It has been 10 months since Anirban Shee from Ranchi and Ritu Basu from Kolkata tied the knot. However, their story dates back to 2014 when Ritu was pursuing her Masters in the city and Anirban was her local guardian.

They didnt realise their love for each other until he had to leave for New Zealand for a year-and-a-half for work. However, after the two got married, they relocated to Bengaluru keeping in mind all the good moments the city had given them and of course, the job opportunities here. Ritu now works as a community manager and Anirban is with the IT sector.

"After my Masters course, I moved to Mumbai for a bit and then went back home to Kolkata for work. The sole reason for me to come back to Bengaluru after our wedding was my husband," says Ritu.

Being busy with work throughout the week, she says, the weekend is the only time when they get to spend time together and they make sure to make the most of it. She explains, "We utilise our weekends to the fullest and for us, spending time together is not just about going out. We love to be at home too and
spend quality time together. We love cooking, listening to music or watching a movie. As both of us are foodies, experimenting with new cuisines is something that is reserved for weekends. I am, of course,
a better cook but I must admit Anirbans chicken recipe is amazing," says Ritu.

Being the fitness enthusiast that he is, Anirban makes sure to hit the gym regularly despite his hectic schedule. "I also tried to motivate Ritu to join me at the gym, but that is now a thing of the past." he laughs.

Having said that, the couple loves to be outdoors. Playing a game of badminton is the best way to do that. Anirban is also an active participant in marathons happening in the city.

Ask them to describe their long holidays and Anirban delightfully says, "We love going for long drives. Hitting the road is something we love doing. My wife has an inclination for theatre, so we try to catch up plays in the city."

About the challenges she faces, Ritu says, "The advantage Anirban has is that, he is familiar with almost every road here. But for me, when I was a student, I hardly had the money to explore the place. So, the biggest problem I have is to get familiar with the city. This apart, Bengaluru is an expensive city as compared to our hometowns, that sometimes is a challenge for us. However, it is a beautiful city and there is so much it has given us. So, we have no complaints."

The monsoon is that beautiful time of the year when everything is green and serene.
Personally, most of my travels happen during these months as I am a lover of waterfalls and grasslands.

This monsoon, along with three of my friends, I planned a trip to Sakleshpur.

The idea was to stay somewhere in the jungle and hike to the beautiful twin peaks
of Deepadakallu Gudda and Jenukallu Gudda. For our accommodation, we chose the homestay called the Vasantha Paradise located inside the forest near Banal village in Sakleshpur taluk.

We started the journey on a drizzling Saturday morning in my car. We took the Tumkur Road and proceeded towards the Nelamangala Road. We had our breakfast at Hassan.

The drizzle and the AR Rahmans songs made the trip more interesting. We reached Sakleshpur town around 11.30 am and took a short break to have some lovely sugarcane juice. If you have the time, you can also cover the ruins of Shettihalli Church on the way.

From Sakleshpur, we drove around 20 km to stop at the beautiful Majagahalli Falls, also called the Hanbal Falls. These are medium-sized falls apt for taking bath.

After a relaxing bath, we drove again to Banal village where the homestay is located. The homestay is inside the jungle, so a jeep came to pick us up.
We left our car near a house. The ride for the next one km was thrilling. We took rest before starting our trek to the twin peaks of Deepadakallu Gudda and Jenukallu Gudda.

There is also a very beautiful stream which we explored before hitting the trail. Once we reached the base (around 3.30 pm), we began our hike to Deepadakallu Gudda.

This place is pristine and the monsoon added a rich green dimension to it. We didnt struggle much to reach the peak considering it was little steep. We reached there around 4.15 pm.

The view from the peak was mesmerising. We spend 20 minutes there enjoying the silence of the mist. There is a beautiful hanging rock there on which one can sit. We then left for the second peak, Jenukallu Gudda and reached there in an hour. Enjoying every second, we descended back to the base around 6 pm.

It does get dark sooner in the Western Ghats especially in the monsoon months. We came back to the homestay and spent the rest of the evening around a campfire, snacking, singing and having dinner.

The homestay has camps and rooms for stay. We opted for the camps for its unique placement.

Next day morning, We were woken up by the chirping birds. The homestay owner Babu requested us to get ready to hike to a smaller peak called the Pandavar Gudda located exactly behind the homestay. This was a small hike and we were able to reach the mist-ridden peak in 30 minutes.

We visited the very beautiful old Bettada Bhairaveshwara Temple on the way back from the peak.

After breakfast, we vacated the homestay. Around 10 am, we started our return journey and hit the road to Agani village which is around 20 km from the homestay and on the way back to Sakleshpur.

Once we reached Agani village, we asked the villagers to direct us to the falls. They guided us perfectly.
After a walk of 10 minutes, we reached the waterfall. This waterfall is beyond my imagination and has three cascading layers, each one so different and lovely. We spent the next one hour taking bath in all the three cascading layers. The cold water washed away the fatigue we had after the hike.

By 12 pm, we packed everything, said goodbye to the lovely hills of Sakleshpur and started our travel back to Bengaluru but not before telling each other that we should visit this beautiful place again.

This trip was soulful and refreshing and offered the much-needed break from the monotonous city life.

(The author can reached on vfx.sarathy@gmail.com)

For a country that seems to be losing its sense of humour and the ability to laugh at itself, the standup comedy scene is booming; especially in Bengaluru. With around 4-5 open mics being held everyday and a full house at most of them, Bengaluru is the place to be for aspiring standup comedians.

Although people still tend to relate standup comedy to mimicry or worse, to a bunch of men dressing up as women for a late night television show, names like Kenny Sebastian, Daniel Fernandes and Biswa Kalyan Rath have slowly managed to change the popular perception about this field. These comics have also lead the way for many young comedians who are now willing to test the waters.

Harman Singh, who recently started standup comedy, recalls "I was introduced to standup through videos of Russell Peters. I used to watch them for hours when I was in school. Also I was an emcee in college for a long time and did quite a few corporate shows even before I entered the comedy circuit."

Aamer Peeran says, " Ive always liked being on stage. I was a part of a band for a year and a half, but after that was over, I started looking for a way to get back on stage. Standup looked like the perfect platform since I could do it alone and didnt need to be a part of a group."

Gautam Purohit says "I was introduced to standup comedy as an art form through YouTube when I was in school. I had no plans of pursuing it as a career until I moved to Bengaluru in 2016. One fine day, I ended up at an open mic at Urban Solace and gave it a shot. I liked the fact that people listened to me and I now have the power to transform my evil thoughts into ideologies."

When asked if they would recommend standup comedy as a career, Aamer says, "Sure, why not? If you have the calling for it then go ahead. But only part time though, full time in the beginning is impossible."

Gaurav says, "Yes, I would definitely ask people to join standup; its a splendid art form though a tough one at that. I would ask the entrants to perform at an open mic and fail miserably at least once and then go back, write better jokes and fail a little less the next time. This is what comedy is all about."

Asked about the comedy scene in Bengaluru, Harman says, "Its brutally honest. It is a small and family kind of scene where you get to see the growth of each comedian with constant support from the experienced ones. Youre going to see the best comics coming out of this city in the future." Aamer says, "The comedy scene here is very rich at the moment. There are lot of comics presenting original comedy. Last week on a particular day, there were 7 open mics in the city; that should be enough to tell one about the scene here."

Gaurav goes on to add, " I have been to different cities like Delhi, Mumbai and Hyderabad, but I believe Bengaluru is going to witness the next boom in comedy. Every comedian here has their own style, everyone is unique and thats what the audience wants. In about 10 years, this city will have the best comedy scene in India."

Sandalwood actor Iti Acharya is happy that 2017 has proved be a good year for her. After Dhwani, the young actor went into a brief hiatus as she wanted to groom herself. After continuous hours of physical training and skill training, she is excited to be back with Kontract and Kavacha. In a candid conversation she talks about her upcoming films and more.

How has your journey in the industry been so far?

Dhwani was an artsy and non-commercial kind of subject. I was very excited about the project yet I knew that I wanted much more. I wanted to prove that I was not just a glam doll and that I could act too, which
I was able to with this film. But I also knew that I had to strive harder and prepare myself for bigger commercial projects. Thankfully, the hard work is paying off.

Tell us about your latest projects.

I am a part of Kontract, which also has Radhika Kumaraswamy and Arjun Sarja. Many of the team members of Dhwani were involved in this movie and they suggested me for the role
of Radhikas friend, a software engineer. I am still shooting for the film and it has been a learning experience. I am also doing a significant role in Kavacha, the remake of Malayalam movie Oppam.

How has it been to be a part of Kontract?

I have worked in smaller films earlier. This was my first opportunity to work with a big star cast. The film is being shot in three languages - Kannada, Tamil and Telugu, which was quite challenging. Radhika maam is proficient in many languages while I am not. However, she stood by me and even spoke to me in Hindi which helped me feel at home.

Your chemistry with Radhika Kumaraswamy....

I learnt a lot of things from Radhika maam. She is so down-to-earth and humble. I was almost shivering in her presence but she quickly calmed me down. She treated me like any other co-star. She had no airs and even taught me how to get my expressions right. I have watched all her movies after I met her; that is the kind of impact she makes.

Thoughts about your role in Kavacha?

I couldnt have asked for a bigger project. Shivarajkumar is known for not working in remake movies and
it seemed like a blessing to be a part of a movie in which he is there. I had watched Priyadarshan sirs Oppam and though this movie is a remake, my role is not there in the Malayalam version.

Tell us about your role in the movie.

Im playing a 19-year-old Punjabi girl in Kavacha. I was shocked when I heard about my role and even asked the director, G V R Vasu, if he wanted some time to rethink about his decision. But I always wanted to play a bubbly girl.

How similar are you to your role?

I am a bubbly and bold person. If I want something, I will be focussed and will make every effort to achieve it. But when it comes to acting, it is not easy to play yourself on screen. The moment the camera
starts rolling, you are no more yourself; you are the actor. It takes a lot of effort to act yourself.

What are your thoughts about sharing screen space with such big names?

This is like achieving a life goal. I never thought that I would be able to share the screen with a legend so soon.

With actor Sunny Leone calling off the New Years Eve show in the city, citing lack of security, a few Bengalureans share their thoughts on the developments.

Koushik Sinha, corporate lawyer

"She is widely accepted in movies, then why not as a performer. The
city police could have given the civilians and the artiste the needed protection. Bengalureans are generally forward-thinking people and its just a minority that is trying to impose their ideologies on others. By agreeing to their demands, we are just encouraging these groups. Sunny has given up her former profession many years ago and people need to understand that."

Diya Maria Joseph, intern with a private company

"It is pointless to not allow Sunny to perform in the city. There are many
serious issues that people should concentrate on rather than passing such judgemental comments. Sunny Leone is a clear-headed woman and has already issued a statement keeping in mind the safety concerns. Protests of this sort make no sense and bring out the hypocritical attitude of the people because three out of the five who are protesting against her, are the ones watching her on the internet. She has left her past far behind and I dont understand why these people are so rigid about letting go of things."

David Sangma, media and communication student

"People should know how to move ahead in life and not judge others by their past. At the end of the day, she is an entertainer. As a progressive nation, we need to change our perception. I personally think that it would have been different if a male celebrity was in her place. Its really sad that a metropolitan city like Bengaluru is still differentiating between male and female entertainers."

Karthik Jannu, data scientist

"As a Bengalurean, I am so disappointed. This is a city that hosts major events all through the year. Many big names from around the world come and perform here and I was looking forward to this programme too. The double standard of the government is shocking and the hypocrisy of the government and the city police have startled me. It is just a small group of people who are creating problems and dictating terms for others."

Newlywed cricketer Zaheer Khan and Bollywood actor Sagarika Ghatge seem to be ticking all the right boxes for couple goals these days.

The couple were recently in the city for the launch of Platinum Evara, the pre-wedding jewellery. In a chat with Anila Kurian, Zaheer and Sagarika
spoke about life after marriage and their weekend plans.

How is life right now?

Sagarika: We are just unwinding right now (laughs). Its been quite hectic with so much to do and were just taking as many mini-breaks as we can.

Where have you been travelling to these days?

Sagarika: We had a lovely time at the Maldives recently and it was absolutely great. I travelled quite a bit last year though.

You did want to travel solo. Is that still on your bucket list?

Sagarika: (Laughs) Id love to but I dont think I can anymore. But lets see; I do have my fingers crossed.

What do you do to unwind after a busy week?

Zaheer: We love hanging out with our friends and having a good time. But lately, whenever we get a break, we watch television series.

Sagarika: Our latest obsession is The Crown. Its so good!

Have your weekend plans changed since marriage?

Sagarika: (Laughs) We havent been in Mumbai for a complete week!

Zaheer: We dont have weekends anymore, to be honest. Were just losing track of the days that go by, so we just figure out what we have to go through dates. But sports people dont generally have weekends anyway.

Sagarika: Its the same with actors too. The weekend system doesnt really go with our kind of work.

Tell us something about your professional life.

Zaheer: Im still an active player but I like to do a combination of things when it comes to playing. I like to focus on what value I can add to the team, whether it is to share the knowledge or pass on whatever is required. Apart from that, I do have a few business interests which are keeping me busy.

Sagarika: Now that I am settled in, I am looking forward to doing a lot of work. I have a film coming up next year. Meanwhile, Im also going through scripts and deciding what I can take up.

What do you like about the platinum collection?

Sagarika: When youre married, you end up buying a lot of heavy jewellery which is mostly traditional. But you also have to look at what you can wear after that and this is where this collection comes in.

What kind of jewellery do you prefer wearing?

Zaheer: I like wearing something that is subtle and minimalistic. For a sportsperson like me, wearing something that I dont have to worry about is important.

What are some of your must-have jewellery?

Zaheer: Im known for my bracelets. Its something that I have been wearing for ages and many people associate me with it. Even if I forget to wear a watch, I make sure I have my bracelet.

Sagarika: The more the jewellery, the happier I am. But I love bracelets as I can wear them all the time and even when wearing a watch.

She is not scared of the cut-throat competition in Bollywood but actor Jacqueline Fernandez says she keeps analysing trends in the film industry.

The actor said she continuously questions her career decisions as it helps her in carving her own niche in movies.

"The competition doesnt get on my nerves but there are days when I contemplate them. Its important to gauge, understand and ask questions. Working in the industry gives me extreme joy and purpose. At the same time, you want to be at the top of your game," Jacqueline said.

"There are days when I am like, Okay, this is the competition I am facing now, what could I be doing, how to rise above this, whats working now that others are doing. You need to continuously keep asking yourself questions so that you are always on top of your game," she added.

The 32-year-old actor said she wants to explore other arenas beyond acting. "Acting is more like a passion for me. I love it but it doesnt mean it defines me as a person. As a person, there are so many things I need to explore. I love branching out to do things which gives me immense happiness," she said.
In her quest, Jacqueline has now become the co-owner of Delhi Heroes in the MTV Super Fight League (SFL) a mixed martial arts tournament.

"For a woman to support something like this is a little out of the box. What caught my attention was they do have women fighters. I thought this is something that needs to be encouraged. I felt this is something I want to promote," she said.

Avid travellers are wasting no time in packing their bags and heading out of the city to ring in Christmas and New Year. Those who have planned to go out of the country have booked their tickets almost two months in advance, while others have chosen exotic locations in the country itself.

Many Bengalureans say that they find travelling the best way to rejuvenate oneself. Vinay Nagaraj, an IT professional, is heading to Sri Lanka this festive season. He has booked a six-night-seven-day vacation with his parents. He would be visiting Kandy, Bentota, and Colombo. "We plan a vacation every year during Christmas and New Year. Last year, we went on a road trip to Rameshwaram, Dhanushkodi, Kanyakumari and Nagercoil. We like to discover new places every year," says Vinay.

He has chalked out an interesting itinerary which includes the Temple of the Sacred Tooth Relic in Kandy, Royal Botanical Gardens and the University Campus in Peradeniya and the last leg of the trip will cover the beaches in Bentota. Akthar S, another professional, always gives into his craving for adventure and travel.

He plans his travel in advance and has so far visited about 28 countries. This year, he plans to visit Bangkok during Christmas. "I love discovering new places and make it a point to explore the local culture, food habits and get a peek into the way of life. I have a wishlist of places that I want to visit," says Akthar.

There are a few places within the country that some in the city wish to explore. Balaji Mohan and his friends have planned a road trip through the northern parts of Karnataka. The three-day trip starting December 23 will cover Bhadravati, Agumbe, Malenadu and Didupe.

"We hope to camp in these places. We are carrying our sleeping tents, stove and basic ingredients to cook. We usually try to camp in remote locations which is away from civilisation. This gives us a better understanding of the places," shares Balaji.

Road trips have their own charm. Manish Gupta, an IT professional, has lost count of the number of road trips that he has gone on so far. This year, he has joined hands with seven friends and together they hope to cover all the places along the southern coast of the country.

"We will ride through Mangaluru, Kozhikode, Cochin, Varkala, Kanyakumari, Puducherry, Mahabalipuram and finally end our journey at Chennai. We want to experience and explore the culture to the fullest before we conclude our journey. We booked the hotels and planned our trip almost eight months in advance and have been working towards it since then," Manish says.

Actor Sharan has worked in more than 100 films in the Kannada industry. He is known for his impressive performances in films like Adyaksha, Satya Harishchandra, Rambo, Victory, Maruthi 800, Nataraja Services and Raj Vishnu, among others. Sharan is popular for his comedy roles and is not averse to experimenting with different kinds of humour.
He has also sung for films like Raja Rajendra, Vajrakaya, Bullet Basya and Dana Kayonu. He will soon be seen in Rambo 2 and in an untitled project with Ragini.

Music

Ilayaraja

"Ilayaraja and Chi Udayashankar top my list of favourite musicians. I admire Ilayaraja for the way he tweaks his compositions to suit the taste of the common man. Chi Udayashankar writes lyrics that ordinary people can understand and relate to. He simplifies the most complicated thoughts and puts them in a beautiful and effective way. One can easily decipher his lyrics."

Author

Swami Vivekananda

"I have always been inclined towards books on philosophy. I have been greatly influenced by his teachings and writings. I carry with me a pocketbook of thoughts of Swami Vivekananda. His writings have sharpened my thinking and changed my perception. His teachings have opened a whole new world for me. Some of the other writers whose work I admire are S L Bhyrappa and Chandrashekhara Kambara."

Travel

Hubballi

"I was born in Kalaburagi and later moved to Hubballi where I spent a better part of my childhood and youth. So whenever I get a few days off work, I am inclined to take off to Hubballi. I wait to get there to gorge on some of my favourite dishes. I have noticed that whenever I drive towards this destination, my accent also tends to change. I also like to travel to Sullia which is located near Kukke Subramanya. The natural springs from the hills and the beautiful landscape always beckons me."

Cuisine

Jowar Roti

"I am a foodie and I like all the dishes that originate in north Karnataka. I can have Jowar Roti with an accompanying curry at any time. I also like Kheema curry as well as any type of biryani. I used to cook during my bachelor days. I started cooking simple recipes like Chitranna, Upma and Kesari bath.
Nowadays, I dont cook as much as I used to because of time constraints."

Cinema

Nana Patekar

"I admire Nana Patekar for the way he balances his profession and passion for philanthropy. Actors are left with very little time but Nana makes time for his social work. It is his generous nature that I wish to emulate. I have also been following the works of Puttanna Kanagal. He has the rare ability to capture a vast subject and compress it into a two and half hour movie. He is a brilliant storyteller."

Inspiration

G V Krishna

"Two people who have inspired me to a great extent are my father G V Krishna and Dr Rajkumar. My father began his career in theatre and worked very hard to make a mark for himself. I remember that some of his plays would start at 10 pm and get over by 2 am. My father would be up all morning and work through the night. He worked hard to give us a happy childhood and never let us know the hardship he went through. I have always tried to emulate the hard work, selfless ways and humility of Dr Rajkumar. He has always been my role model."

Known for establishing Cocktails and Dreams, one of Indias first speakeasy style bars, Yangdup Lama is now set to expand his business all over the country. Yangdup published his first ever cocktail book Cocktails & Dreams few years back, featuring over 50 cocktails. The mixologist, who was in Bengaluru for The Great American Whiskey Experience as the ambassador for American whiskey, spoke to Asra Mavad about his passion for mixology, future plans and more.

How did you get into the field of mixology?

It all started 22 years ago, in 1995, when I was pursuing my degree in hotel management. My first assignment was to work at a bar and that was when I discovered my passion for mixology. The experience of serving behind the bar is like none other.

You run one of Indias first speakeasy style bars. How did this idea come about?

This was a dream of mine, Ive always wanted to own a bar. However India is not exactly an easy place to start such a business. But I and a few other friends shared a passion for the same and decided that we were going to do it.

How has your experience in the industry been so far?

Its been quite an interesting experience. Its a proper mixture of good and bad moments. But whats important is that I am always learning. The good thing about this industry is the love and encouragement I receive from the patrons; thats what keeps me going.

What are your future plans?

Id like to expand my business in the coming year. The plan is to open a few interesting bars all over the country, especially in cities like Bengaluru and Mumbai. I already run a bartending school but I would like to expand and improve it in the future.

What drinks do you think pair best with Indian cuisine?

Classic whiskey cocktails like old fashioned and whiskey sour, specially made with American whiskey, compliment Indian flavours the most.

Any advice for amateur mixologists?

It might seem hard in the beginning but it definitely gets better. No matter how hard it is, just keep pushing. It is very important that you keep your interest and passion for the art alive. Also, master the basics first; I cant stress this point enough. You can only move forward once youve perfected the basics.

This photograph was taken in the year 1948, on the premises of London Mission School, Mission Road, (presently Mitralaya) on the occasion of my matriculation. I fortuitously discovered this photograph after several decades and it instantly made me nostalgic.

I used to take the bus from Malleswaram and it would hardly take 20 minutes to reach Mission Road. The school was run by Missionaries of London. The Principal was Miss Mathai who was a martinet known for her apophthegms.

I was able to recall most of the names of my classmates and teachers from the photograph.

My good friends were Manjula Savkoor and B K Prabha. Manjula was an effervescent personality who was extremely popular among all of us. Miss Anandaiah was our mathematics teacher and her teachings were pithy and insightful.

Mathematics was my favourite subject and I was known for the celerity of my problem solving in math.

Miss Chennapa was our biology teacher and was known for her meticulous biology drawings. After matriculation, I enrolled in the intermediate course in physics, chemistry, mathematics at Maharanis College. At the time, it was the only womens college in Bangalore.

We were charged a meagre monthly fee of Rs 7.50. Practicals were conducted at Central College. Later on, I completed my Montessori training in Hymanshu Jyothi Kala Peetha, Malleswaram and taught in Bethesda School, Kumara Park.

My husband, S K Suri (who passed away six years ago) was a civilian officer, Ministry of Defence. I am now 84 years of age and reside in Malleswaram with my elder daughter, Sandhya Suri who is an assistant economics professor in Ammani College. My younger daughter, Sudha Suri Raghuram is a noted bharathanatyam danseuse settled in the USA.

This photograph brought back some fond memories and I hope it helps me re-establish contact with some of my old classmates.

(The author can be contacted on 23342829)

Doctoral fellowship

Prime Minister Fellowship Scheme For Doctoral Research 2017 invites applications from PhD applicants with the objective to encourage young, talented, enthusiastic and result-oriented scholars to take up industry-relevant research. The last date to submit the applications is December 31. To submit, visit www.bit.ly/2eS4o1O.

Social Media internship

DigiOn is hiring interns for social media marketing profile in Bengaluru. Students with knowledge of Social Media Marketing and proficient in spoken and written English can apply by January 1, 2018. The stipend is Rs 8,000 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-195.

FTRE

FIITJEE Talent Reward Exam (FTRE) is a platform to help students know their true standing at the national level. Based on the performance, students will also get to know how they can bridge the gap between their current potential and future aspirations. FTRE will be held on December 24, 2017 in more than 200 cities in India. The last date to apply is December 21. For more details, visit www.fiitjee-ftre.com.

Media courses

Pearl Academy has launched School of Media to prepare young graduates to communicate professionally and ethically, using new-age media. For more details, visit www.pearlacademy.com.

App for learning

ISpark Innovations launches MAXIT, a suite of products for SSLC students appearing for the exam in March 2018. The content is available in English and Kannada. For more details, visit www.gomaxit.com or call 08040936921.

Short-term course

Bhoomi College, Bengaluru has opened applications for its short-term course Creative and holistic education. The course is designed and offered in association with Prakriya Green Wisdom School. The course begins in February 2018. For more details, visit www.bhoomicollege.org.

SJF scholarship

Sitaram Jindal Foundation (SJF) Scholarship 2017 invites application for the students of Class 11, 12, ITI, Diploma, graduation and postgraduation. The last date to apply is December 31.
For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2z1vwTY.

Fine Arts fellowship

Madhobi Chatterji Memorial Fellowship 2017-2018 invites applications from young artists involved in the Indian classical music and dance and wish to contribute towards enriching the art form. The last date to apply is December 31. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2z2AWxO.

National essay contest

The Central Ground Water Board invites applications from school students for the third National Essay Competition on water-related issues. The last date to apply is December 31. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2zVLGmL.

Gaming contest

Microsoft invites applications for Dream Build Play Challenge 2017. It is a challenge to create a game that can deeply engage the players. Interested game developers can apply individually or in a team of up to seven members. The last date to apply is December 31. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2uJcqkp.

Young leaders programme

Miracle Corners of the World invites applications for the Young Leaders Access Programme 2018 from youngsters in the age group of 18 to 26 years. This programme enables youngsters to grow a deep understanding of social issues and changes. The last date to apply is January 2, 2018. For more details, visit www.bit.ly/2oSQZhP.

Operations internship

Treebo Hotels is hiring interns for operations profile in Bengaluru. Students can apply by January 1, 2018. The stipend is Rs 5,000 per month. To apply, visit www.bit.ly/DH-196.

Are you debilitated by lack of self-confidence? Do you believe that even if you possess the skills and the required knowledge to succeed in your goals, your lack of confidence becomes a barrier to your success? It is to be noted that even at the heights of ones career, people are still plagued by thoughts of self-doubt.

Getting to grips with any new set of skills requires a huge amount of work. There would be times, when you might have to struggle. But you should also remember that confidence is a learned trait and not something one is born with.

Here are some ways that can help you overcome the confidence barrier. However, neither waving a magic wand and hoping to become confident overnight nor reading them and putting them on the back-burner would help. What you need to do is practice them and with time you too can become a confident person.

Abstain from comparisons: Comparing yourself to others is toxic. It destroys your confidence and makes you feel small. Stop comparing and start focusing on your own life. Keep moving in the direction of your goals and aspirations without worrying about what others are doing. Comparisons are unhealthy and should be avoided at all costs.

Set realistic goals: Having big dreams and hoping to reach the stars is wonderful. But what is equally important is to understand that having enormous goals can undermine your confidence level. It is thus essential to set small and realistic goals. Achieving small milestones can boost your confidence level and gradually help you achieve big dreams as well.

Stop self-criticism: Criticising yourself for everything and thinking negative about yourself can lead to emotional turmoil and low self-esteem. Honour your needs and believe in yourself. Dont be critical of yourself always.

Fight your fears: Your fear is your greatest enemy. It can steal your confidence and make you helpless. It can hinder you from achieving your goals. It is thus important that you learn to face your fears and fight them.

Savour your accomplishments: Instead of constantly bashing yourself and thinking that you are not enough, spend some time pondering over your accomplishments. There are innumerable instances where you would have achieved success. Focus on your achievements and take pride in that.

Have faith in your abilities: Nothing is more important than believing in yourself. If you believe you can, you definitely will. All you need to do is put in your best and have faith in your abilities. Only a positive mindset can foster a positive outcome. Believing in yourself not only brings you happiness but also boosts your self-confidence.

Empower yourself with knowledge: Rather than ruminating over you negative qualities, do something productive.

Indulge in reading and gaining knowledge. Empowering yourself with knowledge
is the best way to develop self-confidence.

Take control of your thoughts: If you are constantly thinking negatively, you will slowly become what you are preaching inside your head. It is very important to take control of your thoughts. Whenever your mind is filled with negative thoughts, switch them to positive mode.

Invest in yourself: Last but not the least, you should invest in yourself. Go the extra mile to work on yourself. If you feel that you are not good at certain tasks, take out time to master them. Consider the possible setbacks and work on them.

(The author is director, Aakash Institute, New Delhi)

Dear Sir,

I am studying PUC (Science). I want to become an IAS officer. I am planning to pursue BSc in Agriculture and then take up Civil Services examination. But many people are suggesting that taking up MBBS would be better. Please guide as to which course will be useful.

Sinchana

Dear Sinchana,

It makes no difference what degree course you study when it comes to competing for the Civil Services exams. People who have pursued BSc Agriculture, MBBS, engineering, and courses in commerce and arts have all succeeded if they have prepared systematically and well in advance.

Once you finish your graduation in a field of your choice (which will ensure that you will be a successful professional regardless of whether you get into IAS or not), do select the optional subjects for Civil Services exam carefully, and get proper guidance from experts.

Dear Sir,

I am a second year BCA student. I would like to know if I could pursue Psychology along with my current course. If so, please let me know which branch of Computer Science is applicable to Psychology too, so that I can specialise in that.

A Student

Dear Student,

Generally most universities do not allow you to study two degree programmes simultaneously. However, you can start off by doing some MOOC courses that are offered by online portals like coursera.org, edX.org, udacity.com and udemy.com. These courses are either free or nominally charged. You will get a feel of Psychology through such courses, and when you complete your BCA, you can apply for an open university MSc or MA in Applied Psychology course, which are open to graduates from any stream.

Do not worry right now about your specialisation. Get an overview of human behaviour, and if your interest is strong, get practical exposure through internship or entry level job, and then go deeper into a specific branch.

Dear Sir,

I want to study BBA. But my friends and relatives feel that this course doesnt lead to a good job and hence, they are suggesting that I do BCom. Which is a better course? Kindly guide.

Naveen

Dear Naveen,

Please consult only experts when you wish to make a career choice, and do not get influenced by friends and relatives who may not have the correct information. Both BBA and BCom have their own advantages, but both do not get you managerial or well-paid jobs in the beginning. They are foundation courses to prepare you for higher studies and a better career.

If you are a finance-related person, good in Maths and Accounts, prefer to work by yourself, can spend many hours on the computer with good concentration, you may opt for BCom, and then take up other courses which will enhance your employability. If you are a people-oriented person, love to interact, travel and speak, have a wide range of interests from marketing to HR to finance to systems, then you can take up BBA, and after two years of study decide what aspect of management you would like to specialise in.

Dear Sir,

I am a BCom student. I always had a fixed aim in my life so far. But now when I am studying in the final year, I am a bit confused about the specialisation to choose for my postgraduation. Presently, I am interested in accounts. Can you suggest a few accounting courses that I can take up?

A Student

Dear Student,

If your interest is in accounts and you are a good student with firm concentration and ability to work with numbers, then you can take up Chartered Accountancy (www.icai.org), Cost and Works Accountancy (www.icwai.org), ACCA (www.accaglobal.com), Company Secretary (www.icsi.edu) or any such course which will make you a professional and will give you good career prospects. If unable to decide at all, then take a break after your degree and take up an entry-level job in a small or medium enterprise, regardless of how much they pay, and once you get exposure to the world of work, you will be able to decide better.

Dear Sir,

I am a Class 11 Science student with Physics, Chemistry, Maths and Computer Science as my subjects. I am interested in taking up a course related to Computer Science after Class 12. Please suggest some good courses and colleges. Also, please suggest some good colleges where I can do a course to be a data scientist.

A Student

Dear Student,

Computers is a vast field, and if you know which aspect you are deeply interested in, then you can take up a specialised course like programming, robotics and design.

If not, then the safest option would be to complete an engineering degree in Computer Science and then decide on the specialisation. The college will depend on your performance in entrance tests such as JEE and CET.

Data Sciences is generally offered as a postgraduate course, though a few universities such as VIT Vellore have started offering it at degree level. It is better that you first qualify as an engineer and then go deeper into any subject of your choice.

Dear Sir,

I am currently studying BSc Microbiology. I had chosen this stream to become a scientist. But now I am not able to concentrate while studying and I feel the curriculum is really vast. I have lost interest in the subject that I have chosen. So, now I am planning to discontinue and pursue some other degree. I think that I can become an artist or a writer as I have been interested in these fields since my childhood. Please guide me if it is a right decision because my parents are not allowing me to discontinue.

A Student

Dear Student,

Before you convince your parents, it is necessary that you be sure that you will not be making the same mistake twice. It is not enough to have an interest in a field, you should also have the competency that will ensure you will do well in your career.

Art and writing are two very diverse fields, and both require immense talent to succeed. Hence, you need to get yourself evaluated by experts in the respective fields about your capabilities, or even
get an assessment done to find out your aptitude in different careers, which will give you a wider choice to select from.

The children of today can expect to change jobs at least seven times over the course of their lives - and five of those jobs dont exist yet, according to a World Economic Forum article. How does one prepare for the volatility of such an uncertain future? What are the skills that one can impart to students to assure their employability?

The answer lies in not making students toil harder, but empower them to learn smarter. Teachers, students and parents must work together to identify the new skill sets needed, and the best way to acquire those skills. Authentic learning techniques such as contextual learning and project-based learning are essential to schools today.

Some schools are just starting to grapple with such challenges. While many schools continue to have a more traditional mindset towards imparting education, ignoring the changing nature of the demand in skill sets, other schools have recognised the urgency to adopt a transformational approach to education.

Empowering students

Contextual learning is one such approach that empowers students to take charge of their own learning. Personalised towards each students strengths and weaknesses, contextual learning is a discovery-based learning programme guided by teachers. When students are immersed in contextual learning, they learn indispensable skills such as sustained inquiry, collaboration, critical thinking, adaptability and stronger interpersonal relationship skills.

How does one contextualise learning? One such technique is project-based learning. We want graduates to take initiative, exhibit leadership and take action. But a student does not suddenly exhibit such qualities when they are on the workforce. These skills are nurtured and honed over the course of their lives, and it is imperative for schools to lay the foundation for such skill sets at an early stage.

For instance, asking a classroom full of students to write more persuasively is unproductive. Project-based learning would mandate that a teacher create a situation, relevant to the students experience, where they learn how to write more persuasively. For example, students can propose ideas to the school administration on how to redesign the school cafeteria. Such an activity would prompt the students to do authentic research and then write a persuasive speech.

Such project-based activities prompt students to engage in all the facets of what would be required when they would have to write a persuasive speech when they are working professionals. Such projects would from an early age convey to students that writing a speech is not just putting pen to paper in isolation but requires an understanding of all aspects of the matter. By replicating real-world situations and challenges, contextual learning and project-based learning empower students to develop a way of thinking which is crucial to education today.

Authentic learning

The role of the educator is to guide students in their learnings and not provide a generic blueprint to rote. Each students way of learning is unique. Hence, facilitating students to do a project on their own enables them to make their own discoveries. This process, in turn, makes their learning authentic. The feedback that students receive in contextual learning or project-based learning is specific to their strengths and weaknesses. In addition to personalised learning, contextual learning is different from traditional curriculum because in addition to consuming information, contextual learning empowers students to create a knowledge database, that is creating solutions, frameworks or pathways to achieve the desired goals.

A constant criticism of the Indian education system is that it involves rote learning and a laser focus on marks. However, project-based learning shifts the focus from a linear obsession over grades to overall learning and experience. In addition, contextual learning also normalises application of classroom knowledge in the real world, something that is expected from students when they are older but not always taught in schools.

Hence, the process of contextual learning recognises that learning only takes place when we stop and reflect on our experiences, revisit our path based on any new information we receive to reach our goals, mirroring real-world scenarios. Only through the process of questioning, scrutinising and contemplating about our actions, decisions and experiences, do we really take charge of our learning and make any advancements. Only then a students skillset becomes one with the real world, we grow into self-aware, understanding and compassionate human beings who are ready to tackle whatever circumstance that may arise.

In the real world, we are presented with a variety of challenges, questions and problems all the time. Teaching how to face such challenges on an individual level is not only an asset but a necessity for a student in our times.

(The author is with Canadian International School, Bengaluru)

Thousands of students apply to various business schools around the world without really introspecting and assessing their strengths and weaknesses. Without proper clarity, the applicants try to gamble their way up and many times, the odds are not in their favour. In this light, if you are a B-school aspirant, it is important to assess your candidature carefully. This is because business schools take a look at various aspects while considering your candidature.

If you are considering the MBA programme at the Ivy League universities in the US, you will be considered a strong candidate if you have a GMAT score higher than 750, have worked with one of the target group of companies that recruit from the university for four to five years and you have an undergraduate degree from one of the top colleges in the country with a GPA higher than 3.6.

Additionally, the universities look at extracurricular activities like being a part of a sports team or any charity work you may have done. However, if you have everything from the list above, but still could not go to a top tier university or college, you need not lose heart as you can still work on your profile to maximise
your chances of getting into a good B-school.

For a strong profile

Here are some ways that you can follow to ensure that the university understands your profile:

Short-term and long-term aspirations: You have to project a great understanding of your short-term and long-term goals. Additionally, highlight what industry you would be getting into after completing the degree and the position you intend to work as (for example, a hedge fund manager). The research will need to be very comprehensive and you should even know the positions that the target recruiters hire for.

Expressing Why this programme?: You will have very strong reasons for joining that particular programme. Get to know more about the programme by talking to the students and the alumni. This will help you know how that school will help you in your future.

Make a class visit: It is ideal to make a class visit. Go to the websites of your target schools and identify the class visit schedules. Interview should not be the first time they should see you. Meet them way ahead of the cycle. Ask smart questions and take good notes. When you are building the Why this school? essay, reflect on the experiences you had.

GMAT score: You need to have a GMAT score between 720 and 770. With a score of 720, an Ivy League admit is not impossible but gets really tough. While GMAT is only one of the factors that they take into consideration, you still have to satiate the demographic needs of the university.

If you are an applicant from a social services background and aspire to do something in the same area, they might consider you with a low GMAT score as well. You will also need to be aware of
the schools selection process when it comes to picking up the right demographic mix.

Extracurricular activities: Dont just state what extra-curricular activities you have participated in. The universities are more interested in the story behind your participation. They want to know why you participated in those activities and what you learnt from them.

Past experience matters: To make your application stronger, you should have also worked with one of the companies that hire from your target university. There are many companies that are on the top of recruiting charts. If you have been trained at one of the top companies, you have a better chance of getting into top schools.

Essays: Have a very candid expression while you write the essays. Remember that your essays should not be driven by complex vocabulary. It is more about telling a story of your life. It is more about why did you do what you did and what matters to you the most.

Along with these, you also need to have strong letters of recommendation. While it may not be easy to qualify for all of these parameters at one go, it is important to work towards it steadily.

(The author is founder, PythaGURUS Education, Gurugram)

There is something magical about watching children dressed as animals, walking on stage and singing an acapella version of the Bee Gees song, Stayin Alive, or filling into the aisles and hanging from ropes to the to the tune of boomwhackers that transport us all the way to Africa.

For many children, year-end theatre productions, habbas and annual days are not just great ways to showcase talent. They also help them reflect on the journeys of the preceding months and to really take the reins of their own learning. For the people of Bengaluru, these events are part of their memories.

Priyanka Shah, for instance, grew up watching plays in Bengaluru and the 1998 production of The Sound of Music produced by Ashley Williams from Sophia High School remains one of her favourites. "It was staged by both the students and the teachers. Seeing the seniors enact the characters and sing the songs was wonderful and such moments stay with you forever," she says.

Valuable life skills

While theatre and the performing arts are all about that final performance, for many children, its the journey that counts as much as the end-result. Team work, coordination, vertical grouping and understanding complex entrances and exits on stage, these are skills that they learn from theatre, and these are the experiences that stay with them for life.

For instance, Bethany High School has staged huge productions like Shrek and Pippin in the past. While they were massive successes, the stress has always been on the experiences that the children would acquire in the process, instead of just a successful show. After all, a huge Broadway style musical has so many moving parts.

Miriam Andrews, an acclaimed theatre director who has helmed seven Bethany productions in the past, believes that these plays are about two crucial learnings â€" acquiring life skills and giving back to the community. "Children who were not trained in theatre or were originally shy, turned into powerhouse performers," says Miriam. "Everyone, right from the 6-year-olds to the 16-year-olds, have become a huge family. I have also introduced something that helps children a great deal. We have two casts. When the main cast is performing, the extra cast acts like a buddy system, cheering them or prompting them on when they sing or act their parts, so much so that the backstage energy is always high, and the entire group becomes a tight-knit community."

The biggest takeaway from staging a play is that even toddlers learn from a show! During the annual school play last year, the tiny tots at Gaia preschool had to deal with an unexpected situation â€" the power went off and the mikes played truant. Says Rekha DSouza, director of the preschool, "The children were initially taken aback but did not hesitate to continue with their performance quickly. Nothing could stop their enthusiasm on stage."

For Megha and Akshara, students of Aurinko Academy, the sky is the limit. The staff and management leave it completely to the students to decide what they want to do. "In January 2018, we will be holding a bazaar, where we will make and auction items that we have made from recycled material," says Megha.

Says Chetana Keni, founder of Aurinko Academy, "Our annual days are not about showcasing talent insomuch as the children showing their parents what they have learned the past year. For instance, History is one of the favourite subjects in school, and this year, during the annual day event, our students want to enact small scenes from History and mythology, especially untold and unacknowledged stories from Mughal and Maratha histories."

For the children at the Vidya Soudha Public School, the annual day was all about discovery and satisfying their curiosity. Says Monica Rajan, a nursery teacher in the school, "Our annual day had festivals as its theme from Class 1 to 10, and the highlight of the event was the bathukamma that the students performed, a Telangana dance that none of us had heard about before."

Staging ideas

As much as the spotlights and the music thrill us, all the school productions have something else in common - they deal with themes that are larger than the craft. In a memorable scene from Every Inch Upstream, a large-scale Broadway style theatrical extravaganza staged by the students of Inventure Academy, the ghost of Enid Blyton makes a surprise appearance. Some of them remember her books with joy, but the others want to break away from her legacy and embrace the future that will, among other things, give its women more ambitious roles to play.

This idea of change was germane to the play. Says Anoushka Shyam, one of the script ideators, "We spoke about the problems we face as friends, peers, daughters and what we wanted to do to bring about change. We also talked about our identities and the changes that are happening within us, and that is how we decided on the concept of change being the core of the play." From writing the script and designing the set to the music and the choreography, the students were involved in every aspect of the production, and the individuality of the script shines through in every line and scene of the play.

Another school that gives its children a free rein is Headstart Academy. Says Samta Shikhar, head of the theatre department in the school, "We offer diverse theatre workshops and experiences for the students. If the students are interested, we collectively develop it into a play. As a facilitator, I love to work with the reality of the children, instead of coming up only with my ideas."

In the beginning of 2017, Samta brought a short story written by Slawomir Mrozek to class. The story was called The Elephant and the students of Class 11 immediately saw a lot of potential in the material. The result? The students adapted the story into their own play titled Better than the Real, which they staged earlier this year. What makes Better than the Real unique is that it was an emerging script, continuously developed and improvised by the students.

For an adult, Slawomirs story is primarily about corruption, but the students wanted to do a take on education because they came from that reality. Says Anika Pravin, one of the actors in the play, "We had just finished our board exams and we had witnessed the stress, the importance placed on marks and formal education. We immediately saw a connection between our situation and the story of The Elephant."

While performances are great ways to display talent, they are primarily learning experiences. Says Nooraine Fazal, the co-founder of Inventure Academy, "It takes a lot of heart to involve 500 students in such a big event, but the benefits to our students are tremendous. The life skills that they learn, defer gratification, and discipline their thinking, creates multiple pathways to success. We have seen children who are struggling emotionally and academically transform completely thanks to the production."

Its that time of the year when all your hard work is going to pay off. Pre-boards are around the corner, and they can help you reach your true potential. They can function as the ultimate litmus test â€" with your exam strategy playing a crucial role. Remember that even the slightest change in your approach to the question paper can impact your final score. Here are five areas to effectively work on to help perfect your strategy:

Organisation

With limited time remaining, it is imperative to make self-organisation a top priority. If it is, indeed, one of your weaknesses, draft a daily timetable, and follow it until the very last minute.

Or, if you feel that your daily schedule is becoming monotonous, create a weekly one instead. It must guarantee a set number of study hours every day. But dont forget to take breaks - sparing enough time for sports and other relaxation activities.

Balance

While it is important to grasp what remains in the syllabus, it is equally important to revise the concepts youve already mastered. The ability to perform optimally in the exam relies on the art of having perfected the balance between studies and revision. Take some time out to figure out exactly what you need to revise. Stronger areas will need gentle polishing, while others will need more time.

Difficult concepts

This is the cause of worry for a majority of students. But it shouldnt be so, since you still have enough time to strengthen tougher concepts. In fact, you will realise that the remaining three months will do wonders for your learning and revision. Keep all self-doubts at bay, and delve right into the subjects. It is essential to thoroughly and comprehensively study the entire syllabus, rather than just specific chapters which you find difficult to grasp.

Breakdown the coursework, subject-wise, into different topics, depending on their level of complexity, and make sure you cover the basics before engaging with more advanced themes. But never waste too much time on topics that drain your time and energy. If you are having difficulty with a particular concept, spend some time going through some of the frequently asked questions on it.

Study material

Despite planning well, students often ignore their National Council of Educational Research and Training (NCERT) coursebooks. They are more than sufficient for you to secure over 90%. Especially when you are short on time, try and focus on them, along with past question papers.

Time management

Systematic study is key to achieving success during any examination. Break down the number of days left for pre-boards and assign it to particular sections and topics. It has been observed that studying different subjects in a day, with proper allocation of time, engages different parts of the brain, thus improving your overall retention capacity. Make use of learning apps, and other tech-based solutions, to plan out tasks and set reminders for everyday tasks.

It is important to utilise the pre-boards as a sounding board to keep a track of your performance. Careful evaluation of each paper will not only help pinpoint any shortcomings in your preparation, but also further strengthen the areas in subjects where you have been scoring well already. But you must take care to not stress or panic too much, if the results are not favourable. Instead, push yourself harder each day to improve upon your mistakes.

The ideal option is to manage your time in a way that helps you deliver your best during the exam. You need to identify your pattern early on, and plan your entire preparation schedule accordingly. You must also be strong during these vital months to overcome all major distractions.

Pre-boards will help you come to terms with the status of your preparation only to add more fuel to it. Theyll make you aware of all the areas that are time-consuming, and need practice. More importantly, theyll help you stumble upon the areas that need fixing. Remember, it is just as important to know your weaknesses as your strengths. And it will only help you deliver your very best!

(The author is with Toppr.com, Mumbai)

Trends and decor ideas around your living rooms have changed a lot over the years. However, the concept remains the same. It is a space where we spend time with our family and friends and have the most fun. This also makes it that space in the house which needs a constant makeover.

Do away with the TV

A living room should be a space where you can have conversations with family members, play games and have fun. With a TV around in this particular room, all the mentioned activities become less possible. Instead of fitting in a television and different cabinet for the same, utilise this space for having more seats.

Go in for a theme-based look

One of the biggest changing trends in the living room is going for a theme-based look instead of traditional interiors. Some of the popular themes are the modern look, the Mediterranean and the industrial look. To achieve a Mediterranean look, play a lot with white and Mediterranean hues. To create such interiors, minimalistic wooden furniture with distress polishes as well as arched walls with a very breezy look is the way to go.

Choose organised chaos

Its time we step out of the box and go beyond a living room with matching sofa sets and dining. Get experimenting and go for an organised chaos look. Where everything is different including materials and products. Where stress is also given on the internal architecture of the space.

Make it cosy

Opting for statement lighting as well as comfortable couches with coffee tables and a low seated lounge area should be sought to make the atmosphere cosy. Some of the products such as a lounger or mismatched chairs of different colours, textures and materials will uplift a living space giving it a creative and quirky look.

Get smart

With everything getting digital and smarter, its time to make your living room smart too. Make your home a smart home where everything can be controlled by an app. Therefore, in terms of cutting edge technology, choose to have either Amazons Alexa or Google home. This will make your home smarter and more efficient.

(Courtesy: Ayushi Kanodia Designs)