If not for the avoidable controversy of bringing the employee provident fund (EPF) under tax regime, Union Budget 2016 would have been known for some bold steps that outlined the future economic strategies of the government.
It would be known for government’s shift towards rural economy, which was so evident (especially when the impact of the EFP taxation was not realised by many) that in a post-budget press conference, a journalist asked Finance Minister Arun Jaitley if the budget was indeed prepared by a right-of-centre government.
Responding to the journalist’s jibe, the finance minister said people are free to give it any label, but the Budget had tried to address the problem faced by the rural and agriculture sector due to two consecutive years of draught.
No one can also deny that there was a sense of urgency in the government to change people’s perception that it is only concerned about the urban middle class and the rich. This was an important shift for the government, given the forthcoming state elections.
Apart from its rural focus, two other themes that come out clearly from the budget are the government’s decision to stick to fiscal deficit target of 3.9 per cent, and to continue with its focus on infrastructure spending.
The rural largesse
The government has increased the allocation to agriculture and farm sector from Rs 22,958 crore (revised estimate 2015-16), to Rs 44,485 crore in 2016-17, a growth of almost 95 per cent. Although critics have attributed this sharp jump more due to financial jugglery than actual increase in allocation. The government has actually shown the money (Rs 15,000 crore) for interest rate subsidy on farm loans in the books of department of agriculture, rather than showing it in the books of the finance ministry.
A sum of Rs 87,765 crore has been allocated for rural development — including rural employment and rural road schemes — an increase of almost 11 per cent from last year’s allocation of Rs 79,279 crore.
It is important to note here that the Mahatma Gandhi National Rural Employment Guarantee Scheme (MNREGS) — a scheme criticised by Prime Minister Narendra Modi as a symbol of the previous government’s failure — has received an allocation of Rs 38,500 crore higher than previous year’s Rs 36,000 crore.
One of the major thrust areas in the budget has been rural roads, which is part of the government’s overall focus on improving infrastructures across the country. The government has allocated Rs 19,000 crore for Pradhan Mantri Gram Sadak Yojna, reiterating the much-held belief that better road connectivity is crucial for rural development. Renowned economists have accepted that over the years the two main factors helping rural economy most are rural roads and penetration of telecom services in the rural sector.
Infrastructure spending
Despite limited resources and the need for a focus on social sectors, the government has not compromised on its commitment towards improving the country’s infrastructure. It has lined up Rs 97,000crore spending on roads and highways alone (including Rs 19,000 crore for rural roads).
Total allocation for capital expenditure (spending in asset creation) has been increased from Rs 2.38 lakh crore (revised estimate) in 2015-16 to Rs 2.47 lak crore in 2016-17. Though as a percentage of GDP, it is just around 2 per cent, but if the government manages to achieve this target, it would be a big plus for the country, which has not seen infrastructure spending as a percentage of GDP more than 2 per cent in a long time.
Sticking to fiscal target
Last year, the government gave a roadmap that by 2016-17, it would be able to reduce the fiscal deficit target around 3.5 per cent from the then 4.1 per cent. The Budget this year has stuck to the target despite “doubts” over its ability to do so, given it has committed much higher money for infrastructure spending and boosting rural economy.
In 2015-16, it would be been able to achieve the target of 3.9 per cent, primarily because of low import bill (due to drastic fall in crude oil prices) and record tax collection from indirect taxes — increased service tax collection and excise duty on petroleum products.
However, experts have cast aspersion on the government’s ability to achieve the 3.5 per cent fiscal deficit target in 2016-17, because it is unlikely that crude oil prices may fall further from the levels touched last year and, therefore, limited scope for windfall gains from excise duty collection on petroleum products.
The government is exploring additional avenues of mopping up funds to achieve the fiscal target. It seeks to collects Rs 8,000 crore from two new cesses imposed in this year’s budget-- Krishi Kalyan cess and infrastructure cess. It also hopes to mop up Rs 10,000 crore from Swachh Bharat cess,which came into being from November last year. It further expects to mop up an additional Rs 13,500 crore from clean energy cess, or the Clean Environment cess.
Tax reforms
Probably the one area that the budget disappointed the most is tax reforms. The government had last year announced that it would reduce the corporate tax rate in a phased manner to 25 per cent from the existing 30 per cent, by 2018-19. The government last year also announced the roadmap for phasing out exemptions and everyone thought it was a precursor to the likely rate cut.
However, what the government has done instead is create two new categories of tax payers within the corporate tax bracket. One, the new manufacturing companies that start operations after 1 March 2016. They would be taxed at a new rate of 25 per cent plus surcharge and cess, given they would not be able to avail the existing exemptions.
The second category is those companies with annual turnover up to Rs 5 crore, and they would be taxed at 29 per cent.
So, the government, instead of going for a uniform tax rate has actually further added to the web of different corporate tax rates. The government’s argument is that the benefit for most of the exemptions that would be phased out would be reaped only after 2016-17, and therefore, the government had little fiscal space to effect across-theboard cut in corporate tax rates.
On personal taxation front, there was no increase in basic exemption limit. However, for new home buyers, government has increased the deduction limit on interest payment on home loan up to Rs 35 lakh (for properties not more than Rs 50 lakh) by an additional Rs 50,000. This is an additional incentive given to affordable housing. This should encourage home buyers.
Like it or not, beach season is around the corner. And no you don’t need to panic yet. There’s still time to get a beach-ready body. We have just the plan: a high-energy cardio and sculpting routine that's guaranteed to boost your metabolism melt fat, and blast calories. Best of all, you can do it in as few as 30 minutes a day.
By performing total-body strength moves along with high-intensity interval workouts, you'll be able to reshape your body in a relatively short period of time. Add in the cardio interval workouts on alternate days and follow a healthy diet, and you'll be ready to show off your skimpiest bikini in just three weeks!
And no you don't need to lose sleep for months to look like a goddess in a bikini. With these quick and easy tricks, your beach body will earn some serious stares.
During summers, you may not really feel like going outdoors for a walk, jog or cycling. What you can do instead is aqua aerobics in the pool. Would you believe it that it helps you to shed 800 calories in an hour? What is even better is that you come out not sweating but rather fresh and rejuvenated. Join a yoga or Pilates class for your strength training.
Hydrate yourself enough and cut down on carbs. Instead summer is a time to have fresh, juicy fruits and vegetables. Have bowls full of salads instead of pastas.
Summer is a time to flaunt sexy abs, toned arms and legs, which are covered under layers in winters. So do make sure to work on these areas by doing pushups, squats, lunges, crunches, planks, etc.
If you are necessarily an outdoor kind of person, choose an early morning time and workout where there is lot of greenery around.
Here are some detailed workouts that you can do:
Try this routine for three weeks and don’t forget to mark how your body changes!
Main saare zamaane ke gham ki dawa hoon.” proclaimed a song from the 1971 film Adhikaar, about the dancer gyrating to the song on screen. At once named H-bomb at the height of her career, and the salve to soothe broken hearts, Helen Jairaj Richardson Khan rules popular imagination even now - nearly half a century after she waltzed into people’s hearts with “Mera Naam Chin Chin Chu”, the iconic number from Shakti Samanta’s film Howrah Bridge in 1958.
Humble Beginnings
Born in 1938 in Burma to an AngloIndia father and Burmese mother, Helen has the typical rangs-to-riches story. Turns out, it is even heart wrenching.
Recalling horrific times, Helen says, “My father died during the Second World War. My family mother, brother and sister escaped to India on foot and trekked to escape from the Japanese occupation of Burma. We walked through wilderness and habitation, surviving on the generosity of people, for we had no food and few clothes. Occasionally, we met British soldiers who provided us with transport, found us refuge and treated our blistered feet and bruised bodies and fed us. By the time we reached Dibrugarh in Assam, my mother had had a miscarriage, my brother was critically ill and all of us were reduced to bare bones. After spending two months in Dibrugarh Hospital, we moved to Calcutta, where my mother found a job as a nurse.”
But this wasn’t adequate to support the family of four and Helen had to quit her schooling to support her family. She was then introduced to Bollywood when a family friend, an actress known as Cukoo, helped her find jobs as a chorus dancer in the films Shabistan and Awaara. She soon featured as a solo dancer in a few films like Alif Laila (1954) and Hoor-e-Arab (1955). But it was her dance in Chin Chin Chu that got her noticed. From then on, there was no looking back.
Changing Landscapes
Helen's hour-glass figure, fair skin and piercing eyes made her one of the most physically unique stars in Bollywood at the time. Helen singlehandedly changed the entire scenario of dance in Hindi cinema from the early 50s to the late 70s. She transformed the ‘dance of seduction’ into an art and gave it a definite and respectable identity because, despite those scintillating gyrations in skimpy costumes. For she was a performer who could seduce with the lift of an eyebrow, a sideways glance, a flick of hair from her face, or even just a smile. In 1958, when she matched steps with her mentor Cuckoo in Yahudi in the song “Bechain dil khoyee si nazar”, the shishya had outclassed her teacher.
From an item number, then known as a ‘cabaret’ dancer, Helen raised the standard of sizzling dance numbers performed in nightclubs or as the repentant vamp, sometimes with a heart of gold in many Hindi films. Few people know Helen is a trained classical dancer. “I initially trained in the Manipuri style. Then I learnt Bharat Natyam from my guru P.L. Raj, one of the leading choreographers of the time. Kathak followed this,” says Helen. Helen performed semi-classical numbers with equal aplomb as well - but those were few and far in between such as in Gunga-Jumna and Zindagi.
Reminiscing about the dizzying heights an erstwhile chorus dancer reached, Helen credits her passion for her work and says, “For me, my work was also something I enjoyed. I loved to dance—when the music was switched on, I don’t know what happened to me. Gopikrishan used to say to me, “Kaalimaa, once the music starts Helen disappears and a new person takes over.”
The kickstarter of item numbers in Bollywood has also performed onstage in London, Paris, and Hong Kong. But Helen was not just a dancing girl. She was also nominated for the Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award in 1965 for her role in Gumnaam.
In 1970, she was courted by James Ivory and Ismail Merchant of Merchant Ivory Productions, who chose her to perform a bit part in their film Bombay Talkie, which starred Shashi Kapoor and his wife Jennifer Kendal. Although a small role, it gave Western audiences a taste of Helen’s magnificent talent, and she would soon start touring across Europe, staging grand dance shows in London, Paris and Berlin etc. Merchant Ivory again gave Western audiences a glimpse of Helen in a 1973 documentary, titled Helen: Queen of the Nautch Girls.
She played dramatic roles such as the rape victim in Shakti Samanta’s 1970 film, Pagla Kahin Ka. In Mahesh Bhatt’s Lahu Ke Do Rang (1979), she also won a Filmfare Best Supporting Actress Award. In 1999, her contribution to film was recognised with Filmfare’s Lifetime Achievement Award. “The Lifetime Achievement Award from Filmfare is my greatest pride,” gushes the legend, with childlike enthusiasm, who was also awarded the Padma Shri in 1999.
Personal Life
In 1957, she married Bollywood director P.N Arora but left him in 1974 as she found he was spending her money without her consent. During her marital life she became bankrupt and her apartment was seized.
Helen first met Salim Khan in 1962 on the sets of “Kabli Khan”. She was the lead actress while Salim was in a negative role. Talking about her approach to being happy and positive, she says, “I don’t remember any bad things about the past. I live only in the present. I am now leading a life of semiretirement with my husband Salim who was by my side in my most difficult days.”
Queen of Leisure
Helen officially retired from movies in 1983, but she has since then appeared in a few guest roles such as Khamoshi and Mohabbatein.
After appearing in over 700 films, Helen makes occasional appearance in films that in her own words, “take me places.” Talking about her love for travel, she says, “I am always tempted to do films that involve shooting in places I haven't been before. Like when Sanjay Leela Bhansali offered Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam, I was excited at the prospect of going to Budapest where I hadn't been before.” Talking about her professional work, Helen says, “I just did a play recently. I've done TV and a few films. I have to be persuaded to act so if someone comes up with something exciting, I do take it up.”
So what does she do when she is not convinced enough to face the arclights? “I do a lot of yoga and tai chi. I love meeting up with my friends and spending quality time at our farm in Panvel.”
Helen, full of sensuality, and yet brimming with disarming warmth, made her what she continues to be for filmdom — the queen of dance.
WHEN FINANCE MINISTER Arun Jaitley presented the Union Budget 2016-2017, he expressed concern about pollution and traffic situation and proposed to levy an infrastructure cess of up to 4 per cent on small petrol, LPG and CNG cars, diesel cars and other high-powered vehicles and SUVs. It’s yet another small but significant step by the Indian government to pursue an environmentally sustainable path.
At the international level, the step could be a building block to pursue Sustainable Development Goal 13, which urges governments to take urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts. Domestically, it can be implied that the government is taking cognizance of the growing public opinion in favour of green living and, of course, in the process also seeking to raise more resources.
In fact, if one goes by the green surveys over the last few years, consumers in India are usually rated higher than those in most countries. For example, India has ranked at the top amongst 18 countries in Greendex, a global survey of consumer behaviour in areas related to housing, transportation, food and consumer goods by the National Geographic Society and GlobeScan. Over the years environmental concerns, environmentally friendly behaviour and sustainable consumer behaviour have been increasing globally, particularly in emerging economies, according to the survey.
Translation of environmental concerns and environmentally friendly behaviour into sustainable consumer behaviour has been in turn helped by increasing availability of eco-friendly products. What’s a truly eco-friendly product may be debatable in the absence of mandatory certification or labelling, but the intention and action of consumers is not. Even if it’s out of snobbery by some consumers, it doesn’t diminish the value of their actions or end results.
When one looks at Roti, Kapada Aur Gaadi (instead of Makaan, which is usually once a lifetime decision), the eco-friendly choices are aplenty today. A simple Google search yields mindboggling results. A lot many times it also causes confusion because some terms like green, ecofriendly, organic, sustainable, and local, etc, have been used interchangeably. Then there are terms like fair trade and ethical practices, which are applicable from the social perspective.
Organic is the most common and intelligible term used for foods. Organic foods are produced without the use of chemical fertilisers or pesticides or insecticides. Top organic food companies in India like Sresta Natural Bioproducts, Organic India, Morarka Organic, Nature Bio Foods, Sunstar Overseas, Kashmir Apiaries, etc, are more today famous abroad than in India. Most of the retail chains, including Godrej Nature’s Basket, Fabindia, Food Bazaar, Hyper City, More, Nilgiris, Spencers and Tesco-Starbazar, also stock organic products. Conscious Food, EcoFarms, Navdanya, etc, have their own organic niche market.
India's organic food market is projected to grow at a CAGR of over 25% during 201520, according to “India Organic Food Market Forecast & Opportunities, 2020” published TechSci Research. The reasons are obvious. Consumers in India are now getting more health conscious, leading to a change in their food preferences. The change is driven by higher income levels and improving living standard, and availability of organic products due to enabling ecosystem for organic farming, according to the report.
The sector would have got a bigger push if organic food certification and labelling were mandatory in India. Most organic food companies in India voluntarily acquire India Organic mark, which certifies that the product or its raw materials have been grown organically without using chemical fertilizers or pesticides, or inducing hormones. The Mark is issued by agencies accredited with Agricultural and Processed Food Products Export Development Authority under its National Programme for Organic Production.
Similarly, the apparel sector spots a vast range of eco-friendly shades. Leading Indian apparel brands like Van Heusen and Arrow ventured into the eco-friendly territory a few years ago with 100 percent organic lines made of cotton and linen in natural dyes. Woodland's collection for riders and skiers made mostly from environment-friendly fabrics is fully recyclable.
An organic clothing brand, Bhu:sattva uses certified organic cotton fabric. Besides, it use fibres like hemp, soya bean, banana, pineapple, milk protein, flax and jute, and fabrics like bamboo and modal. Cruelty-free silk and khadi also feature in its collection. Natural dyes made from beetroot, turmeric, indigo and extracts of leaves and flowers add to the value of the products.
Ethicus products such as sarees, organic clothing and home linens are handcrafted from handwoven fabrics, ethical silk and organic cotton by rural artisans using traditional weaving methods. Dyes too are natural. The products are naturally biodegradable and recyclable.
An online shopping store for organic clothing, Do U Speak Green uses organic cotton and bamboo. It has itself obtained the Carbon Footprint Mark from SGS. The mark demonstrates a company’s commitment to measuring and managing its impact on climate.
In contrast to foods and clothes, environment-friendly hybrid or electric cars in India have a rather limited range. The top five environment friendly cars in India include the first all electric car Mahindra e2o; Maruti Suzuki Ciaz Hybrid also called the Maruti Suzuki Ciaz SHVS or Smart Hybrid Vehicle by Suzuki; Toyota Camry Hybrid; and Toyota Prius, which runs on both petrol and electricity, and BMW i8. Apart from the limited choice, the prices are also not particularly encouraging. Their price varies from a few lakh to a couple of crore (in rupees). Since pricing, to some extent, is also a matter of scale, the eco-friendly car drive at the lower end is expected to get cheaper at some stage.
Though a majority of the eco-friendly products are costlier upfront, in most appliances the additional investment is recoverable from reduced energy consumption in a few years. In fact, solar powered appliances do bring in profits after some time. Government subsidies and incentives too are useful. Green choices can help rake in greenbacks. Till then, a good feeling about having done something for the environment and in turn for our own healthy living can be the motivation.
HITESH AHUJA//India’s current atmosphere is of agitations, protests, strikes and demands around various issues like nationalism, reservations, freedom of speech and so on. I personally believe that freedom of speech is at its prime and is most well used today since Independence, but of all the prevalent topics of the day, the one I feel matters most to me and should matter the most to all those who think and worry about development and progress is the issue of reservations.
Reservations of a form have been around in our country since much before Independence. But after Independence (which meant that we could take our own decisions), we did not try to abolish the system and unite our country. Instead, we carried on with the caste-based reservation system. In my opinion, this system needs to be removed as soon as possible.
Reservations were allowed for a stipulated period of time for the uplift of certain sections of society. But they have continued and have been serving as the main reason for divisive politics in India. Reservations are slowing down and delaying the development of our immensely talented and promising nation. Reservations just add to the long list of issues that already play spoiler to our democracy – poverty as well as religious, regional and cultural divides are only a few of these.
Reservations need to be totally revamped and the present law needs to be removed. The system should only be applicable to people below the poverty line (BPL) and only for education up to the secondary level. After that, everyone should be treated at par and admissions to colleges and other higher studies should be on the basis of intellect and talent. An even platform will bring out the best in the youth which is necessary for the nation and its development.
India deserves to be in the hands of the deserving and capable who have fought amongst equals in terms of talent and education and are now ready to give back to the nation.
India is already suffering from a very slow growth and development rate due to the obstacles created by innumerable caste and religious divides. The unity of the country is in danger.
We must work towards the day when nobody asks anyone their religion or caste and only relates to one another as a fellow India. Words like religion, community, caste, region and minority should not be asked and must be removed from all official forms and applications. Being Indian should be enough to enjoy all the rights and privileges of a citizen of India.
Politicians need to move beyond vote bank politics and unite the country by removing all reservations in public sector jobs. The Ministry of Minority Affairs should be abolished as the very name of the ministry creates a divide. We are all Indians, why should we even count the percentage of different religions and castesin the country. We need to concentrate only on poverty and give equal opportunity to the poor.
Human talent and capability is natural and can be nurtured in anyone from any caste, religion, creed, gender or region. And I also appeal to the people of the country to identify as Indians and not as Hindus, Muslims, Jains, Christians, Sikhs, North-easterns, South Indians, Kashmiris or Marathis.
ABHIMANYU JHAJHARIA// The ongoing debate on reservation in India is back in the news thanks to the violent protests in Haryana by some members of the Jat community who want to be included in the Other Backward Classes (OBC) category.
So what exactly is reservation? The term ‘reservation’ is defined as the act of withholding something. In India, people like Kashmiri victims of terrorism, single girl children, migrants from the state of Jammu and Kashmir, children of freedom fighters, the physically disabled, and a host of other sections of society get the benefits of reservation in different fields like government-led educational institutions, jobs, public transport etc. The category that sees the maximum debate is reservation based on caste.
So does this mean that if someone belongs to the OBC category and is from an economically well-off family, she still gets reservation benefits? The answer is no. Caste-based reservation for OBCs includes the concept of a creamy layer, which acts as a filter for people who are not economically backward. But for Scheduled Castes (SCs) and Scheduled Tribes (STs), there is no such concept. The justification is their sociopolitical backwardness and years of discrimination and suffering.
One of the arguments against reservation is that it is directly proportional to the population and if that’s the case then why do we need it at all? Article 14 of the Indian Constitution guarantees the Right to Equality to all the citizens of India. Equality in this case, means equality of opportunities and not equality of outcome. Reservation, thus, is an important step towards achieving equality in developing India where inequality still exists in many forms through discrimination on the basis of social markers like caste and gender. Without reservation, not every section of India’s population has equal access to opportunities because of this discrimination.
Reservation compromises meritocracy, yes. But meritocracy is meaningless without equality. If everyone does not have the same starting point, it is flawed to think that the same amount of effort will allow them to be at par in terms of achievement. Similarly, access to opportunities is not equal for everyone and that is where reservations come in. Having said all this, not everything is great about reservations nor are they always implemented effectively.
The difference in cut-off marks for the Civil Service Examination(Preliminary) 2014 for the general(205) and OBC(204) categorieswas 1. Such aminimal differenceraises the question of how reservation could be beneficial for anybody at all.
The main problem with the reservation is that privileged SCs, STs and OBCs reap its benefits while the downtrodden and economically backward continue to suffer. Awareness generation regarding reservation norms is very important.
To overcome some of the shortcomings of reservations, restrictions should be imposed on the caste certificates and every certificate that has been used by two generations should be cancelled. Or the concept of reservation credits should be introduced where every family gets a certain number of credits and can use them to get admission to jobs or promotions etc. Plus, the process of evaluating the creamy layer needs to become more dynamic.
Reservations are and should remain a method of appropriate positive discrimination to help the economically, socially and politically backward strata of society.
The purpose of reservations should be to achieve a situation where they are no longer necessary. With free quality education and equality of opportunities, ultimately there should come a time when every SC/ST/OBC candidate matches the ‘general’ category candidate in every way, giving everybody the same starting point.
As Nobel Laureate and environment activist Wangri Maathai said, “The environment and the economy are really both sides of the same coin. If we cannot sustain the environment, we cannot sustain ourselves.” While there are many companies who are working towards this future, one name that stands out is Suzlon Group, a leading global renewable energy solution provider, which prides in championing the cause of sustainable energy. The company believes the only way to predict the future is to help shape it.
Guided by its philosophy of pursuing social, economic, ecological and sustainable development for the planet, Suzlon Group has as its vision “Powering a greener tomorrow”. The company has formed Suzlon Foundation to ensure sustainability across all its business operations. Set up eight years ago, Suzlon Foundation is based on the premise that business and its environment are inter-dependent, and the organic link between them should be strengthened. A higher degree of sustainability can be achieved in business by balancing growth in all aspects of development.
The foundation primarily works on the framework of five capitals (resources) — financial, natural, social, human and physical — as these affect the business and are, in turn, affected by it. Hence, for overall sustainability, balanced growth of these five capitals is essential. The programmes not only contribute to sustainability but also to Millennium Development Goals as declared by United Nations.
Elaborating further, Dr Jasmine Sofia Gogia, general manager, Suzlon Foundation, says, “Suzlon strongly believes in connecting its core capabilities to provide optimum renewable energy solutions and create value for all stakeholders within the business operations value chain.” Stakeholders can vary from the local community, environment, employees, customer, vendor, suppliers, government, non-government organizations or civil society.
The first steps
While Suzlon’s earlier CSR activity was limited to contributing to different NGOs, the need for a more structured approach on CSR and sustainability was felt. This led to recruitment of subject matter specialists, which were given the task to evolve the process with the help of senior management, leading to articulation of Suzlon CSR goals, which are: Having minimal impact on the natural environment; enabling local communities to develop their potential; empowering employees to be responsible civil society members; and committing to ethical business practices that are fair to all stakeholders.
Due to Suzlon’s wide geographical spread and the broadness of the CSR goal, however, all programmes could not be implemented at all the places. So, three CSR programmes were formulated — transformative CSR, responsive CSR, and proactive CSR – and each targeted a different area, undertaking different proportions of work.
Breaking it up
Transformative CSR programme focuses on transforming business practices to be more responsible and ethical and create more awareness among the employees about sustainability issues. “We work with business units to integrate sustainability perspective in the way business is conducted. This requires changing polices and mindsets and setting operating guidelines. The purpose is to treat the root causes and also to demonstrate that transformation is possible,” Gogia elaborates. Changing the way the land at wind farms is used so as to reduce the impact on environment by implementing initiatives such as rainwater harvesting, fodder development and so on are examples.
Responsive CSR programmes are implemented to offset impacts of the business. Any business, however green, would still have some negative impacts; the programme studies them and looks at offsetting them. This requires engaging various stakeholders in the process. Examples of responsive programs are livelihood, soil and water conservation, plantation, waste recycling, health and education, forming and strengthening community based organizations and civic amenities initiatives.
Proactive CSR programmes go beyond business boundaries. “We all are interconnected as an ecosystem and what we do in a particular geography affects what happens elsewhere,” she says. Initiatives such as flood relief and devastation relief work are a part of this programme, which also targets young minds by providing internship and giving them a better understanding about the environment, business and community connect.
Sensitising the staff
While it is mandatory for each Suzlon employee to give two days in a year for CSR activity, the foundation uses different methods and programmes for a higher participation. In case of village-level programmes implemented by NGO partners, Suzlon Foundation (SF) introduces the NGO partners to local business units. In turn, the NGO partners are given a target regarding the number of employees they should involve. A target is also given to state CSR managers to ensure the employees are involved.
For the company’s different offices, there are monthly in-house activities where SF calls different NGOs to display their products employees can buy. For instance, rakhis are made by a blind girls’ school; the Diwali diyas and candles are made by those with learning disabilities, while the colour for Holi is prepared by jail inmates using natural colors.
The past seven years have seen SF touching and impacting many lives. Looking back, Gogia points out that in terms of the quantum of activities and geographical reach, SF has expanded beyond their expectations. “Our depth in terms of programme quality has improved because of our experience. CSR managers and the NGO partners look at a programme not as an event, but as lifelong commitment,” she says.
Manish Arora celebrated his being conferred with the Chevalier de la Legion d'Honneur (awarded by the French government to recognise eminent accomplishments of service to France) by presenting a trademark collection at the Paris Fashion Week last month. It was signature Manish Arora - that burst of colours, the riot of patterns featuring the designer’s signature idea of zany. One of the models even carried a purple Pomeranian under her arm for the collection titled, Twin Peaks on Haribo.
As one of the most widely recognised Indian designers, Manish Arora boasts a dedicated following and significant critical acclaim from the crème de la crème of the world. Talking about the high of the French honour, Manish says, “This definitely gives me a boost. I’ve been showing in Paris for the past seven years, it’s been 14 shows. To hear this after seven years really does motivate you.”
Fashion by Chance
Born and raised in Bombay and New Delhi, Manish never really planned for fashion and was pursuing a career in Commerce. He left his studies mid way to take a leap of faith and applied to the National Institute of Fashion Technology in New Delhi. Rash, some would say. “It’s me,” says Manish Arora, adding, “The best thing about me is that I am never scared or wary of doing things. I never thought I’d have my own store in Paris. Or my own home. Or even a French label. All I wanted to do was my best. I like to jump into things without thinking.” Not only did he jump in, but he graduated from NIFT in 1994 with the Best Student Award. Arora went on to secure second place in a Smirnoff Fashion Competition and in 1995 was also awarded second place in the Young Asian Designers competition. With a bold and colourful design aesthetic, Arora caught the eye of editors at French Vogue.
Three years later, he launched his own label Manish Arora, and after an equal number of years, went on to become the first and only Indian to exhibit his designs at the Paris Fashion Week (he continues to be so till date).
Arora also began participating in several international fashion weeks, such as Miami Fashion Week in 2005 followed by a turn at London Fashion Week. Both presentations garnered positive review for the Indian designer and in London, Arora was selected to exhibit work in the Victoria & Albert Museum in London.
Manish collaborated with Reebok in 2007 and came up with the designer sportswear line called Fish Fry, opening its first store in The Garden of 5 Senses in New Delhi.
Business Sense
In 2011, Manish gained the brightest feather in his colourful plume, by being appointed the Creative Director for the notable Spanish fashion brand, Paco Rabanne. After presenting his inaugural collection for Spring/Summer 2012, Arora left the position in May 2012 to focus on growing his own business and in November 2012 announced a joint venture arrangement with retailer Biba Apparel Pvt Ltd to extend the brand’s operations in India.
This period of expansion saw the designer launch several more boutiques around India and secure his first international stockist deal with Parisian boutique Maria Luisa. The quirky designer has collaborated on a number of creative partnerships with brands such as MAC Cosmetics, SWATCH, Mercedes Benz and Swarovski Elements. Pommery Champagne and home wares with Good Earth are other collaborations.
The Manish Arora label is in 84 stores worldwide today, including Harrods, Dover Street Market, Maria Luisa and Saks Dubai, bringing in 20 percent of the $5.5 million company.
Signature Style
Manish Arora is known for his vivid palette of riotous colours and kitsch motifs. His garments combine contemporary silhouettes with a range of traditional Indian craft methods including embroidery, appliqué and beading. But now the ‘kitsch’ label is not something that he swallows easily. “Yes, as a child I saw a lot of women — street vendors, fisherwomen wearing a really vivid colour palette. And that reflected in my early work. It probably will have some presence in my future collections, but I stopped doing kitsch street style years ago,” he insists.
“I try to go one step further with every collection,” says the Mumbai-born Arora, reminiscing about his personal favourite Kate Moss and Beth Ditto are a few who have donned his creations to various glam events. Sonam Kapoor is also a devoted client.
Fashioning a Firm Future
19 years after he graduated, Manish Arora is making his debut in menswear line via online fashion destination Koovs. The designs take their inspiration from the dizzying graphics of Temari balls — a folk art form from Japan. The collection vouches to be a mix of multiple inspirations that are true to his signature style. With black, white and gold as main colours, each garment will highlight his love for bright colours such as emerald, fuchsia and electric blue hues. Some of the pieces that will be defined in the line include bomber jackets, shirts, T-shirts, vests, sweatshirts, trousers and shorts and accessories like backpacks, high-tops, espadrilles, flip-flops, socks and phone covers. “The collaboration with Koovs means that my consumers will have an opportunity to own an exclusive Manish Arora signature product at an accessible price,” said Arora, hinting at the idea that he is not just an artist, but committed to the cause of promoting craftsmanship.
All his shows are theatrical, yes, but for all the obvious shock value in his clothes — bouncing clown appliqués, epaulets in the shape of lion heads—it’s the meticulous handwork that most distinguishes his designs.
So at what design crossroad does he see himself today? “Once I started showing in Paris,” he says, “I realized I could go all the way creatively. I learnt fashion was business, but it was art too. That was when I let myself loose and enjoyed every bit of it! Today, I’m trying to find a balance between what’s commercial and what’s fantasy. Still, my clothes are for strong and opinionated women. For women who don’t give a damn,” says Arora.
“The basic idea of my clothes is that you should be happy,” he says, ending on a poetic note, “It’s really about escaping and belonging to somewhere else. When I make these clothes, I disappear in a world which doesn’t exist. In my world, life is as beautiful as it is colourful!”
WHEN THIS BOOK was first handed to me, I was surprised by its audacity. “Tryst with Money” sounds like the proverbial BHAG ( Big Hairy Audacious Goal) that we hear about so many times in the corporate world; and that too in a mere 200-or-so pages?
Nah, I thought. This doesn’t look right.
With this scepticism, I started out.
True to expectations, I was bored in the first 10 pages and went to sleep. Really!
It starts slow and tries to paint money as the root of all evils (like we don’t know).
Gathering courage the next day, I moved on and so did the book to the barter system, the trade and commerce in ancient India and Greece — with some interesting anecdotes and theories — and then to the medieval age and emergence of banking system in Europe and rest of the world.
Here the book gathers steam and starts to settle in.
The transition is largely effortless, but does breaks off at some places and leaves more explanation desired -- the timelines while transitioning could have helped and also spiced up a little by including some quotes by the great men of finance.
The book tries to be a brief timeline of the world economy — a decidedly ambitious target (set out in the title itself). It does attempt that by covering almost every terminology in the world of finance and commerce. Right from barter, options, gold standard, black money to insurance, recession and GDP, it touches all and gives a good introduction to each of the aforementioned jargon to the man who doesn’t normally read the pink dailies and is a newcomer to the world of money. In fact, I feel the author wants us to read more on the topics ourselves and develop a thought.
Therein is its greatest victory.
By painting money as the common enemy, it forces the uninitiated reader to think momentarily about the “big” picture, about the role of money in human lives and our society. It makes us question where we are headed, especially in the uncertain times of today, after being aware of the potential blind spots.
Ultimately, the reader is forced to put the book down at some points and search the internet to whet his curiosity about a particular topic of interest.
This book is not un-putdown-able — in fact, it is intended to be putdown-able — only to be picked up again. This book should be read at least twice — once for consumption and then for digestion — to really get its true flavours out.
All in all, a sincere attempt — more of such are needed.
IT SEEMS SO innocuous, that smartphone in your hand. Who would ever guess that this piece of technology has changed the way we look at love forevermore? Who knew that texting, online dating apps, and social media are not just superficially new ways to communicate, but have actually changed society and the very idea of romance?
Most of us had our suspicions, but US-based standup comedian Aziz Ansari decided to go deeper, and he got together with New York University sociologist Eric Klinenberg to research and write a book called Modern Romance: An Investigation.
What the two of them learned after conducting focus group research all over the US and in Tokyo, Paris and Buenos Aires, was not exactly startling, but is sufficiently surprising to keep you engaged with the book from beginning to end.
Essentially, Modern Romance explains that technology has changed romance in two game-changing ways. And because of these big changes, there are lots of smaller changes, too.
Ansari and Klinenberg began their research with a look at how older generations in the US came to fall in love and marry, and learned to their stupefaction that in general, people married people who lived really close to each other — in the same neighbourhood; sometimes even in the same building, showing how difficult it was for most young people of the time (1940s, 1950s) to meet new people.
Young couples of that era also tended to marry soon and early, simply because a) love had to lead to marriage and b) marriage was a must for most women because they had few other options for moving out of their parents’ homes. So in a sense the couples, already fairly familiar with each other, grew up together and developed a love that grew stronger with time — or a relationship that collapsed in a heap as soon as divorce became acceptable from the 1960s-70s onward.
Today, however, because of the explosion of online dating sites, young people can meet unlimited numbers of people for potential romance, with so many choices that commitment can safely be postponed till they are in their thirties. They can also safely spend time looking for “true love” — the kind of love in which each partner is all-in-all for the other, rather than settle for the first reasonably interesting and stable person they meet.
But the fact that each of us now has two personas -- the phone self and the real self — has made life more difficult. That’s because more and more of us chat by SMS rather than face to face, and because the people we text cannot see our faces, we tend to be more uninhibited in what we say — often in not a very good way. This means that the only way to gauge the personality of people we do not really know is by looking at their texts — and even the smallest hint of creepiness and stupidity can drive us to avoid them forever.
Because of these two tech-created issues, dating has also changed in many smaller ways, not only in the US, but all over the world. But has tech made love easier or not? The jury is still out on that one.
But ultimately, Ansari says, if you really want love, you have to meet people face to face and invest time in getting to know them, whether you meet them online or next door.
So perhaps modern romance is the same old thing after all. Or perhaps it is completely different from the romances of our grandparents’ generation. Either way, if you’re curious about winning love, Modern Romance is easy to read.
Koehler delves deep into the history of this elixir, which is as fascinating as the brew itself. Towards the end, Koehler reminds us of the current realities of the region, which are not so happy. Indian’s marquee product is fighting for its future, not just on an erratic and unpredictable monsoon, but also over unauthorised absenteeism. This particularly holds true for an industry in which artisans continue to produce teas using methods and tools that have barely changed in a century and where tens of thousands of women (and it is always women) pluck the leaves by hand every year. Another issue for Darjeeling is the separatist movement by ethnic Gorkhas, who make up three-fourths of the region’s population and essentially the entire tea industry’s workforce.
In the end, Koehler writes: “It is moving ahead, though not in step with the highest technology with which India has lately become famous, or chemical-driven concoctions, or genetically modified superstock...” But will it survive the test of the times?
Gaudy yet glorious, City of Brighton and Hove situated in East Sussex is Britain's most colourful city. Over half of the city’s area is open downland, most of which lies within the South Downs National Park and forms part of the UNESCO-recognised Brighton and Lewes Downs biosphere reserve.
Brighton has been England’s most interesting seaside city, and today it’s more vibrant, eccentric, and cosmopolitan than ever. For more than 200 years it has been a city of rich cultural mix— Regency architecture, specialty shops, sidewalk cafés, lively arts, and a flourishing gay scene— makes it unique and unpredictable. Its lanes revel in booming arts scene and the street life makes it the archetypal seaside home. Brighton is also the place to go if you’re looking for hotels with offbeat design and party nights.
The town is all about its eccentric buildings and even more eccentric people. The imposing railway viaduct next to the Duke of York’s Picture House, England’s oldest functioning cinema is a local landmark and is frequented by tourists. The immense gable end of St Bartholomew’s, a giant brick-built barn of a church that is said to have been constructed to the precise dimensions of Noah’s Ark as stated in the Bible is also a major attraction. From iconic Brighton tourist attractions to beachfront cool, Brighton is a treasure trove of things to do and places to go. Vibrant, colourful, fun and free, Brighton offers the energy of the city and freedom of the sea. It really is unique.
From the stunning heritage of the Royal Pavilion, Regency architecture and Victorian aquariums to the traditional seaside fun of the famous Brighton Pier and pebble beach, Brighton offers something for every walk of life. You may also get nose to nose with marine life at Brighton Sea Life Centre.
Once this English port town was considered louche and seedy, with crumbling piers and weathered hotels for so-called dirty weekends. But with cosmopolitan London just an hour away, it was a matter of time before this funky town regained its color. Recently the Londoners have rediscovered Brighton’s lanes and Regency-style buildings, turning it into what’s now called “the gay capital of England.” Londoners check into the boutique hotels during the weekends and get lost into the dance-tilldawn clubs. Its like a Miami Beach by the side of the English Channel.
The secret ingredient to the perfect break is finding that fabulous restaurant, cosy pub or hip bar. And Brighton is packed full of them. From veggie treats and beachfront brunches to fine dining and tasty value options, Brighton is bursting at the seams with every type of international cuisine on the menu. Some fabulous cafes, bars and pubs serve afternoon tea to beachside drinks with friends, you can find the best Brighton and Hove has to offer.
Legend has it that in 1750 physician Richard Russell published a book recommending seawater treatment for glandular diseases. The fashionable world flocked to Brighton to take Dr. Russell’s “cure,” and sea bathing became a popular pastime. Few places in the south of England were better for it, since Brighton’s broad beach of smooth pebbles stretches as far as the eye can see. It’s been popular with sunbathers ever since.
The next windfall for the town was the arrival of the Prince of Wales (later George IV). “Prinny,” as he was called, created the Royal Pavilion, a mockAsian pleasure palace that attracted London society. The Royal Pavilion is a former royal palace built as a home for the Prince Regent during the early 19th century, under the direction of the architect John Nash, and is notable for its Indo-Saracenic architecture and Oriental interior. The exotic Royal Pavilion, was sold to the city in 1850 for £53,000.Other Indo-Saracenic buildings in Brighton include the Sassoon Mausoleum, now, with the bodies reburied elsewhere, in use as a chic supper club.
Today the elegant terraces of Regency houses are among the town’s greatest attractions. The railway set the seal on Brighton’s popularity: with the Brighton Belle the beach was about an hour’s ride for the busy Londoners.
Brighton and Hove really is a city of festivals.
From the biggest arts Festival in England to comedy, food, music, film and artists’ open houses, you’ll usually find somewhere in the city that is in full festival swing. And its not just the summer months that draw the festival crowds. The city knows how to celebrate arts and culture year round with Brighton festivals packing venues and filling the streets right across the calendar.
e streets right across the calendar. Brighton Festival is an annual celebration of music, theatre, dance, circus, art, film, literature, debate, outdoor and family events — taking place in venues both familiar and unusual across Brighton & Hove for three weeks every May. In 2016 Brighton Festival celebrates 50 years of commissioning and producing innovative arts and culture with Guest Director Laurie Anderson at the helm.
Established in 1967, Brighton Festival has become one of the city’s most enduring symbols of inventiveness and celebration over the past half century. Now one of Europe’s leading arts festivals, Brighton Festival is known for its ambitious and daring programme that aims to make the most of the city’s distinctive cultural atmosphere, drawing some of the most innovative artists and companies (and adventurous audiences) from the UK and around the world.
From silver screen and comedy gold to the local fare of the Brunswick Festival and Sussex Beer Festival, the Brighton festival fever is firing up the city throughout the year.
In the month of April the town celebrates Brighton & Hove Food and Drink Festival ‘Spring Harvest’. The local producers, growers, restaurants, bars and food retailers and showcases fantastic food, drink and hospitality across the city.
Pack your bags, lace up your boots and plan your official ride to the festival.