / PHOTO ASSISTS: JOEL WICECARVER @ JWICECARVER

“WHEN I RAN UNIVERSAL TELEVISION, I THOUGHT THAT WAS THE GREATEST PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT. IT’S VERY MEANINGFUL TO ME BECAUSE IF THERE’S A FIRST THERE CAN BE A SECOND, A 20TH AND A 30TH. TO ME, WHAT THAT REPRESENTS IS BIGGER THAN A PERSONAL ACHIEVEMENT” JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 37

FEATURES | SEEMA

FRIEND TO THE STARS Ash Gupta – he who can shoot ‘em right

ALL PHOTOS CREDIT: ASH GUPTA

ABHIJIT MASIH

sh Gupta’s studio, home and heart are forever open for creative minds and the welcoming coffee is always brewing. His passion brought him from Lucknow in India to that cauldron of creativity. Los Angeles. He has photographed innumerable top models, artists and celebrities, both

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in Hollywood and Bollywood. The names? They include Ben Affleck, Jennifer Lawrence, Elizabeth Shue, Dominique Swain, Davis Guggenheim, Kyle Eastwood, Bai Ling, Fred Durst, Richie Sambora, Preity Zinta, Madhavan, Jacqueline Fernandez, Pooja Batra and Mallika Sherawat. The list of artists he has photographed called for a feature over two issues of the magazine. We thought of showcasing some of his fabulous pictures in that order of his progression – showcasing his pictures of the Hollywood stars first, in this special

FEATURES | SEEMA issue on entertainment. To curate the pictures, Gupta went through each image and narrated the story behind it, along with anecdotes from the shoot. Gupta moved to the U.S. in 1989, pursuing his love and his future wife, Shalini. The initial years were spent assisting other celebrated photographers and perfecting his craft. He moved from New York to Los Angeles in 1992, gravitating towards the center of glamor and fashion. It was much later that he decided to start off on his own. Ash’s first brush with Hollywood was with the daughter of childhood icon Bruce Lee. Shannon Lee had just lost her brother Brendan a couple of years earlier and was a nervous wreck at the shoot. Gupta, who was nervous himself, confessed his anxiety to Lee. That helped her relax. This ability to break

A R T I S T

the ice and make people comfortable has held him in good stead, and earned him a growing number of friends within the industry. Gupta is the founder of 838 Media Group, a creative studio in Los Angeles that focuses more on forging friendships than connections, and provides a platform for young creative minds to thrive under his guidance. Through his company, Gupta mentors a small group of talented actors, filmmakers, and photographers, aiding and directing them to their goals in the entertainment industry. He aims not just to take fabulous pictures and make attractive people look even more gorgeous, but to make his work spectacular based on the friendships he forges. Gupta lent SEEMA his lens to witness his beautiful world of glamor, fashion, celebrities and friends.

S T A T E M E N T

“Breathe…click…exhale…. This is what beauty sounds like… This is the puzzle falling into place…. You will hear most photographers, most artists, tell you that they see beauty everywhere, around every corner, in every face, in every shadow, every trace of light. I cannot. I see the odium, borne of the chaos that life provides. I rearrange the pieces…hold them in hand, mold and shape… This is what I am, this is what I give. Distilled into the soft, quiet beauty of the moment… To be the eye of the beholder, taking what is not there, stripping away what is not.” Ash Gupta

K Y L E E A S T W O O D The musician son of the Hollywood legend. The jazz musician is the eldest son of Clint Eastwood who took to music. He has contributed to the musical score for the academy award-winning films “Mystic River” and “Million Dollar Baby.” Gupta often lends his personal accessories for shoots. So in the picture, Kyle Eastwood wears the photographer’s cool sunglasses.

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S O P H I A

B U S H

Filling the canvass. The “John Tucker Must Die” actress is the daughter of Charles Bush, an iconic photographer, which obviously made her of particular interest to Gupta. The shoot was at a high-elevation apartment in Manhattan with polarized glass all around. That made it easier for him to control the lighting.

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J E N N I F E R L A W R E N C E The shoot, which came much before “Hunger Games” made her a superstar, was not a scheduled one. Lawrence came in with a friend of Gupta, who was shooting some East European models. Lawrence, who was a greenhorn before the camera then, requested Gupta for his wifi password while she waited, hoping to learn the basics of posing for the camera during her two-hour wait. Talk about diligence.

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R I C H I E

S A M B O R A

The guitar god behind the signature riffs of Bon Jovi had given instructions for a crew of only 4 for the photo shoot. The venue was the opulent suite of a plush hotel in Beverly Hills. A four hour delay for Richie to arrive was initially perceived to be the trappings of stardom. However the delay was caused due to some technical snag in the private jet which was to bring Richie Sambora from Chicago to LA. The rockstar did call Ash from the jet and apologized and extended his hospitality to the team, while they waited in the suite.

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B E N

A F F L E C K

The photo shoot was for the promotion of the 2007 film “Gone Baby Gone.” The location Gupta picked happened to be opposite the house of Jennifer Lopez, Affleck’s ex. It was an amusing starting point for a conversation with the Academy award-winning actor and director.

A L Y S S A

M I L A N O

The “Charmed” actress had recently returned from India and had incredible stories to share about Mumbai and Varanasi and her new-found love for samosas; which Gupta promptly ordered for her and the crew from a nearby Indian restaurant.

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F R E D

D U R S T

The front man of Limp Bizkit, for some reason, made Gupta and himself wait for an imaginary stylist to arrive for the photoshoot. When the wait had tested his patience enough, Gupta turned stylist, as he had done numerous times before, gave Durst one of his own Tees, and grabbed a Russian jacket and a hat to shoot this mellow image of the lead vocalist of the metal band.

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D A V I S G U G G E N H E I M E L I S A B E T H S H U E

Though Elisabeth Shue, perhaps might be considered the bigger star in the marriage, Gupta was a bigger fan of her husband, Davis, the director of the Oscar-winning documentary “An Inconvenient Truth” and other well-known documentaries on U2, Malala Yousafzai and Bill Gates. A fan of the visual arts, Gupta made him sit atop the couch, bringing him out of the shadow of Elisabeth and into the rightful spotlight.

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B A I

L I N G

She is an international star, with some great roles in films like “Red Corner” with Richard Gere and “Anna and the King” with Jodie Foster. However, the free-spirited entertainer is best remembered for her outrageous and risqué outfits. Gupta helped the actress get rid of that image, and was perhaps instrumental in steering her towards her current popular persona on Instagram.

D O M I N I Q U E S W A I N Gupta tried attempting to recreate the forbidden love depicted in “Lolita” (1997). He used the film’s poster as a backdrop, with Dominique hiding her younger self on the poster with her adult self. The red outfit and the lip color raised the temperature perhaps more than the film did. JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 49

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Dress up YOUR DECK It makes it a great place to hang around in summer RASHMI GOPAL RAO

ummer means happy times and good sunshine - Brian Wilson Everything magical and good happens between June and August – the months of summer, the season of sun, sand and sea! Summer is also synonymous with holidays, endless days of fun, parties and get-togethers where we take a break from work to bond with family and friends. While a good time to go off on a vacation, there is nothing like spending time with loved ones at home. And there, no space is better than the deck to soak in 50 | SEEMA.COM | JULY 2022

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the outdoors. Here are some easy and quick ways to give your deck a makeover for the summer. DECK OVERHAUL: It is always a good idea to review your patio and check what improvements may be needed. Remove dirt, dust and moss before you start using it. Fix things like uneven panels, loose railings and sunken tiles. If the wooden floor is worn out, give it a fresh polish or consider re-staining it. You can also spruce up the deck by giving it a lick of paint. Go in for some fresh, light colors, like sunshine yellow or even pastel blues and greens, to give the place a cheerful vibe. If your patio is at an elevation, check the steps and fix any loose nuts and bolts or uneven surfaces. FURNITURE IDEAS: Adding furniture pieces that are functional yet chic goes a long way to make your deck cosy and comfortable. Steel, wrought iron, plastic, PVC or aluminum work best as they 52 | SEEMA.COM | JUNE 2022

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are resistant to the vagaries of the weather. Go for some sophisticated bar stools or retro style chairs if you want to make an impact. An overhead shade structure, or a pergola, can add a new look and also protect you from the harsh sun. It is a place to unwind, so keep comfort in mind while choosing the furniture. Add bean bags, loungers, day beds, even a swing bench if needed, and use furnishings that are stain free, for the deck is an area for food and drink and plenty of spills. Floating shelves display accessories and also help save floor space, while storage benches help you stash things away while allowing for seating.

GET SOME PRIVACY: Enclosing your deck with screens or a live wall helps create a warm and snug vibe and gives your deck a homey feel. You can install a wooden square lattice wall on one side and allow plants like pothos or climbing roses to creep in, making the place both lively and beautiful. Tall plants, hedge walls, rattan or bamboo fencing or even a classic English fence are yet other ways to give your patio a clean, enclosed look. ACCESSORIES: Give your deck a colorful and lively feel by throwing in accessories. Create texture with rugs, floor cushions, throws and pillows. Stick to a color scheme JUNE 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 53

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to add more character to the space. Add plenty of greenery in the form of potted plants in eclectic planters. Hang art work, paper lanterns or a mirror to give the place a personal touch. Consider installing a fire pit for a cosier vibe. Give existing planters a new look by painting them in bright colors. Planter boxes on the railing is another way to add a pop of color. LIGHTING: It can make or mar a space. Consider some interesting lighting options to give your deck a new look and feel. Pendant lights and mood lighting can lift things up, while fairy lights can be a fun element. Flood lights, sconces and floor lamps are other options. Use materials like cane and rattan if you like the natural look. While metal and wood are good ideas for light fixtures, make sure they are waterproof and last long. Old school candle lanterns or some lighted scented candles at dusk can also create a serene yet inviting space. JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 55

BEAUTY | SEEMA

Skin Care for the Summer 10 tips to keep it in fine fettle through the season AALIYAH MEHRA

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ummer comes with its pros and cons. One very big concern during summer is, of course, skin care. Here are a few tips to address that.

1. Wash your face to remove excess oil It’s a simple tip, but one of the most effective and important ones! You should do this as soon as you come back home from anywhere. During the summer, your skin can get very oily very fast. Removing this buildup of oil and grime on your face is essential to prevent acne, pimples, and other unwanted horrors. Using a gentle, alcohol-free face wash can make sure to wash off any dirt and oil and keep your skin healthy and glowing all through. 2. Apply sunscreen Another really simple but often overlooked tip. It’s vital to wear sunscreen ALL the time, whether you’re sitting at home or you’re going out in the sun, it’s a must! The sun’s UV rays are very harmful and can not only give you nasty sunburns, but also give you stubborn tans. Hence, it’s essential to apply sunscreen and protect your skin! Also, try to stay away from direct sunlight. Stand in the shade and use accessories like hats and sunglasses to prevent direct exposure to the sun, especially at midday. 3. Moisturize Although this may seem similar to the previous tip, it’s still super important ! Keeping your skin hydrated and healthy is one of the bare necessities that will have you looking and feeling great! Hydrating face masks are a great option to use once in a while. Wash your face frequently, or you can carry around a small facial mist around for instant hydration. Another option is to use a light, non-greasy moisturizer since it always does get really humid during summer. Light moisturizers and creams are the best way to go. Also, don’t forget and neglect your lips! Use lip balms and rubs to keep your lips moisturized as well. 4. Drink lots of water and fresh fruit juices With the unforgiving summer heat, it’s essential to stay hydrated. So make sure to drink loads of water. It would be a good idea to drink at least a gallon every day. Water does not only help in keeping your body cool, but also flushes out toxins. 5. Eat smart and clean It’s very important to have a good diet. What you eat also reflects on your skin. Opt for seasonal fruits and vegetables that are rich in antioxidants. Make use of the abundant summer fruits available in stores and in the

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closest farmer’s market. Cucumbers and watermelons, which have a high water content, can help to cool your body. With a healthy body, your skin glows, too. Another good idea would be to include vitamin C in your diet, This is amazing for your skin! Some lemon in your glass of water would make the world of a difference. Also include these cooling options in your diet: yogurt, bananas, ginger, and seeds like sunflower and chia seeds! These also contain Omega-3, which is good for your hair, too. 6. Keep everyday makeup to a minimum Heavy makeup blocks the pores and prevents the skin from breathing. So, light powder-based products are best during this season! NEVER sleep with your makeup on! It traps all the dirt in the skin and can cause long-term damage to it. So follow that bedtime routine diligently. 7. Change linen regularly Experts recommend changing your sheets and pillow covers every week. This is important because, over time, dirt, dead skin cells, body oils and dust mites collect in them. If we don’t change our sheets regularly, we are basically sleeping in all of that. That irritate your skin, leading to dry skin, inflammations, infections, acne, and pimples! 8. Exercise This could be anything that feels right! A walk, a run or any other form of exercise that makes you feel good! Exercise helps in increasing blood flow to the skin cells, nourishing them and helping your skin glow! It also helps to efficiently remove toxins from your skin more efficiently. So, if you needed a push to start exercising a bit, this is it! 9. Use night masks Using the night for your skin care is smart ! You can use a night cream or an overnight face mask before sleeping. Let this work its magic while you have a good night’s sleep. 10.Don’t forget to exfoliate Exfoliating is very important, especially in summer, when your skin can get oily and sweaty fast. Exfoliating can help to open up blocked pores and remove oils that lead to acne, preventing breakouts! Since it also unclogs your pores, it helps your moisturizer to work more efficiently and also provides an instant glow! We hope these will help your skin feel and look better this summer — and every summer hereon!

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FASHION | SEEMA

5 FASHION MUST-HAVES FOR THE SUMMER What you need are clothes that are stylish, fight the heat, and yet keep you looking pretty SYNA MEHRA

ashion is the way we dress ourselves. Fashion is our form of expression for our personal clothing choices; choices that embody our interests, beliefs, and passions. Fashion is not only important for us to look pleasant to others, it is also significant for our own mental health:

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when we look good, we feel good. With the world now opening up postCOVID-19, and summer vacations around the corner, a trendy wardrobe selection is essential. If you’re traveling to a delightful destination during the summer break, these five fashion choices are guaranteed to satisfy your wants.

S U M M E R Y D R E S S E S

PHOTO CREDIT: ANTON_IVANOV

One thing that definitely needs to be in your wardrobe this summers are a clutch of dresses. A dress in the summer feels amazing. It gives out a summer vibe, especially when you wear light colors like yellow, pink, white etc. Dresses are one thing that make girls look very elegant and pretty during summers. Oh and the most important thing of all, dresses keep you cool as they’re mostly cotton. I personally prefer wearing sleeveless or short sleeved dresses during summers.

C O - O R D

S E T S

One of the easiest ways to get dressed in summers is to opt for co-ords. Co-ords are suitable for day and night as it takes less time to style than any other outfit. If you have immediate plans or are running late, you don’t need to try and mix and match your clothes, you can just take out a co-ord set, put it on with some shoes, and you’re ready to go!

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FASHION | SEEMA D E N I M

S H O R T S

One very important pair of clothing that absolutely no one should miss out on are denim shorts. Made of cotton, denim shorts are breathable, meaning you will not be hot and clammy. You can comfortably wear them outdoors under the hot summer sun for hours. They are appropriate for summer events when you want to be free to move and be comfortable while not sweating in the heat. You can wear them to places where you walk a lot, such malls, marketplaces, even to the beach. Denim shorts are my go-to pair of clothing.

L I G H T - C O L O R E D

T E E S

T-shirts are usually considered more relaxing and comfortable than other summer wear. For those who feel hotter than others during summer, and want to wear something open and soothing, T-shirts are the best option. These don’t make you claustrophobic and sweaty. You can pair them with anything, be it shorts, pants or jeans. They are mostly worn as casual wear during the summers.

H A T

O R

C A P

You obviously do not want half of your face tanned when you’re wearing a mask, so a hat or a cap is necessary. It can get so hot these days that anyone can get a headache within an hour of walking in the sun. In fact, you can barely see in the harsh sunlight. To save yourself from hard tans and a headache, a hat or a cap is a must. Moreover, they also shade your eyes and keep them fresh.

You will not regret buying these clothes and accessories before summer swings by. They will keep you cool and comfortable throughout the day and not allow you to tire out. Wish you all a happy and colorful summer! JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 63

ENTERTAINMENT | SEEMA

7 WEB SERIES

TO BINGE-WATCH THIS SUMMER These fun, riveting shows will keep you bleary-eyed through the nights SYNA MEHRA

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ENTERTAINMENT | SEEMA

summer break is not a vacation unless you binge watch some web series! May it be a series on a flight, or doing an allnighter at home with some snacks, bingewatching is always fun. I have binge-watched numerous series on Netflix (not a word to my parents, please). My favorites are “Alexa and Katie,” “Greenhouse Academy,” “Backstage,” “Go! Live Your Way,” “Stranger Things,” “Designated Survivor” and “The Vampire Diaries.” I will provide you with a taste of each of these so that you can pick the genre you like the most. We all know selecting what to watch is frustrating, and takes the most time. Alexa and Katie Alexa and Katie is an emotional sitcom. The plot revolves around two best friends, one of whom is suffering from cancer. Katie is a faithful friend to Alexa, who has the terminal disease. Don’t we all want a Katie in our lives? Go! Live Your Way In the musical and inspiring genre, we have “Go! Live Your Way.” Mía gets a scholarship to an elite school of arts where she makes close friends but clashes with the owner’s daughter. Jealousy pervades through this show. “Go! Live Your Way” is a realistic portrayal of life in an art school. Boys and girls getting demoralized after being insulted for their work, compete with one another and get fed up hearing biased opinions. This show teaches you to keep going and never get affected by what people say. It is a must-watch and a very inspiring Argentinian show. Fuller House Fuller House is a sequel to “Full House,” which is not on Netflix anymore. It is about D.J. Tanner-Fuller, a veterinarian and widowed mother of three sons, whose sister Stephanie and best friend Kimmy – along with her teenage daughter – live together at the Tanners’ childhood home in San Francisco, California. It is a feel good sitcom to lift your mood if you’re feeling low. The show had a tragic loss when the actor who played DJ’s father, Bob Saget, died early this year. The Greenhouse Academy This is a web series in which you would die to know what happens next as shocking truths unravel in each episode. The Greenhouse Academy has two rival

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groups, the Ravens and the Eagles. The dean gives them challenges to keep up their rivalry- until they are confronted with a bad accident and Ravens and Eagles address the matter together in a secret investigation to make the dean realize the importance of teamwork. The suspense keeps you up all night. Trust me, you’ll finish the two seasons within two days. Designated Survivor On the night of the State Of The Union, an explosion destroys the Capitol Building, killing the President and everyone in the line of succession except for Thomas Kirkman, the secretary of urban and housing development who had been named the designated survivor. Thomas is immediately sworn in, unaware that the attack is just the beginning of what is to come. He faces many challenges and struggles to balance his political aspirations with the challenge of being seen as a legitimate president. In each season a new problem needs to be solved. It is an interesting show that will keep you on the edge of your couch. Stranger Things Stranger Things is set in the early 1980s in the fictional town of Hawkins, Indiana. The nearby Hawkins National Laboratory ostensibly performs scientific research for the United States Energy Department but secretly does experiments into the paranormal and supernatural, including those that involve human test subjects. Inadvertently, the researchers have created a portal to an alternate dimension, “The Upside Down.” The Upside Down influences the unknowing residents of Hawkins in calamitous ways. A professor working for the Energy Department test some supernatural powers using his own daughter. The creatures from the Upside Down soon escape it and cause serious damage to the town and abduct a lot of people. This sci-fi web series could appeal to horror fans as well. The Vampire Diaries Set in Mystic Falls, Virginia, this book-based fantasy TV show revolves around a love triangle formed between two vampire brothers, Stefan and Damon Salvatore, and a human, Elena Gilbert. Gilbert, who has lost her parents in a car accident, is too grief-stricken and finding it hard to find happiness with the lies her loved ones tell her. In each season, new problems, new people and new discoveries about the original vampires and vampire hunters are unraveled. The

show revolves around supernatural creatures such as werewolves, witches, vampires and sirens. Caroline Forbes and Bonnie Bennet, Gilbert’s best friends, also play important roles in the series, as does her brother Jeremy. Damon Salvatore is emotionless while Stefan tries his best to never be mean or angry. This

suspenseful show is worth binge-watching! It is my favorite one, too. I hope you all have fun binge-watching these shows ‘cause I sure did! Wish you all happy, stress-free and enjoyable summer holidays!

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FOOD & DRINKS | SEEMA

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5 Apps to Make Cooking Easier They are inexpensive, offer a wide range of choices and even provide recipes complete with audio and video options PREETAM KAUSHIK

o you love to cook but not have the time or energy to look up new recipes and count calories? Fret not, for technology can come to your rescue. We live in the digital era, and it should be no surprise that there are apps for meal planning, recipes, and even tracking food. Even if you are someone more comfortable flipping the pages of a traditional cookbook as opposed to downloading apps for recipes, you will be in for a pleasant surprise when you try some of the options listed here.

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BENEFITS OF USING APPS IN THE KITCHEN At first glance, it is easy to mistake these apps as part of yet another fad to make you tech-dependent. A closer look reveals that the benefits outweigh your skepticism about technology in the kitchen! Ample choices – With cooking or recipe apps, you are spoiled for choice given the kind of database you can access. Most such platforms provide options for keyword searches to help you find the recipe you are looking for within seconds. Pocket-friendly – Most such apps are available for free downloads and do not cost any money. At the most, there is likely to be a minimal subscription fee. Think of the money you’ll save on buying cookbooks and recipe booklets! Audio and video instructions – While traditional cookbooks may have text and photos, these apps offer a helpful mix of audio and video instructions. The videos can help you see what needs to be done and reduce the possibility of mistakes. Audio instructions and onscreen text with adjustable font size make these apps a boon for those with vision difficulties.

SOME POPULAR APPS TO TRY Mealime – This app lets you choose from a selection of customizable meal plans to suit your diet. With both Android and iOS free versions available, Mealime is extremely user-friendly and even lets you exclude food that you don’t like! Once you put in your preferences, it will offer you a choice of recipes with an organized grocery list as a bonus. Prepear – If you are big on social media, this might be your kind of app. Prepear partners with popular food bloggers and the basic version is free for iOS and Android users. A preset recipe database, recipe filters, and nutrition breakdown are some of the highlights. Manual and online input options along with customizable shopping lists are also available. Yummly – Available as an app as well as a website, Yummly lets you build a collection of your favorite recipes. There is no subscription fee and you have plenty of filters available to let you find exactly what you want. You can filter out recipes based on the skill required, allergies, and

various dietary preferences. Paprika – Categorized as a recipe manager, this app is available on Android and iOS and comes with a onetime fee. There are no preset recipes or menus and this gives you the maximum flexibility in coming up with your ways of saving and entering recipes. It can create customized grocery lists, save recipes from the web, and set cooking timers. Eat This Much – Get the dual benefits of a meal planner and a calorie counter in one when you use this app. It comes with a free version and can import recipes quickly. The barcode scanner gives you access to nutritional information from the vast database of packaged foods and restaurants. You can create your meal plans or let the app generate one for you. The beauty of all these apps is that they are not just for seasoned cooks but are great help to people who are new to cooking. So, what are you waiting for – download one of these apps and whip up gourmet meals in a jiffy!

FOOD & DRINKS | SEEMA

SUMMER

Quenchers Five drinks that fight the heat AALIYAH MEHRA

ummer reminds us all of two things – the unforgiving heat and mangoes! How can we ever forget those? The summer break, for all those in school, is the most anticipated time of the year for them. It is when you develop new interest in trendy summer outfits, the different dessert recipes with preferably mangoes in them, the cool drinks that you can relish… All of which makes summer such a special season. While we all love summer, the heat is unbearable. ere are some refreshing drinks to get you through that.

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G U A V A

G R E E N

T E A

INGREDIENTS • 1 cup guava juice • 1 cup green tea • ¼ cup ice • Lemon juice (to taste) DIRECTION Pour the guava juice and green tea over ice and add some lemon juice! You have an easy and refreshing drink to sip on hot days!

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M I N T

A N D

M A N G O

INGREDIENTS • 3 cups water • ½ cup sweetener (sugar/honey) • 3 cups mint leaves • 2 tbsp lemon juice • Lemon slices, as required • 3 tbsp black tea powder • 1 ½ cups sliced mango • 3 cups cold water • Ice as required

I C E D

T E A

DIRECTION Boil water in a saucepan, add the sweetener, and let it dissolve. Add the tea and mint leaves and let the solution stand and cool down, While its cooling down, puree the mango slices with lemon juice in a blender. Strain the tea and add it into the mixture. Pour the mixture over ice! Garnish with lemon slices! It’s the perfect drink with a special twist to a classic drink!

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PIONEER | SEEMA

W A T E R M E L O N

L E M O N A D E

INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp sugar • 2 cups cold water • 3 cups seedless watermelon cubes • 5 tbsp lemon juice • Ice and mint leaves for serving

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DIRECTION Puree the watermelon well in a blender and strain it into a bowl. In a large jug mix the water, lemon juice and sugar until well combined. Then add the pureed watermelon. Pour over ice and enjoy it chilled!

M E L O N F L O A T

S O R B E T

INGREDIENTS • Assorted melon balls (watermelon, muskmelon) • 2 scoops or lemon / other fruity sorbet • Mint leaves • Sparkling water DIRECTION Note: Freeze the melon balls for at least three hours. Add the scoops or sorbet and melon balls to a glass and add the preferred amount of mint leaves. Then add the sparkling water, let the sorbet dissolve, and then enjoy the drink!

D A L G O N A

C O F F E E

INGREDIENTS • 2 tbsp instant coffee • 2 tbsp sugar • ¾ cup ice • 2 tbsp boiling water • 1 cup milk DIRECTION Combine the coffee sugar and hot water. Whisk these until its a light fluffy cream (preferably with an electric

mixer though whisking with your hand, while fine, just takes a bit longer). Use a spoon to scoop this mixture over a glass of iced milk and enjoy! Staying cool and well hydrated in the summer is very important! We sure hope that these drinks help you beat the heat and stay happy and cool during the summer.

We hope that this twist to the ever-popular classic drinks excites you as much as it does us! Stay cool! JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 77

GREAT BACKYAR FOOD MINUS THE GRILL

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FOOD & DRINKS | SEEMA

Whip up some great nibbles – without all that smoking and charring MELANIE FOURIE

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FOOD & DRINKS | SEEMA

ummer barbecues are a popular tradition in the U.S. Grilling meat or veggies isn’t only a way to enjoy the great outdoors; it’s a chance to spend time with loved ones and friends. That said, sweltering summer temperatures

can make a cookout untenable. Rather than cancel a get-together, simply change the way you prepare your favorite meals - or prepare dishes that don’t call for grilling. Here’s a look at some wonderful non-grilled foods for this summer!

S A V O R Y C O U S C O U S

This adaptable, budget-friendly, global summertime favorite is stowed away in most kitchen cabinets. Make sure you don’t overcook it — the grain’s so little! Cover and let it steam for about an hour or more until the water is fully absorbed. Fluff with a fork when the water has evaporated, and add butter or olive oil, herbs, veggies, Parmesan cheese, and seasoning. You may also add nuts of your choice.

F R E S H L Y S M O K E D S A L M O N

It’s not unusual to see cold-smoked and hot-smoked fish fillets side by side in store refrigerators, although the two are not interchangeable. Whether it’s the salty flavor and smooth texture of conventional smoked salmon or the convenience of pre-cooked hot-smoked salmon, we can’t get enough of it. Flaked into a tantalizing salad or used in sandwiches and wraps, it’s delicious. Additionally, it’s a good idea to look for hot-smoked trout and vacuum-packed pre-marinated and pre-cooked herring slices in your supermarket freezer.

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T A S T Y C H E E S E A N D D E L I M E A T W R A P S

Making these couldn’t be easier. Put together in just a few minutes, they’re the ideal lunch. You’ll need tortilla roll-ups, slices of deli meat like ham or readymade cold chicken, lettuce leaves, tomato, a tangy mayo-based sauce, a sprinkling of your favorite herbs or spices, and a cup of any grated cheese. Spread some mayo on the wrap before rolling. Choose whole wheat roll-ups for a more nutritious option. Top with lettuce, herbs and spices. Italian spice is ideal with these wraps. Throw in tomato slices, and deli or cold meat, before adding a hefty helping of cheese to the mix. Roll your wrap and you’re ready to serve.

D E L I C I O U S

F R U I T

C H A R C U T E R I E

These are ideal when you’re pressed for time and need a fast delicious snack for famished guests. Charcuterie boards are tailored to individual tastes, so you can alter ingredients according to your preferences. If you’re like me and have thrown together platters

B O A R D

before, you may want fresh ideas for ingredients. To that end, here’s a tantalizing concoction inspired by Taste of Home. Scale up quantities for a larger crowd. You can also add crackers if you feel this will make your board more filling.

INGREDIENTS • 12 fresh strawberries, halved • 9 fresh or dried figs, halved • 3 small navel oranges, thinly sliced • 13 ounces seedless red grapes • 2 mangoes (halved) • 3 kiwifruit, peeled, halved and thinly sliced • Approximately 7 slices of watermelon • 3/4 cup of almonds • 9 ounces Brie cheese • 9 ounces of mascarpone cheese • 1/2 cup honey • 3/4 cup blueberries • 1 cup fresh blackberries • 3/4 cup dried banana slices METHOD Spread out fruit, nuts, and cheeses on a big plate or chopping board. Tuck a little container of honey inside your preferred bouquet of fruit, and you’re ready to wow your guests.

P L A N N I N G A D V A N C E I S

I N K E Y

When planning a get-together, it’s important to know how many people will be coming. Make an attendee list and send forth invites to get an idea of that. List what you need to buy. Once you have a verified guest list, it’s time to begin purchasing. Gathering supplies and ensuring there is adequate space for guests should begin a few days prior to the party. JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 83

TRAVEL | SEEMA

ROAD TRIP TIPS Preparation is key to ensure everyone has a great time AALIYAH MEHRA

oad trips. Who doesn’t love them? Whether it’s with friends or family they are exciting and fun, provided you have everything in place. Here are few essentials to ensure you to have the best time on the road.

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1. HAVE YOUR ROUTE PLANNED We all know that when we take a wrong turn chaos and panic sets in. To avoid that, before starting the trip, make sure that we know the route and have Google Maps open for any emergency. Also avoid deserted or really sketchy roads to be safe!

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TRAVEL | SEEMA

2. CHECK YOUR VEHICLE BEFOREHAND Make sure your vehicle is roadworthy. Make sure the tires have adequate pressure, that the vehicle has a full tank of gas, and that you have everything working fine, including the headlights, windshield wipers, and, most importantly, the brakes. Check the air conditioning system since being uncomfortable on the road could ruin the experience. Make sure you have all the cars documents, including your registration, insurance and driving license. It helps, because if you plan to stay on the road for long, you are likely to get

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pulled over by state troopers at least once. Always start the trip in a clean car and don’t let the trash accumulate on the road. 3. HAVE A BACKUP PLAN Other than the route, consider contingencies, factoring them in when calculating drive times. Many things might act as obstacles during your trip, such as traffic, but it’s good to have an idea about how long you should take. That will help you figure out how much you have to pack, the number of stops you need to make, and if you need to stop somewhere overnight.

that playlist with bangers you are obsessed with! Don’t forget the earphones if you want to listen to just your kind of music. However, hearing songs with co-passengers can be quite fun, a chance to share music with each other and discover new forms. There’s no getting bored in the car if you have music to jam to. Make sure, however, that the driver is not distracted or has the job of changing the tracks. Any distraction could be dangerous. 7. TAKE STOPS IN BETWEEN It is not advisable to avoid breaks on a long road trip. Those stops help. The driver can stretch, taking a break that can be vital. You also need to use the restroom, and perhaps grab something to eat or drink. Sitting in the car for long can make your body stiff, so getting out for a bit can be beneficial. However, too much time at these stops can also delay you. 8. OTHER ENTERTAINMENT Besides music and snacks, other mental diversions will stop everyone getting bored and impatient. Games would be a great way to keep everyone occupied. Even silly games like ‘I spy’ are a great way to have fun and make memories. If you are traveling with kids, pack in toys and games that keep them occupied. 4. SAVE ENERGY FOR THE TRIP This is super important. Especially the designated driver or whoever is going to take turns driving. The person who will be driving should get enough sleep beforehand and not tire themselves out so they can drive safely. They should also eat well and keep themselves hydrated. It’s good to be in the best condition before driving especially for really long trips. 5. PACK SNACKS Everyone gets most excited for this aspect of the trip. Packing snacks is super important. Packing healthy snacks is good but sometimes junk food just tastes better on road trips, breaking the monotony of driving continuously. Chewing gum or a mint can also help with motion sickness! And of course, pack water. 6. MUSIC! How can you have a road trip without music? Make

9. CARRY ESSENTIALS Besides snacks, carry a sanitizer, paper napkins, and a first-aid kit for small emergencies. Besides the documents, keep sun glasses, phone charger, and a travel pillow for a power nap – unless you are driving. 10. ACCOMMODATION If it’s a really long road trip, overnight stay is recommended. Whether you want to book in advance or do it depending on how tired you are is up to you. However, planning in advance is advisable so you know what to expect when you reach the hotel or the Air BnB. This is especially true when you’re staying at a place you need to make reservations. You will not be wasting more time time, especially when tired, to find a place to rest. This, hopefully, should help you plan your future road trips! Whether it be with family or friends, road trips are a great way to bond, experience the outdoors, to admire the scenery and just enjoy your vacation. Being careful while planning them will ensure they are as fun as they ought to be.

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TRAVEL | SEEMA

The Best Places to Go Whitewater Rafting in the US Five great places for the adventurous to test their mettle in a glorious sport ANUSUIYA MEHROTRA

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TRAVEL | SEEMA

or the adrenaline junkies, rafting is just not a way of traveling down a river in a raft. Making way through choppy waters, you need to paddle through with double blades. The carbon blades used in whitewater rafting helps you paddle smoothly. Whitewater rafting relies on race other teams on an inflatable raft. However, the thrill is not lost one bit if you do it just for adventure and not as part of a competition. Such rafting is done on ‘white water’ - or rough waters. The essential equipment are life jackets, used for the safety of the rafters; a jacket that comes in all sizes. It should fit well so that the upper part of the body stays afloat if a rafter falls in the water, which is not so uncommon. Another necessary gear is a helmet. The rafters wear them to prevent head injuries. It is important to wear a helmet that fits well. If the water is cold, rafters wear wetsuits to ensure insulation. An essential item is a rescue throw bag. They are used to help any rafter who falls into the water, again a common occurrence. The unit consists of a rope, one end of which is attached to the bag, and the other is in the hands of a rescuer. ‘American Whitewater’ has put together an international rating scale of river difficulty. It depends on water channel size, the strength of the waves, degree of obstructions present, and ease of swimming and selfrescue. The classification of rapids ranges from Class 1

through Class VI. Class I rapids are almost flat water, which is either calm or has minimum ripples. Very few obstacles are present on such the course, which is considered an easy level. A beginner can also participate in it. Class II rapids have small to medium-sized waves with few instructions, which are noticeable by a newcomer as well. They are considered harder to perform in than Class I rapids. Class III rapids are of intermediate-level difficulty. These have medium-sized but irregular waves, including obstructions such as small falls, or counter currents that make the trip more adventurous. Class IV rapids are advanced level and calls for the required skills. Here you might encounter large and irregular turbulent waves, and the course would include falls, drops, counter currents, and eddies. Class V rapids call for strong skills. They include turbulent and continuous waves that flow over long distances. Obstacles such as steep gradients, drops, holes are present and are dangerous. Class VI rapids pose an extraordinary danger and a minor paddling mistake can be fatal. The waves are turbulent and erratic, and the obstructions require a lot of skill to negotiate. These are the top destinations for whitewater rafting in the U.S.:

SNAKE RIVER Snake River in Wyoming is one of the best choices for whitewater rafting. The rapids here usually range from Class II-III, making it an adventurous experience for anyone interested. However, during spring, it reaches Class IV rapids. One gets to experience the Jackson Hole as well, a major tourist attraction. The route passes through a variety of beautiful forests and mountains, and you can spot a variety of wildlife, making it a must for visitors.

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COLORADO RIVER Colorado River in Arizona is an excellent choice for whitewater rafting. Since it passes through the Grand Canyon, rafters can also appreciate the scenic views. The rapids here range from Class III through V, making it suitable to beginners as well as experts.

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GAULEY RIVER Gauley River in West Virginia is one of the best destinations for an experienced whitewater rafter. The rapids here are Class V+, giving the visitors an extremely adventurous time. It is considered the home of East Coast rafting culture, and attracts rafters from all around the world.

SALMON RIVER Salmon River in Idaho is a very well-known place for whitewater rafting. There are rapids from Class III to IV, providing a roller-coaster experience. Salmon River also has great natural hot springs and campsites.

TRAVEL | SEEMA

ARKANSAS RIVER Arkansas River, found in both in Colorado and Arkansas, is a wonderful destination for rafters. Most of the rapids are Class III, thereby allowing the rafters to experience a leisurely float and a few thrilling rapids. It flows through glacial valleys and gorges, allowing rafters to enjoy the beautiful scenery. You can also hike and bike in the Rockies, so people interested in these adventure sports can have options.

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RECOMMENDS | SEEMA

READY, SET, PACK! TEAM SEEMA shares a handy list of

things they always pack for their travels

Travel Jewelry Case A must-have for business and pleasure trips. An essential item that can hold all your jewelry in one place without getting entangled. It can hold necklaces, earrings and even a bangle roll. https://www.etsy.com/listing/797211737/ designer-necklace-earring-half-set-5

Airplane Seat Back Organizer Save yourself from losing your gadgets, especially the all-important phone, in the seat pocket of an airplane. The airplane seat back organizer keeps all your personal items in clear view. It also has expandable pockets so that you don’t have to stow your bag under the seat. https://www.amazon.com/Airplane-PocketsTray-Cover-Compartments/dp/B07WCXP7CH/ ref=sr_1_14_sspa

3 Monogrammed Leather Charger Roll Up Keep all your electronic small essentials to the pockets inside, roll it up and secure it with the leather tie to keep organized on the go. https://www.markandgraham.com/products/ leather-charger-roll-up-carrier-neutrals/

Sleepy Ride - on the Plane It is an airplane footrest made with premium memory foam to help prevent swelling and soreness. It also works well for those with shorter legs. https://www.amazon.com/dp/ B01M35M87O

5 Kipling Travel Accessories Wheeled backpacks make great carry-on luggage, offering a much-needed respite when carrying your bag on your shoulders gets a bit too much. If you’re waiting in a line, perhaps at the airport or in a hotel, the wheels of your backpack give you the opportunity to rest your back. Match it with a lightweight cross bag for all your documents and passports. Personalize it with a custom font monogram. https://www.kipling-usa.com/new-zea-metallic15%22-laptop-rolling-backpack/KI7267.html JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 95

Living Proof Dry Shampoo I never get time on holidays to wash and dry my hair, but with all the travel and summer heat, the hair gets greasy and needs a refresh. It’s dry shampoo to the rescue. This dry shampoo has a yummy scent, and is suitable for most hair types and weather conditions. https://www.ulta.com/p/travel-sizeperfect-hair-day-phd-dry-shampooxlsImpprod13031195

BAGAIL Packing Cubes I love vacations, but abhor packing for them. But the discovery of these packing cubes has taken so much stress out of the holiday preps. They come in various sizes and colors, help me keep everything organized, and you can fit a lot into your luggage! https://www.amazon.com/Packing-VariousLuggage-Organizers-Fushcia/dp/B01IB8QEJ8/ ref=sr_1_2_sspa

Hoka Walking Shoes I vote for comfort during a holiday over everything else, and I need a pair of stylish lightweight shoes to take me everywhere without giving me foot pain. Hoka’s wide range is fantastic and great value for money, and the Arahi 6 is a great option. https://www.hoka.com/en/us/ womens-road/arahi-6/1123195. html?dwvar_1123195_color=SBSCR

HOROSCOPE | SEEMA

FORECAST WITH FARZANA Mar 21 - Apr 19

Instead of being innovative, you will be adapting to conventional beliefs and systems, which are already in place. With so many variables when it comes to work, it may be better to play safe for now instead of rebelling and zigging when all are zagging. You may want to lean in, and seek the counsel of elders for better results. Do what is morally acceptable in matters of love and money. The month indicates alliances and if you are in a committed relationship, you might be keen to take it to the next level. When it comes to your finances, your money may thrive in traditional and established institutions.

Apr 20 - May 20

People are drawn to you because they see your warmth and the beautiful energy you bring into their lives. Whatever you may be dealing with right, now you are likely to have a positive outcome. The prospects of a new job or project are high. Your relationships inspire joy and your career seems fulfilling. Your positivity and radiance can be magnetic now, and draw you the kind of romance that you have dreamed of. You possess a significant sense of

deserved confidence so there is no need to be needy in a relationship. Be mindful of overconfidence, though, especially with regard to your finances.

May 21 - Jun 20

You may be onto something big, perhaps an idea that has the potential to impact millions. If you focus and work hard enough; it could be your legacy. You will even be in the position to help relatives who are less fortunate. So do not shirk from your responsibilities or resent them. In case of issues in your relationship, seek advice from the family to settle the matter. The good things in life are on the horizon. More income is on the way, perhaps an opportunity within the family, too. Invest in yourself to the point that other people want to invest in you as well. How you treat yourself gives cues to people on how to treat you.

Jun 21 - Jul 22

Stand up for what you believe in and ground yourself into a new reality. Every setback is an opportunity for a comeback. When you come head to head with a challenge, push through it. It is time to assert yourself and disregard your critics. You have what it takes to make this happen. So, plant your feet, resolutely

and take a firm position to protect what you have. Your financial picture improves with a new source of income arriving. If there are aspects of your lifestyle that are not beneficial to your overall success, cut them out. If you are solo, change the paradigm and do things differently. In an existing relationship as long as you’re willing to work things out, together; you can withstand any challenge.

Jul 23 - Aug 22

While it’s important to be keenly aware of your desires, it is also crucial not to become obsessed by them. If you devote your time to wishing but not doing the work, then it is time to choose. Dig below the surface to discover what is involved with each choice and take the first step to make it happen. If financial or romantic opportunities seem too good to be true right now, they probably are. If you are already in a relationship, this may augur problems or make you question your current relationship. Defer any important decisions until you have a clearer understanding of the situation. Especially, regarding commitments you cannot back out of later.

Aug 23 - Sept 22 While there is still work to be done, you are headed in the right direction and fruition of your goals is not very far. You may find that you are able to grow by leaps and

JULY 2022 | SEEMA.COM | 97

HOROSCOPE | SEEMA bounds. It’s a creative time for you to explore your imagination. Think outside the box. Use planning and leadership skills to move further in your next journey – a promotion, job, new project or relationship. Start to see that there are other ways to make money and build a life that you are proud of. Dare to look far beyond what is known. An overseas opportunity is on the cards.

Sept 23 - Oct 22

Too many unknowns seem to keep you from pursuing your dreams and goals. But the real problem is that you seem to be unwilling to open your eyes and step out of your comfort zone. Your thoughts are holding you prisoner. Your outcomes will shift at work and in your relationships when you see yourself as a sole solution. Everything you think is a problem is an opportunity waiting to unfold. Step out of your head and into reality. Let go of old wounds and reframe your experiences. If you’ve been feeling off lately, you may need to consider making healthy changes to your lifestyle. Summon your faith and strength and seize the day!

Oct 23 - Nov 21

Let go of the past, so you can move forward and use the lessons you have learned to make changes for your future. It’s time to reinvent an aspect of your life that needs attention. Rely on your judgment and intuition, as only you have the capability to control the outcome of a situation that you are in, right now. Do not pay attention – to others’ opinions, what 98 | SEEMA.COM | JULY 2022

seems sensible on paper, or what your worst fears dictate. Now is the time to take a closer look at your love life and figure out what needs to be changed. Get your finances in the shape you need and desire it to be in. Balance is key.

Nov 22 - Dec 21

If you have been struggling at work or with your finances, all of that is about to change. You are stepping into your manifested desires. While hard work is important, learn to enjoy your accomplishments. It is a good time to take a vacation or buy that house or car you have always wanted. The key is not to prioritize what’s on your schedule, but to schedule your priorities. If you are in a relationship that you want to take to the next level, it might be a good idea to have a discussion about the future. Financially, the outlook is quite positive. Set intentions on your money goals. And, be good to yourself for your own well-being.

Dec 22 - Jan 19

If you had an experience that left you feeling outplayed at work, reset your perspective; one chapter does not define the story. Be not bullied and stand in truth, the chances of victory are high. Real talent has its own light. Work on harmonizing what you want with what is currently possible. Minimize any conflicts by picking your battles. If someone’s negative energy brings you down, send them fierce love or step away. If conflict is inevitable, be mindful about what you say as you may land up saying things you regret. Tactfulness, being a better team player, maintaining clear boundaries and assertiveness are recipes for the peace you

seek in your relationships.

Jan 20 – Feb 20

If you can wish for it, you will achieve it - a raise, promotion, business opportunity, or investment payoff. However, achieving it is only half of the story. If you wish to keep your happiness, you may need to work to sustain it. Spend time in gratitude for all you have – even when you think you don’t have much, you have more than you realize. Choose loving, supportive circumstances and relationships. If you feel as if you are beginning to lose hope in your career, stop! You are almost there. Surprises arrive in the way of gifts, debts repaid, and offers of help and friendship make everything upbeat.

Feb 21 – Mar 20

This isn’t the time for hiding who you are or your desires. The universe sets the stage for an opportunity for a new project, job or a business venture. Manifest those big dreams. Go with your intuition and let the chips fall where they may. Bring your natural gifts and authenticity to your professional life. Take the lead in the area of love and remember, timing is everything. If you can dream it, you can achieve it. Take up space, do your thing, and let your inner fire burn bright. A financial windfall, or an investment is likely to pay off. However, there is no place for arrogance, pride and overconfidence. Farzana Suri is a Victory Coach who coaches people through their life’s challenges to take the leap to victory, using the science of numerology. For a personalised forecast, you may contact Farzana at surifarzana@gmail.com or visit her website www.farzanasuri.com

WHILE YOU DO THE THINKING, WE BRING THOUGHTS INTO REALITY. A MOVEMENT, A TREND, OR A MAGAZINE SHOOT; WE’VE GOT YOUR BACK. THE VISION ROOM IS KEEN ON MAKING YOUR DREAMS COME TRUE. OUR JOB IS TO TRANSFORM YOUR IDEAS INTO MASTERPIECES THROUGH THE LENS OF OUR CAMERAS. AND IT DOESN’T STOP THERE. WE TAKE YOUR IDEA AND CREATE BRAND CAMPAIGNS THAT HAVE THE V I E W E R S I N A W E . W E H O N E I N T O Y O U R B R A N D A N D C R E A T E C ON T E N T THAT IS AUTHENTICALLY YOU. WE PLACE THE BEST TEAM BEHIND ON THE PROJECTS TO GIVE YOUR BRAND A VOICE THAT RESONATES WITH YOUR AUDIENCE ON THE RIGHT FREQUENCIES. LOOKING TO DO A PHOTOSHOOT THAT EXCEEDS YOUR IMAGINATION? THE VISION ROOM IS YOUR BEST BET.

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SEEMA July Issue 2022

Articles inside

The Best Places to Go

Road Trip Tips

Great Backyard Food

If I Could Choose Again

Friend to the Stars

Skin Care for the Summer

Dress up Your Deck

7 Web Series to

A Champion

5 Fashion Must-Haves

5 Apps to Make