From capturing the festive mood and discovering lesser known recipes to observing road safety week and discussing trends, we bring to you some of the interesting stories through the week. Here’s a list of our top feature stories for your weekend read
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With the country buzzing with celebrations of harvest festivals across states, we spoke to Mumbaikars who share how they are going to celebrate Makar Sankranti this year. With National Road Safety Week being observed from January 11 to January 17, city women on wheels tell us about what road safety means to them. With a mission to bring in the most unique or lesser known recipes for food lovers, we explore a variety of carrot dishes, something that’s not ‘gajar ka halwa’.
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After art, movie posters and 3D statues of celebrities went the NFT way, ‘play-to-earn’ NFT games are the new talk of the crypto town. As NFT gaming emerges as a trendy topic of discussion, we spoke to experts who explain the fundamentals of NFT games and its scope in India. With electronic music taking over traditional bands, we spoke to brass band musicians who tell us about changing preferences and impact of the pandemic on their profession. In the third part of our Korean culture series we look at how fashion from Korean entertainment has influenced fashion choices in India.
Cooking with carrots: Halwa is great and all but have you tried gajar romesco or pizza?
What is the first word that comes to mind when one says carrots? More often than not, for Indians, it is gajar ka halwa. Juicy red carrots are currently in abundance and with a colour as striking as that, it is hard to ignore them in the market. Although gajar ka halwa is an eternal favourite in every home, how about trying out something new? City chefs share simple and complex recipes using the ingredient to brighten up dreary winter days.
Road Safety Week: How safe do Mumbai’s women on wheels feel on city roads?
According to the NCRB report on ‘Accidental deaths and suicides in India’, 418 people lost their lives due to road accidents in Mumbai in 2020. On the first day of National Road Safety Week, women — who account for at least 34 percent of licensed vehicle drivers here — share their experiences of navigating city roads. The discomforting attitude of male motorists and drivers and the violation of traffic rules by fellow commuters are some of the major factors that create an unsafe environment for female riders and car drivers in the city.
What is NFT Gaming? Blockchain-based ‘play-to-earn’ features may soon change the gaming landscape
Non-fungible token (NFT) marketplaces are increasingly changing the way creative assets including art, media and entertainment can be auctioned or traded on a digital platform. With a bid to diversify the NFT ecosystem, companies are now exploring play-to-earn games, which are gradually piquing the interest of Indian gamers and crypto experts. Two experts explain the fundamentals of NFT gaming and tell us whether the fast-expanding base of Indian gamers is ready for it.
Drumroll for brass bands: Wedding season keeps Mumbai's iconic street musicians busy
The bouncing tunes of brass bands are intrinsic to getting any marriage procession going. Even as electronic disc jockeys have threatened to eclipse them in recent wedding seasons, three brass band musicians from Mumbai's East Indian community talk about the joy of ensemble performances, changing tastes, and the pandemic's harsh effect.
Makar Sankranti 2022: Mumbaikars bring in the festival with family, food and customs
Notwithstanding the pandemic, Mumbaikars are learning to celebrate the little things with their family — and Makar Sankranti is one of them. Two city-based families share how they are going to keep up their culture and tradition with the sweet refrain: ‘tilgul ghya goad goad bola’.
Korean chic: How fashion from K-drama and K-pop is influencing Indian wardrobes
The Indian fashion industry saw the earliest impressions of the rising influence of Korean culture driven by the Korean wave phenomenon. Baggy streetwear outfits, cute crop tops, checked and pleated skirts, button-up dresses, oversized coats, cardigans and chunky shoes have been some of the trendy examples of Seoul-inspired attire noted in the Indian fashion market in recent years. Bold, elegant yet comfortable — these are defining aspects of the K-drama and K-pop aesthetic, which has greatly influenced Indian fashion in recent years. In the third part of a series exploring the Korean impact on local culture, experts share how Seoul has won over fashionistas here and share tips on how to give a K-touch to your wardrobe.