The Ultimate Pride Month Book List

The Ultimate Pride Month Book List

This Pride Month, Hachette Book Publishing India Pvt Ltd has gathered some of the best books featuring LGBTQIA+ characters and experiences. Less by Andrew Sean Greer WHO SAYS YOU CAN’T RUN AWAY FROM YOUR PROBLEMS? Arthur Less is a failed novelist about to turn fifty. A wedding invitation arrives in the post: it is from an ex-boyfriend of nine years who is engaged to someone else. Arthur can’t say yes – it would be too awkward; he can’t say no – it would look like defeat. So, he begins to accept the invitations on his desk to half-baked literary events around the world. From France to India, Germany to Japan, Arthur almost falls in love, almost falls to his death, and puts miles between him and the plight he refuses to face. Less is a novel about mishaps, misunderstandings and the depths of the human heart. WINNER OF THE PULITZER PRIZE FOR FICTION 2018 The Color Purple by Alice Walker The classic, PULITZER PRIZE-winning novel that made Alice Walker a household name. Set in the deep American South between the wars, THE COLOR PURPLE is the classic tale of Celie, a young black girl born into poverty and segregation. Raped repeatedly by the man she calls ‘father’, she has two children taken away from her, is separated from her beloved sister Nettie and is trapped into an ugly marriage. But then she meets the glamorous Shug Avery, singer and magic-maker – a woman who has taken charge of her own destiny. Gradually Celie discovers the power and joy of her own spirit, freeing her from her past and reuniting her with those she loves. Fingersmith by Sarah Waters The book that inspired Park Chan-wook’s astonishing film The Handmaiden. Shortlisted for the Orange Prize and the Booker Prize London 1862. Sue Trinder, orphaned at birth, grows up among petty thieves – fingersmiths – under the rough but loving care of Mrs Sucksby and her ‘family’. But from the moment she draws breath, Sue’s fate is linked to that of another orphan growing up in a gloomy mansion not too many miles away. Tipping the Velvet by Sarah Waters Piercing the shadows of the naked stage was a single shaft of rosy limelight, and in the centre of this was a girl: the most marvellous girl – I knew it at once! – that I had ever seen. A saucy, sensuous and multi-layered historical romance, Tipping the Velvet follows the glittering career of Nan King – oyster girl turned music-hall star turned rent boy turned East End ‘tom’. Affinity by Sarah Waters ‘Affinity is the work of an intense and atmospheric imagination . . . Sarah Waters is such an interesting writer, a kind of feminist Dickens’ – Fiona PittKethley, Daily Telegraph. Set in and around the women’s prison at Milbank in the 1870s, Affinity is an eerie and utterly compelling ghost story, a complex and intriguing literary mystery and a poignant love story with an unexpected twist in the tale. Following the death of her father, Margaret Prior has decided to pursue some ‘good work’ with the lady criminals of one of London’s most notorious gaols. Surrounded by prisoners, murderers and common thieves, Margaret feels herself drawn to one of the prisons more unlikely inmates – the imprisoned spiritualist – Selina Dawes. Sympathetic to the plight of this innocent-seeming girl, Margaret sees herself dispensing guidance and perhaps friendship on her visits, little expecting to find herself dabbling in a twilight world of seances, shadows, unruly spirits and unseemly passions. The Night Watch by Sarah Waters Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize for Fiction and for the Orange Prize and the Booker Prize. Moving back through the 1940s, through air raids, blacked out streets, illicit liaisons, sexual adventure, to end with its beginning in 1941, The Night Watch is the work of a truly brilliant and compelling storyteller. This is the story of four Londoners – three women and a young man with a past, drawn with absolute truth and intimacy. Kay, who drove an ambulance during the war and lived life at full throttle, now dresses in mannish clothes and wanders the streets with a restless hunger, searching… Helen, clever, sweet, much-loved, harbours a painful secret…Viv, glamour girl, is stubbornly, even foolishly loyal, to her soldier lover… Duncan, an apparent innocent, has had his own demons to fight during the war. Their lives, and their secrets connect in sometimes startling ways. War leads to strange alliances… Tender, tragic and beautifully poignant, set against the backdrop of feats of heroism both epic and ordinary, here is a novel of relationships that offers up subtle surprises and twists. The Paying Guests by Sarah Waters Shortlisted for the Women’s Prize. This novel from the internationally bestselling author of The Little Stranger, is a brilliant ‘page-turning melodrama and a fascinating portrait of London of the verge of great change’ (Guardian). It is 1922, and London is tense. Ex-servicemen are disillusioned, the out-of-work and the hungry are demanding change. And in South London, in a genteel Camberwell villa, a large silent house now bereft of brothers, husband and even servants, life is about to be transformed, as impoverished widow Mrs Wray and her spinster daughter, Frances, are obliged to take in lodgers. For with the arrival of Lilian and Leonard Barber, a modern young couple of the ‘clerk class’, the routines of the house will be shaken up in unexpected ways. And as passions mount and frustration gathers, no one can foresee just how far-reaching, and how devastating, the disturbances will be. This is vintage Sarah Waters: beautifully described with excruciating tension, real tenderness, believable characters, and surprises. It is above all a wonderful, compelling story. Six of Crows by Leigh Bardugo *The Grishaverse will be coming to Netflix soon with Shadow and Bone, an original series!* Nominated for the CILIP Carnegie Medal 2017, this fantasy epic from the No. 1 NEW YORK TIMES bestselling author of the Grisha trilogy is gripping, sweeping and memorable –

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 French Beauty: Bora Bora

French Beauty: Bora Bora

The world has so much to offer and explore that there are so many places that we have never even heard of. Even the most minute of spaces around the earth is beautiful, surreal and could be dream destinations to tick on your bucket list. One such place is the French Polynesian group of islands- Bora Bora. Location Not a very common tourist place, it is an archipelago located around 2600 miles south of Hawaii in the Pacific Ocean. The real name in local dialect is “Pora Pora”, which means the firstborn. It is the most well-known and celebrated island of French Polynesia and is a leading beauty. The main island is surrounded by a lagoon and a Barrier reef. In the centre of the island lies the remains of an extinct volcano which rises in two peaks- Mount Otemanu and Mount Pahia. The main settlement of the island is Vaitape located on its western side. This island runs mainly on the basis of tourism, with very little resources of itself. Best time to visit Since the island lies in the South Pacific Ocean, the temperature is usually between 25-30°C throughout the year. Occasional sea storms or weather phenomenon usually happens around the months of November- April. However, during this time the tourist traffic is less and you may get cheap rented rooms. Ideally, the best time to visit Bora Bora is from June to October, when the temperature is fine and normal to enjoy water sports without hindrance. How to reach? Reaching Bora Bora can be a little exhausting, but fret not. Here are some suggestions for you all: From India, there are no such direct flights. The only direct flights also have a stoppage at Singapore or Auckland. This is going to be really expensive and may cost around INR 1-2 lakhs per person, from Mumbai or Delhi. All the flights will first go to Papeete and then the Air Tahiti will fly you to a small islet of Motu Mute, from where you can go to the Bora Bora Island on a boat. The cheapest way to travel from India will be to take a flight from southern India. Flight from Bangalore to New Zealand will cost around INR 45000. From there, you can go to Bora Bora on a cruise or flight. You can travel by water only when you are in any nearby island or place like Honolulu etc. Where to stay? Bora Bora is very small and thus all the hotels, resorts and overwater bungalows are very close to each other. There are numerous private islands as well, where you can honeymoon with your partner. Some ideal locations to stay can be: Sofitel Bora Bora Private Island: This exclusive island offers accommodation among the beautiful crystal-clear beach waters. Royal Bora Bora: This resort has a restaurant and has got 3-star reviews offering spacious and comfortable accommodation. Village Temanuata: This is a low-key bungalow kind of resort offering kitchens and a beach for sightseeing nearby. Maitai Polynesia Bora Bora Resort: This is the ideal budget accommodation for budget travellers, with low room rates. Pearl Beach Resort Bora Bora: This is the ideal resort for those tourists who want to experience the traditional Tahiti Architecture. Hilton Bora Bora Nui Resort and Spa: This resort cum spa offers some amazing massaging and spa services for a cosy Living. It is a 5-star deluxe property and provides a luxurious residence. Destinations and Places to see The place has a lot to offer in terms of major tourist attractions. Do take a look at all these below-listed destinations: Matira Beach: This is the most famous beach in Bora Bora and also around the whole world. It is a public beach and has been even labelled as the most beautiful of all beaches. It has pure white sands and aqua, turquoise waters which make it look heavenly. It is not very crowded and people can watch Sunset and do water sports over here. There are many cafés and restaurants around it, serving local food. The Matira point on this beach is famous for a heavenly view of the Sunset with pink and orange hues in the background. Mount Pahia: This is the second-highest mountain peak on the Island and is located in the centre of the island. Tourists can take a boat ride around the mountain and enjoy the natural beauty of the place. The peak remains shrouded in the white clouds and around it is the beautiful Pacific waters. White Valley: As the name suggests, it is a paradise for all the diving lovers with its alluring white sands all around. This valley has much to offer in terms of rich coral and marine life and has many exotic sand dunes, shells and coral formations. Various types of fishes are also found here. Leopard Rays Trench: This is another diving site, wherein people can go underwater and watch the giant, amazing Manta Rays. The white bottom has many wonderful creatures whom you can watch and click on your camera too. Maupiti: It is a small coral atoll which has a volcanic island in the middle. Maupiti is known for its raw beauty and has interesting angles from where you can see the surroundings from the highest peak of this place. There are other sites like Mount Otemanu on which you can go for rock climbing or trekking. There are many war memorial sites too which depict the role of Bora Bora in World War II. Local Cuisine The Bora Bora has a unique cuisine with the intermixing of Japanese, French and Italian Styles. There are many restaurants in this Island along with some local Street side stalls as well. The food is made in ovens which are dug deep inside the ground. After the raw food is wrapped in Banana leaves, it is made to cook in-ground for hours. This type of feast is called Tamaaraa. Since it is an island, the main diet food is fish. Poisson

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 City doctors warn against usage of mask during exercise or running

City doctors warn against usage of mask during exercise or running

With the Health department planning to open jogging tracks inside apartments, it will soon be a common scene to find people back on jogging tracks inside apartment complexes with masks on. Currently, many joggers and runners are flocking parks and roads with masks on. However, the city doctors say that it is not a nice idea to wear masks. Well-known pulmonologist Dr. Ganesh Pratap from Prakriya hospital said, “If you are an athlete or a regular jogger with no pre-existing lung or heart disease, then exercise up to brisk walk and yoga are accepted. But definitely not running and jogging with masks on. Because during exercise, our muscles demands 20 times more oxygen supply. To supply this need, heart and lungs together work at 20 times to supply the demand. As we breathe air through our nose, wearing mask will be like obstacle and causes throttling which constrains the immediate need of oxygen supply.” Dr Suriraju (Medical Director of Regal Hospital) said, “Any mask reduces the flow of air and hence reduces the blood oxygen levels. One can become more easily fatigued while exercising with face mask. This is because of reduced oxygen to muscles and as compensation body uses a different method (anaerobic or oxygen-free metabolism) to produce the required energy. However, over a period of time, the body tries to compensate and becomes increasingly efficient to utilise the available oxygen. Exercising with a mask is like an extra layer of stress on the body that may be useful to some or detrimental to others.” He also added that the individual may get certain specific symptoms such as light headless, tingling, numbness, breathlessness. This may occur more frequently during the initial period of starting to exercise. The symptoms may reduce when the body gets adjusted to the new mode of exercising. Regal Hospital’s intensivist Dr Shashi Bhaskara said, “The need for exercising depends on what the individual has been accustomed to. Reduced exercises for an individual who has a vigorous fitness regimen or lack of exercises for someone with minimal workout regimen before the pandemic may cause harm to the body. This harm may be anything form just unhealthy weight gain with its accompanied medical complications to psychological disturbances due to the change in routine. The pandemic situation may last for a while and one cannot wait for it to end to stay healthy. Adequate exercises have always been beneficial for health.” Neeraj Lal (vice-president and cluster-head of Rainbow Children’s Hospital) suggested that it was better to exercise in home as much as possible, there won’t be any need of using mask if your home is not over crowded. “If you want to exercise outside home, prefer areas where no one is there or you are socially distanced for more than 10 mts and you can unmask yourself and continue your workouts. But as soon as you come across people, one should have to wear their mask back,” he said suggesting that house hold works are the best replacement for gym workouts. Doing yoga at stagnant place or slow walk is well accepted. Cardio workouts requiring high calorie burn should be avoided wearing mask especially in elderly and pre-existing diseases. Always prefer open areas to exercise where one can unmask and do their work outs.

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 Top 10 Experiences in the Countryside of Philadelphia

Top 10 Experiences in the Countryside of Philadelphia

From the battlefields of the American Revolution to the expansive gardens, from tax-free shopping on branded clothes and shoes to exciting outdoors and golf courses, and also world-class dining, there is more to the Countryside of Philadelphia than you can imagine. Elmwood Park Zoo Elmwood Park Zoo currently maintains a collection of over 100 species that hail from all over the globe. Highlights of the collection include giraffes, zebras, bald and golden eagles, jaguars, and red pandas. A number of species in the collection are managed pursuant to an international SSP (Species Survival Plan). The zoo also showcases several significant wildlife conservation success stories, such as the American bison, peregrine falcon, bald eagle, and American alligator. Longwood Gardens Nestled in the Countryside of Philadelphia, also popularly known as America’s Garden Capital, the Longwood Gardens is often named among one of the world’s great gardens. The Longwood Gardens is often called the world’s premier horticultural showplace. Spanning across 1077 acres of woodlands, majestic gardens, a 4.5-acre opulent conservatory among others, and dancing fountains, this masterpiece is ranked as the largest display gardens in the United States. Open around the year, explore the different colors of nature across different seasons, and also enjoy the dining experiences located in the gardens. Also not to miss is the extraordinary show of the dancing fountains. Brandywine Battlefield Park The Brandywine Battlefield Park is the site where the Battle of Brandywine was fought on September 11, 1777, during the American Revolution. The Brandywine Battlefield offers visitors a 20-minute movie on the history of the battle, a museum and two historic house tours seasonally. Brandywine Battlefield Historic Site is a National Historic Landmark. King of Prussia Mall One of America’s most iconic shopping malls and one of the largest malls in the East Coast of the USA, King of Prussia Mall draws visitors from throughout the world. With 7 department stores and a collection of luxury retailers unsurpassed in the region, King of Prussia is a premier shopping and dining experience not to be missed. At King of Prussia, you’ll find offerings for every taste and budget, from luxury to your favorite national and international brand retailers. LEGOLAND® Discovery Center LEGOLAND® Discovery Center is the ultimate indoor LEGO® play experience. Families can enjoy a world of creativity, color, and building fun in the ultimate indoor LEGO playground with features including local landmarks made from over a million LEGO bricks in MINILAND® to a fun and exciting LEGO themed ride. Families can also watch their favorite LEGO characters come to life in the 4D Cinema. Then get hands-on with the thousands of LEGO bricks in themed build-and-play areas where children can bring their imaginative LEGO creations to life. Valley Forge National Historical Park The focal point of Valley Forge attractions is the 3,500-acre Valley Forge National Historical Park. It was here that General George Washington forged his Continental Army into a fighting force, during the difficult winter encampment of 1777-78. Today, the park is a lush, 3,500-acre expanse of rolling hillsides dotted with flowering dogwood trees. Washington’s original stone headquarters has been restored and furnished; log huts have been reconstructed; and statues and monuments throughout the park that remind visitors of their national heritage. The Park is also extremely popular for walking and biking trails The Brandywine Artisan Wine Trail The perfect wine tasting experience, all located in close proximity, these Chester County wineries offer the very best in Pennsylvania wines. Each with estate grown vineyards, state-of-the-art wine-making facilities and a new generation of young passionate award-winning winemakers dedicated to making exceptional, unique wines. Explore the wineries, vineyards, and wine bars that form part of the Brandywine Artisan Wine Trail and celebrate the art of wine and the artistic heritage of the beautiful Brandywine Region.  They present artisanal themes every month during the year for your enjoyment. Hot-Air Balloon Rides Experience the exhilaration of flight over the Schuylkill River Valley in a hot air balloon. The United States Hot Air Balloon Team is the area’s official hot air ballooning service, fully staffed with their own experienced pilots who take you up in their own hot-air balloons. They manage, guide, and direct your entire experience from booking through the champagne toast at the end of your flight. Golfing The Countryside boasts of over 60 golf courses in the region with a mix of public and private clubs, historic courses rich in history and beautiful new greens, and golf courses that can challenge golfers of every skill level. Brandywine River Museum of Art Discover an outstanding collection of American art housed in a 19th century mill overlooking the banks of the Brandywine River. The Museum’s outstanding Heritage Collection is a cross section of American art, with a special focus on artistic practises in the Brandywine valley. Nineteenth- and twentieth-century landscape paintings testify to the beauty which drew well-known artists to the area. Important portraits, still-life paintings and notable holdings in American illustration add diversity and breadth to this unique collection.

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 One Adventure at a Time

One Adventure at a Time

Destination NSW today releases its list of top NSW travel experiences, 213 Ways to Reboot 2020 in NSW, so travellers can make the most of the 213 days that remain in the year and start planning their ultimate trip to Sydney and New South Wales. Supporting the latest phase of the NSW Government’s tourism recovery campaign, Now’s The Time to Love NSW, the list of 213 NSW travel adventures depicts an array of diverse and unique experiences across the state, curated by the travel interest areas that have made NSW the number one Australian state for holidaymakers. As part of this latest phase, Destination NSW will also be executing a social media campaign targeted to the international markets of the USA, UK, New Zealand and India, which will showcase inspirational destinations from around Sydney and NSW, to help consumers with their future dreaming and planning. “We hope that this list of NSW travel experiences encourages global visitors to love NSW once again, and start planning to visit as many of the incredible towns, sights and experiences that the state offers,” said Steve Cox, Chief Executive Officer, Destination NSW. Launching on VisitNSW.com, 213 Ways to Reboot NSW in 2020, is the ultimate source of information and inspiration for anyone planning to travel within or to NSW, showcasing travel experiences which are continually ranked highly by global travel guides and travellers. “Whether it is sailing on Sydney Harbour, hiking through the Blue Mountains, surfing in Byron Bay, diving with marine life on the South Coast, or drinking an award-winning drop from one of our 14 wine regions, people come to NSW from all over the world in search of the awe-inspiring adventures that are available to us right now in NSW. “Now’s the time to start dreaming and planning to make up for lost time once you are able to visit Sydney and NSW again,” Mr Cox said. More than 102 NSW destinations, 131 operators, 37 hotels and other accommodations, 28 national parks, 19 animal encounters and more, feature as part of the stellar line-up. Highlights of the list include: Only in NSW Hire a yacht and sail on spectacular Sydney Harbour, stopping in at some of the harbour’s most beautiful beaches, accessible only by boat. Head to Bondi, Australia’s most famous beach, for a surf lesson with Let’s Go Surfing and lunch at Icebergs Dining Room & Bar. Explore Lord Howe Island, home to the world’s southernmost coral reef, and endangered and endemic bird life – the island is one of the most unspoilt and sustainable paradises on the planet. Animal Encounters Swim with whales with Dive Jervis Bay, from August to November as whales make their way along ‘Humpback Highway’. Swim, snorkel and dive with seals in the crystal-clear waters of Montague Island, just off the coast of Narooma. Visit Australia’s only Koala Hospital in Port Macquarie, on NSW’s mid North Coast, which treats around 250 sick and injured koalas a year. Outdoor Adventures Make a splash in NSW’s iconic ocean pools – there are 100 along the coast, including the Merewether Baths and Bogey Hole in Newcastle, Bermagui Blue Hole and Yamba Rock Pool. Go hiking in the Blue Mountains on one of the many trails and snap a selfie in front of the Three Sisters. Find out if you have what it takes to make it down Australia’s longest ski run, Thredbo’s Crackenback Supertrail. Food & Wine Dine under the sails of Sydney Opera House at Bennelong Restaurant and order chef Peter Gilmore’s stunning dessert, inspired by the iconic building itself. Enjoy freshly shucked Sydney Rock oysters straight from the farm gate on the NSW South Coast. Sip Australia’s most awarded semillon at Tyrrell’s Winery in the Hunter Valley, Australia’s oldest wine region. Art & Culture Watch the sunset at The Living Desert Sculptures in Broken Hill, an outdoor art collection of 12 sandstone sculptures created by artists from around the world. Explore the Art Gallery of New South Wales, one of the largest public galleries in Australia and home to 2,000+ Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander artworks. Discover Murray Art Museum Albury (MAMA) on the banks of the mighty Murray River in Albury. Aboriginal Experiences Change your life on NSW’s South Coast with an immersive cultural tour run by Ngaran Ngaran Cultural Awareness at Narooma – learn about the Yuin people and dreamtime stories of Mount Gulaga. View the Walls of China in Mungo National Park in Outback NSW, dramatic formations sculpted by wind and erosion, where 36,000-year-old relics of ancient Aboriginal culture have been discovered. See Aboriginal rock art and hear Dreamtime stories about the culture and mythology of Mutawintji Historic Site near Broken Hill in outback NSW. Take a quad tour of the Stockton Sand Dunes with Sand Dune Adventures through Worimi land. “213 Ways to Reboot 2020 in NSW list is a valuable resource to anyone wanting to reclaim 2020, offering travellers a different adventure for every single day that is left of this year,” Mr Cox said.

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 The Story of Plastic

The Story of Plastic

This World Environment Day on 5th June 2020, Discovery, Discovery HD and recently launched app Discovery Plus will showcase ‘THE STORY OF PLASTIC’, a look at the man-made crisis of plastic pollution and the worldwide effect it has on the health of our planet and the people that inhabit it. Spanning three continents, the film illustrates the ongoing catastrophe: fields full of garbage, veritable mountains of trash; rivers and seas clogged with waste; and skies choked with the poisonous emissions from plastic production and processing. An official selection of Mill Valley Film Festival (Audience Award winner) and 2019 DOC NYC, THE STORY OF PLASTIC features interviews with experts and activists on the frontlines of the fight, revealing the disastrous consequences of the flood of plastic smothering ecosystems and poisoning communities around the world –and the global movement rising up in response. With engaging original animation, archival industry footage starting in the 1930s, and first-person accounts of the unfolding emergency, the film distills a complex problem that is increasingly affecting the planet’s and its residents’ well-being. “The issues highlighted in THE STORY OF PLASTIC illuminate how the decisions made locally can affect us globally,” says Nancy Daniels, Chief Brand Officer, Discovery and Factual.  “We are eager to highlight the solutions laid out in the film that will help make our world a cleaner and healthier place to live.” “It was always a priority for us to find the film a home that would amplify the important messages and voices in THE STORY OF PLASTIC,” states filmmaker Deia Schlosberg, “and Discovery is an ideal partner to make that happen. We are absolutely thrilled to work with the team there to bring the film to audiences across the U.S. and beyond.” “I have been passionate about this issue for over ten years. The Story of Plastic’s film team has worked tirelessly to show us the truth of what plastic is doing to our planet – the whole planet,” explains co-executive producer and award-winning musician Jackson Browne. “I am proud to be a part of bringing this important film to Discovery.” THE STORY OF PLASTIC shines a light on the environmental damage and human rights abuses that occur throughout the entire life cycle of plastic – not just once it’s disposed of. The messaging around plastic has for decades been controlled by the plastic producers, who have deliberately focused on plastic waste. The film reveals how the plastics industry is simultaneously blaming wasteful consumers for plastic pollution and aggressively investing to produce more single-use plastic than ever before. Reclaiming the narrative, the film highlights that while cleanup is important to understanding the situation, the real solution lies in stopping the mass production of plastic in the first place. “The plastic crisis doesn’t start when the plastics enter the ocean. It starts when the oil and the gas leave the wellhead, and it keeps on being a problem at every step along the way,” says film subject Carroll Muffett of Center for International Environmental Law. Beyond illuminating the nature of the crisis, THE STORY OF PLASTIC spotlights the global resistance and network of every-day heroes working internationally to combat this urgent problem, including Capt. Charlie Moore (Algalita Marine Research & Education) who discovered the North Pacific Garbage Patch,  Ellen and Elise Gerhart of Pennsylvania who protested the construction of a fracked gas pipeline through their family’s property, and Yvette Arellano (Texas Environmental Justice Advocacy Services), who supports communities sitting at the fence-line of the petrochemical corridor along the gulf coast. The Story of Plastic forcefully identifies a pressing global challenge first identified around 15 years ago.  The film highlights how the actions of one group can affect not only their world but the world of their neighbours on the other side of the globe. As activist Shibu K. Nahir explains, “Look at our globe: it’s a water world… So if you imagine that we are in a womb filled with water, whatever I do here is going to affect every single life form in this earth… Whether a person in Europe or in US or in India or in Africa or in Philippines or in Indonesia, it’s a life… We need to bring in that kind of a spirit of unity across boundaries, because these toxins do not understand political boundaries.” Discovery Channel presents THE STORY OF PLASTIC, presented by The Story Of Stuff Project in association with React To Film; original music by Mike McCready (Pearl Jam) and Cody Westheimer; directed by Deia Schlosberg; produced by Kyle Cadotte, Megan Ponder and Stiv Wilson; co-executive producers, Dianna Cohen, Jackson Browne, and Seven McDonald; Executive Produced by Stiv Wilson, Coralie Charriol-Paul & Dennis Paul, and Michael O’Heaney.

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 ITC Hotels launch responsible dining experiences with Swiggy

ITC Hotels launch responsible dining experiences with Swiggy

A ten-year strong ‘Responsible Luxury’ ethos underscores ITC Hotels culinary brands and initiatives to present innovative cuisine experiences while adhering to high standards of food safety and hygiene. Keeping this as the foremost priority, ITC Hotels has partnered with Swiggy, India’s leading on-demand delivery platform, to offer diners responsible dining experiences in the comfort of their home. Based on harmony of fresh and seasonal selections, this responsible dining initiative brings back the taste of familiar flavours. Now you can order your favourite ITC Dal Makhani online. Swiggy will enable ‘no contact’ deliveries on all pre-paid orders, which involves a delivery partner leaving the food at the doorstep rather than an in-person exchange. Crafted with care at ITC Hotels and handled with utmost hygiene to ensure wellbeing, the mindfully curated menus will bring unique food experiences with local offerings from the region for diners across all major cities in India. ITC Hotels has implemented stringent measures and protocols, including mandatory temperature checks for all Chefs and Food & Beverage associates. Moreover, the special take-out counter at each ITC Hotel has been enhanced with hand sanitizers and thermometers to corroborate the health parameters of local food delivery partners. It may be recalled that ITC Hotels had tapped into the Food & Beverage take-away model across the country recently and received an overwhelming feedback from diners for the “Flavours” takeaway (and home delivery) dining experience. The association with Swiggy endeavours to reach a much larger customer base. In phase I, ITC Hotels would commence the home delivery venture with Swiggy for many of their properties across India. These would include ITC Maurya (New Delhi), ITC Royal Bengal (Kolkata), ITC Grand Chola (Chennai), ITC Gardenia (Bengaluru), ITC Windsor (Bengaluru), ITC Kohenur (Hyderabad), ITC Rajputana (Jaipur), ITC Grand Goa (Goa) and WelcomHotel Bengaluru. In phase II, more ITC Hotels and WelcomHotel properties will be added to the Swiggy home delivery initiative. With  iconic  restaurants  like Edo Restaurant & Bar, Royal Aghan, Dakshin, Kebabs  &  Kurries  at  ITC  Gardenia,  ITC  Windsor  and  WelcomHotel, ITC Bengaluru  hotels offer some of the most iconic branded cuisine restaurants. In this menu – chef specialties from these restaurants like Dal Makhani, Bisi Bele Bhaath, Kathi Rolls and bakes from  their  Boulangerie,  among  other signature dishes are available to order. These are crafted with care and handled with utmost hygiene to ensure your wellbeing. The mindfully curated menu  ensures unique food experiences in the comfort of your home, bringing you all-time favourite preparations from the house of ITC Hotels Bengaluru. Anil Chadha, COO, ITC Hotels said, “At ITC Hotels, we are committed to delivering world class cuisine experiences that address the needs of well-being through responsible practices which are in harmony with the environment and society. This conforms to our ten-year strong ethos of Responsible Luxury. In keeping with the current requirements, special training programmes are conducted and precautions for personal, social, and workplaces are being explained to all associates for awareness and practice. We are re-engineering our guest experiences with zero/low associate engagement (including digital ordering and e-payment solutions). The partnership with Swiggy will assist us in responsibly delivering our unique culinary experiences using their advanced distribution network. Together we are committed to delivering a responsible guest experience.” Vivek Sunder, COO, Swiggy said, “At Swiggy, it is our constant endeavour to provide exceptional experiences to our customers especially from the restaurants they admire the most. Through our partnership with ITC Hotels, customers can now indulge in curated gourmet dishes from popular restaurants of the ITC Hotels chain across India through the Swiggy app. We look forward to creating unique dining experiences for customers while helping them celebrate special occasions at the comfort of their homes.”

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 Meet the Ace Choreographer, Coordinator and Actor

Meet the Ace Choreographer, Coordinator and Actor

When Rahul Dev Shetty, passed out from an Engineering College (Electronics) and began his career as a Telecom Engineer at United Breweries Ltd., little did he know that he would end up as a successful Fashion Choreographer, Coordinator and Actor one day. The tall, dark and handsome hunk from Bengaluru, made his foray into the Indian fashion industry as a model 25 years ago. He soon expanded to include Direction and choreography of fashion shows, model co-ordination and compering of entertainment and corporate events. As a model he has walked the ramp in over 400 shows in India and overseas and has done some major Advertising Campaigns for big brands. For the last two decades, he has been exclusively directing and choreographing high fashion events for designers and corporate clients across the country and abroad. He has also choreographed leading models like Lara Dutta, Deepika Padukone, Yana Gupta, Sheetal Mallar, Jesse Randhawa, Fleur Xavier, Viveka Babjee, Indrani Das Gupta Rajlaxmi, Tinu Verghese, Aryan Vaid, Zulfi Sayyed, Shawar Ali and Shayan Munshi to name a few. He has acted in films like Station and Lekar Hum Deewana Dil and will soon be seen in the much awaited psychological thriller called Lalbagh, produced by Raj Zacharias and directed by Prasanth Murali Padmanabhan. Rahul Dev Shetty speaks to thestyle.world, before the release of the film Lalbagh on his role in the movie and his other passions. 1. When and how did your first movie role come about? How has your acting journey been since then? It was the early 90s. Rajendra Singh Babu was looking for a new face in a Vishnuvardhan Sonu Walia starrer. I was a busy model by then and someone sent him my pictures. They asked me to meet them at Airlines hotel and I got selected for that role. After that I did two more Kannada films for Director Shivamani – Jaana and Mother India. Around that time, I moved to Bombay to try my luck in Hindi films and television. After I moved to Mumbai, films took a backseat as modelling was getting big at that time and getting breaks in films was very tough. I returned to Bangalore and luckily got a break as a choreographer with Encore events. I did that for almost two decades and then got a shot at films again. I began my second innings with an independent Hindi film called Station, helmed by Saad Khan. After I was noticed in Station, I got a role in a mainstream Bollywood film called Lekar Hum Deewana Dil, directed by Imtiaz Ali’s brother Arif Ali. 2. How did the role in Lalbagh come about? What preparation did you have to do for your role? I saw an ad in Facebook about a Malayalam film looking for new people in different age categories, so I applied for the one in my category and it was for a doctor’s role. Luckily for me the Producer Raj Zacharias happened to be an old friend and he did his research and told me that he had a bigger role for me in mind. But only if I cut my hair. I went for the look test and to meet the director Prasanth Murali. They gave me a haircut then and there and thought I fit the role of a cop and so here I was biting off more than what I had planned for. For the preparation of my role, I did some research on the police force. I was playing an ACP, so I had to work on my uniform, body language and some mannerisms! 3. How challenging was it? Luckily for me, my director Prasanth Murali Padmanabhan was in total grip of the shoot. Since he is the writer and an ad film maker, every shot was brilliantly designed as far as camera angles, colour tones of costumes and background, music score etc was looked into minutely. Even in my performance he would tell me to do more or underplay as the scene would require. The film is looking sophisticated and sleek because of his due diligence. Our producer Raj Zacharias saw to it that we had a comfortable set and congenial work environment so that we could all perform stress free and all the schedules and targets were met effortlessly. 4. How was it acting with the other co-stars? They were all seasoned actors – very professional and extremely helpful. Mamta Mohandas especially, was very generous with her time and patience with me. I got to learn so much from her and this one actor named Ajit Koshy from Chennai was brilliant! The other actors – VK Prasad, renowned ad film maker from Bangalore, Rahul Madhav, Ajit Koshy and Sudeep Karakkat were also fun to work with. 5. There’s a lot of Bangalore connect in the film right? Tell us more. The entire film was shot in Bangalore. The story is about a group of Malayalees living in Bangalore and an incident occurs, in the Lalbagh jurisdiction, hence the title. The city has been beautifully captured by the lens of Antony Jo the DOP. His placement of camera and lighting of each scene is impeccable. 6. Any memorable or fun experience or incident you can recall from the shoot? The funniest was when we were shooting on the KR Puram hanging bridge. It was an early morning shot, but Bangalore traffic is crazy at 7am on that road. It was a moving police jeep shot with a camera sticking out of the driver side window and one on the bonnet. This was taking time and we actors were tucked away in another car waiting for the jeep to be readied. The circle inspector in the scene with me was Rajesh Devaraj, another Bangalorean. By this time a huge crowd had gathered and this attracted the real cops to come and harass the film unit, for permissions and money etc. The moment the shot was ready, my colleague and I who was playing the inspector, both in full

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 Wardrobes: From Storage Cabinets to Symbols of Refined Living

Wardrobes: From Storage Cabinets to Symbols of Refined Living

Think of a stylish home and the elements that come to your mind are plush furniture, awe-inspiring artwork, latest home automation tools or flooring made from exotic marble. But wardrobes and personal storage have never been associated with design or luxury. Wardrobes have always been looked from a functional perspective of merely storing your belongings in a secured manner. But thanks to a fresh perspective and continuous innovation exhibited by few furniture brands, wardrobes are now getting more design-oriented, stylish and practical. Usage of rich materials like brass, exotic veneers and glass panels combined with innovative hardware fixtures and configurable shelving elevate your walk-in-closet to a stylish clutter-free zone. Brands like Misura Emme, represented in India by Vita Moderna, specialize in wardrobes that arrange your belongings such that they are visible to you at a glance. How often have you found yourself frantically searching for that one special dress or accessory and ended up emptying your entire wardrobe on your bed? Misura Emme’s Palo Alto wardrobe was designed such that even while storing your designerwear they remain a visual treat for you and most importantly easy to find. Sleek, clean-lined aesthetics and functionality: these are the key words for defining Palo Alto, the new complete night area project. The idea springs from a desire to pamper ourselves: elegant, refined, rigorous and flawless, it enables a complete and “transparent” view of the things we love. The innovation doesn’t just stop there. These designer wardrobes apart from being a visual delight are also high on health and hygiene. The wardrobes are embedded with their AirCub accessory that scents and purifies the air inside the closet through a process of ionisation and ozonation which eliminates up to 99% of health-harmful agents such as VOC, bacteria, viruses, mould and allergens. This not only protects your designer threads and leather accessories but also guards you against any allergies. So, the next time you are overwhelmed with the pile of designer clothes around you and looking for a smart solution, a smart designer wardrobe is the answer to your clutter woes. Vita Moderna for more than a decade has brought Italian & European furniture brands to Indian homes and delivered more than 300 luxury residences across India and UAE. Speaking on the evolving role of wardrobes in high end residences, Co-Founders Pritesh Modi and Akshay Adhalrao mentioned that homeowners are seeking luxury and design aesthetic in every aspect of their home and functional wardrobes are a part of that desire. Wardrobes: From Storage Cabinets to Symbols of Refined Living

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 Masks & Metaphors in the Time of Mass Epidemics

Masks & Metaphors in the Time of Mass Epidemics

I am bombarded with videos of clumsy husbands in kitchens, songs of grit and prayers to the universe. The one forward of a video for the campaign #MaskForAll, for this COVID-19 Pandemic, has set me thinking of the masks we wear and the metaphors we live by. I could see Jim Carey in a yellow suit with his green mask. It heralded the success of Jim Carey as an actor in his iconic film, The Mask. It was a film that many years back made me laugh a lot, those days I laughed at most things. I watched Stanley Ipkiss’ magically-unleashed Id seduce the moll and finally good triumphed over evil. I started liking that magic mask & in my enthusiastic imagination I wanted that mask so that I could slap my mean boss, make more money and just do whatever hell I wanted to do. I also watched Stanley Kubrick’s film Eyes Wide Shut, and encountered that classic scene: masked people playing out their fantasy in a secret society of hidden identity and debauchery. It delved into the darker side of human beings, a part of us that we not-always-successfully bury forever: desire devoid of the moral code of right and wrong. Paradoxically, hiding a part of us seems to help us become who we want to be. Masks hide what we don’t want others to see in us, and magnify the things we do. It’s protection and projection. This instinct has been with us since time immemorial. It is deep. Innate. So it’s here to stay. The proliferation of superhero movies is but one more expression of this. Right now the story all over the globe is different, we want to be seen with medical masks on, we need to be identified as law-abiding citizens and are also concerned of not infecting other human beings. The mask is now a social symbol of support and intellect. There is great social pressure against people not following the pandemic rules of proper COVID-19 behaviour code. I have found that as we progress with technology and into a virtual world of boy meet girl and hook up, the mask is always on for most. I wish we had these many masks during our times. We trusted people and took the world at face value. I recall Yellow Fever gripping the nation & my childhood friend and I decided to go to Jaipur during that time. We returned pink after that holiday and our parents were crimson with anger and fear. Yellow didn’t deter our fearless youth. Of course, this is a different ball game of the world coming to a standstill. This is is a pandemic. The masks need to come on. I often wonder if these days we are able to take off our masks ever. There are wolves in sheep’s clothing. There is the clown mask in the film Joker who represented dystopian America. One cannot get over the dance on the steps of the film The Joker, Phoenix with his mask on was a sight to behold. Despite the movie’s theatrical trappings, that mask represented a mass ennui and disillusionment, a tendency to violence and chaos that is very much a part of the real world. In India we have the Kathakali, the Chau dancers, the occasional Hanuman mask that children near traffic signals sometimes wear to beg on a Tuesday, which is Hanuman’s day. I think the new order would be of different kinds of masks. I find myself pondering how we will differentiate between the rich and the poor? Will there be a difference between the maid cleaning the house to the well-heeled madam? Maybe the poor in the days ahead would have basic masks and the rich could have some Swarovski thrown around in a bespoke design? Perhaps COVID-19 will be a true leveller. Maybe it’s telling us even if you have the LV or the Prada right now you gotta get your hands into the sink and the mop on the floor and stand in the queue for groceries. For that at least, hell yeah! I guess corona will cure us and curse us in equal measure. If that isn’t dystopia what is? My streets lie desolate, Shops have their shutters down, The lone crow shifts from branch to branch, My clothes in my cupboards lie creaseless, It’s like death that just came knocking on my doorstep, I am humbled as I realize this is teaching me a lesson, When the end comes, We all fit into the same space, Few feet under the ground, Where the address is the same, And the sunshine is the same, This is a leveller, If I don’t learn today When will I learn to be human, To realise that it’s not the riches that makes the difference, It is the love for one another that creates this tolerance. – By Mohua Chinappa, a writer, brand specialist, consultant who also runs a blog moodymo.co.in on Indian arts & crafts, gender and also writes human interest stories. Masks & Metaphors in the Time of Mass Epidemics

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