Innehållsförteckning för December 2, 2024 från India Today

The days are gone when cyber fraud was a cottage industry running out of nondescript towns in Jharkhand or Rajasthan. Those starred desi conmen, preying on digital novices with basic tools, and scooting with a lakh or two at most. Now, that species has fast-forwarded itself up the evolutionary ladder. India must beware of the New Big Con. This mutant, a transnational crime virus of sorts, uses sophisticated cyber tools and deals in multiples of millions. It’s no longer just old housewives getting duped of their pension money. The web of illusion is so hyperreal that it has befooled the likes of S.P. Oswal, chairman of the Vardhman Group, India’s largest textile conglomerate. Our sample list of victims also features an ex-IGP persuaded to part with Rs 2.14 crore, a…

Muhammad Yunus is probably thinking that winning the Nobel Peace prize was far simpler than managing a fractured interim government. While Yunus makes grand declarations about Bangladesh being a haven for people of all faiths, his attorney general calls for the abolition of secularism. The Chief Advisor urges peace, yet it’s the army that keeps order on the streets. So here’s a question worth pondering: who’s really running Bangladesh? Is it Yunus, or the student leaders who orchestrated the July-August uprising that ousted Sheikh Hasina? Is it the military, as has so often been the case in the country’s history? The latest twist—just days after the 84-year-old Yunus spoke about revitalising ties with Pakistan, a cargo ship from Karachi docked at Chittagong port, the first since 1971. Not surprisingly, India…

It began with a WhatsApp call that the retired IGP answered absentmindedly on an August morning. The voice on the other end was professional, almost courteous. “Sir, this is Mumbai Customs,” the caller said. “A package linked to your Aadhaar has been detained. It’s critical we verify your details immediately.” Vikas, who had once served with the United Nations, didn’t flinch. He offered his Aadhaar details, casually mentioning that he had lost his cellphone a month earlier and filed an FIR. “Oh sir. That explains it,” the caller said. “Someone must have accessed your data from that phone. Please hold as I escalate this to the CBI.” Before Vikas could respond, he was transferred to another line. The sound of a wireless set filled the background. A sharp, commanding voice…

Sharifa Wahaab had always been the formidable matriarch of her sprawling Surat family—a clan of children, grandchildren and extended kin who orbited her with a mix of awe and reverence. But on an ordinary morning, her fortress of certitude began to crumble. The call came like a shot in the dark. A cold, disembodied voice informed her that her phone number had surfaced in a phishing scam linked to a “data leak from the Aadhaar website”. The threat was clear: she was about to be raided by the CBI. In her seven decades, Sharifa had never known fear like this. But the raid didn’t happen. Instead, the callers imposed a sinister condition: she was under “digital arrest”, forbidden from telling anyone about the ongoing investigation. Any deviation would bring “consequences”.…

Seated in One World Centre, a 20-storeyed glass monolith darting out of Lower Parel’s busy skyline in Mumbai, filmmaker Payal Kapadia finds herself in a flux, a lot like the characters in her films. It isn’t lost on the 38-year-old Mumbai-born and based filmmaker that she’s on a piece of reclaimed mill land that one of her characters in All We Imagine as Light eventually loses her home to. “I am not against progress and I don’t want to hold on to the past in any way, but it is the people who once lived or worked here who can no longer access this space,” she says. “The loss of public space is something that concerns me. It’s the first thing that goes away when a city develops.” Kapadia’s in…

When it was time for Taba Chake to pick the album cover for Bombay Dreams (2019), his debut full-length album, the young Arunachali singer knew he wanted his face on it. “At the time, I was inundated with questions about how I speak such good Hindi, which was very tiring,” says the 31-year-old. The 10-track set with songs in English, Hindi and Nyishi (Chake’s native language) has, as per his official YouTube channel, racked up over 55 million streams across all music platforms. The serene folksy sound of tracks like ‘Shaayad’ and ‘Aao Chalein’ found favour among reel creators and helped to cement his Hindi-speaking credentials. “I feel accomplished for having made people aware that we Arunachalis or other Northeasterners can and do speak Hindi,” he says with a laugh,…

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This look has been aptly named Cascading Sindhoor. It’s our vision of a wedding celebration tablescape at home, reimagining the intimacy of a home wedding with an enchanting, dramatic centerpiece. The flowing red fabric, reminiscent of sindhoor, adds a touch of tradition and warmth, making each setting feel personal and inviting. Get the Look Customised menus, hand-painted kansa tableware, and artfully designed napkins add bespoke touches that make guests feel cherished. Brass accents and glowing candles elevate the ambiance, while fresh mogra and roses fill the air with a fragrant charm. This contemporary Indian setup inspires a cosy, heartfelt wedding celebration, seamlessly blending warmth, laughter, and cherished traditions right at home. Make it Your Own Subtle yet striking, the table decor incorporates personalised elements that make each guest feel like…

RATAN TATA A LIFE HARPERCOLLINS Price: ₹1,499 Pages: 712 1944 Childhood Lesson Ratan’s parents had had a love marriage, a rarity in the socially conservative India and the equally traditional Parsi community of the pre-Independence era. But their whirlwind courting could not survive the normal vicissitudes of marriage and in 1944, they separated, with Soonoo moving to her parents’ house. Soonoo filed for divorce and it was a traumatic period for the children. Ratan was going on ten and Jimmy seven when they had to do many rounds of the family court. It was an ‘unpleasant’ and ‘hurtful’ experience, Ratan remembers. Soonoo eventually married Sir Jamsetji Jejeebhoy. Ratan says that separations or divorces did not happen ‘every day’ then as they do today. The rift between his parents was sensationalised…

The NCPA International Jazz Festival 2024, from November 22 to 24 at the Tata Theatre in Mumbai, promises an exciting line-up that celebrates jazz’s global reach. This year’s festival is set to bring together Grammy-winning artists, child prodigies and icons from the jazz world for three nights of unforgettable performances. Farrahnaz Irani, general manager - international music, at NCPA, explains that curating the line-up is a year-round effort. “After an initial screening process, we draw up a list of artists who match our interest and style of jazz. Upon further discussion and deliberation, four to six artists are shortlisted, and negotiations with the artists’ management begin.” This lengthy process ensures a line-up that reflects NCPA’s high standards, with the 2024 festival showcasing talents like Brandon Goldberg, Gonzalo Rubalcaba, Matthew Whitaker,…

RISE AND SHINE Part of Bangalore-based Home Canvas’ new range, Sierra, is the Cosmo Pendant Light. The stunning piece is crafted from sustainable banana bark, featuring a unique palm frond silhouette that resembles interconnected circular elements. Plus, the light’s sturdy yet flexible design ensures lasting durability. PRICE ₹13,995 onwards AT www.homecanvas.com GIVING ART A NEW LIFE Sanctuary Living founded by Ramita Ahlawat is known for transforming watercolour art into textiles. Their new collection stays true to this. Called Oasis it plays with prints that feature soft blush hues and tranquil blues and greens. PRICE ₹1,550 onwards (cushions), ₹2,500 onwards (linen runners) and ₹5,950 onwards (table covers) AT @sanctuary_living (Instagram) DROP DEAD GORGEOUS The latest edition from Scarlet Splendour, the Drippity Bar Charcoal is a piece that makes a statement. Designed…

This wedding season is all about bringing Indian celebrations back to their roots with an exciting, soulful twist. Here’s how you can do just that. Nostalgic Indian Maximalism I love the richness of old-school Indian charm, so this season, it’s all about going big and bold with a nostalgic twist. A good way to achieve this is by layering iconic Indian aesthetics with a modern flair. Think intricate embroidery, lush florals, and vintage vibes that feel like stepping into a dreamy past. It’s maximalism, but with all the warmth of nostalgia. It’s a love letter to India, woven into every petal, every hue. Bringing Back the Colour Inspired by India’s most vibrant elements—fruits, flowers, mithais, and textiles—colour is the heart and soul of every design. Imagine the lush reds of…

Drama comes packaged in a beautiful brocade at weddings. The bonhomie surrounding the D-day and the prewedding festivities doesn’t happen just like that. It needs to be planned, curated, and executed to perfection. As marriage is a long, intricate and intimate dance together, in order to make that last forever and the jollities stay etched in memories and pictures, the decor, design, and theme of a wedding all come together to make a difference. More so if it’s an intimate, unrushed, and tailormade home wedding with its own charm and character. Unlike the Big Fat Wedding solemnised at a farmhouse, banquet or a villa somewhere on the outskirts of the city or in a foreign locale with an elaborate paraphernalia, a wedding at home is a low-key, but aesthetically appealing,…

India is slowly but surely transitioning from its old role as a digital factory yard for the world. There’s an upstream shift along the value chain to a more knowledge-based role as ideator and innovator. The new buzzword is Global Capability Centres or GCCs. Offshore hubs that deliver technology, engineering and operational support to their parent multinationals, the new functionality goes way beyond that of a technological sweat shop. Take Swiss multinational Roche’s Digital Centre of Excellence in Pune, for instance. It’s driving the biotech giant’s efforts to harness technology and data to automate processes and machines in diagnostic labs. This focus on high-value innovation from India underscores how companies are tapping into the country’s talent to power their research and development. With several Fortune 500 companies planning to establish…

It was an unremarkable Saturday. October 5, 12:15 pm. Richa Mishra, a journalist at India Today Television, picked a call from an unknown number. “This is Karan Verma from FedEx,” said the voice. “You’ve sent a courier.” Richa frowned. “I haven’t sent anything.” The voice answered, “There’s been a seizure at Mumbai airport. Suspicious items were found in your name.” Her stomach tightened. “What kind of items?” “Five passports, three credit cards…and 200 grams of MDMA.” “MDMA?” her voice trembled. “Drugs, ma’am. Your Aadhaar card must have been misused.” As panic set in, Karan transferred her to Vinay Kumar Chaudhary “from the Mumbai Police”. “You are involved in drug smuggling and moneyl-aundering. We have an arrest warrant in your name,” he said. “For two hours, they tormented me in my…

It was a summer evening and, exhausted from a long day, the doctor had just sat down with a cup of tea when the phone buzzed. The voice on the other end was calm. “Is this Dr Preeti, I’m calling from FedEx.” Once she confirmed, the tone shifted. “A parcel in your name was intercepted in Mumbai. It was found to contain five passports and the drug MDMA.” The doctor froze. “That’s impossible,” she exclaimed. “I haven’t sent any courier.” The caller didn’t miss a beat. “Ma’am, this is a serious matter. I’m connecting you to the Mumbai Crime Branch. You’ll need to explain this directly to the police.” Before she could protest, a new voice took over, introducing himself as an inspector from the Crime Branch. In the background,…

One of the narratives of the Bharatiya Janata Party on the eve of the general election in May-June this year was that India, under the Narendra Modi government, was beginning to claim her rightful place in the world. It was growing at 7 per cent, was the fastest growing major economy, was poised to become the world’s third largest economy by 2027 and, with policies aimed at improving the ease of doing business, was attracting the best of investment from overseas. Becoming a manufacturing hub for the world for at least some goods also seemed well within sight. But the ground situation is not so rosy. While India has been growing at a robust pace, it has not translated into more foreign direct investment (FDI), a barometer for investors’ appetite…

Husain: The Timeless Modernist at DAG Delhi will be open to viewers till Dec. 14 The late M.F. Husain’s (1915-2011) painting ‘Tomare Salaam’ (Satyajit Ray) (oil on canvas, 94.5 x 47.2 inches) is a delightful example of one visual master depicting another in his inimitable style. Signed ‘Husain’ in Bangla, the painting shows Ray mid-gesture, several iterations of his hands showing “motion lines” à la superhero comics. Ray is doing what he did best, instructing his cast and crew, bringing to life whole worlds before our eyes. “I am very grateful to him because through his films I have known India with a very deep insight,” says the handwritten caption at the bottom right-hand corner. The same observation can be made of Husain’s formidable body of work, as seen through…

Q. Everyone’s saying you’re the best thing in Fabulous Lives vs Bollywood Wives… We’ve all worked hard to make Season 3 of the show a success. This edition wouldn’t have existed if the Bollywood wives hadn’t set the pace earlier. But I am glad the audience enjoyed getting to know me and, most importantly, understood what I am. Q. Your sartorial style has been branded ‘over the top’… Well, I am a maximalist who enjoys mixing colours, textures, prints and materials together. That’s who I am, and I am proud of my personality. People may find it over the top because they don’t understand there’s many layers to fashion, but the viewers absolutely loved it! Q. The Mumbai vs Delhi debate never seems to end. Do you think your ‘comfortable in…

There’s something magical about two souls uniting in matrimony. As newlyweds embark on this beautiful journey together, creating a harmonious living space becomes the first step in weaving shared dreams. Painting your home to celebrate this union not only infuses the space with good vibes but also sets a stunning backdrop for your marriage celebrations. A fresh coat of paint symbolises new beginnings, warmth, and the blending of two lives into one vibrant canvas. And, that’s where Asian Paints Royale Glitz Luxury Emulsion comes in. When it comes to giving your home a luxurious makeover, Asian Paints Royale Glitz Luxury Emulsion is unparalleled. This ultra-sheen interior paint provides a rich, luxurious finish that elevates your walls to a new level of elegance. Imagine your home adorned with walls that shimmer,…