By Papri Das

When Seeksherpa co-founder Dhruv Raj Gupta began his career with Google, he had no idea that wanderlust would take his professional life to a completely different arena. Both keen travellers, Dhruv and his partner Sukhmani noticed how eagerly they interacted with the locals on their college trips. ?It gave us an insight in their lives and allowed us to understand a new city better than any travelogue or guide,? says Gupta. 

 Moreover, the touch of familiarity that comes from knowing a local is something that a concierge at a five star can?t provide. ?When we visit a restaurant and the chef would come to speak with us or when the locals guided us on what to order, it was a whole new experience altogether,? he adds.

It was on trek to Triund when the duo finally woke up to the idea of launching a start-up travel site that is based off the same concept. ?We lost our way during the trip, until a dog guided us to the hilltop. This incident motivated us to create a platform where locals would get an opportunity to offer their skills and knowledge and travellers a chance to utilise these skills to have a better time,? Gupta informs. An avid traveller, so far Gupta has travelled extensively across northern India, Egypt, California, Nevada, Florida and New York. Speaking about this most memorable trip out of these, Gupta says, ?I spent three months in California. I mostly travelled by bus and train along the west coast. There, I met a variety of people, some of whom were complete strangers, some of whom I bonded with over conversations on cultures and traditions, which has inspired me greatly in customising Seeksherpa.?

 The one year old company Seeksherpa has already garnered positive reviews, and has expanded itself to different digital platforms as well. While that's good news for Gupta as an entrepreneur, the traveller inside him has taken a toll, unfortunately.?I don't think I've taken a long trip since I started SeekSherpa so whatever I've done before has been an effort to get to the SeekSherpa way of travelling,? he says. 

However, he's not complaining as he relives the travel experiences of all those who share their stories in Seeksherpa. ?We really like when travellers come out of their cocoon and talk about how the micro tour showed them places they would have never seen or about how they have been living in their city for 30 years, passed by the same things every day, until SeekSherpa came in and brought alive everyday moments,? quips the young entrepreneur.  

And that's not the only way Gupta satiates his wanderlust. ?These days, I have become a traveller in my own city. I have learnt and understood so much about Delhi alone that the traveller in me wonders whether travel is really about transporting oneself or about exploring one's surroundings,? he adds in parting.

By Papri Das

Celebrated playwright George Bernard Shaw?s famous quote: ?A life spent making mistakes is not only more honorable, but more useful than a life spent doing nothing,? resonates deeply with TravelXP HD and Media Worldwide Limited CEO Prashant Chothani, who began his career as a cable operator.

From climbing numerous floors every day to set up cable connections in houses, pioneering the movement to get cable TV legalized, formulating the revenue system for film and music advertisement in television, to launching a TV channel on a patriotic spur ? his last two decades in the industry have shown him some dramatic crest and troughs.

In this heart to heart chat with Indiantelevision.com's Exec Lifestyle, Chothani opens up on his early days in the industry, launching India?s first HD travel channel, and why he will always be a "Zeeian," even after parting ways with the Zee Network.

Excerpts:

You are credited with launching India's first and only High Definition travel channel TravelXP. How did you come up with the concept?

TravelXP is close to my heart for more reasons than one. When we conceived the concept of an Indian travel channel, we didn?t see it as a business venture. The idea came to us from an unfortunate personal experience that my family and I faced while travelling in one of the European countries. There, we came across someone who had strong negative opinion about India and was unabashedly vocal about it. This left a lasting impact on us, specially our son, who naturally asked me why others have a very one dimensional view of our country.

After some thought, I realized it wasn?t the foreigner?s fault for not being informed about India?s beauty, when most international and even national media show us in bad light. While there is a need to report the bad, there should be a platform, which focuses on the good, beautiful and updated India as well. TravelXP comes from this very thought. 

What challenges did you face when launching a travel channel in India?

Since a travel channel was far removed from what we had been doing so far, it was a huge risk to take with so much at stake. We needed to understand the market well and also the viewers. Getting the right infrastructure to create content that is at par with international standards was the first of many challenges. We travelled across India extensively, and shot big - small, known - un-known, all kinds of places. In the process, I was surprised to find many hidden gems of sites that India has to offer to travellers.
This came through to our viewers both here and abroad through our shows. I am proud to say that TravelXP is probably the only Indian travel channel, which has a vast international reach with a completely Indian production team.

Many don?t know that you left home to pursue your dreams. Tell us about your early days in the industry.

Following the tried and tested career path didn?t sit well with me, so I left home and started working as a cable operator. Those days, I used to climb 300 floors every day, to fix networks for different providers in Mumbai. It was around that time that the film industry started raising issues over screening movies on the small screen, and the matter even went to the court. I was part of the group who stood up against the film industry?s monopoly over entertainment and rooted for legalizing cable TV. In 1988 a case was filed in the Mumbai High Court -- film industry and others VS me and others -- on the same issue. After a long struggle, the court ruled in our favour that cable television was not illegal and cable operators would have to get a copyright license to air movies on their network. That was a crucial decision that determined the future of cable TV, and was also a turning point in my career.

After seeing the industry going from being  legalised to organised, I should have been in the broadcast business since the legalisation of cable TV, why only in 2004? I question myself on this sometimes. But looking back now, it was worth it. 

Who is your role model in the industry?

I always consider Subhash Chandra from Zee network as my role model, and a father figure. When he launched Zee Television Network, Subhash ji was of the opinion that we should be supportive of the film industry. He was of the opinion that a lot of talent would flow to Bollywood from the television industry and that is exactly how it is today. What he envisioned years ago has fallen into place now. His show Dr Subhash Chandra Show on Zee News is one of the shows I watch even today. Not just in media, but anyone who wants to be inspired to do something special must watch the show.

You had a long standing relationship with Zee Network before launching your own channels. What was working with the Zee Network like?

Another landmark in the broadcast industry was when Subhash ji launched Zee Television network, and I had the opportunity to associate with it since day one. Since Zee was facing similar challenges that we faced with cable TV legalization, they approached me with an offer to address the problem together. My suggestion was to formulate a system that assured the industry that television and films could co-exist. Providing air time to film trailers at a cheaper rate to promote films was one of them. We introduced the concept of airing trailers and songs from movies on television. The feedback was tremendous and production houses soon realised that rather than fighting against us, accepting us and making use of the platform to their advantage was a wiser decision.

This started our long running association with Zee Network, till 2006. I and my wife who joined me later, were never employees of Zee, but independent associates by the name of Celebrities Management Private ltd (which runs TravelXP now), and looked after the film and music business of the entire Zee Network, including the regional ones. But Zee was like home to us.

Are you emotional about parting ways with the Zee Network?

In 2006, when we parted ways with Zee, it was an emotional moment for me and my wife. We felt like kids whose parents have kicked them out of home. It was one of the saddest moments of our lives, and it took us a month to get over it. During our long running stint with Zee, we had offers from other channels to provide the same service that we did for Zee, but we felt morally committed to Zee. So not as employees but as another independent company, we held on to Zee. Now, from a business point of view it might have been a naive decision, but I don?t regret it. We could have continued the same business with a different network, but we chose otherwise. We wanted to keep that moral commitment to Zee intact. And then we entered into broadcast on our own with Music India.

What is your current equation with Zee Network?

My relationship with Zee, Subhash ji or Puneet (Goenka) never soured. We never had differences on a personal level to begin with. It was more functional. And after 15 years, you can?t call them disagreements. Granted, people did try to take advantage of the situation, but by God?s grace, we never got taken in by that, and neither did anyone in Zee. I always say that a Zeeian dies a Zeeian.

How did Sangeet Bangla and Sangeet Bhojpuri come about?

While I was still with Zee, there were many occasions when I would fly to Kolkata and meet producers like Shree Venkatesh Films, SK Movies etc. I had always found Bengalis very musical, and was surprised to know that almost every household had a harmonium. It always made me wonder why there wasn?t a regional music channel there. In fact, I even suggested to the then business head of Zee Bangla Aditya Ray, to consider starting a Bengali music channel under Zee?s banner. But the plan never saw the light of the day. When we wanted to start something of our own, we called back on that idea and zeroed down on a Bengali music channel.

I called for a meeting in Kolkata with artists, producers and people from media, and asked what they expect from a Bengali music channel as a platform to showcase their talent. I could feel their excitement and after a discussion we soon crystallized the concept for Sangeet Bangla. The biggest challenge was to turn the young Bengali?s attention to their regional film music instead of Hindi songs and Bollywood. It took a great deal of effort but I can proudly claim that over the last 10 years, Sangeet Bangla as a channel has been instrumental in shaping Tollywood and Bengali commercial films to what it is today.

Our idea behind the other venture, Sangeet Bhojpuri was also the same, which has yet to show the same result like Sangeet Bangla, but we are working on it.

By Papri Das

When you take names like Madhuri Dixit and Terence Lewis in the same breath, you already know that you?re in for an epic dance show! This World International Dance Day, the two have come together to celebrate contemporary dance with a one of its kind dance festival in India - Jugnee.

So what makes this experience unique from the numerous dance festivals that happen round the year? Festival curator Terence Lewis throws light on it. ?In India and more so in Mumbai, we hardly have any ?only dance? festival and having one solely on contemporary dance is non-existent. Moreover, the dance community in India and Mumbai works in isolation and are unaware of the opportunities they have for themselves. Jugnee provides a platform to these dance enthusiasts to come together, interact and learn from each other, whether they are professionals, choreographers, trainers or amateurs.?

A five day non-profit festival, Jugnee offers a miscellanea of activities for dance lovers like workshops by international and national teachers, emerging artist, panel discussions, film and documentary screening, etc, that builds up a ?D Positive? (dance positive) atmosphere in Mumbai.

?Our efforts have been to keep this festival completely non-profit with minimum ticket prices for the performances. We are also granting a fully funded scholarship to one of the deserving participant of Jugnee, who will get the chance to go to Impulstanz International Dance Festival in Vienna,? shares Lewis.

An icon of dance in India, Dixit?s name is synonymous with talent grace and beauty! Since it is Mumbai's first indo contemporary dance festival, there?s no one better than this Mumbai girl, who gave dance respect and dignified it with her performance. Delighted at having her onboard with the festival, Lewis says, ?Madhuri has always supported dance and young artists selflessly, and seeing the potential this dance festival has as a platform to bring together various dancers from all over the country, she readily agreed to be part of the festival.?

Lewis is also working closely with Dixit in her free dance tutorial app (Dance With Madhuri: DWM). The main focus of the festival is to bridge the gap between international teachers and emerging dancers of India and provide guidance and opportunities on dance as a career. Splendid performances by the talented dancers from well-established companies as well as emerging artistes in the field are also in store at the festival.

The five-days of the festival will be held at the following venues across Mumbai:

? 29 April: NCPA

? 30 April: Prithvi Theatre

? 1 May: St Andrews

? 2 May: Social (Meet & Greet)

? 3 May: Equal street walk (Dancing on the streets)

This episode of Talking Point with your new host Papri Das, gets you up and personal with the dynamic Chief Marketing Officer of Housing.com, Pratik Seal. Well-known for his successful stints in varied platforms like technology and broadcast media, Pratik shares how he closely relates to the brands he has represented so far -- be it Micromax, Vodafone, Star India or Housing.com.

In this candid chat, he opens up on his efforts to get more family time, how working with a young team can be both fun and challenging, why he dislikes the word ?advice?, and how a Chemistry graduate from Kolkata ended up in marketing.

By Papri Das

With meetings galore and deadlines hovering over almost all corporate executives, the fast paced digital world makes it a lot easier for them to manage their schedule and at the same time keep up with what?s happening around the world.

Executives are constantly on the lookout for new and innovative technologies to keep their lives updated and efficient. With an increased dependency on mobile gadgets, applications that rev up their devices become essential. However, the dilemma lies in choosing the right one from an array of apps that are at our disposal for the same function. As Colors CEO Raj Nayak points out, ?Keeping a tight list of apps for varied purposes is better than having a long list with overlapping functions.?

Nayak shares with Indiantelevision.com?s Exec Lifestyle, the top mobile apps that are absolutely a must for him.

Twitter and Facebook:

As a media executive, it is essential to stay in tune with the world, and at the same time keep track of what is trending nationally. So naturally the first app that comes to Nayak?s mind is Twitter. It is fast, informative and to the point? something that a person with a thousand agendas a day can appreciate.

Moreover its use varies from person to person. While a college student will sign in for entertainment, for a media executive it?s a powerful tool to reach out to the consumers. Similarly, Facebook, according to Nayak, has evolved from being a contact log of sorts to a window to the world.

Instagram:

?A picture can say a thousand words? and that stands true for Instagram, which is second on the list of apps that Nayak can't do without. While it has its appeal as a professional tool, for Nayak it?s more a personal referendum that helps him keep up with the little nothings in the lives of his friends and family.

Periscope:

This powerful and fairly new app takes citizen journalism to the next level. It basically allows you to see the world from a different perspective and being a media personality, its appeal was not lost on Nayak. Essentially, Periscope is a live streaming app that is available on both Android and iOS platform. While it benefits by allowing us to share visual experience at an alarming speed, it also leaves us vulnerable to many breach of privacy crimes. That being said, Nayak would definitely recommend this app to young media enthusiasts.

Whatsapp:

Nayak agrees that the Whatsapp app has replaced his ?old school? texting habits and it?s easier to chat, send files and multimedia attachments on the same platform. He especially appreciates the group broadcast feature that allows him to pass on important messages in a jiffy to multiple contacts.

Buzz Feed:

It truly goes by the principle of ?something for everyone? and perfect for those who have less time at hand to go through detailed reports. As per Nayak, what makes it even more efficient is the internal sorting program, which mostly blinks relevant information to you, so that you don't have to weed through the Internet junk.

Apart from these primary apps, Nayak also shares that he subscribes to various news and media house apps. Watch this space for more lists from executives who share the Top five essentials from various categories.

By Papri Das

The past week saw Mumbaikars break into a series of multi-cultural festivities - be it the Bengalis bringing in their Naba Barsha (New Year) with Pohela Boishakh, the Assamese honouring their spring harvest with Bohaag Bihu, the colourful Punjabis rejoicing over Baisakhi, which also marks the founding day of the Sikh Khalsa, the Malayalis from Kerala ringing in their New Year ?Vishu? with auspicious sights, or the people hailing from Tamil Nadu decorating their homes with Vilakku Kolam (rangoli) to welcome their New Year or Varsha Pirappu.

Each one of these festivals have their own customs, rituals and cultural activities, which give them their own unique flavour. And none of them are complete without trying a lavish spread of their own regional cuisine. But how does one have the gustatory experience of home, when they are staying miles away in Mumbai? To save you from this predicament, and allow you to try the mouth watering delicacies of these regions, Indiantelevision.com Exec Lifestyle has compiled a list of popular restaurants in Mumbai that are known for serving authentic regional cuisine.

Taste of Tamil Nadu:

Cafe Madras: If you are up for a wholesome Tamil breakfast complete with a sumptuous variety of idli, dosa, sambar, coconut chutney and vada, Cafe Madras is where you must head to. This pocket friendly kiosk at King's Circle, Matunga East, has a wide range of options to choose from. Although not associated with their New Year preparations, we definitely recommend their filter coffee and raagi dosa as must haves from the menu.

Cost: Rs 250 for two.

Dakshin Culture Curry: As their tag goes ?when culture met curry?, dining experience at Dakshin Culture Curry Lokhandwala Road, Andheri West comes with a promise of authentic flavours of South India, including Kerala and Tamil Nadu, served with a dash of their vibrant pop culture. Their Chettinad recipes are praise worthy, and so are their quirky menu cards, which have cut outs of popular actors from Kollywood and Mollywood films.

Cost for two: Rs 1500

Taste of Punjab:

The Great Punjab: This has been an all time favourite of those Mumbaikars who have a taste for Punjabi recipes beyond Makkai Ki Roti, Sarso Ka saag, and tandoori chicken, cause authentic Punjabi food is so much more diverse. Not just regulars from the city, but this restaurant at Linking Road, Bandra West, enjoys patrons from all parts of India, who never fail to drop by when visiting the city. With gorgeous interior and soothing lighting, it completes your fine dining experience with a valet service at the door.

Cost for two: Rs 1000 (non alcoholic)

Kailash Parbat: If you are looking for something less taxing on your wallet, then you must try Kailash Parbat at New Link Road, Lokhandwala, Andheri West. With a more casual and laid back approach, it is an ideal place to hit with both family and with friends. Although they serve dishes from all parts of India, they are mostly known for their expertise in cooking authentic Punjabi recipes. We also recommend you to tickle your taste buds with the chaats on their menu.

Cost for two: Rs 600

Taste of Bengal:

Bhojohori Manna: For all the Bengalis living in Mumbai, Bhajahari Manna, is a solace of sorts answering their cravings for home food. It has built its reputation not just with stunning interior designing and visuals, but also by staying consistent with their quality of food and word of mouth publicity. Be it their mouth watering recipes with fish (Bhetki Batter Fry and Shorshe Ilish) on Non-veg or the wide range typical bengali vegetarian preparation like Mochar Ghonto and Alu Posto, their tasteful preparations with transport you to the streets of Kolkata.

Cost for two: Rs 600

Bijoli Grill: If you are looking for a more colourful place with a youthful approach, try Bijoli Grill. Starting from Pona Shorshe (A fish recipe) to Chingri Machher Malai Curry (Prawns cooked in coconut milk), their carefully curated menu will leave you spoilt for choices. It goes without saying that finishing your meal without your choice of desserts from their bengali sweet menu will leave your experience incomplete. To top it off, their interior is artistically colorful and makes for a great fine dining experience.

Cost for two: Rs1200

Taste of Kerala:

Lalit Refreshment: A favourite amongst many Malayaalis living in the city, this restaurant Near City Bank, Fort, is built in a canteen style, which, combined with friendly management and waiters, puts you immediately at ease, especially if its your first time at the place. Known for their typical Kerala style of service, the food you order here is preceded by Karingali Vellam (Ayurvedic herbs with warm water), which is good for digestion. On the menu you have a variety of fish recipes to choose from, which are generally cooked spicy. If you are a fan of Kerala snacks, you might want to take home some of their homemade snack varieties like banana chips, kappa and daal wada.

Cost for two: RS 400

South of Vindhyas - The Orchid: This pan-South Indian restaurant is known for its minimalistic approach in their interior designing brilliantly contrasted with an extensive list of choices on their food menu. If you hail from Kerala and miss the authentic flavours of their curries and masalas, South of Vindhyas will surely satiate your cravings.

Cost: The buffets ranges from Rs 1000 to Rs 1500

Taste of Assam:

Bhogdoi: Perhaps the only restaurant in the heart of Mumbai city, which has exclusive menu for Assamese cuisine, Bhogdoi is a familiar name amongst those who have a liking for the distinct taste of Assamese preparations. If you don?t have something specific in mind and would like a to taste a bit of all, we suggest you to go with their authentic Assamese thalis, which comes in both veg and non-veg (including a variety of choices of fishes and Assamese chicken curry). Cost for two: Rs 400

Now that you know where to go to get your fix of regional cuisine, we hope you make great memories eating out with your friends and family!