Wishesh magazine february 2018

63rd
Jio Filmfare Awards
CoverStory
VOLUME 3 | ISSUE 7
.NET
Fine art
Bandhani Silk
NRI Profile
Pranav Mistry
Travelogue
LehLadhak
WISHESHFEBRUARY 2018
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CONTENTS
Indian Diaspora
16-35
Bandhani ,
Kumbh Mela ,
Namastay
Story for Kids
50-53
24 Must Read Important
Facts On Autism
Healthy Living
Indian Food
54-57
58-61
24 Must Read Important
Facts On Autism
Samosa
NRI Profile
Desi News
62-67
80-89
Pranav Mistry
Tech Firms Request to
Retain Work Permit
Cover Story
36-49
Filmfare Awards

In Business
90-97
PM
Benjamin Netanyahu’s
6 day India Visit
In Focus
98-101
Triple Talaq
Freedom Fighter
102-105
Durgabai Deshmukh
Indian Yoga
106-111
5 Ultimate
Yoga Postures You
Must Try To Improve Digestion
LifeStyle
Relationship
112-117
118-123
Top 20 New Year
Resolution Ideas which
you would love to keep
Tips For Making
Long Distance
Relationship Work
Romance
124-127
How long does it take
to fall in love?

CONTENTSIndian History
Indian Spiritual
Automobiles
Indian vasthu
Technology
138-142
158-165
144-149
150-153
154-157
Significance and
celebration of Indian
Republic Day
Traditional Spirituality
Tesla Model3
Vasthu for Office And
Workspace
The coolest and the
weirdest from CES 2018
in Las Vegas
Travelogue
128-137
Plan your
Leh Ladhak

Indian Events
166-169
Grand And Auspicious
Special Movie
Star Gazing
Movie Review
Hollywood Tea News
Fashion
176-183
196-197
184-191
192-193
170-175
Tiger Zinda Hai
Fukrey Returns
Hello
Ittefaq
Tumhari Sulu
Khakee
Gigi Hadid, and Kendall
Jenner
Shawn Mendes
Kate Upton
Bourie Spring 2018

CURRENT AFFAIRS
Om Prakash Rawat takes over as new Chief Election
Commissioner
OP Rawat takes charge as new Chief Election Commissioner of India in Delhi today.
He succeeded AK Joti, who retired yesterday. Rawat’s tenure will end in December this year.
He was appointed Election Commissioner in August 2015.
Born on December 2, 1953, Rawat is a former Madhya Pradesh cadre IAS officer.
Sunil Arora is the other Election Commissioner in the three-member poll body.
Former finance secretary Ashok Lavasa was appointed Election Commissioner on Sunday. His
appointment will come into effect from the day he assumes office.

India ranked 81st on Global Index of Talent
Competitiveness
India was ranked 81st among 118 countries in 2017 Global index of talent
competitiveness (GTI) list. India has improved its position from 92nd last year.
The index measures ability of countries to compete for talent i.e. how countries
grow, attract and retain talent. It is produced by global business school INSEAD
in partnership with Adecco Group and Human Capital Leadership Institute (HCLI)
of Singapore. Switzerland is followed by Singapore and US. European countries
dominate top ranks, with 15 out of the top 25 places. Developed, high-income
countries are still the global talent champions while Zurich, Stockholm and Oslo take
the top spots in the GTI cities’ ranking.

CURRENT AFFAIRS
Centre announces 9 new smart cities, so the total
now stand at 99:
The fourth and the final round of smart cities was finally announced and nine cities made the cut.
Silvassa from Dadar and Nagar Haveli topped the list, followed by Erode in Tamil Nadu; Diu in
Daman and Diu and Bihar Sharif in Bihar.
Shillong is the tenth city on the list but is yet to submit its proposal.
Other cities who made it to the list include Bareilly in Uttar Pradesh, Itanagar in Arunachal Pradesh,
Moradabad in Uttar Pradesh, Saharanpur in Uttar Pradesh, and Kavaratti in Lakshwadeep.
Uttar Pradesh that had been given 13 smart city slots, of which it won 10. Ghaziabad, Meerut and
Rampur are the three cities that missed out. Ghaziabad applied for the smart cities challenge for
the fourth time. Announcing the list of nine cities, housing and urban affairs minister Hardeep S Puri
said: “The winning cities have improved the quality of their smart city proposals by 19 percent on
an average to become eligible for the selection process. Each city has developed a unique vision
and has selected an area based development (ABD) which will be developed as a lighthouse to be
replicated by the city.”

TRAI recommends allowing mobile services
during air travel:
Air passengers will soon be able to make calls and browse the internet while flying in Indian
airspace, with the telecom regulator recommending that domestic and international airlines be
permitted to offer both services.
Internet access through Wi-Fi will be allowed within the aircraft, the Telecom Regulatory Authority
of India said Friday, adding that making calls will be allowed once an aircraft reaches an altitude
of 3,000 meters, it said. For making calls, the airplane mode in the phone will have to be kept off,
although usually it is kept on during the duration of the flight.
“As long as provision of the service is technically feasible and security concerns can be
addressed, there should be no regulatory barrier in the provisioning of any of these services,”
TRAI said in its recommendations to the Department of Telecommunications.
“Internet and Mobile Communication on Aircraft (MCA) service should be permitted as In-Flight
Connectivity (IFC) services in the Indian airspace.” The regulator said there is strong demand for
mobile and data connectivity on flights.
“These expectations are pushing up the demand for fast, seamless aircraft connectivity.The
evolution of passenger attitude towards on-board WiFi means that where it was once seen as
a novelty or luxury, it is now considered a necessity,” TRAI said. Indian airlines said the facility
would help them to compete with foreign carriers

WWW.WISHESH.NET | FEBRUARY 2018
16
as yellow, red, green, orange etc.
In India, tie and dye technique is used in
many variations on a wide range of fabrics,
from cotton to silk. The Indian tie & dye can
be classified into the following types:
The fabric is tied and dyed, like
the Bandhani & Lehriya
The wrap is tied and dyed, like that in lkat
Tie and dye is among the simplest
and the oldest form of textile dyeing.
Tie-dye actually is a modern term to
describe a set of ancient resist-dyeing
techniques. The process consists of
folding, twisting, or crumpling of fabric
followed by application of dye. The
manipulations of the fabric before the
dye is applied are called resists, as
they prevent the dye from coloring the
fabric. Different types of tie and dyes
have been practiced in India, Japan,
and Africa for centuries. The dyes
are mainly vegetable dyes extracted
mainly from various parts of plants
such as flowers, stem, leaves etc. Tie-
dye is characterized by the use of bold
patterns and bright primary colors such
Bandhani is the tying of cloth with thread and then dying. It is
the simplest and perhaps the oldest form of creating patterns
on a plain piece of cloth. It is also the oldest forms of decorated
textiles. Bandhani is a popular type of tie and dye method
in India. The word “Bandhani” comes from the Hindi word
“Bandhan” which means tying. Bandhani work is mostly done in
the states of Rajasthan and Gujarat.
Bandhani
INDIAN DIASPORA FINE ART

FEBRUARY 2018 | WWW.WISHESH.NET

18
Both the wrap and weft are tied
and dyed like that in Double lkat
or Patola Bandhani is a traditional
and most popular technique of tie
and dye. As the name suggests,
the technique of Tie and Dye
involves two stages: tying
sections of a length of cloth (silk
or cotton) and then dunking it into
vats of color with the tied sections
acquiring a different hue than
the non tied ones and forming
amazing patterns. The rainbow-
tinged turbans of the Rajputs and
the odhnis of their women are
shaded by this method of resist
dyeing.
The term “Bandhani” derives
its name from the Hindi word
Bandhan which means tying
up. Bandhani is an ancient art
practised by people mainly of
Rajasthan and Gujarat. Jaipur,
Udaipur, Bikaner,Ajmer and
Jamnagar are among the
important centers producing
odhnis, saris and turbans in
Bandhani. The wide variety
was evolved over the centuries
because of its close links with
the religious and social customs
of different people. Bandhani
work involves tying and dyeing of
pieces of cotton or silk cloth. The
main colors used in Bandhani
are yellow, red, green and
black. Bandhani work, after the
processing is over, results into
a variety of symbols including,
dots, squares, waves and strips.
The main colors used in Bandhani
are natural. In fact all colors in
Bandhani are dark, Rajasthan is
one of the most important centers
of the tie and dye textile. Each area,
each caste and each tribe has its
special designs.
Tying of the border is a special
process known as sevo bandhavo.
The border is tied according to
the desired pattern by passing
the thread from one end to the
What is Bandhani?

other in loose stitch so as to
bring the entire portion together
by pulling the thread from one
end. The border portion is then
covered up. Some sarees have
broad matching and contrasting
borders. The same applies also
to the pallus.
History &
Socio-Cultural Aspect
The earliest evidence of
Bandhani dates back to Indus
Valley Civilization around 4000
B.C. The earliest physical
example of this craft is in the
6th century paintings depicting
the life of Buddha on the wall of
Ajanta caves. The art also finds
its mentions in the books written
during the time of Alexander the
Great about the beautiful printed
cottons of India.
The Bandhani technique was
taken to Gujarat in the 16th
century by communities of
craftsmen who migrated from
Sind. The Khatri community of
textile craftsmen, both Hindus
and Muslims, have been
producing Bandhani since the
17th century.
Bandhani also has a socio-
religious significance. The colors
and patterns of the fabric worn
by the person indicates their
status and community. While red
color fabric represents a bride
or recently married girl, a yellow
background suggests a lady has
become a mother recently. In
Rajasthan, men tye turbans with
different patterns of Bandhani

20
on their heads as a mark of
identification of their community
Technique
The art of Bandhani is a highly
skilled process. It is the women
and girls who always carry out
this delicate art as it is a skill very
rarely exhibited by men. Knots
are tied in two ways. One option
requires raising the folds of the
material with the pointed nails of
the finger to create a little bunch
around which thread may be
tied. The second option requires
use of filler materials, which
are impregnated within the knots.
Women can tie up to 700 knots in
a single day. It’s relatively easier
tying knots in silk or cotton for the
woollen knots have to be reaffirmed
by biting them with the teeth.
A single stole can have 4000 to
5000 knots, known as ‘Bheendi’ in
the local language. These knots
form a design once the cloth is
opened after dyeing in bright colors.
Traditionally, the final products can
be classified into ‘Khombhi’, ‘Ghar
Chola’, ‘Chandrakhani’, ‘Shikari’,
‘Chowkidaar’, ‘Ambadaal’ etc
The Making of a Bandhani Saree
Dyeing is accomplished by
the tie-resist method where
the patterns are made
up of innumerable dots
and weaves respectively.
Usually men do the dyeing
while women do the tying,
which is most painstaking
with each dot being as tiny
as a pin-head. The cloth is
first washed and bleached
to prepare it for absorbing
the dyes. After this, it is
then sent to the Bandhani,
the women who do the
tying, lift small portions of
the fabric and tightly tie
a thread around it. The
more minuscule the raised
Bandhani – tied textile fabric,
the finer the Bandhani. The
tied textile is then dipped
in a light color first while the
tied areas retain the original
ground color. If a second
dye is required, the areas to
be retained in the first dye
are tied for resist and the
cloth dipped in a darker dye.
This process is repeated,
if several colors are to be
combined.
Laheria refers to the wavy
pattern of a fabric processed
in the tie dye technique. The
material is rolled diagonally
and certain portions resisted
by lightly binding threads at
a short distance from one
another before the cloth
is dyed. If the distance is
shorter, the skill required in
preventing one color from
spilling into the other. The
process of dyeing is repeated
until the requisite number of
color is obtained.
For a checkered pattern
the fabric is opened and
diagonally rolled again from
the opposite corners, the rest
of the process remaining the
same. When oil of sunflower,
castor or linseed is heated
over fire for more than 12
hours and cast into water,
a thick residue known as
roghan is produced. The
printing of residue on cloth
with colored powder, gold or
silver dust is known as khari
or tinsel work.

The main colors used in
Bandhani are yellow, green,
red, pink, and black. The
colors commonly used signify
different things like – red, a
symbol of marriage, saffron,
a color worn by yogi who has
renounced the world, yellow,
which stands for spring and
black and maroon, used for
mourning.
Bandhani material is sold
folded and with the knots
tied. One has to pull the
folds apart for the knots
to open. The payment
is made according to
the number of dots in
the pattern. An intricate
design in a sari would
have approximately 75000
dots. What is essential in
Bandhani is the minute and
skillful manipulation of the
fingers for tying, extensive
knowledge of color schemes
and skill in dyeing materials.
It takes several years for
a craftsman to perfect his
skill. Bandhani saris and
dupattas are available at
most shops all over India but
to get the authentic material,
it is advisable to buy it from
Rajasthan or Gujarat or their
emporiums outlets in major
cities around India.
Tie and dye cloth is never
too expensive but be warned
that the colors always run.
So if you’ve bought silk, it’s
safer to get it dry-cleaned.
Design Motifs
Very elaborate motifs are made,
in tie and dye work. These include
flowers, creepers, bells and Jalas.
Knots are placed in clusters each
with a different names such as
Beldaar – like a vine
Boond – a small dot with a
dark center
Chaubasi – in groups of
four
Ekdali – a dot
Jaaldar – like a web
Kodi – tear or drop shaped
Laddu Jalebi – the swirling
Satbandi – in groups of
seven
Shikargah – mountain‐like
Tikunthi – circles and
squares appear in a group
of three
Colors Used and Care

22
Major Centers Of
Tie And Dye in India
waves. These are harmoniously
arranged diagonal stripes, which
were originally, dyed in the
auspicious colors of yellow and
red. Pochampalli is also one of
the three main traditional yarn-
dyeing centers in the country. The
process of making Bandhani (tie
and dye) varies in Gujarat and
Rajasthan. Even the patterns,
designs and craftsmanship
The centers of tie and dye
fabrics, especially in Gujarat are
Jamnagar in Saurashtra (the
water in this area brings out the
brightest red while dying), and
Ahmedabad. The finest Bandhani
work of Rajasthan comes from
Bikaner, Jaipur, Jodhpur, Barmer,
Pali, Udaipur and Nathdwara.
Rajasthan is well known for its
leheriya pattern – literally meaning

vary in both the regions. The
craftsmen from Rajasthan are
easily recognized because they
grow a nail on their little finger
to facilitate the lifting of cloth
for tying or wear a small metal
ring with a point. The Gujarati
craftsmen prefer to work without
these aids. The flow is much
better when one works with
one’s bare hands as it assures
no damage to the cloth. The
dyeing and printing of textiles
has become a highly developed
craft in Gujarat. Bandhani, a
form of tie-resist dyeing and
patola are two outstanding
examples of the Indian dyer’s
art.

24
Kumbh Mela
Becomes The 12th Element On The
UNESCO
List Of Intangible Cultural
Heritage
India is a country of not just
a rich cultural heritage but
also some traditions and
festivals that make our nation
so beautiful. The UNESCO
says that “The importance of
intangible cultural heritage is
not the cultural manifestation
itself but rather the wealth of
knowledge and skills that is
transmitted through it from
one generation to the next.
The social and economic
value of this transmission
of knowledge is relevant
for minority groups and for
mainstream social groups
within a State, and is as
important for developing
States as for developed one”
In the year 2017, Kumbh
Mela became India’s
12th element in the list of
UNESCO’s Intangible cultural
heritage. In a UNESCO
general conference in 2003,
a convention was adopted to
safeguard this list of cultural
heritage, traditions and living
expressions. To admire
and appreciate our cultural
heritage more here is a list of
all the entries of India in this
list.
1. Kutiyattam, Sanskrit
Theatre:
Originated more than 2,000
years ago, Kutiyattam
represents a synthesis of
Sanskrit classicism and
reflects the local traditions of
Kerala. It has its own codified
INDIAN DIASPORA TRADITION
theatrical language, netra
abhinaya (eye expression)
and hasta abhinaya (the
language of gestures) that are
prominent.
The focus is on portraying
the thoughts and feelings of
the main character. Actors
usually take upto ten to fifteen
years of rigorous training in
order to become full fledged
performers with their famous
sophisticated breathing control
and subtle muscle shifts of
the entire face and body. The
male actors hand down to their
detailed performance manuals
to their trainees. Until recently
these secrets remained the
exclusive and secret property
of a selected family.
N

The Tradition of Vedic Chanting
Kutiyattam, Sanskrit Theatre
Ramlila -
Novruz Mudiyettu

26
Chhau
Ramman
Buddhist chanting of Ladakh
Kalbelia folk songs and dances of Rajasthan

2. The Tradition of
Vedic Chanting
The verses of the vedas were
traditionally chanted during
sacred rituals and recited
daily in Vedic communities.
It is Expressed in the Vedic
language, which is derived
from classical Sanskrit. The
value of this tradition lies
not only in the rich content
of its oral literature but also
in the ingenious techniques
employed by the Brahmin
priests in preserving the
texts intact over thousands
of year. In order to ensure
that even the sounds of the
word remains unchanged,
the practitioners are taught
right from their childhood the
proper and complex recitation
techniques and a unique
manner of pronouncing each
letter and specific speech
combinations.
3. Ramlila -
Ramlila is the traditional
performance of Ramayana.
It is a performance of the
Ramayana epic in a series
of scenes that include song,
narration, recital and dialogue.
Popularly performed across
northern India during the
festival of Dussehra, held
each year according to the
ritual calendar in autumn
The majority of the Ramlilas
recount episodes from the
Ramcharitmanas through a
series of performances lasting
about a proper of ten to twelve
days. Some, such like the
Ramnagar one, may last an
entire month. Ramlila depicts
the battle between Rama
and Ravana and consists
of a series of dialogues
between gods, sages and the
faithful. Ramlila shows that
dramatic force which stems
from the succession of icons
representing the climax of
each and every scene.
4. Novruz
A festivals of the Parsis in
India, Novruz marks the
New year and the beginning
of spring across the world
covering Azerbaijan, India,
Iran, Kyrgyzstan, Pakistan,
Turkey and Uzbekistan. It
is celebrated on 21 March
every year, a date originally
determined by astronomical
calculations. It included
colouring eggs in spring
colours.
Novruz is associated with
various local traditions, such
as the evocation of Jamshid
who is a mythological king
of Iran. Novruz promotes the
values of peace and solidarity
between generations and
within families. It is also
about reconciliation and
neighbourliness. It has thus
been known in contributing
to cultural diversity and
friendship among peoples and
various communities.
5. Ramman
Ramman is a religious festival
and ritual theatre of the
Garhwal Himalayas, India. It is
performed in the honour of the
tutelary god, Bhumiya Devta,
a local divinity whose temple
houses most of the festivities .
Celebrated every year in late
April, in the twin villages of
Saloor-Dungra in the state
of Uttarakhand. This event is
made up of highly complex
rituals: the recitation of a
version of the epic of Rama
and various legends, and
the performance of songs
and masked dances. This
festival is organized by the
villagers, and each caste and
occupational group has a
distinct role to play in it.
In the year 2017, Kumbh Mela became India’s 12th element in
the list of UNESCO’s Intangible cultural heritage. In a UNESCO
general conference in 2003, a convention was adopted to
safeguard this list of cultural heritage, traditions and living
expressions.

28
Ramman is a cultural event
that reflects the environmental,
spiritual and cultural concept
of the community. It is about
celebrating and recounting the
founding myths of the ramman
and strengthening sense of
self-worth.
6. Chhau
Traditionally Chhau is from
eastern India. It is popularly
known for its enactments of
episodes from epics including
the Mahabharata and
Ramayana and local folklore.
Its three distinct styles hail
from the regions of Seraikella,
Purulia and Mayurbhanj. The
Seraikella and Purulia chhau
are the ones which uses
mask.
Chhau dance is intimately
connected to regional
festivals, notably the spring
festival Chaitra Parva.
Its origin is traceable to
indigenous forms of dance
and martial practices. Its
vocabulary of movement
includes mock combat
techniques, stylized gaits
of birds and animals and
movements modelled on the
chores of village housewives.
Chhau is taught to male
dancers only from the families
of traditional artists. But off
late it is also taught to local
communities.
7. Kalbelia folk songs
and dances of Rajasthan
Once only professional
snake handlers, Kalbelia are
today evoking their former
occupation in music and
dance that is evolving in
new and creative ways. Men
accompany women on the
khanjari percussion instrument
and the pungi, The dancers
wear traditional tattoo designs,
jewellery and garments richly
embroidered with small
mirrors and silver thread
Kalbelia songs disseminate
mythological knowledge
through stories, while special
traditional dances are
performed during Holi, the
festival of colours. The songs
usually demonstrate the
poetic acumen of the Kalbelia
people, who are reputedly
known to compose the lyrics
spontaneously and also
improvise their songs during
the performances.
8. Mudiyettu, ritual
theatre and dance drama
of Kerala
Ritual dance drama from
Kerala based on the
mythological tale of a battle
between the goddess Kali
and the demon Darika.
Mudiyettu performers purify
themselves through fasting
and prayer, then draw a
huge image of goddess
Kali, called as kalam, on the
temple floor with coloured
powders, wherein the spirit
of the goddess is invoked.
Mudiyettu is performed
annually in ‘Bhagavati Kavus’,
the temples of the goddess,
in different villages along
the rivers Chalakudy Puzha,
Periyar and Muvattupuzha.
Mutual cooperation and
collective participation of each
caste in the ritual instils and
strengthens common identity
and mutual bonding in the
community.
9. Buddhist chanting of
Ladakh
In the monasteries and
villages of the Ladakh region
Buddhist lamas chant sacred
texts representing the spirit,
philosophy and teachings of
the Buddha This chanting is
Yoga

undertaken for the spiritual
and moral well-being of the
people, for purification and
peace of mind, to appease
the wrath of evil spirits or to
invoke the blessing of various
Buddhas, Bodhisattvas,
deities and rinpoches.
This buddhist chanting is
performed in groups, either
sitting indoors or accompanied
by dance in monastery
courtyards or private houses
10. Sankirtana, ritual
singing, drumming and
dancing of Manipur
It encompasses an array
of arts performed to mark
religious occasions and
various stages in the life of
the Vaishnava people of the
Manipur plains. Sankirtana
practices centre on the temple,
where performers narrate the
lives and deeds of Krishna
through song and dance. In
a typical performance, two
drummers and about ten
singer-dancers perform in a
hall or domestic courtyard
encircled by seated devotees.
Sankirtana has two main
social functions: it brings
people together on festive
occasions throughout the year,
acting as a cohesive force
within Manipur’s Vaishnava
community; and it establishes
and reinforces relationships
between the individual and the
community through life-cycle
ceremonies. It is regarded as
the visible manifestation of
God
11. Brass and copper
craft of utensil making
among the Thatheras
It is traditional technique
of manufacturing brass and
copper utensils in Punjab.
The metals used – copper,
brass and certain alloys – are
believed to be beneficial
for health. The process of
manufacturing is transmitted
orally from father to son. This
Metalwork is not simply a form
of livelihood for Thatheras,
but it defines their family and
kinship structure, work ethic
and status within the social
hierarchy of the town
12. Yoga
The philosophy of yoga is
not just physical well being
but it has influenced various
aspects of society in India,
such as health, medicine,
education and even the arts. It
is done to unify the mind with
the body to the soul to achieve
greater mental, emotional,
spiritual and physical
wellbeing. Yoga consists of a
series of poses, meditation,
controlled breathing etc. Yoga
was traditionally taught in
India from the old ages. It was
initially imparted by the Gurus
with proper knowledge and
skills. It also had associated
ancient manuscripts and
scriptures that are now used
in the teaching the practice
of yoga. Along with this there
are a vast range of modern
literature available on this
subject now.
Sankirtana, ritual singing
Brass and copper craft

30
INDIAN DIASPORA CULTURE

Namaste is not a superficial
gesture or a mere word, it
is a way of showing respect
and that you are equal to one
another. It is used with all
people one meets, from young
and old to friends and strangers
Though it has its origins in
India, Namaste is now known
and used throughout the world.
Much of this has been due to its
use in yoga. Students will often
bow in respect to their teacher
and say “Namaste” at the end
of a class. In Japan, the gesture
is “Gassho” and used in similar
fashion, typically in prayer and
healing practice.
Because of its global
usage, Namaste has many
interpretations. In general,
the word tends to be defined
as some derivation of, “The
divine in me bows to the
divine in you.” This spiritual
connection comes from its
Indian roots.
Namaste According
to the Scriptures
Namaste—and its common
variants namaskar,
namaskaara, and
namaskaram—is one of the
various forms of formal
traditional greeting mentioned
in the Vedas. Although this
is normally understood to
mean prostration, it actually is
the means of paying homage
or showing respect to one
another. This is the practice
today when we greet each
other.
The Meaning of
Namaste
Namaste is derived from
Sanskrit word “namah + te
= namaste”. Namah means
‘bow’, ‘obeisance’, ‘reverential
salutation’ or ‘adoration’ and te
means ‘to you’ (dative case of
‘you’). It means -- I bow to you
-- my greetings, salutations or
prostration to you. Namaha
can also be literally interpreted
as ‘na ma’ (not mine).
The Significance of
Namastay from
Indian Culture,
practised by Hindu’s
Namaste is an Indian gesture of greeting one another. Wherever
they are, when Hindus meet people, they know or strangers
with whom they want to initiate a conversation, “namaste” is
the customary courtesy greeting. It is often used as a salutation
to end an encounter as well.

32
It has a spiritual significance
of negating or reducing
one’s ego in the presence of
another.
In Sanskrit, the word is
namah (to bow) and te (you),
meaning “I bow to you.” In,
other words, “greetings,
salutations, or prostration to
you.” The word namaha can
also be literally interpreted
as “na ma” (not mine). It
has a spiritual significance
of negating or reducing
one’s ego in the presence of
another.
The real meeting between
people is the meeting of
their minds. When we greet
another, we do so with namaste,
which means, “may our minds
meet,” indicated by the folded
palms placed before the chest.
The bowing down of the head
is a gracious form of extending
friendship in love and humility.
In Kannada, the same
greeting is Namaskara and
Namaskaragalu; in Tamil,
Kumpiṭu; in elugu, Dandamu,
Dandaalu, Namaskaralu
and Pranamamu; in Bengali,
Nōmōshkar and Prōnäm; and in
Assamese, Nômôskar.
How and Why to
Use “Namaste”
Namaste is more than a word
we say, it has its own hand
gesture or mudra. To use it
properly:
*Bend your arms upwards
at the elbow and face the two
palms of your hands.
*Place the two palms together
and in front of your chest.

*Utter the word namaste
and bow your head slightly
toward the tips of the fingers.
Namaste can be a casual or
formal greeting, a cultural
convention, or an act of
worship. However, there is
much more to it than meets
the eye.
This simple gesture is related
to the brow chakra, which
is often referred to as the
third eye or mind center.
Meeting another person, no
matter how casual, is really
a meeting of the minds.
When we greet one another
with Namaste, it means,
“may our minds meet.” The
bowing down of the head is
a gracious form of extending
friendship in love, respect,
and humility.
Indians greet each other with
namaste. The two palms
are placed together in front
of the chest and the head
bows whilst saying the word
namaste. This greeting is for
all -- people younger than us,
of our own age, those older
than us, friends and even
strangers.
There are five forms of
formal traditional greeting
enjoined in the shastras
or scriptures of which
namaskaram is one. This
is understood as prostration
but it actually refers to paying
homage as we do today
when we greet each other
with a namaste.
Folding hands together with
a smile to greet, Namaste is
a common cultural practice in
India. Namaste or Namaskar
or Namaskaram is a common
verbal salutation in India. It
is a customary greeting when
one meets or takes leave of
others.
While saying Namaste,
one commonly does this by
slight bow made with hands
pressed together, palms
touching and fingers pointed
upwards, infront of the chest.
It can also be done without
words and carries the same
meaning.
Each palm represents the
separate individuality. Each
palm supports the five fingers.
Similarly, each personality has
five sheaths called the five
kosas. The five different parts
of the personality are called
pancakosas, five sheaths.
They are:
1- annamayakosa food sheath,
2- pranamayakosa vital-air
sheath
3- manomayakosa mental
sheath,
4- vijnanamayakosa intellectual
sheath and
5- anandamayakosa bliss
sheath.

34
the Divinity in the person
we meet. That is why
sometimes, we close our
eyes as we do namaste
to a revered person or
the Lord - as if to look
within. The gesture is often
accompanied by words
like “Ram Ram”, “Jai Shri
Krishna”, “Namo Narayana”,
“Jai Siya Ram”, “Om
Shanthi” etc. - indicating the
recognition of this divinity.
When we know this
significance, our greeting
does not remain just a
superficial gesture or word
but paves the way for a
deeper communion with
another in an atmosphere of
love and respect.
Namaste is also a
friendly greeting in written
communication. When the
hand position is higher, it
usually means reverence
and / or worship. The
expression with hands
placed on top of one’s head
is usually the sign of utmost
reverence or respect. The
gesture Namaste represents
and acknowledges the belief
that there is a Divine spark
within each of us. Hence,
Namaste means, ‘I bow to
you’ or ‘the divine within me
greets the divine in you’.
The gesture is widely used
throughout Asia and beyond.
It appears in c.4000 years
ago on the clay seals of the
These five sheaths are
supported by the Atman, the
supreme Self which is the
eternal Reality. The five sheaths
are different from individual to
individual but the Reality that
supports them all is one and
the same in all individualities.
This truth is declared when the
Hindus greet each other with
namaskara. The two palms
joined together as one indicates
that the Reality or Atman in
both is one and the same. To
this unifying Infinite Atman the
Hindus bows in the reverence
when he does namaskara.
The Spiritual
Significance of
“Namaste”
The reason we use Namaste
has a deeper spiritual
significance as well. It
recognizes the belief that the
life force, the divinity, the Self,
or the God in me is the same in
all.
Acknowledging this oneness
and equality with the meeting of
the palms, we honor the god in
the person we meet.
The spiritual meaning is
even deeper. The life force,
the divinity, the Self or the
Lord in me is the same in all.
Recognising this oneness
with the meeting of the palms,
we salute with head bowed
Indus Valley Civilization.
There are different ways of
doing namaste or greeting
each other in other langues
prevalent in India.
1- Telugu
In Telugu, the gesture is
known as Namaskaramulu or
simply Namaskaram.
2- Tamil
In Tamil, it is known as
kumbidu, which is composed
of kumbu meaning ‘to cup
hands’ and idu, ‘to do’.
Vanakkam, in Tamil too,
means the same.
3- Kannada
In Kannada, the gesture is
known as Namaskara.
4- Japan
In Japan, the Namaste hand
gesture is used in prayer
and healing sessions and is
called Gassho.
5- Sri Lanka
Namaste is also in vogue
in Sri Lanka and Nepalese
cultures.
6- Sikhs
Sikhs also fold their hand
as in Namaste, but their

greeting is Sat Sri Akal.
During prayers, Hindus not
only do Namaste, they also
bow and close their eyes, in
effect to look into the inner
spirit. This physical gesture
is sometimes accompanied
by names of gods such as
Ram Ram, Jai Shri Krishna,
Namo Narayana, or Jai Siya
Ram. It may also be used
with Om Shanti, a common
refrain in Hindu chants.
Namaste is also quite
common when two devout
Hindus meet. It indicates
the recognition of the
divinity within ourselves and
extends a warm welcome to
each other.
Difference Between
“Namaskar” or
Namastay and
“Pranama”
Pranama (Sanskrit ‘Pra’
and ‘Anama’) is a respectful
salutation among Hindus.
It literally means “bowing
forward” in reverence for a
deity or an elder.
Namaskar is one
of the six types of
Pranamas:
1- Ashtanga (Ashta=eight;
Anga=body parts): Touching
the ground with knees, belly,
chest, hands, elbows, chin,
nose, and temple.
2- Shastanga
(Shashta=six; Anga=body
parts): Touching the ground with
toes, knees, hands, chin, nose,
and temple.
3- Panchanga
(Pancha=five; Anga=body
parts): Touching the ground with
knees, chest, chin, temple, and
forehead.
4- Dandavat (Dand=stick):
Bowing the forehead down and
touching the ground.
5- Abhinandana
(Congratulations to you):
Bending forward with folded
hands touching the chest.
6- Namaskar (Bowing to
you). The same as doing a
Namaste with folded hands and
touching the forehead.

36
COVER STORY

Crowned54thMissWorld
(6thcrownforIndia)
India’s
Manushi Chhillar
A 17 year long dry spell is over, as Manushi Chhillar brings
back the coveted Miss World Crown to India and in style.
From Aishwarya Rai to Priyanka Chopra, these glorious
damsels have brought laurels with the beauty pageant
crown. And this year’s stunning leap, with Manushi
Chhillar has been incredible.
This 20 year old medicine student
is not just all beauty but thorough
brains and strong determination
too. Concluded in Beijing; China,
this year’s beauty pageant saw
participation from 118 countries and
included the top ones from England,
France, Kenya and Mexico.
Born to doctor parents, she studied
at St Thomas School in New Delhi
and Bhagat Phool Singh Government
Medical College for Women in
Sonepat. Her entire family including
brother and sister were present and
they were delighted and excited to see
her grabbing the top five spots and
Miss world crown there after.
Chhillar was presented the crown by
Stephanie Del Valle, the last year’s
Miss World winner from Puerto
Rico at the event in Sanya City
Arena in China which was televised
live globally. The announcement
about Chhillar winning the Miss
World crown was also made on the
pageant’s official Twitter handle as
well as on its Facebook page.
“The winner of Miss World 2017 is
Miss India Manushi Chhillar,” the
tweet said. The first and the second
runners-up were Miss England
Stephanie Hill and Miss Mexico
Andrea Meza.
In the top five round, Chhillar was
asked which profession according to
her, deserved the highest salary. “I

think a mother deserves the
highest respect and when
you talk about salary it’s not
always about cash but I feel
it’s the love and respect that
you give to someone. My
mother has always been the
biggest inspiration in my life.
“All mothers sacrifice so
much for their kids. So, I think
it is the job of a mother that
deserves the highest salary,”
Chhillar said to a wide-
applause.
Chhillar is the sixth Indian to
win the coveted crown, which
was first won by Reita Faria
back in 1966. Aishwarya Rai
had bagged the title in 1994,
followed by Diana Haydon in
1997, Yukta Mookhey in 1999
and Priyanka Chopra in 2000,
the last for India.
According to Chhillar’s
profile on the Miss World
website, she aims to be a
cardiac surgeon and wants
to open a chain of non-
profitable hospitals based in
rural areas. A trained Indian
classical dancer, Chhillar has
a passion for outdoor sports
and actively participates in
paragliding, bungee jumping,
snorkelling and scuba diving
besides sketching and
painting. Her personal motto,
as described on the website,
reads: “When you cease to
dream you cease to live” and
“Courage to give flight to your
dreams and the ability to
believe in yourself makes life
worth living”
Chhillar’s journey began with
a fbb campus Princess 2017,
where she was crowned one
of the finalists from AIMS,
during her college fest in
2016. She went on to become
fbb Femina Miss India
Haryana in April 2017. She
was later crowned Femina
Miss India in June 2017.
She is 4th beauty with a
purpose winner at Miss World
2017. She also became a
semi-finalist in Top Model,
People’s choice and multi-
media competitions. The
campaign’s goal is to spread
awareness about menstrual
hygiene. She visited about
20 villages for the project and
treated over 5,000 women.
On 18 November 2017,
Chhillar was crowned Miss
World 2017 by outgoing
titleholder Miss World 2016
Stephanie Del Valle from
Puerto Rico in the finals in
Sanya, China..
The first and the second
runners-up were Miss
England Stephanie Hill and
Miss Mexico Andrea Meza
at the event, which was
televised live globally.
In the top five round, Chhillar
was asked which profession
according to her deserved the
highest salary.
“I think a mother deserves
the highest respect and when
you talk about salary it’s not
always about cash but I feel
it’s the love and respect that
you give to someone. My
mother has always been the
biggest inspiration in my life.
“All mothers sacrifice so
much for their kids. So, I think
it is the job of a mother that
deserves the highest salary,”
38
COVER STORY

Chhillar said to a wide-
applause.
Chhillar is the sixth Indian to
win the coveted crown, which
was first won by Reita Faria
back in 1966. Prime Minister
Narendra Modi congratulated
her for the Miss World 2017
crown.
“Congratulations @
ManushiChhillar!
India is proud of your
accomplishment,” he said in
a tweet.
Taking to the Twitter,
Haryana Chief Minister
Manohar Lal Khattar
praised Chhillar and said,
“I congratulate Haryana’s
daughter Manushi Chhillar
on winning the Miss World
crown.”
In a statement, Chhillar said:
“The feeling is still sinking
in and very excited to make
India proud too. I’m also
looking forward to the year
ahead.
“My parents have always
been my pillar of support and
having them here tonight by
my side has only brought me
more strength and joy. My
final answer also came to me

by having them here with me in
front of me”.
According to Chhillar’s profile
on the Miss World website, her
father, Dr. Mitra Basu Chhillar,
is a scientist at the Defence
Research and Development
Organisation, while her
mother, Dr. Neelam Chhillar,
is an associate professor and
department head of neuro-
chemistry at the Institute of
Human Behaviour and Allied
Sciences.
A trained Indian classical
dancer, Chhillar has a passion
for outdoor sports and actively
participates in paragliding,
bungee jumping, snorkelling
and scuba diving besides
sketching and painting.
Her personal motto, as
described on the website,
reads: “When you cease to
dream you cease to live” and
“Courage to give flight to your
dreams and the ability to
believe in yourself makes life
worth living”.
Fantastic facts
about Manushi
Chhillar:
1. Manushi Chhillar is
a beauty with brains.
She wants to become a
gynecologist. She is doing
MBBS from Bhagat Phool
Singh Government College,
Sonepat. Her father Dr. Mitra
Basu Chhillar is a scientist
at DRDO, whereas her
mother Dr. Neelam Chhillar
40
COVER STORY

is the lead of department
of Neuro-Chemistry at the
Institute of Human Behavior
and Allied Sciences.
2. Manushi is a very good
dancer as well. She is a
trained Kuchipudi dancer,
who gets training form
popular names.
3. Manushi is a very good
dancer as well. She is a
trained Kuchipudi dancer,
who gets training form
popular names.
4. Manushi also represented
India and her college in
Cultural Exchange Program
in 2014 in Japan. She is truly
an inspiration to millions of
people all around the world.
5. She has always dreamed
of becoming the Miss World.
For taking part in Femina
Miss India 2017, she had
to sacrifice one year of her
education. Her hard work
was worth, as she was
crowned Femina Miss India
2017 in June this year.
6. In addition to all these
things, Manushi is a very
adventurous girl. She is a
big fan of outdoor sports
like scuba diving, bungee
jumping, paragliding, and
snorkeling
7. Manushi had also won
the Beauty With Purpose
Title, which is legitimate
after all she is from Haryana,
which is the state of gender
inequality.
8. She also wants to spread
social awareness among
people. Her beauty with
purpose project is “Project
Shakti”, through which she
spreads awareness about
problems related to menstrual
cycle
9. Manushi Chhilar loves
acting. She has participated in
National School of Drama.
10. Manushi is a 20-year-old girl
from Haryana, who is too good
in English. In 12th standard,
she was an All India CBSE
topper.
11. Manushi is sixth to enter
Miss World ‘Hall Of Fame’ in
India.
12. Manushi won Miss World
title in 2017 after Priyanka
Chopra, who was crowned Miss
World title in 2000.
Born to doctor parents, she
studied at St Thomas School
in New Delhi and Bhagat
Phool Singh Government
Medical College for Women
in Sonepat.
"
"

42
63rd Jio
Filmfare Awards 2018
A Starry Night Full
Of Entertainment Cocktails
COVER STORY

Who all took the black lady
this year and who all shook
their legs on stage, well
before it comes on air, here
is a sneak peek into the most
happening night of 2018. The
63rd Jio Filmfare Awards
concluded on Jan 20th at
NSCI dome in Worli, Mumbai.
The starry night saw some
of the most popular, most
trendy, most controversial
and the most endearing faces
from the Hindi Film industry.
Hot on the heels, shimmering
and sparkling in their
celestial attires and oozing
elegance and grace, the
entire participation at Filmfare
awards night was simply
astounding. Stunning Aalia to
Quirky Ranveer, slightly off
placed Sonam to stylish Kajol;
all the stars poured exuberance.
And this year’s winners truly
shadowed the coming back of
classic times when Awards and
rewards meant much more than
just an yearly ritual. The big
and bold names of Bollywood,
for a change took just the front
stage for their performances
and the well crafted and truly
deserving jumped high. With the
most sought after hosts as Shah
Rukh Khan and Karan Johar
for the better part on stage, this
event was a splendid one.
The list of winners
from Reliance Jio
Filmfare Awards 2018:
Films like Hindi Medium,
Tumhari Sulu and Bareily ki
Barfi won to top notch awards
and it reclaimed the faith in
awards once again, for many.
Best film and Best actor
male went to Hindi Medium
and Irrfan Khan, while Vidya
Balan bagged the best actor
female for her woman next
door portrayal of Sulu in
Tumhari Sulu. This marks the
6th Filmfare best actor award
for Vidya Balan. Ashwiny Iyer
Tiwari won for Best director
for her movie Bareily ki Burfi.

44
The complete list of
winners include:
Best Film: Hindi Medium
Best Film Popular category: Hindi Medium
Critics’ Award for Best Film: Newton
Best Actor In A Leading Role (Female): Vidya
Balan for Tumhari Sulu
Best Actor In A Leading Role (Male) : Irrfan
Khan for Hindi Medium
Critics’ Award for Best Actor (Male):
Rajkummar Rao for Trapped
Critics’ Award for Best Actor (Female): Zaira
Wasim for Secret Superstar
Best Director: Ashwiny Iyer Tiwari for Bareilly
Ki Barfi
Best Debut Director: Konkona Sensharma for
A Death in the Gunj
Best Actor In A Supporting Role (Male):
Rajkummar Rao for Bareilly Ki Barfi
Best Actor in a Supporting Role (Female):
Meher Vij for Secret Superstar
Best Dialogue: Hitesh Kewalya for Shubh
Mangal Saavdhan
Best Screenplay: Shubhashish Bhutiani for
Mukti BhavanBest Original Story: Amit Newton
for Newton
Best Actor (Male) in a Short Film: Jackie Shroff
for Khujli
Best Actor (Female) in a Short Film: Shefali
Shah for Juice
People’s Choice Award for Best Short
Film: Anahut
Best Short Film (Fiction) : Juice
Best Short Film (Non Fiction): Invisible
Wings
Best Music Album: Pritam for Jagga
Jasoos
Best Playback Singer (Male): Arijit Singh
for Roke na ruke naina - Badrinath Ki
Dulhania
Best Playback Singer (Female): Meghna
Mishra for Nachdi phira - Secret
Superstar
Best Lyrics: Amitabh Bhattacharya for
Ullu ka pattha - Jagga Jasoos
Lifetime Achievement Award: Mala Sinha
and Bappi Lahiri
Best Choreography: Vijay Ganguly and
Ruel Dausan Varindani for Galti se
mistake - Jagga Jasoos
Best Background Score: Pritam for Jagga
Jasoos
Best Action: Tom Struthers for Tiger
Zinda Hai
Best C inematography: Sirsha Ray for A
Death In The Gunj
Best Editing: Nitin Baid for Trapped
Best Production Design: Parul Sondh for
Daddy
Best Sound Design: Anish John for
Trapped
Best Costume: Rohit Chaturvedi for A
Death In The Gunj
COVER STORY

Some worthy
mentions from
the reliance Jio
Awards 2018:
While we all have seen the
quirky quotient of Ranveer
Singh but this time he made
it sure to showcase every
film he can, through the
poster collage printed disco
suit which was too off beat
and yet eye-catchy. We just
adored Alia Bhatt’s cascading
fringes walking down the
red carpet in her soothing
pale pink gown. We simply
loved the black potpourri and
hues here at our very own
desi award night, inspired by
the #Metoo movement from
the West. Dreamy beauty
Parineeti looked fabulous
in her princely gown with
sparkling enhancements and
Madhuri Dixit looked like
a Greek Goddess spilling
sensuality and grace. Miss
World Manushi Chhillar
turned heads with her sultry
and sexy attire by Sonakshi
Raaj all laced in red with a
satin overlay. Dia Mirza in
her cascading ruffles made a
striking appearance and so
did Dusky beauty Bipasha
Basu. The recently named
Asia’s Hottest male Shahid
Kapoor looked sleek and
stylish in all white ensemble.
So did Ranbir Kapoor, Arjun
Kapoor and Akshay Kumar;
with their drop dead gorgeous
looks and Greek appeal.
Some of the most wonderful
performances from the
bigwigs made the night
a thorough eventful and
entertaining one which made
us drool over our idols right
at the stage. When Manushi

46
Shook her leg with Shah
Rukh and Ranvir on stage,
audience just went gaga.
We couldn’t stop giggling at
the Bareily ki Burfi reunion
on stage with Rajkumar Rao
and Ayushmann Khurana.
Sunny Leone casted a
dreamy spell with her mystic
and magical performance
keeping everyone glued from
tip to tip. We just can not get
over the grace that Rekha
spilled, as a tradition she gave
away the best actor Female
award and the sight of two
powerful and beautiful women
together on stage was simply
mesmerizing.
Bappi Lahiri and Mala Sinha
won the lifetime achievement
award with a spectacular
performance by Ranveer
Singh highlighting Bappi’s
genre and contribution to the
Hindi Film industry. We were
drooling at the sight of Kalki
in a lemon yellow saree with
sparkles and shimmer at right
places.
Reliance Jio filmfare awards
2018 the much needed
glamour potpourri for your
chilly winter evening
Reliance Jio Filmfare awards
2018, a night filled with
exuberance, euphoria, magic
and flamboyance of glitz,
glamour, style, charisma and
enchantment. As a tradition,
we all have grown up looking
forward to this starry night
with some magnum opus
performances being rewarded
and our heartthrob’s raising
the temperatures to soaring
high. We just love the filmfare
awards magic, mystique
and madness that entices
us all and keeps us drooling
for more. The sultry black
lady held by our beloved
stars and the power packed
performances of some of our
favorites, makes this night
not just wizardly but gleeful
too. While your are tucked
up in bed with a warm cuppa
magical delight, it is time to
brew some more espresso for
you! Yes we take you down
the Filmfare awards 2018 night
to bring out some of the most
intricate details of the crème
de la crème of Bollywood.
Stay tuned to know who wore
what at Reliance Jio Filmfare
awards 2018 in our this year’s
filmfare fashion report.
Some steaming
and piping details
of the Reliance Jio
Awards 2018 night:
With the conventional norms
from the old school methods
of ranking a movie being seen
again, this years Filmfare
awards were truly the most
deserving taking back the
black lady home. From past
many years it is believed
that the powerful and the
successful take rise over and
above the true craft. But with
Vidya balan, Irrfan Khan,
Rajkumar Rao and Zaira
Wasim grabbing this black
chic, we are reliving the good
old times. The charismatic
and rhapsodic launch from
red carpet to after party, made
heads turn. For the stars came
down in some of the most
ravishing and scintillating
attires, leaving us in awe.
Some of the worthy style
mentions from Reliance Jio
Filmfare Awards 2018 include:
1- Parineeti
Chopra:
This Chopra damsel had truly
mystic and magical presence
COVER STORY

with her princess ball gown
like attire with sparkling
embellishments and surreal
aesthetics. A Kujta & Meri
leopard print gown with glitter
and tapered waistline for
showing her perfect curves
made a striking show. The
gown had immense volume
to add fairy kind of look and
Renu Oberoi earrings made for
classic trinkets for the evening.
Soft parted hair by stylist
Gohar and let down straight for
endearing appeal. Her smoky
eyed makeup summed up
by Heema added grace and
sensuality at the same time
2- Alia Bhatt:
If angels lived, then yes we
saw one at the Fimlfare 2018,
dressed as Alia Bhatt in soft
toned lavender gown with
cascading fringes and neatly
pinned hairdo. Monsoori
designed gown, with zilch
accessories and almost
nude lip shade, Alia was
surreal and pristine. Styled by
Amy Patel, she graced and
charmed with her simple yet
endearing presence
3- Sonam Kapoor:
We were a bit confused for
the style Sonam picked,
but who said quirky is not a
head turner. A rather off beat
shorts and jacket ensemble
by Vera Wang in black, made
Sonam look chic but not her
usual fashionista self. Though
Eli Saab clutch saved the day
for her, streamlined in black,
white and gold matched with the
gold on her jacket and perfectly
paired gold earrings. Smoky
eyes and metallic plates, well
done by stylist Namrata made
Sonam look trendy. Mid parted
and straight hairdo seems to
be the word now, from far west
to eastern east, celebrities
are adorning it all the time;
so did our Leggy lady Sonam
Kapoor. We really wished to see
Sonam in some larger than life
ensemble but experiment is the
way to go, it seems
4- Madhuri Dixit:
If there is one goddess who truly
exudes magic in whichever attire
she wears, it is the 90’s dream
girls Madhuri Dixit. Dressed
elegantly in a black satin made
gown by Marc Bumgarner. Cold
shoulders and floral prints on
top added grace and style to her
mesmerizing ensemble. A side
parted pony tail brilliantly done
along with sparkling studs, done
by Amy Patel; Madhuri looked
like a dream as she walked the
red carpet
5- Kajol:
Kajol is the recent one, certainly
bitten by the haute couture
fashion bug. Her recent
appearances look more of
designs and fashion than her old
time simple down to earth looks.
This year she picked the velvet
fashion which is already gaining

48
portrayal, of every woman who
wants to do something on her
own and in her own space. Vidya
won her 6th best actor award for
the film Tumhari Sulu. Dressed
in her favorite attire, saree; she
looked classic and elegant. Rick
Roy label saree matched with
Danglers from Gehna jewellers
and an aquamarine cocktail
ring; Vidya was a sight. Natural
makeup, highlighted bindi and
hair down naturally; Vidya spelled
grace in every form
8- Preity Zinta:
Well well well! Thanks to Preity
for bringing some Hollywood like
charm to our desi gala. A pink
Garimon Roferos strapless gown
with embroidery and lacy finish
popularity with Ranbir and
Karan Johar wearing it off
and on. Crimson red off
shoulder gown by Manish
Malhotra matched well
with voluminous streaked
hair and pristine makeup
made Madhuri look like a
diva. Minimal accessories
with just the one being her
larger than life ring, made it
a fashion forward style for
Kajol. All kudos to her stylist
Ridhika Mehra for creating a
magical look for Kajol
6- Konkona Sen
Sharma:
No matter how she dresses,
Konkona is one artist who
draws attention with her off
beat yet powerful style. She
matched Vidya Balan in
choosing a black and gold
saree in Anavila Label. She
looked gorgeous with trendy
jewelry all over. Her wavy
hair nude makeup specially
the chunky necklace made
her look stunning and why
not she had her black lady
waiting for the wonderful
directorial debut with a death
in the gunj
7- Vidya Balan:
A black and gold lady was
owned by another black
and gold dressed diva. The
lady of the night, rather
entire year, for her powerful
and flowing textures exuding
spice and style. For pink is the
new black, and bestowed with
class and elegance; Preity
looked charming in Farah Khan
Ali jewelry and killer red lips. A
white midrib belt over her gown
made for a fashion forward
style from Preity
9- Manushi
Chhillar:
We just loved the way
COVER STORY

Manushi played the game, her
striking appeal, gracious style
and powerful presence made
everyone swoon over her. The
racing red designer outfit from
Sonaakshi Raaj, with a satin red
overlay contrasted with a silver
Jimmy Choo clutch and silver
footwear; the Miss World was
ready to rock the stage. We just
loved the way her Miss World
Crown fitted so perfectly over this
all red ensemble
10- Dia Mirza:
posters from movies of the
retro era made a rather
unconventional but a
powerful style
14- Ranbir
Kapoor:
We just can’t get enough
of this chocolate boy,
and yet after his powerful
performance in Ae Dil Hai
Mushkil; we still think of
him as the boy next door.
Blue suits matched with
pink and black dotted tie
made him look stylish
and trendy. And when
he presented the award
to Rajkumar Rao, the
audience went gaga over
him
15- Rekha:
Reka finds mention at
every place she is, she
truly owns it all. Her style,
her grace, her charisma
and her elegance are by far
the most celebrated ever.
Her dark blue and silver
saree with a potli bag in
hand made for a stunning
style. Black and gold
jewelry and her highlight
red lip color looked divine
and surreal. We can’t thank
the style goddess of Hindi
Cinema for raising the
fashion bars so high. No
one can ever match her
for she is the ruling prima
donna of our industry
DIa Mirza just swept off our
feet, with her stylish presence
at the award night. We loved
the silver metallic cascading
ruffles by Shantanu and Nikhil.
Teamed up well with Renu
Oberoi fine jewelry. Her side
swept long locks with edgy
waves at the bottom made for
a striking look. She ushered
trendy, chic, flirty and smart.
11- Kalki Koechlin:
Kalki Koechlin took the award
show by surprise by opting for
a magical saree outfit. Floral
embroidered regal saree by
Sabyasachi, Kalki looked
stunning with oversized
earrings and messy hairdo.
Contrasted well with Gucci
classic black clutch and silver
gleaming bangles adding to
her charisma
12- Shahid Kapoor:
This man exonerates passion
and enigma. Her all white look
with fitted suit and sleeves
made heads turn. He was a
true Greek god in all white
ensemble
13- Ranveer Singh:
If only we could, we would!
The way Ranveer dresses
for each and ever event is
commendable. He wears
the quirkiest of outfits in
such an effortless way.
His disco suit portraying

50
The Bird’s Eye TestOf Guru
Dronacharya That Only
Arjuna Passed
STORY FOR KIDS

talking to his brothers. He
complains in a volume that
Guru Dronacharya should
also be able to hear him. He
says that Arjuna is not the
best warrior prince and that
dronacharya is wrong when
he thinks so. Left to himself,
Arjuna is literally nothing in
front of me.
On hearing this, Dronacharya
smiles. Looking at the young
prince’s jealousy he feels
that he should justify in front
of everyone why he feels
Arjuna’s abilities are superior
than anyone else and there
existed no warrior like him.
The next day dronacharya
asked all the princes to
assemble with their bow
and arrows in the forest.
He showed everyone a tall
tree that was 100 yards
away. There was a wooden
bird on the branch of that
tree. He told everyone to
hit that bird on the branch,
but only with a single arrow.
Everyone started murmuring
as to how that was possible.
When everyone stood in a
queue with their bows, he
asked everyone a question,
whoever gave a proper
answer will be allowed to take
the test.
First he asks Yudhistir, What
do you see when you look
at the tree? He replies “The
Bird”.
Dronacharya asks again
“What else do you see?”
Yudhistir thinks for a moment
and replies, “well, i see the
branches, the leaves and the
sky behind it.”
Dronacharya smiles and asks
him to keep his bow down.
Next he asks Duryodhana
to come forward and he
asks him the same question.
Duryodhana replies “I see the
bird and the tree and you Sir”
Dronacharya tells duryodhana
that he may not waste his
arrow and he can also put his
bow down.
Slowly he asks every prince
and they answer almost like
their elders brothers did.
At last he asks his favorite
student Arjuna to come
forward. He asks him the
One such wonderful
example is of the story of
Guru Dronacharya’s Bird’s
eye test that no one passes
but Arjuna.
Arjuna was a great archer,
he was far better than
anyone Dronacharya had
ever trained. Arjuna was
a great student to his
guru, he always showed
exceptional concentration
and dedication towards
every task he was given.
Dronacharya knew this and
he loved arjuna for that.
While teaching all the little
Kuru and Pandu princes
dronacharya would often
praise Arjuna. It was
evident to everyone that
not only was arjuna was
a better archer but also
dronacharya’s favorite
student. The eldest prince of
the Kuru Clan, Duryodhana
absolutely detested his
cousins and this special
place given to Arjuna made
him extremely mad.
One Day Duryodhana saw
dronacharya walking by,
he intentionally started
In the great epic Mahabharata, which is a narration of
the war between Pandavas and Kauravas has always been
quoted as stories and instances at many places for the
life lessons that it has taught us. Mahabharat may be ages
old, but its stories and teachings hold relevance in every
situation of the modern world too.

52
same question, Arjuna raises
his bow, streches it, takes
a deep breath and answers
“Guruji, I see the Birds eye”
Everyone is surprised to hear
this answer.
Dronacharya further questions
him, “What else do you see
son?”
Arjuna replies “ I see just the
eye Guruji, and nothing else”
Dronacharya feels proud and
approves of the answer and
and asks him to fire. In a flash
of a second, the wooden bird
falls down from the tree with
an arrow pierced in its eye.
He explains everyone that
they should only set their eyes
on what their goal is and
nothing else. Every other
prince had set their eyes on
everything else too, that is a
reason why there were fewer
chances of them succeeding
and more chances of getting
distracted.
Arjuna’s answer is reflective
of the fact that he has a
clear goal and the ability to
concentrate his energies on
the target and nothing else.
This story teaches us
that that we should make
ourselves capable to
separate our goals away
from the distractions of life.
Always set your eyes on
the goal and let everything
else fade away into oblivion.
Arjuna was able to ignore
the presence of the tree
branches and leaves and
only saw what is master
asked him to achieve.
Everything else are only
distractions which will
always be in your life to pull
you away from your target.
This simple attribute with set
you apart from the crowd
and make you special like
Arjuna among the other
princes.
STORY FOR KIDS

54
24 Must Read
Important Facts On
Autism
Families are always keenly looking at Autism
facts and statistics to help and educate
them better also to help their communities.
Autism Spectrum Disorders are a complex
neurological disorder that impairs the
social, communicative and cognitive
functions and skills.
HEALTHY LIVING
The thorough understanding
of the science behind the
methodological treatment
for autism is difficult. But
a basic information and
understanding of these
concepts are important to
spread awareness.
In 2014, the “Centers
of Disease Control and
Prevention’s Autism and
Development Disabilities
Monitoring Network”
determined that autism
impacts 1 in every 68 kids
in the USA. The ratio of girls
to boys as well differs – 1 in
every 42 boys and 1 in 189
girls. However, there are
plenty of interesting facts about
that people will not be aware
of. The multi-million dollar cost
of Autism Spectrum Disorder,
the genetic linking of this and
why New Jersey is called the
Autism capital of the USA. You
will see many more such facts
about autism here below:
List of Autism
Awareness
Facts:
1. Autistic people can lead a
happy life: The autistic people
despite what the others believe
can live happily with the
support of their families and
community.
2. ASD people are more
likely to die: The Autism
Spectrum Disordered people
are 2-5 times more likely to die
as compared to the generic
crowd. This is mostly because
of their health conditions are
more common and they are
prone to seizure and accidents.
3. You can find out Autism
Spectrum Disorder in early
ages: While a lot of disorders
are diagnosed later in
lives, kids with ASD show
differences very soon while
they are in preschool. It can

also show up as early as 6
months old. The babies with
Autism Spectrum Disorder do
not react to faces the way any
other baby without ASD does.
4. Care for people with
ASD can be much cheaper:
Lifelong care for an individual
with Autism Spectrum Disorder
could be expensive. However,
study suggests that these
costs can be cut in half if
diagnosed early and treated.
But lifelong care becomes
expensive. Over a lifetime, it
costs from $1.4 million to $2+
million.
5. New Jersey has the
highest autism rate: The
major fact on autism is that
New Jersey (for unknown
reasons) has the highest rate
of Autism Spectrum Disorder
diagnosed in the USA. Either
New Jersey has got good
diagnostic tricks or that there
could be something seriously
wrong in New Jersey.
6. Autism Spectrum
Disorder is much more
common in boys: Boys are
more prone to the Autism
Spectrum Disorder almost 5
times more likely than girls.
While there are no scientific
reasons to know why this
unfair ratio but it is believed
that girls may show different
symptoms as compared to the
boys and hence the difference.
7. Autism Spectrum
Disorder is in your genes:
There is no research to prove
the gene that creates Autism
Spectrum Disorder, however;
science has proven that it is
strongly genetic links.
8. Unemployment for
people with Autism Spectrum
Disorder: Although the people
with Autism Spectrum Disorder
have known to have above
average IQ levels, they still
struggle to find jobs.
9. Autism Spectrum
Disorder has nothing to do with
intelligence: Keeping aside
the learning disabilities which
do hamper the intelligence,
Autism Spectrum Disorder has
nothing to do with it. Almost
44% and above with Autism
Spectrum Disorder have
average intelligence or above
average.
10. Autism is everywhere:
Unlike other disorders which
occur in some parts of the
world or set of people, Autism
Spectrum Disorder has been

56
HEALTHY LIVING
noted to occur in different
places, races, ethnicities
across the globe.
11.There is no medical test
for autism: As of now, there
are no blood tests to diagnose
Autism Spectrum Disorder.
Instead, the doctors and other
professionals make use of
the behavioral test to see
whether the kids have Autism
Spectrum Disorder or not.
12. They Wander easily: All
kids wander but the ones with
Autism Spectrum Disorder
have tendencies to wander off
into dangerous situations like
rivers, lakes, busy street etc.
13. Early treatment helps:
There is no cure to Autism
Spectrum Disorder, but
diagnosing early and getting
the therapy done (speech,
occupational therapy, social
skills etc along with behavioral
analysis) have shown major
improvement in the kids.
14. Aspergers and Autism
are the same: Autism
Spectrum Disorder was
the new term used in the
collection to the diagnosis
of Asperger Syndrome and
Pervasive Developmental
Disorder. Many people have
not heard either of the names
and have not adjusted to the
Autism Spectrum Disorder
term.
15. Autism in kids are
more likely to be born to older
parents: Autism Spectrum
Disorder kids are much likely
to born to older parents over
35 and 40 years of mother
and father respectively.
16. Vaccinations do not
cause Autism Spectrum
Disorder: although it has
been a big debate if there are
cases where vaccinations
Disorder, the studies have
proved that vaccines do not
Disorder and it is a myth.
17. “Refrigerator mothers”
have Autistic kids: Autism
Spectrum Disorder happened
to kids with mothers who are
cold and distant from their
kids. This longtime theory
has now been proved a major
myth.
18. Autism Spectrum
Disorder was described in
1943: the term Autism was
described first by Dr. Leo
Kanner in his paper in 1943
about “Autistic Disturbances
of Affective Contact”. He
reported it on an 11-year-old
kid who showed marks of lack
of interest in other people
leading to highly unusual
interest in the inanimate
surroundings.
19. There is no cure:
Facts on autism suggest that
there surely is no cure for
Autism Spectrum Disorder,
however, there are a number
of behavioral therapies that
could drastically improve
the kid’s acts. Behavioral
therapy, speech therapy,
social analysis etc. helps the
person with Autism Spectrum
Disorder to improve and get
better.
20. Autism rates are on
a rise: The Autism Spectrum
Disorder has been ever
since growing and also
one of the fastest- growing
developmental disorders in
the USA. It is anticipates that
there could be additional
unknown reasons for the
spike in autism rate and
investigations are still
ongoing with respect to the
environmental changes,
The ratio of
girls to boys
as well differs
– 1 in every
42 boys and
1 in 189 girls.
However, there
are plenty of
interesting
facts about
that people
will not be
aware of.

toxins and viruses in food and
allergies.
21. Large head size could be
flagged: The recent findings have
been published in “Journal of the
American Medical Association”
suggest that the autistic children’s
brain develops differently from
the early age and hence at birth,
the head circumference and brain
could be compared. Those who
have diagnosed with severe form of
autism were found to have the most
accelerated growth of brain during
infancy.
22. Autism Movies: Rain Man has
the most Oscar wins for any autism-
related films.
23. Scholarships for Autistic
kids: Many scholarships are
available for individuals with
Autism Spectrum Disorder for post-
secondary programs and are also for
physically disabled individuals.
24. Autism Fact Sheet: About
40% of kids do not speak who have
Autism Spectrum Disorder. About
25%–30% of children with Autism
Spectrum Disorder have few words
at 12 to 18 months of age and lose
them later. Others might speak,
however not until afterwards in
childhood.

58
Samosa is a perfect, delicious and a mouthwatering snack, packed with
spicy goodness. It is a signature snack of most of the parties or get-
togethers. There are fascinating facts about Samosas we are sure you
might not be aware. The journey of Samosa to India and its story on
how it became inseparable from the menu.
INDIAN FOOD
Samosa: The world famous
savory snack from India

History of Samosa
Samosa’s history seems to
go back to the 10th century or
before when it was originated
in the Middle East. According
to the Iranian historian, it was
called as “Sambosa”. Later
in the 13th century it was
A triangular shaped cuisine,
Samosa, is divided into two parts
the cone and the fillers. Cone
is made up of the beaten flour
and there are various stuffing
depending ont he tastes, culture
and geographic regions like
onion samosa, corn samosa,
potato (alu) samosa and many
more. Minced meat like mutton,
beef or chicken is as well added
as stuffing. It is eaten hot and
with assorted pickles. Although,
all these are loved and among
the most favorite delicacy, the
one with the mashed potatoes
and vegetables are the most
famous kinds found in South
Asia. Also it has been noted that
Samosa, in the entire South Asia,
is probably the most favorite
snack. It is part of a daily diet
for a lot of people. Most of the
street vendors, diners and sweet
makers sell samosas on a daily
basis.
introduced in India and since then
it has topped on the top food list
menu for snacks. According to an
iconic figure in cultural history,
Amir Khusro, Samosas belonged
to the Delhi Sultanate and he
mentioned in his books as to how
the Princess and nobles enjoyed
and relished the tasty Samosas
stuffed with pistachios, almonds,
raising and cashews with a
combination of vegetables or
meat and was deep fried in ghee.
Samosas were brought to India
during trading by various Muslim
merchants from Central Asia to
South and East Asia though the
silk route.
Since the time it was introduced
to the Indians, they acquired the
taste for it and have reintroduced
their own samosa filled with
vegetables and other stuffing
which is commonly eaten today.
The chronicles of Delhi Sultanate
and Mughal Dynasty have stated
about Samosa which were eaten
mostly by the royals during the
meal time and were generally
filled with meat or fruits or
sweets.

Africa: The Samosas are a
staple local cuisine there called
commonly as “Horn of Africa”.
They are usually a delicacy
served on special occasions.
How can you make samosa
healthier?
If you are among the health
conscious lot, and tempted to
have samosas, here are the ways
you can make it healthier. Yes,
the traditional Samosas are high
in calories but the fact is that
Samosas are neither junk nor
unhealthy. All that matters is
the choice of the ingredients and
the cooking style and method.
Using multigrain flour for the
outer crust or covering cone,
and making a healthy stuffing
of combined vegetables, tofu or
cottage cheese or sprouts and
beans along with spices of your
choice, you can make a healthy
Samosa snack. Steam it instead
of deep frying or you could even
microwave it. This gets you a
perfect nutritious snack to kill
INDIAN FOOD
Varieties across the world
Burma: They call it “Samosas”
and are extremely popular there as
well across the county as a snack.
Bangladesh:It is called as
“Singhara” and is much smaller in
shape as compared to the Indian
variety. It is filled with vegetables
and potatoes which is similar to
the Indian taste and variety but
variations in the spices. A flat
version of the samosa is filled with
minced meat and onions.
Nepal: They called it as
“Singadas” and are a very
common street food in Eastern
zone of Nepal. The rest of the
country also calls it same as India
– “Samosas”
Pakistan: The Pakistan has a
variety of it ranging from sweet
to spicy, vegetarian to non-
vegetarian. The Samosas are
famous in this country for the
spices and varied flavors it offers.
60

the hunger and temptation in you.
That’s why it is said that you do
not have to give up your favorite
food for healthy living. You can
make one of your own.
Some fun facts about the
triangular mouthwatering
snacks
Samosas are not Indian originated
snacks. It was more of a Persian
or Middle Eastern food before the
10th century.
The original name was Samsa
which was named after the
pyramids in Central Asia.
Let us clear some misconceptions
about the triangular Samosa
snack being very unhealthy and
fatty. Samosas, when made with
good quality of ingredients, has
around 300 calories and lesser
than just 20 grams of fat and over
30 grams of carbohydrates.
And ect....

62
PRANAV MISTRYTHE
MAN BEHIND SAMSUNG GALAXY
GEAR SMART WATCH
Pranav Mistry, the inventor of revolutionary Six Sense
technology is a well known name amongst the youth of India.
In fact, every graduate of India dreams to be at the same
height like Pranav Mistry. The magical Techno-Freak from
India has gained a world wide admiration with his astounding
works in the fields of technology.
NRI PROFILE

Frankly speaking, Pranav’s
thinking starts a thousand
kilometers ahead of the point
where the human imagination
ends. His latest gadget and a
bouquet of numerous exciting
and surprising inventions
have taken him to sky
heights.
Before joining Samsung,
Mistry was a Research
Assistant and PhD candidate
at the MIT Media Lab. Mistry
has worked with Microsoft,
Google, CMU, NASA,
UNESCO, Japan Science &
Technology among others
Background:
Born and raised in Palanpur,
he identifies with “diamonds,
attar and poetry”, Mistry was
fortunate to be exposed to a
spirit of enquiry both at home
and school.
He went to a Gujarati-medium
school, Vidya Mandir, where
“as seventh graders, my
classmates and I would
make rockets to see what
made them fly, and models of
remote-controlled motor boats
because Palanpur had heavy
rainfall”.
Education:
* Bachelor of Computer
Engineering at Gujarat
University
* Master of Design at IDC,
IIT Bombay
* Master of Science at MIT
Media Lab, Massachusetts
Institute of Technology
* PhD at MIT Media Lab,
Massachusetts Institute of
Technology
Pranav’s Magic - ‘The Sixth
Sense Technology’
The exceptional Sixth
Sense Technology is a lively
example of Pranav Mistry’s
designing genius. This super
technology enables you to
use the whole world as an
information source. ‘Sixth
Sense’ is a wearable gestural
interface that augments the
physical world around us with
digital information and lets us
use natural hand gestures to
interact with that information.
Now you can make a
newspaper to show live video
news or dynamic information,
a gesture of drawing a circle

64
NRI PROFILE
on the user’s wrist projects
an analog watch and display
someone’s personal details at
first sight that too on his face.
A simple mobile like device and
a pendant can make use the
whole world for scribbling. Click
pictures with your gestures.
Display details on a wall or
anywhere you wish to. The
camera, projector and the
processor will empower you
with the Six Sense Technology
Claim to Fame:
In 2009, Mistry shot to fame at
the TED India 2009 meet, with
his ‘SixthSense’. The device
lets the right gestures do all the
work — from checking mail to
taking photos.
SixthSense buys into science’s
radical belief that the final
frontier of technology is the
human body by allowing users
to type on their bare palms or
take photographs by framing
their hands and flicking their
thumbs.
Back in 2009 Mistry said that
SixthSense will help bridge the
gap between the real and the
digital world.
Third Eye - His Forthcoming
Revolutionized Technology
The designing genius is
currently working on a project
called Third Eye which will
enables multiple viewers to
see different things on a same
display screen at the same
time. Single sign boards will
display information in variant
languages at the same time.
Two people watching TV can
watch their favorite channel
on a single TV screen.
The world is awaiting this
exceptional invention.
Pranav Mistry’s
Achievments
*Winner of ‘TR35 2009’
award, Technology Review
*Winner of ‘INVENTION OF
THE YEAR 2009’ award,
Popular Science
*Winner of ‘Young Indian
Innovator 2009’ award, Digit
Magazine
*Speaker for TED 2009 talk
on ‘sixthsense, TED 2009,
Long Beach, CA.
*Second in SPACE
competition in
SIGGRAPH2004, Los
Angeles.
*First in Innovation Fair
at India level, for project
MARBO.
*Best Paper in USID2007 for
‘Akshar’.
*All India third in National
Open Hardware Contest
at IIT Bombay for project
DATAG2.02
*Third in Model Presentation
at INGENIUM 2002.

*Third in Creative art
competition organized by
ISRO.
*First in Design competition
organized by IEEE, India
chapter.
*Second in website
designing organized by
ACES.
*Selected for the prestigious
DIRUBHAI AMBANI
FOUNDATION AWARD for
securing first rank in district
*Second in on the spot
Model Making contest at
techfest 2001 at IIT Bombay.
Pranav Mistry’s
Incredible Inventions:
1- SPARSH :
“Touch to Copy, Touch to
Paste”
“Now, you are your cloud”
The above two statements
are enough get a fair idea
about the concept, but the
actual working of the product
is all the more pleasant.
SPARSH, is an interaction
method which lets you
conceptually transfer media
from one device to your body
and pass it to other device
by simple touch gestures. So
basically, you yourself act
as a pathway for your media
transfer.
You can copy pictures from
your phone and paste it to your
laptop or tablet, copy a phone
number from computer and
paste it in your mobile phone,
transfer and address received
as sms to google maps on
computer and many such
things at ease.
“SPARSH uses touch based
interactions as just indication
for what to copy, from
where and where to pass
it. Technically, the actual
magic(transfer of media)
happens on the cloud.”
2- Mouseless – an
invisible mouse :
Mouseless is an invisible
mouse that provides the
familiarity of interaction of a
physical mouse without actually
needing a real hardware
mouse. This MIT graduate has
removed the dependency of the
physical mouse and has made
your hand itself a mouse, using
gesture recognition, Infrared
lasers and computer vision
algorithms.
In my opinion –
“No more hassles to take your
mouse along to play games
with your friends and no more
mouse shortages, you have
your hand. That’s enough.”
3- BlinkBot – Gaze and
Blink :
BlinkBot is a wearable glass
system that detects wearers

66
NRI PROFILE
gaze and blink movements and
uses this as a way to control and
command a robot.
“Using BlinkBot the user can
direct a robot to move an object
from a location to another by just
gazing at the object, selecting it by
an intentional blink and selecting
the destination location by another
blink.”
4- QUiCKiES – Intelligent
Sticky Notes :
“QUiCKiES are intelligent sticky
notes that can be searched,
located and can send reminders
and messages, and help us to
seamlessly connect our physical
and informational experiences.”
– Pranav Mistry, MIT
Media Lab
Sticky notes are so important
for us to keep a tab on our
daily tasks, reminders, to-do

lists and make a note of
other types of information.
What “Quickies” does is
that it intelligently reminds
us of our commitments
via mobile phone, email,
messaging clients, alerts etc
that are integrated with the
system. The notes made
on the physical sticky notes
are interpreted through a
software program and it is
linked to mobile phones,
email calendars so that the
users are timely notified and
never forgotten about their
commitments.
Users can also browse
through all the notes using
a computer and also search
for a particular note using
keywords.
5- SixthSense – Wear
Ur World (WUW) :
SixthSense is a wearable
interface that augments
the physical world around
us with digital information
and lets us use natural
everyday hand gestures
to interact with that
information. By wearing just
a hat with a tiny projector
and a camera, user can
make any (yes, ANY!!) flat
surface as a connection to
the world to check emails,
finding locations, drawing
with gestures etc. This
innovation bagged MANY
awards and coverage in
leading media agencies.
The device, patented by
MIT, also has Indian roots of
Pranav Mistry incorporated
– Bringing your hands
together in the gesture called
“Namaste”, triggers the main
menu of the device to open
up. That’s just Awesome!!
Recent Projects he is
working upon:
SixthSense
Third Eye
Inktuitive
QUICKiES
TaPuMa
Invent
DATAG2.02
Marbo
ProjectCHILD
SunFlower
Sandesh
Ghost in the machine
RoadRunner
VET
Sthiti
Akshar

68
According to a study, India posted the biggest increase among origin countries
with eligible immigrants for American citizens, between 2005 and 2015.
Around 80% eligible Indian immigrants have opted for American citizenship
in 2015, compared to 69% in 2005. This registered a 12% increase, according to
the Pew Research Center.
One other origin country that
showed increase for the same
is Ecuador from Africa, which
registered similar 12% point
increase between 2005 and
2015.
Pew said, “By 2015, eligible
immigrants from India had one
of the higher naturalization
rates (80 per cent) due to a
12- percentage-point increase
in its naturalization rate since
2005. Only eligible immigrants
from Ecuador (68 per cent
in 2015) had as large an
increase,”
“This is a bigger increase
than for US immigrants
overall, among whom
naturalization rates jumped
from 62 percent in 2005 to
67 percent in 2015,” the
research center added.
During the same period,
the number naturalized
immigrants in the US have
showed a 37% increase, i.e
14.4 million in 2005 to 19.8
million in 2015. In the year
2015, with 86% and 85%
respectively, Vietnam and
Iran reported the highest
naturalization rates of any
group. Eligible immigrants
from China,Honduras and
Cuba declined from 2005 to
2015, as per the data from
the Pew Research Center.
On the other hand, the United
States denied naturalization
applications to nearly one
million immigrants between
2005 and 2015.
To gain eligibility for the US
citizenship, the immigrant
must be 18 years old lived in
the US for at least five years
as lawful permanent resident
or lived in the US for three
years for those married to a
US citizenship
And must be in a good
standing with the law
NRI IMMIGRATION
Study Finds, India Among
High US Naturalization Rate

Dr Ajay Bhushan Pandey,
CEO of the UIDAI has
asked the union ministries
and departments to issue
directives to all state
governments and other
agencies informing them that
NRIs are not even eligible
to apply for the national
biometric identity card
(Aadhaar). The order
has listed out 16 direct or
indirect services connected
to NRIs.
It is a move welcomed
by NRIs since, a lot of
departments officials had
been demanding them
to produce their Aadhaar
card for delivery of some
services. The circular
AadhaarCard Not
Necessary For NRIsand PIOs
To Avail Services
The Unique Identification Authority of India (UIDAI), has issued a
circular stating that the Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and Person
Of Indian Origin (PIOs) are not required to link bank accounts
and other services with Aadhaar. It has also instructed banks
and various other agencies to work out a mechanism in order to
verify the status of NRIs and PIOs.

70
NRI IMMIGRATION
clearly noted that the central
ministries, departments,
state governments and other
implementation agencies
should keep in mind that
Aadhaar as an identity
document can be sought
only from those eligible for it
under Aadhaar Act, and that
most NRIs/PIOs/ OCIs may
not even be eligible for its
enrolment.
Furthermore, according to
the Prevention of Money
laundering Rules 2017 and
also the Indian Income
Tax Act, the linking of
bank accounts and PAN
respectively, “is for those
persons who are eligible to
enrol for Aadhaar”.Thus, NRIs
and PIOs will not fall under
their ambit.
The Aadhaar-issuing body
had received concerns and
petitions from several cases
about such problems faced
by Non Resident Indians
(NRIs), Person of Indian Origin
(PIOs) and Overseas Citizens
of India (OCI) where they
were demanded Aadhaar for
availing various services and
benefits.
Apparently some departments
were asking the NRIs/OCIs/
PIOs to produce Aadhar or
link it with their bank accounts
for availing services. This
was happening despite the
fact that NRIs/PIOs/OCIs are
not entitled for the 12-digit
biometric card registration.
According to the UIDAI note
dated November 15 to central
and state ministries, “The laws
regarding submitting/linking
of Aadhaar for availing the
services/benefits applies to the
residents as per the Aadhaar
Act 2016, Most of the NRIs/
PIOs/OCIs may not be eligible
for Aadhaar enrolment as per
the Aadhaar Act,”
It has also ordered the
implementing agency to
workout a mechanism “to
ascertain the genuineness
of status of such NRIs/PIOs/
OCIs”.
It comes as a relief to the
mass NRI population of India
since, the government of
India in a notification from
the revenue department, has
made it clear that producing
Aadhaar was mandatory for all
existing resident Indian bank
account holders by December
31, 2017. If they fail to do so,
their account shall no longer
be operational.
In a press release, Consulate
General of India at New York
stated details on Aadhaar for
Non Resident Indians (NRIs)
and Persons of Indian Origin
(PIOs)
Aadhaar Card enrolment
is presently available to

residents in India. Overseas
Citizen of India (OCI)
Cardholders who stay in
India for a long time (over
182 days in twelve months
immediately preceding
the date of application for
enrolment) and have an
Indian address can also
enroll for Aadhaar Card in
India. Non Resident Indians
(NRIs), although they are
citizens of India, are not
eligible for Aadhaar Card
if they have not stayed for
more than 182 days or more
in the last 12 months. Upon
completion of 182 days of
their stay in India in the last 12
months immediately preceding
the date of application for
enrolment, NRIs can apply for
Aadhaar Card.
“As per Section 139AA of the
Income-tax Act, 1961, every
person who is eligible to obtain
Aadhaar number shall, on
or after the 1st day of July,
2017, quote Aadhaar number—
(i) in the application form
for allotment of permanent
account number; (ii) in the
return of income. The above
provisions apply to persons
who are eligible to get
Aadhaar. Under section 3
of the Aadhaar Act, 2016,
only a resident is entitled to
get Aadhaar. Therefore, the
provisions of Section 139AA
quoted above regarding
linking of Aadhaar to PAN or
the requirement of quoting
the Aadhaar number in the
return shall not apply to a
non-resident, who is not
eligible to get Aadhaar.”

72
PPF ACCOUNTSFOR
NRIS TO BE CLOSED
The government has amended rules for the people holding
accounts at the Public Provident Fund and National Savings
Certificates, to be closed before the maturity if the holder
changes the status to non-resident Indians.
The new amended rule has
been stated in the official
gazette published earlier this
month.
The amended rule, which has
mentioned the canceling of
PPF account from the date
the holder changes the status
to NRI, also says that the
payable interest would be till
the date of account closure.
It should also be noted that
NRIs are not allowed to use
services such as National
Savings Certificates, Public
Provident Fund and other
various services from the
Post Office.
NRI IMMIGRATION

The Unique Identification Authority of india and the Telecom
Department is in talks to launch a method for the mobile
verification system for the Non-resident Indians as well as the
tourists, who are not eligible for Aadhaar.
The Telecom secretary Aruna
Sundararajan has already
clarified that the system of
SIM verification for NRIs can
be launched in 2-3 weeks.
Currently, all the holders
of Aadhaar will need to link
their mobile numbers with
the unique Aadhaar ID. The
government has also been
encouraging the move by
easing the process more.
The also include the directive
by the government to
the telecom operators to
go to the doorstep of the
customer to get their mobile
number re-verified by the
Aadhaar. Currently, people
can link their Aadhaar
ID with mobile numbers
through OTP as well as
IVRS facility.
The secretary also added
that even though non-
Aadhaar users can verify
their number with the help
of their passports, no decision
have been taken on this so
far.
She also reiterated the
government’s stand on
Aadhaar re-verification by
stating that it is an important
move in terms of protecting
the user’s security from any
fraudulent connections being
issued on their names.
SIM Verification System for NRIs,
Tourists to Launch in 2-3 Weeks

74
The 17 hour battle terrified
guests and left them running
around the building seeking
refuge and to escape. The
Afghan Forces regained
control in 18 hour overnight
battle and some 160 people
were rescued.
The 6 storey-ed luxury
Intercontinental Hotel is
on a hilltop overlooking
Kabul; the Afghan Capital.
Gunmen stormed into the
Hotel dressed as Army
personals and shot 6 people
immediately. Then they
began an 18 hour long
siege with killings crossing
over 30 and dozens injured.
Kabul:
In an overnight siege, Gunman dressed in army
uniforms battled against Afghan Special Forces at
the Intercontinental Hotel, leaving 30 people dead
including 14 foreign nationals.
WORLD NEWS
30 Killed In Taliban
Led Attack On A Hotel
In Kabul
Though the deaths reported
by sources is 19, but in a
report, “a senior Afghan
security official, who spoke
on condition of anonymity
because he was not
authorized to talk to the
media, said the death toll
was over 30 and might
climb higher. The dead

Wishesh magazine february 2018

Wishesh magazine february 2018

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