Culturama Sep 2020 by Rohini Manian

ENGLISH MONTHLY

SEPTEMBER 2020 - VOLUME 12, ISSUE 07

Dasari 16 Sanjay Entrepreneur with a purpose 25 Embracing India

80/-

September September 2020 2020 || CULTURAMA CULTURAMA

EDITOR'S

NOTE C

ome September and it is my pleasure to greet readers of Culturama with special messages from the amazing Fireside event that we organised with thought leaders. Viswanathan Anand, Grandmaster and five-time World Chess Champion, spoke about managing the pandemic, “Difficult moments are the ideal time to reflect, to do an objective analysis of ourselves and think what we really need to do, to improve systematically. In chess, we evaluate ourselves after every game – the mistakes we committed and things we did right – and work on them.” One of the Fortune 50 most powerful women of Asia, Vani Kola beautifully explained about dealing with difficult situations, “We may not have power over the problems that cause the stress but we have control over the solutions.” Former MD of Mercedes Benz India, Mr Wilfried Aulbur, shared the wisdom of how sometimes bad things happen to good people. “You must understand that such things are driven by the environment. Therefore, you need resilience.” To me, this was the wealth of easy and practical applications to manage in this time of the pandemic as we all work towards re-strapping ourselves and marching forward in the ‘next normal’, with solutions for the world from India. Also read our exclusive interview with entrepreneur Sanjay Dasari, a businessman who is using technology to help Indian farmers. We hope that this issue of Culturama inspires you

to do more and find happiness even when things seem dire. Take care and stay safe.

Rohini Manian rohini@globaladjustments.com

Feel free to catch the amazing webinar on the ChampionWoman page on YouTube. Do not forget to like and share!

CULTURAMA | September 2020

Rohini Manian Editor-in-Chief

INBOX

Meera J Pillai Deputy Editor Shobana Sairaj Business Head V. Kathiravan Creative Head S. Rajthilak Graphic Designer

Dear Editor,

Cover photo credit: Lakshmi Menon

The Independence Day cover was beautiful.

Chennai (Headquarters)

Sharon, Chennai

5, 3rd Main Road, R A Puram, Chennai – 600028 Telefax +91-44-24617902 E-mail culturama@globaladjustments.com

Dear Editor,

Bengaluru No: 202, 2nd Floor, MILWAUKEE, 40 Promenade Road, Frazer Town, Bangaluru – 560038 Tel +91-80-41267152,

The August issue is a beautiful celebration of India. Thanks Culturama. Balakrishna Raman, Kochi

E-mail culturamablr@globaladjustments.com Delhi-NCR Level 4, Augusta Point, Golf Course Road, Sector 53, Gurgaon – 122002, Haryana Mobile +91 124 435 4224

Dear Editor,

E-mail del@globaladjustments.com

I enjoy Culturama Instagram and Facebook.

Mumbai

Sahana, Chennai

#1102, 11th Floor, Peninsula Business Park, Tower B, SB Road, Lower Parel, Mumbai – 400013 Tel +91-22-66879366 E-mail mum@globaladjustments.com Hyderabad Suite-18, 3rd Floor, Rajapushpa Business Centre, Stone Ridge Centre, Opp. Google, Hitec City – Kondapur Main Road, Hyderabad – 500 084, Ph: +91 40 48687956 E-mail hyd@globaladjustments.com

Owned, Published & Printed by Ranjini Manian, Published from New No. 5, Third Main Road, Raja Annamalaipuram, Chennai – 600 028, Printed at Rathna Offset Printers, 40, Peters Road, Royapettah, Chennai - 600 014. Editor: Rohini Manian

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Disclaimer Views and opinions expressed by writers do not necessarily reflect the publisher’s or the magazine’s.

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September 2020 | CULTURAMA

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CULTURAMA | September 2020

INSIDE

CULTURAMA 8 Ex-Camera

28 Techiela

Click Nation!

Stay safe with just a click

13 GA Special

30 Holistic Living

123â&#x20AC;¦ The Happiest Man

25 Look Who's In Town Learning and embracing india

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

Two paths to enlightment

34 Brand Me

Teaching leaders what to stop

CULTURAMA | September 2020

EX CAMERA Selfie squad

Click

Photo: Jean Baptiste Henry France

Cop buddy

NATION! As India fights the pandemic, people have embraced technology like never before. Team Culturama takes a look at some of the images celebrating the awesome tech moments. Paint the town pink

Is that a meme?

Photo: Ondrackova Verunka France 8

Photo: Anthony Paul Marshall UK

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

Photo: Stuart Kinkade America

Ganesh-Elphi Selfi

Photo: Chirstophe Thibout France

Making new friends

Hands free tea

Photo: Melissa Freitas Brazil

Modern spirituality

Photo: Michael Stroband Germany

Photo: Manfred Zink German CULTURAMA | September 2020

CHAMPION AHEAD

t was a coming together of brilliant minds to address the more imperative issue concerning the community today. ‘Marching Ahead: The Next Normal’, was an online Fireside chat event for women held on the occasion of Independence Day 2020 by the Madras Management Association (MMA) in

association with Global Adjustments Foundation and Konrad Adenauer Stiftung. The thought-provoking two-hour event focused on providing women with guidance and practical resources during the COVID-19 pandemic, as they adapt to the next normal. The webinar was a huge success, with more than 4,000 people tuning in to listen to some of the remarkable speakers from the sessions.

Ranjini Manian, Founder Chairperson, Global Adjustments Foundation – “Remember, we are not ‘Human Doings’ but we are ‘Human Beings’”.

Ms Shvetha Jaishankar, former Femina Miss India International and Author – “I take them (my children) through a simple meditation routine, which we do as a family. I play them images of beautiful landscapes from around the world. Children intuitively gravitate towards natural beauty and I can see them relaxed,” she said.

Ms Anu Hasan, Actress, Entrepreneur and Motivational Speaker – “Women set a high bar for themselves – to be a super mom, super wife and so on – and complicate their life. It is okay to ask for help.”

We at Global Adjustments Foundation conduct free interactive ChampionWoman workshops for school and college girls and working women.

Call at +91 75502 21513 or e-mail championwoman@championwoman.org

10 10

September September 2020 2020 || CULTURAMA CULTURAMA

Ms Maria Goretti, Author, Chef and Television Host, on getting an opportunity to go out for three months to study when her daughter was three and everyone discouraged her – “It is a different thing to stand in front of a camera as a TV host but, personally, I used to be very shy and petrified. I stood up and went ahead with my studies. For the first time in my life, I walked out of my comfort zone.”

Ms Kamini Shah, CFO, Strategic Sales & Geographies, Wipro Ltd – “After marriage, when I got my first child, everyone in my joint family and friends advised me to quit my job. But I was clear that I wanted to pursue my career. Now I am very happy I stood up then and advocated for myself.”

Mr Wilfried Aulbur, Senior Partner and Global Head, Roland Berger and Former MD, Mercedes Benz India – “Understanding that only certain things are in our control and a lot many factors can’t be influenced by us, takes a long time to realise. Internalising this fact and working on things that I can control has helped me to reduce my stress.”

Ms Vani Kola, Founder & MD, Kalaari Capital – “In any situation, we can only cope day by day. When we take one step at a time, most mountains can be conquered. Everyone has their quota of stress. Even a KG child has its own challenges. Tools like Mindfulness and Self-Awareness can help us maintain the right perspective.”

Mr Viswanathan Anand, Indian Chess Grandmaster and five-time World Chess Champion – “As a defeat in a game of chess forces you to look at every alternative, something like this crisis makes us to look at all aspects of our life. Maybe, success is not the only measure. You can find out what the priorities are, what is important and what is not important.”

/championwoman

/championawoman

www.championwoman.org

+91 75502 21513

CULTURAMA CULTURAMA || September September 2020 2020

11 11

GA SPECIAL

123…

The Happiest Man Varsha Ramachandran shares about Virtual Bharat’s latest video that is taking YouTube by storm with the story of Swami Sivananda, a 123year-old man

irtual Bharat’s recent in a 1,000-film journey of the untold stories of India takes us to Varanasi, Uttar Pradesh. The film tells

the story of Swami Sivananda, an old man, who when asked his age, grins at the camera and states

With ageless grace, and a sharp sense of humour, he

with pride…’I am? 123!’ Born on August 8, 1896,

takes the team through his daily routine. Two solid

Swami Sivananda is today 123 years old, possibly

hours of yoga, two simple meals a day comprising

making him the oldest living man on the planet! The

dal, roti and sabzi (vegetables) and the rest of his

Guinness Book of World Records has yet to certify

time reading the Gita. To him, it is this discipline and

him the longest living man.

simplicity that has allowed him to live up to this ripe age. ‘Yoga brings mental peace and happiness. He

Just as a lot of Indians, even decades younger, Swami Sivananda has no official verification of his birth, save for a temple register that has his birth listed under this date. India’s passport authorities have used this as a confirmation of his age. He jabs at both his passport and Aadhaar card when the team asks him if he has anything to actually prove his age. He adds, with confidence, ‘If you want proof, you can bring a doctor!’ 12

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

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says he has no desire, disease or depression - the

world that happiness and simplicity are what keeps

3Ds that he has no time or space for in his life.

him going. A story of joy, simplicity and humour, this film shows us there is always light at the end of

Yoga, for him, is the key to a happy life. Swami

the tunnel.

Sivananda lost his parents by the age of 6 and was taken under the wing of a spiritual guide who took him around the world. His eyes gleam as he rattles off the long list of countries he has been to…Luxembourg, Austria, Saudi Arabia, the

Watch the remarkable film on Virtual Bharat’s YouTube Channel

Netherlands…almost 50 in total! That was his

Virtual Bharat is a 1,000-film journey of untold

introduction to yoga. To this day, he practises yoga,

stories of India spanning people, landscapes,

and the film depicts his stunningly supple body at

literature, folklore, dance, music, traditions,

this inspiring age.

architecture, and more in a repository of culture. The vision of director Bharatbala, creator of Maa

He laughs as we ask him what the key to a long life

Tujhe Salaam, the platform is a culmination of

is, and says, ‘This is the kalyug; everyone is greedy.

tales from India, told person-by-person, story-

It is impossible to live for 123 years!’ It is with this

by-story and experience-by-experience. The

cheer that Swami Sivananda goes about his day,

films are under 10 minutes in length and are

claiming he has no time for anything apart from

currently available on Virtual Bharat’s YouTube

this: ‘I am not only the oldest but also the happiest

channel. Subscribe to the channel, and follow

living man in the world!’

us on Instagram, Facebook and Twitter, to stay updated on our latest films!

Swami Sivananda has lived through almost two pandemics now; he smiles brightly as he tells the 14

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

CULTURAMA | September 2020

IN FOCUS

Young entrepreneur with a purpose With his excellent ventures in promoting local farmers and fresh produce, Sanjay Dasari, Co-Founder at WayCool Foods, is taking the business by storm at a young age. Team Culturama catches up with the entrepreneur about his successful business with SunnyBee and other future plans What are the three qualities of a successful entrepreneur? Optimism, action orientation, and integrity. How did you come up with the concept of SunnyBee? During my final year at Babson College (the United States), I was exploring the idea of launching a chain of food trucks in India. As part of the research and business planning process, I had spent a lot of time studying the fresh produce supply chain in the country. I quickly became uncomfortable with the lack of hygiene and transparency in the traditional food supply ecosystem, and when discussing with other food entrepreneurs, I discovered that most of them shared similar concerns. With this the idea shifted to a restaurant supply business. In the early days, we wanted to get direct customer feedback and maintain 100% control of the end-to-end process, so we started with the retail venture called SunnyBee. We started on trucks, similar to the original food truck concept, and sent these trucks to apartments and office complexes, bringing farm fresh fruits and vegetables to people’s doorsteps. Things snowballed from there as we diversified into wholesale business selling to restaurants and hotels, added staples and dairy products to the portfolio, and more. What is your take on the agriculture market in India compared to that in other countries? It’s an interesting yet concerning dichotomy. Agriculture is the primary source of income for nearly half the population, yet India has some of the highest rates of farmer suicide and farmer distress. India is also the world’s second largest producer of fruits and vegetables and has a clear capability to be the 16

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

WayCool Foods storehouse

world’s food source, but we suffer from 20% to 45% of food wastage due to poor planning, inefficient operations and other related issues. One of the key things to understand about the Indian agriculture market is that Western solutions will not be ‘copy-pasteable’ to solve this problem. For example, in the United States you might be able to buy 1,000 tonnes of potatoes from one farmer, but in India, you would have to buy 1 tonne of potatoes from 1,000 farmers. The average farm holding is around 500 acres per farmer in the United States versus 2 acres per farmer in India. Western countries also have large established stores like Whole Foods and Costco that buy in bulk, while in India we have thousands of kirana stores, each of which requires small quantities of nearly 150 varieties of fruits and vegetables, every single day. So the cost of collecting produce and the cost of segregating produce for each customer’s requirement are both incredibly high, with equally complicated processes. massive farmers’ market where SunnyBee pays for Can you share an anecdote from your experience

the transportation, logistics and accommodation

for global farmers?

for 100+ SunnyBee farmers across the country and

One of my favourite things that we do at SunnyBee

their products, and farmers get to keep 100% of

is hold regular ‘Santhai’ activities. This is basically a

the proceeds from the event. It’s a beautiful event CULTURAMA | September 2020

Santhai event by WayCool Foods

where customers and farmers are face-to-face,

with farmers rather than a mere transactional

interacting with each other, learning about each

relationship. With WayCool Foods, the parent

other and building relationships. At the Santhai, I

company that owns the brand SunnyBee, we

witnessed a farmer and a customer speak for nearly

work with farmers from the soil testing and pre-

an hour about their families, the fact that both

cultivation stage, to ensure higher quality products

their daughters were captains of their local cricket

are grown, and we use technology to track products

teams, that their wives made ‘the best sambar in

across their entire journey from farm to fork. As

Tamil Nadu’, and more. It was heartening to see

members of the public, it’s important that we use

an equal relationship between both ends of the

our consumption power to support brands that are

food supply chain, when so often this industry gets

supporting farmers.

caught up in pity, glorifying the saviour complex when discussing farmer-related issues.

In all your travels, what is the one experience that you feel defines you?

How can the general public support Indian

Each travel experience gives me something that I

farmers?

bring back home to apply to my work and life. For

The best thing people can start doing is ask

example, while studying in Boston and eating at

questions, instead of taking typical marketing

food trucks in the city, I had the idea of launching

tactics for granted. There are hundreds of ethical,

food trucks in India. While in Rome and shopping at

hardworking, and impactful companies across the

a supermarket, I noticed key operational differences

country working to improve the livelihood of India’s

in how things were done there, which I have since

farmers, who we should use our buying power to

applied to SunnyBee. Even a greater understanding

support, but equally we should be wary of those

of how a Whole Foods in Ohio operates gave me

who use the farmer’s suffering as marketing fuel.

the idea to drive product packaging back to the farm rather than in a warehouse in the city, which

Our approach to working with farmers has been one

has generated more rural employment. Although

rooted in transparency and focusing on ‘partnering’

I’d love to be able to point to a single specific

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

experience that has given me direction, the reality is that those experiences are happening on a daily basis, and it’s been a humbling process trying to convert them into tangible outcomes. I’m always learning. Whom do you consider as your inspiration? Other than my parents, I would have to say Nobel Laureate

Muhammad

Yunus,

the

founder

Grameen Bank in Bangladesh. Specifically because of the work he had done in microfinance and social entrepreneurship, which incidentally served as the basis of nearly all my college application essays back in the day. His focus on disruptive thinking, with a specific goal to uplift the poorest of the poor at the bottom of the pyramid, is nothing short of inspirational, and I’m always looking at options to integrate some of his core principles into how we run things here at SunnyBee. Has COVID-19 lockdowns affected the agriculture industry? The agriculture sector has faced several challenges; availability of labour, limited access to markets for produce on account of limited transportation facilities and markets being non-operational, and a complete lack of visibility into supply and demand movements. But with timely support from the government, we have been able to avert a major setback. The economic stimulus announced by the Prime Minister to navigate India’s economy out of the slowdown on account of COVID-19 was definitely a proactive and welcome step, and it’ll be interesting to see how we can continue to work through this crisis. SunnyBee's latest in-store technology

How can one know that vegetables and fruits are GMO/pesticides free?

growing it, and more. Certifications are a step in the

Unfortunately, especially in India, it’s nearly impossible

right direction as well, but it will be a while before

to know for sure unless you grow it yourself. There are

India can build confidence in the organic story and

very few organisations that have the documentation

trust the organic claims.

and offer the transparency required to actually crosscheck cultivation practices, and even those may

If not at work, how do you spend your free time?

not have a focus on consumer sales. The best the

Cooking, lifting weights or playing basketball. Over

general public can do is to ask questions and learn

the past 4 months, I’ve been really missing the last

more about where their produce comes from, who is

one, but I’ve taken the opportunity to experiment CULTURAMA | September 2020

some new things in my kitchen. I stay at home with

we interact with stakeholders and Hungry in our

my parents, a cousin, three grandparents, two dogs,

quest for excellence and creating impact.

and three cats, so there has been a host of unwilling test subjects for new recipes every day! Despite your success at such a young age, you are

Rapid 5

so balanced. How do you manage that? Firstly, thank you for that. If that is in fact true, I honestly believe it comes down to how I was raised.

• A businessperson you admire – My father, Vinod Dasari

I’m extremely ambitious, and despite whatever we’ve accomplished so far I know that there is a

• A quote that inspires you – Courtesy of my

lot more than we can do in the future. The problem

brother for sending me this quote by Paul

of food security and farmer welfare in India is so

Farmer “Resisting the easy anesthesia that

massive that it’ll take a lifetime of work to even make

privilege affords is going to be your next big

a dent. So where some see success, I personally

challenge.”

see a starting point. Giving back and uplifting the community has been something my family has put

• Word you use the most – Interesting

an emphasis on since day one, so I have them to thank for my drive to make an impact.

• Your favourite meal – Korean BBQ

What is the advice you live by?

• 10-Year goal – Grow SunnyBee and WayCool

There are three guiding values that have shaped my

to positively impact 5 lakh farmers across

life; be Humble in our demeanour, Humane in how

the country.

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

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HEALTHWISE

Ways to Damage Control Your Diet

When following a diet, it is possible to lose track and give up on your end goal. Jen Thomas shares the best ways to get your diet in control.

re you terrified to step on the scales because you’ve been eating too much? Food is fantastic, we all agree. It’s delicious and

satisfying. Food can also make us feel happy when we’re sad, entertain when we’re bored, and calm us down when anxious. However, as multi-talented as food is, there is a tendency to become reliant on the feelings it gives, and overindulge without realising it. Like during a global pandemic, for example. The next thing you realise, your weight has shot up and your pants have mysteriously shrunk. It’s easy to turn a blind eye to this happening at first. You even wonder if the dryer magically shrunk them. But eventually, it does catch up. It becomes harder to ignore the lack of confidence and the breathlessness that now overcomes you when you walk up the stairs. And if there was any time to focus on our mental and physical health, it’s now. So if you feel like you’ve derailed from your diet and need to get back on track, read on. Here are five simple ways that you can damage control your diet to be healthier and build confidence. Quick tip #1: Make sure you have a source of protein at every meal. Our body needs a constant intake of protein throughout the day, whether from plant-based or animal sources. Protein takes a while to digest, which means it keeps up the feeling of fullness for

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

long durations. By making sure you eat a source of protein with each meal, you’re ensuring that you’re satiated, and the cravings will be less likely to strike. Some examples of protein are foods such as fish, chicken, mutton, eggs, dairy, legumes, nuts, seeds, tempeh, tofu and even a variety of vegetables such as broccoli, asparagus and artichoke. Quick tip #2: Amp up the fruits and vegetables Feeling peckish during the day and not sure what to eat? Why not try some vegetable sticks and fruit slices. Fruits and vegetables contain lots of vitamins and minerals that help keep us healthy. They also contain lots of fibre – which, like protein, fills the stomach for longer.

Quick tip #3: Minimise your processed food intake Processed foods are made with ultimate enjoyment in mind – meaning they are full of sugar, salt and fat. Because of this, they are desirable and hard to put down. However, if processed foods are a regular part of your diet, it becomes easier to put on weight. If you’re finding it hard to cut out these foods altogether, try creating a small portion size that you can nibble on, and don’t go back for seconds! Not sure what constitutes as processed food? I tell my clients to look for items in their pantries that are boxed or bagged, and when you look at the ingredient list, the majority of ingredients are hard to pronounce or are unrecognisable. Some obvious examples are cookies, biscuits, crisps, sugary cereals and granolas, roasted/salted nuts and fried snacks. Quick tip #4: Hydrate, hydrate, hydrate Drinking a glass of water every time you have a craving for food is an excellent way of teaching your body about its hunger cues and a perfect way to stay hydrated!

CULTURAMA | September 2020

If you’re desperate for a bag of chips, but you aren’t sure if you're hungry, try drinking a glass of water and wait 20 minutes. If you’re still feeling hungry, go for those vegetable sticks instead!

Quick tip #5: Get some sleep, no really, get some sleep Did you know that getting a good night’s sleep is one of the unsung heroes of weight loss? When you're sleep-deprived, your body changes the levels of two hormones; ghrelin and leptin, which regulate your hunger and fullness cues. This means, when you don’t sleep well, you will feel hungrier the next day and be less satisfied. To get a good night’s sleep constitutes making some changes to your lifestyle. You may need to do the following: • Create a new bedtime routine where you power down

electronics

(that

includes

watching

Netflix!) 30 minutes before you want to sleep. • Limit your caffeine to the morning. • Get some exercise throughout the day to make you more tired at night. 24

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

LOOK WHO'S IN TOWN

LEARNING AND EMBRACING INDIA Being a regular visitor, Sharon Sivalenka from the United States, President of the Overseas Women of Chennai Club, believes that her journey here over the years has been evolving and she has learnt to adapt to the challenges and embrace the uniqueness of India What was your first point of contact with India – a

What is your impression of India before you came

person, place or event?

here, and now?

I came to India because my husband is Indian. So,

What I knew about India before I came here is

for the first few years, I would come over for two

that it had beautiful hot weather. Chennai did not

weeks a year to visit my husband’s relatives and

disappoint. I had lived in very cold Wisconsin most

had no real exposure, outside of my husband’s

of my life. So I was very excited to experience the

home. In 2012, I actually started staying in India for

tropical weather. I had also heard that India had

three to four months at a time. I was on my own to

very poor people, who led unhappy lives. I was

discover India. I had a very difficult time because I

told that some of those sad people were working

did not know anyone who spoke English, besides

in my house. In my early days living in India, I spent

my husband. Then one day, I was in a grocery store

most of my time shut away on my balcony. I got

and an expat woman came up to me and told me

tired of trying to communicate with all the people

about the Overseas Women of Chennai Club (OWC).

in my house who didn’t speak English. I was really

That day she had me come to the craft group, one

uncomfortable having so many people around all

of the OWC activity groups, and that was how I

the time, in my home. So as I sat on the balcony

finally found English-speaking women to socialise

observing the help, and I realised they were happy

with and get into some fun charity work.

people. They seemed happy with their work. They CULTURAMA | September 2020

also had a wonderful social life. Friends came to visit my cooks all the time. Some days I felt like my house was more my staff’s house than it was mine. How does Indian cuisine/food compare with local favourites back home? I am extremely lucky that my cook prepares for me food that is not spicy. So I get along fine eatting Indian food everyday. The only thing I can’t get used to is eating hot vegetable entrées such as dal for breakfast. I prefer a cold smoothie, which you can get nowadays in India. The one drink I miss is Diet Mountain Dew. It’s good they don’t have it in India, because it forces me to take a break from it every three months. And nothing goes better with Diet Mountain Dew than twizzlers and pretzels. They do have pretzels here now, but there not the same as they are back home. Have you taken part in any Indian festivals? I have partaken in Ganesh pooja and Diwali. But the festival that stands out for me is Holi. I wanted to play Holi for years. When I first came to India, I was told that colours were played only in the North. But finally in 2015 I went to my first Holi party in Chennai. My hair got pink colour and it did not wash out for a year! So although it was a really fun time, I’m not as keen on playing with colors.

What are some sources of entertainment in India? I love to run and dance. I’m part of a running group. I really get to see a lot of wonderful new parts of Chennai through that group of friends on our runs. For dancing, I like night clubs. Chennai used to have a lot of fun ones. I really haven’t been to too many this past year. But I was lucky enough to be part of a dance group through Global Adjustments. We learnt Bollywood dances and I got to perform them at Global Adjustments India Living Awards party. It was an extremely fun experience. I will never forget it! Have you travelled to different parts of India? What was the experience like? I haven’t travelled in India as much as I think I should have by now. Because we will always be in and out of India for the rest of our lives, we keep putting off the travel part. I have been to Bengaluru, Hyderabad, Kanyakumari, Kerala, Mumbai, New

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

Delhi and Puducherry. Soon after coming to India,

A special memory from your time in India so far?

we took a trip to Mumbai. At that point in time, I

I have had so many, many wonderful memories in

could not tell the difference between Mumbai and

India. But, of course, what will go down in history

Chennai. It all looked the same to me because I

for me is being here in this lockdown during the

hadn’t been out exploring enough. Now it’s easy to

COVID-19 pandemic.

tell which city I am in.

If there was one thing you would take back home

If you wanted one thing to change in India, what

from India, what would that be?

would that be?

The beautiful materials that saris are made from.

The trash situation. It has improved tremendously Quick 5:

since I first came to India. Now, as time has gone by, we have ladies who clean the streets daily and pick

• Best Indian friend: My husband (of course!)

up some trash. And when dignataries come to visit,

• Favourite Indian food: Sambar and garlic naan

magically things get cleaned up. So in the future I

• Favourite hang-out spot in India: The Loop

think India will be able to get a handle on its waste

• Intolerable India: The trash fires

management problems.

• Loveable India: The people. They are beautiful and kind. CULTURAMA | September 2020

TECHIELA

STAY SAFE

with just a click India has come up with several apps to help women travel around safely. Divya Ramesh takes a look at some of these women’s safety applications ‘Stay safe’ and ‘cover-up’ aren’t just Covid-19 safety precautions, but are the everyday terms that women are used to, especially in India. The Indian Government has taken several measures including the launch of the 112 helpline number for women’s safety. In addition to it, the government also launched several apps specifically designed to aid women, at the click of a button. The apps require users to download, register, add emergency contacts of families or friends and verify their phone numbers.

Kavalan (Tamil Nadu) In case of an emergency, a 5-second countdown gets activated on the app, which then sends your location and a small video from the back camera to the Kavalan team which will contact the user in just a minute. The app also sends a message to the registered emergency contacts.

Hawkeye (Telangana) Other than sending a help signal, the app also allows users to report traffic violations, information on criminals, crimes against women and violations by police, including suggestions for improved policing. Users can also report on the good work done by the police. The app offers a special 'Women travel made safe,' feature where, before boarding a vehicle, women must take a photo or record a video and post it along with the number of the vehicle, which will help police track the vehicle and take necessary action in case of a distress call. 28

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

My Safetipin My Safetipin calculates the safety of a place based on various parameters such as lighting, openness, visibility, people, security, walk path, public transport and gender usage. It also differentiates areas by colour: red, unsafe; amber, moderate; green, safe. It allows real-time location tracking. The app offers five languages: English, Hindi, Spanish, Mandarin and Bahasa. The app is available in seven Indian states. R-Mitra (Railways) R-Mitra (Railway Mobile Instant Tracking Response and Assistance) alerts the nearest RPF inspector and divisional security control room in case of an emergency. The Eastern Railways have reported a decline in the crime rate in the year 2016 in comparison to previous years. The app was a winner at the mBillionth Awards 2016.

Nirbhaya: Be Fearless (Uttar Pradesh) In addition to the SOS button, GPS tracker and emergency contact, users get an alert when they enter a potentially unsafe area. Users can also choose to send SOS alerts via phone calls or Facebook posts. It can also be used for communicating distress situations

accidents

through

pre-

defined text messages.

Himmat Plus (New Delhi) The app requires you to add a minimum of two family members/friends with their name and number. The distress signal is sent to the New Delhi Police, registered emergency contacts and the patrol cars around the area. The appâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s additional features include shake to alert, and a power button alert.

CULTURAMA | September 2020

HOLISTIC LIVING

TWO PATHS TO ENLIGHTMENT Eknath Easwaran explains two ways to lead a life that is spirituality fulfilling and gives you the freedom you deserve

ne morning the paper brought me an

Nowhere

interesting surprise. Facing each other on

clearly than in India’s best-known scripture, the

opposite pages were perfect illustrations

Bhagavad Gita – what Mahatma Gandhi called his

of the two paths a human being can take in life: an

spiritual reference book. The Gita is not a book of

upward path that leads to fulfilment, a downward

commandments but a book of choices. It says to

path that leads to sorrow.

each of us, ‘Here are two ways of living. If you live

are

these

paths

delineated

for your own narrow pleasure and profit, that very way of life will eventually make you lonely, bitter and unfulfilled. If you forget yourself in living for the welfare of all, in which your own welfare is included, you will be secure, loving and loved.’ The choice is left to us. Everyone responds to this approach, for it gives us freedom and responsibility. On the left-hand page was an interview with a man full of advice on how to make the best of the economic, social and ecological disaster that, according to him, is sure to come. From the opening sentence, I knew what path he represented and where it had to lead. Because of its very premise – how to get, not how to give – the path he has chosen cannot lead anywhere but down. It is not a question of whether the man himself is good or bad. He offers his advice with good intentions. But once you accept the idea that what is most important is to look out for yourself, the rest follows so naturally that we scarcely notice where it is taking us. The capacity to choose This expert looks at the clouds on the horizon and observes, ‘Pretty bad. We’re on the edge of disaster.’ I agree – except that I would say we are not on the edge; we are in the disaster right now. ‘But,’ he continues, ‘things are going to get a lot worse. The end is near.’ There I Photo: Cara Louwman-de Bruin Dutch 30

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

disagree. True, if we go on the way we

he simply says, ‘This is what is going to happen.’ And his natural conclusion is ‘Buy up as much food as you can, at least a year’s supply, and store it in your attic or cellar.’ At first, this sounds eminently reasonable. It’s only common sense to be prepared for an emergency as best one can. But as I read on, I realised that this man isn’t simply talking about disaster preparedness. He is trying to hang on to a way of life that he himself calls unsustainable – in effect, by moving a large number of food items from the chain stores to his garage. A more appealing solution What about the alternatives? After all, most of us Photo: Anne Daugherty USA

eat more than we really need – some of us to the

have been going, the end may very well be near.

point of jeopardising our health. And we tend to

But he has forgotten that human beings have the

eat too much of the wrong foods as well. Rather

precious capacity to choose, even to the point of

than wait till we are forced to abandon an excessive

changing direction completely.

way of living, why not start eating only what we need of foods that don’t simply taste good but are

When we forget this, we behave as if trends in

good for the body? Not only would the health of

history were rigid. Trends are made up of people

the nation improve; we ourselves would feel better

like you and me, who are free to choose. If the end

and enjoy life more.

is near, we can make it recede. If enough of us draw on our deeper resources, make the right choices,

Second, I would say, instead of going to the

the beginning is near – the beginning of a better,

supermarket and stocking up on cans and packages

richer, more secure life, not just for us as individuals

of the same old stuff, why not start to cultivate

but for everyone.

local food sources? We can even grow some of our own food. It sounds impractical, but many

The path of self-preservation

people are learning to do this even in big cities –

This man is warning us that the lifestyle so many

on rooftops, in small yards, and all sorts of other

take for granted in the developed countries is

ingenious places – and I am told that this kind of

about to come to an abrupt end. It simply isn’t

hand cultivation raises more food per square foot

sustainable. Most people will be taken by surprise

of earth than any of the big commercial growers.

when the bubble bursts, he warns, but we can maintain a reasonable amount of comfort for

To me this is a most appealing solution. Instead of

ourselves by following some simple steps.

subtracting from the food supply, this adds to it. Instead of worsening the problem for others, this

He summarises his message in what he calls the

eases it. And there are many side benefits: the food

‘three Gs’ of self-preservation. The first of these is

tastes better, the family gets a chance to work

pretty basic: groceries. He forecasts severe food

together, children can participate, friends and

shortages in the near future as global food systems

neighbours can build communities by sharing plots

break down. He does not enter into social criticism;

of land, tools, labour, and experience. CULTURAMA | September 2020

SMS Words

Short cultural snippets for an easily digestible India

Makhan (butter) vs Makaan (house)

Makhan is butter made from whole-milk yoghurt. Punjabi cuisine includes several dishes whose names indicate they are made with butter – such as dal makhani and murgh makhani. As a child, Lord Krishna loved eating (and stealing!) butter, and he is sometimes called makhan chor. Makaan is an Urdu word of Arabic origin that means ‘house’. A famous Bollywood film from 1974 called Roti, Kapda

slogan. ‘Dhoop ke makaan’ meaning ‘a house of

Aur Makaan, meaning ‘food, clothing and shelter’,

sunshine’ is a song from a more recent Bollywood

follows a family struggling with the bare essentials

film, Break ke Baad. Listen to the song at: http://

of life, and the phrase was coined as a political

tinyurl.com/makaan-song.

Food

Undhiyu, Gujarat

Undhiyu is a delicious combination of winter vegetables including green beans, unripe banana, aubergine and yam in a peanut-sesame-coconut gravy. It contains the combination of sweet, sharp and herby flavours that is characteristic of Gujarati cuisine. Traditionally it is made in a clay pot, which gives the curry a unique flavour, but modern cooks make undhiyu in a pressure cooker. It is served with chapattis or parathas, and is often the central dish served during Uttarayan, Gujarat’s international kite festival that marks the end of winter. Watch noted

Gujarati food, make undhiyu at: http://tinyurl.com/

Indian food writer Tarla Dalal, who specialised in

undhiyu-recipe.

Art and Craft

Udayagiri Wooden Cutlery, Andhra Pradesh

The town of Udayagiri in Andhra Pradesh is particularly known for finely handcrafted wooden spoons, forks and knives that have intricate patterns carved into the handles. The craft originated during the 16th century at the time of the Golconda Qutb Shahi dynasty, and the traditional motifs have a Persian style. Most of the cutlery is carved from

Grooves are cut into the wood and holes drilled

nardi wood collected from the Durgampalli Hills,

according to the design, which is then fully carved

as it is soft and easy to handle. The wood is cut

by hand. Finally, the pieces are sanded and finished,

to length and chiselled into the approximate form.

often with tamarind paste.

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

Nihang Sikhs

Interpretations

These proud-looking gentlemen are Nihang Sikhs, the descendants of an order of warriors formed by the tenth Sikh guru, Guru Gobind Singh, during his wars with the Mughals. They were honoured for their bravery and ruthlessness on the field of battle. The Nihang Sikhs traditionally wear electric blue robes, and carry the kirpan, the sword carried by all Sikhs, and a katar or dagger. They wear bracelets of iron, and an iron chain around the body. The Nihang are held in great respect by the Sikh community. The order is primarily ceremonial nowadays, but

they display the Indian martial art of gatka, in which

the Nihang gather in their thousands at Anandpur

wooden staves are used to simulate swords in

during the spring festival of Hola Mohalla. There,

sparring matches.

Urban Adventure Laad Bazaar, Hyderabad Laad

Bazaar,

located

near

the

magnificent

Charminar, literally shimmers, particularly at night when light reflects off the glass and semi-precious stone bangles – after which the market takes its name. The bazaar is one of the enduring legacies of the time of the Nizams and is a treasure house of gorgeously decorated jewellery, pearls, fabrics and accessories. Most famous are the Hyderabadi lacquer bangles, moulded out of pure laad and studded with glittering pieces of glass and crystal

the floor. Try and see the bangles being made, and

in appealing colours and ethnic patterns. Business

be prepared for prices that have been exaggerated

is often done seated on a soft cotton mattress on

in anticipation of a tough negotiation!

He Lives On

J.R.D. Tata

J.R.D. Tata, an aviation pioneer and businessman, was born in 1904 into India’s most prominent business family. His mother was French, and he spent much of his childhood in France where he developed his lifelong passion for flying. He joined the family business, one of India’s largest business conglomerates, as a director in 1925 and established Tata Air Mail, a courier service that eventually became Air India, India’s national airline. Succeeding to chairman of the Tata Group, J.R.D. Tata strengthened the existing businesses in steel,

the establishment of many of India’s institutions for

power and hotels, and drove diversification into

science, medicine and the arts, and was awarded

chemicals, automobiles, pharmaceuticals, financial

the Bharat Ratna, India’s highest civilian honour. He

services and IT. He was the guiding influence behind

died in 1993. CULTURAMA | September 2020

Around the world in

In India, fair skin is considered beautiful. While jewels are valued, simple accessories such as flowers in the hair, bindi on the forehead and henna designs on the palms and feet contribute further to enhance one’s beauty. Let’s look at what is considered beautiful in other parts of the world Brass Rings of Myanmar Karen

women

Myanmar

and

Thailand can be seen wearing heavy brass rings around their neck, which has earned them the nickname ‘longneck’ or ‘giraffe’ tribe. A sub-group of the Padaung, the rings are viewed as a sign of beauty and wealth. The women start wearing the rings when they are four or five years old and add rings as they become accustomed to the weight, reaching up to 25 pounds.

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

Lip Stretching in Africa and S. America Among the Mursi women in Ethiopia and a few parts of South America, stretched lip is a sign of female maturity and readiness for child-bearing. The two lower front teeth are removed and a piercing is made to allow for a heavy clay or wooden disk that stretches the lower lip. The disk size keeps increasing over time to further elongate the lip, and the longer it is, the greater the pride.

Stretched Earlobes in Kenya

Tattoos of MĂŁori

The Masai tribeswomen in Africa wear heavy

MĂŁori women from New Zealand follow a sacred

jewellery made of stones or elephant tusks to

tradition called Ta Moko, where they adorn their

stretch their earlobes over time. A woman's

chins with a tattoo. Each moko is different and

status in the many tribes in Africa improves as

drawn from an ancestral tribal information unique to

the earlobes lengthen. Women wear brightly

the wearer. It may also be a display of the woman's

coloured beads and jewellery to show off the

family and tribal affiliations and denote her social

impressive size of their lobes.

status within her tribe.

Shaping Their Teeth, Indonesia In some Indonesian tribes, women get their teeth chiselled to have smaller, pointed teeth. This is not only considered beautiful but also a sign of higher social status. This tradition is also found in Bali, but for a different reason â&#x20AC;&#x201D; teeth are considered to represent anger and hatred, and by paring it, the tribespeople hope to rid themselves of the negative emotions.

CULTURAMA | September 2020

BRAND ME

TEACHING LEADERS WHAT TO STOP Do you begin every sentence with a no, but or however? Marshall Goldsmith explains how to avoid a hostile conversation

n easy habit for people who like to win

a sentence. You will be shocked at how commonly

to fall into, and a sure-fire shortcut to

used these words are. And, if you drill a little

killing conversations, is to start a sentence

deeper, you’ll see patterns emerge. Some people

with ‘no,’ ‘but’ or ‘however.’ It doesn’t matter how

use these words to gain power. And, you’ll see how

friendly your tone is or how honey sweet you say

much people resent it, consciously or not, and how

these words, the message to your recipient is ‘You

it stifles rather than opens up discussions.

are wrong.’ It’s not ‘Let’s discuss,’ ‘I’d love to hear what you think,’ it’s unequivocally, ‘You are wrong

I use this technique with my clients. Practically

and I am right.’ If your conversation companion

without even thinking, I keep count of their use

is also of the winner variety, you have a potential

of these three little words. It’s such an important

battle on your hands, and there is nothing more

indicator! If the numbers pile up in an initial meeting

that can happen that is productive.

with a client, I’ll interrupt him or her and say, ‘We’ve been talking for almost an hour now, and do you

Are you interested in a little test to see how

realise that you have responded 17 times with

competitive your co-workers are? Try this. For

no, but, or, however?’ This is the moment when a

one week, keep a scorecard of how many times

serious talk about changing behaviour begins.

each person uses ‘no,’ ‘but,’ or ‘however’ to start 36

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

If this is your interpersonal challenge, you can do

how guilty you’ve been, maybe then you’ll begin to

this little test for yourself just as easily as you can

change your ‘winning’ ways!

to gauge your co-workers. Stop trying to defend your position and start monitoring how many times

If you’ve discovered you have this annoying habit,

you begin remarks with ‘no,’ ‘but’ or ‘however.’

here’s a little advice on what you can do to change.

Pay close attention to when you use these words

If you are at work, pause before you speak, take

in sentences. For example, ‘That’s true, however…’

a breath and ask yourself, “Is my comment going

(Meaning: You don’t really think it’s true at all.)

to improve this person’s commitment or make this

Another oldie, but goodie, is ‘Yes, but…’ (Meaning:

person more committed? At home, do the same.

Prepare to be contradicted.)

Pause before you speak, take a breath and ask yourself, ‘Is this comment going to improve my

Along with self-monitoring your behaviour, you can

relationship with the person I love?’ At work if the

also easily monetise the solution to this annoying

answer is ‘no,’ at least half the time whatever you

behaviour to help yourself stop. Ask a friend or

were going to say isn’t worth saying. At home if the

colleague to charge you money every time you

answer is ‘no’, it is almost never worth saying.

say, ‘no,’ ‘but’ or ‘however.’ Once you appreciate CULTURAMA | September 2020

Royal

TREAT

A highlight of the harvest festival of Onam in Kerala is the ‘sadya’ or feast – an 18-dish meal that brings together varied colours, textures and flavours in a feast that is fit for a king 38

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

Ingredients 4 cups of mixed vegetables, cut into even-size batons (carrots, French beans, raw plantain, yam, drumstick, pumpkin, cluster beans; green mango and potato are optional) • 1/2 coconut, grated • 4–5 green chillies • 1/2 tsp cumin seeds • 1 cup yoghurt (slightly sour) • 1 tbsp coconut oil • Salt to taste • Curry leaves to garnish • Mustard seed to garnish

Directions Boil all the vegetables partly, until they are just about cooked. Make sure that you do not overcook the vegetables – otherwise they will turn into a mush. Grind the coconut, cumin seeds and green chillies into a fine paste. Mix this paste with the yogurt. Add this

Served on a banana leaf that is cut straight from the plant (usually one that grows in the backyard), one dish follows another – colour upon texture, each more delicious than the next. Almost all of them are either garnished with coconut, have some coconut paste, coconut milk or are at least cooked in coconut oil.

yoghurt-paste mixture to the cooked vegetables and

Every meal begins with the puliinji – a spicy and

simmer it gently until it all comes together. Remove

tangy concoction of ginger and tamarind believed

from heat. Heat the coconut oil gently, and toss the

to aid digestion. After all, a meal that has at least 18

curry leaves and mustard seeds in it. When the mustard

dishes needs some help in the digestion department!

seeds pop, pour the oil with the curry leaves and

Slivers of winter melon or white pumpkin are

mustard over the aviyal. Serve hot with rice.

cooked in coconut milk and garnished with curry leaves. Yellow pumpkin bursting with sweetness is

Shreya Vijayakumar may be working in a multinational

cooked down with sour yogurt; raw plantains and

bank in Chennai but her thoughts and heart are all back

yam are cooked gently before being garnished with

home in Kerala. “Especially now,” adds Shreya “when

coconut; assorted fresh vegetables are simmered

it is time for Onam, our harvest festival. I cannot help

in yogurt and coconut to produce the famous

but feel nostalgic.” There were times when the entire

aviyal. Two varieties of chips – sweet and salty –

extended family would travel to their ancestral home

and crunchy, puffed-up pappadams are perfect

in Kerala to celebrate the festival together, like families

accompaniments to the rice. Wash it all down with

should. Onam is a celebration of a visit by the legendary

buttermilk, sit back and await two different kinds of

king Mahabali to Kerala.

sweet payasams or pradhaman. Truly a feast fit for the kings.

The people welcome the beloved king by decorating their courtyards with flowers picked from their garden

The aviyal is said to have been prepared by a royal

and, of course, by cooking up a scrumptious feast.

cook who put together batons of vegetables and flavoured it gently with cumin, yogurt and coconut

“The 10-day festival is so much fun,” Shreya reminisces.

– a must-have speciality for any festive meal. As far

“Early in the morning, we girls would go out and pick

as Shreya is concerned, no festive meal in Kerala is

flowers for the pookalam. A circular pattern is made

complete without this delicacy.

with the flowers – one circle for every day of the festival. On Onam, we create a beautiful round pattern with 10 concentric circles”. Lunch was always served in the main house. Happy children would gather round, enjoying what their mothers and aunts had whipped up using the freshest of produce from the kitchen garden. If you speak to any Keralite, the talk will be about about the Onam sadya or feast. Almost completely vegetarian, the sadya has a mindboggling variety of dishes.

CULTURAMA | September 2020

Mark of a

LEADER

What does a person need to take charge and lead effectively? How are some people able to command respect so effortlessly? We look at five Indian movers and shakers from different industries, and the top qualities they bring to the table What makes for a good leader? This question may elicit a wide range of responses that touch on the spectrum of qualities, talents or capabilities and characteristics that would help make for a worthy leader. Of course, while the circumstances and responsibilities to be shouldered by this person would play a crucial role in determining whether a person is the ‘right fit’, it is commonly accepted that the best leaders share some common traits that have helped shape their life trajectories – and, in turn, set an example for the rest of us. We take a look at five prominent Indian leaders from across different segments, and the ways in which they exemplified the tenets of good leadership.

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

Flying High, Staying Grounded: Ratan Tata (December 28, 1937 to Present)

Indian industrialist Ratan Naval Tata needs no

Everyone who has come in contact with Ratan Tata

introduction, not just in India but around the world,

has noted that he has not let success get to him in

too. The former chairman of the Tata Group began

any way. He does not talk about his successes in

his career with the entity in 1961 on the shop floor.

management or life. He has also stressed the need

In 1991, J.R.D Tata stepped down as chairman of

for empathy: “For several years, there has been one

Tata Sons and named Ratan his successor. During

issue which has travelled with me…

Ratan’s 21-year reign at the Tata Group, revenues

‘In whatever you do, put yourself in the other

grew over 40 times, and profit over 50 times. He

person’s shoes first.’” Above all, if Ratan Tata

is known for expanding the Group’s business into

commands the respect of people from across all

new ventures on the Indian side (with initiatives

strata and industries, it is because he has always

such as the Nano and acquiring Tetley Tea), and on

put his principles first. His approach of doing the

the global scene (by acquiring Jaguar Land Rover).

best for business and people has won him respect

Today, Tata Holdings is one of the most successful

that borders on reverence. In his own words: “A

entities the world over. His work won him several

real leader is willing to face the consequences to

awards, including the Padma Bhushan and Padma

do whatever is right. To go home at night and say,

Vibhushan. While several leadership lessons may be

‘I didn’t succumb, I made a difference’. That is the

drawn from Ratan Tata’s illustrious career, a couple

mark of a true leader.”

of key points have been stressed several times: his genuine desire to connect with others, and his desire to do the right thing. CULTURAMA | September 2020

Science and Art of Living: A.P.J. Abd ul Kalam

sociopolitical landscape. He launched the concept

(October 15, 1931 to July 27, 2015)

of ‘Providing Urban Amenities in Rural Areas’ or PURA, which was to give a cluster of villages

Avul Pakir Jainulabdeen Abdul Kalam, also known

physical, electronic and knowledge connectivity.

as the ‘Missile Man of India’ for his work in military

Empowering villages in this way, he said, would

missile development and for playing a key role in

lead to economic connectivity, creation of a

the Pokhran II nuclear tests in 1998, is regarded with

vibrant economy in the hinterland and bridge the

near reverence by people across all communities

rural-urban divide. Kalam’s humanitarian initiatives

and ages. However, his popularity stemmed not just

stemmed from his deep love for all mankind. He

from his knowledge and work but from his humble

remarked, “The President continuously must be in

and easy-to-approach nature, which earned him

touch with the people. The Rashtrapati Bhavan [the

the fond title ‘People’s President’, after his term

presidential residence in New Delhi] must become

as India’s eleventh President (2002 to 2007). The

the people’s residence.” A deeply spiritual person,

Bharat Ratna awardee set an example as to how one

he was a Muslim by faith but regularly read the

could use his/her life and talents to serve society

Bhagavad Gita – thus setting an

in the best ways possible. He was an innovative

example of unity in diversity from an

thinker, who was never put off by obstacles or

individual level.

lack of resources. This was amply demonstrated in his work in missile development and at the Indian Space Research Organisation. Moreover, he used his knowledge to provide ingenious solutions for two major healthcare issues. He adapted the high-grade materials used in making missiles to develop lightweight calipers for polioaffected children, as well as cardiology stents for patients suffering from heart problems. The calipers and stents were designed such that they could be made available to patients at a fraction of the usual cost. Kalam believed firmly in open sharing and imparting knowledge to the next generation, “to ignite their imagination and preparing them to work for a developed India for which the road map is already available.” When he was over 80 years old, he launched the ‘What Can

Give

Movement’

for the youth, with the theme centred on defeating corruption. Awareness of India’s limitations led him to spearhead initiatives that

were

customised

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

the

country’s

No Words Wasted: Ragh uram Rajan

misunderstood), was regarded as a 007-style

(February 3, 1963 to Present)

speaker in some cases (especially when he made the comment, “My name is Raghuram Rajan and I do

“I'm not a publicity hound, I hope.” So said Raghuram

what I do” during a monetary policy review in 2015).

Rajan, the former Governor of the Reserve Bank of

Regardless, he was largely appreciated for his calm,

India (RBI). It was a fitting comment: The former

measured responses and his ability to listen intently.

chief economist of the International Monetary Fund

Another key element of his speeches was the use

garnered considerable media attention – even

of idioms that related to day-to-day, practical issues

before he took charge as the RBI Governor in 2013.

than technical jargon. One of the most famous

He was best known for his no-nonsense, direct

examples was of a dosa, a common breakfast food

comments, down-to-earth examples and, in a few

in South India, and how its price point could be used

circles, for his good looks.

to reflect trends in inflation and interest. Rajan’s communication capabilities were not just a matter of talent – he firmly believed that financial policies had to be communicated to the masses in a language they understood. “Indeed, communication is as much about educating as it is about informing…. Public understanding can help ease the way for reforms, as well as increase support for policies. The RBI governor therefore has to explain again and again,” he said. Cool and Calm Wins the Race: M.S. Dhoni (July 7, 1981 to Present)

At the time of his taking over, the Indian economy was suffering from chronic inflation, and the Indian

A great deal has been written about the former

rupee had gone through a period of instability.

Indian cricket captain’s capabilities on the field, and

There were also serious problems in the banking

the manner in which he practises some of the best

sector, with regard to the growing number of non-

management lessons on the team. And for good

performing assets. Under his stewardship, inflation

reason. Under his stewardship, the Indian team has

dropped and the rupee’s volatility was curbed.

won several key tournaments – notably, the ICC

Moreover, he pushed banks to aggressively recognise

Cricket World Cup in 2011 (the last such win was

and act on bad loans. Rajan is also credited with

in 1983).

helping to calm the financial markets and creating a window to attract investments from non-resident Indians (NRIs). He also pushed for greater financial inclusion, and pushed banks to enter the territory traditionally dominated by moneylenders. Rajan exemplified a key trait all leaders should cultivate: Clear, transparent communication. He came under fire for some comments (such as the time when he characterised the then Indian economy as a “one-eyed king in the land of the blind”, even though he clarified later that he was CULTURAMA | September 2020

Dhoni has been lauded as one of the best captains

2,500 crore. Keen business acumen and hard work

the Indian cricket team has had in recent years –

are at the heart of Mallika’s success. In the mid-

and most praise is directed towards his ability to

1980s, she made the move to buy Eicher Motors’

remain calm and collected under pressure. Given

tractor business, which catapulted TAFE to greater

that Indians regard cricket almost as a religion, there

heights and set it on the road to expansion. Today,

is added stress and expectations from all quarters.

TAFE is the third largest tractor manufacturer in the

To be able to remain centred without giving in to

world and the second largest in India, and has made

pressure – even as the world literally watches his

its mark in over 82 countries.

every move – is one of Dhoni’s key traits. “I never allow myself to be pressured,” he says. So, where

The recipient of several awards and accolades

does this Zen-like calm come from? Possibly inborn.

(including the Padma Shri), Mallika is recognised

Possibly from the fact that he looks at every game

in business circles for her quiet but steely

as a chance to do his best. As he says, “I believe in

determination, which her demure looks belie. She

giving more than 100% on the field, and I don't really

also commands respect for her commitment to

worry about the result if there’s great commitment

ensuring that her business is not just a profit-making

on the field. That’s victory for me.” Whatever be the

venture but a means of fulfilling larger economic

reason, every leader would do good to take a leaf

and societal needs. One of her key initiatives was to

from his book, and keep calm as they carry on.

ensure that TAFE looked into the farmers’ needs – especially their need for newer, more sophisticated tractors and equipment – and worked to fulfill them. It is a little known fact that she can drive a tractor – evidence of just how well she intended to know all aspects of her business. Under Mallika’s lead, TAFE has also increased the number of women engineers and workers in its factories – a noteworthy change in an industry typically dominated by men. “Profits are important, but only for sustaining a business,” she said in an interview with the Economic Times, when they picked her as the 2006 Businesswoman of the Year. “You don’t need to love money to run a business. You have to have a dream to build an institution, to build centres of excellence, to create a great team.

Looking at the Larger Purpose: Mallika Srinivasan (November 19, 1959 to Present) Christened the ‘Tractor Queen’ of India, the Chairman and Chief Executive Officer of TAFE – Tractors and Farm Equipment Limited – is recognised as one of the biggest contributors to the country’s agricultural, manufacturing and business segments. She joined the company in 1986, when it was under the reign of her father, A. Sivasailam, and helped it grow from its then worth of Rs. 85 crore to a business worth Rs. 44

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

Business has a larger purpose.

Rooted in faith Indian culture strongly emphasises the principle of harmony, especially between natural and man â&#x20AC;&#x201C; a principle highlighted by the importance given to different trees in mythology and religious traditions

rees have been considered sacred in many cultures and religions the world over, across many millennia.

One of the most popular episodes in Hindu religion is detailed in the Bhagavata Purana, an ancient text written in Sanskrit, which mentions the churning of the ocean of milk by the gods and the demons for the sake of amrita or ambrosia, which would grant immortality to those who drank it. During the process of churning, many objects arose from the ocean â&#x20AC;&#x201C; one of which was the kalpa vriksha (also called kalpa taru and kalpa druma), the celestial wish-yielding tree. The tree was taken by Indra, the leader of the gods, to his celestial garden. Representations of this tree are often depicted in stone sculptures of ancient India. Other ancient works, including the Ramayana and Mahabharata, contain numerous references to various trees in different regions of India. Ancient Indian art depicts tree goddesses called vriksha devatas or sala bhanjikas in stone. These deities are shown entwining their bodies around the branches of a tree or holding a branch with their hand. Their mere touch was enough to make a tree

Photo: Diana Grieger German

bloom. They are usually shown grasping the branch of a sal or ashoka tree. These CULTURAMA | September 2020

vriksha devatas represent fertility and prosperity and hence their repeated representation in temple sculptures. Incidentally, Queen Maya is said to have given birth to Gautama Buddha in Lumbini garden (Nepal) under an ashoka tree (or sal, according to some sources), grasping its branch. It is interesting to see that in many parts of this country, especially Tamil Nadu in the South, temples have a sacred tree within their precincts. In Hinduism, some trees and flowers have been associated with particular deities. For example, the vilva or bilva (Aegle marmelos) tree’s trifoliate leaves are very special to Shiva, while the leaf of the tulasi (holy basil) is one of the important

Photo: Douglas Vanherpe Belgium

ingredients for the worship of Vishnu. These sacred

thillai (mangrove) trees where two saints prayed to

trees, seen inside temples today, are many times

see Nataraja dance. It is this realisation of the tree

lone specimens of sacred groves in which the

being the protector that prompted the ancients to

temples were situated. For example, the temple

name the thillai as the sacred tree of this temple.

for Kapaleeshwara (another name for Shiva) in

Even today, Pichavaram, near Chidambaram is one

Mylapore, the culturally effervescent locality in

of the most famous mangrove forests in the world.

Chennai, has the punnai (Alexandrian laurel) as the sacred tree found inside the temple compound.

The vilva or bilva is an important sacred tree for

According to tradition, this entire area was once

Lord Siva. It is common to see the worship of this

a forest of punnai trees. Almost all these sacred

deity done with the trifoliate leaves of the vilva in

trees have various medicinal properties, which was

many temples across India. An interesting story

probably why they were assigned the ‘sacred’ tag

connected with one of the Shiva temples in Tamil

in the past to keep them from being destroyed,

Nadu goes like this. A monkey was perched on a

in addition to their being of religious importance.

vilva tree beneath which was a lingam (embodiment

Ayurveda or the ancient system of medicine in India

of Siva) on the night of shivarathri (an all-night

uses the leaves, bark, roots and flowers of such

prayer session sacred to Shiva). Unaware of both

trees for curing various diseases.

the linga and that it was a special night, the monkey moved about on the tree and dropped many vilva

Mangroves are found in various regions of India,

leaves on the lingam, thus earning a lot of merit. In

especially in the states of Bengal, Gujarat, Andhra

his next birth, he was born as a great king and, from

Pradesh, Tamil Nadu and Goa. These are all coastal

the actions of his previous birth, became an ardent

areas and the thick mangrove forests that have

devotee of Shiva. The banyan tree (vata vriksha in

grown here offered, and continue to offer, effective

Sanskrit) is revered in most parts of India. Krishna,

protection from tsunamis andtidal waves. The

one of the incarnations of Vishnu, is said to have

mangroves shield the coastal communities from the

rested on the leaf of this tree as a baby. Several

onslaught of the waves – nature’s way of guarding

ancient stone sculptures depict Krishna as sucking

the coastal areas. One of the most important temple

his toe, lying on the vata leaf. Dakshina Murti, the

towns of India is Chidambaram, which is situated

God of Wisdom, worshipped in Shiva temples, is

near the coast. This temple, dedicated to Shiva

always shown seated under the spreading canopy

in the form of Nataraja, the Cosmic Dancer, was,

of the banyan. The Ramayana mentions how its

according to tradition, located in a dense forest of

hero, Rama (one of the incarnations of Vishnu)

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

spent some time during his exile in a place called

been depicted on the artefacts such as the seals

Panchavati where grew five huge banyan trees.

found in the sites of the ancient Indus Valley

There is still a place named Panchavati near Nasik

Civilization (3300 BCE - 1300 BCE), one of them

in North India, which is traditionally believed to be

being the peepal tree, which goes to show that

the one where Rama stayed.

it was much revered that many millennia ago in India. In many a temple, the peepal is the sacred

The vakul tree, which has thick and narrow pointed

tree. It is also common to find an image of a deity

leaves, has flowers that produce a heady scent. Indian

consecrated under the wide-spreading branches

mythology associates this tree with Krishna, who

of the peepal in villages or near a pond or river.

played his flute next to River Yamuna, surrounded

Traditionally, pregnant women have been advised

by the gopis or cowherd girls who were enchanted

in India to circumambulate the peepal â&#x20AC;&#x201C; scientific

with Krishna. He also wore a garland made of the

investigations in modern times have proved that

flowers of this tree. Incidentally, this tree, replete

this tree emits a lot of oxygen by day.

with medicinal properties, is also the sacred tree of many Shiva temples. Another tree associated with

Circumambulation in a clockwise direction (called

the dance of Krishna is the kadamba.

pradakshina in Sanskrit) of sacred trees is an ancient practice that is still in vogue in India. It is a common

One of the most sacred trees in India is the peepal

sight to see devotees going around peepal trees in

(ashvatta in Sanskrit). Many sacred objects have

temples for fulfilment of various desires. Women,

Clockwise from top left: The Jal tree, under which Guru Nanak, the Sikh guru, meditated; the fig tree, whose roots are considered to be Lord Brahma, bark to be Lord Vishnu, and branches to be Lord Shiva; the Neem, a fount of medicinal benefits; the Amla tree, in which Lord Vishnu is said to reside. ILLUSTRATIONS: Ms. Vishwajyoti Pande Mohrhoff; Images Courtesy L&T CULTURAMA | September 2020

of the one Princess Sanghamitra brought to this island and is called Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi. The Sri Maha Bodhi in Bodh Gaya in India and the Jaya Sri Maha Bodhi in Sri Lanka are venerated by thousands of Buddhists even today. The Anandha Bodhi tree in Sravasti (in the state of Uttar Pradesh; this place was one of the six largest cities of India in Buddha’s time and is still an important place for Buddhists) is also believed to have been propagated from the original bodhi tree Hindu mythology says that the neem's medicinal properties are derived from the ambrosia that emerged from the ‘ocean of milk’. Lord Dhanavantri, the God of Medicine, walked away with the pot of nectar. A few drops fell on earth – from these drops

in Bodh Gaya. It is said to have been planted there as a symbol of worship when Buddha travelled away from Sravasti. Sculptures of the Buddha made in India various parts of ancient India show him seated under the bodhi tree lost in meditation.

sprouted the neem tree. ILLUSTRATION: Maniam

The followers of the Jain faith also hold some trees

Selvan; Image Courtesy L&T

as sacred. The Jains worship their acharyas or preceptors – they are 24 in number and are called

in particular, do a pradakshina of the peepal in

the tirthankaras. Several of the tirthankaras are

order to be blessed with children. The peepal is

associated with trees. The first of the tirthankaras

considered to be the embodiment of God Vishnu

and the founder of Jainism is Adinatha, also called

who is the protector of the world. The symbolic

Rishabhanatha, who is said to have received

‘marriage’ of the neem and peepal trees, growing

enlightenment under the banyan tree, which is

in close proximity to each other, is common in the

called nyagrodha in Sanskrit. In Ranakpur (located

villages of India.

between Jodhpur and Udaipur in Rajasthan), which the Jains hold sacred, is a temple that has a holy

The Buddhists consider the peepal to be their

tree believed to be 600 years old. The entire temple

most sacred tree since Gautama Buddha (6th

is constructed around this tree.

century AD), the founder of Buddhism attained enlightenment under the bodhi (peepal) tree in a

The importance given to the preservation of trees

place now known as Bodh Gaya (located in the state

in ancient India can be gleaned through a number

of Bihar). The bodhi tree, which is now worshipped

of sources. It is well known that temples have

in the world-famous Maha Bodhi temple in Bodh

elaborately carved wooden chariots in which the

Gaya, is believed to be a direct descendant of the

deities are placed and taken out in procession during

original tree under which Buddha sat in meditation.

festivals. The detailed instruction given in ancient

It is said that Emperor Ashoka, one of the most

texts regarding the cutting of trees for making

famous rulers of India who was an ardent Buddhist,

these chariots is mind-blowing. For example, trees

sent his daughter Sanghamitra to Sri Lanka to

which were on the banks of rivers were not to be

spread the message of Buddhism. She carried with

cut down as their roots held the soil of the banks

her a sapling of the bodhi tree from Bodh Gaya

together to prevent flooding. Only certain varieties

and planted it in Anuradhapura (one of the ancient

of hardy tree could be used for this purpose and

capitals of Sri Lanka). It is believed that the bodhi

it can be seen that these are the ones that grew

tree worshipped in Sri Lanka today is a descendent

aplenty and not the rare species.

September 2020 | CULTURAMA

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September 2020 | CULTURAMA

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