Society

meet-d-vaikuntam-the-hyderabad-cheriyal-artist-makes-wakes-after-praise-from-pm-modi-in-mann-ki-baat

Thu Oct 31 19:14:24 IST 2024

The name on artist D. Vaikuntam’s business card would be incomplete without the title ‘Nakash’. Almost all his family members, who are involved in Nakashi paintings, have adopted this suffix. Based in Hyderabad, national award-winning artist, Vaikuntam along with his 3 children is completely immersed in promoting this rare art form which is native to Telangana.

Vaikuntam shares an interesting story behind the family’s legacy and the origin of the Nakashi name. “My forefathers have been practising this art for centuries. One of the Muslim rulers from the past admired our painting style and named it Nakashi and gave us the name Nakash. Since then, our family members have retained the name.”

In the 16th century or slightly later, the Nakashi style of art was extended to scroll paintings to complement the colourful narratives of community-based Telugu storytellers. As many of the artists by then had relocated to a place called Cheriyal near Siddipet in central Telangana, the art form came to be known as Cheriyal scroll paintings.

Recently, Prime Minister Narendra Modi highlighted Vaikuntam and Cheriyal scroll paintings in his Mann Ki Baat address.

“D. Vaikuntam has been engaged in popularising Cheriyal folk art for over 50 years. His effort to promote this art is remarkable. The process of preparing Cheriyal paintings is very unique. It brings out stories in the form of a scroll. It gives a complete glimpse of our history and mythology,” he said.

Vaikunatam, who studied till class 7, learnt the intricate Nakashi art from his father and uncles. Since then, he has remained devoted to it even through financially challenging times.

In the early days, he received requests from storytellers seeking depictions of Hindu epics and folk stories, for which he would spend months creating scrolls with the required illustrations. These storytellers used the scrolls to narrate stories to specific caste communities, earning their livelihood.

Over time, caste-based storytelling has largely faded, but Vaikuntam continues to create Nakashi art on various subjects and platforms. Since Modi had spoken about him, Vaikuntam has seen a surge of interest in both himself and his art.

“I am very happy as the whole of India heard my name and about my art. What more can I ask for?” he said.

diwali-bumble-survey-india-youth-dating-relationships-expectation-equality-festival-planning

Fri Oct 25 16:08:47 IST 2024

With the vibrant festival season in India in full fervour, a survey by online dating giant Bumble hints that not only love but equality is in the air. According to Bumble, 90 per cent of Indians surveyed say that it’s important for their partners to contribute equally during festival season planning.

With Diwali approaching, India is set to celebrate the festival of colourful rangolis, vibrant garlands, and diya-lit homes. The latest trends in dating and companionship suggest that romance is not just in well-thought-out actions, gifts, or grand gestures but in active collaboration. Women have traditionally spearheaded festive planning in the country. But with evolving times where both partners are now equal stakeholders, more couples embrace sharing responsibilities.

However, it is not always that simple, according to Dr Ritika Mahajan, assistant professor at Malaviya National Institute of Technology (MNIT), Jaipur. “I feel that a partner who enjoys planning should do it, be it a man or a woman,” she told THE WEEK.

“In a patriarchal setup, festive planning usually falls upon the woman,” said Mahajan, who is a faculty at the NIT in Rajasthan, underlying the need for clear communication. “As a woman, if you do not enjoy it, stop doing it for validation! One may communicate this to one’s partner—either give it up or share the load!”

She also added how men are usually good at planning events, hinting that they might do better than festival planners. “Men perform extraordinarily well when it comes to organizing office or outdoor events; maybe, the women need to lose a bit of control at home for men to contribute,” she added.

ALSO READ: It is not a crime to want to look beautiful!

As a beacon of better times for equality, there is now an increased call for seeing duties and chores as gender-neutral across professions. “It’s a common thing we observe in many households during such special festivals. Some men step into the kitchen or do some chores and behave as if it is a special thing that demands appreciation,” opined Jewel Mary, actress and television presenter. She also implored as to why men have to be appreciated for the same duties that most women perform in households every day. “The concept of a ‘man’ doing a ‘woman’s duty’ has to change,’ she added.

Lighting the diya of equality

India’s urban population, with double-income nuclear families, are of the opinion that planning for festivals not only adds to the festive spirit but also strengthens relationships. Cooking, cleaning, decorating the house, and shopping for groceries together increase the time spent with one another, with holidays like Diwali providing a much-needed respite from a demanding corporate culture.

“Bumble’s research shows that for 1 in 2 Indians, equality in managing festive tasks is a green flag. This can be decorating, planning gatherings, or shopping—because it fosters stronger connections,” said the dating app’s senior marketing manager for APAC, Pracheta Mazumdar.

Others also highlighted how sharing the mental load made life easier for everyone. “If both partners are prepared, there is less mental and physical stress. Also, last-minute financial hurdles can be avoided,” Dr Gautham N, a professional in forensic medicine, chimed in.

The doctor, who is father to a two-year old, highlighted the importance of sharing responsibilities between both parents. “Managing a baby during festivals is taxing” for one partner alone, he added, recounting his experience during the festival of Onam last month. “During Onam, we went for a road trip with the baby. With careful planning between my wife and I, we avoided starvation as most eateries were closed,” he said.

Such experiences and the dating survey by Bumble reveal an increasing shift in attitudes towards festival planning, especially among partners. With India celebrating numerous festivals, such a change represents a positive step towards a more inclusive and balanced society. For, the true spirit of celebration often lies not in the festivities themselves, but in a shared journey by partners. Let this Diwali add more resolve to this wonderful change.

the-ai-smith-dinner-proves-trump-has-lost-the-humour-war

Sat Oct 19 13:54:11 IST 2024

A president without humour is like artillery without fire power. And if Donald Trump becomes president, all the American artillery might as well be made museum artefacts. Trump arrived at the AI Smith dinner for Catholic charities on October 17—an event generally known for its light-hearted banter—armed to charm. However, his arsenal of jokes was woefully lacking. Instead, he did what he does best—pass off insults under the guise of humour. “We’ve someone in the White House who can barely talk, barely put together two coherent sentences, who seems to have the mental faculties of a child,” he said. “It’s a person that has nothing going, no intelligence whatsoever. But enough about Kamala Harris.” Predictably, no one laughed.

Worse, Trump does not do self-effacement. “Tradition holds that I’m supposed to tell a few self-deprecating jokes this evening,” he said. “So here it goes. Nope, I’ve got nothing.” Jokes apart, this is seriously worrying. A president who cannot take potshots at himself is a dangerous species. He lacks humility and thinks he is above ridicule. He cannot acknowledge his own humanity or admit his mistakes. Instead, he specialises in blame games and manipulation. Sounds like someone you know?

Some might argue that Trump is humorous in his own way. But, is insult humour really funny? Can you really laugh at someone calling their opponent a “wack job”, “dumb as a rock” and “real garbage”? Or who suggests that a commentator asked a tough question because she had “blood coming out of her wherever”? Or who boasts that he could shoot a man on 5th Avenue and his base would still love him?

A good joke is a work of art. It requires craft, and knowing how to push the line without overstepping it. It is more precision targeting—making sharp and witty observations about someone—than the kind of carpet bombing, or bland insults indiscriminately directed at his enemies, that Trump specialises in. Barack Obama was good at it. CBS called his humour “mordant, self-deprecating and deeply ironic”. Jimmy Kimmel once said that “Obama could probably be a comedian himself if he wanted to”. As good were the comedic deliveries of Bill Clinton and George W. Bush.

According to former American senator Bob Dole—author of Great Presidential Wit (I Wish I Was in the Book)—the four funniest former presidents were Abraham Lincoln, who had a “natural gift for sarcasm”, Ronald Reagan “who could be quite acerbic when he chose”, Franklin D. Roosevelt, and Theodore Roosevelt. Of one long-winded orator, Lincoln observed, “He can compress the most words into the smallest ideas of any man I ever met”. During the 1980 campaign, Reagan said that Jimmy Carter was supposed to go on CBS’s 60 Minutes and talk about his accomplishments, “but that would have left 59 minutes to fill”.

The thing with Trump is that he does not laugh. He probably sees it as a weakness. Perhaps that’s the reason why he has constantly castigated his opponent, Kamala Harris, for laughing too much. “Have you heard her laugh?” he said at a rally in Pennsylvania. “It is the laugh of a crazy person.” Then again, it might be too soon to dismiss this “crazy person”. Especially if she has the last laugh.

decay-of-integrity-in-law-reflections-on-my-journey

Sat Oct 19 13:40:41 IST 2024

The legal profession, once held to the highest standards of truth and justice, is witnessing a steady erosion of its moral compass. Recent cases like Will Green’s and the Welsh pier incident show just how far it has decayed. Green, a former England rugby player, was pressured to lie about having dementia to bolster a class-action brain injury lawsuit. His refusal to participate, after a second medical scan revealed no signs of brain damage, resulted in threats of legal and medical costs from the solicitors representing him. Similarly, Kirsty Williams-Henry, a Welsh woman who falsely exaggerated her injuries after falling from a pier, exposed another form of legal manipulation—where the pursuit of financial gain eclipses truth and integrity.

But, perhaps, the most scandalous illustration of legal misconduct in recent history is the Post Office Horizon IT scandal, a case that brought into stark relief just how far the legal system has fallen. Over 700 innocent sub-postmasters and mistresses were wrongly accused of theft, fraud, and false accounting due to faults in the Horizon computer system. Many of these individuals were criminally prosecuted, financially ruined, and in some cases even imprisoned, all on the basis of flawed evidence. It took decades of fighting for these victims to finally see justice, with convictions quashed and compensation eventually awarded. But the damage was done—lives were shattered, reputations destroyed, and the legal system’s failure to act with integrity was laid bare for all to see.

The Post Office Horizon scandal is not an isolated case. It sits alongside other examples of deep-rooted dishonesty and legal failures that have had devastating consequences for those involved. The UK contaminated blood scandal, which saw thousands of people infected with HIV and hepatitis C through tainted blood products in the 1970s and 1980s, is another instance where the pursuit of justice was obscured by legal manoeuvring and bureaucratic delays. Victims spent decades fighting for recognition, accountability, and compensation, while the legal system dragged its feet, protecting the interests of the powerful over the rights of the vulnerable.

In Kirsty Williams-Henry’s case, her claim for £2.3 million in damages against Associated British Ports (ABP) was based on the exaggerated assertion that her injuries rendered her incapable of working. Despite suffering brain damage from the fall, she misrepresented the extent of her disability, forcing ABP to spend £300,000 in legal fees before it became clear her case was hopeless. Her solicitors persisted long after they should have known better, underscoring how profit, rather than ethics, drives many in the profession.

Where has the fundamental honesty and integrity of lawyers gone? These cases highlight the shifting priorities in a profession that once stood for truth, justice, and the best interests of clients. Today, the race to win at any cost has replaced the values that once defined the profession. “A lawyer’s word is their bond” has all but disappeared, replaced by a focus on billable hours and securing victories, regardless of the toll on justice.

I’ve spent over 40 years navigating the increasingly convoluted and disillusioning legal landscape. The first signs of this moral decline became apparent in the early 2000s. What had once been a noble profession dedicated to service became a business driven by high fees, aggressive tactics, and a dog-eat-dog mentality. By 2012, I could no longer practice in England, where law had strayed too far from its original purpose.

This decay isn’t new. Shakespeare captured the tarnished reputation of lawyers in Henry VI with the line: “The first thing we do, let’s kill all the lawyers.” Dickens too exposed the corruption in the system in Bleak House. They both foresaw a profession losing sight of its ideals, where self-interest and bureaucracy create more obstacles to justice than solutions.

By the time I began practicing in the 1980s, the seeds of this self-interest had already taken root. Overcharging clients was the norm, with time-recording systems that seemed designed to justify inflated fees. Clients who once trusted their solicitors to handle matters efficiently found themselves facing lengthy retainers and legal jargon that masked exploitation.

The greed and incompetence I’ve witnessed reached a new low when Simpson Millar, a national law firm, took over JWK Solicitors, of which I was a director. At the time of acquisition, JWK was a reputable and profitable firm. We had built a strong business founded on client trust, ethical practices, and solid legal work. But under Simpson Millar’s control, everything unraveled. Their pursuit of profit over people was apparent, and the once-thriving business was brought to its knees.

Simpson Millar’s recent financial woes further expose the rot at the heart of their operations. In their 2023 annual accounts, the firm reported a staggering £14.4m in pre-tax losses, more than double the £6.3m losses from the previous year. Turnover fell sharply by 39%, down to £19m, as parts of the business were shut down to cut costs. This is the result of greed-driven mismanagement. Their focus on expanding their empire while neglecting the basic principles of good legal practice led to the destruction of what was once a respected firm. What happened to JWK under their stewardship is a microcosm of the wider decline in legal ethics that we are witnessing across the profession.

In both Green’s and Williams-Henry’s cases, as well as the Post Office Horizon scandal and the collapse of Simpson Millar, the profession’s rot is clear. Solicitors pressure clients to fabricate or exaggerate claims, prolonging cases unnecessarily and driving up costs. Overzealous pursuit of compensation, even when it’s clear a claim is exaggerated, reflects the deep-seated dishonesty that has come to define much of legal practice.

The art of practising law lies not just in knowing the law but in understanding the people it affects. That human element has been lost in a system built for profit and revenue generation. The failure to gather proper evidence or address substantive issues is a disgrace to a profession founded on fairness and integrity.

Is it any wonder that by 2012, I decided to leave law in England? The profession had become an industry that placed profit over people. Law firms, instead of acting in the best interests of clients, relied on legal jargon and protracted litigation, obscuring the real issue: justice and protecting the vulnerable.

Reflecting on my career, the legal profession’s drift toward dishonesty and manipulation is undeniable. The stories of Green, Williams-Henry, the Post Office Horizon scandal, the contaminated blood scandal, and the fall of Simpson Millar serve as stark reminders of how far it has fallen. Until the legal profession reclaims the principles of integrity and fairness, it will continue to face the scorn Shakespeare and Dickens predicted centuries ago.

Don’t go to the law: A cautionary tale for clients

When people face a legal issue, whether it’s a dispute with a neighbor or a consumer complaint, their first instinct is often to seek out a solicitor. But before rushing into the legal system, consider this: hiring a solicitor can turn a small problem into a drawn-out, expensive ordeal where you lose sight of the solution and get trapped in the slow grind of the legal system.

The typical experience goes like this: You enter a legal firm with a straightforward issue, expecting advice and guidance. Instead, the solicitor begins with paperwork—verifying your identity, completing money-laundering checks—making your case feel like an afterthought. Hours of billable work later, you receive a client care letter and an alarming cost estimate. You’re already down a thousand pounds before any real legal action has begun.

What started as a minor issue turns into a drawn-out battle of legal fees and procedure, with the actual law getting lost along the way. Months pass, and the costs mount up, leaving you feeling like a small ship firing hopelessly at a much larger adversary. By the time you decide to settle or withdraw, you’re left out of pocket with little to show for your trouble. It’s often bewildering why the solicitor didn’t just resolve the matter with a phone call early on.

Overcharging clients has become the norm. And often, solicitors overlook simple solutions in favor of more protracted, expensive processes. This has been my observation and experience across decades of practice in civil litigation, from personal injury lawsuits to cross-border disputes and more.

The reality is that many in the legal profession lack empathy for the people whose lives they’re affecting. For clients, especially those from working-class backgrounds, this disconnect can be devastating. The legal process can feel like stepping into a world where the rules are designed not to help, but to hinder.

My advice? Avoid the law whenever possible. Consider alternatives like mediation or arbitration—methods that resolve disputes quickly, fairly, and without the astronomical costs of litigation. Over 40 years of experience have taught me that the legal system, as it stands today, is too often a trap for the unwary. Until it changes, the best advice I can offer is to stay out of it unless absolutely necessary.

it-is-not-a-crime-to-want-to-look-beautiful

Fri Oct 18 16:11:19 IST 2024

There is a conversation between high-school girls Tai and Cher in the 1995 film, Clueless, where Tai tells Cher that the reason why guys like college girls more is because they “wear less makeup on their face”. The guilt on Cher’s face is writ large because she likes to wear makeup. The earnestness of the girls makes the scene quite cute. But there is also something profound in the conversation, because somewhere within ourselves, this is a sentiment that most women can relate with: that if we wear too much makeup or look too “girly”, men won’t take us seriously.

Nigerian writer Chimamanda Ngozi Adichie put this perfectly in her viral TED Talk ‘We should all be feminists’. She spoke about worrying what to wear the first time she taught a writing class in graduate school. She wanted to be taken seriously and hence decided to go for an ugly suit, instead of the lip gloss and girly skirt she really wanted to wear.

“Because the sad truth is that when it comes to appearance, we start off with man as the standard, as the norm,” she said. “If a man is getting ready for a business meeting, he doesn’t worry about looking too masculine and therefore not being taken for granted. If a woman has to get ready for a business meeting, she has to worry about looking too feminine, and what it says and whether or not she will be taken seriously.”

Today, beauty has gotten inextricably linked with notions of empowerment, political correctness, tolerance, and inclusiveness. The implication is this: An empowered woman will not give pre-eminence to looking beautiful. Isn’t that why Unilever was made to rename Fair & Lovely skin cream and acknowledge that the branding suggested “a singular ideal of beauty”? Isn’t that why Netflix chose to release a fashion-forward comedy on plus-size fashion? Isn’t that why we castigate K-beauty standards? And isn’t that why beauty pageants like the recently-concluded Femina Miss India 2024 regularly come under fire for ‘objectifying women’ and exalting outward appearance and unrealistic body standards?

Yet, beneath the simmering surface of “inclusive beauty” and despite all self-help mantras to “accept yourself however you look”, we all crave beauty. That’s why the beauty industry in India is projected to reach $34 billion by 2028. And why Ozempic as a weight loss drug enamoured Hollywood for so long. And why makeup tutorials proliferate on social media and why nearly 1.6 million cosmetic surgical procedures were performed in the US in 2023.

Beauty pageants only reinforce what we all know in our hearts: that appearance matters. It is not the way things should be, but it is the way things are. And maybe it is not a crime to want to look beautiful. If lipstick makes me look and feel the best version of myself, then it is not frippery, it is empowerment.

at-wasabi-you-eat-food-with-your-eyes-first-mumbais-famous-japanese-restaurant-turns-20

Fri Oct 18 16:04:19 IST 2024

Recently, Wasabi by Morimoto, the famous Japanese restaurant at Mumbai's iconic Taj Palace and Towers turned 20. To celebrate, Masaharu Morimoto - the founding chef known for serving authentic Wasabi and delectable Japanese cuisine in Mumbai and New Delhi - was in the city to lay out a specially crafted Omakase menu as a way to mark the celebration.

Omakase in Japanese translates roughly to 'I am leaving it up to the chef’. Wasabi has a special place in his heart, also because it is the second restaurant of his career, which began with the founding of his large and successful Philadelphia restaurant in the US way back in 2001. "I'm often asked why I didn't open a second one anywhere else in the world but in India, the answer lies in love. If we hadn't loved each other, Taj and I, we wouldn't have sustained for 18 years."

Known best as the sushi chef who made it big as the 'Iron Chef' on Japanese TV, and trained as the executive chef of the first Nobu in New York with the eponymous Nobu Matsuhisa (a legend in the area of Japanese cooking), Morimoto is known to have championed the idea of modern Japanese cuisine. His expert play with sharp Japanese flavours and spices combined with his love for sushi and ramen, and taking from ingredients that are distinctly Western like olive oil and dairy products, have made him a favourite among all those he served, right from President Barack Obama to Bollywood celebrities back home, who we are told are regulars at the Taj.

"I always tell my team that works with me on the 'Morimoto brand,' 'never say no'. Even if someone asks you for ketchup, say yes. And then think about how you could improvise on the ketchup, which is a pet peeve at most high-end restaurants, and give something better than that."

As we gather around a table of ten, that looks out to a beautiful view of the Gateway of India, the chef is seen sashaying in and out of the kitchen and caroming into the dining area to greet guests. "I want to stay a chef for as long as I can. Even now, I spend most of my time in the kitchen," he tells THE WEEK. Signature dishes such as the Black Cod Miso, White fish carpaccio, Toro Tartare, pork Kakuni and Kinmedai soup are examples of how chefs at Wasabi have aced the game of incorporating local preferences into its menu.

If one were to ever ask the chef to recommend, he'd say, quite nonchalantly, "everything". He adds, "I made the menu myself with so much love and sweat, you cannot ask me what is best. Everything on my menu is the best."

We are seated for a longish eight-course Omakase on a languorous Saturday afternoon as the world whizzes by. Food arrives. Chopsticks are provided but forks come to the rescue. As plates upon plates of beautiful food is placed in front of us for a meal that goes well past two and a half hours, we take more than a moment to look at it. After all, the way the food is laid out reflects an aspect of a chef’s craftsmanship that can be just as crucial as the ingredients in the dish. Plating, says those who've worked with Morimoto, is a crucial aspect of his culinary skills. "He makes sure the plating is just right. Even a little leaf placed as a garnish and a visual treat must be perfect."

One example of this was the salad course we were served, which the server said was a dish Morimoto had created for dinner hosted by President Obama for Japan’s Prime Minister Shinzo Abe at the White House. In an attempt to symbolise US-Japanese friendship, the chef created a salad of vegetables sliced longitudinally with bits of meat in a fancy Japanese cellophane packaging tied with a thin golden ribbon. It looked beautiful as if you were unwrapping a gift. But the salad, which came with ranch dressing seemed more American than Japanese. It tasted okay, like any salad one would expect to taste with a rich dollop of dressing. But not in Japan. This also explains the close to 30 years that the chef spent in America, ever since he started there at Nobu in New York.

The salad came as the third course – after the entree which was a platter of about eight to nine gourmet foods from a mushy and juicy melon to pumpkin jelly, avocado tartar, tofu, beautifully placed duck meat and belly tuna with wasabi on top. It was just the perfect start to what all was coming. The sushi was the highlight of the lunch and we were served a whopping five different varieties of it all in one platter.

Immaculately dressed in a white shirt, black trousers and a long flowing jacket, the chef didn't look a day over 60. With his hair neatly tied back and a smile on his face at all times, nobody could say that he was on a punishing schedule that would go on for hours into the night.

The fat belly tuna that came resting on the tummy of a ripe and gooey Japanese muskmelon was delightful. The main course was pan-fried Sea bass with mushrooms cheese vegetables, pickle jalapeno sauce and ginger shoots, artichoke deep-fried mushrooms was largely okay and did not exude any different taste that was peculiarly Japanese. But, what set things apart for us was also that Rehan, the server, would give us fresh wasabi freshly rolled in front of us, and that added an instant spice to our sushis and the courses that followed. The rock lobster formed the fifth course; however, when asked for a vegetarian option instead, I was in for a bit of disappointment. All I had to make do with was potatoes and cheese. That also explains why Morimoto is known for his Wasabi menu and the vegetarian options on the menu do not really appeal to those who'd have eaten under renowned Indian chefs. Here, it pays to be a non-vegetarian.

But the chef himself prefers vegetarian meals. And that too, just one big meal at 4.30pm every day. Nothing filling before and after that. He just had banana yoghurt and small vegetables for breakfast and that also because he has to take the medicine for high blood pressure. "After lunch at 4, nothing, only plain water. Last time I lost 10 kilos and I've stopped alcohol completely." This is ironic because he is aggressively selling his new line of Sake - alcohol made from fermented Japanese rice.

At Wasabi, Morimoto often tells his patrons, "Always trust your server's recommendations. Each and every one of them know the menu in and out."

Morimoto and his wife, who is many years younger to him, travel extensively. They don't have kids; but a dog. He says he never cooks anything at home. "Zero," he says animatedly. "When we married in 1979, she was a terrible cook. She could not cook anything and I could cook everything. Over time, she learnt and is better than me now."

The omakase set we enjoyed at Wasabi was like moving in a plane, with its slow ascends that go on and on with the appetizers then, a cruising altitude when the raw and sharp wasabi hits the nasal sinuses...here the flight only goes straight up. There is no descend. Here you eat food with your eyes first.

the-meeting-that-never-was

Fri Oct 11 18:45:32 IST 2024

RB walked through the narrow London streets, anticipation thrumming through his veins. He was about to meet two of the most iconic figures in rock history—Keith Richards and Mick Jagger. It was a dream come true, an appointment set up weeks in advance, a meeting that could change everything. He wasn’t just a fan; this was business. A collaboration between the Rolling Stones and his own persona—Racket Boy (RB)—was on the table, with the possibility of merging their legendary brand with his. RB envisioned taking their combined power to the BBC, broadcasting to millions, and going global.

But as he approached their sleek, understated office, tucked away from the frenzy of the city, a familiar doubt crept in. He had been here before, metaphorically speaking—on the brink of greatness, only to be faced with rejection. Still, he shook off the uncertainty, rehearsing his pitch one last time. This was the Rolling Stones. This was RB. Surely, something magical would happen.

Inside, Keith and Mick were as you’d imagine—ageless in their own way, still effortlessly cool. Their office wasn’t flashy; it felt grounded, stripped back to the basics, almost like a tribute to the raw, rebellious energy that had set them on their journey decades ago. RB took a breath. It felt like the right place, the right time.

“Gentlemen,” he began, “what I’m proposing isn’t just a collaboration—it’s an evolution. Racket Boy, the Stones, two brands that defy convention, coming together to create something bigger than either of us could imagine. We take it to the BBC, national television, and from there—worldwide. It’s bold, but it’s achievable. We could create something legendary.”

But something was off. RB could see it in their eyes. Keith, with his quiet, calculated nods, and Mick, glancing at his watch, were both courteous but distracted. They listened politely, nodded in all the right places, but the spark just wasn’t there. As RB finished his pitch, Mick leaned forward, his voice smooth but final.

“Appreciate you coming in, mate. But we’re a bit tied up at the moment. Got some other things going on.”

Keith added with a grin, “It’s a great idea, but timing, you know? We’re juggling a lot. Respect to Racket Boy, though.”

And that was that. A polite handshake, a few more pleasantries exchanged, and then RB found himself outside the office, alone. The sky had darkened to a thin, inky blue as night settled over Thornton Heath, Croydon. The streets felt colder, emptier. A quiet disappointment settled in, as if the city itself had conspired against him.

He walked aimlessly, the sting of rejection familiar, but still sharp. RB had faced this before—time and time again, the door closing just when it seemed about to open. But as he wandered into the thin, dark air, he remembered something. A line from Gone with the Wind, spoken by Scarlett O’Hara: “Tomorrow is another day.”

RB stopped in his tracks, looking up at the dimly lit streets. Courage is going the extra mile, he thought. It’s keeping on when there’s no strength left.

This was just another bump in the road. A rejection, yes, but rejection was part of the journey, wasn’t it? He had been here before, and he had come out stronger. He could do it again. After all, the streets weren’t crowded at this hour—and neither was the path he had chosen. It was rarely crowded for those who went the extra mile.

As he walked on, the bells of San Romano chimed, cutting through his thoughts. Nine chimes, echoing through the still night air. RB was suddenly transported to the vivid memory of Woody Allen’s Midnight in Paris, where characters from the past came out to play as the clock struck twelve. There was magic in those moments—an escape from reality, a glimpse of something otherworldly, much like the Paris of his imagination.

RB paused, the bells ringing in his ears, and he smiled to himself. Fluctuat nec mergitur—the Latin phrase rose unbidden in his mind. “He is tossed by the waves but does not sink.”

That was it. That was RB’s spirit. Tossed by the waves, battered by rejection, but never sinking. Never giving up. He could see the path forward now, clearer than ever. The Rolling Stones might not have been interested, but this was only one chapter in a much larger story. There would be more meetings, more pitches, and somewhere down the line, the right opportunity would come.

The night had turned cold, but RB felt a warmth rise within him. He turned his steps back toward the drawing board, back to where new ideas were born, where the light always shone a little brighter after rejection. Tomorrow was indeed another day, and RB could already see the way forward, illuminated by the faint light of optimism and determination.

After all, it was never crowded at the extra mile.

tick-box-tourism-the-allure-of-package-tours

Tue Oct 08 17:12:02 IST 2024

Time was when a trip abroad was a rare and wonderous occurrence in the family. The illustrious uncles who travelled abroad - generally to England to add finishing touches to their education – was embalmed in family chronicles. How the world has changed! Now all that happens to your trip oversees is that it gets posted on Instagram.

Many things have contributed to this revolution. The freeing up of foreign exchange restrictions, the buoyancy of the economy and a more adventurous mindset among Indians. But, perhaps, the most significant of them all is the invention of package tours.

Package tours are based on sound principles: most people would prefer assurance over the uncertainty of travelling in strange lands. People are also drawn to the idea of getting ‘more’ for ‘less’ – more places to see, more people to meet and more experiences to be had – and all this for less money. It prompts tourists to insert checkboxes in their itinerary: Paris – Tick; Michelangelo’s Pieta – Tick; Mt Fuji - Tick or rather half a tick because the noble mountain was shrouded in mist.

It follows then that we will be force-fed countries, with multiple geographies whisked into an edible, high-protein paste. As immortalised by the song ‘If it’s Tuesday, this must be Belgium’, we let the calendar become our compass and tell us where we are. But all this pales into insignificance compared to grander accomplishment of getting the world on a platter.

Package tours have democratised foreign travel, making it affordable across income levels. It has also demystified exotic menus. You suddenly have on your plate what you had earlier envied on the pages of plush magazines and your palate can explore many countries – Japan, Vietnam, Italy, Spain…. The small disappointments in trying to master chopsticks and the bigger disasters of having your precious cargo of alcohol impounded is so common, it has stopped being embarrassing.

Many impulses drive the industry, chief of which is FOMO. This is expressed in the universal Indian suspicion that you are not getting your money’s worth or the thought that someone somewhere has struck a better deal – more Bangkok for their buck. So, window seats are to be fought over and buffet plates are piled high because the fillet of which you have grabbed a fistful may not be available when you come around next.

Given all this, managing a tour group is no picnic. Take a group of 30 Indians and you have 30 plus opinions on whether you should huff and puff up a mountain to get a good view or drop in at the bar and enjoy the even better view conjured up by strong local brew.

The group you lead, like all Indians, may be literate but littering. The irrepressible V.S. Naipaul had said that ‘the Indian who has not traveled abroad cannot and does not know what civic cleanliness means’. You will find the truth of his words everywhere from campsite to cafeteria to cable car. When you see a trail of sev ghatia strewn along your pristine mountain path, you don’t need to be Sherlock Holmes to deduce that a group of your countrymen are in the vicinity.

In its early days, package tours were supposed to follow inflexible routines but many are now doing their damndest to change that impression. In fact, I read about a leading tour group offering ‘Honeymoon Tours’ to Kulu Manali. It mentioned that the accommodation included rooms on a single, double or triple sharing basis. Surely, that is most accommodating of all tastes!

Finally, at journey’s end, you wind up with key chains and fridge magnets, a few words of the local language you have picked up, and a coach full of friends to whom you say ‘Adios’, ‘Au Revior’ or 'Sayonara' to suit the location. Promises are rashly made that we will keep in touch and stay friends for life. We rarely do. Tomorrow, a new place, a new set of friends and a new package tour.

All good things face existential risks and package tours are no exception. Gen Next doesn’t seem to have taken to such trips with the gusto of their grandparents. This generation would rather go far off the beaten track. They prefer slower journeys where they can ‘do their own thing’ at their own pace. If this trend were to pick up, the golden age of package tours may end and we may have to say Sayonara. But if all that happens, it will be sometime in the future. Till then, we can safely say that we enjoyed the ride.

luxmi-tea-opens-its-first-holistic-bungalow-luxury-lifestyle-store-makaibari-bungalow-at-taj-bengal

Fri Oct 04 17:34:54 IST 2024

Inside Taj Bengal, Kolkata, a bungalow thrives – the home of tea lovers, the keeper of carpets. The 160-year-old heritage of crafting fine organic teas has culminated into Makaibari’s first experiential store, presenting as a holistic lifestyle experience. From exquisite teas to one-of-a-kind carpets (Luxmi Tea-owned Obeetee carpets), silver teapots, plantation furniture, a living room that exudes old-world charm to nature-meets-luxury dining experience, the bungalow has all elements of a typical heritage luxury property.

Its walnut wood tones, brass accents, handcrafted furnishing, fireplace, tea library radiate warmth and a homely experience. At the experiential store, one can try the handcrafted tea cocktails curated by mixologist Yangdup Lama. Adding a touch of culture to the store, commissioned Kalighat paintings by Anwar Chitrakaar, son of the renowned Amar Chitrakaar adorn the walls, offering a tribute to the Makaibari estates.

Rudra Chatterjee, chairman of Obeetee and managing director of Luxmi Tea Group, says Makaibari is more than just a tea estate; it embodies a philosophy of living in harmony with nature and heritage. “This store reflects our vision of creating a space where visitors can immerse themselves in the timeless elegance of handcrafted luxury, from tea to textiles and furniture. We invite everyone to experience the essence of the Luxmi Group through this cohesive environment — where heritage, craftsmanship, and community come together.”

Makaibari Tea Estate was acquired by Luxmi Tea Group in 2014 and is one of the few brands wherein workers hold a stake. Rudra Chatterjee says it was the first tea to be certified organic by the US Department of Agriculture (USDA). Plucked on a moonlit night on June 22ndsummer solstice, it makes for the world’s most expensive tea, selling at Rs 1.1 lakh a kilo. Rudra Chatterjee explains that the right environment to pluck it is on June 22, the longest, rainiest, and hottest day in Darjeeling when the plants are resting. The moonlit night also makes it easier for planters to pluck the tea, he says.

His grandfather P.C. Chatterjee was one of the early Indian tea cultivators, a movement by independent farmers to regain control through tea cultivation. With a tract of land in Tripura to his name, he began to cultivate tea independently, without management agencies or advisors from London. This vision brought Luxmi Tea to life.

Other members of the Indian freedom movement - Assamese and Bengali students who also rebelled against British rule, joined his company, then called Indian Tea and Provisions.

watch-viral-video-hence-proved-tortoise-wins-race-as-lazy-rabbit-decides-to-rest-people-put-famous-fable-to-test-and

Mon Sep 30 21:47:46 IST 2024

What will happen if a tortoise races a hare? Well, we all know what happened in the Aesop fables, but this is for real!

A viral video on the internet showed a group of people, unsuprisingly from various generations, trying to figure out if a tortoise could really challenge the speedy mamal on a race track. Turns out, the hare is indeed lazy when it comes to crossing the finish line, and the tortoise is fully capable of making it pay. The Aesop fable was not wrong, after all.

ALSO READ | Viral video shows loco-pilots fighting each other for driving new Vande Bharat train

The latest internet sensation, shot at an unknown location showed a small Asian gathering cheering on the two animals competing. They were separated by a cute race track, the video showed.

THE RABBIT-TORTOISE RACE: WATCH THE VIRAL VIDEO HERE

As in the fables, the tortoise gently but steadily went past the finishing line while the hare decided to take breaks despite making a great start. The bunny refused to reach the finish line even after a senior woman tried to "shoo" it on. Instead, it decided to rest on the grassy track, the video showed.

The tortoise, meanwhile, needed no external pressure to march towards the finish line and emerge victorious.

ALSO READ | Wholesome viral video: Boy 'confronts' worried teacher with dope 'Kalapakkara' dance moves during school trip, then...

Aesop's Fables, or the Aesopica, is a collection of fables credited to Aesop, a slave and storyteller who lived in ancient Greece between 620 and 564 BCE. 'The boy who cried wolf', 'The fox and the grapes', 'The dog and his reflection' and 'The lion and the mouse' are some of the other stories from the collection that have been told to generations of children across generations to teach moral lessons.

who-is-matthew-kumar-husband-of-princess-theodora-of-greece

Tue Oct 01 17:23:47 IST 2024

After six years of being in a relationship, Princess Theodora of Greece got married to her American fiancé, Matthew Kumar. The couple tied the knot at a Greek Orthodox wedding ceremony, officiated by His Eminence Metropolitan of Syros, Dorotheos II, in Athens on September 28.

"The couple's desire to have their wedding in Athens reflects their love for Greece, the strong ties they maintain with the country and their desire to share Greek culture and hospitality and identity with their guests,” an official statement on the wedding read.

"Groomsmen and bridesmaids for the couple will be, among others, T.R.H. Crown Prince Pavlos, Prince Nikolaos, Prince Philippos, Princess Maria-Olympia, Prince Achilleas-Andreas and Arrietta Morales de Grecia," it further read.

Who is Matthew Kumar

In November 2018, the princess had announced her engagement with Kumar, an attorney from Southern California, specialising in debt collection.

Born on June 15, 1990, to Shalendra "Sam" Kumar, an Indian-origin Fiji national, and Yolanda Sherry Richards, 34-year-old Matthew Kumar earned his law degree from UCLA (University of California, Los Angeles). He works in Westlake Village, California.

Princess Theodora and Matthew Kumar began dating in 2016 and got engaged two years later. They were planning to get married in 2020, but the wedding had to be postponed because of Covid-19. The marriage was postponed again after Theodora's father, King Constantine of Greece, passed away in January 2023.

"Words can't express our happiness and excitement. I can't wait to marry this wonderful man. I love you, Matt," Princess Theodora, youngest daughter of King Constantine II and Queen Anne Marie of Greece, had written in a social media post after he proposed to her in 2018.

Constantine II was the last king of Greece before the monarchy was abolished in the country in 1973.

embracing-lifes-twists-and-turns

Fri Sep 27 17:00:49 IST 2024

August 28, 2024, was one of those days that caught me off guard. It began like any other with my routine uphill run, my 44th consecutive day at it. But something had felt off for a while—shortness of breath, a lingering weakness that wasn’t part of the usual exertion. My GP, Dr Cinzia, had wisely sent me for a battery of tests, and by the time I saw the cardiologist in Piano di Coreglia, the news wasn’t great. My heart wasn’t functioning as it should be.

The ECG showed irregularities—a leaky tricuspid valve, delays on the right side of my heart. The GP’s immediate text was clear: I needed to head to Castelnuovo Hospital’s Emergency Department. It was surreal. One moment I was enjoying lunch, overhearing an Englishman trying to convince an Italian of the virtues of Brexit and Trumpism, and the next, I was preparing to get my heart checked in a hospital that looked like a sanatorium out of a movie.

I walked in, expecting perhaps some sympathetic smiles from fellow expats who saw me as a picture of health, an avid runner. But when I explained that I was there for heart issues, their jaws dropped. It was a reminder that appearances aren’t always what they seem. After a round of tests—more ECGs, blood work, X-rays—I found myself in a side room, waiting.

Sitting in a wheelchair for the first time after having just been on a mountain run was sobering. Here I was, facing an undeniable truth: I was vulnerable. It was a far cry from the days spent trekking across Argentina or battling jet lag in India. Yet, through it all, I couldn’t help but reflect on the small blessings—how efficient the Italian healthcare system is compared to the NHS. In moments like these, you realise you’ve made some good life choices, like leaving England for Italy.

Still, I wasn’t about to wallow in self-pity. Sure, life had thrown a curveball, but that’s the nature of life, isn’t it? It twists and turns, and sometimes, all we can do is ride the wave and adapt. I was admitted for overnight monitoring. Debora, my lifesaver, rushed over with my essentials—chargers, clothes, toothbrush—ensuring I’d be comfortable. Geetha and friends from around the world texted, offering encouragement and love. It was a reminder that even in moments of solitude, we’re never truly alone.

The night passed in a blur of reflections. My lawyer’s mind kicked in—I needed to draft a will pronto. I wasn’t getting any younger, and procrastination wasn’t going to protect me from the inevitable. But more than that, I realised that life—our greatest gift—demands resilience.

Setbacks will come, whether in the form of health issues or something else. But that doesn’t mean we stop. We adjust, we recalibrate, and most importantly, we keep going. I’ve always believed in facing adversity head-on, whether in the courtroom or on a treacherous hiking trail in Patagonia. It’s not the obstacle that defines us, but how we choose to respond to it.

As the hospital stay stretched into the night, I tuned into Coronation Street, a show I’ve followed since 1973. It was a comforting escape from the harsh reality of medical charts and slow heartbeats. But even in that moment of escape, my mind wandered back to the essentials of life: how, even in this hospital room, my spirit remained unbroken.

The next morning, with my heart still monitored by Wi-Fi-linked devices, I was eager to get back to San Romano, to feel the fresh mountain air and to challenge myself once more. I imagined hopping back into my car and daring the universe to stop me from running again.

But maybe not right away—no wild leaps while on blood thinners. I’m reckless but not stupid after all.

Life has a funny way of reminding us of our mortality, but it doesn’t mean we have to retreat into a shell. I’m not planning to wrap myself in bubble wrap. My advice? Stay informed, engage with your health, and trust that setbacks are just a part of the journey. Whether it’s learning from doctors or debating life’s big questions with friends, the key is to stay active in the dialogue.

It’s easy to let illness or adversity define you, but why should it? There’s so much life to live—so many adventures left to embark on, even if they’re a bit slower-paced. My journey may now include more mindful decisions, like taking my time with household chores, learning a new language, or jogging up hills instead of running up them.

But that’s life, isn’t it? Full of surprises, some pleasant and some challenging. And as long as we face them with an open mind and an indomitable spirit, nothing—not even a leaky valve—can truly hold us back.

Life goes on.

khud-se-roohbarooh-shubhra-chaturvedis-art-is-a-stark-commentary-on-global-events

Tue Sep 24 17:38:08 IST 2024

When one sees oxygen cylinders lying down on the ground, one is reminded of the grim situation during the Covid-19 pandemic, where shortage of oxygen cylinders wreaked havoc in hospitals and in many lives. The painting by artist, photographer and social commentator Shubhra Chaturvedi is one of the many stark images she paints to remind one of the dark times we live in.

The art is one among many such pieces on display at her exhibition ‘Khud Se RoohbaRooh’, curated by Georgina Maddox.

The Urdu word RoohbaRooh (meaning "coming face-to-face", or in this case, soul-to-soul) encapsulates the essence of Shubhra's journey, a reflective engagement with her own experiences and the turbulent socio-political landscape of our times. These works, spanning from 2018 to the present, are a powerful response to the cultural, social, and political upheavals that have shaped our world in recent years.

Shubhra’s art is a commentary in itself - she invites people to feel and respond to things happening around them and in the world, such as the Gaza war, killing and kidnapping of children, rape and murder of the Kolkata based doctor in August this year, Manipur violence and rapes of women, the Nirbhaya case, the lockdown in Kashmir and the dire situation during the pandemic. “This collection is my response to grief, and my own feelings on canvas. I was having a hard and uncertain time during the pandemic and hence, it manifested into art.”

She says that she wants to invite people to share her feelings and to look within and express their own emotions. “I want to ask people what is their response or have they become too numb with the 9-5 routine to actually feel sensitive towards events around them.”

Her art is dissent – it is in the canvases that Shubhra does not hold back on her socio-political messaging, where she shames and calls out against violence perpetrated against women and minorities. The assemblage of colours, textures and letters, essay a poetic as well as aesthetic content.

As for now, she wishes to indulge in some mindless art to rejuvenate from all the hard work she put in her exhibition. “I want to pat myself on the back and say well done for the hard work I have put in – no matter how good or bad it turned out but it is exactly the way I envisioned it to be. I’ll now follow the ink that flows on paper and directs me where to go,” she says.

Shubhra's artistic journey began to take a new direction in the years 2018-2019, a period marked by deep introspection and heightened awareness. Her work is an exploration of conflict—both within herself and in the external world—and a visual articulation of the societal fractures that have stirred her consciousness. The resulting pieces are socially aware, emotionally raw, and intellectually stimulating, tackling issues that resonate on both micro and macro levels.

Her creative process is like birthing a child, for as she gives vent to her creative expressions, the act of nurturing is enhanced. Moving from the painterly surface of the canvas to the three-dimensionality of soft paper-pulp sculptures, Shubhra has covered much ground since her last solo exhibition, 'Manahsthiti' in Delhi, in 2015, and then travelled to Mumbai in 2018. The prior works were primarily paintings. However, a fall where she fractured her hand, led to her discovering the medium of paper pulp, proving once again that often some of the most positive developments come from diversity.

The exhibition displays a variety of mediums, from paper pulp works to canvas works on paper and two dramatic installations.

The solo art exhibition ‘Khud se RoohbaRooh’ is being held at at Bikaner House, Delhi.

the-little-prince-a-fascinating-french-tale-to-take-life-on-stage-at-nmacc

Fri Sep 20 20:40:59 IST 2024

The fascinating story of 'The Little Prince', a novella written by French writer Antoine de Saint-Exupéry in 1982 is all set to be played at the Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC).

Based on an emotional story about a boy who visits Earth from a distant planet, The Little Prince is all about friendship, love and loss. A magical adaptation of the book filled with music, acrobatics, animated movements, dance and cutting-edge technology to recount interplanetary adventures.

In an interview with THE WEEK, the director and co-director Anne Tournié and Chris Mouron talk about the show to be played at The Grand Theatre from September 25 to 29.

Excerpts from the interview

Q: In what can be termed as theatre, a dancical, circus, cabaret or philosophical musing, how would you describe the performance that will be staged here in Mumbai?

We both work in very different disciplines. Choreography, contemporary dance,

ground and aerial acrobatics are for Anne, while writing, music, singing and theatre are for Chris. We complement each other very well. We wanted to blend all these disciplines in this show, and that's what makes it so special. We've named this blend, this new genre: “Les arts croisées”--The crossed arts.

Q: (To Chris) As a Librettist, how much do you borrow from the original story as mentioned in the book and performed on several occasions before and in what manner have you improvised or added to it this time?

As a lover of the book, I wanted to respect it as much as possible. I wanted to keep the whole story and the order in which Antoine de Saint-Exupéry wrote it. The challenge was to extract the sentences that seemed most precious to me.

Without changing the author's words, the challenge was to set them to the music of the show, a bit like a slam, and sometimes turn them into songs. The only liberty Anne and I allowed ourselves was to modernise a few scenes: Our Vainman expresses his narcissism by constantly taking selfies. We extended the lamplighter scene by creating creatures of light to accompany the Little Prince's journey to planet Earth.

Q: What are your expectations this time, from Mumbai, as this is the very first time you're here?

It's the first time we've come to play 'The Little Prince' in Mumbai, but it's not the first time we've come. In 2016, we worked in Dubai on a Bollywood stunt show with 32 artists that we cast in Mumbai, New Delhi and Jaipur. It was an extraordinary artistic and human experience. We can't wait-- like two children to present 'The Little Prince' in this country we love so much.

Q: Any newer aspects you have added to the performance this time, keeping in mind the cultural space of NMACC and the Indian audience?

We have performed this show in many countries with very different cultures and sensibilities. Since the show's premiere in Marseille, France, a miracle has occurred. Audiences of all kinds react at the same moment and in the same way. The worldwide success of the book is no stranger to this. The story of 'The Little Prince' and the messages it conveys are universal. It speaks to every human being, whatever their culture or origin.

Q: Tell us how different your creative process has been, for performing here in Mumbai vis-a-vis the way you work abroad.

We will present the show as it has existed since its creation.

Q: The prince, who is a child in the book, is portrayed as a muscular man on stage. What is your personal opinion about it?

Our Little Prince may not be a child, but he's no “muscular man” either. For the role of the Little Prince, we looked for a boy who looked very young, but who had above all kept his childlike soul, and we made him a teenager. Dylan Barone, our Little Prince, is perfect for the role.

Q: Will it help if the audience can read the book before watching the show?

The show has been designed for spectators who are not familiar with the work; knowing it and reading the book will always be a plus. We know that in India, the book is not very well known, so we know that we're going to have an audience the majority of whom have not read the book. We had the same experience in Sydney at the Opera House. And our greatest reward was to know that many people, after seeing the show, wanted to read the book.

Q: This is the first time The Little Prince is coming to India. What were the aspects that impressed you before you agreed to perform here at the NMACC?

We're looking forward to this experience with great anticipation and hope. The venue is absolutely magnificent and will be the perfect setting for the Little Prince's planet.

take-it-to-the-limit-and-beyond-lessons-from-a-coconut-climber

Fri Sep 20 13:54:59 IST 2024

In the world of coconuts, there’s more than just the fruit itself to ponder. Take Marieha Hussain’s sign, for example. During a protest in London, she held up an image of Suella Braverman and Rishi Sunak perched on coconuts. What could be more innocent than a tropical fruit juxtaposed with politicians, right? Well, it sparked a legal showdown when the police charged her with a racially aggravated public order offence. The term "coconut", often used in Black and Asian communities, was interpreted as a racial slur by the prosecution, suggesting that it meant someone was "brown on the outside, but white on the inside." Marieha, however, defended her sign as political satire. She wasn’t hurling racial slurs—she was taking a stand against perceived political hypocrisy. In a twist worthy of a courtroom drama, the judge agreed with her, ruling that her protest was indeed political satire, not abuse. In the end, she was acquitted.

Speaking of coconuts and the legal world, I have my own coconut-themed story to tell. My father, the one and only K.P. George, once declared in no uncertain terms that I was only fit to climb coconut trees. Now, for those of you unfamiliar with the deep, philosophical meaning of this particular family aphorism, let me translate: in his eyes, my destiny involved meandering about the fringes of life, perhaps swinging from trees but certainly not taking centrestage in any grand narrative.

I remember standing there, looking up at the towering coconut trees, hearing this declaration of my future and thinking, "Well, this is it, mate. Better get good at climbing." And yet, as anyone who knows the stubbornness of both coconuts and young lawyers can attest, I wasn’t about to let that be the end of the story.

Like the song by The Eagles—Take It to the Limit—sometimes life demands that we push past what seems like our breaking point. There’s that one line in the song that resonates: “You can spend all your time making money; you can spend all your love making time.” And for me, practising law for over 40 years felt a bit like both. There were certainly moments when letting go would have seemed more than attractive, but I hung on, clinging to the belief that I could break through, much like a coconut hanging on in a storm.

Imagine K.P. George, watching from the pearly gates now, shaking his head, muttering under his breath as he witnesses the consequences of his words. "Only fit to climb coconut trees," eh? Well, here I am, four decades later, still hanging on to that legal branch. You see, tenacity is the ability to hold on when letting go appears the most attractive. And like those coconuts I once eyed nervously from the ground, sometimes the very thing that seems to limit you becomes the source of your strength.

Take Jamaica’s famed bobsled team, immortalised in Cool Runnings. They came from a land of sun and sand, yet they defied every expectation by competing in the Winter Olympics. Much like the coconut trees that sway and withstand the tropical storms, they refused to bow to the impossibility of the situation. If they could barrel down an icy track, I thought, surely I could roll with the punches that life as a lawyer threw my way. The tenacity of the Jamaicans, coupled with their unshakeable belief in themselves, felt eerily familiar. For every time I felt cornered by a tough case or felt K.P. George's prophecy might be right, I remembered that underdogs, whether on the track or in the courtroom, often surprise the world.

Even if my journey through the legal world wasn’t always as glamorous as Hollywood might script it, I’ve got stories to tell that would make any bobsledder proud. There was that one time I had to argue a case so dense and labyrinthine that even the opposing counsel started to nod off. Yet, I persisted. Coconuts, after all, don’t crack on the first hit. It takes persistence, sometimes even multiple attempts, to break through to the sweet stuff. And that’s what life has been for me in law—grinding away, taking it to the limit, and hoping that eventually, something worthwhile would emerge.

It was this same perseverance that fuelled my rise from the coconut tree to the courtroom. There’s a certain kind of satisfaction in proving people wrong, especially when the odds are stacked against you. Just like the Jamaican bobsledders, I barrelled down that track, defying expectations, sometimes even my own.

Now, when I look back at my father’s words, I no longer see them as limiting. Instead, I see them as the ultimate test of resilience. The coconut trees I was “destined” to climb became a symbol not of constraint, but of the potential to soar above what anyone could predict. And let’s be honest: coconuts are survivors. They grow in some of the harshest environments, thrive in storms, and provide nourishment in ways you wouldn’t expect. The humble coconut, much like the underdog, isn’t something to be underestimated.

Marieha Hussain, the Jamaican bobsledders, and even I—whether in protest, sport, or law—have all taken it to the limit, driven by that indefinable quality of tenacity. Like the coconut, they remind us that even when it seems the world has pegged you into a corner, there’s always a way to break through.

So, here’s a reminder from a 40-year legal veteran still swinging from metaphorical coconut trees: never belittle the coconut. It just might surprise you with how far it can take you.

anna-sebastian-death-news-former-south-africa-employee-calls-out-mental-health-abuses-by-ey-management-after-rajiv-memani-condoles

Fri Sep 20 13:05:35 IST 2024

After EY India's Chairman and Managing Director Rajiv Memani made a statement on LinkedIn regarding the death of Anna Sebastian Perayil, a fresh controversy erupted on social media. A former EY employee based out of South Africa used Memani's post to call out "mental health abuses by EY management."

In his post, Rajiv Memanisaid, "I am deeply saddened and as a father, I can only imagine Ms Augustine’s grief. I have conveyed my deepest condolences to the family, although nothing can fill the void in their lives. I truly regret the fact that we missed being present at Anna’s funeral. This is completely alien to our culture. It has never happened before; it will never happen again."

READ HERE | 'Anna's death should serve as wake-up call for EY': Mother's letter sparks debate on work stress

"I would like to affirm that the well-being of our people is my top-most priority and I will personally champion this objective. I am absolutely committed to nurturing a harmonious workplace, and I will not rest until that objective is accomplished," he added.

Meanwhile, reacting to the post, a South Africa-based female EY employee said that she was targeted by the company for raising her voice against workplace discrimination and toxicity. Nazeera Kasi, a Chartered Accountant with the South Africa chapter of EY, claimed that she was facing repurcussions after she used the company's ethics hotline to report mental health abuses committed by the management.

Coming down heavily on Ernst & Young, Kasi jotted, "Contrary to what you've said, EY does not place any importance on the well being of people, instead, peoples mental and physical health is continuously abused, as was done to me. I am now facing severe consequences for reporting these abuses, via the ethics hotline. What other avenues do EY employees have to report partners and HR teams who continuously abuse the well being of staff?"

"I myself, and others, have utilized this hotline multiple times, months ago, to report discrimination, harassment, bullying, victimization and other mental health abuses that EY Partners have subjected me to. Unfortunately, the truth about this hotline is simply that it's used to identify employees who EY believes should be silenced. These employees are then punished severely for raising these issues against Partners/managers using the hotline that you suggested we use," she said.

According to Nazeera Kasi's LinkedIn profile, she worked with EY from October 2022 to September 2024.

Full transcript of Nazeera Kasi's LinkedIn reaction

Hello Rajiv

As per your email request, regarding Anna's death stemming from the abuse at EY, you suggest that we should use the ethics hotline to report issues of mental health abuses by EY management.

I myself, and others, have utilized this hotline multiple times, months ago, to report discrimination, harassment, bullying, victimization and other mental health abuses that EY Partners have subjected me to. Unfortunately, the truth about this hotline is simply that it's used to identify employees who EY believes should be silenced. These employees are then punished severely for raising these issues against Partners/managers using the hotline that you suggested we use. Contrary to what you've said, EY does not place any importance on the well being of people, instead, peoples mental and physical health is continuously abused, as was done to me. I am now facing severe consequences for reporting these abuses, via the ethics hotline. What other avenues do EY employees have to report partners and HR teams who continuously abuse the well being of staff? Trent Henry has also been contacted about this, and there has been no response. Are you waiting for another "Anna" case to occur, before taking action?EY

Anna Sebastian Perayil's demise: The controversy

A 26-year-old chartered accountant, working in Ernst & Young, Pune, passed away allegedly due to “work stress”. Kochi native Anna Sebastian Perayil joined EY in March, after clearing the C.A. exam last year. She died on July 20. A letter written by her mother Anita Augustine to EY chairperson Rajiv Memani, detailing the work culture in the office, exposed the work pressure prevalent in the organisation. The letter sparked a debate online about work-life balance, with many netizens, mostly ex-employees, calling out EY.

ALSO READ | EY executive Anna Sebastian contacted HR wing for help, manager glorified toxicity: Friend recollects last call hours before her passing

Anita ended the letter by saying that she read the “EY's human rights statement”, which bears the signature of the chairman. “I cannot reconcile with the values expressed in the statement... How can EY begin to truly live by the values it professes?” she asks.

“Anna's death should serve as a wake-up call for EY. It is time to reflect on the work culture within your organization and take meaningful steps to prioritize the health and wellness of your employees.”

In another letter, a person claiming to be Anna's colleague confirmed what Anita wrote in the letter about the manager. The employee said the manager bought IPL final tickets and “showed it off on Insta”.

viral-videos-tn-fire-accident-what-happened-to-elephant-subbulakshmi-of-sivaganga-kundrakudi-shanmukanatha-temple

Fri Sep 20 16:56:40 IST 2024

Subbulakshmi, an elephant of Kundrakudi Shanmuganathan temple near Karaikudi in Sivagangai district of Tamil Nadu, died as a consequence of severe burn injuries suffered in a fire incident. The female elephant suffered serious burns on Wednesday, September 11, and succumbed on Saturday. The 54-year-old elephant was gifted to the Kundrakudi Shanmuganathan temple in 1971 and was a darling of the local devotees.

Videos of images of Subbulakshmi's final journey before being laid to rest on the temple grounds had gone viral on the internet thanks to Sivagangai-based handles. A funeral procession was held in honour of the jumbo and people were seen shedding tears as a crane lifted her, some of the viral videos showed.

But how did the fire that injured the elephant break out? Subbulakshmi had suffered 30 per cent burns when the roof of her shelter caught fire on Wednesday night. A short circuit was the cause of the fire, Manorama Online reported the Karaikudi Police as saying, in which the roof was destroyed. Subbulakshmi was chained when the fire broke out and couldn't flee immediately. The animal had suffered serious injuries across its body before it broke free of the chains and reached safety, the report added. A protion of the roof on fire had collapsed on her before she could free herself.

The flames were brought under control by the Fire and Rescue Services personnel from Karaikudi and the jumbo was attended by veterinarians from the Tanuk Nadu Animal Husbandry department, DT Next said.

a-little-bit-of-polo-and-a-lot-of-panache

Mon Sep 16 17:08:09 IST 2024

This is my third trip to Jaipur in less than a year. In all my visits, I have tried to meet with Padmanabh Singh, better known by his nickname, Pacho. He hails from the ancestral rulers of Jaipur. His great-grandfather Man Singh II was the last ruler of the princely state before his grandfather Maharaja Bhawani Singh. Bhawani Singh’s only child is Pacho’s mother, Diya Kumari, currently the deputy chief minister of Rajasthan as part of the BJP government. So, Bhawani Singh had to adopt his grandson to ensure patrilineal customs.

Pacho, 26, is globally renowned already. Arguably, he is among India’s best known names abroad in the august company of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Shah Rukh Khan.

Pacho grew up in Jaipur, but studied in the UK and then Rome, Italy, where he became involved in the country’s fashion and luxury scene thanks to his movie-star looks. He featured in many international magazines and even did a campaign for Dolce & Gabbana. Back home in Jaipur, Pacho is not only bringing more international culture and savoir-faire to the Pink City, he’s also its biggest ambassador.

My trips to Jaipur have involved events that did concern him somehow—a polo match that he captained last year and his wildly famous Holi party this year. I never managed more than an introduction. But now that American sportswear brand US Polo Association has signed him on as a global brand ambassador, I requested an interview. It was a “maybe” five minutes until Pacho, his managers and I walked away from the party up to a private terrace where he and I would sit down for a long-awaited conversation.

This collaboration with USPA, the official brand for the governing body of polo in the United States, combines Pacho’s two great loves: polo and fashion. “I am very excited about this partnership because of my love for polo and the beautiful animal that the horse is,” he tells me. “We’ve been in talks with their CEO Michael Prince for many years about how to promote the sport, and it has transcended into the coming together of our two cultures.

“One of the core features of this partnership is the Marwari horse. It is one of India’s indigenous breeds from Rajasthan, and is one of the most beautiful animals in the world. Sadly, it’s a dwindling breed, but you will see the Marwari horse front and centre of this campaign. It’s amazing how fashion can have an impact. All our dynasties and places were built on the backs of these horses, quite literally.”

Pacho reminds us that during World War I, an Indian cavalry fought the Battle of Haifa riding the Marwari horses. “This was the last time the Marwari horse was used in battle, and it has brought victory. They are a great and majestic breed,” he passionately reiterates.

The capsule collection is delightfully stylish. It is preppy and polo-inspired with zardozi crests, white pants and draws from the family’s Jaipur flag. “We’ve designed the collection together,” Pacho elaborates. “It is a marriage between my life and the USPA style. Its core feature is the Pachranga, the colours of our Jaipur Polo Team jersey. The Pachranga is very special to me and our family, one of our ancestors went and fought a war in Afghanistan and conquered five tribes. They took a colour for each of the tribes and that became our standard, our flag. When my great-grandfather launched the Jaipur Polo Team, he wore the Pachranga as their jersey. USPA found this exciting too. You’ll see Pachrangas everywhere, jerseys and the inside of collars.”

Not since Maharani Gayatri Devi has Jaipur had a global face or as much global attention. Gayatri Devi was Pacho’s great-grandfather Man Singh II’s third wife, a polo player and an internationally renowned fashion icon. Legendary photographer Cecil Beaton has photographed her for ‘Vogue’ magazine naming her among the 10 most beautiful women in the world. Jacqueline Kennedy had visited her in Jaipur. “It isn’t fair to compare me to Gayatri Devi; what she has done for fashion, the impact she has had, is incomparable. She inspired men but also women, to be proud of themselves and not succumb to patriarchy or pressures of society. She brought glamour to Jaipur. Through her style and her social work; and I’m just very grateful to have that legacy in the family,” Pacho says.

“I grew up here, I know Jaipur inside out. I appreciate how beautiful the city is, there’s something for everybody here—it’s magical. It is my dream to get more and more people to experience Jaipur, whether through polo or fashion or whatever else Jaipur has to offer. The moment USPA talks about the Marwari breed and their more than 1,000 stores across the world talks about it, it's quite another thing. It is a meaningful partnership.”

What is Pacho’s personal dressing style? “Very classic,” he replies. “Of late I’ve been trying out something new. I love wearing Rajasthani items. I wear a lot of mulmul, jootis, and linen—clothes that are indigenous to this part of the world. I love the Rajasthani farmer’s shirt. It’s like a short kurta with a pleat in the front and two pleats at the back. It’s an airy, boxy, mulmul shirt with a simple Nehru collar. It’s my go-to. Then, a lot of my fashion revolves around before and after polo, too, since I play so much of it. You’ll see me in a lot of polo whites, and sweaty, dirty polo shirts,” he laughs.

Pacho’s parties, be they Holi, Diwali, or Navratri, are in equal parts ceremonial and raging. He has brought Jaipur back to its spot as an international hotspot. “Jaipur has always been about celebrating things in a special way,” he offers. Does he find it hard to make friends in all the pomp and noise? “I think of myself as a very good judge of character. You’ll always find people that inspire love in you and hope that you can inspire love in them too. I’m grateful for the relationships that I have and grateful for the people that I have them with.”

Is Pacho, one of India’s most eligible bachelors, going to get married anytime soon? “No, not anytime soon,” he says shyly.

fields-of-dreams-lighting-the-path-for-indian-youth

Fri Sep 13 14:46:36 IST 2024

In a world that often seems shrouded in uncertainty and shadows, we need initiatives that bring light and hope. 'Fields of Dreams' is one such initiative, aiming to illuminate the future for 20 Indian children through an enriching 21-day trip to England.

Objective:

The purpose of this trip is to inspire and empower these children and youth - aged between 12 and 21, who have good attitude and performance, athletic talent, and leadership potential. By exposing them to a range of experiences in England, we hope to offer these young minds an opportunity to explore diverse fields—law, sports, education, and culture—paving the way for their personal and professional growth.

Key activities:

1. Legal shadowing experience:

Partnering with solicitor's firm, children will shadow legal professionals, attend court proceedings, and engage in legal workshops. These sessions aim to deepen their understanding of the law's societal impact and open doors to potential careers in this or any field.

2. Sports shadowing experience:

Collaboration with an English sports club will allow children to observe and interact with athletes. They will participate in training sessions and youth coaching clinics, learning how sports discipline translates into success in various life areas.

3. Educational and cultural exposure:

Visits to educational institutions like colleges and universities along with cultural tours of historical landmarks such will provide educational experience. Interaction with British students will further enhance cross-cultural understanding.

4. Mentorship and leadership development:

Workshops on leadership, teamwork, and goal-setting will be led by professionals from different fields. The focus will be on how legal knowledge can empower individuals and communities, with real-world examples illustrating the role of law in social justice.

5. Career guidance and inspiration:

Meetings with Indian-origin professionals in the UK will offer valuable insights into various career paths. Panels will discuss opportunities in law, sports, and education, highlighting the skills needed to succeed.

6. Reflection and future planning:

Daily reflection sessions will help children discuss their learnings and develop personal action plans, outlining their future goals and steps to achieve them.

Expected outcomes:

Increased aspiration: Children will return with heightened aspirations and a clearer understanding of available opportunities.
Legal awareness: Enhanced knowledge of the law's role in society, potentially inspiring careers in the legal and other field.
Cultural and educational enrichment: Broadened perspectives through diverse cultural and educational experiences.
Skills development: Improved leadership, communication, and teamwork skills.
Ongoing support: Establishment of a support network for continued guidance and encouragement.

Budget estimate:

Travel and accommodation: £75,000
Programme costs: £15,000
Miscellaneous: £10,000

Total estimated budget: £100,000

Funding and sponsorship:

We seek partnerships with law firms, sports clubs, educational institutions, and philanthropic organisations, alongside sponsorships from corporations invested in youth development and cross-cultural initiatives.

'Fields of Dreams' is more than a trip; it's a beacon of hope for underprivileged youth, guiding them towards brighter futures. By offering first-hand exposure to England's legal, sports, and educational landscapes and standards and quality, we aim to inspire these young minds to dream bigger and pursue ambitious goals.

In the words of Crosby, Stills, Nash & Young, “Teach your children well”. Let us be the light that guides them towards their dreams, helping them find their path in a world full of possibilities.

the-buddhist-way-for-a-mindful-future

Thu Sep 12 11:56:11 IST 2024

What is Buddha’s relevance in today’s media and reportage? The connection was established and discussed at the 2nd International Buddhist Media Conclave. The importance of right breathing for a peaceful mind, and mindful communication through visual mediums, that is, refraining from negative content, were some of the topics for discussion.

Highlighting the importance of Dharma Alliance in Geneva, Switzerland, Prashant Sharma, founder of the forum, said Geneva, being the hotbed for geopolitical meets, needed the Dharma Alliance, a global platform to protect, preserve, and promote Dharma-based perspectives and practices.

Baichung Bhutia, also present at the event, emphasised that Buddhism is a way of life. “Buddha's teachings have the message of peace and sacrifice”, he said. Buddhism has a major role in ensuring peace and brotherhood and the media will have a crucial role in spreading the message of Buddhism across the world, he noted.

Arvind Gupta, director VIF, highlighted that thought and action were important to restore civilisational values. Over the years, Hindu and Buddhist scholars have had the opportunity to discuss these issues. He encouraged Buddhism’s focus on ethical conduct and enlightenment be imbibed by the media for balanced and ethical reporting.

IBC secretary-general Shartse Khensur Rinpoche Jangchup Choeden called for a world driven by truthfulness, compassion, and altruism, the key attributes of Buddha’s teachings. At a time when greed and conflicts are rising, the guidance of Buddha is crucially needed, he stated.

Discussing India’s position here, chairman, VIF, Gurumurthy said great damage had been done to the world in the last few hundred years, and on the other hand, gave birth to the greatest philosophical traditions, he highlighted and had significant relevance for modern communication.

Interacting with the media, IBC DG Shri Abhijit Halder pointed out that the event witnessed enthusiastic responses from the media and that the IBC will organise its next conclave on a larger scale. It was high time the teachings of Buddha in the area of conflict avoidance and sustainable development were imbibed by the world, he said.

Organised by The International Buddhist Confederation (IBC) and the Vivekananda International Foundation (VIF) on the theme ‘Mindful Communication for Conflict Avoidance and Sustainable Development’, the conclave had several sessions like ‘Establishing A Buddhist Media and Social Media Networking’, Environment and Sustainable Development’, ‘Role of Media and Communication in 21st Century’ and ‘Application of Mindful Communication in Conflict Avoidance’.

Baichung Bhutia, former captain of the Indian football team was the guest of honour while Gurumurthy, chairman VIF, Ven Jangchuk Choeden, secretary general, IBC, Dr Arvind Gupta, director, VIF were joined by three-time Grammy awardee Ricky Kej.

artist-diplomat-abhay-ks-exhibition-shunyata-is-a-spiritual-retreat

Fri Sep 06 15:38:04 IST 2024

When art meets spirituality, creativity flows. When diplomat, poet, and artist Abhay K. was researching for his upcoming book on Nalanda University, he was introduced to the concept of ‘Shunyata’ which means ‘emptiness’. The idea of emptiness intrigued him so much that he decided to personify it on canvas.

“When I stared at the empty canvas, I had no clue what I was going to paint. I started with making a circle and filling it with paint, and it started taking a form. Each time a new form took shape on the canvas, I felt mesmerized. I started enjoying the process.”

He says in some of the circles he painted, a face-like structure appeared on its own during the process, with expressions so calm that they looked meditative.

“These paintings are visualisations of emptiness. Forms are visible when one looks at them closely but as one moves away from them, forms disappear and what remains is emptiness, a true validation of the crux of the Heart Sutra - ‘form is emptiness, emptiness is form.’ The forms that appear are mere approximations of figures familiar and unfamiliar, gods and goddesses, mortals and immortals, plants and animals. They are all transient,” he says.

The exhibition explores the Buddhist philosophy of ‘Shunyata’ or ‘Emptiness’ in which understanding emptiness becomes vital for liberation from suffering and samsara—the cycle of birth and death. He has translated it onto canvas using different colours to make circles with facial features in a meditative state.

Talking to THE WEEK he says, “I have used different colours to show the different rasas or moods. It also makes for a visual treat.” He believes in the concept of art as therapy and feels that museums and art exhibitions should be places from where people come out calmer and better.

Abhay K’s artistic journey began in 2005 in Moscow, Russia. Since then, he has exhibited his artworks in Paris, St. Petersburg, New Delhi, Brasilia and Antananarivo, some of which are in private collections across the world.

Currently, he serves as the Deputy Director General of Indian Council for Cultural Relations (ICCR). In June this year, Abhay K’s art exhibition showcased 101 works by 66 contemporary Russian artists from his private collection at Indira Gandhi National Centre of Arts (IGNCA), New Delhi.

The exhibition of paintings ‘Shunyata’ is on view at Galerie Romain Rolland, Alliance Francaise De Delhi till September 10.

from-henry-viii-to-brexit-englands-unseen-legacy-of-slavery-and-power

Fri Sep 06 13:07:00 IST 2024

The history of English slavery is deeply intertwined with the broader narrative of England's political, economic, and religious transformations, stretching back to the reign of Henry VIII. While his reign (1509-1547) is primarily associated with his break from the Roman Catholic Church and his tumultuous marriage to Anne Boleyn, it also laid the groundwork for England's eventual participation in the transatlantic slave trade. This connection is indirect but significant, as the political, naval and economic foundations established during Henry's reign would later support England’s imperial ambitions, including its involvement in the slave trade.

Henry VIII: Foundations of empire and expansion

Henry VIII’s break from the Catholic Church in the Vatican and the establishment of the Church of England were not just religious acts but also strategic moves to centralise power in the monarchy. This centralisation enabled the crown to exert greater control over England's resources and pursue aggressive foreign policies. The development of England’s navy, a key aspect of Henry’s reign, would later become instrumental in the nation’s global expansion and involvement in the slave trade.

The dissolution of the monasteries, a key aspect of Henry’s break from Rome, also provided the crown with wealth that could be used to finance exploratory and commercial ventures abroad. However, during Henry VIII's time, England was not yet a major player in the transatlantic slave trade. The systematic transportation of African slaves to the Americas would not fully develop until the late 16th and early 17th centuries.

The Elizabethan Era: The dawn of English slave trading

The Elizabethan era, under Henry VIII’s daughter, Elizabeth I (1558-1603), marked the true beginning of English involvement in the slave trade. Figures like Sir John Hawkins, often regarded as England’s first slave trader, made several voyages to West Africa in the 1560s, capturing Africans and selling them into slavery in the Spanish colonies. These expeditions were financially backed by Elizabeth herself, motivated by a desire to expand English influence and wealth.

During this period, English privateers like Sir Francis Drake, who was not just an explorer but also a pirate, played a significant role in establishing England's early naval supremacy. Drake’s raids on Spanish ships and ports in the Caribbean laid the groundwork for England’s future dominance in the Atlantic and its role in the slave trade. The victory over the Spanish Armada in 1588 further solidified England’s naval power, allowing it to expand its empire and engage more actively in the transatlantic trade.

The Pilgrim Fathers and the deepening of Anglo-Saxon Protestant ideals

The early 17th century saw another significant development with the departure of the Pilgrim Fathers from England in 1620. These Puritans, who sought religious freedom, established a colony in what would later become Massachusetts. Although they were fleeing persecution, the Pilgrims brought with them a rigid set of Anglo-Saxon Protestant ideals that would later become deeply entrenched in the American Deep South. This belief system emphasised hard work, individualism, and a sense of divine purpose, which later intertwined with the justification for slavery in the American colonies.

The Pilgrim Fathers’ legacy contributed to the cultural and religious framework that supported the institution of slavery in the Southern United States. As their descendants moved southward, these ideals helped shape a society where slavery was not only accepted but seen as divinely sanctioned—a stark contrast to the values of freedom and independence that the Pilgrims had initially sought.

Economic and religious justifications for slavery

The economic and religious shifts that began under Henry VIII and Elizabeth I continued to evolve, providing the justifications needed for England's deepening involvement in slavery. The Protestant Reformation, initiated by Henry VIII, contributed to a sense of English exceptionalism and a belief in the moral superiority of Protestantism. This religious justification was used to legitimise the exploitation of indigenous peoples in the New World and Africans, who were seen as "heathens" to be converted and controlled.

The triangular trade, which emerged in the 17th century, became a cornerstone of the English economy. This trade involved the shipment of goods from England to Africa, the transportation of enslaved Africans to the Americas, and the return of goods like cotton, sugar and tobacco to England. The wealth generated from this trade fueled further expansion and industrialisation , embedding slavery deeply into the fabric of English and later American society.

The role of England's slave ports

As England's involvement in the slave trade grew, several ports became key hubs for this inhumane practice:

Liverpool: By the 18th century, Liverpool had become the leading slave-trading port in Britain, responsible for nearly half of all British voyages that transported enslaved Africans. The city’s docks, shipyards and merchants were heavily invested in the business of human trafficking.

Bristol: Bristol was another major player in the 17th and 18th centuries, with its economy thriving on the profits from trading enslaved Africans, who were forcibly transported to the Caribbean and American colonies.

London: As the capital, London played a crucial role in financing and organising slave voyages. The city’s merchants and financiers provided the capital needed to outfit ships and underwrite voyages, making London an essential hub in the slave trade network.

Lancaster: Though smaller, Lancaster was significantly involved in the slave trade, with its port handling numerous voyages that trafficked enslaved Africans to the Americas. The wealth generated by the slave trade extended into the city’s modern fabric.

My connection to Lancaster, Sainsbury’s Incident, and reflection on slavery’s legacy

I lived in Lancaster for fifty years, owning a modernised penthouse in a converted warehouse on St George’s Quay, along the river Lune. This river, which flows to the Irish Sea, was once a crucial site for the unloading of cargo, including that from slave ships. The historical significance of my own was brought into sharper focus when I learned about an enslaved man named Sambo, who had escaped from a ship and fled to Sunderland Point, where his spirit is said to rest. My time in Lancaster, therefore, intertwined my personal history with the broader narrative of the slave trade and its lingering effects.

Adding to this, my personal encounter with racism in 1986 at a Sainsbury’s supermarket in Lancaster was a stark reminder of the prejudices that still permeate English society. While shopping, I was unjustly accused of shoplifting by local police officers — an incident steeped in racial bias. This experience not only deepened my understanding of the systemic racism rooted in England’s past but also connected me emotionally to the historical struggles faced by the enslaved and their descendants.

Global observations and the enduring impact of colonialism

My travels around the world have provided me with a unique perspective on the chaos and divisions caused by historical and colonial tactics of divide and rule. From the Malvinas (Falkland Islands), Gibraltar to the Israeli kibbutzim and Palestinian territories, I witnessed the enduring legacy of imperial strategies. In Arabia, the impact of T.E. Lawrence’s actions on the region's fragmentation was evident. In Malaysia and India, I saw the scars left by British colonialism and its lasting influence on local conflicts and divisions.

These global experiences allowed me to connect the dots between past injustices and present-day conflicts. My personal encounters with the consequences of imperial policies deepened my sympathy for the underdog and shaped my perspective on justice and equity.

The legacy of slavery: From the American Civil War to modern-day divides

The legacy of the transatlantic slave trade continued to shape history long after the abolition of slavery. Figures like John Newton, a former slave trader who later became an abolitionist and wrote Amazing Grace, played pivotal roles in the movement to end slavery. The deep divisions caused by slavery led to the American Civil War, a conflict that sought to address the grievances of a nation divided by the issue of human bondage.

The aftermath of the Civil War saw the rise of Ku Klux Klan, a white supremacist group that sought to maintain racial segregation and disenfranchisement of African Americans. The assassination of Martin Luther King Jr. and the ongoing civil rights struggles highlight the enduring impact of slavery on American society. Cultural works like the film Gone with the Wind romanticised the antebellum South, subtly reinforcing the myths of a "lost cause."

Modern-day divides: Brexit, Trumpism, and global unrest

The legacy of slavery and racial division persists today, manifesting in movements like Trumpism in the USA and the Brexit movement in the UK. Both have been driven, in part, by a right-wing Anglo-Saxon narrative that seeks to reclaim a perceived lost national identity and cultural dominance.

Brexit: The vote to leave the European Union was influenced by a complex mix of economic, cultural and racial anxieties. Some right-wing factions capitalised on fears of immigration and the loss of "traditional" British values, echoing the xenophobic sentiments that have long roots in Britain’s colonial past. The Brexit movement, in many ways, represents a modern expression of the same insular and supremacist ideologies that fuelled the British empire’s expansion and exploitation, including the slave trade.

Trumpism: In the USA, Trumpism has similarly tapped into deep-seated racial and cultural grievances, often harking back to an idealised vision of a predominantly white, Anglo-Saxon past. The January 6 uprising of 2021, fuelled by these divisions, is a stark reminder of how the unresolved legacies of slavery and racial inequality continue to destabilise society.

The rise of far-right media outlets like GB News in the UK has also played a significant role in amplifying these divisive narratives. These platforms often stoke fears around issues of immigration, national identity and race, reinforcing the same cultural anxieties that underpin the narrative of Brexit and Trumpism. Figures like Nigel Farage in the UK and former President Donald Trump in the USA have become symbols of these movements, often invoking nostalgia for a time when their nations were perceived as more homogenous and powerful. This rhetoric, which echoes the imperialist and exclusionary ideologies of the past, continues to fuel societal divides.

The impact of media and political rhetoric

GB News and similar media outlets have been instrumental in shaping public opinion around these issues. By framing immigration and multiculturalism as threats to national identity, they perpetuate the same fears that have historically justified exclusion and oppression. This media landscape amplifies the voices of right-wing figures like Lee Anderson, who often espouse populist and nationalist sentiments that resonate with those who feel left behind by globalisation and social change.

Enoch Powell’s infamous “Rivers of Blood” speech from 1968 is another example of how political rhetoric can have long-lasting effects. Powell’s speech, which warned of racial conflict due to immigration, tapped into deep-seated anxieties and has had a lingering influence on British political discourse. Today, the echoes of Powell’s rhetoric can be seen in the debates over immigration, multiculturalism, and national identity that continue to polarise British society.

Megan Markle, the Duchess of Sussex, and the modern royal divide

The treatment of Meghan Markle, Duchess of Sussex, by the British press and segments of the public is a contemporary example of how racial and cultural tensions manifest in modern Britain. As a biracial woman who married into the British royal family, Markle faced intense scrutiny and often racially charged criticism. Her experience highlights the challenges that people of colour face in navigating institutions steeped in tradition and history, particularly in a society still grappling with its colonial past.

Markle’s decision, along with Prince Harry, to step back from royal duties and relocate to the United States was partly driven by this relentless media harassment. Their story reflects the broader struggles within British society to reconcile its imperial history with its increasingly diverse and multicultural present.

The riots in England and Northern Ireland

The recent riots in England and Northern Ireland serve as a stark reminder of the social fractures that persist in these regions. These disturbances were fueled by a mix of economic hardship, political disenchantment, and lingering sectarian divisions, all of which can be traced back to historical injustices and divisions sown during Britain’s imperial era.

In Northern Ireland, the legacy of colonialism and the long-standing conflict between Unionists and Nationalists continue to affect the social and political landscape. The riots in 2023, sparked by post-Brexit tensions and the imposition of a trade border in the Irish Sea, are proof to the deep and unresolved issues that still plague the region.

A salutary warning: History was written by the winners

The history of English slavery, from its roots in the reign of Henry VIII to its entrenchment in the American Deep South, serves as a reminder that history is often written by the victors. The narratives we inherit are shaped by those who held power, often obscuring the suffering and exploitation that enabled their success.

As I reflect on my experiences in Lancaster and my travels around the world, I am reminded of the importance of remembering these histories, not only as distant events but as forces that continue to shape our present and future.

My experiences — from the Sainsbury’s incident in Lancaster to witnessing the global legacy of British colonialism — have deepened my understanding of how these historical narratives influence contemporary society. Whether in the subtle biases that persist in everyday interactions or the overt divisions that erupt into violence, the legacy of England’s imperial past remains a powerful force in shaping the world today.

Conclusion: The unfinished work of reconciliation

As I reflect on these experiences, I recognise the need for ongoing dialogue and reconciliation. The legacy of slavery and colonialism is not just a historical issue but a present-day challenge that requires acknowledgment and action. By confronting these histories honestly and openly, society can begin to address the deep-seated inequalities and divisions that continue to affect us all.

The history of English slavery is a complex and painful one, but it is also a crucial part of understanding the world we live in today. From the reign of Henry VIII to the modern-day movements of Brexit and Trumpism, the echoes of this history can be heard in the social and political challenges we face. As my journey shows, it is only by confronting these past injustices that we can hope to build a more just and equitable future.

opinion-me-too-me-too-mee-ee-to

Wed Sep 04 17:23:00 IST 2024

There are people around who say that it’s only the Kerala film industry which is speaking out against harassment, abuse and the casting ‘ouch’! But, reporting as I am from Mumbai, let me assure you that’s not true. Bollywood is not sitting idle, waiting for the storm to pass – in fact, it is speaking through its cinema.

RRR

Bollywood has borrowed this masterpiece – RRR - from Telugu films. Standing for Rowdies Rule Roost, it caught the imagination of the public because it faithfully described how the power families of the industry determine the starlets who need to be placed on a pedestal and those whose career needs to be nipped in the bud. When you have a lot to say but don’t know how, you sing. Their song has become an anthem for the movement: ‘Me too, me to, me-eee to’. The song went on to win an Oscar, in recognition no doubt of the actors risking life and limb – specifically sprained ankles and dislocated joints in enacting it

Thinking Woman, Missing Men

She is the thinking women’s director and known to push the envelope farther than any in her tribe. Taking one look at the prevailing situation, she turned the spotlight on the case of the missing men folk. Where have they all the guys gone? To the Gulf, as most decent Malayalis do? Or, have they taken impromptu retirement? Actually, when the going got tough, the men did what they used to do when they were children – they hid behind AMMA. The troubled tale was told with trademark wit and humour and became one of the most talked about movies of the year – Laapata Lads.

Follywood Files

Move over Kerala Files, it’s time for the more creepy Follywood Files. This time it’s not about young women losing their way and landing up in Afghanistan. It’s about complaints of sexual harassment losing their way and finding themselves in the dustbin. You could be out on a shoot and hear the late night knock on your door.

‘Knock, knock!’

‘Who’s there?

‘A re-take.’

‘Re-take of what?’

‘The casting couch.’

Whom do you complain to? There’s no point complaining to the director for there is a good chance that he is doing the knocking. There’s no point lodging an FIR because you will only be adding fodder to the Follywood Files.

Blind Bahubalis

The Bahubali band of 10 to 15 men are incredibly muscled. They are so powerful that when they walk, theatres and TV monitors tremble under their feet. But the Bahubalis of Mollywood have one fatal flaw - they are blind. They don’t see the thugs of filmistan going about their business. They can’t see a senior actor staging an abduction and assault on a co-star who spilt the beans. They can’t see the male chauvinism that is all over. They are bhakts of Gandhiji’s monkeys - see no evil, hear no evil, speak no evil, and all we can do is wait for eventual liberty.

First AMMA, now ACHAMMA

What’s the point, people ask, of the office bearers of the Association of Malayalam Movie Artistes (AMMA) resigning at this stage. It may make for good theatre but little else. It does not seem to make much difference if they are in office or outside. But, I think we are being unfair. Resigning from the august body gives our top artistes a good reason to put on the expression of injured innocence that they have adopted as a default feature ever since the Justice Hema Committee Report came out. Now that everyone knows AMMA is a paper tiger, I hope we have better luck with ACHAMMA - Arranging Covert Hits Against Mafia of Movie Artistes.

Kalki Cleansing

Everything so far has been depressing news, but all is not lost. There are more pages of the Hema Committee report still to be revealed to the world. There is also a movie which should inspire us - Kalki. It is an epic set in the future where good and evil battle with each other, and after three engrossing hours, good emerges victorious. We are sure that eventually Malayalam film industry will emerge cleansed. Only thing, you will need to wait 874 odd years for it to happen because it is Kalki 2898.

are-you-symbiosexual-emerging-sexual-identity-is-taking-internet-by-storm

Sat Aug 31 15:50:13 IST 2024

Threesomes, throuples and polyamory became hot topics ever since Zendaya's Challengers released. In the film, Zendaya's character is in love with two men. And now, "symbiosexuality" is the latest in the long list of sexual identities that has caught the attention of the social media.

So what is symbiosexuality? Symbiosexaulity happens when someone is attracted to an already existing couple. According to Seattle University researchers, symbiosexual is an "attraction to the energy, multidemensionality and power shared between people in relationships".

The study published in the Archives of Sexual Behavior revealed that a large group of participants have felt a romantic and sexual attraction to a third person's "synergy". Besides Challengers, symbiosexual relationships are protrayed in Gossip Girl and Tiger King.

Dr Sally W Johnston, who conducted the study, says the nature of human attraction and desire as only one-to-one experiences should be reevaluated. She said she first encountered symbiosexual relationships while researching about how "unicorns" are treated in a polyamorous bonding. Usually, "unicorn" refers to a bisexual woman who is in a relationship with a heterosexual couple.

Johnston says she is currently looking at the relationship dynamic among general public to get a deeper understanding of symbiosexuality. "I hope that this work will reduce stigma in both monogamous and non-monogamous communities and expand conceputalisations of desire in sexuality studies," she told PsyPost.

rajadhiraaj-love-life-leela-don-t-miss-this-spectacular-mega-musical-about-lord-krishna

Thu Sep 05 21:12:32 IST 2024

Last week I attended 'Rajadhiraaj Love life Leela,' - a spectacular mega-musical that beautifully and aesthetically captured the numerous enchanting tales of Lord Krishna in a little over 120 minutes. Playing at the Grand Theatre of the NMACC in Mumbai's BKC, the musical transported the audience into a divine odyssey with Krishna leading the way. Penned by ace lyricist Prasoon Joshi. comceptualised and created by Dhanraj Nathwani, 'Rajadhiraaj..' provides an immersive experience into the life and times and divinity of Krishna presented on stage by over a hundred artists under the direction of Shruti Sharma. Bhoomi Nathwani is the executive producer of the musical.

Against stunning backdrops, singers were live singing to some soul-stirring soundtracks that played during the show which began with the birth of Krishna in Mathura, the arrest of his parents Devaki and Vasudev and his being taken across the Yamuna to Vrindavan. All his escapades thereafter are depicted through dance, drama and such revelry that the viewer immediately feels she's a part of the 'celebration.'

The entire show is an instant reminder that this mega project has been immaculately planned and executed by those who are firm believers in Krishna's teachings and divinity and as an ode to the God on Janmashtmi, the day of his birth, the show opened with celebratory tales of his love, magic and beliefs in the concept of Dharma and Karma. The music, composed by Sachin-Jigar is intoxicating and in perfect consonance with the joyous and celebratory tone of the show that takes us through Krishna's journey from Vraj to Mewar, from Mathura to Dwarka, from the Govardhan Parbat to the Nathdwara haveli where he came to be worshipped as Shrinathji and as a playful child in Gokul to the wise charioteer and Arjun's mentor, all in a narrative storytelling format, that is both, sensory and transformative.

Effectively using theatrical haze, flashing lights and fog wherever necessary, the storytelling flows seamlessly against ever-changing backgrounds that keep the viewer hooked throughout.

Choreographers Bertwin D’souza and Shampa Gopikrishna bring about the zest and dynamism that is so intrinsically symbolic of Krishna's Raas Leela. We were seated in one of the front rows and so the experience was both personal and ethereal. There's a 20-minute break which is enough for you to grab a bite and at the same time, not lose the momentum. While 'Rajadhiraj..' touches upon almost all the varied aspects and avatars and stories of Krishna we have grown up knowing, it doesn't do justice to the part where Krishna mentors and advises a young Arjuna on karma and why the latter must do what is right.

I wish there was a special segment on Krishna's role in the Mahabharata and how his judgement and manipulation were crucial in the final outcome of the battle. But then the show is an ode to God, no questions asked.

The mega-musical will come to a close on September 5, Thursday.

a-sons-farewell-to-his-father

Fri Aug 30 17:09:32 IST 2024

The decree absolute was pronounced in May 1989, dissolving my marriage and closing a chapter I had once envisioned lasting forever. Two months later, I relocated to a scenic penthouse at Swan Yard in Lancaster, hoping it would serve as a refuge where I could rebuild my life. In an unexpected turn of fate, my next-door neighbour was Arthur, my former physical education teacher during A-levels. Arthur and his wife, Eva, both former Welsh sports champions, embodied the vitality and enthusiasm I had come to admire. Their readiness for spontaneous adventures forged a friendship that seemed destined to endure. As part of my effort to embrace new beginnings, I bought Gunmetal Golf GTI with personalised 362 PG plates a yuppie car that mirrored the modern, rejuvenating essence of my new home. The optimism of this fresh start carried me forward — until October 25, 1989.

That evening, after a win in a gruelling high court trial in Manchester celebrating, I stepped into a soothing power hot shower, hoping to wash away the day’s stresses. However, my peace was abruptly shattered. While I was towelling off in the dead of night, my landline rang, its chime piercing the silence. Shanta’s voice, trembling from Atlanta, delivered a blow to my heart: “Achachen, I have bad news… Papa passed away from a heart attack. About half an hour ago, at Kozhencherry Muthoot Hospital. I’m leaving in three hours. Are you coming?” Her words struck me like a tidal wave, leaving me breathless and reeling.

My instinct was to call Janet, despite our divorce months earlier, because in moments of crisis, she was the one I still sought. Yet, my hand hesitated over the phone, paralysed by a maelstrom of emotions. Just as I was grappling with this turmoil, the phone rang again — Elaine, a friend from Manchester, was checking on my arrival. She was aware of my lingering feelings for Janet and listened with understanding as I shared my grief over Papa’s death. Her support helped me through that agonising night, and as dawn approached, I felt compelled to run. I laced up my running shoes and hit the pavement, pushing myself until exhaustion dulled the sharp edge of my sorrow.

In the early morning, I made urgent preparations —informing Arthur and Eva, rescheduling my appointments at Whiteside and Knowles law firm and navigating the bureaucratic labyrinth of obtaining an Indian visa. The Indian embassy's demands were exasperating: “What proof do you have that your father is dead? Show me the telegram.” The absurdity of having to validate my grief to a disbelieving official in London was nearly unbearable. Yet, as the eldest son, I had duties to fulfil. I meticulously gathered every document to substantiate my claim, and after what seemed like an eternity, I was granted the visa and booked on a night flight to India.

Upon my landing in Trivandrum, Papa’s old Padmini was waiting outside the airport — a poignant reminder of my last visit to Kerala with Janet, where Papa had driven us around with pride. Now, however, the car was driven by someone else, and my brother Tom awaited me with tears in his eyes. As I took over the wheel, the absence of Papa at my side was a stark reality. Tom recounted the tragic details of Papa’s final night: how Papa had felt discomfort after dinner, reassured Jimmy, his loyal dog, that he would return soon, and how he had died in a wheelchair as the hospital staff fumbled for the ICU key. The sheer negligence and indifference of it all fuelled a cold, simmering anger within me.

Arriving at our family home in Thekkemala, I was met with an overwhelming sight — mourners lined the driveway, and the air was thick with grief. The moment I stepped out of the car, a chorus of wails erupted, but it was my mother’s embrace that finally broke through my stoic facade. Her tearful words, “First Janet, now your father,” unleashed a flood of tears I had held back for too long. As I wept in her arms, Jimmy’s mournful howls echoed our collective sorrow.

The task of organising the funeral was Herculean. My uncle handed me a comprehensive list of tasks: notifying the church, securing the attendance of bishops and priests, arranging transportation, and ensuring every detail was perfect for the ceremony. It felt like coordinating a military operation, with no room for error. Armed with £10,000 I had brought for the expenses, I navigated the black market to ensure everything was prepared on time. Every transaction and arrangement was imbued with the urgency of honouring my father’s legacy.

That night, exhausted but restless, I lay in the bed I had once shared with Janet, haunted by memories of our time together. Elton John’s “Sacrifice” played on my Walkman, its lyrics amplifying my sense of loss. Unable to sleep, I set out on an early morning run through the chaotic Indian traffic, trying to shake off the overwhelming emotions that threatened to engulf me.

The day of the funeral arrived, demanding every ounce of strength I could muster. The bishops and priests, resplendent in their ceremonial robes, arrived to conduct the service with the solemnity and grandeur fitting for Papa’s stature. The church, with its two large framed pictures of Jesus and St George, created an atmosphere of solemn reverence. The sight of Jimmy, whining softly at the edge of the room, was a poignant reminder of Papa’s enduring presence in the lives of those who knew him.

The service also involved dressing Papa in his ill-fitting suit from the Globe Silk Store in Kuala Lumpur, which had been tailored for him at the same time as mine. It was a vivid link to the past and a symbol of his enduring presence in our lives. As the service began, I was struck by the raw, open expressions of grief characteristic of this eastern tradition, so different from the reserved, almost stoic funerals I had become accustomed to in England. There was something profoundly cathartic in the ritual, in the incense-laden air, and the chanting that filled the room. I wished Janet were here; she would have understood the depth of what I was experiencing. The arrival of a condolence telegram from her just before we left for the church was a small but significant comfort, reminding me that she had not forgotten the bond she shared with Papa.

The funeral procession to the church was a moving spectacle — a muscled man pulling the glass hearse, followed by a procession of mourners, with traffic halting in respect as we made our way to the church atop the hill. At the church, the service was a final farewell steeped in tradition, culminating in the symbolic act of laying a white silk cloth with a cross over Papa’s face. My hands trembled, and tears flowed freely as I felt the weight of my grief, my love, and my duty as his son.

Lowering Papa’s coffin into the family tomb was a moment etched into my memory. When the ropes slipped and the coffin’s lid came undone, I instinctively jumped into the grave to fix it, joining my father in his final resting place, if only for a moment. It was an act of love and respect for the man who had been my guiding star, my toughest critic, and my father. As I climbed out of the tomb with the help of Tom and my uncles, I knew I had fulfilled my last duty to him — ensuring he was laid to rest with the dignity he deserved. The journey had been long, painful, and filled with challenges, but it had also brought me a measure of peace. As Papa had said at the end of our last conversation, “Somehow, I reached the shore.” Now, it was my turn to find my way back, carrying with me the memories, the lessons, and the love that would forever bind me to him, no matter how far I travelled from home.

Philip George is a former badminton player and author of the book 'Racket Boy'. He lives in Tuscany, Italy.

the-worlds-greatest-mela-author-and-curator-neville-tuli-advocates-using-cinema-for-india-studies

Mon Aug 26 14:00:29 IST 2024

An original 12-sheeter poster, offset print on paper, of the 1981 film 'Kranti' starring Dilip Kumar, the original jubilee trophies of films like 'Ram Teri Ganga Maili', fan mails, autographs of superstars of the golden era of Hindi cinema, are just some of the treasured artefacts that author-curator-archivist Neville Tuli owns. He has now opened his decades-worth collection to the public as he wishes to give back to India what he gained from it.

Born in London, Tuli came to India in 1993 and was amazed by what he saw. The culture and art-rich land did not allow him to leave. Three decades later, he established The Tuli Research Centre for India Studies (TRIS) to share his knowledge base, archives and library in disciplines such as arts, cinema and more.

Before he launches the centre’s website (the centre will largely be a digital space), an exhibition dedicated to Indian cinema has come to life. “The World’s Greatest Mela – Respecting India’s Cinematic Heritage”, curated by Tuli encapsulates three decades of Tuli’s dedication to researching, archiving, preserving, and transforming over four hundred thousand unique objects of the Indian & Asian fine and popular arts and craft, and the world cinemas, into a uniquely integrated knowledge base for India Studies.

Talking about the exhibition, Tuli says, "However comprehensive an exhibition, it can only capture a minor fraction of its subject, in this case, the vast world of Indian cinema. So, the main objective is to capture the essence, its unique cinematic energy, its historical context, and most importantly here - the high aesthetic and intellectual standard of the art objects which make a film and its impact."

In the coming months, TRIS will present a practical and comprehensive system for utilising the art of cinema as a primary and secondary source of knowledge, with a special focus on India Studies. Tuli also says that he hopes the exhibition will inspire the public and academia to re-examine and reassess the educational possibilities of the subject matter, while delivering a deep dose of joy, "for it is joy which our educational system truly lacks, hence the motivation and our ability to excel at the highest levels, still deeply lags compared to our potential."

Highlighting his thoughts further, he delivered a lecture at the Stein Auditorium on August 16, on ‘Cinema as a Critical Educational Resource’, followed by a talk on ‘Life and Cinema of Kamal Amrohi & Meena Kumari’ by Rinki Roy, daughter of late film director Bimal Roy, Tajdar Amrohi, son of Kamal Amrohi, Indian film director and screenwriter and Neville Tuli.

The exhibition featured original painted posters and cutouts of films and actors of the time, artefacts related to the films, film stills, and more from Tuli’s own collection that he has added over the years. These include a large black and white silver gelatin photographic print of Uday Shankar in Kalpana (1948), a hand-tinted colour photographic still mounted on a showcard of Meena Kumari in Pakeezah (1972), a photo still of the interior of Metro Cinema, Bombay, when it first opened in 1938 and more.

However, a mere showcase of his collection was not his primary objective. He carries a wider vision of helping to create the first three-year undergraduate programme curricula for India Studies, using cinema as a knowledge going beyond the realms of film and cultural studies and being viewed as a vast pedagogical resource beyond its conventional boundaries.

The exhibition is also a part of Tuli’s larger plan to make education, knowledge and research material accessible to everyone free of cost. This has been enabled through his upcoming website which will include extensive artworks, a range of books on various genres and other education-related sources to access for students and anyone seeking them. The website www.tuliresearchcentre.org will go live on October 2.

The exhibition that began on August 13th at the Visual Arts Gallery & Open Palm Court, India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road in Delhi concluded on August 25.

shekhar-krishnamoorthy-returns-to-singing-after-27-years-since-uphaar-fire

Sun Aug 25 13:53:29 IST 2024

“You can get over the loss of your parents but you can never move on from the loss of your children,” says Neelam Krishnamoorthy, mother of Unnati and Ujjwal who lost their lives in the Uphaar Cinema fire on June 13, 1997. Her husband Shekhar Krishnamoorthy, who was gaining fame as a singer back then, could not return to his passion and left singing.

However, 27 years later, during their children’s birthday month (Unnati was born on August 30 while Ujjwal was born on August 13), their father decided to pay tribute to him and returned to singing. Neelam says they strongly believe the song will reach their children as music has that power.

The song ‘Tanha Tanha’ has been written by Praveen Saxena and composed by Shubha Mudgal. The video conception and storyboard have been executed by Neelam, who says, “I didn’t want anyone else to work on the video but myself because this is not fiction but reality, nobody knows what we are going through."

Neelam says she really hopes her husband returns to his passion now as he still has deep scars that will last a lifetime. ‘Jung unke liye humne barso ladi, jaane walo ko insaaf kuch toh mile’ (We fought for them for several years, may the deceased get some justice). Shekhar sings as he walks around in the video which also shows glimpses from the incident and media clippings of the reportage.

In 2016, Neelam and Shekhar Krishnamoorthy co-authored the book ‘Trial By Fire: The Gut-Wrenching Story of the Parents Who Lost Their Children to the Uphaar Cinema Fire and Lived to Fight for Justice’ published by Penguin. Later, a Netflix series of the eponymous name (produced by Endemol Shine India and House of Talkies) was released in 2023, starring Abhay Deol and Rajshri Deshpande. It opened to critical acclaim. “When we were approached, I was apprehensive because I didn’t want them to show me in a weak light – sobbing and howling. But they handled our story with dignity and did justice,” she says. “It also highlights the issue of fire safety and makes people born after 1997 aware of the incident.”

However, nearly three decades after the tragic incident, they have still not found justice. Neelam says the justice system only works for the powerful or if the public agitates. “We have seen that in the Jessica Lal Murder Case, the Nirbhaya case and again in the Kolkata rape and murder case.”

“Allowing them (Sushil and Gopal Ansal, the main accused in the case, blamed for overlooking safety and several violations) to walk out citing old age and with a fine is just not right. Evidence was tampered with, there are many loopholes in the case, but, we have not missed a single hearing in all these years. I will continue my fight till my last breath for my children. It is said justice delayed is justice denied. But there was no justice at all in this case,” she says.

Neelam also makes a case for setting up fast-track courts for crimes like rape. “Absolutely. They must have fast-track courts for cases like rape,” she says. “I don’t think we’ll find justice in our lifetime but we will fight till the end, and after that, it won’t matter. It will just be referred to as a significant case and will be taught in law schools.”

the-theory-of-airports-and-haircuts

Sun Aug 25 18:09:34 IST 2024

Decades ago in a small town in the South, there was a hairdressing salon, the Nationals, whose grim-faced owner did not have too many customers. This was because when he had one, halfway through trimming the sideburns he would lay down the clippers and stand face to face with him and ask a question, ‘Is Netaji Bose alive.’ And if you shook your head he would order you out of his shop.

In the town at one time, there used to be a number of youngsters with half-trimmed sideburns. These were not members of the Spanish football team Athletico Madrid that had made these half-side burns fashionable; these were the unwitting Netaji deniers of that small town. An economist or sociologist would have spun an entire theory on sideburns from this quaint little town.

One of the favourites of economists is the theory of ‘haircuts’. According to the French economist Thomas Picketty, the Merkel-Sarkozy plan in 2010 to signal that sovereign public debts would not be fully paid back, which he called haircuts, was clearly not a good idea.

If we want to make the banks and financial asset holders pay for their mistakes, a highly desirable option, then it would be much better to have a ‘tax haircut’, (that is debts paid back but financial profits taxed via a European corporate levy) than an uncontrolled ‘haircut’ in which banks are sent into bankruptcy. This is an uncertain process where you do not know who will end up paying for the consequences.

Because big countries’ strategy will just recreate a whole set of disparate rates of interest rates for 27 different European sovereign debts, which will lead to speculation, this would undermine the whole logic of a single currency and the rationale of small countries to participate. So you end up with Greece the laggard having to bear the burden, more haircuts.

Prof Amartya Sen, who had done pioneering studies on the Bengal famine of 1943, has made another prescient observation and spun another theory. According to him, many professions are vulnerable to shifts in prices and sale deeds. In the case of haircutting, for instance, he had observed in Bengal during those depressing times, people find it quite easy to postpone having their haircut so that the demand for the product of the barber may fall sharply. He had also noticed that on top of that ‘quantity’ decline, there was also a sharp fall in relative price of haircutting.

During the famine, the rate of exchange between haircutting and staple food fell in some districts by as much as 70per cent. So the barbers, poor as they are, went to the wall as did many other dispensable professions.

The combination of greater purchasing power of the urban population that benefitted from the war boom and fearful speculative withdrawal of food from the market helped generate starvation through a sharp distributional change. He sums up the entire economic mechanism and hunger and starvation from this one modest activity of the roadside barber.

A former Reserve Bank governor has come up with an even more interesting observation. Since central bankers are so obsessed with interest rate cuts and have problems with the government over the issue, he found that when was having a haircut, the barber invariably asking him about interest cuts. He explained to him in a simple way so that he would understand the intricacies of the process.

The man again asked him about rate cuts a second time and he explained it in more detail. But when asked a third time he got agitated and asked why he was again and again asking the same question. The barber said that it made his job easier, that whenever he mentioned rate cuts the banker’s hair stood up and it was easier for him to clip it.

The same banker had also come up with another theory to link up inflation with haircut. When he was a young man and just out of college, he said, his haircut cost Rs.40, and twenty years later when this hair had started getting thin, he said, the hair cut cost double, Rs 100. Now, another 20 years later, when he had become almost bald the hair cut costs RS. 150.

Paul Theroux, the writer used to have his villain mention in at least three stories ask his adversary to go and have a haircut. When he was asked if there was any special significance or metaphor, he said when he was in indigent circumstances and living in Singapore with not even a telephone he used to teach in a university. Once he ran onto the vice chancellor in the street and he asked Theroux, who was dishevelled, to go and have a haircut. That was his revenge on that university head.

Decades ago when the now defunct Right to Information Act (RTI) was in its infancy, a frequent user of it had filed a petition; how many foreign visits did the Planning Commission chief make in two years. He also wanted know the cost of renovation of the official’s washroom on the fifth floor of the building.

It was disclosed that the chief planner had made 230 foreign trips in the two years in question. That would work out to almost a trip a week. And since these visits were mainly to Washington, a quick calculation would mean that the economist was airborne three days a week. And if you calculate the jet lag, flight delays, vagaries of the weather and flight diversions because of cloud cover, it would be worthwhile to compute the effort put in and the gains made. Since most of the economists and historians are most of the time airborne this might be a minor quibble.

It is not that during these flights economists are being idle, they are having encounters, making deductions, reading up on the latest date, like in the hairdresser’s chair, and coming up with interesting theories and solutions to even complex problems. One former finance minister, for instance, discovered that the tea served at airports, a cup of hot water and teabag and a sugar cube, cost Rs.180. He was shocked at this rip-off, only to be informed that tea at cheaper prices were available just down the aisle. The ambience and the decor had all to be factored into the cost.

The author is a senior journalist and writer

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.

a-tale-of-kidnapping-and-a-test-of-loyalty

Fri Aug 23 19:23:07 IST 2024

In early 2003, my law career took an unexpected turn into the dangerous world of international kidnapping. It began with a headline: “British Oil Worker May Be Dead.” The man in question was my client, John Buckley, a highly skilled oil technician kidnapped in Ecuador along with his local driver, Luiz Diaz, by ruthless Colombian bandits near the treacherous border of Ecuador. The pair were dragged deep into the jungle, where every shadow concealed a threat.

My team, experts in high-stakes negotiations, was called in to bring them home alive. We arranged a million-dollar ransom, discreetly passed through a middleman in Quito, believing it would secure their release. But before the money could change hands, Buckley and Diaz took matters into their own hands. Driven by fear and the flicker of hope, they managed a daring escape from their jungle compound. Navigating through the dense foliage, they evaded their captors for what must have felt like an eternity. But fate was not on their side. The bandits, furious and determined, recaptured them and, in cold blood, and shot them in the back of their heads. Their bodies were left to rot in the wild, claimed by the very jungle they had tried to flee.

This tragic tale was the dark backdrop to a complex legal and emotional saga. John Buckley had first crossed my path years earlier in the late 1980s. His wife, Ellen, a sweet and attractive Irish lady, had come to me for help with rent arrears on her property in Morecambe. I successfully handled the case, and Ellen took a liking to me, eventually naming me as an executor in her will alongside her husband. After Ellen’s passing, John and I remained in touch, and I managed his affairs, including drafting a new will that reflected his changed circumstances.

Over the years, I had come to know John as an imposing figure, both in stature and presence. Standing nearly six and a half feet tall, he was a man of few words but rich in experience, having spent his career working in some of the most challenging environments across the globe. His work often took him far from home, a fact that had strained his relationship with his daughter, Moya, and left him somewhat estranged from his family.

In March 2003, I was thrust into the middle of this high-stakes drama. Moya, now the sole surviving member of her family, walked into my office, desperate for answers and seeking my help to take matters forward with John’s employer, the Argentine oil company Techint, as well as the Ecuadorian government. Bia, John’s second wife, had her own Portuguese lawyer, but Moya trusted me to navigate the murky waters ahead.

Techint, concerned about the situation, invited Moya and me to Quito to discuss the case. They agreed to my condition: a kidnapping insurance policy on my life worth £10 million, to be shared between my family, my law firm, and my ex-wife Janet, should anything happen to me. It was a risk, but the opportunity for adventure and to make a difference was too significant to pass up.

Flying into Quito felt like stepping into a scene from ‘Proof of Life’. The 2000 film, starring Russell Crowe and Meg Ryan, depicted a similar scenario where an American engineer is kidnapped in South America, and a negotiator is brought in to handle the situation. The parallels were striking, and as I landed, the reality of the situation hit me. I wasn’t just handling a legal case; I was stepping into a world of danger and uncertainty, where the stakes were life and death.

Our arrival in Quito was met with the efficiency of a well-rehearsed operation. We were fast-tracked through immigration and customs and whisked away by my team from the Control Risks Group (CRG), a London-based consultancy specialising in international security and crisis management. In the limousine, we were handed body vests and debriefed on the meticulously crafted itinerary. The tension and intensity of the situation were so palpable that even my daily jogs through the streets of Quito were conducted wearing a bulletproof vest — a surreal juxtaposition of routine and extreme caution.

The following morning, I awoke to a breathtaking view of the snow-capped Andes from my hotel balcony 11,000 ft above sea level, a moment of calm before an intense day of meetings. The tension between Moya and her stepmother, Bia, was palpable, a reminder of the fractured relationships left in the wake of John’s work abroad.

The boardroom meeting at Techint’s plush office on the top floor of the hotel was a grand assembly of legal minds, diplomats and security experts. The case was complicated by conflicts of law, with John’s legal matter tied to English tort law and Portuguese inheritance law, while Luiz Diaz’s claim fell under Ecuadorian law. The disparities were stark, with Luiz’s life seemingly valued at a fraction of John’s. This inequity did not sit well with me, and I vowed to do right by Luiz’s family.

As discussions progressed, a chilling narrative emerged. The Ecuadorian police presented evidence suggesting that John and Luiz had been killed while attempting to escape their Colombian captors. The implication was that John had ventured into a dangerous area against orders, putting both their lives at risk. The concept of Volenti non-fit injuria - that one cannot claim for the harm they willingly undertook — was brought into play, potentially absolving Techint of liability.

After the meeting, I found solace in the camaraderie of the CRG team. They were a polished group, ex-intelligence officers with a wealth of experience in handling situations like ours. It was clear these men lived life on the edge, and I found myself both in awe and slightly unnerved by their cool professionalism.

The next day, a helicopter tour of the pipeline took us over the spot where John and Luiz had been kidnapped. The ride, meant to provide clarity, ended in an unexpected incident. As the helicopter hovered over the dense jungle, the reality of the situation overwhelmed Moya. Her composure shattered, and she suddenly turned towards me, her eyes filled with a mix of anger, grief and helplessness. Before I could react, her hand lashed out, delivering a stinging slap across my face. The shock of the moment hung in the air as she broke down, her emotions spilling over in a torrent of tears. It was a visceral reminder of the human cost of this ordeal, a pain too deep for words.

Despite the setbacks and emotional toll, the process moved forward. We followed the ransom trail, connecting the dots through a network of informants and intercepted communications. Working closely with the Ecuadorian high-security police, we tracked down the kidnappers. In a coordinated operation, the CRG team stormed their hideout, capturing the killers and ensuring they faced justice. Convicted and sentenced, these criminals now remain in prison.

We eventually reached a crucial point: seeking a legal presumption of death for John and Luiz, necessary to unlock compensation funds and provide closure to the families. The case was brought before a young judge in a remote jungle courthouse. The setting was surreal — a modest building surrounded by thick vegetation. The judge, despite her youth, carried an air of authority that belied her inexperience. However, as the proceedings began, it became clear that the gravity of the case was weighing heavily on her. The conflicting reports and lack of concrete proof of death left her hesitant, delaying the presumption of death. This delay was particularly frustrating as Ecuadorian law often requires a shorter period before a presumption of death can be declared, unlike in England, where the legal process can be protracted.

Frustrated but undeterred, I pushed forward. We needed more than legal arguments; we needed to appeal to the human aspects of the case — the loss, the grief and the need for resolution.

Ultimately, we managed to negotiate a settlement with Techint, including a significant compensation package for both the Buckley and Diaz families. The process was gruelling, involving legal manoeuvring, emotional confrontations, and a return trip deep into the Ecuadorian jungle. The conclusion was bittersweet. The bodies of John and Luiz were eventually found, and DNA tests confirmed their identities, rendering the earlier struggle with the presumption of death unnecessary.

The final chapter played out in another jungle courthouse, where we signed the necessary documents to release the compensation funds. The task of repatriating John’s body fell to me, a responsibility I had not anticipated. The funeral, held in a small village near Dublin, was a sombre affair, marked by the presence of John’s family and the weight of the experiences we had all endured.

As Van Morrison’s ‘I Will Be Your Lover Too’ played in my head I reflected on the journey that had brought me here. I had honoured my promise to a man who had trusted me with his most personal affairs, navigated the treacherous waters of international law, and witnessed firsthand the devastating impact of global politics on ordinary lives.

This was more than just a case. It was a reminder that the law, at its core, is about people — about their lives, their loves, their losses. And sometimes, it’s about being there when they need you the most, no matter the risks.

Philip George is a former badminton player and author of the book 'Racket Boy'. He lives in Tuscany, Italy.

a-newly-opened-restaurant-in-delhi-brings-in-flavours-inspired-by-street-food-of-the-world

Fri Aug 23 15:59:24 IST 2024

When chefs Jatin Mallick and Julia Carmen De Sa were planning their new food venture they wanted to do something different. Not in the way were each restaurant serves a particular cuisine, but, unique in its approach to food and the experience it provided.

Chef Jatin Mallick had travelled widely and did not want his food to belong to one territory. He wanted a global touch to his menu. The idea was to provide a light, refreshing experience to their customers as their restaurant ‘Tres’ is already a fine diner. “I wanted to have street foods on the menu but not Indian street foods. I wanted to have street foods from around the world in our menu, but with our own touch,” he says. That is how ‘Dos by Tres’ was born.

As one steps into the place, its interiors and the overall ambience call for a relaxed, intimate time spent with family and friends. The dining experience is infused with influences from vibrant street markets worldwide. It reimagines global street food, celebrating both local and international culinary traditions, with new innovations.

Be it their French classics, vibrant Mediterranean fare or Eastern European cuisine, each one has been modified with the in-house chefs’ touches and perfect with flair. Chef Mallick, who has worked with the likes of Gordon Ramsay at Maze Kitchen, says their pizzas for instance have a differently made base – of fermented potatoes being mixed in the dough crusts. They have also reinvented other classics – fish and chips with sweet potato and wasabi puree, tacos made with humble Goan poi, or the rice selection, which celebrates the world’s love for the grain, from the Portuguese arroz rice, the Chorizo fried rice, and Egyptian and Thai interpretations of the same. Their pizza ingredients whip up a surprise as one finds date syrup in their double-cooked pizza.

The geographic boundary and culture-defying menu also uses millets in their preparations, and has gluten-free, plant-based options for those looking for a healthy meal promising inclusivity. Their cassava chips salad introduces pearl millets, making it a wholesome meal. This, says their chef, also helps in dealing with climate change as certain crops do not respond well to uncertain climates while others do. Hence, using climate-resistant crops makes it easier for them to serve dishes throughout the year.

The restaurant is another feather in the cap for Lite Bite Foods, one of India’s largest and most dynamic food and beverage retail companies, which also holds a strong presence globally.

i-just-don-t-like-india-british-you-tuber-miles-routledge-makes-racist-x-posts-says-wishes-to-nuke-country

Thu Aug 22 20:53:22 IST 2024

British YouTuber Miles Routledge is in the middle of a storm on the internet after he made numerous racist remarks against India and Indians on X (formerly Twitter). Routledge, who broke into the limelight as the British student who was stuck in Afghanistan during the Taliban takeover and had to be evacuated, made remarks insulting Indians. Routledge's posts ridiculed the way Indians spoke English before making more deplorable remarks.

The controversial social media interactions began on Wednesday when he shared a funny video on X. “When I become prime minister of England, I'll open the nuclear silos as an explicit warning to any foreign power that interferes with British interests and affairs. I'm not talking huge incidents, I'm itching to launch and atomize entire nations over the smallest infraction,” he said.

However, he followed it up with a statement targeting India. “Hell, I might just launch at India just for the sake of it!” Miles Routledge jotted.

When this statement was called out, he became more aggressive and wrote more racist statements against India. “Believe it or not, I just don't like India. Also I can sense an Indian, he is indian. If a man online suddenly talks about ducking your mother in the first response, he's indian. Many such cases,” Routledge claimed.

Things escalated further when the Brit shared the screenshots of a fake X account that threatened him. Routledge was certain that it was an Indian running the account and carried on making insulting and racist statements targeting Indians. Most of the remarks made by the 25-year-old is sensitive to include in the article.

defenders-of-humanity-a-tribute-to-aid-worker-on-world-humanitarian-day

Sun Aug 18 11:26:10 IST 2024

In our world, the darkest moments are defined by the loudest cries of children. These cries echo through disaster-stricken landscapes, war zones and refugee camps. As disasters and wars reshape lives and devastate communities, the suffering of the innocent becomes an indelible mark on the fabric of humanity. Today, more than 120 million people are uprooted from their homes and communities worldwide. Children, constantly on the move, fleeing missile strikes and bombings in places like Sudan and Gaza, stand as living testimonies to this unbearable suffering.

Yet, in these shadows of despair, humanitarian workers, many of them local volunteers, emerge as beacons of hope. They embody compassion, resilience, and the unwavering belief that every life holds value. The services they offer are not just lifelines, but a testament to the enduring strength of the human spirit. The principles that guide humanitarian work have never been more vital. As conflicts intensify, climate crises worsen, and disasters multiply, defending humanitarian workers is imperative.

World Humanitarian Day: A call to action

August 19 is World Humanitarian Day, a day to honour selfless individuals who venture into the world's most perilous places, driven by an unyielding commitment to defend humanity. This day commemorates the sacrifice of 22 humanitarian workers, including the United Nations' Sergio Vieira de Mello, who lost their lives in a bombing in Iraq on August 19, 2003. In 2008, the UN General Assembly declared August 19 as World Humanitarian Day, emphasising the survival, well-being, and dignity of people affected by crises, as well as the safety and security of aid workers.

'Act for humanity'

This year, the theme is “#ActForHumanity,” a call to confront the normalisation of violence against civilians and humanitarian workers. Attacks on humanitarian workers can constitute a war crime. Despite this, in 2023, more aid workers died by violence than in any previous year on record, with 280 fatalities reported in 33 countries. More than half of these deaths (163) were aid workers killed in the first three months of the conflict in Gaza, mostly as a result of airstrikes.

In certain conflict zones, armed forces and groups continue to violate International Humanitarian Law, often targeting the very people who risk their lives to save others. The world is failing humanitarian workers and, by extension, the people they serve in some of the darkest moments when they need support most.

Relentless bombing since October 7, 2023 had claimed over 40,000 lives in Gaza (including the lives of humanitarian workers) transforming the region into one of the deadliest places for humanitarians. Hospitals, schools and homes have been reduced to rubble, and those seeking refuge and hostages have become casualties in a conflict that knows no bounds. The conflict in Sudan has displaced over six million children, with hospitals and humanitarian workers coming under direct attack.

Both in Gaza and Sudan, systematic blocking of relief suppliers and relief workers highlight the urgent need to demand an end to such violations and impunity and push for peace and justice.

On the World Humanitarian Day, we must put pressure on parties involved in conflicts and world leaders to take action to ensure the protection of civilians, including humanitarians, in conflict zones.

Everyday humanitarians: The true heroes

Crises do not create heroes—they show us who they are. In the face of unimaginable suffering, true humanitarians rise to the challenge. They are not superheroes in capes but ordinary people who choose to make a difference. For them, the more gruesome the crisis, the more determined they become to act.

Paola Belotti, for example, has spent the last year in Adre, a border town between Sudan and Chad, now home to thousands of Sudanese refugees. Paola is a child protection in emergencies specialist with Plan International. She considers herself an “accidental humanitarian,” driven by her experiences as a student counsellor for young migrants and refugees detained in prison in her hometown in Italy. “Everybody deserves a chance, especially children,” she says. “They have no role in the wars that destroy their lives, yet they suffer the most.” Paola’s work in providing emotional care and protection to children in refugee camps and in war zones is not just a source of relief—it is often the only source of hope.

Similarly, Baraka Damien, born to refugee parents in Dzaleka Refugee Camp in Malawi, refuses to give up. “I want to be a humanitarian because it is the kindest job,” he says. “I have experienced firsthand the difference humanitarian workers bring in otherwise what may be considered as hopeless situations”. As he pursues his undergraduate degree and dreams of higher education in Canada, (subject to scholarship and appropriate document that enables refugees to travel), Baraka works tirelessly to support refugee children, organising disaster risk management clubs in schools. “My life as a refugee has taught me the true impact that humanitarian action, especially education, can bring into the lives of children in hopeless situations,” he adds.

The humanitarian spirit: Hope amid despair

So, what exactly is the humanitarian spirit? Fuelled by hope, grit, solidarity, and collaboration, humanitarian spirit demonstrates an unshakeable commitment that we can and must make the world a kinder, peaceful and more just place. This spirit is not born from noble intentions alone but is forged by real-world challenges—wars, conflicts, economic upheaval, and climate shocks.

"Education and training offer a foundation, but nothing truly prepares you for the relentless uncertainty of war zones and refugee camps,” says Paola. “Being a humanitarian means confronting chaos with compassion and courage.”

Humanitarian workers often find themselves in situations where International Humanitarian Law is systematically violated, amplifying the suffering of both the victims and the aid workers themselves. The presence of humanitarians alone may not stop a war or prevent a genocide, but their absence would make life even more unimaginable for those who have lost everything. They may not halt the floods or earthquakes, but their efforts bring hope to those who need it most. In the words of Mahatma Gandhi, “The best way to find yourself is to lose yourself in the service of others.” This profound truth resonates deeply with humanitarian workers who often risk their lives to defend the dignity of others.

On World Humanitarian Day, we are reminded that even in the darkest moments, hope endures. The unyielding spirit of humanitarian workers inspires us all to act for humanity—defend the vulnerable and protect every life, including those who selflessly serve.

The author is Global Humanitarian Director at Plan International

betrayal-in-paradise-rescued-by-equity-and-the-pursuit-of-justice

Sat Aug 17 22:21:18 IST 2024

In early 2016, I found myself overlooking the stunning Ligurian Sea from a vantage point in the Cinque Terre, a place that exudes magic and serenity.

Nestled on a hill above Riomaggiore, with views stretching towards Monte Carlo in the northwest and Elba in the southwest, I had acquired one of the most desirable properties on earth—a stone house with a vineyard producing the famous and expensive Cinque Terre Sciacchetrà wine. This paradise was located in the Bay of Poets, a region that has inspired literary giants like Lord Byron, Percy Bysshe Shelley, and Dante Alighieri, whose works echo the beauty and mystique of the area.

At that time, life seemed perfect. I had just sold my share in JWK Solicitors in Lancaster and moved to Tuscany, where I was involved in a relocation business partnering with Mata Hari/MH (name changed), a European national based in Lucca.

The property, which promised both significant personal satisfaction and substantial investment potential, for strategic reasons was purchased in MH’s sole name. The funds for the purchase came entirely from me, bolstered by additional financing I raised due to my professional status. I had placed my trust in MH, not just as a business partner but as a friend.

The agreement was that all the interest in the property belonged to me and the rental income from the property would be deposited into our joint account after expenses.

However, in 2018, after leaving the relocation business on good terms with MH to focus on my retirement and pro bono legal work in England, my trust was shattered.

Without my knowledge, she sold the property, siphoned the entire sale proceeds and rental income from our joint account, and funnelled the funds into a new bank account opened with her new partner. They then used the money to purchase a rental business property in his name.

I discovered this betrayal by chance. When confronted, MH alleged that my contributions were a donation, and under the Italian Civil Code, I had no cause of action. Truth is a tricky business, especially when it’s manipulated to suit someone’s agenda. It was a devastating blow, but I knew I had to fight back.

Drawing upon my 35 years of legal experience across multiple jurisdictions—including a kidnapping case in Ecuador and various cases throughout Europe—I resolved to recover my losses.

I meticulously vetted nine different Italian law firms, studied Italian cases and precedents, and eventually instructed a law firm in Tuscany. I became deeply involved in every aspect of the case, from strategy to the minutiae of legal tactics.

I gathered powerful witness statements from individuals such as Gianmarco, the estate agent who facilitated the original purchase, and the previous owners of the property. I combed through hundreds of WhatsApp messages and emails, conducted forensic work on banking transactions, and meticulously traced the movement of rental income.

This wasn’t the only legal battle I faced at the time. Back in England, I was embroiled in a dispute with a dishonest builder who had failed to deliver on his contractual obligations.

This case was further complicated by the fact that the builder had enlisted the services of a legal team operating under a Conditional Fee Agreement (CFA), commonly known as a no-win, no-fee arrangement. The setup was meant to intimidate me, placing the financial burden on me while offering the builder’s team a seemingly risk-free opportunity to pressure me into a settlement.

Under the CFA, the builder’s lawyers only stood to gain if they won the case, which meant they were aggressively pursuing every angle. To make matters worse, they were backed by a questionable After The Event (ATE) insurance policy provided by an insurer who eventually went bust. This dubious insurance was supposed to cover their costs if they lost, but the collapse of the insurer added another layer of complexity and risk to the proceedings.

The builder's strategy was clear: to prolong the legal battle and increase my legal costs to the point where I might consider settling. But having faced down MH’s betrayal in Italy, I was in no mood to back down.

Instead, I leveraged my decades of legal expertise and the lessons learned from my cross-border legal battles. I scrutinised every aspect of the builder's claim, challenging the validity of their evidence and the integrity of their tactics. I knew that if I could expose the weaknesses in their case, the entire structure of their CFA-backed litigation would crumble.

Over the course of three years, I faced several preliminary court hearings at the High Court in Lucca for the Italian case, while simultaneously managing the legal battle in England. My Italian legal and financial advisors initially doubted my chances of success in the Italian case, but I remained steadfast.

The legal maxim I learned in law school back in 1977—he who comes to equity must come with clean hands -guided me through this ordeal. I employed the same focus, diligence, and mental fortitude that I had honed in my legal career and in sports, and traveling and in the end, I prevailed. I successfully completed the action and recovered my losses in Italy.

Back in England, the turning point came when I managed to expose the builder’s underhanded tactics and the shaky foundation of their CFA agreement. The builder’s lawyers, who had confidently taken on the case under the CFA, ended up losing thousands of pounds when the case did not go in their favour.

My perseverance and strategic approach not only protected my interests and saved me from possible bankruptcy but also sent a clear message about the perils of underestimating one’s opponent.

By 2021, I had emerged from the doldrums, albeit without the beautiful Riomaggiore house that once overlooked the Ligurian Sea and the Bay of Poets, where the spirit of great poets lingers. But more importantly, I had regained my sense of trust and self-belief.

Despite the painful lessons learned, I would not hesitate to make similar decisions again, even if they came with significant risks. The experience reinforced my conviction that trust when placed wisely, can lead to extraordinary outcomes—even when the odds seem insurmountable.

As I reflect on this journey, I’m reminded that resilience and justice are not just legal principles; they are personal commitments. And no betrayal, however profound, can take that away.

Arrivederci.

Philip George is a former badminton player and author of the book 'Racket Boy'. He lives in Tuscany, Italy.

corporate-life-youngsters-are-no-longer-willing-to-compromise-on-their-work-life-balance

Sat Aug 17 17:52:41 IST 2024

Recently, a Punjab-based woman, Babina, was fired from her job for protesting her company’s decision that anyone who took leave on Raksha Bandhan (August 19) would lose seven days’ worth of pay. Babina felt this was not “fair practice under the law or fundamental rights”. When she posted on LinkedIn about her unceremonious dismissal from work, she was flooded with messages of support. “Is corporate bringing slavery back?” wrote one user. “These company owners should be behind bars ASAP,” wrote another. The company’s efforts to justify its decision – explaining that Babina was a frequent offender and troublemaker – was too little, too late.

The incident underscores an important generational change we are witnessing now. Unlike previous generations, Gen Z are not willing to slog for fatter bank accounts. They would rather enjoy life now instead of bulking their savings for a lavish retirement later. In short, they are not willing to compromise on their work-life balance.

In South Korea, for example, there is a push-back against working longer hours among young people, reported Jin Yu Young for The New York Times. The country is known for its cut-throat working hours. “Companies say they’re only making managers come in on the weekend, but if you see your boss working on a Saturday, you’re going to feel nunchi (a South Korean term for facing a kind of ‘implicit pressure’),” said a younger worker.

In India, too, people raised a hue and cry last year when Infosys co-founded Narayana Murthy advocated a 70-hour work week to boost the country’s work productivity. The comment went viral, evoking all sorts of responses from netizens. People started vehemently discussing toxic work cultures and the mental and physical well-being of employees. But despite his expertise, many studies seem to contradict Murthy’s view.

“There is a substantial amount of evidence that work–life balance policies provide significant benefits to enterprises, supporting the argument that such policies are a “win-win” for both employers and employees,” concluded a 2022 global report by the ILO.

Youngsters have also come up with new-gen terminology – such as ‘lazy girl jobs’ and ‘quiet quitting’ – to label their need for more work-life balance. According to Gen-Z TikToker Gabrielle Judge who coined the term, a ‘lazy girl job’ is one that allows you to work remotely, is flexible and pays decently. Those with lazy girl jobs make a clear demarcation between work and fun, and do not depend on their jobs to find meaning in life. Quiet quitters, similarly, are those who do their work without going that extra mile. ‘Ambition’ does not assume prime of place in their vocabulary.

In this scenario, companies, too, are taking note of this change in their employees’ attitudes. Those who have not would do well to follow the example of Shubham Singhal, co-founder and CEO – Dot Media. On the occasion of World Sick Leave Day (August 16), he announced that all requests for sick leave were being rejected. Instead, he closed the office and gave all his employees a holiday.

“The day corporates start valuing what their employees need, nothing can stop them from putting forth their best,” he posted on LinkedIn. The post was deluged by comments from users asking how to get a job at Dot Media. As Singham would have discovered, a paid leave always pays off in the end.

a-day-in-malargue-encounters-and-reflections-on-the-argentine-soul-our-man-in-tuscany-by-philip-george

Fri Aug 09 23:07:32 IST 2024

On a crisp Monday, January 29, 2024, I found myself rooted in the tranquil town of Malargue, nestled within Argentina's vast landscapes. My Renault Kangoo van had been my steadfast companion for over 25,000 kilometres, but on this day, it was the town and its people who captured my heart, embodying the warmth and quiet resilience that define Argentina.

The day began with an unassuming yet telling encounter at a YPF gas station washroom. The tiled floors and well-used sinks might have suggested the usual utilitarian space, but the atmosphere was surprisingly serene. As I fumbled my way through my morning routine, perhaps a bit clumsily, the locals' responses were nothing short of gracious. There was an unspoken understanding, a shared recognition that I was a traveller far from home, and they offered their patience and kindness as if it were the most natural thing in the world. In that simple clean washroom, I felt the first stirrings of Malargue's unique charm — a place where even the mundane is touched by gentle humanity.

Lunchtime found me at a small café, where I was greeted by a young waiter with a disarming smile. The menu, laden with local specialities, could have been overwhelming, but his easy manner and thoughtful explanations dissolved any confusion. Here was a glimpse into the Argentine spirit—unhurried, considerate and warm. As I savoured each bite, I couldn’t help but feel a deep sense of comfort, not just from the food and Mendoza red wine but from the genuine hospitality that made me feel less like a stranger and more like a welcomed guest.

Over the meal, a waiter named Rafael shared a piece of his life with me. His tale was woven with pride as he spoke of his San Rafael origins, the story of Malbec grapes, and how the French brought them to Mendoza, recognising the volcanic soil's potential. The conversation flowed naturally, each word a thread that connected us. In that moment, the vastness of Argentina seemed to shrink, reduced to a shared table where stories, like the wine, were poured generously and without reservation.

Later in the day, I chanced upon a Chilean family of five, their laughter echoing through the streets, followed by a group of female journalists who were engrossed in animated conversation. The diversity of voices, opinions and experiences was intoxicating. These moments of connection, brief yet meaningful, enriched my journey, adding new colours to the already vibrant medley of my travels.

Supermarket Snapshots: The Subtle Dignity of Everyday Life:

A quick visit to the corner supermarket offered another window into the life of Malargue's residents. Families moved with a quiet frugality, their interactions with the staff respectful and warm, despite the economic challenges that loomed over their lives. It was witness to the Argentine way — dignity preserved even in the face of adversity, a stoic acceptance that spoke volumes about the resilience of these people.

What struck me most, however, was the profound understatement with which the Argentineans carry themselves. Despite their nation's three Jules Rimet Trophy victories, there was no brashness, no overt celebration. Even the sensitive subject of the Malvinas was approached with a reserved dignity, free from the xenophobic bravado that might be expected elsewhere. It was a powerful lesson in humility, one that lingered with me long after I left the town.

As the day wore on, the influence of Roman Catholicism on Argentinean life became more apparent. The reverence for the church, Jesus and Mother Mary mirrored the deep-rooted faith I had encountered in Italy. In Malargue, this faith provided not just spiritual guidance but also a sense of community and security, something I felt keenly as I navigated my way through the town's streets.

As I looked up at the brilliant azzuro-blue skies, it was impossible not to feel the deep affinity between Argentina and Italy. The skies here, vast and endless, mirrored those over Tuscany — a shared Mediterranean blue that spoke of a historical connection between these lands. It wasn’t just the architecture or the occasional strains of Italian in the streets; it was the very soul of the place, where the warmth of the people and the richness of the culture echoed that of Italy. In Argentina, I found not just a land far from home, but a kindred spirit — a reflection of the place where my journey began.

The following day, Tuesday, January 30, brought with it a tinge of sadness as I prepared to leave Malargue. This place, with its friendly dogs, the familiar YPF staff and its welcoming streets, had begun to feel like home. But the road called, and so I set off towards San Rafael, the Kangoo van humming along the pristine surface of Ruta 40, with the Andes standing tall to my left and the sprawling plains of Los Llanos to my right.

The mesmerising vastness of Ruta 40: The drive was serene, the kind of peace that only comes from being surrounded by endless horizons. Talking Heads provided the soundtrack, their beats blending with the whisper of the wind as I passed El Chacay and agricultural fields that clung to the Andes' foothills. The landscape was nothing short of magical, vast and unspoiled, a true representation of Argentina's boundless beauty.

Temptation at the Andes' Foot: At one point, a lone gravel path tempted me with its promise of adventure, leading straight to the base of the Andes. The snow-capped Aconcagua, the highest peak outside of Asia, loomed in the distance, beckoning me to explore further. But with fuel in mind, I opted for the safer route, letting the Kangoo glide along the smooth tarmac of Ruta 144, even as my thoughts drifted back to another time and place — Malaysia in 1969, during the Segamat floods.

As the kilometres ticked by, I passed tiny oilfields and a lone gaucho, his truck parked by the roadside, dogs resting in the back. The sight of him, framed against the endless horizon, evoked a sense of freedom, the kind that comes only from the open road. Neil Young’s “Harvest” played in my mind, transporting me back to those days in Lancaster, where dreams were both made and unmade.

As I approached San Rafael, the landscape began to change. The arid plains gave way to lush vineyards and verdant fields, a stark contrast that only deepened my appreciation for Argentina's diversity. A ramshackle parrilla on the outskirts of town provided a memorable meal — a feast of asado, expertly grilled by a booming-voiced gaucho. The meat, succulent and rich with flavour, rivalled any high-end dining experience, yet cost only a song. As I parked the van at yet another YPF, I savoured the asado, washing it down with the last of the wine from Malargue, and marvelled at the simple yet profound joy of the meal.

The day ended with an encounter at a YPF café, where a lone Chinese man caught my eye. Hoping for a conversation, I approached him, only to be met with a curt dismissal — a solitary flick of the head that spoke volumes. The moment took me back to my youth in Malaya, reminding me of my father's words about the inscrutable nature of the Chinese. It was a sharp contrast to the warmth I had encountered throughout Argentina, a reminder that not all connections are meant to be made.

As I settled into the Kangoo for the night, the road ahead still uncertain, I felt a deep sense of contentment. Tomorrow would bring new adventures, perhaps a journey northwest towards Mendoza, but for now, I was at peace. The vastness of Argentina, its people, its landscapes, and its stories, had woven themselves into the fabric of my journey, leaving me richer for the experience.

This piece, coloured with the hues of Argentina’s land and its people, captures the essence of my journey. As I write from Tuscany, reflecting on these distant yet vivid memories, I’m reminded of the deep connections and the enduring beauty of the road — wherever it may lead.

Philip George is a former badminton player and author of the book 'Racket Boy'. He lives in Tuscany, Italy.

national-book-lovers-day-special-a-guide-to-reading-smart-in-this-digital-age-of-booktok-and-wattpad

Fri Aug 09 15:29:00 IST 2024

There was a time when reading was the preserve of the nerd, the introvert or the socially awkward. Every romance ever written about the wallflower snagging the billionaire was probably targeted at the lonely reader who found refuge in a literary dreamland. For every Veronica who loved her malls, there was a Betty who loved her books. For every Amy who longed for parties and privileges, there was a Jo who could never be found without a book in her hand. But the ‘Little Women’ have long grown up, and crossed into an age when reading is no longer a lonely pursuit; it has become a communal experience.

With platforms like Wattpad – the world’s largest social storytelling platform – reading has become dynamic, interactive and reader-friendly. Readers directly dictate trends and tropes. For example, according to a Wattpad report of 2023, the stories that trend are those with a compelling hook, gets to the point quickly and makes the premise clear in the opening chapter. In this age of instant gratification, gone are the drawn-out plot build-ups and the long waits for the surprise reveal. Platforms like Wattpad have bridged the divide between the author and the reader. Even renowned authors like Booker Prize-winner Margaret Atwood have shared her poems and stories on it.

But with this onslaught of new stories, how is the reader to sort through the good, the bad, and the ugly? Enter Bookstagrammers, your go-to declutter agents. According to a 2023 Nielsen report, there was an 87 per cent increase in book-related content consumption on Instagram. Bookstagrammers are those who curate reading lists, review books, and post the latest releases on their Instagram page. They give you monthly round-ups, swoon-worthy travel picks, best monsoon reads, and mood-lifters to get rid of your Monday blues. Currently there are 107 million posts under the hashtag #Bookstagram.

Today, there is someone to hand-hold you through every step of the reading process, right from Booktokkers and Bookstagrammers helping you pick what books to read, to platforms like Blinkist that help confirm your choice by providing best book summaries and audiobook guides. Blinkist has over 32 million downloads on all platforms. It offers assistants to lead you through that day’s must-read topics. There is also an option to make a learning playlist for yourself which you can share with others.

These online platforms have revolutionised the habit of reading. For one, stories with more diversity find takers on them. Race and gender differences seem to matter less online. Handsome is as handsome does, no matter the colour of his skin. According to a Wattpad report, four out of five Gen Z readers look to online sources like webnovels, e-books and webcomics for diverse stories. 79 per cent of them say that diversity and representation are important to them while choosing books or movies. “The data signals a generational shift in consumption and attitudes towards fiction,” states the report.

This, of course, does not mean these platforms are all ruddy and rosy-cheeked. The main brickbat is that they dumb down content. “Most people on Wattpad are teenagers who want to read about drama, and sappy love like Twilight, so if your story is actually good, has deep characters, a plot and is well-structured, then it probably will take a while to get noticed,” stated a user. She might have a point. There are no dearth of takers for romance and its subgenres – from fantasy to billionaire to mafia to werewolf (“Werewolves and shifters are evergreen on Wattpad, so get writing that story that will have your readers howling for more,” states the website). Our wallflower of yore might be networking with others, but together they are all waiting for their knights with shining social media profiles.

doctor-turned-artist-dr-sushma-mahajans-exhibition-brings-out-the-beauty-in-surroundings

Mon Aug 05 16:06:29 IST 2024

Art and science may appear to be on opposite ends of the pole, but there is always a bit of art involved in science and vice versa, believes doctor-turned-artist Dr Sushma Mahajan.

“Albert Einstein was accomplished in so many art faculties and likewise, Leonardo da Vinci had such a brilliant scientific side to him. I feel these are mentally created boundaries and the challenge is to just transcend them,” she says referring to the great personalities as she talks about her own artistic endeavours and how one field does not restrict the other.

Dr Sushma Mahajan is currently serving as director of radiology, Bhagwan Mahavir Cancer Hospital, Jaipur. Her artistic pursuits are a testament to the fact that both arts and science go hand in hand. Her recent exhibition ‘This Beautiful World’ features 35 watercolour paintings, from flora and fauna to landscapes and architectural wonders, that bring out the beauty of one’s surroundings through Dr Mahajan's eyes. The collection also features European and Cuban architectural influences, including scenes of Bavarian castles, London pubs, the Adriatic coast, and Cuban streets. Her fascination with vintage cars was brought out in six compositions, while three portraits of young girls captured profound expressions.

The doctor discovered her artistic skills during the lockdown in 2020. Self-taught, she embraced watercolour painting, finding it a cathartic escape from her demanding professional life.

“Working with cancer patients has made me empathetic. Painting gives me the needed catharsis of sorts after spending hours with cancer patients at the hospital. And once my art started getting recognised, it spurred me to chase my passion with deeper conviction.”

On using watercolours as a medium, she says they have become her go-to companion in the paint studio and she loves the kind of luminous finish it imparts to her artworks. “My compositions are essentially in vibrant hues and it is all about emanating positive vibes through my creations which derive inspiration from the beauty which surrounds us. Since I do lots of animals and also a few human portraits, I love the challenge of planting the desired expressions in the eyes of my characters as an artist.”

The exhibition titled ‘This Beautiful World’ encompasses the beauty around us. From temple art inspired by the Cholas & Hoysalas in the south and the Kalinga art in the Konarak, she has attempted mythology as well and imparted sculpted finish to the deities. There are 13 such artworks on display in the exhibition. Second segment is inspired by the architectural splendour – from a signature pub in London to a street in Havana or something as magnificent as a Bavarian castle in the backdrop of Alps. Third segment is artworks which depict the beauty of nature, flora and fauna. Then there are vintage cars and portraits.

“From X-ray scans to a world of beauty, the essence of Sushma's artistic expression is to excavate beauty from the darkest moments of life. Sushma interacts with people who are often in moments of despair and in the despairing anguish of life. What is singular about her own mindset is the fact that she sees a definitive positive and the essence of nature, from which we have so much to learn”, says art historian and consultant author Dr Alka Pande.

Last year, the doctor turned artist had presented a successful exhibition ‘Curious Charms, The Magic of Aquarelle’ at India Habitat Centre (IHC). Dr Sushma Mahajan’s solo exhibition was curated by Dr Alka Pande at the Visual Arts Gallery, IHC.

finding-krishna-a-chronological-exploration

Mon Aug 05 14:03:05 IST 2024

From July 18 to August 18, within four storeys and 16,000 square feet of the Art House at Nita Mukesh Ambani Cultural Centre (NMACC), lies the story of Lord Krishna, depicted chronologically. The exhibition, titled Bhakti: The Art of Krishna, curated by Ashvin Rajagopalan, is one of the first of its kind. Made with a lot of Bhakti, Ashvin has thoughtfully used the four floors of the Art House, with each level dedicated to a different stage of Krishna’s life.

The exhibition has an immersive character to itself, brought to life with a multitude of artworks (revolving around Krishna’s life) by renowned artists, and the story-like descriptions that accompany them. What adds to this immersive experience is that Ashvin has used the quality of subtlety to good effect, with well-timed music (flute music) and playing around with the lighting.

The exhibition begins on Level 4. The room is dark. When asked about the reason for this ambience, Ashvin said that he wanted to try his best to capture the circumstances surrounding Krishna’s birth, which was in a prison cell, to parents Devaki and Vasudeva. They were imprisoned by Devaki’s brother, Kamsa, the King of Mathura, based on a prophecy foretelling that Kamsa would be killed by Devaki’s eighth child.

The only artwork featured in this level is that of the acclaimed Raja Ravi Varma, who received patronage from the Gaekwad rulers of the princely state of Baroda (Vadodara), particularly Maharaja Sayajirao Gaekwad III. This artwork, featuring Vasudeva, Devaki and Krishna as a baby, lays a strong foundation for everything that is to follow in the story of Krishna. The size of the painting is worth bearing witness to.

Level 3 covers the early life of Krishna. From depicting the mother-son bond between Krishna and Yashoda, his playful nature, his love for cows, to his victories in battle, this level is filled with artworks by several notable artists. Some of these artists include Manjit Bawa, Jamini Roy, M.F. Hussain, Allah Bux and Raqib Shaw. What I found to be very interesting is that there are so many different art forms and styles in which Krishna has been depicted. To name a few, these would include the Bengal School and Thanjavur style. The artworks on this level were created using a variety of techniques, such as oil-on-canvas, lithography, print-on-paper and so on. In featuring artworks by artists such as Allah Bux and M.F. Hussain, Ashvin aims to demonstrate how “Krishna transcends cultures”. According to him, this exhibition is an agnostic telling of the story of Krishna.

We then move on to Level 2 – my favourite part of the exhibition. Here, we are taken through the teachings of Lord Krishna, drawn from the Bhagavad Gita. Upon entering the room, amidst other powerful artworks, one will find verses from the Bhagavad Gita on the walls, most of which revolve around the importance of fulfilling one’s duty. This is in reference to Krishna’s conversation with Arjuna, where he imparts philosophical teachings on righteousness, duty, and the path to spiritual fulfilment amidst the battlefield of Kurukshetra, when Arjuna is filled with emotional and moral turmoil.

Then, the exhibition leads one into a small room, in which we see various artistic renditions of Krishna’s Vishwaroopa avatar, the divine form he takes on to convince Arjuna to perform his duty and make him realize that he is after all, the Creator. Ashvin’s chronological telling of the story really aided the artistic narrative, particularly in this section.

Lastly, Level 1 covers the many temples in India that are dedicated to Krishna’s life. While each temple has a deity representing Krishna, the exhibit shows how the forms in which he is represented vary throughout the country (and therefore, cultural contexts), owing to the different kinds of experiences he had in each of these locations. Initially, I was confused and asked myself how this would fit into the story of Krishna, as it were. Ashvin told me that his intent here was to illustrate “how the world has found their own Krishna”.

From his birth, to his early days, to his teachings, to the present, this exhibition is not just the story of Krishna. It is the story of Indian culture’s story with Krishna. If you find yourself in Mumbai anytime soon, it would be a good decision to come and see what Ashvin has in store.

our-man-in-tuscany

Wed Aug 07 10:18:07 IST 2024

I woke up this Wednesday morning to a sizzling hot day, but pleasantly so—unlike the oppressive 52°C heat I experienced in Delhi. Today’s adventure: a jolly jaunt to Lucca.

The drive from San Romano in Garfagnana to Lucca was a delight. My Golf GTD was in its element, gliding smoothly over the beautiful, well-surfaced mountain and valley roads. The car purred with satisfaction as it wound through the picturesque landscapes, reminding me of why I love driving in Italy. I was off to meet Luca Trinchera, my Italian lawyer and friend.

Before our rendezvous, I stopped at a car wash garage outside Lucca. Refugee boys there hand-washed my GTD, and they did an excellent job. Their diligence and care reflected the pride they took in their work, a humbling and heartwarming experience. Next, I popped into a Sri Lankan shop in the centre of Lucca for some Far Eastern groceries. The shop was a hidden gem, stocked with spices and ingredients that brought back memories of my travels.

Outside the city walls at Porta Santa Maria, I paused to reflect on history. This was where Julius Caesar and Pompey, once arch enemies, struck a treaty to combat barbarians and other mischief-makers. Standing there, I could almost hear the echoes of ancient negotiations, a stark reminder of the region’s rich and tumultuous history.

As I resumed my journey, the tyre pressure light came on. I found a tyre repair shop and discovered a nail embedded in the low-profile rear tyre. Pneumatici Riccardo’s garage on the outskirts of Lucca handled the repair with no fuss. Their service was efficient and friendly, all at a minimal cost. The mechanic, with a broad smile, assured me it was a simple fix, turning what could have been a stressful situation into a minor detour.

By 12:30, I was at Pane e Marmellata café/restaurant for lunch, confirmed via WhatsApp by Luca. The café exuded simple elegance. A beautiful, multi-tasking waitress with a loud smile offered great service, enhancing the homely atmosphere where everyone engaged in face-to-face conversations, free from the distractions of mobile phones and social media. My meal was delightful: Caesar salad, apple crumble, sparkling water, red wine served elegantly in lovely glassware, and a perfect espresso.

Luca and I had a great chat about my recent trips to India and Malaysia, legal cases, and managing client expectations. We discussed truth being a tricky business and court proceedings being an expensive and painful project. I shared how my travels reinforced my feeling that Tuscany is truly my home. We also marvelled at Italy’s beauty, Tuscany’s charm, and the enduring impact of the Italian Renaissance on the Western world since the 15th century.

The drive back to San Romano was accompanied by the music of South American band Mana unplugged, as I put the GTD through its paces, having missed driving it for nearly seven months due to my travels. The roads welcomed me back, curving through landscapes that seemed to have been painted by an artist. I stopped at the brilliant Esselunga Supermarket for groceries, olive oil, and local wine. The store’s combination of low prices, high quality, and elegant service is part of Italian excellence.

As the 1979 hit "Angel" played by RDS Relax Station on the radio, I reflected on my journey. Angels, indeed, have watched over me, George, and now DJ Geetha’s recently passed dog in Kuala Lumpur, who has joined the Holy Trinity. The scenery shifted from plains to the mountainous greenery and chestnut forests of Garfagnana as I approached my sanctuary in Via San Rocco. The hilltop villages perched precariously above added a touch of magic to the landscape.

Another wonderful day in Tuscany affirmed why I left England for Italy. The rich culture, the warmth of the people, and the breathtaking scenery make it a no-brainer. As I stepped into my home, I felt a deep sense of contentment and belonging.

Philip George is a former badminton player and author of the book 'Racket Boy'. He lives in Tuscany, Italy.

the-cost-of-dirty-gold

Wed Aug 07 10:18:29 IST 2024

East German athletic achievements from the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games to the 1980 Moscow Olympics are marked by both remarkable human endurance and a dark chapter in sports history. Having witnessed these events from a young age, RB offers a unique perspective on the intricate web of politics, rivalry, and personal sacrifice that characterised East German sports during the Cold War era.

The East German sports machine

East Germany, officially known as the German Democratic Republic (GDR), systematically used sports to showcase the superiority of its socialist regime. The state invested heavily in sports facilities, training programs, and scientific research, creating an efficient and often ruthless sports machine. Between 1964 and 1988, East German athletes won a total of 384 Olympic medals, including 192 gold, 124 silver, and 68 bronze.

State-sponsored doping programme

A crucial part of East Germany's success was its state-sponsored doping program, known as "State Plan 14.25." This secretive operation involved administering performance-enhancing drugs, particularly anabolic steroids, to athletes from a young age. Coaches, doctors, and sports officials collaborated to ensure the program's effectiveness while keeping it hidden from the international community. The consequences for athletes were severe, ranging from severe health issues to psychological trauma. Many athletes were unaware of the full extent of the substances they were being given, believing they were merely taking vitamins or supplements.

Jürgen Straub's clean triumph

Amidst the widespread doping, Jürgen Straub's performance at the 1980 Moscow Olympics was a rare instance of clean competition. Straub ran a tactically brilliant race in the men's 1500 meters, leading for much of the race and finishing second to Sebastian Coe, one of the greatest middle-distance runners of all time. Straub's silver medal, earned without the aid of performance-enhancing drugs, was a story of his exceptional talent and determination.

Political and ideological context

The division of Germany after World War II set the stage for the intense sports rivalry between East and West Germany. The Potsdam Agreement of 1945 divided Germany into four occupation zones controlled by the Allies: the United States, the United Kingdom, France, and the Soviet Union. This division eventually solidified into two separate states: the Federal Republic of Germany (West Germany) and the German Democratic Republic (East Germany). The Berlin Wall, constructed in 1961, became the most visible symbol of this divide.

East Germany's sports achievements were part of a broader strategy to gain international recognition and legitimacy. The state used sports victories to promote its ideology and demonstrate the supposed superiority of its political system. The success of East German athletes was often juxtaposed against the achievements of their West German counterparts, fueling a fierce rivalry that extended beyond the sports arena.

Personal accounts and consequences

My investigations reveal harrowing personal stories of East German athletes who paid a high price for their success. Many former athletes suffer from chronic health problems, including liver damage, heart issues, and reproductive disorders, as a result of the doping regime. Some have struggled with psychological trauma and feelings of betrayal upon learning the full extent of the substances they were given.

For instance, athletes like Renate Neufeld, a sprinter, testified about the pressures and coercion they faced. Neufeld described being given pills and injections without being informed of their nature, only to later realise they were anabolic steroids. The revelation of these practices has led to legal battles and demands for compensation from the German government.

The fall of the Berlin Wall and reunification

The fall of the Berlin Wall in 1989 marked a significant turning point in German history. RB, having witnessed the event, notes the profound changes it brought to the sports landscape. The reunification of Germany in 1990 led to the integration of East German athletes into a unified national team. The legacy of the doping program, however, cast a long shadow, with ongoing investigations and revelations about the extent of the program.

Cultural reflections and insights

My travels and research provide a nuanced understanding of the cultural and ideological contrasts between East and West Germany. The architecture, lifestyle, and attitudes in Berlin reflect the city's divided past, with remnants of the Wall serving as poignant reminders of the Cold War era. The film "Cabaret," set in Weimar Berlin, captures the tensions and transformations that have shaped the city's history.

My fascination with figures like Katrin Krabbe, the East German sprint queen, underscores the complexity of the era. Krabbe, who later faced doping allegations herself, symbolises both the heights of East German athletic achievement and the moral ambiguities that accompanied it.

Conclusion

My reflections on East German athletics are rich with personal experience, historical context, and cultural insight. The story of East German athletes, exemplified by Jürgen Straub's clean victory, is a poignant reminder of the human cost of political machinations and the resilience of the human spirit. Through my extensive travels and research, I continue to unravel the multifaceted legacy of this period, keeping my enthusiasm for knowledge and life ever vibrant.

Philip George is a former badminton player and author of the book Racket Boy. He lives in Tuscany, Italy.

The opinions expressed in this article are those of the author and do not purport to reflect the opinions or views of THE WEEK.

world-nature-conservation-day-how-technology-can-help-conserve-lands-and-empower-communities

Sun Jul 28 11:15:16 IST 2024

India's environmental journey is currently at a turning point. An increasing ecological imbalance is being observed as we are making rapid strides in our infrastructural and technological developments. For a country whose 60 per cent of the population is dependent on agriculture, land degradation is found to be one of the main reasons for decreasing biodiversity and increasing social inequalities. As we observe World Nature Conservation Day, it is important to understand the need to integrate human communities with land conservation efforts while leveraging digital technologies for efficient use of our resources.

What it takes to make conservation efforts successful?

Effective conservation depends largely on support from local communities particularly from women and indigenous populations. This combined with technological interventions helps in creating a perfect fusion of traditional knowledge with contemporary techniques which allows preservation of flora and fauna of a particular area.

To understand this better, take the case of the Indian Rhino Vision initiative where with the help of technological support and community participation helped in restoring the population of rhinos in Assam. With the help of digital tools such as sophisticated sensors along with AI-powered picture recognition the local rhino population thrived from just a few hundred to about 3,000. Moreover, involvement of indigenous population has helped restore acres of vital land that was crucial for the habitat of these animals.

Similarly, in the Western Ghats, coffee growers are embracing the power of smartphone apps to protect biodiversity through shade-grown coffee practices. These innovative apps offer crucial guidance on sustainable farming methods and create direct links to markets that appreciate eco-friendly practices. In addition to improving the lives of these committed farmers, this digital assistance is essential to maintain the region's abundant biodiversity.

With apps like India Biodiversity Portal, the public can now take part in the documentation of biodiversity. Anybody with a smartphone may record and share observations of plants and animals which can help build a massive, crowdsourced database on biodiversity in India.

Furthermore, online marketplaces are facilitating the selling of forest goods that have been responsibly collected, supporting livelihoods that are friendly to conservation, and linking rural communities with metropolitan markets.

Promising advancements in agroforestry have been made possible by public-private partnerships, which give farmers access to current market pricing, weather forecasts, and sustainable farming methods. Online platforms are revolutionising knowledge sharing by facilitating the spread of traditional knowledge and best practices in conservation and agriculture among various communities and locations.

Stakeholders’ roles in preserving biodiversity

Any conservation effort usually involves a coordinated involvement of multiple stakeholders. While government plays a vital role in policy making, private sectors, local communities and social organisations help decide the correct and a balanced approach in utilising the resources of an area.

Government initiatives such as the National Mission for Green India and National Forest Policy have seen the government join forces with the NGOs and civil society groups to make great progress in ecological conservation as well as community capacity building. Digital tools are now being used to improve these activities, making monitoring and execution easier.

The involvement of the private sector is equally significant, especially when it comes to creating and implementing digital solutions. Companies are now individually financing ideas that help use of different digital platforms to link communities with conservation efforts. This enables the assessment of forest cover, species monitoring, and community engagement.

In Uttarakhand, the forest department is piloting an innovative mobile app to connect directly to communities and fire-fighting volunteers when it comes to the critical and time-sensitive issue of forest fires. The app allows vulnerable communities to both capture and report incidents to the department as well as receive real-time details of forest fire incidents, including the proximity of the fire to their location.

Apart from forming meaningful partnerships, it’s important to incentivise the local communities for their efforts. This can be done by setting up community-based tourisms, markets, or providing logistics support that can help run facilities that aid in conservation models. Moreover, ideas that provide an alternative to the consumption of conventional fuel and energy must also be encouraged so that the burden on natural resources can be reduced.

The road ahead

Presently, India is at the centre of the digital and economic revolution. While the world looks up to us for creative and unique solutions in technological progress, we have a lot more to offer. Gifted with a diverse and culturally rich background, our efforts should aim to produce ideas that are an amalgamation of traditional approaches and contemporary interventions.

With an agrarian society, India’s conservation of its land and biodiversity needs to coexist alongside technical advancement and community empowerment. We can create a model of sustainable improvement that preserves our natural heritage at the same time as constructing resilient, digitally empowered communities for a more egalitarian future.

The current boom in startups can also be a key driver of innovation in wildlife conservation. The government must promote innovations that focus on conservation technologies by providing support and incentives for startups. This includes fostering public-private partnerships and creating a conducive ecosystem for these startups to thrive and contribute to wildlife preservation.

We must keep in mind that technological innovation is a precious tool in our conservation toolbox. It needs to be used carefully, considering local circumstances, and work in tandem with traditional, community-centric conservation techniques. We can create a comprehensive and long-lasting conservation strategy by combining cutting-edge technology with time-tested conservation techniques and encouraging partnerships between governments, social organisations and startups.

This strategy will safeguard a greener future for future generations, empower local communities, and preserve our natural heritage.

(Shweta Rawat is the founder and chairperson of The Hans Foundation)

norbu-brings-all-about-buddhism-to-your-fingertips

Thu Jul 25 21:50:45 IST 2024

Ever wish there was one trustworthy, accessible stop for all your spiritual dilemmas? Now what if I tell you all that could happen from a chatbox on your phone? Quite the oxymoron isn't it? NORBU or the Neural Omniscient Robotic-Being for Buddhist Understanding is a technology created to engage with readers in real-time, answer questions, provide insightful teachings and foster meaningful discussions about Buddhism. This pioneering project aims to bring greater accessibility, personalized wisdom and interactivity for Dharma and Nirvana seekers.

NORBU originally sought to revive the Nalanda tradition, where rigorous debate and Dharma inquiry fostered deep understanding. Nalanda emphasized intellectual engagement and critical thinking. Its demolition in the 12th century created a "dark age" for learning traditions, with Tibetan Buddhism as a notable exception.

Launched at the sacred site of Sarnath, NORBU or "Kalyan Mitra" was unveiled as a collaborative effort between the International Buddhist Confederation, the in collaboration with the ministries of culture and tourism, the Uttar Pradesh government and the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies and its visionary creator, Lim Kooi Fong, during the Ashadha Purnima event on July 21. The platform's multilingual capabilities make Buddhist teachings accessible to a global audience.

Prof. (Dr) Wangchuk Dorjee Negi, Vice Chancellor of the Central Institute of Higher Tibetan Studies (CIHTS) at Sarnath explained the meaning of the word Dharma, as one that symbolises `absorb’ or `hold’.

“All phenomena hold their characteristics, we can distinguish these as water, wind, fire, tree, plants and these become their uncommon characteristics.”

He went on to explain that all phenomena, both mundane and supramundane, come under the general meaning of Dharma as it relates to the Universal Law or the Law of Nature, which pervades all phenomena in one way or the other. These include the qualities of morality, concentration and wisdom, he said. These teachings are being made available with the AI enabled NORBU.

Notably, AI has been making inroads in all aspects of life—business, healthcare, education, lifestyle and governance. Religion has so far been a tricky landscape for AI to enter but NORBU is a significant step forward in making Buddhist teachings accessible and engaging for a global audience. By merging ancient wisdom with cutting-edge technology, NORBU is being seen as an innovative method by those who seek enlightenment through a deeper understanding of Buddhist philosophy.

sunder-nursery-now-homes-humayuns-tomb-world-heritage-site-museum

Thu Jul 25 21:23:13 IST 2024

The adventures of Marco Polo, the great traveller are very well known. But it is a little-known fact that Mughal emperor Humayun travelled three times more than Marco Polo, says Ratish Nanda, conservation architect and Projects Director of Aga Khan Trust for Culture, India. According to him, Humayun travelled 34,000 kms during his lifetime as a warrior, through present-day India, Pakistan, Afghanistan, and Iran.

Conservation efforts have brought up a museum celebrating the life of Humayun and other Mughals in Delhi’s Sunder Nursery.

The museum is a facility of the Archaeological Survey of India designed and built by the Aga Khan Trust for Culture at the culmination of 25 years of conservation effort at the 300-acre Humayun’s Tomb – Sunder Nursery – Nizamuddin Basti area of Delhi, wherein over 60 monuments have been conserved and the Sunder Nursery city park created as part of a single conservation and development project.

It is a UNESCO recommendation that Interpretation Centres/ Site museums be provided at the entrance zone of significant World Heritage Sites to provide visitors with the cultural context of the heritage site.

The museum building is designed to be underground so as to retain the views of the monuments. The building also serves as an underground bridge connecting the Humayun’s Tomb with the adjacent Sunder Nursery complex.

As one descends into the gallery blocks through stone ramps, 40-foot wide 3D illustrations and finely crafted architectural models highlight several World Heritage monuments built here along the river Yamuna.

The first principal gallery, ‘Where the Emperor Rests’, is focused on the architecture of Humayun’s Mausoleum and the personality of emperor Humayun – conveyed through stories of his travels, administration of his kingdom, his deep interest in reading, astrology and the arts as well as his patronage of architecture.

Exhibits of the 14th century Sufi Saint Hazrat Nizamuddin Auliya, his disciple, poet Amir Khusrau Dehalvi – who created the Quwwali music genre, Rahim, and Dara Shukoh are also a part of the museum. Ratish Nanda says that the replicas of monuments and cravings on stones at the museum, are a modern marvel of intricate architecture.

The Humayun’s Tomb Museum has over 500 never-before-seen artefacts. The original golden finial or Kalash, 18 feet tall, that once crowned the dome of Humayun’s Tomb has been carefully repaired over several years by traditional coppersmiths and finds the pride of place in the museum.

The foundation stone of the museum was laid in April 2015. Towards building costs, an initial grant of Rs 49 crore was provided by the Ministry of Tourism, Government of India. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture has also provided significant funds.

The 1,00,000 square feet museum at Humayun’s mausoleum will be inaugurated on July 29 by the minister of tourism & culture, Gajendra Singh Shekhawat in the presence of Prince Rahim Aga Khan.

According to the management, the museum will lead to a significant increase in the time spent by visitors to the Humayun’s Tomb – Sunder Nursery World Heritage precinct. Over 3,00,000 schoolchildren attend the site annually. The Aga Khan Trust for Culture as Managing Trustee of the Government Sunder Nursery Management Trust will assist the ASI in the management of the Humayun’s Tomb World Heritage Site Museum for a period of 10 years from the date of opening.

french-fiesta-artist-henri-landier-s-art-debuts-in-india

Mon Jul 22 19:27:13 IST 2024

It was a French fiesta as French artist Henri Landier’s work was presented in India for the first time. With numerous paintings of the 90-year-old artist on display, art admirers celebrated his art as the artist joined them through video, as he could not travel to India.

Henri Landier, a distinguished painter and engraver, follows the traditions of great masters like Courbet and Van Gogh. Landier still continues to paint every single day in his studio.

The daughter of the artist Sabine Ermakoff, who was in the city at the inaugural event, walked the guests through the exhibition to explain what each painting of Landier signifies. “I am proud to be invited and present my work in Delhi. I have been working for my father for the last 25 years. I have a four-person team. Presenting his work in different countries gives me immense joy. His vision of life is poetic. He Looks through the eyes of a child who discovers things.

Chief guest Dr Alka Pande, art historian, curator, author says that her exhibition of the Kamasutra in Paris in 2014 was another such instance of a cross-cultural exchange between France and India.

Thierry Mathou, Ambassador of France to India inaugurated the exhibition while also shaking a leg and singing along with artists performing French songs. The collection features Landier’s most recent works, previously displayed in Paris in May and June 2023, as well as an array of drawings, etchings, watercolours, and oil paintings covering the last seven decades. His body of work consists of over 4000 paintings and 2000 engravings.

His art collection on display includes “Julien and his Violin in the Paris Sky,” “Pierrot the Rose,” a busker with his barrel organ, the actress “Françoise and her Beret,” his neighbour “Léa and her Cat,” and several self-portraits, including a luminous depiction of the thoughtful artist holding his palette and brush. Through the exhibition, Landier’s works depict the changing seasons, from the iconic Parisian scenes of Montmartre and the sunlit Provence to the majestic Sainte-Victoire mountain, and the serene beauty of Brittany.

The exhibition richly represents French culture, capturing everyday scenes such as street cafés, weddings, children leaving school, village squares, old churches, and popular festivals. These vibrant recreations on canvas are heartfelt odes to Paris, where Landier hails from.

The exhibition titled ‘Douce France’ is presented by Alliance Française de Delhi for the first time in India. More than 90 original works by the renowned French artist, Henri Landier are on display till August 19. At 90 years old, Landier continues to be a prolific and dynamic figure in the art world, transitioning from darkness to light through his portrayals of Parisian streets and French landscapes and seascapes.

indian-royals-turned-entrepreneurs-come-together-to-showcase-their-heritage-in-delhi

Sun Jul 21 16:02:26 IST 2024

When Meenal Jhala Singhdeo got married into the royal family of Dhenkanal 34 years ago, she moved from Delhi to Odisha, where she saw how rich the state was in handicrafts. Along with restoring her home, she got to learning more about the crafts. Today, she not only runs Dhenkanal palace as a heritage homestay but has also brought together artisans within 45 kilometres of the palace to sustain handpainted pattachitra, artefacts, ikat designs on cotton and silk sarees and western wear, dhokra art, brass jewellery, brass metal casting and more. She also established the Maharaja Bhagirath Mahindra Bahadur Foundation for the welfare for artisans.

“I wanted to make ikat more accessible, not only through saris but also through western clothes so that it appeals to younger customers as well,” she says that 80 per cent of the designs are hers and then she leaves it upon the mastery of the artisans.

Meenal Jhala Singhdeo was one among the many royals-turned-entrepreneurs who showcased their collections at the Andaz Delhi X Royal Fables Wedding Edit. Ritu Singh from the royal family of Kashmir and founder of The Runway Diaries brought several designers from the region to showcase their rich cultural heritage. Rajkumari of Pratapgarh, Awadh, Alka Rani Singh showcased her collection of luxury sarees, Mriganka Kumari from the royal family of Baria presented their heritage clothing line and more.

Architect Ritu Kaul of Walnut Interiors, who hails from Kashmir, says about her collection that it often finds inspiration from the region. “Luxury is about comfort. I design spaces with that in mind and a little bit of inspiration from Kashmir here and there.”

The Wedding Edit showcased creations from 50 royals and legendary studios at Andaz Delhi. It included heirloom textiles, vintage jewels, traditional art, and stunning handcrafted home and fashion products from across India. Founders of Royal Fables (a platform promoting the culture, cuisine, and craft of Princely India) Anshu Khanna and culture aficionado Charu Singh curated the collection.

“Everyone loves a royal wedding, but few know the delicate nuances involved in their traditions and rituals. In this wedding edit, we didn’t just create a nostalgic platform to shop, we also presented memorabilia exhibits around famed weddings of the past,” says Anshu Khanna.

“Our expansive and curated spaces, adorned with unique artefacts, provided an exceptional setting that celebrated the rich tapestry of culture, art, and heritage. This association allowed us to create a truly immersive experience for our guests and Royals, blending our signature hospitality with the timeless elegance that Royal Fables epitomises," says Hardip Marwah, general manager at Andaz Delhi.

Four experiential spaces curated in the studios of Andaz Delhi were brought to life. These included a section for large palace karkhanas, a vintage jewellery room by Atul Jewelers, a textile studio showcasing pure gold and silver weaves by Hyderabad-based textile aficionado Shravan Kummar, and a décor studio curated by architect Ritu Kaul.

For the inaugural night, Royal Fables' culinary revivalist platform, Kitchen of the Kings, joined forces with Andaz Delhi's chefs to present the Oriya cuisine of Odisha’s Dhenkanal Palace. Curated by Yuvraaj Amarjyoti and Yuvrani Meenal Singh Deo, the cuisine blended indigenous tribal recipes with royal traditions passed down through generations.

The grand exposition at Andaz Delhi was presented in association with Royal Fables on July 18 and 19.

shamita-yadav-the-mind-behind-the-ranting-gola

Wed Jul 24 11:10:38 IST 2024

With thousands of followers on Instagram, Twitter and YouTube, the twenty-something, also known as @the.ranting.gola, has come to be known for her short videos explaining the socio-political conditions of the country. She says “the.ranting.gola” is her alter ego and her way of owning up to the two topmost troll comments she gets on social media. “You want to call me fat, call me fat. You want to say ‘she rants’, say that.”

Shamita Yadav, as she is known to her friends and family when not donning her online persona, sat down with THE WEEK as she explained what makes her “click” with netizens, what it takes to be a political influencer and what goes into creating her viral videos. Shamita talks about her recent shift from a day job to pursuing content creation full-time and the secret behind her viral reels.

Who would you credit for shaping your worldview and this online persona that we see today?

I have lived, studied and worked in different states across the country. So, it's like an accumulation of everything and I am a super talkative person. I like talking to people regardless if it's in sleeper coaches or aeroplanes.

Even during the elections, I talked to a lot of people, I would go to sabzi mandi and ask the vendor, Bhaiya aap kisko vote karoge, kyun vote karoge? and I know what other people are thinking or what maybe a collective Indian view would be. So actually the people helped me shape my perception. Through conversation, I meet people of different races, ethnicities, sexual preferences, and religious identities. It’s the people who have helped me shape my ideology. I don't care about the parties—Congress or BJP or whatsoever. I am a regular, normal citizen of the country so all I have to do is to raise the ordinary citizen's voices.

What urged you to become a content creator and particularly a political content creator? Why not anything else?

Not everybody is heard, not everybody in our country is represented and at the same time not everybody is ignorant. So I just wanted to be a platform. When I spoke to all those people, despite all their differences, one common thing was injustice, discrimination and people not being able to exercise their rights. These have always been there and will always be a constant thing.

The job of the mainstream media is to voice the voiceless, which I try to do everyday across different platforms in different ways. All I want is everybody should be heard and everybody should have representation. Sometimes when we see the news or when we see something happening there is this inner rage which I wanted to validate, that you're not alone, you're not the only one who's angry; there are lakhs of people like you who are angry about this. I wanted to bring out news in a way nobody has been doing and reach the people who are not interested in reading or watching the news. Say, this person is not political, he does not like talking about politics. Okay, let's make content so that he consumes that content, he does not feel like he consumes political content but then his conscience is pricked because it is political content. On my Instagram stories sometimes, I'll sort out four topics and ask my followers to pick one, or I’ll ask for video suggestions. In these ways, I try to inculcate my followers' opinions and preferences. I want to validate people's feelings and their rage towards the failed system. My conditioning is such that whatever is happening around me, somehow I too am being affected by it which is also a reason why I can make content that touches them. As a regular citizen, we don't have a lot of power, but there is an emotion that the common people feel and I wanted to tap into that with a Gen Z touch. It's like “hey queen! I want to tell you that your man's kinda not doing good things to you but let's not give you trauma” and I sprinkle a bit of sarcasm over it so that you're not hurt. That is my political content creation style.

How come so many influencers began sharing their political views online during the Lok Sabha elections and where do you see yourself in that context?

I think there was a lot of rage and neglect. Asa deshbhakt logon to hain in my generation. We love our country but then we also see that the politicians don't have a vision. Like in Gangs of Wasseypur, vision kaha hain, kahan hain vision? What is your vision for us?

Humara toh na tum rozgaar mein mujhe kuch acha dikh raha hai, na mujhe education mein kuch acha dikh raha hai, toh dukh toh ho hi raha tha and I think it was just the whole ke ab nahi kiya toh fir kab karege, matlab. ab nahin kiya toh phir kab karege. Everybody saw through the incompetencies and failures of the last government. And I think people just wanted to speak out and, to be very honest, I felt it really good that they (influencers) were voicing their concerns. But then somehow it is also felt that they are doing tit only because elections are in trend and they are not going to continue it.

We all saw the result of the Lok Sabha 2024 elections, probably because social media influencers started talking about things. It was necessary to remind people that there is no one greater than a common citizen of the country. If you are a prime minister, MLA, MP, or whatever position of power you are sitting in, you are there because somebody chose to vote for you. So you are stepping on their shoulders and you should look out for them, you don't have to crumble them down. In my videos neither did I take sides nor did I say whom to vote for, nor did I campaign for anybody, I just told people what had been happening and the decision was up to you. I started with the whole politics for Gen Z; they need to know why not to go for NOTA, what is the first past the post method, why opposition needs to be consolidated, what is a dictatorship, what it means.

How did you deal with the backlash and online hate on your content?

Oh, the pro-government trolls! I love them. I absolutely adore these babies. I have huge respect for them because it takes a lot of gut to be highly opinionated which the majority of our country is not able to do. Lately, my trolls have reduced their attacks. I started taking up these abuses and hate comments and used to check their profiles and I used to roast them since I'm a roaster. I would make a video showcasing that, see, this is what these people are doing. The first time that my Instagram got suspended was because of such a video and this repeated. A few days ago, a similar video got taken down. The irony of it is that all those abuses, all those rape threats, all those death threats, character assassinations are vulgar and obscene.

Never in my videos have I used such language but my content gets taken down. All those comments that I keep reporting, just stay there. Now it's stopped getting to my head, I see a comment and I'm thinking what can be a counter to this? That becomes my response. It's sad, but it's normalized. During election time, I used to get 40-50 troll comments a day, a few from those IT bots too. In the last two months, all I did was open Instagram, record, post, and shut it down. I missed DMs from my fans because I stopped checking messages. The only way of not being affected by this is to ignore it because they are not going to stop.

One thing that's distinct about all your videos is your comedy. Who are you most influenced by when it comes to this?

This is my shortest answer, John Oliver. I am inspired by him and aspire to be like him. Every line of his is informative and funny, and every sentence is a punchline, this is what I want to be. Bade hoke kya banna hain? John Oliver banna hain. That is something I am aiming for.

100-years-of-talat-mahmood-the-legendary-singer-lives-on-through-his-songs

Tue Jul 16 17:19:44 IST 2024

There are many iconic stories of legendary singer Talat Mahmood’s large-heartedness and the affection his fans bestowed upon him. Once he was nearly held hostage until he sang for the villagers. “He was on his way to perform in East Africa in 1956. As his train passed through a village, news spread and the villagers gheraoed him and demanded that he leave only after he sang for them. They were upset their town wasn’t listed in his tour,” recalls senior journalist and author Sahar Zaman, who is Talat Mahmood’s grand-niece. Quick arrangements were then made for an impromptu performance and he was allowed to leave in the evening. Such was the love for his art, that at times mirrored madness.

Mahmood’s voice took him places. He was the first singer in independent India to start music tours. In another incident, in 1968 in Trinidad, the uncontrollable crowd made it impossible for him to enter the venue to perform. He also went to Ladakh to perform for the army in freezing temperatures. His velvety soft voice was literally music to the ears. Thanks to his craft, he gained fame at a young age and became the voice of many superstars like Dilip Kumar, Raj Kapoor, Dev Anand and more.

Every artist leaves behind a legacy in the form of his art. He is no more but his songs live in the hearts of people. When hundreds of fans gathered at Delhi’s Kamani Auditorium to celebrate 100 years of Talat Mahmood, they could be seen singing along with vocalist Amrish Mishra as he sang popular songs of the singer. This was followed by a book talk by Sahar Zaman, who shared many anecdotes of her time with her ‘Bombay Nana’. She has together many such stories of the late singer and written about his journey in her book Talat Mahmood: The Definitive Biography. Zaman has also introduced a festival Jashn-E-Talat to honour Talat Mahmood and his art.

Sahar Zaman says, “My grandfather’s music has been the soundtrack to my life. It is a privilege to present little anecdotes from the life of a man behind the golden voice.” She recalled how on the day she resumed work after maternity leave, she didn’t feel good leaving her child at home. “But on the way, Talat Mahmood’s song played on the radio and my mood immediately lifted. I understood why people were crazy for his soft voice and knew I had to do something to keep his music alive.” That is when she conceived the idea of Jash-E-Talat. This was followed by a dance sequence by Moving Souls.

Sudesh Chawla, founder-CEO of Media net Works says, “We are incredibly honoured to present this unique tribute to the maestro Talat Mahmood. His voice continues to resonate through the ages, and we are extremely grateful to God for helping us make this event a fitting commemoration of his extraordinary contribution to Indian music.”

Retired IAS officer and ex-LG of Delhi Najeeb Jung was the chief guest for the evening. The event was organised by Media net Works in Association with Jashn-E-Talat by Sahar Zaman.

seeing-history-getting-recreated-is-a-great-joy-says-musical-instrument-revivalist-joydeep-mukherjee

Mon Jul 15 14:51:26 IST 2024

There was a time when Indian classical music was the epitome of allure and artistry, when dreams and aspirations got codified into ragas and talas, and when kings and emperors patronised the maestros with great aplomb. Those days are no more. Today, the musicians build brands, give lessons over Zoom, hold multi-city concerts and incorporate elements of electronica and jazz into their music. Some might say that classical music has lost its purity, with the advent of western genres like pop and hip-hop into India, and the rise of 'protest songs' and 'dalit rap'. As society got more fractured, musicians started using their craft to express their discontent. If classical music of an earlier era showcased society in all its purity, protest rap exposed the cracks at its core.

Enter Joydeep Mukherjee, who might be the Pied Piper we have all been waiting for, and who, with his instruments, has the power to bridge the past and the present. Since 2013, he has been working on reviving near-extinct musical intruments of yore. Like the sursingar, which evolved from the 16^th century instrument, Tanseni rabab. In the late 18^th century, the musician Ustad Jaffar Khan had been asked to perform the Tanseni rabab before the Maharaja of Kashi. Unfortunately, it was monsoon and the moisture had impacted the instrument's sound box and strings, resulting in jarring notes. Khan asked the king if he could return and perform in a few months' time. In this time, he modified the Tanseni rabab by adding a metal plate as the fingerboard, replacing the catgut strings with metal ones and the wooden resonator with a gourd resonator. The new instrument came to be known as the sursingar.

However, with the rise of the sarod in the 20^th century and its simpler playing style, the sursingar declined in importance, until it became relegated to dusty corners of Indian museums. Then Mukherjee came along. It took him about seven years to recreate the sursingar. He modified its size and shape and tweaked the materials. The biggest challenge he faced was making it contemporary without changing its traditional aspects. Getting the hardware, like the wood or the ivory bridge over the soundbox, was also difficult. Despite the difficulties, seeing the finished product and hearing it played across India is an inexpressible joy, he says.

Since the sursingar, he has revived other instruments like the Mohan veena, sur rabab and Tanseni rabab. He has received many accolades for his efforts, like the Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva award from the Sangeet Natak Akademi. His work was also appreciated by PM Narendra Modi on his Mann Ki Baat programme in February 2023.

Although Mukherjee is a classical musician trained under Pandit Pranab Kumar Naha, he completed his engineering and worked in a multinational marketing and research consultancy firm. In 11 years, he climbed the corporate ladder, earning a six-figure monthly salary. But with it, his responsibilities increased and he was putting in 17 to 18 hours of work every day. He kept in touch with his classical music roots by storing a sarod in the security guard's room and practising during the intervals. However, the long hours and the grind finally got to him, and he decided to quit and follow his passion of reviving instruments.

“My son was only two years old then and had not yet started going to school,” he says. “But with the support of my family, my parents and in-laws I took that tough call. I started reviving instruments from 2013 onwards and only quit my job in 2019, after ensuring I had sufficient money not to starve if my plan failed.”

Mukherjee says that his gharana—the Senia Shahjehanpur Gharana—is very rich with different styles of music and musical instruments. Still, the audiences are only familiar with the sarod and the sitar, despite there being 18 instruments that were played by the masters of the gharana from the 17^th to the 20^th centuries. Nowadays those instruments are relegated to our records and archives. They have become museum relics. “So I tried to modernise these instruments with better sound and tonal quality,” he says. “They are easy to play and travel-friendly. In short, I tried to make them contemporary.”

According to him there are plenty of takers for these instruments, as well as for classical music in general, especially among the youngsters. “I have many dedicated students from reputed institutes like St. Xaviers and the Indian Institute of Science,” he says. “I have seen a lot of zeal among students when I go to give lectures at colleges and universities. They might not get the time to do eight hours of riyaz every day, but they are a learned audience. Also, many young performers are emerging from this age group.”

Mukherjee's work is important because it is not just music that these instruments carry; it is also heritage—the traces of a rich past stitched into the seams of each note. We would do well to preserve it.

the-milletisation-of-india-must-stop

Mon Jul 15 17:16:41 IST 2024

My wife is not gullible; not gullible at all. But propaganda always affects her decision-making. Ever since I can remember, she has made me and others around her go along with her choices. We changed soaps from Cinthol to Medimix to Santoor - solely because one jingle sounded nicer to her than the other. I had to switch from Rupa to VIP to Jockey or nothing, depending on which film actor was endorsing which underwear. Unfortunately, the same applies to our gastronomic choices. It is the hype that makes the lady of the house decide which foods we shall eat. Consequently, at different times, we have consumed vast quantities of quinoa or chia or sunflower seeds or cinnamon sticks. My muted complaints against fennel pancakes went unheeded, as did my protests against tofu-a-la-king. But they were all transitory fads that soon blew over, like some tropical storm or a midsummer’s nightmare.

I had got used to these passing whims and mastered the art of battening down for the brief periods that the craze lasted. Soon enough, the little woman would tire of the novelty and we would be back to wheat and rice and other familiar fare. Sometimes, even when she did not want to, the trend would change because some high priestess of food fashion would decree that chicken fat or carrot leaves were passe and the ‘in’ thing now was pork from Pindari or the sepals of Salvia from Supaul. I suffered through every passing fancy, but none lasted long enough to permanently scar either my psyche or my appetite.

Unfortunately, this stupid millet business started last year and even the FAO jumped on the bandwagon. This craze has now been going on for far too long and I miss my wheat flour, the maida, the dalia and the sooji. In the first flush of hyperbole, the missus adopted the millet route and we started quaffing the horrible stuff by the ton. I had never imagined that millets could come in such variety, but the missus became chummy with them all, and in their various avatars too - as grain, in semi-broken form and even as flour. She also learnt how to dish out the stuff in camouflage, in the form of noodles, pasta and crepes. She insisted that millets were good for her eyesight and for my sciatica. She insisted that every millet dish was yummy! But she never fooled me - because while declaring a dish to be yummy, she had the same crafty expression that she has when she feeds our dog his deworming medicine.

Over the past year, my wife and I had several showdowns over kodo and ragi and jowar. Ultimately, out of sheer fatigue, she promised not to buy any more millets. But fate keeps finding strange ways of getting around this promise and millets keep sneaking into our kitchen. And once the millet - any millet and in any form - has come in, my wife refuses to throw it out. She believes there should be no waste of any grain - no matter how coarse or uncouth it might be.

First, it was an old friend of mine from Patna who sent us two kilos of ‘madua’ without any provocation. Just a few years ago, madua was not even considered worth eating. It was the grain of the truly unfortunate - people so far below the poverty line that they were not even aware that such a line existed. Just when we managed to finish the stock from Bihar, my former office colleagues held a birthday bash for me. I was surprised to find that millets can be used for making not only dosas and idlis, but also dhokla and kachoris. Ugh! When I was leaving, a beribboned packet was placed in my car. I thanked my friends for the party and the birthday gift, which I presumed was a nice single malt or at least a fine selection of Swiss chocolates. But no! When I unwrapped the gift at home, I discovered that some twisted minds had deemed it appropriate to give bajra atta to a retired colleague on his birthday! Four packets of that vile stuff!

So the little woman and I ate bajra rotis for I don’t know how many days. Just as there appeared to be some light at the end of the tunnel, fate struck another blow, and in a totally unexpected manner. My wife, who enjoys her game of tambola in the ladies’ club but has never even gotten a loser’s prize, won a full house! And the prize was ten kilograms of assorted millets!

We had barely started consuming that stock when, last week, our daughter’s in-laws - who otherwise are perfectly normal people - sent us a hamper of finger, foxtail, barnyard and other weirdly named millets as an anniversary gift. I begged my wife to throw the stuff away or simply give it all to the maid. But she refused. “You know how talkative the maid is, don’t you? What will our sambandhis think when they visit us next and Phoolwanti waxes eloquent about the tasty millets sent by them?”

So whether it is by accident or design, we continue to be neck deep in millets and I for one am fed up, literally. I think it is time people woke up to the fact that millets are passe and beyond their ‘best by’ date. Even the FAO has declared that the International Year of the Millet has ended. Wake up, my countrymen! Salvation for all of us lies only in the total demilletisation of India.

K.C. Verma is a former chief of R&AW.