` 75 MARCH 2016

INDIAS CAITLYN JENNER!

APSARA REDDY
TALKS INTENSELY ABOUT
HER SEX CHANGE

OUT OF THE BOX!

WOMENS DAY SPECIAL

DREAMY SHOCKING! YOUR BODYS

DUBLIN FAT MEMORY KEEPS YOU FAT
 MARCH 2016
Editor Andrea CostaBir
Associate Editor Sumita Chakraborty
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 18 I BELIEVE
Apsara Reddy on her sex change and
life beyond...
CONTENTS 39 WOMENS
SPECIAL
DAY
SAVVY raises a toast to feisty women
who are empowering other women through
thought n action

49
50
FASHION
FASHION FERVOUR
Sizzle in ethnic ensembles
56 HAUTE COUTURE
The hottest international fads
58 CHIC CAPERS
Debbie Hitkaris global runway cues
60 TREND SPOT
Make a statement in dipping necklines,
retro designs, slip dresses and gingham
64 STYLE PICKS
Best fashion buys
65 STYLE SAVVY
Roohi Jaikishan sorts your look
66 STREET STYLE
Accessorize your block shirts

67
69
BODY & BEAUTY
SLEEP WELL
Actress Tina Ahuja shares her sleep secrets
70 THE LOOK
The hottest makeup trends
73 YOGA SAVVY
An asana for strength and exibility
74 STAR SECRETS
Chitrangada Singhs look fab secrets
76 FITNESS SAVVY
Your fat memory keeps you fat
80 FIT BIT
Mickey Mehta answers your tness queries
82 HEALTH SAVVY
Diabetes and the working woman
86 SEX TALK
Sex queries, answered!
90 BEAUTY BLOOM
Beauty secrets from across the globe

Photographs: Nithin Bharath

Wardrobe & Accessories: Sidney Sladen,
Amrapali Jewellery from Amethyst, Maal Gaadi
and Tina Vincent
Hair & Makeup: Veera Shekhar
Styling & Makeup Consultant: Aishvarrya
 93
94
COOKBOOK
CUISINE SAVVY
Scrumptious lunch box recipes
101 SHOPPING CART
Reviewing products on the rack
102 SAVVY PROMO
Start your day with Tops Choco Flakes
103 SHOWCASE SAVVY
Gourmet hampers from Godrej
Natures Basket and handcrafted
hampers from Food-E

105
106
FEATURES
LIFE SAVVY
Pinky Reddys life solutions
108 SIBLING REVELRY
93 Actress Rekha bonds with her sisters
112 RELATIONSHIP SAVVY
Young guys hooked to older women
116 CELEB SAVVY
Melania Trump future First Lady of
ETCETERA America?
10 MY WORD 122 DESTINATION SAVVY
Dazzling Dublin
12 YOUR WORD 125 HEART TALK
14 SAVVY WOMAN Prahlad Kakar heals your heart
126 EVENT SAVVY
16 I BELIEVE QUOTE Raveena Tandon unveils the cover of
68 BODY TALK Health & Nutrition
127 SHOW TIME
92 STYLE FILE Health & Nutrition hosted Dr Anjali
121 iSAVVY Mukerjee for an informative workshop

128 PARTY ZONE

134 COOL PICKINGS
FORM IV (RULE 8)
STATEMENT ABOUT OWNERSHIP AND OTHER PARTICULARS

138 RAH RAH BAH

ABOUT NEWSPAPER ENTITLED SAVVY TO BE PUBLISHED IN THE
FIRST ISSUE EVERY YEAR AFTER THE LAST DAY OF FEBRUARY.
1. Place of Publication : Magna House, 100/E, Old
Prabhadevi Road, Prabhadevi,
Mumbai - 400 025.
2. Periodicity of its Publication : Monthly
3. Printers Name : Ms. Andrea CostaBir
For the proprietors, Magna
Publishing Co. Ltd.
Whether Citizen of India : Yes
Address : Magna House, 100/E, Old
Prabhadevi Road, Prabhadevi,
Mumbai - 400 025.
4. Publishers Name : Ms. Andrea CostaBir
For the proprietors, Magna
Publishing Co. Ltd.
5. Editors Name : Ms. Andrea CostaBir
Whether Citizen of India : Yes
Address : Magna House, 100/E, Old
Prabhadevi Road, Prabhadevi,
Mumbai - 400 025.
6. Name and address of : 1. Mr. Nari Hira
individuals who own the 35, Millenium Towers, Breach

105
newspaper and are partners Candy, Mumbai - 400 026.
or shareholders holding : 2. Mr. Vikram Hira
more than one percent of 35, Millenium Towers, Breach
the total capital: Candy, Mumbai 400 026.
I, Andrea CostaBir, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true,
to the best of my knowledge and belief.

50
Date: February 29, 2016 Sd/-
Andrea CostaBir
Printer/Publisher
 MY WORD

A well-known media professional, Apsara (earlier

Ajay) Reddy has gone through sex reassignment surgery to
become a woman. Her I Believe is like the bursting of a dam
a mammoth whoosh of tangible, powerful energy flooding
your senses and engaging you deeply... Thanks to her body
of work, Apsara is respected in Chennais well-heeled circles
and shes now set on foraying into the political arena. With
her intelligence and guts, were sure Apsara will continue to
forge ahead! Go on girl, keep soaring...
Photograph: Sanjit Kundu

Soaring like eagles are four powerhouses boxer Ritika

Singh, filmmaker Pooja Bhatt, RTI activist Aftab Siddiqui,
and water-for-all campaigner Cynthia Koenig who rock our
Womens Day Special! All of them are creating humungous
waves in their respective fields thanks to their out-of-the-
box thought n action process. May they continue to rise,
shine and empower women...
The beauteous Melania Trump is a woman whos currently
occupying a lot of the American headspace. A former
model, she might end up being the First Lady of the USA if
husband Donald Trump triumphs at the November 2016 US
Presidential elections. Celeb Savvy gives you insights into
Melanias charmed n glamorous life... and what the world
can expect if she starts inhabiting the White House.
...While theres a 24-year age difference between Donald and
his gorgeous wife Melania, recent research avers that the
trending combination of the 21st century is the younger man-
older woman bond. Relationship Savvy dissects this equation
keenly... and tells you why umpteen couples are gung-ho
about giving it a shot! Well, with this relationship status,
woman-on-top seems to be taking on a whole new meaning...
With the world dedicating not just March 8th (International
Womens Day) but the entire month to us women, itll be
good on us to use this 31-day period to unlearn our fears,
learn new skills, get fit, breathe and live with ease... Do
More & Be More! Be a rock chick!
Love yourself first and
everything else falls into
line. You really have to love
yourself to get anything done
in this world.
Lucille Ball, actress E andrea@magnamags.com

IN-DEPTH! )
One of the reasons I love SAVVY is
that it gives equal weight to different
voices, and the coverage is in-depth
and analytical. In your February
2016 issue, on one hand you ran a
Valentines Day Special and on the
other hand, you dealt with genuine
issues. As readers, we are spoiled
for choice and no ones complaining!
Madhura Ghayal, Mumbai
APPRECIABLE!
There is always a certain element of
freshness in SAVVY. I have no words
to appreciate the article Dont Waste,
Donate (Eat Beat, SAVVY, February across the border. Its heartbreaking
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YOUR WORD
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elite paramilitary forces were killed
KEEP IT UP!
- a great loss; and six jawans died
Your January 2016 issue carried an
in Pathankot. What is the answer to
article about the sexual harassment
everlasting peace? God, please show
of a FTII diploma holder (Spot
us the way.
Light) who was asked to keep
Snehal Pratap, New Delhi
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I eagerly read your editorial columns
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plus they provide a gist of the SAVVY
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For this, Magna Publishing Co Ltd
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 SAVVY WOMAN

Inspiring!
A person who has deed society
and its norms to live a life with
complete honesty and dignity...
Apsara is a welcome n positive
change in this world. She is
beautiful and her soul is pure.
Khushboo, politician and actress

Ive known Apsara Reddy for years.

I always wondered how someone can
be this open about their views on life
and ght for their rights. Apsara is
an inspiration... to be bold and work
hard in life.
Manoj Manchu, Telugu actor

Apsara is an inspiration to all

women. When I invited her to a
conference of 500 international
and national doctors, she
wowed the audience with her
talk on surrogacy rights. She
is an icon and is revered by so
many youngsters.
Dr Kamala Selvaraj, well-
known fertility & IVF doctor
I see Apsara as a strong, talented
and no-nonsense individual who has
risen in the ranks of journalism and
life. Truly a woman who holds her own
and commands immense respect.
To be at the top of her game at a
young age and to have done it on her
own steam, despite all odds, is truly
inspiring. She is warm, friendly and
loads of fun! I see her in a leadership
role in the future.
Dr Anita Ratnam, classical dancer

Apsara is a good friend who has always shown me what true strength
is. Unapologetic, brave and totally focused is how I would describe
her. She is respected and is well loved by all of us, and Im proud to
be her friend.
Ramya Krishnan, actress

I have known Apsara for

some years now and have
watched her come into her
own with strength, dignity
and wonderful grace. She
is a journalist and media
professional who has earned
credibility and respect by
the dint of her talent and
commitment. She glows
as a beautiful and loving
woman. I have applauded
her journey thus far from the
sidelines and look forward
to seeing her attain many
more milestones in her life.
Apsara, I wish you all the
very best!
Gautami, actress
I BELIEVE
I am a SAVVY
Woman because

I accept
no
limitations.
i dont
rely on A
surname
and I have
done it
on my own
terms,
on
tough
turf!
Interviewed by
CSS Latha
 I BELIEVE
I was born as Ajay Reddy. I always wanted to be a girl. In
fact from a very young age, I used to dress up like a girl.
I would tie my hair in plaits, wear owers and slip into
my mothers footwear. Everybody encouraged me thinking
these were merely a childs pranks. But deep inside me,
I always felt I was a girl... never once like a boy. But let
me start my saga from the beginning.
MY FAMILY
My father Ramesh Reddy is from a very well-educated
family from Nellore district in Andhra Pradesh. My mother
Anuradha Reddy is actually my superhero. She too hails from
a well read and well travelled family, and is responsible for
shaping me to be the person I am today. My grandfather
Gopalkrishna Reddy too was a very generous man. He
left his entire property to me.
CHILDHOOD FLASHBACK
My mothers side looked after me very well; my dads
side, not that much. My dad was an alcoholic and he
used to constantly have issues with my mom and me.
I think even after men get married, they dont mellow
down. Instead, they like to live a bachelors life - boys
nights out and all that. My dad too continued doing
that for a very long time. And that took a huge toll on
us. There were times when he was very aggressive with
mom and me, though my mom would shield me from his
ire. My problems with him escalated even more when I
hit my teens. Thats actually when I rst told my parents
about my gender preference. But sadly, we never had a
With my dad and mum
Deep inside me, I
always felt I was a girl...
never once like a boy.
matured discussion about this because of his closed
mind and anger.
MY PROBLEMS WITH MY FATHER
I always felt that a father should be a great example to
his children but unfortunately, I always saw my father
as this person who brought friends home, indulged in
drinking, and never took interest in the house or planned
anything for the family or holidays. He lived for himself.
Being a rebellious teenager and a strong-minded person,
I always tried to stay away from him. But having said that,
my childhood was very happy simply because my mother
and I created a parallel happy life without him.
STUDENT DAYS
I studied at Sishya, a prestigious school in Chennai.
However, children too can be cruel at times. At school,
they used to call me names because I was extremely
effeminate in the way I spoke, walked or behaved. But I
was happy being who I was even though the other kids
at school gave me hell - the boys would avoid me, or say
harsh things like I was girlie, or use nasty words to describe
me. For instance, when I got up to answer a question in
class, invariably, there would be mufed giggles from the
other kids which sadly enough, even the teachers didnt
stop. But the best part is that despite all this, I performed
phenomenally well at school. I topped in my ICSE exams
and subsequently, at Lady Andal, which was a state board,
in the commerce stream.
MY QUEST TO BE A GIRL
When I was 13, I browsed through Google about a boy
wanting to be a girl. I knew that I was not gay as I had
opportunities to interact with gay people and there was
no connect. So I did extensive research online and found
out about the transgender sex and hormone changes. It
was overwhelming and scary. Yet, I was fascinated! I was
determined to go through with it, though I wondered how
I would get the money for it without my parents knowing.
That plan was therefore on hold for some time.
I knew that I was
not gay as I had
opportunities to interact
with gay people and
there was no connect.
FURTHER STUDIES
Then I went to Australia to pursue my Bachelors in
Broadcast Journalism with a specialization in Investigative
Journalism. It was the most exciting time of my life.
Alongside, The Hindu too gave me an opportunity to
write for them. For the newspaper, I interviewed eminent
personalities including Nicholas Cage, A R Rahman,
Michael Schumacher and Rubens Barichello.
I also wrote for the Bharat Times in Australia and worked
with the Indian Consulate. I worked as a media advisor
to Consul General Dr T J Rao and thats how I got the
opportunity to meet Jagdish Tytler and interview Prime
Minister John Howard there.
With my doting mum
NON-JUDGMENTAL
Australia was absolutely great. Here, I found a great set of
friends who were non-judgmental. And a whole new life
opened up for me. I discovered myself more and more.
I went to a gay club one day and there I met a beautiful
transsexual woman called Jacinta who told me about
gender counsellors. In Australia, insurance covers all
kinds of medical problems including hormone therapies,
tablets and gender counsellors. So I started visiting a
gender counsellor and simultaneously began my hormone
therapy. The counselling was extremely tough. They would
ask very weird questions about my innermost feelings,
physical attractions and details about my upbringing.
But I would always answer very honestly as I felt that it
would get me real liberation.
INFORMING MY PARENTS
After a year, I gathered the courage to tell my parents and
it was denitely the most difcult part of my life ever. I
informed my parents over the phone that I wanted to
discuss something with them. I actually rst prepared my
parents about my orientation through a few people - which
was a disaster. They twisted and turned things. Malicious
things were planted in my parents heads. They said I was
suicidal, had multiple relationships...
horrible stuff and it really impacted
my parents.
So I ew back home. And I told them
that I wanted to talk to them. I didnt
beat around the bush. I said, I am not
comfortable being a boy. I want to be a
girl. I have done my research and have
gone for gender counseling.
The reaction was vitriolic. My mother
burst out crying and my father walked
out of the room. However, after the
initial emotional outburst, my mother
and I had an intense conversation.
She asked me, Are you sure? People
look at hijrahs (eunuchs) in a certain
way Can you live in society?
I told her that I was not a hijrah. A
transgender is a completely healthy
They said I
was suicidal,
had multiple
relationships...
horrible stuff and
it really impacted
my parents.
person, mentally and physically. I also
gave her literature from PFLAG (Parents,
Families and Friends of Lesbians and
Gays). She read all of it and then took me
to Pondicherry for a whole week.
MY MOTHER STOOD BY ME
We stayed inside a room and just spoke.
We spoke about relatives, how they would
react, my career and how I would set myself
up nancially, with or without a partner, my
relationship with dad and how it would go
worse, and so many important things. My mom
told me something that I will never forget.
She said, No matter what you do, I am
going to stand by you. Whatever decisions
you take, dont make them just to prove a
point, do it to be safe and happy.It was my
biggest validation at that point and I didnt
really care what anybody else had to say.
A lot of transgenders and gays dont try and
convince their parents, they just rebel. If you
approach your parents with that abrasive
attitude, they are not going to get it. You have
to tell them that you will study hard, make
money and look after them well, and that
you will keep yourself healthy, strong, safe
and happy. And thats what parents want to
know that their child is safe and sound. I
dont think any transgender woman makes
that point.

If I walked in
somewhere, people
would giggle or turn
the other way.
However, coming back to me, though my mother stood by
me, families on both sides were not receptive to it. But at
that point, I really didnt care. I never really associated
with my fathers side of the family anyway. So I just
went back to Australia, wrapped up my degree and then
came back.
MY WORK
After three months, I got a scholarship to the City University
of London to study International Journalism with a focus on
Developmental Economics. There I worked for BBC World
Service Radio as a news and current affairs RJ and I met
an amazing person called Harvey Talwar. We dated for
a whole year. But I learned later that he was gay. This
relationship made me realise what I didnt want in life.
But Harvey is one of my best friends now.
Soon I started becoming a voice for the desi trans-woman
for the transgender Asian community. I was also part of a
Pakistani group called Himmat that lobbied against forced
Birthday celebrations
marriage in the UK. A lot of Pakistani gays and lesbians in
the UK are forcibly taken back to Pakistan and a lot of honour
killings take place.
I was chosen as the Asian ambassador for the London
Mayors Gay Asian Float.
WORKING WITH SCOTLAND YARD
I have worked with Scotland Yard to help people report
rape in the transgender community. No one listens to a
transgendered woman because they think you are different
and out there only for sex. We had a forum of ofcers
from Scotland Yard to work with us to create helplines
in different boroughs and I frontlined that. I also went
to the New York Parade and worked with DIVA - the Drag
Initiative to Vanquish Aids, and helped raise funds for
the gay, transgender and lesbian communities suffering
from HIV.
RADIO GAGA
I worked with a Melbourne-based radio station called Joy
Melbourne, which was a gay, transgender and lesbian radio
station. I did a weekly program on the phone with them
as a co-host. We interviewed achievers from the LGBT
community from across the world.
I also did a current affairs show at the BBC, after which I worked
with the Commonwealth Secretariat in the communications
and public affairs department, to talk about so-called taboo
subjects like sex, HIV, condoms
and all that. But in todays age,
it is imperative to be safe and to
know that your partner is safe.
Imposing mandatory HIV tests
is absolutely essential. HIV is
one of the fastest spreading
viruses. Im all for testing and
being transparent about your
status. You have no right to
ruin someone elses life.
MY TREATMENT
Alongside, I also began my
hormone treatment in London.
I started taking prescribed
estrogen and progesterone
tablets. And though it was a
My mother said, No
matter what you do, I
am going to stand by
you. Whatever decisions
you take, dont make
them just to prove a
point, do it to be safe
and happy.
minimum dosage, the tablets had their side effects. I started
feeling dizzy and getting nose bleeds. Sometimes I
even felt suicidal and extremely depressed. I would sob
uncotrollably at times. But I never attempted suicide
though the thought crossed my mind. There were times
when I would wake up crying, thinking I was all alone in
the world. Sometimes my nose would bleed for an hour
or so, and I would ice pack it. It was tough!
BACK TO MY ROOTS
After my stint in London, I came back to India. I knew that
this feeling of suicide might get worse. And I had no control.
So I stopped going out too much and instead focused on
At an event
alternative therapies like yoga and pranic healing. I went to
a lot of spas and booked myself for the massage therapy.
I spent all I earned on calming my mind. And I made sure
to eat healthy and workout regularly so that my transition
was not too rocky.
In India, I met Dr Usha Sriram, who gave me a lot of strength
and courage. This felt good as a lot of people had said cruel,
nasty, horrible, harsh, uncharitable and baseless things about
me. From my mental state to allegations of how I was treated
when I was a child etc - none of this is true!
Even when I was trying to be strong, keep a job and
do things in life, they would never stop. If I walked in
somewhere, people would giggle or turn the other way.
At parties, they would be nice to me on my face, but
behind my back say nasty things. I was extremely hurt.
But then I realised that the only thing that would help
me was success in my career and that kept me focused.
WORKING WITH DETERMINATION
I started working at The Indian Express newspaper as a
Features Editor and had a successful column. Being in the
press changed everything for me. The Indian Express was
not easy to work at. My boss, Aditya Sinha, however, was
very supportive. But people around me made it tough. I
would walk into the canteen and people would walk out. I
would pitch a story I wanted to write, and my peers would
 Whenever the
main staff
celebrated
someones
birthday, I was not
invited by some of
the senior editors
to be a part of the
hang out sessions,
a drink together
or a DC staff
day at someones
apartment.
dismiss it. There were situations when I
would submit a story without errorsbut in
the nal stage, they would introduce errors
in my copy. My car tyres were punctured
on the premises - I knew who it was. There
was aclan of boys who got a kick out of
doing this simply because I was their
senior despite being half their age, and I
was successful!
FACING OPPOSITION
At various events Then I was offered a very senior job at
Deccan Chronicle as the Features Editor
rst and then promoted to Senior Editor.
I was handling supplements there. And
I have to thank A T Jayanti, the Editor-
in-Chief at Deccan Chronicle - she
understood me as Apsara.
But even here, whenever the main staff
celebrated someones birthday, I was not
invited by some of the senior editors to
be a part of the hang out sessions,
a drink together or a DC staff day at
someones apartment.
My dad was really
demoralising
me before the
reassignment
surgery. But I
steeled myself and
didnt shed a tear.
Working at Deccan Chronicle, I used the female
toilet. Women were okay with it. But men would
make nasty comments about me using the
female toilet. I looked like a woman when
I started working with Deccan Chronicle,
I had long hair that was blow-dried and I
was transitioning. For me, it was the most
natural thing. I could never go into a mens
toilet. But people insisted on saying nasty
and hurtful things.
There have also been instances where we did
political stories, especially during election
time. When politicians came to the ofce
to meet other senior editors, I would meet
them too. A politician who is well-known and
powerful, backed by a powerful surname, and
I had a very interesting conversation. He told
me that I was very beautiful and that it was
great I was transitioning, and that he liked
women like me. At that point, I got the drift.
I asked him what he meant by women like
me. He said a woman with a difference and
a woman with a twist. I was taken aback
but he, very matter-of-factly, without any
thought or nervousness, said that he had a
farm house and we could spend a weekend
there. Luckily for me, I grew in my career while
this politicians career ebbed.
PROPOSITIONS GALORE
Imagine someone propositioning you in your
ofce - a media ofce at that - one would think
twice about being so direct! Suddenly, I felt
as if I had put myself in this situation since I
had chosen to be a woman. How do I protect
In the surgery, they
use your private
parts to create a
vagina without any
artificial substance.
myself? There was a lot of fear and insecurity. I also feel
that the people who protect you can sometimes be your
worst enemy. There have been instances where I am driving
at night and a police ofcer stops me. Then he realises that
I am a transgender and asks me how much I charge? Here I
am driving an Audi, and he is on a Vespa or a scooty; and he
is asking me how much I charge?! It is a scary fact that in
a country where there is so much rape happening, a cop
dares to ask me how much I charge. What if I am caught
in a wrong situation at the wrong time? Anything could
happen to me.
But on hindsight, I think whatever disgraceful place
transgenders are kept in society is entirely the fault of
the transgenders. I think we as human beings have to be
aware of how we speak, what we speak, and what our body
language says. We are a society of families, a society of
culture and tradition and values. We cant wear cleavage
showing dresses and walk the streets and clap our hands.
We cant be dancing to every man who is whistling at us
With friends
at gay parades. We should not be actively standing on the
road soliciting customers when you want empowerment and
respect as a woman. There are so many ways to survive. I
got a transgender woman a job at GG Hospital. She quit
in three days. She told me, Why do you want me to earn
in a month what I earn in a day? Unfortunately, a lot of
these transgender women are used to easy money. How
can you blame society for not respecting you? You need
to earn respect and dignity.
I dont believe in gay pride marches around India. What do you
achieve apart from visibility? If youre wearing colourful wigs
and cleavage baring saris and carrying placards basically
saying Bugger Off!, it is not opening a window for dialogue
or opportunity for sensitivity.
I think the law still says, under Section 377, that gay sex
is illegal. Transgenders, on the other hand, are lucky to be
recognized. They get passports and are factored into the
system to get PAN cards and ration cards. The law is far
more understanding and conducive to transgenders rather
than to gays. But the transgender community does very little
for itself. I think it is a sisterhood that promotes prostitution,
begging and harassment. Why cant they be self-help groups?
Why cant they be like a small scale industry on arts, crafts
and weaving? Why cant they be productive? You see them
at gay pride parades holding
placards which are shocking,
and gyrating to cheap music!
I feel ashamed to say I am
a part of the transgender
community. I know I will draw a
lot of ak from the community,
but it is shameful to want
empowerment and progress,
and to nd yourself in such a
beautiful way, and then give it
all up by doing what you do.
TO BE A WOMAN
But I was determined to carve
a beautiful life for myself. The
medical procedure doesnt
cost much to be a transgender
woman.When I was at Deccan
Chronicle (DC), I was going
Before I was
wheeled in for
surgery, my mom
very emotionally
held my hand and
told me that I could
still change my
decision.
through my hormone treatments. There
were remarkable changes. In the last two
months at DC, I went to Thailand for gender
reassignment surgery and it was the best
decision of my life. I was at a hospital in
Thailand called Yan Hee and had an amazing
doctor called Dr Sombhoon Thamrungrang.
I told him I wanted to undergo gender
reassignment surgery and that I had already
done my hormone therapy and was happy
with that. He kept me under observation
for three months. I stayed in Bangkok for
eight months during which I went for boot
camp sessions and lost the weight I had
gained with the hormones. My mum and
dad were with me for the surgery.
My dad actually made it incredibly difcult.
He made me cry three days before and after
the surgery saying a lot of insensitive and
rude things, and referring to me as he quite
knowingly. He wasnt supportive at all. It
was hard for me.
On one side, there was excitement that I
was nally going to do this. I have never
done anything behind my parents back.
So I wanted to have my parents with
me. Three days before the surgery, I was
very nervous because the survival rate
of these surgeries is low. In the surgery,
they use your private parts to create a
vagina without any articial substance.
The skin and esh are reworked to create
a vagina with sensation. However, there
No woman would dare
ask another woman how
her vagina was doing in
front of a man, but they
found it okay to do that
with me!
are no guarantees. There could be prolonged pain and
complications.
But I was determined to go through with it. For me, the
surgery was important as I wanted to be a woman completely,
organically and holistically.
So I conditioned my mind three days before the operation
that it was going to work. I went with my mum to a temple.
But my dad said some nasty and unfortunate things like:
We will never be able to lift our head again,why were
you born to us? and stuff like that. The reason I took
him along was because my mum never travels alone. My
mother is truly, deeply and madly in love with my father
and that is the only reason why I respect him. She needed
that extra person with her in the hospital. She couldnt
handle it by herself. But he was really demoralising me.
But I steeled myself and didnt shed a tear. He tried to
break me but I thought that I had come so farand I would
Cooking up a storm
not look back or let people like him bother me. I would face
things with dignity.
Before I was wheeled in for surgery, my mom very
emotionally held my hand and told me that I could still
change my decision. I told her that I would come back
more beautiful than I ever was...
GENDER CHANGE
It was an eight-and-a-half-hour long surgery. After
anaesthesia, I was brought out and placed under
observation for an hour-and-a-half. When I regained
consciousness, it was painful as hell! I cant even verbalise
the pain. Deep down, however, I felt good, despite it all.
I came out of the operation theatre and my parents were
outside. I looked at mom and gave her a big, bright smile.
I went to the room and had a nice long chat with mom.
My dad, however, continued being his usual harsh self.
A nurse and doctor told him not to visit me for a few days
because the tension with him was palpable. I was discharged
in four days and stayed at an apartment.
SURGERIES
Thailand is the centre for transition as many gender
surgeries are done there. It cost me ` 2,20,000 including
the hospital stay and food. I was on painkillers and there
were times when I couldnt move. For 15 days after the
surgery, I was on bed rest. Dad and I
didnt speak at all. In fact, I decided to
shut him out and not speak. It was not
worth my while.
After the operation was a success,
I very excitedly started planning
what and where to shop for my new
wardrobe. A lot of friends called me
up and I told them that I had done
the most liberating thing in my life,
and the last thing I wanted to know
was what the party circle in Chennai
was thinking of me.
When I came back home, it was initially
awkward because people asked very
weird and hilarious questions like:
How do you have sex now? How does
it work?Telling people how a vagina
Most men dare
to date me, but
are unwilling
to dignify the
relationship
with marriage.
works was not my ideal dinner date
conversation!
Id just say that I was glad I went
through the operation, but could
we talk about something else? But
the question would pop right back!
No woman would dare ask another
woman how her vagina was doing
in front of a man, but they found it
okay to do that with me! And I would
always look at the boyfriend and say
better than hers, Im sure. Those
were difcult times. Really, what do
you say to them?!
WORKING AGAIN
But my work opened up new
dimensions for me. I did a TV show
calledNatpudan Apsara on Thandi
Network. In fact, I had an offer
from Thandi TV and other television
channels too to do a talk show. But
I had a bad experience in the initial
interaction with a television producer.
A former DC employee was now
working as a television producer. I took
a friend along and went to the meeting.
The guys attitude was demeaning. He
wanted me to flirt on camera, make
fun of myself, dress freakishly and be
animated. I was going to be the butt
of all jokes. I refused and walked out,
feeling disappointed that a man who
heads a major network in South India,
had such an impression of me.
Then Thandi TV approached me
again. And I had a fantastic Season
It was touching to
hear people like actor
Dhanush saying he inspired him. Another actor Sharat Kumar told me that he
valued me for who I am and not for what I had between
was a fan of mine and my legs. It was all so reassuring!
that I inspired him. Then I had an offer from an investor Sasidhar Reddy, who

Another actor Sharat is my fathers close friend, to head a weekly tabloid in

South India. My father was always a thorn in my esh.
Kumar told me that he His friendship with the investor inuenced decisions in
the functioning of the business. The whole world thought
valued me for who I it was my babybut no one knew the goings-on of what had

am and not for what I
had between my legs. It
was all so reassuring!
1 - the ratings were high, it was the most talked about
show and a lot of actors tweeted about it. I had so many
A-listers on the show. It was touching to hear people like
actor Dhanush saying he was a fan of mine and that I
happened. I had to risk my reputation as a journalist when I
walked out of this project. My dignity was far more important.
People thought I had given up. But I am a ghter. I
wouldnt let a bad incident stop me. Now I head Provoke
magazine. I am also conceptualising and launching a
leadership academy based on the journey I have had, and
the people and the luminaries I have met.
LOVE & HAPPINESS
As for my love life, there are a lot of interesting men

At different events
I feel ashamed to say
I am a part of the
transgender community.
I know I will draw a
lot of flak from the
community, but it
is shameful to want
empowerment and
progress and then give
it all up by doing what
you do.
who are happy to date me and rather openly too.
But for the moment I am not in that space after
having let go off my long term partner. We had a
great relationship but we were evolving as separate
individuals. I believe in individual excellence and
for me, individual nancial security and growth
are very important. Our pace and passions never
matched. So we mutually called it off. He did end
it in a bitter way. But I have no regrets or memories
I wish to hold on to. Im practical that way.
As for marriage, most men dare to date me but are
unwilling to dignify the relationship with marriage.
They still fear the stigma. But most, if not all, reconnect
with their trans-partner even after their marriage. I
wish men had the courage and conviction to stand
by their love and make a home with an individual of
their choice. The world dictates far too many formulaic
relationships. Its more fun and sensible to be different
and happy.
POLITICS & ME
I am keen on joining politics now. I think transgender
politicians are on the fringes and are not in a
position to effect change. I think it is about time
mainstream parties consider transgender candidates
as important members. Ignoring us in the political
equation is injustice.
Recently, I met up with the State President Tamilisai
Soundarajan and Muralidhar Rao, the National
I am happy to be a
part of a party that is
helmed by a visionary to happened to be Sasidhar Reddy. My father was
spending borrowed cash at his gambling den. And
like Modiji. I want to Sasidhar Reddy was fuelling that habit by lending

effect change in terms him money. My mother always thought that Sasidhar
was a well-wisher and would guide my father out of
of womens welfare and alcoholism and gambling. Instead, we had to sell
our home and move into our uncles place.
childrens rights. Dad even started staying at Sasidhar Reddys home.
There was no record of money given to my dad
General Secretary of the BJP, who invited me to
either. My mother just went by my dads word. Today,
join the party and push the agenda of change and
Sasidhar Reddy is using my father to ght the battle
development. I am happy to be a part of a party that
against us. Alcohol and gambling can do so much
is helmed by a visionary like Modiji. I want to effect
damage to families and women who are dependent on
change in terms of womens welfare and childrens
their men. I feel women should use their own minds
rights. I want to work on child protection and womens
and control their own nances. This is a hard lesson
welfare. I think it is important for women to empower
that weve learnt from this. But we are poised as we
women. Her economic calibration inspires me.
are together, and the only way is up.
BUT NOT FOR TRANSGENDERS
MY JOURNEY
I am very clear that I dont want to do anything for the
The journey was tough but there were also high
transgender community. People ask me why I wont
points. I was awarded the Womens Excellence Award
be an activist for it. But who was there for me? Who
by Jaguar in 2012. I have presented a speech as a
helped me? Each individual has the power and
keynote speaker at Princeton University in the US
strength to live life meaningfully. The transgender
on the foundations of liberty and the importance of
community should make meaningful choices. No
plurality in society. When I look back, I am proud
one can prescribe a perfect potion for happiness.
about making this decision. As for all those who throw
Yes, my life can be a message, but I am not there
their religious books at me, I have just one thing to
to hand hold anyone. I have a vision for myself and
say: Go say a prayer because I aint going no where!
my own family.
I have never been the type to stop living my life
and wait for the world to come around. Instead, I
show the way and the world seems to have been quite
happy in embracing me. So to engage specically
with a community that has no will or inclination to
change, would be denigrating my entire journey to
mainstream myself.
MY FATHERS PROBLEMS
My father recently teamed up with Sasidhar Reddy who
also runs a gambling den and in a murky deal that reeks
of a pre-planned motive, duped my mother and me of
money and our home. My father used to frequent
the gambling den. My mother was forced to sign
papers because of my dads mounting debts. Much
later did we realise that the man we owed money
For more jaw-dropping and inspiring
cover stories (I Believe),
log on to magnamags.com
 Womens Day
Special

Theyre fiery, feisty and completely out-of-the-box! SAVVY pays

tribute to fabulous ladies who have chased unconventional
dreams and are making an impact in unchartered territories!
 SAVVY SPECIAL

Out Of
THE RING
Ritika Singh tells Sumita Chakraborty how she became
a boxer, and now an actress, despite the odds.
Her heart was set on learning karate from the age of
three, and her doting father decided to train the tiny
tot in all kinds of martial arts including kick-boxing.
And though they belonged to a very conservative
family where girls werent allowed to walk around
without a ghunghat or a dupatta, her resilience and
strong will made 21-year-old Ritika Singh break out
of narrow social constraints.
Today, she is considered as one of the most promising
female boxers in India. She says, In India, its tough
for a female to be a boxer. In fact, whenever I tell
anybody that I am a professional boxer, people look
at me with complete surprise. But I dont care. I was
determined to represent the country and despite
the many problems I faced, I am now listed amongst
the top 20 female boxers in India.

I know I am
And though Ritika laments that her journey as a boxer
was beseiged by too many ungainly woes - from not

very good at
having the right equipment and coach, to even being
asked for sexual favours - she refused to bow down

boxing,
to any kind of pressure. Ritika avers, I kicked a lot
of butts to reach this far. Thats because I honed
myself to be strong physically and mentally. And I
think my hard work paid off and I was included in
many prestigious boxing championships.

but I want However, it was a stint at the prestigious MMA (Mixed

to push
Martial Arts) reality show that caught the eye of actor
R Madhavan who recommended her to acclaimed
director Rajkumar Hirani for his film Saala Khadoos.
And voil, Ritika turned actress! She says with a

myself
grin, Imagine, I, who has had no connection with
Bollywood, has become an actress! So what would
she call herself now? An actress boxer! Ritika laughs,

to be a fine
I am very good at boxing, but now I want to push
myself to be a fine actress too. More power to her!

actress.
 Water Works
Cynthia Koenig shares with Sumita Chakraborty her
reasons for creating the much-needed Water Wheel.
Canadian born social innovator Cynthia Koenigs
heart was set on designing a device to transport
water in a more efficient and hygienic way in
places where water is scarce. She says, While
based in a remote village in Mexico, I struggled
to haul enough water to meet my daily needs.
And I saw for myself how this affected the women
and girls access to opportunity; ultimately
Wello is a
social
venture
with the
ambitious
goal of
delivering
clean water to a
thirsty world.
trapping them and their entire families in the
cycle of poverty. As time went by, I noticed that
this was not only in Mexico but across many
different cultures and geographies. I actually
mused whether a business approach to poverty
alleviation might offer solutions. So I pursued
an MS/ MBA at the Erb Institute for Global
Sustainability at the University of Michigan,
US. After which, Cynthia designed the Water
Wheel, a round 50-liter container that enables
people to roll water from water sources rather
than carry it on their heads. This allows for three
to five times more water to be transported at
one time as compared to traditional methods.
After receiving the $100,000 Grand Challenges
Canada Prize to develop the Water Wheel,
Cynthia founded Wello. And the first Water
Wheel was manufactured in 2012! By the next
year, Wello rolled out its revolutionary Water
Wheel in the desert lands of Rajasthan in
India to joyous villagers. Cynthia says, Wello
is a social venture with the ambitious goal of
delivering clean water to a thirsty world. We
design products and solutions that people not
just need, but want.
And today, Cynthias Wello is on a roll. It has
won the Dow Sustainability Challenge Grant and
earned the Social Impact Award at the 2010
Michigan Business Challenge. Additionally,
Wello has been approached by the United Nations
and is in discussions with the organization about
providing Water Wheels to the troubled Darfur
region of Sudan.
The Tireless
CRUSADER
Aftab Siddiqui tells Adelaine Kane why she fights for
the rights of various citizen groups despite the threats.
Aftab Siddiqui is extremely popular in Khar and
Bandra West (H-Ward) of Mumbai and can be seen
daily making the rounds of the BMC and Government
offices, filing RTIs, serving notices to errant officials
and questioning irregularities. Along with being the
Chairperson of ALM (Advanced Locality Management)
144, she also acts as a guiding light to many citizen
groups fighting civic issues like encroachments, traffic
woes, tree cutting etc in Mumbai.
We
have to be
prepared
- in a field
like this,
anything
may
happen.
Nothing stops this brave lady. She has spent nights at
the BMC office, refusing to leave until her RTI papers
were produced, and has taken on 500 hawkers at a
time - a feat that invited threats to her life and got
her 24/7 police protection for two years. But thanks
to these efforts, Bandras famous Linking Road is
largely free of hawkers today and the BMC of H-Ward
has won the title of the cleanest suburb in Mumbai.
Aftab is, incidentally, the first cousin of Congress MP
Baba Siddiqui. But she steers clear from politics.
How can activists and politicians ever work together?
she asks us with a smile. Its very well though, as her
sincere efforts have been appreciated and awarded she
bagged the News 24 Activist Award, the Khar Residents
Award and also was a nominee of the Mumbai Mirrors
Heroes of Mumbai campaign in 2013.
So what does she do to unwind when it all gets too much?
Thats why I have this job as a teacher, she laughs.
Activism comes later. Teaching balances my mind
because getting into activism is actually depression.
Youll get a nervous breakdown or a heart attack!
Winding up, as a single lady, isnt she afraid for her
safety? Aftab says, We have to be prepared - in a field
like this, anything may happen. In my mind, the Almighty
is there. I may cross the road and I may die. That may
be my fate. So what is there to be afraid of?
Photograph Sanjit Sen
 The Bold & The
BEAUTIFUL
Pooja Bhatt tells Sumita Chakraborty why shes
spotlighting orgasms for her new web series.
Shes bold and loves to tread where every man
or woman fear to tread. Meet the I-give-a-
damn Pooja Bhatt who now plans to make a
web series 12 Women, 12 Stories & Multiple
Orgasms. Pooja avers, I actually first told my
dad, Mahesh Bhatt, about this and though he
is normally quite unflappable, he just looked at
me and said, What happened to you?!.
She adds, I have always done the unimaginable.
At the age of 17, I announced to the world I
wasnt a virgin and had a boyfriend. And from
posing nude with just body paint on her for the
cover of Stardust, to a host of other stuff that

Bold is not
has made the world gasp with shock, Pooja
has always walked the untrodden path. She

posing
says, Its not really for the shock value that I
insist on handling things which are supposedly
taboo. I am at that stage in life where I want
to be provoked into going to the sets. Bold

in a swimsuit
is not posing in a swimsuit or stripping, its
talking about taboo subjects like orgasms,
which even today is a mystery to most women.

or stripping, its
Poojas stories in the web series will be shot all
across India. Theres an item gal who turns on
the world but has never been turned on herself;

talking about
a prostitute who teaches a young girl to pleasure
herself to escape the brutality at the hands of

taboo
men night after night; a widow at 50 who takes
on a lover and for the first time, experiences the
pleasures of sex.
Pooja says, A woman is not truly empowered
unless she is liberated financially and sexually.

subjects like
Its time we respected and revelled in our bodies
rather than treat them as a mans fantasy.
Kudos to this gutsy woman!

orgasms.
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Inez and Vinoodhs
18-karat gold fashion stakes!
interlinked rings
` 3,40,000

Ippolitas Rock
Candy earrings in
18-karat gold with
bezel-set gemstones
like turquoise,
amethyst, peridot
Es and topaz ` 3,00,000
Aznabors
short ubrella
skirt dress
with a deep
V neck
` 2,60,000
Sophia
Websters
Bobbie Twist
sandals
` 2,10,000
 Aquazzuras sandals
crafted in beige
raffia and fastend
with slim ankle ties
` 98,000

Paula Cademartoris
Dun Dun bag
` 2,00,000

Dolce & Gabbanas

Sicily bag
` 1,20,000

Balenciagas Giant
12 City tote
` 1,87,000

Aquazzuras Colorado
Kyes summer dress sandals embroidered with Accessories Photographs Courtesy
` 2,10,000 yellow, pink and black H www.net-a-porter.com
threads in a distinctive
Aztec style ` 1,00,000
 CHIC CAPERS
Global
eye
Spring 2016 celebrates blossoming femininity
expressed by a clever blend of Victorian
inspiration and subtle tweaks of modernity.
COLOUR CODE
The colours that are trending this season are red,
pale pink, white, royal blue, navy, grey, yellow,
emerald green and black n white monochrome.
JACKET CHIC
Jacket dresses with fluid pleating are trending.
Parkas embroidered with glittering flowers are
very much in demand!
Long, navy blue bar jackets worn as dresses get
a big thumbs up!
TOP NOTCH
Tailored white shirts with oversized cuffs and
subtle detailing showcase the expression of
extraordinary savoir faire.
Debbie Hitkari the
stunning, globetrotting
industrialist guides you
through the international
fashion circuit with lan.
Cropped tops and shorts worn under jackets are
much sought after.
Feminine off-shoulder tops, subtly exposing a
little shoulder, worn over pleated skirts, look
immensely chic.
Silk satin tops teamed with silk organza ruffled
skirts feel sweetly 60s!
Nautical striped shirts, skirts and trousers
look wow!
Organza beaded tops teamed with silk tulle
skirts give a feel of Victorian luxe and are a
great choice to wear for an evening out.
DRESSED UP!
The slip dress is one new piece this
season that you must invest in. Beloved
of the 90s supermodels it is your new
evening essential!
The colour red is
trending! And handbags
in exotic skins
crocodile, lizard, python,
ostrich are coveted!
Suits have made a comeback wear a pantsuit
with a lace camisole or with a cropped top for an
instant style update.
Broderie anglaise this essential summer dress
is springs prettiest trend and will see you through
all your seasonal soires.
Ruffled tops and dresses are very in - feminine but
not too girly, a modern take on traditional ruffles.
Cotton-lace-tulle beaded dresses look stunning!
Embroidered macram lace dresses look ethereal.
Floral printed chiffon dresses are much sought
after.
Tulle and net dresses with metallic detailing
look fabulous!

ADD ONS
Flat forms are the trending footwear of the season.
Metallic handbags make a big comeback!
Handbags in exotic skins crocodile, lizard,
python, ostrich are coveted!
The tangle bag bunched at the top, this paper
bag style leather bag with chrome hardware is
definitely a contender for bag of the season!

BLING!
The hair accessory of the season is the tiara.
Accessorize your ears with big hoops this spring.
Big chokers worn on the neck get a thumbs up!
Classic pearls make a great style statement.

Photograph Vikram Bawa

Outfit & Jewellery Debbie Hitkaris personal collection
 T REND SPOT

Dipping
Necklines:
As necklines
dip lower
and lower,
the fashion
quotient gets
so much
higher. It
suits most

wow
women.

Parade!
Sumitta Chakraborty scales
S
t fas
the f shion heights with dipping
necklines, retro designs, slip
necklin
dresses and gingham.
Retro Desig
R igns: Bold, geometrical, abstract
d i
designs aree in. They actually are attention
nd make a fashionable impact.
grabbers an
 Slip
i Dresses:
D Are sensuous yet chic. Though
they look like glorified slips, they have a
sslinky
i y and sexy edge. You can wear them
aat an elegant do and come out looking fab!
Gingham: This has been trending for some
time now. It has a very summeery ffeel and
looks great as day wear. Team wi f
with colourful
footwear to make a chic statemeent..
 STYLE PICKS

Uber
EYE SPY
S Y
Chic
S azzy grey aviators from
Snazz Stylish, trendy
Nau!, the Italian eye
wear brand. According
and super
to a Nau! spokesperson, cool... We pick
These aviators are rocking fashion
perfect for a formal do. must haves to
We have recently forayed
into the Indianmarket
enhance your
with an exclusive store in look!
SUMMER LOVIN
Gurgaon.
Elegant grey bag with a dainty
t ` 3,990 oral pattern from Lavie.
HOT STEPPER
S The Ambience Mall, Bhavneet Sejpal, Marketing
Chic platform ips from
Gurgaon Head, Lavie, avers, This is a
Crocs. Classy, versatile,
classy Lavie handbag just right
comfy and super stylish,
to impress onlookers with its
these ips add a little
gorgeous oral laser design.
oomph to your everyday
work wear. t ` 5,260
S Across Lavie outlets,
t ` 2,995
Bagzone, Shoppers Stop,
S www.shopcrocs.in
Lifestyle, Pantaloons, Amazon,
Myntra, Jabong and Flipkart.
 STYLE SAVVY
RADAR
I have really thin shoulders. But
I hate the idea of shoulder pads.
Is there any way I can make my
shoulders fuller without wearing
shoulder pads?
Jasmine Barucha, Mumbai
Shoulder pads are an 80s trend
that people are apprehensive to
embrace. If worn properly, its the
most attering trend. They work
best with a jacket (think Balmain as
inspiration) or even a jumpsuit, always
long sleeved and nipped at the
waist. Team the jacket with skinny
jeans. Keep your accessories to
the minimum.
Im 22 and 5 2 tall. I am meeting
my online boyfriend for the first time
soon. He has already told me that he
loves fashionable women. Though I stick
to salwar kameezes or jeans, what else
can I wear to impress him?
Misha Kapoor, New Delhi
What to wear on the first
date? Its always a dilemma and
CHIC
Glamazon Roohi
Jaikishan gives you
the haute edge.
comes with an attack of wardrobe panic.
A few rules: A little research about the venue, so
you are appropriately dressed. Comfort, you cant
be dgety. Plan ahead of time what you will
wear. Go with casual jeans, ats, t-shirt or a
smart shirt with sunnies for a casual daytime
look. For lunch or dinner, try a shift dress
or skinny jeans with a silk camisole blazer,
heels and a clutch. All the best!
I want to wear short mini dresses like all my
college mates but I have fat calves. What do
I wear so that I dont end up looking tacky?
Anandita Mehra, Mumbai
Its all about visual balance; take the
attention away from your calves and
towards a more flattering feature.
Choosing the right shoe is essential.
With a mini, I would choose a shoe thats
a nude colour. Wear a monochromatic
look; darker colours. Do not colour block
the mini!
Fashion frazzled? Send in your questions
to hot-stepper Roohi Jaikishan at SAVVY,
Magna House, Old Prabhadevi Road, Prabhadevi,
Mumbai -25. E savvy@magnamags.com
 STREET STYLE

Who: Saloni Mehta | Seth GS Medical College, Mumbai

Style Check: Block shirts are very comfortable for the
perfect day-to-day look.
SAVVY Loves: The watch
S Fossil
salonimehta1997

CHECKMATE!
Darius Xavier Fernandes snaps
collegians who show us how to jazz
up block shirts this season.

Who: Velda Nair | Don Bosco College, Mumbai

Style Check: Block shirts make me look very
elegant with a few cookout combinations.
SAVVY Loves: The neckpiece
S Colaba Market, Mumbai
thezellda

Who: Arantxa Aquino | St Andrews College, Mumbai

Style Check: Block shirts are easy to match and
carry off. Style it casually or formally.
SAVVY Loves: The earrings
S Bandra Market, Mumbai
arantxa2610

Photographs Darius Xavier Fernandes

Think you are trendy and cool? Follow us on facebook and instagram, plus
send in your pictures. savvymagzineindia /savvymagazineindia
body & beauty

Diabetes the rising

nemesis of working
women. Mickey Mehtas
cool stay-fit mantras.
Actress Chitrangada
Singhs get-wow secrets.
The magic asana to beat
anxiety. Your body has
fat memory Be in top
shape with SAVVY!
 BODY TALK

anxiety, dietary changes, poor

personal hygiene etc. Laser
treatment for hair removal
does not affect the sweat
secretion or bacteria on the
body in any way. In fact, it
would help eliminate body
odour by removing hair which
can trap the bacteria. It is best
if your friend gets evaluated
by a dermatologist to find
out the cause of increasing
body odour.
Is rebonding advisable? Please
help!
Urvashi Ranga, Delhi
Rebonding involves breaking
the bonds that exist in
curly hair with the help of a
chemical formula. And then
the application of neutralisers
restructures the bonds of your

Be Beautiful
Recently my friend did hair removal laser therapy
on most parts of her body. She feels that her body
odour has increased ever since. Is that a side effect
of the treatment?
Ruhi Sippy, Mumbai
Body odour occurs due to the breakdown of
Dr Bindu proteins and fatty acids present in sweat by
bacteria residing on the body. An increase in
Sthalekar
body odour can occur due to a variety of factors
helps you like change in hormonal levels, emotional stress,
look n feel
beautiful!
hair. Since it involves chemical
manipulation of hair, I do not
advise undergoing it.
What should I do to have longer
and thicker eyelashes?
Kaushala Tambe, Pune
Eyelashes frame the eyes
and draw attention to the
face, making the eyes look
even more beautiful. Apart
from artificial measures like use of mascara
and fake eyelashes, application of a medicine
called bimatoprost can give thicker and
longer eyelashes, but this is best done under
medical supervision. A few home remedies
like application of almond oil, green tea
or vitamin E on the eyelashes gives the
appearance of thicker eyelashes.
Send in your beauty queries to: Body Talk, SAVVY, Magna
House, Old Prabhadevi Road, Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 25
E savvy@magnamags.com
Sleep
Well
Actor Govindas
daughter Tina Ahuja,
who recently debuted in
Second Hand Husband,
talks to Sumita
Chakraborty about her
sleep mantras.
As an actor, I need my beauty sleep so that
I wake up looking radiant, happy and alert.
Obviously, to get good sleep, you need a
good mattress. I prefer sleeping on a soft
mattress and like my blanket to be soft
and cozy.
I have a glass of warm milk or milk mixed
with cocoa just before I go to bed. I also do
a little bit of deep breathing, it makes me
feel light and peaceful... and I sleep well.
 THE LOOK

Maybelline Street Wear Color Rich Lip Balm t ` 150

Revlon ColorStay Gel Envy Nail Enamel t ` 425

Maybelline Fit Me! Liquid Foundation t ` 525

Colorbar Sheer Glass Lip Gloss t ` 675
LOral Paris La Vie En Rose t ` 995

Naturally
Maybelline Super Black Kajal t ` 299

GORGEOUS
Expert makeup artiste Clint
Fernandes cues Sumita
Chakraborty into looking
perfect this season!
DAY WEAR
The look is subtle, simple yet well-defined. Light
hues in gloss or lipstick give a natural look. Fresh
colours are in. For the eyes, the look is natural. They
are well-defined with a dash of kajal or eyeliner. Maybelline Fit Me!
Blush t ` 400
Revlon Bold Lacquer Length & Volume Mascara t ` 895

Maybelline New York HyperMatt Liquid Liner

e t ` 325
Maybelline Hyperglossy Electrics t ` 275

Maybelline Hyperglossy Electrics t ` 275

Colorbar
C l b Sh Sheer Gl
Glass Li
Lip Gl
Gloss t ` 675

NIGHT SIGHT

eyeshadows too.
Revlon ColorStay Shadowlinks t ` 195

LOral Paris La Vie En Rose t ` 950

with glitter looks ultra glam. Play with metallic

- smokey as well as strong lines. Kohl layered
and orange rule the lips. For the eyes, use kohl
Shades of vibrant pink, rich burgundy, scarlet
Maybelline
y Color Show t ` 299

Revlon Ultra Lipstick

p t ` 1100

ColorBar All Day Waterproof Eyeshadow Stick t ` 850

Maybelline Color Sensational Lip Gradation t ` 500

Maybelline Color Sensational Li

Lip Gradation t ` 500
 YOGA SAVVY

Stretch
It Off!

Rinaldo Dsouza shows you how to improve flexibility,

curb back pain and reduce anxiety with a simple asana.

T
he trikonasana or the triangle pose is an
exceptional yoga pose which is extremely simple.
It doesnt require much space either. Just stand,
breathe, bend and loose yourself to this lovely asana.
STRIKE THIS POSE:
Stand straight with your feet comfortably spread wide
apart (about 3-4 feet). Turn the right foot out 90 and
move the left in by 15. Raise your arms to shoulder
level, making sure that your feet are pressing against
the ground to balance your body weight equally. Take
a deep breath and as you exhale, bend towards the
right, keeping your waist straight. Your left hand
must rise up in the air as you bend, touching the right
arm to the floor so that your arms are perpendicular to
the floor.
Try to touch your right hand on your ankle or shin without
hurting your waist. Then, tilt your head to the left, gently
gazing at the left thumb. Stretch as much as your body
allows, bending your body sideways instead of falling
forward or backward. Inhale as you finish and straighten
up, bringing your arms and feet back to starting position.
Repeat on the other side.
BENEFITS:
Stretches the legs, ankles, arms, chest, hips, hamstrings,
calves and spine. It also helps improve digestion and
flexibility; while curbing anxiety, back pain and sciatica.
AVOID:
If suffering from migraine, low or high blood pressure,
neck or back injuries.
 STAR SECRETS

tun
S ign n !
The gorgeous Chitrangada Singh tells Sumita
Chakraborty that positive thinking and the right
skin and haircare regime make her look WOW!

and a few almonds. For breakfast, I either have oats

BOD TALES
with honey or egg whites and toast. Lunch is a bowl of
Back To The Basics: Thanks to my genes, I have
dal with roti, or brown rice. Dinner is either a bowl of
healthy skin. So I avoid wearing makeup when Im
soup, dal and roti; or grilled chicken and salad. I snack
not working.
on digestive biscuits and fruits throughout the day.
My Beauty Regime: Is simple. I drink lots of fluids
throughout the day and avoid eating spicy food. Also,
DRESS SENSE
I always stay positive and this reflects on my skin.
Closet Tales: I like stylish, simple ensembles. No
Makeup Regimen: I try not to use any beauty products specific fave designers, though I love Dolce &
with chemical content. My M.A.C liner gives me my Gabbana, Zara and Topshop.
signature look and my SK-II lotion keeps my skin
Shoe Shine: I love a pair of nice heels. Even if youre
moisturized throughout the day. Also, I look after
wearing a smart dress with good accessories but
my eyebrows a lot as I feel they give the perfect
your heels arent good, everything goes for a toss!
shape to my face.
Perfume Power: I love perfumes. I tend to buy a
Hair Care: A regular weekly massage with coconut
perfume I really like and even before I finish it, I buy
oil does wonders for my hair.
more. I like the fact that when I open my cupboard,
Diet Dos: I start the day with a glass of fresh juice it smells of the perfume I like.
 FITNESS SAVVY

FaT
TRAP?
Amber Dias gets to the bottom of how
your bodys fat memory keeps you fat.
m
ina has been battling obesity for a long
time. After undergoing a very strict,
supervised diet and exercise regimen, she
was able to lose 20 kgs. Ecstatic, she decided to
treat herself to a small vacation. However, when she
returned, she found that she had regained more than
half the weight she had lost, despite maintaining a
healthy diet, though not as strict as before.
Sounds familiar? How many times have you battled
the bulge only to regain what you lost the moment
you took a breather? It definitely puts a damper on
things, especially after all that hard work you put
in. But did you know that your body actually puts
up a fight against weight loss? It all comes down to
a phenomenon termed as fat memory.

FAT FACTS
When understanding fat memory, it is first essential
to understand that there are two types of fat gain -
hypertrophic when existing fat cells get bigger and
hyperplastic when new fat cells are created. Fat
cells are created and established between childhood
and adolescence. Post adolescence, the number
of fat cells in the body is set. However, when an
individual gains weight, the fat cells are enlarged to
accommodate the excess. But when the existing fat
cells reach their limit, new cells are created this
is to protect the body from a spillover of fat into the
liver or other organs.
When we lose weight, fat is pulled from the existing
cells and they shrink in size. However, the number
of fat cells does not reduce. A formerly fat or obese
individual like Mina who has reduced up to 20% of
body fat, still has the same number of fat cells as
she did before losing weight.

THE GAMES HORMONES PLAY

Obesity specialist Dr Donna Ryan, Associate
Director, Clinical Research, Pennington Biomedical
Research Centre, LA, USA, says, It is a popular
Increasing your daily
dose of physical activity
will improve your
chances of maintaining
your weight loss.
misconception that losing weight is strictly a matter
of willpower. Its a gigantic task because not only do
we move through an incredible buffet of food spread
before us every day, but we also have a fierce battle
with our biological responses.
Researchers explain that when an individual begins
to lose weight, the body registers the loss and actively
tries to resist the weight loss. This is largely due to
the physiology of fat cells and the secretion of the
hormone leptin.
Leptin, also known as the satiety hormone, is produced
by the fat cells to regulate energy. In other words,
it inhibits hunger by sending out signals that the
body is full. When an individual loses weight, the
leptin levels in the body begin to drop. This sends a
signal to the brain indicating that the fat storage is
shrinking and energy must be conserved. As a result,
metabolism drops as do energy levels, discouraging you
from participating in any kind of strenuous physical
activity. At the same time, appetite is stimulated;
prompting the individual to consume more food to
regain lost energy.
In this scenario, the already established fat cells
are likely to regain the lost weight in the presence
of excess energy that the body is prompting you to
consume. Therefore, Dr Ryan suggests that in order
to keep weight in control, the individual who has lost
weight will need to consume fewer claries as compared
to a an individual who has not lost weight a caloric
handicap, as she terms it.

BATTLING BIOLOGY
While it may seem like your body is against you in the
war against unwanted body fat, all is not lost. You can
fight back against lowered metabolism with a little
dose of good old-fashioned exercise and a strict diet.
Keep in mind though, reversing hypertrophic (when
existing fat cells get bigger) weight gain is easier to
accomplish and maintain. Whereas in the case of
hyperplastic (where new fat cells are created) weight
gain, an individual would have to work much harder
to shrink his/ her fat cells to a size below normal.
However, this too is doable.
Researchers studying the effects of diet and exercise on
fat cells at Wake Forest University School of Medicine,
North Carolina, USA, discovered that exercise, perhaps
more than diet, can help reduce the size of fat cells,
especially that which accumulates around the waist.
Some studies demonstrated that high physical activity
levels can help maintain weight loss. In one study,
subjects who expended 1,000 calories per week regained
most of the weight lost, but subjects who expended
2,500 calories per week maintained their weight loss.
Obesity experts insist that if you want to lose weight
and maintain it, at least an hour of moderate intensity
exercise is essential. Be it walking briskly, cycling,
jogging, aerobics or hitting the gym, find an exercise
routine and stick to it.
Keeping an eye on
Additionally, increasing your daily dose of physical
activity throughout the day will dramatically improve
your diet is a must. For
your chances of maintaining your weight loss for the long
haul. Small things like riding a bike to work, parking
most, high fiber, low
a car further away from a destination or taking the fat and low sugar diets
stairs instead of the elevator/ escalator will boost your
overall calorie burn. However, be aware that activity
win the day.
tends to decrease on an unconscious level in part,
due to decreased energy levels. You need to make a apoptosis or the process of cell death. This is achieved
deliberate and conscious effort to get as much activity by eating the right foods, exercising and losing weight
as possible throughout the day, every day. followed by the use of several natural substances such
And, of course, keeping an eye on your diet is a must. as turmeric that have shown to produce apoptosis in
For most, high fiber, low fat and low sugar diets win fat cells. However, this is still under speculation and
the day. But consulting a specialist about your specific should be treaded over cautiously.
dietary needs is advised. Most importantly, do not starve In the end, it bottles down to one thing - you. If you
yourself. When the body does not receive sufficient want to lose weight and keep it off, you have to be
nutrition, it enters something scientists have termed as willing to put in the effort. Its a lifelong challenge,
starvation mode and holds on to energy reserves aka fat but once you find what works for you and keep at it,
to sustain itself, making weight loss almost impossible. keeping your weight down will be just another part
New research conducted in the USA reveals that the of your day!
body can perform a process termed as adipocyte
 FIT BIT
Shapin
Im 23 and severely overweight. I am determined to lose
weight and even sorted out a workout regime for myself.
However, I just cant wake up in the morning to exercise
and by the time I get back from work, I am too drained to do
anything. How do I get my energy levels up?
Gauri Shah, New Delhi
I hope you understand the importance of regular,
productive activity. Any lack of this and a bad diet are
the main contributing factors to weight gain. If you
persistently keep putting off your exercise schedule,
you are going to do more harm to yourself and your
determination and goals of losing weight will go for
a toss. No weight loss goal has seen the light of day
UpHolistic wellness guru
Mickey Mehta helps you
stay fit and healthy.
without a good, sensible eating plan as well. Since
you have not mentioned your food likes and dislikes,
let me also suggest that you keep a check on what you
consume. Incorporate fruits, veggies, salads, sprouts,
vegetable juices, a few nuts etc with moderate quantities
of whole grains. A combination of these food choices
and waking up to exercise or taking brisk walks will up
your energy levels and motivate you to wake up early for
your workout. No compromise on that.
Im 25 and tend to put on flab on my hips, thighs and arms.
What kind of exercise should I do to tone up?
Alexa Dsouza, Mumbai
If flab on your arms is making you unhappy, here are a
few simple exercises that you can do daily. Start with a
good warm-up session consisting of jumping jacks, spot
running, skipping, side bends, toe touches, neck and
shoulder rotations etc. You can start with 8-10 rounds of
suyranamaskar which is an excellent full body workout.
It is a series of postures and is a complete body workout
that stretches, strengthens and aligns the entire body
including your arms and shoulders. It also helps weight
loss, promotes flexibility and stamina. Apart from this,
you can do tricep dips, bicep curls, arm rotations and
punching or boxing moves. These are effective exercises
to strengthen and tone your arms. These exercises can
be done even at home and you can use light dumb-bells
or resistance tubes. Eat smart with loads of fiber rich
foods like fruits, veggies, greens, sprouts, nuts etc to
regulate your blood sugar levels, rev up your metabolism
and for better immunity.
 HEALTH SAVVY
Decoding
Diabetes
Dr Ramen Goel, Director, Center of Bariatric and
Metabolic Surgery, Wockhardt Hospitals, talks about the
dangers of the rise of diabetes among working women.
Diabetes as a disease is as unsparing to women as it is
to men... leaving them at an equal risk of developing the
disease and the related complications. It is believed that
over 35 million women in India suffer from diabetes,
even though studies have shown that 65% of diabetics
in India remain undiagnosed.
ON THE RISE
As busy lifestyles take precedence, women are constantly
exposed to high calorie consumption, stress, caffeine
intake and substance abuse like alcohol and cigarettes.
These factors together or individually predispose an
individual to weight gain and consequently, diabetes.
Obesity is one of the leading causes that predisposes
women to diabetes through various mechanisms. These
include wild blood sugar fluctuations after consuming
high sugar foods, insulin resistance due to lack of exercise
and hormonal changes. These factors are also responsible
for a commonly seen problem in young girls, usually
known as PCOS (Poly Cystic Ovarian Syndrome), which
manifests in irregular menses and infertility. That most
of the PCOS girls are either diabetic or pre-diabetic is
not so well-known a fact. Women diagnosed with PCOS
should take precautions accordingly, even if their blood
sugar levels are normal.
DANGER ZONE
The fear associated with raised sugar in diabetes should
be understood in the right perspective. Physicians target

blood sugar control and do not attempt to cure diabetes.
If the blood sugar remains even marginally uncontrolled,
complications ensue. These include raised blood pressure,
heart attack, kidney failure, brain stroke, nerve damage
causing ulcers in feet and loss of vision.
Almost four times more women now have gestational
diabetes which manifests during pregnancy. The increased
diabetes incidence during pregnancy could be the end
result of changed dietary habits, lack of exercise etc.
This predisposes them to complications during pregnancy
and birth defects.
BEING PRE-DIABETIC
Most overweight women suffer from
a condition termed as a pre-
diabetic state. This condition can
be diagnosed by measuring insulin
levels in the blood or by measuring
the bodys response to a blood
glucose challenge. Pre-diabetes is a
condition in which blood sugar levels
are normal even though insulin is not
effective; just like in diabetes. This
results in excessive production
of insulin by the
pancreas to overcome
the resistance. If
allowed to continue,
the pancreatic cells
become exhausted
and it is believed that
Eat healthy and
restrict consumption of
polished rice, refined
sugar and flour, calorie
dense and packaged
food, alcohol, sodas
and preservatives.
50% of pancreatic damage happens even before diabetes
manifests. It is important that all overweight women
should undergo evaluation to diagnose their pre-diabetic
status and take corrective measures accordingly.
TAKING CONTROL
Everyone knows that diabetes is treated with
medicines, but not many appreciate that regular
exercise is even better when it comes to controlling
blood sugar. Muscles are voracious consumers
of energy and regular exercise reduces insulin
resistance. This results in movement of sugar or
carbohydrates from the blood to the
muscle cells. It is recommended that
irrespective of age, every woman
should exercise for
healthy living and to
avoid diabetes and its
complications.
Eat healthy and restrict
consumption of polished rice,
refined sugar and flour, calorie
 Regular
exercise
is even dense and packaged food, alcohol, sodas
and preservatives.
better than Unfortunately, some women accord low
medication priority to their own health and thus do not
eat right, exercise or take adequate/ timely
when it comes medication for sugar control.

to controlling Medical management of diabetes is an

important component and should only
blood sugar. be done under a physicians supervision.
Every medicine has its own set of side
effects and thus should be consumed after
due consideration of drug interaction and
outcomes. Most anti-diabetes medicines result
in weight gain and may thus worsen obesity.
Despite understanding this disease,
over 50% of people remain uncontrolled
diabetics with resultant complications, poor
productivity and a shortened lifespan. For
such extreme cases, metabolic surgery is an
option to conquer what was once considered
not only a lifestyle, but also a lifetime disease.
 SEX TALK

SUPER
h t!
Racy, sexy or
just adventurous,
Salome Mitter
has the answers
to all your
questions
on sex.

I am getting married soon and Im really worried. I have very
little experience with men and have never been intimate with
one. I have heard that the rst night will be painful. What
can I do to ease the pain?
Vijeta Shah, Mumbai
Before you go thinking of ways to ease the pain Vijeta, I
suggest a nice, friendly chat with your groom-to-be. Share
your doubts and fears openly with him, including the fact
that you are a virgin and would be a little afraid. It will give
you both a chance to prepare yourselves for what lies ahead
and he will be prepared to be gentle; for all you know, he
could be wracked by a few fears himself and expect some
gentleness from you! A few guidelines for the big night
There neednt be a rst night at all how about a rst
morning?? Sex is supposed to be fun and pleasurable,
and should be had only when you are ready - mentally,
physically and emotionally. If youre both completely tired
out by the endless rituals and tiring reception, sex would
be best indulged in the morning after! Pick a time thats
right for both of you. A bit of pre-planning is needed as
Sex is supposed to be
fun and pleasurable,
and should be had only
when you are ready.
regards to protection, to keep unwanted pregnancy at bay
and protect you from STDs. Again, discuss with your anc
about the method you want to use, whether condoms,
birth control pills, a diaphragm or any other for which
you can also consult your gynaecologist. Now to bust one
big myth all women do not bleed during their rst time.
The hymen, which is an extremely delicate tissue present
across the mouth of the vagina, can split very easily, even
while engaging in normal activities like running, jumping,
cycling, swimming, exercising etc. Remember that it could
take a bit of time for you and your husband to really get
into the swing of things. There could be initial awkwardness
but as you discover and explore each others bodies and
feelings, things will warm up. Relax and enjoy each other.
I suggest a warm shower together to break the ice, so to
speak. It will also leave you both feeling clean, refreshed
and sweet-smelling. Indulge in lots and lots of foreplay
including kissing, stroking, etc the more turned on you
The act of lovemaking
are, the more the natural lubrication produced by your is also about trust. A
body, and the more smooth and easy the intercourse.
Some degree of pain during your rst time is normal, major part of sex is
but it differs for different women. Anxiety about the pain
only makes the situation worse. The pain goes away after
communication.
a short period and pleasure starts to take over. Wishing
you plenty of wedding wows! prepared for pregnancy. Many couples actually use
the pull-out method along with other forms of birth
I have a very weird problem. My husband has this odd habit control like condoms and birth control pills to ensure
of ejaculating outside me which really freaks me out. How an absolutely non-procreative act. On another level, the
do I gently persuade him to be natural and comfortable with act of lovemaking is also about trust. The intimacy puts
me and stop this? each of us in a vulnerable position. Some men could
Anita Kulkarni, Mumbai have issues with being in this state of vulnerability with
another human being. To take the guesswork out of his
Anita, honey, not such a weird problem at all! Ive heard
behaviour, I suggest you gently broach the topic with
of many men being uncomfortable climaxing inside
him. Talk about it - a major part of sex is communication!
their female partners. Mostly, it is the fear of unwanted
- and you could probably discover that you were over-
pregnancy and that fear, trust me, is enough to make
thinking the issue after all. If theres a specic reason
them scoot even while hitting the highest notes! Think
for his behaviour, youll hear it and you would then be
about it, if you both are not ready to become parents yet,
in a position to share your own misgivings and allay his
it is an extremely responsible act on his part. The pulling
fears. Good luck, girl!
out principle is generally commonly seen in younger
men and couples who are not nancially or emotionally
Want to sex up your life? Write to Salome Mitter at SAVVY,
Magna House, Old Prabhadevi Road, Prabhadevi,
Mumbai - 25 E savvy@magnamags.com
 BEAUTY BLOOM

Juicy Red
In Spain, cranberry juice is a favourite for
bringing out the red in your hair - if youre a
redhead or brunette, that is.
How To: Mix the cranberry juice with water,
approximately half portions of each, and pour
it on your hair after a bath. To enhance the
effect, spend time in the sun.

RINALDO DSOUZA SPOTS

THE LATEST IN BEAUTY TRENDS
ACROSS THE GLOBE.

Lash Flash
Mexican women always seem to get it right when
it comes to twirling and tilting their eyebrows.
Whats their secret? A spoon.
How To: Close your eyes and place the teaspoon
vertically over your eye so that it cups the eyelid. The
bottom curve of the spoon should touch the roots
of your upper lashes. Press your lashes against the
spoon and use your thumb to push the edge of the
spoon to the end of your lashes. Finish by applying
mascara so that your beautiful lashes stand out.
Tip: Be careful as the sharpness of the spoon may
hurt your eyes.
 Wrinkle-Free
The traditional Indian mixture of fresh ginger
and honey is ideal for preventing wrinkles.
How To: Scrub on a mixture of honey, ginger
and a little water. Honey and ginger equally
contribute to give a rejuvenating look. Do this
daily after you wake up to feel fresh instantly!

Ricey!
Women in China use rice water for a
glowing complexion and as an anti-
ageing tool. Full of antioxidants, it
washes and combats the harmful free
radicals that are responsible for aging.
How To: Immerse the rice in water
for 20 minutes, then strain. Use a
washcloth to dab the water on your
face. For best results, do this once
every week.

Luminous!
Chilean women reveal that the secret to
their glowing skin is simply crushed red
grapes mixed with white flour.
How To: A handful of grapes and a
couple of tablespoons of flour will do
the trick. Mix well and simply apply it to
the face. Leave on for 10 minutes and
then wash off to reveal a lovely glow.

6
 STYLE FILE

SMELL WELL
Nivea Protect &
Care Deodorant
t ` 199 for 150
ml; Dark Spot
Reduction Crme
for men t ` 260
for 150 gm.

MAKEUP LESS
Lotus Make-Up
Remover.
t ` 375.

HAIR FLAIR
Matrix Opti Black
Serum t ` 410 for
GLOW MORE 100 ml; Conditioner
Oshea Herbals t ` 420 for 196 gm;
UV Shield Sun Shampoo t ` 540
Block with SPF 50 for 400 ml.
PA+++. t ` 395
for 120 gm.

SILKY SOFT
Asta Berry Gold
F
FEEL FRESH Bleach Crme.
Denveer Batman Knight
D t ` 55 for 42 gm.
W or Deodorant.
Warrio
t ` 249 for 250 ml.
 oko oo
C b k

Celeb Chef Vicky Ratnanis delicious and healthy

lunch box recipes. Lip-smacking goodies to munch
on and more Tuck into fun treats with SAVVY!
 CUISINE SAVVY

f
Ti fin
Tales
Celebrity Chef
and author Vicky
Ratnani shows
SAVVY how to
whip up quick
n easy meals to
make lunchtime
a delectably
enjoyable affair!
If youre a working woman and youre
racing against the clock to get to work,
you might nd it bothersome to whip
up lunch for yourself in the morning.
But eating out isnt exactly a healthy
option and will eventually take a toll
on you, both physically and mentally.
Celebrity Chef and author Vicky Ratnani,
also the Culinary Director of Everstone
Capital, helps you turn the tide and take
better care of yourself with recipes that
are simple to put together and tote to
work. With a little pre-planning, you
can create delicious and wholesome
lunchtime meals, avers Vicky. Enjoy!

PASTA WITH FRESH TOMATOES

& BASIL
Serves 2

INGREDIENTS
2 cups pasta (penne)
1 tbsp onion, chopped
1 tsp garlic, chopped
tsp dry red chilli akes
1 tbsp olive oil
cup tomatoes, crushed
Salt to taste
tsp cracked black pepper
2-3 fresh basil leaves
Parmesan cheese to garnish

METHOD
1. Cook the pasta in boiling salted
water for 9 minutes. Drain, set aside.
2. In a pan, heat up some olive oil,
sweat the onions, garlic and red chilli
akes for about a minute or so.
3. Add the crushed tomatoes, cook
briey for 5 minutes. Season to taste
with salt and pepper.
4. Place the pasta in a dish and top
with the tomatoes. Finish with some
grated parmesan cheese and fresh
basil leaves.
MARKET GREEN SALAD 4-5 black olives, pitted METHOD
Serves 2 1 cucumber, sliced 1. Wash the lettuce. Rinse well, pat
Salt and pepper to taste dry and reserve. Arrange in a dish.
INGREDIENTS For the dressing: 2. Toss in the rest of the veggies
1 cup lettuce leaves, cut into 1 tsp olive oil and the olives.
chunks tsp lemon juice 3. Whisk all the ingredients for the
4 tomatoes, quartered 1
/3 tsp mustard dressing. Set aside.
1 red onion, cut into roundles/ Salt, as required 4. Mix the dressing with the salad
rings Pepper, as required before eating.
OLIVE, TUNA & CORN SALAD
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
cup green olives, sliced
1 cup corn kernels, blanched
1 tin canned tuna
2 cups lambs lettuce
Salt and pepper to taste
2 tbsp olive oil
1 tbsp lemon juice
1 tsp parsley, chopped
METHOD
1. Blanch the corn kernels in
boiling salted water for 3 minutes.
Drain and shock in iced water.
Drain and reserve.
2. Drain the tuna into a clean bowl.
Flake with a fork.
3. Mix together the olives with
the tuna.
4. Season to taste with salt and
pepper. Drizzle the olive oil and
add the chopped parsley.
5. Mix along with the lettuce
just before serving. Tastes better
when chilled.
CHICKEN TACOS For the salsa been absorbed. Add the chopped
Serves 2 1 tbsp onions, chopped coriander and reserve until needed.
1 tbsp tomatoes, chopped 2. Mix all the ingredients for
INGREDIENTS 1 tsp coriander leaves, chopped the salsa except the lettuce and
4-6 taco shells 1 tsp green chillies, chopped tomatoes. Season to taste.
For the mince 1 tsp lemon juice 3. Cut the lettuce into ne
300 gm chicken mince Salt and pepper to taste chiffonade or strips.
1 onion, chopped Iceberg lettuce leaves and tomato 4. To assemble: Line the tacos with
1 garlic clove, chopped quaters to garnish the lettuce at the bottom. Spoon
2 tbsp olive oil over the chicken. Garnish with the
1 tsp cumin powder METHOD
salsa and tomato quarters.
1 tsp red chilli powder 1. Sweat the onion and garlic in olive
Tidbit: You can easily carry each
tsp oregano oil for a minute. Add the chicken
element separately and put
2 tbsp tomato pure mince and saut for 5 minutes. Add
together your masterpiece at work.
Coriander leaves, chopped, the ground spices and seasonings
Also, this is a good option to perk
as required and cook well until the meat is
up your leftover mince.
cooked and most of the moisture has
GRILLED CHICKEN SALAD
Serves 2
INGREDIENTS
1 boneless chicken breast, skinned
1 cup mixed green lettuce
1 cup chickpeas, cooked
1 egg
Croutons, as required
Parmesan cheese to garnish
Marinade for chicken
Salt and pepper to taste
1 tsp olive oil
1 tsp parsley, chopped (optional)
1 tsp garlic paste
tsp cumin powder
Dressing for lettuce
1 tsp olive oil
tsp lemon juice
tsp mustard
Salt and pepper to taste
METHOD
1. Marinate the chicken for an hour
or so. Then grill the chicken breast on
a hot pan or in the oven until cooked
(this can be done in advance).
2. Toss the lettuce with the dressing.
3. Poach or boil the egg in water.
Drain and set aside.
4. Season the chickpeas and toss
them with the leaves.
5. Slice the chicken breast into slivers.
Top with the egg.
6. For the croutons: Use any kind
of bread. Cut the bread into cubes.
Season with a touch of salt and olive
oil. Toast in the oven or in a pan until
golden brown. Cool and store in an
airtight container. You can even
avour the croutons with any spice
of your choice.
7. Assemble the key ingredients
together and garnish with the croutons
and grated parmesan cheese.
VEGGIE OMELETTE 1 tsp parsley or coriander, chopped spatula, scramble the eggs a little.
Serves 2 1 tbsp butter/ olive oil When the eggs are set, lower the
heat and cover the pan with a lid or
INGREDIENTS METHOD
a plate. Cook for 3 minutes.
4 eggs 1. Whisk eggs and cream in a bowl
4. Turn over the eggs onto a
cup cream until uffy.
cutting board and cut into any
Salt and pepper to taste 2. Heat olive oil or butter in a non-
shape you like. Serve with toast or
1 tbsp onion, chopped stick pan. Saut the veggies for a
a crunchy salad.
2 tbsp bell peppers, chopped couple of minutes.
3. Add the egg mixture and using a
 SHOPPING CART

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Contributors will receive gifts. desserts with this
Send in your favourite food aromatic syrup.
tip to: SHOPPING CART, SAVVY, t ` 180 for 250 ml
Magna House, Old Prabhadevi
Road, Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 25
E savvy@magnamags.com
 SAVVY PROMO

Choco
Delight Start your day with a scrumptious bowl of
Tops Choco Flakes.

Breakfast is the most important meal of the
day as it replenishes our bodys energy after an
all-night fast. A healthy breakfast significantly
improves mental and physical performance
of both children and adults. Essentially,
breakfast should be low in fat and cholesterol,
and high in vitamins and minerals. A good
breakfast recharges the body. However, when
one has to rush off to school or work, it tends
to take a backseat.
Now, Tops from G D Foods brings you a
delectable, hassle-free way to start your day
on the right note. A delicious combination
of healthy cereals and yummy chocolate,
Tops Choco Flakes is high in fiber and
lets you kick-start your day with a bang. It
is also a good source of calcium, iron and
other essential vitamins that contribute to a
balanced diet.
This lip-smacking breakfast is quick, cost-
effective, affordable, ready to eat and the
most convenient breakfast that can be
relished with hot or cold milk. Tops Choco
Flakes comes with an attractive pouch and
mono carton packaging. Enjoy!
 SHOWCASE SAVVY
Tea Fiesta Hamper -
Large t ` 3,859

Lexclusif! Gourmet Tray t ` 707

Healthy
Treats
Godrej Natures Basket
salutes the spirit of women with
an array of healthy gourmet and
tea hampers.
SAVVY SAYS:
Beautifully presented in attractive hampers, these
healthy yet tasty gourmet treats are fabulous!
Health has emerged as a signicant trend among
consumers, therefore there has been an increase in the
demand for organic food, low fat and high ber products.
Women are discerning buyers when it comes to grocery
shopping as the health and well-being of the family is
at the back of their minds. Godrej Natures Basket has a
wide range of food that suits the need of every customer,
reveals Mohit Khattar, MD, Godrej Natures Basket.
Festive Celebration Hamper - Small t ` 1,995

S Across all stores in Mumbai, New Delhi, Pune, Bangalore Organic Gourmet Hamper -
and Hyderabad. You can also order online on Small t ` 938
www.naturesbasket.co.in or through Natures Basket
android and iPhone applications.

Tea Celebration Pack t ` 895

 SHOWCASE SAVVY

Soul Food
This season, Food-E presents
delicious hampers for women
to encourage empowerment.
Empowerment should be all about
uplifting oneself. My personal belief
is empowerment from within. Like soul
food, it makes you happy and boosts your
condence. So to raise a toast to women
empowerment, I present delectable hampers from
Food-E, says Chef Aditi Goel, Founder, Food-E.

Hampers cost t` 3,000 onwards

S www.food-e.in
Facebook -https://www.facebook.com/e.foodies/
Instagram - efoodies
 Features
Spotlighting Mrs Melania Donald Trump - Americas
probable future First Lady. Get dazzled by charming
Dublin. Why young men are flipping for older women.
Actress Rekha and her sisters have a glam reunion...
Be on top of your game with SAVVY!
 LIFE SAVVY
CURVE
I Photograph: Sushant Chhabria
I am a 34-year-old woman who lies awake at nightwith a
whirlwind of thoughts buzzing through my head. Fromwork to
my kids to chores, I just cant seem to stopthinking and get
some sleep. As a result, I am grumpy and end up lashing out
at my husband and kids which makes me worry even more. I
am really tired and want to break this cycle. Any suggestions?
Kavita Singh, New Delhi
Learning
Stylish n sensible, the
very savvy industrialist
Pinky Reddy helps you
celebrate life!
Strangely, you are sleepless worrying about your kids
and husband and youre snapping at them only! You
need to meditate or try yoga to relax your mind. Also try
homeopathic medicine.
Im 28 and have always been slightly overweight. Its never
bothered me, but I recently overheard someone make a
comment about my weight and how I will never get ahead in
my career because of it. Its made me look back and wonder
if my weight really is such a problem where my career is
concerned. What do you think?
Ritika Sen, Kolkata
Its good to know you are very condent about yourself.
Dont let anyones comments affect you. But theres no
harm in working out and getting t. You will feel good!
Im 25 and have this irrational fear of driving. I have signed
up for classes at least four times but always freeze at the
last moment and dont go through with it. Ive wanted to drive
ever since I rst sat in a car, but the moment I get behind
the wheel, the rst thing that jumps into my brain is the
image of me crashing. Do you have any advice as to how I
can overcome this fear?
Pooja Shetty, Mumbai
There is nothing to be so nervous about. Get a good driver
to teach you and drive slowly on empty roads until you
are condent. You will denitely feel liberated once you
get over your stress.
Whatever your lifestyle problem,
Pinky Reddy is passionate about helping you out.
Write to her at E savvy@magnamags.com
 SIBLING REVELRY
Family
time for
Rekha!
CSS Latha interacts with
actress Rekha and all her
sisters who bond big time
at the launch of Dr Kamala
Selvarajs new GG Super
Specialty Hospital.
Rekha and her siblings
g
lam, glitzy and super fun! Yes, when
Dr Kamala Selvaraj, South Indias first
test tube baby expert, launched her
new GG Super Specialty Hospital in Chennai,
her beautiful step-sister, the diva of Bollywood,
Rekha, arrived to wish her sister good luck.
Dressed in an off-white sari, with strings of fragrant
jasmine tucked in her juda and sindoor on her
forehead, she looked an absolute stunner. Not
only that, when all six sisters from her fathers
(late actor Gemini Ganesan) different wives
trooped in, it looked as if it was some sort of a
grand reunion for the Ganesan siblings.
THE LAUNCH
The launch was indeed a grand affair. The event
was kick-started by lyricist and novelist Padma
Bhushan Vairamuthu who was the Chief Guest
and legendary A V Saravanan lit the lamp. Biggies
I must thank God
for giving me such
a beautiful sister
like Rekha. In fact,
she has promised to
take care of me as
her child in my old
age. Dr Kamla Selvaraj
of Kollywood all made an appearance. Stars
like Shiva Kumar, Radhika Sharat Kumar
and Saraswati Sacchu were among those who
attended this starry affair.

BONDING BEAUTIFULLY
Rekha, who is Dr Kamalas younger sister,
spoke very fondly about her. She started off
with, Akka (sister) I have a question... So
saying, she broke into a hit Tamil number,
Unnai ondru keten (What can I say about
you, when you ask me to say something?) to
uproarious applause from the guests. Dr Kamala
interjected immediately, I must thank God for
giving me such a beautiful sister like Rekha. In
fact, she has promised to take care of me as her
child in my old age. Rekha grabbed the mike
then and said, Now let me say something.
Calling it a historic moment, Rekha expressed
how elated she was at the overwhelming love
of her extended sisters who bonded as one
family. She averred, I have never seen this
kind of love overflowing in the universe. I have
not experienced it anywhere - not in real life,
not even in films, and I am so grateful to the
universe for giving me all these people who
gave birth to us - starting from appa kutti (dear
father) and Babji amma (Dr Kamalas mother),
Pushpavalli amma (her own mother), Savitri
amma, Gangai amma, Ramakootam amma and
Suryaprabha amma! The list goes on and on.
All I want to say Kamala akka is that I want
to grow up and be like you.

Dr Kamla Selvaraj and her sister Rekha


Glimpses of the inauguration; Rekha poses fondly with her sisters
All I want to say Kamala
akka is that I want to grow
up and be like you. Rekha
SIBLING LOVE
Rekhas listing down of her very romantic
fathers wives was a head-turner! Her
legendary father, the late Gemini
Ganesan, was called the kadal mannan
(king of romance) of Kollywood and he
lived up to it! He fathered eight children
- Revathi, Kamala, Narayani and GeeGe
or Jayshree from the first wife, Rekha
and Radha from Pushpavalli, Vijaya
Chamundeswari from the legendary
actress Savitri, who also had a son.
Though the growing up years did not
expose any of Gemini Ganesans children
to each other intimately, their love and
bonding has seen exceptional heights
in later years. The onus of binding them
all together goes to Dr Kamalas efforts.
Dr Kamala said, We are scattered all
over the world but for family occasions,
we meet up in Chennai and have great
quality time catching up with each other.
In fact, this time around Rekha flew down
especially for the hospital inauguration. I
took her cosmetic shopping to a mall in
Chennai. She had wrapped her face with
her dupatta and it was quite funny that
people were recognizing and smiling at me,
but no one realized that I was accompanied
by my star sister Rekha. We had a blast
shopping for her.
EMOTIONAL MOMENT
It was indeed a momentous occasion. Dr
Kamala was so overwhelmed at the display
of love from Rekha and her sisters that
her eyes glistened with tears. Rekha too
seemed quite overwhelmed and in a public
display of affection, she kept hugging her
sister and posed for family pictures with
Dr Kamalas children and grandchildren.
Family bonding time, indeed!
Photographs Raj Kumar
 RELATIONSHIP SAVVY

o
Lve, Lust &
In the Bollywood ick Wake Up Sid, Ranbir
Kapoors character falls in love with a much older
The
Older
Konkona Sen, breaking all conventional diktats
of filmi romance. If we are talking Bollywood,
the chirpy Preity Zinta is dating the very dashing

WomAn
Gene Goodenough who is 10 years her junior.
As for regular people, did you know that almost
one-third of women between ages 35 and 69
globally are dating younger men (dened as 10
or more years younger)? In India too, despite old
fangled social constraints, the trend of younger
Sumita Chakraborty
men dating older women is actually catching
on in a big way. spotlights the growing
According to a recent AARP poll done in the
trend of younger men
USA, one-sixth of men in their 20s actually and older women
prefer women in their 40s or 50s. Furthermore, bonding amazingly!
scientic research enumerates that the perfect
mate for a woman in her 40s is a man between
the ages of 22-25. And thats just not only
Nicole Kidman and Keith Urban Hugh Jackman and Deborra-Lee Furness

Brahim Zaibat and Madonna Casper Smart and Jennifer Lopez

ARCHANA PURAN SINGH,
actress: I think an older
woman is confident, sure
about herself and is financially
secure. She is rarely
dependant on anybody. And
everybody loves a confident
woman. No wonder young
men are falling in love with
such women!
Parmeet Sethi and Archana Puran Singh
because of the sex or the stamina of the younger
male in bed. Women like the exibility and sense
of adventure of their more spontaneous, younger
companions; while the younger men like the maturity
and experience of the women.
Mumbai-based psychologist Seema Hingoranny
asserts, In pre-Y Gen India, couples would date only
if they were sure that the relationship was leading
somewhere serious. However, now in this digital era,
the trend is the opposite its all about going the
whole way only because it isnt serious. So gone are
the days when people would be shocked if a young man
would date or marry an older woman. In fact, today,
more and more men are actually just enjoying the
experience of being an older womans love interest.
Seema adds, As for the older woman, she knows what
she wants. Her self-awareness comes from years of
experience. She doesnt have any delusions of hooking
the man into marriage and/ or to start a family. This
takes the pressure off a man who just wants to have
fun without obligations. Sex too is great with an older
woman who is spontaneous and comfortable. This
is a huge turn-on for men who may have been with
young girls who are just learning the ropes.
THE YOUNGER, THE BETTER
Besides the perennial robbing the cradle much-told
jokes, according to Seema, there are several reasons
why older women prefer younger men.
Younger men are very finicky about their
appearance, so look t and good. Most of them
still have hair on their heads which may sound
funny, but is a huge turn-on for older women.
They can also keep the woman on her toes and
make her feel sexy.
They radiate an energy that is infectious and as
they have no middle-aged hang-ups, the woman
tends to lose her own after a while.
Belonging to the digital era, these boomers have
a refreshing sense of honesty and say things as
they are.
The sex is energetic and fullling.
 KISHWER MERCHANT,
TV actress: My boyfriend
Suyyash is 26 and Im much
MEN LIKE EM MATURE
What about the men? What do they see in older older than him. But age
women? Tina B Tessina, the author of The Unofcial doesnt matter to either of us.
Guide to Dating Again, afrms, As you peel back
the decades, the men get cooler. Belonging to a
We are extremely compatible.
metrosexual age, Y Gen men are more considerate. Weve been together for five
Such men (at least the ones interested in older years and are taking this one
women) are stable and mature. They dont want
to be mothered. They want a woman who knows step further by getting married
who she is. this year.
She adds, Younger men also like the sophistication Kishwer Merchant and Suyyash Rai
and life success of their older mates as women
peak between the ages of 30 to 50. They nd older
women more interesting, experimental, fun to talk
to, nancially settled and more adept sexually.
Tina also says, The older woman is too mature
to play mind games with the younger man. She is
condent enough to make the rst move. She will
indicate what she wants from the relationship. She
will openly share her sexual needs and desires. She
isnt worried about losing the man if she expresses
herself. And that is the turn-on for the younger man.
She continues, Not too many women are looking for
the picket fence and two cars dream any more. Now
companionship, travel and fun are at the forefront.
Also, women are more likely to come back on the
dating market because of a divorce and a longer
expected lifespan. And thanks to medical advances
and a gym at every corner, they too take keen interest
in their appearance and look appealing enough to
lure younger men.

THE FLIPSIDE
But Seema argues, there is also a con to things.
She says, Most times, this trend of younger men
dating older women is not for keeps. The men sway
in and out, exing smooth n broad shoulders, but
this doesnt last. They have too much choice, and
the women have less. Its actually all good until the
woman gets attached emotionally and then it can go
downhill for some...
 CELEB SAVVY

THE NEXT

ad
Adelaine Kane

FIRST

L
spotlights the

y?
stunning Melania
Trump, wife of one
of the strongest
contenders for the
next US Presidency,
Donald Trump, as she
readies herself for her
probable new role as
First Lady.
e Melania and Donald
ven as Americans brace themselves for the
November 2016 Presidential elections,
the election polls seem to be dominated have been constant
by two strong candidates Hillary Clinton
from the United States Democratic Party and companions since
Donald Trump from the Republican Party. Bill
and Hillary are no strangers to the Americans,
their marriage.
the White House, or indeed to the rest of the
world. But should Trump take the mantle, the
White House will have an all-new set of gentry.
Whether or not Prez Obama was a success
might be open to debate, but the one member
who shone all through was Michelle Obama.
Impeccable at hosting state dinners, socializing
with political accquiantences and maintaining
the image of being a regular mom to her two
girls, Michelle was a real role model. So while its
time to bid her farewell from her post, SAVVY
spotlights the lady who seems most likely to fill
her shoes Melania Trump.
Wife of Donald Trump, breathtakingly gorgeous
Melania Trump (nee Knauss) is a former model.
She is Slovenian by birth and had a modest
upbringing. Her father Viktor Knavs managed
car and motorcycle dealerships.
While Donald is out-spoken to the point of being
labelled boorish, Melania has been called shy
and keeps largely away from the public eye.
Melania met Donald in 1998, during her
modelling days, at a fashion show party in New
York. The had a long courtship and were engaged
in 2004, and married on January 22, 2005. They
have a 24-year-old age difference. But despite
this, Donald says they get along just fine: We
literally have never had an argument, forget about
the word fight. We just are very compatible.
Although it was Donalds third marriage, it
was Melanias first. In true Trump style, the
wedding was a majestic statement Melanias
dress alone cost a whopping $ 200,000 and
was specially designed by the legendary John
Galliano of the house of Dior.
Maybe because shes
so pretty, we dont
expect her to be as
smart as she is.
Barbara Walters

Their stunning reception cake was a

50-pound orange Grand Marnier chocolate
truffle cake with Grand Marnier butter-
cream filling, and covered with 3,000
roses. A jaw-dropping masterpiece!
Melania and Donald have been constant
companions since their marriage and are
often seen and photographed together at
New York society events and receptions.
In 2006, Melania welcomed son Barron
William Trump. According to Melania,
the nine-year-old is very, very smart,
very energetic and a special boy. Barron
idolizes his dad and likes to wear a suit and
tie like him, leading Melania to nickname
him Mini-Donald.
Although Melania is known not to interact
much with the press and give few or no
interviews, she is not as reports claim
dumb. She is a jewellery designer and
has studied interior design. Television
personality Barbara Walters was impressed
by her and said: Maybe because shes so
pretty, we dont expect her to be as smart
as she is.
Melania describes herself as very political
but only at home. That (politics in public)
is my husbands job, she says, adding,
Im not shy. Im my own person and have
my own opinions. Im not that person who
would say stupid stuff so they would write
about me.
Im not shy. Im
my own person
and have my own
opinions. Im not
that person who
would say stupid
stuff so they would
write about me.
Melania

Of the First Ladies Melania admires, Betty

Ford and Jackie Kennedy come first. But
were she to become First Lady, she says,
I would be my own person.
Melania and Donald live the life of American
royalty in their 50,000 sq-foot mansion in
New Yorks Westchester County. Melania
has redone the interiors completely.
Selecting furniture and designing sofas

Melania during her modelling days posing for a

magazine cover
 Donald with his wife Melania and his children and grandchildren from his previous marriages

Barron idolizes his dad and was very exciting. Its a passion. It was
a great full-time project and I enjoyed
likes to wear a suit and tie every minute.
like him, leading Melania to The 60room mansion boasts 15

nickname him Mini-Donald. bedrooms, three pools, one bowling alley

and is spread over a whopping 230 acres!
They also alternate between their grand
Melania and Donald with son Barron
penthouse on the top three floors of the
Trump Tower in Manhattan, New York,
with breathtaking views of Central Park
and Manhattan. The Trump apartment,
decorated in 24K gold and marble, was
designed by Angelo Donghia in Louis XIV
style. The stunning penthouse apartment
is the epitome of elegance and perfection.
Were Donald to become the US President,
one thing is for certain, their First Lady
will not fail Americans in style, elegance
and glamour!
 iSAVVY

APPS FOR YOUR

GIZMO-SAVVY
MIND!

KEEP IT UP!
Runkeeper
Savvy h this GPS tracker that has
detailed logs of all your walks and
jogs. After which, it calculates how
many calories youve burnt. It also
has a record of your progress over a
weeks time.
Compatibility:

OFFLINE MAPPING
HERE Maps
Savvy h this offline navigation app which
could prove to be very handy when travelling to
another country or state. The app is similar to
Google Maps. However, the desired place must
be downloaded in advance to find or navigate
a particular location. The offline feature
could be a handy companion when you plan
an expedition or a remote holiday and have
absolutely no internet access.
Compatibility:

SOCIAL ANIMAL
Duolingo
Savvy h this language app. Learning a foreign
language can be extremely challenging, but
mastering the art has numerous benefits. Pick the
language you want to learn from the apps collection
and let the app do the rest. The icing on the cake
is the reminder function that tells you its language
learning time if you havent used it for a day or so.
Compatibility:

WORKAHOLIC!
Office
Savvy h this Microsoft Office Mobile app that works
perfectly well from your phone or tablet. With it, you no
longer have to be on your workstation to make presentations,
edit word documents or calculate numerical data.
Compatibility:

Compiled by Rinaldo Dsouza

 DESTINATION SAVVY

Dublin
A panoramic view of Dublin

Dazzles!
Sumita Chakraborty Dublin, touted as the city of dreamers
goes on an enriching and chancers, is a wonderful mix of
and enjoyable literary, cosmopolitan modernity and old world

food, fashion and charm. This city is considered to be the

worlds biggest literary hub as it is the land
history trail in Dublin. where literary greats like James Joyce,
William Butler Yeats, Jonathan Swift, Oscar
Wilde and so many more were born and bred.
And though I am a HUGE fan of Literature and History -
two aspects Dublin is really famous for - I confess I had
butteries uttering in my tummy as my coach raced
through the intertwining lanes of Belfast and moved into
the smooth tarmac of Dublin. After all, I was a single
Indian woman travelling on my own in a strange land.
And this seemed a bit intimidating!
DUBLIN LITERARY PUB CRAWL
By the time I reached, it was already 4 p.m. and the air
was chilly. My hotel, the very comfortable Clayton Hotel
on Cardiff Lane, overlooked the Hapenny Bridge and
the view was picture perfect. I had an early dinner and
marched to Dukes Pub at the stroke of 8 p.m. where I
was ready to attend The Dublin Literary Pub Crawl. Sigh!
I had reached way ahead of time and by the time the
show started, I had already convinced myself that Id hate
this - simply because it was quite dark, I was alone and
I dont drink! But once it started and the talented Colm
Quilligan and his fellow actor from The Dublin Literary
Pub Crawl enacted the characters of James Joyce, Beckett,
James Larkin, Oscar Wilde and so many others, and took
us through a maze of pubs and landmark sites like Trinity
College, these literary giants frequented, I was hooked
- line and sinker! The pub crawl was funny, informative
and engaging. This was indeed the best experience of my
life, and I really recommend it as a must try for everyone.
FOOD & MORE FOOD
The next morning, I woke up feeling fresh and happy. I
Hapenny Bridge
Dublin is a wonderful
mix of cosmopolitan
modernity and old
world charm.
was now going on a Fab Food Trail with my very charming
guide Pamela. And so we went on a food trippin trail
from a quant Sicilian restaurant where we ate delicious
canaps, to a cheese store which stacked mountains of
all kinds of cheese. From a bite at an authentic Irish
caf, a chocolate tasting tryst, to coffee at a Polish
store, we walked through the narrow lanes tasting, eating
and laughing merrily as we skipped through the myriad
delights. After gorging various delights, I was satiated and
all I wanted to do was nd a nice little armchair to curl
up in. And then Pamela informed me that it was time
for lunch. Some more food?! But despite my protests,
Pamlea took me to Krab, a cute seafood restaurant, to
try oysters. Absolutely yum!
SPIRITED TOUR
My next visit was the Guinness Storehouse at St James
Gate. They say the Guinness in Dublin tastes better here
than anywhere else! And my guide Ian insisted on taking
me through the many oors of this tall building just so
that Id know why Guinness is such a hit worldover!
Guinness was launched by Arthur Guinness in 1725 and
Jameson Distillery
it has grown to lofty levels over the years. And if you are
in Dublin, this tour is denitely a must visit!
And so is the amazing Jameson Distillery, known for its
ne Jameson Irish whiskey that all Irish men and women
keep talking about. My guide walked me through the
process that produces this whiskey and since it is absolute
sacrilege that I dont drink whiskey, my guide made me
sniff at a barrel of whiskey to get a whiff of it. At the little
Jameson caf, Chef Richard Carmody shared some insights
on cooking with Jameson whiskey. And though I could
hear my tummy protest, I dug into the lovely delicacy he
whipped up just for me. After my very enjoyable tour
ended, I took a green Hop on-Hop off bus half-way back
to my hotel; the other half, I briskly walked through the
bridge. The cool invigorating air rejuvenated my senses
and I was rarin to see more of this lovely city.
Several hours later, a lovely dinner at Fade Street Social
completed this amazing experience. Incidentally, all my
Actors from the Dublin Literary Pub Crawl
Guinness Storehouse
They say the Guinness
in Dublin tastes better
here than anywhere else!
trepidation of being a single woman alone in a strange
place vanished into thin air. Dublin is extremely safe and
welcoming, and even late night, you can walk through the
cobbled lanes and even stop to watch a musician play
his saxophone soulfully.
MOUNTAINS AHOY!
The next morning, I was off to the Wild Wicklow Tour
with a busload of tourists from all across the globe. My
bus driver cum tourist guide Joe was an absolute delight.
He warbled old Irish songs as he showed us the sights,
regaled us with naughty anecdotes and drove like a maniac
to the mountain top. The Wild Wicklow Tour includes a
coastal drive through DunLaoghaire Harbour, Dalkey and
Killiney, home to the rich and famous. It also takes you
through Glendaloughs enchanting 6th century monastic
settlement and the magnicent Upper Lake. And if you
are a lm buff and a fan of Excalibur, Braveheart and
P.S. I Love You, say hurrah! You get to see Sally Gap,
the amazing location where these lms were shot.
My three-day visit to Dublin was fabulous. This unique
city has everything a fabulous shopping hub, colourful
literary history, amazing food and spirits, and of course,
wonderful people. I love you Dublin, and yes, some day,
Ill visit you again!
Sumita Chakraborty was on an invitation from the Nothern
Ireland Tourism Board.
L Ve
HEART TALK
O Prahlad
Kakar
gives your
love life roots
n wings...
I have been married for three long years. My husband is
preachy, irritating and keeps flirting with other women in front
of me. I am so fed up of him, but I cant leave him because
I dont have a job, have a two-year-old kid and parents who
disapprove of divorce. But I want a way out. Please help!
Samika Sharma, Mumbai
There are many ways to skin a cat before you think of
divorce or separation from your boorish husband. First,
you can also play the flirting game. If you are at a party,
before he starts pawing the women, pay special attention
to the best looking man in the room. Your husband will
be so stunned, hell forget to even look at another girl.
Secondly and more importantly, pay more attention to
yourself. Join a gym, go to the beauty parlour, buy
fashionable clothes and start decking up to the hilt. Watch
your insensitive husband suddenly metamorphosize in
front of you into a little pup begging for some TLC. So
before you think of any drastic steps, the secret of success
& LONGING
lies within you work on yourself, and you can turn around
and tell your husband to get lost!
I am a 21-year-old girl who has been in a relationship for
two years. My boyfriend recently told me that though he
loves me a lot, he is attracted to another girl. He doesnt
want to leave me but his attraction for the other girl is very
strong. I am confused. Though he sounds sincere about his
love for me, I am not sure I can handle him cheating on me.
Juhi Patel, Delhi
Actually, hes been very straight-forward with you. Hes
told you outright that hes planning to cheat on you. The
problem is: Can you handle sharing him with another
woman? Not too many women can do that so if you can,
you are indeed unique. And if you can get attracted to the
good qualities of your boyfriend, you should also accept
his bad qualities. But having said that, if you do accept
your boyfriends philandering ways, in the long run, youll
find yourself in a mess especially if youve accepted it
half-heartedly. What you can do is tell your boyfriend that
what is good for the goose, is good for the gander too. So if
he can be attracted to another woman and still be in love
with you, you too can be attracted to other guys. And if he
cheats, so will you! Trust me, this will suddenly change
your Casanova boyfriends mind about getting attracted
to other women. So get set to checkmate your boyfriend!
Write to: PRAHLAD KAKAR at SAVVY, Magna House, Old Prabhadevi
Road, Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 25. E savvy@magnamags.com
 EVENT SAVVY
STUNNER!
The ravishing Raveena Tandon
unveils the latest issue of
Health & Nutrition.
Gorgeous, super talented and the quintessential yummy
mummy, Raveena Tandon took centre stage on the cover
of the latest issue of Health & Nutrition. Raveena wowed
the media when she stepped into Magna Lounge, Mumbai,
to unveil the cover along with Nari Hira, Chairman, Magna
Publishing Co Ltd and Vinodini Krishnakumar, Editor,
Health & Nutrition.
Nari Hira, Raveena Tandon, Vinodini Krishnakumar and Rupali Suri
Emcee Rupali Suri kicked off the event by asking Raveena
how it felt to be on the cover of the magazine, to which
she joyously replied, All my life, I was plump. Now, after
being on the cover of Health & Nutrition, I feel I have
achieved something. I am thrilled!
About her fitness regime she confessed, I dont want
to puncture the fact that Im on the cover but Im very
lazy, and I hate to work out. I have to motivate and push
myself, but I make sure I walk, swim, run or do yoga. And
I dont believe in starving at all.
She sportingly answered a barrage of questions on her
cinematic journey, revealing that had she not been an
actress, shed have been a cop.
The event came to a close with the shutterbugs vying
for a final shot, closing the curtains on yet another
fabulous event!
 SHOW TIME
RIGHT BITE
Dr Anjali Mukerjees
interactive workshop at
Magna Lounge left everyone
invigorated!
To eat or not to eat? is a question that vexes us all! To
solve this, Health & Nutrition got onboard one of the
countrys best known nutritionists, Dr AnjaliMukerjee,
to conduct a lively and informative workshop - You
Are What You Eat, at Magna Lounge, Mumbai. In the
presence of Nari Hira, Chairman, Magna Publishing
Nari Hira, Dr Anjali Mukerjee, Vinodini Krishnakumar and Dipna Patel
Co Ltd and Vinodini Krishnakumar, Editor, Health &
Nutrition, the charming emceeDipnaPatel agged off
the event with brief introductions. Dr Anjalitook centre
stage with a powerful slide show and discussed different
foods and their rejuvenating impact on the body. Let
foodbethy medicine,Dr Anjali urged as she warned
against increasingly rampant unhealthy food habits
plaguing Indians. Participants picked up some great
tips like consuming no more than 500 ml of oil a month,
maintaining a gap of four hours between meals and
winding up dinner before 8 p.m.
The oor was then thrown open for a Q & A session.
The event wound up with guests being served delicious
cold pressed fruit juices from Jus Divine and with an
announcement of a free health check-up service for
each by Anjalis Health Total team Just what the
doc ordered!
 PARTY ZONE

Chhaya Momaya and

Varuna D Jani hosted
an elegant dinner
at Four Seasons,
Mumbai, to showcase
Varunas new
jewellery collection
and announce Chhaya
as the business partner
of the jewellery brand.
Varuna D Jani Rohit Bal and Chhaya Momaya

Schauna Chauhan
Chhaya and Nirmal Momaya with Ravi and Madhu Ruia and Bikram Saluja

Divya and Sameer Gehlaut

Radhika Goenka and Raghvendra Rathore BK and Dipali Goenka

Usha International and Nisha
JamVwal hosted a lunch at
ITC Central, Mumbai, for Chef
Vikas Khanna who launched
the Usha Infiniticook Halogen
Oven in Mumbai.

Kunal Vijayakar with Sajjid and Laveena Mitha

Kim Sharma Nisha JamVwal, Aditi and Arzoo Govitrikar with Vikas Khanna

The 1st Jagjit Singh Music

Festival 2016 celebrated the
legends timeless music.

Deepika and Abhinov Upadhyay

Deepak Pandit, Suresh Wadkar and Sonu Nigam

Zakir Hussain, Deepak Pandit, Pandit Birju Maharaj, Hariharan and

Pandit Hariprasad Chaurasia
 Lucio Brissolese, Silvia, Chandni
Kumari and Abhimanyu Bansal
at a furniture launch at Warisan
Experience Centre, New Delhi

Tanusree Shankar, Richa

Agarwal, Mamata Shankar,
Pallavi Chatterjee, Prosenjit Divya and Bhushan Kumar
Chatterjee and Arpana Caur at the success party of
at the launch of Arpanas solo Sanam Re in Mumbai
paperwork exhibition in Kolkata

French Ambassador Francois Richier Sumona Parekh and Esha

conferred the Chevalier de la Lgion Gupta at the launch of
dHonneur award on designer Sumonas jewellery line at
Manish Arora Minerali in Mumbai

Tarun Sarda and Eli Avram at a fashion

show to celebrate 10 years of the BETI
Foundation hosted by Tarun Sarda and
Anu Ranjan in Mumbai
 Ritika Nandkeolyar,
Avanti Deo Mishra,
Rajshree Bakshi
and Sophie
Choudry at The
Spirit of the Zoya
Woman panel
discussion in
Mumbai

Rajendra Jain, K
Srinivasan, Hema Malini
and G V Sreedhar at
Saurabh Khanijo and Ramola Bachchan Swarovskis Gemstones
at the 10th anniversary celebrations of National Jewellery Awards
Kylin Sky Bar in New Delhi in Mumbai

Biswajit Chakraborty
Shallu Jindal and Payal presenting an award at
Kapoor at Harvest 2016 at The Sotel Mumbais Vintage
Stainless Gallery in New Delhi and Classic Car Rally
 Bharthi S Pradhan,
Amitabh Bachchan,
Shatrughan, Sonakshi
and Poonam Sinha at the
launch of Shatrughans
autobiography Anything
But Khamosh in Mumbai

Mohammad Kaif
Hungund, Hamdan
Mohamed Al Murshidi,
Kulwant Singh and
Esmail Amin Hungund
at the rst edition of
the Dubai Festival in Jayshree Burman and
Mumbai Vikram Bawa at the
inauguration of Tao Art
Gallerys 16th anniversary
show in Mumbai

(Standing) Dr Hrishikesh Pai and Dr Nandita Shalini and Dilip Piramal, Dr Suman Agarwal, Dr Malavika Kohli and
Palshetkar, (seated) Collin Dick with Arya and Tara Sharma at the book launch of Super Kids in Mumbai
Diana Hayden at Lilavati Hospital, Mumbai
 Maria Goretti, Brinda Miller,
Maharashtra Chief Minister
Devendra Fadnavis and Ashish
Shelar at the Kala Ghoda Arts
Festival 2016 in Mumbai

Aryan Singh and Rahul Dev Alesha and Samvit Tara at

at the launch of Jugaad Bar the launch of Roche Bobois
in New Delhi second store in Mumbai

Princess
Diya Kumar
of Jaipur at
a polo match
in New Delhi

Anupam Kher and Munmun Ghosh at her book

launch in Mumbai

Tomio Isogai, Subhash C Sarin, Dr E B Khedkar, Dr Geoffrey Clements and Malusi Mogale at the
International Conference on Innovation and Technology in Mumbai

Dr Kamath during
the CGSI Consumer
Redressal Mega
Camp at G S
College in Nagpur
 COOL PICKINGS

BOOKS B
In Shakuntala The Woman
Wronged, author Utkarsh
Patel retells the story of one
of the Mahabharatas most
underrated heroines. This
book compares Shakuntala
to todays modern day woman
and wife. A woman who is independent,
courageous and yet endowed with tenderness,
says the author.
Rupa Publications, t ` 295
Author Ravi Subramanian
spins a tale of love, betrayal
and redemption in The
Bestseller She Wrote.
Says the author, I can
promise my readers that
TheBestseller She Wrote
will be as pacy, racy and full of intrigue as
my other books.
Westland Publications, t ` 295

Author Munmun Gosh

brings you a tale of love
and struggle in her novel
Thicker Than Blood. It tells
the story of a couple who
are desperate for a child,
the tribulations they go
through in order to conceive, and the strain
that befalls their relationship when things do
not go as planned. Says the author, The novel
Thicker Than Blood is my most serious literary
endeavour. It has been inspired by a real-life
story that moved me and I felt it needed to be
told. Also, the story appealed to the romantic
in me. This book is my ode to love.
Jaico Books, t ` 299
 Burger King, for its rst anniversary celebrations
in India, introduced the limited edition Bigg
Boss Whopper as part of its tasting session in
Saket, New Delhi. Available in three variants
- veg, chicken and mutton - the whopper is
juicy, saucy, ery, crunchy and double in size,
taste and experience.
Meal for two: Approx t ` 450
q 011 33107636

RESTAURANT REVIEW 
Sundays wont be the same again with the free
owing Moet & Chandon ChampagneBrunchat
Tamra, Shangri-Las Eros Hotel, New Delhi. This
newest addition is a gastronomical bouquet,
offering authentic South East Asian cuisine
as well as Japanese, Indian and European
fare from its ve interactive cooking theatres.
Tuck in!
t ` 2,750 + taxes per person
q 011 4119 1010

Dig into delicious aromatic biryanis from

Charcoal Biryani. Juicy meats and scrumptious
veg, mixed with perfectly cooked rice, make
up biryanis that are just oozing with avour.
Take your pick from their delectable menu
and order in. Enjoy!
t ` 210 t ` 250 per serving
H charcoalbiryani.com

SPA y
Taj Palace, New Delhi, brings the nest
and most contemporary Indian luxury spa
experience to the city JIVA. It offers various
massage therapies like Vellana, Vishrama,
Sushupti and Vishuddi that leaves you languid
and thoroughly pampered from head-to-toe.
They have also introduced the Salt Room...
t ` 1,000-10,000
 JEWEL TIME
P C Chandra Jewellers, the leading
jewellery brand in Eastern India,
organized a preview of their latest
showroom. The gorgeous Bengali lm
actress Mimi Chakraborty was present
at the ceremony. The 35th showroom
in Siuri, Birbhum, features a wide
array of innovative and contemporary
designs for its discerning customers.
PC Chandra Jewellers wants to
maintain the momentum of its
expansion and reach out to our wide
customer base in various parts of
Bengal and also nationally. With our
strong presence in Kolkata, we feel it
is important to provide similar service
and quality jewellery to our customers
in other parts of the state as well, said
Amitava Chandra, Deputy Managing
Director, PC Chandra Jewellers.

FASHION HUB
Fashion designer Rima
Melwani introduces you to
the world of draping saris,
dupattas, scarves, turbans
and dhotis. Apart from
teaching you the intricate art
of draping, Rima also
shows you how to create
experimental body
coverings. In addition,
she also offers special
lectures on fashion and
costume design.
q +91 9867764237
E rimamelwani@gmail.com

Photograph Lalit Rana

Photograph Late Jagdish Mali
SINK WIN y
Nirali, Indias No. 1 stainless steel kitchen
sink company, presents the ORUS kitchen
sink. Using advanced state-of-the-art
manufacturing expertise, this evergreen anti-
scratch feature is specially suited for todays
rough and tough cleaning of Indian cookware.
The ORUS kitchen sink has two deep bowls.
ORUS also incorporates a special silent sound
reducing coating that reduces vibrations from
dishes and running water. The ORUS sink is
also available in futuristically designed glossy
and satin nishes.
q +91-22-24315500/11/22
H www.niralisinks.com

BLING!
Jazz up your ensembles with
trendy costume jewellery
from Cuban. Cubans
focus is to make each
woman look and feel
beautiful through unique
jewellery collections. Our quality and designs
complement various clothing styles and up
your fashion quotient, says Romil Zaveri,
Founder, Cuban.
H www.storecuban.com

GEEKY GIZMO A
Glide your way to your destination on the
IO Walk a self-balancing scooter. This
intelligent personal mobility device is easy to
maneuver and a fun and exciting substitute
to walking. Just step onto the board and lean
in the direction you want to go, pushing your
toes down. But remember to practise well.
H www.ioindia.co.in
 RAH RAH BAH

KISS
ON THE CHEEK
The Viva N Diva ad featuring acid attack survivor Laxmi Agarwal

KICK
RAH RAH!
Fashion designersManan
ShahandRupesh Jhawar
of Viva N Diva Couture who
made acid attack survivor
Laxmi Agarwal their Face Of
Courage brand ambassador
for their ad capaign.
A minor girl and a pregnant
woman were among
several women allegedly
ON THE REAR gangraped, assaulted
and looted by security
personnel in a remote,
Women in Saudi Arabia
Maoist-dominated area of
should not be allowed to
Chhattisgarh.
drive on the grounds that
they might get raped if

Discrimination against women

is illogical. We are living in the
their cars break down.
SALEH AI-SAADOON
Historian, during a
WIN
Contributors will receive gifts.
Send your ideas to: RAH
21st century. television debate RAH BAH, SAVVY, Magna
SUPRIYA SULE House, Old Prabhadevi Road,
Prabhadevi, Mumbai - 25
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 MARCH 2016

HONOURS
CELEBRATING
SUCCESS
 HONOURS
CELEBRATING
SUCCESS
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` 75 MARCH 2016

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D 9739661925
 CONTENTS
08
Shilpa Jain
12
Leena and Aashkara
HONOURS 16
Bharti Taneja
Social Entrepreneur Fashion Designers Beautician

20 24 28 32
Sneh Dalmia Aarshi Jain Asma Gulzar Madhuri Bhaduri
Jewellery Designer Matrimonial Services Fashion Designer Artist

36 40 44 48
Meety Bagga Parull Mahaajan Jaya Mishra Jai Madaan
Fashion Designer Interior Designer Fashion Designer Astrologer

Editors Note 05
Savvy Inspiration 06

Rosy Alhuwalia
Savvy Finale 64
52 56 60
Prreeti Kumar Dr Sushi Singh Dr Deepika Krishna
Fashion Designer Social Worker Gynecologist
 EDITORS NOTE

Welcome to the inaugural issue of SAVVY Honours

Celebrating Success!
This edition of SAVVY Honours Celebrating Success
features ladies of courage n conviction from the fields
of social work; jewellery, fashion and interior design,
art, beauty and more
Despite battling several challenges, these ladies are
gung-ho! Focused on their destination, they are forging
Photograph: Sanjit Kundu

ahead in warrior woman style!

SAVVY Honours Celebrating Success applauds them
for carving out a niche for themselves in their respective
lines of calling and for accomplishing all that they have!
May they continue to reach for the stars and while
doing so, motivate us to do the same!
Lets raise a toast to them and their tales of strength
and triumph! Cheers!

I wanted to be an independent woman,

a woman who could pay for her bills,
a woman who could run her own life and
I became that woman.
Diane von Furstenberg,
internationally renowned fashion designer

E andrea@magnamags.com
 SAVVY INSPIRATION

Hot Stepper
Rich craftsmanship and beautiful
designs - fashion designer Rosy
Ahluwalias immense talent has
earned her the title of a designer
extraordinaire.
Meet Delhis well-known designer Rosy Ahluwalia who
beautifully melds rich craftsmanship with stunning fabrics. Her
amazing bridal collection and snazzy semi-western silhouettes
are the talk of the town! Excerpts from her interview...
Fashion Foray
My career as a fashion designer took course when I first felt
the urge to dress people. My taste of fashion and clothing was
always praised and that made me start something. To be precise,
my sister asked me to design something for her, which turned
out to be great, and this is what paved the way into my fashion
designing career.
Design Right
My designs spotlight a womans personal style as well as
reflect her inner beauty. Each design is embedded with my
personal signature style that makes it stand apart.
Juggling My Personal & Professional Life
Well, I try and give equal importance to both my personal
and professional life. This is how i manage to maintain
a balancing act. Being a business-oriented woman, I am
extremely focused on my work.
Plans For The Future
My foremost dream is to be renowned worldwide; I hope that
more people recognise what I do. As for my upcoming projects,
the 2016 film One Night Stand will have my collection being
showcased; this excites me! The film stars Sunny Leone who
is extremely talented.

Copy Rinaldo DSouza

 SAVVY HONOURS
Social Entrepreneur Shilpa Jain
Fostering A
Revolution
Shilpa Jain talks about her foray into social services and fostering.
Shilpa Jain is a fine example of a woman who had fostered the
lives of many children who were deprived of the basics in life.
Born and raised in Delhi, she has diverse experience in the
service, education, HR and business management fields. As
the Co-founder and Director Operations of UK Fostering Ltd,
Chief Strategy Officer of RoundArk Pvt Ltd, CEO (Country Head
India) of Ukindo and Founder and Managing Director of Iconix
HR, she further promises to bring in the requisite change in
the mindsets of people across the globe.
Extremely talented and dynamic, what made you want to be in
social services and fostering?
As Dr APJ Abdul Kalam puts it simply: Every successful
story has a painful beginning and every painful beginning has
a successful ending. If you give your heart and soul to your
dream and never give up, things can happen for you. I had
very restless growing up years where I questioned God about
socio-economic diversity in the world. Though I was a kid
myself, I loved kids and would tell my mother that when I grew
up, I would adopt all the children of the world.
I started fostering when I was in Class 10. My domestic help
used to bring her daughter Kaveri along with her to work. It was
a shocker for me to see an eight-year-old washing, mopping and
doing other household chores. Every time little Kaveri would come
home, she would show her keenness towards my books, learning
the alphabet and writing. This happened for a few months and
I could not resist asking my domestic help if Kaveri could be
a part of our family. We would sponsor her education and she
would live with us like family, and the domestic help could visit
us every day to see her well-being. Having six children and an
alcoholic husband, the idea of seeing her child provided with
education and good living standards elated my domestic help.
She was more than happy for us to make Kaveri a part of our
family. Though my parents said an emphatic no as it was a
very big responsibility, I kept my foot rooted to this decision. I
got her enrolled in a government school and then sponsored her
education at university along with a couple of IT courses. Today,
she is earning a decent living by working as a receptionist.
I think giving a new life to Kaveri marked the beginning of my
dream of helping children...
How did you start out on your career?
At the age of 18, I touched the skies by opting for a career
in flying. I had an opportunity to fly as an interpreter for KLM

Royal Dutch Airlines and as Flight Manager with Virgin Atlantic
Airways. Though I was making decent money, I still nurtured a
dream to do something in the social care sector and was always
on the lookout for a medium to kick-start something for children.
My flying career with Virgin Atlantic gave me the opportunity to
travel to England. And soon, my association with like-minded
professionals, who were passionate like me about changing the
lives of children, prompted and inspired me to work in the social
care sector in the UK. I was exposed to the good work being done
in the social care sector, particularly fostering. Fostering actually
was a complete new terminology for me and I could not believe that
England had an act in the legislation which intended to reform the
statutory framework for the care system in England and Wales. It
also made provisions in relation to the well-being of children and
young people, private fostering, child death notification to Local
Safeguarding Children Boards and appropriate national authorities.
I am here in India now to
promote the concept of
fostering in this country.
I decided to join UK Fostering, one of the premium fostering
brands in England. In fact, in just a span of three years, UK
Fostering established four offices in England and had a staff of 16
members with 100 children in placement and 60 foster parents.
What are the trails and tribulations you faced in your career?
I strongly believed in my cause and in myself, and so plunged into
learning new skills. At first, I did two jobs - flying and learning
about the fostering business simultaneously for one year. And
that was the most challenging part - I traversed through two
countries, worked two jobs simultaneously and also looked
after my family. My little boy was six when I finally quit Virgin
Atlantic. And the challenges piled up... new country, new rules,
new laws, new culture and a different style of business... you
name it, and I faced it! It was a little disheartening to face
complete discouragement from some of my near and dear ones.
I was actually told that it was too challenging and I would come
back facing failures. But I believed in myself and promised never
to quit. I studied day and night about policies and procedures,
and learnt everything from scratch.
Being the only Indian female director in the team as well in the
country in the fostering business, made it more challenging
for me. And when my husband and seven-year-old son moved
to the UK, it became more challenging.There is no concept of
house help in the UK, so I had to do everything myself at home
as well as rush to office. Going to a new school, a new system
of education and class culture came as a surprise to my little
one, so I had to make sure that I was there to support him and
make him feel at home. But I faced all these challenges chin
up, and worked very hard to prove myself. And prove, I did!
How did you foray back into India?
With my fostering business going well, India too was calling
me to bring back what I had learnt abroad. To begin with, I
started looking at various business ideas and investments to
bring back to India. And my answer was outsourcing. After a lot
of persuasion, as the directors were a little skeptical to enter
Indian shores, I was able to push them to invest in India in
I have dared to break the
so-called norms women are
expected to follow.
YNG Media which resulted in a co-association, and RoundArk
Pvt Ltd was formed. I was able to create 90 jobs for the young
aspirants in RoundArk within two months of the merger. Now
I am in talks with several UK-based companies to bring in
investments and business to India for better and well-priced
services, plus create employment.
What are your achievements so far?
UK Fostering is the only agency to get an outstanding report
from local government authorities in its first inspection and
we are holding on to that record since 2013. Ukindo was
registered in England and Wales in 2014, and within three
months of operations in India, we have started two schools
in Rohtak (one each is in the pipeline in Noida and Gurgaon)
which are giving full-time quality education to 40-odd slum
children and providing skill development courses in English,
and IT courses for young girls from government schools.
RoundArks merger with YNG Media has also created 90
additional jobs for the young aspirants.
How do you balance your work and personal life?
Societal views are still too restrictive towards women who aspire
to do something in their lives and dream big. Even today, living sector contributing to this noble cause for a long time. They
in the 21st century, a woman is expected to follow age old inspired me to take on new challenges and not be afraid of
rules. But I have dared to break the so-called norms women venturing into social causes.
are expected to follow. I do my work very meticulously. When
Today, I want to see Ukindo on an international scale with a
I wake up in morning, I prepare a to-do list for both personal
special focus on India. I am now in India to promote the concept
and professional tasks I need to complete for the day. I spend
of fostering in this country. Also, I have plans to bring fostering
my break time, especially the weekends, with my family. I make
services into India under project Ukindo where I am planning
sure I cook for my little one and try to do as much work online
to raise funds from western countries. I also would like to urge
as possible so that it curtails my travel. I am also inculcating
families to come forward to foster children of deprived families
similar values in my son to be sensitive towards other children
to give them a better life.
and I hope he follows in the same footsteps.
...The way Shilpa is scaling the ladder, looks like she will ace
Who has been your inspiration and what are your future plans?
her mission to foster all those who need care.
I think in the beginning Kaveri was my inspiration. Since then,
I promised myself that Id help children like her. My sources H www.ukfostering.org.uk H www.ukindo.org
of inspiration are also my fellow directors Amar Dhull, Urs
Bielmann and Tim McArdle who have been in the social care
Copy Trisha Mahajan
 SAVVY HONOURS
Fashion Designers Leena and Aashkara Bidani
CREATIVE
SOULS
Fashion designers Leena and Aashkara Bidani reveal how they
strike a balance between art and fashion.
New Delhi-based mother-daughter duo Leena and Aashkara
Bidani are fashion designers par excellence. Leenas
background as an artist and Aashkaras fashion styling fused
together led to their venture of a retail store which has a vast
range of their wearable art collection under the label LEENA
& AASHKARAS Bling Closet. Together they have been on
the cover of four magazines and have walked the ramp for
designer Annaika and for the Festival of Hope, an initiative
to felicitate cancer survivors. Their designs, sense of style
and creativity stand out from the rest and are meant for the
urban chic population.
What made youll want to be designers?
I have always been interested in art, sketching and painting.
After a series of solo and joint exhibitions, I transformed my
art work by digital printing my work on ties, scarves, stoles,
handbags and apparel. Aashkara, on the other hand, has a
God-gifted talent for fashion styling and graphic designing. Our
backgrounds tilt more towards the creative side and that made
Our backgrounds tilt more towards the creative side and that
made us pursue the designing part seriously and passionately.
us pursue the designing part seriously and passionately. The
beauty of silhouettes on the human body, the idea of draping
and the idea of playing with different fabrics and creating out-
of-the-box designs inspired us to become fashion designers.
Please tell us about your work.
Our journey is not that old but touchwood, so far it has been
a wonderful experience. Right from our rst collection of all
my paintings being digitally printed on fabric, to our latest
collection of holographic and colourful apparel, our designs
have all been different from others.
What about the recognition you have received?
Our collections have been hits with majority of our stocks sold
out. We have been widely accepted and appreciated. In fact,
Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week has invited our label
for a fashion preview for emerging designers to showcase our
products later this year.
Mercedes Benz New York Fashion Week has invited
our label for a fashion preview.
How do youll maintain a balance between your work and personal life? future plans are concerned, we want to keep creating new
Work and personal life are very well balanced. Both of us designs. Besides our store in Delhi, we want to have a
work a lot during the nights when we are at our creative presence in Mumbai and other cities in India as well as
best. We also need to thank our family for their support go global.
in allowing us to pursue our dreams and be occupied
Looking at Leena and Aashkaras creative pursuits, looks like
professionally.
they will create a sensation in the eld of fashion designing.
Who do see as your inspiration and what are your future plans?
We do not have any role model as such. As far as Copy Trisha Mahajan
 SAVVY HONOURS
Beautician Bharti Taneja
Beauty
Idol
Bharti Taneja shares nuances of her world of beauty
and her future plans.
Famous aesthetician, cosmetologist and director of the ALPS
Beauty Clinic and Academies, Bharti Taneja is a name that
is synonymous with the whos who from the industry. Fondly
known as The Golden Lady, this feisty woman is on the
top of the skin and hair domain because of her success
mantra, which is nothing else but being happy and spreading
happiness through her work. She is honest, has an appetite
for learning, is passionate, perseverant and always says yes
to whatever comes her way. All these attributes she fuses with
hard work and because of being so grounded in life, she has
been able to win hearts all across the globe. She has been
in this industry for decades and her experience has given the
world answers to all skin and hair related problems - through
her first ever introduced 24 karat gold facial, non surgical
laser treatments, special masks, permanent makeup and nail
extension services among others. Crowned with more than a
dozen awards, this beauty pioneer has brushed her magic on
stars likeMadhuri Dixit, Sushmita Sen, Jaya Prada, Nafisa Ali,
Tom Alter, Moonmoon Sen among many others. This woman
stands tall with her enigmatic personality, her master recipe
that fuses science with beauty and a strong belief in the fact
that no matter how others step up on the ladder in business,
she will always be stringent in following her success mantras.
Excerpts from the interview
Extremely talented and dynamic, you have aspired to reach the skies in
your choice of career. What made you want to be a beauty personnel?
The imaginative soul in me kept me busy doing all sorts of
creative work ever since my childhood. Be it crafting toys with
my hands, giving shape to handmade jewellery or trying my
hand at painting, I adored doing it all. The word beauty itself
fascinated me and when I pondered over it again and again, I
made the word itself look and sound beautiful. Also, being a
science student allowed me to instil a logical connection between
things. Mixing science with beauty became my passion and
it slowly reached a place where I had the clinical answer for
every skin or hair problem in the world. This love for beautifying
things gradually progressed into making people beautiful with
the game of colours called makeup. In fact, beauty caught my
fancy in a way that I decided to open a beauty clinic to impart
condence to people through clinical beauty services and by
spreading millions of smiles through them.
Tell us about your work.
Long ago, there used to be either beauticians doing beauty jobs
or dermatologists who would look into peoples skin problems
and guide them on the right way to take care of their skin. I
started with services like non surgical laser treatments and
special masks that could make any woman look nearly 5-10
years younger than her actual age, or could even help remove
 Gold Medal Excellence
in Beauty Care 1992

With Madhuri Dixit in 1993

With Nafisa Ali in 1994

burn marks and keloids from the skin. This became a rage
and was accepted and appreciated widely. I also introduced
the 24 karat gold facial treatment which became famous as it
has the power to beautify skin and immediately show positive
results. Another revolution came into the industry when I started
permanent makeup in 1990 which helped women solve their
problems like changing the shape of their eyebrows, or making
them a little darker, or even adding them for those who lacked
them due to medical issues. Along with that, my efciency
in hiding leucoderma patches not just brought condence in
women, but also helped them nd a suitable job or life partner.
Coming to nail extension which is now a next door thing, it
was introduced by me in the very same year.
What are the trials and tribulations you faced in your career?
Beauty wasnt considered an esteemed vocation in the days
when I decided to open ALPS. I was a science teacher at a
reputed school, a profession any family felt proud of during
those days. So quitting teaching and barging into the beauty
business by opening a salon came as a slight surprise to
everyone. However, things changed as I progressed and my
parlour started getting great reviews in the initial days itself.
People used to be impressed not only with my services, but
also with the way I amalgamated science and beauty to provide With husband Mr Balraj Taneja and daughters
them expert clinical jobs at a nominal cost. They also praised Gunjan Gaur and Ishika Taneja

I am proud that the single-room venture has today

sprouted to 20 centers.
my interpersonal skills and used to get astonished seeing
them. And, all thanks to word-of-mouth publicity, footfall
in the salon went way beyond my expectationswithin three
monthsof opening. I felt like I was ying in the sky. As far as
other challenges are concerned, money was a real and practical
issue which I faced during my initial days. With just Rs 2,000
as my investment - quite an insufcient sum, even in those
days - and my zeal and passion, I ended up inaugurating ALPS
in my bedroom in my house itself. And I am proud that the
single-room venture has today sprouted to 20 centres. Another
challenge that I encountered were numerous health issues
which troubled me during my pregnancy. However, people were
amazed to see my hard work during that time as well. But as
if my destiny developed a lifelong relationship with hurdles,
Opening of Lajpat Nagar clinic in 1997
unfortunately, I got diagnosed with arthritis after my delivery
which further deteriorated my health. Despite all these hurdles,
I never looked back and kept on marching towards success.
What are the awards and felicitations that you have received?
My biggest achievement lies in bringing smiles on the faces of
different women. This eventually gives me immense happiness With Jaya Prada in 1998
and inspires me more towards my goal. I was awarded the
rst ever gold medal of my life after entering the profession of
cosmetology. Although after this I won many other awards in my
eld again, the same pride of that rst one wells up whenever I
see that medal. My list of awards includes the PhD Chamber of
Commerce Award, Magicka Lifetime Achievement Award, Indian
Global Women Achiever Award, Woman of the Year Award, Gold
Medal for Beauty Care, The Millennium Women Award, Talented
Woman Award, The Excellence Award, Indian Women Power
Award, Rajdhani Ratan Award, Silver Shield for Excellence in
Beauty Care, Rashtriya Ekta Puruskar, Grihalakshmi Goodwill
Ambassador Award, Global Fashion Woman Award and Women
Achiever Award. I feel happy and proud to be associated with
radio, TV channels, popular magazines and print media... BBC always inspired me to be successful while doing my deeds
London, Aaj Tak, Zee News, Sahara Channel, News X, News Nation, with utmost passion. With this inspiration I am able to
Total TV, Focus News, Radio Mirchi, AIR Rainbow, Hindustan implement my passion with utmost hard work, sincerity
Times, Times of India, Dainik Bhaskar, Amar Ujala, SAVVY, and concern. I feel that all these qualities are injected in
Femina, Cosmopolitan, Vanita and Manorama among others. my blood itself and have a great role to play in my success.

I was awarded the first ever gold medal of my life after

entering the profession of cosmetology.
How do you balance work and your personal life?
Juggling between work and the personal space can be quite
cumbersome and I feel blessed to do so with lan. I always make
sureI have a deep conversation with my family, my husband
and two daughters before going to bed no matter how late it is.
In fact, my husband and I love doing things together - be it our
morning jog, breakfast, random tea sessions or worship - we get
ample time to spend with each other. Luckily both of us are in
professions that complement each other and allow us to discuss
business matters which gives us a chance to share each others
views. All three of them remain my business colleagues who
work towards achieving success for the brand ALPS.
Who has been your inspiration and what are your future plans?
I have inherited honesty and hard work from my father who
It is with his blessings that after creating a revolution
in the beauty and wellness domains, we are planning to
expand our horizons both nationally and internationally.
Currently, we are looking to handover more and more
franchises all over North India and are looking to spread
our wings to other states and eventually overseas. We
want ALPS to spread widely just like the ALPS mountain
range. Therefore, we are now inviting franchisees as well
as investors to join us by opening franchises and reaping
protable benets along with us.
Bhartis journey spanning decades makes us realise that
the lady has a God-given artistic talent for beauty.
Copy Trisha Mahajan
 SAVVY HONOURS
Jewellery Designer Sneh Dalmia
Indianness
Redefined
Fashion and jewellery designer Sneh Dalmia shares her love
for designing.
Her love for design has helped fashion and jewellery designer
Sneh Dalmia develop a name for herself in Surat. The 33-year-
old designer is particularly known for her heavy bridal wear
collection. Her delicate hand work outshines others in the
same genre. Over the years, she has taken over a couple of
cities and wishes to add more to her portfolio.
Excerpts from the interview
Why did you decide to enter the world of designing?
While I was doing my graduation from LSR College I
simultaneously did a course in fashion designing from the
International Institute of Fashion Technology (IIFT) followed by
a course in jewellery designing from SNDT Mumbai. I secured a
few projects as fashion and jewellery designer in parallel cinema
which was enough to gain experience then. Thereafter, I went
back to my native place Panipat and started working on my
own in a smaller way. I got married and shifted to Surat. After
taking a break for a year-and-a-half, I started working again.
Tell us about your work.
I really believe in karma so I wanted to register my brand as
Karma. But because the same couldnt be registered, I started
My attire always has a mix of hand work consisting of rich
zardozi, sequins, mukaish and pipe work amongst others.
working under the brand Veda La Robe. My work consists of
heavy bridal wear as well as a few semi formal and formal
outfits. From tunics, drapes, saris, lehengas, crop tops and
skirts, gowns to anarkalis - I make everything. I work according
to the seasons and choose a colour palette which is suitable
for each. My attire always has a mix of hand work consisting of
rich zardozi, sequins, mukaish and pipe work amongst others.
As far as materials are concerned, we use pure silk, organza,
net, georgette, chanderi, chiffon and silk muslin.
What are the trials and tribulations you have faced in your career?
I started from scratch. And because I took a long break, it
seemed difficult to start all over again as there was a cultural
and taste difference. I took time to understand the market
and establish myself in Surat. I started slowly and steadily
and in due course, I was able to create my brand and make
a name here.
What recognition have you received so far?
Starting from a small home setup to having a proper studio
is in itself an achievement. I dont believe in advertising,
but my work and word-of-mouth publicity really helped me
fetch good clients. People come to me from Ahmedabad,
Mumbai, US and other places for outfits, especially brides.
My wish now is to expand my work and spread my wings
in different parts of the country.
I have done fashion shows in Kanpur, Indore and Nagpur
among other places. Each day I grow in terms of orders and
building a reputation with my clients. Everything is going in
the right direction.
How do you balance your work and your personal life?
Both things go well with each other. It isnt a tough task
to balance both as my family members have always been
supportive. When I took a break in between, I was more
focused on my personal life, yet I never neglected work
and built up contacts during that time. So, everything
balanced out well.
What are your future plans?
I have worked really hard all these years. My wish now is to
expand my work and spread my wings in different parts of the
country. Additionally, I am looking forward to my forthcoming
fashion show in Los Angeles.
Snehs passion towards her work is definitely
going to help her conquer the world through her
designs!
Copy Trisha Mahajan
 SAVVY HONOURS

Matrimonial Services Aarshi Jain

Effortless
matrimony service
New Delhi-based Aarshi Jain believes that Aarshis
Matrimonial Solutions offers the best in matrimonial services.
42-year-old Aarshi Jain is the owner of Aarshis Matrimonial
Solutions. She has been in the matrimonial solutions service
sector for more than 18 years now. With her wealth of experience,
she had seen quite a lot happening in the matrimonial domain.
She hails from a business family from Rajasthan. Aarshi strongly
feels that in India, marriage is often a relationship between
families and not two individuals, unlike what happens in western
countries. It is for this reason that match-making involves a
thorough understanding of the cultures, religions, financial and
social status of the two families involved. A deep understanding
of this concept made Aarshi come up with Aarshis Matrimonial
Solutions which is now one of the most preferred matrimonial
service companies in the country. Her endeavour has always
been to provide in-depth research, valuable services and
The biggest challenge was to change the perception of people
towards the matrimonial industry.
above all, highest quality customer service delivered with a sense
of warmth, understanding, respect and spirit. Today, finding the
right match is far easier because of Aarshis commendable efforts.
Excerpts from the interview...
Extremely talented and dynamic, you have aspiredto reach the skies
in your choice of career. What made you choose your profession?
I have always felt that I did not choose this profession, rather God
has chosen me for this and with the passage of time, slowly and
gradually, my profession became my passion.
What are the hurdles you faced in your career?
The biggest challenge was to change the perception of people
towards the martimonial industry. Earlier it was mostly
handled by individuals and purohits. We have tried our
best to modify it and give it a corporate shape that
offers personalized services. Another tribulation is social
changes. For instance, people have started relying more
on information from Facebook and online patri matching
services etc.
What are the milestones in the form of recognition, awards and
felicitations that you have received?
The biggest milestone that stands as recognition for our company
is 100% referral data. Every day we get positive references, which
means that to run our organization, we dont need publicity any
My main strength is my family... they act as my support pillar
and have always stood by me.
more. Just to spread awareness on a wide scale, we might take
the help of the media which in itself is a big award.
How do you balance work and your personal life?
My main strength is my family... they act as my support pillar
and have always stood by me, so balancing my professional,
personal and social life has always been easy. A good team
and well organized systems help me give adequate time to
my personal life.
Who has been your inspiration and what are your future plans?
My motivation is society itself. When I look into this area
of match searching, where a lot of misconceptions and
mishandling go on, I always think about what I can contribute from
my end in order to ease the whole process with the help of my
experience and knowledge. In addition, my thoughts move on to all
the new methods and systems we can implement in order to make
this matrimonial search process easier, beautiful and effective.
With Aarshi firm and determined to change the perception
of people through her improvised services, were sure shell
contribute a lot towards bringing about the required change
in society.
Copy Trisha Mahajan
SAVVY HONOURS

Fashion Designer
Asma Gulzar

EXQUISITE
DESIGNS
Noted fashion
designer Asma Gulzar
shares her passion for
exquisite designs and
colour play.
From my childhood, I was passionate about designing clothes.
So my penchant for design made me veer towards designing.
With her sense of style and lan, the beautiful Asma Gulzar Excerpts from the interview...
could actually pass off as one of her gorgeous models.
Tell us about your brand...
Extremely talented, this enterprising lady is known for her
From my childhood, I was passionate about designing clothes.
very stylish Aida Couture - The Fashion Hub. A graduate
So it was absolutely obvious that my penchant for design
from the prestigious NIFT, this incredibly talented designer
would make me veer towards designing clothes. Aida Fashion
is known for amazingly gorgeous bridal wear. Here, she lets
opened in 1996 in New Delhi with the idea of promoting and
us into her fashionable world lled with exquisite designs,
showcasing great design and craftsmanship. I have been
amazing hues and styles.
in this business for around 12 years now and am enjoying
I believe in designing clothes which are simple yet elegant.
every moment. We specialize in Indo-Western designs. We
also have western wear like cape tops, crop tops, gowns,
skirts and more.
What is the USP of your brand?
Our fabulous bridal collection comprises Indo-Western
styles with floor length jackets and elegant anarkali
gowns with heavy zardosi work. Our creations are extremely
popular.
Have you also participated in any shows or events?
Yes, I have participated in various premium exhibitions and
shows like Wedding Asia, Jalsa, Medusa, London Market etc.
What are your success mantras?
I believe in designing clothes which are simple yet elegant.
With her keen eye on style, we are sure Asma Gulzar will
keep soaring high!
Copy Bhavana Doifode
 SAVVY HONOURS
Artist Madhuri Bhaduri
An Artist Par
Excellence
The talented Madhuri Bhaduri shares light on her much
celebrated 40 years of work as an artist and more.
Shes vibrant, vivacious and extremely talented. Meet Madhuri
Bhaduri, one of Indias most versatile artists whose canvas
reflects the intensity, serenity, strength and positivity of her
mind. Noticed by art greats like Maharani Gayatri Devi, Jamshedji
Bhabha, industrialist Harsh Goenka and SH Raza, Madhuris
illustrious career as an artist spans almost four decades. Though
she is rather reticent and modest about her many milestones,
her successful exhibitions that have garnered much acclaim
from critics and fans, speak volumes about her immense talent.
In an interesting tte--tte, the affable Madhuri speaks about
her life, struggle, trials and tribulations, and her positive attitude
that has triumphed over many adversities.
...No wonder, we were bowled over her by her magnetic
personality, her joi de vivre and immense positivity.
Excerpts from the interview...
Taking Up Art: I loved to paint even as a child. But till the
age of 19-20, I was an avid badminton player and had even
been crowned as the National Champion though I didnt even
have a coach. After that, I played five years of squash. But
art was my passion and after painting for 9-10 years, I was
encouraged by my friend industrialist Geetanjali Kirloskar, to
hold an exhibition of my paintings at the Bal Gandharva Art
Gallery in Pune in 1986. Out of the 60 paintings exhibited, 45
paintings were sold on the first day itself! Encouraged by the
success of my first exhibition, I started painting in earnest. At
that point, I was inspired by nature and life around me. By the
90s, I had mellowed as an artist and I wanted to experiment
with the human form. I went on to do a series of tribal folk,
clowns, nudes and many such figurative experiments until
2001. In 2002, I revisited nature more in abstraction now and
continued my serious journey into the art world.
My Parents Blessings: My parents have always been very
supportive. Whether as a badminton player or an artist, I
have always been encouraged to give my best. My artistic
inclinations come from my mother who was a classical vocalist
on All India Radio for over five decades. My father and she
My paintings reflect my inner sense and are always
true to my being.
not only encouraged me to take up painting, but were also a
driving force in my life.
My Art: I truly believe that you are what you paint. So my paintings
reflect my inner sense and are always true to my being. Perhaps
thats why legendary art collectors, the illustrious Maharani
Gayatri Devi of Jaipur and Jamshedji Bhabha of TATA Sons,
noticed me and I went on to be an integral part of the Tatas
corporate calendar in 1989. I rubbed shoulders with greats
like MF Hussain, Anjolie Ela Menon, Ara, Laxman Shreshta
and Bikash Bhattacharya. At that point, I was a young artist
and this really boosted my confidence.
Trials & Tribulations: I have always been very positive about
everything in my life, no matter what I faced. Yes, Ive had
my share of problems. My husband had a prolonged illness
for 12 years, until he passed away in 2007. At that time, I
was juggling between my little son, my ailing husband and my
work. Yet, I never gave up hope and battled all adversities.
Not too many people knew about my pain and struggle as I
always kept a positive approach. Today, I feel all my efforts
have been vindicated as my son is a professional golfer and a
known name, and my art has given me an illustrious name...
My Art Is Cathartic: All the emotional upheavals I have been
through in my life have helped me develop as an artist. My
canvas has been my most treasured friend. I have conveyed
my innermost feelings on my canvas. I have played with
colours. In fact, I am told that I handle colours very well.
Perhaps thats why as an artist, I have had a winning streak.
Industrialist and art connoisseur Harsh Goenka noticed my
work. And so did art lover Vikram Singh who told me that after
Anjolie Ela Menon, he found my work interesting enough to
open his residence to, to showcase my works to his exclusive
guests. Legendary artist SH Raza had inaugurated one of
All the emotional upheavals I have been through in my
life have helped me develop as an artist.
my shows in 2009. And he told me that my paintings look
like poetry on canvas. In terms of awards, I was awarded the
Best Designer by the Centre of Excellence in Art and Design
(CEAD) for their industrial calendar in 1988. I have had the
opportunity of having more than 30 solo exhibitions in India
and abroad in all the major galleries.
As a responsible citizen, I have auctioned my work and the
proceeds were utilized for the earthquake victims of Bhuj,
Gujarat. Recently, my paintings were displayed at a charity
event held by SEC (Society for Education of Crippled). I have
also donated my paintings to the Mata Amritanand Trust, Kochi
and V Care, Gujarat. I did a solo show auctioned by Christel
House for their organisation, and participated in Save The
Hills campaign for the environment, Pune, among other things.
Future Projects: There are various shows lined up in various
cities in India and a few internationally too. I want to
spread my art in public spaces and touch many more hearts
through it.
My Inspiration: I used to closely follow the works of the
impressionist painters, my favourites being Vincent van Gogh
and Paul Clee. Besides them, my grandmother, who lived till
the age of 90, was my biggest inspiration. Her basic values of
honesty, hard work and dedication have been imbibed by me,
and that too reflects in my art.
I Believe: That when you singularly have the correct intention
and work on your goal with honesty and sincerity, God will pave
the way for you and make your dreams a reality.
...Madhuri Bhaduri is indeed an inspiration. Her positivity
and never-say-die attitude make this unique artist stand out!
Truly, she is blessed!
Copy Sumita Chakraborty
 SAVVY HONOURS
Fashion Designer Meety Bagga
BACK TO THE
ROOTS
Fashion designer Meety Bagga shares her passion for Benarasi
weaves and fabrics, and her effort to reinvent them for iGen.
Fashion designer Meety Bagga from Varanasi has been
relentlessly promoting Benarasi weaves through her designs
all over the world. She has been promoting and restoring
these forgotten crafts for the past 25 years. The lady aims
to bring back the glory of forgotten fabrics like Tanjore,
Benarasi, Organza etc. She has closely worked with celebrities
like Aishwarya Rai Bachchan, Shabana Azmi and Padmini
Kolhapure among others and has made her name in a field
that needed much attention.
Excerpts from the interview...
Why did you choose designing as a field?
The first encouragement came to me from my mother who
wanted and encouraged me to be a designer. So, after pursuing
a course in fashion designing, I realized that I was good at hand
embroidery. Also, hailing from Benaras, I am very attached to
my roots and I have always been passionate about Benarasi
weaves. I have a creative thought process and it was easy to
enter the field of fashion designing.
Who has been your inspiration?
My father-in-law has been the biggest driving force behind
my successful career. He has supported me a lot. 25 years
ago when I spoke to him about my passion, he not only gave
me his permission, but also took me with him to parties
where people from the Benaras circuit mingle. This helped
With a modern twist to my garments, the young and old generation
will start appreciating our own Indian textiles and art.
me a lot to set foot in the industry. Thereafter, my husband
has always stood by me throughout my career.
What are the trials and tribulations you faced in your career?
I have still not attained the platform I deserve. It has been
difficult all these years... setting my foot in Benaras. I want
people to know me for my work. Apart from this, I am looking
forward to some guidance that can help me build both name
and fame.
Tell us about your work.
I like to sketch my own designs as I believe in exclusivity.
In the past few years I have designed home furnishings like
bed covers, curtains, cushions etc. I have been exporting the
same. I am into ethnic and western Benarasi style clothing
and present them with a twist in my design. I am into making
Benarasi handicrafts. I work with Benarasi weavers and use
all traditional fabrics in my creations. I believe that with a
My collections have been displayed in Hyderabad, Mumbai,
Singapore and USA.
modern twist to my garments, the young and old generation
will start appreciating our own Indian textiles and art. I dont
operate from a studio as all the orders are through courier. I
organize fashion shows and my collections have been displayed
in places like Hyderabad, Mumbai, Singapore and USA.
How do you balance work and your personal life?
I married in an industrialist family. Because of the busy work
schedule, I get less time to interact with family members. But
all of us make it a point to sit and discuss both our personal
and professional lives as we start our day in the morning. I
dont work from a studio, but I am busy throughout the day
meeting people and guiding workers about the tasks they have
to complete through the day.
We are sure that with Meety Baggas flair for style and her passion
to revive forgotten crafts, she is sure to touch the sky.
Copy Vipul Kashyap
 SAVVY HONOURS

Interior Designer Parull Mahaajan

GIVING LIFE
TO SPACES
Interior designer Parull Mahaajan spotlights her life as a designer
and her love for nature which inspires her creations.
Young and dynamic, Gurgaon-based Parull Mahaajan has
immaculate skills which makes her an interior designer par
excellence. With a penchant for designing and sensibilities
towards detailing and aesthetics, in a career spanning 10 years,
Parull has been successful in creating her own statement design
and sample sites. What makes her living spaces bespoke is her
ideology to keep in mind the functional, emotional, social and
psychological needs of the client while designing.
Excerpts from the interview...
Why did you choose to be a designer?
I come from a family of bureaucrats and following the family
tradition, I graduated in law and started preparing for the Civil
Services along with practicing law. But after two years, I gave
it up for my love for designing and trained myself in interior
and textile designing. I kick-started my career as an interior
designer about a decade ago. I chose interior designing because
I have always had that passion for enhancing the beauty of
spaces.So, it took very little time for my passion to convert
into my profession. I started only with design consultancy but
gradually, I realized that often whatever I designed was not
executed to perfection in terms of accuracy and workmanship.
This really put me off. So one ne day, I decided to start with
turnkey execution of my projects as well. Now I have full control
Nothing can beat the sense of accomplishment and
achievement which I get on creating something new and unique.
on the execution part too which results in the perfect design.
What has been your inspiration?
My inspiration has been the joy which I get out of creation.
Nothing can beat the sense of accomplishment and achievement
which I get on creating something new and unique.
Please give us insights into your work.
Eager to grow and explore the eld of interior design, I
launched my rm House of Design in Gurgaon. The main
idea was to create a one-stop solution for all kinds of interior
and building requirements. It is a design consultancy and
turnkey execution rm with expertise in sourcing of interior
materials from all across the globe. Be it an apartment,
villa, farmhouse or commercial project, House of Design
is able to tailor the best solution for its valued customers.
What do you see as your moment of achievement in the field?
Having successfully completed about 100 sites in the past 10
years, I believe I have not just grown in my career, but have
also become quite versatile with respect to my work.
Balance is very important in life. I give equal importance to
both the areas of my life.
What are the challenges youve faced in your career?
The eld of construction and interiors is highly unorganized
and labour-oriented. I have had my share of difculties, but
have learnt with experience how to deal with them.
How do you balance work and your personal life?
Balance is very important in life. I give equal importance to both
areas of my life. I feel what is important is not the quantity,
but the quality of time which we spend in each area.
What are your future plans?
My future plan is to move towards making green and eco-
friendly spaces which are closer to nature. Also, I am a staunch
believer in the Make in India concept and try to incorporate
it in my designs in some way or the other. I am also looking
at strengthening our collaborations with good Indian and
international designers.
Looking at Parulls successful journey as an interior designer,
proves that she has time and again scaled new heights in her
entrepreneurial journey.
Copy Trisha Mahajan
 SAVVY HONOURS

Fashion Designer Jaya Misra

Fashion
Fervour
Jaya Misra spotlights her world of designing and more.
A designer will always bring an element of design in every aspect
of her life. Fashion designer Jaya Misra is a living example of
that. No wonder she is an international name in the world of
fashion. She has showcased her work in places like Australia,
Brooklyn, Boston, Philadelphia, London, Singapore, Hong Kong
and Dubai, as well as at the prestigious Vancouver and Belgrade
Fashion Weeks. In India, Misra has showcased at the Aamby
Valley India Bridal Week, the Audi group show, Surya Gold and
Swarovski shows and India Resort Fashion Week. She has styled
Bollywood hotties like Amitabh Bachchan, Aditya Roy Kapur,
Jaqueline Fernandes and Shraddha Kapoor among others.
Excerpts from the interview...
Why did you become a designer?
I grew up in Mumbai and since my childhood I have been interested
in fashion. I always wore clothes designed by me. I got married at
the age of 19, and the very next year I became a mother. When
my children grew up, I joined NIFT, Bhawanipur in Kolkata for
a course in Fashion Designing where I bagged the Best Fashion
Designer Award during my graduation and before I knew it, my
label Jaya Misra was recognised nationally and internationally.
Support & Obstacles
I was a housewife who dreamed of becoming a designer and I
The beauty of nature inspires me. This can be seen in the
earthy colour palette and floral motifs I often turn to.
became one. It all depends on the hard work you put in. No one
else can make it happen for you.
There were many firsts. I started travelling alone... It is not easy
to do a show abroad, where you get no manpower and you have
to do everything yourself, plus everything is so expensive. All
this needs a lot of planning.
Balancing Act
My husband and the whole family backed me up. People talk
about a work-life balance, but I always balanced my work and
family life perfectly. I am a perfectionist in whatever I do. I
never lose focus. I plan and do all my work. And when you
do that, you have everything in place.
Inspirations
The beauty of nature inspires me. This can be seen in the
earthy colour palette and floral motifs I often turn to. They
have emerged as a signature of my brand too. A fine showcase
of Indian craftsmanship, intricate nakkashi embroidery,
meenakari work, zardozi work and Swarovski embellishments
Amitabh Bachchan is very tall and his hands are very long, so
his clothes have to be very specifically tailor-made.
whilst experimenting with a cocktail of colours, is the
mainstay of my brand.
Dressing The Celebs
Amitabh Bachchan is a very sorted person. He is very tall
and his hands are very long, so his clothes have to be very
specifically tailor-made. You just cant give him something
off the rack. Aditya Roy Kapoor is very simple, a darling.
He loves to wear rags like torn jeans etc. He just refuses to
wear bright colours. I also dressed Jacqueline Fernandes
and she is my favourite. She is so flexible with no hassles. It is
a pleasure to work with her.
Future Plans
My birds are flying quite high in the sky of fashion right now. I
have a new design up my sleeve, but let it be a secret for the
time being. Ill tell you when I am completely ready.
Fashionable and formidable, this super talented designer is soaring
towards the stars.
Copy Sudeshna Chakravarty
 SAVVY HONOURS

Astrologer Jai Madaan

Versatility
At Its Best
The multi-faceted Jai Madaan solves problems
with her magic wand of astrology.

The beautiful Jai Madaan dons many hats. A multi-
talented personality, Jai offers various services in the
eld of palmistry, astrology, face reading, numerology,
hypnotherapy, healing, tarot card reading and vastu
consultancy for homes, ofces, factories, projects and
workplaces. In addition, she is a motivational speaker,
relationship counsellor and at the corporate level
conducts workshops on topics like the laws of attraction
and human relationships. Her honest assessment of her
clients needs and simple yet practical solutions, bring
about desired changes in their lives.
Excerpts from the interview...
What inspired you to be an astrologer?
Astrology just happened to me... surprisingly, I never
thought of it. I believe that you never choose your
profession, it is destiny that chooses your line of work.
I also rmly believe that divinity can change everything.
So God chose me as a medium to serve His people and
I am trying my best to make Him proud.
What challenges have you faced in your career?
Being a daughter and daughter-in-law of a business class
family, its really not easy to come out of the cocoon. I
always wanted to be self-reliant. In fact, even to start
my line of work,I never took a single penny from my
Every struggle inspires you to be stronger. I dont have any
future plans because God gives me more than I can think of.
father or my husband. Initially, I started working out How easy or difficult is it to balance your personal life
of a car garage which was not even maintained. But and work?
at that time, I didnt have sufcient funds for a well Initially, it was really not easy to balance my work and
sustained ofce. So, I started my astrology journey from personal life.I always wanted to be a working mother.
there. At rst it was tough, but I believe where there So when my daughter came into my life 11 years ago,
is a will, there is a way. And it wouldnt have been I was juggling between work and family. I used to
possible without my gurus (Guru Nanak Devji) blessings picture the Assamese women who carry their babies
and love. I strongly believe that the divine forces are with them as they work in the tea gardens. They were
always with me. an inspiration to me. In fact, I have taken care of my
What are the milestones in the form of recognition, awards daughter exactly like that. Usually, after school, my
and felicitations that you have recieved? daughter comes directly to my ofce where I have a
Currently, I am a columnist withLOfciel, The Man, room for her. She plays and studies there. Ever since
Vistara, Wedding Vows, Ravishing, The Pioneer and she was born,I have known that I have to juggle my two
The Asian Age. Talking about television, I appear on babies - my work and her. And I try to strike a balance
the Family Guru show on India News. Before this, I was to make sure neither feels neglected.
withIndia TVfor their daily show calledAaja Goodluck What has inspired you? Also, what are your forthcoming plans?
Nikaale. I also contributed articles as a relationship expert Every struggle inspires you to be stronger. I dont have
toHindustan Times. Apart from this, I also contributed any future plans because God gives me more than I can
toSaharaSamay as a tarot card reader, and did several think of. So, I have stopped making plans and instead
shows forSahara NCR,Sahara MP and Pragya Channelas live with the ow. My motive in life is to change the
a motivational speaker,healer and afrmation expert,Zee perception of people towards astrology and spirituality,
TVas a motivational speaker for a show called Lady Raaj, as I strongly believe that there is no need to wear white or
plus writing columns on tarot predictions for Vivaah orange robes to be spiritual. You could be advanced and
and Timeless Jewels. My coverage usually appears contemporary, yet be connected with God. I identify with
in magazines like SAVVY, Femina and Asia Spa. todays generation and use my approach to synchronize
Coming to my accolades, I was honoured with the Most my knowledge of astrology, palmistry, numerology and
Promising Astrologer Award by Ravishing; honoured for vastu to offer comprehensive, simple and practical
my contribution in astrology by the Youth Welfare Council solutions for happiness and prosperity.
of India; and awarded the Super Achiever of India Award Jais problem solving skills prove that shes denitely
for extraordinary services and outstanding contribution the lady with the answers!
towards the growth of society by Tatva. I was also awarded
as a contributor by Zoom, Delhi.
Copy Trisha Mahajan
 SAVVY HONOURS
Fashion Designer Prreeti Kumar
Modernist
Designer
Noida-based fashion designer Prreeti Kumar shares her
lifes passionate journey and her vision to achieve her goal.
YOUNG and beautiful, Noida-based Prreeti Kumar is a
designer who has tasted the fruit of success on her own. Prreeti
Kumar is a leading name from the brigade of designers whose
pattern of simplicity and style has brought about a revolution
in womens clothing. This is a story of a woman who decided to
become an entrepreneur and employ people from rural India.
What made you choose designing as a profession?
Born on the Nepal border, I was the first baby girl in the family.
My father late Sh H C Gupta was the General Manager of State
Bank of India and my grandfather was a Cabinet Minister in
the Congress Government. I lost my mother when I was only
a year old. After her sad demise, as I grew up, I took on
responsibility with courage and all my problems started to
look tiny in front of me. I chose designing because I just love
the idea of designing and creating things. I knew I had the
ability to design well because I am a creative person at heart.
Who do you see as your inspiration?
Since childhood, every person who reached great heights without
anyones support inspired me. I used to dream about becoming
an entrepreneur and being on the front page of publications
I used to dream about becoming an entrepreneur and being
on the front page of publications.
where everyone admires me, in the same way they adore people
like A R Rahman. I love to be followed. I would say, the sky is
my limit and thats my inspiration. In design, Elie Saab and
Zimmerman are my biggest inspirations.
Can you share someting about your work with us in brief?
I want to become the countrys number one fashion designer.
I started my business in 2009-2010 with my brother and
co-partner Sandeep P Jain, which is now known as Phoenix
Design, a prestigious private limited company dedicated
to design, manufacture and export of high quality fashion
garments for women. Phoenix Design is known for its exclusive
fashion designs that have no comparison and employs 160
plus staff. Our workforce is from rural India. The brand has
supplied exclusive designs of world repute to its select clients
who value design. French Connection, Orla Kiely, Falcon and
M&S are some of my renowned clients.
 I easily balance managing my time between work, family
and friends.
What challenges have you faced in your career?
In the initial days, I faced a lot of problems due to a financial
crunch as some customers didnt pay me for my work. After that,
it was difficult to build faith with customers as mine was a new
firm. I faced all this for about a year-and-a-half but after sometime,
things settled down steadily and everything went on smoothly.
How do you balance work and your personal life?
I am unmarried at the moment, so compared to married women,
its not difficult for me to manage between work and home. I easily
balance managing my time between work, family and friends.
What are your future plans?
I will continue operating from my company but want to open
one or two more companies. I am looking forward to taking
on more clients and hope to get some good names very soon.
After hearing Prreetis success story, must say that just like
waves cant shake an ocean, problems cant break her spirit!
Copy Vipul Kashyap
 SAVVY HONOURS
Social Worker Dr Sushi Singh
Community Queen
Dr Sushi Singh shares how love for the community made
her switch from education to being a social worker.
Change should start from within and then it should be brought
into the environment. This is the philosophy with which
educationist, social activist, sportsperson and organizational
leader Dr Sushi Singh works. With experience spanning over
22 years in the education sector, she is now committed to CSR
advocacy. A PhD holder in Environment Science, Associate
Fellow in H E from Lancaster University, UK, and with the
added experience of Harvard Executive Education in CSR, she
brings experience, knowledge and expertise to the platform of
the BRICS Chamber of Commerce and Industry as a Governing
Body Member and Convener of Centre for CSR, BRICS CCI.
This makes the lady a role model not just for her own family,
but also for people across communities.
Excerpts from the interview...
What prompted you to become a social worker?
I have gone through a very interesting journey in my life so far. It
has been full of challenges, with moments of despair as well as
celebration. As time passed, the urge to give back to society started
taking prominence in my life and I hit upon an idea of individual
social responsibility, and the need for developing it in students
as they are the future of our nation. I always believed, preached
and practiced that an individual needs to be socially responsible
first before she/ he can talk of corporate social responsibility. So,
assisting and teaching primary school children with a strategy and
impact assessment model to see the visible changes in children
was my first organized community development program. Life
exposed me to the real India while I was working as an educator
trying to instil social responsibility amongst students. Then one
thing led to another and soon I had made a switch from educator
to social worker. Education still continues to be my passion and
remains at the core while I am doing social work or practicing
CSR. Today, as the CEO of a foundation of Indias largest
education solution providing company, I engage with students and
the community on one side and contribute to conceptualizing,
designing and implementing social projects on the other. I have
successfully created the Adolescent Village Girls Brigade in the
village of Jaitpur to help sensitize women and children regarding
breast cancer, self defense and capacity building.
What are the trials and tribulations you faced in your career?
I have always gone through extremely trying times in my career
as each change that took place was entirely different in terms of
content and responsibility, apart from a totally different external
and internal environment. To name a few - starting from primary
school teaching in an undeveloped area of Arunachal where
there was always a scarcity of teachers to a fully air-conditioned
school with most modern amenities in Delhi, and I then went
on to a start a new English medium school from scratch in
Bangladesh in totally adverse circumstances. Coming back
I hit upon an idea of individual social responsibility, and the need
for developing it in students as they are the future of our nation.
to India to coordinate three different school curriculums and
putting a cheating proof examination system in place gave me a
lot of satisfaction on one hand, and a sense of pride for helping
the system churn out empathetic leaders on the other. Later,
I took on more challenges by joining an institute with foreign
collaboration. It meant a lot of upgradation on my part which
helped me fetch a few qualifications and also prompted me to
design a few volunteering projects for the university students
which became popular fast. When you push people out of
their comfort zones, there is a natural resistance to change. I
have faced it very often, be it as Founder Principal of a school
in Bangladesh, or while devising a novel examination system
for K R Mangalam Group of Schools, or while developing an
International Volunteering Programme with Lancaster University
while I was working with GD Goenka World Institute.
Also passionate people are often looked at by colleagues
with suspicion; as if they have a hidden agenda. Workplace
friction arises out of this fear and insecurity of why we do
so much work and not just look busy and take it easy. My
passion for holistic education (including sports and social
work) often put me in situations which I failed to understand
in those days.
What are the milestones in the form of recognition, awards and
felicitations that you have received?
My work and new ideas at the workplace have always been
appreciated by students and they followed them with love and
respect. It was humbling to be publicly recognized by achieving
Best Blood Donation Organization Award, Delhi Gaurav Award and
National Pride Award, plus Women Achiever Award for selfless
contribution in the field of education with a focus on women and
children. I believe life comes full circle and if you continue to
work against the odds, you are recognized sooner or later. Some
of the major awards and felicitations include Vice Chancellor of
Lancaster University & British Parliament Member. In recognition
of my passion for social causes and organizing skills, I was awarded
a trophy of Best Blood Donor Organizer 2013 by the Indian
Red Cross Society. I am humbled to say that my contribution in
the field of education was recognized when I was awarded the
National Pride Award and Dr S Radhakrishnan National Memorial
Teachers & Media Award 2013 on the occasion of Teachers Day.
My work and new ideas at the workplace have
always been appreciated by students.
In 2015, I was awarded by Nari Udghosh magazine the Women
Achiever Award for selfless contribution in the field of education
with a focus on women and children. By donning the new hat
of Convener of CSR Centre in BRICS Chamber of Commerce &
Industry, additional new responsibility helped me launch the
Centre for CSR, BRICS Chambers, with a mega event of the first
edition of National CSR Roundtable Conference in collaboration
with Indian Institute of Corporate Affairs which attracted media
publicity and participation of genuine CSR practitioners.
How do you balance your work and personal life?
Family has always been a priority for me as I strongly believe
that as a mother, you are the first teacher of your children. Even
after acquiring a PhD, I preferred to join a school rather than
the university or corporate world to help not only my children
grow as responsible individuals, but so that they could also
learn lifes lessons while watching me help other small school
children transform into responsible citizens. A desire to be
together creates opportunities to come together. My family has
been supportive of my demanding schedules. We have found
creative ways to spend quality time together. I always remind
my life partner that we cannot afford to relax for a minute while
doing our duties and must take time out to help every needy
person who comes to us. We are role models not just for our
children, but for our students as well.
Who has been your inspiration and what are your future plans?
My inspiration comes from a few super heroes of this nation.
People like Kailash Satyarthi who has brought global respect for
the nation; my husband who - in spite of having power, position
and a lucrative job - preached and practiced honesty to oneself
at the cost of a hard life... leaving modern day dreams behind,
helping a struggling wife and children to grow on their own with
self respect; and Amod Kanth who preferred to leave his lucrative
career for children seeking justice. My future plan is to contribute
in my areas of passion which include education, social work and
sports. I keep thinking of ways in which I can club them together
and create holistic education models.
The way Dr Sushi Singh is contributing to society, looks like
she will keep on scaling the ladder of success.
Copy Trisha Mahajan
 SAVVY HONOURS
Gynecologist Dr Deepika Krishna
The Smiling Healer
Dr Deepika Krishna shares how she has been curing cancer
patients through her treatment.
As a pioneer in treating gynecological cancers, Dr Deepika
Krishna has been practicing medicine since 2003 and has
made a name for herself in the doctorate circuit for offering
this exclusive treatment. Her credible and revolutionary
approach towards science has greatly benefitted the world
of medicine. Serving as the Director of the world-renowned
Cancer Healer Centre, she looks after the administration
of nine centres across India including Delhi, Mumbai,
Chandigarh, Ahmedabad and Indore. The centre is dedicated
to helping cancer patients through advanced medicine.
Dr Deepika is constantly striving to reach all cancer
patients through her awareness approach and has actively
pledged to bring forth awareness amongst all through her
innovative ideas.
Extremely talented and dynamic, you have aspired to reach the
skies in your choice of career. What made you want to be a doctor?
Being a daughter and granddaughter of doctors and seeing them
heal so many patients, providing them succor and relief for their
ailments, always encouraged me to pursue medicine. I remember
when I was 13, I was sitting in my dads chamber when a patient
(a little girl) came in with her parents. They told her that she
was saved because of him (my dad). This touched my heart and
I felt so great and proud that my father is a doctor. When we
aspire for something enthusiastically from the beginning, luck
and charm work to make it happen. So, this too worked for me
and here I am, a doctor healing lives. I did my training from
the famous Deenanath Mangeshkar Hospital, Pune, and give
exclusive training to the doctors who work with me.
The pride in taking care of others and raising awareness for
a cause gives me the drive to work more towards it.
What are the trials and tribulations you faced in your career?
I lost my mother in a car accident and had to join the college
in Pune as I was selected for admission. It was really tough
for me to come all the way to Pune and leave my hometown
Kolkata for studies. This was a time in my life I will never be
able to forget. Being the eldest daughter in the family, it was
really tough for me to deal with the loss of the pillar of strength
of the family. I had to take care of my younger siblings too and
provide them with strength and courage to bear the irreparable
loss. But I stood firm and by Gods grace, I was able to provide
the required strength to my family.
What are the milestones in the form of recognition, awards and
felicitations that you have received so far?
It seems a blessing that I have been recognized for all the
good work that I have done so far. I was a gold medalist in
my college and was appreciated as the best student then.
When I began my medical practice, I received the Samaaj
Rattan Samaan in 2011. I was also awarded the prestigious
Jugal Kishore Award in 2013 by the Govt. of India, Ministry of
Health & Family Welfare, New Delhi. I have been felicitated
many times in various forums and have been actively involved
with a NGO, Ladies Circle India.
I take inspiration from the likes of Mother Teresa whose
selflessness always gives me a new high.
How have you balanced work and your personal life?
My husband has been a great support and has always stood by
my side through thick and thin. He has been a motivating factor
throughout and has taught me to balance my professional and
personal life. My mother-in-law is another pillar of support
and helps my kids study and play in my absence. Whenever I
am home, I try to be there with them, giving 100% love and
affection to my family. With the support of my family, balancing
my work and personal life has been easy.
Who has been your inspiration and what are your future plans?
My inspiration is Audrey Hepburn and I look up to her for
she was a great fashion icon and social worker. I also take
inspiration from the likes of Mother Teresa whose selflessness
always gives me a new high. The pride in taking care of others
and raising awareness for a cause gives me the drive to work
more towards it. I want to raise awareness about cancer, its
notions, and also want to work more on my project Celebrate
Life through which I want to help society .
Heres to Dr Deepika and the amazing work she is doing for
cancer patients! We wish her success in her endeavours.
Copy Trisha Mahajan
 SAVVY FINALE

Passion
is energy.
Feel the
power
that comes from
focusing
on what
excites
you.
Oprah
Winfrey,
Entrepreneur
& Television
Personality