The Writer’s Flight

Bakers' shelves have a variety of choices: pick what matches the mood of your celebrations Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   Most consumers buy half-kg cakes, shows data. (Stock photo) Putting a fruitcake under a pillow invites dreams about the person you will marry, says an ancient English belief. The wedding cake of Princess Diana and Prince Charles (now king) cost $40,000, making it one of the most expensive cakes at that time. Special occasions need delicious cakes, but one need not wait for a birthday or an anniversary to enjoy them. A cake can be a snack or a meal in itself—baked at a consumer's convenience. “The Indian cake market is projected to witness a CAGR of 12.5% during the next five years. The market is segmented by Category (Packaged and Unpackaged/Artisanal), Product Type (Sponge Cakes, Cup Cakes, Cheesecakes, and Other Cakes),” according to a recent report by Mordor Intelligence on Indian Cake Market (2022 - 2027). Data from Ferns N Petals, the online...

The market has multitude of choices: pick a blanket that will last long and is not cumbersome Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   There is nothing like curling up in your blanket on a cold winter day sipping tea, reading or watching a web series. (Stock photo) A cosy part of  winter  is getting under a blanket to sleep, read a book or sip tea. Picking a blanket needs thought, for what you choose must be warm, comfortable and last long. The market for blankets, warmers and  winter  bed coverings is flush with options. According to Srikanth K N, director, OHL (Other Hard Lines),  Amazon .in, “With the  winter  season setting in, sellers on  Amazon .in have seen a significant demand for  blankets  and quilts across brands including Raymond Home, Spaces, and Solimo among others. It is interesting to note that customers on  Amazon .in are shopping for electric  blankets  within the price range of Rs 1,900-Rs 2,9...

It is an asset that long-term commitment and keen interest in trends and taste Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   Art investments need research and patience (Representative Photo: Shutterstock) The art market in India has grown in recent years. Estimates suggest the total worth of artworks auctioned annually amounts to nearly $100 million. An art aficionado who wishes to invest in this asset class, however, faces multiple challenges. It is difficult to get a sense of how the market is performing. An equity investor can look up the performance of the Sensex to assess if investing in equities is a worthwhile endeavour. In the absence of an index, an art investor found it difficult to make a similar assessment. Until recently, that is. The Indian Institute of Management Ahmedabad (IIMA), in collaboration with Mumbai-based Aura Art Development (a specialist in art transactions), has addressed this lacuna by launching the IIMA-AuraArt Indian Art Index (IAIAI). Index for a he...

Bought a bike? That is only half the story ... the other half is preparing the right biking gear, accessories and joining communities or groups of bikers for special trips  Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi Biking safely and comfortably needs gear that is reliable and sturdy. (Stock photo) British  motorcycling  legend Theresa Wallach said about her passion: “If you are prepared to accept the responsibility of your own actions, then  motorcycling  can be both safe and thrilling. Riding is an art as well as a craft and no amount of explanation can take the place of experience.” Hyderabad auto journalist Dino Vault has biked for more than two decades. “My first love was RX100 back in the nineties where I used to see our bhaiyyas from our mohalla riding the two-stroke marvels. I realised at that moment that a motorcycle is more than just a means of transport. She's a constant companion who never leaves your side,” he said. Vintage pictures on the interne...

You could buy a masterpiece or the work of an upcoming artist, but consider these tips to be a connoisseur Namrata Kohli   |   New Delhi   A painting by Ramachandran, who uses archetypal Indian imagery in his works. (Handout photo) Nirmalya Kumar, professor of marketing at Singapore Management University, has a famed collection of  Jamini Roy  paintings. His favourite is Widow, Roy’s painting of a woman wearing a white sari with a black border. “I did not ever intend to concentrate on  Jamini Roy  or Rabindranath Tagore, and in any case, am not a person who buys into labels such as Bengal School. Instead, I focus on individual artists. Jamini was the first Indian artist I fell in love with,” he said. "Roy’s painting is his statement on the emancipation of widows. As a collector, this painting had everything one covets: perfect condition, great execution, a strong message and clear provenance. How could I not fall in love?" said Kumar. There is an ...

The device must clean up particulate matter, allergens and ultra-fine dust particles Namrata  Kohli |    New Delhi   A purifier’s test is how long will it take to purify indoor air and how many times. (Stock photo) As winter sets in, a clutch of cities in north India tops the list of the world’s most polluted places. For millions of residents of these cities, it is the time when the  air quality  index (AQI) turns "severe" or "hazardous" even. It’s also the time when people start buying  air purifiers . Some popular air purifier brands in India include Dyson, Samsung, Philips, Honeywell, Coway, Sharp, Mi, Kent, Voltas, Carrier, Bluestar, and Havells. Most devices use either charcoal absorbents or mechanical filters. Other techniques include electrostatic, ionizers, ozone, or ultraviolet air filters. " Air pollution  today is not just a health hazard outside homes but is a concern even within our homes. Indoor  air pollution  is just as d...