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8/9/2019 Sep Flipbook

1/64

Getting Connected....

VOL. 01 ISSUE 03

FOR FREE DISTRIBUTION

NAGALANDas a true greenWONDERLAND

FALLING FORthe rustic charm

DILLI HAAT

THE MONUMENTSof a thrivingDEMOCRACY

www.kensconnect.com

ETERNALKAZAKHSTAN


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SEP 2014 KENS CONNECT

Events

Contact us : (011) 45530222, Mob-9582480165

www.kmdevents.com

Kens Management & Designs

W Pan, W Execute, Yu Celebate !!!

Yu Even I Yu Sgnatur Syle

Wedding, Corporate & Social Events

Mice, Conferences & Seminars

Exhibitions, Entertainment Events

Destination Managements


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Kens Connect For Delhi & Delhiites.

At the onset, Kens Connect as a city magazine takes its initial steps andwith great pride got connected with the tour operators from across thecountry at the IATO's meet held on 6th Aug 2014 at the Lalit, New Delhi.

Delhi and the Delhiites, their area of interest and their region of concerndictate our moves. Delhi as a City, as a State and as the National Capital

synthesizes all that is India. It has many different terrains, cultures, climates,tastes and smell to entice one. Much has been written and talked about Delhi. But, it still remainsunexplored. Kens Connect aims to unravel the multi-facets of Delhi and Delhiites. Within thesepages, youll nd stories about Dilli Haat, Delhis favourite rustic market place, brunch delicacies,

museums to explore, the pillars of thriving Democracy in India.

Our magazine wishes to share with you about varying journeys in Delhi, in India and abroad. Ourendeavour is to connect you with the places you want to go. Through Kens Connect, the Readersget to understand India Better, and also Connect with the outside world simultaneously.

We endeavour to discover new travelling experience and travelling destinations at Kens Connect.This is what prompts us to bring the travelling exposure to Kazakhstan in this issue, a young

nation that boasts of a signicant and transformational growth in multiple areas. We also bringyou the travelling experience from north eastern part of the country, the green wonderland -Nagaland.

Our reverence for the men in uniform, be it Khaki or Olive Green needs no impetus.

As you read through this issue of Kens Connect, I hope we manage to connect you with theincredible part of the world.

Travel well.

Hope you enjoy the issue.

Syed Sajid H. Moosavi

Get connected on: www.kensconnect.com, www.facebook.com/kensconnect

We look forward to your feedback, which will help us shape and mould better to suit you. All youhave to do is to send us a mail. Mail us at [email protected]


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VOL. 01 ISSUE 03 SEP 2014

16

40

8

HISTORICAL DELHI

The monuments of a thrivingDemocracy : 8

LUXURIATE

Megalopolitan Adobe : Radisson Blu Hotel : 10

HELP 24/7 : 51

TRAVELLERS' CONNECTNagaland as a true green wonderland : 30

Nagaland: A Revelation!! : 36

Eternal Kazakhstan : 40

MULTI FACETS OF DELHIITES

The Right Choice (Poem) : 51

Eyeball to Eyeball : 54

Asset Hunter seeks Beneciaries : 56ART DELIGHT

Brushing with Paint : 59

MY DELHI

Falling for the rustic charm, Dilli Haat : 18

Hop on Hop off : 22

Delhi's Museum Tour : 24

FOOD MLANGE

Brunch delicacies : 16

FASHIONISTA

Fashion must have : 26

EDITOR'S PICK

Indian Tourism to soar high : 29

Medal for Medalists : 50

Policing in Delhi goes Hi-Tech : 52 30


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Editor-in-chief and Managing Director:

Mr Syed Sajid H Moosavi

Editor:

Kavita Choudhary

Contributing Editor:

Ankush Lamba

Magazine Layout & Designing:

Rashmi Kunwar Bisht , Lavakush Upadhyay

Marketing and Circulation Team:Shahbaz Khan, Sunil Kr. Sharma

Lavakush Upadhyay, Mohit Kumar, Naresh Chandiwal

Photographs from internet

For Advertising & Subscription queries:

[email protected]

For Online magazine visit us on : www.kensconnect.com

Head Ofce:

11747, First Floor ,Street No.4, Sat Nagar, Karol Bagh,

New Delhi-110005 (India).

Vol. 01 Issue 03

2014 Kens Connect Pvt. Ltd

All right reserved. Reproduction in any manner in whole or

in part is prohibited The Editor/s do their best to verify the

information published but do not take responsibility for its

absolute accuracy.

Printed Published and Owned by Mr. Syed Sajid H. Moosavi.

Printed at Ask Advertising AIDS Pvt Ltd., 88, Dsidc Shed,

Okhla Ind. Area, Phase-1 New Delhi-110020 and Published from

11747, First Floor, Street No.4, Sat Nagar, Karol Bagh, New

Delhi-110005 (India). Edited by Mr. Syed Sajid H. Moosavi,

11747, First Floor Street No.4, Sat Nagar, Karol Bagh, New

Delhi-110005 (India).

KENS CONNECTVOL. 01 ISSUE 03 SEP 2014

VIVEIK PANDIT

calls himself a writer 'by

default'. His love for travel

has led him to pen Four

coffee table books. Viveik

has also authored a ction

novel, a collection of short

stories, and a book series for

children.

SUMANA DUTTA

A thorough Delhiite at heart

and in spirits, a long standing

Educationist with impeccable

degrees and experience, gives

vent to her creative facet by

wielding the pen to express

her thoughts.

CONTRIBUTORS

KALYANI MOOKHERJI

A resolute and well balanced persona, so far a

closet writer, been into web content writing foryears, fnally emerging in the open.

ASHITAA

A fresh graduate, undergoing Spanish language

course from Cervante, has done her Internship with

CNN IBN... still trying to spread her wings and

make a niche for herself.

VIVEK NAIR

A 21 yr old, with a particular fondness for good

books and good food, considers the world to be

calling out. Vivek continues in his quest to create

something for self, at the moment, by using words.

SUSHREETA MOHAPATRA

A 23 year old graduate from the University of

Delhi, has worked as a freelance feature writer with

The Times of India for three years, and sees herself

as a novelist, one fne day.


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or a casual reader, India Gate, the RedFort, the Rashtrapati Bhavan and theSansad Bhavan may simply representthe works of an era gone by, but digdeep and you will discover moorings

of Indias ethos. They collectively symbolizeIndias coming together as a nation and set themood of this great nations democracy. Wetake a close re-look.

India Gate, built to commemorate the supremesacrice of our soldiers who laid down their

FTHE MONUMENTSOF A THRIVING

DEMOCRACYViveik Pandit


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lives during the First World War, was initially called the All India WallMemorial. Names of Seventy thousand Indian soldiers who died inFrance, Flanders, Mesopotamia, Persia, East Africa, Gallipoli, the FarEast and elsewhere have been inscribed on the memorial arch. Anotherset of 12,516 names also nd a mention on the memorial who died

while serving India on the North-West Frontier, and during the ThirdAfghan War. A black Marble plinth with a reversed rie and a capped

helmet, known as Amar Jawan Jyoti was added to the structure in theyear 1971. The Unknown Indian Soldier lives eternally with the AmarJawan Jyoti.

The Rashtrapati Bhawan holds a hallowed existence in the pages ofIndian democracy. The vast, expansive and magnicent structure serves

as the ofcial residence of the Head of Indian State, the President.

Built as the ofcial durbar of the British supremacy over India, it

housed the then British Viceroy. The abode of the stone empire was

transformed into a permanent institution of Indian democracy whenDr Rajendra Prasad set foot on its steps and turned it into one of the

proudest temples of our democracy. The date was 26th January, 1950.The all-pervading task of protecting, preserving and defending theIndian Constitution had taken permanent shape.

Red Fort, representing the zenith of Mughal creativity is also an iconic symbol of Indias independence. Theunfurling of the Indian national ag at the main gate of the fort every 15th of August followed by an address

of the Executive Head, the Prime Minister of the nation from its ramparts evokes unparalleled joy. The massive

enclosing red sandstone walls of the fort encapsulate the strength and the pride of India.

The House of Parliament, also referred to as the Sansad Bhavan, had its opening ceremony performed on 18th

January 1927. Lord Irwin, the then Viceroy did the honours and the credit for the existence of this historicalstructure goes to Edwin Lutyens and Herbert Baker who designed this monument. The Central Hall of the

Parliament, designed in a circular shape sports a 98 feet [28.67 mts] diameter dome. The dome is one of the most

magnicent in the world. The transfer of colonial power to the Provisional Government under Nehru in 1947 andthe framing of the Indian Constitution took place in this hall. It bears testimony to the on-going evolution processof Democracy which is shaping the governance and the future of our Country.

These four great monuments are not mere structures of bricks and mortar. Together they truly represent a fusionof hues of our vibrant democracy, and its glorious antiquity. As we celebrate another completed year of Indiasindependence lets all pause, reect and salute these great monuments and feel them come alive.


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A Five Star graded hotel, offering stylish accommodation

interspersing both modern and urban architecture is what I

had heard of Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka. Spread

across the world with more than 100 hotels in India only gives

an idea to one about the great hospitality experience. The latest

wing of Radisson Blu Hotel positioned in the serene sub-city

of Dwarka, is the cusp of the suburbs business, entertainmentprecinct and the colonial-era architecture. Grapevine hinted at

the citys plushest rooms and word of its ne restaurants wafted

ahead of my arrival and as I stepped in the spacious lobby of the

8 oored hotel, an array of fresh blossoms welcomed me and

mesmerized my view. The well-dressed and earnest staffs made

me feel welcome within its vast embrace. The hotel crew with

the courteous smile guided me to the hotel premises. It didnt

wait long to make me feel at ease with the crew. So, I ushered

into the citied architectonics, I dwelt on the ne structures and

varied colored inorescences.

Megaolita Adob


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Moving ahead, The Atrium, the pastry shop just ahead of Lobby offers a decent range of coffees and bakery

items at an acceptable price. What makes it more interesting is the open space which gives you your privacy

along with the much needed connect with your surroundings. As it was not the time for meals and Tea is

always a good idea, I went with the speciality Formosa Green Tea said to be grown among peach, apricot &

plum trees. Tea always refreshes you and relaxes extreme distressed soul and it did what it does perfectly.

Entering the room, State-of-the-art amenities and sophisticated furnishings blending classic comfort and

contemporary style offer a restful retreat. The tranquil ambience of accommodation made me feel at home.

Complimentary breakfast in the coffee shop and free high-speed, wireless Internet access was available. The

city view from the bay at sunup or sunset leaves a magical effect.

After some relaxation, I went on to quench my bellys insistent demands.

To enjoy any stay, one looks for food and comfort and when at Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka you

have manifold benets available to relish the varied cuisines.To start with, Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi

Dwarka has Spring, the Coffee Shop where you can enjoy multi-cuisines with your family and friends. It is


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open for Breakfast, lunch and dinner endeavouring international cuisines from 6:30 in the morning till 11:30

in the late evening. You may also enjoy alcoholic and non-alcoholic beverages along with your meals.

And if you are a fan of Asian food, Rice, the Pan-Asian Restaurant offers one of the exquisite Chinese

savouries where meals are prepared according to the guests preferences (in front of them, adhering to theirminutest demand). Open for lunch from 12:30 in the afternoon to 3:00 in the afternoon and for supper from

7:00 in the evening till 11:30 in the late evening. (P.S. Closed on Tuesdays)

And then you have the Kitchen of the Celebrity Chef Rakesh Sethi Dvar - Gateway to Indian Cuisine. As

the name suggests it explores the alluring Indian avours from all parts of the country, and is open daily for

Dinner from 7:00 to 11:30 in the evening.

The hotel premises also has a bar named Zeppelin that boasts of exotic cocktails, choice wines, handpicked

single malts and spirits, emitting a World War II-themed interior, complete with airplanes and collectibles

from the era.

I chose Dvar as I am a self-confessedIndian cuisine enthusiast and the live

food meals being prepared in front of

you makes you chose and customize

the of your choice dish.

Although it does serve Non-vegetarian

food, I chose Nargisi Subz Kofta

Curry, Minced vegetables and cottage

cheese dumplings in a silky onion

cashew gravy and Makhmali Palak

Paneer, Cumin and garlic tempered

pureed spinach with fresh cottage

cheese dumplings, favoured with

ginger onpersistence of the Chef. The

perfect ending to the meal was Dvar-

E-Jannat, Paan Kul with gulkand cake, rose petal ice-cream and betel nut cigarillo, again a speciality of

Dvar.

The day ended with a restful sleep on the cosy bed.

The next day of the stay started with Thai spa at Anantaa the spa, salon and tness centre at Radisson BluHotel New Delhi Dwarka where you can relax your mind and body through international massages meted

out by the expert masseuse; Steam and Sauna along with Jacuzzi are also available to attune your spirit and

uplift your soul. You have a separate Couples spa room where in you can spend some quality with your

partner. For Fitness freaks one has a gym open from 6:00 in the morning till 10:00 in the evening. The best

part is if you are a Delhiite wanting to enjoy the spa and gym, you may enroll for the Anantaa membership

also.

The hotel also endeavours shopping with its Soul City mall at the basement wherein you can nd brands

likes Bata (footwear), Carbon Store (diamonds and jewellery), Croma (electronic megastore), More

(supermarket retail store), Pantaloons (fashion) without stepping out of the hotel. And yes, I did shop a lot.


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Other services of Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka include:

l Airport Transfers: Private airport transfers through the in-house Travel Desk.

l Business Centre: 3 meeting rooms and a boardroom, with seating capacity ranging from 8 to 24 people,

and an elegant lobby equipped with LCD display

l Swimming Pool & Recreation Area: An open-air Jacuzzi, innity pool on the terrace with attached

recreation centre for indoor games to spend some quality family-fun time; billiards, table tennis and

football are available (Open for 12 hours starting from 8 in the morning till 8 in the evening)

l Assisted Parking: Free valet parking available 24 hours a day guarded by a security team

l Currency exchange

l Doctor on call

l In-house laundry services

Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka Hotelalso has banquet hall on its rst and second oor

having a capacity of 300 Pax ensuring the best of

the services like: quality entertainment options, a

range of tailor-made menus to meet the specic

needs of every event, audio-visual services,

exclusive orists and theme creators, hospitality

room for large events live food counters and

theme menus and more. Albeit I could not use it,

I got the clue from crew.

Before I checked out, I stayed on to experience

the Tea at Atrium and it is always a good idea!

Although the tariff for rooms at Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka is quiet modest (starting from INR

3600 per room per night), I would recommend you to go through the internet before booking rooms with

Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka Hotel as the hotel offers various promotional discounts on various

website on a regular basis.

And enjoy your stay at Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka.

Kudos!

INFORMATION DOSSIER

Hotel Radisson Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka is in close proximity to IGI Airport (around 11 km). Radisson

Blu Hotel New Delhi Dwarka is also connected through Metro, Dwarka Sector 13 Metro station being the

closest metro station.

Check in: 1200 Hours

Check Out: 1200 Hours

Contact Information: +91-11-3090 8000, [email protected] Website:http://www.radissonblu.com/

Ankush Lamba


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Entire happiness of the day depends on a leisurely breakfast and true Delhiites love tolay back on tempting and delectable brunch over the weekends. Delhi offers extensivebrunch joints, ranging from extravagant hotels and restaurants to easy-going local bistro.

Here are few of the Brunch favourites of Delhi:

OLIVE BAR AND KITCHEN:

Positioned conveniently close to Delhisancient monument, Qutab Minar, Olive Barand Kitchen offers Mediterranean delicacies. Itis highly applauded for oven baked pizza, withthe Milano paper pizza being the signaturedish.

SARAVANA BHAWAN:

Sundays at the authentic and reasonable SouthIndian food inn, Saravana Bhawan may startwith a wait, but the wait is always worthwhile. Itis also indicative of the popularity of servingsoffered here, and celebrated for Kara Dosa,Kerala Special Appam and Idiyappam, lter

coffee and south Indian sweets served with


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lip smacking chutneys, onbanyan leaf.

CHOKOLA:

As the name symbolisesChokoLa offers sinfullydelicious chocolates withamusing brunch options.Eggs Benedict withsignature hot chocolateare recommended forbrunch. Chocolate Mousseand Lemon Tarts are thefavourites at ChokoLa.Located in the posh streetsof Khan Market; they also

offer a variety of chocolatehampers.

ZERZURA

Delhi has very few MiddleEastern and Moroccan foodjoints, Zerzura being one ofthem. Zerzura is engaged inopenings of art exhibitionsand other cultural and socialevents throughout the week,

which ends with a wonderfulSunday brunch. They servea wide array of deliciousMiddle Eastern dishes,ranging from Iranian kebabsand Berber tagine dishesto Levantine pineapple,pomegranate tabbouleh, hotmezze and tapas platters.

FIO COOKHOUSE &BAR

If on a Sunday, one is lookingfor respite from hustleand bustle of otherwisebusy Nehru Place, FioCookhouse and bar offersa serene hideaway featuringassorted amalgamation ofcontemporary, Europeanand Indian cuisine. Foodiesfavourite are juicy Indian

kebabs and mutton curries, kalonji paneer, spicy biryanis and sweet desserts.

BILLE DI HATTI

For a true Punjabi from Delhi, looking for the ultimate chole-puri-lassiexperience, Bille di Hatti at Kamla Nagar is the place. Started around 60 years

back by present owners grandfather, the Hatti continues to be one of the most

preferred brunch options for Delhiites. Chole Bhature with mouth-wateringLassi malai maar ke is true to any Punjabis delight. To complete the breakfastmeal, Bille di Hatti also serves avoured pickle.

If theres any place you recommend for a good brunch, do let us know!

Bon apptit!

Ankush Lamba


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The place to be in, to visit, to just while away time, to meet up with friends, to be

yourself and all without any extra, pinching expenses. Worth visiting, re-visiting

and visiting again.

Literally, it translates to Delhis Rural Market. The ambience is anything but...

An inimitable mix of rural setting and contemporary delights, Dilli Haat today

is a must on the itinerary of any tourist making his or her way to the National

Capital. And not surprisingly, its popularity among local Delhiites is immense

too.

The appeal of Dilli Haat, one each at INA and Pitampura, lies in the rustic charm

it offers in one of the bustling areas of the city. Just a few kilometers short of the

upscale markets of South Extension, and in close proximity to the INA Market,Dilli Haat is a veritable crafts paradise, with artisans from across the country

showcasing their work. A variety of handlooms, articrafts, handicrafts, jewellery

and oftentimes even organic products can be found here, all within the amplespace constituting the Haat, drawing people looking for goodies from different

states, without them having to go through the ordeal of scouting around the

city.

FALLING FOR

THE

RUSTIC

CHARM

Dilli Haat


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Even before one has purchased the 20-rupees ticketand set foot inside the narrow gate that marks theentrance of the Haat, the ambience for the Haat

permeates through the numerous vendors offeringto tie colourful threads in your hair, enticing youngchildren with colourful balloons, selling odd little knickknacks you will be tempted to buy off them.

And once inside, there seems to be a maze of stallsselling pure Kashmiri Pashmina, Madhubani paintings,Oriya applique work and Hyderabadi pearls at all times

of the year, and the amazing variety on offer is sure to

bedazzle even the most seasoned shoppers, let alone the

foreign tourists continuously being enticed by eager stall-owners. And then there are saris, kurtis and embroideredjackets, jootis and chunky jewellery t to compete with

any designer boutique across the city, t to make any

woman squeal in delight at their throwaway prices. Ofcourse, any regular shopper will tell you that the trick to

a great steal in Dilli Haat is bargaining hard, and stickingto your guns with the sellers who try to entice shopperswith their extraordinary craftsmanship!

Dilli Haat is also the one-stop destination for those

looking for some authentic Indian and traditional foodto tickle their palates. Food from almost all the statesof India, right from Rajasthans daal-baati-choorma,to Arunachals momos and even Hyderabads Nizami

biryani, can be sampled here, courtesy of the respectivestates tourism departments, providing mouthwateringfood at reasonable prices. In fact, one can indulge in a

whole days eating esta, beginning with Tamil Nadusidli-vada-sambar for breakfast, to steamed momos andfruit beer from Sikkim for lunch and rounding offdinner with Bengals pooris and meat curry. And thoselooking to beat the heat of the day can always binge onRajasthans offering of chuskis (avoured ice shavings),

made to perfection by Kaalu Bhaiya. Besides all these,


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the matka and stick kuls available at a number of stalls

is also worth trying.

With so much on offer, one is more than free to have ameal of ones choice. A warning however is that if you areone of those early starters, you will be a little disappointed.Even though the Haat opens up at 10:30, most stalls do

not begin serving as late as 12:30, leaving the early birdswith limited food choices for a late breakfast! But if younevertheless insist on persisting, you could always grabthat kulhar of steaming hot tea or lter coffee and haggle

with shopkeepers as the melodious tunes of a hand-carved Ravanhatha being played in the background,while you wait for the food to show up!

Dilli Haat also provides an encouraging platform for

various folk artistes, frequently hosting musical eveningsand soirees for enthusiastic patrons. A number of small-time hitherto unknown folk artists nd their moment

of limelight in the small space set aside for such events,garnering applause and appreciation of the impromptuaudience.

In addition, the Dilli Haat is also known for hosting

crowd-pullers and popular events like the annual, andnow immensely popular, Comic Con India edition, aswell as their summer fete of Mango Festival, where theyhold a mango-eating contest, apart from introducingpeople to the amazing variety of mangoes that are grownacross the country. Nowadays, Dilli Haat even organizes

various festivals like Baisakhi, Teej, Ganesh Utsav, Diwali,

Sharbat Mela, Christmas/Winter carnivals etc.

Those looking for a few hours, an evenings, or evena full days entertainment will not be disappointedwith a visit to Dilli Haat. It is a crowd-puller for

all age groups, families and youth alike - locals andtourists as well.

And the best thing, as many frequenters will tell you,is that it caters to every pocket. So if you are lookingto get a taste of bartering village-style in an urbanbackdrop and feasting on regional delicacies, DilliHaat is the place to be.

Initiated by the government in 1994 as a modestexperiment, it has turned to be one of Delhis topshopping destinations, making rural crafts from allover the Country accessible at one place. The CraftBazaar and Dilli Haat is a joint project of the Delhi

Tourism and Transport Development Corporation

also shortly named as DTTDC. They also holda number of shows at the exhibition hall in the

complex to promote handicrafts and handlooms.

SUSHREETA


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Delhi is a vast expanse and even the most seasoned veteran faces a daunting challenge ofjourneying through the city without missing out on the major Where-and-What. The DelhiTransport Corporation however came out with a simple solution, a whirlwind ride through townrequiring a solitary free evening as you skim through the best of Delhi so that you can choose yourpick and visit them at your leisure as suited to your pace, after all a visit to Delhi has to be completeand perfect.

The Hop on and Hop off aka the Delhi Darshan service was initiated during the common wealth

games held in Delhi in 2010 to facilitate the inux of tourists and the athletes thento have a quick tour of the grandeur conned within the city, all of which

can be appreciated in a few hours. The tour guides you to 19 of the best inDelhi and comes with routes suited to your taste; these include the greenroute, red route and a blend of both- a historical and cultural delight.Each outing begins at the Baba Kharak Singh Marg which houses thestarting outlet of the Delhi Dekho service. The HoHo tours have

become synonymous with the little blue bus as tourists and delhiitesalike, board it and begin their journey through their route of choice.The green route is the more jovial of the two, encompassing trips tolajpat nagar, Dilli Haat and the malls of saket interwoven with stops at

the India Gate, Safdarjung Tomb, National Gallery of Modern Art,Humayuns Tomb, Qutub Minar and what could be the called

the crowning moment where art and history merge with thesuaveness of the present era at the Haus Khas village- the

designer and the historian.

Each stop is roughly 45 50 minutes during which you arefree to explore and immerse yourself at the location, cooingat the remarkable history lessons that have been left for us.The journey from one stop to another is itself fun lled,

with foot tapping music and the latest chartbusters beingplayed, the conductors keep the mood jovial and occupants ofthe bus engrossed; trivia and games about the locations and stops

Vivek Nair

HOP ON

HOP OFF


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mixed with fun facts about the city are just afew things that the guide rambles on aboutwithout letting your attention wandering.

For the guides, the travel and the informationthey provide is their bread and butter andarmed with the knowledge of Delhis lifebloodand its denizens. They do an excellentjob of striking a balance between fun andinformation. While the green line serves to bethe more fun lled route, the red route in its

turn is no less enthralling to its journey goersalthough proving to be a more sombre affair,pleading more to ones artistic talents. Thered route include outings to the Red Fort, theSamadhi of Mahatma Gandhi at Rajghat andalso takes detour to the Presidents Palace i.e.Rashtrapati Bhawan and Delhis own famed

protest spot at Jantar Mantar. While a typicalstop will be for 45 minutes, a person wantingto remain for a longer period of time can doso because the HoHo tour is a continuous one

with more buses arriving every hour. Strollingalong the archives of history and prancingpast the lush shops of Delhi is well and good,but for the ones who want more than just amorning full of action an evening tour too isoperated. Watching Delhi in the morning isone thing, but a journey through Delhi at nightis an exquisite affair, viewing the spectacle at

the Purana Quila and its light & sound showor the emphatic energy witnessed hidden inthe multi-coloured handicrafts or yet still, adrive through the rows of embassies anked

on either side of the road, these are imageswhich are unique to Delhi alone, all of whichcan be seen quickly albeit not leisurely via theHop on and Hop off Service.

So on a slow weekend with no plans, with time to spare, it ishighly advisable to have a Delhi Darshan of the Capital thatyou may have travelled to but have still not experienced. Aremnant of the common wealth games, the Hop on Hop off

service has survived and there are no doubts as to why, whiletutoring delhiites and tourists alike on what they have beenmissing so far.


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National Museum

Offers a wide range of varietyincluding Art, Archaeology, Arms,Armour, Jewellery, Paintings,Anthropology and more.

Timings:

l 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM [Tuesday toSunday open]

National Gandhi Museum

It houses all the manuscripts,books, newspapers, personal items,photographs and audio-visual recordsof Gandhiji.

Timings:

l 9:30 AM to 5:30 PM [Tuesday toSunday open, 2nd Saturday Closed]

National Science Centre Museum

A must visit for all Fun lovers andexperience seekers.

Timings:l 10:00 AM to 5:30 PM [Open through the

week]

Shankar Doll Museum

Favourite amongst children, especially girls,the museum displays a collection of over6000 dolls from 85 countries.

Timings:



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Metro Museum

The only museum worldwide in anoperational Metro station, it showcasesthe Delhi Metro, its genesis, history andjourney.

Timings:

l 10:00 AM to 11:00 PM [Open throughthe week]

National Rail Museum

Established in 1977, it focuses on the railheritage of India.

Timings:


Crafts Museum

The largest crafts museum in India, it includes Research and Documentation facilities, a reference library, aconservation laboratory, a photo laboratory and an auditorium.

l Timings: 9.30 AM to 5:00 PM [Tuesday to Sunday open]

The Indian Air Force Museum

It has an indoor display gallery that contains historic photographs, souvenirs. It also includes the uniforms and

personal weapons of the Indian Air Force from its inception in 1932.l Timings: 10:00AM to 5:00PM [Monday to Sunday open]

National Museum of Natural History

Established in the year 1972, it is one of two museums that focus on nature. It functions under the Ministry ofEnvironment and Forests (Government of India).

l Timings: 10:00AM to 5:00PM [Tuesday to Sunday open]

National Philatelic Museum

It exhibits an extensive stamp collection including the rst stamp issued in India by the Sindh Dak (1854) and

stamps issued before Independence by the rulers of the Princely States

l Timing: 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM [Monday to Friday open]


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If you are looking to sport a snazzy new fashionstatement, perhaps you need to think beyondthe latest Hermes bag or Ralph Lauren jacket.

How about getting inked yourself with a picture,

mantra or an oh-so-cool symbol that is guaranteedto seize attention wherever you go? Here is then

the low-down on all about tattoos and where youcan get them done in Delhi.

Tattooing today is the sixth-fastest-growing retailbusiness in the United States. Not surprisinglyin India too, tattoos have caught the imaginationof the fashion conscious, with Bollywood starsshowing the way. So you have former beauty queenSushmita Sen getting inked as many as four timeswithin a span of year while Hrithik and Suzanne

Roshan made news with their identical tattoos inhappier times. The latest to join the bandwagonseems to be Kangana Ranaut who has got awarrior angel done on her slender nape.

Where to get a tattoo in Delhi?

Delhi has always been on the cutting edge offashion trends. With a thriving consumerist cultureand fashion industry, Delhiites can be trusted toshow off the latest style statements. So if all thestars of Bollywood are getting a tattoo, can theneighborhood Pammi Auntie or the loverboyBobby be far behind?

One of the earliest chains of tattoo parlours isDevilz Tattoos which started off as a studio inVasant Vihar more than ten years ago and now hasbranches in GK-I, Rajouri Garden and Gurgaon.Yet another established name among tattoodestinations is Tattoos by Dev while some otherplaces to get inked in Delhi are KDz Tattoos andIndelible Tattoos. Recently two high-end tattooparlours-Tattoos by Michael in Chittaranjan Parkand the Funky Monkey Tattoo Studio in Gurgaonhave opened up more options for the delhiites.

FsinMust-have


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Prices for getting a tattoo can vary widely in Delhi; usually they are xed

according to the size and complexity of the design, the location on the bodyas well as the expertise and reputation of the artist. Generally at an establishedparlour, you can expect to pay from Rs 700 to Rs 1000 per square inch of thedesign. However at a really upmarket destination, the price can shoot up to Rs

3000 per square inch.

Things to remember

Getting a tattoo is not really for the faint-hearted it is a painful process but then formany, claiming to have smiled through it all,is half the charm. However what should really

concern you is the health aspect. There is avery real danger of infection, including HIV,

if tattooing is carried out with unsterilizedneedles while scarring, granulomas and MRI

complications are other potential hazards.So the rst thing you need to look for in a

tattoo parlor is its standard of safety andsterility. Check out the place yourself and askthe tattoo artist about things like the quality ofink used and the measures taken to minimize the risks of an infection.

If you desperately want to show off a tattoo but are worried about adverseconsequences, a great middle option would be to get a temporary tattoo.Temporary tattoos can also be drawn, painted, or airbrushed, as a form ofbody painting. Think long and hard

Finally consider why you wish to get inked in the rst place. Is it because othersare aunting it or because you wish to wear your lovers name on your body?

Keep in mind that fashion trends usually have the lifespan of an adult mayy,

while in case a love affair goes astray, you really dont want to be saddled witha symbol that reminds you of your ex. And though laser surgery can lighten atattoo to some extent, the best plastic surgeon will tell you that it really nevergoes away.

Body art is one of the most genuine forms of self-expression that is now rmly

entrenched in mainstream culture. So if you feel that a tattoo says somethingtrue about you and you have checked the health aspect, go ahead and getyourself inked.

- Kalyani MookherjiIf you are looking

for a career in the

Defence Forces, please

refrain from getting the

Tattoo. It may prove to

be the reason for your

rejection.


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INDIAN TOURISM TOSOAR HIGH

In support of the intense drive initiated by the present government to promote Tourism, IATO

has augmented its pace and range to stimulate the same. A vigilant movement has started to

brainstorm and brew as to how tourism can bring the change in national economy, employment

creation, national integration and foreign investment - the focus areas as declared by Honble

Prime Minister, Shri Narendar Modi ji.

An august gathering comprising of Honble Minister Shri Shripad Yasso Naik, Mr. Parvez Dewan,Secretary (Tourism), Mr. Ravindra Singh, Secretary (Culture), Mr. Girish Shankar, Additional

Secretary (Tourism), Mr. Anand Kumar, Joint Secretary (Tourism), Mrs. Usha Sharma, Additional

Director General (Tourism), Govt. of India and Dr. Rakesh Tiwari, Director General (ASI), Dr.

Sameer Sharma, Managing Director (ITDC) had recently collaborated with IATO to realise this

aim.

Mr. Subhash Goyal, President, Indian Association of tour operators (IATO) praised the reigning

government as the only party which in its Election manifesto talked about T-5 and one of which

included Tourism. He further shared IATOs condence and optimistic feeling that the future

of our Tourism industry will prove to be unprecedented.

The bottle neck areas which brought stagnation in the growth of tourism viz over taxation to

tourism sector, visa issues, multiple state taxes specially road taxes and air connectivity from new

markets were discussed. The need for early implementation of e-travel visa was emphasized as it

can immediately give a big boost in International tourist arrivals. They also identied the urgent

prerequisite to resolve the service tax part as it has made our holiday package cost prohibitive.

Andaman & Nicobar Island Tourism Authorities and Indian Association of Tour Operators

(IATO) announced a partnership to promote Leisure and Beach Tourism.

Honble Lt. Gen A.K. Singh, Lt. Governor, Andaman & Nicobar Island led a tourism delegation

consisting of Shri Bishnu Pada Ray, Honble Member of Parliament of Andaman & NicobarIsland, Shri Anand Prakash, Chief Secretary and Shri Rakesh Bali, Secretary (Tourism) Andaman

& Nicobar Island in Delhi to have close interaction with the members of Indian Association

of Tour Operators on 6thAugust, 2014. The sole objective of this interaction was to enhance

the ow of tourists to Andamans, with especial focus being the international tourists. Honble

Lt Governor, Lt. Gen. A.K. Singh of Andaman & Nicobar Island in his speech elaborated that

The islands have a variety of landscapes to choose; the seas, the ever green forest and even

preferred locations for experiential tourism, delicious food (sea food). The home of unique

culture, it is a destination where one is never short of places to see and things to do. Now this

is also a MICE destination.


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STATE OF NATURE

Nagaland, as is self-evident from the term itself, is the Land

of the Nagas... their abode, their domicile, their dwelling,their habitat.

The Nagas, originally from the Mongoloid race, converge from16 different major tribes and few other sub-tribes too. Emergingas one, each tribe still manages to maintain its own distinctiveuniqueness through its own inherited ancient customs, culture,traditions and dress.

Beautiful hilly terrain seems to make one see Nagaland asa true Green Wonder Land, all shades and hues of greenembedding its beautiful features, proving that MotherNature has been partial towards Nagaland with her blessings.Its pure virgin beauty is still pristine and untouched, making ita land yet to be discovered properly, to get connected with, andto preserve its uncorrupted natural treasure. And to do all this,it offers the best of climate throughout the year.


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Nagaland truly has an amazing rangeof variety to showcase, be it thelandscapes and the scintillating naturalbeauty; the assortment of subtly variedart and craft; and the colorful andvibrant culture imbued with fervor, wellprojected through its diverse cultureand festivals.

"Nagaland, since its inception on 1st

December 1963, as the 16th State of the

Indian Union, has been looked upon as the

land of the hospitable and warm Nagas.

Being the easternmost part of the Country,

it borders Myanmar [Burma]; and is itself

bounded by Assam, Arunachal Pradesh and

Manipur. Kohima is its capital and Dimapur

its largest city as well as the link with the world

beyond its periphery. Nagaland is the smallest

state of our country, as far as its geographical

extent is considered."

PLACES OF TOURISTINTEREST

Nagaland, a veritable paradise, blessedbountifully by Nature, has its beautyscattered in each nook and corner.Few of its highlighted destinationsare Dimapur, Kohima, Longleng,

Mon, Peren, Phek, Kiphire, Wokha,Zunheboto.

Dimapuris known for the ruins of theMedieval Kachari Kingdom, alongwiththe Diezephe Craft village and theRangapahar Reserve Forest.

Kohimawith its World War II Cemetery,State Museum, Catholic Cathedral,the Naga Heritage Complex, the

Heritage Museum and Crafts Centre,

and also the Trekking and Camping inDzukou Valley offers a mixed varietyof options for tourist interested in thecontemporary as well as the historical.

Mokokchung is renowned for itsFusen Kei and Monozu ki caves,Longritzu Lenden Valley and TanokumMarok Spring.

Longleng has long virgin stretcheswhich is treasured as DrivingAdventurers paradise.

Mon is worth visiting because of itsStone Monoliths, the Local Museum atShangpyu Village, the Veda Peak andWaterfall.

Peren is renowned for the Stone

Carvings and Monoliths surroundingit.

Phekabounds with beautiful featureslike the Glory Peak, Dzudu Lake,Zanibu Peak and Shilloi Lake. It is alsovisited by many for its Cultural ResearchInstitute.

Kiphirehas a variety of options for theNature Lovers: Caves, natural geysersof Mimi and Salumi, Sukhayan Cliff,

Wawade Waterfall, Stone Monolith ofSiphi, the River of Salt and the FakimWildlife Sanctuary.

Wokhawith its Mount Tiyi, Totsu Cliff,Doyang River and various Lagoons andValley is the place for all interested inAdventure Sports.

Zunheboto is the perfect place forcommunion with nature. The LakeAizuto, Aizuto Forest, Ghosu BirdSanctuary, and the Satoi range with

Pristine Wilderness is an idyllic place torelax and rejuvenate.

ART AND CRAFT

Natural setting, the bounty from natureand in general the disposition of thelocals have blessed Nagaland with a richheritage of art and craft, which seemsto be well embedded in their lifestyle.There is no dearth of raw material, andskill is an inherent quality in the people

here. Since time immemorial, the Nagasociety has been self-sufcient and self-

reliant; creating each item of utility tosuit their personal requirements. Thishas led to the evolution of skilled tribalcraftsman, weavers and artisans. Till thisday, products used are all natural, andeach item is made by hand. Basketry,Weaving, Woodcarving, Pottery, Metal

work and Jewelry each craft gaining

fame for their quality and really sought

after for their aesthetic value.


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Cane furniture, baskets, hats and mats are in great

demand. Hand woven shawls, bags and jackets are very

popular in the National as well as International market.

Woodcarving done without the aid of any latest gadgets

is excellent and it is a matter of great pride to possess

objects showcasing such craftsmanship. The pottery

initially in demand for its functional value, is now

mainly for the aesthetics. A growing demand for the

metal products has brought the blacksmiths into the

limelight. Besides all these, local jewelry and beadwork

is also popular with locals as well the tourists.

Each Handloom and Handicrafts Emporium in

Nagaland highlights the unique and distinctive feature

of the tribe it is related to, and they diligently endeavorto maintain their own traditional sanctity. The demand

for natural and hand crafted products in the Global

market has widened the avenues and weaved in a new

lease of life to the art and craft, as well as the artisansand craftsmen.


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Flora And Fauna

Nagaland being completely covered with woodedforest for over 20 percent of its total land area,has a vast expanse dominated by the evergreen tropical

and the sub tropical forests,

which has turned to bethe habitat of a variety ofora and fauna. Palms,

bamboo and mahoganyare in abundance; soare timber, high grassand reeds. It provides anatural environment forpangolins, porcupines,elephants, leopards, bears,many species of monkeys,

sambar, harts, oxen, andbuffaloes - thriving acrossthe state's forests.

Blyth's Tragopan, avulnerable species ofpheasant, is the state Birdof Nagaland. Of the mere2500 tragopans sighted inthe world, Dzkou valley is

the natural habitat of more than 1,000. Great IndianHornbill is one of the most famous birds found in the

state. One is also compelled to make a separate mentionof the falcons Falco pereginus as millions of themroost here, the accepted count being about 50 falconsper square kilometer.

Mithun (a semi domesticated Gaur) found only in thenorth-eastern states of India, is the state animal ofNagaland and has been adopted as the ofcial seal of

the Government of Nagaland. It is ritually the mostvalued species in the state, and has been used in barterfor years.

FOLK SONG AND DANCES

Folk songs and dances are essentially woven in thetraditional Naga culture, and is used to keep alive theglory of past via the folk tales and songs. Naga folksongs are romantic and historical, religious and alsoseasonal. Naga Tribal dances portray the distinctivecharacteristics of each of its tribes, and also helps onediscern the intrinsic nature of the Nagas as a whole.In Nagaland, music is an integral part of life, and theirfervor comes across in all forms, be it romantic, didactic,or religious. The Naga music is soothing and sweet; its

FACTS WORTH KNOWING:

l Nagaland is known as the "falcon capital of the world".

l The design woven in a shawl denotes the social status of

the wearer.

l As Warriors, the Nagas consider the safety and security of

their guests as an honour and prestige

l English and Hindi are widely spoken and so, language is

no problem in Nagaland.

l Mount Saramati is the highest peak with a height of3,840 metres and its range forms a natural barrier

between Nagaland and Burma.

l The river Brahmaputra has a rare male name,as it means

"Son of Brahma" in Sanskrit.

l The Nagas have improvised a beautiful mix of the past

with the present by reproducing fabrics that represent

the ancestral motifs blended with modern appeal. This has

opened the doors to Fashion Designing also.


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Head hunting, banned in the 19th century, was

primarily a male activity. As a cultural practice, themen were to undertake head-hunting, a prerequisiteto marriage. The men sought people from other tribesand killed them to score the number of heads hunted.

As per tradition, the right to ornaments was directly inproportion to ones success as a Head Hunter.

HORNBILL FESTIVAL OF NAGALAND

Nagaland Hornbill Festival, ofcially launched by

the State Government in December 2000, aims topromote inter-tribal interaction and also to stimulatethe cultural heritage of the state.

It is held every year, in the rst week of December, at

the Naga Heritage Village; and is organized by the State

Tourism Department in collaboration with the Art &

Culture Department. All the tribes of Nagaland are apart of this festival, and they strive together to protectand showcase their history, culture and traditions. It isa medley of all the aspects of a Nagas life, displayingtheir art and craft; sports and games; dance and music;skill and strength; local food and natural medicine;and also fashion and beauty contest.

Additional attractions include the Konyak re eating

demonstration, pork-fat eating competitions, theHornbill Literature Festival, Hornbill Global Film

Fest, Hornbill Ball, Choral Panorama, North East

rhythm evokes an involuntary response from thelisteners.

LAND OF FESTIVALS

Nagaland is a land of Festivals, and there seems tobe an ongoing spirit of festivity through the year.Over 85% population being involved in agriculture,the festivals are related in some way or the other toagriculture be it sowing or bountiful harvest; but,it is also to appease the Almighty having differentnames in different Naga dialects. Sacrices are

made in adherence to their rituals, and each tribecelebrates upholding their own distinct tribaltradition. Dance, song and music are intricatelywoven into all occasions of celebration.

Historically, Naga tribes celebrated two main rituals

- Feasting and Head hunting.

Feasting, a beautiful tradition in celebration of thecompatibility, cooperation and interdependence ofa married couple - hosted by married man, with hiswife occupying the prominent place of honor; alsoknown as the Feasts of Merit. Everyone from thetribe gets an invitation, and at the end of the feastthe hosting couple gets bestowed with the rights toornament by the elders of the tribe.


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India Drum Ensemble, Naga king chilli eatingcompetition, Hornbill National Rock Contest,

Hornbill International Motor Rally and WW-IIVintage Car Rally.

This is most certainly the time to visit Nagaland.It not only gives a glimpse to their way of life, butgives one the chance to experience it.

After a long phase of insurgency and internalconicts, Nagaland is managing to evolve out of

its insecurity and take steps towards economicdevelopment. Agriculture is its prime sustainingeconomic activity, other upcoming onesbeing tourism, forestry, real estate and cottageindustries.

Nagaland, also referred to as the Switzerland ofthe East represents a perfect, natural setting fora lazy romantic break or an educative one for thestudents of nature. Travellers of all categories-tourists, researchers, backpackers, ecologists oradventurers can nd a wholesome package, well

within ones budget. It provides a great break fromthe hustle and bustle of city life, with an exquisiteand simple backdrop.

Nagaland has limitless possibilities for thoseseeking adventure. It is an ideal place for trekking,boating, rafting, shing, rock climbing and jungle

camping; a treasure trove of medicinal plants forthe botanists; the place to be for ornithologists;and an area of varied options for people focusedon Cultural Studies.

ROUTE TO COMMUTE :

All three options of travelling by Air, Rail orRoad are available. Dimapur has the only airport

in Nagaland, and it is also the Nearest RailwayStation. From Dimapur one has to proceed byroad. The commuting cost in this region is verypocket friendly. And, the drive henceforth provesto be Divine for a nature lover.

For in-depth details, log on to :

[email protected]

[email protected]

- From the Editorss Table.


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Nagaland: A Revelation!!Sumana Dutta

Afar cry from the hustle-bustleof the city; the peaceful, serene,picturesque hills of Nagaland beckonanyone looking for a break from the

restless, busy and mundane routineof urban life. Since its inception in1963, Nagaland has had a mystical auraabout itself which has created interestand drawn people from far and wide.Surrounded by the three Indian statesof Assam, Arunachal Pradesh andManipur in the west, north and south aswell as Myanmar in the east; Nagalandis a trove of natures raw beauty at itsbest. Being one of the thirteen rarezones of the earth having both sub-

tropical and sub-alpine climate, thebest time of the year to visit Nagalandis between October and May, whentorrential rains can be avoided. Thecapital city, Kohima is well connectedto Dimapur; which is 74 Km awayand has air and rail connectivity withGuwahati, in Assam.

My personal association with thisexotic land began in the year 1999when an obscure village in Mon

district, bordering Assam, was to bemy home for the next three years dueto my husbands deputation from theArmy into an Assam Ries Regiment.

Though extremely cosmopolitan inthoughts and outlook, I had my ownreservations about how life in thisalien land would be!! But within a fewmonths, I realized my folly of beingjudgmental without any know-how ofNagas or their ways of life!


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The Nagas got their name from Nakas (Burmese) which means withears pierced. Their Tibeto- Burmese origin is accentuated by the highcheekbones, almond shaped eyes, sparkling teeth and bronze complexion.Be it the progressive Angami and Ao tribes or the slowly but steadilymodernizing Konyak tribe, tribal festivals of each are held throughout theyear in different parts of the state and are major tourist attractions. All Nagatribes have common tastes in arts and handicrafts and cane and bamboobaskets; colourful shawls, bags and jackets; and metal spears, chisels andornaments are a few souvenirs that can be carried home by tourists.

If one is simply looking for a comfortable sight-seeing experience, the citiesof Kohima and Dimapur are the ideal destinations. The Commonwealth WarCemetery in Kohima is a reminder of the Japanese invasion during WorldWar II. Khonoma Village, 20 Km to the west of Kohima, is replete withtales of valour when the Nagas fought against the British Army. Situated atabout 15 Km from Kohima, Japfu peak is an adventurous trekking terrain.For ower-lovers, Dzukou Valley, about 25 Km from Kohima, is a must-visit

between November and March when rhododendron, lilies and wild owers

are in full bloom. Dimapur, the city of the river people, has stone megalithswhich have been erected by the tribes. 37 Km further from Dimapur is theIntaki Wildlife Sanctuary which is home to various endangered species ofanimals and birds.

Tourists desirous of enjoying the adventurous thrill of Nagaland and notprioritizing comfort can explore beyond the cities into the townships ofother districts. Trekking and camping in the lush green forests amidst thehumming of cicada and other insects; angling in the gushing rivers likeDhansiri, Dikhu, Tula and Milak are once-in-a-lifetime experiences whichwill stay with you forever. Be it the sight of water from murmuring mountainstreams that has been made to ow through pipes made of bamboo stems

and reach villages downhill; or the hollowed-out bamboo cylinders which


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have been used to make cooking utensils to cook rice on a make-shift re for a midday meal in the eld- the

exotic, unique sights in these simple, unsophisticated surroundings leave you awestruck at the industriousness ofthe simple village folk.

Naga villagers are extremely warm and friendly, and use an indigenously developed language to communicatewith outsiders. Nagamese, a combinationof Naga and Assamese, is simple to followfor anyone conversant with Bengali orAssamese. A Naga village is a strongunit and is a symbol of solidarity. Eachvillage has a Morung, an erstwhile youthdormitory which is used as a communityhall in modern times. While earlier, theelders passed on the customs and traditionsof their tribe to the youngsters during theirstay in these dormitories, the Morungs arenow used for important announcements

accompanied by the beating of huge logdrums. These Morungs are also displayhouses of the large number of animalskilled by the village folk, its gates and walls

being adorned with heads of boars, goats, elephants and deer.

Each village is proud to have an Ang, the King; who is the stronghold of the village society. He is a real sight to

behold when he dresses up in his traditional ceremonial attire, complete with exotic headgear and multicolouredspears and daos. Being originally a head hunter tribe, Naga Angs still wear neckpieces with replica of humanheads made of brass, the number of heads signifying the people beheaded by the tribe. The womenfolk, like allhilly tribes, are extremely hard working and can be seen working in the crop elds, cutting rewood in the forests,

looking after the livestock, or simply weaving shawls. However, one feature that stands out is their distinct dressing

style. Clad smartly in Naga Mekhlas (aka wrap-ons),these lean, slim village women have a beauty and charmwhich can give tough competition to any city damsel.

A trip to this exotic land transports one down the pagesof history to a different era. Only in Nagaland it ispossible to nd an abode which is literally international!

Only when I set foot on this house located in theborder village of Lungwa, whose sitting and diningrooms are in India while the rest of the rooms lie inan altogether different country (Myanmar); could Isomewhat appreciate the sheer courage, condence

and determination with which the Nagas deal with theirplight in the hands of International policy makers!!

As I learnt through my experience, a visit to Nagalandis not just about seeing a new place. It is about seeingmankinds journey from obscurity to prominence andappreciating the struggle of men to make their markin spite of demoralizing effects of insurgency andterrorism. It is in fact, about the incessant endeavourof Man to reach a balance between his glorious pastand promising future.


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Kazakh is a Turkic word meaning "someone independent and free."

And, the sufx "stan" is an ancient Persian & Farsi word meaningcountry, nation, land, or place of. As is self- evident, Kazakhstan is theabode of Kazakhs. It has also evolved to be the homeland of more

than 100 ethnic groups, living in harmony and peace. As the landbridge straddling the two huge landmasses of Europe and Asia, itserves as a vital link between the civilizations that have prospered andourished in these two countries.

Kazakhstan - a country, still in its adolescence, struggling with all theturmoil and confusion associated with this phase of ones growth, hasproved its strength and ability to make its mark on the world map.

Eternal Kazakhstana wondrous journey.

Lake Kaindy,meaning the "falling rocks/landslide lake"


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On the one hand, Kazakhstan projects its simplicity, its innocence, its warmth and its open heartedness;

and on the other it balances the same with its strength, its unity, its ability to overcome all odds, itsforesightedness in not only establishing itself as an entity, but also as a force which has a say in theglobal scenario.

Rising from an unknown remote area of the collapsed super power to a dynamic modern state thatis valued and respected by the global community has been possible because of the clear vision ofthe farsighted and perceptive leadership under The President of the Republic of Kazakhstan Mr.Nursultan A. Nazarbayev. It is a rising country which can boast of a signicant and transformational

growth in multiple areas ranging political, economic, social, cultural and commercial spheres. In justover two decades, Kazakhstan has created its own successful model of development, each subsequentyear taking it a step ahead in its aim to develop a sound foundation for its fast progressing socio-

economic structure.

TWIN PRIDES OF KAZAKHSTAN

Astana and Almaty the present and the erstwhile capital of Kazakhstan are living witness and proofof the Countrys rapid and multi-faceted growth.

Almatys unique geographical position promotes it to play a role as a hub for UN activities in theregion. It is the major commercial and cultural centre of Kazakhstan, as well as its largest populationcenter.

And Astana, the Great Global City, showcases a beautiful balance of the contemporary, modern dayattractions in the form of its excellent infrastructure of roads, airport, hotels, museums, art galleries,business parks, government ofces, and theatres; and the Natural beauty abounding in the plentiful

pine and spruce; birch and ash trees shaping its magnicent landscape. From the remote outskirts of

a provincial town, Astana has evolved into a superb combination of urban landscape beauty and boldarchitectural structures.

Awards and Honors: Astana was honored with the UNESCO Cities for Peace Prize award in 1991. In the International

Show Competition 2011, Astana won Best City of Commonwealth of Independent States and Eurasian Economic community.

Likewise, Almaty has claimed the title of being Cultural Capital of the Commonwealth of Independent States and Cultural

capital of the Turkic speaking world.

Eight sites along the Silk Road in Kazakhstan have been granted World Heritage status. Part of the millennium-old trade route,

the Silk Road has been successfully included in the UNESCO World Heritage list at the 38th session of the World Heritage

Committee in Doha, Qatar.

Skyline Astana


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GOING GLOBAL

As Kazakhstan goes global, its impact turns visible. In the last fouryears, it has hosted VII Asian Winter Games; XVIII session ofGeneral Assembly of the World Tourism Organization; XXXVIIIsession of the Council of Foreign Ministers of the Organization ofIslamic Cooperation. It is also the Future host of the internationalexhibition EXPO 2017 to be held under the slogan Energy for the

Future; and is expected to be shortlisted to host the prestigious 2022Winter Olympics.

Within 22 years of its inception, Kazakhstan boasts of about 14universities and 35 colleges of technical and vocational education. Thehigher education institutions cover studies in Engineering, Science& Technology, Medicine, Humanities, World Languages, Defense

studies, Social Sciences, Business, Public Policy, Education Policy andsuch like.

The country has not only come up with Research Centre for Energy,

but also for training personnel for innovation of Kazakhstan.

Sports complexes have been given the same impetus as is given to theMedical facilities.

ASPECTS OF TOURISM:

Kazakhstan, worlds 9th largest country, also has a claim to being thelargest landlocked country in the world. It is further blessed withthe brightest examples of landscape of both the continentsit adjoins Europe and Asia. Its complicated history hasfurther helped it to evolve into a country of diverse andauthentic culture.

Despite being the worlds largest Uranium producer, and having worlds Fourth largest nuclear arsenal in 1991 (when the

USSR was dissolved) it is a non-nuclear-weapon state, known to support efforts to counter the threat of Nuclear terrorism.


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All this combines to offer a lotmore through its travel and tourismindustry. The large number of

variegated natural features helps

it provide a long list of nature-based activities to the tourists.

This list includes ecotourism,bird watching, skiing, trekking,and many water sports, besidessunbathing and swimming inlakes and rivers of Kazakhstan.

Nature-based tourism

Boasting of rich ora and fauna,

Kazakhstan is a habitat for about

122 mammal species, 500 speciesof birds and 107 species of sh;and over six thousand speciesof plants growing in the region.

A network of national parksand nature reserves has beenestablished inorder to preservethis precious world of plants and

wildlife.

The Aksu Zhabagly NatureReserve is a habitat of snowleopard and other rare animals.Kazakhstan is also known as aKingdom of Tulips, as tulips arebelieved to have originated herelong before they were introducedin Holland. Korgalzhyn Nature

Reserve is famous for its pinkamingos and other rare species

of wildlife, and is hugely popularamong bird-watchers; AltynEmel National Park is interestingfor its mystery of Singing Dune;

Katon-Karagay National Park is

renowned as a habitat of marals(red deers).

Mountains: Trekking andwinter sports

Steppes and mountains ofKazakhstan hugely contributetowards its unique landscape.Being either low, middle or high,these mountains do offer a largevariety of opportunities forholidays and recreation, attractingmany tourists, from all over theworld, every year. Tien Shan, Altay,Ulytau, and Kazygurt are few ofthe sought after destinations.

Tien Shan Mountain is thehighest peak, and Almaty - thelargest city of Kazakhstan, beinglocated at its bottom, offers easyaccess to marvellous landscapesfor trekking, and also a series ofwinter sports. The high mountainsof Kazakhstan being ideal forwinter sports were well equippedto have hosted successfully theWinter Asian Games in 2011.

The Small Almaty Valley andBogdanovich Glacier are hometo attractions like PogrebetskyGlacier (4231 m), Tuyuc Su (4100m), Ordzhonikidze (3980 m)peaks, and many others.

Winter Sports

Kazakhstans unique sportcomplex Medeu, also referred to

as Medew or Medeo, prides on


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having a skating rink at 1691 metres above sea level, which makes it the highest skating rink in the world. Asophisticated articial refrigeration system enables to keep high quality ice coverage over 8-months of the year.

Another major winter sport attraction of Kazakhstan is Shymbulak (Chimbulak) ski resort, located not far fromAlmaty. Though snow lies in these places from November till May, it also claims sunny weather for more than

three hundred days each year.HUNTING WITH BIRDS OF PREY

Hunting with prey birds is one of the most unique features of the Kazakh life. This cultural tour gives tourists

an opportunity to watch the process of the authentic tradition of using Golden Eagle or other prey birds inhunting.

LAKES AND RIVERS

Kazakhstan is not only steppes and mountains; it is also a country of rivers and lakes. Lakes among the steppesare usually like an oasis among empty deserts.

Coast of the biggest lake in the world Caspian Sea is perfect for sunbathing, swimming and shing. The largest

number of reservoirs is concentrated in the south-east part of the country, in the region with a symbolic nameZhetysu - Seven Rivers. Almost all the rivers of Zhetysu belong to the basin of Lake Balkhash, which is also apopular tourist destination for its health centres and recreation camps. Besides health resorts, rafting in MountainRivers, boating and sailing in lakes are a few examples of activities offered for tourists in Kazakhstan.

ETHNIC ASPECT OF TOURISM

Unique culture of Kazakhstan is a reason to travel to Kazakhstan for many tourists. Almost in every corner ofthe republic, a visitor interested in real life of Kazakh people, their traditions, rituals, art and culture, will ndmany things of interest. These include museum complexes, ethno villages, depicting traditional lifestyle of Kazakhpeople, historical sites of medieval cities and many others.


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Accommodation is available to suitany type of budget. Camp sites,Resorts, Hotels, Inns with varying cost

and packages can be managed. Though,the information about low budget stayoptions may not be available on net.

For this, it is best to contact the TourAgent.

The guests are accorded due respect,and are likely to experience hospitalityand warmth in this lovely country.However, like in all countries, ones

safety depends on the location, timeof the day, circumstances, and onespersonal behavior. Public transportationand taxis are much less expensive thanin western cities. It is advisable to move

Sfety & Sa

around in groups rather than alone. Cell phones do work in most places. There is zero tolerance for any drugs.Kazakh people have more pride and ego than one would expect. It is advisable to refrain any negative commentsabout Kazakhstan or local Kazakhstani people. May lead to a hazardous path as Kazakhstan is a nation wherephysical power is part of the local culture.

PROMISING NEIGHBOURS

Indo Kazakhstan relations have always been warm and friendly. Based on equal partnership, mutual respect andunderstanding, it has matured over the years, but its great underlying potential still needs to be exploited. Theconnect between both the countries can be traced back to the great Silk Route, but it has become more personaland individualized in the span of the last 20 years. It started in Feb 1992, when the Kazakh President chose to

make his rst country visit outside CIS, to India. And since then, there has been a chain of warm and reciprocalvisits between the dignitaries of both the countries. India and Kazakhstan project unison in their views andstanding in most of the issues be it political, economic, regional or global. Both the countries accord full respect,appreciation and acceptance to each other and does realize their mutual growth and inter-dependence to avail theopportunities for the same.

India and Kazakhstan are a part of each others extended neighborhood, and at the moment are on thethreshold of a more promising, more dynamic and more encompassing phase of their relationship. Lack of directconnectivity, despite its geographical proximity, is an obstacle that needs to be overcome. New routes can reducethe distance and the cost of commuting too. The ights from Almaty to New Delhi have been increased from

twice a week to ve times a week, to accommodate Indian tourists and businessmen travelling to Kazakhstan for

work as well as relaxation.


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AS I REMEMBER KAZAKHSTAN

A modern day wonder, set up in a picturesque background of natural god-gifted beauty. Lots of open space,beautiful landscape, and no trafc jam to contend with; a luxurious and comfortable hotel with all world class

amenities; memorable cuisine indicative of the inuence of Continental recipes; unending list of places to visit,

and also a series of recreational and sport facilities. Adding to all these, the Night Life also provided the option ofDiscotheque and Casino, if one so desired

Kazakhstan - a country reecting warmth, welcome and trust... a little laidback, yet smart and fast evolving,

keeping pace with all around. Our trip was short, sweet and memorable. The people were friendly, approachableand eager to interact and assist, irrespective of the language handicap. Our Indianness seemed to invite a lot ofattention and appreciation, more so for the sari worn by the ladies in our group. The localites repeatedly referredto their partiality for Hindi Movies. These memories still make me smile, despite the passage of few years since

my visit.

The most endearing aspect of my Kazakhstan visit is a tradition compulsively adhered by all the Natives remembering the martyrs in the moment of their personal happiness. The Country highlights the supreme sacrice

of their martyrs, and impartsthe conviction to cherish their

memory. This has evolved into abeautiful heart-touching traditionwherein each Married Coupleis liable to go and pay their rst

Homage to the War Martyrs in the

Park, and seek their Blessings.

For correct and absoluteinformation visit:

http://visitkazakhstan.kz/en/

- From the Editorss Table.


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Mr. Timur Nogaibayev, First Secretary atthe Embassy of Kazakhstan, stressed on theimmense possibilities between Kazakhstan

and India, pertaining to the tourism sector in aninterview given to ANI. He stated that:

"Tourism is among the priorities of Kazakhstan's StateProgramme of Accelerated Industrial and InnovativeDevelopment We have daily ights between Almaty

and New Delhi and several more connecting the twocountries are pending.

He further added: "There are a lot of complementarities

between India and Kazakhstan. When snow and coldwould not allow it in Kazakhstan, it is warm and sunny

in India, and when it is too hot in India, it is pleasantweather in Kazakhstan."

To promote Tourism, Citizens of ten countries havebeen granted visa-free travel to the country, whichshould and probably would be extended and expandedafter its one-year trial. This enables entry, exit and transitthrough Kazakhstan without a visa for visits of up to15 calendar days at a time. There are no limits on thenumber of such visits per year. Mr Timur shared that"We are looking to develop further the country's tourismpotential as part of its Kazakhstan 2020 development

programme and we would like to see India becoming apart of this new initiative."

Mr. Nogaibayev revealed that the Embassy ofKazakhstan has issued around 600 tourist visas toIndians visiting Kazakhstan this year. A signicant

portion of these tourists are married couples, often withchildren. Their main area of focus, at the moment is toattract visitors from India to the EXPO-2017, both asparticipants and tourists.

"We have a society, where personal freedom is beingrespected," Nogaibayev said.

EvolvingAssociation

It is worth mentioning that the people of Kazakhstanare very open, communicative and hospitable by nature.There is no xenophobia or discrimination on anypretext.

Kazakhstan is a place of fascinating contrasts betweenthe old and the new. The country has left its Soviet past

far behind and the people are upwardly mobile. It is agreat place for those who like to work hard and also liketo play hard.


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The pride that the Indian Army incites in us growsmanifold when we assess their role, over the years, inpromoting sports through participation in internationalevents like CWG, Olympics, MWG, Asian Games. Theyhave proved that besides Defence of the Nation, they alsoplay a pivotal role in keeping the national ag high in the

international sporting arena.

Athletics, Wrestling, Weight-lifting, Shooting and Hockey

have proved to be the forte of our army men; and the

names that come to mind automatically are those ofMilkha Singh, Paan Singh Tomar and Rajyavardhan SinghRathore. Few others are Lila Ram, BhimSingh, UdeyChand, Vijay Kumar, Tirkey Brothers, Samresh Jung andDeepak Thakur.

India participated in the 2014 Commonwealth Games atGlasgow, Scotland, United Kingdom held from 23 Julyto 3 August 2014. The Indian athletes bagged 64 medals,scaling our countrys rank to the 5th position in theinternational sporting event.

Men in Olive Green have done us proud repeatedly, andthe CWG 2014 is just an instance to showcase the same.

Lt Col (Honorary) Abhinav Bindra Won a Gold Medal in

Mens 10m Air Rie at CWG 2014 on 25 Jul

Nb Sub Jitu Rai Won a Gold Medal in Mens 50m

Pistol at CWG 2014 on 28 Jul

Hav Chandrakant Mali Won a Bronze Medal in 94 Kg

Weightlifting Event at CWG 2014 on 30 Jul

Nb Sub Ravi Katulu (L) Won the Silver Medal in 77kg


Hav L Devendro Singh Won the Silver Medal in Mens

Light Weight Boxing at CWG 2014 on 02 Aug

Nb Sub Sukhen Dey, Won the Gold Medal in 56 Kg


MEDALfor the

MEDALISTS

From the Editorss Table.


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What if I read you a story,

Which started with- once upon a time

soon you realise,

that its your life,

spelt out on every line.

Would your eyes gleam with wonder,

as my voice brushes across each word

would you anticipate,this fairytale to end with a happy ending

on an ending that shatters your world.

Would you be startled to know,

that the problems you dwell over time totime,

could be summed up, in just two lines,

and the things you take for granted everyday,

that were hardly a matter of concern,

THE RIGHT CHOICEplayed a major part in who you are today.More than youd ever dare to say.

would you be curious to know what the empty pagesbehold,

whether theyll tell memories youll savour,

or will it be about nights spent in harsh cold.

There will be moments youd want to literally deweed,

but most of them youll be proud to read.as the choice lies within you,

because there is a story to your life, too

so hold on tight,

now, its you who holds the pen.

I hope you ll the pages right,

before you reach the end.

Aakanksha Monga,Sanskriti Public School,Chanakyapuri, New Delhi

Police - 100 / 1090

Fire -101

Ambulance - 102

Accident & Trauma Service - 1099

Tourist City Information Service - 1280

Child Helpline - 1098

Womens Helpline -1091All India Institute of Medical Sciences

Ph: 011-26588500 / 26588700

National Heart Institute

Ph: 011-26414156 /

26414157 / 26414075

Escorts Heart Institute and Research Centre

Ph: 011-26825000 / 26825001 / 26825002 /

26825003

Cancer Detection Centre

Ph: 011-23716941

Apollo

Ph: 011-26925858 26825555 / 26925801

Indian Spinal Injuries Centre

Ph: 011-26137603

26894884 / 26896642

Delhi Metro Enquiries

Ph: 011-128128


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Delhi is not just a city, a national capital or a state. It embodies all

three and much more. With its culturally diversied existence,and ever growing number of Delhiites, the need for it to have astrong, committed and well-connected safety support system isalso rising. There is a need to provide a dignied environment to

survive in. It is essential to strive towards converting Delhi into acompletely Free from Fear zone.

And to ensure this, Delhi Police has to stand together with thecommitment to work diligently and prove reliable. In their endeavourto achieve excellence, they have to be a model of responsibility,accountability, and trustworthiness. Recently, an overwhelmingenterprise to make lives safe and comfortable for the Delhiites


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has been initiated by the Delhi Police, in the form of a Mobile

App. This app, if used judiciously, will overcome the concerns inrelation to the existing chaotic and disturbing state of trafc that

the Delhiites get to face on a daily basis.

Features of AppThis Mobile Application provides trafc related alerts, advisories,

fare calculator with map for auto/taxi, pit location, emergencycalls and complaint lodging facility for road users in Delhi.

Application Registration

To use the Application, the user has to register his mobile numberfor the rst time. Once registered, it will not show Register button

and user can continue using the Application.

Installing the Application

This Mobile Application can be downloaded from Google PlayStore. In search option write Delhi Trafc Police, which display

the screen with Delhi Trafc Police Icon. And you can install your

App by tapping the said option.

It probably is the rst initiative of this kind in the country, and

which promises to go a long way in ensuring the maintenanceof law and order in the city by maximising the use of digitalplatforms. The technology guided drive by Delhi Police ensuresto make life easier for the commuters in the countrys capital. Tobe more people friendly, Delhi Trafc Police has also upgraded

its existing website and has included detailed information about

various aspects of trafc management like prosecution statistics,congestion points, and areas prone to water-logging.

From the Editorss Table.


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nally bought a dining table. And I set it up next to

the large window in the dining room overlooking agreen park. Oh, just the perfect setting. There wasa little ledge on the outside of the window where

I wanted to put some pots and other terracotta pieces.And so I set off to Saket to the potters who line thestreet offering all kinds of terracotta creations frompots to other decorative items. This open air market sitsalmost bang opposite the congregation of new mallsthat have come up in Saket.

After much browsing, I settled for a pair of long greenpots with narrow necks - modern and contemporary.It is quite interesting how the potters have kept up

with modern trends in pottery and have created aline of products that seem to have come out of anycontemporary catalogue. Having bought my pots I

wandered down the street looking for some terracottaanimals to add to my collection. I found a little shopwhere I found my horse a small horse and a bighorse.

The owner of the shop was a woman may be inher early forties. She told me the horse I liked was forfour hundred rupees. As I was settling down to somecustomary bargaining, I noticed a man on a wheel chair

sitting inside the little hovel that was home to thecouple. A little room no bigger than maybe ve feet by

eight to ten feet. On inquiring I was told by the womanthat his spine had broken and he was not really mobile.He was her husband. When I asked her how and when

it had happened, she told me matter of factly that thishad happened some twenty years ago when he hadfallen down and broken his spine. A rod had been xed

in his spine but it still left him pretty useless. He had

not worked since the day of the accident and spent his

I

Kavita Chopra Dixit

THE TWO INDIAS:


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entire day sitting on this wheelchair and giving his wifecompany as she sold her wares.

So who looks after him, I asked.

I do. Shouldnt I?

No, of course you should. I am just wondering how

hard it must be for you. Do you have any children?

I have a daughter who I have just married off. And ason.

So, does your son look after you?

No. He is useless. I got him an education at the Central

School and once he grew up and got himself a job, heabandoned us.

So then, how do you manage?

Oh I sell my wares and we manage, she said matterof factly again. There was not a trace of poor me in

either her tone of voice or her demeanour.

And what about this shop of yours? I asked.

Oh this is unauthorised, said her husband.So do the cops harass you?

The man laughed and said, Of course, they do. All thetime.

I felt extremely embarrassed that I had been going tobargain with the woman for my horse and so I told herthat whatever price she had quoted was ne by me. She

said, Nothing doing. Of course you should ask for abetter price. This truly left me stunned. Here was a

really brave and proud woman, managing life with allsorts of odds against her, and she was willing to give

me the benet of fty rupees. Fifty rupees that wouldgo a long way in her life but would not really makea difference to mine. Anyways, I decided to buy twomore small matkas from her. She didnt let me pay for

them!

I left with my booty. But I alsoleft with a heavy and mixed bagof feelings. This couples life wasunfolding within a stones throwfrom the new swanky malls ofSaket. Malls that were offering aninternational shopping experience.

Malls that were full of peoplespending thousands of rupeesover one evening. This was thetwo Indias standing eye ball to eyeball in front of each other. Almostlike two different planets that havesomehow come within viewingdistance of each other. But planetswhose orbits are always going to bedifferent.

Will these two Indias ever meet?


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Purpose is the reason you journey,Passion is the re that lights your way.

Passion drives one insane it is passion that leads Rakesh Gujral to nd the elusive treasure

hidden beneath the wreck of archives and testimonies, making him the rst and most probably,

the onlyAsset Hunter in India.Here he talks of his journey toAshitaa.

Asset Hunter Seeks Beneficiaries


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The term Asset Hunter tickles

your mind, urging the desire to

know more. And this is what

happened when I heard of MrRakesh Gujral aka Cokes. And Ijust wanted to know more.

Remarkably, the initiation intothis

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