SINGAPORE...Located in Delhi, just 5 minutes away from the T2 & T3, Indira Gandhi International...

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Vistara feb march 2020

Monday, February 24, 2020 3:55:00 PM

As India’s only five-star airline, it has been Vistara’s constant endeavour to ensure greater convenience and a premium flying experience for our passengers. We take great pride in reinforcing this commitment with our fast-growing

network; and we are pleased to inform our customers that we have recently added Kathmandu and Dehradun to our growing list of destinations. Furthermore, our codeshare partnership with United Airlines

went into effect this month, allowing travellers to enjoy a smooth and seamless journey to and from the U.S.

While we continue to grow at a rapid pace, we strive to keep sustainability at the heart of everything we do. And with a host of initiatives ranging from being fuel-efficient to using biodegradable packaging for inflight meals and cutlery on board, Vistara has undoubtedly set the motion for transformation. As a traveller, we encourage you to undertake small changes that can leave a positive impact on the environment and people in the places you visit. A few conscious choices and greater awareness will not only enrich your travel experience but also reduce your carbon footprint.

Read through our Leisure section on pages 66-69 to learn about travel essentials that can help you travel more responsibly. Learn about the great sustainability strides Singapore has made to build a robust ecosystem, in the cover story on pages 40-46 in the Offshore section. Our Women’s Day Special on pages 72-80, with stories of women championing the cause of sustainability, is bound to inspire you. Built on unprecedented scales, check out some of the green masterpieces from around the globe in our Story Frames feature on pages 82-96. And revel in the magic of Northeast India in our Bleisure feature on pages 30-36, offering a glimpse into its unique culture and geography.

So come, let us take you on this journey of sustainable travelling. Welcome aboard!

Bengaluru | Bhopal | Chandigarh | Chennai | Gurugram | Guwahati | Hyderabad | Kochi | Indore Kolkata | Ludhiana | Mohali | Mumbai | New Delhi | NOIDA | Pune | Vadodara | Zirakpur

www.stevemadden.in 3 | airvistara.com Vistara |

vistara experience

Goinggreen

Samsung Galaxy Z Flip

Elevate Your Style Quotient with

Your next smartphone, a foldable marvel from innovations leader Samsung, is uber chic and will make heads turn

our smartphone is your style statement. A part of your persona. Bold, beautiful, flashy. But the

phone’s form factor hasn’t changed in many years.

Now the world’s biggest smartphone company and innovation leader Samsung is changing the way we will experience the phone in the future, with foldable screens. First came the Galaxy Fold, last year. Now we have the Galaxy Z Flip. The new phone, which is jazzy and comes in three spectacular colours - Mirror Purple, Mirror Black, Mirror Gold - to fit your style, can easily slip into your waist pouch, and snuggle inside your palm like a darling.

Cool things about Galaxy

Z Flip

Multitask Multiple Fun Innovation is when your phone is split into two 4-inch screens so you can shop, talk, read, consume on the first half and simultaneously comment on the bottom half.

First ever FoldinG Glass-sCreen The Samsung Galaxy Z Flip literally folds into a compact portable device that can stand on its own. The first foldable glass display combined with a unique UX, seamless crease and actual use of nylon fibers to prevent dust and debris from getting into the folding mechanism, offers a whole new mobile experience.

do More Hands-Free So, with a phone that can stay open at any angle, take cooler selfies, and show the world to your loved ones through Google Duo - everything hands-free.

64 | Mar 2020Vistara |

IN FOCUS

But it’s not small. Size does matter. So when you flip it open, it unfolds a 6.7 inch screen that gives an immersive experience like no other device. Add to that a hands-free camera - just flip the phone at an angle, make it sit on a flat surface and take a selfie by just waving at the phone. All this is powered by a dual battery that will keep you charged up whole day and beyond.

More power to You With a quick charge capability and an optimized dual battery, what you have is a device capable of achieving everything you need in a day, just from the palm of your hands.

Get notiFied riGHt up-Front Folded, unfolded, at an angle - never miss a call, text or notification because all important information is always right up-front with the Samsung Galaxy Z Flip.

Capture Moods in diFFerent ModesFrom video recording for social media to taking night shots with the coolest night mode, you can do it all without even unfolding the phone. You can unfold creativity and a world of possibilities as you stand out from the crowd.

5 | airvistara.com Vistara |

Located in Delhi, just 5 minutes away from the T2 & T3, Indira Gandhi International Airport, Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport offers travellers a convenience to plan their business & leisure trips with

calming and relaxing sleep. With such close proximity to the airport, the hotel provides meeting spaces equipped with first-class services and amenities and award-wining f&b options to serve.

A marvel in

for last two decades!Hospitality

Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport, National Highway 8, New Delhi - 110037, India T: +91 11 26779191 / 42500500, 9873434545, E-mail: [email protected]

With 261 opulent mix of room and suites, the hotel offers contemporary interiors. The rooms effortlessly set benchmark in design, comfort and convenience.

The flexible indoor outdoor function space of 20,000 sqft transforms to be an unparalleled venue for dinners, social gatherings or corporate lunches that can easily cater from 150 to 800 guests.

R-The Spa, boasts three levels dedicated to wellness and beauty spanning over 20,000 sq.ft. The property also houses an outdoor pool, a fitness center, and a yoga room.

ROOMS BANQUETS SPA

Website : www.radissonhotels.com/en-us/hotels/radisson-blu-new-delhi-airport

This wonderful property is undisputedly an icon for food lovers and travellers and home to award-wining restaurants. The all-day restaurant, NYC brings an eclectic mix of cuisines from around the world. Neung Roi is fine dine Thai restaurant and is proud recipient of Condé Nast Best 50 restaurants in India, serving the menu inspired by the four regions of Thailand. The Great Kabab Factory is the iconic and famous casual dining restaurant to savour succulent kababs along with the spirit of your choice. The restaurant has been serving for last 21 years and is a must dine destination when in Delhi NCR. The eclectic cocktails at Savannah Bar tickle your taste buds and give you the value for every dime you spend at the hotel.

F&B

Present a Vistara Boarding Pass and avail 15% discount

on room tariff from the best available rate and at

all our F&B outlets.

Few of the awards and accolades received by

Radisson Blu Plaza Delhi Airport :

AwARDs TRAvEL & LEISURE - DELIcIOUS FOOD

AWARDS (2019)

Best Thai cuisine - Neung Roi

WORLD LUxURy HOTEL AWARDS 2018 & 2019

Luxury Airport Hotel

ASIA SPA AWARDS (2019)

Best couple Treatment in Hotel Spa

TIMES HOSPITALITy IcONS (2019)

Iconic Kababs- The Great Kabab Factory

Head Office | Maxposure Media Group India Pvt. Ltd. #TheAddress, Plot No. 62, Okhla Phase III New Delhi - 110020, India, Tel: +91 11 43011111 Fax: +91 11 43011199 Email: [email protected]

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MAXPosuRe InDIA oFFIces

Bengaluru | 409, A Wing, 4th Floor, Mittal Towers MG Road, Bengaluru, Karnataka - 560001 Tel: +91 80 41510657

Chennai | Workafella Unit No. 415, 4th Floor, #10, Uthamar Gandhi Salai, Nungambakkam High Rd, Nungambakkam, Chennai, Tamil Nadu 600034 Tel: +91 44 42015684

Indore | 7/1, 409, 4th Floor, Ratan Mani Complex, Opposite Inter Star Showroom, New Palasia Indore-452001, Tel: +91 731 4248881

Jaipur | Shop No.B-18, Hotel Arco Palace Opp. Metro Station, Sindhi Camp Station Road Jaipur-302001, Tel: +91 141 4047655

Kochi | Sushil Menon Tel: +91 9740191055 Email: [email protected]

Kolkata | DPS Corporate Club, 1st Floor 9A Sebak Baidya Street, Kolkata-700029 Tel: +91 33 40680111

Mumbai | 7/711, The Summit Business Bay - Omkar, Andheri Kurla Road, Behind Gurunanak Petrol Pump, Andheri - East, Mumbai - 400093 Tel: +91 22 61991111

InteRnAtIonAl RePResentAtIon

NORTH AMERIcA Canada | Wayne Saint John | The New Base, Tel +141 63631388 E-mail: [email protected]

EUROPE France | Nicolas Devos | IMM International, Tel: +331 40137905 E-mail: [email protected]

London | David Simpson | Simpson Media, Mob: +44 79 00885456 E-mail: [email protected]

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AUSTRALIA Sydney | Charlton D’Silva | Publisher’s Internationale` Tel: +612 92523476 E-mail: [email protected]

MaXposure Media Group

CEO & Managing Director Prakash Johari

Director Vikas Johari

Editor Neelam Singh

Submissions [email protected]

advertising [email protected]

Marketing [email protected]

Careers [email protected]

CIN No U22229DL2006PTC152087

VP & Head of Corporate Communications Rashmi Soni

Corporate Communications Sunami Paigankar

MaXposure TeaM

VisTara TeaM

www.maxposuremedia.comSimply scan this QR code from your smart phone which contains the URL of our website.

Vistara MaGaZiNE is PriNtEd aNd PUBLisHEd BY PrakasH JOHari ON BEHaLF OF MaXPOsUrE MEdia GROUP (INDIA) PVT. LTD. (MMGIPL) fOR TATA SIA AIRLINeS LTD. (TSAL) AND PUBLISHeD AT MMGIPL, #THeADDReSS, PLOT NO. 62, OKHLA PHASe III, New DeLHI-110020, INDIA. VISTARA MAGAZINe IS PUBLISHeD MONTHLy. ALL RIGHTS ReSeRVeD. THe wRITING, ARTwORK AND/OR PHOTOGRAPHy CONTAINeD HeReIN MAy NOT Be USeD OR RePRODUCeD wITHOUT THe eXPReSS wRITTeN PeRMISSION Of MMGIPL. MMGIPL/tsaL dOEs NOt assUME rEsPONsiBiLitY FOr LOss Or DAMAGe Of UNSOLICITeD PRODUCTS, MANUSCRIPTS, PHOTOGRAPHS, ARTwORK, TRANSPAReNCIeS OR OTHeR MATeRIALS. THe VIewS eXPReSSeD IN THe MAGAZINe ARe NOT NeCeSSARILy THOSe Of THe PUBLISHeR OR TSAL. ALL effORTS HAVe BeeN MADe wHILe COMPILING THe CONTeNT Of THIS MAGAZINe, BUT we ASSUMe NO ReSPONSIBILITy fOR THe effeCTS ARISING THeRe fROM. MMGIPL / TSAL DOeS NOT ASSUMe ANy LIABILITy fOR SeRVICeS OR PRODUCTS ADVeRTISeD HeReIN. ALL ADVeRTORIALS HAVe BeeN MARKeD AS ‘IN fOCUS’ IN THe MAGAZINe. fOR INQUIRIeS | MMGIPL TeL: +91.11.43011111, www.AIRVISTARA.COM, www. MAXPOSUReMeDIA.COM

perspectiveA collage of happenings from the world of travel, entertainment, technology and current affairs22 Potpourri

travelThere is no better way to learn than travelling. Vistara explores new horizons and destinations

30 Bleisure: Guwahati

40 Offshore: Singapore

58 Trails: Reimagining spaces

40 58

48

on The Cover

Singapore championing sustainablity with its green initiatives.

M a R C H 2 0 2 0

leisure a mélange of expressions

48 Lifestyle: Eco-homestays

66 Travel: Zero-waste essentials


@airvistarafacebook.com/ airVistara

Download the Vistara magazine app

Scan this QR code from your smart phone to visit our app

we careExploring initiatives of an NGO

104 craftizen Foundation

82

peopleEncounters with fascinating people from various walks of life

98 Rajendra Singh

72

story frames showcasing stunning images from different facets of life

82 Sustainable architecture

98

specialCelebrating Women's Day 72 Supporting sustainable causes

M a R C H 2 0 2 0



vistara experience

The ‘new feeling’ has spread its wings in social media and our followers can’t stop talking about Vistara

The social buzz

winners of the vistara Quiz (February 2020 issue)

Answer 1: idlewild airport

Dhvani MehtaTarun Oberoi

Answer 2: sperm Whale

Zeeshan SarvaiyaJayakumar Babu

Answer 3: Thriller by

Michael JacksonNaveen Kapoor

Goutam Mukherjee

Photo credit: @RichaChadha

Photo credit: @ShashankRathi9

Photo credit: @Rakiby7

Photo credit: @balmukundtewary


vistara experience

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¥ The image must pertain to a Vistara destination or within 400 kilometres of an airport with Vistara connectivity. Please refer to our network map on Page 134-135 to know the destinations serviced by Vistara.

¥ Please mention the destination (mandatory) and a caption (optional).¥ The image can be in landscape or portrait mode.¥ The image needs to be in a JPEG format.¥ You can only submit one digital photograph per month.¥ Photo resolution: 300 dpi (or 118 dots/cm)


vIStara experIeNCe

Vistagrama shout out to all our Vistara flyers!

Let your pictures do the talking in our all-new ‘Vistagram’ feature! The next time you fly to your favourite Vistara destination, click a picture of a stunning vista and send it to us. It could

be a gorgeous sunset sky, a lush landscape or just a pleasing view. The five best photos will get featured in the subsequent issue of the Vistara inflight magazine.

Email your picture to [email protected] with Vistagram in the subject line.

Ready, Steady, Snap!

*Terms and Conditions

OUR PRIORITY

A MOMENT TO OURSELVESEnjoy Airport Lounge Relaxation

Whatever your priority, Priority Pass membership is your ticket to a smoother, more relaxing start to every journey.

• Enjoy over 1300 airport lounges around the world• Complimentary food and drinks• Stay connected with free Wi-Fi

To find out more go to prioritypass.comfrom

OUR PRIORITY

A MOMENT TO OURSELVESEnjoy Airport Lounge Relaxation

Whatever your priority, Priority Pass membership is your ticket to a smoother, more relaxing start to every journey.

• Enjoy over 1300 airport lounges around the world• Complimentary food and drinks• Stay connected with free Wi-Fi

To find out more go to prioritypass.comfrom

in passingperspective


‘i love You, urgently’ expresses an artist’s concern for environment crisis

p o T p o u r r iA collage of happenings from the world of travel, entertainment,

technology and current affairs

Curated by Maya El-Khalil, ‘I Love You, Urgently’ is the main show of the seventh edition of 21,39 Jeddah Arts that will run until April 18. The exhibition focusses on the global crisis associated with our planet through works by 21 local and international artists. The curated art exhibition aims to directly engage the audience with environmental and sustainability dialogues that are taking place internationally. This will not only encourage an understanding of these debates within a local context but also urge active response.

this Month, that Year

Vietnamese Capital, Hanoi will soon play host to the Formula 1 Grand Prix, making Vietnam the 34th nation to host it. The city is preparing one of the most challenging tracks that will run for 5,565 km near the My Dinh National Stadium. With this, Vietnam will also become the third South-east Asian country to host a Formula One race, after Malaysia and Singapore.

First ever vietnam Grand prix is set to begin

visTara QuizQuestion 1: Who was the world’s first woman to get a pilot’s license?

answers in the next issue of Vistara magazine.

Share your answers at [email protected]. Two winners for each question will be eligible for prizes.

On March 3, 1847, telephone inventor Alexander Graham Bell was born in Edinburgh, Scotland. While being involved with his father in teaching deaf people to speak, Bell developed an interest in the vibrating membrane as a method of electrically transmitting sounds. On March 10, 1876, his very first sentence spoken on the newly invented telephone was to his assistant, “Mister Watson, come here, I want you.”

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bollyWood / hollyWood

a Quiet place part iiDirector: John Krasinski

Cast: Cillian Murphy, emily blunt, John Krasinski

Release date: March 20, 2020

Mulan Director: Niki Caro

Cast: yifei liu, donnie yen, Jet liRelease date: March 27, 2020

sooryavanshiDirector: rohit shetty

Cast: akshay Kumar, Katrina Kaif, anupam Kher

Release date: March 27, 2020 *rel

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A native Haryanvi businessman tries to send his daughter to

London to study. Will he succeed?

angrezi Medium

Director: homi adajania

Stars: irrfan Khan, radhika Madan, Kareena Kapoor

Release date: March 13, 2020

M o V i e o f T h e M o N T h



About the BookWell-known author, Vidhu Mittal and nutritionist, Radhika Karle, have put together a nutritious plan that constitutes food cooked with clean and fresh ingredients for your good health and well-being. With easy-to-make recipes, this book will redefine traditional Indian vegetables, their nutrients, and mineral-packed ingredients like millets, sorghum and ragi (finger millet). A combination of classic dishes and innovative renditions, Pure & Healthy has recipes suitable for everyone. The book pays special attention to those with medical conditions such as diabetes, gluten allergies and thyroid issues by suggesting specially curated menus that are doable. It also advises how food groups and servings can be determined and distributed.

Pure & Healthy joyfully celebrates Indian food that is delicious wholesome, and promotes the consumption of fresh, seasonal and local produce.

About the AuthorsVidhu Mittal, the author of the bestselling predecessors Pure & Simple: Homemade Indian Vegetarian Cuisine and Pure & Special: Gourmet Indian Vegetarian Cuisine, is a well-known culinary expert based out of Delhi, India. Conducting cookery classes for over 20 years, Vidhu regularly contributes her expertise to magazines and specialised websites. Having developed an interest in cooking very early in her life, she has been sharing this hobby-turned-passion with others.

A vegetarian, Vidhu has created a wide range of recipes that retain and enhance natural flavours, textures, colours, while maintaining simplicity and ease of cooking. Compared to traditional Indian cookery, which can sometimes be too rich and elaborate, her recipes are healthy and appealing. She has constantly been evolving her recipes and enjoys experimenting.

Vidhu graduated with Home Science as her major. She has a diploma in Fashion Designing and has travelled widely in India and abroad. She loves entertaining friends and family and enjoys playing bridge.

Radhika Karle holds a master’s degree in Nutrition and Dietetics. She has more than ten years of work experience as a nutritionist and personal trainer at a leading fitness centre in the United States. Her clients include celebrities like Sonam Kapoor, Swara Bhaskar, Jacqueline Fernandez, Kunal Kapoor and Naina Bachchan.

‘Pure & Healthy: Healthy Indian Vegetarian Cuisine’ by author Vidhu Mittal and nutritionist Radhika Karle, published by Roli Books, has over 100 healthy vegetarian

recipes with step-by-step photographs.

o N M y K i N d l e

other books by Vidhu Mittal

Vana is a Wellness Retreat nestled amongst Sal forest in Dehradun, close to the foothills of the Himalayas.

Begin your Vana journey with our 3-night retreat.

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abu dhabi Book Fairwhen: April 15 – 21, 2020

where: Abu Dhabi, UAEThe book fair in Abu Dhabi is a chance for all literature lovers to stock on numerous books and meet their favourite writers. During the event, illustrators and artists will mesmerise the public by creating work on the spot.

rajasthan Festival

when: March 27 – 30, 2020

where: Jaipur, Rajasthan

Moomba waterfest

when: March 11 – 14, 2020

where: Melbourne, Australia

dC environmental Film Festival

when: March 15 – 26, 2020

where: Washington DC, USA

Holi Moo Festival

when: March 10, 2020

where: New Delhi

earth story – art exhibition by artist Bharti prajapati

when: March 8 – 12, 2020

where: India Habitat Centre, New Delhi

Glasgow international Comedy Festival

when: March 10 – 27, 2020

where: Glasgow, Scotland

bleisuretravel

Northeast India offers such a fascinatingly different culture and geography that it has to be on your bucket list.

words // Ranjan Pal

a magical mysteryNortheast

Head Office / Corporate Showroom: OSIM India - A Division of Paramount Surgimed Ltd., 1, L.S.C., Okhla Indl Area, Phase-II, New Delhi - 110020; Enquiry - 09560770120, 09560591059, Service - 9968011727, [email protected], www.OSIM.com

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bleisuretravel

can go dolphin watching on an open country boat on the broad sweep of the Brahmaputra. They are hard to spot but keep your eyes peeled and you will be rewarded with a glimpse of a glistening fin or a rounded back as these beautiful creatures break the green surface. The Nameri National Park is a birder’s paradise where you are likely to see a profusion of colourful avians as you walk through the lush tropical forest including hornbills, rollers, orioles, pigeons and woodpeckers.

Explore how the ethnic tribes live by paying a visit to the Mising tribal village where you will be taken around by the patriarch Kamison Mili. Each of the thatched huts is raised up on a platform of bamboo stilts to keep the predators away, with each household cultivating and rearing whatever they need for their own food requirements. You can also opt for a homestay if you want to know more about the Mising way of life and sample their cuisine or take a weaving or cooking class.

Kaziranga national ParKA visit to Kaziranga tops the list of unique wildlife experiences. Famous for the endangered Indian

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Wild MahseerWild Mahseer, 25 km from Tezpur in Assam, is a place where former residential homes of the Addabarie Tea Estate have been converted into six luxury bungalows spread over 22 acres of leased plantation land. In and around Wild Mahseer are a variety of activities and experiences one could engage in. Guided by an expert, you can opt for an immersive experience on the process of how tea is grown, collected and dried in a traditional factory, then packed and sold in the market. You

Vistara has double daily direct flights between Guwahati

and Delhi.

how to gEt thErE


bleisuretravel

rhinoceros, the park is home to more than 2400 of them, far more than any other park in the region. A herd of wild buffalo can be quite fascinating because of the magnificent sweep of their symmetrical horns in a perfect crescent and their grazing is always accompanied by a grooming detail of white egrets.

There are two options to explore the park: on an elephant and by jeep. The elephant ride requires an early start and certainly an exciting one and you can go off-trail and plunge through the dense undergrowth in search of prey. The jeep safaris are available at 8 AM and 3 PM and cover a greater area for a longer period of time. Kaziranga is also home to a vast range of bird life so take along a good pair of binoculars to observe the herons, pelicans, quail, eagles, Ruddy Shelducks and several others that can be found in and around the many beels or wetlands.

nagaland: Celebrations galoreEvery year Kohima, the capital of Nagaland comes alive with the Hornbill Festival held in the first ten days of December. Besides the local audience, this colourful, loud and vibrant celebration of Naga life and culture attracts over 60,000 visitors from every corner of India and different parts of the world. Mingle freely with the performing tribesmen with

their cheerful dispositions who are always ready to pose for pictures.

The highlight of the festival is the individual dance performances by the 16 distinct Naga tribes held in the main arena. It is hard to describe the explosion of noise and colour as the tribesmen prance around in their resplendently coloured native dress brandishing spears and daos. Their loud war cries almost drown out the voice of the commentator who explains patiently what the dance signifies. This infectious enthusiasm is what attracts the audience. Nothing is muted or nuanced about this Naga cultural experience, so just go with the flow and enjoy yourself. There is also a wide range of arts and crafts ranging from the classic red-black-white shawls to rows of glittering beads, necklaces and amulets. Naga food is quite raw and potent in its appeal and full of spices which can sear your tongue. Do try it with the local rice beer.

KohiMa War MuseuM and CeMeteryDuring World War II, Kohima which was on the frontline of the British Empire, witnessed some of the most savage fighting between the British Indian Army and the Japanese Army. The Battle of Kohima was a decisive turning point in the war as it ended with the first major defeat suffered by Japanese

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forces in the Burma theatre and thwarted their ambitious plans to invade British ruled India. Known as the Stalingrad of the East, historians rank this incredibly intense battle as Britain’s greatest ever in WWII. The War Museum captures the gripping day-by-day narrative of those sixteen crucial days of the war. There is also a wide selection of British Army arms, maps, medals and uniforms placed on display here.

Much more interesting is a visit to the Kohima War Cemetery, beautifully maintained by the Commonwealth War Graves Commission. Here are the graves of the British and Indian servicemen who lost their lives in the defence of Kohima numbering 2,300 in all. One interesting thing is that the cemetery is built over the exact site of the battle on Garrison Hill and you can see the lines of the famous District Commissioner’s

tennis court where the opposing sides faced off in a pitched battle. It is impossible not to be moved by the quiet beauty of the place and the heart-rending messages on the gravestones from the families of the fallen heroes.

dzuKou Valley treKIf you are inclined towards adventure then you must visit the magical Dzukou Valley hidden behind the Japfu range of hills just outside Kohima. From the trail head you will ascend a steep path through a dense temperate forest of chestnut, juniper and oak for about an hour before emerging through the treeline onto a flat two hour walk that takes you to two isolated rest houses that overlook the Dzukou Valley. The valley itself is quite unusual with no clearly defined entry or exit, just a series of small green hillocks that undulate downwards to a small grassy plain covered in thickets of dwarf bamboo.

Though it is possible to reach the Dzukou Valley and return to Kohima in one day, it is advised to spend at least one night there to enjoy the beauty of its surroundings. Adventure travel outfits like India Trails are best providers for these kind of camping facilities. Be sure to carry enough warm clothes and to wrap up tightly before the sun goes down as the temperature drops sharply at night. Sunset comes early in this far eastern corner of India and will take your breath away with the flat line of dark hills lit up like all the fires burning just out of sight. As the sun comes up, it lights up the lone metal cross, a silent sentinel to the serene beauty of this place. Wake up early to wander down to the frozen valley and its gentle streams covered in sheets of ice. Not a bird or an animal breaks the silence which makes the Dzukou Valley all the more magical and mysterious.

greeN NatIONoffshore

future proofing

SingaporeA look at what Singapore, already a city in a garden, is doing to make itself even

more sustainable.

words // sidharth sharotri

Vistara has daily direct flights

between Singapore and Delhi.

singapore has always been at the cutting edge of civilisation. Cleanliness, sanitation, climate and other environmental aspects, that other countries are now dealing with in hindsight, have been a part of its DNA for decades. It has led the way in terms of ingenuity, quality of life and managing its resources as well. That said, a hallmark of an advanced nation is to improve constantly. And so it goes with Singapore.

With a miniscule landmass, limited resources and an ever-growing consumer base, Singapore has created rather radical, yet pragmatic sustainability initiatives to hold itself in good stead for the future.

While Singapore contributes to only about 0.11 per cent of the total global emission, the city’s lauded city-in-a-garden setting can be a role-model for other cities. In fact, Singapore has already exported its urban development expertise to Tianjin in China and Amaravati in India.

a united front against CliMate ChangeUnlike other nations that have larger and more fundamental environmental challenges (where the damage has already been done), Singapore always looks at how much it can do to remain at the forefront of sustainable development. An example of this was the government-led initiative called ‘2019 - Year Towards Zero Waste’. While it’s impossible to have zero waste, Singapore has vowed to reduce waste at the rate of 30 per cent per year from 2020. Reducing single-use plastic and actively promoting recycling are some of the ways the nation uses to reach its targets.


greeN NatIONoffshore

It’s not just the government that’s fighting the sustainability battle alone; its citizens are equally active. EarthFest, for one, is Singapore’s first and largest sustainability festival that seeks to inspire and support people and organisations to make more environmentally sustainable choices through advocacy, education and engagement. First organised in 2015, EarthFest Singapore has been holding an annual festival to bring the sustainability community together and help people to be more sustainable by imbibing habits such as zero waste, minimalism, plant-based, advocacy, biophilia and carbon positivity.

green PraCtiCesBeing a densely populated island that has one of the world’s busiest ports, Singapore has earned the

esseNTials

dailY Costs (in sinGapore dollar) Budget: 70-85 SGD

Mid-range: 150-300 SGD Luxury: 500 SGD and above

lanGuaGe English, Chinese,

Malay & Tamil

teMperature 33°C (max) and

25°C (min)

position of being a world-class seaside destination on one hand and efficiently operating the port on the other while they’re in close proximity. This calls for a very specific set of actions with very fine tolerances that are outlined in ‘The Maritime Singapore Green Initiative’. This seeks to reduce the environmental impact of shipping and related activities and to promote clean and green shipping in Singapore. In 2011, the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore (MPA) pledged to invest up to S$100 million over five years in the Maritime Singapore Green Initiative. It is a comprehensive initiative comprising five programmes called Green Ship Programme, Green Port Programme, Green Technology Programme, Green Awareness Programme and Green Energy Programme. These are voluntary

programmes designed to recognise and provide incentives to companies that adopt clean and green shipping practices over and above the minimum required by International Maritime Organisation (IMO) Conventions.

an inClusiVe and eMPoWered CoMMunityAnother interesting citizens’-owned initiative is the Foodscape Collective that connects people to find ways to create better food systems, empower individuals with skills and knowledge and support initiatives that are good for Singapore’s environment and people. They organise discussions on the importance of growing food locally and organise visits to farms to learn best farming practices from local farmers. The collective works towards a fair and inclusive circular food system through community-

GardeNs by The baySetting a live example of a green future is the 250-acres vast Gardens by the Bay, a futuristic park with hundreds of trees and plants. Standouts in the park are the Supertrees, Cloud Forest and Flower Dome. For a spectacular view of the Supertree structures, head to the 72-foot high aerial walkway, OCBC Skyway.

seNTosa islaNdSentosa Island is the true definition of a traveller’s paradise. With something for everyone, the island has people thronging to popular spots like Universal Studios, S. E. A. Aquarium and Sentosa Golf Club, along with hidden gems like Tanjung Rimau cave.

Local iNsiGhTs


Green nationoffshore

building, education, well-being and research. Their volunteers go down to understand issues on the ground, highlight stories and local knowledge worth sharing and also the gaps that people can work on together. They also conduct food sharing workshops, outreach, documentation and mapping and research activities.

There appears to be one critical difference in Singapore’s approach to development as compared to other developed nations. Most countries tend to spend less on environmental initiatives than on basic infrastructure. And, more often than not, the environmental considerations are second to functionality, and usually bucketed along with health and safety. With Singapore, initiatives such as Green Building and modern marvels such as Jewel Changi Airport go to show that the environment has always been a foremost priority. It shows that development and environmentalism need to co-exist.

with singapore, modern marvels

such as Jewel Changi airport go to show that

the environment has always been a foremost

priority.

Responsible travel,healthy planet

From off-season travel to bio-positive tourism, the fight for climate change is finally getting real. Thanks to the ever-expanding tribe of planet-sensitive

holiday makers making responsible choices, the rules of the game are changing rapidly. And for those serious about saving the globe, sustainability claims now

run deeper than glib greenwashing.

words // Punita Malhotra


eCO-hOmeStaySleisure travel

a host of innovations in engineering, architecture and design are transforming the new-age hospitality experience, intending to reconfigure the human-environment interface like never before. Bamboo straws and farm-to-fork gourmet dining, eco-shower heads and chemical-free swimming pools, low-energy LED lamps and mattresses made from natural materials; the changes are

wiping clean the old-school approach of apathy. Think water and paper recycling initiatives, diverting waste from landfill, reforestation and zero-carbon foot-printing. From exclusive homestays and boutique hotels to leading luxury resorts, eco-awareness is becoming the guiding light to a hopeful future. Say hello to fresh air, nature’s music, organic food and joys of richer biodiversity.

in harMony With natureFishing net carpets on floors, dishes prepared from foraged ingredients, organic beer, garden benches constructed from fallen trees and walls of re-purposed wood are no figment of an overactive imagination. Hotels and resorts are pushing the envelope by incorporating earth-loving architectural features to create sensitive, non-invasive sanctuaries that respect ecology.


The design of Spice Village, Thekkady, aptly embodies the values of its promoter group, CGH Earth (Clean Green Healthy Earth). Cottages in the 12-acre resort, representing a

tribal community village, have thatched roofs of elephant grass woven by villagers, eliminating the need for air-conditioning. Simple pine wood furniture from wooden crates, old-school door

latches instead of electronic key cards, recycled paper notepads, herbal toiletries and glassware to replace plastic are just some of the environmentally friendly alternatives adorning the property. All ingredients including spices, vegetables, whole grain, millets and jaggery sourced from within 50 miles make up the 50-Mile Diet at Spice Village. The mantra is to keep it ‘au naturale’.

Another brilliant example of an eco-friendly construction is Ecuador’s Mashpi Lodge. Built with materials that counteract extreme temperatures, the property maintains comfortable temperatures constantly, reducing the need for external heating or cooling systems. This pre-assembled metal structure uses minimal cement and a laminated wood facade that subtly integrates the building with the surrounding forest cover.

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occupied-room electricity usage among all hotels on the island. Taking things up several notches, the ski resort of Rocksresort in Laax, Switzerland, (already powered by hydroelectricity and renewable biomass energy) is slated to add three wind turbines as an additional energy source.

regenerating nature’s bountiesReplant species-appropriate trees, integrate agroforestry practices on existing farms and ranches, restore wetlands, regrow marshes, savannas, grasslands, steppes, and deserts…the task to reverse greenhouse gas emissions is gigantic, but passionate patrons have already flagged off the march.

Under the umbrella of the Hawaiian Legacy Reforestation Initiative, the Kahala Hotel & Resort plans to plant 200,000 Hawaiian Milo trees in Oahu, and this is just the first step in its ultimate goal of planting 1.3 million native trees throughout Hawaii. Bisate Lodge inside Rwanda’s Volcanoes National Park is a champion of animal conservation as it supports over 70 mammal species, including the endangered golden monkey and mountain gorillas through a reforestation initiative.

Five hectares of protected seagrass meadows surrounding Six Senses Laamu serve as a nursery for sea life, including endangered green sea turtles. Six Senses Fiji’s efforts to build a thriving underwater coral garden have been recognised universally. Similarly, Conrad Bora Bora Nui Resort in French Polynesia is regenerating 17 coral structures using a ‘Biorock’ technique developed by marine biologists.

building management system monitors and controls energy usage for optimum efficiency. Guests even have free access to solar-run electric vehicle charging stations. Hotel Landgut Borsig (Nauen, near Berlin) not only produces its own energy but has bought a complete nearby forest to partially neutralise its carbon footprint. As the first carbon-neutral hotel in the Caribbean, Bucuti & Tara Beach Resort takes pride in owning the largest solar panel installation allowed by the government of Aruba. A plethora of energy efficient appliances, photovoltaic solar panels, water reducers and low-flow toilets are in place to ensure lowest per

as the first carbon-neutral hotel in the Caribbean, Bucuti & tara Beach resort takes pride in owning the largest solar panel installation allowed by the

government of aruba.

healthy shots of energyMore and more hotels are embracing technology and progressing towards energy-efficient appliances, automatic room temperature control systems and occupancy sensors that switch to energy-saving mode when guests leave their rooms. Caravelle Saigon, a hotel in Vietnam’s Ho Chi Minh City, has elevators with high efficiency and energy-saving motors. Going a step further is Vienna’s Boutiquehotel Stadthalle, the first-ever hotel to have a net-zero carbon footprint. This hotel generates electricity through solar panels, photovoltaic cells and groundwater heat pumps. An in-house Siemens-designed



loVe for loCal As nations start to pledge in favour of a carbon-free and sustainable ecosystem, environmental experts agree that investing in local communities and helping them preserve their cultural traditions is one of the most effective approaches to biodiversity. Enter fund-raising for medical facilities, creating worker-owned cooperatives, empowering locals and promoting historical, natural and cultural heritage.

A century-old royal residence of the King of Ladakh reincarnated as an eco-glamping boutique hotel, glitters like a precious gem in the backdrop of the rushing Zanskar waters, just 45-minutes drive away from the capital city of Leh. The Tibetan-style architecture at Nimmu House, using local stones, Kashmiri latticed wood and Changpa nomad carpets, blends in effortlessly with the spectacularly mountainous landscape of the Indus Valley and showcases the grandeur of

the local heritage and supports the local economy. The property includes a stable with yaks, dzos and cattle, lush terraced gardens and a 4,500-square metres fruit orchard, where local women are invited to collect fruit to make homemade jam, which is bought for the hotel’s use.

Hiring 75 per cent of staff from the local area, Ecuador’s Mashpi Lodge directly impacts the area’s economy and ensures that guests have an even more immersive experience during their interactions. Locals make the best guides because of their authentic dialect, cultural background and familiarity with indigenous traditions and legends.

As compassionate carbon-consciousness increases and the dream of a fossil-free future further fuels the fight for climate change, sustainability will eventually get naturally interwoven into not just hotel design, but all human habitat.

Denmark has been a front runner in the push towards developing renewable energy sources, as well as enforcing regulations that support the sustainability of their environment. 72 per cent of the population of the capital city of Copenhagen has begun to sort their biowaste, which further support other environmental issues by converting the waste into biogas and fertiliser alternatives.

Leading the GreeN

MoVeMeNT

a date with royaltyAurika, a luxury property by Lemon Tree Hotels in Udaipur, invites

you to a different world; a world of royalty and opulence.

Sitting atop its own hill, the majestic Aurika, Udaipur – Luxury by Lemon Tree Hotels, is spread across 5 acres of undulating hilltop. At the resort’s entrance, the first block features the public areas of the hotel, including food and beverage outlets, banquet and event spaces, and recreational facilities.

At the resort's exquisite all day dining restaurant, Mirasa, chefs prepare regional specialties, as well as fine international fare,

using the freshest imported and locally sourced ingredients. Ariva, the bar, features an impressive selection of old and new world wines, fine spirits, refreshing beers and creative cocktails, and a variety of hors d'oeuvres.

The extensive banqueting and unique dining spaces of the resort, spread over 22,000 sqft, offers options for all types of celebrations and events, from the grandeur of a royal destination wedding, to the intimacy of a private dinner under

the stars. The large pillar-less ballroom, Ekaara, is spread over 5,500 sqft. Adjacent to the ballroom is the 5,000 sqft Ekaara Courtyard, which can be accessed either through the ballroom, or directly from the main porch. Ekaara and Ekaara Courtyard can be combined to cater to single events, or can function independently. The 2,000 sqft boardroom, Aurum, with its adjoining 1,000 sqft terrace, is the perfect venue for smaller meetings and conferences. The resort also offers many unique venues and terraces to host private events and


IN FOCUS

make your celebrations extraordinary; from greeting the dawn with sunrise breakfasts and sundown canapés at dusk, to romantic candlelit dinners with your partner or toasty barbeques with friends.

Araya, the serene spa, promises to pamper you with authentic Indian and international therapies. The salon offers a bouquet of essential services and indulgent treatments, including luminous bridal rituals.

The well-equipped fitness center is the ideal place for an energising work out session. The stunning outdoor swimming pool, along with the pool deck, is the ideal spot to lounge through the day, or enjoy refreshing drinks and delicious appetisers. Adjoining the pool are the Rumpus Pool for children and the open air Jacuzzi

The Library provides a sanctum for you to sink into a comfortable chair and read a book, play a game of pool, or just enjoy a drink, while soaking in the views of the city. Our tinier guests can play in the Rumpus Room, a recreation centre with numerous activity options.

The 139 aesthetically designed rooms and suites offer unparalleled views of the rolling hills, and scenic valleys and lakes of the picturesque city. The striking minimalist interiors and stylish design reflect the heritage and old world charm of Rajasthan. Complementing the décor are hi-tech facilities.

The Deluxe Rooms, Deluxe Vista Rooms, Premium Rooms and Premium Vista Rooms all feature beautiful bedrooms and expansive

oFFer 1 : ¥ Promo Code: AUHVISTARA¥ Rate Plan name: Aurika-Vistara Special

Rate ¥ Stay date: Feb 17 to June 30, 2020.¥ The offer includes: Breakfast at Mirasa,

the all-day dining restaurant; INR 3,000 Hotel Credit to be used towards F&B; Two Way Airport Transfer upgrade to Audi when you book an Innova, subject to availability; Room Upgrade, subject to availability; Happy Hours: 1+1 at Bar (11 AM- 8 PM, on selected brands); High-speed WiFi on up to 4 devices; 1,000 Bonus Points for Lemon Tree Smiles members (for bookings exclusively made on www.aurikahotels.com or www.lemontreehotels.com)

oFFer 2 : ¥ Promo Code: CLUBVISTARA¥ Rate Plan name: Club Vistara Special¥ Stay date: Feb 17 to June 30, 2020¥ The offer includes: 25% off Best Available

rate; Breakfast at Mirasa, the all-day dining restaurant; High-speed WiFi on up to 4 devices; 1,000 Bonus Points for Lemon Tree Smiles members (for bookings exclusively made on www.aurikahotels.com or www.lemontreehotels.com)

¥ Use promocode 'VISTARA' for special offers across all Lemon Tree Hotels on www.lemontreehotels.com

bathrooms, complemented by modern facilities and deluxe amenities, while the Premium Rooms and Premium Vista Rooms also have private terraces, which offer panoramic views of the City of Lakes.

The splendid Aurika suites feature a spacious bedroom, with a lavish en suite bathroom, an adjoining living room, a study area, two day beds and a private plunge pool. The Presidential Suite encompasses a beautifully appointed bedroom, with a walk-in dressing room and plush en suite bathroom, separate living, dining and study areas, a powder room, three day beds, a private plunge pool and an open air Jacuzzi.

`10,500*

rooms starting from

plus taxes

* Subject to availability


words // Julian Ryall

Sustainable initiatives across the world are offering a second chance to derelict buildings to live a purposeful life by recycling materials and restoring the space to revitalise the entire neighbourhood.

Creativerepurposing


trailsreImagININg SpaCeS

Map

not

to

scal

e

ParisNew York TokyoSeoul

You can fly to Paris with Vistara’s

interline partners Air France, Swiss Airlines, Emirates and Alitalia, and

codeshare partner Lufthansa.

Promenade Plantée in Paris, France


reimagining spacestrails

he city of Paris led the way with the opening of the first stretch of its ground-breaking

Promenade Plantée in 1993. New York took the concept to new heights in 2009 when it inaugurated the now-iconic High Line and Seoul provided pedestrians with a new take on that city two years ago with the construction of Seoullo 7017, better known as the Seoul Skygarden.

refurbished & reiMaginedThe desire to reuse derelict sections of inner city thoroughfares was initially seized upon in the early 1990s by Paris planning officials, who wanted to make better use of a 4.7 km stretch of obsolete railway infrastructure that dates back to 1859 in the city’s 12th arrondissement, to the east of the Opera Bastille.

At its west end, the elevated parkway runs 10 metres above street level and forms the Viaduc des Arts over a row of shops in the viaduct arches. The route passes through a number of tunnels and between some modern buildings, but much of the route offers attractive views over the city - and has proved remarkably popular with city-dwellers looking to get both exercise and more greenery in their everyday lives.

Impressed with the positive change that the Promenade Plantée had brought to a relatively run-down district of Paris, New York came up with its own version.

T

paris led the way of recycling space in the city with the opening of the first stretch of its ground-breaking

promenade plantée in 1993.

High Line in New York, USA



The High Line is a 2.3-km long elevated park that was created on a spur of the former New York Central Railroad, on the west side of Manhattan, that was originally constructed in 1847 and abandoned in 1980. Work to repurpose the railroad began in 2006 with the first phase opening three years later. A second stretch was added in 2011 before a third section opened in September 2014. A final stub above Tenth Avenue and 30th Street was delayed for several years, but finally opened in June of 2019. The project is credited with encouraging other cities across the United States to look at obsolete infrastructure through new eyes and to redevelop it into a useful public space. As per estimates, as many as 5 million people utilise the park,

which is accessible through 11 entrances and open until 11 PM in the summer months, every year.

Yet another congested city looking to offer residents and visitors a different take on the metropolis, Seoul came up with plans to redevelop an overpass that was constructed at the city’s central train station in the 1970s to solve the problem of growing road traffic. Half-a-century later, the city’s infrastructure and public transport have rendered the roads obsolete and it was realised that instead of simply demolishing the structures, roads could be turned into walkways above the city’s streets, with pedestrian paths, benches and greenery to soften the experience with Seoullo 7017, a

You can fly to New York with Vistara’s codeshare partners

United Airlines, British Airways, Singapore Airlines,

Japan Airlines and Lufthansa, and interline partners Delta

Airlines, Air France, KLM Royal, Qatar Airways.

Nihonbashi Bridge in Tokyo, Japan



of the Environment said, “In order to revive the greenery of Tokyo, which is on a declining trend, Tokyo is actively promoting green conservation and the creation of new green spaces.

“Native species serve as food and nesting sites for Tokyo’s indigenous creatures,” it added. “By promoting greening, the habitats of creatures can be restored and expanded in urban areas.”

The plan is also in line with similar projects to improve other parts of Tokyo that were scarred by the rush to develop the city in the 1950s and 1960s. Perhaps the best example of that is the drive to restore the bridge at Nihombashi to its former glory. A campaign is under way to remove the elevated motorway that was built over a graceful bridge built in 1911.

The historical significance and aesthetics of the bridge were overlooked in the haste to prepare the city for the 1964 Tokyo Olympic Games, leaving it today in permanent shadow.

Tokyo’s own elevated pedestrian walkway may well act as a catalyst for other similar schemes in parts of the city that are looking to make better use of infrastructure that is no longer needed. The result will be more green spaces and a more livable urban environment.

skygarden built on top of a no-longer-in-use highway overpass. There has been some criticism that Seoullo does not have sufficient natural shades to keep the hot summer sun off people’s heads, but plans are afoot to increase the amount of greenery and mature trees that provide shelter.

inCreasing green seCtionsA reorganisation and rationalisation of roads in central Tokyo, combined with a conscious desire among the city’s authorities to provide more pedestrian-only green spaces, means that

authorities are planning to provide this city with its very own elevated walkway. The city government proposed to transform a stretch of the two-lane elevated freeway that bisects Ginza and the Yurakucho district of central Tokyo into a pedestrianised park with places to sit and relax, with shade provided by the greenery that many complain is sorely missing in the heart of the metropolis.

In a statement outlining the anticipated benefits to the local flora and fauna, the Tokyo Metropolitan Government’s Bureau

tokyo’s elevated pedestrian walkway acts as a catalyst for other similar schemes in parts of the city that are looking to make better use of

infrastructure that is no longer needed.

You can fly to Seoul with Vistara’s interline partners Korean Air and

Asiana Airlines.

You can fly to Tokyo with Vistara’s codeshare partners Singapore Airlines, Japan Airlines, Lufthansa and interline partners ANA, Korean Air, Malaysia Airlines, Emirates, and Asiana Airlines.

Over the last few years, the disparity between human consumption and resource replenishment is growing. While people believe that recycling is the answer to this overconsumption, a new movement called ‘zero waste’ aims to tackle this problem. Here are some

hacks to help you minimise your waste, make better choices and lead a more fulfilling life.

words // Deepika nandal

W a s t e l e s s ,

c o n s c i o u s l yt r a v e l

CONSCIOUS travelleisure travel



mall changes in the way we experience travel can go a long way in not only

benefitting the country, but also the environment. You can reduce your carbon footprints by following some rules that can sort your basic needs.

We talk about eight eco-friendly essentials that can help you travel responsibly and lead a greener lifestyle. Our experts throw some light on how you can get started.

1 traVel toiletry KitOne should avoid using single-use plastic amenities placed in hotel bathrooms. “I just pop my shampoo and conditioner bars in my carry-on without worrying about liquid spillage,” says Mumbai-based Shaan Lalwani, owner of the all-natural label, Coco Custo.

Carrying your own travel toiletry kit including a bamboo toothbrush, a homemade tooth powder/peppermint paste and silk floss helps minimise the use of single-use plastic toiletries. “If we think about the core component of the toothbrush, we can see that a bamboo toothbrush does the job equally well or even better (than plastic toothbrushes),” says Bengaluru-based Sahar Mansoor, founder of Bare Necessities.

2reusable traVel bottleIt’s of extreme importance that you resist all single-use plastic bottles that are made available to you in shops and restaurants. Always carry your own water bottle and refill it whenever possible.

3 steel snaCK boxFor 35-year old Shaan, who’s

been living a low-waste life since last few years, a cup for coffee and a steel box are a must. “This saves me from using disposable plates and cups countless times. In my snack box, I carry a small-sized snack item or nuts and berries or something delicious picked up from a café, so that I don’t end up getting hungry enough to buy a packet of chips or biscuits,” she says.

4 Cloth bagIt is estimated that every year, the world uses 500 billion plastic bags. Most of these are made of low-grade plastic that can’t be recycled. These plastic bags disrupt entire eco-systems, be it on land or in water. “Carrying a cloth bag, at all times, is the most natural thing we can do. Mine is

s


70Vistara | | Mar 2020

hydration. At the same time, you want to go minimal on the beauty products that you carry. In that case, select a multi-purpose skin product that consists of powerful ingredients and works well for your skin too. An olive-, cocoa-, or shea-based balm/salve with essential oils like lavender and citronella and maybe herbs like chamomile and rosemary can be great. This can be used as a body cream, deodorant, SPF lotion, lip balm, mosquito repellent, a balm for quick relief from tired muscles, mild headaches, and more.

8 e-tiCKetsWhether it’s your local trip or an international one, you can always use mobile apps and avoid carrying prints. From flights to buses, e-tickets will make sure that you don’t add to the paper waste.

serve in single-use plastic plates, and provide plastic cutlery,” says Sahar. To avoid this, she suggests carrying your own steel or bamboo cutlery in your bag that can be rinsed after use and washed later at home.

6 Cloth naPKinReplace tissue paper with a cloth napkin and use it to wipe your hands, remove makeup, etc. You can also wash your drinking bottle and snack box and wipe them clean with a cotton wash cloth. For emergencies, you can tie a clean cloth napkin (wash it later with a disinfectant) around a small wound instead of an adhesive bandage. Cloth napkins hence can definitely come in handy.

7 Multi-PurPose sKin ProduCtDuring your flights and overall journeys, your skin needs constant

foldable, light and washable—and I’ve been using one for years,” says Shivya Nath, author and blogger.

5 steel or baMboo sPorK and straW“Nowadays, the dining out and street food culture is on the rise. It is, however, essential for us to slow down in our dining habits and think of cooking at home mindfully. With that said, a lot of restaurants and street vendors

visTara QuizQuestion 2: What was the name of the town built on Walt Disney World property in 1996?




IN FOCUS

Women’s DayspecialWOmeN’S Dayspecial

These incredible women have been working tirelessly to make the world a better and a more liveable space for us all.

words // Ruth Dsouza Prabhu

warriors for a

Green Earth

WOmeN’S Dayspecial

Canadian writer and activist Naomi Klein has been a strong voice on the climate crisis issue.

Being an influential voice, Naomi through her books, The Shock Doctrine: The Rise of Disaster Capitalism (2007) and NO LOGO: No Space, No Choice, No Jobs (2000), outlines capitalism as the culprit concerning the climate crisis. This Changes Everything: Capitalism vs. the Climate (2014), Naomi’s fourth book, talks about the alarming calls of climate change and pins these issues on the economic system and how the rising demands of humankind have impacted the environment.

With her long form essays in the 2019 book On Fire: The Burning Case for a Green New Deal, Naomi was among the first to stand behind what is now called the Green New Deal – which envisions to tackle social inequality alongside battling climate breakdowns. She strongly believes that only bold, roots-up action will give humanity the push it needs to fight this battle.

“it is a civilisational wake-up call. a powerful message—spoken in the

language of fires, floods, droughts, and extinctions—telling us that we

need an entirely new economic model and a new way of sharing

this planet.”

Naomi Klein Championing the anti-Globalisation Movement


Women’s Dayspecial

lise Kingo a powerful voice in corporate sustainability

In 2015, Lise Kingo took over as CEO and Executive Director of the United Nations Global Compact. This is the world’s largest corporate sustainability initiative with more than 9,500 companies from over 160 countries. The organisation is dedicated to aligning strategies and operations for sustainability, while taking into consideration universal principles on human rights, labour, environment and anti-corruption and further, taking actions that advance societal goals. She is recognised as an expert in corporate sustainability whose leadership values and efforts have made her a role model and whose career has always been an intersection between social responsibility and management

As one of the highest-ranked women officials of the UN, Kingo has rolled out several priorities to help facilitate the achievement of UN Global Compact’s overarching goals. She advocates a collaboration between the private sector, international organisations, and civil society as a whole. Through a series of executive updates on Global Compact’s work, she has focussed on the historic climate agreement of Paris, the official adoption of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG), and Sustainability in Davos. Kingo is also instrumental in the new wave of appointments of high-ranking female United Nations officials, marking a clear shift in the demographics of those who have traditionally been at these positions.

“the sdGs are describing the world we all want. a world which is very different from the one we know today. and in order to get there, it requires

the biggest transformation mankind has experienced so far.”


Isatou Ceesay is known for a revolution that has been empowering women in The Gambia for over 17 years now. For a country that quickly moved from finding plastic a convenience to one that was inundated with it, with no visible ways to recycle them, Isatou was moved by the need to do something about this. Her initiative has not only empowered women to manage plastic waste but has also enabled them to have their own financial independence. Today Isatou’s organisation, Women Initiative - The Gambia (WIG) with over 2,000 members in 40 groups and projects with the EU and the UNDP, holds a promise of hope in this part of the world.

Going beyond plastic recycling and waste management, WIG members also undergo 18-36 months of training on budget management principles. This ensures women a monthly income of around 80 euros. The larger impact is the preservation of their country’s environment, and a stronger standing in their homes.

What has made Isatou’s efforts all the more fulfilling is that her work led to the government consulting with the organisation and voting a total ban on plastic bag imports. Isatou feels strongly that women are integral to the movement.


isatou Ceesay Turning plastic waste to revenue

“throughout the world, women carry an incredible responsibility; they are, by nature, the engine of human development. their commitment and their strength are unrivalled.”


divya ravichandran easing the burden on landfills



“our waste is our responsibility and it’s important to take collective action than to think that individual action is not going to work.”

When a massive fire broke out in the Deonar dumping ground in Mumbai a few years back, its fumes affected Divya Ravichandran’s health. She began to wonder then about where our garbage goes. Researching and working on managing her own garbage helped her realise that composting took care of almost 50 per cent of her waste. Looking for recyclable alternatives further brought down her garbage output reducing the burden on landfills.

Moving on to small scale consulting with offices on waste management, Divya found that she had a model that could easily be scaled. Skrap, with a primary focus on Mumbai, was launched in 2017 and offers consultancy services on various verticals to help offices as well as large events with their waste management.

At the Mahindra Blue Festival in Mumbai in February this year, a total of 3 tonnes of waste was generated. Of this, 95 per cent was recycled, composted, reused, or sent to cement factories for co-processing. At the Magnetic Fields Festival in December 2019 in Rajasthan, more than 12,200 kg of waste was generated of which, 10,200 kg or nearly 85 per cent was recycled, donated or composted on-site.

Skrap works with Stree Mukti Sangatan, an NGO that represents women and waste workers’ rights who work alongside Skrap teams on sites. This provides a steady source of income for these women as well.

story framesSUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

masterpiecesGreen

images // Adrian nowak

With sustainability being the need of the hour all over the globe, it is imperative to address the

negative environmental and social impacts of development and ensure what we design today has a minimal carbon footprint. Here are some architectural

marvels from around the world that are not only aesthetically appealing but also eco-friendly.

Taipei public library, Taiwan

Within the Beitou Park in Taipei City, lies one of South-east Asia’s greenest library. It is high on environment-friendliness, with the structure being made completely of wood from managed forests, large windows to cut down electricity consumption, a roof with photo voltaic cells to convert solar energy into electricity, harvesting rainfall water in toilets and 20 centimetres of soil to provide thermal insulation.


sustainable aRCHiteCtuRestory frames

Madrid’s Eco Boulevard in Vallecas is a classic example of how European cities are innovatively curbing the rise in temperatures.

Built as an ‘air tree’, this structure is made of recycled materials and uses photo voltaic cells to provide solar energy. These

artificial trees have the same effect as the real ones, without taking the same amount of time to grow and develop.

eco boulevard of Vallecas, spain

sustainable aRCHiteCtuRestory frames

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The Green Planet is Dubai’s very own rainforest in the middle of the desert. The

structure, developed in 2016, functions as a real rainforest system and has over

3000 species of plants, insects and animals, indigenous to rainforests.

The Green planet, uae

This futuristic building in Melbourne is not just a piece of art in the creative city, but is also Australia’s first carbon neutral building. Rainwater harvesting, solar panels, vertical axis wind turbines, a pixelated shade screen facade and double-glazed windows are some of the techniques this sustainable building utilises to conserve energy.

pixel building, australia

story framesSUSTAINABLE ARCHITECTURE

SUStaINable arChIteCtUrestory frames

In 1984, when the local monks in Khun Han district in Thailands’s Sisaket province decided to help in waste disposal of beer bottles, they

came up with a unique temple made of over 1.5 million discarded beer bottles.

Wat pa Maha Chedi Kaew, Thailand

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Green school, indonesia

Deep in the jungles of Badung in Bali, is a school that educates you with a lesson or two in sustainability. This experimental school is made mainly of bamboo, with some parts made from recycled rubber and car wind shields. The school’s fences are made of trees and its open sides ensure natural ventilation.

Japan has always been a pioneer in green architecture and the Asian cross Road

Over the Sea (AcROS) Fukuoka is just the epitome of it. What looks like an unassuming

conventional building from one side has a huge terraced roof on the other side. Made in

1994, this structure took into consideration the need for green space in the city. The

cascading plants on the roof helps reduce the energy consumption of the building while

giving it the look of a green pyramid.

aCros fukuoka prefectural international hall, Japan

words // Ruth Dsouza Prabhu images // Rajendra singh

Water, water everywhere


activistpersonality

and all of it to drink!Rajendra Singh AKA Waterman of India is behind the revival and rejuvenation of water bodies across India, changing the

very cultural and social fabric of society.

ajendra Singh, known as the Waterman of India, is celebrated for the

incredible work he has done in solving water issues that have plagued some of the driest regions of the country, primarily Rajasthan. His work on the revival of rivers, big and small, across the country has been lauded, and he is the recipient of the Ramon Magsaysay Award (2001), the Stockholm Water Prize (2015) and the Jamnalal Bajaj Award (2005). While he is called on by various state departments for his expertise, Rajendra does not have a commercial consultancy and takes no financial support from any government. Instead, his volunteer organisation Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS) works tirelessly for the cause of water conservation and related issues.

Rajendra Singh is a man who is constantly on the move. He uses his travel time, particularly on long haul flights to write short books on the subject of water.

R


aCtIvIStpersonality

froM healing PeoPle to healing the earthBorn in Daula village of Uttar Pradesh in 1959, Rajendra graduated in Ayurveda and earned a post graduate degree in Hindi. On completion of his formal education, he secured a government job and was posted in Jaipur where he worked for four years. A change-maker at heart, Rajendra quit his job and went on to practice Ayurveda. “A lot of people in Gopalpura village of Alwar in Rajasthan were suffering from night blindness and I started healing them. While they were happy that I treated

them, the villagers asked me to work on healing the earth, which would help bring back their loved ones who had gone to cities in search of jobs. The lack of water had made farming difficult and had caused migration of youths,” recalls Rajendra.

An unlettered man taught Singh geo-hydration techniques which dealt with evaporation control. He also learnt how to create water reservoirs with minimal budgets. With this, Rajendra launched his first project in Gopalpura – a johad (percolation pond based on rainwater harvesting techniques).

“It took me a while to complete this first project because I was working on it by and large alone,” he says. “People were naturally sceptical. I was working 12-14 hours a day for a whole year. With de-silting done, groundwater levels began to rise and soon wells in the region began to get recharged. The work was intense, but once done, the impact was what I would term a natural success in life”, says Singh.

Changing PerCePtionsIt’s been 36 years since Rajendra’s first project took place in Gopalpura. Since then he has


activistpersonality

built close to 12,000 johads in 500 villages. This technique of johads has revived 14 rivers and water bodies including those such as Aravari, Tapi and Sarsa flowing through parts of Rajasthan; Mahakali in Maharashtra, as well as, Hirehalla in Karnataka.

After the initial scepticism, people began to get more invested in the work he did. “Today, whenever I am called to help with a water issue, I first assess the need of the region and then the source of the problem and accordingly explain that to the community. We explain to them

“today, whenever i am called to help with a water issue, i first assess the need of the region and then the source of the problem and

accordingly explain that to the community. we explain to them that when they take charge of the solution, they also maintain control over it. ”

that when they take charge of the solution, they also maintain control over it. And this simple motivation has empowered them make them come forward and take charge. Our solutions vary as per the needs of the region”, explains Rajendra.

Perhaps the most significant change in perception has been the change in the social and cultural fabric that has come, following Singh’s work. Villages that once faced mass migration are today able to bring back families to their home towns and encourage them to live off the earth.

the need for a Water literaCy MoVeMent“Dealing with water issues in an urban scenario is quite different from working in rural areas,” admits Rajendra. While water issues may be solved to an extent in villages, there is still migration to cities and the conflict between the two stratas of society is quite visible. The strain on resources is also evident. The solution, Rajendra believes, is to get urban mindsets to align themselves with nature, with love and affection. “Until this happens, there can be no solution. People will have to set aside materialism and love nature. A water literacy movement is the need of the day. I have been talking about this in colleges and universities where young minds are easier to mould. More than benefit, people need to look at well-being. Nourishment of life and of nature is the solution but, it is not easy to achieve”.

The Tarun Bharat Sangh (TBS) aims to bring dignity, prosperity and holistic development of men, women and children from the destitute sections of society, irrespective of their caste or religion, by using sustainable measures. The organisation has been working for the empowerment of these communities by implementing Gram Swarajya or village self-rule, and making everyone in the community self-reliable.

About TaruN bharaT

saNGh

7428 601 500

7428 601 500

Craftizenwe care

Bengaluru-based Craftizen Foundation plays the role of ‘Craft Architects’, building bridges that

connect the crafts sector to newer possibilities.

Craftinglivelihoods

words & images // Craftizen Foundation

Founded in 2014 with a vision to preserve and evolve Indian craft skills, Craftizen Foundation provides business acumen support to enable sustainable livelihoods for Indian artisans, as well as, marginalised and unskilled communities.

The foundation has been instrumental in imparting skill training and providing livelihoods to persons with disability, women rescued from trafficking, along with women and youth who do not have access to alternate income generating opportunities.

stitch, jewellery from bena grass with natural seeds and beads and wooden toys. They also work with a wide array of discards such as temple flowers, newspapers, flex banners, silk thread and fabric leftovers and single-use household plastic to make handcrafted, functional products.

the journey“Initially, it was difficult to convince people to donate for the cause,” says Mayura Balasubramanian, founder and CEO, Craftizen. “They all liked the concept but they were not convinced. So the foundation focused on building capabilities in design and marketing, supporting

several traditional craft groups across India and started curating events to get market and consumer insights for large scale and long-term development projects,” she recalls.

Craftizen customises skill development based on several factors including profile of beneficiaries, availability of raw material, product appeal in local markets and among urban consumers and large buyers. This also offers beneficiaries the flexibility of choosing to be self-employed, wage-employed or engaged full time at a production centre. The project locations

The focus is on craft-based skill development so the crafts remain an integral part of their cultural fabric and support income enhancement.

The foundation has been creating tangible and measurable impact in society by preserving Indian craft and artisanal skills. This factor has also contributed to the appeal of craft-based skilling that has benefitted over 1,000 beneficiaries, including marginalised groups, rural women and youth, till date. They have expertise in over 30 craft skills including hand embroidery, folk painting, tailoring, hand block and screen printing, kantha


Craftizenwe care

are centered around Bengaluru, Hyderabad and Kolkata and include peri-urban and rural areas around these cities. The foundation also supports nearly 200 traditional artisans spread across the country. Through their latest initiative Kalashala, a finishing school for artisans, the foundation aims at empowering both traditional and non-traditional artisans with the knowledge, skills and exposure to become more market ready and consumer savvy.

suPPort froM PatronsA lot of corporates are involved with Craftizen who don the mantle of ‘patrons’ and support the handicrafts sector. The foundation has as many as 15 craft-based NGOs as its on-ground

implementing partners. The foundation also received a grant from Harvard University’s South Asia Institute and Tata Trusts, which enabled it to come up with the innovative Kalashala.

Colours of ChangeCraftizen has developed a method to convert discarded flowers collected from temples and wedding halls into non-toxic skin-friendly Holi colours. Together with their partner organisations, including the National Institute for Mental Health and Neuro Sciences (NIMHANS), Grameens Abyudaya Seva Samsthe (GASS), Orione Seva and Richmond Fellowship Society (all in Bengaluru), they are empowering persons with intellectual disability (ID) to make these colours as a means of

the foundation focusses on using craft-based skilling as a means to empower disadvantaged groups with no formal access to

education or skills to earn a livelihood.


Craftizenwe care

income generation and economic empowerment.

The foundation has created a brand called ‘Petalists’ so that all partner organisations can collectively promote the products made from processing discard flowers. The name ‘Petalists’ represents persons with ID who recycle temple flowers to convert them into a unique range of products including Holi colours, rangoli powders and a do-it-yourself Flower Sand Art Kit. This activity led the foundation to prepare 3,000 kilograms of Holi colours in 2020 from 10,000 kilograms of discard flowers and saved it from landfills. These colours save up to three times of water as compared to regular

colours to clean up. This entire process has generated livelihoods for 200 persons with ID.

The foundation’s aim is to ensure that handcrafted skills continue to stay relevant for both the maker and the market while focussing on sustainable livelihoods for Indian artisans by building the capacity of craft groups with market-ready skills and know-how.

The initiatives

the patron program This is a structured Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) initiative that enables craft-based livelihoods for marginalised groups.

kalashala A finishing school for artisans and craft groups to equip them to be market-ready. This initiative is supported by a social innovation grant from Harvard University’s South Asia Institute and Tata Trusts.

design innovation lab Through this Craftizen aims to bring together artisans and designers to collaborate on market-driven design development.

Customised Handcrafted Merchandise Craftizen provides design and marketing support to crafts persons by focusing on design development that enhances the functional utility of craft products.

visTara QuizQuestion 3: What is the world’s oldest currency still in use?



Note on Founder Ms Mayura BalasubramanianAn MBA graduate from the Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad, Mayura has over 15 years of experi

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