Sneakers have taken over the world and how! Understandably so, because who would does not want to sport footwear that is not only stylish and trendy, but also provides you with ultimate support and comfort.
From the likes of Ranveer Singh to Virat Kolhi, to public personalities like Kamala Harris, everyone is on the sneaker bandwagon. However, if you are a sneaker newbie looking to build your very own collection, then choosing the right pair can be a tad confusing. Well, fret not! Matteo Lambert, Chief Collection Officer, Bata India Limited, has simplified sneaker shopping for you. Here are some wardrobe essentials according to him:
The Evergreen Low-Ankle Sneakers
Low ankle sneakers are the OG of sneakers and enjoy a cult following all across the world. If you are a sneakerhead then there is a good chance that the first pair of sneakers that you ever fell in love with were these. From your smart casuals to party outfits, canvas sneakers will go with every outfit and keep your feet plush and cozy throughout the day. Trendy, stylish, incredibly comfortable, and always in tune with the latest fashion trends, low ankles are a great long-term investment!
Chunky White Sneakers
You can never go wrong with a pair of classic white Chunky sneakers. Reminiscent of the 90s era, chunky white sneakers will give you that retro vibe. From denims to chinos, dresses to even sarees, white sneakers work like a charm with every outfit. Not only will white sneakers elevate your entire ensemble, but also provide you that extra hint of oompf and panache that will make people sit back and take notice.
Snug Slip-ons
Slip-on sneakers has revolutionised the world of sneakers. These lace less sneakers are easy to wear and extremely high on the comfort quotient. Slip-on sneakers are available in numerous colours and variants. You can easily find something to pair with every outfit. If you are someone who prioritises comfort over everything else and believes in minimalism, slip-on sneakers are perfect for you. Once you try them, they’re sure to become your go-to sneakers because of how incredibly convenient and comfortable they are.
Mesh Sneakers
Mesh sneakers are another classic wardrobe staple. The mesh fabric allows your feet to breathe while also hugging the contours for that extra bit of support. They provide you with the ever so elusive combination of comfort and style. These sneakers are versatile and you will never fall short of choices when it comes to mesh sneakers.
Sneakerheads can now log into ‘Sneakerhood’.
Printed Sneakers
Printed sneakers are the latest bug to have hot the sneaker world. If you are a flamboyant soul who believes in going that extra mile and making a solid first impression, then you must invest in a pair of comfortable, printed sneakers. There is an extensive range of printed sneakers available in the market and there is something available for everyone. Floral, animal and jungle prints are all the rage at the moment. They will add that touch of glam to your outfit and take in up a few notches.
“Yatha Annam Tatha Mannam,” Prime Minister Narendra Modi recalled the maxim during his Mann ki Baat session a few days back, which signifies that mental and intellectual development is directly related to the quality of our food intake. With the COVID – 19 cases on the rise, good nutrition is critical for one’s survival and for maintaining a better quality of life. National Nutrition Month 2020, aims at throwing light on the importance of �Eating right bite by bite.
Common nutrient deficiencies in India:
Micronutrients – The Vitamins and Minerals that our body needs in small quantities are most often neglected which results in �Nutritional Deficiencies’. These deficiencies are seldom recognized. However, some studies have shown that 80 to 90 percent of Adult Indians suffer from Vitamin D deficiency, 50 to 60 percent are affected by anemia, others being Vitamin B12 and Folate. As much as these deficiencies are getting onto the adults, they are equally affecting the younger ones. 1 in 5 children are being diagnosed with Child Obesity and nearly half of under-5 child mortality is attributable to under nutrition. A child must be provided with essential nutrients so they don’t face immunity problems at a later stage.
While veggies are a great source of nutrients- its fruits that will save you the cooking hassle! Kimaye Health lists down a few fruits that could help you achieve good nutrition levels.
List of 5 fruits you could be missing out on:
Orange – The pandemic’s biggest mystery is our very own immune system and what better than an Orange could help us save the day. Loaded with the goodness of Vitamin C and Folate, Orange makes for a perfect dose of daily nutrition, certainly not the one that you should miss!
Orange juice.
Pomegranates – Pomegranate high on Vitamin C, A & E, with Ruby red seeds that match the color of your blood. Did you know that 100 gm of pomegranate contains 0.3 mg of iron? Yes, the iron-rich fruit, is one of the most common recommendations for fighting anemia (iron deficiency).
Banana -The fruit that’s never out of vogue. Easiest to find, sweetest to taste, apart from all the good that it does to your body Bananas are widely referred to as the Super fruit’ high in potassium, vitamin B6 & Folate help in maintaining a healthy blood glucose level.
Apples -An apple a day keep the doctor away! A delicious source of Iron & suitable when it comes to giving your low hemoglobin levels a boost.
How to stay safe while eating outdoors.
Strawberries – What’s good for you but also good to taste? Yes, the Strawberries- beautiful red fruits with seeds on the outside grace the planet with their taste & beauty. Strawberries are rich in Iron & Vitamin C (helps in the absorption of Iron). We do love the berries, berry much!
While all kinds of vegetables and fruits are equally essential for nutrients, you can start with these for their sweet-snacky nature. It’s time to give up on all that junk food and turn to a nutritious, yet tasty diet. The only way to achieve a healthy body and mind is to tread the path of good nutrition. So make the most of this Nutrition month by carving your food habits into a fruitful-nutritious lifestyle!
Glucose is an essential energy source for all living cells of the human body, which is programmed in a way wherein the glucose levels in the blood are maintained at an optimal level through various hormones…Dr. Samyak V Mulkutkar.
Blood glucose levels are normally referred to as blood sugar levels in our day to day life. Diabetes is a condition wherein blood glucose levels are abnormally high. Consistently high glucose levels cause damage to various organs of the human body in the long run.
‘Diabetic Retinopathy’ is one such condition wherein abnormally high blood glucose or blood sugar levels cause slow, progressive and long-standing damage to the eyes.
Diabetes has now assumed the title of a silent global pandemic. With India set to become the diabetic capital of the world, the threat of visual loss due to diabetic retinopathy has gained massive proportions.
To understand how diabetes impacts the eyes, let us ?first understand the structure of the human eye. The human eye has structures and functions roughly equivalent to those of a simple camera. Similar to the light-sensitive lm of a camera, the human eye has a light-sensitive structure called the retina.
How diabetes can affect your eyes
It is this retina or the light sensitive structure of the human eye that is most adversely affected by diabetes. This condition is called diabetic retinopathy or is also referred to as diabetic eye disease in common understanding.
The advent of diabetic retinopathy simply starts as the appearance of small bleeding spots or “microaneurysms” on the surface of the retina. This is the initial stage of the disease or non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy, wherein the vision remains reasonably good despite having an abnormality.
The retinal blood vessels eventually develop leaks that cause the retinal tissue to “swell up like a sponge” (also called macular edema) It is this stage wherein an individual’s vision starts getting affected and prompts her to seek medical attention.
Treatments like the application of laser spots to the retina or instilling injections into the eye at this stage are very effective if instituted in time.
If the blood sugar levels continue to remain uncontrolled, the retina suffers from larger bleeding spots and blood may entirely fill up the jelly inside the eye causing a sudden loss of vision. Many patients go undetected until this stage of the disease because they miss undergoing an eye check-up while they suffer from diabetes all these years.
In the later stages of the retina starts getting crumpled and this results in a near-permanent loss of vision and blindness. Major surgery is then required to remove the blood and fix the retina back to its original position. Despite multiple major surgeries, only a few individuals may gain back their original vision.
Diabetes.
As the diabetic eye disease progresses through the late stages, the microscopic damage to the cells of the retina leads to permanent structural and functional changes that, unfortunately, cannot be reversed.
Early detection of diabetic retinopathy and early treatment is hence, the key to preventing permanent visual loss due to diabetic eye disease.
It is strongly recommended to get a retina evaluation for every diabetic individual, at least once in a year. This retina evaluation is performed by an eye doctor who is a retina specialist and usually takes about an hour at the doctor’s clinic.
Long-standing diabetes, poor blood sugar control, associated hypertension, and deranged lipid proles are the most important risk factors for the development and progression of diabetic eye disease. Hence, all diabetics must have regular evaluations with the physician.
Baby on the horizon? You might need changes to your interior space. (Source: Unsplash)
A new life brings much happiness, but it also comes with a lot of responsibilities. As soon as parents get in the know, the preparations begin, but soon after they realise that nothing is enough…writes Puja Gupta.
If you are expecting a baby soon and so not understand where to start, read the following tips to help you help yourself. Heena Jain, Design Consultant from Wooden Streets, shares some fantastic ideas to change up you interiors.
Create some comfortable resting spots
Rest is one thing that no mother can compromise with while being pregnant. But, lying on the bed all day, no matter how comfortable, is not possible. So, there should be multiple resting spots and the two best places for the same are, the living room and the balcony. Place a comfortable and easy to use sofa cum bed in the living room, and a comfortable balcony set with a comfortable ottoman or even a swing in the balcony. These two make for a perfect venue to chill, read, watch and rest during the day.
Start with completing storage needs
A baby enhances happiness in a home and storage needs. While no amount is storage is ever enough, extra storage is always welcome, no matter how many options you add. A better approach towards creating sufficient storage space is by adding the right furniture pieces which can blend with your interiors perfectly. There are several options that you can opt for, like a chest of drawers, wooden trunks, compact wardrobes, and many more. So, just be creative and think of the places where you can put these without creating a space crunch.
Make way for the lights and colours
The surge of energy and the happiness that bright colours provide is just amazing. So, try to add some relaxing wall paintings/art, and to make the space brighter as well as illuminating, you can also add some amazing lamps to the existing decor. Small planters placed around different corners also works perfectly for making the place more relaxing and creating happy vibes. The most important of all, choosing the right colour palette. You choose from colours such as baby pink, light blue, light gray, or even yellow. These will help in boost your mood as well as the health of the baby.
Be furniture ready for the future
If you want to give your little one a perfect and friendly home setup, then the perfect time to start with the preparations is now. First of all, make a list of products you will be require after the delivery, the major pieces you need are a crib, changing station, food station, and some others. So, initially make the space for the furniture and after measuring each and every corner precisely, start picking furniture pieces that perfectly fit. Placement is extremely important, so ensure that the furniture is placed adjacent to the walls. As for the baby’s furniture, the center of the living room or the dining area can be the best spots.
Baby proofing is extremely important
Making the home as safe as possible is important for both, the pregnant mother as well as the little one who is all set to become a part of your family. Start with the furniture and try to cover all the sharp ends which you think can cause harm in the future. Get rid of all the loose and exposed wiring as well as switchboards. Avoid placing decor accessories such as small stones, or harmful plastic/rubber figurines, as if misplaced, they can create some serious issues.
.
A plan for the floors
Floors, if set rightly, can be a comfortable abode for both, baby as well as the mother. You can start by placing some comfortable rugs at different places along with some fluffy pillow sets. To make it even better, you can create a beautiful floor bed as well, which can work as a perfect play area for your little one.
Making these changes can be a bit tedious, but the improvement you will observe afterwards will be amazing. You can give it a little time and come up with ideas to further make the space beautiful and customized for your comfort level. Just remember to be creative and enjoy every change you make to the fullest.
The transition from summer to fall can be quite tricky. Until you shop for your fall and cold-weather essentials, there are plenty of summer outfit tricks that you can try…writes Puja Gupta
While it is still risky to go hop to your favourite stores for shopping, you can extract maximum wear out of your summer staples and as you continue to make additions to your wardrobe, these clothes will continue to reinvigorate your wardrobe until winter.
This is the time of the year wherein you surely need to step out of the box and try on some mix and match combinations.
Layering is always a great way to utilise your summer wardrobe in the autumn season. However, bulky fabrics can make layering a little tricky, to its best to stick to light breathable fabrics like viscose and modal. Style experts Nelson Jaffery, Head of Design, Liva and Abhishek Yadav, Design Head, Spykar Lifestyles offer some useful tips for acing your fashion game this autumn season.
Transform your summer wardrobe to be autumn-ready
Shorts with leggings
Sport your beloved denim shorts with solid viscose leggings for a cozy yet fashionable look. Add a plain oversized shirt on top with a belt. Add some gold jewellery to elevate the look further. This is a great comfortable option for Friday night virtual session with your friends or a fun games night.
Dresses
Dresses are always a great option for every season. Recycle your printed summer dresses in the fall season by pairing them with a scarf. You can also wear a simple t-shirt underneath the dress for a more preppy look. Keep in mind to not have more than three levels of layers on you or the outfit might look too bulky.
Blazers and Jackets
Leather and denim jackets are always a great addition to any outfit. Pair any of your basic summer outfits with a smart jacket or blazer for autumn ready look. Graphic t-shirts, summer dresses, lace singlets, shorts and skirts are all great options that can be paired with jackets and blazers.
Jeans
Fortunately, wide leg jeans transit easily into the fall season. Summer fashion was all about pops of colour and was quite inspired by the flair of 70’s and 80’s. Carry it forward in your autumn wardrobe by pairing them with a turtle neck sweater. Also your favourite summer skinny jeans would give a fantastic look with trendy metallic while attending virtual celebrations. For example, you could team up grey denims with gold and bronze tops. You could also wear your slashed jeans with a black bucket bag and sneakers.
Transform your summer wardrobe to be autumn-ready
Skirts
The fall season is full of bright and splendid skirts to wear from work to parties. You can opt for a knee-length eyelet coat over a white tee and a denim skirt. You could also team your summer skirts with long sleeves and mules. You could team up tribal print blush mini skirt with a blush blouse and crispy white blazer. Or you could tuck in your favourite turtle neck in a high rise leather mini skirt for that chic look.
You could also go for skirts of bold prints, tulle styles, cozy pencil skirts, floral print boho chic light weight bottoms, etc. this season.
Wedding postponed? Take care of your wedding ensemble.
The New-Age Bride (Photo: Unsplash)
Lockdown may have forced the Big Fat Indian Wedding to become a leaner affair but a bride’s approach to fashion is more discerning than ever. Of course there will always be a feeling of tradition when it comes to bridal fashion, but brides also want their dress to feel special, unique and something that speaks of them- good bridal fashion always marries tradition with modernity…writes Sujata Assomull.
Over the last month or so designers from Tarun Tahiliani to Gaurav Gupta unveiled their new bridal collections via the digital medium. Designed at a time when we were learning how to co-exist with Covid-19, and after the time when the forced pause caused an upheaval wherein many socio-political issues came to the surface.
The New-Age Bride (Photo: Unsplash)
MESSAGE IN A BRIDAL OUTFIT Fashion has always been driven by politics and social issues, but of late, consumption seems to have forced it to forget its voice. The pandemic is a reminder to fashion that it does drive change-and designers are now talking issues-even in their bridal collection.
Gaurav Gupta opened India Couture Week with a fashion film called, ‘Name is Love’; on the runway were a diverse cast- trans-female, non-binary, same sex, plus size and darker hued models. His presentation spoke of Gaurav’s own beliefs as a known campaigner for issues such as LGBTQ rights, Gupta was an active spokesperson during the #Metoo movement. “Brides today know what’s happening in the world, they just don’t want pretty clothes. They want to wear something that is more than that.”
As more Indian designers realise they have a readymade platform to address issues; brides-to-be will turn to designers whose messages speak to them. So if it’s conscious living, Anita Dongre might be your choice, if it’s issues of new age feminism perhaps Masaba Gupta is the designer for you, or if you’re looking to address issues of diversity and are a non-conformist, then Gaurav Gupta is the designer for you.
The New-Age Bride (Photo: Unsplash)
COMFORT COUTURE
Gone are the days where brides wanted to be weighed down with embroidery, heavy silks and adorned with rows of necklaces. Today’s bride wants to dance the night away, feel easy, yet be the belle of the ball. Which means there is a new lightness that has come into fashion-be it Tarun Tahiliani, JJ Valaya or Rahul Mishra this has been a common to all fashion shows of late, and explains the popularity of thread embroidery and lighter emblishment techniques such as chikankari and aari.
In fact one of Mishra’s most popular looks has been an easy fit hand embroidered A-line silk-organza circular gown-it talks of a bride who does not want to give into the convention of Indian bridal dressing. Says Mishra, “I remember the time when ‘Organza’ as a fabric was never used for Indian occasion-wear and it always took us an extra effort to sell our sheer hand embroidered jackets. Fast forward to today, ‘Organza’ is celebrated by everyone as ‘the’ fabric for lehengas and bridal wear in India.” Diaphanous fabrics such as organza, chiffon and light crepes are now preferred over brocades, charmeuse satins and velvets. This also points to a new practicality that has come into bridal wear.
READY TO RE-WEAR
Brides now longer want an outfit that hangs in their wardrobe as a memory-they want to be able to rewear their bridal outfit.
The New-Age Bride (Photo: Unsplash)
As fashion becomes more conscious and value driven, no one wants to spend on an outfit that they cannot wear again. Especially when it comes to the lehenga, which remains as the most popular choice for the actual wedding day outfit. So blouses from a bridal lehenga can be reworn with a plain saree for formal functions, dupattas can be thrown over a silk outfit for a first Diwali or Karva Chauth, and the lehenga skirt can be teamed with a shirt as a fusion option for a friend’s wedding.
Says Mishra, “Many brides order separate crop tops with their lehengas to re-wear for a different kind of an occasion or style their blouses with a pair of jeans later.” Designers no longer design a wedding outfit as a one-time ensemble but as a piece that can be mixed and matched. It is something that newer entrants into the bridal fashion market such as Amit Aggarwal and Nachiket Barve are very conscious off, and reflects in their design approach. “Nothing pains me more than a lehenga sitting in a mothball lined trunk or stashed away for decades,” says Barve.
It does seem that there is a newness and refreshing change coming into bridal wear.\
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Oberoi Group in strategic alliance. (Photo Courtesy: Oberoi Hotels & Resorts)
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Oberoi Group in strategic alliance. (Photo Courtesy: Oberoi Hotels & Resorts)
The Oberoi Group and The Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group, today announced a long-term strategic alliance that will see the two jointly collaborating across a range of initiatives.
This global alliance between the two historic, multi-award-winning hotel groups has been designed to appeal to the loyal guests of both brands. The unique partnership creates a platform for the two organisations to work more closely together while retaining each brand’s unique heritage and identity.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Oberoi Group in strategic alliance. (Photo Courtesy: Oberoi Hotels & Resorts)
By working together across all facets of the guest experience, the two groups will curate new and exclusive experiences, available at Oberoi and Mandarin Oriental hotels. The alliance increases the global reach of both groups, providing guests with increased choice across the globe and in India…reports Asian Lite News.
“We are delighted to launch this innovative partnership with The Oberoi Group, setting the stage for us to push the boundaries of luxury hospitality. The Oberoi Group has a long established history and a wealth of expertise in providing exemplary service and I am confident that by working together both organisations will grow and create further differentiation in the industry that our guests will value. We look forward to working with The Oberoi Group to continue to develop and deepen this special partnership.” said James Riley, Mandarin Oriental’s Group Chief Executive.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Oberoi Group in strategic alliance. (Photo Courtesy: Oberoi Hotels & Resorts)
Members of Fans of M.O. and Oberoi One, the brands’ respective recognition programmes, will have privileged access to over 50 luxury hotels in sought after destinations, where they will receive superior recognition, exclusive experiences and offers, as well as invitations to bespoke events.
Tapping into the expertise of both brands, the alliance will work together to create unique culinary and wellness experiences and will also collaborate on innovation, sustainability and colleague learning and development? Joint efforts across these areas will provide synergies for both brands enabling both to further evolve the meaning of luxury hospitality.
Mandarin Oriental Hotel Group and The Oberoi Group in strategic alliance. (Photo Courtesy: Oberoi Hotels & Resorts)
“We have long been fans’ of Mandarin Oriental,” said Vikram Oberoi, Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer of EIH Limited, the flagship company of The Oberoi Group. “Our brands complement each other extremely well as do our organisations values and culture. This exciting alliance will allow guests to experience new destinations and experiences in the legendary styles for which both companies are renowned.”
All you need to know about perimenopause. (Photo Courtesy: pixabay)
Sleep apnea and depression â Is there a correlation?
Depression is often also connected with sleep-disordered breathing, and not only by conventional wisdom but by increasing clinical evidence day after day. ..writes Puja Gupta.
As the National Sleep Foundation (NSF) in the United States puts it, “depression may cause sleep problems and sleep problems may cause or contribute to depressive disorders,” noting that symptoms of depression seem to come before sleep problems just as frequently as the other way around…writes Puja Gupta.
Conversations around the subject only focus on insomnia but there are other sleep issues as well that are equally significant is disturbing our mental health. Issues like Restless Leg Syndrome (RLS) and sleep apnea have been gaining attention to be potential causes of depression.
(Photo Courtesy: pixabay)
So, what exactly is sleep apnea? What is it association with depression and what are the potential ways to manage it? Dr. Sibasish Dey, Head – Medical Affairs, India & South Asia, ResMed shares the 10 things about sleep apnea and its relation to depression that you need to know:
Sleep apnea is a sleep-disordered breathing condition where an individual may stop breathing for a few seconds during sleep. This phenomenon may occur multiple times while sleeping.
Due to repeated hypoxia and arousals, there is inflammation, oxidative stress and this results in imbalance of neurotransmitters in the brain. This imbalance may result in different neuropsychiatric symptoms and depression.
Sleep.
National Sleep Foundation (NSF) points out to a study published by the National Library of Medicine that says that people suffering from depression are five times most likely to suffer from Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA) – the most common form of sleep-disordered breathing.
It is to be noted that several studies have observed that patients suffering from depression also have issues related to sleep. In OSA, disturbed sleep leading to disturbances in neurotransmitters levels are believed to be the cause for its association with depression.
Sleep apnea manifests with symptoms like fatigue, lack of energy, morning headache, difficulty concentrating, irritability and sexual dysfunction, all of which may lead to depression.
In simpler words, sleep apnea disturbs sleep, causing micro-arousal all throughout the night. This disturbance in the sleep cycle is potentially harmful. So, such an individual will wake up tired in the morning and experience excessive daytime sleepiness
In addition, sleep apnea may also lead to road traffic accidents, loss of productivity at workplaces, difficulty in concentrating and accomplishing tasks and generally decreased psychomotor performance. All these may alter the work-life balance.
Now coming to solutions to deal with the issue – Continuous positive airway pressure (CPAP) device is a gold standard treatment for people who suffer from sleep-disordered breathing, such as OSA. It is also one of the most commonly used treatment method for OSA.
(Photo Courtesy: Pixabay)
Other non-pharmacological methods to reduce OSA includes quitting smoking and alcohol, reducing weight and following sleep hygiene tips.
The takeaway? If you’ve found yourself suffering from the effects of depression and sleep apnea, it is prudent to take sleep apnea into consideration. Adequate sleep apnea management may help alleviate the problems of both, and bring you closer to experiencing a healthier, more energetic lifestyle. Talk to your doctor about whether taking a sleep test may be a good option for you. ResMed’s home sleep tests have proven to be an effective tool for testing sleep apnea in the times of the pandemic as well because they can be undertaken at the comfort of your homes without having to visit a clinic/sleep lab.
Women empowered by EWOK Society working with necessary precautions in COVID times at IIT Mandi.
Five screen-free ways to consume content.
This year has been a rollercoaster ride and has seen most of us adapting to the “new normal”. Remote working has become the order of the day, and people are spending longer periods of time in front of a screen, be it for work or entertainment…writes Siddhi Jain.
Due to this, screen fatigue has become a real concern, with experts suggesting that it is beginning to impact people’s health. In a recent report, a doctor practicing telemedicine said there was a 30 per cent increase in complaints of eye strain, dry or itchy eyes, headaches, blurred vision and physical and mental fatigue.
The challenge is to able to learn something new, pursue a hobby and keep yourself entertained without straining yourself on a screen. Here are five ways to keep yourself occupied and productive, without being glued to your screens:
COVID-19: 7 tips to defuse family conflict and preserve relationships. (Photo Courtesy: Pixabay)
Marie Kondo your personal space
Cleaning always comes across as a chore and we neglect it until that one chair can no longer bear the weight of the pile of clothes. A fun way to look at cleaning is decluttering and redecorating. Choose one room at a time, pick up things that don’t bring you joy and throw them into a giveaway pile. Pick out reusable items like empty water bottles, plastic boxes, worn-out clothes, shoe boxes, tin cans, light bulbs with which you can make DIY decorations. Not only will you be proud of your own creations, your home just got a whole lot prettier at no cost at all.
Hands busy, mind free
It is an established fact that listening to audiobooks is more emotionally engaging than watching TV or films. Whether you are looking for stories or simply want to experience some downtime, Audible and Audible Suno are the right places for you. Unleashing the power of the spoken word, these platforms offer an extensive library of audiobooks and audio series narrated by talented and celebrated personalities that are sure to inspire creativity. Get active, get going
The lockdown has everyone stuck at home, which has led to the discovery of innovative ways to keep ourselves healthy and active. Whoever thought that working out with basic household items at home can give you a full-fledged gym experience? Here are few ideas to make your home workout more fun and efficient:
– Use cans and jars as small weights
– Use stairs as a cardio machine
– Use a bag of flour or rice as heavy weights
– Apart from these, you can do yoga, stretching, crossfit (workouts using bodyweight), all from the comfort of your home.
Women empowered by EWOK Society working with necessary precautions in COVID times at IIT Mandi.
Grow your plants, grow your soul
To be closer to nature is to be closer with your inner self. Indoor plants don’t just look good, they make you feel good mentally and physically, too. Growing and taking care of plants is a worthwhile hobby for anyone who is wondering what to do to keep oneself occupied. It is a simple activity that decorates your house and gives you unadulterated joy in an environmentally-friendly way. Get creative while making your space greener — think the kitchen slab, your window sill, the balcony, or even your bathroom where bamboo plants can be kept.
Awaken your inner Picasso
One needn’t be a trained artist to create art. All you need is a canvas, paint, a few brushes, some free time and your imagination. There are no rules when it comes to painting to unwind yourself. It has been said that painting has therapeutic qualities and with no prior training, you can just let the brushes play with the colours. You never know — you may just end up with something frame-worthy that brings you happiness and serenity.
With demand for Indian animated content growing among global audiences, especially with children who are a significant consumer group for animations like cartoon shows, a home-grown animation brand Cosmos Maya, the creator of popular children’s show ‘Motu Patlu’, shares that it is an exciting time to be in the animation business. Anish Mehta, the CEO of Cosmos Maya interacts with Siddhi Jain.
The animation studio and Arbaaz Khan Productions have recently come together to adapt the blockbuster franchise ‘Dabangg’ into an animated series. This news comes right in line with the tenth anniversary celebration of the film franchise that introduced the character of Chulbul ‘Robin Hood’ Pandey for the first time in 2010. The show will feature animated avatars of all of the franchise’s characters. Targeted at kids and family audiences, Season 1 will be launching in summer 2021.
Anish Mehta, the CEO of Cosmos Maya – whose content is airing or streaming in over 150 countries on major OTT or TV platforms in 18 languages, speaks about Indian animation and how promising its future is, globally. Excerpts:
Tell us about the making of some of your most popular IPs.
Our idea behind most of our content output is to ensure familiarity with novelty. Implementing insights, we derive from everyday familial and social life that are relevant for kids in a package that adapts to changing sensibilities and requirements of our young audience. For example, naughtiness and clumsy behaviour is something which many kids expect to be reprimanded for and is often the subject of most kids’ animation, so ‘Motu Patlu’, showing on Nick and Voot Kids, subverted the trope by providing a set of adults indulging in such behaviour instead.
New Delhi: Popular cartoon characters Motu Patlu on a visit to IANS ahead of the TV premiere of the Nickelodeon Kids Choice Awards (KCA), to be aired on January 6; in New Delhi on Jan 3, 2019. (Photo: Amlan Paliwal/IANS)
‘Selfie with Bajrangi’ streaming on Disney TV and Disney+ Hotstar takes the fantastical power of invisibility and shape-shifting and provides the lead character a friend in Bajrangi, a junior version of a revered god who is known for such powers. We largely credit our business spread and market share of over 60 percent to this core philosophy. We are always looking out for arenas where we can be first innovators, such as the Dabangg animated series coming out on Disney+ Hotstar soon, which will be one of our first projects and a step for the Indian animation business towards working with established Bollywood IPs and provide them a creative and lucrative extension.
How exciting is it to be in the animation business right now? How has it picked up over the years?
Our company is in the remarkable position where we have only witnessed but been a significant catalyst to the growth of the animation and post-production industry in India. We have seen the transition of this market from a solely outsourcing-based service provider sub to and IP-rich industry. Additionally, more and more media outlets and business entities have come to realise that this medium helps them accomplish greater storytelling and advertising potential, as it works perfectly for the zaniest of narratives and visual mandates.
Animation is simply fun, being one of the first visual interfaces a child has for the world, and it is a sector that has proved resilient in the face of global calamities, which reflects in the performance of the industry despite an entire locational shift in the workspace of people involved. The projected growth of the sector is expected to reach almost $26 billion in FY21, and we strive to make the most of it.
Children are huge consumers of animated content. How do you create content around them?
We have a think tank comprising of people from the creative, business, sales and executive departments and concept artists, who come together to discuss and derive actionable insights from everyday life and how kids are adapting with the times. How life reflects in their worldview and behaviour, and what kind of ideals their parents as the content moderators want to inculcate in them. Our show ‘Titoo’ on Pogo takes the story of an everyday boy akin to ‘Dennis the Menace’, and delivering it in a tone and language relevant to kids today in a slice-of-life narrative. ‘Bapu’ and ‘Gadget Guru Ganesha’ take a similar setup as ‘Selfie with Bajrangi’ to provide known and respected figures as best friends/role models to the lead characters and helping them navigate through, discussing relevant topics such as social responsibility in a non-pedagogical manner.
Please tell us about animation as an art form.
Two things render animation its artistic status – that it adapts to nearly every creative requirement that a content creator may have of its narrative, and that it’s limited only by their imagination. Animation lends itself to the most randomly imaginative narratives and visual detail and nearly every genre of storytelling in a manner that is adaptive, conducive and cost-effective.
Anish Mehta, the CEO of Cosmos Maya
What’s the global appeal of Indian animated content as of now? Animation is mostly thought of as Japanese or Korean.
Our show ‘Eena Meena Deeka’ can be called to the stand to answer this. A non-dialogue show about three chickens and their battle of wits with a hungry fox, is one of our best performing shows in over 80 countries, and is one of the most highly viewed shows in Europe and Latin America. ‘Vir: The Robot Boy’ has nearly 11 billion views globally on our YouTube multi-channel brand WowKidz. From long-format to short-format content, Indian animation is catering to audiences across the world and is steadily creating its own niche. If the demand for Indian animation is going anywhere, it’s up.
Some new trends you may be observing in the industry or consumer group?
Thanks to the near simultaneous growth of video-sharing websites, OTT streaming and e-commerce, the issue of piracy is very nearly taken off, with financial losses on that front reducing significantly. Moreover the Indian industry is moving fast to make a foothold in the licencing and merchandising market which is the largest profit driver for the global animation industry. Cosmos-Maya is taking active steps in that direction as well, with advertising-funded modules being discussed with brands. Animation is being explored in detail as an effective communication touch point for business consumers.