WOKAL Issue 04 November 2020

WOKAL

NOVEMBER 2020

The PostCovid life in a Metro:

Every action has an equal reaction

All our selfish Kindnesses: Two incidents. Public outrage.

Selectively.

Defining the 'I' in LGBTQIA+

In conversation with an Indian Wedding Photgrapher.

One on one with Mousam Pattnaik

Intersex, not Invisible

Battered Pages:

Interview feature of entrepreneur couple Arundhati and Naman

Special: Prep your skin for this festive season

Jack-It: when art and fashion come together

WOKAL ISSUE 04

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DOOF LEVART YHPARGOTOHP

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WOKAL FOR LOCAL ARTISTS

THE MILLENIAL MUSTREAD

CREDITS Editor in Chief: Alina Ahmed Editor: Aabiyah Zehra Layouts and design by Alisha Hussain and Shumaila Masood Editing by Alina Ahmed and Aabiyah Zehra

Novermber 2020/ Issue 4

Cover picture by Aabiyah Zehra Cover Model: Sheikh Almaas Islam Cover design by Alisha Hussain SECTION HEADS Director, Art and Layout: Alisha Hussain Director of Photography: Aabiyah Zehra Fashion: Sneha Barua Makeup: Hitashi Food: Subhomita Baksi Travel: Vanshika Seth Photography: Itu Dutta and Aabiyah Zehra Arts and Creativity: Alisha Hussain and Anushree Mishra Pride and Prejudice: Elizabeth Reji and Kashish Chopra Pet care: Dakshita Mitra and Sarah Wasim Social Media and PR: Maahin Saeed Article contributors: Hiba and Vinay Aggarwal INTERVIEW COURTESY: Battered pages: Arundhati Kale and Naman Ahuja Wedding photography: Mousam Pattnaik Special Contributors: The Caravan: Ishita Ahluwalia (Foodistorian) Travel: Mariam Shoeb (Dubai)

CONTENTS

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COVER STORY

The Post Lockdown Life in a Metro

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One on One wi th a Weddi ng Photographer

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LL OUR SELFISH KINDNESSES

Two i nci dents . Publ i c outrage. Sel ecti vel y

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SKS:

A new canvas for Indi an art

DEFINING THE Inters ex, not Invi s i bl e

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T FIRST SHOT

About the worl d's fi rs t Photograph

PREP UP FOR THE FESTIVE SE Natural Ski n care tri cks for a heal thy fes ti ve gl ow

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IN THIS ISSUE 51

THE CARAVAN : JOURNEYS TO SHARE Featuring @Foodistorian

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CITY WHERE ANYTHING IS POSSIBLE

Travel to Dubai

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TECH

Gadgets for your pet

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Interview feature

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OPENING THE CLOSETED DOORS

Things to keep in might while coming out

E WITH SIB 84 Twith Dr. Sib Husky A

J CK IT 88 wearable fashion A

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The Post-Lockdown Life in a Metro

Model: Sheikh Almaas Islam Photographed by: Aabiyah Zehra

NOVEMBER 2020 ISSUE 04

BY ALINA AHMED

Everyday was a Sunday!

Covid 19 paused life and since then it has never quite resumed normalcy. While 2020 was anticipated to be that year in everybody’s life when they would bring the desired change in perspective, it ended up being the worse in millennial history. A global pandemic took over our lives and soon all or complaints about getting long holidays turned into prayers for going to work. Who had thought that one would miss a Monday morning to work because every other day of the week resembled a Sunday only in terms of being at home.

Sigh. Weekends became useless because gong out was out of the question and for the first time in history, the beings that believed in caging other beings, were themselves cooped inside their cozy homes.

WOKAL ISSUE 04

Unlock 5.0 Recently, Unlock 5.0 permitted functioning of the Delhi Metro, restaurants, eateries, movie theatres, and even weekly markets in the capital, while following the necessary precautions and SoPs. This led to high footfall in markets and at eating joints but Metro platforms still seemed to be abandoned, with quite decreased footfall.

Although there have been significant efforts from the state as well as central governments to bring life post lockdown to terms with routine affairs, there are quite a few reasons as to why, a post lockdown world which has been witnessing rising cases of Covid 19, is hesitant to public interactions. The first of them being the constant fear of the fatal virus whose nuances are still little known to mankind

WOKAL

In frame: Sheikh Almaas Islam Photographed by: Aabiyah Zehra

Rumours became norms.

It has thus become difficult for people to freely move around and this hesitation, to an extent, also proves beneficial. It encourages sanitary practices and social distancing but on the other hand, is also seen as a cause of rising obsessive behaviors. Social anxiety is a deplorable consequence of this long period of the pandemic. What started as a measure of precautions has resulted in mass panic. This general hysteria left little room for facts, as rumors spread through social media networks were soon accepted as norms. The virus also sparked debates between the age-old enemies, the scientists, and the clergy. Well, each of them claimed to find cures for the virus but present scenarios have little hope for any of them to provide us with the same.

WOKAL NOVEMBER 2020

THE ANTIMASK SQUAD & THEIR GRIEVANCES

The pandemic somehow brought fresh air for the people residing in the capital, making them want to go out in the fresh air, without realizing that it was their absence from roads that made Delhi air clean again. What’s worse, 2020 also saw a rise in the resentment some individuals had while wearing masks while going out. We don’t really know about the best but the worst trend was definitely the anti-mask squad. Well, in Scaruffi’s words, ‘there is a limit to human intelligence but no limit to human stupidity.’ and anti-mask protests proved him right.

In frame: Sheikh Almaas Islam Photographed by: Aabiyah Zehra

WOKAL NOV 2020

2020 TO END FINALLY With 2020 soon to end, we are hopeful of a better life and times but it would still be too early to say if the fear of the virus would ever completely leave mankind or will we continue to co-exist in an irreversibly scarred world.

WOKAL

In frame: Sheikh Almaas Islam Photographed by: Aabiyah Zehra

Issue 04

November 2020

Through the Lens of a Wedding Photographer

One on One with Mousam Pattnaik AABIYAH ZEHRA AND ALINA AHMED wokal

The interview From the time a wedding is on the cards, the couple starts to dream about having a perfect wedding photoshoot, which will be their sweetest memory to hold for years to come. Making this dream come true is not an easy job but as they say, not all heroes wear capes. To know more about one such artist, we interviewed Mousam Pattnaik, a National School of Photography graduate. He has dabbled in many genres of his craft and has specialized in capturing the essence of Weddings. Having also assisted many photographers from the field of Advertising, he let Aabiyah Zehra and Alina Ahmed in on his experience, and here’s what he had to say...

”DISCOVER THE ESSENCE OF WEDDINGS WITH MOUSAM PATTNAIK”

BY AABIYAH ZEHRA AND ALINA AHMED

1. Do you practice other forms of photography in your free time?

Yes, of course. I believe that in photography you have to explore different genres because if you stick to one form, your vision will be very limited.

Since photography is the main medium of visualization for everyone, exploring multiple genres is a must.

2. What do you find to be the best part of a wedding to photograph?

For me it is the emotions. A wedding is a place where you will find every kind of emotion- tears of joy, tears of separation, love, all kinds. I’m a very emotional person myself, and so I like to capture as many emotions in pictures that the families would like to look back at and remember.

3. How expensive is the whole set up for a wedding shoot?

I don’t believe in just buying and using expensive gear for a shoot. Just a camera body and a maximum of two different lenses are enough. What really matters here, is your creativity and experience and how you manage the shots and capture the perfect moments. The equipment for a wedding shoot costs a lot of money but you can easily rent it for less, which is what I would recommend.

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4. What are some of your suggestions for someone who is shooting a wedding?

The thumb rule of a wedding photo shoot is that whatever you plan to do, never plays out how you wanted it to.

It’s very important to stay alert because you find people showing all kinds of emotions and the perfect shot would lead to the most precious memory that will last them a lifetime.

5. What is one thing you love about this field?

It’s how you have a great impact on potentially the most important day of someone’s life and how they’re grateful to you for capturing it. It’s great to be friends with your clients as it helps you understand them better and they check up on you even after the work is done! The best part is I manage and help with other wedding work just like another friend would, weddings are so fun!

6. Every wedding is special in itself, so what is your creative process behind being able to showcase the uniqueness of every event?

I sit with my clients and get to know them as a couple because every couple is different- some are bubbly, some are shy, etc. I don’t believe in following trendy poses and go for capturing the emotions of the couple as they are so that the shoot is more personal to them.

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NOVEMBER2020

7. If you had to pick a single moment from a wedding to claim as your favorite to capture, which one would it be and why?

The most emotive and dramatic part of a wedding is the bridal or the bride’s farewell and it’s really interesting to captureespecially photographing the bride and her family.

The liveliest part of a wedding is the sangeet, full of laughter and just great energy, it’s enjoyable to capture and to participate in!

8. We’ve seen that wedding celebrations have been changing drastically over the past decade, how would you say, has the style of photography evolved to keep up with it?

Yes, of course. But at the same time, I feel that we haven’t forgotten the uniqueness of the Indian traditional marriage, even though the style of photography has changed drastically, the essence is the same. Nowadays, photographers experiment a lot with lighting and lenses, while earlier the setup was very basic.

The poses have also changed, earlier people wanted only the bride or the group, separately, in the frame. But now, couple shoots and pre-wedding shoots have made their way into wedding albums, the set-up of which, by the way, has also shifted from an extremely decorated to a minimal design.

9. How difficult is it to coalesce your vision with your client’s when it comes to documenting an event?

This is a very important thing to do before any shoot because you need to align your vision with the client’s vision for the project to be a success. But it mostly depends on luck, if you click with the client, you click with the client. Luckily, I’ve had only the best clients so far 10. Is there a dream wedding you’d like to shoot?

Yes, I’d love to shoot a tribal wedding or a Kashmiri wedding.

Kashmiri weddings are beautiful and tribal weddings have the rawest of emotions as they do not care about getting photographs clicked, but just having a good time.

Find Mousam on Instagram @mousampictures

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NOV 2020 ISSUE 04

WOKAL

ALL OUR SELFISH KINDNESSES

BY HIBA

TWO INCIDENTS.

PUBLIC OUTRAGE.

SELECTIVELY.

WOKAL

ATTENTION AND OUTRAGE? YES. ANSWERS? NO.

HIBA EXPLAINS

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In the past few weeks two incidents happened that received a lot of attention and outrage the Hathras rape and the video of Baba ka Dhaba Two vastly different events which were subjected to public outrage debates media hounding nationwide protests and silence from those who should really be giving answers These incidents highlighted another social facet Selective outraging which was commonly debated upon mostly on social media Hiba sheds light on similar lines ,

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CERTAINLY SO UPPER CLASS

BY HIBA In Hathras a city in Uttar Pradesh a Dalit girl was allegedly raped and brutalized by upper caste men after her family received multiple threats Days before her death while battling for her life she gave four names and testified against those men According to the victim s family and video graphical evidence her body was taken from the hospital without permission and burnt in the middle of the night by the police while they were locked inside their house begging to see their daughter one last time Now there are evidently major plot holes in this story all unfavorable for the authorities the caste privileges first hand evidence from the victim and videos of the victim s body being burnt without the family s consent to name a few But luckily for them the system works in the favor of a few There was something about this incident the element of sheer reckless entitled brutality that struck a chord in each of us The headlines of women from all age groups and communities being raped clouding the newspapers every day is the reason I can t bring myself to read it anymore The second incident which gathered a lot of empathy was a video of an aged man with a silver beard low face and exhausted eyes crying on camera about his inability to make ends meet ,

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This story has somewhat a happy ending because after the video blew up his tiny roadside food joint Baba ka Dhaba received swarms of good wishers curious young crowds and Bollywood celebrities all hungry for a taste or simply a selfie for social media clout Even Zomato ended up including the Dhaba in their delivery services Soon after another video came up of the old man smiling brightly flaunting his crooked teeth finally tasting contentment I feel this wretched stinging pain every time I see old people hurting They re so frail lonely helpless and damaged by the world They re evidence of humans giving in what we will all end up being eventually Just a clarification these are two vastly different tragedies and the extent of their damage and the agony caused is in no way comparable However they do share certain conspicuous commonalities They reflect the inherent flaws of the system our society works in the way it breaks each one of us the way it works in the favor of those handfuls born with privilege and the way it brings us down to our knees and makes us surrender eventually But most of all between the lines and yet in front of our eyes they silently exhibited selective outrage ,

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BY HIBA

WHAT IS SELECTIVE OUTRAGE

What is "selective outrage"? It means that in a flawed society that is filled with atrocities, the people choose to lash out on very few incidents and ignore others. Now naturally, it is not convenient to form human chains for all rape victims so we cherry-pick a few unusually abysmal ones to pacify ourselves. This reveals our selfish motives behind all our kindness.

Most of our acts of goodwill are not selfless, they have strings attached. Those once in a while little acts so when you go to sleep at night, there isn't enough guilt sitting on your chest to keep you from drifting away. So somehow you can persuade yourself that you're a good person because you attended a protest or retweeted a video.It's all good while the courts of justice and households keep overflowing with instances of rape that stay behind closed doors and hundreds of thousands of Baba ka Dhabas run out of business or die of hunger. So obviously what little you and I are doing all cozied up isn't good enough.

LETS REFORM THE SYSTEM

Instead of that once in a while outrage, we must be making efforts to reform the system. It will be an inconvenient convenience, demanding accountability and answers from those who owe it to us, because we gave them the power they hold and we have the capability to take it away. We hold the power to prevent another Hathras or a broken and starving silver-haired man.Now, in the end, let me tell you about kindness, compassion, tenderness, and softness. It is all that is supposed to come naturally to us yet it's all we chose to forget about.

Selective outrages show that our consciences aren't dead yet. It's all a ripple effect, how kind we are is a product of how kind people have been to us. So don't be afraid to single-handedly start changing the world today.

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MASKS: A NEW CANVAS FOR ART! BY

VINAY

AGGARWAL

Ethnic masks are the ‘new’ coolest accessory on the block and have become so intriguing that Vinay Aggarwal researched the raving social media platforms to bring to you some of the most ethnic artistry that can make a statement by themselves. Read on to discover how Indians have turned this essential into a canvas to display their heritage and spirit of craftsmanship

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Newest ‘must haves’ Like it or not, masks are the newest ‘must-haves’. I mean that in fullcaps, with an underline thrown in. A new-age essential, masks have found their way on the list of five things one can’t leave the house without.

Whether you like to match your mask to your outfit (or vice-versa), they’re here for a long haul. In other words, they’ve peaked. Our Indian artists identified this opportunity and leveraged it as a new-found canvas for the expression of their craftsmanship. The ethnic leitmotifs imbued by our talented artists not only maximizes its appeal but also expand the employability of artforms and adds another product category to the ‘vocal for local’ repository. Let’s take a look at sixof the art-works that have found their footing on masks

WOKAL

Mesmerizing Madhubani: Madhubani or Mithila painting is a school of painting said to have emerged from the region of Mithila.

Characterized by the usage of organic colors, and an abundance of geometrical shapes, this art-form is mesmerizing to the core. Madhubani masks came into public attention through a now gone-viral post by artist Remant Kumar Mishra. As of now, various YouTube videos can guide you on how to make your very own Madhubani mask

Picture credit: Remnant Kumar Mishra

Gram-able Gond: Practiced by the Gond tribal community, Gond art-form is composed of lines & dots, cheery colors, and themes borrowed from flora and fauna. Bhopal based Aham Bhumika has been at the forefront of making this art wearable by putting some of the interesting Gond artworks on masks.

Picture credits: Aham Bhumika

Kitschy Kalamkari: The word Kalamkari when translated means ‘the magic a pen of the artist can wield’. High in kitsch appeal, Kalamkari uses all-natural dyes and is predominantly practiced in the areas of Telangana.

Picture Credits: Tanvi Aditya ( threadshappy)

Picture credits: daizyt_designer

Gaga For Gamusa: Considered an integral part of Assam’s identity, Gamusa is being re-purposed to striking masks. While red thread work on the white base is employed in the classic version; it isn’t rare to come across non-red shades in ‘contemporary’ interpretations.

Pleasant Pattachitra:

Pattachitra is a scroll painting that takes inspiration from the treasure troves of Indian mythology. In a contemporary imagining for the mask, designer Gaurav Gupta, adds his lexicon to the art-form by accommodating the words of the moment: love and hope

Magnificent Mata Ni Pachedi: Ritualistic in origin, a Mata Ni Pachedi uses organically sourced colors. Made of cloth, it is a portable shrine, supposed to house the Goddess. Often referred to as ‘Kalamkari of Gujarat’, Mata Ni Pachedi masks are by nature principled around the concept of ‘protection’ through the blessings of the divine.

Picture Credits: _mata_ni_pachedi_ (instagram)

So, stock up on these and give your wardrobe a twist of vocal for local, every time you go out.

(P.S: They might lift your spirit too, in their little ways!

WOKAL

BY ELIZABETH REJI

ISSUE 04 NOV 2020

DEFINING THE ‘I’ IN LGBTQIA+

INTERSEX SOLIDARITY DAY

The ‘I’ in LGBTQIA+ stands for Intersex and the community will be celebrating the Intersex Day of Remembrance or Intersex Solidarity day on November 8th. Intersex Solidarity day international recognized and celebrated on November 8th every year. Appearing to be first celebrated in 2005, Intersex Solidarity Day was placed on the birthday of Herculine Barbin.

Herculine Barbin was a French Intersex person whose 19th century memoirs became a interest for scholars and the general public alike after being translated

by Michel Foucault. These memoirs play an important role in the understandings of the relationship between individuals with intersex conditions in history.

A QUESTION ON EXISTENCE “What is intersex?”

“Do intersex people really exist? I don’t know anyone who is intersex.”

“Isn’t this a medical issue? What does this have to do with human rights?”

“Intersex—is that like trans?”

These are the kinds of questions that intersex people encounter daily.

Little known, often misunderstood, and frequently conflated with questions of sexual orientation and gender identity.

WHAT DOES INTERSEX MEAN?

Wokal issue 04 November2020

Intersex is an umbrella term for differences in sex traits or reproductive anatomy. Intersex people are born with these differences or develop them in childhood. There are many possible differences in genitalia, hormones, internal anatomy, or chromosomes, compared to the usual binary that human bodies develop.

Some intersex traits are noticed at birth. Others don’t show up until puberty or later in life.

Intersex people often face shame—or are forced or coerced into changing their bodies, usually at a very young age. Most surgeries to change intersex traits happen in infancy. The role of medical professionals is very crucial in the lives of intersex people. If doctors perceive gender diversity as a “disorder”, they put intersex children through repeated genital examinations, leaving them vulnerable to psychological trauma. The word intersex also invokes a community. Intersex people are diverse, coming from all socioeconomic backgrounds, races, ethnicities, genders and orientations, faiths, and political ideologies.

Wokal issue 04 November 2020

IS INTERSEX PART OF THE TRANSGENDER COMMUNITY? People who identify as transgender or transsexual are usually people who are born with typical male or female anatomies but feel as though they’ve been born into the “wrong body.” People who have intersex conditions have anatomy that is not considered typically male or female. Most people with intersex conditions come to medical attention because doctors or parents notice something unusual about their bodies. In contrast, people who are transgendered have an internal experience of gender identity that is different from most people. Many people confuse transgender and transsexual people with intersex people because they see two groups of people who would like to choose their own gender identity and sometimes those choices require hormonal treatments and/or surgery. It’s also true, though rare, that some people who are intersex also decide to change genders at some point in their life, so some people are intersex might also identify themselves as transgender or transsexual.

WHAT IS THE CORRECT PRONOUN FOR INTERSEX PEOPLE?

Pronouns should not be based on the shape of one's genitalia, but on what the person prefers to be called.

For children too young to communicate what her/his/their preference is, go with gender-neutral pronouns until they decide their identity and pronouns.

Do not call intersex children "it," because it is dehumanizing.

WAYS TO BE AN ALLY

WRITTEN BY ELIZABETH REJI

1. Read up on some basic dos and don’ts of intersex allyship .2. Think about the language you use to describe bodies. Upgrade your vocabulary.

3. Organize a protest or other direct action in your community .4. Learn about what intersex surgery really means, and who opposes intersex bodily autonomy.

5. Learn about intersex books and films. Share the love with your local library.

6. Learn from intersex YouTubers and video creators 7. When speaking or writing about intersex, it is important to portray intersex people as complete human beings, and not to reduce them to their medical conditions 8. Speak responsibly and cautiously. Your speech might be the first exposure to the topic of intersex that members of the audience have had.

THAT FIRST SHOT

ISSUE 04

NOVEMBER 2020

ITU DUTTA WOKAL MAG

ISSUE 04 NOV 2020

THIS PIECE BY ITU DUTTA TALKS ABOUT THE HISTORY OF THE FIRST PHOTO AND RETELLS THE ANECDOTE ABOUT THE FIRST SHUTTER THAT CAPTURED THE FIRST SHOT. WOKAL

WOKAL MAG

JOSEPH N. NIÉPCE WORLDS FIRST PHOTOGRAPH

It was the year 1826, Joseph N. Niépce had already received some success in developing a photographic process, which would be known as heliography. It was in this very year that he captured the world’s first photograph through the lens of his primitive form of- what would later be- a camera. The photograph itself is rather indecipherable however for a plate of metal akin to a pewter plate of sorts with hardened Bitumen of Judea forming the image, it is something in its own right.

The photograph shows a scene outside of Niépce’s window- a faint outline of the sloping roof of a house and a few buildings. Since then, it has been reconstructed, retouched, and has a computer-generated image of itself

View from the window at Le Gras Source :

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View from the window at Le Gras retouched

NOV 2020 ISSUE 04

The commercial inviability of this process added with its indiscernible image quality didn’t exactly make it a sensation.

Niépce – after his initial discovery- worked with Louise Daguerre to fine-tune this process and would later meet a sudden death, leaving Daguerre to continue on with the invention.

Daguerreotype would come into being in 1833, which in its initial stages still required an atrocious amount of time for exposure

wikipedia.org

But gradually, that time was reduced at the development of ‘latent image’- ancestors of what are known as negative of a photograph- by Daguerre. An accidental marvel, was the first photograph of a living person, unintentionally taken through the lens of Daguerre’s camera, again, a scene outside of the window of his room. This image’s highlight was the man who was getting his shoes shined (He stood still long enough for the photograph’s full exposure). After many such deliberate and accidental attempts, today we have achieved the precision and ease which explicitly aligns with Daguerre’s intent when he had proclaimed, “I have seized the light- I have arrested its flight!”

NOT A SENSATION BUT CERTAINLY A GREAT INVENTION!

BY ITU DUTTA

A street scene of Boulevard du Temple by Daguerre

wikipedia.org

HITASHI PRESENTS

PREP YOURSELF FOR THIS FESTIVE SEASON!

WOKAL MAG ISSUE 4 NOV 2020

AYURVEDIC FOR DIWALI? OUR IN HOUSE MUA PRESENTS! Diwali is just around the corner and we know that even you want to shine like those beautiful Diwali diyas. So here are a few natural ways to pamper your hair and skin this Diwali without stepping out of your home.

All these methods are Indian Ayurvedic remedies which have no side effects whatsoever, but we’d still recommend you to do a patch test before trying these out because skincare is a very subjective matter.

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HOT OIL TREATMENT FOR HAIR

As we all know, winters tend to dry out our skin a lot but we take good precautions to avoid it by using our favorite moisturizers, winter crèmes or coconut oil. It is equally important to take good care of our hair in winters as well because a dry scalp in winter leads to dandruff which again causes a lot of hair fall problems. The best way to treat dandruff or dry scalp is a good hot oil treatment.

For this you need to just heat up your favorite hair oil (or a mix of few oils together to get better results). This hair oil treatment is not only for people with dry hair but is also good for hair growth and natural hair conditioning. So it’ll be perfect to give yourself a hot oil treatment one night before Diwali!

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THINGS YOU’LL NEED FOR HOT OIL TREATMENT: Oils such as olive oil, coconut oil and almond oil Small glass bowl

PROCEDURE:

Apart from special occasions, doing this treatment once a week will leave your hair super soft, shiny and dandruff free!

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• Mix the following oils together in a small glass bowl.

• Microwave it for 10-15 seconds, if it gets too hot let it cool down a bit before using.

• Massage well into the roots and tips of your hair and leave it overnight .• Wash your hair with your favorite shampoo and use a conditioner of your choice.

BY HITASHI

HALDI UBTAN FOR GLOWING SKIN

WOKAL NOV 2020

We all want that glowing skin this Diwali but visiting our favourite saloons in the given circumstances is risky. Therefore, ubtan is the way to go as it is the oldest and the purest cosmetic that can help you achieve your skin goals!

Here's why ubtan is still so popular in this generationUbtan is a mixture of gram flour, turmeric powder and sandalwood powder along with milk and rosewater. Each of the ingredients play a huge role in making our skin beautiful, the gram flour in our ubtan helps in exfoliating our skin, sandalwood helps in bringing that glow from within and turmeric with its antioxidant properties helps to restore the lost lustre and moisture of our skin and we know that is exactly what you want for your skin this Diwali!

THINGS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE YOUR HALDI UBTAN:

:• 1tbsp sandalwood powder • 2tbsp gram flour (besan)• ½ tsp turmeric powder • 2tbsp milk • 1tsp rosewater• mixing bowl and an applicator

PROCEDURE: : • In a bowl, mix all the dry ingredients and then add milk and rosewater to it.

• Mix it all well till it looks like a thick paste.

• Apply it well on your face using a brush applicator or your hands.

• Leave it on your face for 15 – 20 minutes . • Wash your face with just some cold water

You can use this ubtan on your body as well because it evens out the skin tone and effectively clears out dirt, oil and impurities without making our skin dry and is perfect for sensitive skin type as well!

ALOE VERA GEL FOR FACIAL

Aloe Vera gel is a great ingredient for your skin and you can easily do a good facial using aloe Vera gel itself, but keep in mind that leaving Aloe Vera on your face for a longer period of time can dry out your skin. So if you want to use Aloe Vera gel for a long time, dilute it with some moisturizing liquid, such as olive oil.

Aloe Vera gel is great for those with acne prone skin, so if you want to avoid any breakouts on Diwali and want your skin to look it’s best, using Aloe Vera gel is the best option. The enzymes in Aloe Vera also gently exfoliate your skin removing any dead skin cells that may block your pores leading to additional breakouts. Apart from all those qualities it leaves your skin looking fresh and glowing!

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Following this procedure after doing your ubtan face mask will give you some amazing results and will leave your skin glowing without even a highlighter!

THINGS YOU’LL NEED TO MAKE ALOE VERA GEL MIXTURE • Aloe Vera gel (natural or bottled) • Tea tree oil • Bowl and brush to mix

PROCEDURE: • Take 6 drops of tea tree oil with 2tbsp of aloe vera gel.

• Mix the two ingredients well in a mixing bowl.

• Apply it on your entire face and massage your face well (this will avoid any new pimples from forming).

• Leave it on for 15 minutes and then rinse it off with cold water.

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BROWN SUGAR LIP SCRUB

WOKAL NOV 2020

DRY LIPS IN WINTERS IS NOT SOMETHING NEW BUT DEFINITELY IS SOMETHING THAT WE WANT TO AVOID THIS FESTIVE SEASON, BECAUSE WHO LOVES THOSE CRUSTY, DRY AND PAINFUL LIPS? NOW, TO AVOID IT WE TEND TO USE A LOT OF LIP BALMS AND OILS BUT SOMETIMES EVEN THAT FAILS, SO AS TO AVOID IT, BEFOREHAND LIP SCRUBBING IS THE WAY TO GO! THERE ARE A LOT OF LIP SCRUBS AVAILABLE IN THE MARKET WITH DIFFERENT YUMMY FLAVORS LIKE VANILLA, COCO, STRAWBERRY, ETC, BUT IF YOU WANT TO WORK WITH A COMPLETELY NATURAL AND SAFE METHOD, BROWN SUGAR WITH CINNAMON POWDER IS HERE FOR THE RESCUE WHICH NOT ONLY WORKS WONDERS BUT ALSO TASTES RIDICULOUSLY GOOD!

Dry chapped lips are no fun but now luckily you won’t have to spend on an expensive lip exfoliator when you’ve got this yummy DIY lip scrub!

BROWN SUGAR LIP SCRUB

THINGS YOU’LL NEED FOR YOUR LIP SCRUB:

2tsp coconut oil melted and cooled 2tsp brown sugar ½ tsp cinnamon powder

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PROCEDURE:

Mix the dry ingredients first i e brown sugar and cinnamon powder Add melted coconut oil to it Mix the ingredients well and gently massage it on your lips for 2 3 minutes Clean off with a paper towel and apply your favorite lip balm or coconut oil on your lips •

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WOKAL MAG

CASTOR OIL FOR LASHES AND EYEBROWS Let’s admit it, we all want those thick beautiful long lashes and dark eyebrows and want to ditch our mascaras and eyebrow products someday, right? But you don’t have to worry about it anymore because Castor Oil is here to bring the change without any makeup! Just apply Castor Oil every night on your brows and lashes and you’ll see the difference in just one week! If you deal with gaps and uneven eyebrow growth, applying Castor Oil on its own will work wonders for you, but when it comes to working with castor oil always be very precise and avoid areas where you don’t want any hair growth.

Castor oil is a safe, affordable, natural home remedy that has been used for years to treat a variety of conditions, including hair loss. We hope you all liked these natural ways to pamper your hair and skin this festive season and give it a try as well. Happy Diwali!

THINGS YOU LL NEED ’

:

• Castor oil • Spoolie

PROCEDURE

:

• Apply castor oil with your fingers on your eyebrows and lashes and brush through with the help of a spoolie.

OR • Dip your spoolie in castor oil and apply it on your eyebrows and lashes.

• Avoid getting it in your eyes and leave it overnight.

• Wash your face with your choice of face wash.

WOKAL // NOV 2020 // ISSUE.4

Caravan: Journeys to share

Featuring @Foodistorian – Ishita Ahluwalia

“Be fearless in the pursuit of what sets your soul on fire,” says Jeniffer Lee, and our this issue’s featured blogger swears by the same.

Ishita Ahluwalia is a History graduate from Delhi University who is out in the sea to explore her love for Travel, fashion and every delhite’s first love - Food. Read on to discover the idea behind the foody historian’s blog.

BY: ISHITA AHLUWALIA

My journey with my page ‘Foodistorian’ has not been initiated with the mind-set of adhering to the clichéd format of food pages, simply because thousands of people before me have dedicated a major chunk of their lives to curating their food and travel pages and hence, in no way, do I wish to compete with their hard work on their turf.

Foodistorian for me is a personal blog- more like a memoir, meant to spread my ideal way of doing things, in the sense, my experiences and journeys. Born in a Punjabi household, food becomes an intrinsic part of one’s life, however, my mother never wished for me to be in the kitchen 24/7. Nevertheless, in the unfortunate circumstance of this Global Pandemic, life became stagnant and monotony struck hard, so it became crucial to self-introspect and escape the daily chaos of nothingness by putting my heart and soul into my passion for food and travelling.

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Thus began my journey of researching, noting down recipes, bringing in twists in them, and experimenting- and this helped me let out the required steam and burn down lethargy by being productive.

Also, the fact that I have always been one who likes to shut out the negativity by going on vacations to find my inner peace, this year really hit hard and so I ensured that my page became a source for my travelling, despite staying at home, by letting memories of my past trips be an open door to my wanderlust.

WOKAL // NOV 2020 // ISSUE.4

WOKAL I NOV 2020

@FOODISTORIAN – ISHITA AHLUWALIA

MY INSPIRATION FOR SUCH A PAGE HAS COME FROM SELFTAUGHT BAKERS SUCH AS SHIVESH BHATIA AND PARTH BAJAJ WHOSE RECIPES I STARTED EXPERIMENTING WITH. GRADUALLY, I OBSERVED MY MOTHER AND MY AUNTS (MASSIS AND MAMIS) AND MY SISTER-IN-LAW, COOKING AND ENJOYING THE RICH DELICACIES THEY WOULD PRESENT AT THE TABLE FOR THE WHOLE FAMILY TO GATHER AROUND AND CONSUME. HEREIN, I REALISED THAT THE BEST WAY TO CONNECT NOT ONLY TO OTHERS BUT TO YOUR SOUL IS THROUGH FOOD. GOOD FOOD=GOOD MOOD. MY MOTHER HAS BEEN MY BIGGEST SUPPORTER AND MY ARDENT FAN. MY FRIENDS AND THE LOVE FOR FOOD THAT IS SO COMMON BETWEEN ALL OF US HAS ALSO BEEN A CAUSE FOR THEY ALWAYS ENCOURAGED ME TO DO THE THING I LOVE. MY AIM WITH MY PAGE REGARDING THE FUTURE IS TO NOT SET ANY ONE PARTICULAR MILESTONE, FOR I DO NOT WISH TO FALL INTO A SOCIAL DILEMMA WHERE ONLY NUMBERS SUGGEST HOW SUCCESSFUL MY CONTENT IS, RATHER IT SHOULD BE JUDGED ON THE BASIS OF THE CHEER AND JOY IT BRINGS TO ITS VIEWERS. I WOULD VERY MUCH LIKE THINGS TO HAPPEN IN AN ORGANIC MANNER AND FOR PEOPLE TO FIND THE CONTENT ENGROSSING AND ENGAGING. WITH FULL FAITH IN THE ALMIGHTY AND DESTINY, I HAVE STARTED THIS JOURNEY AND I INTEND TO LEARN FROM IT AND CHERISH IT.

FOODISTORIAN BRINGS TO YOU: With the initiation of my journey in Foodistorian, I decided to juggle a few things of my interest, prime being food and travel, and then shifting to lifestyle – since I believe wholeheartedly that a healthy lifestyle would ensure a healthy and happy living. Hence, the various facets such as outfits, self-care, and other sections of my page aim to promote a fret-free lifestyle which helps one purge out the toxins and relive life through a path of Self-Pampering. If I have to take one through a tour of my page, I would truly be very proud for I love every bit of the pieces I curate, out of my life, onto this page:

Recipes: From beverages to veggies, from snacks to healthy salads, from restaurants that sell mouth-watering dishes to home-baked and home-cooked delicacies, I aim to serve everything on my page. Food for me really is the true form of relaxation and cooking has been a very therapeutic exercise for me for it has to be precise and wellcrafted from the very core of your existence if you wish for it to represent you.

ISSUE.4 II WOKAL

BY ISHITA AHLUWALIA

Travel: From the very beginning, I have been fond of travelling, for it was for me, an escape from the daily ratrace us humans are brutally forced to be a part of. Being an Aquarian, it shouldn’t come as a surprise that my favourite destinations are beaches, where even in the storm of the sea, there lies something surreal. Also, I find hill- stations to be very blissful as they offer a sense of realisation – that all hurdles can be conquered and though life is a climb, the view is great.

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@Foodistorian – Ishita Ahluwalia

Self-care: It has always been the cup of tea in India households to have “Nani’s Nuskhas” throughout conversations. I feel if you incorporate exercise, some healthy prospects of eating and living in today’s modernized world there is no stopping you.

Outfits: throughout my life, I have been taught to be confident and own up to who I am. One’s garments exhibit one’s strength to be comfortable in their own skin and that has always been my outlook.

Plus, who doesn’t love dressing up?

WOKAL ISSUE.4 NOV 2020

Hence, I will conclude by confirming that my page is not a typical TLC kind of a page, Instead it is unique because it is MY memoir and no one can take that away from it!

Welcome to Dubai – Where anything is possible!

By Vanshika Seth

NOV 2020 ISSUE 4 WOKAL

Once a small fishing village in the Arabian Gulf, Dubai is today one of the most cosmopolitan cities in the world.

One of the seven emirates that make up the United Arab Emirates, Dubai is home to nearly 200 nationalities and offers a truly memorable experience to all visitors.

Whether it is by the banks of the Creek, or at the top of the Burj Khalifa, the world’s tallest building, Dubai lives and breathes a sense of possibility and innovation. And with an unparalleled coastline, beautiful desert and magnificent cityscapes, memories are just waiting to be made here.

BURJ KHALIFA Towering at a height of 2,700 feet, the Burj Khalifa is currently the tallest tower in the world. With two observation decks, a Las Vegas-inspired fountain, nine of the city's best luxury hotels and multiple restaurants, this 21stcentury architectural marvel must be your number one place to visit when in Dubai or even the UAE. Also, make sure to book your tickets in advance well to avoid last moment hassles.

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PALM JUMEIRAH

Palm Jumeirah is one of the largest manmade islands in the world and triumph of human ingenuity. It is the epitome of beauty created by land reclamation, extending into the Persian Gulf. The archipelago resembles a palm tree with a circle when you take an overhead view of it. It was one of the first major tourism projects in the UAE and currently houses some of Dubai’s top tourist destinations like Atlantis, the Palm, Aquaventure Waterpark and the Lost Chambers Aquarium.

THE DUBAI MALL

The Dubai Mall is the worlds largest destination for shopping, entertainment and leisure, located right next to the worlds tallest building, the Burj Khalifa.

Featuring over 1,200 retail stores, two major departmental stores and hundreds of food and beverage outlets, The Dubai Mall covers more than 1 million sqm – an area equivalent to football pitches. Even an entire day spent here is not enough to see it all.

BY VANSHIKA SETH

NOV 2020 ISSUE 4 WOKAL

BURJ AL ARAB Established in the year 1999, Burj Al Arab is one of the premium hotels of Dubai located on an artificial island off Jumeirah Road.

Designed in the shape of a sail of a dhow, this iconic landmark houses an array of shiny chauffeur-driven limousines and a private helipad. Talking of luxury, the hotel features an attractive fountain, an admirable lobby and richness induced 203 suites.

Standing tall at a height of 180 meters, the royalty factor of the hotel is brought out by its may interior elements adorned in real gold! A prior reservation (on its website) is required to get past the lobby security to visit its restaurant if you are not staying there.

DUBAI AQUARIUM AND UNDERWATER ZOO Located on the ground floor of the Dubai Mall, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo houses over 33,000 marine life occupying the 10 million litres of water within the tank. A unique underwater zoo occupies the level above the tank showcasing a plethora of underwater life that can be found inhabiting the oceans, rivers and other water bodies across the planet. The VR Zoo makes up the third section offering thrilling wildlife adventures via realistically created virtual tours.

NOV 2020 ISSUE 4 WOKAL

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ATLANTIS THE PALM

DESERT SAFARI

With a private sandy beach and 5-star amenities, Atlantis is the first ever resort to be built on the Palm Jumeirah Island in Dubai. Offering mesmerizing views of the Arabian Gulf and being themed on the myth of Atlantis, this resort inculcates a few distinct Arabian elements. Providing unique features such as an underwater aquarium and swimming with dolphin opportunities, Palm Atlantis is surely one of the world’s most popular attraction destination for tourists.

Dubai, mainly renowned for its great infrastructure, is also known for its adventurous streak. At the heart of Dubai is still its desolated desert. And so, to enjoy the desert a bit more effectively, the city presents various Desert Safari options. The experience is one of its kind and worth every penny spent! Visitors can experience desert camping with a delicious Arabian dinner, belly dancers and other traditionaL performers. Day safaris hold you in for an adventure as you get to try out Dune Bashing, sandboarding, quad biking, camel rides and more.

NOV 2020

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DUBAI GOLD SOUK Dubai is famous not just for its deserts, adventure parks and resorts, but for its many shopping hubs as well. Dubai's famous Gold Souk happens to be the world's largest gold market! Situated in Deira, this golden Souk is the most famous and highly visited tourist spot in Dubai because of its excellent quality and designs of gold. With more than 350 jewellery traders and retailers, Gold Souk is restocked with at least 10 tons of gold daily.

DUBAI FOUNTAIN Dubai Fountain is the world's largest choreographed water fountain located in the beautiful Burj Complex. This dancing fountain surges as high as 150 meters in complete synchronization to classical, Arabic and other popular world musical numbers. Forming beautiful arcs and jumping to the beats. The show begins in the evening every day, and the best way to approach it is through the Dubai Mall.

IF YOU ARE SOMEONE WHO LOVES TO KNOW OF THE NOT SO FAMOUS PLACES OF THE COUNTRY! THESE PLACES HAVE BEEN CURATED FROM LOCALITE'S VIEW! NOV 2020 WOKAL

AL-AIN ZOO A drive of about 1.5 hrs from Dubai, AlAin zoo is home for mammals, reptiles and birds of every kind. There are over 4000 animals. Highlight of the trip was hand feeding the giraffes. Definitely worth your time.

KUNAFA Kunafaholic, you can call me. This is a middle eastern dessert. Cheese and cream based pastry soaked in sugar syrup.

BY MARIAM SHOEB

By Mariam Shoeb

NOV 2020 ISSUE 4 WOKAL

DUBAI CREEK HARBOUR Situated near Ras Al Khor wildlife sanctuary, famous for flamingos.

This place offers a stunning view of Dubai skyline. The best time to visit this place is just an hour before sunset.

DUBAI WATER CANAL Part of the canal runs through Safa Park, separating Al Wasl from Al Safa, and continues to the sea between the Jumeirah 2 and Jumeirah 3 districts. One of the best places for an evening walk.

Ferries and hire boats are a great way to see the city.

WOKAL MAG

PET-TECH

BY DAKSHITA AND SARAH

In this digital era, let your pets have some fun with these amazing gadgets which will not only make them happy but will also make pet parenting easier for you. Dakshita and Sarah’s list here will not only make you work from home days easier and your pets more manageable, but also help you monitor your pets’ health.

iFetch / iFetch TOO These are gadgets that play fetch with your pet, they are automatic ball thrower/launcher. iFetch: This is for small dogs; It comes with 3 mini tennis balls (1.6-inch diameter).

Adjust the launch distance to 10, 20 or 30 feet with the touch of a button. iFetch TOO:

WOKAL // NOV 2020

This is for large dogs; It launches a standard siized tennis ball 10, 25, or 40 feet tall with the touch of button.

It even includes a “random” distance setting to keep your dog guessing.

PETSAFE SMART FEED AUTOMATIC DOG AND CAT FEEDER

FURBO DOG CAMERA

Petsafe smart feed automatic dog and cat feeder: This is a smart feeder for both cats and dogs. It holds up to 24 cups of dry food and the bowl holds up to 5 cups of food. Meals can be dispensed from 1/8 cups to 4 cups to fit your pet's unique feeding needs. It programs up to 12 meals to feed on your pet's schedule and also has two miscellaneous modes; Immediate Feed Mode and Pause Feed Mode. It has a unique Slow Feed Mode which dispenses food over a 15-minute period

Furbo dog camera: This is the most adorable gadget of them all. This lets you toss a treat to your pet virtually. Fill it with over 100 pieces of your dogs’ favorite treats and feed them through the iOS/ Android app.

It has 1080p Camera with night vision that lets you livestream video to monitor your pet with a 160º wideangle view

WOKAL // NOV 2020 // ISSUE.4

Water fountain:

BY DAKSHITA AND SARAH

WOKAL // NOV 2020 // ISSUE.4

Normal water bowls are boring, so this is a cute water fountain for your dog. It also has a bonus dental care feature installed and includes a dental care tablet that enhances the water to help protect against plaque and tartar build-up leading to healthier gums and no bad breath for dogs.

It is usually preferred for medium or largesized dogs.

An automatic cat laser toy:

This toy will keep your fluffy friend active while you’re unable to give your cat attention, hence this a blessing in disguise. This is an automatic rotating laser toy. It has many speed settings, and dual lasers rotate 360 degrees to keep them interested. It operates with minimal electronic sounds and automatically turns off after 15 minutes to prevent the cat from getting exhausted.

Self-cleaning cat litter box: This device self-cleans for weeks with no scooping, cleaning or refilling. The litter absorbs urine and dehydrates solid waste to remove odor. It is also 99% dust-free and its plastic tray lining creates a powerful extra barrier to help protect against leakage

AN AUTOMATIC CAT LASER TOY

Whistle 3 GPS pet tracker:

This gadget is a lifesaver which helps you monitor your four-legged friend and their daily activities and also lets you know how your pet measures up for their age, weight and breed. It is waterproof for up to 3 feet for 30 minutes and alerts you if your pet escapes via email, app, and text. It also has a long-lasting battery life, but it varies depending on your pet’s activity and Wi-Fi signal strength.

Sources: https://www.pocket-lint.com https://www.amazon.in https://www.pawculture.com

WHISTLE 3 GPS PET TRACKER:

SELF-CLEANING CAT LITTER BOX:

WOKAL // NOV 2020 // ISSUE.4

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ISSUE

04

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NOVEMBER

2020

BATTERED PAGES: BOOKS FOR ALL.

THE

BY

ALI NA

INTERVIEW

AHMED

AND

MAAHI N

SAEED

Q1. Tell us something about yourselves.

0202

ARUNDHATI: He was the VP when I joined in. We really started talking this previous March while I was on a bus ride back home from Bir. he loves Bir and didn’t hesitate to respond to my Instagram story. Personally, I was a bit scared but we ended up chatting for three hours!! We began bonding over late-night Netflix party scenes. It has been nothing but a beautiful journey since then!!

Quarantine wasn’t so bad after all. We’re dating now so it's marvelous

LAKOW

NAMAN: Arundhati and I were part of an organisation but we never interacted except one or two times. On a random night of March we started talking on a common travel destination (obviously) and I got to know this amazing person. Overtime the conversations became better and better. Not so soon after that we started dating :)

EUSSI

Q2. How did you two meet and became friends?

40

NAMAN: Hey! I’m Naman, co-founder of Battered Pages.

I’m an avid backpacker who has travel on his mind 24/7, a student of digital marketing who loves to do business.

I’ve been a finance student all my life but I shifted to Digital marketing and I’ve never been happier.

REBMEVON

ARUNDHATI: I think this is a very difficult question to answer, but I guess in short, I’m someone who loved walking, reading, and anime. I think of myself as someone who is shy yet noisy? I’m also a very peopleoriented person. So, I love talking to new people and kind of jam with a bunch of strangers. Yes, I love traveling and can speak Japanese ok. (smiles)

40 EUSSI LAKOW

ARUNDHATI: Oh, I remember that conversation, we were both mooching around the house when he suddenly said he had way too many novels lying around. I understood instantly that he’s someone like me, too many books, not enough time to read. It just seemed sad that most of these books were lying untouched, unread. He suggested that we both should sell these books but soon it felt morally wrong to “sell” books. We decided to put a portion of the proceeds to a cause. We both love animal welfare, I am the local neighborhood dog mama and he never fails to pet and cuddles any dog or cat or creature he comes across.!! :)

REBMEVON

NAMAN: We want people to read more. Hence, Battered pages. Providing books at rates from Rs 75 to Rs 250 to everyone in India. We started this page from with two objectives in mind. One, everyone should have access to good books without burning a hole in their pocket ( Been there) and the money we get should be donated to a trusted place for the betterment of the society.

Everyday I used to sit and stare at my hundred books for a long time as I have read them and they are just sitting there. So we thought of battered pages to put them to a good use. We never thought that this idea would take off well and we would be able to sell a good number books in a short time.

0202

Q3. Please shed some light on your initiative, Battered Pages. How did the idea come into existence?

EUSSI LAKOW

ARUNDHATI: For me, it’s pretty instinctual in the sense talking to customers and people is something I enjoy. I do go and pick out books, those hard to find offbeat books. But I’m always busy with college, so Naman here is the real guy who handles it mostly (and so well!!). We do the pricing together and jointly upload the books. He takes care of shopping and payments (I suck at maths), does all the calculations and keeps things in order. I think he’s more than capable of handling everything on his own. He has been doing it for the past month. I’m here for his moral support, he’s the real battered pages.

40

Q5 How do both of you manage the business?

What are the different portfolios that each of you handles?

REBMEVON

ARUNDHATI: We started the initiative on 27th August 2020. So , its only been a couple of months, we’ve managed to donate to 2 relief funds currently and we hope to make another one soon.

NAMAN: Till now we have donated a good amount towards two different foundations. a. Sophie’s Memorial Animal Welfare Trust b. Posh Foundation

0202

Q4. Till now, how many relief funds were you able to donate?

Q6. What challenges did you face while bringing this initiative to lif e?

NAMAN: Everyday we have faced a different kind of challenge whether small or big while handling battered Pages but when you work with someone you’re really fond of, every challenge looks like a piece of cake. We faced shortage of books as we had to find a lot of donation sources and places to get them at cheap prices. Another issue was delivery within Delhi in the first 2 weeks so we used to meet every Sunday in the morning and deliver them personally all over Delhi NCR.

ARUNDHATI: Funnily enough, our biggest setback was recently, when Instagram blocked our page for violating their terms. We know we hadn’t taken any step to do so, so we suspected that someone reported us as spam( No idea why ).

That was hard, all our hard work went down the drain. It wasn’t about the books, it was the effort, love and time we put into creating our baby and our wonderful community of book lovers.

Fortunately, we are back up and running so it worked out just fine. I guess hardships for us means the pressure of orders, they sometimes overwhelm and the pressure of shipping and failed deliveries. Still, we have each other, we support and take over when the other is down. So it works out after all. I would be lost and frankly gone if he isn’t there to help me.

Q7.What was the response f rom your friends and family?

NAMAN: My family has been really supportive in terms of this initiative. My Mom has helped in every aspect like packing and weight the packages after every book drop. She visits the page multiple times during every book drop to see how many people reserved the books and gets super excited when we put more books. (laughs)

ARUNDHATI: Our friends were supportive!! They bought so much initially, boxes and boxes went to just one person so it was amazing. As far as my parents were concerned. My father was excited about the new venture while my mother termed it as “Do pal ke shauq” and “Padhai par dhyan do”. So, that was a challenge for me since I couldn’t understand why we were facing backlash from our parents for doing what they brought us up to dobeing original and following our passion. But now, seeing the community and seeing that we are devoted to this, she finally came around, she now supports it the most, occasionally pitching in with her beautiful ideas!! Moms are beautifully complex, no?

Q8.What goes into creating a social media presence f or your initiative?

ARUNDHATI: I think he can answer it better, he’s using his digital marketing skills after all! But I guess being consistent on the page and diligently answering all queries does make an impact.

NAMAN: A social media presence is something that looks really good but the amount of effort that goes into it is insane. Being a digital marketer myself, I spend hours into improving small aspects of the posts, curating the organic and paid marketing strategies. I strictly follow the AIDA model ( Awareness, Interest, Desire and Action).

The major focus is on the awareness and the action phase while improving the desire infrastructure. Making people aware about your work is as important as grabbing the action driven people who actually want to buy your product.

Q9. Do you have any f uture plans for Battered Pages, have you decided anything yet?

NAMAN: Given our recent encounter with Instagram, our page got disabled by Instagram out of nowhere which hit me really badly. We’ve been talking about making a user friendly website for our valued customers and ensure that people get the books they want.

ARUNDHATI: For now, we plan on being perennial and we’re all ready to take it forward.

No concrete plans on my end except wanting to automate the process( a website would be marvelous). But in a dreamy-eyed way, we eventually would like to open up a Battered Pages shop and spend our days happily reading and meeting customers.

Q10.How much do approvals and validation mean to you?

ARUNDHATI: For me, it does matter but only to a certain extent. I love to see people enjoying what we do, although I try to keep reminding myself that it’s the proceeds, the book donations which matter the most. I suppose even if we have a small community but a consistent sales flow, it works just fine. But having a large number of books and animal lovers is heartwarming. It’s like a pat on the head which says “you both are good nuts and are on the right track, your heart is in the right place”.

NAMAN: Over the past 3-4 years, I’ve seen that the desire for approval and validation has gone low. I do appreciate a pat on the back ( Kind of like it) whenever a huge challenge is overcome and something is accomplished due to hard and smart work but the aim of pleasing other people and seeking approval from outside sources has brought no good in life.

Impromptu: 1. If you were a fictional character, which one would you be?

N: As much as I’d like to think I’m Batman, I’m actually Frodo Baggins. Life just served me a golden adventure on a plate and a great fellowship which helps me get through every small or big challenge I face ( Hopefully not giant spiders or orcs).

A: .Probably an anime character from the Fruit Basket, the protagonist, or her mother , I think the mom.

2. A song that describes your personality the best.

N: Fly me to the moon by Frank Sinatra. It wasn’t long ago I was introduced to his song by Arundhati and I’ve been in love ever since.

A: All my life by WILDE 3. If you were a type of coffee, which one would you be?

A: .I know he is Irish coffee or black coffee( I think more Irish) I guess I’m a strong cup of Cappuccino, no sugar.

N: Definitely an Espresso.

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4. Any good local artists/businesses that you discovered recently?

A: Oh, I read this poetry page on Instagram called Irshad Poetry, Quaint page with amazing poems.

Just like that 5.One talent or quality that you would like to steal from each other.

N: She speaks Japanese!! Definitely that! Honestly, she is an amazing person and I can’t figure out which quality to steal among her pure intelligence, Honesty, ability to work hard and her smile :) A: I’d like to steal his compassion, his math/finance brain, didn’t even think for a second. (smiles) 6. If you could eat, only one cuisine your entire life, what would it be?

A: J.A.P.A.N.E.S.E. actually oriental Asian food, Vietnamese, Japanese, Thai.

N: That is a tough question! As much as I’d love to eat Japanese with Arundhati but I’d still go for Italian :) 7. The book you last read.

A: Mom called one.

N: The 100 year old man who climbed out of his window and disappeared.

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4. A novel based movie that was able to match your expectations.

A: Pride and Prejudice N: The Second Best Exotic Marigold Hotel

OPENING THE CLOSETED DOORS B Y

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C H O P R A

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LAKOW

Coming out is when a person voluntarily decides to publicly reveal an important part of who they are. For many LGBTQIA++ people, this involves sharing their sexual orientation and/or their sexual identity.

We can be guilty of assuming someone’s life would be better if they just ‘came out’. It isn’t as simple as it sounds, it’s a lot more complicated as it comes with its own physical and mental baggage. One needs to assess a lot of possibilities before taking this step because it’s not something that can be done and dealt with within a day. Once they are ‘out of the closet’, they will have to come out to different people in different situations at the cost of being completely unsure of others’ responses.

THINGS TO KEEP IN MIND WHILE COMING OUT Coming out is not a compulsion

Coming out to people, especially your family and close friends can be very mentally exhausting.

You have all rights to take all the time in the world and prepare yourself for this big task, and if you feel too pressured to do it, don’t. It’s not a compulsion, it’s a choice that you have to make for yourself and only you get to decide if, when, and whom you want to come out to. No one should threaten or guilt trip you into coming out.

BY KASHISH CHOPRA

"Coming out is one’s personal choice and no third person has the right to out them."

Safety first

issue no. 4 // WOKAL // NOV 2020

Y B

It’s okay if you’re not an expert on or still unsure about your sexual identity/orientation.

You might be asked a lot of questions when you come out, but you don’t have to know everything about it and you don’t have to share anything you don’t feel comfortable sharing.

You can take our time and explore all you want.

The right place and right time vary depending upon who you want to come out to! Sometimes you might want to prepare yourself in advance, rehearse your speech with someone close and supportive, waiting for when the other person is open for an actual conversation, and then take off for the big leap, and other times you just randomly put it across.

H S I H S A K

It’s okay to not know everything

There’s no right place or time

A R P O H C

If you doubt that your family/ friends may react to you coming out to them violently or in a way that will jeopardize your safety or can harm you mentally or even socially, then refrain from doing so or make sure you have a supportive member on your side to back you up and handle the situation if it gets out of control.

WHY SHOULD YOU NOT 'OUT' SOMEONE?

OPENING THE CLOSETED DOORS B Y

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C H O P R A

People of the LGBTQIA++ community face tremendous difficulties growing up in a society where heterosexuality is often presented as the only acceptable orientation and homosexuality is regarded as deviant. They are more likely to experience intolerance, discrimination, harassment, and the threat of violence because of their sexual identity and/or their sexual orientation than cisgendered heterosexuals due to homophobia which is largely reinforced by factors like moral, Religious, and political beliefs of a dominant group. This sad reality makes it all the more difficult for people to openly embrace themselves. Hence, it should solely be their decision.

What one should always remember is that not coming out doesn’t invalidate their identity and/or orientation. As long as they know who they truly are and are ready to embrace it, it doesn’t matter if others know of or approve of their identity and/or orientation.

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TEA WITH SIB

WITH DR. SIB HUSKY I’m Dr. Sib Husky, a pet psychologist and a fashion enthusiast. I have the coolest friends ever and to prove that, I have a special friend over here today who let me interview himself in exchange for a bowl of meat. He’s a tiny ball of fluff and he loves to hide inside my office bag.

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TEAD RWITH SIB SIB HUSKY .

Q1. Let’s start by introducing yourself to our readers!

I’m Hua, the Chihuahua. I can be described as “a tiny dog stashed with having the most unique personality”. I have high social and attention needs; hence I follow my parents around the house 24/7. I can easily adapt to living in apartments, and I have very low exercise requirements, 20-30 minutes of exercise daily would be enough. I have a quite high sensitivity level and get scared easily. I’m a very fast learner; I’ve already learnt to shake hands, stand on two feet and fetch things, and I’m just one year old.

Q2. I’ve heard something about apple and deer shaped heads, what exactly is this about?

We may be identified as either apple head or deer head Chihuahuas; Apple heads have rounded heads, close-set eyes, and relatively short ears and legs, and Deer heads have flat-topped heads, more widely set eyes, larger ears, and longer, more slender legs. Similarly, we also have two coat varieties; One is smooth and short, whereas the other is long and soft with fringed ears and legs.

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Q3. What are some common health problems that Chihuahuas might suffer from?

The leading cause of health problems in Chihuahuas is injury. Since we love following our owners around the house, accidents like falling off heights or getting trampled upon are very common. What follows next are injuries which are often dangerous because we are very fragile creatures.

Other health problems include dental issues and collapsed tracheas.

Since we have weak teeth and sometimes are born with very little enamel, we are prone to cavities and rot. There are multiple ways the trachea can collapse, but often it’s attributed to a hereditary disorder that weakens the lining of the tracheal rings, causing them to flatten over time. We can also suffer from mental problems like separation anxiety, as a result of being emotionally attached to our owners.

DR. SIB HUSKY

Q4. What kind of an environment are you most comfortable in?

Since I’m a short haired Chihuahua, I’m less tolerant of cold than larger breeds, and require a sweater/coat and/or boots in cold weather. I usually seek warmth in sunshine, under blankets or in my owner’s laps. I tremble or shiver when I’m feeling cold, or this might also happen when I’m excited or stressed. My favourite place in the world is under the bed or in a corner all curled up and happy.

Q5. Before we finish, tell us some random facts about yourself.

My breed is named after the state of Chihuahua, Mexico, but before we were universally known by this name, we were sometimes referred to as “Arizona dog” or “Texas dog”.

We are the world’s smallest dog breed. Contrary to my size, I’m quite bold and confident and since I have an alert nature, I can be an excellent watchdog for my family but this shouldn’t encourage anyone to leave me for guarding anyone or anything because in reality, I need to be guarded at all times from prey animals. www.akc.orgen.wikipedia.org www.mentalfloss.com www.dogtime.com NOV

2020 // WOKAL // ISSUE.4

JUST JACK-IT:

When Art and Fashion Come Together B Y

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JACK-IT: A homegrown brand

From clothing designs and prints to elaborately designed catwalk shows, artists have always had a role to play in the fashion industry. The fact that art and fashion go hand in hand so well shouldn’t come as a surprise. After all, what is fashion if not wearable art? Fashion Blogger and enthusiast, Sneha Barua poses for her homegrown brand Jack-It, featuring denim jackets with hand-painted unique designs

SNEHA BARUA PRESENTS jACK-IT

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BORING AND LIFELESS? SAY NO MORE

There are days when you just don’t want to spend time deciding what to wear, and everything in your closet looks boring, and you wish to have the one item that can put together an entire look! Handpainted denim jackets are here to save you from those days! Denim jackets have been in the game for so long, and it has evolved over the years. It’s wearable, fashionable and versatile and very body positive. Oversized jackets, crop jackets, coloured denim jackets, you name it all. What gives denim jackets a twist is that artists have started using it as their canvas, which results in absolutely stunning numbers to wear and feel confident

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Whether it’s the mainstream back painting or paintings on the arm piece, there’s no limit to showing your creativity. They can be used as feature items in your closet and you’d look chic and fashionable. Hand-painted denim jackets steal the show always. Clouds are an artist’s favourite thing to draw, you can get super creative and the results are always astonishing! This white denim jacket which has a colourful sky handpainted at the back can be your next favourite item in your closet. Pair it up with some black leggings, black crop top and throw the jacket on to steal the show.

It’s casual yet not boring at all. Or you could pair it up with some jeans, add a statement handbag, jacket and you’re good to go! This jacket is for all the Ariana Grande fans, you’ll love this jacket as much as you love the THANK YOU NEXT album! The stunning fire design at the front and the cover at the back are to die for. You could do all monochrome with this jacket or do a denim on denim number and both would make heads turn!

If you’re bored of your regular denim pieces, you should definitely try to get your hands on these hand-painted denim jackets because they are a must-have in your closet.

THANK YOU NEXT ,

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A CALL FOR ALL ARTISTS!

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ISSUE 4| NOVEMBER 2020

WOKAL WOKAL Issue 4 | November 2020

Photo by Kelli McClintock on Unsplash

ISSUE 4|NOVEMBER 2020

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