Innehållsförteckning för February 17, 2020 från India Today

The annual Union Budget exercise is a many-splendoured thing—it means whatever you want it to mean, depending on where you stand. It is paved with good intentions, coupled with great leaps of faith, even though the past is strewn with broken promises and gross under-performance. A political statement, it gives an inkling of the government’s thinking. It raises great expectations, but often ends in bitter disappointments. That businessmen praise it in public and whine in private is a given. This year was no different except that the scale of expectations was far higher, with GDP growth at an 11-year low of 5 per cent for fiscal 2020, a slide that has lasted six quarters. When finance minister Nirmala Sitharaman tabled the government’s Economic Survey on January 31, it sparked a…

THE ALLOCATION FOR HEALTHCARE IN Budget 2020-21 was disheartening—at Rs 67,484 crore, it’s a modest 5.7 per cent increase over the revised estimate of Rs 63,830 crore in the previous year. The allocation, given the estimated nominal GDP growth of 10 per cent, will mean a fall in public health expenditure as a percentage of GDP. Healthcare inflation in India is currently between 14 and 16 per cent and, considering the measly increase in budgetary allocation, public health expenditure is likely to stay under 1.5 per cent of GDP—a far cry from the targeted 2.5 per cent by 2025. At 1.3 per cent, India’s public sector spend in healthcare lags behind its neighbours Bhutan (2.5 per cent) and Sri Lanka (1.6 per cent). However, sub-strategies within the allocations point to…

On January 31, as a special Air India flight evacuated 324 Indians from Wuhan, Monika Sethuraman, 31, broke down in tears realising that she wouldn’t be on the plane. “I couldn’t breathe for a few seconds...I am stuck here in the city, and it’s now turned into a huge prison,” she says over the phone from her one-room dormitory. The doctoral scholar in international relations at Wuhan’s Central China Normal University had been instrumental in contacting the Indian embassy and arranging the evacuation of fellow Indians following an outbreak of the new novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV). For Sethuraman herself, leaving Wuhan won’t be easy now. “I didn’t go to the airport because I knew I would not be cleared for the flight out. Even if I recover from the cold, once…

COLLECTOR OF THE YEAR Sanjiv Goenka Won for collecting not just known names but also budding artists and helping their careers by displaying their works at the Victoria House headquarters of the RP-Sanjiv Goenka Group, Kolkata. SOLO EXHIBITION OF THE YEAR Jogen Chowdhury A pillar in the world of modern Indian art, he won for his three-month-long solo exhibition, Reverie and Reality, held at the Kolkata Centre for Creativity’s Emami Art Gallery, showcased 175 of the his works. RETROSPECTIVE EXHIBITION OF THE YEAR Arpita Singh Won for Submergence: In the Midst of Here and There, a retrospective of her work spanning six decades, included her seminal paintings, drawings, sketches, watercolours and reverse glass paintings. PERFORMANCE ARTIST OF THE YEAR Mithu Sen Won for her performance piece ‘(Un) Mansplaining’, which satirises…

LUXURY 2.0: CIRCA 2020, WHAT NEXT? Where do we go from here, that is a question that the luxury industry asks itself periodically? The beginning of a decade is a good time to take stock of worldwide trends to figure out how they will affect consumer buying. Today’s millennials are different from the luxury consumer of yore. They care about the environment, sustainability, fair trade, and last mile provenance. There is a rejection of mainstream brands in favour of authenticity. For example, in the beauty segment, leading brands such as MAC and Color Plus witnessed a major decline. In contrast, Huda Beauty, founded by Iraqi-American blogger and makeup artist, Huda Kattan, has quickly become a multi billion dollar business. Sustainability is a welcome trend and continues to be a huge…

The concept of luxury has evolved. Besides being bespoke and unique, luxury should also enhance your life. Whether it’s gifts that we give others or products that we covet for ourselves, unique possessions that bear the stamp of craftsmanship, class and creativity are aces. To help you wade through the plethora of choices in pursuit of the unique and the luxurious, here are a list of things that can sweep you off the floor. In Good Cheer Who doesn’t enjoy a good bar unit? And wouldn’t it be even more amazing if it’s a conversation starter? The Oasis Unit from Scarlet Splendour is one of the trendiest cabinets you will see. Not only does this cabinet make that bold statement, it also follows function. The Flame of Joy Candles have…

Ancestral Art In celebration of the Chinese Year of the Rat, Blancpain has introduced an eight-piece limited edition watch with a porcelain dial entirely hand-crafted in its Métiers d’Art workshops. Availability Brand boutiques Timeless Elegance With this new creation dedicated entirely to women, Zenith is redefining the spectrum of women’s watches. Availability Brand boutiques Pioneer Spirit The Marine by Breguet embodies a desire to travel the seas, and be carried by the winds and currents. Breguet dedicates this collection to modern-day women explorers. Availability Brand boutiques Bold in Bronze The Autavia by TAG Heuer in bronze tells a unique story with an ever-changing patina that captures the wearer’s adventures while keeping time with a COSC-certified automatic movement Availability Brand boutiques Full Circle Panerai recalls the evocative thousand-year tradition of the…

Shaken or stirred, it’s tough to ignore those colourful concoctions served in delightful stemware with surprising garnishes. As trends go, cocktails are in and gin cocktails are the cherry on the swizzle stick. However, gin cocktails may be in vogue, but it’s the ones that have been created using gins from craft distillers such as Malphy’s, Bathtub and Gin Mare that are top of the barrel. The versatility of gin that allows flavours to blend in smoothly, has contributed to its popularity. What’s more, seasonal ingredients throw in just that element of freshness and colour to align with the merry vibe of any evening given over to the flow of soul. The Mango Spritz (Cirrus 9) is our unique take on the classic Aperol Spritz using mango juice and basil…

What is red, black, gold and cavernous? And no, we are not talking decadent dreams. Although delightful may be one way to go at the all-new Chinese restaurant at The Sheraton, Saket in Delhi. With a Tiě Ban area that follows the same principles as a Japanese teppenyaki grill, a hotpot menu that is pure and simple value for money, not to mention joyful and involved, two PDRS—one sufficiently private and uppity while the other, a semi enclosed ode to sharing exclusivity with an eye on the crowds—to a dim sum menu that is as colourful as it is flavourful yet delicate, you are never short on choices. There is a special zone to celebrate cocktails on days when a liquid meal is what you desire and an exclusive wine…

When the second-oldest Swiss watch brand introduces a unique hour indication system for one of its watches, you dive in for details. Quite literally, in this case. Favre-Leuba is has launched a special dive watch in a 42 mm size. Since the minute hand corresponds to the most important information for a diver under water, the Raider Harpoon, only sports the minute hand for easy readability. The hour hand has been substituted from the traditional style into a unique hour indicator in the form of a co-rotating hour ring. Unusual, and easy to read once you understand the interplay of hand and ring. With that reduction of unnecessary distractions, the diver can focus on what’s most important under extreme conditions. The unidirectional bezel with the 20-minute scale serves as another…

Only a few Hindi filmmakers inspire the kind of loyalty and scrutiny that Imtiaz Ali does. Recently, after a trailer of Love Aaj Kal released, cinephiles took to social media. On Twitter, Samrat Singh said the writer-director “is creating the Marvel Universe of f**kbois [sic]”. Another posted screenshots from the trailer and compared it to similar moments from Ali’s earlier film, Tamasha. A third one noticed how the background graffiti spoke volumes. It read, ‘Don’t touch my soul with dirty hands’. Ali, for his part, says, “It is actually quite enchanting that somebody pays that much attention to things that are important to me subconsciously.” The writer-director is also aware that not all of the commentary will be positive or something he agrees with. “Cinema is at its best when…

Taran N. Khan’s Shadow City: A Woman Walks Kabul, chronicles her work trips to Kabul from 2006 to 2013, visualising the city differently from conventional narratives of war and insurgency. It is a walking tour of Kabul’s inner life through which she bears testimony to ‘a terrain of erasures, the particular ways of forgetting that defines remembering in Kabul’ as a correspondent and woman. Her empathetic prose style depicts a city whose history, economy and culture have been ravaged by war. Walking becomes an effective way for Khan to capture Kabul’s shape-shifting nature. With every return, Kabul unravels its layers through her walks across roads dotted with graves and cleared of mines and destroyed buildings. Khan finds familiar routes dug up, gated by check-points, barbed wire, steel walls. Security zones…

Q. This is your third biography. How do you feel this is different from the first two? Every biographer employs a different language and has a different emphasis—one wants to know more about my music, another is interested in my personal history, a third in my family. I like that these books have different perspectives, but I look at them as my children, and I can’t play favourites. Q. You often credit your guru Annapurna Devi for your prowess, but do you feel the great surbahar exponent was given the due she deserves? She had warned me to never ask about her personal life, never get her medicines if she was ill—“Remember, you only come here to learn”. She was hard on the outside, but very soft on the inside.…

Minty Fresh Say goodbye to off-putting murky breath with Floris London’s violet mouthwash. It is delicately fragranced with hints of violet tones and needs only six drops to work its magic. Price On request Availability www.florislondon.com Daily Detox The Grey toning pads remove sweat, oil and dirt from your skin while active ingredients nourish and restore its natural pH balance. Price $115 Availability www. thegreymensskincare.com Clearly Masculine An ideal gift for the stylish man, this Lorenzi Milano shaving set is for one who has impeccable yet minimal taste. Price €1,315 Availability www.lorenzi-milano.com Luxe Rituals An oil that doubles up as a styling product, Sisley’s Precious Hair Care oil is enriched with passion fruit, shea, cotton and moringa oils for root-to-tip nourishment. Price ₹8,755 Availability www.mrporter.com Mane Issue Using a combination…

From cuffs, cocktail rings and couture necklaces to dress up any outfit to blue-hued metals that hold diamonds and opals, jewellery is set to get more opulent and theatrical. Geometrical shapes rub shoulders with flora and fauna-inspired textures at leading jewelers around the world. Italian luxury trends forecaster Paola De Luca has mapped the next big designs in the world of jewels. Theatrical and contemporary Geometrical shapes are seen in jewellery, both, symmetrical and asymmetrical. Triangles, hexagons and other shapes are morphing into something else and while jewellery was earlier decorative, it is now more essential. Big shapes, even those that are almost theatrical, are popular but in lightweight, right from India all the way to England. That is because jewellery needs to be functional and comfortable, not just beautiful.…

Fashion is a fickle lover; an apt allegory for all that is untenable, unreliable and often unthinkable. But through this fleeting romance, its commitment to thrill and awe remains unshakeable. On board the luxury train, we pull out all the stops to bring you fashion’s finest. Our list of top five lust-haves straddles a tall order from the trendiest to the classiest. A Girl’s Best Friend “Big girls need big diamonds” said screen goddess Elizabeth Taylor of her legendary love of diamonds. Lebanese house of jewellery, Mouaward created a stunning masterpiece—a 637-carat L’Incomparable diamond necklace—in 2013 and has been named the world’s most expensive necklace by Guinness Book of World Records, as it is valued at a mind-boggling $55 million. If desire could be monetised, this sparkler would be crooning…

King Size Royal Salute is the only permanent whisky in the 21 Years Old range, making it the perfect spirit to celebrate special and royal occasions. Availability Only at Duty free Bubbling Over The French Champagne House pays tribute to its rosé-making heritage with an arty, modern bottle design that reinterprets a historic label. Availability Delhi, Mumbai and Bengaluru Monkeying Around The tipple for a new generation of whisky lovers, Monkey Shoulder comes in a limited editon Handler pack. Availability New Delhi, Gurugram, Bengaluru and Mumbai Special Edition Every bottle of Glenfiddich carries whisky-making craft and knowledge passed down through the generations. Availability All major liquor stores in the country Aged to Perfection The Balvenie has an individual taste that is rich, luxuriously smooth and underpinned by a distinctively honeyed…

Amid the great public indignation over delays in the impending hanging of convicts in the 2012 ‘Nirbhaya’ gangrape-and-murder case in Delhi, there has been little room for a dispassionate consideration of the merits of the death penalty. A large majority of the world’s most highly developed countries reject the death penalty, with the United States being a prominent outlier. India, despite having sentenced hundreds to death in the past 15 years or so, seldom follows through on these sentences, commuting most and even acquitting a few accused. More damningly, the percentage of rapists and murderers, as a proportion of all criminals sentenced to death, has risen considerably since 2016. On the available evidence, the death penalty is certainly not a reliable deterrent for the worst crimes. 102 Death sentences imposed…

DESPITE THE GOVERNMENT’S high-decibel ‘Make in India’ campaign, manufacturing has languished in the country. This isn’t good news as the sector is a big job provider. The finance minister did announce a few schemes, among them one to make India a hub for electronic manufacturing, an announcement in line with the Economic Survey’s ‘Assemble in India’ pitch. A National Technical Textiles Mission was also announced. With an outlay of Rs 1,480 crore, it is expected to boost textiles and help India regain its competitiveness. But these proposals are too little to generate jobs in the sector or attract big-ticket investments. Experts, however, say budgetary announcements alone cannot boost manufacturing. States have a big role in supporting manufacturing, says R.C. Bhargava, chairman of Maruti Suzuki. “States have to look at lowering…

ASHOK GULATI, Infosys Chair Professor, Indian Council for Research on International Economic Relations MAITREESH GHATAK Professor, London School of Economics D.K. JOSHI Chief Economist, Crisil AJIT RANADE Chief Economist, Aditya Birla Group JAHANGIR AZIZ Chief Emerging Markets Economist, JP Morgan Chase Bank N.R. BHANUMURTHY Professor, National Institute of Public Finance and Policy Q. Does the Union Budget present a coherent economic vision, a road to economic recovery? A. ASHOK GULATI: The budget is woven around three prominent themes: a) Aspirational India, where all segments seek a better living; b) economic development for all; and c) a caring society. My reading is that this is another pedestrian budget on the beaten track and cannot lead the economy back onto a sustainable high growth path. I am particularly concerned about agriculture, which…

“In a world where freedom of thought, speech and action are increasingly becoming tenuous, art remains a safe space to express dissent”AROON PURIE, Chairman and Editor-in-chief, India Today Group Speaking at the fifth edition of the annual India Today Art Awards, Aroon Purie, Chairman and Editor-in-chief of the India Today Group, talked about the importance of art as a safe space to express dissent and as a medium that holds up a mirror to the society. “The world over, as the shadow of political uncertainty, climate change, citizenship issues and the economic slowdown lengthens, the world of art does what it does best—pour all that angst on to a canvas or channel it into an installation, video or performance. After all, when all else fails, you still have art to…

Kashmir has always been an emotive issue, and the ordeal of Kashmiri Pandits perhaps even more so. Vidhu Vinod Chopra, though, has never shied away from that which is difficult. The director, a Kashmiri Pandit himself, is now releasing Shikara, a film that highlights his community’s suffering. He hopes it will engineer awareness, but also a physical return for Pandits. Excerpts from an interview: Q. You’ve said you have wanted to make this film since the 1990s. What took you so many years? I was writing, researching, talking to people and identifying actors, trying to create an authentic story that would help me dispassionately tell the truth behind the Kashmiri Pandit issue. For me, this is not just a movie. It is a movement of sorts—to make the nation realise…

Contemporary Madhubani artist Avinash Karn’s Nataraja is created using the tantric symbols of the Lingam and Yoni. The dynamic depiction of the androgynous Ardhanarishwar in a phallic dancing form is a choreography of metaphors. Korean artist Sun Tae Hwang’s hugely appreciated works from the series The Sunny Room had hyper-real patches of sunlight streaming into grey rooms. The clever idea of backlighting was epiphanic like, well, a beam of light. Gandhi’s DC avatar ‘Super Gandhi’ was Debanjan Roy’s quirky and playful yet richly symbolic depiction of the Mahatma as history’s superhero The accusatory movement of two pointing figures in Bangladeshi artist Promotesh Das Pulak’s kinetic sculpture titled, ‘Untitled (Not my fault )’, was a dark play on the conflicting ideologies that define our times Heavyweight Chinese dissident artist Ai Weiwei’s…

THE YEAR OF the Rat may not have begun on a propitious note with a looming pandemic, trade war uncertainty and a global slowdown, but Spice likes to focus on the half full premise. And the beginning of a decade seems like a good time to focus on a question that the luxury industry has been forced to ask itself: what next? So our issue this time turns the spotlight on the best luxury buys for the coming year. But it isn’t about self-absorbed decadence that chooses to wink at reality but rather about intelligent luxury that breathes with a conscience. Ravi Thakran, Group President of South and South East Asia and Middle East at Moet Hennessy Louis Vuitton (LVMH ), outlines luxury’s mandate, taking stock of worldwide trends and…

Bold and beautiful; if cliches could clinch titles then the new Conquest Classic would definitely qualify. Watch marque, Longines, has combined the femininity of materials and dynamic lines to create this new timepiece. Perfectly crafted for the modern woman, it remains true to the brand ethos retaining its trademark elegance, while offering new dials that marry mother-of-pearl, diamonds with blushes of pink. The watch is available in two sizes (29.50 mm and 34 mm) and the collection offers five different dials: sunray blue, sunray black, sunray silver, white mother-of-pearl or black mother-of-pearl – on which pink or rhodium-plated hands revolve. Pink indexes or diamonds complete the dial that is mounted on a steel bracelet that lends it both finesse and refinement. Price on request; Availability Brand boutiques…

Each person should own iconic pieces that project your personality, but take care not to bunch them up on the same occasion. Wear them individually so each piece tells a story. 1) Large hoops are a must every season because they are versatile, simple and elegant. They are minimalistic but the large size is dramatic 2) Cocktail ring that is a statement piece or stackable rings or two finger rings 3) Beautiful cuff which is a conversation starter 4) Couture necklace is a standalone piece…

Divine Aura Designed by Katarina Kotulacova, Aurora combines hand-blown glass components in a celestial play. The lighting installation can be quickly and easily controlled by an iPhone. Price On request Availability Sans Souci studio Good Light Handcrafted from sustainable materials, this Oorja pendant lamp will bring a feel-good factor in to your space. Price On request Availability Brand studio in Bangalore Stay Brilliant Interestingly crafted, this Scarlet Splendour floor lamp is the ideal touch of glam for your den, library or passage. Availability Brand boutique and online Restored to Glory Specialising in restoring heritage furniture, Anemos crafts this antique silver light piece. This one-of-a-kind piece will light up any living room. Availability Brand boutique Nature Inspired Blossom is inspired by the natural world and the emotional connotations of Swarovski Crystal.…

Formal Black Tie An elegant watch with painstaking attention to finishing details. Recommendation L.U. Chopard XPS Sports Whether you’re hitting the gym or the surf, a dressy watch may not be the most prudent. It’s best to sport a watch that is comfortable and durable, preferably water-resistant and shock-resistant. Recommendation Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Black Magic Daily Routine For morning to evening looks, the watch needs to be distinctive yet suitable for a variety of occasions. Recommendation Breitling Premier Automatic 40 Rendezvous moments This needs a bold versatile statement that is not over the top. Recommendation Breguet Marine Travelling Jetsetting between flights and time zones, the watch needs to keep up too so arrive in style whether it’s a business trip, vacation or family holiday, so simple and elegant fit…

Freedom of Colour Ralph Lauren celebrates spring with dramatic silhouettes and vivid colours. Price On request Availability Brand boutiques Best Foot Forward Christian Louboutin’s studded low sneakers for men will make you the envy of the fashion forward. Price On request Availability Brand boutiques in Delhi and Mumbai Black is Back Featuring the the iconic style of David Gandy, Dolce & Gabbana’s sunglasses are a blend of modernity and tradition. Price On request Availability Sunglass Hut Horsing Around Reviving Gucci’s archives, the equestrian inspired Horsebit bag is a classic must-have that transcends trends. Price On request Availability Brand boutiques Eclectic Pick Arpita Mehta teams up with celebrity-approved brand Ahikoza to create art-worthy bags. This slouchy clutch adds a pop with its vibrant neon shade. Price On request Availability Brand boutiques…

Just when you think only a meat dish can pair with the Pinot Noir that Rajat Parr crafts at Sandhi and Domaine de la Cote at Santa Rita Hills in the United States, he picks the Cocogarganelli—a vegetarian dish of homemade pasta made with cocoa in the dough cooked with a parmesan broth, sauteed button mushrooms, enoki and shimigi and edamame, busting the myth that red wines need only meats as a suitable match. Mushrooms and morels with their earthy vegetarian flavours, he says, make great pairings with complex wines such as an aged Syrah from the Northern Rhone region of France or a hearty Italian Barolo. “Complex reds can pair well with vegetarian food,” says the chef, sommelier, winemaker and wine educator who was born in India but now…

Malling may be traditionally known for retail therapy but one visit to the new Kama Ayurveda experience centre, and you’ll be exploring better ways to relax the mind and body than carting hopping bags. The back door of the cosy store magically opens to a small but delightful space. Post consultation with the resident Ayurvedic doctor, you can check yourself in for face, hair or foot rituals fit for the truly self indulgent. Well-trained staff and ayurvedic oils distilled into soothing creams and potions lend a near sensual vibe to your shopping experience. Discover a youthful you with Navya, their anti-ageing facial or Ujjawala to ignite your inner light. Where NH 8, Ambience Island, Gurugram, Haryana…

The next chapter in Obeetee’s Proud to be Indian series sees designer Raghavendra Rathore wield his magic on the innately Indian art of couture floor coverings. Rathore’s design vocabulary has always borrowed from the rich heritage of textile history and has been steeped in traditional design and craft. He brings the same sensibility to these India-inspired rugs. To design the collection, Rathore dug deep into the royal grandeur that epitomises Rajasthan for five years. “The collection signifies old-world luxury and has the essence of a bygone era. The Marwar region, specifically Jodhpur, is the core inspiration for all ideas and vision behind the look and feel of these carpets. We have experimented heavily with paisleys, asymmetrical designs and unusual patterns to create unique design sensibilities taking references from the past,”…