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They say your home is your castle. But there are few who can call a castle their home. However, changing times and rising affluence have ensured that living life ‘kingsize’ is no longer the sole prerogative of those born into royalty. There are castles on rent. Yes, you heard it right. With the economy being what it is, the erstwhile lords and ladies of the manor are either letting out their abodes or converting them into hotels — giving you a chance to make a castle your home — for a weekend, a week or even a month. Of course, you would have to fork out a king’s ransom. A castle hotel is a great option if you want a change from the monotony of hotel chains, especially if you have a yen for discovering hidden chambers and exploring towers and dungeons. The adventurous can choose from a host of royal games such as archery, horse riding or even falconry. And if that is not your idea of a holiday, you can always soak up the lush green countryside and let your senses, dulled by urban life, take in the rolling meadows and nature’s symphony. What makes castles so special to stay in? Well, it’s all in the history. The uncertainties of life in medieval Europe provided the inspiration for building of sturdy castles with formidable fortifications. But the comfort demanded by the feudal spirit transformed their interiors into elegant and snug abodes. While Belgium is regarded as having one of the highest numbers of castles in the world — over 3,000, the Czech Republic comes a close second with some 2,000 royal mansions. That said, it’s the British isles with over 700 castles that offer the most variety, say the mavens. “Every castle is unique. You can have a complete castle holiday where, within a few hours of driving, you can move from one to another,” says Roger Masterson, of Celtic Castles, a UK-based travel company specialising in castle rentals. There are hundreds of castles up for hire. Your choice is only constrained by the size of your wallet and your imagination. If you want a taste of the Scottish highlands, apart from the scotch you drink, check out Aldourie castle, built on the shores of Loch Ness in the Scottish Baronial style. It has 15 bedrooms and can be hired for £11,000 for a weekend. It’s also available on a self-catering basis, making it ideal for vegetarian family get togethers. Hire the place and bring in your own chef. Alternatively, you can hire it for both boarding and lodging. Nessie may even favour you with an appearance. If the turrets in fairy tales fascinate you, Walton Castle in south-west England, which can accommodate 16 guests, is your place. Each room lies within a turret. All for £2,800 a night. While hiring an entire castle is recommended if you are a large group (say, for a family get together), for a small group (2-4), the castle hotels that dot Britain and Ireland may be more comfortable. Take the 13th-century Dalhousie Castle near Edinburgh in Scotland. It is one of the oldest castles to be converted into a hotel. It offers a combination of history and splendour with acres of surrounding forests and parkland, river pastures and modern day comforts including a spa. For those that are fascinated with the macabre, check out the Bottle Dungeon, a 10-square foot windowless chamber where prisoners used to be lowered in by rope. The castle even has an India link: it is owned by the family of Lord Dalhousie, the governor general of India between 1848 and 1856. It sports an ‘India bedroom’ to celebrate that connection. For entertainment, it has a library, surrounding parklands and falconry. You can learn to hunt with the owls and, if you are really enthusiastic, do a five-day course on how to keep and train the birds. Rooms are available for £240 onwards per night and the rate covers breakfast and dinner. Castle CountryIrish castles are among the most beautiful properties in all of Europe. An hour’s drive from Dublin airport will take you to the Cabra castle built in 1760. It’s a luxury hotel now. Play a round of golf on the castle’s 9-hole golf course or indulge in some clay pigeon shooting. Rooms are priced at €150 onwards. If you fall for haunted houses, check out Ballyseede Castle in County Kerry. The 15th-century building has a resident ghost, Hilda, who is known to walk along the corridors of the basement! While staying in a castle is an experience in itself, you may want to combine it with sightseeing or exploring places nearby. In which case, select a castle in close proximity to a city. Also, check the size of the property, which will depend upon how large a group you are travelling with. The experience of staying in a castle is more than what meets the eye. Masterson, who is also called the Castle Man as he has slept in over a 100 castles, sums it up: “You check in and out of hotels all the time. But when you stay in a castle you touch history.”smitatripathi(at)bworldmail(dot)comTwitter: (at)smitabw(This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 20-05-2013)
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How many times have we seen the tag line ‘Home away from home’, as part of hotel brochures? But we all know it doesn’t really work. You can’t just pack up your bags and leave without any advance notice — reservations have to be made — and let’s not even talk about the food that one has to put up with. Then there are all these rules to follow (don’t pluck flowers, don’t leave wet towels on the floor) and your four-legged friend is hardly ever welcome. If you truly want a home away from home, buy your own. A second home in a hill station, near the beach or any other pristine location — your own little haven where you could de-stress over weekends or vacation with family and pets. And when you are not using it, you can offer it to friends or even rent it out. “The idea is that the second home should provide what the first one cannot,” says Om Ahuja, CEO of residential services at Jones Lang LaSalle (JLL) India. So if you are living in a hi-rise apartment in the city, buy a cottage with a garden and give your green thumb some practice. Laze around on a hammock, have a barbeque or like Delhi-based Rekha Agarwal have another place to keep all “my beautiful furniture and art work that wouldn’t fit into the Delhi apartment”. While for most, easy connectivity, natural surroundings and beautiful weather are the key deciding factors when it comes to selecting the destination for a second home, for some the place has a sentimental value. Agarwal bought her second home in Ranikhet as she spent her summer holidays there as a child. Reaching the destination within a few hours’ drive makes it the ideal weekend getaway. Here are some popular second home destinations. The Hills Are Alive...If you are a Delhiite you probably dream of living in the mountains. And it helps that most popular hill stations such as Shimla, Kasauli, Rishikesh and Mussoorie are within driving distance. However, remember that there’s a restriction on buying land in Himachal and Uttarakhand unless you have domicile. So it’s best to buy a row house or a villa from an organised developer. But these towns are already popular and hence, crowded. Mukhteshwar and Binsar in Uttaranchal are relatively new on the second-home market front, but are almost a 10-hour drive from Delhi. For those residing in Chennai, the hill station of Yercaud (near Salem) is ideal. It’s not as crowded as Ooty and is still relatively unspoilt. The flip side to that is that there aren’t too many reputed developers there. Coonoor and Kotagiri in the Niligiris with their huge tea estates are also attractive second home destinations. Wild Life CallingWildlife buffs may consider scouting around for a second home in Corbett, though be warned that it’s not an all-year round destination as it enjoys good weather only for a few months. Sun, Sea and Sand“Goa tops the list when it comes to second homes. There’s both supply and demand there,” says Shveta Jain, executive director of residential services at Cushman & Wakefield. You can take your pick from apartments, row houses or villas. Since Goa is a popular tourist destination, you have the added advantage of renting out your place. Says Chandigarh-based Vikrant Singh who has a two-bedroom apartment in a gated community in North Goa: “We have registered it online on a few websites and during season rent it out for Rs 15,000-20,000 a night.” New TownsWhat could be cooler than having Amitabh Bachhan for a neighbour? Shell out a few crores and buy a villa in Aamby Valley. Every now and then a few of these come on the market. Currently there are a few listed with online real estate portals for between Rs 2-5 crore, but they are probably acres away from Bachhan’s villa. If you do have more than a few crores, there’s also Lavassa. Though the regulatory tangles have delayed the overall project, JLL’s Ahuja expects it to take off once the second phase is fully operational and delivered. Green PasturesLonavala’s lovely weather, greenery and close proximity to Mumbai and Pune makes it a popular destination. Being on the Mumbai-Pune expressway, it can be reached within a couple of hours. It also has several trekking trails and old forts to explore for the adventurous. French ConnectionIf you live in Chennai, you probably drive down the beautiful East Coast road on weekends to Pondicherry — or Puducherry, as it is now called — to enjoy French cuisine along with a drink or two. The former French colony has many second home options available by both local and national developers. Clean CityThe neighbouring city of Mysore, famous for its cleanliness (it was voted the second most clean city in the country), has always been a hot favourite with Bangalore residents.smitatripathi(at)bworldmail(dot)comTwitter: (at)smitabw(This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 22-04-2013)
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One look at it and I know it is unlikely to win any beauty contest. It looks like a cannonball with a handle. Just the thing to drop on somebody’s toes — somebody you dislike. And if I am to believe my extremely knowledgeable and fit gym instructor, this will give me the butt and abs I have always dreamt of if I work out with it regularly. Apparently, Penelope Cruz, Jessica Biel and Geri Halliwell have all incorporated this rather medieval implement into their workouts. According to people who know about such things, the kettlebell originated in Russia, possibly as early as the 1700s. It became a favourite training tool of the strongmen in that country. By the 1980s and 1990s though, it had started falling out of favour with many gyms — which were now focusing on hi-tech machines featuring weight stacks, pulleys and rods. Of late though, the kettlebell is making a comeback. I look at it sceptically and wonder just how it is supposed to make me leaner and fitter. What can it do that the good ol’ dumb-bell, a device I had used on my sporadic visits to the gym previously, cannot? I quiz the instructor. The kettlebell offers all the benefits of the dumb-bell and then some more. Its thick handles challenge your grip and since the weight of a kettlebell hangs a few inches below the handle, it makes it more difficult to control, forcing everything from your grip to your core (hips, thighs, waist and abs) to work harder, resulting in, you guessed it — higher calorie burn. What’s more, a kettlebell workout provides twice the results in half the time by combining strength and cardio training in one quick exercise. So, instead of spending half an hour on the treadmill and another half-hour doing weights, I could achieve the same results by doing a high intensity 30-minute kettlebell workout. Now, that definitely sounded tempting — half an hour saved in the gym means I had a whole half hour extra to spend in the mall! I was beginning to think that it might not be a bad deal after all. And what was that about a higher calorie burn? The kettlebell workout involves compound movements where several different muscle groups work together. This translates into not just a higher calorie burn (I later Googled it and, according to some studies, it’s as a high as 20 calories per minute) but also functional fitness. The exercises concentrate on basic movements encouraging the body to work as a unit, hence, promoting muscular balance and coordination. Moreover, said my muscled instructor as he lifted a kettlebell in each hand, regular exercise would speed up my metabolism. Oh, and did I mention that this odd-shaped magic ball was going to tone all my trouble spots — hips, thighs, waist and abs? I could picture myself fitting into that dress I had been eyeing for long. And if I still had some doubts regarding its benefits, they evaporated when I was told that the workout would make me more flexible. Bring it on, I told myself. Select a weight, ordered the instructor. Uh, 2 kg, please. We start with 6kg, he sniggered. Now, why didn’t he tell me that before? I used to work with five pound dumb-bells and thought they were a bit much. Women can go up to 12 kg while men generally work out with kettlebells weighing between 10 and 16 kg, he informed me. You are advised to select a weight that is suited to your fitness level and progress to higher weights as your strength improves. One of the most popular exercises using the kettlebell is the ‘swing’. It targets the shoulders, back, hips, glutes and legs. It’s also a killer, as I was about to find out. I stood with my feet shoulder-width apart and held the kettlebell with both hands. Then I slowly bend my hips back slightly and swung the bell between the legs. So far so good. The kettlebell was heavy and I could feel the pull in my arms. But it was the next move that made me let off an involuntary gasp. In one smooth movement I had to stand up straight, with my arms stretched out and the kettlebell swinging at eye level. The power of the workout lies in its ability to displace the centre of gravity, creating more core involvement. I thought of all the calories I was burning and trudged on. With a kettlebell even simple squats and curls are enhanced (read more painful). Try doing the squat holding the kettlebell. It is great for your legs, glutes and back. Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and hold the kettlebell up at eye level so that you can see through the handle. Keep your back straight and squat down towards the floor as low as you can. There are several other movements — presses, pushes, side-to-side twists — that can be done. The kettlebell, I strongly believe, is a great exercise tool — provided you are fitter and more motivated than I am. smitatripathi(at)bworldmail(dot)comTwitter: (at)smitabw(This story was published in BW | Businessworld Issue Dated 08-04-2013)
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In Rocky IV, Sylvester Stallone playing Rocky Balboa trained using heavy logs, ice slabs and an overloaded sledge for his do-or-die revenge slugfest with the Russian, Ivan Drago, played by Dolph Lundgren. The latter, on the other hand, had access to a high-tech gym and a battery of trainers. Predictably, Stallone the underdog got the better of Lundgren in the climax. You may or may not be a Rocky fan, but you could certainly take a tip or two from his outdoor regimen. Your everyday park has plenty of things to make your workout quite challenging, if you don’t like being cooped up in a gym. The trees, park benches, children’s swing —improvise with them to get a workout that is as good as what you can get with high-tech machines. The PlaygroundPull-Up: Make your way to the children’s playground area and while the little ones swing away, grab the overhead bar and pull yourself up so that your chin is above the bar. In case you are unable to grab the bar by jumping, stand on some rocks and then reach for it. The kids may shriek a little louder seeing you hanging like that but don’t let that distract you. You will need every ounce of strength to hang in place. The pull-up is great for your shoulders, biceps, triceps and upper-back. Repeat at least 10 times.Hanging Knee Raise: Next, it’s time to strengthen your abdominal muscles. While hanging from the overhead bar, raise your legs till they are parallel to the ground and your body is in an L-shape. Alternate it with lifting your knees towards your chest. Repeat 10 times. Remember there’s no gain without pain. Swinging: Seeing you hanging from the overhead bar, clenching your teeth and doing things which probably appear torturous to little kids would ensure that they vacate the swings fast. Here’s your chance to have some fun while exercising. Settle down on one of the swings (do it gingerly as you want to make sure it can take your weight), and swing away, with your legs stretched straight out, perpendicular to your upper body. Hold the position for as long as you can. This is good for leg and abdominal muscles. Go ahead have some fun but don’t get lost in childhood memories, stop after 5-7 minutes. The BenchPush-Up: It’s time to head to an empty bench which will be your gym set-up for the next few exercises. Start by placing your hands on the edge of the bench and taking two steps back so that your legs are straight out behind you. Slowly lower your body, keeping your chest lifted and your stomach in and then push it back up. Vary the width of your hands to engage different muscle groups. Push-ups build your chest and arm muscles. Attempt at least two sets of 10. Squat: The park bench is a versatile object and can be used for several exercises. Post push-ups, do some squats. Stand in front of the bench with your back facing the seat, your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands on your hips. Lower yourself halfway to the bench, hold for 30 seconds and then stand up. Don't cheat, make sure your back is straight. Do at least two sets of 10. Then you can also do your tricep dips on the bench. Step-Up: Did you know that a 15-minute climb up the steps offers the same workout as 30 minutes of running on flat ground. Climbing up and down the stairs helps tone legs, butt and even stomach muscles. Don't despair if there are no stairs in the park, you always have your bench. Just step up and down. How long should you do this? Imagine you are climbing a skyscraper and you have to reach the top floor. The longer you take to get to the top, the tighter and more shapely your butt is going to be. The TreesPlank Exercises: What’s a park without trees, right? While they are lovely to sit under and relax, they are even better for exercise. Tone your chest, shoulder, back and abdominal muscles through plank exercises, using a tree trunk. Lie down flat on your stomach with your feet against the trunk. Then raise yourself so that your forearm is still on the ground while your upper arm is perpendicular to it. Move your feet up the trunk of the tree till your body is parallel to the ground. Hold for 10 seconds. Keep going till you can hold for a whole minute. Wall Sit: Another exercise you can do using a tree is a wall sit. Stand about two feet away from the tree before leaning back onto the trunk in a sitting position. Keep your thighs parallel to the ground. Basically, pretend you are sitting on an invisible chair. Hold the position for 30 seconds. This exercise helps build lower body strength. Repeat at least 10 times.smitatripathi(at)bworldmail(dot)com(at)smitabw(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 25-03-2013)
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A senior banker with a global investment bank recounts wryly how his first job interview was a disaster because of his sartorial misjudgement. Fresh out of management school, he turned up for his interview in a conservative suit. Unfortunately, he paired the blue suit with a tie that was anything but conservative and a bright pink shirt. When the interview panel seemed fascinated by his attire, he knew he had lost the job. Mark Twain, rather cynically, observed: “Clothes make a man. Naked people have little or no influence on society.” He was spot on. In most industries, the suit you wear and the tie you choose pretty much decides whether you are dubbed a man of good taste or colour blind. There are, of course, a few industries where this rule does not hold. If you are an Internet entrepreneur, for example, you could stick to your hoody or shorts. And provided you promise to make them millions, even the venture capitalists and investment bankers will not mind your dress sense. For all others, though, making the effort to understand what kind of shirt goes with which suit could go a long way in shaping career growth. If you work in an industry where you need to wear a suit to work, you are expected to dress conservatively. That means that though the lilac suit may look great on the ramp at a fashion show, it will look completely out of place in the boardroom. You would be better off playing it safe with a dark grey, charcoal, black or navy suit with notched lapels. “It could be two-button or double-breasted, solid or pinstriped fabric,” says Elisabetta Canali, global communications director of Italian luxury brand Canali. Next, you need to match a shirt with your suit. Here’s a simple rule: when in doubt go with white or cream. All dark suits will go well with white. Other shirt colours which also go reasonably well include light blue, light pink and pastel colours such as a lemon yellow. Striped shirts or those with self-designs are also good provided they are not in loud colours. People want to hear you, not your shirt. Photograph Model: Ashish Kadyan, Clothes Courtesy: Louis PhilippeThe most common mistakes happen when it comes to matching the tie. It is a reflection of you. It attracts attention, and you want it to be the right kind. Ignore it and it can easily become a knot around your neck. “Make sure the suit, tie and shirt blend in perfectly,” advises Samrat Som, creative director of Louis Philippe. Matching the colour is the main issue when choosing a tie. While it should be in contrast with the suit, it should not be glaring. Moreover, it has to match the shirt as well. While almost any tie can be worn with a white or cream shirt, coloured shirts are trickier. Some recommended combinations are: light blue shirts with red, navy or burgundy ties; light pink shirts to complement burgundy or navy blue ties; tan shirts with brown ties — provided you are wearing a dark brown suit. Som warns that carrying off a dark-coloured shirt-and-tie combination is difficult. “Unless you are very sure, don’t try it.” The other thing to consider is the pattern. “Two out of three can have patterns on them but not all three.” So if you have a pinstriped suit, go for a solid shirt and a diagonally striped or patterned tie. If the shirt is striped, match it with a solid suit and tie. Shirts with self-design can be matched with a patterned tie. Canali suggests: “With a black suit and a grey tie, go for a coloured stripe (red, burgundy or grey) shirt featuring a white collar.” The safest and easiest combination to pull off, however, is a dark-coloured suit with a light-coloured shirt and a dark tie. Try a charcoal suit with a powder blue shirt and a patterned deep blue tie. Or, go for the ultimate power dressing combination — a dark suit (preferably black) with a crisp white shirt and red tie. Distinguishing between formal evening wear and a lunch meeting suit and summer and winter wear is also important. While a black suit and red tie is great for a night out, a light grey suit with a white shirt and brown striped tie is more suitable for meeting a client for lunch. Canali says that fabric weight rather than colour distinguishes dressing in the summer from getting ready in the winter. “Blue, grey, and black can be spread in spring-summer season as well as fall-winter. Superfine wool, silk or pure cashmere can also be worn through the year.” Som says the cut of the jacket matters — half-layered jackets are lighter. But remember, even the sharpest suit and tie combination will fall flat if the suit doesn’t fit you well, so invest in a good tailor. smitatripathi(at)bworldmail(dot)comTwitter: (at)smitabw(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 25-03-2013)
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Once a month, Ajit Balakrishnan, the 64-year-old CEO of Rediff.com, boards the 16-hour Mumbai-New York direct flight. In the flight, he tries to get as much work done as possible, leaving only a few hours for a snooze before disembarking at Newark airport. From the airport, he is driven straight to his hotel, has a shower and is out again for back-to-back meetings with shareholders (Rediff is listed on the Nasdaq) and others. He finishes late in the evening and next morning, is at office again. After completing another series of meetings, he is ready to board the 5.25 pm Air India flight, landing the next day at 5.30 in the evening in Mumbai, where it’s business as usual. Spending the better part of 48 hours in an aircraft criss-crossing time zones is simply part of the job for this CEO who is accustomed to working 12 to 14 hour days for the past few decades. But then, 12 to 14 hours, seven days a week, 350 days or more a year work schedules are becoming increasingly common for most CEOs, investment bankers, senior consultants, corporate lawyers and even politicians in today’s globalised world. Indeed, there are quite a few who believeHALE & HEARTY: Naresh Trehan does yogathat it is the ability to put in long hours at work, day after day, that often determines who becomes a CEO and who stays a middle manager. Talent and brains are useful — but it is the mental toughness and the physical endurance to go on for days with little sleep or rest that makes a difference. Like Balakrishnan, 66-year-old superstar cardiac surgeon Naresh Trehan, chairman and managing director of Medanta, also follows a schedule that could kill lesser mortals. He is in the hospital from 9 am to 9 pm, examining hundreds of patients and performing surgeries. He has been going on at the same pace for the last four decades and seems to have no plans to slow down. In politics, you could take inspiration from a 73-year-old Subramanian Swamy or an 85-year-old L.K. Advani; in films, from a 70-year-old Amitabh Bachhan; and, in the cut-throat world of mergers and acquisitions, from Zia Mody — who all put in back-breaking hours. How do they manage to do it when others burn out? Are they born that way or is it exercise and diet? As it turns out, it is both. Some people are born with stamina and, despite a poor lifestyle, can still put their peers to shame with their work hours. But many others can build themselves up to deal with these rigours with some bit of training. Trehan puts his stamina down to training and discipline. “During my seven-year residency in New York, I never slept for more than four hours. We were trained like commandos.” While the first couple of years were difficult, the body and mind soon adjusted. “You learnt to be alert even if you had hardly slept.” Yoga And MeditationThat training has stood him in good stead. Today, he sleeps for six hours daily and while he recommends power naps to most of his patients, he himself is unable to find time. But Trehan does believe in a work-life balance and manages to socialise 2-3 times a week. “Meeting different people and having interesting conversations keeps you stimulated.” Regular exercise and yoga also play an important role in ensuring his fitness — both physical and mental. In the mornings, he alternates between hitting the treadmill and doing yoga while he utilises the driving time between the hospital and home to do Vipasana. “It is the best utilisation of time. I feel totally rejuvenated by the time I reach home.” Asha Gupta, the 40-year-old managing director of Tuppwerware, believes in pacing herself to go through her packed schedule. From conference calls to the US at 6.30 am, to meetings with executives late in the evening, her day is full. “I pulse through the day. I reach a point of high activity, then slow down for a short while and then rise again.” She practises meditation. “I only manage 15 minutes in the morning and evening, but it works.” Gupta also works out regularly in the gym and likes to go for long walks. Swamy, leader of the Janata Party, practises Pranayama or breathing exercises for an hour every morning. Pranayama helps increase the intake of oxygen into the body, which leads to higher concentration, stress reduction, makes you more energetic and increases stamina, explains Payal Gidwani, a yoga and fitness expert who has trained Kareena Kapoor.Rising Early Balakrishnan, who claims to come from a line of ‘sturdy peasant stock’, has benefitted from his early life experiences. As a young student, he used to play football for Kerala University. He got into the habit of waking up at 4 am to practise and he hasn’t been able to sleep later than that since. “I’m at my creative best between 4 and 7 in the morning,” says Balakrishnan whose book The Wave Rider was published recently. Most of his reading and a large part of his writing is done during that period. Physical exercise in his youth has also ensured that he is fitter than most. “I used to run 11 km a day till my mid-40s. Then I was advised against it as it could affect my knees.” Now he goes for an hour-long brisk walk three times a week and does yoga on other days. Swamy too wakes up at 4 am. “I chant mantras that have been given to me by different acharyas. These help my mind think beyond boundaries,” says Swamy who spends the next hour replying to mails and reading and posting on Twitter. Then it’s time for his walk. You Are What You Eat“To feel energetic the whole day, the right diet is essential,” says Gupta, who believes in eating light meals of small portions 4-5 times a day. She also eats a lot of fruits and vegetables and is disciplined about sugar intake. “Too much sugar and fat affects agility,” she says. Shikha Sharma, Delhi-based nutritionist and wellness consultant, approves of Gupta’s diet. “Heavy meals leave you feeling sluggish as all the energy goes into digesting the food.” Every Minute CountsAnother distinguishing factor is time management. Swamy, for instance, has divided the day into three 8-hour shifts. From 4 in the morning to noon is the first shift. Then, he has lunch and sleeps for an hour. From 1.30 to 9.30 pm is the second shift and then he goes to bed. “I get two 8-hour working days in a day as compared to one that most people do.” Balakrishnan spends almost an hour commuting from his home in Mumbai’s Colaba to the Rediff office in Mahim West, reading on his iPad or working on his laptop. That’s two hours of commute daily that is well utilised. “It’s my secret weapon,” he says. Passion for your job is essential for endurance. Says Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, partner at Stanton Chase International, an executive hiring firm: “High energy and passion is now a job requirement. You need to be physically and mentally agile as, thanks to improvements in technology, you never really shut off.” 10 Tips To A Hacker- proof PasswordDon’t use any personally identifying informationStay away from actual words, even in a foreign language Make your pass- word long and complex — between 8-20 characters Use both upper- and lower-case letters Use one or more special characters such as #, *, $ Place numbers and punctuation marks randomly Don’t share your password with anyone else Don’t use sample passwords given on websites Change your password regularly, every six months or so Type your pass word quickly to prevent anyone from looking(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 11-03-2013)
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If you are a woman standing just below the C-suite, please look up and blink. What you are looking at is not glass, it is the wide blue sky and it is yours for the taking,” said Dony Kuriakose, head of EDGE Executive Search, in our New Year special issue on what to expect in 2013 (BW, 14 January 2013). So ladies, be prepared to break the glass ceiling and march into the CEO’s office — confidently and exuding power. And while you do that, here are some tips to help you dress the part. Traditional Or Western? “Dress for the job you want” goes the old adage. Today’s power dresser knows that clothes are an important part of projecting an image of confidence and success in the corporate jungle. For women, it becomes even more important. Whether you decide to dress in western wear or go the traditional way in a saree, the key words are comfort and style. There is no point in struggling with a dupatta or a saree unless you can carry it off. Having said that, nothing exudes more power than a crisp silk or cotton saree, pinned properly. You only have to look at women at the top of the corporate ladder in India — from Naina Lal Kidwai to Chanda Kochhar to Shikha Sharma — to know that the saree done right spells grace, elegance and authority. “A saree gives a sense of power and experience,” says Falguni Nayar, former managing director of Kotak Investment Banking. Silk sarees, whether south silk, khadi or tussar, are the six yards of choice for most senior corporate women in India, especially in the banking sector. In summers, Maheshwaris, Chanderis and handloom cottons are preferred. While selecting a saree to wear to that all-important board meeting, avoid bright colours, embroidery, embellishments and zari. Go for earthy natural colours or vegetable dyes. Blouses should be conservative and the saree should be pinned well, leaving you fuss-free. Well starched cotton or silk salwar suits with pinned dupattas in neutral colours sans embellishments are also acceptable. If it’s western wear you are more comfortable in, make sure you figure out your body shape and wear clothes that fit you well. Mid-waist tapered trousers in black, blue, grey or brown with a crisp white shirt tucked in with a similar coloured or contrasting jacket, buttoned up, that covers your hips works well if you are on the larger side, explains Kunal Dass, the head of design for Van Heusen Womenswear. Jackets can be short and tapered for smaller-sized women. If you’d rather wear a skirt, then go for a mid-waist, little above the knee, bold pinstriped skirt in black or grey with a tucked-in crisp white formal shirt and a matching blazer. Just like the right LBD (little black dress) is essential to every wardrobe, so is the right white shirt. Dass prescribes a cotton or cotton- lycra shirt with French cuffs, no pockets, collared, slim fit (should hug your body but should not look too tight) and long enough to be tucked in comfortably. Besides that, he counsels that you pick up shirts in other solid colours and in pinstripes. Prints and checks should be avoided though. Now there is also a trend towards more feminine tops and blouses in rayon and viscose fabrics. Low-waist or mid-waist pleated pants in black, grey, ochre and coffee are also a must in every wardrobe. Accessories It’s not just clothes that make a man or a woman, but also the accessories. Invest in a classy medium-sized shoulder bag. Go for a LV or a Gucci but avoid the monogrammed ones. They are for upwardly mobile women trying to announce their arrival on the luxury scene. Your bag should be understated, befitting one on her way up the corporate ladder. Jewellery should be kept to a minimum. Pearls or diamond solitaire earrings are elegant. Gold should be avoided; at the most you can wear a thin chain with a small diamond pendant. Instead of jewellery, invest in a watch. Rolex exudes power. Nayar recommends a Rolex or an Omega with a small dial and thin metal strap to go with sarees. In case of western wear, big dial, unisex watches with leather straps make a statement. Make-up And HairMake sure your hair doesn’t fall all over your face. While short hair can be left open, it’s best to tie up longer hair in a bun. Keep nails short and manicured. Avoid, shiny bright nail paint. Keep makeup to a minimum. A light-coloured lipstick with kajal is fine. smitatripathi@bworldmail.com(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 21-01-2013)
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Manish Desai, a 32-year-old Mumbai-based executive with a leading multinational, often travels to New Delhi on work and frequently stays at the Taj Palace Hotel. Mostly, he has lunch outside at a meeting, but there are times when he finds himself alone during lunch hour. “I go straight to Masala Art and order a dabba,” he says. Dabba at a five-star hotel? Masala Art, the hotel’s north Indian restaurant, has recently introduced dabba meals, inspired by the popular lunch boxes of Mumbai. Of course, this dabba, with its stainless steel covering encompassing delicate china bowls, is a far cry from the Mumbai ones served in offices. You can choose between a Punjabi or a Lucknowi dabba and between vegetarian, non-vegetarian and seafood. For Rs 1,200 plus taxes, you get a vegetarian meal with soup, kebab, a main course and dessert. All this is accompanied with rice and breads. “A five-star meal at affordable rates has made our dabba popular. We sell between 8-10 daily,” says Rajesh Wadhwa, executive chef at the Taj Palace Hotel. The dabba isn’t the only value meal on offer at the hotel. If you fancy Vietnamese cuisine, step into Blue Ginger for a bento box.TOKYO ON A TRAY: The Japanese set meal at Fenix, The Oberoi, Mumbai; QUICK BITE: The Welcome Meal tray is ITC’s version of the modest thali Typically a Japanese concept, the bento box gives you a sampling of their signature dishes such as silken tofu and water chestnut cari, wok-tossed fish in hot bean sauce and grilled chicken lime leaf for Rs 1,500. Taj Westend, Bangalore, also serves the bento box. Executive lunches or meals for single diners have caught the fancy of hoteliers and restaurateurs across the metros, from Delhi to Mumbai and from Bangalore to Chennai. “The idea is to serve some of the most iconic dishes of the restaurant in a simple fixed menu with sufficient portions for a single diner making it cost-effective,” says Manisha Bhasin, executive chef at ITC Maurya in New Delhi. So you can walk into Bukhara and instead of ordering a la carte, order the Express Platter that will serve you a helping each of barrah kebab, peshawari kebab, reshmi kebab, seekh kebab, murgh malai kebab and murgh tandoori with dal bukhara, a choice of breads and dessert for Rs 2,200 plus taxes. If you’d rather eat in the comfort of your room, try the WelcomMeal tray, ITC’s take on the modest thali. Take your pick from Indian, western and oriental cuisine. For those who crave Italian, Travertino at The Oberoi offers a two-course and three-course menu for Rs 1,250 and Rs 1,500 respectively. Dig into a minestrone soup along with a seafood platter and finish with some Belgian chocolate cake and homemade hazelnut ice cream. A key feature of an executive lunch is time. “Our appetisers are served within 4-5 minutes and as soon as you are done with them, the main course is served in another 7-8 minutes,” says Soumya Goswami, executive chef at The Oberoi. The same philosophy is followed at The Oberoi, Mumbai, where Vetro offers the Pronto! Lunch — a two- or three-course Italian meal featuring regional home-made specialities. The whole experience is completed within 45 minutes. The hotel also offers a Japanese set meal at Fenix, which is popular with those looking to grab a quick yet wholesome meal. Mumbaikars with a craving for Chinese food often head to Ming Yang at Taj LandsEnd where a soup and a platter of dim sums costs Rs 1,300 plus taxes. Executive lunches are fast gaining popularity with Bangaloreans as well. “We see a lot of diners who prefer a working lunch where they combine business with either a functional lunch or one hosted for a client,” says Amit Wadhawan, executive chef of The Oberoi, Bangalore. Rim Naam, the hotel’s specialty Thai restaurant and Szechwan Court, its Chinese restaurant, both offer express lunch menus starting at Rs 750. Further south, the city of Chennai is also welcoming the concept. The Hyatt Regency offers express lunch menus at its Chinese restaurant Stix and Italian one, Focaccia. Priced at Rs 999, both places offer a great selection of vegetarian and non-vegetarian fare with signature dishes such as spring chicken and seared tuna. All of ITC Grand Chola’s restaurants — Ottimo, Cucina Italiana and Peshawari — also offer single-diner menus. So the next time you plan to take your client or colleague out for lunch, don’t fret, it won’t burn a hole in your pocket. smita(dot)tripathi(at)bworld(dot)com(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 03-12-2012)
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Thirty-six-year-old Vivek Malhotra, a senior executive in a leading MNC, enjoys a steam bath and shower at the end of a long and tiring day. The steam helps relieve muscle stiffness and hydrates and tones his skin. On most days he follows it up with a hot shower, while on others he indulges himself by soaking in the Jacuzzi where multiple water jets help massage his body and relax the muscles. Malhotra doesn’t stop over at the nearest spa on his way home to pamper himself; instead, he heads straight to the bathroom — his very own private paradise. Malhotra isn’t the only one replicating spa-like facilities at home. Akhil Sharma, an IT consultant in Gurgaon, recently got a Jacuzzi fitted in his bathroom. “When we were doing up our house, I decided to install a Jacuzzi. It is one of the best ways to unwind after a tiring day,” says 29-year-old Sharma. “A Jacuzzi helps improve the blood circulation, relaxes the muscles and leads to detoxification,” says Kannan Nettath, the gym and spa manager and consultant at Taj Land’s End in Mumbai. He recommends using a Jacuzzi daily for 8-15 minutes as it reduces stress and helps you sleep better.On the other hand, if you suffer from respiratory problems such as bronchitis, sinutisis or a common cold, spending 8-10 minutes in a steam cubicle may help you breathe more peacefully.Staying in the warm, humid mist opens up nasal passages — much like a vaporiser. What’s more, it’s great for your skin — a relaxing way to get rid of acne and blemishes. The high temperature of almost 45 degrees Celsius results in a lot of sweating that opens the pores of your skin and gets rid of grime, chemicals and dead follicles. MAKING A SPLASH: A chromo shower (right) can be calming; (below) a sauna can fit into your bathroom (Courtesy: Duravit and Tribhuwan Sharma)A sauna too has similar benefits. “A sauna works on the principle of generating abundant sweat to detoxify the body and relax the mind. It improves circulation and actually leads to more positive thoughts,” says Nettath. In cold weather, especially during winters in Delhi, spending 5-10 minutes in a sauna can result in increased blood flow and glowing skin. Regular sauna sessions are also supposed to improve your body’s immunity. Since the temperature in a sauna is maintained at 75-80 degrees Celsius, it leads to high body temperature creating an artificial fever state. This stimulates the body’s natural healing process, producing more white blood cells and antibodies. “A sauna increases the heart rate, improves blood circulation and is effective in relieving stress. It is extremely beneficial for post-workout recovery,” says a spokesperson for the Jiva spas at the Taj Group of hotels. Little wonder that more people are now looking at having a sauna, steam bath and Jacuzzi in their bathrooms. Going to a spa daily may not be easy, but having a soak at home after a long day at work sounds perfect. “Consumers are looking at private wellness in a big way. Nearly 75 per cent of sales in this category come from individuals and not institutions,” says V. Krishnamurthy, vice-president of HSIL, a leading name in bathroom products. Under its sub-brand Queo, HSIL has the chromo shower for around Rs 3 lakh. Standing under the shower, which dispenses almost 40 litres of water per minute, is like getting drenched in the rain. “It’s a combination of air and water so that when the water hits the body it falls softly like rain,” explains Krishnamurthy. Plus, the lights attached to the shower head change colour from green to blue to red to yellow to orange. As per Ayurveda, these colours are related to the seven chakras of the body — orange is supposed to be calming and relaxing while green affects emotions such as love and compassion. If it’s the sauna that has taken your fancy, check out the ‘Inipi’ range of saunas from German company Duravit. These are free-standing units that can be accommodated in your bathroom. These are available for a single person as well as for a couple. The single one has a footprint of 120x120 cm and is meant for smaller city bathrooms. These are easy to assemble and disassemble and do not need a separate water line. The larger one is 240x120 cm and can accommodate two people wanting to enjoy a sauna lying down. The ‘Inipi’ range starts at Rs 15 lakh. For Jacuzzis and massage tubs, check out the range from Oyster Bath. It’s Discovery range of whirlpools come not only with massage jets, whirlpool jets, bubble jets and online heater but also surround sound speakers with relaxing music which not only help you relax but also mask the external sounds. Price: over Rs 2.7 lakh. If you are willing to splurge, your bathroom can turn into your very own wellness and indulgence zone. Go soak.(This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 17-12-2012)
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It’s 6 pm and you’re still working on a particularly tricky presentation. Your stomach grumbles. The wholewheat, non-mayo, low-calorie sandwich you had for lunch seems a distant memory, almost from another lifetime. You find yourself reaching for that packet of crisps or biscuits along with a cup of coffee. Sounds familiar? What’s even more familiar is your surprise at the end of the month when the needle on the weighing scale swings sharply to the right. You have been eating a healthy breakfast, lunch and dinner and yet you have piled on the pounds. “A healthy diet is not only about the main meals, but all the little ones we have in between. It’s all about what you munch on in office or while watching television,” says Karuna Chaturvedi, chief dietician at Apollo Hospital. There is no disputing the fact that the healthiest things are natural. “Eat fruits such as guava, strawberries, apples, oranges and papaya, or a green salad for those mid-meal hunger pangs,” recommends Chaturvedi. However, there is no denying that most of us prefer to keep a packet of comfort food in our office drawer. And somehow a bowl of wafers works better than an apple while watching a movie on television.It’s better to eat a regular cookie once in a while than one that is sugar-free.The market is full of products that claim to be healthy, even suitable for those on a diet. But what should you look out for when picking up a snack from the rows of products available? First, sodium content should be as close to zero as possible. “Research says we should not consume more than 5 grams of salt a day. A packet of crisps contains more than that,” says Shikha Sharma, a leading nutritionist and wellness specialist. Second, sugar should be as low as possible. Third, trans fats should be zero. “They are very harmful and block your arteries.” Fourth, fibre should be high — at least 5-10 per cent per serving. Even if this requires you to do some mental math, do calculate the fibre content. And lastly, it’s the energy value or calorie content. The lower it is, the healthier is the food. Generally 20-22 calories per serving size is okay. For instance, if something has 400 kcal per 100 grams and has 20 portions, then each serving has only 20 calories, which is fine. “In most natural products, the calorie content is very low except in the case of nuts which, though high in energy value, are still healthy,” says Sharma. She says the exception to the rule is diet cola, which though low in calories is unhealthy because of the added chemicals. If a box of snacks, say tortilla puffs, weighs 100-150 grams, it should have 1-2 grams of salt, less than 5 grams of sugar, no trans fats, 5-10 per cent fibre and 375-400 kcal. This will be a healthy snack if you don’t have the whole packet. “Moderation is essential,” says Sharma. Baked snacks that meet the above criteria are a good option. As are roasted chana with skin, seeds such as those of sunflower and flax, and nuts such as almonds and walnuts. Sharma also recommends muesli, but warns that it’s meant only for people who exercise; else the rich food would lead to weight gain. Walk into a grocery store and you are often tempted by goodies such as chocolates, cookies, cake mixes and gulab jamuns, all claiming to be sugar-free and hence healthy. Sharma disputes these claims. “Sugar-free means they have used some other sweetener which actually makes them unhealthy.” It’s better to binge on a regular chocolate or cookie once in a while rather than eat the sugar-free ones. If you wish to have a chilled drink, try plain or flavoured soya milk. It’s high in protein and helps lower cholesterol. “Often it contains cane sugar which isn’t that healthy. So try finding one without it.” Green tea should be the hot beverage of choice. It has antioxidants that help in maintaining good health. With more people now becoming conscious of what they eat, stores such as Godrej Nature’s Basket have set up a whole section on health foods. “While people don’t openly ask for health food, they pick it up when they see it,” says Mohit Khattar, its managing director. He adds that while big brands haven’t launched many options, there’s a whole range of healthy snacks available from smaller entrepreneurs. So the next time you are at a grocery store and reach for the nearest packet of a tempting snack, do read the nutritional information on the packet. And, if still in doubt, pick up some fresh fruit or vegetables instead. smita(dot)tripathi(at)bworldmail(dot)com (This story was published in Businessworld Issue Dated 17-12-2012)
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