India Today 2016 09 26

SHAHABUDDIN CAUVERY DISPUTE SELFIE MANIA
BIHAR’S CRIMINAL CURSE PRICE OF PROCRASTINATION FATAL ATTRACTION

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THIS
COULD
HAPPEN
TO YOUR
BONES
8 OUT OF 10 INDIANS
SUFFER FROM
VITAMIN D
DEFICIENCY,
WHICH LEADS TO
PAINFUL BONE
DEGENERATION,
EVEN DEATH
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SHAHABUDDIN
BUREAUCRACY CAUVERY DISPUTE
VASUNDHARA RAJE SELFIE
SMARTMANIA
MONEY
BIHAR’STHE
FACING CRIMINAL CURSE
PMO TEST PRICE OF PROCRASTINATION
CRUSADE ON CORRUPTION FATAL ATTRACTION
HOME TRUTHS
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THIS WINDOW
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REGISTERED
FUTURE
THE BIG TO YOUR
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ANAVILA MISRA
OUTFIT
8 OUT OF 10 INDIANS Creative

Living
BLAST
SUFFER FROM
VITAMIN D AMDAVADIS ARE EXPERIMENTING
NEVER BEFORE
WILL IT BRING DEFICIENCY,

GROWTH AND JOBS? WHICH LEADS TO
PAINFUL BONE
DEGENERATION,
EVEN DEATH
RNINO.28587/7 5
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FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
A
s we head to work in the mornings, sit back at home for dinner with the
www.indiatoday.in family or go out on the weekend for a grocery run, ignoring aches and
niggles as routine irritants, a vast majority of Indians are unaware that
Editor-in-Chief: Aroon Purie
Group Chief Executive Officer: Ashish Bagga their bones are slowly being eaten away from within. Vitamin D deficiency
Group Editorial Director: Raj Chengappa has reached epidemic proportions in the country. More than 70 per cent of the
Editors: Kaveree Bamzai (Special Projects), Ajit Kumar Jha (Research) population is deficient and another 15 per cent has insufficient quantities of the
Group Creative Editor: Nilanjan Das; Group Photo Editor: Bandeep Singh
Managing Editors: Kai Jabir Friese, Rajesh Jha ‘sunshine vitamin’ in their bodies.
Executive Editors: Damayanti Datta, Kunal Pradhan,
S. Sahaya Ranjit, Sandeep Unnithan
This is leading to a host of debilitating problems. Vitamin D deficiency can
Deputy Editors: Prachi Bhuchar, Uday Mahurkar, Manisha Saroop cause osteoporosis and rickets, apart from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,
Mumbai: MG Arun Hyderabad: Amarnath K. Menon Chandigarh: Asit Jolly
Senior Editors: Shweta Punj, Sasi Nair, Jaipur: Rohit Parihar cancer, infections such as tuberculosis and even depression. In extreme cases,
Senior Associate Editors: Kaushik Deka
Mumbai: Suhani Singh, Kiran Dinkar Tare; patna: Amitabh Srivastava
the bones become like butter. A bit of pressure could leave a dent, an awk-
Associate Editors: Shougat Dasgupta, Chinki Sinha ward twist could lead to a fall and even bending forward could snap the spine.
Kolkata: Romita Sengupta; Bhopal: Rahul Noronha;
Thiruvananthapuram: Jeemon Jacob; BeiJing: Ananth Krishnan But the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency—being low on energy, unaccounted
Assistant Editor: pune: Aditi S. Pai
Chief Copy Editor: Anindita Satpathi
aches and pains, frequent muscle injuries, longer healing time—are so insidi-
Photo Department: Vikram Sharma (Deputy Photo Editor), ous that they are often brushed aside as regular lifestyle problems, and there
Rajwant Singh Rawat (Principal Photographer), Yashbant Singh Negi
(Senior Staff Photographer), Kekhriezhazo Miachie-O
is no diagnosis until most of the damage has been done.
(Senior Photographer), Chandra Deep Kumar (Photographer);
Mumbai: Mandar Suresh Deodhar (Chief Photographer),
Vitamin D, which is more a hormone than a vitamin, is the only nutrient
Danesh Adil Jassawala (Photographer); ahmedabad: Shailesh B Raval that is made in the body. It is essential for bone health and is produced when
(Principal Photographer); Kolkata: Subir Halder (Principal
Photographer); Chennai: N G Jaison (Senior Photographer) bare skin is exposed to the sun’s ultraviolet B rays. While vitamin D deficiency
Photo Researchers: Prabhakar Tiwari (Chief Photo Researcher),
Shubhrojit Brahma (Assistant Photo Researcher)
is a pandemic across the western world, particularly in Nordic countries that
Chief of Graphics: Tanmoy Chakraborty don’t get enough sunshine, what is alarming is that the
Art Department: Sanjay Piplani (Senior Art Director);
Jyoti K Singh, Anirban Ghosh (Art Director),
problem is growing exponentially even in sunny India.
Vikas Verma, Rahul Sharma, Vipin Gupta (Associate Art Director); It’s only over the last two decades that Indians have
Bhoomesh Dutt Sharma (Senior Designer)
Production Department: Harish Agarwal (Chief of Production),
started recording an abysmally low vitamin D status—now
Naveen Gupta (Chief Coordinator),
Vijay Kumar Sharma (Senior Coordinator)
reaching 80 per cent across India, according to estimates
by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. Though the
Publishing Director: Manoj Sharma
Associate Publisher: Anil Fernandes (Impact) problem was initially associated with Indian women over
IMPACT TEAM 50, even children in the age group of 11 to 15 do not have
Senior General Manager: Jitender Lad (West)
General Manager: Mayur Rastogi (North), adequate levels of vitamin D. Doctors and researchers say OUR MARCH
Upendra Singh (Bangalore), Velu Subramaniam (Chennai) 2013 COVER
Deputy General Manager: Kaushiky Chakraborty this primarily comes down to changing lifestyles. Now that
Sales and Operations: D.V.S. Rama Rao, Chief General Manager
Deepak Bhatt, General Manager (National Sales)
we stay indoors or in cars, and get exposed to the sun only when fully clothed,
Vipin Bagga, Deputy General Manager (Operations) almost no one gets the 10 minutes of direct high sun—on the whole body,
Manish Kumar Srivastava, Regional Sales Manager (North)
Rajeev Gandhi, Regional Sales Manager (West) between 11 am and 3 pm—needed to produce the vitamin D that is required
Arokia Raj L., Regional Sales Manager (South)
for good bone health.
In many other countries, where similar lifestyle patterns have reduced
exposure to the sun, vitamin D needs are met through fortified food, especially
milk, some juices, margarine and breakfast cereals. India, which is slowly
waking up to the problem, is currently reviewing a proposal for musculoskele-
Volume XLI Number 39; For the week
September 20-26, 2016, published on every Friday tal diseases to be brought under the National Health Policy of the Union minis-
l Editorial Office Living Media India Ltd., India Today Group Mediaplex, try for health. The other big reason for hope is that milk is going to be fortified
FC-8, Sector-16A, Film City, Noida - 201301; Phone: 0120-4807100
l Subscriptions: For assistance contact Customer Care India Today Group, A-61, with vitamin D and A to address malnutrition among the Indian masses. But
Sector-57, Noida (UP)-201301; Phones: Toll-free number: 1800 1800 100 (from
BSNL/MTNL lines); (95120) 2479900 from Delhi and Faridabad; (0120) 2479900 while these measures may provide some succour, there is no substitute for get-
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Mumbai: 022-66063411/3412, Kolkata: 033-40525327, Chennai: 044-24303200;
e-mail: wecare@intoday.com
ting vitamin D directly from the sun.
l Sales: Direct all trade enquiries to General Manager (Sales), Living Media India
Limited, B-45, Sector 57, Noida-201301 (UP)
Our cover story, written by Executive Editor Damayanti Datta, looks at the
l Regd. Office: K-9 Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110001
l Impact Offices: 1201, 12th Floor, Tower 2 A, One Indiabulls Centre, (Jupiter
effects of this overlooked epidemic affecting such large sections of our popu-
Mills), S.B. Marg, Lower Parel (West), Mumbai-400013; Phone: 66063355;
Fax: 66063226 l E-1, Ground Floor, Videocon Towers, Jhandewalan Extn, lation. We examine what has led to the problem and what are the measures
needed to combat it. As part of her research, Datta got herself tested and found
New Delhi l Guna Complex, 5th Floor, Main Building, No.443, Anna Salai,
Chennai-600018; Phone: 2847 8525 l 201-204 Richmond Towers, 2nd Floor,
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that, like many other urban professionals, she had inadequate, though not defi-
Phone: 23401657, 23400479, 23410100, 23402481, 23410982, 23411498;
Fax: 23403484 l 39/1045, Karakkatt Road, Kochi 682016; Phones: 2377057,
cient, vitamin D quantities in her body. She has been put on a monthly medi-
2377058 ; Fax: 2377059 l 2/C, “Suryarath Bldg”, 2nd Floor, Behind White House,
Panchwati, Office C.G. Road, Ahmedabad-380006; Phone: 26560393, 26560929;
cine by the doctors.
Fax: 26565293 l Copyright Living Media India Ltd. All rights reserved throughout
the world. Reproduction in any manner is prohibited. Though action is needed on various fronts, including raising awareness
Printed and published by Manoj Sharma on behalf of Living Media
India Limited. Printed at Thomson Press India Limited,
and government intervention, the solution also lies with us. Good health is the
18-35 Milestone, Delhi Mathura Road, Faridabad-121007, (Haryana)
and at A-9, Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar, District
greatest of blessings. Though the grand march of progress has changed our
Kancheepuram-603209, (Tamil Nadu). Published at K-9, Connaught
Circus, New Delhi-110001. Editor: Aroon Purie.
lives dramatically, it is important that we don’t become victims to our lifestyle.
l india today does not take the responsibility for returning unsolicited
publication material.
So let’s start by getting some sun.
All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of
competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only
(Aroon Purie)
SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 u INDIA TODAY 10
INSIDE
COVER STORY
HEALTH
Bone of
10 Affliction
Vitamin D deficiency is the
newest lifestyle disease claiming
our attention. What is the extent
of the threat it poses?
NATION 6 UPFRONT
CAUVERY
7
28
GLASS HOUSE
Muddy
Waters 53 NETFLUX
The SC order to release Cauvery waters
to Tamil Nadu has Karnataka on a boil. 60 GLOSSARY
Regional outfits up the stakes
62 EYECATCHERS
THE BIG STORY

SHAHABUDDIN
32 The Don
SPECIAL REPORT
HARYANA
is Back
24 Getting Down
to Business
Manohar Lal Khattar, the face of the first
After spending 11 years in jail, the
Shahenshah of Siwan comes out on
bail to a rousing welcome. Does
Bihar chief minister Nitish Kumar
BJP government in Haryana, finally have cause for worry? Cover by NILANJAN DAS
seems to be recovering lost ground
02 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

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9 770 254 83 990 9
The Kashmir Conundrum KASHMIR

WHAT WENT WRONG IN
AND HOW TO
FIX IT
SEPTEMBER 5, 2016
RNI NO. 28587/75

In a state that has bled since Independence, lack of progress has bred resentment KASHMIR COVER.indd 1 30/08/16 8:52 pm
The present insurrection is patently aimed at

securing the accession of J&K to Pakistan
under the euphemism of ‘azadi’. The uprising
has to be put down—humanely, if possible,
ruthlessly, if necessary.
BISHAN SAHAI , via e-mail
Cause and the integrate with ‘the rest of

Kashmir Effect A Story of Survival India’ on a psychological
In Kashmir, the need to ad- The riots in Muzaffarnagar are a still-fresh plane, no amount of
dress people’s anger with memory for those directly affected and inducement can act as a
security forces has been displaced (Home away from Home). salve to their wounds.
neglected while making fu- Through the grief of losing family mem- Mounting pressure tactics
tile attempts to engage bers, they have had to rebuild their lives. It only rub them the wrong
with separatist leaders is of some consolation that the govern- way. Your piece speaks of a
(What Went Wrong in ment has provided assistance in the form cure to the Kashmir
Kashmir and How to Fix It). of compensation and enabled NGOs to imbroglio on the strength
There is no way of pin- lend them a helping hand. It has thereby taken on the responsibility of the fact that two unlikely
pointing who is responsible of mitigating the brutal aftermath of the riots. Through constructive partners (BJP and PDP)
for the mess the state is in. steps such as these, minorities can be assured that the nation is as are in political charge of
For as long as one can re- much theirs as it is of Hindus. SHWETA CHAUDHARY, Delhi the Valley. Nothing can be
member, it has been in the further from the truth—the
militants’ crosshairs, bent Hurriyat and other factions
on wanton violence, mostly youth. They should be as- because the situation there have closed their doors to
orchestrated from across sisted economically. An is nothing like in other the Centre. Despite
the border by Pakistan. open discussion with all states where Pakistan indications to the contrary,
While tackling the daily parties—including the doesn’t play spoiler. I hope your next issue on
strife on the ground, a par- Hurriyat—may also help in KRISHNA BALRAJ SAHAY, Patna Kashmir is a happier one.
allel effort must continue at reaching a solution (obvi- AVINASH GODBOLEY, Dewas
the diplomatic level. Only ously, without compromis- The present stalemate in
then might India have a ing our national interests). Kashmir may well be Teenagers from Kashmir’s
chance to come up with a SUDARSAN NANDI, Midnapore manufactured. Pakistan impoverished families
foolproof solution to appears to be systematic- have been reduced to tools
cross-border terrorism. During periods of rela- ally monitoring and in the fight against
J.S. ACHARYA, Hyderabad tive peace in the Valley, directing militants, and security forces. One can
politicians across parties using the opportunity hardly hold it against them
To resolve the Kashmir indulge in petty politics afforded by their deaths to if they choose to pelt
crisis, India needs to and besmirch security keep the public sentiment stones for some money. It
strengthen both its intelli- forces, instead of working in the state anti-India. is a natural consequence
gence agencies and border out a long-lasting solution. V.S. GANESHAN, Bengaluru of limited access to
defence. War is not the When things spin out of education, food and
only method of revenge control, they feel the need The state is a 70-year-old employment. Deep-rooted
against Pakistan. On the to amend their mistakes, itch that won’t go away corruption, misrule and
other hand, we also need by which time the dam- after all that has been tried appeasement complicate
to win hearts in Kashmir, age is done. J&K needs to to soothe it. If the people of the situation further. The
particularly among the be dealt with sensitively Kashmir do not want to people behind the not-so-

FROM THE
MAIL FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF ARCHIVES
A
hidden agenda of not s we head to work leaked details
in the of India’s
mornings, sit back at home Aching
Those for dinner with the
Bones
letting Kashmirwww.indiatoday.in
develop family or go out Frenchdesigned
on the weekendScorpene for a groceryIt’s run,official. Indians haveand
ignoring aches weak
are the real culprits of the niggles as routine submarine
irritants, is adefinitely
vast majority a ofbones.
Indians Theare unaware
World Congress thaton
turmoil
Group today.
Chief Executive Officer: Ashish Bagga their Striking
bones are slowly setback
being eatenbut not a calamity.
away from within. Vitamin D deficiency
Osteoporosis at Toronto an-
GroupRAVI RAINA,
Editorial Director: via
Raj e-mail
Chengappa hasPointreached epidemic This scandal isinostensibly
proportions the country. More nounced thanout 70loud
per to cent
theof the
world
Editors: Kaveree Bamzai (Special Projects), Ajit Kumar Jha (Research) population is deficient different
and another from the 15 per norm,centinhas ainsufficient
few weeks back. With the the
quantities of
Group Creative Editor: Nilanjan Das; Group Photo Editor: BandeepKerala Singh chief minister
Prime
Managing Editors:Minister
Kai Jabir Friese, Narendra
Rajesh Jha ‘sunshine vitamin’ inthat theirthe issue here is clas
bodies. World Osteoporosis Day just a
Pinarayi Vijayan voicing
Modi has the strategic
This is leading tosified a hostinformation
of debilitating rather
problems. weekVitamin
away on D deficiency
October 20,can
S. Sahaya Ranjit, Sandeep Unnithan his support for the
vision
Deputy Editors:to resolve
Prachi Bhuchar, Uday the Mahurkar, Manisha Saroop
September cause
2 osteoporosis and
nationwide than kickbacks.
rickets, apartBut from thecardiovascular
medics diseases,
have now diabetes,
pressed the
M : MG Arun H : Amarnath K. Menon C : Asit Jolly
Kashmir issue. Treating it cancer, infections suchmanner
as in which
tuberculosis Congress
and even depression. In extreme cases,
umbai yderabad handigarh
Senior Editors: Shweta Punj, Sasi Nair, J aipur : Rohit Parihar strike on Facebook is panic button. Indians could be
M
as: Suhani
umbai
a legacy of failed : Amitabh Srivastava
Singh, Kiran Dinkar Tare; p
atna
the bones ).become
strange (Glasshouse How like spokesmen
butter. A bit areofaccusing
pressure could leave
having thea highest
dent, an awk-
prevalence
Nehruvian
Associate Editors: Shougat diplomacy,
Dasgupta, Chinki Sinha
can a chief ward twistwho
minister, could lead theto Navy
a fall of and being
eveninbending
ca forward
of bonecould snap
disorders inthe
the spine.
world,
K olkata : Romita Sengupta; B hopal : Rahul Noronha;
T which previous
hiruvananthapuram : Jeemon Jacob; govern
eiJing B : Ananth Krishnan is supposed Buttothe symptoms
ensure the ofhoots
vitamin with the government low
D deficiency—being theyon energy,
warn. unaccounted
Piecemeal studies,
ments failed to fix, will not
Assistant Editor: p : Aditi S. Pai
une

aches andofpains,
smooth functioning the frequentin a coverup
muscle is uncharita
injuries, longer healing
tricklingtime—are
in over the last so insidi-
five
Photowork.Department: Either of the
Vikram Sharma (Deputy Photo Editor), government, oussupport
that they a are often ble.brushed
Is levelling aside charges
as regular of lifestyle
years, hintedproblems,
that boneand health
there
following arrangements
strike thatisinconveniences
no diagnosis until corruption most of the against damagerivals has been done.in India is heading towards a
needs
(Senior to
Photographer), be Deep Kumar (Photographer); people? Vijayan
formalised—to
Chandra must D, whichmore
Vitamin is more important
a hormone thanthan ac a vitamin,
disaster. is There’s
the onlynow nutrient
enough
M : Mandar Suresh Deodhar (Chief Photographer),
rememberthat thatishemade is a in the body.
umbai
officially
Danesh Adil Jassawala yield the LoC
(Photographer);
hmedabada to : Shailesh B Raval quiring It isstrategic
essentialcapacity?
for bone health researchand is onproduced
the groundwhen to give
(Principal Photographer); K
Pakistan
Photographer); C
hennai
olkata
or: Nbifurcate
: Subir Halder (Principal
J&K.
G Jaison (Senior Photographer)
chief minister
barefirst skinand a
is exposed toAKSHOBHYA,
J. the sun’s ultraviolet
Mysuru B rays.aWhile
bird’s vitamin
eye-view D ofdeficiency
the nation.
Photo Researchers: Prabhakar Tiwari (Chief Photo Researcher),party member second.
No other political solution
is a pandemic across the western world, particularly inBased Nordic on countries
the 2001 that
Chiefseems
of Graphics: feasible.
Tanmoy Chakraborty J. AKSHAY,don’tBengaluru
get enough sunshine, India’s what maritime is alarming
secrets is thatCensus,the approximately 163
RAMESH SINHA, Gurgaon
problem is growing exponentially have been sacrificed even inat sunny million Indians are above the
the India.
Vikas Verma, Rahul Sharma, Vipin Gupta (Associate Art Director); It’s only over the altar last two of decades that Indians have
safeguarding age of 50; this number is ex-
Ladakh and Jammu Murky started Waters, recording anAustralia’s.
abysmally low Thevitamin
Navy is D status—now pected to increase to 230
Deep Problems
should
Naveen Gupta (Chief be delinked
Coordinator), from reaching 80 per centstrivingacross India,
to allayaccording
apprehen million by 2015. Even con-
to estimates
the politics of the Valley, This is theby the International
second time a Osteoporosis
sions by stating Foundation.
that vital Though servativethe estimates suggest
which
Associate is aAnilhotbed
Publisher: for ex
Fernandes (Impact) massive security problem was initiallyinformation
breach associated with has not Indianbeenwomen thatover 20 per cent of women
tremists
IMPACT TEAM and transborder has hit the50, Navy,even the children
first in leaked.
the age It group of 11 to 15 do not
is worrisome and haveabout 10-15 per cent of
provocateurs
General Manager: Mayur Rastogi (North), to impose being the adequate
Naval War levels
Room of vitamin
that D.
veteran Doctors and
submariners researchers men out of this
say OUR would
MARCH be os-
Upendra Singh (Bangalore), Velu Subramaniam (Chennai) teoporotic. 2013
The COVER
total affected
their ideology. The
Deputy General Manager: Kaushiky Chakraborty PM’s leak in this
2005 primarily
(Sting of the comes down
opine to
that changing
the leak lifestyles.
could Now that
Salesreference
and Operations: to Balochistan
D.V.S. Rama Rao, Chief General in Manager Scorpene).we stay indoors
Tightening all or inhave
cars,givenand get exposed to the sun
adversaries population
only when would,fullytherefore,
clothed,
VipinhisBagga,Independence
Deputy General Manager Day ad
(Operations) aspects of almost security noand one gets the 10 minutes
sensitive of directThe
information. be around
high sun—on the whole body,25 million. If the
dress
Rajeev Gandhi,is not Sales
Regional outManager
of context.(West) maintaining between
a healthy 11 am re and fact
3 pm—needed
that the Supreme to produce the vitamin lower bone density
D that of Indians
is required
The Baloch insurgency has lationship for with good bone health.Court of New South Wales
security is shown to confer a greater
a nationalist cause. For agencies of other In many coun other countries,
has temporarilywhere similar The risk
haltedlifestyle of fracture—they
patterns have reduced have
decades the separatist exposure
tries is a national to the sun,Australian’s
neces vitamin D needs expose areismet been shown to occur
alsothrough fortified food, especially 10-20
movement has been sity. If ourmilk, judicial some systemjuices, margarine
not muchand of abreakfast
consolation cereals. years
India, earlier in India
which than in
is slowly
crushed by the Pakistani was swifter, waking up to the problem,
the prospect as it is is akincurrently
to locking reviewing
the athe western
proposal world—the
for musculoskele- figure
military. The conflict tal diseases to be brought under
afterthe theNational could increase
horses Health Policy of the Union minis- to a whopping
September 20-26, 2016, publishedin on every Friday of being brought to book stables
Pakistan’s
Editorial Office Living Mediamost compli
India Ltd., India Today Group Mediaplex, would also tryhavefor acted
health.asThe a otherhavebig reason
bolted. for hope is that50
A possible milk million. To top
is going to itbe all,fortified
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than 80Indian
per cent urban But
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l Subscriptions: For assistance contact Customer Care India Today Group, A-61,deterrent. with vitamin D and A to address
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vitiating of among the masses.
in similar circumstances. while these measures may provide
friendly relations some India Indians
succour, there is are vitamin D defi-
no substitute for get-
BSNL/MTNL lines); (95120) 2479900 LT. COL RANJIT
from Delhi and Faridabad; (0120) 2479900 SINHA, Dwarka
from Rest of India (Monday-Friday, 10 a.m.-6 p.m.); Fax: (0120) 4078080; cient, which makes them
Pakistan
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Kolkata: 033-40525327, the
Chennai: 044-24303200; ting vitamin D directly from
shares the
with sun.
France in the
prone to bone diseases.
l
moral high ground and in Nothing causes
Sales: Direct all trade enquiries to General Manager (Sales), Living Media India Our cover story, written
greater contextby of Executive
the pending Editor Damayanti Datta, looks at the
Though getting this mes-
l
voke the need for a
Regd. Office: K-9 Connaught Circus, New Delhi-110001
plebi convulsions effects
in New of this
Delhi’soverlooked
Rafale epidemic
deal. affecting such large sections of our popu-
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sage across is proving to be a
scite only in Kashmir.
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centres thanWe aexamine
du what
NALINI has led to
VIJAYARAGHAVAN, the problem and what are the measures
tough challenge, there is
l
needed toThe combat it.Thiruvananthapuram

As part of her research, Datta got herself tested and found
New Delhi Guna Complex, 5th Floor, Main Building, No.443, Anna Salai,
bious defence deal.
l
H.N. RAMAKRISHNA,
Chennai-600018; Phone: 2847 8525 201-204 via e-mail
Richmond Towers, 2nd Floor,
some good news. A White
l
Fax: 22218335; 52, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, 4th Floor, Kolkata-700071;
l that, like many other urban professionals, she had inadequate, though not defi-
Phones: 22825398; Fax: 22827254; 6-3-885/7/B, Somajiguda, Hyderabad-500082;
l Paper is being drawn up by
Phone: 23401657, 23400479, 23410100, 23402481, 23410982, 23411498; cient, vitamin D quantities in her body. She has been put on a monthly medi-
Fax: 23403484 39/1045, Karakkatt Road, Kochi 682016; Phones: 2377057,
l
the Indian Society for Bone
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Printed and published Manoj Sharma on behalf of Living Media
and government intervention, the solution also lies with us. Good health is the
India Limited. Printed does not vouch for any claims made by the advertisers of products and
at Thomson Press India Limited, OR LOG ON TO Osteoporosis Foundation
editor-in-chief and thegreatest
editor of the of blessings. Though the grand march of progress has changed our
and at A-9, Industrial services.
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District India www.indiatoday.in (IOF). The point is to tempt
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K-9, Connaught
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So let’s start by getting some sun. out of the nation’s cupboard.
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12 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 u INDIA TODAY 50
UPFRONT SHYAM SARAN
INDIA’S OSTPOLITIK
P
rime Minister Narendra Modi’s recent visit to measures. One was the setting up of a hotline to deal with
Vietnam in advance of his participation in the maritime emergencies, while the other was for the Code
G-20 Summit at Hangzhou, China, with the for Unplanned Encounters at Sea (CUES).There is no doubt
announcement of a $500 million defence line of that in the aftermath of the UNCLOS Arbitration Court’s
credit, had the hallmark of a classic outflanking manoeu- ruling against China on the South China Sea, China’s tone
vre that Chanakya may have approved of. As Chinese has changed and it is trying to project a more reassur-
activism on India’s western flank increases, as manifest ing and accommodating approach even while insisting
in the China-Pakistan Economic Corridor project and the on its claims. The latter aspect was evident in Li’s call
development of Gwadar as a potential Chinese naval base, to “construct a security framework that benefits all sides
engaging more closely with countries in China’s neigh- so as to reduce repulsion, avoid confrontation and prop-
bourhood, particularly those threatened by its unilateral erly handle various sensitive issues to open a way of safe
military actions in the South China Sea, appears to make development that conforms to regional reality”. ‘Regional
sense. The intent was not lost on a commentator in the reality’ is code for China’s claim to economic and security
Chinese paper, Global Times, who observed: “New Delhi dominance of the region and its control over several dis-
and Hanoi both wish to raise their bargaining position puted features in the South China Sea.
while having interactions with China but neither of them On the sidelines, China, Japan and Korea agreed to
wants direct confrontation with Beijing.” revive negotiations on a trilateral Free Trade Agreement,
This is a fair enough assessment. Even the Vietnamese which, if implemented, would be a formidable economic
are not sure how useful the newly minted Comprehensive grouping, including the world’s second and third largest
Strategic Partnership with India will be. They have the economies, along with another major economic power,
same kind of partnership with China and Russia already, Korea. If the Trans-Pacific Partnership, led by the US, fails
and observe that China is a much bigger partner. The to come through, as seems likely, this proposed grouping
Vietnamese Communist Party continues to have close will make the US pivot to Asia even more problematic.
fraternal relations with its Chinese counterpart, and In the East Asia summit declaration on ‘Promoting
this gives China another channel of influence. In short, Infrastructure Development Cooperation’, China’s ‘One
Vietnam is not going to become for India what Pakistan Belt One Road’ initiative figures prominently along with
is to China, and China is unlikely to trim its sails in our the key role that the Asian Infrastructure Investment Bank
western neighbourhood because of our activism in its and the Silk Road Fund, both promoted by China,will play
eastern neighbourhood. But this can be a useful compo- in this sector. For ASEAN’s Connectivity Plan, China’s con-
nent of the larger emerging countervailing coalition in tribution could be the most significant. India’s announce-
the Asia-Pacific, which includes partnerships with more ment of a $1 billion fund to support ASEAN-India
substantial powers such as the US, Japan, Australia and connectivity projects sounds modest in comparison.
now South Korea, spooked by Chinese inability or unwill- The Asia-Pacific region is important to India not only for
ingness to rein in its North Korean ally. strategic reasons but also as a key com-
It was no coincidence that the latest Illustration by ANIRBAN GHOSH ponent of Modi’s plans to bring about
Korean nuclear test was timed to cast an all-round transformation of India.
a shadow over the G-20, East Asia and The invitation to Singapore’s Deputy
ASEAN partnership summits. Prime Minister Shanmugaratnam to
On the South China Sea issue, China deliver the first Eminent Person’s lec-
adopted a more nuanced role. While it ture at the NITI Aayog on August 26
successfully prevented any critical ref- this year had the special purpose of
erence to the dispute, in particular in exposing India’s governing elite to the
the UNCLOS arbitration ruling in the dynamics behind the economic trans-
various summit declarations and state- formation of successful East Asian
ments, it avoided voicing harsh and countries. Modi clearly sees India’s
aggressive claims. Chinese premier strategic space impacted significantly
Li Keqiang addressed the issue in his by the emergence of China. But he also
speech at the ASEAN-China summit, sees the East Asian experience as a
calling for peaceful dialogue to settle dis- model for India charting its own des-
putes, and engagement in cooperative tiny as a strong and successful power.
Vietnam will not become
activities in the meantime. There was a
commitment to pursuing the early con- for India what Pakistan is Shyam Saran is a former Foreign
clusion of a Code of Conduct, and in the to China, and China is Secretary, and is Chairman of RIS,
meantime, two important agreements unlikely to trim its sails in as well as a Senior Fellow at the
were signed as confidence-building our neighbourhood Centre for Policy Research

GLASS HOUSE by SANDEEP UNNITHAN
A
AD AADMI
PARTY
F
Editors: Kaveree Bamzai (Special Projects), Ajit Kumar Jha (Research)resh trouble
Managing Editors: Kai Jabir Friese, Rajesh Jha
three-member
population
government
is brewing
in
is deficient
Delhi. A
for Arvind
Supreme
‘sunshine vitamin’ in their bodies.
panel is likely
Kejriwal’s
and another
Court-appointed
AAP
15 per cent has insufficient quantities of the
OUT IN
This is leading totoa come
host ofdown hard onproblems.
debilitating its Vitamin D deficiency can
Deputy Editors: Prachi Bhuchar, Uday Mahurkar, Manisha Saroop ad spends. Led osteoporosis
cause by former chief and election
rickets,commissioner THE COLD
apart from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,
B.B.Jolly Tandon, with Rajat Sharma, editor-in-chief, India
F
M : MG Arun H : Amarnath K. Menon C : Asit
cancer, infections such as tuberculosis and even depression. In extreme cases,
Senior Editors: Shweta Punj, Sasi Nair, J aipur : Rohit Parihar ormer Kerala CM
Senior Associate Editors: Kaushik Deka TV, and Piyush the Pandey,
bones becomeexecutive
like chairman,
butter. A bit South
of pressure could leave a
V.S.dent,
Achuthaan awk-
n
M : Suhani Singh, Kiran Dinkar Tare; p : Amitabh Srivastava
umbai atna
Associate Editors: Shougat Dasgupta, Chinki Sinha

Asia, Ogilvy ward& Mather,
twist could the panel
lead towas constituted
a fall and even in bending forward could
andan is snap
unhappythe spine.
K
T
olkata : Romita Sengupta; B
hiruvananthapuram
hopal
: Jeemon Jacob; B
: Rahul Noronha;
eiJing : Ananth Krishnan
April this year
But theto check
symptoms violations
of of
vitamin the D SC’s guidelines
deficiency—being low onwithenergy, unaccounted
the CPI(M)-led
une on government aches and advertising. It is likely
pains, frequent to recommend
muscle injuries, longer healing time—are
Pinarayi Vijayansogov-
insidi-
punishment for guilty officials
ous that they are often brushed and the recovery
aside as of regular lifestyle problems,
ernment. Theandnon-there
Photo Department: Vikram Sharma (Deputy Photo Editor),
Rajwant Singh Rawat (Principal Photographer), Yashbant Singhroughly Rs 15 diagnosis
crore fromuntil AAPmost partyoffunds. The panel
Negi
is no the damage has been done. agenarian Marxist
(Senior Photographer), Chandra Deep Kumar (Photographer);was looking into Vitamin the case
D, after is
which Congress
more a leader Ajay
hormone than a vitamin, is thewasonly nutrient
leader recen tly
M umbai : Mandar Suresh Deodhar (Chief Photographer),
Danesh Adil Jassawala (Photographer); a hmedabad
Maken petitioned
: Shailesh B Raval that is made the Delhi
in theHighbody.Court in July over
It is essential for the
bone health andmade is chairman
producedof when
(Principal Photographer); K
Photographer); C hennai
olkata : Subir Halder (Principal
: N G Jaison (Senior Photographer)
alleged wastagebare skin byisAAP of public
exposed money
to the sun’sinultraviolet
other states.B rays. Whilethevitamin D deficiency
Administrative
is a pandemic across the western world, particularly inReforms Nordic countries
Commission that
Chief of Graphics: Tanmoy Chakraborty don’t get enough sunshine, what is alarming is that thewith cabinet rank, but
problem is growing exponentially even in sunny India. wary of his penchant
Vikas Verma, Rahul Sharma, Vipin Gupta (Associate Art Director); It’s only over the last two decades that Indians havefor creating trouble,
started recording an abysmally low vitamin D status—now was given an office
reaching 80 per cent across India, according to estimates outside the state sec-
by the International Osteoporosis Foundation. Though rthe etariat. VS’s request
Associate Publisher: Anil Fernandes (Impact) problem was initially associated with Indian women over to be housed at the
IMPACT TEAM 50, even children in the age group of 11 to 15 do not have CPI(M) state secre-
BETTER HALF
General Manager: Mayur Rastogi (North),
Upendra Singh (Bangalore), Velu Subramaniam (Chennai)
adequate levels of vitamin D. Doctors and researchers tariat say was OURnixed.
MARCH
2013 COVER
this primarily comes down to changing lifestyles. Now that
M aharashtra
Deputy General Manager: Kaushiky Chakraborty
Deepak Bhatt, General CMManagerDevendra (National Sales)
we stay indoors or in cars, and get exposed to the sun only when fully clothed,
Vipin Bagga, Deputy General Manager (Operations) almost no one gets the 10 minutes of direct high sun—on the whole body,
ManishFadnavis’s
Kumar Srivastava,wife Regional and
Sales Manager (North)
Rajeev Gandhi, Regional Sales Manager (West)
ban ker Amruta has a between 11 am and 3 pm—needed to produce the vitamin D that is required
NEW BESTIES
new job—helping the for good bone health.
poor trim their medi- In many other countries, where similar lifestyle patterns have reduced
cal bills. She recently
got Mumbai’s Lilavati
A new bonhomie
exposure
Narendra
milk, Modi
some
is emerging
to the sun, vitamin
and former
juices,
between
PM H.D.
margarine and
Primeare
D needs
Deve
Minister
Gowda.
breakfast
TOO MANY
met through fortified food, especially
cereals. India, which is slowly
Volume Hospital
XLI Number to waive
39; For the Rsweek 21
It began with
nel wheretal
waking
Modi
a September
up to
mentioned
the 2 interview
problem,
how Gowda
is to a newsreviewing
currently
was
chan-
targeted
PLAYERS
a proposal for musculoskele-
diseases to be brought under the National Health Policyhe of BRICS
the Union minis-
September
l
lakh20-26, of a Rs
incurred by a patient.
2016, 27published
lakh bill on every Friday
Editorial Office Living Media India Ltd., India Today Group Mediaplex,
Now we hear
by the Lutyens’
self-appointed
try for elite
health.
peacemaker
with vitamin
whenThe
D andon
he was big
other PM.reason
theaddress
A to
Gowda,
Cauvery
the
for hope T
newis that milk is going
water dis- among the Indian
malnutrition are worried
to
sies in Delhi
embas-
be
masses.
fortified
about But
Phones: she’s
l Subscriptions: For assistance contact Customer Care India Today Group, A-61,
Sector-57, Noida (UP)-201301; Toll-free number: 1800 1800 100 (from pute, was delighted
while these with the
measures comment.
may There
provide were
some warm
succour, there
from Restinundated
of India (Monday-Friday,with
10 a.m.-6more
BSNL/MTNL lines); (95120) 2479900 from Delhi and Faridabad; (0120) 2479900
p.m.); Fax: (0120) 4078080;
vibes between him and the PM when they met in Delhi on the eighth annualfor get-
is no substitute
Mumbai: 022-66063411/3412, Kolkata: 033-40525327, Chennai: 044-24303200;
such requests. ting vitamin D directly from the sun. summit of member
September 9Our
Sales: Direct all trade enquiries to General Manager (Sales), Living Media India to discuss the water
cover story, writtendispute. The violent
by Executive turn
Editor Damayanti Datta,to looks at the
countries, be held
l
to the protestseffectscould beoverlooked

the first test of this friendship.
l
l
Impact Offices: 1201, 12th Floor, Tower 2 A, One Indiabulls Centre, (Jupiter
of this epidemic affecting such large in sections
Goa on of our popu-
October
Fax: 66063226 E-1, Ground Floor, Videocon Towers, Jhandewalan Extn,
l lation. We examine what has led to the problem and what areThe
15-16. theworry
measures
is
needed to combat it. As part of her research, Datta got herself tested and found
l
Chennai-600018; Phone: 2847 8525 201-204 Richmond Towers, 2nd Floor,
the joint session with
LUCKY DIGS
l
Fax: 22218335; 52, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, 4th Floor, Kolkata-700071;
l
l
that, like many other urban professionals, she had inadequate,
leaders of the eight defi-
though not
cient, vitamin D quantities in her body. She has been put on a monthlycoun-medi-
B
Fax: 23403484JP leaderKarakkattand Rajya Sabha MP Om Prakash Mathur’s
Phone: 23401657, 23400479, 23410100, 23402481, 23410982, 23411498;
l 39/1045, Road, Kochi 682016; Phones: 2377057, BIMSTEC
move
Panchwati, Office C.G. Road,into
l
a coveted
Ahmedabad-380006; Lutyens’
Phone: 26560393,
cine by
26560929;bungalow has set tongues
the doctors. tries—Afghanistan,
wagging.
the world.
l
Reproduction inPrevious occupants of the 9, Safdarjung
any manner is prohibited. Though Laneaction is needed on various fronts, includingBhutan, raisingBangladesh,
awareness
Indiabungalow
Limited. Printed atinclude
Thomson Press former
India Limited, PM Manmohan Singh and government
and former intervention, the solution also lies withNepal, us. GoodMyahealth
nmar, Sriis the
all of whom went greatest of blessings.
a mark Though the grand march of progress hasThailand
changedand our
and Odisha
at A-9, Industrial CM BijuMaraimalai
Complex, Patnaik, Nagar, District on to make Lanka,
for
Circus, New themselves
Delhi-110001. Editor:on AroonIndia’s
Purie. political scene. As lives dramatically,
a reminder of theit is important that we don’t become Maldives. victims toCan ourthe
lifestyle.
l india today
publication
does not take the responsibility for returning unsolicited
illustrious
material. former occupants of the hallowed address, previ- So let’s start by getting some sun. seaside state handle
ous occupant V.P. Singh Badnore, recently appointed Punjab
All disputes are subject to the exclusive jurisdiction of the security, traffic
governor, has left behind a plaque listing the names. snarls and chaos?
(Aroon Purie)
GLASS HOUSE
OUT OF TIME P uducherry Chief

Minister V.
Narayanasamy is in
LEAD ACT
real danger of losing his
chair because he is not a A fter getting bail
on September 10,
Saradha scam accused
member of the 30-mem-
ber state assembly yet. and TMC leader THE PURGE
A
The Constitution says Madan Mitra is anx- IADMK supremo
he has to get elected ious not to be known as and Tamil Nadu
to the house within an influential politician. CM J. Jayalalithaa is
six months of assum- This is because the CBI going in for a major
ing office to continue as has cited his ‘influence’ purge. The buzz is,
CM. Narayanasamy has on the investigation as youth leaders are
failed to convince any of a reason to keep him to be brought into
the 15 Congress MLAs in prison. It’s going to various party organ-
to vacate a seat for him be a tough act for the isations in several
since the May 19 results. ex-minister, who is sur- districts, mainly areas
MLAs unhappy with the rounded by hundreds where the AIADMK
Congress high command of slogan-shouting finished in a dead
for foisting him on them supporters who trail heat with the DMK.
see it as payback time. him everywhere.
HOLIDAY
LUXE SPREE HARVEST
A ndhra Pradesh
chief minister
O nam has gifted
Kerala’s official-
dom an unpreceden-
Chandrababu Naidu
ted nine-day holiday.
may be struggling
Government offices
to build a new multi-
will be shut from
SELF-INFLICTED crore-rupee state cap-
September 10-19 as
ital in Amaravati. But
WOUNDS his rival, Telangana CM
Bakr-eid, Sree Nar-
ayana Guru Jayanti,
I nfighting in the MP unit
of the BJP continues
unabated. Even as MLA
K. Chandrasekhara
Rao’s ambitions
remain more modest
Vishwakarma Day all
fall during Onam week.
Pannalal Shakya warns Even banks are off for
for now. He is set to
of the party being pitted five days.
move into a modern
against itself in the next home-cum-office in Begumpet on October 11. It comes
election, state chief N.S. up adjacent to late CM Y.S.R. Reddy’s old ‘camp office’,
Chauhan and national built in 2005. KCR hasn’t gone all frugal, though. He has
general secretary Kailash apparently cleared plans for 13 swank villas, to be built at
Vijayvargiya were taking an estimated cost of Rs 33 crore, for senior bureaucrats
a go at each other. at Punjagutta in the heart of Hyderabad.
AKHILESH’S NAWAZUDDIN MADHURI

MULTI-STARRER SIDDIQUI DIXIT
UP CM Akhilesh Samajwadi Various
Yadav has lined Kisan women
up a bevy of Sarvahit welfare
Bollywood stars VIDYA
Bima schemes
to push his BALAN
Yojana for
government’s Samajwadi
farmers
schemes Pension Yojana
for women
with ANSHUMAN TIWARI, AMARNATH K. MENON, RAHUL NORONHA, JEEMON JACOB, ASHISH MISRA, ARAVIND GOWDA, PIYUSH BABALE, KAUSHIK DEKA, ROMITA DATTA

NEWSFLICKS SPARK
IS DIVORCE
OUTMODED?
The long-winded legal procedure of
ending marital relations is prompting
many to just separate
Staying Apart Going Their Ways Rural Beats Urban

Twice as many villagers are separated
For every divorced person from their spouses as city dwellers
in India, there are three Distance of family courts from villages
6 months is the who prefer to live apart from may be a reason why separation from
minimum it takes for their spouses, to avoid legal
a divorce to come spouse is preferred over divorce
hassles
through, provided
both husband and wife Implicit acceptance of patriarchal
want it norms in villages means men have
the option of abandoning their wives
3,535,202 without social or legal repercussions
3-7 years number of people separated

is what it takes if from their spouses Separated Divorced
either husband or wife Rural 2,374,080 858,785
contests the divorce
petition 1,362,316 Urban 1,161,122 503,531
number of divorced people in India
Men Move On
Marital
Separated* Divorced* Total population
Hindu 966,257,353
Divide
0.3 0.1
Muslim 172,245,158
For every two women who are 0.2 0.16
separated or divorced, only one Christian 27,819,588
0.5 0.2
man stays separated or divorced
Sikh 20,833,116
Buddhists have 0.24
Buddhist
0.16
8,442,972
Twice as many men as women are

the highest divorce 0.51
Jain
0.23
4,451,753
either opting for a live-in relationship or rate as well as the 0.2 0.16
Other religions & persuasions 7,937,734
marrying again without a divorce
Status Men Women
highest percentage 0.44 0.15
Separated 1,162,448 2,372,754 of separated *Separated/divorced figures are percentage of

population of India; figures rounded off
Divorced 452,743 909,573 couples

Source: Media reports, Census 2011
VISUAL NEWS ON YOUR PHONE DOWNLOAD FROM OR SMS NF TO 52424

SCOURGE
By Damayanti Datta
SHUTTERSTOCK
COVER STORY HEALTH
IT’S THE NEW MENACE,

HOLLOWING OUT OUR BONES,
PLAYING WITH THE QUALITY
OF OUR LIFE—AND DEATH.
THE HOPE, HYPE AND HORROR
OF VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY
Their bones are like butter. So soft that even On social media, the trending diet fad of the moment
a bit of pressure leaves a dent. So light that is ‘golden latte’—a frothy mix of turmeric, plant milk
an awkward twist or a careless turn leads and vitamin D. And yesteryear rapper Baba Sehgal has
returned to stardom with his wacky track: “Vitamin D,
to a fall. So brittle that something as simple
Vitamin D, Vitamin D...D...D...D...D...”
as bending forward snaps the spine. So
porous that when metal screws are put in to
HOPE OF HYPE?
fix a fracture, bones crumble like egg shells.
That’s what orthopedicians at the All-India Scurvy, beri beri, anaemia, pellagra—the war on vitamin
deficiencies has largely been a 20th century phenomenon,
Institute of Medical Sciences (AIIMS) in New winning 10 Nobel prizes in Medicine between 1929 and
Delhi are talking about: patients with such 1965. Just when that war was thought to be largely over,
abysmal levels of vitamin D in their blood with widespread use of supplements and fortified food,
and such acute bone decay that they make a new vitamin deficiency—that of vitamin D—has devel-
even veteran doctors weak in the knees. oped. And it’s not just in India. The spectre of D deficiency
haunts the world. Not a day passes without new research
Suddenly, vitamin D is everywhere. being published about vitamin D. Hardly a week goes by
Newspaper headlines, television shows, without a new controversy stirring up over it. There is a
Twitter trends, FM radio—all are trumpet- lively back-and-forth between different schools of medi-
ing the message that we have a national cal thought on the science behind it. But some pieces to
deficit in D vitamin. The Indian Medical the puzzle refuse to fall into place. To many, vitamin D is a
‘wonder cure’ with limitless possibilities, well-known for
Association has started ‘Rise & Shine’, a its role in keeping bones and muscles in top shape. Now an
D-deficiency awareness initiative for doc- explosion of research has linked deficiency to risks of dia-
tors. Deals and discounts for vitamin D tests betes, stroke, heart attack, cancer, asthma, obesity, hyper-
are exploding at path labs. A Vitamin D tension, liver, thyroid, kidney and autoimmune diseases,
Calculator app for iPhones and iPads has chronic pain, birth defects, depression, dementia and
more. But others caution, not so fast: wait for large, ran-
gone live. Home Blood Spot testing kits for domised human clinical trials before making these calls.
vitamin D are being sold by online retailers. Between hope and hype, what’s the truth on vitamin D?
BRITTLE BONE 26 36
PEOPLE million
(2003)
million
(2013)
Number of people in
India with weak 50
osteoporotic bones million
(2015)
COVER STORY HEALTH
Gopika Kaul, Noida

Writer
I started getting a dull knee pain

one fine day. Somehow, around
that time, I kept hearing a lot of
scary stories about D deficiency
and its consequences. So I promp-
tly got my levels tested. I was defi-
cient, or, if it’s possible, worse than
deficient. And was prescribed little
sachets of the vitamin. If you are
post-35 and have aches, as my doc-
tor said, then you need to get your
tests done and start the supple-
ments. I not only take it regularly, I
give it to my twins, too. I don’t
know why people are so negative
about vitamin D
“Vitamin D deficiency has turned

into a curious public health crisis,”
says Dr Rajesh Malhotra, chief of
orthopaedics at AIIMS. “It is little
understood, much debated and often
ineffectively treated.” Not too long ago,
it used to be part of routine biochem-
istry tests during hospital admission of
fracture patients at AIIMS. The formu-
la was precise: less that 20 nanogram
of vitamin D in every millilitre of blood,
it’s D deficiency and acute bone loss.
That standard practice now stands CHANDRADEEP KUMAR
discontinued. In the last few years, the

readings started getting so abnormally
low that they called into question
the need for testing, says Malhotra.
“Over 97 per cent hip fracture patients VITAMIN D DEFICIENCY IS A
showed severe D deficiency,” he says.
Doctors no longer look for vitamin D PANDEMIC ACROSS THE WEST,
deficiency, but start treatment with it.
“About 70 per cent Indians are
THOUGH MANY, EVEN
deficient in vitamin D and another 15 DOCTORS, ARE UNAWARE
per cent are insufficient. If India fails
to manage its vitamin D deficiency, THAT THEY ARE LACKING IN IT.
there are high chances that it will lead
to rickets, osteoporosis, cardiovascu- IT IS LITTLE UNDERSTOOD
lar diseases, diabetes, cancer, infec-
tions such as tuberculosis and even
AND VERY OFTEN
depression”: when Dr Michael Holick INEFFECTIVELY TREATED
says something, the world listens. In a

way, Holick is the father of vitamin D:
professor of medicine, physiology and
biophysics at the Boston University NO TANLINES HERE
School of Medicine, US, he first iden- What gets in the way of the sun
tified both the circulating and active
forms of vitamin D in human blood.
That was in the 1970s. It took doc- BODY WEIGHT SEDENTARY JOB DARK SKIN
tors 30 more years to take vitamin D People with excess Working for long The average Indian
deficiency seriously, beyond the fact body fat tend to hours reduces needs 10 times
that it was good for the bones. But have lower vitamin vitamin D by 8%; more sun to prod-
India is not alone, points out Holick. D levels; obese or erratic lifestyles in uce the same
overweight people urban India cutting amount of Vit D as
Vitamin D deficiency is a pandemic
at higher risk sun exposure most Europeans
across the western world, although
many, including doctors, are not
aware that they may be lacking this
important nutrient, he explained on a
recent visit to India. “The difference
is that it’s happening in India despite
ample sunshine,” he says.
SUNSHINE IN MY BLOOD
“Mankind stood up first and got
smarter later,” wrote Harvard biolo-
gist Stephen Jay Gould. It was the
evolutionary advantage of stand-
ing upright and walking on two legs,
LESS TIME AWAY FROM AGE AND
unlike other apes, that facilitated sun OUTDOORS THE EQUATOR LONGEVITY
exposure. About 25,000 years ago, our Spending very little Vitamin D in skin Seniors process 4x
Palaeolithic ancestors in East Africa time outdoors. depends on less vitamin D from
got plenty of sun, as they went around, Even a generation exposure to UVB- the sun than the
scantily clad, hunting and gathering— ago, this was not radiation, so less young (less chol-
the case sun is a hazard esterol in skin)
making at least 10,000 units of D daily,
the natural production by the healthi-
est people, according to the USFDA
(US Food and Drug Administration).
As waves of humans started migrat- a progressively hotter climate over rampant vitamin D deficiency among
ing, their evolving physiology adapted the last 55 years, especially in the last Indian women above age 50—a prob-
to limited sun exposure in higher lati- two decades, shouldn’t Indians be lem that has been associated with
tudes. Over time, D deficiency set in. chock-full of the ‘sunshine vitamin’? light-skinned, tall Nordic women.
But right under the glare of the Yet, in the same period we have sta- Marwaha’s latest studies have found
tropical sun, how can India face a vita- rted recording really low D status: something even more alarming: that
min D crisis? For, the ‘sunshine vita- 80 per cent across urban India, esti- despite exposure to sunlight for 30
min’ (more a hormone than vitamin, mates the International Osteoporosis minutes every day for 30 days dur-
really) is the only nutrient we make Foundation (IOF). ing summer and winter, children in
in our body. And we make it from the the age group of 11-15 years did not
sun. “Ultraviolet B sunlight reacts with achieve the D-levels considered ade-
WHAT’S GOING WRONG?
cholesterol on our skin and produces quate for sound bone health.
a form of vitamin D,” says Dr Nikhil It’s a question Brigadier (Dr) Raman According to the World Health
Tandon, professor of endocrinology Marwaha, endocrinologist with the Organisation (WHO), an epidemic
at AIIMS. “It then passes through the Defence Research and Development indicates numbers beyond the expe-
liver and kidneys to become ‘active’ Organisation (DRDO) and chief of the cted, it’s really everywhere and is
vitamin D, without which, your body Indian Society for Bone and Mineral a public health crisis. And yet the
cannot absorb calcium—causing rick- Research, has been probing for a long vitamin D deficiency crisis is largely
ets in children, weak bones and frac- time. In 2010, he and his associates unacknowledged by the public as well
tures in adults.” But with the Indian were startled to find a huge burden of as the Indian government. “The con-
meteorological department reporting fragile bones, osteoporosis along with ventional wisdom in India has been

COVER STORY HEALTH
BRAIN
Studies have shown
that low levels of vita-
DYING OF
min D are associated
with cognitive impair-
ment, often a precur-
sor to dementia and
How low levels of the ‘sunshine vitamin’ CIRCULATORY
THE LIGHT Alzheimer’s. Vitamin
affect your body, and how India is faring D does impact these The heart muscle be-
diseases comes weak from
Graphic by Nilanjan Das
lack of vitamin D, the
muscle-builder. Also
works to maintain
blood pressure. So
Vit D deficiency is high good levels of vitamin
among an astonishing D reduce the risk of
heart attacks, strokes
range of Indians
80% RESPIRATORY
urban Indians found
Research suggests
to suffer from
that vitamin D has a
Vit D deficiency
role in the prevention
of acute respiratory
infection, by increas-
50% ing immunity. Also,
showed no symptoms, such infections occur
but were found deficient more in winter, when
after a check-up vitamin D levels drop
81% PANCREAS
of 14.97 lakh people in Pancreatic cancer
20-40 age group across rates are highest in
India had sketchy levels countries with low
levels of sunlight.
Vitamin D in serum
(25-hydroxyvitamin
80% D) is associated with
men out of 73 lakh lower risk of breast,
screened across India colorectal cancers
had below par D levels
90%
people complaining of BONE
back pain, sore muscles Bones make up 18
found low on vitamin D per cent of body
weight, and keep
growing until around
age 30, after which
90% the process of bone
schoolchildren in Delhi loss sets in. Vitamin
found to have rampant D plays a vital role in
vitamin D deficiency impeding bone loss
GET INTO THE RED MUSCLE

How sunlight, a natural source of vitamin D, comes into play across the world Strong evidence
that vitamin D facili-
tates calcium entry
into muscles and is
crucial for optimal
muscle function.
Low D levels heigh-
ten muscle injury
and stress fractures
Source: Endocrine Society of India,

World Bank and media reports
Insufficient most of the year Insufficient at least one month Sufficient all year
LACK OF MAGNESIUM
SOFT DRINKS
Lack of magnesium in mod-
Gulping soft drinks
ern diet, thanks to artificial
Reasons is harmful as well,
fertilisers, refined grains and
as they use up cal-
sugar, softened water
cium, which in turn
for Vit-D
deficieny uses up vitamin D
VEGETARIAN DIET SMOKING reserves
Vegetarian diet is a major fac- Smoking decreases calcium
tor, because fatty fish and eggs levels and vitamin D is used
(yolk) are a significant natural up in replacing it, repairing
source of vitamin D in foods body from its ill effects
COVER STORY HEALTH
that bone decay is not as widespread

here as in western countries and it
typically happens to senior citizens Dr Nandita Shah
and post-menopausal women,” says Founder of Sanctuary for Health and Reconnection to Animals
Dr Sanjay Bhadada, additional pro- and Nature (SHARAN), Auroville
fessor of endocrinology at PGIMER,
Chandigarh. But piecemeal stud-
ies have been hinting at rampant D
I teach people how to prevent and reverse diseases. Naturally, I
consider it my business to stay well. I often tell people that the
way to select a good doctor is to find one who is in perfect health. If
deficiency. And there is now enough
a doctor can’t cure himself, how will he cure you?
research on the ground to give a
It was a great surprise and shock when I found out that I had
bird’s-eye view of the nation: at least
my first cavity at the age of 52. I had done everything to be healthy.
50 studies in the last 10 years showed
I believe that in order to reverse a disease, one must look for the
acute D deficiency, from 91 per cent
cause. We cannot work at the level of effect. I had to look for the
in Delhi to 87 per cent in Mumbai, 82
cause of the cavity. In the process I found out that I was vitamin D
per cent in Tirupati to 78 per cent in
deficient. Since I live in a rural area and consciously travel by bicy-
Lucknow, averaging at 80 per cent
cle or motorbike, I expose myself to the sun quite a bit. But obvi-
across India (see graphic: Dying of
ously it was not enough. The cavity was a wake-up call. I had been
the Light).
treating my patients for vitamin D deficiency, and thinking that
At PGIMER, almost 50 per cent
because I got enough sunlight I would not get it myself.
patients with no symptoms get diag-
I’ve now changed my lifestyle quite a bit in order to get more of
nosed with vitamin D deficiency in the
the sunshine vitamin, something that is still possible in rural India,
course of routine check-ups, while 90
but very difficult in urban India. I also take supplements in small
per cent patients complaining of back
doses to make sure my vitamin D levels never fall again. I never
pain, unexplained muscle soreness
want to get another cavity, or any of the other even more serious
or even general fatigue are found to
issues that result from vitamin D deficiency.
be low on it. “It’s a whole universe,”
says Bhadada. “From 20-something

COVER STORY HEALTH
A
M ZHAZO
D-DEFICIENCY SYMPTOMS—
has reached epidemic proportions in the country. More than 70 per cent of the
A LOW-ON-ENERGY FEELING,
Group Editorial Director: Raj Chengappa
UNACCOUNTED-FOR PAINS,
Managing Editors: Kai Jabir Friese, Rajesh Jha
‘sunshine vitamin’ in their bodies.
MUSCLE INJURIES, SLOW
Deputy Editors: Prachi Bhuchar, Uday Mahurkar, Manisha Saroop
Mumbai: MG Arun Hyderabad: Amarnath K. Menon Chandigarh: Asit Jolly
cause osteoporosis and rickets, apart from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,
cancer, infections such as tuberculosis and even depression. In extreme cases,
HEALING TIME—DON’T
Senior Editors: Shweta Punj, Sasi Nair, Jaipur: Rohit Parihar
Mumbai: Suhani Singh, Kiran Dinkar Tare; patna: Amitabh Srivastava
ward twist could lead to a fall and even bending forward could snap the spine.
SHOW UP TILL MUCH
Associate Editors: Shougat Dasgupta, Chinki Sinha
Kolkata: Romita Sengupta; Bhopal: Rahul Noronha;
Thiruvananthapuram: Jeemon Jacob; BeiJing: Ananth Krishnan But the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency—being low on energy, unaccounted
DAMAGE HAS BEEN DONE aches and pains, frequent muscle injuries, longer healing time—are so insidi-
Assistant Editor: pune: Aditi S. Pai
Photo Department: Vikram Sharma (Deputy Photo Editor), ous that they are often brushed aside as regular lifestyle problems, and there
(Senior Photographer), Chandra Deep Kumar (Photographer);
Mumbai: Mandar Suresh Deodhar (Chief Photographer),
Vitamin D, which is more a hormone than a vitamin, is the only nutrient
Danesh Adil Jassawala (Photographer); ahmedabad: Shailesh B Raval that is made in the body. It is essential for bone health and is produced when
(Principal Photographer); Kolkata: Subir Halder (Principal
students to pregnant women, mid-
Photographer); Chennai: N G Jaison (Senior Photographer) bare
minutes skinof is direct
exposed high to sun—between
the sun’s ultraviolet B rays. While vitamin D deficiency
level professionals to schoolchildren,
is
11a ampandemic across the
and 3 pm—on thewestern
whole world, particularly in Nordic countries that
women over 50 to teenagers, senior
Chief of Graphics: Tanmoy Chakraborty don’t
body,get notenough
just face sunshine,
and hands, what is alarming is that the
about
citizens to even neonates—patients
problem
three times is growing
a week.” exponentially
Not much ineven in sunny India.
from
Vikas every
Verma, Rahul walk
Sharma, of life.”
Vipin Gupta
(Associate Art Director); ourIt’s only over
lifestyle helps the last
us: betwo decades
it living in that Indians have
started recording
tall buildings thatan abysmally
restrict sunlightlow vitamin D status—now
Naveen Gupta (Chief Coordinator), reaching
exposure,80childrenper centnot across India, according to estimates
consuming
WRITTEN ON BONE
by the International
enough dietary sources Osteoporosis
of vitaminFoundation. Though the
“Bones make up 18 per cent of our
Associate Publisher: Anil Fernandes (Impact) problem
D, adolescentswas initially
trading associated
milk for soft with Indian women over
body weight,” says Dr Malhotra.
IMPACT TEAM 50, evenatchildren
drinks a time when in theboneage group
mass isof 11 to 15 do not have
“They are very much alive, grow-
General Manager: Mayur Rastogi (North), adequate levels ofThere
growing rapidly. vitamin is, D. Doctors and researchers say
of course, OUR MARCH
ing and changing all the time.”
Deputy General Manager: Kaushiky Chakraborty this
the primarily comes down
option of sourcing vitamin to changing
D from lifestyles. Now that
SalesThroughout
and Operations: D.V.S. our
Ramalifetime
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gain we stay indoors
supplements and ormedicine.
in cars, and Butget exposed to Jamuna
then, the sun only when fully clothed,
Rangachari, Delhi
VipinandBagga,lose Deputybones,
General Manager he explains.
(Operations) Most almost
symptoms no oneof Dgets the 10 minutes
deficiency—a generalof direct high sun—on the whole body,
new
Rajeev Gandhi, bonesRegionalare added
Sales Manager during child-
(West) between
low-on-energy 11 am feeling,
and 3 pm—needed
unaccounted- Software professional,
to produce the vitamin D that is required writer,
hood and teenage years, when the for
forgood
pains, bone
frequ health.
ent muscle injuries, head of the Life Positive website
I
softer cartilaginous bones slowly slow In healing
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fuse together into larger, heavier and exposure
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process of 044-24303200;
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l
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Sales: Direct all trade enquiries to General Manager (Sales), Living Media India
Our cover
medical story, written
community over dosage:by Executive
at Editor Damayanti
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Chennai-600018; 2847 8525 201-204
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the world. Reproduction is the
in any manner operative word.
is prohibited. oldThough
of optimal action is needed
vitamin D. Theon various fronts,recovered
Vitamin including now, raising awareness
thanks to acupunc-
“Today, we lead lives that are very
and government
D Council, intervention,
a US nonprofit workingthe solution
to alsoture.
lies What
with us. Good
I have health
learnt fromis the
this:
different from our ancestors,” says
greatest of blessings.
raise awareness, putsThough the grand marchavoid
it even higher: of progress
too much hasair-conditioning,
changed our
endocrinologist Dr Sanjay Kalra,
lives
40-50 dramatically,
ng/ml as optimal. it is important
“The ideal that we don’ttrybecome
to get victims
some sun to our lifestyle.
during the day,
vice-president
l india today
of the South Asian
So let’s
level is start by getting
not known, nor some sun.
is it known have a healthy diet and never forget
Federation
All disputes are subjectof Endocrine
to the exclusive jurisdictionSocieties.
of at what point it becomes too much to exercise
“With lifestyles that keep us indoors
vitamin D,” says Dr Tandon. Anyway,
or in cars, almost no one gets 10 vitamin D has dual sources: vitamin
(Aroon Purie)
COVER STORY HEALTH
AIN’T NO SUNSHINE
IN THIS HOUSE
Our land of sun worshippers needs to smarten up to keep D-deficiency at bay
“O, sunlight! The most precious gold pregnant women, newborns, children, adolescents, adults
GU EST
to be found on Earth.”—Roman Payne and the elderly have been shown to have levels below 20
COLUMN
ng/ml. Our study showed that doctors, with a lifestyle that
India has been a country of sun wor- forces indoor (hospital) confinement, are the worst affec-
shippers since ancient times. For the ted! Manual labourers and the security forces are perhaps
most part of the year, the sun beats the only groups found to have acceptable vitamin D levels.
down on us relentlessly. Indeed, India And, in North India, especially in winter months, 25(OH)
is looking to harness the power of the vitamin D levels commonly fall below 10 ng/ml. Such abys-
sun to solve its energy problems and mally low levels of vitamin D can lead to low calcium levels
DR AMBRISH is on its way to becoming a ‘solar and soft deformed bones (rickets) in newborns, poor bone
MITHAL superpower’. It is ironic, therefore, growth during childhood and adolescence and increased
that Indians are commonly found to risk of osteoporosis, falling and fracture in old age.
be lacking in Vitamin D, popularly called the sunshine vita- While there’s been an increase in awareness of vitamin
min, as it is synthesised in the skin on exposure to sunlight. D deficiency in India over the last decade, it has unleashed
There are several possible reasons for this phenomenon. two disturbing trends. One is the phenomenon of exces-
First, the oppressive heat, coupled with a never-ending sive testing. There is no need to rush to the nearest lab to
quest for fair skin that makes Indians heliophobic. With get tested unless the doctor feels it is necessary. If you are
increasing urbanisation, we also spend less time outdoors. one of those for whom sunlight exposure is a challenge,
Second, our skin colour, commensurate with India’s proxi- taking 1,000-2,000 IU/day of vitamin D is safe and effec-
mity to the Equator, ensures skin tive. If, however, you have clinical
protection against the harsh sun- vitamin D deficiency, your doctor
light, but slows down vitamin D will prescribe higher doses for 6-8
synthesis. So Indians need longer weeks, followed by maintenance
sunlight exposure than Caucasians doses, else the levels will fall again.
to make the same amount of vita- The second issue is the use of astro-
min D. Third, culturally, when we do nomical doses of vitamin D. For you
go out in the sun, we tend to cover can have too much of a good thing.
ourselves—or sometimes use heavy We reported 16 patients last year
sunscreen creams—which inhibit who had severe vitamin D toxicity
vitamin D production. Fourth, there and huge levels of calcium, result-
is little availability of vitamin D forti- ing from the indiscriminate use of
fied food in India. Lastly, atmospher- high dose (600,000 IU) vitamin
ic pollution drastically diminishes D injections. This can even prove
our ability to synthesise vitamin D. fatal in some cases. What else could
Disturbingly, recent studies have we do? Encouraging sunlight expo-
shown that even with 30 minutes sure is advisable. Children and their
of midday sun exposure, Vitamin D parents must be made aware of the
levels remained unchanged among Delhi schoolchildren in benefits of ‘drinking milk and playing in the sun’. It ensures
winter and went up only marginally in summer. you attain higher peak bone mass, which helps in old age.
Vitamin D status is estimated by measuring blood level Quite clearly, to address this public health issue, one
of 25(OH) vitamin D, a metabolite of vitamin D formed in would require additional vitamin D from some source.
the liver. What constitutes a low level is a matter of debate. An established approach is vitamin D fortification of food.
Levels as high as 30 ng/ml to as low as 12.5 ng/ml have Nutritional rickets has been eradicated in most Western
been proposed as a cut-off. Most global expert bodies cur- countries following introduction of fortification. The time
rently recommend that levels of 20 ng/ml are reasonable has come to move ahead in India too.
and would suffice to preserve bone health of the general The author is chairman, endocrinology and diabetes
population. More than 80 per cent urban Indians, including division, Medanta-the Medicity, Gurgaon
00 INDIA TODAY u OCTOBER 27, 2014

D2 (ergocalciferol), a manufactured
supplement from plant sources added
to foods, whereas D3 (cholecalcif-
erol) is synthesised in the skin. Both
vitamin D2 and D3 are now made
commercially and found in dietary
supplements or fortified foods.
But medication isn’t the only
option. “Physical activity is key for
muscle and bone health,” Tandon
explains. “If you can stop smoking,
get into strength-training, cut back on
caffeine and colas, avoid excess pro-
tein in your diet, you can bring down
calcium loss.” Vitamin D is fat soluble
and hence found in fatty products like
fatty fish (a 100 gm serving), cheese,
and egg yolk, although it would take a
litre of milk to get the recommended
daily dose of vitamin D. Dr Nikhil Latey, Mumbai
But can you take too much vita-
Head of Sports Science and Rehabilitation at Olympic Gold Quest
min D? “Yes, it is possible to over-
dose and hit a toxic level,” says Dr
Tandon. Most people aren’t anywhere
near that level, he explains, but too
A lthough in India we get plenty of sun, many of our top athletes
face vitamin D deficiency, some needing injections and supple-
ments to correct their levels. Vitamin D facilitates calcium entry into
much vitamin D can make the intes- muscles and bones. The evidence is pretty strong that it does help
tines absorb too much calcium, caus- optimise athletic performance. Low D levels bring down calcium lev-
ing high levels of it in the blood. This els, leading to muscle injury and stress fractures in otherwise healthy
can lead to calcium deposits in soft athletes. Awareness among our athletes is pretty poor. They keep
tissues like the heart and lungs, dam- using a lot of sun screen, but SPF over 8 blocks production of vitamin
age to kidneys, kidney stones, confu- D by 90 per cent.
sion and disorientation, apart from
nausea, vomiting, constipation, poor
appetite, weakness and weight loss.
If you are planning to take
supplements, start by consulting juices, margarines, and breakfast theatre near you are at least seven
your doctor. “Testing for vitamin cereals. The country is still worried Hollywood films where superheroes
D has become a bit of a fad,” says about its senior citizens though. battle it out with super-villains: mon-
Dr Tandon. “Not everyone should The good news in India is that sters, mutants, mythical creatures—
be tested.” Who should? “I advise the government has woken up to all nasty pieces of work. It’s your
the test for people who have bone- the need for food fortification. There moment to wonder why superher-
thinning conditions like osteoporosis, is even a proposal currently under oes always win. For science has an
or are at high risk,” he says, such review for musculoskeletal diseases answer: the victory of good over
as women just before and any time to be brought under the National evil may not be just about morality,
after menopause, older men with a Health Policy, under the Union claim researchers at Imperial College
family history of osteoporosis, those health ministry. There’s more good London, led by Dr Nick Hopkinson.
who have had a fracture after 50, news: milk is going to be fortified Fantasy baddies, who typically lurk
those who take medicines that thins with vitamin D and A, to address in the dark, away from sunlight,
bones, such as a corticosteroid. malnutrition. The Food Safety and may just be deficient in vitamin D.
Standards Authority of India (FSSAI) And, hence, always lose out to the
is working with the National Institute the martial prowess of superheroes.
THE ROAD AHEAD
of Nutrition, Hyderabad, and milk Geeky science humour? Think again.
No one is immune to the D deficiency. cooperatives across the country to It’s a telling piece of research on the
But some countries are smarter than streamline standards. A National profound role vitamin D plays in
others. The US, for instance, meets its Milk Survey, 2016, is also under way. determining our quality of life—
vitamin D recommendations through As the world waits for more news and death.
fortified food, especially milk, some on vitamin D, coming to a movie Follow the writer on Twitter @DattaDamayanti

VOTE COUNT FROM TOP LEFT CLOCKWISE, ELECTION SCENES FROM KASHMIR, BIHAR, JHARKHAND AND UTTAR PRADESH
ONE COUNTRY,
ONE ELECTION
Simultaneous Lok Sabha and assembly polls may mean big savings of time and money,
but critics warn that it will strike at the nature of parliamentary democracy
By Ajit Kumar Jha Mukherjee made a pitch in support Raised by different leaders in
S
of this move, the issue has become the past, the idea of concurrent elec-
hould Lok Sabha and state a topic of agitated national debate. tions for the Lok Sabha and state
assembly elections in India The President mooted the idea first assemblies has been discussed
be held simultaneously? Or on Teacher’s Day, September 5, while threadbare by a few official commis-
does it go against the very delivering a lecture to students at sions. Namely, the Venkatachalaiah
principle of parliamentary the Dr Rajendra Prasad Sarvodaya Commission in 2002 and the
democracy, undermining the basic Vidyalaya in Delhi. Two days later, on Natchiappan Commission in 2015.
structure of the Indian Constitution, September 7, the Modi government Historically, the first four Lok Sabha
given the inherent assumption of a initiated a national debate on the sub- elections—in 1952, 1957, 1962 and
fixed term of five years for the Lok ject on the MyGov web portal. (MyGov 1967—were held concurrently with
Sabha as well as the state assemblies? is a citizen engagement platform the elections to the state legislatures,
Is it possible to build political consen- NDA government had launched in with only the rare exception. The dis-
sus around the issue and initiate a con- August 2015). Citizens were invited to missal of non-Congress governments
stitutional amendment to this effect? submit their comments by October 15. in various states in 1968 and 1969
Ever since Prime Minister Last checked, some 3,569 citizens had by the Indira Gandhi-led Congress
Narendra Modi and President Pranab sent in their responses. regime, changed the cycle.

BIG STORY ELECTIONS
Bloated Account which under its ‘institutional reform’

section stated: “The BJP will seek,
Total expenditure in Lok Sabha through consultation with other par-
elections is 10 times what EC spends ties, to evolve a method of holding
Total expendi-
ture (approx.) assembly and Lok Sabha elections
(Figures in Rs crore)
Election simultaneously.” The idea of consen-
Commission sus-building was explicit in the mani-
Lok Sabha expenditure festo. The PM, who reiterated this
election year 35,000 proposal at a conference of chief min-
isters and chief justices of high courts
2014 3,426 in April, has brought up the subject in
two subsequent television interviews.
Detractors, however, believe that
coterminous elections are a bad idea.
Photographs by ABID BHAT, GETTY IMAGES, PTI
For one, the five-year fixed term

2004 1,114 10,000 leaves no space for byelections or
mid-term elections should an incum-
bent get defeated in a no-confidence
vote, or imposition of President’s rule
Source: Centre under Article 356. The whole impetus
1996 597 2,500 for Media Studies
and Election
for the move, according to constitu-
Commission
tional lawyer Indira Jaising, is politi-
cal. At a time when the BJP controls
A round of Lok Sabha, assembly and panchayat polls neither the Rajya Sabha nor a major-
is estimated to cost over Rs 100,000 crore ity of the state assemblies, the hope is
to convert a national wave in favour
of one party or personality—such as
the Modi wave of 2014—into political
capital across the country.
In one respect, everyone agrees the model code of conduct to be in In June, the Election Commission
that the idea of simultaneous polls place have eroded good governance of India had supported the idea of
is desirable. Given the massive elec- and led to policy paralysis. President simultaneous Union and state polls
tion costs—estimated by the Centre Pranab Mukherjee alluded to this when the Union ministry for law had
for Media Studies to be Rs 35,000 in response to a question by a stu- elicited its view. Veeravalli Sundaram
crore for the 2014 Lok Sabha polls, dent during his September 5 lecture. Sampath, who headed the EC between
almost 10 times the money spent “Today, throughout the year, some 2012 and 2015, believes the idea of
by the Election Commission—elec- election or the other is happening and simultaneous polls is a well-meaning
toral reform is a pressing necessity to regular work comes to a standstill but unfeasible one. It would be better,
ensure transparency and bring down with the code of conduct being imple- he suggests, “if all assembly elections
expenses. Taking 2014 figures as the mented. Not only does this stop work in the same year can be held in one
base, the average expenditure of each in the state but also in the Central quarter so that the other three quar-
Lok Sabha constituency per election government,” Mukherjee said. ters are election free”. He also feels it
works out to approximately Rs 70 The PM officially mooted the idea may be easier for state assemblies con-
crore and approximately Rs 10 crore of concurrent polls to panchayats, trolled by one political party, say, the
for each assembly constituency (4,033 urban local bodies, state assemblies as BJP, to go to polls simultaneously.
in 29 states and the two Union ter- well as Parliament during a BJP meet- Subhash Kashyap, former chair-
ritories of Delhi and Puducherry) per ing as early as March this year echo- man of the drafting committee of
election, assuming the Lok Sabha and ing the 2014 BJP election manifesto, the national commission to review
Vidhan Sabha spend at the same rate.
Add the costs of frequent assembly,
municipal and panchayat polls and
we are talking of a figure over
Rs 100,000 crore (see graphic:
Bloated Account). A check on expens- SIMULTANEOUS POLLS TO LOK
es will reduce corruption and ease the SABHA AND ASSEMBLY WILL REDUCE
hold of political mafia and crony capi-
tal on the electoral system. COSTS BY MORE THAN HALF”
Frequent elections which require SUBHASH KASHYAP, former secretary-general, Lok Sabha

GETTYIMAGES
BIG STORY ELECTIONS
the working of the Constitution (the

Venkatachalaiah Commission), which
discussed at great length the idea
of coterminous polls, is its greatest
votary. It would reduce expenses
incurred by more than half, he says.
Experts suggest constitutional
amendments to Articles 83 (duration
of Parliament), 85 (prorogation and
dissolution of Parliament sessions)
172 (tenure of state legislatures) and
174 (prorogation and dissolution of
state legislature sessions) to stream-
line the process. Kashyap, however, PRIME MINISTER NARENDRA MODI WITH CMs AND HIGH COURT CJs
believes political will rather than
a constitutional amendment could
help accomplish the task. The pres-
ent BJP government itself could take POLLS: WHY, WHY NOT CONCURRENT
the initiative, by holding coterminous
polls in BJP-ruled states with the Lok The Pros... ...and Cons
Sabha election. l Saving of time and money l Challenges the basic structure
D
l Reduction in corruption and of the Constitution
ismissing objections that
the five-year fixed term influence of mafia l Five-year fixed term leaves no
will be a blow to the nat- l End of policy paralysis, resulting space for mid-term elections
ure of parliamentary in good governance l Will require enormous initial
democracy, Kashyap, l End of duplication and wastage; expenditure in electronic

a former secretary general of the one voter list instead of several voting machines
Lok Sabha, moots the concept of l Larger number of security
l Leads to more electoral reform
‘constructive criticism’. Thus a vote
forces will be needed
of no-confidence against an incum-
bent will ipso facto also produce an
alternative majority government. In
practise in Germany and Japan, such
a system can facilitate coterminous parliamentary democracy) can bring proposal is not only a “pipedream but
polls since legislatures will not dis- about such simultaneous polls.” violative of the system of parliamen-
solve prior to five years even though Lawyer Kapil Sibal agrees. tary accountability as it challenges the
the leadership might change. “Simultaneous polls is conceptually basic structure of the Constitution”.
Critics of the idea, however, con- a great idea but given the essence of So, where does that leave us in the
sider the principle of the five-year the parliamentary system, simultane- debate for simultaneous elections to
fixed term inherent in simultaneous ous poll is neither feasible, nor work- the Union and the states? While every-
polls as antithetical to the democratic able, nor practical,” he says. The idea one agrees simultaneous polls will
essence of representation. Lawyer of simultaneous polls will never pass mean saving time and money, leav-
Abhishek Manu Singhvi finds the idea muster in Parliament, he thinks. ing more time for governance, many
of simultaneous elections theoreti- Jaising is on the same page: worry it would be ultra vires of the
cally appealing but practically impos- “The five-year coterminous term Constitution. Constitutional amend-
sible. “Exponential frequency of for Parliament or state assemblies ments and political consensus can
elections leads to the desire for order is a legal impossibility given that help overcome some of these differ-
and stability and thus the first-blush the heart of parliamentary system is ences. After all, if consensus could be
appeal of simultaneous elections. But representative government, which built around the Goods and Services
if the essence of democracy is rela- quintessentially means ultimate sov- Tax, there is no reason why it can’t be
tive chaos then one cannot negate ereignty rests with the people.” done for electoral reform. A national
democracy in the name of order,” Lawyer and Rajya Sabha MP debate on the subject and steps such
he says. “Not even a constitutional K.T.S. Tulsi considers the idea of as CEC Sampath’s suggestion to hold
amendment, short of changing par- coterminous polls “anti-democratic all state assembly elections in the
liamentary democracy into a presi- and worse than the Emergency since same year in the same quarter could
dential model, fixed-term federal and it can potentially convert the prime be a leap in that direction.
state legislatures (an oxymoron in a minister into a dictator”. He thinks the Follow the writer on Twitter @Ajitarticle

GUEST COLUMN FROM THE EDITOR-IN-CHIEF
A HEAVYAPOLL TOLL
It’s
Editors: anBamzai
Kaveree idea (Special whose
Projects), Ajit Kumartime has come.
Jha (Research) Given
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it has become imperative to streamline the process with full political consensus
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competent courts and forums in Delhi/New Delhi only SAVINGS FOR PARTIES AS before the government, which too
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(Aroon Purie)
SPECIAL REPORT HARYANA
GETTING DOWN
TO BUSINESS
Having controlled an inflammable caste rivalry in the state, Manohar Lal Khattar is
finally down to the task of governance and delivering on the party’s poll promises
By Asit Jolly
C
lass work” is how 62-year-
old Manohar Lal Khattar
describes the 14 long
years he spent honing his
organisational skills as a
full-time pracharak of the Rashtriya
Swayamsevak Sangh. The smile on his
face tells you that it was a happy time,
completely unlike the insanely con-
founding first 20 months as Haryana’s
chief minister. He sees this, his current
assignment, as “mass work”.
For someone who arrived in the
posh chief ministerial bungalow in
Chandigarh’s Sector 3 with all his
worldly possessions in one suitcase,
Khattar remains aloof to the relatively
plush trappings of his office, including
a set of brand new bulletproof Toyota
Land Cruisers replacing the trusty
motorcycle he so loved as an RSS pra-
charak. But the first-time CM, like his
mentor Prime Minister Narendra Modi
a confirmed bachelor with both the
time and the inclination to put in extra
hours at work, is evidently still strug-
gling to come to grips with how things
run in the government.
Consider the first two years of
Haryana’s first-ever BJP government.
Most of the ‘populist’ commitments
in the party’s poll manifesto—includ-
ing rice or wheat at Re 1 a kg for
BPL families, implementation of the
Swaminathan Committee report on
foodgrain pricing, bringing employee
salaries on par with those in neighbou-
ring Punjab, laptops for meritorious
students, free travel for senior citizens HARYANA CM
on pilgrimage, 24-hour power supply, MANOHAR LAL KHATTAR
honorariums for jobless graduates and

SANDEEP SAHDEV

doubling old-age pensions—remain by incidents like February’s quota agi- However, no one in the govern-
largely untouched. tation by the Jats. Companies like the ment, including the chief minister,
But there is movement on a key South Korean automotive parts maker seems in any hurry to publish the
front that could well become the pan- Ocean, Asian Paints and Suzuki Motors findings amid growing whispers that
acea Haryana craves for: job creation. were forced to withdraw expatriate despite its year-long inquest, the com-
Khattar insists his promise of bringing staff and severely curtail their opera- mission found nothing that could real-
employment—the 400,000 new jobs tions in troubled districts. ly pin Vadra down. “In the end, the
promised in the BJP’s poll manifesto— Following through on another report could well end up embarrassing
to young Haryanvis is real. oftenrepeated poll promise—ensur- the government in revealing nothing,”
He cites the ‘grand success’ of the ing accountability for wrongdoings a senior BJP leader says, admitting it
close-to-being-cancelled Happening under 10 years of the Bhupinder Singh would have been wiser to release the
Haryana investor summit held ten days Hooda-led Congress government— report at the very first instance.
after the Jat violence, in early March. the Khattar administration has now The party, however, remains intent
“Five hundred and twenty-two MoUs achieved some sorely needed traction. on milking the Vadra case politically.
with a promised investment of around After two extensions, and riled Addressing a mammoth public rally in
Rs 6 lakh crore. Let us see how much by accusations of accepting ‘favours’ Jat-predominant Jind on September
matures,” the CM says, hoping that the 11, BJP president Amit Shah claimed
new investment, when it arrives, will that the Congress leadership was rat-
bring in the promised jobs. tled by the Khattar government’s inves-
State finance minister Captain tigation into how “Haryanvi farmers
Abhimanyu Sindhu, who also held were robbed to serve the Dilli ka dam-
Haryana’s industry portfolio till the
WHILE A LOT OF THE aad (Delhi’s son-in-law Vadra)”.
cabinet reshuffle on July 22 and PROMISES IN THE In a rare candid moment, though,
claims credit for ‘rebuilding investor Khattar says it all: “When we speak to
confidence’ in what he says had been
POLL MANIFESTO people during election campaigns, we
a “steeped-in-corruption administra- REMAIN ON PAPER, talk of many things, about corruption,
tion” under Congress, is confident that THE 522 MoUs AT THE but that doesn’t mean I have to go after
the creation of new jobs will begin soon. somebody the day I come to power.”
Admitting that MoUs cannot be a HARYANA INVESTOR The CM insists he will let the law and
measure of how much investment will SUMMIT, SAYS courts follow due course.
come in eventually, the finance minis- Curiously, however, the man main-
ter is looking at the ‘positives’. In less KHATTAR, WILL HELP ly responsible for putting Vadra in the
than two years of the BJP government, MEET THE PROMISE dock in the first instance, IAS officer
he points to Haryana’s climb from 14th Ashok Khemka, the BJP’s favourite
to third place (in September 2016) in OF JOB CREATION poster boy through its 2014 assembly
‘ease of doing business’. Judging from election campaign, cited in rallies by
the current scenario, wherein more PM Modi and Shah, is still out in the
than two dozen prospective inves- cold and facing a chargesheet slapped
tors—including realty majors DLF and on him by the Congress government.
IREO, and others in automotive manu- from the Khattar administration thro- “It is not a big deal,” Khattar argues,
facturing, food processing and service ugh the course of his investigations, citing due process in such cases. But
sector—have already procured land, Justice S.N. Dhingra handed in his it’s clearly not a priority any more.
Abhimanyu says he is looking at a “30 182-page report on the afternoon of Khattar and his ministers are
per cent conversion (of the promised August 31. The one-man commission equally guarded in their response to
Rs 6 lakh crore) in the next 2-3 years”. of inquiry had been instituted under allegations of misappropriation and
“I think we can safely look at bri- the former judge in early 2015 to probe misuse of power against Hooda. The
nging in 7-8 lakh new (private sector) the Hooda government’s alleged mis- former CM, whose premises were
jobs over this period,” Abhimanyu demeanours in granting concessions raided by the CBI on September 2,
says. His confidence is also driven by to Gandhi family son-in-law Robert faces three separate cases pertain-
the continuing interest shown by eight Vadra and others in building licences ing to dubious land allotments and
Chinese investors, including the Dalian in Shikohpur, Sikandarpur, Badah and the release of prime real estate from
Wanda Group (promoted by Wang Kherki Dhaula villages. the acquisition process initiated by the
Jianlin, the richest Chinese entrepre- While the report is still to be tabled government, allegedly to favour civil
neur of 2015), which will build a $10 in the Haryana assembly or made servants and politicians.
billion industrial park at Kharkhoda. public, Justice Dhingra has alluded Besides probing allegations of fav-
Both the FM and CM have their fin- to a host of ‘irregularities’, including ours extended to Associated Journals
gers crossed, fervently hoping future the allegedly ‘unlawful’ transfer of a Limited (owners of the National
overseas investors do not get spooked licence by Vadra to realty major DLF. Herald newspaper), the CBI and the

SPECIAL REPORT HARYANA
Enforcement Directorate, on the ref- at a slower than sluggish pace. Set up it was not his job as CM to punish the
erence of the Khattar government, are in April, a two-man commission of rioters, “that is the job of the courts.”
also probing the Manesar land deals, inquiry headed by former judge S.N. Among the ‘achievements’ of his
where farmer-owners of 400 acres Jha, with the mandate to probe politi- two years in office, besides the enact-
were allegedly duped of more than cal and other reasons for the violence ment of a more stringent cow pro-
Rs 1,500 crore. Hooda, of course, by Jats, has received less than two tection law and the introduction of
rejects the cases as nothing more dozen complaints over five months. e-platforms for citizen-government
than a “political witch-hunt”. Besides, the Haryana govern- interactions to pre-empt corruption,
A year into his tenure last October, ment has now invited censure from Khattar is counting the Rs 2,200 crore
Khattar had acknowledged the fact the Punjab & Haryana High Court for compensation disbursed to Haryana’s
of his ‘inexperience’ admitting that shying away from a second report it farmers for damage to the wheat crop
his first 12 months in office were a had originally asked the former DGP in April 2015 and later the white fly
period of learning. “Pehle varsh mein to work on, on strategies to improve attack on the autumn cotton crop.
disha theek ki hai…yojana banayi the police and civil administration in “We have disbursed more than the
hai (have set direction, put plans in preparation for future exigencies. total compensation paid over 48
place),” he had said, also attributing With the situation now calm, if still years since Haryana was formed in
his government’s inability to deliver potentially explosive amid a deepen- 1966,” he says.
on most poll promises to a lack of ing caste divide between Haryana’s He also counts school education
finances. The previous Congress gov- as the main ‘focus’ of his government
ernment, he said, had bled Haryana (see interview: ‘I want to carry all...’).
to bankruptcy. Scathing of the previous government’s
But in many ways Khattar has decision to elevate students to senior
had an even more punishing second DESPITE ALL THE classes without exams, he says, “They
have ruined the sense of responsibil-
year in office. The mishandling of the
precarious law and order situation CRITICISM, ity in schoolchildren,” detailing how
in in Hisar November 2014—which KHATTAR SAYS HE his government had re-introduced a
erupted after thousands of devotees of system of monthly tests to inculcate a
self-styled godman Rampal gathered DID WELL, competitive spirit.
to prevent his court-ordered arrest— CONTAINING THE But it is clearly a ‘work in prog-
could perhaps be explained by the ress’, there is little change so far. In
fact that Khattar had been CM for less JAT AGITATION IN Jind’s Bibipur village, former sar-
than a month. But nothing, other than JUST THREE DAYS; panch Sunil Jaglan acknowledges
administrative inability or what some that teacher and student attendance
have called ‘incompetence’, explains THE MANDAL STIR IN has improved in village-level prima-
the failure of the CM, his entire cabi- 1991 WENT ON FOR ry and middle schools. But this, he
net and gargantuan administration to insists, is more a consequence of the
take note of the rapidly snowballing
THREE MONTHS biometric attendance (for teachers)
caste confrontation that culminated introduced by the Hooda government.
in an unprecedented collapse of state Jaglan, whom PM Modi mentioned in
machinery for 72 violence-torn hours his weekly Mann Ki Baat programme,
this February, leaving a body count of for his ‘selfie with daughter’ initia-
30 in its wake. Jats and the other 35 castes, Khattar tive last year, says “higher education,
Former Uttar Pradesh and Naga- believes he did well. “People may including high school and college,
land DGP Prakash Singh, 80, who think I am a new chief minister, but is still denied to girl students living
delved into the failures of the police and I handled things very quickly, within in remote hinterland villages in the
civil administration in the face of the three days,” he says, comparing the absence of transport facilities”.
violent quota agitation by Haryana’s violent orgy of caste violence under And while he considers ways to
Jats, called it “complete collapse”, as his watch with the 1991 Mandal agi- make his self-coined slogan ‘Haryana
if the state “had ceased to exist”. tation which, he points out, went on Ek, Haryanvi Ek’ a reality, there is evi-
Of the 80 officials, including five for three months. dently something that Manohar Lal
IAS and five IPS officers, indicted by Khattar promises action will even- Khattar likes talking about even more
the Prakash Singh Committee report tually be taken against all guilty offi- than his ‘achievements’—his contin-
in May, just a handful—lower rung cials. “The [Jha] Commission will ued proximity to the prime minister.
police and civil officials—have had submit its report. I do not want to com- “When we meet or I go to see him, I
action initiated against them. Of the ment on that. I tackled the situation… ask him whether he has some news
593 rioters arrested, most have been talked to [Jat] leaders and agreed to from Haryana. He replies: ‘No, no,
released on bail with police investiga- their demands,” he says, insisting everything is fine’.”
tion into the 2,124 FIRs lodged going with uncharacteristic vehemence that Follow the writer on Twitter @Asitjolly

INTERVIEW
A CARRY ALL, I DON’T
‘I WANT TO
their bones are slowly being eaten away from within. Vitamin D deficiency
BELIEVE IN CASTE POLITICS’

Group Chief Executive Officer: Ashish Bagga
Deputy Editors: Prachi Close
Bhuchar,to Udaythe endManisha
Mahurkar, of hisSaroop second year as Chief
cause Minister of
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and rickets, [air base]. It that happens,diseases,
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cancer, Janata
infections Party
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In changed
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Senior Editors: Shweta Punj, Sasi Nair, J aipur : Rohit Parihar
government,
M umbai : Suhani Singh, Kiran Dinkar Tare; patna
M anohar LaL Khattar
: Amitabh Srivastava
thespeaks
bones tobecome like
india today lier
butter. policies
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pressure were designed
could leave to
a benefit
dent, an those
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Associate Editors: Shougat about the Chinki
Dasgupta, course Sinha he wants to set for the
ward state
twist could lead to apower.
despite fall and For
eveninstance,
bending housing
forward licences
could snapon first-come-
the spine.
T hiruvananthapuram numerous
: Jeemon Jacob; B
eiJing hiccups,
: Ananth Krishnan including theBut violent quota agita-
the symptoms first-serve
of vitamin basis. This was
D deficiency—being lowmisused.
on energy, Applicants
unaccounted had
tion
une

by Haryana’s politically dominant
aches Jats.
and Excerpts
pains, frequent their
musclebank drafts
injuries, ready
longer one month
healing before
time—are the soscheme
insidi-
Photo Department: Vikram fromSharma a conversation
(Deputy Photo Editor),with him inous Chandigarh:
that they are often brushed was announced!
aside as regular We have changed
lifestyle all that.and there
problems,
is no diagnosis until most You
of promised
the damage to
has investigate
been done. the ‘wrongdoings’ of
(Senior Photographer), You Chandraare Deepclose to completing
Kumar (Photographer); two years
Vitamin in govern-
D, which is the previous
more a hormone government.
than a vitamin,Theisallegations
the only against
nutrient
Danesh Adil Jassawalament. What
(Photographer); a
hmedabad have been
: Shailesh B Ravalyour priorities?
that is made in the body. It Robert Vadra...
is essential for bone health and is produced when
(Principal Photographer); K olkata : Subir Halder (Principal
Photographer); C hennai Education
: N G Jaison (Senior isPhotographer)
our main focus area. bare skin is exposed
Although we mayto the The media
sun’s criticised
ultraviolet me for
B rays. speaking
While vitamin against Vadra.
D deficiency
not be able to implement the changes
is a pandemic we planned When weworld,
across the western speakparticularly
to people during election
in Nordic campaigns,
countries that
Chief of Graphics: Tanmoy in this term, we want to focusdon’t
Chakraborty on the getlong
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to wewhatreferisto many things,
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the corruption. But
problem is growing exponentially that doeseven not meanin sunny thatIndia.
I simply go after somebody
Vikas Verma, Rahul Sharma, Vipin Gupta (Associate Art Director); It’s only over the last two the decades
day I come that to power.
Indians haveI focus on my priorities
started recording an abysmally and want low to fulfill D
vitamin the promises I have made to my
status—now
reaching 80 per cent across people.
India,I referred
according thetocomplaints
estimates to the Commission
by the International Osteoporosis and Vigilance Bureau.Though
Foundation. It is notthe our job to verify. They
Associate Publisher: Anil Fernandes (Impact) problem was initially associated have to withlook into
Indian complaints
women over and find the truth behind
IMPACT TEAM 50, even children in the age Vadragroup or of
other
11 to cases.
15 doThe not courts
have will scrutinise the
General Manager: Mayur Rastogi (North), adequate levels of vitaminevidence D. Doctors andand giveresearchers
a verdict. say OUR MARCH
Deputy General Manager: Kaushiky Chakraborty this primarily comes down But to what
changing about officers
lifestyles. Now indicted
that by former DGP
we stay indoors or in cars,Prakash
and get Singh
exposed after to the recent
sun onlyJat quota
when agitation?
fully clothed,
Vipin Bagga, Deputy General Manager (Operations) almost no one gets the 10Action minutes is being
of direct taken high against
sun—on them.
the Some
wholehave body,been
Rajeev Gandhi, Regional Sales Manager (West) between 11 am and 3 pm—needed dismissed.to Others
produce have thebeenvitaminsuspended.
D that isSome required have
for good bone health. been served show cause notice and are in the process
In many other countries, of responding.
where similar Welifestyle
will act patterns
accordingly. have reduced
exposure to the sun, vitamin TheDJat agitation
needs are met has resulted
through in a caste
fortified food, divide
especially in
milk, some juices, margarine Haryana. Are you cereals.
and breakfast worried? India, which is slowly
waking up to the problem, Common
is currentlypeople [in Haryana]
reviewing have afor
a proposal certain mindset.
musculoskele-
September 20-26, 2016, published on every Friday tal diseases to be brought They
under are politically
the National divided
Health as Jats
Policy and
of thenon-Jats.
Union This
minis-
l
CM KHATTAR CYCLES TO THE
Editorial Office Living Media India Ltd., India Today Group Mediaplex, trySTATE
for health.
VIDHAN The other big
SABHA hasreason
been the for reality
hope isfor thata milk
long is time.
going Jats arefortified
to be easily
l Subscriptions: For assistance contact Customer Care India Today Group, A-61, with vitamin D and A to address provoked because they
malnutrition amongfeel that this [the
the Indian post ofBut
masses. the
BSNL/MTNL lines); (95120)enable our
2479900 from Delhi and new
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provide somesolesuccour,
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for get-
Mumbai: 022-66063411/3412,
Starting at
Kolkata: 033-40525327,the 044-24303200; level, it ting
primary
Chennai: will vitamin
take 15 D directly
years for carry
from the them
sun. all. We are least interested in caste poli-
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our efforts to bear fruit. Our other Our
Sales: Direct all trade enquiries to General Manager (Sales), Living Media India
thrustcover is tostory,
make writtentics.byWe want toEditor
Executive grow Damayanti
like a state… like looks
Datta, Haryanvis,
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our youth employable. 522 MoUs
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l Floor, Videocon Towers, Extn,the investor lation.
summit examine what Describe
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the measures
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Chennai-600018; Phone: Haryana) this March.
Towers, 2nd Floor,Investments bring
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2847 8525 201-204 Richmond
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Fax: 22218335; 52, Jawaharlal
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Phone: 23401657, 23400479, skill development.
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the world. Reproduction inready
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on various I am never including under pressure.
raising awarenessWe are
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greatest of highways...
blessings. Though areas. theWhenever
grand march we meet, at a public
of progress function,our
has changed or I
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important see him,
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So let’s startHisar by getting
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sun. He replies: ‘no, no, everything is fine’. The
All disputes are subject instance.
to the exclusive Wejurisdiction
have ofwritten to the concerned central PM never controls a state. And so it is with Haryana.
ministries two to three times. I have also requested
He is quite busy handling the affairs of the nation.
the defence minister to consider building a defence Why should he want to control Haryana? n
(Aroon Purie)
AFP
PRICE OF NEGLECT
The SC order on releasing Cauvery waters to Tamil Nadu has Karnataka on the boil, again
By Aravind Gowda
F
or us, the Cauvery river is like Kabini, Harangi and Hemavathi dams) in
a goddess…she is the lifeline of the Cauvery basin by the end of August What is the
south Karnataka. We will not 2016 was 115 thousand million cubic feet Cauvery water
stand attacks on Kannadigas (Tmc ft), as against a normal average of
in Tamil Nadu in the name of 216 Tmc ft. As per the Cauvery Water
dispute?
our goddess,” thunders Ravi Gowda, an Disputes Tribunal award, Karnataka
F
activist of the rabble-rousing Karnataka should release 192 Tmc ft of water in a or 125 years, since 1892, when
Rakshana Vedike as he justifies the tor- normal rainfall year—10 Tmc ft in June, an agreement was reached
ching of TN-registered vehicles in the 34 Tmc ft in July, 50 Tmc ft in August, between the erstwhile Madras
state. That’s the kind of emotion the 40 Tmc ft in September and 22 Tmc ft in Presidency and Mysore for arbitra-
sharing of Cauvery waters evokes in October. As Karnataka failed to release tion, sharing the riparian rights of
Karnataka, a sentiment that the state’s the required quantum of water in July the Cauvery has been a simmering
political parties have been milking for and August, TN approached the Supreme issue. Though it rises in Kodagu,
ages. Unfortunately, this time the ruling Court seeking relief against the ‘injustice’. Karnataka and flows 800 km south
Congress government failed to gauge With the court ruling in favour of eastwards through Tamil Nadu to
how aggrieved the public was, resulting TNadu (for the second time) and direct- reach the Bay of Bengal, the
in large-scale arson and violence even in ing Karnataka to release 12,000 cusecs Cauvery basin spread over 81,155
cosmopolitan Bengaluru. of water by September 20, there were sq km includes Kerala (2,866 sq
Rather than settling the dispute ami- widespread protests and violence in km) and Puducherry (160 sq km).
cably or through a Cauvery Management the state on September 12. Two people But the dispute over rights to its
Board, it has become a game of oneup- were killed in clashes with the police in waters is mainly between
manship for Karnataka and Tamil Nadu. Bengaluru, and over 150 TN registra- Karnataka and Tamil Nadu which in-
This year has been no different. For both tion vehicles have reportedly been van-
cludes the delta. The wrangling for
states, 2016 has been a ‘distress’ year, as dalised all over Karnataka. Losses in
water has only deepened as the
the Cauvery catchment area (Kodagu the arson are said to run into crores of
states grew more populous and
district in Karnataka) received 33 per rupees. With the police largely absent
new areas came under irrigation. It
cent below average rainfall. The com- in the initial stages, businesses owned
bined water storage levels (for the KRS, by Tamilians were mercilessly targeted has intensified since the Krishna
Water Disputes Tribunal gave its
final order in 2007.
PTI
NATION CAUVERY
by rioters. Chief Minister Siddaramaiah years. It will go by whatever the law says.
was caught completely offguard even as This water dispute cannot be settled in a
his home minister, G. Parameshwara, court of law. It has to happen across the
maintained that the “situation was under table through meaningful negotiations.
control”. By evening, and with large It is time leaders of the two states shed
parts of Bengaluru burning, the CM final- their egos and evolved a formula to share
ly reviewed the security situation and a Cauvery water during distress years,”
curfew was imposed in 16 police station says K.S. Puttannaiah, an independent
limits. It was too little, too late. legislator representing the Karnataka
A day after the violence, Siddaram- Rajya Raitha Sangha (a farmers’ body)
aiah played it safe by agreeing to release from Melukote, Mandya district, the epi-
PRO- water to TN in accordance with the SC’s centre of the Cauvery-related violence.
KARNATAKA orders. “We have always honoured the Farmers like him squarely blame
PROTESTERS
IN BENGALURU
apex court’s verdict. I request the people the politicians of Karnataka and TN
TURN VIOLENT of the state, especially farmers, to cooper- for the present state of affairs, as a
(EXTREME ate and support us in this moment of cri- distress formula has evaded them
LEFT); POLICE sis,” he said in a glum televised address. for the last nine years. The Cauvery
ARREST
In TN, the ruling AIADMK has Tribunal announced its final decision
PROTESTERS
IN THE CITY termed it as another victory for their on February 5, 2007, but so far, there
leader ‘Amma’. Tamil Nadu is unlikely to has been no consensus on how water
remain satisfied with the revised verdict will be shared when the monsoon fails.
of the SC and has already approached Distress years like these also provide
the Cauvery Supervisory Committee, an opportunity for Kannada leaders like
which will meet next week to decide the Vatal Nagaraj and Karnataka Rakshana
quantum of water to be released. Vedike founder Narayana Gowda, to
On the ground, Karanataka’s farmers take the stage espousing their favou-
point fingers at political leaders for failing rite causes, the Kannada language and
them again. “I don’t understand the logic farmers. Nagaraj is categorical: “Why
behind approaching the courts in distress should we share Cauvery water with
NATION CAUVERY
Karnataka contributes 462 Tmc ft Water Allocation Currently, Tamil Nadu’s

of Cauvery water but can use 270 KARNATAKA In Tmc ft
share has come down to
Tamil Nadu 419
Tmc ft; Tamil Nadu contributes 227 Karnataka 270 57 per cent while
Kerala 30
Tmc ft but gets 419 Tmc ft Puducherry 7 Karnataka’s share has
gone up to 37 per cent
Bay of Bengal
This seemingly unfair distribu- PUDUCHERRY
tion is because when the first In a normal year, there is no
Ca u very
KE
agreement was signed in 1924, difficulty for Karnataka to
RA
TN was using 80 per cent of release the allocated water to
TAMIL
LA
Cauvery water while Tamil Nadu, the problem
Karnataka used just 16 per cent NADU emerges in distress years
Tamil Nadu when we don’t even have distress years. “Firstly, the two states
Timeline of the adequate stock to meet the drinking have to accept the tribunal award. The
Cauvery Dispute needs of Karnataka? We will fight for issue of sharing water during distress
Cauvery…she belongs to Karnataka.” years has to be addressed scientifically
Agreement reached 1892 The problem arises during distress after assessing crop growth patterns,
between Madras Presidency years because of the lack of clarity in the land usage, soil fertility, water usage
and Mysore for arbitration order issued by the Tribunal: “In case during surplus and deficient rainfall
A second agreement reached 1924 the yield of Cauvery basin is less in a years, and the Cauvery basin ground-
between the two parties distress year, the allocated shares shall water level. The supervisory commit-
following fresh disputes be proportionately reduced among tee should expedite the process and
the states of Kerala, Karnataka, Tamil both states should pursue it vigorous-
The Centre sets up a fact-finding 1970 Nadu and the UT of Pondicherry.” It ly instead of raising it during distress
committee as Kerala and is left to the discretion of the Cauvery years,” says Prof T. Hanumanthaiah, a
Puducherry up their claims on a Supervisory Committee to arrive at the hydro-geologist and irrigation expert
share of the Cauvery waters quantum of water to be released to TN who has worked on large watershed
after assessing the ground realities in projects in south India.
The agreement between the 1974
both the states. Neither state has accepted the
Madras Presidency and the
There has been no attempt by either final award of the tribunal and both
princely state of Mysore expires Karnataka or TN to press for the con- have approached the SC. Karnataka’s
Agreement reached by all 1976 stitution of the Cauvery Management appeal is up for hearing on October 18.
four claimants on their share Board, which could decide on the water Siddaramaiah is clear about his state’s
initially but a change in flows in lean years based on a shar- approach, as the definition for ‘distress
government leads TN to renege ing formula like that adopted by other formula’ is not clear. “There are plenty
on final consent river management boards in the coun- of issues involved. We are looking at a
try. Instead, they have been contesting long-term solution. On October 18, we
Tribunal constituted under 1990 the finer points of the Tribunal award will lay before the court the ground
Inter-State Water Disputes Act in the SC. At the same time, while realities. When there is no definition for
after SC gets involved Karnataka is unhappy with some of a distress formula, how can this issue
Cauvery Water Disputes Tribunal 2007 the decisions taken by the Supervisory ever be tackled?” he wonders.
gives its final order on allocation Committee during distress years, TN is It is a fact that none of the states
in their favour. are satisfied with the tribunal’s award.
Centre notifies final 2013 Karnataka does feel there is scope The tribunal allocated 419 Tmc ft of
CWDT award for a Cauvery Management Board, but the total 740 Tmc ft water available
Tamil Nadu files petition on 2016 only after all the states have accepted in the Cauvery basin to TN, 270 Tmc
the final award of the tribunal. As CM ft to Karnataka, 30 Tmc ft to Kerala
Sept. 5 in SC seeking release of
Siddaramaiah says, “all of us want to and 7 Tmc ft to Puducherry. The bal-
water. SC directs Karnataka to
put an end to this issue…but where ance 14 Tmc ft has been earmarked for
release 15,000 cusecs a day for
is the National Water Policy? If there environmental protection and outflow
next ten days. Karnataka com-
was such a policy in this country, I don’t to the sea. However, Karnataka has
plies even as it appeals; violent think we would have faced a problem of staked claim to 312 Tmc ft of water
protests and the game of iden- this magnitude.” and it will be interesting to see how the
tity politics rolls out in both Experts believe the only way for- Supreme Court addresses the problem.
states. On Sept. 12, apex court ward is to assess ground realities in Follow the writer on Twitter @AravindShiv
asks both states to behave, red-
uces quantum to be released
NATION BIHAR
CASTING
A LONG
SHADOW
After 11 years in jail, Siwan strongman
Mohammad Shahabuddin is out on bail. How
will it affect Bihar and CM Nitish Kumar?
By Amitabh Srivastava
O
n the morning of Sept of his shoulders, the jabbing of the fin daring to ask for a fee. All of Bihar, it
ember 10, even the mon ger to make a point—expressed his seemed, had once again fallen in line.
soon cooperated. By 7:26 remarkable selfassurance. This was a Even Nitish Kumar, who became
am, when Mohammad man in charge. Bihar chief minister in 2005 and ens
Shahabuddin, convic The authority was manifest in the ured Shahabuddin would feel the full
ted murderer and fourtime member 150car convoy that escorted him on force of the law, appeared keen to stay
of Parliament, walked out of Bihar’s the 13hour journey to his hometown, out of the fray. He was in Jharkhand,
Bhagalpur Central jail, unhurried and Pratappur, in Siwan. As the massed unable, or unwilling, to respond when
relaxed, to a boisterous welcome by ranks of SUVs swept through, cars swe Shahabuddin mocked him as the
thousands of supporters, the skies had rved to the side to let the convoy pass “accidental chief minister”. The pla
cleared as if in deference to the don. and some half dozen or so tollgates cid demeanour, the scholarly appurte
Draped in a white kurta so crisp it were raised without a single operator nances, it appeared, were all for show.
might have been steampressed that Shahabuddin was more than happy
morning, Shahabuddin was affable, to bare his political fangs. His com
calling journalists “yaar” and breaking ments also succeeded in annoying the
into a smile when he was asked why
people feared him. The holder of an MA
EVEN NITISH KUMAR, Janata Dal (United), his party’s pur
ported allies. Nitish has tried to rise
and a PhD, Shahabuddin would have WHO ENSURED above it, claiming he has the people’s
passed for a professor in his reading
glasses, book tucked under his arm. He
SHAHABUDDIN WOULD mandate and “doesn’t care what others
have to say”, but the support of some
walked among his supporters, shaking FEEL THE FORCE OF THE Rashtriya Janata Dal (RJD) leaders for
hands, making small talk, without any LAW, APPEARED KEEN TO Shahabuddin’s “accidental” comments
noticeable security. He was genial and
accessible, but his body language—the STAY OUT OF THE FRAY have led to clear tensions. “Lalu is our
leader,” said the RJD national vicepres
hint of a swagger, the disdainful shrug ident Raghuvansh Prasad Singh, “the

looked as if he had stepped out of a bar
ber shop rather than a prison.
Why His Bail Raises Eyebrows

BJP senior leader Sushil Kumar Modi
has accused the LaluNitish duo of
enabling Shahabuddin’s bail. The
Patna HC’s bail order reads: “Finding
no progress in the trial and further
considering the period of detention, the
petitioner is directed to be released on
bail.” For over two years, the govern
ment failed to take the Rajiv Roshan
murder case to trial. It even failed to
honour the HC’s directions of February
3 to conclude the trial within nine mon
ths. Bail was also made possible as the
police chose not to invoke the Crime
Control Act (CCA), as it had done once
to keep Shahabuddin in jail on the gro
unds that he could influence the trial.
Modi said had the government wan
ted, it could have begun Shahabuddin’s
trial through videoconferencing from
Bhagalpur, where the Siwan strong
man was shifted after the murder of
Siwanbased journalist Rajdeo Ranjan
in May. The journalist’s family has acc
used Shahabuddin of masterminding
the killing. “Why wasn’t he booked
SHAHABUDDIN WALKING OUT OF BHAGALPUR JAIL AFTER PATNA HC GRANTED HIM BAIL
under the CCA,” asks Modi, “when he
is involved in so many cases? Instead,
the CCA was imposed on Mokama MLA
leaders of the alliance partners had which Shahabuddin had already been Anant Singh (another dreaded don) to
decided to make Nitish Kumar the chief given a life sentence in December last prevent him from coming out of jail
minister...I did not favour it.” This led year. He was also sentenced to life in even though he hasn’t been convicted.
to immediate calls from JD(U) leaders, prison in 2007 for the 1999 abduction The state has conspired to weaken the
who had striven to ignore Shahabuddin, and murder of a political rival. case.” He also questioned why the state
to call on Lalu to control his party. He walked out of prison last week had not engaged top lawyers to oppose
Lalu’s only response has been to claim after 11 years in judicial custody. He’s Shahabuddin’s bail, having spared no
Shahabuddin had said nothing against been convicted and sentenced to vary expense to hire a crack legal team to
Nitish but was only expressing his sup ing prison terms in eight separate represent the state when the prohibi
port and loyalty to the RJD and its chief. cases, but as appeals grind on, he finds tion decree was challenged in court.
Shahabuddin was granted bail on himself, temporarily at least, back in
September 7 by the Patna High Court in the public eye. Despite a further 11 Who is Shahabuddin?
the 2014 Rajiv Roshan murder case in cases lodged against him awaiting trial, Shahabuddin, or ‘Saheb’, as he is
which he is named as a conspirator. The Shahabuddin’s years in prison and described in Siwan, first became an
Roshan case is being tried separately legal travails have not worn him down. RJD MP in 1996, serving until 2008,
from the murders of the victim’s’s two He retains his thick hair and clear skin, when his political career was cut
brothers, in Siwan in August 2004, for and with his freshly shaven cheeks, he short by prison. He had never lost an
NATION BIHAR
SIWAN’S election from Siwan until his crimi-

nal convictions made him ineligible
‘SHAHENSHAH’
to run. Shahabuddin’s electoral suc-
cess began in 1990, when he won
an assembly seat as an independent.
The highs and lows of a life of crime He caught Lalu’s attention, and in
1995, won another assembly term
1986 September 2016 with the RJD. Lalu then rewarded
First case lodged against After 11 years of impris- Shahabuddin with a ticket for the Lok
Shahabuddin in Siwan, onment, Shahabuddin Sabha polls; his faith was well placed
then a college student is released on bail with Siwan becoming a safe seat for
the RJD till 2008.
Former Bihar DGP D.P. Ojha once
1990 observed that “had Siwan been a king-
Wins seat in Bihar assem- May 2016
dom, Shahabuddin would have been
bly as an independent After the mur-
its shahenshah”. His writ was all-per-
candidate from Ziradei der of journalist
vasive. The story, possibly apocryphal,
Rajdeo Ranjan,
goes that in Siwan no one spat or uri-
Shahabuddin is shift-
nated in the vicinity of a Shahabuddin
1996 ed to Bhagalpur central jail
poster. Ojha had a 256-page dossier on
Fights LS polls from Siwan Shahabuddin, detailing his network of
as RJD candidate; December 2015 500 criminals, arsenal of AK-47s and
wins handsomely Shahabuddin is sentenced to Rs 100 crore empire. But in December
life imprisonment for the kidnap 2003, two months before his superan-
and murder of Girish and Satish nuation, Ojha was unceremoniously
Raj, who were killed in 2004 removed from his post by then chief
minister Rabri Devi, Lalu’s wife. In the
15 years that Lalu and his wife ran
2014 Bihar, Shahabuddin enjoyed complete
Booked for conspiracy in the autonomy in Siwan. Businessmen
Rajiv Roshan murder case would hang pictures of Saheb on the
walls of factories and offices.
2009
2001 Wads of currency found The Fall and Rise
under his jail cell mattress. If he seemed to believe he could act
Ten die in shootout with police
Wife Hena loses LS elections with impunity, it was because he
after Shahabuddin’s men try to
could. In 1996, SP S.K. Singhal, sur-
stop arrest of local RJD biggie
vived a murder attempt. Shahabuddin
2008 and two of his bodyguards were conv-
icted for their part in the plot. Even
2003 Given a 10-year sentence for
possession of an unlicensed
when Lalu’s brother-in-law, Sadhu
Yadav, was involved in a vicious turf
Arrested for the foreign-made pistol, 56 war with Shahabuddin, Lalu spoke
abduction, presumed Pakistan-made rifles and 200 up for his protege. It was the start of
murder of CPI(ML)’s rounds of AK-47 ammunition the estrangement between Lalu and
Chhotelal Gupta
Sadhu. “Lalu,” says an RJD leader,
March 2007 “always considered Shahabuddin as
2004 First major legal setback.
the sole custodian of Siwan’s Muslim
Charged for the votes.” In March 2001, Shahabuddin’s
Sentenced to two years in jail private army fired at a Bihar police
murder of brothers for attack on CPI(ML) office in
Girish and Satish Raj team, who had been ordered to raid
Siwan in 1998 his Pratappur house, killing 11 people
including two policeman.
2005 2006 Shahabuddin’s fortunes nosedived
days before his mentor Lalu Prasad
Out on bail, but arrested again Charged with was formally unseated from Bihar.
in November, in Delhi, after illegal possession of a The state was then under President’s
seizure of illegal arms mobile phone in jail rule and an assembly election (the

NATION BIHAR
PTI
A
second in the same year) was under s we head to work in the mornings, sit back at home for dinner with the
way when, www.indiatoday.in
in November 2005, a joint family or go out on the weekend for a grocery run, ignoring aches and
team of the Bihar and Delhi Police niggles as routine irritants, a vast majority of Indians are unaware that
Grouparrested
Chief Executive Shahabuddin
Officer: Ashish Bagga from an official their bones are slowly being eaten away from within. Vitamin D deficiency
Groupbungalow
Editorial Director: onRajBishambar
Chengappa Das Marg in has reached epidemic proportions in the country. More than 70 per cent of the
theKaveree
Editors: capital; the arrest
Bamzai (Special Projects), Ajitwas
Kumar Jha related
(Research)to population is deficient and another 15 per cent has insufficient quantities of the
the Editors:
Managing discoveryKai Jabir Friese, ofRajeshforeign-made
Jha fire- ‘sunshine vitamin’ in their bodies.
arms, ammunition and undeclared
foreign
Deputy currency
Editors: Prachi Bhuchar, Uday inMahurkar,
a raidManisha on his house
Saroop cause osteoporosis and rickets, apart from cardiovascular diseases, diabetes,
in Pratappur. Shahabuddin’s political cancer, infections such as tuberculosis and even depression. In extreme cases,
Senior Editors: Shweta Punj, Sasi Nair, J aipur : Rohit Parihar
M
fortunes
umbai
suffered a :corresponding
: Suhani Singh, Kiran Dinkar Tare; p atna Amitabh Srivastava
decline,
Associate withDasgupta,
Editors: Shougat the JD(U)-BJP
Chinki Sinha alliance ward twist could lead to a fall and even bending forward could snap the spine.
T winning : Jeemon
hiruvananthapuram a comfortable
Jacob; BeiJing : Ananth majority
Krishnan and But the symptoms of vitamin D deficiency—being low on energy, unaccounted
ruling Bihar
une

from 2005 to 2013; in aches and pains, frequent muscle injuries, longer healing time—are so insidi-
PhotothoseDepartment:years, VikramShahabuddin
Sharma (Deputy Photo Editor), was convic- ous that they are often brushed aside as regular lifestyle problems, and there
ted on a number of charges and his
wife,
(Senior
M umbai
Hena Shahab,
Photographer), Chandra Deep Kumar lost(Photographer);
: Mandar Suresh Deodhar (Chief Photographer),
successive Lok Vitamin D, which is more a hormone than a vitamin, is the only nutrient
Sabha
Danesh elections
Adil Jassawala (Photographer);in 2009 a
hmedabad and 2014.
: Shailesh B Raval that is made in the body. It is essential for bone health and is produced when
(Principal Photographer); K olkata : Subir Halder (Principal
Photographer); But, C Shahabuddin,
hennai : N G Jaison (Senior Photographer)behind bars, bareBJP skin is exposed
PROTESTERS BURNto NITISH-LALU
the sun’s ultraviolet
EFFIGIES INB rays.AFTER
PATNA While vitamin D deficiency
SHAHABUDDIN’S RELEASE
made something of a comeback when
is a pandemic across the western world, particularly in Nordic countries that
ChiefLalu formed
of Graphics: an alliance with Nitish
Tanmoy Chakraborty don’t get enough sunshine, what is alarming is that the
after both suffered
a drubbing by the people
problem inisattendance. The police sei-
growing exponentially even inAsha
sunny says the journalist had been sum-
India.
VikasBJP Verma,in Rahul the 2014
Sharma, Lok(Associate
Vipin Gupta Sabha elections.
Art Director); zedIt’s
43 only
phones and
over theseveral
last two SIM cards,that
decades moned
Indians to the
have jail but had refused to go.
The alliance won a massive mandate
including one issued
started recording from anlow
an abysmally int-vitamin D status—now
to Gupta
Naveen govern Bihar in the 2015 assembly
(Chief Coordinator),
er national
reaching 80location. Soon after,
per cent across India,the Whyto
according Heestimates
is Attacking Nitish Kumar
polls. The RJD-JD(U) alliance won six Nitish Kumar administration
by the International Osteoporosis shifted
Foundation. Though11
Convictions, thepending cases and
of the
Associate eight
Publisher: seats (Impact)
Anil Fernandes in Siwan, a perfor- him
problemto Bhagalpur
was initially jail, a move most
associated with Indian womencircumstantial
mounting over evidence in
mance
IMPACT TEAM that established Shahabuddin’s observers described
50, even children as an
in the ageattempt
group of to11 to 15 domurders
recent not have have not been enough
continued
General Manager: Mayur holdRastogiover
(North),Muslim voters. save face. levels
adequate Nitishofalso recommended
vitamin D. Doctorsa andtoresearchers
prevent Shahabuddinsay OURfrom
MARCH getting
Upendra Singh (Bangalore), Velu Subramaniam (Chennai)
Since June
Deputy General Manager: Kaushiky 2014,
Chakraborty though, there CBI
this probe.
primarily comes down to changing lifestyles. bail. Anyone Nowelse that might2013
have COVER
refrained
Saleshave been
and Operations: four
D.V.S. Ramasensational
Rao, Chief General Manager murders we Ranjan’s
stay indoors suspected
or in cars, killers
and identi-
get exposedfrom to criticising
the sun only thewhen fully clothed,
CM under whose
VipininBagga,Siwan and Manager
Deputy General each (Operations)
time fingers have fied
almost Azaharuddin
no one gets Beg, the 10 alias Laddan
minutes of direct highbail
watch sun—on
had been the granted.
whole body, Not Sha-
been
Rajeev Gandhi, pointed
Regional Sales inManager
Shahabuddin’s
(West) direc- Mian,
between as 11
theam manandwho had paid for
3 pm—needed to produce
habuddin, the vitamin
who was D that is required
launching vitrio-
tion. The first was the murder of Rajiv the murder.
for good boneBeg is a close aide of lic attacks against Nitish Kumar only
health.
Roshan, killed, as his father Chanda Shahabuddin,
In many other and though where
countries, he has similar lifestyle
minutes patterns
after have reduced
his release. A senior
Babu says, just days before he was been
exposurearrested,
to thethesun,police
vitamin have failedareRJD
D needs met leader
through fortified food,
attributes this in especially
part to
scheduled to give his testimony. Then, to establish
milk, any conspiracy
some juices, margarinebetween and breakfast cereals. India,
Shahabuddin’s which is slowly
long-standing dislike
in November 2014, local BJP spokes- the two.up
waking Much of Ranjan’s
to the problem,hard-hitting
is currently reviewing
of Bihar’sa proposal
CM, but for musculoskele-
mostly to “Lalu’s
person20-26,
September Srikant Bhartiya
2016, published wasFriday
on every killed on reporting
tal diseases hadto targeted
be brought Shahabuddin.
under the National Healthplan”.
long-term PolicyShahabuddin
of the Union minis-is the
l
hisOffice
Editorial way home
Living Media India Ltd.,from
India Today aGroupwedding.
Mediaplex, The He hadhealth.
try for also released
The other a photograph
big reason of for hope
RJD’s is great
that milkMuslim is going
hope,totheir
be fortified
means
Subsuspect, Shailesh, confessed
l scriptions: For assistance contact Customer in custody
Care India Today Group, A-61, a clandest
with vitaminineDmeeting
and A to between
addressAbdul
malnutrition amonglost
to salvage the ground
Indian masses.
and squeeze But
thatlines);
BSNL/MTNL he(95120)
had been
2479900 paid
from Delhi to kill
and Faridabad; Bhartiya
(0120) 2479900 Ghafur,
while thesethe measures
Bihar social may welfare
provide min-
someoutsuccour, there is“Lalu,”
competitors. no substitute
says the forRJD
get-
(who
Mumbai: had
022-66063411/3412,
played an
Kolkata: 033-40525327, important
Chennai: 044-24303200; role ister, and Shahabuddin
ting vitamin D directly from at Siwan jail, leader, “has agreed to back a Nitish
the sun.
l
inDirectHena
Sales: Shahab’s
all trade enquiries to General Manager
electoral
(Sales), Living Mediadefeat).
India whichOurwent
coverviral,
story,embarrassing
written by Executivethe Kumar-led
Editor Damayanti government Datta,onlylooksforat the
the
l
l
He has not implicated
Shahabuddin,
government
effects of this no end. Ranjan’s
overlooked epidemic wife
affecting suchterm.
current largeHe sections of our popu-
has ambitions for his
Fax: though. In Floor,
March 2015, another BJP lation. We examine what has led to the problem son, andand what are the
Shahabuddin has measures
a big role
66063226 E-1, Ground
l Videocon Towers, Jhandewalan Extn,
leaderPhone: was murdered, and in May needed to combat it. As part of her research, Datta got electoral
herself tested and found
to play in his calculations.”
l
Chennai-600018; 2847 8525 l 201-204 Richmond Towers, 2nd Floor,
Fax: this
22218335;year,
l Rajdeo
52, Jawaharlal Nehru Road, 4th Ranjan, the Bihar
Floor, Kolkata-700071; that, like many other urban professionals, Onshethehaddayinadequate,
Shahabuddin though not defi-
was released
THE RJD-JD(U)
l
bur
Phone: eau
23401657, chief
23400479, 23410100,of23402481,
a Hindi newspaper,
23410982, 23411498;
l
cient, vitamin D quantities in her body. She has been
in Bihar, Laluput on a monthly
declared his supportmedi- for
was killed. Investigators working on cine by the doctors. Mulayam Singh Yadav and promised
ALLIANCE WON A MAS-
l
Ranjan’sReproduction inmurder found that a mobile

l
Though action is needed on various fronts, including
to campaign forraising awareness
Samajwadi Party in
SIVE MANDATE IN THE
the world. any manner is prohibited.
phone at the scene of the crime had

and government intervention, the solution UP,alsoevenliesas with us. Good
Nitish health is the
has launched an
received some 36 calls from a num- greatest of blessings. Though the grand march independentof progress
election hascampaign
changed there.our
2015 ASSEMBLY POLLS,
ber that was traced to Siwan division-
lives dramatically, it is important that weBut don’t can become victims toaour
Shahabuddin, lifestyle.
byword for
WINNING SIX OUT OF
al jail,
l india today
where Shahabuddin was being
So let’s start by getting some sun. criminality in Indian politics, stay out of
held.are
All disputes Six days
subject to thelater,
ed the jail, they found Shahabuddin
exclusivewhen
jurisdiction cops
of raid-
EIGHT SEATS IN SIWAN jail long enough to play the role envis-
aged for him by his great benefactor?
holding a ‘durbar’ with as many as 63 Follow the writer on Twitter @Amitabh1975
(Aroon Purie)
NATION DELHI
A GOVERNMENT
ON SICK LEAVE
THE BELEAGUERED PARTY IS GRASPING AT STRAWS, BUT DELHI ISN’T IMPRESSED
By Shougat Dasgupta
DISQUIETING SYMPTOMS
PATIENTS AT THE RAM MANOHAR
LOHIA HOSPITAL ON SEPTEMBER 6
CHANDRADEEP KUMAR
M
anish Sisodia pulled up Literally or metaphorically, were sitting MLAs.
outside the gate to his offi- Kejriwal appeared to be putting dis- Sputtering with rage down a phone
cial residence on Mathura tance between himself and Delhi, the line, Ashutosh, AAP national spokes-
Road, in central Delhi, city where he won so overwhelming person insisted that it “defied logic for
on a recent weekday evening. Delhi’s a mandate less than two years ago. an elected government to be reduced
deputy chief minister strode towards While Kejriwal was campaigning in to an advisory capacity”. Several days
his home office, a set of sparse rooms, Punjab and Sisodia was on his way to ago, he had received a summons from
overlit so that everything, sofas and Helsinki, Satyendra Jain, Delhi’s health the National Commission for Women
people, looked a little shabbier, seams minister and, alongside Sisodia, the (NCW) to justify a blog he wrote defend-
a little more exposed. Assistants fol- government’s most able administrator, ing Kumar’s right (albeit before the
lowed, bowed under the weight of files. was in Goa. AAP is campaigning there rape allegation) to conducting consen-
Two others wheeled a pair of squat, too, seeking to garnish its anticipated sual adult relationships as he wished.
burgundy leather despatch boxes into win in Punjab with electoral victory in The blog was written in what we have
the office. The scene is like a parody a third state and near-certain national come to know as ‘AAP standard style’
of industry, as if Sisodia were about to party status. Meanwhile, Najeeb Jung, —prose that is humourless, bump-
enter the Circumlocution Office and the Lieutenant Governor (LG) of Delhi, tious, and self-aggrandising. That said,
wade through an ocean of government and the AAP government’s bete noire, Ashutosh has a point when he argues
paperwork to reach his marooned was missing in action too, on a person- that the NCW “acted with unpreceden-
desk. When Sisodia emerged from his al trip to the United States. ted haste. Every day members of the
office, it was with an apology: “Sorry, “Who’s in charge,” reporters and BJP and RSS make sexist statements.
I just cleared 50 to 60 files.” He had a news anchors thundered. And the What about Modi’s description of the
flight to Finland to catch late that night, unadorned truth was—nobody. Early late Sunanda Pushkar as a Rs 50 crore
a trip that caused controversy on the last month, the Delhi High Court ruled girlfriend, did the NCW issue a notice to
nightly news talk shows. that the LG is, for all intents and pur- him?” This is the ur-AAP narrative, that
For all the appearance of business, poses, the city’s principal administra- the party, whatever its own excesses,
of bustle, and there are few that will
deny that Sisodia is a hard worker, the
truth is that over several weeks the CM n min [are] left wid
Delhi government has ground to a halt.
The next day, as Sisodia would have no power now, even to buy a
been lounging in his executive class seat pen. LG n PM enjoy all powers
(if the media is to be believed) 30,000
feet above the capital, news broke of wrt to Del
a fourth death in a Delhi hospital of a Tweet by Delhi CM, ARVIND KEJRIWAL
patient with chikungunya, the typically
non-fatal mosquito-borne virus.
No one from the Aam Aadmi Party
was available to answer questions
about the death or the rising panic
over the numbers of people flocking to tor. Since then AAP has been in what is being bullied by Modi and the BJP.
hospitals and mohalla clinics around appears to be a prolonged sulk, waiting “They can’t,” Ashutosh says, “take dis-
the city with symptoms of dengue or for the Supreme Court to pronounce sent. It’s their authoritarian nature.”
chikungunya. Arvind Kejriwal, the judgement on the party’s appeal and Sisodia, too, is unequivocal in
chief minister, was in Bangalore for essentially, as one commentator put absolving AAP of any blame in precipi-
throat surgery, having spent the previ- it, “abdicating its responsibility to the tating the current, crippling stand-off
ous four days campaigning in Punjab, people of the city.” with the LG. “We are working around
where AAP has, if not run aground, Since then, the party has been the clock,” he says of the Delhi govern-
found itself in treacherous waters. mired in scandal, with a cabinet min- ment, “but we’re being blocked by the
Once odds-on favourites to win the ister accused of spiking a woman’s LG.” Sisodia denies that AAP has a bad
state’s assembly elections, to be held drink and raping her on camera, relationship with bureaucrats, instead
early next year, AAP is suddenly on the another leader accused of molestation, claiming that pressure is being exerted
back foot, defending self-inflicted scan- and a third still of thuggery. And this on them by Jung, who in turn answers
dals, dissent, and a botched (at least, is in Delhi alone. Fully 21 of the par- directly to Modi and Amit Shah, the
temporarily) flirtation with Navjot ty’s MLAs are waiting for the Election corpulent BJP president. Santosh
Singh Sidhu. “I have pitched my tent in Commission to decide whether they Desai, the columnist, accepts that
Punjab now,” Kejriwal announced dur- should be disqualified for accepting there is some justice in AAP’s claims
ing his visit, “and I will leave the state positions as parliamentary secretaries, of victimhood. “It can’t be denied,” he
only after sending the Badals to jail.” a so-called ‘office of profit’, though they says, “that they don’t have the room for

manoeuvre that governments generally do,
that they are sandwiched between a hostile
municipal corporation and LG but AAP is at
war with everyone, including themselves.”
There is a danger too that a govern-
ment which has promised to do things, to
achieve unrealistic targets, is becoming
comfortable with the idea of non-perfor-
mance. But do voters care that the LG has
embarked on the futile, time-wasting task
of retroactively investigating AAP govern-
M ZHAZO
ment decisions for examples of neglected

protocol? Or do they just see the govern-
ment they elected as defunct?
‘THEY WANT REVENGE’

I
n a curious way, says an AAP insider,
unwilling to be quoted except anony-
In conversation with Delhi Deputy CM Manish Sisodia mously, it makes sense that Kejriwal
should ignore Delhi in favour of Punjab:
How does the government  If AAP can win the Punjab “His hands are tied in Delhi. If AAP wins
function when the relationship election, what will be the Delhi Punjab it will help us win more credibility in
with bureaucrats is so bad? CM’s role in Punjab? Delhi, will make it harder for the LG and the
Our relationship with bureaucrats Look, the Delhi CM will always be BJP to block us.” Sisodia emphasises that
is not bad. But the problem is that dedicated to Delhi. But Arvind Kejriwal “cannot be expected, as leader of
they feel more accountable to Kejriwal has two roles and, as the party, not to play a key role in campaign-
the LG. And the LG’s priorities are leader of the Aam Aadmi Party, ing in other states. He is in a supervisory
different. In Delhi, chikungunya wherever there is an Aam Aadmi role, as all chief ministers should be, and
is rife. Has the LG’s office called government, he is duty-bound to he lets his ministers get on with the details
a single meeting? The PM inter- look at it. Because people have of administration.” But Kejriwal, with his
feres in the governing of Delhi but reposed their trust in him. The frequent absences from Delhi, ironic given
has he thought about asking his whole country looks to him. How his criticism of Modi’s foreign jaunts, gives
municipal corporation about sani- do you expect him to keep quiet the impression that the state he promised to
tation, about the dirt that clogs when Dalits are being murdered govern for five years is becoming an after-
this city? in Hyderabad, or Gujarat, or some thought. Ashutosh rejects this interpreta-
 Can AAP be fully engaged part of Uttar Pradesh? Any sensi- tion, saying that Kejriwal “has left Delhi
in governing when the chief min- tive leader in this country should barely a handful of times, with only one trip
ister is in Punjab, and the health speak out. to Rome, a few to Punjab and Goa and one to
minister is in Goa while there is a  How as a party will you Gujarat”. It is not, the party insists, that it is
health crisis in Delhi? recover from recent accusa- uninterested in Delhi. It is that AAP has lost
Any party will try to expand its tions of rape, molestation, the initiative, that the high court decision
wings. But that has nothing to do corruption... has given the LG authority at the expense of
with our fight with the PMO or the Aam Aadmi Party has proved its the elected government.
LG. What do we want from them? credibility. If someone does some- What people see on TV, though, is a
To leave us to get on with our thing wrong, even if he is a minis- party forever eager to pick a fight. Sisodia
work. If we put an estate manager ter, we will sack him. We don’t hide says Modi and the BJP “are irritated with
in government schools to ensure things behind curtains. Individuals the people of Delhi and are taking their
that schools are clean, they’re are important but the Aam Aadmi revenge on the people for rejecting them
concerned only about whether Party stands for something much so completely”. Kejriwal tweets that the
we’ve asked them for permission. larger. We care about education “CM n min [are] left wid no power now,
 Why would the PM and health. Unless you do some- even to buy a pen. LG n PM enjoy all pow-
obstruct you? thing about that, you can’t have a ers wrt to Del”. Between the lines of all that
Their ultimate problem is that progressive citizenry. And if you eye-watering text speak, what is there to
they are not able to digest their don’t have progressive citizens, glean but a man throwing his hands up in
defeat in Delhi. It’s not about Aam forward-looking citizens, critical despair? And that is not an image people in
Aadmi Party only. They want citizens, then you can’t develop as Delhi associate with the once dynamic, once
revenge on the people of Delhi. a nation. proactive party it elected. AAP and Kejriwal
must rediscover their mojo. And it won’t be
enough to whine that Modi stole it. n
NATION PORTS
NITIN GADKARI AT A REVIEW OF

THE COCHIN PORT TRUST AND
SHIPYARD IN 2015
GADKARI’S PORT
TURNAROUND
THE SHIPPING MINISTER IS TRANSFORMING THE FORTUNES
OF INDIA’S 12 MAJOR PORTS. THE LARGER VISION OF PORT-BASED
INDUSTRIALISATION, HOWEVER, STILL REMAINS A DREAM
By Uday Mahurkar

T
he Tamil Nadu Generation management systems have turned the is on mechanisation, to meet interna
and Distribution Corporation fortunes of the major ports,” says a tional ‘best practices’. The mechanisa
(TANGEDCO), the utility pro senior TANGEDCO executive. tion ratio, or the ratio of work done by
vider responsible for genera machines compared to manual labour,
ting, transmitting and distributing THE TURNAROUND varied from just 30 per cent at Kolkata
power in India’s second most indus Every morning, both Gadkari and Port to 90 per cent at Ennore Port.
tralised state, is delighted with the Rajive Kumar, secretary for shipping, Straddling all these changes was
shipping ministry. The recent increase receive daily performance reports Gadkari, cracking the whip like a pri
in efficiency at India’s major ports— for each port. The reports note vital vate sector CEO. There would be no
such as quicker loading and unloading parameters such as the time taken to public sector socialism in shipping, he
times for coal, for example—have hel load/unload goods, as well as perfor said. “Performers have to be encour
ped the corporation shave Rs 78 crore mance indicators such as the number aged and rewarded, and the laggards
off its logistics costs. (Coal is the life of ships berthed or waiting for a berth. punished. What has been happening so
line of the state’s four major thermal When Gadkari took over the twin far has been the opposite,” he has said
power plants.) Meanwhile, over 2,000 portfolios of road transport, highways repeatedly, beginning with his very
km away, on the western coast, edible and shipping, he brought with him a first meeting with shipping officials at
oil importers at Kandla, India’s largest corporate culture. His turnaround plan Transport Bhavan. His ministry intro
port by volume, has praise for Union for the ports began with his ministry duced a new set of rules six months
minister for shipping Nitin Gadkari. hiring USbased management consul ago, reminiscent of the rewards and
Actions taken by his ministry have tant, Boston Consulting Group (BCG), in punishments scheme for private con
saved them Rs 100 crore in logistics early 2015. The mandate he gave BCG tractors he had introduced as PWD
costs in the last financial year alone, was to point out areas of inefficiency minister in Maharashtra in the ’90s.
and this is a common story across the at the 12 major ports, and to suggest Port authorities fixed timelines for
12 major ports that dot India’s 7,517 areas of improvement through an opti the loading and unloading of goods.
km coastline. mised use of available resources and Bonuses were announced for those
The incremental changes, pushed infrastructure upgrades. that ran efficiently, penalties imposed
for by the shipping ministry under
Gadkari, have boosted the sector.
Shipping capacity surged by 25 per
cent between 2014 and 2016—the
highest increase in any two years for SHIPPING CAPACITY SURGED BY 25 PER
the 12 major ports. The ministry also
added a capacity of 170 million tonnes CENT BETWEEN 2014 AND 2016—THE
per annum (MTPA) in 201416, the HIGHEST INCREASE IN ANY TWO YEARS
highest twoyear increase in the major
ports sector. FOR THE 12 MAJOR PORTS
The additional cargohandling
capacity at these ports has increased
their cumulative profits by Rs 1,000 The BCG’s review found that ports on those that exceeded deadlines. Sig
crore. The downstream effects have were performing far below their nificantly, this scheme was implement
been tremendous. Estimates, verified potential because the equipment ed only after the government increased
by the Indian Registrar of Shipping, a available was chronically underuti cargo handling capacities at all ports.
statutory body, show savings of around lised. As many as 104 initiatives for However, the bane of the Indian
Rs 2,500 crore in logistics costs for the 12 major ports were identified under shipping industry has always been
ports’ clients. (Increase in port efficien Project Unnati, which benchmarked the turnaround time at port—the
cy vastly reduce logistics costs, which studies of major ports to enhance their time required to prepare a ship for its
include penalties such as transport performance in terms of time and cost return journey. The Japanese port of
demurrage). TANGEDCO, for instance, while avoiding capital expenditure. Yokohama is the world’s fastest, at 15
transports coal from India’s eastern These initiatives have to be imple hours. Indian ports, on the other hand,
coal fields to the state. It takes delivery mented by 2019; as many as 40 have recorded an average turnaround time
of the coal at Paradip port, and then already been brought into play. Also, of 48 hours, nearly twice the global
ships it on to V.O. Chidambaranar (for because of changes, the performance average. The longer a ship stays in
merly Tuticorin) and Ennore ports. An monitoring system has undergone a port, the more expensive it is; one esti
increase in port efficiency, therefore, total makeover. mate pegs the cost of a single hour’s
means that coal is loaded, unloaded The ministry has invested Rs delay at $1,200 for a cargo ship.
and transported faster, thus reduc 30,000 crore on upgrading port infra Today, turnaround times have been
ing the cost of delays. “A change in structure by involving private play slashed by 40 per cent. In Paradip port,
the style of functioning and modern ers. In these upgrades, the emphasis for instance, this has been acheived by

NATION PORTS
THE DYNAMIC DOZEN

increasing load handling capacities per
hour: capacity has doubled from 1,300
tonnes to 2,700 tonnes. Kandla, on the
west coast, has scripted the greatest Volumes and profits are up at most major Indian ports
turnaround. Coal handling capacities
are set to quadruple, touching 16 mil
lion tonnes this year. Oil loading and
unloading has increased from 6,000 to
Paradip
8,500 tonnes per day. In a similar fash
76 6% 31% Kolkata
ion, Ennore port’s capacity for unload and Haldia
ing coal has also increased, from
22,000 to 38,000 tonnes per day. 50 10% 27%
Innovative measures also made a
difference. Kandla port, for example, Jawaharlal Nehru Kamarajar
could not offer large ships anchorage, (Navi Mumbai) (Chennai)
because of its low draught, or depth of
water. To resolve this, Gadkari ordered
64 2% 2% 32 9% 13%
the pioneering of transloading operati
ons. This meant that large ships would
be anchored some distance out to sea
and would have their cargo unloaded Chennai
Kandla
onto smaller ships by floating cranes. 50 -1% -8%
The smaller ships would then transport 100 7% 26%
the cargo into the port. Says Gadkari:
“India had so far failed to exploit the full
potential of the ports. We aim at bring
ing down the logistical costs of domestic
goods through a portled economy.”
Mitesh Dharamshi, who heads the
Kandla Steamship Agents Association,
attributes the port’s 40 per cent spike in Mumbai
efficiency to the bonus and penalty sys 61 2% 17%
tem. “Clients are saving huge amounts
in logistical costs, because the laidback Visakhapatnam
culture has been replaced with result
orientedness,” he says. “The savings 57 -2% 40%
to the national exchequer are even
bigger if you add in the fuel savings
of ships, the foreign exchange saved,
and the decrease in carbon dioxide
emissions,” adds Rajgopal Sharma, Mormugao (Goa)
Gadkari’s Officer on Special Duty.
Kandla port now plans to acquire 21 32% -117% V.O. Chidambaranar
a mobile harbour crane, which will (Tuticorin)
increase handling capacity fivefold, to 37 13% 47%
120 tonnes. This will increase the daily
capacity of the port by 15,000 tonnes.
The ministry also collaborated with
IIT Madras to resolve the high cost of Kochi
keeping access channels dredged. Kol
kata Port would spend Rs 430 crore a
21 --- 2%
New Mangalore
year. IIT engineers carried out hydro
logical studies to identify a new chan 36 -4% 8%
nel that would require less dredging.
Volume handled (million tonnes)
This brought the annual cost down by
Rs 180 crore. The introduction of chea Increase in profitability (per cent)
per dredging techniques is also expect
Decrease in turnaround time (per cent)
ed to reduce costs: from Rs 180 crore
42 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 Graphic by RAHUL SHARMA

to Rs 110 crore at Ennore, and from
Rs 130 crore to Rs 90 crore at Kochi.
THE ROAD AHEAD

NEARLY 30 PER CENT OF INDIA’S $20 BILLION
The government has set its sights on GARMENT EXPORTS ARE TRANSPORTED BY
expanding port infrastructure to pare
the cost of domestic inland trade. In AIR, FOUR TIMES COSTLIER THAN BY SEA
this regard, China has a huge compe
titive advantage. Its logistical costs are competitiveness can be ushered in of retrospective regulations issued by
a third of India’s. The average distance only through portbased industrialisa the Vajpyee administration 15 years
between ports and major industrial tion. “Under this new vision, ports are ago continue to depress investor confi
centres is 700 km in India compared to as important for domestic trade as they dence. The companies involved include
300 km in China and less than 100 km are for imports and exports,” he says. international players like Port Singapore
in South Korea. This has huge conse Nearly 25 per cent of India’s sea Authority, DP World and APM terminal
quences for exports. Nearly 30 per cent based cargo is transshipped through belonging to Danish giant Maersk. The
of India’s estimated $20 billion garment foreign ports as Indian ports lack suffi government is also yet to act on its 2015
exports are transported by air, four cient draught. Hence, the government budget promise of turning the shipping
times costlier than transport by sea. is investing in hubs in south India to ministry port trusts into corporations.
This is where the government’s bring cargo handling back into India. This unfulfilled promise is as signi
Sagarmala programme comes in. The Kerala government is planning the ficant as another unkept one: the priva
The project is expected to add six new Vizhinjam Port with the Adani Group. tisation of lossmaking PSUs. Small
ports, and cut costs by about Rs 40,000 The government has sanctioned anoth wonder that foreign investors remain
crore per year. Arun Narendranath, an er port at Enayam in Tamil Nadu. more inclined to invest in ports of a
advisor to the shipping ministry, beli However, there are roadblocks. small country like Sri Lanka. Despite
eves Modi and Gadkari are united in Disputes between leading investors a good start, Gadkari has a way to go.
the belief that Indian manufacturing and the shipping ministry on account Follow the writer on Twitter @UdayMahurkar
(FRONT ROW, LEFT TO RIGHT) MANOHAR PARRIKAR, GENERAL DALBIR SINGH, ADMIRAL SUNIL LANBA
AND AIR CHIEF MARSHAL ARUP RAHA AT AMAR JAWAN JYOTI, INDIA GATE, ON JULY 26, 2016
SIMMERING
A LOOMING CIVIL-MILITARY
IMPASSE OVER THE
RECOMMENDATIONS OF
DISCONTENT
THE SEVENTH PAY
COMMISSION THREATENS
TO SPARK MORE MILITARY
DISGRUNTLEMENT
By Sandeep Unnithan time around too, the chiefs wanted advised Air Chief Marshal Arup Raha
the government to resolve four core and navy chief Admiral Sunil Lanba
O
n September 9, the chiefs of issues before they could implement to implement the 7th CPC recommen-
the Indian army, navy and the recommendations. These are: dations. Their grievances, he said,
air force sent out separate introducing non-functional upgrades, could be addressed by a 22-member
letters, or ‘signals’, to their or NFUs, for armed forces personnel; panel, headed by the Secretary of the
personnel. The recommendations of the restoration of an earlier equita- Department of Personnel Training
the 7th Central Pay Commission (CPC), ble disability allowance; the grant of (DoPT), and including the Finance
that would have hiked their salaries, higher pay for Junior Commissioned Advisor to the Ministry of Defence
were not being implemented because Officers (JCOs); and a common pay (MoD), which would look into the pay
of anomalies in the recommendations matrix for civil and military services. commission anomalies.
that needed to be addressed. On September 12, Union defence On September 14, Air Chief Mar-
This was a near repeat of what minister Manohar Parrikar did what shal Arup Raha, who is also Chairman
happened in September 2008 when his predecessor A.K. Antony had Chiefs of Staff Committee, chose to
service chiefs halted implementation attempted to do nearly a decade ago— play down the impasse. In a statement
of the 6th Central Pay Commission placate the services with a promise of released on the Press Information
because of certain anomalies. This future redressal. Parrikar reportedly Bureau, Air Chief Marshal Raha said

NATION PAY COMMISSION
the “Raksha Mantri is seized of all civilian official slipping in his bath- between the civilian bureaucracy and
the issues and has assured to resolve room will get more disability pension the armed forces. The military sees
them at the earliest. The Services are and job security than a battle casualty the not-so-hidden hand of the civil-
satisfied with the response”. (At the of the army,” an army officer says. ian bureaucracy behind a gradual
time of going to press, the armed forc- The armed forces still thought attempt to whittle down the military’s
es had not implemented the pay com- they could persuade the government status, particularly its pay and perks.
mission recommendations.) to reconsider the recommendations. The starkest reminder, the servic-
This, even as observers bemoan In March, the three pay cells of each es say, is how the three service chiefs
yet another breakdown of ‘civil- service made presentations before have been gradually brought down
military’ relations, the synergy that a 13-member Empowered Panel of in the ‘warrant of precedence’ which
runs the defence ministry. “We only Secretaries set up by the government lists important government function-
wanted the government to address to study the recommendations of the aries according to rank and office.
these four core issues, most of which 7th CPC. They stressed their unique From No. 2 before Independence, the
have been pending since the 6th Pay conditions of service which no other three chiefs now stand at number 13,
Commission,” a senior armed forces government official in the All-India just after the cabinet secretary and
official says. Services would have to undergo. They the attorney general.
The armed forces’ discontent, explained the anomalies in the report. This is one reason why the chiefs
meanwhile, is being amplified How, for instance, JCOs who led pla- have demanded the NFU, an allow-
through the echo-chamber of social toons were being unfairly put in the ance that is usually given to civil ser-
media. Angry posts on Facebook, same Military Service Pay brackets vants, allowing them to draw higher
Twitter and on Whatsapp groups have with the soldiers they led. Both the pay even when they are not promot-
attacked the government for ignoring JCO and the soldier drew identical ed in terms of rank. This demand
the armed services. This is one rea- MSP amounts, of Rs 5,200. has been pending since the 6th Pay
son why the service chiefs’ signals to At the heart of the civil-mili- Commission. So while an All-India
their people urged personnel not to be tary dispute lies a battle for parity Service officer gets nearly 90 military
“swayed by hearsay or by speculative
reports from any quarter”.
THE PARITY DISPUTE

Discontent over the 7th CPC recom- VIKRAM SHARMA
THE CORE
mendations had been brewing since
its Chairman, Justice A.K. Mathur,
submitted the report to the govern-
ment last November. The armed forc-
es were unhappy—and not over the
modest 15 per cent hike for nearly 10
ISSUES
At the heart of the current
million central government employ-
ees and pensioners.
standoff are these
They were alarmed by the fact recommendations of the SPC,
that the All-India Services (IAS, IFS which the armed forces say
and IPS) and the paramilitary were lower their status vis-à-vis
edging past them in pay and allow- their civilian counterparts
ances. The most glaring discrepancy
was in the Special Duty Allowances
given to IAS officials and paramilitary  Non-Functional Upgrade  Disability Allowance
forces posted in remote areas. An IAS Denied to armed forces personnel. The demand is for the restoration of an
official posted in the North-East for Would allow them to draw an upper earlier, percentage based system for
instance, could draw a Special Duty grade salary even when denied promo- disabilities, which has been replaced
Allowance of over Rs 60,000, double tion. IAS officers currently avail of this by a slab based system
that of an army officer at the toughest
military posting, the Siachen glacier.
There were other issues as well, like
the disability allowance system. The  Military Service Pay  Common pay matrix
earlier percentage based system for For Junior Commissioned Central government employees are ranked
military personnel sustaining injuries Officers. They are presently clubbed within 40 pay scales. Defence personnel
in the line of duty was replaced by together with jawans and both draw are bracketed in only 24, restricting oppor-
a single slab system, a one-size-fits- Rs 5,200 as MSP tunity for greater salary hikes
all, for all services. “In most cases, a

NATION PAY COMMISSION
GETTY IMAGES
allowances, armed forces officials will
get less than 50 allowances.
The composition of the pay com-
mission is itself evidence of their
being left behind, the military says.
The armed forces, with over 1.4 mil-
lion men and women—nearly 30 per
cent of government employees—has
never had a representative on the pay
commission. This has been the case
since the 3rd CPC, in 1973, brought
the military under its purview. In
2009, the government first agreed to
a separate military pay commission
but later watered this down to adding
a military representative on the 7th
CPC. None of these promises was met.
Officials say the divide between
the army and the IAS bureaucracy is
sharp, and a cold war has aggravated
DEFENCE MINISTER A.K. ANTONY WITH THE THREE SERVICE CHIEFS IN SOUTH BLOCK, 2008
over the past two months. “Whatever
files are sent to the bureaucrats, come
back with observations because they
want us to go meet them in the office.
If we go, then they show us who’s HOW MANY its September 5 announcement of
‘One Rank One Pension’ (OROP). The
boss,” one army official says.
The ex-chief minister of Punjab,
army veteran Captain Amarinder
IN THE FRAY OROP, a political promise made by the
BJP before the 2014 Lok Sabha elec-
tions, had been preceded by several
Singh, weighed in on this divide when
he berated defence minister Parrikar
for listening to his bureaucrats. “If the
services are to lose their standing by
3.3 million
CENTRAL
months of bitter public wrangling,
including street protests and relay
hunger strikes by military veterans.
There are some signs of this ran-
placing them below your babus and GOVERNMENT cour returning. Ex-servicemen have
police, that is exactly what you will EMPLOYEES... voiced their solidarity with the ser-
have, and then god help our country vice chiefs. Veterans have planned a
with a belligerent China and Pakistan. ...INCLUDING march in Chandigarh on September
1.4 million
Will you then lead your babus into bat- 15. The armed forces are unlikely to
tle?” he asked in an angry Facebook come out onto the streets in protests.
post on September 11. Their battle will most likely be con-
DEFENCE PERSONNEL... fined within the sandstone corridors
The government accepted most of
the recommendations of the 7th CPC of South Block in New Delhi.
this July, with effect from January 1. ...AS WELL AS One general sees the impasse as
5.1 million
The armed forces were bewildered. heading into a battle of attrition, a mili-
None of their recommendations was tary campaign in which the belligerents
accepted, nor their core anoma- attempt to wear the other side down to
lies taken note of. The government’s PENSIONERS (ALL TOLD) the point of collapse. This has been the
statement on the matter was that it case in several pay commissions over
had gone by the recommendations of the past few decades. Reports of the
the pay commission. No explanations Source: 7th Pay Commission report fourth, fifth and sixth pay commissions
were given as to why they had ignored in 1986, 1996 and 2008 respectively,
the armed forces’ presentations. These went unanswered. were adopted only after months of such
Even Parrikar, who agreed with the “We’ve looked at all their issues in attrition battles, where the military
chiefs regarding the four core issues, great detail and given the services the grudgingly agreed to implement the
appeared to have been blindsided by best deal possible. They should take recommendations. “The trend, unfor-
the decision. what is offered to them,” says an offi- tunately, is for one pay commission to
In late July, the three service chiefs cial involved with the 7th CPC. pass the anomalies on to the next pay
immediately dashed off individual let- The 7th CPC report was given to commission,” an army official says.
ters of protest to the prime minister. the government just two months after Follow the writer on Twitter @SandeepUnnithan

SOCIETY & TRENDS
I, ME,
MY SELFIE
Hold phone. Look. Shoot.
The selfie has reached its pinnacle in
pop culture. The backlash is inevitable,
and in some cases fatal
| By Suhani Singh |
M
umbai-based emcee and new MTV VJ SELFIECTIONARY
Clince Varghese won’t be too popu-
lar among flight attendants. Before
the flight takes off, the 25-year-old Felfie
has to take a wide-angle selfie with Urban Dictionary calls it a fake selfie
his GoPro camera. A few flyers have or a selfie of a farmer, but plywood
smiled, some have seemed bemused, and others, sleepy, makers Centuryply used the term for
in the over 55 pictures he now possesses. Only once pictures of people with their favourite
has Varghese been threatened with eviction. He stayed piece of furniture
on board and still got his groupie. “I am besharam that
way,” says Varghese, winner of MTV’s show Great Selfie Shadow selfie
Challenge last year. “A selfie is about mastering the skill Taken when a person is either shy or
of being confident and spreading smiles.” But Varghese’s feeling particularly artsy
lofty photographic pursuits may suffer with the
Handfie
Directorate General of Civil Aviation recently announcing
For every picture of clean hands
it will ban selfies for both passengers and crew. Varghese,
shared, Dettol pledged to teach a
though, will come up with another signature snapshot.
child the importance of hygiene and
For its champions, a selfie is a means to creatively
hand-washing habits
express themselves without any inhibitions. They have
swept aside autographs, giving people an opportunity Shoefie
to be close to their idols and a visual memory to cher- Clarks India’s campaign Shoe Diaries
ish. They have permeated into the pop culture: Telugu saw women not just share pictures
film Selfie Raja (July 2016), a remake of the Kannada with their shoes but also stories
film Victory, featured Allari Naresh as the hero, with
an insatiable appetite for taking selfies. Naresh is set Dogfie
to play another selfie-obsessed character in a remake National Geographic Channel
of the highest-grossing Malayalam film last year, Oru promoted its show Ceasar to the
Vadakan Selfie (A Northern Selfie). For many they are Rescue in India with a ‘Pose with
powerful enough to bring about a change. Hence the your Dog’ contest
Illustration by ANIRBAN GHOSH

SOCIETY & TRENDS
rise of campaigns like #selfiewithgomata to protest

cow slaughter and Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s
#SelfiewithDaughter to promote the Beti Bachao
Beti Padhao campaign.
No longer a fad, selfies are now an essential part
of our everyday being. No smartphone manufacturer
would introduce a model these days that didn’t have
a front-facing camera. In fact, it’s better to peddle a
double-digit megapixel count and offer fancy features
like editing tools that remove ‘blemishes’ to draw in
more sales. No moment is too mundane for a selfie.
You’ve voted? #inkedselfie. You’ve worn a handcraft-
ed sari? #IWearHandloom. Going to Mumbai? You
haven’t until you have gone to ‘Selfie Point’ in spots
such as Juhu, Shivaji Park and taken self-portraits
against ‘I Mumbai’ backdrops. After all, if you’ve
been there and done that, why not take a selfie too?
From Ellen DeGeneres’s viral Oscar 2014 selfie Selfie King CLINCE VARGHESE, 25
to Salman Khan’s jig to Selfie Le Le Re in Bajrangi Winner of MTV’s Great Selfie Challenge, Varghese says he start-
Bhaijaan, selfies are as much a means of promotion
ed taking selfies before the advent of the word and front camera
as they are of entertainment. Paulomi M. Sudhir, an
additional professor at the Department of Clinical technology. More recently, Lenovo roped him in to take pictures,
Psychology at the National Institute of Mental Health including selfies with its PHAB (phone plus tablet)
and Neurosciences (NIMHANS) in Bengaluru, says
the selfie rage can be “linked to both the develop-
ment of technology as well as the emergence of the
social media which has a wide reach”. While phones
with front-facing cameras were available as early as
2003, the selfie’s popularity heightened only in the
early 2010s with the launch of photo apps such as
Instagram and Snapchat. With the photographer also
being the subject, the selfie brings a sense of power.
Psychiatrist Avinash Desousa, who is also a research
associate at the Lokmanya Tilak Municipal Medical
College and General Hospital, describes the selfie as
“undergoing photographic cosmetic surgery”. This
unabashed craze to shoot self-portraits and share it
with the world, a lot of it unknown to us, is encourag-
ing narcissism and eliminating privacy. He says: “You
instantaneously see how you look. If you are dark, you
can make yourself fairer, fat then thinner. It is build-
ing an ideal self around oneself, about living in the
moment and seeking love and gratification.”
ALL BY MYSELF
But, as the dictum goes, too much of anything is a bad
thing, and the selfie phenomenon is having unhealthy
effects on the youth. An 18-year-old girl in Bengaluru, Selfie Storyteller PARTHIV SHAH
who spent a chunk of the day clicking selfies and
Selfies should say something about you and have some
sharing them on social media, was diagnosed with
depression and body dysmorphic disorder (BDD). context. Shah recounts how at a photo exhibition of
“The time gap between two selfies was 20 minutes,” Gandhi he once shot a reflection of his face in one of the
says Dr Manoj Kumar, a consultant at the SHUT Clinic pictures. “My father is a Gandhian,” he says, “you can
at NIMHANS, whose research interests includes tech- see my face, my phone and Gandhi in the frame. There’s
nology addiction. “If the comments posted about the some background and it goes beyond just a selfie”
selfie were not good, she used to spend time grooming
herself for the best selfie.”

Selfie Artist ADRITA DAS, 24
Das is no fan of selfies, but is inspired by them. She cleverly inserts
smartphones into Indian, Japanese and Persian archive paintings to
create images that give traditional artwork an amusing contempo-
rary spin. She says, “I thought it was fascinating to show a glitch in
time, to show people from a different age doing what you do every
day. While writing the captions, I realised it was a remark on
the selfie culture”
Selfie Queen ADITI RAVAL, 30 Taking a selfie may seem like

Raval began by taking pictures of her reflection in the the easiest thing to do, but
mirror. With over 200,000 followers on Instagram, and
being one of the most influential people on social media people have put themselves
in Ahmedabad, Raval makes it a point to take selfies in peril in the process
when she travels. “It’s my way of saying I’m here, and
now see this beautiful backdrop”
While the American Psychiatric Association (APA) has were looking good or dressed up for a special occasion.
not officially recognised or classified ‘selfitis’ as a dis- “A worrisome aspect is the higher body image dissatisfac-
order, there is an increasing awareness that selfies are tion among girls,” it observed. Dr Sudhir sees it less as a
creating self-esteem and body image issues as well as clinical condition, like obsessive compulsive disorder, and
loneliness and social anxiety among the youth. One of the more as a ‘social behaviour’ which thrives on the need to
first Indian research studies on selfies, “Attitudes toward emulate celebrities. In India, the tried-and-tested pout,
selfie taking in school going adolescents” came from the smile and mirror reflection selfie continues to hold sway,
Department of Psychiatry, Lokmanya Tilak Municipal while in the United States, nude selfies have begun doing
Medical College in Mumbai, which interviewed 252 elev- the rounds, with Kim Kardashian one of its lead propaga-
enth-standard students from an urban city school. The tors on Instagram.
report, published in the Indian Journal of Psychological Hold phone. Look. Shoot. A selfie seems like the easi-
Medicine, revealed that 27.4 per cent of the respondents est thing to take but it has seen people put themselves in
clicked more than 10 selfies a week, with 69.1 per cent perilous situations. In many cases, the results have been
reporting that they took selfies preferably when they tragic. People have died taking selfies—aboard trains,

SOCIETY & TRENDS
atop rocks, on the banks of a river, at the Taj Mahal,

Agra, and while posing with a revolver. Currently, India
ranks high on the list of countries with fatalities caused
by selfies. Since 2014, at least 54 people have died in
selfie-related accidents in India, with 15 out of the 27
deaths recorded in 2015 occurring in India. It’s a statistic
that has prompted officials at the Ministry of Tourism to
ask states to identify risky spots—Mumbai alone has 16—
barricade dangerous areas and install warning signs.
Tourist police officers and guides can now stop you from
taking a selfie. Meanwhile, Shivraj Singh Chouhan, the
chief minister of Madhya Pradesh, sees yet more dangers
of the selfie. At his first cabinet meeting after the reshuf-
fle in July 2016, he advised the newly inducted ministers
to keep their vanity in check and not indulge in taking
selfies at public places lest anti-social elements get them-
selves photographed with the ministers and misuse the
photos later. Call it foresight or paranoia, selfies are now
shaping public policies.
THE ART OF THE SELFIE

With an established love-thyself attitude, and mobile
phone companies catering to the fixation by introducing
yet more capable front-facing cameras, there are a few
MANDAR DEODHAR
individuals who are cashing in on the craze. The India

Habitat Centre in Delhi recently had a workshop ‘From
Self Portrait to Selfie’ in which photographer Parthiv Shah
shared tips such on how to make your nose appear bet-
ter and avoid distorting an image by shooting at an angle.
REVELLERS FORMING A HUMAN PYRAMID USE A SELFIE STICK DURING
(“We should not look at the screen but at the camera in DAHI HANDI CELEBRATIONS IN LOKHANDWALA, MUMBAI, ON AUGUST 25
our phone. It’ll be a two degree difference, but it makes
the selfie nicer.”) With the convenience of a mobile phone,
Shah feels that photography is no longer an ‘exclusive’
artistic medium. “Earlier, a photo had to be created, ask for my opinion. Well, what can I do when grown-ups
developed and then framed. Or people would sit and sift too behave like juveniles?”
through albums, and there would be a tamasha around Judgements like these do not deter Aditi Raval, 30,
it,” he says. “Today, whether they’re in the bathroom, a an Ahmedabad-based former radio jockey and current-
café, or with Katrina Kaif, people take a picture. I could ly supervising producer with Panorama Studios, from
start a selfie school and admissions would sell like hot- taking a selfie or two a day. “If I’m on travelling mode I
cakes. But that’s not my interest. It’s a stupid thing to do. I take 30-50 selfies depending on the location,” she says.
mean people should learn to drive more carefully instead.” Raval revels in the public anointed ‘selfie queen’ status
The constant need to self-project and document has that she enjoys, which saw her being invited to con-
baffled many, including Bani Seth, 22, a fashion pho- duct a ‘Selfiegraphers’ course last year at LJ College,
tographer based in Chandigarh who offers photography Ahmedabad. “They have asked me to do it again,” she
classes. From enquiries about shutter speed, aperture says. However, Raval is using her passion for good
and composition, she is now asked about taking innova- causes as well, the most recent being #MyBabyTree, in
tive selfies, a request she doesn’t take too kindly to. “It’s which she encouraged people to adopt a tree and then
just like how an English professor would feel being spo- monitor its progress every six months by taking a selfie
ken to in American slang,” she says. “Initially, I could not with it. “Like ki bhookh sabko hai, sabko famous hona
believe that there was something actually called inno- hai (Everybody craves ‘likes’. Everybody wants to be
vative selfies—using mirrors, different lights to set the famous),” she says. But for Raval, there is more to it
mood. Something so frivolous being taken so seriously than mere self-promotion, even though a dose of good
can be shocking for someone who earns her bread from publicity never hurt anybody. “Thode andar ke artist
this medium.” It’s not just people in the age group of 18 ko jagaane ki koshish bhi karti hoon main (I also try to
and 25 but even older students who have sought Seth’s wake the artist in me).” And if the artist is inspired by
help. “Many young professionals make it a point to show his own face, then so be it.
me pictures of themselves in their mobile cameras and with Asmita Bakshi, Sukant Deepak, Mona Ramavat and Rahul Noronha

NET FLUX by LAKSHMI KUMARASWAMI
web lol
THE THE BLOGS
THAT RULE
FOLLOWERS CYBERSPACE
4,543 Fashion
Travel 7,233
7,291 Lifestyle/Home Star Shopkeeper

Over 2 million enjoyed Gaurav
Graphic by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY
Gera’s Dubsmash video that rec-

DIY 11,277 reates his hilariously rendered
Chutki-Shopkeeper sketches
with celebrities, including Shah
Parenting 12,633 Rukh Khan and Alia Bhatt.
*numbers indicate average unique

followers per month
Source: Activate, September 2016 23,742 Food
viral video
Please Blink
net fail
Apple’s 107-second ad for the

iPhone 7 that describes the
model as ‘blacker than black’
was justifiably parodied by AIB
as “kaale se bhi kaala black” .
Ellen DeGeneres (Finding Dory) and

Tom Hanks (Toy Story) conversing in snapchatter
toon character wowed 2 million Runway Filter
Hatching Discontent Desigual’s models at the NY
Fashion Week stood out for
In yet another ludicrous move, a game is the latest to come
their refreshing lack of make-
under fire for ‘hurting’ religious sentiments. A PIL has been filed
up. In a social commentary
in the Gujarat HC against the developers of Pokemon Go, after it
of sorts, five of them had
showed virtual eggs (considered non-veg) located in temples.
Snapchat filters painted on,
including the controversial
Over 3.7 million were amused by
flower crown filter that makes
a wry description of travelling
web wow people appear fairer.
in a low-budget airline
A Confession of Love
The author of Eat, Pray, Love—
Elizabeth Gilbert—put up a
revelatory FB post that all but
debunks her happy ending in
the book. Instead of a ‘guy’ she
Over 7 million were fascinated says it’s best friend Rayya Ellias,
by a video of a pet snake slowly recently diagnosed with cancer,
burying itself in a sand box who she’s been in love with.
what’s Geekbench 4 helps Primary details

new
you compare specs of activities and learning
App Alert various phones tools for youngsters
Follow the writer on Twitter @lkummi

LEISURE BOOKS
By Srinath Raghavan
Ahead of the 2014
general elections,
Narendra Modi suc
cessfully projected
the image of a tough
leader who would
transform the terms
on which India dealt
with terrorism ema
Not War, nating from Paki
Not Peace? stan. During his
Motivating initial months in off
Pakistan to ice, Prime Minister
Prevent Cross- Modi seemed to
Border Terrorism make good on this
by George Perkovich
promise. Since then,
& Toby Dalton
OUP however, the Indian
Pages 310 government has
Price Rs 695 struggled to evolve a
coherent and consis
tent policy towards
Pakistan. Faced with terrorist atta
cks, New Delhi has resorted to the
old playbook of calling off talks and
urging Pakistan to bring the perpe
trators to justice.
BORDERLI
To be sure, the government
hasn’t had to deal with a major att
ack on the scale of 26/11. In conse
quence, the question of how the Modi
government will respond to a major
terror attack remains open. In par
ticular, the old debates on whether, A welcome addition to the debate on India’s options
and how, India can use force to co
erce Pakistan remain unsettled.
George Perkovich and Toby
Dalton’s book is an excellent contri
bution to these debates. India, they argue, will inevitably Following the attacks in Mumbai in November 2008, the
have to do more than strengthen its homeland security. Indian government took a different tack: it sought to direct
Coercion or the use of force to move Pakistan’s behaviour international pressure on Pakistan to force it to speedily
in the desired direction remains an indispensable option. bring the organisers of the attack to justice.
Following Tom Schelling, they consider coercion both as The inconclusive outcome of both these approaches un
deterrence—the threat of force to prevent an adversary derscored the need for alternatives in the event of another
from doing something—and compellence, or the threat of attack of this magnitude. Perkovich and Dalton provide a
force to get an adversary to do some thing. Compellence is lucid and cleareyed appraisal of the choices open to India
clearly more difficult than deterrence. This is especially and their likely consequences. Such sustained analysis is
tough when the adversary is not a unitary actor but a com rare in Indian strategic discussions, where assertions often
bination of state and its client terrorist groups. Put simply, masquerade as arguments and the ex cathedra pronounce
the question is whether India can use the threat of force to ment is a favoured mode of discourse. Even those who dis
convince Pakistan to clamp down on the terrorist outfits agree with them will learn much from their patient and
that it has patronised for so long. systematic unpacking of the options available to India.
Indian decisionmakers confronted this question most The book begins with a somewhat trite discussion of
starkly during the 200102 and 2008 crises. In the wake of India’s strategic culture and its organisational deficiencies.
the attack on Indian Parliament in December 2001, New The authors appear to endorse George Tanham’s old and
Delhi massed the armed forces along the borders with controversial conclusion that India has no strategic culture.
Pakistan and threatened to inflict severe punishment. In fact, there is a growing body of scholarship drawing on

very idea of an ‘escalatory ladder’ is an
oxymoron. The metaphor of an escala
tor suggests a certain inexorable qual
ity: once you climb the escalator you
can only get off at the top. Our political
leadership has intuitively grasped this
point better than many analysts in the
strategic community.
The second question is whether it
is worth seizing and holding any piece
of territory—not least because Indian
forces will then have to confront a se
rious insurgency launched with the
aid of assorted jehadi outfits. Instead
of getting the Pakistani state to sever
ties with these groups, such a strategy
may actually strengthen their links.
It is tempting, therefore, to look
for other less risky and more effica
cious ways of imposing costs on
Pakistan. Advocates of air power have
for long maintained that it offers bet
ter prospects for controlling escala
tion than an armycentric strategy.
Yet, as Perkovich and Dalton percep
tively observe, there is a basic conun
drum in using air power. Striking
targets like terrorist training camps in
NE ISSUES
PoK may assuage domestic opinion
clamouring for revenge, but it is un
likely to impose significant costs on
Pakistan. By contrast, attacking
higher value targets inside Pakistan
would carry the risk of collateral
in dealing with Pakistan and cross-border terror damage and invite retaliatory re
sponse. Nevertheless, the authors
Illustration by ANIRBAN GHOSH note that influential voices in India
continue to insist on ‘surgical strikes’.
They might have invoked the observa
archival sources that completely demolished such claims tion of Kennedy’s national security advisor, McGeorge
and shows that India was quite a normal strategic actor. Bundy: surgical strikes like all surgery will be bloody,
Perkovich and Dalton come into their own when they messy and we may well have to go back for more.
start analysing the range of strategic choices available to If options at the higher end of the spectrum of force seem
India. The first is a ‘proactive’ armycentric strategy that costly and risky, then it makes sense to look lower down.
threatens to strike inside Pakistan. This strategy has been The idea of using covert action as a titfortat response to
considered since the crisis of 200102 and was once dubbed Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism appeals to many minds
the ‘Cold Start’ doctrine. There are several challenges to in the Indian system. Only a couple of months before taking
undertaking quick and limited incursions into Pakistan office, National Security Advisor Ajit Doval claimed that
occupied Kashmir or other Pakistani territory, but two Pakistan had to be convinced that “you can do one Mumbai
questions bulk large. and you may lose Balochistan”. Senior ministers in the Modi
First, how will India respond to an inevitable Pakistani government have also made noises suggesting that covert
military response and the ensuing escalation of fighting. The action was the way to go. The recent frisson over the prime
authors spend considerable time examining the claims that minister’s statements on Balochistan has put the spotlight
India needs to achieve ‘escalation dominance’: the capabil on this option. Perkovich and Dalton are right in tamping
ity to have the military upper hand at every rung of the down the enthusiasm in some quarters of New Delhi. The
‘escalatory ladder’, which in turn would deter Pakistan from creation of such capability is expensive and timeconsum
upping the ante. Not only is the acquisition of such capabil ing. Besides, India has to consider the reputational conse
ity difficult but also its efficacy cannot be guaranteed. The quences for its image as an aspirant great power.

LEISURE BOOKS
INSIDE
COVER STORY behaviour and these do not have to be re-

HEALTH inforced by the threat or use of force.
A BALANCED TAKE
Bone of
Anyone with some experience of raising
10
children will realise this point. In this pro-
Affliction
In this short and punchy book, Husain Haqqani unpicks
cess of internalising norms, social expec-
tations play a powerful role. For instance,
the tangled
Vitaminweb of ties between
D deficiency is the India and Pakistan over studies on the reduction of drunken driv-
the newest
past seven decades.
lifestyle There
disease is nothing particularly
claiming ing show that social campaigns to ostra-
newour in his account. The striking
attention. What is the extent thing about the book cise such behaviour matter more than
is the author’s
of the threat determined
it poses? effort to sound a reasoned increasing fines or other forms of punish-
note amidst the din of competing nationalisms. A former ment. In any case, a carefully thought-out
Pakistani ambassador to the United States and advisor to effort to hold Pakistan to internationally
his country’s prime ministers, Haqqani provides an admi- accepted norms will be an important
India vs Pakistan: rably balanced take on why the two countries are unable complement to any strategy entailing the
Why Can’t We to bury the hatchet. threat or use of force.
Just Be Friends? Indian readers will approve of the candour with which The book would also have benefited
by Husain Haqqani he criticises the disastrous policy of supporting terrorism from a more sustained discussion of two
Juggernaut adopted by successive governments. Yet they should also issues that the authors only mention in the
Pages 200 read him carefully on Pakistani perceptions of India. While passing. The first is the hardening of
Price Rs 299 readily conceding that the Pakistani establishment has India’s domestic infrastructure to thwart
been paranoid about India from the outset, he points out terrorist attacks. Not only is there much to
that the statements and actions of Indian leaders from Nehru downwards do on this front, but it can also be the most
have helped stoke this paranoia. Over the years, it got entrenched. Haqqani effective deterrent to the terrorists and
quotes from an internal ISI assessment in 1992, which states that R&AW their state patrons. A strategy of deter-
aims to “divide Pakistan on ethnic and sectarian basis” and to “involve rence based on ‘denial’ is likely to be more
Pakistan army into internal security to the extent that its attention across effective than one based on the threat of
the border gets divided and ultimately destroyed”. Indian policymakers punishment—if India undertakes the nec-
should take note of his perceptive analysis of Pakistan’s peculiar mixture essary internal security reforms. If terror-
of paranoia and aggression. ist outfits prove continuously incapable of
The book is not without its blindspots. Like many liberal Pakistanis, pulling off large-scale attacks, then the
Haqqani is soft on Jinnah, who apparently sought nothing more than peace Pakistani state will have to think hard
NATION
with India. How does this square with his policies on Kashmir, Junagadh 6 UPFRONT
about their utility.
CAUVERY
and Hyderabad? What about his role in undermining cabinet government, The second point is about the need for
centralising the state and relying on the military and bureaucracy? A candid 7 GLASS
inducements as a complement to threats
28
HOUSE
Muddy
assessment of the origins of Indo-Pak rivalry must begin by acknowledging of punishment. One of the reasons why
Waters
Jinnah’s role as much as those of Nehru, Patel and other Indian leaders. -S.R. India has desisted from implementing its
53 NETFLUX
coercive threats in the past is that the po-
The SC order to release Cauvery waters tential cost of enforcement (owing to the
to Tamil Nadu has Karnataka on a boil. 60 GLOSSARY
risk of escalation) seemed to outweigh the
Regional outfits up the stakes
benefits accruing from Pakistani compli-
This leaves us with the option of ‘non-violent compel- ance on terrorism. One 62 way EYECATCHERS
of reducing such enforcement
lence’. Economic sanctions could hit Pakistan hard owing costs is to offer inducements to Pakistan.
to its reliance on external aid. But neither the United States Here the larger question of whether India should en-
nor China is likely to plump for the imposition of such sanc- gage Pakistan diplomatically comes into play. By calling off
tions. The authors also consider how Indian can use its talks at every provocation, we deprive ourselves of an
‘soft power’ assets to mobilise international opinion against important component of any strategy to coerce Pakistan.
Pakistan’s sponsorship of terrorism. This is an THEissue BIGthatSTORYOf course, we need to think hard about what sorts of in-
needs to be explored at greater length. Thinking about it
SHAHABUDDIN ducements we could offer and how to sequence them with
as the use of ‘soft power’ is not only a mistake but it also threats of force and wider attempts to hold Pakistan to
32 The Don
SPECIAL
lends credenceREPORT
to the claims that India is a ‘soft state’ that international norms. Then there is the question of how to
can’t
HARYANA wield the big stick. manage domestic opinion to support such an effort over a
Following Lawrence Freedman, it is more useful to is Back prolonged period. But this much is clear: the current policy
24 Getting Down
think about deterrence as being based on norms and not of non-engagement
After spending 11 years in jail, the or selective engagement will not help
just interests. Typically, we tend to regard coercion as an India shape out Pakistani behaviour on terrorism.
to Business
attempt to alter the calculus of interests for the
Shahenshah
bail target
of Siwan comes
by welcome. Does
to a rousing
on
threatening to impose
Manohar Lal Khattar, costs.
the face In fact,
of the first deterrence Bihar
works chief minister Nitish Kumar
best Srinath Raghavan is Senior Fellow,
BJP government
when the target inhas
Haryana, finally the norms ofhave
internalised cause for worry?
appropriate Cover NILANJAN
byfor
Centre DAS
Policy Research, New Delhi
seems to be recovering lost ground
LEISURE BOOKS
RAM’S RAJYA
Democrats and
Dissenters
by Ramachandra Guha
Penguin Random House
Pages 352 Price Rs 525
A definitive collection of Ramachandra Guha’s essays, ranging from the acerbic to the genteel
By Sankaran Krishna
F
or some decades now, three cli
chés have been painfully ubiqui
tous in commentaries on India.
One is a reference to US Ambass
ador Galbraith’s rendition of us as a
‘functioning anarchy’. The second is
economist Raj Krishna’s description of
our tepid postIndependence perfor
mance as a ‘Hindu rate of growth’. And
the third is Ram Manohar Lohia’s dis
missal of Indira Gandhi as a goongi
gudiya (or voiceless puppet). Audiences
in places such as the India International
Centre would nod sagely and smile
conspiratorially as these clichés were
trotted out: they were like passwords
for entry into a selfanointed cogno
scenti. To Ramachandra Guha’s credit
he repeats only the third of these tired
phrases in his most recent Democrats
and Dissenters, and yet his book falls
squarely within that particular intel
lectual milieu, one securely confident
of its own liberal and pluralist ethos.
With only one (‘Eight Threats to
Freedom of Expression in India’) of the
16 essays not having seen prior incarna
tion in wellknown outlets such as the
Economic and Political Weekly, Cara
van, Outlook, The Hindu, The Telegraph
and others, and nearly all of them writ energetic, loquacious and committed is mandated to choose one party on a
ten within the last decade, the volume public intellectual, one thoroughly en particular dispute. In a contest of
has a very familiar feel to it. Part I com chanted by and immersed in the lives— greater and lesser evils, there is no
prises eight essays having to do with past, present and future—of India. need to take sides” (p. 26061).
‘Politics and Society’, while Part II is on Guha’s unapologetic liberaldemo Certain threads consistently weave
‘Ideologies and Intellectuals’. Ranging cratic credo in his own words: “We live through the various chapters. Promi
over issues of democratic freedoms and in a deeply divided and intensely politi nent among these are Guha’s excoria
rights; economic growth; majorities and cised society. It is hard, if not impossi tion of Hindu fundamentalism and its
minorities; the life and work of promi ble, for writers to escape into an utter barrenness when it comes to mat
nent historians, economists, sociologi imaginary world of their own. They... ters of intellect or scholarship; corres
sts and authors; the horrendous price find themselves compelled to engage in pondingly, his implicit belief in the
paid by India’s tribal peoples in our political and social debates. But… they virtues of an inclusive Nehruvian secu
drive to industrial development; and must never ally themselves with a po larism; the need to strike a balance bet
contestations over secular versus Hindu litical party, still less a particular politi ween redressal of historical injustices
or other religious conceptions of natio cian. I am also uncomfortable with through affirmative inclusion and reco
nal identity, all mostly in the context of rendering history or politics or public gnition of merit irrespective of provena
postcolonial India, the book reveals an affairs a zerosum game, whereby one nce; his clear preference for post1991

economic liberalisation over prior ethnographic field work in Thanjavur Secondly, while Guha is clear that
decades of misguided socialism that his in 1961 for his doctoral dissertation in post1991 Indian economic liberalisa
hero Rajaji justly dispatched as Cong the following manner: “He stayed in tion has been a positive force and has
ress’s ‘licencepermitquota Raj’; and the Brahmin agraharam, the first non resulted in sharply increased GDP gro
his demolition of Congress’s current lea Brahmin ever to do so” (p. 198). A few wth rates, he seems unable or unwill
dership and its bleak prospects as long lines later, Guha describes the book ing to articulate the strong connections
as these utterly mediocre progeny of a that emerged from the fieldwork as one between the nature of that growth and
onceglorious party continue at its helm. marked by “personal daring.” Beteille (a) the rapidly growing immiserisation
In one of the best essays in the vol is of mixed French and Bengali parent of India’s tribal populations who hap
ume, Guha critiques Amartya Sen in age from Chandernagore. While Tamil pen to live overwhelmingly (as Guha
The Argumentative Indian for anachro Brahmins may be insistent on rituals of himself points out) in districts that are
nistically reading secularism and plura purity and pollution when it comes to rich in minerals now being ravaged at
list tolerance in India’s ancient past and those below them in the caste hierar an unprecedented rate and driving
in figures such as Ashoka and Akbar. chy, they are quite expedient in ignor them further into the arms of the Mao
He points out the dangers of such a his ing these taboos when presented with ists; (b) the serious threat to freedom of
toricist appeal as it could end up validat an opportunity to ingratiate themselves the press due to growing corporate in
ing claims by the Hindu Right (or others with equals or superiors in the pecking fluence and ownership of media; (c) the
for that matter) to ‘traditions’ that may order, which would have been the case overwhelmingly uppercaste presence
not be quite so progressive. Guha would with Beteille. To put it bluntly, what in the economic sectors unleashed by
much rather anchor his preference for would have been ‘daring’ was Beteille liberalisation, notably the IT industry;
secular tolerance in India’s Constitution forgoing the agraharam altogether (d) the growing evidence of links bet
and in the more proximate heritage and staying with a lowercaste house ween rampant consumerism and com
from the nationalist movement and fig hold to conduct his ethnography. modification in its wake, on the one
ures such as Gandhi, Nehru and Azad. hand, and, on the other, rising ‘soft’
Less prominent but equally predict Hindutva of our middle classes and (e)
able are Guha’s driveby shootings of the increased pace of environmental
some favourite targets: assorted (but destruction (an issue on which Guha’s
unnamed) scholars allegedly besotted GUHA CRITIQUES prior research was pioneering.) The
by abstruse French fads such as decon bottom line is 25 years of high GDP
struction; doctrinaire vulgar Marxists AMARTYA SEN FOR growth rates after liberalisation have
who abound outside his beloved Delhi ANACHRONISTICALLY not budged India one spot in the World
School of Economics; “writers and art Bank’s Human Development Index and
ists who are useful idiots for the Mao READING SECULARISM we have actually declined in compari
ists” (p. 37) and a certain sort of son to neighbours like Bangladesh on
bhadralok Bengali who “travels in a
IN FIGURES SUCH AS yardsticks such as children’s nutrition,
straight line between Kolkata and some ASHOKA AND AKBAR maternal mortality and female literacy.
point to the West…but (whose) interest The connections between that regres
in other parts of India is near nonexis sion and economic liberalisation merit
M
tent…. Bengali cosmopolitanism is also ore importantly, Guha’s not an attention Guha does not provide.
a Bengali parochialism” (22425). even raising the question of In the end, these are not inconseque
It’s a bit strange to find Guha anoint how Beteille’s location within a ntial quibbles. Guha’s final chapter
ing K. Kamaraj as “the most powerful Brahmin household might have laments the absence of a conservative
person in the country” (p. 53) in the skewed his ethnographic findings intellectual tradition in contemporary
’60s merely because of his role in bro about Thanjavur village society is strik India and blames it unequivocally on
kering the succession of Lal Bahadur ing. It is reminiscent of the sort of myo the Hindu Right’s lack of any pedi
Shastri and Indira Gandhi to prime pia displayed by M.N. Srinivas (another greed—or even competent—scholars
ministership. It is wise to remember of Guha’s heroes), who begrudgingly in their midst. On a certain definition of
that kingmakers are not kings—and acknowledged that his own status as a conservatism, one that confines itself
this particular kingmaker was bested Brahmin might have influenced his un exclusively to the secular versus com
in the 1967 assembly elections in Tamil derstanding of caste society in south munal question, that is perhaps true.
Nadu by a DMK student leader who ern India or his view on reservations or Yet, the more pertinent reason we ap
was barely old enough to run for office. his muchvaunted theory of pear to lack a conservative intellectual
While most of Guha’s political and Sanskritisation only when the British tradition may be that our putatively
normative positions are unexceptiona anthropologist Edmund Leach called liberal public intellectuals like Guha
ble, I would like to submit at least two to him out on it. As always, caste privilege quite amply provide us with one.
a more robust inquiry. Firstly, in a lau is rarely acknowledged or explicitly
datory essay on the sociologist Andre spoken of: it constitutes the invisible The author teaches political science at
Beteille, Guha describes the former’s normal of our middleclass habitus. the University of Hawaii, Manoa

GLOSSARY by DAMAYANTI DATTA
Every September, Apple Inc., 'the most innovative

company in the world', brings out futuristic products
and must-have upgrades. Here's a look through
Apple's storied timeline of game-changing releases
1977-1993
Apple II, one of the
company’s most popular
personal computers, is one
of the first to find a place in
people’s homes
1984
The first commercially
successful computer
to use a graphical user
interface, the Macintosh
makes computers
accessible to
‘normal’ people
1993
The first device to make use
of the term ‘personal digital
assistant’, the Newton features
iConic
a touch-screen as well as
handwriting recognition. Is not
a commercial success
1998
The iMac series
offers translucent
machines in fun
colours and designs
Le
2001
The iPod, a personal music player 2003
that popularises the idea of iTunes, the
playlists-on-the-go and shuffling music software
through tracks, kickstarts the famous for its
digital music revolution ease of use and
satisfying user 2006
interface, is The iTV, the first generation
released Apple TV, is unveiled as a
work-in-progress
Graphic by TANMOY CHAKRABORTY
2016 2015
iPhone 7 and iPhone Apple Pencil, a digital
7 Plus—with features stylus, is the first to truly
like water resistance, allow users to draw and
stereo speakers, write (simulating the
wireless headphones feel of pencil on paper).
(called Airpods)— The year also sees the
launched. Apple Watch launch of Apple Music,
Series 2 also launched the company’s answer
to on-demand music
services like Spotify
2013
Apple’s first original
product since the iPad, the
iWatch is a potential game-
changer for health, fitness
and medical research
2013
With iPhone 5s, Apple
introduces TouchID, a
biometric authentication
technology; this is its first
proper implementation in
a consumer device
ague 2010
Apple’s tablet,
the iPad, creates
an entirely new
category of devices,
connecting users
with their apps and
content in a fun way
2007 2008
The first generation iPhone The world gets MacBook
is launched. Featuring an Air, the super-thin, ultra-
internet browser, a music and light, ultra-portable,
video player and a fully-loaded laptop with a
2 megapixel camera, the full-size keyboard
iPhone is an instant hit for its
good looks and ease of use
EYECATCHERS
FAMILY TIE
Mira Nair’s Queen of Katwe,
NET WINNER set in Uganda, is close to
Sumeet Vyas’s successful her heart. Not only does
stint on the internet as star her husband Mahmood
of web series Permanent Mamdani reside there, but
Roommates and co-writer their son Zohran is also the
of Bang Baaja Baaraat have co-music supervisor of the
vaulted him to hero status. drama based on true events.
Now he will star in Ribbon
with Kalki Koechlin.
HOW WAS THE WEEK?

Good
Konkana Sensharma
Her directorial debut, A
SHORTLY
Death in the Gunj, earned THERE
COMEBACK CUE
unanimous praise at its National Award-winning dire-
world premiere in Toronto ctor Gurvinder Singh’s
short film on a pigeon in Pat-
Amrita Puri has been M.I.A. since Kai Po Che!, focusing on building a hankot, after winning appre-
career as a designer. The actress will next be seen in Nikkhil Advani’s ciation at the Sarajevo film
Star Plus TV series, P.O.W: Bandi Yuddh Ke, an adaptation of the Israeli festival, comes to Mumbai. It
drama Hatufim that inspired US TV show Homeland. is part of In the Same Gar-
den, featuring nine shorts.
STITCH
WELL-BREAD MAN IN TIME
Abhishek Bachchan, Asif Mandvi, Manish
Salman Rushdie, Suketu Mehta, Malhotra is
Dianne Sawyer, Rachael Ray, busy creating
Stockard Channing are just some anarkalis and lehengas for
Bad of the patrons at chef Floyd the theatrical production,
Katrina Kaif Cardoz’s newly launched Big Mughal-e-Azam, which pre-
2016 is turning out to be a Apple eatery Paowalla. mieres in Mumbai in October.
not-so-great year for the Celebrating the best of modern
actress whose Baar Baar Indian cuisine, Cardoz has in- n Compiled by Suhani
Dekho failed to impress cluded native Goan breads that Singh Follow the writer on
he grew up eating. Twitter @suhani84
62 Volume XLI Number 39; For the week September 20-26, 2016, published on every Friday Total number of pages 100 (including cover pages)
OPEN TO OPINION
DIGITAL EDITION
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contents
Editor-in-ChiEf: Aroon Purie

Group ChiEf ExECutivE offiCEr: Ashish Bagga
Group Editorial dirECtor: Raj Chengappa
Editor-at-larGE: Kaveree Bamzai
dEputy Editor: Prachi Bhuchar
assistant Editor: Ridhi Kale
photo rEsEarChErs: Prabhakar Tiwari
and Satish Kaushik
art dirECtor: Rajeev Bhargava
assistant art dirECtor: Vipin Gupta
produCtion: Harish Aggarwal
(Chief of Production), Naveen Gupta,
Vijay Sharma, Prashant Verma
publishinG dirECtor:
Manoj Sharma
assoCiatE publishEr (impaCt):
Anil Fernandes
sEnior GEnEral manaGEr (impaCt):
Jitendra Lad (West)
GEnEral manaGErs:
Upendra Singh (Bangalore)
Velu Balasubramaniam (Chennai)
dEputy GEnEral manaGEr:
Kaushiky Chakraborty (East) Photograph courtesy DESIGN MARKET (WWW.DESIGN-MKT.COM)
E-COMMERCE SPECIAL
10 ONLINE SHOPPING INTERIORS
The internet has become the new
playground for funky decor and 24 CONTEMPORARY LIVING
one-of-a-kind designs. From expert In this Mumbai home reD Architects
advice, products and latest trends, fuse four apartments to form one
we help you decode this space beautiful, seamless habitat
DESIGN GADGETS
VOL. 11 NUMBER 9; SEPTEMBER 2016
28 POWER OF FLOWERS 32 GIZMOS GAGA
Copyright Living Media India Ltd. All rights reserved throughout Ferns N Petals' Meeta Gutgutia Be it popcorn makers, wi-fi water
shares tips, tricks, techniques purifiers or compact vacuum
Printed and published by Manoj Sharma on behalf of Living
Media India Limited. Printed at Thomson Press India Lim-
and top trends in floral design cleaners, five cool tech toys for you.
ited, 18-35 Milestone, Delhi Mathura Road, Faridabad-121007,
(Haryana); A-9, Industrial Complex, Maraimalai Nagar, District
Circus, New Delhi-110001. Editor: Kaveree Bamzai.
PLUS
l India Today does not take responsibility for returning unsolicited
02 LAUNCHES 31 LISTINGS 38 LAST LOOK
ON THE COVER CORRIGENDUM

DESIGN BY NILANJAN DAS In the August 2016 Bathroom Special issue of HOME, on page 30, article
PHOTOGRAPH BY DANESH JASSAWALA
LOCATION COURTESY PEPPERFRY.COM titled Awash with Ideas, Kohler's Salil Sadanandan's image has been
attributed to Jaquar Group's Sandeep Shukla. The error is regretted.
September 2016, IndiaToday HOME 01

HOME
launches
Make a Trunk Call
I Spy
If you are looking for a fresh feel for your
interiors then Inhabit's new furniture
range, The Mitra Collection, is worth a look.
Featured here is Chota Bada Sandook from
the collection. It is a trunk wrapped with
kilim style fabric with interesting accents.
Your guide to the hottest PRICE on request
new stores and products AT 8-2-602/C, Road No. 10
Banjara Hills, Hyderabad
02 India Today HOME, September 2016

HOME
launches
Entry Point
Considered the gateway to your home, a door says a
lot about the owner's style and taste and also doubles
up as a means to keep you and your loved ones pro-
tected. Keeping this in mind, wood veneer company
Coast To Coast Designs has introduced a range of
100 per cent customised engineered doors and
frames. The ready-to-fit doors and frames are one of
the best tools for not only architects and designers
but also homeowners as they are sustainable, eco-
friendly yet aesthetic in their appeal.
PRICE `750 to `2,000 per sq ft; AT Shop No 122,
DLF Grand Mall, M.G. Road, Gurgaon
Little League
Bright, pretty and colourful, Little West
Street’s 'Now I Know My ABCs Nursery
Bedding' collection for babies and toddlers
goes well with almost any decor. The range
includes quilts, bumpers, coverlets (dohar),
fitted sheets and small pillow and a bolster
set, all in 100 per cent cotton and machine
washable. You can even personalise the quilt
and coverlet. Featured here is the quilt with
alphabets hanging playfully from pom-pom
lace and beautifully coordinated ginghams.
PRICE `1,199 to `6,499
AT www.littleweststreet.com
Jungle Vibe
With products as pretty as a picture, great
quality and innovative designs, no wonder,
Nicobar caught the imagination of many
with it's pop-up store a few months ago. Now
they have launched a new store in the
Capital. The design vision of co-founders,
husband-wife duo Simran Lal and Raul Rai,
the brand is a bright slice of tropical paradise.
You will find Indian accents like woven cane
baskets, colonial style wood furniture, brass
pieces like sleek stands in gunmetal grey, and
carefully designed ceramic mugs and plates.
PRICE `450 to `10,500
AT Shop No 79 and 80, First Floor,
Meharchand Market, Fifth Ave Road,
Lodhi Colony, New Delhi
HOME
launches
Give a Hand
If there is one thing a home
cannot do without, it's drama.
Fennel has launched the black
and gold collection, a perfect
way to introduce theatrics
through decoratives. Featured
here are Mudra Hands
made from resin and metal,
from the collection.
PRICE `38,000 (Mudra Hands)
AT E-23A/F35, Lower Ground
Floor, DLF Mall of India, Noida
New Store
This one double up as the
creative canvas of the
mother-son duo, Shobhna
and Kunal Mehta. Kanchi
Designs has opened their new
concept store at Sewri,
Mumbai. The store features, a
wide range of products like
cushions, throw pillows,
drapes, bed covers, bed run-
ners, rugs, artifacts and
exquisite accent furniture.
PRICE `4,000 onwards Serve in Style
(pillows); `40,000 (beds) Casa Pop by Raseel Gujral has launched this
AT Krishna Press Compound, engineered wood Festive Tray with faux leath-
#16/17Ground Floor, Wing er trimmings, decorated with graphics and
1/B, Krypton Twin Towers, digitally printed on cotton poly blend canvas.
Jakharia Bunder Road, PRICE `7,149; AT Santushti Shopping
Sewri (W), Mumbai Complex, New Delhi
03 India Today HOME, June 2014

Bright Spot
Ahead of the festive season
Baaya Design has launched
innovative lights. Like this
leather foldable lamp with
artistic images of Lord Ram.
PRICE `15,000 (lamp)
AT www.baayadesign.com
Bloom Room
Floral motifs are always in
season; and Zynna's new
collection by UK-based ILIV
celebrates flowers in all shapes
and sizes in an array of hues.
PRICE on request
AT Zynna, S-56/20, DLF
Phase III, Gurgaon
Functional Art
The Exilumen collection by artist Joseph Walsh, derives it title from the Latin
‘eximo’ (carved out) and ‘lumen’ (light). Made from Irish green marble that
floats above clear resin stalactites; to create this one-of-a-kind artwork-cum-table,
the Exilumen I, the artist used a slow and careful carving process.
PRICE on request; AT 'www.josephwalshstudio.com
HOME
design
DOING IT
RIGHT
Interior design and build website, Nestopia's
Harsh Jain lists ten mistakes people make when
HARSH JAIN
Founder & CEO designing their homes without expert help
www.nestopia.com
1 Filling the room with too much

One of the most common mis-
take is filling the house with heavy
furniture pieces and accessories that
make the space look smaller. Take for
instance, a bedroom. It has multiple
purposes; besides sleeping one tends
to use as a space to unwind and watch
TV, store items and sometimes even
catch-up with work. An expert will be
able to organise the space efficiently
as per all the functions. So that the
bedroom is free of clutter, while being
utilitatian and above all stylish.
2 Not seeing the big picture

Another big issue is that homeowners tend to look at singular piece (be 5 No thorough
site inspection
it furniture, furnishings, lighting or accessories) and purchase it without Site inspection before begin-
thinking or understanding how it will look in their home. Unfortunately, ning work is imperative.
they fail to conceptualise the space as a whole. In contrast, experts are able Experts carry out thorough
to look at design from a macro perspective and tie the look together. inspection of the site before
deciding the scope of work.
3 Making wrong choices

It is easy to get influenced by bulk
4 Improper execution
Even if you have the
They capture numerous data
points, which individuals
tend to skip. They understand
price points and buy all the materials
at once. Certain materials like fibre, decided the layout, one of leaking, lining issues and
and tiles tend to get damaged when the biggest issues is execu- capture minute details that
kept unused without proper care. An- tion of the plan. It takes long are essential for the success
other problem is selecting a material to execute, needs constant of the design execution.
because the homeowner likes the way supervision and plans have People often miss out on
it looks or feels. Each material has its to be changed last-minute. A these details when they are
own pros and cons. So, while marble professional project manager working on their own and
has fantastic sheen and looks luxe, comes with experience and is face the consequences
using it for a kitchen counter top is able to handle problems easily. later on which costs them
not advisable as it is porous. money and time.

6 No drawings or 3Ds to visualise, guide or aid
Drawings, floor plans, virtual reality and 3D visuals aid homeowners to
9 Becoming a copy cat
Laymen often tend
to draw references from
visualise their space before it is made. Experts bring with them such useful
online images, portfolios
tools to help owners make supported space allocation and utilization deci-
or their relatives’ houses.
sions. It is not easy to envision the space without drawings or 3D layouts.
But, what they do not
realise is that what looks
good in picture might not
look the same in reality.
They might not know how
to execute the design, or
how to source and select
the right materials to get
the desired outcome. To
think beyond an image is a
real challenge and experts
know where to place the
electrical connections
and source materials at
the right price.
10 Awareness to make
educated decisions
7 The quanity and how to

use a material is crucial 8 Understanding the
design equation
First-timers lack the aware-
ness to make educated
It is important to understand Design = aesthetics + function. decisions concerning colour
what materials are best suited Contrary to what the layman combinations, quality of
according to purpose and then thinks, design is not only about 'the materials and procedure of
optimise their use and cost. For look'. Hiring an expert will make work. Interior designers and
instance, making the entire sofa your space beautiful and enhance architects educate clients
with teakwood results is wasting its efficiency and functionality. and provide the necessary
an expensive material. An expert Educated decisions about colours knowledge source to make
on the other hand will replace the or quality and allocation of space informed decisions. For
unseen surfaces with plywood are difficult to make without expert example, if one has pets at
instead of solid wood and make help. For example, small details like home that shed hair, they
exposed surfaces with expensive the height of the bed for a tween should opt for upholstery
wood. Trained professionals know differs from when the bed is being and curtains in a material
how best to use different materials. designed for an elderly person. which hair doesn’t stick to.
Kawaii Collection
cushions from
Safomasi, inspired
by travels in Japan
(left); Gymkhana
Armchair from
Iqrup + Ritz
with fabric from
Safomasi (below)
HOME
Canvas
trend
to express your personality

Illustrated tableware and furnishings help showcase your style and aesthetics
H
ome is a place where you really reflect your life story?
can be yourself. It is a blank I believe that your home should
canvas, waiting to be filled evolve naturally over time to tell your
colour, craft and your per- story. But how do you find and introduce
sonality. However, decorating it can seem pieces that show who you are? Illustrated
daunting. Do you stick to a safe neutral and handmade homewares are a lovely
scheme in muted colours and minimal way to bring a bit of your personality
patterns, or look to the latest trends for into your home. They inherently tell a
SARAH inspiration? While neutrals can create story and can reflect your travels, experi-
FOTHERINGHAM a calm environment and an on-trend ences and interests. Read on for a few tips
Co-founder, Safomasi
interior initially looks great, does it on how to introduce illustrated home-

HOME
decor
Perch plates, bowl

and mug, inspired
by nature from
Airphish
hesitant or prefer a more paired down

aesthetic, my recommendation is to start
simple. This could mean introducing
something small like a table runner, or
choosing a piece with a delicate mono-
chrome or single colour illustration that
adds a subtle touch of character.
l TABLES THAT TALK

Table linen and ceramics are a great way
to inject personality into your home.
You’ll find a wonderful selection of illus-
trated tableware available and it’s easy to
change your table settings to suit your
mood. A unique illustrated piece can also
become a talking point, intriguing guests
to learn more about its story.
Illustrated pieces ware into your home for a more personal
of furniture from approach to decorating. l STATEMENT FURNITURE
Iqrup + Ritz If you’re feeling bold, consider a state-
l CHOOSE PIECES THAT ment piece of furniture. A chair uphol-
SPEAK TO YOU stered in a distinctive illustrated fabric
Love nature? Why not look for a bedspread can be all you need, to makeover a dull
illustrated with your favourite plant, ani- and drab room with a new lease of life.
mal or bird. Keep on dreaming about that
Kerala backwater holiday? How about l THINK OF IT AS ART
a cushion with a pattern that reminds Hand drawn products are art in their own
you of that time. Always choose pieces right. Be innovative, hang a beautiful scarf,
that you love and that connect with you quilt or rug on the wall. Illustrated tea
personally. Even the smallest things can towels can be framed and hung.
evoke happy feelings and memories. Lastly, don’t rush to get your home
‘done’. Yes, the basics can be in place but
l START SIMPLE take time to find and invest in pieces that
Illustrated homeware doesn't mean an you love and that have special meaning.
overload of colour and pattern. If you’re AT www.safomasi.com
HOME
products
Quirk
Works
Wonderful yet wacky, offbeat
Glass Art
Beer bottle spiral key hanger
from Kavi The PoetryArt
Project is made by upcycling
pieces you can only find online a glass beer bottle with
acrylic art work and wood
and iron pegs.
PRICE `599
Foam Fixation AT www.kavipoetryart.in
Though it looks like a bag, this one called

Take a Seat from Sixinch design is a portable
foam seat. Easy to clean, this waterproof seat
comes in all colours, sizes and finishes.
PRICE on request
AT www.sixinchindia.in
Rear Find
The Bummy Suite, a set of four multicoloured ceramic
coasters with inlay from Amalgam serve a dual purpose;
they prevent your table from being destroyed and add a
bright and colourful element in the room.
PRICE on request
AT www.facebook.com/amalgam.designs

What a Hoot
Titled Disco Hedwig, this visiting card holder
from India Circus with an owl print, success-
fully marries pop art and whimsy.
PRICE `499
AT www.indiacircus.com
Shake it Up
Designed to resemble glass bulbs hanging from a height this
Street Light salt and pepper shaker is from Poppadum Art.
PRICE `1,750
AT www.www.eazelly.com
This is Sound Advice

The Horn OK Please sound dock from HIIH, inspired by
Japan, handcrafted in India, features a kiln fired ceramic dock
and phone slot that uses an eco-friendly speaker system
based on physics to amplify the sound.
PRICE `6,200; AT www.h2hshop.com

HOME
products
Off the Shelf

Titled London Phone Booth Rack from
Square Barrel, use this piece of furniture to
stack, stash and store your favourite books.
PRICE `49,500
AT www.eazelly.com
Animal Attraction
Take a walk on the wild side with this Moon X Clock
Cat. This modern timepiece is made from resin with a
layer of fluorescent whitening agent. Exposed to day
light, it will generate a shimmer in the dark, like the
moon is accompanying the nocturnal animal.
PRICE `10,999
AT www.houseofthings.com
If the Shoe Fits

The Kapashi Kolhapuri Shoe Rack from World
Art Community takes an iconic Indian fashion
accessory and gives a stylish flourish to a shoe rack.
It is made from plywood and veneer.
PRICE `21,250
AT www.worldartcommunity.com

HOME
products
The Floor is Yours

The hue-heavy Hangout Den by Furlenco com-
prises two large foam mattress pads and pillows
with a fitted sheet that you can sleep in, a single
floor sofa for lounging, a laptop table and a storage
box. But what truly sets it apart is that instead of
buying this set, you can rent the furniture.
PRICE `1,599 per month
AT www.furlenco.com
Light Art
It may look like an old
pipe meant for plumbers
to work on, but this gold
Gun Down
Display your favourite bubbly in this
steel and brass wall light Rodeo Stick Bottle Holder (shaped like a
can brighten any room. gun) available at Styletag. Made from
PRICE `6,975 resin, the bottom of the holder has a
AT www.limeroad.com velvet lining.
PRICE `2,990;
AT www.styletag.com
HOME
shoot
NET GAIN
ALL YOU NEED IS TO LOG ON TO TRANSFORM YOUR HOME.
THREE LOOKS BY ONLINE DECOR STORES THAT SHOWCASE YOUR TURF.
Text by RIDHI KALE
26 India Today HOME, July 2016

www.fabfurnish.com
TURN TO BRIGHT HUES FOR A CASUAL LOOK

Family rooms are the toughest to design. But don't fret yet, take a tip or
two from this set up by FabFurnish. Vibrant teal, fresh greens and pristine
whites coupled with natural light create the right vibe. The couch and ac-
cent chair in reverse colour coordinates, a round table in wood and glass,
a pair of upholstered ottomans on a patterned rug, an arresting floor lamp
and wooden side tables make the room look bright and inviting.
HomeTown Opulence Three Seater Sofa, `62,375; HomeTown Opulence Single Seater Sofa, `26,145; HomeTown
Sirus Coffee Table, `16,200; LightenUP Classic Tripod Lamp, `6,999; Presto Velvet Feel Beige Curtains, `1,784;
FABULIV Galvin Aqua Table Lamp, `4,599; Ottoman, `2,850 each. All products from FabFurnish.
July 2016, IndiaToday HOME 27

HOME
shoot
www.iqrupandritz.com
Betty Sofa, `1.10 lakh; Baraque Side Table, `27,975; Caitlyn Armchair, `69,975; Elements Plain Velvet Cushion, `2,795; Ionian Cushion, `7,975. All products from Iqrup + Ritz.
A SUBTLE, SOBER PALETTE WORKS BEST FOR FORMAL SPACES

The aesthetics of the brand, Iqrup + Ritz is “lived-in contemporary”. Something you
can easily see in this formal living room setting. Shades of grey and a minimal
outlook lends sophistication to the room. The centre of attraction is the
Betty Sofa that borrows its slim legs and buttoning detail from the1950s. The
Braque side table is inspired by cubist artist Georges Braque, while the Caitlyn
Armchair in a dark brown leather is inspired by American TV personality and
olympic gold medalist Caitlyn Jenner. Ionian cushiom embroidered with an ari stich
and the velvet Elements plain cushion enhance the look.
Photograph by M ZHAZO

HOME
shoot
www.pepperfry.com
WOOD RULES IN THE DINING ROOM

If the living room is the show window of a home, the dining is the heart; which is
why one should design this space with care. In this set up Pepperfry has made the
six-seater acacia (wood) finish table, bench and chairs the centrepiece, around which
the decor of the room revolves. The matching sideboard and display unit, porcelain
33-piece dinner set, wine glasses, tealight holders, ceramic jars and special pieces
are offset by the large colourful artwork.
Dining table, chairs and bench, `2.06 lakh; Sideboard, `82,999; Display Unit, `51,999, Porcelain 33-piece Dinner Set, `11,999; tealight
holders, `599 to `1,699; Wine Glasses (set of six), `1,190; Showpieces, `699 to `2,100. All products are from
Photograph by DANESH JASSAWALA

HOME
profile
INCH BY INCH
Using humble foam to create flexible and customisable
sculptural furniture pieces, Belgium-based Michel Sels has brought
his innovative company, Sixinch Design to India
By RIDHI KALE
Foam and metal are used to create

this lounge chair called Wiggleworm
T
his will certainly have you foaming in the mouth. What are the common
uses of foam? As a mattress, case padding, chair cushions, pillows,
motorcycle seats, display models and sound proofing. In short, foam is as
commonplace as it gets. Where most of us saw a mundane material, Belgium-
based Michel Sels saw a fabric that had the potential to change the way we look
at furniture. So in 2003 he and Pieter Jamart started Sixinch Design. Today they
make sofas, chairs and loungers for offices, living rooms, and even the study.

HOME
profile
This foam indoor

bench is titled Cliffy
Michel Sels
holding a
foam model
THE CREATIVE CONNECT into pieces that are both creative and more important-
Sixinch was founded keeping two ideas in mind. One ly, comfortable. At Sixinch, comfort is king. It all starts
was that of combining aesthetics and functional- with a block of foam which is cut in the desired shape.
ity, and second, merging innovative materials and This means that you can customise a piece to suit any
progressive designs to create both indoor and outdoor shape or size that catches your fancy. “It takes two
furniture. The brand name says it all. The six-inch or days to make a piece,” says Sels, adding, “The entire
150mm area between one's eardrums is believed to process is done by hand, giving each piece a unique
be the space where creativity lies. “The sky’s the limit, outlook." Another benefit is that the products come
we are only bound by our imagination,” says Sels. in many colours and are completely recyclable. The
No wonder then that Sixinch products can be used result? A typical lounging chair is suddenly infused
for commercial, retail, residential, hotel and other with a flexibility that is designed to provide rest and
infinite possibilities across indoor and outdoor spaces. support to various parts of the user’s body, making the
user relax to a greater degree. The company ensures
UNDERSTANDING THE TECH that furniture is padded with high density foam where
The products are made by applying a unique flexible cushioning is required, then sprayed directly with a
coating to high-density pieces of foam, crafting them unique flexible coating. All these create smooth and
HOME
profile
Shaped like puzzle pieces these

foam poufs looks spectacular
seamless pieces using the consistency of one material. THE INDIAN CONNECTION
Sels takes pride in the fact that people first get startled Sels has entered the Indian market in partnership
and then turn into loyal customers, when they see as Sixinch India, a franchise owned by directors,
foam being used to create bespoke pieces. Namrata Seth and Gagan Deep Bhatia. “Since we
are just entering the market, so it is difficult to judge
EARLY DAYS how we will fare. But we intend to constantly work
While Sel’s foam beauties have found many takers with architects and designers; we can do a tie-up
from Belgium, Japan and the US to Philippines and with Indian designers and see what they can do
India, it wasn’t always smooth sailing. The first prod- with the product. Maybe they can take some of
uct that he ever retailed was a foam box with fragile iconic Indian pieces and try to put a Sixinch twist,"
written on it. “We took it to a potential customer and says Sels. he has already set up a production
she asked us to show her the product. We placed it on unit in the country and says Bollywood stars like
the table; she again asked to see the product, when we Shahid Kapoor and Imran khan, have already
told her this is it, she was taken aback,” recalls Sels. bought the products for their personal use.
However, once she saw how strong it was, yet soft to Price `8,000 to `20,000 per sq meter (customised
touch; how it could be used as a stool, side table and product), `12,000 onwards (retail piece)
occasional furniture, she fell in love with it. At www.sixinchindia.in

HOME
international design
O
ne day, vintage enthusiast Paris-based
Lionel Obadia found himself looking for
an Eames chair, a popular design in the
50s. He was trying his luck online. He ended up
spending two hours browsing through scores of
websites and each time he found something he
liked, he was dogged with doubts about whether
the piece was authentic, or if the vendor could be
trusted. That’s when he thought, “Wouldn’t it be
great to have a website that gathers all these spe-
cialist dealers in one place, where I could purchase
these rare pieces in a fully secure environment?"
And so, Design Market—an online marketplace
that gathers vintage design pieces from galleries
across the world—was born. Launched in 2014
for the European market, this year it made its
worldwide debut. On the site you can find pieces
from leading 20th century designers such as
Charles Eames, Arne Jacobsen, Eero Saarinen,
A 1958, Arti- Le Corbusier, Charlotte Perriand, Hans Wegner,
choke hanging Marco Zanuso, Pierre Guariche and Jean Prouvé,
lamp by to name a few. The best part? The site features
Poul Henningsen over 8,000 pieces of vintage furniture from 300
David Mimouni and

Lionel Obadia
LET
VINTAGE
WOW YOU
Those looking for old world charm can
turn to online mid-century French furniture
specialist Design Market that has gone
global with a new international website
By RIDHI KALE

Karate Armchair by Michel Cadestin from
the 70s (left); vintage rattan chairs (above)
worldwide dealers, presenting a novel way of world. “Our aim is to become the world’s number one
reliably buying luxury, iconic design. reference for curated vintage design furniture, with
thousands of dealers worldwide,” says Obadia.
KNOW THE FOUNDERS
Design Market was founded by the dynamic duo, LOOK OUT FOR
Lionel Obadia and David Mimouni. “After studying Browsing through their listings is like jumping
engineering at the University of Versailles, my career between a treasure chest filled with second-hand
includes 15 years in technological innovation for goodies and a design museum. “We believe that the
international companies including Orange, Canal+ purchase of rare (and sometimes expensive) pieces
and Mercedes-Benz,” says Obadia. As for Mimouni, is not compatible with generic listings websites
“I have a Master’s degree in business and professional like eBay,” says Obadia adding, “We believe that
work experience as a sales director for different com- you need specialised services such as white glove
panies in France.” Passionate about design, when the shipping and expert authentication for this level of
duo met, they decided to start their own venture. purchase.” Start browsing today. Vintage ‘LC4’
chaise longue
HOW DOES IT WORK? PRICE €100 to €20,000 (`7487 to `14.98 lakh) designed by
Design Market specialises in mid-century modern AT www.design-mkt.com Le Corbusier
pieces and the website provides a vast range
of products (this is searchable by colour, room
and style). What's more, though middle-man
gallery fees are cut, the same levels of authen-
tication assurances remain. A team of expert
moderators diligently assess and monitor the
condition and origin of each piece and have
the final say on the quoted price. Further,
each piece is categorised by function and is
the subject of a detailed description, with era,
condition, producer and designer. The pieces
purchased can be delivered to anywhere in the
June 2014, IndiaToday HOME 02

ROOM TO GROW
What happens
when you merge
four apartments
into one? In space
starved Mumbai,
it spells luxury.
reD Architects use
the extra leeway to
dazzle and delight.
By RIDHI KALE
The colour-filled den with

the ceiling and columns
clad with smoked mirrors

HOME
interiors
Architects Rajiv Parekh, Ekta Parekh,

Apoorva Shroff and Maithilli Raut
T
hough it took just a year to
complete, fusing four apartments
to create a 12,000 sq ft home in
Deonar, Mumbai, was not an easy feat.
But then turning a challenging space
into a work of art is what Mumbai-based
reD Architects, comprising architects
Rajiv Parekh, Ekta Parekh, Apoorva
Shroff and Maithilli Raut, are known
for. A hue-haven, sleek in appeal and
customised to suit every family member's
needs, it is an ode to modern design.
FOLLOWING THE BRIEF

Designing for a globe trotter can be both
a tricky and an exciting thing. On one
hand the client is exposed to many design
sensibilities and therefore open to ideas,
on the hand their exacting standards can
test any architect’s skill. “The clients, a
family of four, are world travellers and
are owners of the duty free business at
a national and international level. Their
brief to us was to have a luxurious home
where they could entertain different
groups of friends and business associates.
They also wanted their individual rooms
to be tailored to their needs,” says Ekta
the lead architect for the project, who not
only met the brief in the visual context
but also in terms of space planning.
THE COMPLEXITY OF THE LAYOUT

“The lower floor houses the public
spaces—the 2,000 sq ft living room is
divided into two sections with a large
smoked mirror column to accommodate

HOME
interiors
bigger and smaller seating areas. On one side of the bathrooms. There is also a common family space, for
living room is the bar and an intimate low height intimate gatherings,” adds Ekta.
seating, while the other side houses the dining space,”
says Ekta. The kitchen is attached to the dining room. TAKING CHALLENGES HEAD ON
Walk past the dining and you will find two spacious Given that four apartments were integrated into one,
guest rooms with attached baths and small outdoor sorting out the plumbing was one of the biggest chal-
decks. On the other side of the bar is the home theatre lenges. “Bathrooms had to be made in dry areas, while
room with a section for playing pool and gaming. “The still ensuring that the waterproofing stayed intact and
upper floor houses the private spaces of the home. The the end user would have no problem in the function-
three bedrooms are developed like individual suites, ality of these spaces once the work was completed,”
with their own lounge areas, walk in wardrobe and says Ekta, adding, “There were certain areas where
A heavy marble dining table

top, made to appear float-
ing on sculptural brass legs
(left); lounge area of one of
the bedroom suites (above)
40 India Today HOME, August 2016

Master bedroom
with an Ethan Allen
bed and matching
wall panelling
the ceiling heights were reduced in the apartment to

account for electrical and plumbing—in these spaces
clever use of mirrors on the ceiling, concealed wiring
and ducting for the air conditioners camouflaged
with wooden members and full height storage
cabinets were planned, to ensure that spaces did
not look stunted or out of place.”
HIGHLIGHTS OF THE HOME

“We had to make each of these spaces to the right
scale, so that they didn’t seem too large and empty or
too over-designed and therefore cramped,” says Ekta. A
good example is the custom made cement floor in the
den, which is a combination of blue and brown cement.
This is set against a very neutral palate of wood panelled
walls, ideal for the acoustic requirements of the space.
“The bar and lounge form a unique feature in the house
and were a lot of fun to plan. The bar is a large U-shaped
structure. The ceiling height was already low, cladding
it with wood, further highlighted it. The seating in this
zone was placed on a raised wooden platform and low-
ered in height with floor cushions in vibrant colours, set
against an exposed cork finished wall,” says Ekta. Large
sliding insulated wooden doors close off this room when
the music is pumped up, so that they rest of the house is
Powder room with not disturbed. "This space was a treat to design in terms
metallic accents of planning, materials, textures and colours," adds Ekta.
that add drama Clearly, the apartment is a feast for all the senses.
42 India Today HOME, August 2016

HOME
trends
A FLORAL
ODYSSEY
Blooms can make your interiors look fresh and bright. Meeta Gutgutia
of Ferns N Petals lists five floral arrangement trends for the season.
Daisies with jute and

plant roots wrapped
around them
O
ne should never underestimate the room dictate the coming together
the power of a beautifully set of the arrangement. Also, remember,
floral piece, especially when it's never just about the flowers, you
placed on the dining table, a console can add twigs, glass, plastic, ceramic,
or even the side table. After all, it stoneware and other accessories to
forms a major part of the interiors. enhance the look. Like fashion, floral
The problem comes when people don't art too has seasonal trends and fads
know which direction to tread and that help ensure that your interiors
MEETA GUTGUTIA questions like, should it be extravagant look chic and stylish all year round.
Director & Creative Head and over the top or simple and elegant, However, do not confuse these trends
Ferns N Petals plague the mind. The answer is simple, with commandments, they are just
let your mood and the aesthetics of guidelines. Time to get creative.

HOME
trends
WALK ON THE WILD SIDE conflict with one another. The trick here is to
Nature's seasonal, wild and untamed beauty can be use the two shades in such a way that what once
captured by foraging. In fact, this is the most sought clashed now complements. To begin with, ensure
after trend by florists the world over. It helps make the the vestibule, pot or vase is subtle (go for a lightly
arrangement look fresh and topical. Look for locally printed pot or a pastel coloured vase). Next, use
grown and available materials like the twig of a tree, greenery to break away from the colour play and
or seasonal fresh and dried flowers, pretty leaves from infuse the arrangement with a fresh and modern
annual shrubs. When put together these arrange- feel. Purple orchids with red roses, crimson lilies
ments are perfect as centrepieces. The colour scheme with hot pink tulips, or even yellow chrysanthe-
forms a big part of the arrangement. When in doubt, mum with blue petunias can look heavenly.
remember that there is a particular colour palette for
every season and these colours can take a larger part OPT FOR ONE FLOWER
in the décor as it provides a definite base for all the Another popular trend this season is to stick with
colours to fall in place. Arrange them creatively and one type of flower in different shades. For example
you will have a conversation starter in your hands. varying shades of carnations can work out well
against the plain walls to balance the space. You
WHEN BOLD BECOMES BEAUTIFUL can even give your arrangement an ombre effect
Colours that clash with a vibrant vengeance; the with varying pink shades of chrysanthemum,
second trend is all about tapping into this to make going from darker in the centre to lighter towards
a striking statement. We are not just talking about the edges. One can even opt for an asymmetrical
contrasting colours, but with hues that are in arrangement to give it a contemporary vibe.
Flowers cymbidium and baby’s

breath placed in test tubes and
decorated with noodle sticks
Clockwise from top left: Alstroemeria in a
glass vase; mokara orchid and roses in a
glass goblet; and sweet Williams in tea cups
CLASSIC CAN BE COOL TURN OVER A NEW LEAF

Lilies, carnations and roses are vivid options that get When creating a floral arrangement people tend to
included in the interiors as the traditional favourites. focus only on the flowers. This is a rookie mistake.
However, one can give it an interesting spin by getting The greens demand equal attention, in fact, keep-
more creative with add-ons like vases, hand-woven ing the leaves of flowers in a vase or adding big and
baskets, pots, baskets and bowls. So for example if you small foliage to a pot is very popular globally. Even
have roses in soft colours, the arrangement can be com- if you think of it in an Indian context, traditionally,
pleted with a complementing brighter shade tea cup. for weddings mango leaves find a prominent place
Soft pink lilies can be complemented with bright yellow next to marigolds. Further, greens also add a sense of
roses. This looks especially nice when placed on a white freshness and brightens the room; but more impor-
table. Another way to go is to place the arrangement on tantly, they enhance the charm of an arrangement
top of a vivid runner or table cloth. The most important by balancing the colour of the flowers.
tip, however, is to remember to have fun. AT www.fnp.com

HOME
index
Listings
AIRPHISH
www. airphish.com
Known for handcrafted products
AMALGAM
www.amalgam.me
info@amalgam.me
Tel (0)9999652000
Photograph courtesy DESIGN MARKET (WWW.DESIGN-MKT.COM)

Known for fun accessories
DESIGN MARKET
www.design-mkt.com
Known for mid-century vinatge pieces
FABFURNISH
www.fabfurnish.com
care@fabfurnish.com
Known for a wide range of decor pieces
FERNS N PETALS
www.fnp.com
Known for flower arrangements
FURLENCO
IQRUP + RITZ RED ARCHITECTS
www.furlenco.com
392 Udyog Vihar, Phase IV, Gurgaon Unit #407, Om Annexe, Plot #547,
Tel 080-8801888
Tel (0)9599110672 Behind Bhoomi Plaza mall, Off Tulsi
Known for renting furniture
Known for high end decor Pipe rd, Elphinstone, Mumbai;
GODREJ SECURITY SOLUTIONS Tel 022-43226000
Plant-17, Pirojshanagar, Vikhroli, KAVI THE POETRY-ART PROJECT Known for product, interior, architec-
Mumbai; www.godrejsecure.com www.kavipoetryart.in tural and urban design
Known for security solutions Tel (0)8800583579
Known for kitsch pieces ROHIT BAL
www.rohitbal.com
HIIH
NESTOPIA Tel 022-22875679
www.h2hshop.com;
www.nestopia.com Known for bespoke designer ware
admin@h2hshop.com;
info@nestopia.com
Known for decor and accessories
Known for customised interior solu- SAFOMASI
HOUSE OF THINGS tions for homes and offices 458/1, 2nd Floor, Hanuman Mandir
8 D New Fatehpura, Udaipur, Rajasthan; Road, Chirag Delhi, New Delhi;
Tel (0)8003011110 LIMEROAD Tel 011-41600863
Known for beautiful design objects www.limeroad.com Known for beautiful hand crafted
Known for lifestyle products homewares
INDIA CIRCUS
Godrej Plant no.13 Annex, 2nd Floor, LLADRO SIX INCH INDIA
Gate no. 8, Pirojsha Nagar, Vikhroli, G-72 & 73, N.H 8, Ambience Mall, Ambi- Farmhouse No. 4, Deramod, Fatehpurb-
Mumbai; Tel 022-30770256 ence Island, DLF City Phase III, Gurgaon eri, Chattarpur, New Delhi;
Known for quirky products Tel 0124-4665429 Tel (0)9811021669
Known for porcelain decoratives Known for foam products
IN THE BOX SPACE
835, JMD Megapolis, Sohna Road, PEPPERFRY TIMOTHY OULTON
Gurgaon; Tel 0124-4081935 Ground Floor, Hem-Dil Building, Linking D-41, Defence Colony, New Delhi
Known for creating innovative spaces Road, Santacruz West, Mumbai; Tel (0)9990784848
using re-purposed shipping containers Tel 022-26050203 Known for vintage-inspired products
Known for a wide range of decor items Compiled by Ridhi Kale
FIVE
Whether you are a gadgets veteran or a gizmo newbie,
technology has percolated into all aspects of our life.
A closer look at the latest devices for your home.
By RIDHI KALE
➜
PURIFICATION BECOMES SMARTER
Livpure's latest launch i-taste, is a WiFi enabled water
purifier. The RO can be controlled by your smartphone via
an android app. It also auto communicates with the
Livpure service center, facilitating proactive preventive
maintenance/filter replacement on time as required.
Equipped with a unique anti-oxidant and mineraliser
cartridge, i-taste is an eight stage water purifier that
provides hot, warm and ambient water dispensing.
PRICE `27,999
AT www.livpure.in
➜
POP GOES CORN
Making popcorn just got eas-
ier. The new Popcorn Maker
from TTK Prestige comes with
a non-stick frying bowl and
rotating arms that pop corn
evenly. That's not all, the lid
doubles up as a serving bowl.
PRICE `2,250
AT www.ttkprestige.com

IN THE HOOD
➜
In a normal chimney, the
suction happens from the
bottom vents, so smoke,
which escapes the bottom
vents tends to stay in the
kitchen for a long time.
Faber has introduced 3D
Chimneys with T2S2
technology that has a
three-way suction. Its
➜ unique filters on the sides
of the hood extract any
CLEAN AND CLEAR smoke that escapes the
This ultra compact and light bottom vent. This ensures
vacuum cleaner has a soft that the kitchen is free
brush and crevice tool for from smoke and grease.
intricate cleaning. Further, Available in black and
it’s state-of-the-art nozzle stainless steel options.
and handle extends and PRICE `21,000 to
retracts at the touch of a `39,900;
button. It has a 180 ml dust AT www.faberindia.com
bowl, which can be seen
through the translucent
door. It needs 4.8 volts NiMh
battery to run and comes
wih a small charging stand.
PRICE `4,495
AT www.homepunch.com
➜COMFORT FIRST
Kiss goodbye to aches and
pains with Osim's new
uInfinity, a massage chair
that lets you download new
programs as per your body
type. It customises massages,
from sports recovery tech-
niques to Tai Tai. Ither fea-
tures include built-in stereo
sound speakers signature
wrap-around power squeeze,
vibration and roller reflexol-
ogy. You can also opt for the
warm-air technique that im-
proves total body circulation.
PRICE `5,35,000
AT www.osim.com

HOME
news
QUICK FIX
A monthly round up of the latest trends, news GOD IS IN
and views from the world of decor and design THE DETAIL
By RIDHI KALE Lladró's festive Collection for 2016
comprises of high porcelain Lord
Shiva and Goddess Laxmi. On the
occasion Nikhil Lamba, COO, Lladró
India shares FIVE things you prob-
ably didn't know about the brand.
1. Unlike ceramic, Lladro's porce-
lain, is 100 per cent vegetarian.
2. Designs take over a year to create.
3. Every piece is made in our
factory in Valencia, Spain.
4. Lladró figurines retire.
5. We also make dazzling lights.
PRICE `90,000 (Lakshmi),
`7.20 lakh (Shiva);
AT www.lladro.com
CLEAR AS CRYSTAL
After ruling the ramp with his sleek silhouettes, fash-
ion designer Rohit Bal is all set to conquer your home.
Bal has collaborated with the artisans and crystal
cutters of Czech Republic, Slovakia and Central Europe
to create a collection, handmade using 24 per cent
lead crystal. It varies from limited edition tableware to
bowls, vases, tea sets, platters, salvers, vases and urns.
PRICE `1,950 to `1.45 lakh;
AT Delhi and Mumbai (studio@rohitbal.com)
AN IDEA BOX
Can one live luxuriously in a 20/40 ft portable shipping
container? According to Gurgaon-based In the Box Space,
brainchild of Neeraj Khandelwal and Inderpreet Kaur, one
can. These Recreational Dwelling Unit are eco-friendly,
stand natural calamities and can be customised as a sitting
area, lounge, bar, library, guest house and much more
PRICE `8 lakh to `20 lakh; AT www.intheboxspace.com

7 7
minutes
questions
WITH TIMOTHY OULTON
Known for vintage-inspired furniture, the British eponymous brand Timothy Oulton has opened its doors in the Capital in collabo-
ration with Tarun Vadehra Interiors. Spread over 3,600 sq ft, the store is visual treat. Here’s what the brand’s founder had to say.
Describe your brand What's the Delhi store's story?

Daring, authentic, select and Five years ago I met Tarun Vadehra
inspired by vintage. at Maison & Objet Paris, since then
we have been in touch. I visited
The design process... India 18 months ago to under-
Every piece should have a stand the market and found Indian
story, I won’t make it otherwise. interiors have not only evolved
Think about it, isn’t it more but also
interesting to eat at a table become global in outlook. Mumbai
made from century-old timber is our next stop.
from an English mill, or have
a coffee table built from the Quick tips.
propeller of an Pair with flair, like crystal with
old fishing boat? vintage timber, or pick a vintage
piece and add layers to it. Marble
Tell us about materials you use and rock crystals are beautiful
Reclaimed timber comes from additions in a home. Leather has a
the UK, marble from Italy, timeless nature and allure.
leather from Argentina
and Brazil. You wish you had designed
The Swan Chair, the Egg Chair,
Why use reclaimed materials? Porsche 911 car, Big Ben...
I want the pieces to have
character and soul; reclaimed PRICE on request
materials help do that. AT D-41, Defence Colony, Delhi
June 2014, IndiaToday HOME 02

HOME
gadgets
HOME SAFE HOME

From smart video door phones to intelligent wi-fi enabled safes, Godrej
Security Solutions' Mehernosh Pithawalla on gizmos designed to protect
M
ost think us businesses. Typically, you will find components such
think of security as a control panel, alarms, sensors and detectors in
devices as oversized a security system; and each component is integral to
eyesores with such com- it. In the case of home safes, there are electronic and
plicated systems that need manual safes and fire resistant safes, to name a few.
nothing less than a PhD to
be deciphered. However, in SENSORS TO THE RESCUE
the modern context, this In the electronic home security solutions primarily
MEHERNOSH couldn't be further from the there are wireless alarm systems, CCTVs and video
PITHAWALLA truth. Forget large, most door phones. The do-it-yourself (DIY) or plug and
Head Marketing, Sales
and innovation, Godrej nifty gizmos fit in the palm of play security systems that require you to only follow
Security Solutions your hand, come in a pleth- some simple instructions mentioned in the manuals
ora of colours and styles and have slowly risen in popularity. How do they work?
have easy-to-understand manuals. In fact, more often Most DIY plug and play security systems are wireless
than not, they are installed by the agency, implying and easy to install. They require you to place sensors
that you don’t even need to lift a finger. Home security and detectors at main entry points such as doors
is a major issue, one that should not be taken lightly. and windows. These sensors, which can be procured
The simplest form of home security is locks, grills, at as-need basis include, wireless motion detectors,
doors and guards. Today, the market is flooded with external video cameras, sirens, motion sensitive
different types of security systems for households and spotlights and much more.
The Solus Video Door Phone let's you see and speak with
the visitor before opening the door; `16,299 onwards

HOME
gadgets
External hooter, sounds an

alarm with an intensity of
110dB; `1,199
Wireless key
fob; `849
Titled
Goldilocks
this one's
a personal
locker,
`6,499
Wireless Hooter
with Strobe;
`2,149
SURVEILLANCE BECOMES HIGH-TECH DON’T COMMIT THESE MISTAKES

Everyday new technologies are launched that make To ensure that a good system is chosen, customers
life simpler. Similarly, today electronic home security need to research the products and their needs. Poor
solutions have been upgraded with features like conceptualisation and lack of understanding
image and video capturing (video door phone), of alarm components can lead to under-designing
intelligent motion detection and alert (CCTVs), wire- and improper installation. A professional security
less technology to connect sensors with the alarm service provided can help users identify the secu-
panel (wireless connectivity for easy installation). rity gap in their house and help them select proper
Even safes are now intelligent and can connect over security device (VDP, alarm system, CCTV). It’s not
GSM (Global System for Mobile communication) to only improper device selection that can be problem-
communicate alerts when subjected to attack. Few atic, but an incorrect installation can also turn out to
electronic home security solution systems also offer be an inconvenience. Hence it is important to select
wi-fi connectivity. These systems use internet to allow professional company to do the installation, configu-
users to speak to their visitors even when they are not ration and maintenance. Lastly, the security industry
at home. GSM Alarm Systems communicate alarms specifically is highly unorganised and hence there are
over GSM network in real time, CCTV feed can now many fly by night operators. So, a user must select
be viewed over 3G on any smart device. These devices reliable brand to provide security solutions.
ensure that homeowners feel safe and secure. AT www.godrejsecure.com
HOME
last look
THE ILLUMINATI
Paintings and murals around

the world show how artists
have used light and shade
to illustrate mood and cre-
ate atmosphere. In decor this
is done using pretty lights.
However, the art of lighting is
a tricky thing. Not only does it
put the spotlight on your inte-
riors, its shape and form can
either make or mar the look
of your room. Thankfully,
this Gourmand floor lamp by
Italian luxury brand, Vision-
naire, falls in the former cat-
egory. Designed by renowned
international design house
La Conca the metal structure
has several concave surfaces
stuck together is such a way
that it bounces off the light,
creating a shimmering effect.
The cherry on the cake (or in
this case, lamp) is the gold
printed leather lampshade.
PRICE on request
AT www.visionnaire-home.com
I
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ALST
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SURVEYMAG NE
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WWW.
DIGITAL EDITION
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SEPTEMBER 2016
Decor
Best online
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The Gift
SHIKHA ENGINEER,
HOME IN AHMEDABAD
Interiors
LIST

swish pad
FUN GIFTING IDEAS

FOR DIWALI
WINDOW
TO THE
FUTURE
A MODEL IN AN
ANAVILA MISRA
OUTFIT
Creative
Living
NEVER BEFORE
SEPTEMBER 2016
A MONTHLY CITY MAGAZINE
The Gift
LIST
FUN GIFTING IDEAS
FOR DIWALI
A MODEL IN AN
ANAVILA MISRA
OUTFIT
SIMPLY MUMBAI Inside
COVER STORY
The Gifting
Guide s-4
Diwali may be known
as the festival of lights
but the four days of
celebrations have
become just as popular
as the time for giving.
Here are some gifting
Editor-in-Chief ideas for you from
Aroon Purie across fashion,
Group Chief Executive Officer food, home décor
Ashish Bagga
Group Editorial Director
and more.
Raj Chengappa
Editor-at-large Cover Credits
Kaveree Bamzai Model POULAMI DAS
(TOABH MANAGEMENT)
n Designer & stylist ANAVILA MISRA
Associate Editor Jewellery AMRAPALI
Moeena Halim Footwear FIZZY GOBLET
Editorial Team Hair and Make-up NEHA LOGANI
Mohini Mehrotra, Ursila Ali Art Direction RUCHI KOTHARI
Location courtesy ANAVILA MISRA
Photo Department Photographer DANESH JASSAWALA
Mandar Deodhar, Danesh Jassawala,
Vikram Sharma
Photo Researchers
OUR PICK of the month

Prabhakar Tiwari, Shubhrojit Brahma
Art Director
Jyoti Singh
Design
Vikas Verma,
Bhoomesh Dutt Sharma
Production
City Symphony Celebrating the 10th anniversary season
of the Symphony Orchestra of India (SOI),
September 12 to 30 the Autumn 2016 Season at the NCPA
Harish Aggarwal (Chief of Production),
Naveen Gupta, Vijay Sharma, will feature major works from
Prashant Verma the orchestral canon by Mahler,
Layout Execution Holst, Elgar, Brahms, and
Ramesh Kumar Gusain Paganini, amongst others. On
Pradeep Singh Bhandari September 27, SOI Music
n Director Marat Bisengaliev will
Publishing Director lead the Orchestra in the famous
Manoj Sharma ‘Enigma’ Variations by Sir
Associate Publisher (Impact) Edward Elgar. The season closes
Anil Fernandes with a special gala concert on
n September 30.
At Jamshed Bhabha Theatre,
IMPACT TEAM
Senior General Manager: NCPA, Nariman Point
Jitendra Lad (West) Tickets in.bookmyshow.com
General Managers: Tel 66223737 Time 7 p.m.
Upendra Singh (Bangalore);
Want to tell us about an event? A new store? A restaurant? People doing interesting things?
Deputy General Manager:
Kaushiky Chakraborty (East) Anything newsworthy? Please email us at: simplymumbai@intoday.com
s-2 SIMPLY MUMBAI u SEPTEMBER 2016

SIMPLY MUMBAI Cover Story
Gifting The
G U I D E
DIWALI MAY BE KNOWN AS THE FESTIVAL OF LIGHTS BUT THE
FOUR DAYS OF CELEBRATIONS HAVE BECOME JUST AS POPULAR
AS THE TIME FOR GIVING. HERE ARE SOME GIFTING IDEAS FOR
YOU FROM ACROSS FASHION, FOOD, HOME DÉCOR AND MORE
n By MOEENA HALIM
Mumbai, the city that never from cupcakes that glow in the Abu SandeepÔ
sleeps, is a beautiful sight dark to cotton accessories that can Another Bollywood favourite,
during the festive season as help farmers in Wardha—here’s Abu Jani and Sandeep Khosla’s
a gifting guide that can help you Diffusion Label ASAL has launched
well as the weeks that lead
navigate the city’s most interesting its first ever Festival Collection
up to it. Come twilight, the options. which includes saris, lehengas,
shopping districts shimmer shararas and anarkalis. The
with twinkling fairy lights, FASHION designs take inspiration from
brightly coloured lanterns say Anavila MisraÔ
hello from the newly blossomed Working only with the finest
linen, Anavila Misra believes
stalls in bazaars and sway in
strongly in letting the fabric
the wind that blows through speak for itself. Her minimalist
window grills across chawls designs have won several fans
as well as high-rise apartment in tinseltown. Fashionistas like
buildings alike. Sonam Kapoor and Kangana
Ranaut appreciate her work
T
he four-day festival, which as much as traditionalists like
will be celebrated at the Shabana Azmi or Deepti Naval. At
end of October this year, her newly launched flagship store,
illuminates the city like no her collection of saris and stoles
other. But apart from being the fes- is joined by caftans, trousers and
tival of lights, Diwali has over the dresses too.
years also picked up the tradition AT Dhairya Apartments, 11th Road,
of giving. The city has no dearth of Near Madhu Park, Khar (West)
great gifting options. From Anavila TEL 9820814910
Misra’s stark linen style to the luxu- PRICE Rs 15,500 onwards
rious gemstones of the Kothari’s, (for saris)

Model: POULAMI DAS
(TOABH MANAGEMENT)
Designer and stylist: ANAVILA MISRA
Jewellery: AMRAPALI
Hair and make-up: NEHA LOGANI
Art direction: RUCHI KOTHARI
Location courtesy: ANAVILA MISRA
Model Poulami Das

wearing an Anavila
Misra outfit
Warp and WeftÔ

Long before the ‘Make in India’
inspired revivalists, Sagrika Rai
had begun creating a platform for
Benarasi weavers to exhibit their
craftsmanship. Two decades old,
Warp n Weft continues to weave
elegance with its Benarasi saris
and fabrics. This festive season, the
quaint store is going to get bigger
but Rai’s traditional roots and con-
nections with the weaver families of
Benares will remain the same.
AT Sethna Building, 55 Maharshi
Karve Rd, Marine Lines, Chandan
Wadi Cross Rd
TEL 022-22000554
PRICE Rs 10,000 onwards (for saris)
Amoh by JADEÔ
Designers Monica and Karishma
of JADE have unveiled Amoh by
JADE, a luxury pret line. Their
asymmetrical yet feminine patterns
spell young and are very wearable
thanks to their intricate patterns,
delicate embellishments and classic
prints on featherweight fabrics &
natural fibres.
AT Amoh by JADE, 6A Sukhshanti
No.1, Next to Jaslok Hospital, 19
Peddar Road
TEL 9833002000/9833115000
EMAIL jade@jadecouture.com
Designers Monica and Karishma's new luxury pret line, Amoh by JADE PRICE Rs 8,000 onwards
Indian and Persian threadwork PRICE Rs 1,500 onwards The Red BoxÔ
and gota-pati as well European Quirky, fun and funky, The Red Box
art deco motifs. Kothari’sÔ with its trendy jewellery, sassy
AT ASAL by Abu Sandeep, Shop Founded in the early 1930s, sunglasses and smartphone covers,
No. 2 & 3, Plot No. 327, Windward Kothari’s Jewellers has been run is hugely inspired by pop culture,
Apartment, 21st Road, Bandra (W) by the affable Pradip Kothari for making it the perfect place to find
TEL 022-26465363 the past 45 years. Exquisite, gifts for those who don’t take them-
PRICE Rs 18,000 (semi casual kur- handmade jewellery made from selves too seriously.
tas) to Rs 3,50,000 (lehengas and natural Burmese rubies, Zambian WEBSITE theredbox.co.in/
sharara sets) emeralds and Gulf pearls, this is PRICE Rs 149 onwards
luxury at its most opulent.
Roopkala SareesÔ Their latest collection, DO-GOODER
Set up in 1952, their Marine Drive
store is quite an institution. Today,
Lei targets a younger
generation with its more
GIFTS
founder Kantilal Motla’s successors modest designs. JalebiÔ
Mukesh and Mitesh Motla run the AT Kothari’s Jewellers, Pencils might seem like
show ensuring a combination of tra- 1, Shanker Mahal, a strange Diwali gift, but
ditional and trendy. Sophia College Lane, when they have the ability
ADDRESS: Roopkala, Queens Breach Candy to sprout into plants they’re
Chambers, Maharshi Karve Rd, TEL 022-23517635/ nothing short of magi-
New Marine Lines 23538410 cal. Renuka Shah, founder
WEBSITE roopkalasarees.com/ PRICE On request of Jalebi, has a range of

plantable products from seed paper

stationery to DIY Grow Me kits.
TEL 9920041541
WEBSITE ecofriendlyjalebi.com
PRICE Rs 150 to Rs 3,000
Himalayan HaatÔ
Himalayan Haat’s jams, flavoured
salts, preserves, and pickles prom-
ise a wholesome goodness made
from the season’s best all the way
Products from Himalayan Haat
in the Garhwali mountains. The
goodies, from the tangy Plum and
Cinnamon Preserve to the relaxing The guys behind No Nasties have back to the Chetna Vikas foundation
Chamomile Tea are made without found a wonderful way to help in Wardha, to the women making
the use of preservatives and all the the cotton farmers of Wardha. the Dougs.
processes are done by hand. The Doug, which gets its name from WEBSITE onceuponadoug.com
idea—to create more employment the Marathi word ‘dhug’ (cloud) PRICE Rs 5,000 onwards
for the locals of Pauri, Garhwal. is a fashion accessory (a bracelet
EMAIL himalayanhaat@gmail.com if you will) in the shape of a cloud Devrai Art VillageÔ
WEBSITE himalayanhaat.org which has become a symbol of Panchgani-based Devrai Art Village
AVAILABLE FOR SALE AT greensat- hope. Orders are only taken for a is an NGO that works with Adivasi
tva.com/himalayan-haat minimum of 50 Dougs (going up by craftsmen to create handcrafted,
PRICE Rs 70 to Rs 350 multiples of 50). The donations, a traditionally-made iron, brass,
Once Upon a DougÔ minimum of Rs 100 per Doug, go wood and bamboo products to suit
contemporary tastes. Highly skilled
adivasi craftsmen and
artists from Gadchiroli and
Chattisgarh have found a safe haven
at the Art Village, which allows
them to pursue their craft away
from their Naxalite-affected homes.
WEBSITE devraiartvillage.com
TEL 9923339726/9765052057
PRICE Rs 1,000 to Rs 1,00,000
HOME
India CircusÔ
Krsna Mehta’s kitschy India Circus
designs are now available in a bar
accessories range too. The collec-
tion includes crystal champagne
and wine glasses with elegant
motifs and shot glasses with a
slightly more playful artwork.
WEBSITE indiacircus.com/
PRICE RANGE Rs 899 onwards
Doodling Coldplay ProjectÔ

Kalyani Nerurkar, a 24-year-old
copywriter and illustrator, is also
a huge fan of the UK-based band
Coldplay. Inspired by the band’s
soulful sound, she has been trans-
forming her favourite Coldplay
songs into “visually intricate lyrical
Krsna Mehta of India Circus

illustrations.” Given the rumours

of the band’s upcoming visit to
Mumbai, prints of Nerurkar’s
doodles might be a great way to
ring in the excitement for a fellow
Coldplay fan.
TEL 9769377912
WEBSITE engrave.in/
doodle-riot-kalyani-nerukar
PRICE Rs 699 onwards
Threee CheersÔ
This quirky online gift store has
some unique ideas including lamps,
candle holders and so on. If you’re
looking for a customised gift, share
your budget and they will suggest
designs, create handmade gifts and
have it delivered to your doorstep.
DANESH JASSAWALA; Location courtesy CANDIES
TEL 9969246012/9773605014
AT 307-A-Faiz-e-Quitbi, 3rd Floor,
375-Narshi Natha Street
WEBSITE facebook.com/
threeecheers
PRICE Customizable according to
your budget
Pink Whistle ManÔ

Ranjani Iyengar, graphic designer
Photograph by
and founder of Pink Whistle Man,

tends to see things differently. She
might spot a vintage jharoka during Copywriter and illustrator, Kalyani Nerurkar
her travels to Rajasthan and man-
age to turn it into something quite WEBSITE pinkwhistleman.com/ baking all kinds of cakes, including
different, like a jewellery holder or PRICE Rs 599 onwards lamingtons, cupcakes, and large,
a picture frame. From the crafts of flamboyant specialty cakes. She’s
dusty Rajasthan to quaint Parisian AnemosÔ planning to make cakes in a jar
cafes, her designs are a unique mix. Anemos, the sprawling luxury for Diwali, but what’s even more
TEL 9004897770 furniture and interior design store, exciting is her latest project—glow-
has everything from gorgeously in-the-dark cupcakes. While the
Rajasthan inspired jewellery designed fans to four poster beds, glow-in-the-dark food colouring
box from Pink Whistle Man antique clocks and cradles. This isn’t available in the country cur-
festive season, they’ve got a brand rently, Kamble has been experi-
new brass collection. menting with her
AT 11/12, Krishna House, Ground own combinations to get that
Floor, Raghuvanshi Estate, Senapati all-natural glow.
Bapat Marg, Lower Parel, Mumbai TEL 7738270006
TEL 022-2493 4306 SOCIAL MEDIA @SweettalkIndia
PRICE Rs 650 onwards for the brass PRICE Rs 1,650 per kg onwards
range
Gouri’s Goodies Ô
FOOD Gouri Gupta’s wholesome, artisanal
Sweet TalkÔ snacks are a good idea as a gift for
LA-returned, IHM-graduate chef friends particular about their diet.
Rakhi Kamble is baking up a storm Her ‘Happy Ladoos’, made with
in her Ghatkopar kitchen. In the black dates and seeds, are a great
process of setting up a commer- replacement for the rich Indian
cial kitchen, she’s currently home mithais. These are available in

different sugar substitutes or chemi- Bengali Bento Box will be hot meals
flavours including cals and use raisins, apri- specially crafted for the Diwali
orange, coconut and cots, dates or figs as the week—perfect for a party.
cinnamon. base. TEL 9867362012
TEL 9820645789 TEL American Dry Fruits, PRICE Rs 600 onwards
WEBSITE gourigupta.com/ 369, Dr DN Road, Flora (for the baskets)
PRICE Rs 500 onwards Fountain
TEL 022-22041515 La FolieÔ
The Cheese CollectiveÔ WEBSITE adfs.in India’s ‘Pastry Queen’ Chef Sanjana
If you’d like to go savoury PRICE Rs 1,100 onwards Patel has launched a special gift
instead of sweet this Diwali, Mansi packaging in collaboration with AA
Jasani from The Cheese Collective Bombay Bizarre BakerÔ Living’s Rohina Anand-Khira. The
has some exciting options. There Tara Kapur, founder of Bombay keepsake boxes designed to “spread
are multi-flavoured cheese bombs, Bizarre Baker, specializes in vegan, festive cheer” will contain Patel’s
mini bites of goat cheese hand- dairy-free, gluten-free desserts. trademark modern classics as well
rolled in different flavours including She also has a range of decadent as a whole new range of gourmet
mixed herbs, black pepper, chilli cakes like her three-layered Perfect
and Zata’ar, as well as dice cheese Chocolate Cake, German Black
made with goat cheese, cheddar Forest Cake, and the Chocolate
and olives themed around Diwali Oblivion Torte. Specials include
card or poker parties. the pumpkin cake, the gluten free
PEL 9820059926 almond lemon cake and the new-
EMAIL mansi@thecheesecollective.in est additions—the vegan gluten free
WEBSITE facebook.com/ brownies full of non-dairy chocolate
TheCheeseCollective chips and walnuts, and the Splenda
PRICE Rs 180 for a box of 9; Rs 280 Chocolate Cake.
for a box of 16 TEL 9820006440
EMAIL tara.kapur@gmail.com
American Dry FruitsÔ WEBSITE facebook.com/
At the heart of Flora Fountain, this BombayBizarreBaker
store has become a landmark for PRICE Rs 400 onwards
city shoppers. Manoj Thakker, third chocolates such as, pralines,
generation owner, admits that it is Peppers and ParsleyÔ chocolate snack bars, caramelised
hard to keep up expectations. As a This Diwali, Roshni and Reema Sen and coated nuts and cookies.
festival nears, their team of chefs from Peppers & Parsley plan to AT La Folie Patisserie, 16,
begins to experiment with flavours supply their Bengali best. The Commerce House, Rope Walk Lane,
and fads, the latest being a Bengali Basket will have an Kala Ghoda, Fort and La Folie Lab,
modern fusion such as their dry interesting combination of nimki, Shop No.1, Libra Tower, 70, Hill
fruits mithai. They also have low chutneys and kasundi dips and so Road, opposite Saint Peters Church,
sugar mithais, which contain no on, while their Asian Bento Box and Bandra West
TEL 9167937019
Gift a voucher from Myrah Spa which offers a range PRICE Rs 550 onwards
of body polishes, massages and facials
WELLNESS
Myrah SpaÔ
What could be better than a gift
that de-stresses just in time for the
hectic festive season? Myrah Spa,
the destination spa with outposts in
Juhu and South Mumbai, has inter-
esting offers for Diwali on a range of
body polishes, massages and facials.
AT 11 Palm Spring Society, Behind
Juhu Shoppers Stop, JVPD Scheme
TEL 022-26253942
WEBSITE myrahspa.com/
PRICE Rs 2,000 onwards
SIMPLY MUMBAI Essay
‘IT HAS TO BE BY THE PEOPLE’

Cleaning Versova beach every weekend for the past 47 weeks, lawyer Afroz Shah
talks about the importance of citizen initiative and co-operation from the BMC
I
moved to Versova in October last year. no matter what, I wanted to see this to a
My new apartment was right on the logical end.
beach and the sea view was beauti- Those initial months, I literally went
ful. But the first time I stepped onto the from door-to-door to ask for support and
beach for a morning walk, I was in for a that’s how our group of volunteers grew.
rude shock. The sand was barely visible; Soon our group of seven people turned into
plastic covered every inch, the layers going 70 and because we have been offering solu-
down as deep as two to three feet. I’m an tions and not merely complaining, the BMC
ocean lover and the sight was so disturbing has been co-operative. By working hand-in-
AFROZ SHAH that I broke down right there on the beach. hand over the past year, we are now friends
Later, I surveyed the entire stretch from with the corporators and the BMC workers
Sagar Kutir building in Versova till the jetty and are constantly in touch.
and it was an unimaginable sight. I decided It isn’t about using massive technol-
something had to be done and I would have ogy, it’s a simple solution and involves little
to be the one to do it. At that moment, I other than consistency and dedication. The
didn’t know what was causing the pollution physical work is back-breaking. Pulling out
or what the solution was. After consistently plastic buried deep in the sand has caused a
organising beach clean-ups every weekend permanent swelling in my hands. I look like
for 47 weeks and clearing out more than I’ve got rheumatoid arthritis. A lot of the vol-
2.7 million kg of plastic, I now have a blue- unteers have the same complaint, but some-
print for the BMC to follow. I also know that one has to take up these challenges. There’s
the initiative will always have to come from no other way to get rid of decades of plastic
the citizens. It is only when the citizens take accumulation.
charge and work hand-in-hand with the The ocean is very intelligent. For
government that we can achieve anything. months, the patches we clean remain that
We citizens believe our work is done after way but every three months or so, a huge
we’ve cast our vote, but this has to be a par- amount of garbage gets thrown back to the
ticipatory democracy. shore. But we need to remember not to get
Versova beach is now packed with volun- frazzled by this. That is actually an opportu-
teers every weekend afternoon. In August, nity for us.
UN’s Patron of Oceans Lewis Pugh joined I realised we were making a real impact
WE’RE DEALING us in our campaign and it has fuelled even when I received a message from an all-India
more curiosity and action from the citizens. plastic manufacturer a few weeks ago. They
WITH A DIFFICULT But the first time I went to clean up the wanted to set up a meeting with me. I didn’t
SITUATION BUT beach, 47 weeks ago, I was accompanied know why until I realised that we had found
WE’RE NOT GOING only by 84-year-old Harbansh Mathur. We remnants of their plastics on the beach. This
TO STOP. I AM bought ourselves a pair of surgical gloves, could lead to serious consequences under
WILLING TO PLAY rolled up our sleeves and over two hours, the law and thanks to our work, they’re now
picked up two bags full of plastic from pulling up their socks.
THIS TABLE
across two kilometres. We may not have We’re dealing with a difficult situation
TENNIS WITH THE achieved much, but it was cathartic and at but we’re not going to stop. I am willing to
GOVERNMENT, least a start had been made. Soon after, I play this table tennis with the government,
AND IF IT COMES called our local corporator Bharti Lavekar and if it comes to it I am willing to take the
TO IT I AM WILL- and asked her to send some BMC work- legal route and approach the judiciary. For
ING TO TAKE THE ers to help us. She agreed to send me four the moment, we are working well without
workers. I began approaching people on confrontation. I don’t know where this jour-
LEGAL ROUTE AND the beach to help us out and initial reac- ney will end, but my fight will continue till
APPROACH THE tions were always “It’s not our job,” or “It is the beaches and the ocean is cleaned. I will
JUDICIARY. impossible to clean this up... It can never be not let the ocean die this way.
done.” That was my tipping point. I decided, n As told to Moeena Halim

SIMPLY MUMBAI Feature
Music and Lyrics

DELHI-BASED INDIE FAVOURITE PRATEEK KUHAD, NOW INCHING HIS WAY INTO
BOLLYWOOD, IS PERFORMING LIVE IN THE CITY
I
f you’re familiar with Prateek
Kuhad’s Raat Raazi or his debut Singer-songwriter,
album In Tokens and Charms, then Prateek Kuhad
Baar Baar Dekho’s mellow number
Kho Gaye Hum Kahan will immediately
strike you as a Kuhad song. Going from
studying maths and economics at New
York University, Kuhad has, in the mat-
ter of only a few years, managed to
carve a niche for himself in the Indie
space but is now finding a spot in the
mainstream too. The singer-songwriter
speaks to Simply Mumbai just ahead
of his live performance in the city with
Nikhil Vasudevan on drums and Dhruv
Bhola on guitar, bass and keys.
Q. You went from maths to music—sounds

unusual. Was picking one over the other an
agonising decision?
A.Probably not! I actually really enjoy
maths, it was my favorite subject in
high school and a big part of the rea-
son I decided to study at NYU. But Q. What according to you makes a good
no, it wasn’t really tough to make the song great?
call to drop it. I always wanted to be a A. Such things are not really simple to
musician. explain. Art is such a subjective form, ‘good’
I ACTUALLY REALLY and ‘great’ are merely words. To me a great
Q. You write in both English and Hindi. ENJOY MATHS, IT song is something that leaves you with a
Does it depend on your mood or is it a WAS MY FAVORITE very strong feeling, of any sort really, not
conscious decision? necessarily good or bad. And to get to that,
A.When I’m writing for myself it’s never
SUBJECT IN HIGH at least in my opinion, a great song needs to
a conscious decision. I wouldn’t say it SCHOOL AND A BIG have the perfect marriage of words
depends on my mood, but usually when PART OF THE REASON and tune.
I start writing a song, I know quite early I DECIDED TO STUDY
on whether it’s going to be in English AT NYU. BUT IT Q. What’s on your playlist?
or in Hindi. It happens very naturally, WASN’T TOUGH A. Chance The Rapper, Kanye West, The
either I’ll just get a feeling that the tune Lumineers, Anderson Paak, James Blake.
calls for Hindi or English words, or I’ll
TO MAKE THE CALL
just write something in either language TO DROP IT, FOR I Q. In Tokens & Charms was very well received.
very instinctively and go from there. ALWAYS WANTED TO When do you think the next album will be out?
BE A MUSICIAN. A. I’m working on new songs, as always,
Q. Do you remember the first song but nothing has materialised into an album
you wrote? as of now. I want to try and put something
A. I don’t think they were good at all! out next year, but can’t promise anything
One of the earlier songs that I wrote at this point.
but never got released, got a bit of an
audience, in some sense. It was called CATCH Prateek Kuhad live at Sophia
‘Sleepless all the time’. A lot of my Bhabha Hall on September 24, 8 p.m.
friends and family liked it. TICKETS insider.in/go/prateek-kuhad-tour
SIMPLY MUMBAI Feature
Cyrotherapy
chamber at The
TAKING
Alchemy Life
A CHILL
PILL
QUITE LITERALLY, IN
MUMBAI’S FIRST AND ONLY
CRYOTHERAPY CHAMBER
AT THE ALCHEMY LIFE ON
MARINE DRIVE
n By MOEENA HALIM
B
ehind the magnetic door of
the surprisingly compact
cryotherapy chamber, a cross
between a space ship and a
stand-alone shower room, the air
has been brought down to a chill-
ing -130 degrees. Handing me a pair
of thick socks and a toweling coat,
Neville Wadia, director, The Alchemy Photograph by DANESH JASSAWALA
Life, asks me to ensure I pat myself
completely dry while I change and Athletes use the the therapy is over before I know
gear up for the novel therapy therapy for two it. “Do you feel invigorated?” asks
session. The three minutes I’m purposes—to Wadia. Indeed I do, because my body
supposed to spend in the sub- stimulate the body has been releasing endorphins while
freezing levels are enough to cause before exercise but I was in the chamber. “This is what
frost bite or another cold-related makes us believe that people suffer-
also as a recovery
injury and so I am careful about ing from depression might benefit
following Wadia’s instructions.
tool to relieve pain from this therapy too,” says Wadia.
But cryotherapy isn’t as contro- The Alchemy Life, which has
versial as it seems. Extremely popu- by patients suffering from arthritis several other health and fitness pro-
lar with footballers across the world or multiple sclerosis. Athletes use the grammes including altitude therapy,
(Cristiano Ronaldo has the facility in therapy for two purposes—to reformer pilates, physiotherapy and
his home), several European govern- stimulate the body before exercise massages, has been in talks with
ments recognise the benefits of cryo- but also as a recovery tool to relieve a well-known mental institution in
therapy. “Initially, it’s a shock to your pain or inflammation. Mumbai about the benefits of cryo-
body but it doesn’t take long for your One session of cryotherapy therapy. “The doctors are convinced
body to adjust to the temperatures.” is believed to aid the loss of 800 about this theory and they’re excited.
My legs are protected by thick socks calories, but Wadia does not sug- We’re figuring out a way to work
that reach up to my knees and my gest the therapy as a weight loss together,” he adds. But even in this
head and hands are sticking out of tool. “It could perhaps help people case, the therapy cannot be used
the chamber at all times, ensuring whose metabolic rate isn’t going up. independently.
that these more sensitive areas are Cryotherapy would stimulate their AT The Alchemy Life, Parijat
protected from the cold. metabolic rate and make their exer- Building, Ground Floor, Marine
The therapy has been around for cise more effective,” he says. Drive, 95G Road
over 30 years in Europe and Japan, Spinning round slowly within the PRICE Rs 3,000 for one session of
where it has been used extensively chamber to keep my blood flowing, cryotherapy

SIMPLY MUMBAI Buzz
3ÔTHINGS TO
LOOK FORWARD TO
2
A WALK IN BANDRA
Architect David Cardozes, in association with Alliance Francaise de
Bombay, is taking guided tours around Bandra to draw attention to
its hidden treasures. Bandra was originally a tiny fishing village
captured by the Portuguese in 1534. ON September 23 AT Bandra
Fort TIME 9.30 a.m. REGISTER AT sheryn@afindia.org
1 A RIOT OF COLOURS
October 1 to 23
Documentary filmmaker and photographer Anu Malhotra
is showcasing her paintings for the first time in Mumbai.
Malhotra avoids brushes, knives or other painting tools,
using only her hands to create a riot of colours on her 3 ON STAGE
canvases. Her exhibition titled ‘Flow Dreams’ has been
appreciated by critics and art lovers the world over and September 16 to 18
Malhotra believes her “abstract and little ahead of their The Park’s New Festival is back with three interesting performances—
times” artwork will find appreciation in the city too. Surjit Nongmeikpam’s contemporary dance, Shashank Subramanyam
AT Art and Soul, 1, Madhuli, Shiv Sagar Estate, Dr Annie and Lelo Nika’s music, and Yuki Elias’s Elephant in The Room.
Besant Road, Worli TIME 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. TIME 7 p.m. AT NCPA, G5A Foundation for Contemporary Culture,
TEL 24965798 Sitara Studio WEBSITE theparksnewfestival.com
SIMPLY MUMBAI Discovery
IN THE FAST LANE

Dadar boy Jehan Daruvala is a rising star on the
Formula Racing circuit
n By MOEENA HALIM
J
ehan Daruvala has seen more of the world this year
than most teenagers have in their lifetime. The 17-year-
old racing prodigy, in his second season of single-seater
racing, is participating in three different series this
year. So, getting a chance to visit his Dadar Parsi colony
home comes as a very welcome break. “I get the chance to
meet my family and friends; it’s nice to have some time off,”
says Daruvala. Even though his fitness routine and workouts
continue and his diet is under constant observation, being
in Mumbai allows him respite from his grueling schedule in
England where he practices on a simulator in Banbury and
races with coach Pieter Belmans and works with his mind
coach Don MacPherson in Bath.
UK has been home since Daruvala was 13 years old,
when he left Bombay Scottish School to join a boarding
school in Hatford. His sacrifices and consistent hard work is
certainly paying off. Earlier this year, he won second place at
the Toyota Racing Series in New Zealand and has his eyes set
on winning the Formula Renault 2.0 Northern European Cup
(NEC) and the Eurocup as part of the Josef Kaufmann Racing
team. Winning top spot at the NEC race in Hungaroring,
Budapest, in June, he currently stands at fourth place.
In 2011, he was selected for Sahara Force India
Academy’s ‘One From A Billion.’ “I was underage, but was
lucky to have made it through a wild card entry,” says the
racing prodigy. “I won the race by 200th of a second. It was
one of the most important laps of my life. Everything changed
after that.” Daruvala credits the Academy for his move to
the UK and for helping him associate with the best possible
teams. He is lucky to have the support of his parents, who
usually travel with him. But it was his grandfather who used
to be his biggest support. “He would always accompany me to
the races; even when I had to travel all the way to Kohlapur
to practice as a kart racer.”
Daruvala was only nine when he first took to the kart-
ing race track with Rayomand Banajee in Powai. “It was
only after I’d reached my top level of karting that I moved to
single-seater cars. It was like attending kindergarten before
enrolling in school,” he explains. It might have been the
adrenaline rush and the obvious love for speed and an awed
affection for Spanish driver Fernando Alonso that first
attracted the young man to racing, but Daruvala is deeply
aware that the sport isn’t just about driving fast cars. It
has taken a great deal of dedication, fuelled only by his
passion for racing and his competitive spirit, to get to where
he has today. “I’ve made sacrifices that most sportspeople
do to make it to the top. Working on my body and mind,
I’m doing everything I can to reach the best possible level,”
admits Daruvala.
Jehan Daruvala
s-12 SIMPLY HYDERABAD u AUGUST 2014 AUGUST 2014 u SIMPLY HYDERABAD s-12
SEPTEMBER 2016
A MONTHLY MAGAZINE
SHIKHA ENGINEER,
HOME IN AHMEDABAD
Creative
Living
NEVER BEFORE
SIMPLY GUJARATI Inside
COVER STORY
House of Ideas
s-3
From sustainable
architecture to in-
teriors that breathe
opulence, these
homes are changing
the designscape
of Gujarat.
FEATURE
Editor-in-Chief
Aroon Purie
Festive Fervour
Group Chief Executive Officer
s-6
Ashish Bagga Four looks that
Group Editorial Director promise to make
Raj Chengappa you stand out on the
Editor-at-large dandiya dance floor
Kaveree Bamzai
n
this Navratri.
Editorial Team
Mohini Mehrotra, Ursila Ali
Photo Department Cover photograph by
Shailesh Raval, Vikram Sharma DANESH JASSAWALA
Photo Researchers
Prabhakar Tiwari, Shubhrojit Brahma
OUR PICK of the month

Art Director
Jyoti Singh
Design
Vikas Verma,
Bhoomesh Dutt Sharma
Production Mediterranean Mix
Harish Aggarwal (Chief of Production),
Naveen Gupta, Vijay Sharma, With Tahini, Ahmed-
Prashant Verma abad gets a new cafe
Layout Execution that brings Mediter-
Ramesh Kumar Gusain ranean fare to the city
Pradeep Singh Bhandari with a mix of pizzas,
n pita wraps, falafel and
Publishing Director shawarma. The blue
Manoj Sharma and white decor with
Associate Publisher (Impact) mosaic tiles and ca-
Anil Fernandes sual seating adds to the
n Mediterranean feel.
IMPACT TEAM Meal for two Rs 800
Senior General Manager: At Ground Floor, Wide
Jitendra Lad (West) Angle Multiplex SG
General Managers: Highway, Ahmedabad
Upendra Singh (Bangalore);
Want to tell us about an event? A new store? A restaurant? People doing interesting things?
Deputy General Manager:
Kaushiky Chakraborty (East) Anything newsworthy? Please email us at: simplygujarati @intoday.com
s-2 SIMPLY GUJARATI u SEPTEMBER 2016

SIMPLY GUJARATI Cover Story
HOUSE OF
IDEAS
From sustainable architecture to interiors
that breathe opulence, these homes are Hiren Gandhi, architect,
changing the designscape of Gujarat. with his wife Varsha
Photographs by DANESH JASSAWALA

n By ADITI PAI
A HOME AWAY FROM HOME
S
HIREN Gandhi, 63, Architect
prawling farmhouses have been a must- with terrace gardens, courtyards or lawns.
have asset for affluent Amdavadis for ECO-FRIENDLY LIVING At his own second
years, but second homes are fast spring- home—or as he likes to call it, “an urban
ing up at a short drive from the city. With outing house” in Shilpgram, Gandhi and
urban apartments offering little peace, his wife Varsha, a sitar player, have built
people are looking for alternative ways an environment-friendly house of bricks
to unwind for a day. “Building your own and mud that ensures natural light and
retreat away from the city is a trend,” says ventilation. The house is built three feet
Hiren Gandhi, founder of Hiren Gandhi below the ground level with a garden on
and Associates, a noted architecture and the roof that acts as a natural insulator to
interior designing firm in Ahmedabad. keep the house cool. Every room opens
The demand, he says, is fuelled by a out into the outdoor living space that
desire to escape from the concrete jungle resembles an amphitheatre. The Gandhis
and have lush greenery around. In all his have brought in a variety of local rustic
projects, be it government buildings, com- art—a Pithora painting by artisans from
mercial complexes, private bungalows, Chota Udaipur, a Shekhawati artwork
apartment blocks or a structure for ISRO, and Molela plates inserted into the garden
Gandhi always ensures a patch of green walls.
GIFT OF NATURE
JAGRUTI Engineer, 51, Director, Astral
Poly Technik Limited
A t the sprawling Engineer home in

Ahmedabad, it’s about living amidst nature with lush
lawns, lotus ponds, a kitchen garden and a gazebo
under a mango tree. Even the rooms are built to bring
the outdoors inside, literally, with large windows and
terrace sit-outs. “We’ve not cut a single tree on the
property while building the house,” explains Jagruti
Engineer, 51, Director, Astral Poly Technik Limited, a
leading industrial house from Gujarat. It’s evident in
the design; the home is built in a C shape to accommo-
date three large trees that now stand in the courtyard.
Even the entrance lobby has a large opening in the
centre of the ceiling, only to make way for a towering
neem tree, but adds an interesting design element to
the house.
SUBTLE STROKES The décor reflects understated
elegance with subtle hues in upholstery, tall blown
glass jars and artifacts collected from the world over.
The family’s collection of art is aesthetically displayed
with names like MF Husain and Raza adorning their
walls. With the family waking up to a round of fit-
ness, Engineer has also built her gym in the garden;
the glass walled space opens out into the lawns and a
Jagruti Engineer with her daughter-in-law, Shikha lotus pond. It’s her idea of a perfect start to the day.
SMART LIVING Jayshil Patel, architect,

at his penthouse
JAYSHIL Patel, 56, architect
H ow do you make optimum use of a compact

space? Architect Jayshil Patel’s penthouse serves as an
example. A cozy living area merges into the dining sec-
tion where an attractive table becomes the centerpiece
of the space. A staircase leads to the family’s private
section where the highlight is the lounge that’s done up
with comfortable couches, smart lighting and artifacts.
Plenty of natural light infuses the space with freshness.
Patel has built skylights into every room and even the
bathrooms to filter in natural sunlight. Plus, an abun-
dance of indoor plants add a positive vibe to the space.
KEEP IT SIMPLE Not one to design flashy spaces,
Patel’s signature style is all about clean modern homes
in subtle colours and aesthetically used art and arti-
facts. “The home should reflect the personality of the
owners. Art should complement the space and not
make it look like a gallery,” he explains.

UNDERSTATED ELEGANCE Nikita Shah, with the statement

artwork in her home
NIKITA Shah, 52, Operations Manager at Options, Ahmedabad
A
drive of 30 minutes from the heart of the city isn’t of the place. The house is designed to integrate the
a deterrent for home buyers who want tranquil- outdoors into the interior space. If the family room
ity once they are back. And that’s probably why and the formal living areas open out into the gar-
neighbourhoods behind YMCA and Karnavati Club dens, the dining room extends into a space that has
on SG Highway in Ahmedabad are the new sought- an automated skylight roof. Full length doors ensure
after areas for building a home. It’s quiet, cut off adequate ventilation and play of breeze.
from the hustle of the city and yet, easily accessible. INTEGRATED ART A textured wall art is one of the
“These areas are coming up because the city is get- most eye-catching artworks in the house.The family
ting increasingly congested,” says Nikita Shah, who roped in a young National Institute of Design alum-
works as an operations manager at Options, a home nus to create a Plaster of Paris textured wall that
store in Ahmedabad. Her home reflects the serenity depicts large trees in the living area.
REGAL OPULENCE
SHARVIL Shridhar, 30, Director, A Shridhar
F
or Sharvil Shridhar, city's leading real estate
magnate, luxury starts at home. A walk
through his house 'Shridhar Aalyam' feels like
an exploration of a Venetian museum with
massive chandeliers, expensive artifacts and ornate
furniture. It’s all about opulence, a theme that runs
through Sridhar’s first luxury housing project,
Venetian Villas, touted to be the first luxury homes
offering in Ahmedabad.
LUXE LIVING What’s luxury for Ahmedabad home
buyers then? Shridhar says it’s all about Italian
marble, automation and modular kitchens. At
Venetian Villas, he’s offered big bedrooms, multiple
parking spaces, a Jacuzzi and bathroom fittings by
Villeroy & Boch.
Sharvil Shridhar at his home, Shridhar Aalyam

SIMPLY GUJARATI Fashion
FESTIVE
FERVOUR
Four looks that promise to make
you stand out on the dandiya
dance floor this Navratri.
TWIRL STORY
An example of exquisite
Gamthi work, this lehenga in
blue, pink, green and black
combination has an embroi-
dered border of tikka and
thread work and is paired with
a bright green blouse with
heavy gamthi work.
GO WITH THE
FLOW
The flowing black chaniya
with traditional Kutchi
Gamthi work flares up
to a diameter of seven
metres with every garba
twirl. The bright blouse is
embroidered with tikka
and thread work with
birds and leaves as the
main motifs.
SUMMER BREEZE
This vibrant green chaniya has
heavy Kutchi thread embroi-
dered bird shaped motifs. The
waist band showcases motifs
of dancing human figures with
the embroidered ochre blouse
is a blend of Gamthi work and
zari buttis.
Wardrobe NOOPUR ANITA

DANCE AWAY THE BLUES BALIA FOR YOUNG TRUKK
The beautiful bright blue chaniya comes Make-up RIYA PATEL
Photography DEEP PANCHAL
with a green silk blouse with multi coloured
Model NOOPUR ANITA BALIA
borders and Kutchi embroidery. The
chaniya has handmade paan motifs, while
the bright green blouse has block printed
motifs of dancing human figures.

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SHAHABUDDIN CAUVERY DISPUTE SELFIE MANIA

BIHAR’S CRIMINAL CURSE PRICE OF PROCRASTINATION FATAL ATTRACTION

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The Kashmir Conundrum KASHMIR

RNI NO. 28587/75

The present insurrection is patently aimed at

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4 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

Chief Copy Editor: Anindita Satpathi

cated region has its roots

needed toThe combat it.Thiruvananthapuram

6 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

Associate Editors: Shougat Dasgupta, Chinki Sinha

to the protestseffectscould beoverlooked

OUT OF TIME P uducherry Chief

AKHILESH’S NAWAZUDDIN MADHURI

8 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

Staying Apart Going Their Ways Rural Beats Urban

3-7 years number of people separated

Twice as many men as women are

Separated 1,162,448 2,372,754 of separated *Separated/divorced figures are percentage of

Divorced 452,743 909,573 couples

VISUAL NEWS ON YOUR PHONE DOWNLOAD FROM OR SMS NF TO 52424

IT’S THE NEW MENACE,

Gopika Kaul, Noida

I started getting a dull knee pain

“Vitamin D deficiency has turned

discontinued. In the last few years, the

12 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 u INDIA TODAY 13

GET INTO THE RED MUSCLE

Source: Endocrine Society of India,

that bone decay is not as widespread

16 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

00 INDIA TODAY u OCTOBER 27, 2014

SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 u INDIA TODAY 19

20 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

Bloated Account which under its ‘institutional reform’

For one, the five-year fixed term

SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 u INDIA TODAY 21

BIG STORY ELECTIONS

the working of the Constitution (the

democracy, Kashyap, l End of duplication and wastage; expenditure in electronic

22 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

Chief Copy Editor: Anindita Satpathi

and logistics a mammoth exercise. In

honorariums for jobless graduates and

24 INDIA TODAY u SEPTEMBER 26, 2016

SEPTEMBER 26, 2016 u INDIA TODAY 25