The Writer’s Flight

There is a universe of institutions and mental wellness experts to help you beat Covid-induced doldrums and get your life back on track Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   A person becomes stressed when s/he faces continuous challenges without relief or relaxation in between. Credits: Adobe Stock The spike in cases of  depression  during the pandemic period was evident, among many other things, in the popularity of hashtag mental wellness, which was trending in social media. What was usually swept under the carpet before Covid-19 struck was pulled into the spotlight during two years of coronavirus, with celebrities talking about how they dealt with  depression . Some managed to keep it at bay by working on preventive techniques such as meditation, mindfulness, breathing exercises and  yoga . Mental wellness is neither the absence of mental illness, nor is it a state of constant happiness. The World Health Organization defines it as a state of well-bei...

In a Q&A, Sarod-playing siblings Amaan Ali and Ayaan Ali also dwell on the need for blessings, or dua, in order for the craft to 'have some fragrance' Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   Ayaan Ali (left) and Amaan Ali Bangash Sarod playing brothers Amaan Ali Bangash and Ayaan Ali Bangash are back with a new album--this time to support a social cause and create awareness for child abuse. Titled “We for Love” the Bangash siblings created this album to support Kailash Satyarthi’s “Justice for Every Child” campaign, proceeds of which will go to the Kailash Satyarthi Children’s Foundation. The album was unveiled at ‘Icons of India’ by The Leela, an initiative aimed at recognising India’s finest and the brand announced sarod virtuosos Amaan and Ayaan Ali Bangash as one of the icons. Edited excerpts: You are the seventh generation of sarod players. Did sarod happen organically for the two of you or was there the hidden pressure of taking your legacy forward? Was opting for ...

Kashmir Files was not a movie that one saw. It was an experience that one lived through. The man is on a mission to expose many lies perpetrated.. By Namrata Kohli I could not sleep the night I watched The Kashmir Files at the neighbourhood theatre. Gruesome, blatant, violent, tragic, poignant and very painful. As if this was not enough, I heard a Kashmiri family watching this in the same audi say that- "this is only one percent of what we have gone through." Kashmir Files was not a movie that one saw. It was an experience that one lived through – and in just those three hours, you felt everything from pain to guilt to deep sense of shame and embarrassment. The film doesn’t leave you with any pleasant feeling in the end rather it will shake you to the core. But sometimes, it’s important to move, and to be moved. After all, being empathetic and emotional is what makes a human what s/he is  – so I will recommend please watch it to know the bitter truths, just as we expose...

No longer just utilitarian purchases, the appliances have morphed into a style statement for the house while embracing the next level in green tech, design and enhanced functionality Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   Premium ceiling fans are coveted for their effective cooling effect, elegant appearance and low running cost. Credits: Adobe Stock Ever heard of a ceiling fan with a three-stage air purifier, filtering the PM 2.5 and PM 10 pollutants along with VOCs (volatile organic compounds)? Or one with an antimicrobial surface coating, 50 per cent more energy efficiency and quieter than the standard induction motor fans. Yes, fans have significantly upped their green as well as technology quotient, apart from growing on looks and aesthetics. The Coronavirus pandemic has triggered the demand for high-quality fans. Says Krishna Raman, Business Head-Consumer Products, Bajaj Electricals Ltd, “During the pandemic, we saw consumers upgrading their home appliances, and the f...

With foreign travel set to pick up, here's how you can get the best deals for your trip, along with advice on the destinations you could to head to Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   The sooner you start ticking off items on your pre-travel checklist, the more you’ll be able to enjoy the benefits of discounts and deals. Credits: Adobe Stock The demand for international travel is slowly but surely picking up in India, with an increasing number of countries allowing Indians to enter without the mandatory quarantine. In many cases, fully vaccinated passengers are no longer required to furnish a negative RT-PCR test upon arrival at the airport. Says a spokesperson at MakeMyTrip: “With more countries beginning to reopen their borders for Indian travellers after a gap of two years, it is safe to assume that pent-up demand for international travel will predominantly drive bookings ahead. Current data patterns on our platform indicate that 96 per cent of the searches are for th...

While they work much better than plain paint; you need to get a fix on the theme, size and material you want and the artist's contractual obligations before you put the money on the table Namrata Kohli   |  New Delhi Murals based on art and antiques from around the world, like these vintage-inspired ones, can be great conversation starters when the guests arrive. Credits: Beyond Designs Few other style signatures are as effective as a mural. You can impress guests with one in the passage leading to your hall or formal living room, or one in your bedroom to help you cope with stress after a taxing day at work. You could even make small spaces like the bathroom feel larger or add some life into dark corners. A mural would even add some adventure to the kids' bedroom or playroom. In fact, It would breathe life or fun into any surface and would work much better than plain paint. But what is the value that murals add to the home, which regular  artwork  doesn...