Society Achievers February 2023

Society
February 2023
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ACHIEVERS
LEGENDS & ACHIEVERS
Lifestyle
S. Jaishankar
The Birla Family Decode
gut health
Neeta Lulla with
Mozez Singh Chef
Beyonce Sanjeev Kapoor
& Luke Coutinho
What is your
Language?
Love
Imposter
Syndrome,
Relentless: Unplugged
Manoj Bajpayee
Steals The Screen
1 Society Achievers - February 2023
Society Achievers - February 2023 3
Society ACHIEVERS
Publisher: Magnate Publishing Private Limited

Editor: Andrea CostaBir
Associate Editor: Nichola Marie
Assistant Editor: Amber Dias
Correspondents: Tsunami Costabir, Paula Dsouza, Hannah Cardozo
Graphic Designer: Syed Zaid Inamdar
Business Heads
National, West Zone: Sunil Khavnekar +91 9820303096 Preeta Nair +91 9892746767
North Zone: Ravi Roushon +91 9818198689 South Zone: Rekha Kambhoj +91 9845587253
East Zone: Ashim Banik +91 9830056642 Gujarat: Madan Menon +91 9898002522
Contents
The Cover Story Lifestyle 74

Superstar Manoj Bajpayee opens up about his 08 The buzz on food, fashion, fitness, travel and more!
Bollywood journey and why he believes this is the
best time to be an actor. Relationships 76
Discover your language of love.
Health Check 18
Health 84
Decoding the value of proper nutrition. Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and holistic health expert Luke Coutinho break
down the importance of good gut health.
Legends & Achievers 20

Luxe Living 90
Meet the dynamic men and women who define Bite into some gourmet chocolate delights.
grit, gumption and grace.
Mindset 94
S. Jaishankar 22 Feeling like a fraud? You could be dealing with ‘Imposter Syndrome’.
The Birla Family 30
Events 102
Neeta Lulla 42 Recapping the fabulous Society Interiors Design Competition & Awards
2023.
Mozez Singh 52
Product Reviews 112
Beyoncé 64 Talking shop about some of our favourite things.
Society Achievers is published once every month by Magnate Publishing Private Limited, 501, La-Creme CHS Ltd, Kondivita VLG, MIDC, Andheri(E), Near Akruti Trade
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Editor’s Note
Genius actor Manoj Bajpayee wears his
acting brilliance with nonchalant flair…
winning hearts and awards as he gallops
ahead. While his career graph is studded
with unforgettable acting gems, he
finds the present times brimming with
opportunities which he is immensely
grateful for. This spellbinding actor graces
our February cover and talks about his latest
release ‘Gulmohar’, why he avoids watching
his films, and why his life is a complete miracle!
Our ‘Legends & Achievers’ section is brimming with

dynamic men and women who embody grit, gumption
and grace. Leading the pack is India’s External Affairs
Minister S. Jaishankar who admirably navigates the tricky waters of
rising global tensions, giving as good as he gets, making us proud!
Next in line is the industrious Birla family, today led by one of the most
respected global business leaders, Kumar Mangalam Birla. We track
his ancestral journey, his formidable rise, and his progeny who he is
nurturing and welcoming into his vast empire…
Award-winning fashion designer Neeta Lulla who’s been flourishing

over the last four decades, creative powerhouse Mozez Singh, and
Beyoncé - the international performer with the mostest, shine through
with guts, glitz and glory in this impressive lineup.
Pumping up our ‘Lifestyle’ section is legendary Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and

holistic health expert Luke Coutinho, who break down the importance
of good gut health. Health always has and continues to be the only real
riches – it truly is wealth!
And now, let’s raise a toast to the scintillating Society Interiors Design
Competition & Awards! It was one power-packed evening with India’s
best architects and design pundits, rubbing shoulders with the who’s
who of the developers’ world! The award-winning students brought the
house down cheering their peers and applauding the stalwarts! Truly, a
night that sparkled ‘n’ shone!!
- Andrea CostaBir
Photograph: Viraj Shirodkar

Cover Story
“I’m much more in an

easy place now than ever.”
Actor Manoj Bajpayee gets candid about his
Bollywood sojourn and dives into how thrilled and
grateful he is for the opportunities going his way.
By Nichola Marie

A
s sheer acting brilliance slowly but surely trumps
starry heft, Manoj Bajpayee is rightfully winning
all the attention he deserves. If his career graph is
“I express better in
studded with unforgettable acting gems garnered
over the years, he finds the present times brimming with front of the camera
than in real life. But
opportunities. The actor talks about his latest release, why he
avoids watching his films, and why his life is a miracle, no less!
Your latest release, ‘Gulmohar’ follows the final four days

of the Batra family living in their 31-year-old family home
I’ve learnt to deal
as they move to a new city. What was it that attracted
you to it, and what makes it compelling viewing? with it quite nicely
now than ever before.
What attracted me to it are all the things that you just
mentioned in your question. It’s about a bungalow, which
is on sale and how all the interpersonal relationships start
getting complicated, and how secrets start surfacing. My
character is someone who is standing right in the middle
I also have realised
where his mother and his son are just refusing to really agree
with him... So, he’s at the crossroad of his life. The characters, that I enjoy the craft
the conflict between the characters, these are the things that
are quite unique. And they will compel you to really get into
the story and feel as if you’re part of that household.
more than ever.”
The cast also includes well-admired veterans like
Sharmila Tagore and Amol Palekar. What was it like
shooting with these greats?
Oh, these are two greats. I’ve grown up watching them,
admiring them. It was something very hard to believe that I
was, you know, talking to Sharmilaji whenever I had scenes
with her, and even if we didn’t, since we kind of ate together,
laughed together and shared many things about each
other’s life. I just observed her working and her discipline,
and the enthusiasm with which she used to land up on set.
Same goes for Mr Amol Palekar; I always admired him as an
actor, and also there is a common thing that he’s been from
theatre. And those were the things that we used to discuss -
his cinema, the kinds of cinema that he has done, and how,
even in the time of major commercial stars, he managed
to come up with some really unique films and those films
became successful. So, I was in awe of Mr Amol Palekar and
his discipline. The work that he does on each and every line,
and each and every word and move, is something quite
fascinating.
You yourself are one of the greatest performers of

contemporary Indian cinema. After all these years,
do you ever get nervous facing the camera? Has your
performing process changed?
Thank you very much for the compliment. I don’t know… I
get nervous. Because I really don’t know if I’m going to really
pull it off, do justice to the character or, you know, land it
right? Hit the right pitch, how all of it is going to look... It’s
so difficult to like myself, but that is why I don’t watch my
films; I try to avoid watching my films. Whenever I watch
any of my films, I have so many problems with myself. And
then I unnecessarily torture my directors (laughs), asking
them too many questions. And, you know, telling them as
to how bad I was, and you know, I really ruined it. I’m such
a harsh critic of myself. So, my job is to get it right and be
extra critical about what I do. And that drives me to work
harder and do better and better stuff.

“Whenever I watch
any of my films, I have
so many problems
with myself. And
then I unnecessarily
torture my directors
(laughs), asking them
too many questions…
I’m such a harsh critic What are some of the things you have discovered about
of myself. So, my job yourself over your decades of growth as an actor?

What I have discovered about myself is that I’m quite lazy
is to get it right and and lethargic at home, or anywhere else. I am hardly a
people person. But when I get out, I somehow very naturally,
be extra critical about you know, mingle with people and, you know, talk to them.
And also, I’ve realised that I express myself better in front
what I do.” of the camera than in real life. But I’ve learnt to deal with it
quite nicely now than ever before. I also have realised that
I enjoy the craft more than ever. I’m much more in an easy
place now than ever.
You have brilliantly essayed so many memorable and

diverse characters over the years, from the iconic
gangster of ‘Satya’ (1998), to the tragicomic mafia
warlord in ‘Gangs of Wasseypur’ (2012), the ageing,
persecuted professor of ‘Aligarh’ (2016), and the multi-
faceted, middle-class spy in ‘The Family Man’ (2019), to
name just a few. How is it that audiences never can
predict what you will floor them with next? What is the
secret of this chameleon-like quality?
Thank you very much. This was my dream as an actor, to live
a very, very different life all the time. And that gives me an
immense high. I’m always looking for that time when I look

at myself on the screen, and tell myself, ‘Oh, I don’t
recognise this guy’. That is the victory moment for
me. And that, you know, for that moment, I’ve been
“What worked for
working so hard and working towards that moment
when I can actually say, ‘Who is that guy? That cannot
me is my resilience or
be me’. So this is the way I look at my actor - to do
different roles and live different lives all the time. I do
stubbornness. And I think
it because I enjoy it. I do it because I don’t want to see
myself on the screen.
the attitude of not letting
OTT has introduced whole new generations of
failure or success define
audiences to your talent and work. What’s your
take on the medium?
you. And always doing
Oh yes, I am completely grateful to this platform
that it has taken me far and beyond in whichever
the job because you love
direction, you know. Whichever town I’m flying to,
people are showing so much love on the flight or at
doing it because you find
the airports or on the roads in the streets. And all
age groups - that is something remarkable that has
it quite fascinating - the
happened to me as an actor - from 11 – 12-year-olds
to 70, 80 and 90-year-olds, all of them have started
craft itself.”
loving me. They are now getting exposed to Manoj
Bajpayee through his varied kind of work, which is so
heart-warming for me. Every time, I only thank God They admire or, you know, shower love according to their
and feel indebted to all the people who are sending performance, purely, not by the numbers that they collect at
so much love to me. the box office, which is so amazing. And this is the time that I
OTT is a great medium. It is so democratic; it really thought about, prayed for, and I’m so thankful that I’m working
doesn’t, you know, differentiate between actors in this time. And, you know, I’m taking advantage at this point of
or the talents from any department. It only looks time - I’m getting offers which are so remarkable, choices which
at them as talent and they choose their favourite. are so varied and so flattering.

“It is very difficult
to get into a very
complex role, but this
is what I enjoy the
most. If I don’t really
torture myself in
finding the character,
if I don’t really get into
it, dive into it… I don’t
feel satisfied.”
‘The Family Man’ presented you as a star who has to

act ordinary. Are you comfortable embracing both the
actor and the star within yourself?
I am telling you very honestly, I’ve never looked at myself as
a star because stars create euphoria among the audience
and actors, you know, are part of the story. They can, at the
most, create some kind of emotion in the audience in return
for which they get a lot of love and admiration for years. I’m
not ashamed to say that I will never hesitate to say that I’m
not a star; I’m an actor that people have been loving, for so
many years. And they still keep sending out love to me and
their best wishes to me. They keep showering blessings and
love all the time for all the performances and the hard work
that I do and for that I really feel very, very lucky.

From growing up in Bihar, to moving
to Delhi as a teenager to chase your “I’m so busy doing, you know,
dreams of becoming an actor…
See, a village boy coming to Delhi, getting such amazing roles and they
into Delhi University and then doing
theatre, getting recognised there, then are so challenging, so difficult
to get it right that being a
coming to Mumbai… After few years of
struggle, you know, he gets such a huge
recognition and is still working - I would
say it’s a miracle! That’s what my wife
calls it. I’m still surviving, I’m still acting,
director doesn’t really cross
doing varied roles and working with
some great directors. I feel this is just a
my mind. But who knows,
miracle that I’m witnessing all the time. never say no! One day, one
Do you revisit those Delhi days? script will arrive and it will,
I keep going to Delhi, sometimes for
some functions, or with the family; you know, force me to take up
the mantle of a director.”
Shabana’s home is in Delhi, my brothers
and sisters are in Delhi, my friends are
in Delhi. I have done theatre in Delhi. We
keep revisiting those restaurants, those
homes, and those streets; we love Delhi.

“It’s so difficult to like Recently, you credited Ram Gopal Varma with changing
the industry single-handedly. Do you feel the world is
quick to forget a man’s achievements once the glow of
myself, but that is why success fades?
I don’t watch my films; Yes, it is. It is very sad. It is ruthless. And it is so heartbreaking
that people forget, when, you know, all the greats stop
I try to avoid watching

working, or for some reason, they are not giving hits. That
really breaks my heart. But that’s the way it has been always
and one should come to terms with this reality. But, till the
my films.” time I can say it, I will always maintain that he is the one
who changed the industry single-handedly. Just imagine,
in the time when formula films and all the romantic films
If you were to sit and analyse what worked in your were in vogue, this man single-handedly changed the
favour in those early days and also at other challenging industry with the film (‘Satya’), where he decided to take
times, what would it be? all the new talents. I mean, otherwise, who would touch
Manoj Bajpayee even from a distance? Nobody would have
What worked for me is my resilience or stubbornness. And I
thought of casting him in that role or many other actors for
think the attitude of not letting failure or success define you.
that matter, and so many careers were made. And he kept
And always doing the job because you love doing it, because
on making those kinds of films and kept on supporting
you find it quite fascinating - the craft itself. So, I think all of
new directors and writers and new actors. And, you know,
these things have saved me from falling into that dark pit.
because of that consistent effort from him, the industry
started seeing new talents coming in and the storytelling
You have often mentioned your penchant for complex started changing. So it’s very, very important to recognise
roles. How difficult is it to get under the skin of the this and say it aloud.
complex characters you essay? Do you carry a little
bit of your characters within you, much after the film
has ended?
It is very difficult to get into a very complex role, but this
is what I enjoy the most. If I don’t really torture myself
in finding the character, if I don’t really get into it, dive
into it… I don’t feel satisfied. I don’t carry myself into the
character at all. I try to stay away from it, and try to find the
character through the backstory of it. That’s why I do a lot
of characterisation.
“What I have discovered

about myself is that I’m
quite lazy and lethargic
at home, or anywhere
else. I am hardly a
people person.”
How much of a ‘family man’ are you in real life? It
appears that your family is your little cocoon of love
and security…
Life has been very, very busy for the past two years. I try to
be with my family but because of the work going on back to
back it gets difficult, but my family understands that this is
a time I’m getting good work and choices which are really
great. So I should just go ahead and, you know, do justice
to them and make use of this time, which is so fantastic. So
now when I’m getting good offers, with the support of my
family, I go out and do it. And yes, you’ve rightly said my
family is my ultimate cocoon. I just come back and even if
I’m sitting here reading my book or a script, or doing my
own thing, I just love the fact that I’m home, go for a run and
do some freehand and physiotherapy exercises.
“I’m always looking for

that time when I look
at myself on the screen,
and tell myself, ‘Oh, I
don’t recognise this
guy’. That is the victory
moment for me.”
“I’m still surviving,
I’m still acting, doing
varied roles and
working with some
great directors. I feel
this is just a miracle
that I’m witnessing all
the time.”
“I’m an actor
that people have
been loving, for
so many years.
And they still
keep sending out
love to me and
their best wishes
to me. They
keep showering
blessings and love
all the time for all
the performances
and the hard
work that I do and
for that I really
feel very, very
lucky.”
Do you have any more surprises up your
sleeve… like turning director, perhaps?
I don’t know… at this point of time, I’m so busy
doing, you know, such amazing roles and they
are so challenging, so difficult to get it right
that being a director doesn’t really cross my
mind. But who knows, never say no! One day,
one script will arrive and it will, you know, force
me to take up the mantle of a director. I will do
it but at this point in time no, I’m enjoying just
being an actor.
You are the picture of a disciplined and well-

balanced life. What is your fitness regimen
like?
I try to get up early in the morning, by five
o’clock, and do my yoga and my meditation
and follow a very strict food habit. That is very,
very important. And meditation is something
that is gifted to me by my spiritual teacher,
which has completely changed me.

Health Check
Nutrition
comes first
Four renowned doctors
dive into how nutrition
plays a key role in
ensuring that we stay
healthy and look our best.
Dr Shashank Joshi, MD, DM, FRCP, FACP, FACE (USA), Founder
& Vice President of PCOS Society and a Padma Shri awardee,
spells out why men need to pay attention to nutrition.
Poor lifestyle factors and unhealthy nutrient intake in men Everyday stressors exert a negative influence on the immune
create a nutritional imbalance, increasing the risk of Non- function which slows down the recovery process, ultimately
Communicable Diseases (NCDs) like fatigue, cardiovascular affecting men’s health. They are less likely to get sick if their
disease, diabetes and obesity. However, daily medication immune systems are kept on high alert all the time through
is not the answer. It is in fact the right nutrition that supplementation of antioxidants and amino acids, as well
lays the foundation for healthy living and prevention of as a healthy diet and regular exercise. Combining nutrition
NCDs. Supplementation with a balanced combination of and physical activity can produce more significant positive
vitamins and minerals, formulated as per age-specific health consequences and boost the immune system that
requirements of men, is always a smarter choice. functions to improve convalescence.
Dr Kamini A Rao, DGO, DORCP, MRCOG, DCh, FRCOG, MOBG,

FICOG, PGDMLE, FNAMS, D.Sc, Founder & Director at Medline
Academics, Chairperson of National Registry of ART Clinics and
Banks in India, and Padma Shri awardee, points out why women
need to put their health and nutrition first.
Ever wondered why you wake up in a great mood but find yourself
irritated, tired, anxious or have body aches and food cravings
throughout the day for no reason? This is mostly due to Premenstrual
Syndrome (PMS) experienced a few days to two weeks before
menstruation. Research suggests approximately one in five Indian
women suffers from Polycystic Ovary Syndrome (PCOS), caused due
to hormonal imbalance, and can be related to a sedentary lifestyle and
poor nutrition. Irregular cycles, ovulation issues, acne, excessive hair
growth and weight gain are common among those who experience
PCOS. However, the incidence of PMS and PCOS is low among women
with optimum levels of vitamins or minerals.
Many nutritional deficits experienced in infancy and childhood have
irreversible consequences, so adequate nutrition from infancy onward
directly benefits women later in life. Hence, women need to plan a
well-balanced diet while paying attention to essential multivitamin and
mineral requirements to remain healthy in today’s hectic life.

Dr Rashmi Shetty, celebrity dermatologist,
industry pioneer, author and a leading expert
in aesthetic medicine, offers some insights on
how women can care for their hair.
Our skin, hair and nails are exposed to several
environmental and lifestyle factors that affect their
quality, health and upkeep. Nowadays, women
use cosmetics containing harmful chemicals to
enhance their beauty that can lead to permanent
damage to the skin and hair. Instead of applying
products to hide imperfections, it’s a question
of ‘treating’ the problem from within. Nutrient
deficiencies aggravate the damage and inhibit
growth and maintenance. Healthy and strong hair,
skin and nails can say a lot about your overall well-
being, including the state of your nutrition.
Nutricosmetics are wellness products that provide
the right nutrition for promoting beauty via blood
circulation. Intake of vitamins, antioxidants and
minerals promotes the growth of nails and hair,
as well as the appearance of skin and potentially
enhances beauty from within. The best way to
stay nourished is a healthy diet and exercise,
however, these supplements can be a powerful
complementary step in a beauty routine.
Dr Aseem Sharma, MD, DNB, MBA, Chief Dermatologist

at Skin Saga Centre for Dermatology, delves into how
men can deal with hair loss.
Nearly 65% men experience hair loss by the age of 35, which
increases to 85% by the age of 50. Male pattern baldness
or alopecia can wield a negative social effect, including
depression, introvertedness and low self-confidence. Stress,
nutritional deficit, hormonal imbalance, co-morbidities and
environmental causes can trigger genetically mediated hair
loss. It can also be your body’s way of alerting you to other
issues that require your attention.
The regular growth and function of hair follicles depends
on micronutrients and macronutrients. Deficiency of said
nutrients represents a modifiable risk factor associated
with prevention and treatment of alopecia. Nutrition plays
a significant role in regulating hormonal balance. Some
vitamins and minerals are related to hair greying as well
– like iron, vitamin D, folate, vitamin B12, selenium and
sulphur-containing amino acids. Premature greying can be
prevented by increasing the intake of these micronutrients.

Legends &
Achievers
Treading their own path is not something these dynamos shy away from.
They embrace themselves and their passions and trudge on, touching
milestones and constantly pushing forward.

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Politics
Man of the
Moment
As India’s External
Affairs Minister,
S Jaishankar does
a lot more than
navigate the tricky
waters of rising
global tensions… He’s
out there giving as
good as he gets, and
making us proud!
By Nichola Marie
His appointment to helm

the Foreign Ministry had
been largely hailed as an
excellent choice. It was seen
as India falling in with global
trends of the Foreign Minister
having strong domain
knowledge from day one.

When compliments pour in from personalities as diverse as ex-Pakistan PM
Imran Khan, top US diplomats, the UAE Minister for Artificial Intelligence, Indian
Prime Minister Narendra Modi, and even senior Congress leader Shashi Tharoor
– it’s clear the object of this praise is doing something resoundingly right! No
easy task, given the country’s foreign policy which does not fit into any single
geopolitical camp. If India is a member of the Quad security partnership with
the US, Australia and Japan, it also participates in the China-led Shanghai
Cooperation Organisation, and last year resisted Western pressure to condemn
and sanction long-time military supplier Russia for its invasion of Ukraine. The
person at the centre of it all - External Affairs Minister Subrahmanyam Jaishankar,
or S Jaishankar as he is better known, who is navigating the tricky waters with
aplomb. Whether his ability to project India’s foreign policy globally, his skillful
diplomacy, tough negotiating tactics or strategic vision, he is out there doing his
job, and doing it well.
PM Modi’s ‘Crisis Manager’

Known to be PM Modi’s go-to person in times of crisis, since his appointment as
India’s External Affairs Minister in 2019, Jaishankar has worked on prioritising
India’s relationship with key partners such as the US and Japan. Through initiatives
such as the Quadrilateral Security Dialogue with the US, Japan, and Australia, he
has worked on expanding India’s global influence. He came in for particular attention for the part he played in the peaceful resolution
of the Doklam border dispute with China, which seemed to be at risk of escalating into a larger military confrontation. He has been
at the forefront of India’s stand on the Russia-Ukraine war where India condemns the violence but continues buying oil from Russia.
Besides foreign policy, he has also focused on issues such as climate change, global health, and India’s efforts to provide vaccines
to developing countries. More importantly, on several international platforms, he has made it clear that India won’t give in to any
pressure as it serves the interests of its people first. His leadership and expertise will be relied on increasingly in an international
landscape that grows progressively complex as he helps shape India’s foreign policy and global standing.
Besides foreign policy, he has also focused on issues such as

climate change, global health, and India’s efforts to provide
vaccines to developing countries.

How It Started…
A highly-regarded diplomat, Jaishankar
had served as India’s Foreign Secretary
from January 2015 to January 2018.
After joining the Indian Foreign Service
in 1977, he went on to hold key roles
during his career including stints as
High Commissioner to Singapore, and
Ambassador to China and the United
States. He also played a significant
role in negotiating the Indo-US civilian
nuclear agreement. Apparently having
enjoyed the PM’s trust during his term
in South Block, he also had a good
working relationship with Sushma
Swaraj, whose post he was eventually
offered just 16 months after retiring
as Head of the Indian Foreign Service.
Jaishankar is the first former Foreign
Secretary to be given political control
of the External Affairs Ministry. He is
probably also the first bureaucrat to
become a cabinet minister so soon
after retirement. His appointment to
helm the Foreign Ministry had been
largely hailed as an excellent choice. It
was seen as India falling in with global
trends of the Foreign Minister having
strong domain knowledge from day
one. Former Ambassador Gurjit Singh,
who had served with Jaishankar in the
Indian High Commission in Colombo,
called his appointment, “A bright,
out-of-the-box idea, like Jaishankar
himself brings to the table,” adding,
“We need nimble-footed diplomacy
and we have the most agile diplomat
as our minister.”
Appointed Ambassador to the

United States, he arrived at
a time when relations were
low, but ended his tenure with
the historic visit of President
Barack Obama as the first-
ever chief guest from the US
to the Indian Republic Day
parade in January 2015.

He has been at
the forefront
of India’s stand
on the Russia-
Ukraine war
where India
condemns the
violence but
continues buying
oil from Russia.
Making His Mark

The 1955-born S Jaishankar is the son
of K Subrahmanyam, a prominent
international strategic affairs
S Jaishankar - Fast facts analyst, journalist and former Indian
civil servant, who is considered the
father of modern strategic thought in
Party: Bharatiya Janata Party India. Educated at Delhi’s Jawaharlal
Nehru University, Jaishankar had
Father: (Late) Krishnaswamy Subrahmanyam been part of the ‘Free Thinkers’. Not
affiliated with any political party,
it was a forum to debate different
Mother: Sulochana Subrahmanyam ideologies.
As MEA’s Joint Secretary for the
Spouse: Kyoko Somekawa Jaishankar Americas, he had been involved
in the intensive negotiations for
the India-US nuclear deal during
Education Qualifications: B.Sc., M.A. (Political the UPA government. After leading
Science), M.Phil., Ph.D. (International Relations) Edu- the Indian negotiating team for
the Separation Plan and the 123
cated at: University of Delhi, Delhi and Jawaharlal Agreement, he was posted as India’s
Nehru University, New Delhi High Commissioner to Singapore in
2007. From there, he was appointed
Ambassador to China, during which
Countries Visited: Singapore, U.K., Japan, U.S.A., time key bilateral events included
China, UAE, and Fiji, among others. the suspension of military contacts
over China’s refusal to give a visa
to the Northern Command Chief
and the stand-off at Daulat Beg
Oldi. Appointed Ambassador to the
United States, he arrived at a time
External Affairs Minister when relations were low, but ended
his tenure with the historic visit
Subrahmanyam Jaishankar, of President Barack Obama as the
first-ever chief guest from the US
or S Jaishankar as he is better to the Indian Republic Day parade

in January 2015. He had also won
known, is navigating the tricky the admiration of PM Modi on the

latter’s high-profile trip to the US in
2014. By then, there was no doubt of
waters with aplomb. him having left his mark.

Incidentally, for S Jaishankar, becoming Foreign Secretary was the limit of his
ambition. He had never dreamt of becoming a minister, he says, giving entire
credit for the same to PM Modi. “I am not sure any Prime Minister, other than
Narendra Modi, would have made me minister,” he says, adding, “I really also
sometimes ask myself that if he was not the Prime Minister, would I have had
Pointing out
the courage to enter politics? I don’t know.” that the world
Walk The Talk
order is still
Even as some believe Jaishankar’s job is less the managing of external relations, Western, he said
than it is managing external public relations, he cannot be faulted for showing the
world a mirror, unpleasant as the reflection may be. Here are a few instances… it needs to be
• When asked about India’s downgrading by two of the leading democracy replaced by a
rating agencies - the US-based NGO Freedom House and Sweden-based
Varieties of Democracy (V-Dem) Institute (2021), he was scathing in his world of “multi-
response: “It is hypocrisy. We have a set of self-appointed custodians of
the world who find it very difficult to stomach that somebody in India is not alignment”
looking for their approval, is not willing to play the game they want to play.
So they invent their rules, their parameters, pass their judgements and make
where countries
it look as if it is some kind of global exercise.” will choose their
• Defending India’s growing energy imports from Russia (2023), he said Europe
had taken six times as much energy from Russia during the same period. own “particular
India, with a per capita income of US$2,000, is not in a position to pay high
prices for oil at a time when European states were diverting supplies from
policies and
the Middle East and putting pressure on the global oil markets, he pointed preferences and
out. “If the European political leadership would like to soften the impact on
their population, I think it’s a privilege they should extend to other political interests.”
leaderships as well,” he said.
Jaishankar is the first former Foreign Secretary to be given

political control of the External Affairs Ministry. He is probably
also the first bureaucrat to become a cabinet minister so soon
after retirement.

• Defending his characterisation of Pakistan as the “epicentre of
terrorism,” he said, “I could use much harsher words than epicentre.
Considering what has been happening to us, I think epicentre is a
very diplomatic word because this is a country which has attacked
the Parliament of India some years ago [and] the city of Mumbai…
which every day sends terrorists across the border.”
• He hit out at Pakistan being the epicentre of terrorism: “The world
today sees them (Pakistan) as the epicentre of terrorism. Now I know
we have been through two-and-a-half years of Covid and a lot of us
have brain fog as a result. But I assure you the world has not forgotten
where does terrorism (emanate), who has their fingerprints over a
lot of activities in the region and beyond the region.” He advised
Pakistan to instead contribute towards “economic growth, and
progress and development.”
• Speaking on Indo-China issues at the Hindustan Times Leadership
Summit 2022, he made it clear that “unless there is peace and
tranquillity in the border areas... unless there is an observance of
agreements and no unilateral attempt to change status quo... the
situation cannot be, and is not, normal.”
• Speaking at the UNSC Open Debate on ‘Maintenance of International
Peace & Security: New Orientation for Reformed Multilateralism’
(2022), he pitched for New Orientation for a Reformed Multilateral
System or NORMS to reflect present-day geo-political realities. He
said: “We not only need to increase stakeholdership but also enhance
the effectiveness and credibility of multilateralism in the eyes of the
international community and in the eyes of global public opinion. If
this is to happen, member states from Latin America, Africa, Asia,
and the Small Island Developing States should have credible and
continuing representation in the Security Council. Decisions about
their future can no longer be taken without their participation.”
His appointment to helm the Foreign Ministry had been largely

hailed as an excellent choice. It was seen as India falling in with
global trends of the Foreign Minister having strong domain
knowledge from day one.

Addressing unresolved border issues at the Ram Nath His leadership and expertise will be
Goenka lecture (2019), he said: “Taking risks is inherent to
the realisation of ambitions. A nation that has the aspiration relied on increasingly in an international
to become a leading power someday cannot continue with landscape that grows progressively
unsettled borders, an un-integrated region and under- complex as he helps shape India’s
exploited opportunities.”
In an interview with an Austrian publication, he spoke about
foreign policy and global standing.
the tectonic shift in the world power structure, giving the
example of the US. He said that despite all the differences,
former US Presidents, Barack Obama and Donald Trump,
both agreed that the US can no longer play the same role on
the world stage as it once did and must withdraw. “We are
already living in dangerous times. This transition to the new
world order will take a long time. Because change is big.
The Americans were the quickest to realise that they had to
reposition themselves and seek cooperation with countries
like us.” He compared this to Europe, which he said, “needed a
wake-up call to understand that the difficult aspects of life are
not always taken care of by others… No region will be stable
if dominated by a single power… When the Europeans started
talking about an Indo-Pacific strategy, it was clear to me that
they no longer wanted to be just spectators on developments
in other parts of the world.” Pointing out that the world order
is still Western, he said it needs to be replaced by a world
of “multi-alignment” where countries will choose their own
“particular policies and preferences and interests.”

Family Matters
• S Jaishankar had reportedly met his first wife Shobha while in university at JNU. They
had two children - Dhruva and Medha. Shobha passed away due to cancer. On a
posting from 1996 till 2000, he met Kyoko Somekawa. They later married. They have
one child – Arjun. Kyoko Jaishankar keeps a low profile.
• His son, Dhruva Jaishankar, is Executive Director at Observer Research Foundation
America, based in Washington DC, which he helped establish in 2020. He is also a
Non-Resident Fellow with the Lowy Institute in Australia and writes a regular column
for the ‘Hindustan Times’. His research — on India’s relations with the United States,
Japan, Australia, Southeast Asia, and Europe; defence and security policy; and global-
isation, democracy, and technology — has been published in several books, policy
reports, and publications including ‘Foreign Affairs’, ‘Foreign Policy’, and ‘Survival’.
• His daughter, Medha Jaishankar, has had an eclectic career in the entertainment
industry. She has lived in eight countries and calls Mumbai and Los Angeles her cur-
rent homes. She worked as a camerawoman, editor, producer and reporter for the
BBC World Film Review show ‘Talking Movies’. She worked as a film executive in India
for several years before moving to the US. She has produced several music videos, a
horror short film ‘Facelift’, and a film featuring A-list actors Jacob Elordi and Zachary
Quinto titled ‘He Went That Way’
• Arjun Jaishankar completed his Bachelor of Arts, Computer Science and Game De-
sign (2017 – 2021) at New York University. According to his LinkedIn bio, his expe-
rience includes a game development internship at Tata Consultancy Services (New
Delhi), Overseas Consumer Business Department and CSC Business Development
Department internships at Sega (Tokyo), a project internship at Carnegie Endowment
for International Peace, and a media internship at Asian News International (ANI).

Business
The Boy
Who
Became
King
To him goes full
credit for taking
the Aditya Birla
Group’s turnover
from US$2 billion
in 1995 to US$45
billion in 2021.
Honoured with the
Padma Bhushan
in January
2023, Kumar
Mangalam Birla’s
success story is
inspirational on
many levels.
Today, the Aditya
By Ambika Basu Birla Group, a global
conglomerate, is in the
League of Fortune 500.

‘Tata-Birla’ – for decades this term has been an Aditya Birla: Forward-Thinking Visionary
unofficial buzzword that denotes extreme business-
class wealth in India. Understandably, the roots of The 1944-born Aditya Vikram Birla was the chairman of the
the business house of Birla go back a long way to the US$2.3 billion Birla Group and an advocate of expanding
19th century in the Rajasthani town of Pilani, where Indian economic activity abroad. Schooled in Calcutta, he
Seth Shiv Narayan Birla started trading in cotton. went on to earn a BSc degree from St Xavier’s College.
It would be the foundation for the famous house of He later acquired a BSc in Chemical Engineering from the
Birla. Expanding rapidly through the 1850s, it was in Massachusetts Institute of Technology. Returning to India in
the early part of the 20th century that founding father, 1965, he is said to have resisted his grandfather G D Birla’s
Ghanshyam Das Birla, set up industries in the critical pressure to enter the aluminium industry, choosing instead
sectors of textiles and fibre, aluminium, cement and to strike out on his own in textiles. His Eastern Spinning Mills
chemicals. A close confidant of Mahatma Gandhi, he at Calcutta achieved success quickly, post which he was given
also played an active role in India’s freedom struggle. charge of the corporation’s expansion into the oil sector.
Representing India at the first and second round-table
conferences in London, along with Gandhiji, it was Aditya Birla would go on to initiate the first Indian joint-
at Birla House in Delhi that the leading lights of the venture company in Indonesia, and a textile plant in
Indian freedom struggle often met to chalk out plans the Philippines. He would move into palm oil refining in
to oust the British Raj. Malaysia and build advanced plants for the manufacture of
Simultaneously, G D Birla continued to pursue his viscose rayon fibre in Indonesia and carbon black in Egypt.
business goals, emerging as a leading industrialist From the late 1970s onwards, he set up 15 companies in
of pre-Independence India. Three years after the South and Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He was the
stalwart’s demise (1983), his second son K K Birla had Chairman of several blue-chip companies including Grasim
ruled out rumours of a separation, arguing that the Hindalco, and Indian Rayon. He also signed agreements
capital gains tax burden inevitably would make matters with the AT&T Corporation to provide telephone and
difficult. However, the split did happen, wherein assets cellular services in India. Besides successfully diversifying
reportedly worth a staggering Rs 4,000 crore, spread over the business group he had inherited into textiles,
businesses as diverse as textiles and tea, jute and sugar, petrochemicals and telecommunications, his vision saw
cement and shipping, and engineering goods, were the company become one of the first Indian corporates to
apportioned between the various branches of the family go international, taking the conglomerate’s worth to US$2
in a largely amicable settlement. The sub-branch that billion in 1995.
apparently gained the most was G D Birla’s favourites Aditya Birla was just 51 when he passed away, after a
— son Basant Kumar Birla and his son, Aditya Birla. prolonged illness, in a hospital in Baltimore, USA. He was
survived by his wife, Rajashree Birla, son, Kumar Magalam
Birla, and daughter, Vasav Datta Birla.
It was at Birla House in
Delhi that the leading The Coming Of Age Of Kumar Mangalam
In an interview with ‘India Today’, Kumar Mangalam spoke
lights of the Indian of how he vividly recalled the day his father told him that he
had only a few more months to live. Diagnosed with prostate
freedom struggle often cancer in 1991, his father’s condition worsened, leading to
him spending the remaining part of his life in and out of
met to chalk out plans hospitals. Up until then, Kumar Mangalam had enjoyed a
secure, happy and uncomplicated life, growing up in a close-
to oust the British Raj. knit joint family in Mumbai. He learnt the values of honesty,
consistency, integrity, hard work and doing one’s best from
his venerable grandfather and father. He considered it his
privilege, almost a sacred honour, to join the family business;
something he did after studying chartered accountancy and
earning an MBA abroad. Put in charge of the smaller units in
his company by his father, it was a stressful assignment but
also one that helped him learn a lot.
It was a shock for him to learn that his father, in the prime
of his life, would not live much longer. He carried with
him his father’s last advice… about running his businesses
with the values he had taught him; working hard but also
ensuring to enjoy life; being brave; taking care of his
mother and sister; and not grieving in public. His father’s
death and the resulting challenges became a turning
point in young Kumar Mangalam’s life, leaving him with
no choice but to grow up fast. He would share that his
father’s demise, “was a huge learning by itself.

It taught me about the impermanence of life, Starting off with understanding his companies’ needs by
to be resilient and to also appreciate the value engaging with top management professionals, he chose to play
of family and close friends that saw us through on the group’s strength – namely, its conglomerate structure.
this very difficult phase.” Focused on being a dominant player in any business the group
was in, he chose to sell units where there was no prospect
of acquiring dominance. Loss-making units such as the first
Finding His Feet
spinning unit that his father had established, were also sold
Interestingly, as he took over the running of the off. Equally importantly, he decided to focus on expanding the
conglomerate he had inherited, Kumar Mangalam international footprint of ABG.
did not feel the need to copy his father’s methods.
Bringing much-needed professionalism into the way the
Following his grandfather’s advice about being,
Group was managed, he introduced a system of meritocracy
“your own person and take your own decisions,” he
in employing people. Eschewing yes-men for managers who
embraced the freedom to create his own story and
were afraid of challenging him, he also laid down the values
be unafraid of making mistakes.
which would run the companies. His focus was on creating a
He spent a year travelling from factory to factory, decentralised, empowered and people-driven organisation and
observing the Group’s companies. And then he did. Building leadership and a system that promotes merit, in
the changes began…. He not only revised old the years that followed he succeeded in creating an institution
financial practices but also hired managers from that will outlive individuals.
multinational companies. Putting an end to the
tradition of employing aging staff, a retirement age
of 60 was set.
Taking over the family business in 1995, which he “Both Neerja and I felt
later renamed the Aditya Birla Group (ABG), the
times had changed, and he changed the company that the kids should be
with them. With the advent of major economic
reforms, business underwent a metamorphosis. given a chance to follow
Kumar Mangalam rose to the challenge of
revamping the company’s business strategy. their passions.”
-Kumar Mangalam Birla

His father’s death and
the resulting challenges
became a turning
point in young Kumar
Mangalam’s life, leaving
him with no choice but
to grow up fast.
Changing The Game Aditya Birla Group – Powering Forward
Showing considerable foresight, the billionaire Today, the Aditya Birla Group, a global conglomerate, is in the
bought up cement companies during a slump in League of Fortune 500. Anchored by a force of over 140,000
stock prices in 1998. His UltraTech Cement is India’s employees belonging to 100 nationalities, the Group is built
largest producer of building materials. Moving on a strong foundation of stakeholder value creation. With
into new markets, including mobile phones and over seven decades of responsible business practices, its
supermarkets, his Hindalco Industries bought businesses have grown into global powerhouses in a wide
Atlanta-based Novelis for US$6 billion in 2007, in range of sectors – metals, pulp and fibre, chemicals, textiles,
what was the largest acquisition by the Aditya Birla carbon black, telecom, cement, financial services, fashion retail
Group. Novelis is the world’s biggest producer of and renewable energy. Today, over 50% of Group revenues
rolled aluminum used in beverage cans and other flow from overseas operations that span 36 countries in
products. Under his guidance, the Group also became North and South America, Africa, Asia and Europe.
the world’s largest maker of carbon black, used in
tyre manufacturing, when it bought Georgia-based
Columbian Chemicals for US$875 million in 2011. The Aditya Birla would go on
Group also owns Essel Mining & Industries, a closely
held iron ore miner, which accounts for around half to initiate the first Indian
of his personal net worth. He is said to be seeking to
expand in commodities to take advantage of long-
joint-venture company in
term growth in Asian demand. As chairman, the Indonesia, and a textile plant
Group’s annual turnover zoomed from US$2 billion
in 1995 to US$45 billion in 2021. in the Philippines.
Kumar
Mangalam
Birla learnt
the values
of honesty,
consistency,
integrity, hard
work and
doing one’s
best from his
venerable
grandfather
and father.

Globally, the Aditya Birla Group is:
Kumar Mangalam and his
#1 in aluminium rolling
#1 in viscose staple fibre
family also rank high in
#1 in carbon black giving back to society, with
#3 in cement donations mostly to the
#3 in insulators
healthcare sector
In India, the Group leads in several sectors:
#1 fashion and lifestyle player Fortune’s Favourite
#2 in viscose filament yarn With a net worth of US$11.2 billion, the majority of Kumar
#1 in grey cement, white cement and concrete Mangalam Birla’s fortune comes from his ownership of the
Aditya Birla Group, a conglomerate that controls his main
- A leading player in life insurance and asset management
holdings. These include 30% of the world’s largest aluminium
rolling company - Hindalco Industries, a 34% stake in Grasim
The Aditya Birla Group was named the AON Best Industries which controls India’s biggest producer of building
Employer in India for 2018 – the third time over the last material, a 15% stake in Vodafone Idea which was created in
seven years. The Group ranked fourth in the world and a 2018 merger, as well as 13% of financial services provider
first in Asia Pacific in the ‘Top Companies for Leaders’ Aditya Birla Capital. Now he is on track to fortify the Group’s
study 2011, conducted by AON Hewitt, Fortune Magazine market position further and surpass the projected revenue of
and RBL (a strategic HR and leadership advisory firm). Rs 21,000 crore by 2026.

Philanthropy & More
Honoured with several awards including International
Bringing much-needed
Advertising Association’s CEO of the Year Award, the US
India Business Council’s Global Leadership Award, and
professionalism into
the JRD Tata Leadership Award, Kumar Mangalam and
his family also rank high in giving back to society, with
the way the Group
donations mostly to the healthcare sector. Donating Rs
500 crore towards Covid relief measures in 2020, including
was managed, Kumar
Rs 400 crore to the PM-CARES fund, Kumar Mangalam has
also created a 15 million pound endowed scholarship Mangalam Birla
programme to support 10 full-time MBA candidates every
year at the London Business School. Named after his late introduced a system
of meritocracy in
grandfather Basant Kumar Birla, it is the largest endowed
scholarship gift to a European business school. The family
has also built schools and temples across India, including
BITS Pilani and Birla Mandirs. employing people.
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“Leadership lies at the heart of knowing what we stand for.”
- Kumar Mangalam Birla

GenNext: A Peek Into The Future
Married at 22 to Neerja Kasliwal, the power couple prefers keeping a low
Aditya Birla’s vision
profile. Today, Neerja is the Vice Chairwoman for the family’s education saw the company
projects and oversees the Aditya Birla World Academy, an international school
in Mumbai. A few years ago, at the Hindustan Times Leadership Summit, become one of
Kumar Mangalam had shared, “Both Neerja and I felt that the kids should
be given a chance to follow their passions,” even as they hope their children the first Indian
will preserve their core family values, and develop a strong work ethic. This
is in stark contrast to his own time when following a set professional path
corporates to go
was mandatory. Their eldest child Ananya is a singer, pursuing her career international,
internationally. Son Aryaman, who had been a professional cricketer in
the Ranji Trophy and IPL, debuted with his entrepreneurial venture – the taking the
sprawling private club Jolie’s at Birla Centurion in Worli. The youngest,
Advaitesha is pursuing the expansion of the Birla mental health initiatives. conglomerate’s
With the announcement of Aditya Birla Fashion and Retail Ltd. regarding
the appointments of Ananyashree Birla and Aryaman Birla as additional
worth to US$2
non-executive directors on its board, these are exciting times as Gen Next
prepares to take flight.
billion in 1995.
Mangalam’s Mantras
Kumar Mangalam’s beliefs shed light on the kind of person that he is – modest,
self-effacing, and quietly driven. “ …Great businesses are never built on the
quicksands of opportunism. I reiterate that, if living by our values, means perhaps
growing at a pace slower than we would otherwise have liked, so be it. For us,
leadership lies at the heart of knowing what we stand for,” he emphasises.
“My personal needs are not many. The whole business of being a trusteeship of
a company is very important to our family. Giving back to the shareholders and
to society were values that were deeply ingrained,” he points out.
His advice to his children: “There is no substitute to hard work and that you
must respect each person as an individual. I tell them it is all about integrity and
commitment and being good human beings, that is what inspires trust. That
this softer side of management is what matters the most.”
Life is a continuous process of learning; he believes, “The day you stop learning,
you die.” He rates ‘learning agility’ as highly essential; the ability to learn fast,
grasp new concepts, relearn and unlearn.
He believes being authentic and connecting with people is another important

mantra, as is staying rooted in reality, and employing the right means to reach
the end, minus compromise.

Fashion
Ancient
Heritage
With A
Modern
Twist
Award-winning
fashion designer
Neeta Lulla recounts
her journey of finding
herself amongst
India’s design royalty.
By Nichola Marie

F
rom beginning her career with one kaarigar and
a single sewing machine to having over 300 films The ‘Czarina of Indian
to her credit, Neeta Lulla’s cap is a feather-filled
one. Not to forget four National Awards, a thriving
design house, and also being a member of the prestigious
Fashion’ is not resting
Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. What’s
more, the ‘Czarina of Indian Fashion’ is not resting on past
on past laurels but
laurels but powers on, all (sewing machine) guns blazing! powers on, all (sewing
With a career spanning over three decades across fashion
machine) guns blazing!
and films, you are one of the most-recognised names in
the Indian fashion industry. How does it feel to be called
the ‘Czarina of Indian Fashion’?
I am truly humbled that I have been given this title. It brings
a sense of elation that my work gets recognised as being one
of the quality works that has been put on the platform so far.
Therefore, I feel the honour and the responsibility to live up
to this kind of work that I am doing and to keep doing so in
the future. When I started working, which was in the mid to
late 1980s, there was only the factor of wanting to be able
to do good work. When I started designing, for me, it was all
about creating something that would look good, something
that would be appreciated, noticed and would create a kind
of niche of my creative sensibilities.
Neeta Lulla

From beginning your career with one kaarigar and a single
sewing machine, today you have over 300 films to your “For each of the films
credit. Was it difficult to make inroads into the film and
fashion industry at that time? What was the scenario like? that have received
How much has it changed now?
As designers, we did not have access to brands and everything National Awards, the
had to be made from scratch, be it the shoes, accessories,
or clothes that would make your creative vision come to life. main distinctive factor is
Whenever garments were made, and taken for a shoot, or were
made for fashion or fashion shoots or cover shoots, they got that the work that I have
noticed. Your work was spoken about by the photographers
who shot the clothes or by the managers of various actors who done is in keeping with
saw your clothes on set, or by other actors who appreciated the
garments, and then got in touch with you and got you to work
with them. This is how my work came into being. And it was
the storyline, the time
mostly word of mouth. This was something that was a given
because we did not have that much of a digital medium or social
period in which the film
media networking at that point in time. It was unlike today,
where everything is available on Instagram and everything is
has been showcased,
seen on the digital platform. Now you can see whether your
sensibilities match with the ones that you want to work with,
and the geographic
in terms of designers, or stylists, and be able to create your
own style statement with the help of the visual mediums that sensibilities and cultural
you have today. Back then, people relied on the sensibilities
of the designers who were also their stylists. And that’s how elements that need to
work came into being. Predominantly, it was word of mouth as
opposed to today’s digital platform. be reflected.”

“For me, fashion
truly reflects
the love of art,
discovery, and
new inventions
that define the
renaissance.”

“The overall look has been What are some of the highlights of your career
that have been especially fulfilling?
in sync with every aspect I would not say that there are just a few highlights
because, with the kind of graph of work that I was
of the film including blessed to get, every piece of work has created a
newness and a platform where I was able to give
the characterisation something new and different. I am still able to do

that because of the kinds of films I’m doing now, and
that I’m going to do in the future. So, I regard that
and I think that is what as a highlight that films have given me a progressive
creative platform and a creative stepping stone
has been noticed and I where, every time I look at my work, I say that I can’t
get better than this! And then there’s another project
was blessed to get four that I get, which gives me the platform to do better
than what I’ve done in my previous films. And for that,
National Awards.” I’m really grateful to the Almighty.

“Every piece of
work has created
a newness and a
platform where I
was able to give
something new
and different. I
am still able to do
that because of
the kinds of films
I’m doing now, and
that I’m going to
do in the future.”

“When I started You have the distinction of winning four National
Awards for Best Costume Design for ‘Lamhe’
designing, for me, (1991), ‘Devdas’ (2002), ‘Jodhaa Akbar’ (2008), and
‘Balgandharva’ (2011), respectively. What are some of
it was all about

the unique costume design features of each of these
films?
creating something For each of the films that have received National Awards,
the main distinctive factor is that the work that I have done
that would look good, is in keeping with the storyline, the time period in which the
film has been showcased, and the geographic sensibilities
something that would and cultural elements that needed to be reflected. The
costumes are in keeping with the colours of the medium
be appreciated, noticed or the era that I’m working with. They are also in keeping
with a style statement, that is also acceptable in the visual
and would create a kind medium as being glamorous, realistic and appealing
in terms of its totality of costuming, which is jewellery,
of niche of my creative accessories and styling. The overall look has been in sync
with every aspect of the film including the characterisation
sensibilities.” and I think that is what has been noticed and I was blessed
to get four National Awards.

“As designers,
we did not have
access to brands
and everything
had to be made
from scratch,
be it the shoes,
accessories, or
clothes that
would make
your creative
vision come
to life.”

“It’s fabulous to be part
of this [Academy of
Motion Picture Arts and
Sciences] because, apart
from doing the work for
the awards, there is a
lot of learning and a lot
of viewing of awesome,
brilliant work and
brilliant talent.”
Currently, you are designing the costumes for two

mega projects - Rajinikanth’s ‘Chandramukhi-2’, as well
as Gunasekhar’s ‘Shaakuntalam’. What can audiences
expect from these films in terms of costumes?
In terms of the two films in question here, ‘Shaakuntalam’ is
a film that is ready for release by the 14th of April. Directed by
Gunasekhar and produced by his daughter Neelima Guna, it
features Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Dev Mohan and a whole lot
of other senior mega stars from the Telugu industry. This film
is a beautiful portrait. It revolves around mythology that has
been in my mind as a child, reading about it in comic books
like ‘Amar Chitra Katha’ and ‘Chandamama’. I have seen a
lot of paintings of the same. It’s a very beautiful character
and to be able to bring this vision to life has been absolutely
phenomenal!
The actors have been brilliant to work with in bringing this
vision to life. I think this is something that is going to create
a landmark in terms of being a mythological film that every
millennial will want to watch and children are going to really
appreciate it.
I’ve done the clothes for the entire cast. Samantha’s character,
in the first half, is wearing a lot of organic cottons, muls,
and flowers and in the second half she wears a lot of hand-
woven fabrics with hand embroideries and zardozi work. Dev
“Perfection is also what

Mohan who plays Dushyant is wearing a lot of woven fabrics
and Indian weaves. I’ve been able to create some kind of
newness in the portrayal of these characters and in terms of
their visual outlook. we strive to implement
Apart from that, ‘Chandramukhi 2’ is being directed by P
Vasu sir, who also directed the original Chandramukhi with during all the phases
Rajinikanth. Kangana Ranaut features in this version, and the
male lead is Raghava Lawrence who is from the Tamil industry. of the creation: from
The film is a beautiful remake of the original Chandramukhi.
There is a challenge in terms of creating a newness to this the concept to the
look of the film, which has been a super blockbuster in the
past. I’m working on it presently and cannot speak more
about the film.
conception and then
I’m also working on a film with Pawan Kalyan. the completion.”
“The decorative aspects Your design philosophy takes inspiration from the
Edwardian era with a modern twist using age-old
of the baroque and handloom techniques from India. How did your
design statement evolve?
renaissance eras blend The Edwardian period was a time of freedom when
women broke free of the strangulating corsetry. Public
effortlessly with the notions of fashion changed. Comfort was more important
along with the power and confidence that the new
powerful silhouettes freer silhouettes exuded. The decorative aspects of the

baroque and renaissance eras blend effortlessly with the
that I create yet keep powerful silhouettes that I create yet keep them Indian
at heart.
them Indian at heart.” Among your iconic design elements is the use of
kalamkari, paithani, and the iconic nauvari saris.
You are also a member of the prestigious Academy of How strongly do you feel about reviving our Indian
Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. Tell us a little about textile heritage?
this role. My collections blend the ancient heritage with a
Being part of the Academy jury is a very prestigious platform. modern twist, a signature to which the House is
As a member of the jury, one reviews films that are in the very loyal, with a mission for a continuous quest for
running for the Oscars. The platform enables us to watch craftsmanship, glamour and reverie. Perfection is also
over 300 films and then zero down to the films that would be what we strive to implement during all the phases
in the running for the Oscars. Apart from that, as members of of the creation: from the concept to the conception
the costume vote for the Oscars, we have regular meetings, and then the completion. Constantly gathering
review films, talk about the clothes, do interview sessions, our inspirations from the renaissance era and its
and also finally judge the films under consideration. Many opulent fashion, each garment is the result of a long
screenings and meetings happen. It’s fabulous to be part and rigorous artisanal savoir-faire that creates the
of this because, apart from doing the work for the awards, ultimate experience in elegance. For me, fashion truly
there is a lot of learning and a lot of viewing of awesome, reflects the love of art, discovery, and new inventions
brilliant work and brilliant talent. that define the renaissance.

Entertainment
“One of
the most
exhausting
things I’ve
done or
someone
else can do
is not be
themselves!”
Mozez Singh opens up
about his passion for
directing, owning his truth,
and why it’s so important
to embrace one’s self.
By Anandita De
He may come from a legacy pharmaceutical family, but Mozez Singh

discovered his calling in the world of films. And he jumped right in,
emerging as a director and writer with a unique voice that reverberates
through his projects. And as we’ve seen with ‘Human’, he’s not afraid of
tackling tough subjects. Mozez is also a powerful voice for the LGBTQ+
community and is known for effervescently living life on his terms. We
caught up with him for a quick peek into his journey.

Despite coming from a very prominent business family - Sometimes that look may not work for someone else. I
Ranbaxy - what made you decide to pursue a career as a know fashion academically as well as epistemologically. It’s
director? something I really love. It’s amazing to be able to inhabit
a different persona in your head every time you wear
Being in the film industry is something that I’ve always wanted
something eclectic and different.
to pursue and the turning point for me came after boarding
school. I went to America where I studied Political Science and
English. I finished college in Boston and moved to New York, You have a knack for discovering talent. What was
and at that time I was looking for a job. At first, I applied for all it like discovering Vicky Kaushal - one of Bollywood’s
the jobs that I didn’t want to pursue like investment banking leading actors today - for ‘Zubaan’?
and ultimately I thought to myself, ‘Why am I doing this?’ That’s I don’t know about having a ‘knack’ but as a filmmaker, I’m
when I called my father and told him that I didn’t want to be a all about who is the best actor for the part, rather than
part of the family business. I wanted to work independently which actor I will be working with. I was casting a new
and in showbiz. My father asked me how I was going to go person in ‘Zubaan’ and my production team had auditioned
about being in an industry that the family wasn’t involved over 300-400 people. I rejected all of them and soon after
with professionally, but at the same time, my parents were so my producer suggested Vicky’s name - he was an AD at that
amazingly supportive and encouraging that it propelled me to point. I called him and instantly knew he was the right actor
follow my path. I’m so blessed and lucky that in this lifetime I for the part. I think you need to know your own material
got to find one thing I truly love, my job. very well. Your writing, your script, before approaching
someone for a role. In the quest for finding a suitable
You are known for being the ‘best dressed’; what does that person for a role, I’ve come across some fabulous actors.
mean to you? And how important is being fashionably
forward to you?
I love being known for being ‘best dressed’ because I love
fashion and it is amazing that it’s appreciated on me. But it’s
also something I’m not that serious about. I only dress up for “My father asked me how
myself. Certain occasions demand a certain look, but the outfit
that I wear has to work for me first.
I was going to go about
being in an industry that the
family wasn’t involved with
professionally, but at the
same time, my parents were
so amazingly supportive and
encouraging that it propelled
me to follow my path.”
We know you love all things luxurious. Your best friend

Hanut Singh is a very famous jewellery designer. Have
you ever thought of doing a jewellery collab together?
No, I’ve never thought of doing a collab ever with Hanut. Oh
my God! That will lead to a whole lot of fights because we are
both very opinionated people, but now that you’re talking
about it, this could be something really fun to do with him.
But he’s already so amazing at what he does that we both
would need to do something that is completely different.
Along with receiving seven Filmfare nominations, your

TV show ‘Human’ has now been rated as one of the 10
best shows of 2022 in India. What does this win mean
to you?
The success and love for ‘Human’ are by the grace of God. It’s
been so unbelievably career-altering for me that everything
the show has done and everything it’s brought me thereafter,
is extremely humbling and I’m tremendously grateful for it.

I remember shooting in Bhopal in slums and
at some really tough locations, returning home
absolutely deadbeat and immediately starting
working on the book. It was mayhem, but it was
such a joy to work on.
I was so excited because I have always had a

lifelong love for Jaipur. I’ve been there so many
times that I feel so good just being there every
time I visit. The name of my ‘house’ in Doon
school where I studied was also called ‘Jaipur’
and I was in ‘Jaipur House’ for six years. So there
is this connection with Jaipur that is inexplicable
as I’m so utterly charmed by the place. I have
some really lovely friends in Jaipur and it’s
always a blast with them.
Few who really know you, see your spiritual

side. Is there a particular construct you put
up for the outside world, or is spirituality
so personal to you that only a few get to
witness that dimension of your personality?
I’m very ‘me’ all the time. I’m totally into being
myself. So if you see me being silly, flippant,
idiotic and neurotic, that’s how I feel, but at
the same time, you can see me being very
deep and intense. I have that within me also.
Spirituality and one’s connection to the divine is
such a private part of one’s life. It’s not that I try
to hide this side of myself. My spiritual journey
has been a very big part of my life ever since
I was 13. Spirituality has always been a very
consistent part of my life and I’m very much
in love with it. It’s possibly one of the greatest
romances in my life. It’s such a personal thing
as it’s the conversation between one’s heart
and it’s extremely empowering. It’s my fuel, my
very own rocket fuel. I love it.
Recently, you collaborated with French luxury coffee table

publishing house Assouline on a visual compendium of
sorts for the pink city — ‘Jaipur Splendor’. What was that
creative process for you like? What is your connection
with Jaipur?
This book is one of my greatest joys. I was approached to
be a part of it in February of 2021. I was shooting ‘Human’ at
that time and we were supposed to wrap up in May. So, I said
I would start working on the book in June. But then we were
hit with the second wave of Covid-19, everything got disrupted
and due to that, all shoots were cancelled. We finally resumed
shooting in June. So suddenly, I was working on the book and
was directing ‘Human’ at the same time and it was CRAZY!!

You have such an engaging social media presence.
What is one more added communication for the year
2023 that you would like to send out to your follower
community?
As clichéd as it is, the greatest thing anyone can do is be
themselves because it’s an existence of truth, and what can
be more powerful than that? It’s surprising how so many
people do not come across as themselves. Sometimes, I
feel it’s best to have compassion and love for them in spite
of them not being able to be true to who they are. The
world is full of people of both kinds.
You love all genres of music. From Madonna to hip-

hop. Are we going to see any new project which
encompasses this passion of yours?
[Chuckles] I cannot name the producer or anything like that
for now because there’s a gag order until they make the first
announcement, but what I can say is that I’ve been directing
all of 2022 and I have a few days of shoots left in 2023 where
I’m directing a music-based film. It’s a feature film and it’s for
one of the major OTT platforms. It’s an original. The movie is
in the space of the hip-hop genre of music.
You were one of the very first to own your sexuality

with so much ease and panache. It’s almost enviable
and inspiring to so many of those who are yet to find
their own identity. Was it easy at first to come out
openly to the world? Can it be trying at times still?
I think one of the most exhausting things that I’ve done
or someone else can do is not be themselves and be
pretentious for various reasons such as for acceptance,
social acceptance, work, love or romance. It’s never worked
for me and with the passage of time, I’ve just become
settled with the idea that I have to be myself at every given
point in time, otherwise it doesn’t work for me. If I don’t
feel aligned with my true identity, I feel like I’m being hit
in a way that I don’t like. Lucky for me, I have an incredibly
loving and supportive family and friends who stand by me
no matter what and applaud me for being just the person
that I am. It gives me even more confidence to chase my
life’s goals and objectives. I’m just a person who goes out
there and does things, that’s just my inherent nature. I
enjoy the adrenaline rush when I take up a challenge and
to receive this feeling within me is when I know I’m being I cannot be somebody other than myself because that’s
true to my own identity. when I know I feel most uplifted and empowered, and
that’s where I tell the LGBTQ+ that coming out is a very
difficult thing to do, and it is a very personal feeling in the
sense that no two people can come out at the same time.
People come out when they need to come out, when
they cannot take it anymore, and that can happen when
“Spirituality has always been you’re 15 or when you’re 50 years old. I think anyone who
a very consistent part of my is willing to come out must be very compassionate with
themselves because so many people, especially kids,
life and I’m very much in love give themselves a very hard time and they can lose the
plot with that kind of rage/fear that they have bottled up
with it. It’s possibly one of the within them. What I want to say to anyone who is willing to
greatest romances in my life.” come out is that it is the greatest feeling in the world and
whoever can do it, must do it; and whoever is struggling
to do so must realise that everything is going to be fine,
and that they must come out when they need to.

“I have an incredibly loving and supportive family
and friends who stand by me no matter what and
applaud me for being just the person that I am.”

“I’ve just become settled with the idea that I have to be myself at
every given point in time, otherwise it doesn’t work for me.”

We believe that you
deserves to live and
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“I rejected all of them and
soon after my producer
suggested Vicky’s (Kaushal)
name - he was an AD at
that point. I called him and
instantly knew he was the
right actor for the part.”
“It’s been so
unbelievably career-
altering for me that
everything the show
[‘Human’] has done
and everything it’s
brought me thereafter,
is extremely humbling
and I’m tremendously
grateful for it.”

You are supremely comfortable and confident being in
front of the screen. The world saw you being effortlessly
and wittily yourself on ‘The Famous Lives of Bollywood
Wives’ as Bhavana Pandey’s BFF. If any more movie/OTT
platform roles come your way, would you be up for more
acting roles? Or would you want to stick to the film writing
and directing side of the industry?
I’ve zero desire to ever act. I’ve no interest. The whole deal of me
doing a cameo role on ‘The Fabulous Lives of Bollywood Wives’ was
a joke. It happened out of nowhere. They invited me to come on
Season 1 for the beach cleaning scene. I had thrown a fit, I had said
I refuse to come and also said I don’t want to do this scene. It’s not
because I don’t care about the environment. They were cleaning the
beach and were doing a good deed, but I just didn’t want to do it.
Eventually, when I went on set and was a part of the scene, it did
turn out to be fun after all and for some reason, it was really spoken
about post-release. That’s why they invited me back on Season 2 and
they gave me a longer scene to do. I get really worked up before I
have to be in front of the camera. It may not look like that, but I do.
Once I’m in front of it, I’m fine but mentally I’m thinking why am I
doing this?!! So due to this very reason, I don’t have anything lined up
in this line of work at all. Neither is it my jam nor my scene.
Photographs courtesy: Abhishek Gunaratnam

Hair & Makeup: Anju Bahirwani for HMU
“Coming out is the greatest

feeling in the world and
whoever can do it, must do
it and whoever is struggling
to do so must realise that
everything is going to be fine,
and that they must come out
when they need to.”

“It’s amazing to be able to
inhabit a different persona
in your own head every
time you wear something
eclectic and different.”

Global Icon
Beyoncé:
She’s Just
THAT Girl…
A cultural icon and a beacon
of hope for women all over
the world, especially black
women, Beyoncé Knowles
knows how to bring it.
By Tsunami Costabir
Queen Bey pours into her music vulnerability and emotion,

empowering herself and letting other people feel seen and
represented. Her work is revolutionary and has helped
people of colour find peace and power in their existence.
Beyoncé has reached for the stars, and allowed herself to
be everything she wants to be - now that’s iconic.
Baby Bey
Beyoncé was born and raised in Houston, Texas, along with
her younger sister, Solange, who would later follow her into
the entertainment industry. Her father, Mathew, worked
for many years as a sales representative selling medical
equipment. Her mother, Tina, worked in a bank and later
opened her own beauty salon, one of the most successful
“When we saw her

in Houston.
She was put into a dance class at the age of seven, where
she stunned people with her performances. “When we saw on stage for the first
her on stage for the first time, it was incredible. I’d never
seen her so alive and confident,” her mother, Tina, recalled. time, it was incredible.
Rise To Fame I’d never seen her so
She found her moment in the spotlight during the late
1990s, as the lead singer of the R&B group ‘Destiny’s Child’
with Kelley Rowland and Michelle Williams. The original
alive and confident.”
quartet comprised Knowles, Rowland, LaTavia Roberson
and LeToya Luckett. They were signed to Columbia Records
- Tina Knowles
in 1997. In 2001, the band announced their hiatus to pursue
solo careers.

To date, Beyonce
has released seven
studio albums, 5
EPs and 83 singles.

“I began
to search
for deeper
meaning
when life
began to
teach me
lessons I
didn’t know
I needed. I
learned that
all pain and
loss are, in
fact, a gift.”
- Beyoncé

“...I had
With 32 awards and
Blue, and 88 nominations,
the quest Beyoncé has the
for my most Grammy wins
purpose
became and nominations
so much (alongside Jay-Z).
deeper. Going Solo
Being To date, Beyonce has released seven studio albums, 5 EPs
and 83 singles. Her 2016 album ‘Lemonade’ was the world’s
‘number best-selling album of 2016 and the most acclaimed album
of her career, exploring themes of infidelity, feminism, and
one’ womanism. In 2018, she released ‘Everything Is Love’, a
collaborative album with her husband, Jay-Z, as the Carters.
was no Beyonce received further critical acclaim for her seventh

studio album, ‘Renaissance’, which experimented with disco
longer my
and house music and paid homage to LGBTQ+ ball culture.
The album’s lead single ‘Break My Soul’ was her first solo
number-one track since 2008.
priority.
My true Family Girl
Beyonce and her husband, Jay Z, have three children: a
win is daughter, Blue Ivy and twins, Rumi and Sir. Blue Ivy has hit
many red carpets with her famous parents and is quite the
creating natural performer herself. Rumi and Sir have been kept out
of the public eye. Beyonce’s mother, Tina Knowles, once
revealed that Rumi “is really just going to rule the world,”
art and while Sir “is kind of laidback and chills” like dad JAY-Z.
a legacy In 2020, Beyonce opened up about suffering multiple
that will miscarriages. She said: “I began to search for deeper

meaning when life began to teach me lessons I didn’t know
I needed. I learned that all pain and loss are, in fact, a gift.
live far Having miscarriages taught me that I had to mother myself
before I could be a mother to someone else.” She also spoke
beyond up about how her life changed after having her daughter:
“Then I had Blue, and the quest for my purpose became so
me. That’s much deeper. Being ‘number one’ was no longer my priority.
My true win is creating art and a legacy that will live far
fulfilling.” beyond me. That’s fulfilling.”
- Beyoncé Girl Boss

In the corporate world that men disproportionately govern,
Beyoncé distinguishes herself as the founder and CEO of
her own record label and production company, Parkwood
Entertainment. In December 2013, they released Beyonce’s
fifth self-titled visual album. The record sold 828,773 copies

She explores
marriage’s sexual
dimension in
songs like ‘Drunk
in Love’, breaking
down the narrative
that feminists are
women who hate
men or, worse still,
hate sex.
worldwide in its first three days of availability, becoming the Houston Food Bank, and The Global Food Banking Network.
fastest-selling album in the history of the iTunes Store at Beyoncé also collaborated with actor Salma Hayek and
that time. founded Chime For Change to raise awareness regarding
women and girls, and to raise funds for the same cause.
In October 2014, Parkwood Entertainment formed a
large collaboration with Topshop, creating the subsidiary In 2013, she founded Bey GOOD, a public charity foundation.
Parkwood Topshop Athletic Ltd to produce an athletic Their mission is to focus on “economic equity by supporting
streetwear brand, ‘IVYPARK’. Parkwood Entertainment has marginalised and under-resourced programs, committed to
been listed twice by Fast Company as one of the Top 10 serving people through educational scholarships, advocacy
Most Innovative Companies in Music (2015 and 2017). of internships, and access to resources for advancing
entrepreneurship and small business sustainability across
the country and abroad.” In 2020, BeyGOOOD donated
In 2016, Parkwood entertainment released Beyoncé’s
US$6 million to provide relief to communities of colour and
critically acclaimed sixth studio album, ‘Lemonade’, which
essential workers during the coronavirus pandemic.
was accompanied by the release of a 60-minute film of the
same name, which premiered on HBO.
Awards & Snubs
She has a net worth of US$500 million, while Jay-Z has an Historically, institutions are known to have a prejudice
estimated net worth of nearly US$1.3 billion. The total net against ethnic minorities. Beyoncé, like other artists, has
worth of the entertainment power couple amounts to a faced her, not so fair, share of snubs - essentially, losing
whopping US$1.8 billion. well-deserved awards to their white counterparts. In 2019,
Kanye West had an infamous on-stage blow-up when
Beyoncé lost the MTV VMA Award for ‘Best Music Video’ to
Giving Back Taylor Swift.
The list of the initiatives she has taken up is long, but perhaps
her greatest contribution is the Survivor Foundation. She
Before the 2023 Grammy ceremony kicked off, Roc-A-
established the foundation with her fellow Destiny’s Child
Fella Records founder Jay-Z, 53, expressed his hope that
Kelly Rowland with the aim of helping people affected by
Beyoncé’s record would win the prestigious album of the
Hurricane Katrina. In 2007 she collaborated with several
year trophy. Jay-Z explained why his spouse deserved the
anti-hunger foundations, including Feeding America, The
award and talked about how the album made such a big

“She’s incredibly
talented, I think
she’s what
every female
artist should
strive to be like.
Despite all her
success, she
still remains
humble.”
- Rihanna

“I’m just a woman, and I love being a woman… I do
believe in equality and that we have a way to go, and it’s
something that’s pushed aside.” - Beyoncé
impact. “Look what it’s done to the culture. Look how the constraints on women in their roles as mothers and
energy of the world moved. They play her whole album wives. She explores marriage’s sexual dimension in
in the club. I don’t know if I’ve ever seen that. The whole songs like ‘Drunk in Love’, breaking down the narrative
entire joint – like, everything.” that feminists are women who hate men or, worse still,
hate sex. Time and time again, Beyoncé sings songs
about how her husband makes her feel powerful. In an
Beyoncé took home four awards throughout the night.
interview with Oprah, she said (referring to her husband),
Her win in the best dance/electronic music album
“I wouldn’t be the woman that I am without that man.”
category put her over the edge as the artist with the most
Grammy wins of all time - 32. She is also leading the race,
alongside hubby Jay-Z, for most nominated artist, with 88 In 2013 during an interview, she was asked whether or
nominations under her belt. However, after having four not she considered herself a feminist, to which she said,
Album Of The Year Grammy nominations, Beyonce has “That word can be very extreme… I’m just a woman, and I
no wins. Her game-changing surprise self-titled set lost to love being a woman… I do believe in equality and that we
Beck’s ‘Morning Phase’ in 2015, and ‘Lemonade’ — one of have a way to go, and it’s something that’s pushed aside.”
the best albums of the century — bowed out to Adele’s However, Beyoncé still asserts herself as a feminist
“25” in 2017; and in 2023, she lost Album of the Year to through her fierce choreography, song lyrics, and artistic
Harry Styles’ ‘Harry’s House’. performances.
The Real Revolution: Womanism & Intersectionality In 2020, she received the humanitarian BET award
Beyonce redefines feminism and womanhood through from Michelle Obama for her “activism that demands
her art and her life. She shows off her lyrical genius justice for black lives,” and her commitment to the black
and groundbreaking music like ‘Brown Skin Girl’ which community can be seen in everything that she does.
featured women like Lupita Nyongo, Serena Willams Obama went on to appreciate Beyonce for supporting
and Naomi Campbell. Her feminism is intersectional younger performers and calling out “sexism and racism
where she takes inspiration and reaches out to not just when she sees it.”
people of colour, but also the queer community. In her
acceptance speech at the Grammys, she gave a shout-out There doesn’t appear to be much more left for her to
to the queer community for “inventing the (electronic/ accomplish, but her journey is far from over. All hail
dance) genre.” Queen Bey! - one the most influential women the world
has ever known.
One might argue that she has reimagined the traditional

“It’s like normal
for everyone to
love Beyoncé,
but I love her
more than that
amount, like
more than the
normal amount.
I try really hard
not to let it
get creepy. I
just really like
to channel it
into a joyous
admiration and
appreciation.
She’s awesome.”
- Taylor Swift

“You are our light.
And the way that
you make me and
my friends feel, the
way you make my
Black friends feel,
is empowering.
And you make
them stand up for
themselves. And I
love you. I always
have. And I always
will. I appreciate it.”
- Adele to Beyoncé

Their Words, Not Ours
Beyoncé has been an inspiration to so many, including celebrities,
who often find themselves gushing about the singer with no
holds barred. Here are some words from the most successful
members of the BeyHive!
Adele at the Grammy’s in 2017:

“I can’t possibly accept this award, and I’m very humbled and
very grateful and gracious, but my life is Beyoncé, and the album
to me, the ‘Lemonade’ album, Beyoncé, was so monumental and
so well thought out. And so beautiful and soul-bearing, we all got
to see another side of you that you don’t always let us see, and
we appreciate that. And all of us artists adore you. You are our
light. And the way that you make me and my friends feel, the way
you make my Black friends feel, is empowering. And you make
them stand up for themselves. And I love you. I always have. And
I always will. I appreciate it.”
Lizzo at the Grammy’s in 2023:

“In the fifth grade, I skipped school to see you perform. My sister,
she got me out of school. It was literature. I’m good. You changed
my life. You sang that gospel medley, and the way you made
me feel, I was like, ‘I want to make people feel this way with my
music’. So thank you so much. You clearly are the artist of our
lives.”
Rihanna:
“[The career I respect most is] Beyoncé[‘s]. Definitely. I just
thought, the first thing I saw was her beauty and how beautiful
she was, and I listened to her music, and I loved her music. She’s
incredibly talented, I think she’s what every female artist should
strive to be like. Despite all her success, she still remains humble.”
Taylor Swift:
“It’s like normal for everyone to love Beyoncé, but I love her more
than that amount, like more than the normal amount. I try really
hard not to let it get creepy. I just really like to channel it into a
joyous admiration and appreciation. She’s awesome.”
Kanye West:
“Nobody really wants to recognise that Beyoncé is a living legend,
and that she is just as great if not greater than the artists we had
in the past. She’s probably greater than Tina Turner.”
Nicki Minaj:
“Just her name alone defines greatness. Just her. Her. That push
– every woman wants to be that driven. When I met her, she was
a super sweetheart, and the fact that she complimented me, I
never forgot that. That stuck with me. She was like, ‘You killed it,’
and I was like, ‘Huh?’ Like, that just didn’t even register. Here I am
with someone who I admire so much just cause [she’s] so driven.
She told me I had killed it. That really resonates with me.”

Lifestyle
Imposter Syndrome, love languages, gourmet treats and the goings-on of
the gut… ‘Society Achievers’ gets down to decoding all this and more.

Relationships
oWhat is
your Love
Language?
Do you crave passion, attention or
maybe appreciation? Paula Dsouza
helps you decipher your love language.
Love, although a universal term, is never expressed the same
way. How we love and expect to be loved often differs from
person to person. We all have our own language of love - the
way in which we express how we feel about those closest to
us, and in return feel loved by them. But ever so often we get
caught up with the way we believe love should be expressed
and end up falling short of our loved one’s expectations
and vice-versa. It’s time to stop dwelling on perceptions and
assumptions, and take a closer look at ourselves and our
loved ones to better understand our unique love languages.
“Love languages are not just about communicating

love, but also about understanding and respecting our
partner’s individuality and needs,” writes Dr John Gottman,
relationship researcher and author of ‘The Seven Principles
for Making Marriage Work’. And rightly so. Most experts
agree that there are five distinct love languages. However,
no one is necessarily isolated to having just one, people
tend to lean towards two, sometimes three, or even all five
love languages in different intensities. The key to keeping
the spark alive in relationships is thus understanding which
love language your partner most identifies with, and which Let’s take a look at the different languages of love.
one the least. By being able to do this, you will open up
innumerable opportunities to make your significant other
feel appreciated, and who wouldn’t want that? Words Of Affirmation
What it is: These tend to be positive verbal or written cues
and compliments which make people feel appreciated. The
use of words is a key feature of this love language.
If this is your love language: You find yourself feeling

a lot more confident and appreciated when your partner
compliments you or tells you they love you. You enjoy
hearing that they are proud of you, especially if they add
the reasons why they are. Hearing them say how much you
mean to them and having them put into words why they
love you, instantly makes you light up.
If this is your partner’s love language: Check-in on them

on a regular basis. Ask them how their day was and ask
follow-up questions. Tell them how much they mean to
you and what interests you about them. Write them letters.
Compliment them on what they wear, on the way they
present themselves, and simply how they are as people.
Tell them you love them and mean it.
“ Love languages are

essential because they help
us understand how our
partner wants to receive
love and how they express
it in return.” - Dr Gary
Chapman, author of ‘The 5 o
Love Languages’
o
o
Gifting
What it is: This is about being able to give
Don’t be afraid to ask them how
and receive meaningful tokens. The most
important part of this love language is the
they would like to be loved,
thought that goes into it. Therefore, this sometimes it’s the best thing you
isn’t about going over the top or buying
extravagant gifts. It’s about being able to can do. Similarly, don’t be afraid
understand what would mean the most to
a person and having the ability to fulfill that to voice your feelings to your
wish in whatever capacity you can.
partner - no one is psychic.
If this is your love language: You believe
that you are the best at giving gifts. You put
ample amounts of thought into who gets
which gift, carefully curating its contents.
You also enjoy getting gifts from people,
especially those which have personal
meaning. The smallest gifts from someone
important, especially a partner, hold high
sentimental value for you.
If this is your partner’s love language:

Get them small things that remind you of
them. Definitely surprise them, getting
presents when they least expect it, would
make their day! You could even gift them
something that signifies an inside joke
or holds sentimental meaning to your
relationship. Give them their favourite
flower or a handmade card just because
you were thinking of them. Any thought
paired with a gift is all they could wish for.
Physical Touch
What it is: The feeling of connectedness
and intimacy that builds through physical
contact and touch which can be both sexual
and non-sexual in nature.
If this is your love language: You find

yourself feeling low when you haven’t
been given any physical attention from
your partner. You love PDA and hugging
is second nature. You enjoy holding hands
with your significant other and consider
yourself to be a very touchy-feely person.
Passion is something you never really shy
away from and are very often expressive of
how you feel.
If this is your partner’s love language: Stay

in bed a little longer to cuddle with them. Make
being sexually active a priority, they will surely
appreciate it. Randomly kissing, caressing or
even holding them would make this kind of
a person feel incredibly loved. Being physical
about how you appreciate your partner will
make them feel happy and wanted.

Acts Of Service
What it is: This is regarding actions that are often chivalrous and thoughtful.
Sometimes this could involve getting presents, however, it isn’t to be confused with
‘gifting’. In this case, it’s more about the act of going out to purchase something “ By learning
instead of the thought behind the present.
our partner’s
If this is your love language: Showing up for your partner when they have had a bad love language,
day is something you would do without hesitation. Going the extra mile for people
you care about is almost a daily occurrence. Being helped or helping without being we can create
asked to do so is something you deem to be admirable.
a deeper
If this is your partner’s love language: Surprise your partner by cooking them a connection and
meal or taking them out to dinner, especially if it isn’t a special occasion. Make them
a coffee in the morning or pick one up for them before you meet up. Help them out a more fulfilling
with chores when they feel incredibly stressed. Take them on drives or help them out
with studying a concept they don’t fully comprehend. Get them some flowers, or even
relationship.”
better, grow them flowers! - Dr Alexandra
Quality Time
What it is: This essentially means giving your partner time and undivided attention.
Solomon, clinical
psychologist o
This could be enjoying each other’s company either in silence, or by having a long,
meaningful conversation over a date… whatever you consider ‘quality’ to be.
o
o
“ When we speak
our partner’s love
language, we are
speaking directly to
their heart and filling
their emotional love
tank.”
- Dr Sue Johnson

“ Understanding and speaking your If this is your love language: You tend
to appreciate it when your partner makes
partner’s love language is the time for you on a busy day. You love to
sit with your partner even if it is in silence
foundation for a successful and simply because you enjoy being in their
company. You make time to do things
fulfilling relationship.” with your partner, even if it is the smallest
of things like picking up groceries. You feel
- Esther Perel, relationship therapist unappreciated when your partner doesn’t
make the effort to meet you at least once
or twice a week.
If this is your partner’s love language:

Make it a point to not use your phone too
much when you are around your partner.
Pay attention to what they say and be
patient with them. Plan date nights often.
Spend time talking about your relationship
and how each of your days went. Do
chores with them or take a nap together.
Try and be as present as possible in every
situation when you are with your partner.
Summing up:
Don’t be afraid to speak up!
“When we speak our partner’s love
language, we are speaking directly to
their heart and filling their emotional love
tank,” says Dr Sue Johnson, founder of
Emotionally Focused Therapy and author
of ‘Hold Me Tight’. And if you’re unable to
identify what their love language is, don’t
be afraid to ask them how they would like
to be loved, sometimes it’s the best thing
you can do.
Similarly, don’t be afraid to voice your

feelings to your partner – no one is psychic.
What’s most important is that you are
loving and being loved the way you want
to be. And that’s the most meaningful of
all — when you choose to love with quality
over insubstantial quantity
“ Love languages
are not just about
communicating love,
but also about
understanding and
respecting our
partner’s individuality
and needs.” .
o
- Dr John Gottman o
o
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Health
Grit & Gut

The gravity of good gut
health in the prevention of
both mental and physical
diseases shouldn’t be
ignored. Masterchef
Sanjeev Kapoor and
holistic expert Luke
Coutinho tell Tsunami
Costabir all about it.
A healthy gut microbiome is not something to take for
granted. Experts are slowly realising the magnitude good
gut health has on a host of diseases - both mental and
physical. The Sanjeev Kapoor Academy is a platform for
experts to share much-needed information with people
who need help or are curious to learn. They have launched
the Good Gut Program in collaboration with holistic
nutrition and integrative lifestyle medicine expert Luke
Coutinho.
We had the opportunity to ask these successful men about the
course, and understand why we need to focus on gut health
and what it is that we can do.
In conversation with celebrated Chef Sanjeev Kapoor…
What inspired you to start this new course for better

gut health?
I have always believed that sharing knowledge makes one a
better professional. At the Sanjeev Kapoor Academy, we want
to create a larger platform for sharing. So we have curated a
series where we invite top professionals in their fields to share
their knowledge and learnings with you.
Today’s fast-paced life adds stress, and that can lead to poor
gut health. Poor food choices, like excessively refined food,
fizzy drinks, eating at irregular hours, skipping meals, and
irrational diets can all lead to poor gut health. So, the first in
the series is about health, and it starts with good gut health.
With this course, we have integrated medicine with lifestyle and
food. This course covers the science of the gut, why we need to
clean it, what foods nourish it, and what food is bad for it.

Who do you think this course will benefit the most,
and how?
“Spinach, garlic, onions, beans,
Everybody. Most of us are living sedentary lifestyles, we oats, berries, bananas and apples
overindulge at times, neglect our health by consuming foods
that are not good for the gut, and hardly exercise. We want to
are some foods from which you
show you how to make simple, inexpensive lifestyle changes to can get your fix of prebiotics.”
build extraordinary gut health.
- Chef Sanjeev Kapoor
Did you know poor gut health is also responsible for depression
and anxiety? A good digestive system truly holds the key to
overall health. Very few people know this, let alone understand
this and so complain of bloating, acidity, constipation,
inflammation, weak immunity and low energy. That is how
important gut health is, and I really wish that more people
realise this sooner.
What simple changes or additions can people make to

their diets for better gut health?
Avoid sugars and fizzy drinks, and eat natural foods. This
reduces the burden of toxins. It is important to eat food that is
cooked properly. Also, remember to chew your food properly,
not eat fast, and ideally, not talk while having food as we inhale
air that makes us feel bloated.
Another important thing, besides diet, is to stay happy. Focus
on emotional wellness too. When you eat in a joyful state of
mind, food breaks down easily and is absorbed better too.
While doing all this, maintain balance, follow a good sleep and
eating rhythm, enjoy food in moderation and most importatly,
be disciplined in all that you do.
“When you eat in a joyful state

of mind, food breaks down easily
and is absorbed better too.” What is your go-to recipe to reduce inflammation in the gut?
- Chef Sanjeev Kapoor Try to understand what causes inflammation of the gut. It could
be genetics, allergy to certain foods, your way of eating food,
timing, sleep patterns, an inactive lifestyle and everything that has
to do with your intake of food.
Very often, inflammation is due to dehydration and the formation
of acids, leading to ulcers. Fermented drinks are best for gut
health. I would recommend a simple rice kanji, or you can have
gajar ki kanji. It is a simple, flavourful, probiotic drink that regulates
bowel movement and prevents constipation.
What are some foods that promote good gut health?

There are two very important factors responsible for good gut
health. You must have heard a lot about probiotics and prebiotics.
Probiotics have been a part of our daily diet for centuries.
Probiotics are good bacteria that keep the gut healthy. You can
count yoghurt or yoghurt-based preparations such as raitas or
dips, chaas or lassi and other dairy products as probiotics too.
Then there are fermented kanjis or even simple rice kanji that are
great for gut health.
You also need prebiotics which help probiotics grow and thrive.
Spinach, garlic, onions, beans, oats, berries, bananas and apples
are some foods from which you can get your fix of prebiotics.
So, now you know why onions are served at meals. Among
condiments, pickles are a good prebiotic too. Also, whole grains
and lean meats are great for good gut health.

“The simplest way you can
take steps towards keeping
your gut clean is by drinking
enough water.”
- Chef Sanjeev Kapoor
Apart from food, how important are factors like water and
other beverages in promoting good gut health?
What is the duration of this programme, and how will it
The simplest way you can take steps towards keeping your help people to improve their gut and immunity?
gut clean is by drinking enough water. Water is needed to
give volume, while fibres move the waste out of the body. The Good Gut Program is a four-week long programme,
It makes the stools softer, preventing constipation. Water during which an individual will have access to five exclusive
and healthy liquids help break down food so that the body meal plans and 50+ recipes, along with tips on addressing
absorbs nutrients easily. constipation, bloating and acidity at their root. At the end of
four weeks, one gets access to bonus content on how gut
Among other drinks, fermented coconut water, probiotic health plays a role in boosting hair growth. Once you sign up
lemonade, chaas, apple cider vinegar, probiotic juices, and for the course, all material is available and accessible to the
kombucha, if it suits you, will help populate the microbiome individual for the next 365 days.
after a meal.
Holistic nutrition and integrative lifestyle medicine expert Luke

Coutinho shares his thoughts…
What was your thought process behind this collaboration

with Masterchef Sanjeev Kapoor?
Scientists and researchers are now calling the gut our second
brain. Beyond immunity, your gut microbiome also has the
power to affect your emotions - from happiness, sadness and
depression to anxiety and more. The gut-brain axis is real.
How you eat, move, sleep and think are all factors that come
into play in maintaining the delicate balance between good and
bad gut bacteria. Any imbalance leads to gut dysbiosis. One in
two people I consult today struggle with gut issues like acidity,
bloating, flatulence, abdominal pain, constipation, IBS and
diarrhea, among others. Through the Good Gut Program, Chef
Sanjeev Kapoor and I want to empower people to rebuild their
guts with the right knowledge, nutrition and lifestyle tips.

What are some early signs of poor gut health in people? What simple changes or additions can people make in their
Early signs of poor gut health could range from a simple lives for better gut health?
headache to hair fall. Some of the early signs include: Bring diversity to your plate: Eat a varied and diverse diet; the best
• Dull skin, skin breakouts way to do that is to add more colours. Make sure your plate
includes different coloured fruits and vegetables like greens,
• Dull hair, hair fall
blue, red, purple, yellow, orange and so on. Diversity in the diet
• Low energy levels means diversity in the gut microbiome.
• Frequent colds and cough (low immunity)
• Brain fog and confusion Chew well: The simple act of chewing can bring a marked
• Sour burps difference in your gut health. Chewing is an important step in
• Excessive smelly farts digestion that most people skip.
• Intolerance to foods that your body was okay with earlier

• Bloating Incorporate prebiotics and probiotics: Prebiotics are foods that
help feed the good bacteria in the gut, while probiotics are live
• Abdominal pain bacteria that can help support a healthy gut microbiome. Foods
• Undigested particles of food in stools like bananas, garlic, onions and leeks are rich in prebiotics, while
fermented foods like yoghurt and kefir contain probiotics.
Fasting: Even a 12-hour sunset-to-sunrise fast can benefit our

gut. Fasting allows a complete break to our digestive system,
which is otherwise not possible if we are constantly grazing and
nibbling.
Learn to manage stress: Stress can have a negative impact on

gut health since our mind and gut are so intricately connected.
Learn ways to manage your stress, whether it is by pursuing a
hobby, listening to music, journaling, deep belly breathing, or
simply expressing your emotions to a loved one.
With that said, it is important to remember that everyone’s gut

is different, and what works for one person may not work for
another. Listen to your body and make changes that work for
you and your unique gut health needs.
“Diversity in the diet

means diversity in the gut
microbiome.” - Luke Coutinho

How does gut health influence a person’s physical and mental health? Lack of sleep: Sleep deprivation has been
Our gut and brain are BFFs! They are constantly communicating with each other shown to impact gut health and can
through what is known as the gut-brain axis. This connection sends signals between lead to an imbalance in gut bacteria,
the gut and the brain, influencing both physical and mental health. decreased gut motility, and increased gut
permeability.
Studies have shown that the health of the gut microbiome can have a significant
impact on the health of the mind. A healthy gut microbiome can help regulate mood,
reduce stress and anxiety, and improve overall well-being. Conversely, a disrupted gut Chronic constipation and acidity:
microbiome has been linked to depression, anxiety and other mental health issues. Constipation and acidity are common but
Research has also shown that the gut microbiome produces neurotransmitters, such not normal. While people often learn to
as serotonin and dopamine, that play a role in regulating mood, sleep and appetite. live with it, we must realize the damage it
Additionally, the gut microbiome can influence the production and regulation of causes to our gut. Every time fecal waste
hormones that impact mental health, such as cortisol and oxytocin. It is also believed is retained in our system, there is an
that the gut microbiome can affect the permeability of the gut lining, which can impact increased risk of inflammation, toxicity
the absorption of nutrients and contribute to inflammation. Chronic inflammation and hormonal imbalance. These issues
has been linked to depression, anxiety, and other mental health problems. must be addressed from their roots
because both acidity and constipation
Overall, the gut-brain axis highlights the importance of maintaining a healthy gut
are linked to diseases ranging from IBS to
microbiome for overall physical and mental health and well-being. This is precisely
ulcerative colitis to even cancer.
why all mental health professionals and psychiatrists must look at gut health too
during their counselling sessions. One cannot keep gut health out of the equation!
What are some key factors that cause disruption in gut health?
Several key factors can cause disruptions in gut health. Some of the common ones
are:
Diet: A diet that is high in processed foods, sugar and unhealthy fats can lead to an
imbalance in gut bacteria, leading to gut dysbiosis.
Overuse of antibiotics: While antibiotics can be life-saving at times, mindless use of
them can disrupt the balance in our gut microbiome, as they can kill both harmful
and beneficial bacteria. This is why we recommend someone on an antibiotic course
also add a probiotic and a B-complex so the microbiome is replenished.
Stress: Chronic stress has been shown to impact gut health and can lead to gut
dysbiosis, inflammation, decreased gut motility, and increased gut permeability.
“All mental health

professionals
and psychiatrists
must look at gut
health too during
their counselling
sessions. One
cannot keep gut
health out of the
equation!”
- Luke Coutinho

“Our gut and brain are BFFs! They
are constantly communicating
with each other through what is
known as the gut-brain axis. This
connection sends signals between
the gut and the brain, influencing
both physical and mental health.”
- Luke Coutinho
What are some absolute no-nos for people suffering from

poor gut health?
If you have poor gut health, there are several foods and practices
that should be avoided in order to support gut healing and
promote a healthy gut microbiome:
Processed foods: Processed foods are often high in sugar,

unhealthy fats and artificial ingredients that can disrupt gut
health and lead to gut dysbiosis.
Gluten: For people with celiac disease or non-celiac gluten

sensitivity, consuming gluten can lead to more inflammation
and disrupt gut health.
Dairy: For people with lactose intolerance or a dairy allergy,

consuming dairy can lead to gut inflammation and disrupt gut Incorporate fermented foods: Incorporating fermented foods
health. such as yoghurt, kefir, sauerkraut and kimchi into your diet
can help promote the growth of beneficial bacteria and
Alcohol: Consuming excessive amounts of alcohol can disrupt support gut health.
gut health by killing off beneficial bacteria and promoting the
growth of harmful bacteria.
Reduce stress: Managing stress through activities such as exercise,
meditation or deep breathing can help support gut health by
Artificial sweeteners: Artificial sweeteners, such as aspartame and reducing gut inflammation and promoting gut motility.
sucralose, have been shown to disrupt gut health and lead to
gut dysbiosis.
Get enough sleep: Getting adequate sleep is important for
overall health and can help support gut health by reducing gut
Caffeine: Consuming large amounts of caffeine can disrupt gut inflammation and promoting the growth of beneficial bacteria.
health by increasing gut motility and promoting gut dysbiosis.
It’s important to remember that everyone is different and may
have different dietary needs based on their gut health. Avoid antibiotics whenever possible: Antibiotics can kill both
harmful and beneficial bacteria, leading to gut dysbiosis. If
antibiotics are necessary, consider taking a probiotic supplement
How can individuals monitor and improve their gut health to help support the growth of beneficial bacteria.
through at-home methods?
There are several ways individuals can monitor and improve
Take a probiotic supplement: Probiotic supplements can help
their gut health through at-home methods:
support the growth of beneficial bacteria and improve gut health.
It’s important to choose a high-quality probiotic supplement and
Keep a food diary: Keeping a food diary can help individuals speak with a doctor or registered dietitian to determine the best
identify foods that may be triggering gut symptoms and causing approach for individual needs.
gut dysbiosis.
Learning to take better care of our bodies, acknowledging
Increase fibre intake: A high-fibre diet can help promote the growth their complexities, and celebrating the harmony and
of beneficial bacteria and support gut health. Good sources interconnectedness of their parts is a necessary indulgence.
of fibre include fruits, vegetables, whole grains and legumes. Treat yourself right; treat your gut right!

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Mindset
There’s an
impostor
among us
Hannah Cardozo
explores why some
people feel like they
are living in a real-life
‘Among Us’, except that
they are the imposter
and live in fear of being
found out.
A new-to-the-firm, top-of-her-class lawyer lands her dream It’s not something to worry about though.
assignment. Two days before she is set to begin, excitement is Imposter Syndrome is fairly common;
replaced by dread as she begins to wonder, ‘Did I earn this? Was it almost 70% of adults go through it at least
just luck that got me here? Do I deserve to be here?’ Fear of failure once in their lifetime. Even celebrities like
and letting her team and her boss down haunted her during the Lady Gaga, Emma Watson and Michelle
proceedings. With the case won, her team stepped out to celebrate, Obama have admitted to feeling like
she joined them and reluctantly accepted the praise showered her imposters. Academy Award winning actor
way, all the while wondering, ‘I didn’t do much, did I? What happens Tom Hanks revealed in an interview that he
when they realise I’m a fraud?’ related to his character in ‘A Hologram For
The King’. He said, “No matter what we’ve
done, there comes a point where you think,
Sounds familiar? If you can relate, chances are, you may have
‘How did I get here? When are they going to
Imposter Syndrome. But before you panic and think the worst, let’s
discover that I am, in fact, a fraud and take
examine what exactly this means.
everything away from me?’”
Feeling like an imposter? The infamous civil rights activist, author,

Imposter Syndrome is used to describe an individual who doubts their poet and Nobel laureate Maya Angelou also
accomplishments, skills or talents. They credit every achievement to luck, admitted to feeling like a fraud, “I have written
fate or coincidence. They are constantly afraid that someone will figure 11 books, but each time I think, ‘Uh oh, they’re
out that they aren’t actually good at what they do. Despite people around going to find out now. I’ve run a game on
them praising their competence and achievements, they feel like frauds. everybody, and they’re going to find me out’.”

Getting to the bottom of it
Imposter Syndrome is not a medically diagnosable illness, which The Perfectionist: Hari is hosting his first-ever
is why it is a relatively unknown term, but it does often show up showing at an art gallery. As he discusses his artwork
when a person has other mental health issues like anxiety or with clients, he can’t help but see imperfections
depression. Renowned psychiatrist Dr Kersi Chavda says although in every painting. All night long, Hari receives
he wouldn’t diagnose it, “A lot of people come up to us and say compliments, however, he thinks people are simply
they feel inadequate, they feel that they are frauds… But it’s very being polite. In retrospect, he felt like displaying his
rare that they come up with all the classical symptoms, it is not in art was a premature step and he should have waited
the ‘Diagnostic and Statistical Manual of Mental Disorders’ (DSM) till every detail was perfect.
or ‘International Classification of Diseases’ (ICD), so it’s certainly
not something people come in for regularly. Very often you find
it incidentally when you take their history, even when they are
very high achievers they keep talking about how they’ve gotten
there by mistake, or they think they don’t deserve it, or they think
that people will find out they don’t know as much as they seem to Imposter
Syndrome is
know.”
The imposter in us
Hollywood actress Natalie Portman graduated from Harvard and
used to describe
in her commencement speech at Harvard in 2015, she said, “Today,
I feel much like I did when I came to Harvard Yard as a freshman in individuals who
1999. I felt like there had been some mistake, that I wasn’t smart
enough to be in this company, and that every time I opened my doubt their
accomplishments,
mouth, I would have to prove that I wasn’t just a dumb actress.”
According to Dr Valerie Young, an expert on Imposter Syndrome

and Co-Founder of the Imposter Syndrome Institute, this syndrome skills or talents.
shows up in five different ways. Let’s look at some examples…

The Expert: Swati has been asked to join the debate team at
her school. Being both knowledgeable and having the ability
to counter arguments well, the team captain knows that Swati
“No matter what
would be the perfect addition. However, Swati feels like the
debate team isn’t a good fit for her because there is so much
we’ve done, there
she doesn’t know, and there isn’t enough time to learn it all.
comes a point
The Natural Genius: Sid is currently at culinary school and
doing exceptionally well. Every dish he makes is commended
where you think,
by his peers and teachers. He invited his friends over for
breakfast and decided to make croissants at home. After a ‘How did I get here?
long 24 hours, his croissants did not have the flaky, buttery
consistency that he would have liked them to have. Sid did When are they going
to discover that I
not want to serve them and believed that because he didn’t
get something perfect the first time, he might not be as
good a cook as people often make him out to be.
am, in fact, a fraud
The Soloist: Shilpa was the best PR agent at her firm.
Unfortunately, she got laid off during the lockdown. During and take everything
away from me?’”
this time, she got in touch with a family friend who offered
her a job at his business. She accepted the job out of
necessity, however, she felt like she didn’t deserve it. She
was of the opinion that the only reason she got the job was
that her friend felt bad for her. - Tom Hanks

REMODELING
EXPECTATIONS
YOUR KITCHEN
W W W . H E R I T A G E K B . Achievers
Society C O- February
M 2023 97
“When you see
yourself as a work-
in-progress, you’re
automatically
less likely to
experience feelings
of inadequacy.”
- Dr Valerie Young
The Superperson: Parth has always wanted to become a doctor
“I felt like there like his parents. As soon as he finished school, he created a 10-
year plan. Once he joined the hospital where his parents worked,
had been some he put in the extra hours, and paid attention to every minute detail
to prove his worth. Obtaining the highest level of achievement was
mistake, that
the only way he felt he was worthy of what he had.
I wasn’t smart Cause and effect

Did you identify with any of these examples? They are all linked
enough to be in
to ideas of failure and success. As well as intelligence and
achievements. However, no definitive cause has been found for
Imposter Syndrome. Dr Kersi avers, “Nobody really knows as there’s
this company, a whole bunch of hypotheses, but the most prevalent hypothesis is
that in the growing-up stage, you’ve always been told that you’re an
and that every ass and that you’re not good enough and then you have to prove
it, but then there’s the little kid in you that always says: Am I good
enough? Am I an ass? Do I not deserve it?” He adds that there is still
time I opened my research being done to get to the root cause.
mouth, I would
have to prove
that I wasn’t just
a dumb actress.”
- Natalie Portman

So, what now? The first step is realizing that you feel this
way. Dr Valerie Young mentions in her book that, “When
you see yourself as a work-in-progress, you’re automatically
less likely to experience feelings of inadequacy.”
When asked about solutions, Dr Kersi says, “One of the

things is to seek help. It’s very rare that it exists on its
own, it’s probably a part of a bigger disorder, and the
bigger disorder may be depression or anxiety or OCD or
some other things like substance abuse; and those things
have to be ruled out, and if they have a comorbid (when
two or more conditions occur at the same time) primary
disorder, that has to be dealt with first. And very often
you find that these signs and symptoms of not being
good enough die down.”
Celebrities like Lady

Gaga, Emma Watson
and Michelle Obama
have admitted to
feeling like imposters.
Here are some “...Seek help. It’s very

practical tips before rare that it exists on
you approach therapy: its own, it’s probably
1. Try to understand what you are a part of a bigger
feeling and where it stems from.
2. Talk to people whom you can trust. disorder.”
3. Be objective about your capabilities
and achievements. - Dr Kersi Chavda
4. Validate your work no matter how
small the accomplishment is.
5. Failure is inevitable, learn from your Ask for help
mistakes and don’t sit with regret. Ever so often, we let the standards of the world determine
what it is to be good enough. Forgetting that life is not meant
6. Set realistic goals. Make sure they can to be perfect and that each one of us has a path of our own
be broken down into smaller parts. to blaze. In the words of Anne Sweeney, “Define success on
7. Stop comparing yourself to others. your own terms, achieve it by your own rules, and build a life
you’re proud to live.” Imposter Syndrome is rarely a stand-
alone problem and it is okay to ask for help.

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Events
Celebrating the best of

the best!!
‘Society Interiors & Design’ honoured design
and architecture legends along with the next-
gen of designers at the Society Interiors Design
Competition & Awards.
The 20th edition of the Society Interiors Design Competition & Awards, presented by ICE - India Coverings Expo, was a grand affair!!
Hosted by ‘Society Interiors & Design’, India’s leading interiors and architecture magazine, the competition culminated in an award
ceremony at the gorgeous Taj Santacruz, Mumbai.
As is tradition, the evening kick-started with the ceremonial lighting of the lamp by media magnate Nari Hira; Swati
Balgi, Editor, ‘Society Interiors & Design’; Pratap Sarnaik of the Vihang Group, and Jitendra Mehta of JVM Spaces;
and Ashok Dhamankar, Sunil Khavnekar, Shivendra Parihar, Preeta Nair and Andrea CostaBir of Team Magnate.

The event was also graced by renowned architect Prem Nath,
legendary actor Mukesh Rishi, and film and television heartthrob
Sharad Malhotra. Joining the esteemed guest list were ICE - India
Coverings Expo Founder-Partner Praveen Hingad and Project Head
Aarti Mehta.
The magazine honoured some of the most iconic names in the
business for their incredible contribution to the industry. This
illustrious list included leading developers like Boman Irani of
Rustomjee Constructions; Vikas Oberoi of the Oberoi Group; Pratap
Sarnaik of the Vihang Group; and Jitendra Mehta of JVM Spaces.
The list of eminent architects and interior designers recognised
included Nitin Killawala, Hiten Sethi, Sandeep & Alpa Shikre, Khozema
Chitalwala, Seema Puri & Zarir Mullan, Reza Kabul, Dipak Thaker,
Ankura & Ankit Patel, Krupa Zubin & Zubin Zainuddin, Vivek Bhole,
Yatin Patel, Behzad Kharas, Ketan & Manisha Sheth, Gaurav Sanghavi,
Harsh Pote, Pragya Sanghavi, Bhakti Pote, Shobhan Kothari & Anand
Menon, Sandeep & Sonal Kothari, Ali Baldiwala, Rushi Baheti and
Rhuta Baheti Gandhi, and Chandrashekar Kanetkar among others.

Host for the evening, Simran
Ahuja, then steered the
proceedings to the main event -
the presentation of the awards.
A very excited group of students
made their way to the stage to
receive their hard-earned awards
from industry stalwarts. All of this
was topped off by a lavish spread
of gourmet dinner delights and
cheery spirits! The curtains came
down on the spectacular Society
Interiors Design Competition &
Awards 2023 on a very high note.

Society Interiors Design Competition &
Awards 2023 Winners
Zonal Category
North Zone: Manav Rachna International
Institute of Research and Studies
South Zone: INIFD, Himayatnagar
East Zone: J.D. Birla Institute
West Zone: School of Interior Design,
Rachana Sansad
L.S. Raheja School of Architecture
National Category
First Place: School of Interior Design,
Rachana Sansad
Second Place: L.S Raheja School of
Architecture
J.D. Birla Institute
Special Commendation: Manav Rachna
International Institute of Research and
Studies
NIFD, Himayatnagar
Residential Category
North Zone: INIFD, Indore
Special Commendation: IIFT, North Delhi
South Zone: Pearl Academy

Special Commendation: INIFD,
Himayatnagar
East Zone: Perfect Institute of Interior

Design
Special Commendation: Perfect Institute
of Interior Design
West Zone:
First Place: L.S. Raheja School of
Architecture
Second Place: INIFD Ghatkopar.
Special Commendation: L.S. Raheja
School of Architecture
School of Interior Design, Rachana
Sansad
Product Design Category

First Place: Measi Academy of
Architecture
Second Place: L.S. Raheja School of
Architecture
Special Commendation: IIFT North Delhi
J. D. Birla Institute

Product Reviews

Compiled by Amber Dias and Bhavana Doifode
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The Cover Story Lifestyle 74

Legends & Achievers 20

Our ‘Legends & Achievers’ section is brimming with

Award-winning fashion designer Neeta Lulla who’s been flourishing

Pumping up our ‘Lifestyle’ section is legendary Chef Sanjeev Kapoor and

Photograph: Viraj Shirodkar

Society Achievers - February 2023 7

“I’m much more in an

8 Society Achievers - February 2023

Your latest release, ‘Gulmohar’ follows the final four days

You yourself are one of the greatest performers of

Society Achievers - February 2023 9

of myself. So, my job yourself over your decades of growth as an actor?

You have brilliantly essayed so many memorable and

10 Society Achievers - February 2023

Society Achievers - February 2023 11

‘The Family Man’ presented you as a star who has to

12 Society Achievers - February 2023

Society Achievers - February 2023 13

I try to avoid watching

“What I have discovered

“I’m always looking for

You are the picture of a disciplined and well-

Society Achievers - February 2023 17

Dr Kamini A Rao, DGO, DORCP, MRCOG, DCh, FRCOG, MOBG,

18 Society Achievers - February 2023

Dr Aseem Sharma, MD, DNB, MBA, Chief Dermatologist

Society Achievers - February 2023 19

20 Society Achievers - February 2023

@vitabioticsin @Vitabiotics India @vitabioticsin

Meyer Organics Pvt. Ltd.

His appointment to helm

22 Society Achievers - February 2023

PM Modi’s ‘Crisis Manager’

Besides foreign policy, he has also focused on issues such as

Society Achievers - February 2023 23

Appointed Ambassador to the

24 Society Achievers - February 2023

Making His Mark

or S Jaishankar as he is better to the Indian Republic Day parade

known, is navigating the tricky the admiration of PM Modi on the

Society Achievers - February 2023 25

Jaishankar is the first former Foreign Secretary to be given

26 Society Achievers - February 2023

His appointment to helm the Foreign Ministry had been largely

Society Achievers - February 2023 27

28 Society Achievers - February 2023

Society Achievers - February 2023 29

30 Society Achievers - February 2023

Society Achievers - February 2023 31

32 Society Achievers - February 2023

Society Achievers - February 2023 35

36 Society Achievers - February 2023

MRJ TRADING PVT LTD.F/201, Shyamkamal C Bldg, Wing 1

40 Society Achievers - February 2023

He believes being authentic and connecting with people is another important

Society Achievers - February 2023 41