By Papri Das

In midst of cracking million dollar deals, managing multiple hundreds of employees and running companies, executives seldom get the opportunity to explore their other talents.

Sometimes, it?s the designation that holds them back from flaunting their talents; say in a party or when engaging in some team building activity. But when that opportunity comes in the shape of saving many lives, there really isn?t any reason to hesitate. Same goes for the many CEOs who participated in a singing show.
The 12th edition of Genesis Foundation?s fundraiser activity saw 11 business leaders letting go of their inhibitions and picking up the mic -- not to give an inspiring lecture on business but to sing songs!
?It was amazing to see such eminent personalities from the business world come together for a cause and not only do it for charity but enjoy themselves in the process,? says Genesis Foundation founding trustee Prema Sagar.

Genesis Foundation is a celebrated non-profit organisation that  provides financial support for life-saving and life-changing medical intervention for critically under-privileged children in areas of cancer, cardiac disorder, post organ transplant medication, thalassemia and extreme deformities.
?The idea was to organise fundraising activities that the participants could get involved in more spontaneously, and would also create a lively atmosphere for the kids. And what would work better than singing?? says Sagar adding that since the inception, they have received rave reviews from both the CEOs and the audiences, which in turn has helped them raise funds efficiently.
?I am glad that our efforts are bringing smiles on their faces and giving them a better life,? says Rhythm House MD Mehmood Curmally, who has been a participant four to five times already, with the latest one being in Mumbai, earlier this month.

?I always had a thing for singing and after performing at the fundraisers I have found out how passionate I am about it. In fact, I am taking vocal training classes these days,? shares Culmally, admitting that he and his fellow participants took the competition way too seriously before the ranking system was pulled out.

?I still take it seriously and make it a point to practice properly before getting on the stage. I try to squeeze in time between lunch, in cars and after work hours at night to give my best performance,? says the CEO who did a cover of Hallelujah for his solo round and Phantom Of The Opera as duet with his friend.
Trinity Vintners CEO Ashwin Deo who rendered his version of the song Ek Ektara from Wake Up Sid, also feels that he prefers the current format way better than when it used to be a competition. ?I had been involved with the event ever since its inception eight years back. I definitely feel that the competition format wasn?t healthy for something with a purpose like this,? says the dynamic CEO. ?I am looking forward to participating in the Delhi chapter of the fundraiser in July,? signs off Deo.

By Papri Das

While many of us aren?t well acquainted with ceramic art, the recently held exhibition ?Under Construction? shows how the art form continues to garner patrons amongst an exclusive group of A-listers. Those who graced the inauguration ceremony include honchos like Siddharth Roy Kapur with his wife and Bollywood actress Vidya Balan, Dolly Thakore, Khushnuma Khambatta and many more. While that's a promising turn out, well-known ceramist Anjani Khanna, who was also featured in the exhibition, feels that the art form needs more patrons.

?I prefer it when the work is bought by people who enjoy art, and understand ceramics as a medium. There are few understanding collectors in Mumbai and Delhi, but we certainly need more serious buyers,? says Khanna, who was recently invited to China to contribute to a permanent collection at the FuLe International Ceramic Museum in Fuping.

While Khanna specialises in stoneware clay and porcelain, the other six contributing have varied expertise. ?In ?Under Construction?, all materials are represented. Neha Pullarwar and Tejashree Sagvekar have worked in terracotta and earthenware, Rashi Jain, Veena Chandran, Nausheen Bari, Shayonti Salvi and I have used mostly stoneware, and Rashi Jain has some works in porcelain,? Khanna points out.

She shares that she was interested in the art form from a young age thanks to her induction to ceramic art by well known ceramist Primula Pandit, but it was when she entered professional life that she realised that her true calling lay in dabbling with fire and clay.

?After college in Mumbai I studied pottery with Mr Ray Meeker at the Golden Bridge Pottery in Pondicherry. I then went on to study biology at the University of Cambridge in the UK and on returning to India worked as an environment policy analyst and journalist. However, I returned to clay and Pondicherry. I spent another year and a half working at Golden Bridge Pottery, before returning to Mumbai,? says Khanna, who now runs her studio and kiln in Alibad in western harbor of Mumbai.

When asked what appeals to her about ceramics the most, she explains, ?Clay is a very versatile, ancient and natural material. The material is completely transformed by fire from a soft malleable material to a hard, unchanging form. I find that and the process of working with clay very interesting. Not only does the medium facilitate aesthetic expression, but it also demands technical rigour as the processes of converting raw clay to fired ceramic is arduous and requires learning and skill.?

While Khanna gives a simplified idea, the process isn't that simple. ?I work in stoneware clay and fire the sculpture at almost 1300 degrees Celsius. I also work with porcelain, which is also fired at a high temperature. Terracotta and earthenware are fired at a lower temperature,? Khanna shares, adding that the choice of clay too plays an important role in the outcome.

Due of these harsh conditions and parameters, there are very few artists who pursue this form, and even lesser who are successful. Needless to say, that adds to the exclusivity of certain artworks, while others go unnoticed. ?There are a few artists working with clay who are successfully supporting themselves with their work. A lot of other artists are struggling,? says Khanna, hoping that more galleries will support the work of artists who work in clay, as the number of practitioners and the quality of their work continues to grow.

By Ritwika Gupta

Satiating the palate with some delectable food is what many a people live for! The world is a food paradise and every season, we look forward to new dishes that could tingle our taste buds! India is a volatile market and the way we bring food to our plates is constantly evolving every year. Thanks to rapid globalization, we are now aware of new food ideas and our expectations are higher than ever before. Chefs have a daunting task of keeping up with customers? changing tastes and today?s top culinary leaders gave me a lowdown on the food trends and cuisines that will gain momentum in 2015.

Local Sourcing of Ingredients & Quality, Organic Food

With an increasing demand for healthier and a variety of food options, the rules of how food is being sourced and marketed in the menus are changing.

?In 2015, organic brown rice, multi-grain roti, laccha paratha and healthy items are on the rise. We are sourcing a lot of local ingredients. We have started growing our own vegetables in local farms and use them in the dishes. Similarly for meat, instead of using imported lamb chops, we will be using everything that is available in India,? says Four Seasons Hotel head chef - Indian cuisine Vikram Arora.

Elaborating on local sourcing of ingredients, Four Seasons Hotel executive sous chef Anshuman Bali informs, ?Chefs nowadays are foraging; we are looking for locally available organic ingredients. More and more people are asking for organic dishes and menus are being planned according to that. Organic food is a trend to look out for in 2015.?

Quality ingredients are also gaining popularity fast alongside healthy food recipes this year. Grand Hyatt Mumbai executive chef Hermann Grossbichler emphasizes that quality fruits, vegetables, green leaves, grains and freshly prepared food with quality ingredients will succeed this year.

He adds, ?I love when a chef wants to be creative and prepares something new but creativity must never be second to our constant aim to serve the highest quality food to guests. True quality in terms of ingredients right down to the freshness of the finished product will be a top priority in 2015.?

Small Sized Portions

According to Chef Bali, small sized portions of food will be the rage in 2015. Eating smaller portions of food is one of the easiest ways to cut down on calories in order to maintain a healthy consumption pattern. It keeps a tab on our diet and helps us to lose weight. Bali says, ?Portions are getting smaller as people are becoming more calorie conscious. We are even using small cutlery and utensils to serve the guests as well.? Chef Arora also feels that small portion food is an emerging trend amongst both consumers and restaurateurs. He says, ?Gone are the days of eating three full heavy meals a day. Practising to eat small portions will help you lose weight. Eat only when you are hungry. There is no point of over eating."

Fusion Trends

In 2015, one will also get to witness a mix and match of different cuisines and ingredients in order to create fusion recipes. Chef Arora adds, ?There is a rising trend of ?desi international cuisines?. A lot of international food restaurants have opened in the past few years. Owners know that there is a market and that is why you can find different joints of cuisines everywhere.?

Agreeing with the same, Waters Beach Lounge director Aziz Lalani says, ?A fusion of Indian and international cuisine is something we are looking forward to in 2015. Chicken wings are equally popular as chicken tikkas.? Water Beach Lounge is situated in Goa and offers grilled Italian food. Lalani elaborates, ?We have guests from all over the world visiting our restaurant and I can tell you that foreigners love Indian food. As a result, fusion cuisine will be a fascinating trend in India this year.?

Asserting that Indians are foodies by nature, Chef Bali feels that the current local cuisine in India has gone into a bit of a fusion state, which will continue in 2015. He cites the example of the restaurant ?Masala Library,? which offers a fusion of Indian and western food, served in an unconventional style.

Chef Arora feels that people also want a novel touch to existing dishes. He states, ?People are experimenting with ethnic sweet dishes. Rather than having plain ice-creams, people are having shrikhand but made with different flavours like chocolate and butter scotch.?

International Cuisines in India

Grossbichler feels that Mexican and Moroccan food have been underrated for sure in the last couple of years but sure to pick up on popularity in 2015. He also adds that international cuisines like Italian, Chinese, Javanese and Thai will continue to remain popular in 2015 but they have becomes far too expensive. Grossbichler expresses, ?We need a higher variety of imported food at a lower cost if we want to say serve good international food in this country. Our imports have become way too costly for the restaurant to re-sell for the local audiences.?

Presenting a different perspective on international cuisines, Thai Sous Chef of San Qi, Seefah Ketchaiyo feels that this year could open doors to experimenting with authentic international cuisines. She explains, ?I think bringing authentic dishes to the plates could be a promising trend for this year. For instance, Thai dishes are often adapted to the Indian taste here. People still do not really know what authentic Thai food is. My attempt this year would be to use authentic ingredients to make people aware of the real taste of Thai cuisine.?

Low Fat Diet

People are cutting down on junk and fast food these days. As such, low fat meals are certainly going to trend this year. Chef Ketchaiyo opines, ?Although junk food is popular and cheaper, people are thinking about their health first.? She adds that people will prefer veggies, fruits, nuts, seeds, whole grains and lean protein.

Lalani speaks about today?s youngsters who have become cautious of the health properties of a dish. ?The youth today measure each and every calorie in the meals. As such, we are going to incorporate nutritional values and indicate how healthy each dish listed in a menu is, without sacrificing the taste and quality,? he says.

Chef Bali says that people are going to large extents in order to sustain healthy eating. ?The trend this year is to alternate certain ingredients. For example, replacing ghee with olive oil or replacing normal rice with brown rice. Eating clean would also involve the consumption of more vegetables and less sodium,? he says.

Artistic Presentations

Chef Ketchaiyo explains that artistic presentation of food will be a priority this year. She candidly confesses, ?We are also focusing on new presentation so that people will not get bored when they come to San Qi.?

According to Chef Grossbichler, minimalistic and contemporary look of cuisines will be important in 2015. He feels that less is more and that should be kept in mind during the presentation of dishes. However, he is also quick to add that a strong focus should be put on quality and great artistic presentations must be secondary to the true taste of the product.

On a similar note, Chef Bali feels that novelty in presentation catches attention but one should not deviate from the flavor and authenticity of the food. He says, ?Most of the time, the essence of the food changes when experimenting with presentations in attempt to do something new. The concept of the restaurant also matters when considering the presentation of the dishes.?

Declining Trends

While fat free cuisine is rising fast along with fusion and organic food, there are some culinary trends and dishes that will see a decline in 2015.

Chef Grossbichler feels that Bruschettas, the Italian dish consisting of grilled bread topped with tomatoes, will become less popular this year. He explains, ?The problem with Bruschettas is that they are done with the wrong bread and with a topping that?s been sitting for eight hours in a fridge. Customers are becoming more discerning and they want to spend their money well. Everything mediocre will be on a decline this year.?

Chef Bali believes that there is a certain decline in the processed food category this year. He shares, ?Few years back, there was an upsurge of ready-to-cook meals which you could just warm up in your microwave and eat instantly. However, people are getting more health-conscious and they are aware of the amount of preservatives in it. As such, these ready-to-cook meals will see a drop in popularity.?

Elaborating on Bali?s stance, Chef Arora reasons that people prefer natural items and ingredients that can be made at home. He says, ?Thanks to the cookery shows on television and internet, people are getting ideas on how to make products organically. For example, black pepper sauce that is available in the market can actually be made at home and people prefer that.?

Eating Healthy Is the Way Forward in 2015

Well, the Indian food scene is an ever evolving palette and looks like healthy food trends are sure to be winners this year. ?People who eat healthy food look better, have more energy and are generally more positive, it just shows!? exclaims Chef Grossbichler.

According to Chef Arora, dishes, which are low on carbohydrates, high in protein and involve the usage of less oil, will be the most sought after this year. While he agrees that eating healthy is the way forward in 2015, Chef Bali informs us that while swapping ingredients could give us healthier alternatives, the dish will not taste the same once we change an ingredient.

?The choice is ours to prioritize what we want more in the New Year ? taste or health?? he concludes with a smile.

By: Ritwika Gupta

February - the month of showering gifts and love is finally here! Love is in the air, intoxicating everyone with the magic spell of togetherness. People around the world celebrate Valentine?s Day by showing appreciation for the people they love or adore. Recreate romance on Valentine?s Day by gifting that special someone memories of a lifetime. From special couple?s spa packages, to personalised gift cards to skin care hampers, Indiantelevision.com?s Exec Lifestyle rolls out the proverbial red carpet for spectacular gift ideas for your loved one!

Jewelry

This Valentine?s day, Varuna D Jani?s jewelry pieces are something to cherish with affection, show-off with pride and treasure for a lifetime. Whether it is a bracelet, earrings or a ring, the spectacular designs of VDJ statement pieces are definitely something to consider for your special ones. Brought alive with sparkling rubies and diamonds, each piece in the collection has been personally designed by the adornologist Varuna D Jani. With an understanding of what appeals to the inner diva in every woman, each design is a masterpiece, that when worn, ensures that the person who adorns it, shines! 

Breaking away from the traditional path of mushy romance, BlueStone brings for you exceptional pieces of jewelry crafted in gold and studded with diamonds called ?sound of love? and ?code of love?. Love is a communication of souls and needs no particular language, the ?sound of love? set expresses this ideology with an assortment of couple bands, pendants and bracelets with ?sound wave? engraved designs. While the ?code of love? set comes in the form of pendants can be worn as a coded message or twisted in the shape of a heart.

Spa Packages

Three Graces spa in Delhi is all set to pamper couples with their Valentine?s Day special packages crafted for creating memories on the special day. Three Graces is offering special couple spa packages including some of their signature treatments like hydra facial, brightening boost facial, aromatic full body spa etc. Packages start from Rs 5000 plus taxes.

Pullman Gurgaon Central Park is pulling out all stops to ensure that Valentine?s Day this year is a truly memorable one for couples, with the launch of their super romantic and indulgent spa packages. Couples can opt for Aromatherapy Massage with facial and floral bath at an attractive price of Rs 5999 (all inclusive/per couple) or a special spa package crafted for coffee lovers that includes back massage, coffee scrub and instant glow facial priced at Rs 4999 (all inclusive/per couple).

One of the premier wellness brands, VLCC, celebrates the day of love by offering its guests the opportunity to indulge with their loved ones.  Pamper your loved one with a Day at the spa @ Rs 6999. This includes a spa facial, an oriental therapy of 60 minutes, an organic scrub and a salt scrub manicure and pedicure, and a free blow-dry.  Additionally, surprise your partner with a VLCC gift card, which can be purchased at any VLCC centre in denominations ranging from Rs 500 to Rs 5000. The card can be redeemed for any service equivalent to the amount it contains, at any company-owned VLCC centre or spa. 

Get inked on Valentine?s Day!

The art of tattoo making has already found a lot of prominence with India seeing a meteoric rise in the numbers of patrons who have got inked. On this Valentine?s Day, Gumtoo, a newly launched designer tattoo company is offering a set of love tattoos especially to show your love for that special someone.

Body & Hair Care

Kama Ayurveda introduces a range of beautiful gift boxes, making them the perfect gift for your loved ones. The Sanobar box contains a complete range of body and hair care with the pure essential oils of cypress and orange. Rose & Jasmine box is a complete range of hair and body care with the pure essential oils of Rose and Jasmine. Rose & Jasmine face care box contains pure luxurious rose water and a gentle aloe vera based face cleanser, with the pure essential oils of Rose and Jasmine. Ayurvedic soap box is a beautiful box of handmade ayurvedic soaps with organic coconut oil and pure essential oils. Kama Ayurveda?s beautifully designed and packaged products are available at Khan Market, New Delhi, DLF Place Saket, New Delhi, Galleria, Gurgaon and Quest Mall, Kolkata.

International brand L?OCCITANE is offering Valentine?s Day special hampers for your loved one. The products are available at all L?OCCITANE Stores across the country. Get your ladies the Verbena gift hamper, which includes a shower gel, body lotion and a shea soap. She will also like the Neroli and Orchidee Gift set, which includes Eau de Toilette, shower gel and body milk lotion. Ladies you can gift your men the L'OCCITANE gift set, which includes a shaving gel shaving balm, shower gel and Eau De Toilette.

Out of the Box

Renaisaance Homez introduces a range of brilliant luxurious gifts for your beloved this Valentine?s. The collection sees an exotic variety of international brands. Available throughout February, this splendorous collection has distinctive ?for him?, ?for her? and ?for both? collections. The ?for him?collection has bar ware, paper weights, lamps, coasters and card holders in modern and elegant crystal cut designs The ?for her? collection has ring holders, vases and candle sticks to offer her unique and rich presents.  The ?for both? collection consists of remarkable pieces of photo frames in matte textures and carvings, vases, bath ware set, glasses, candle holders and chandeliers etc.

Shop online from Shopoclick.com. From jewelry to fashion accessories, hair styling products, books to movies, music, perfumes, apparels, shoes, mobiles, Shopoclick offers a plethora of stylish yet essential products, which are surely going to be a trendsetters this season.

Engrave your Love with Baggit

Gift a customized souvenir to your loved one and also a little something for yourself. Walk into any exclusive Baggit store to woo your special someone by customizing his/her name on wallets for free. This offer is valid on a joint purchase of two wallets; one each from men?s and women?s collection.

Omega-- 24th and the last letter of the Greek alphabet. The alpha and the omega --the beginning and the end. Omega remains synonymous with accomplishment, finishing, perfection, maximum, crowning achievement and excellence.

History--
Is packed with unique achievements in watch making history.

O as in Olympics 1905-2005--

Has been an official timekeeping of the Olympic games using chronographs and stopwatches with a flybackhand;
Quartz technology was introduced with the time recorder;

Introduced the world's first semi-automatic timing device, the swim Eight-o-Matic timer for swimming competition;
invented Omega scope -a time keeping device which allowed the time of each competitor followed by the camera to be superimposed on the TV screen;

First 100 per cent electronic timekeeping in the world;

Iinvented the contact pads for swimming competitions;

Invented the giant video matrix;

Invented the scan'o'vision using electronic imagery, a low cost and popular version of the photofinishing camera;

Launched Marine with a double case, the first divers watch;

Launched self winding Seamaster 1000m;

Launched Sea master's professional chrono diver, the world's first diver's chronograph with pushbuttons that functioned down to a depth of 300m.