Loca Magazine

A mother-son duo, a pair in this group of Samaritans, to the effect of Coronavirus, has been stitching and distributing free masks to the poor in Delhi, one of the worst affected cities by the pandemic. The 24-year-old cinematographer Sourav Das, and his mother Laxmi, have distributed over 2,200 masks in a span of two months, through their ‘Pick One, Stay Safe’ initiative. As per an article by Yourstory, Sourav says, “One of my uncles is a farmer, and while working he is exposed to dust particles. My mother was anyway stitching face covers for my uncle, his workers, and the neighbours. But, because of the coronavirus crisis, we don’t know when we will be able to travel and provide these face covers to them. Hence, she decided to stitch face masks and distribute it among underprivileged people who don’t have the luxury to buy masks at such high rates.” When it comes to minting profit, while conducting a survey, 9 out of 15 people find this practice unethical. Interestingly, the remaining 6 people also justify their opinions satisfactorily. While most opinions on these lines talked about how brands need to make money to stay afloat, several people also talked about how it is ultimately the consumer’s choice. Another angle given to this point of view was of the use of plain N-95 masks instead of fashionable masks as safety is the need of the hour. Arshia Jagtap, 19, Student of Delhi University, says, “For people looking to buy masks as self-expression, I don’t mind brands selling them at a reasonable price, as long as they aren’t the only way to purchase masks, meaning, since masks are a necessity in this pandemic, the first priority is to ensure masks are provided for free to the underprivileged”. 151

However, an interesting Several brands are already opinion suggesting a following this “symbiotic” middle ground was given by trend. For instance, Off White Manjulika Pramod, 35, an is selling three different Author/Artist/Travel Writer, 100% cotton jersey masks based in Faridabad, “If people for $US95. According to the are willing to buy and they item description, 100% of net see a worth in it, then we proceeds from sales will be should not be the one to donated to COVID-19 relief question. But at the same efforts. Brands like Ralph time, the brands should also Lauren, Akris, Michael Ngo donate a good number of also have a similar approach. masks for those who cannot In conclusion, masks are the afford it. The brands have most underrated, sometimes had their challenges, so if we overpriced, but mostly expect that they start giving underused, nevertheless their masks for free, it’s not the most effective yet under rational. But as long as they appreciated solution for are using some part of the preventing the spread of profit to do some good to COVID-19. others, we can achieve some respite in these challenging times.”. 152

Image source: Hypebeast 153

Tying the knot in pandemic Global lockdown did not stop the Indians from getting married. Now marriages are taking place over the internet. By: Raagini Gupta 154

155 LIFESTYLE

Indians have a solution to every situation. Just like work from home, it’s time for weddings from home, on-call and small, intimate ceremonies. No wonder we live in the digital era with all the trends changing. 156

157

158

In times like pandemic, it calls for desperate measures. Therefore, most of the marriages in India have taken place through zoom calls. The couples get engaged, while the family members view the ceremony through zoom. Also, with no time for shopping the brides have started wearing their mother’s wedding sari instead of spending money on designer clothes. Same goes with the grooms, they have started wearing old kurta pyjama set because who is here to see? Everyone knows and understands the current situation. Instead of a photographer, all the photos were captured on mobile phones and via laptop screenshots. For people around the world and more so in India, their wedding date is of immense importance. With Weddings From Home, couples can get married on that exact date regardless of the lockdown, just that it’ll be done virtually. Makeup, styling and photography by: Raagini Gupta 159 Muse: Rashi and Vibhor Kaul

160

Rose Oolong Tea is also know as ‘Tea of Beauty’. Perfect for pampering yourself. WHOLE LEAF, FLAVOURFUL, HEALTHY. 161

Scoopski is India’s first Edible Cookie Dough and the nation’s most sinful indulgence yet 162

163

Has keeping huma brought nature ou Twinkle, twinkle, little star, We finally see, who you are- Up above the world so high, Very clearly with our naked eye. By: Nazvi 164

ans inside, FOOD & TRAVEL utside? Art by: Nazvi 165

Who doesn’t remember the choking smog of New Delhi? The Air Quality Index (AQI) level remained above 800 in certain parts of the city, the worst levels seen in more than three years. And Ganga, one of the most polluted rivers in the country? Which experts link to India’s high rate of waterborne illnesses, that kills an estimated 1.5 million children each year, according to an article by PBS.org. An article by ScienceDirect, dated 15th August, 2020 states that, about 40% to 50% improvement in air quality is identified just after four days of commencing lockdown. And also, a 34% decrease in the SPM (Suspended Human life comes to a Shyamalee, 58, working in Particulate Matter) in the standstill as many countries Mitsoka NGO, Goa, says, water. shut themselves off from work “The moment the entire due to the novel coronavirus human race was pushed pandemic (COVID-19) that into a lockdown due to the hit the world severely in COVID-19 pandemic, the rest the first quarter of 2020. All of the living creatures on the types of industries, vehicular planet and the nature itself movement, and people’s sprung to its full glory. It was activities suddenly came to a quite a moment of revelation halt, perhaps for the first time that nature mends itself right in modern history. in no time, if left undisturbed - oceans and rivers got cleaner, As is known, every coin the green got greener, air has two sides. Looking got cleansed, life of all other at the brighter side of the species got better. situation, Coronavirus has given a window for nature Animals got their much- to breathe. There has been needed space; a Blue bull an improvement in Air was spotted roaming free Quality Index and the water on the streets of Noida, in the rivers and seas are several monkeys were found comparatively less polluted. in a “pool party” in one of There also has been a the posh areas in Mumbai, considerable decrease in according to an article by carbon emissions and also India Today. In an article by a phenomenal reduction in Hindustan Times, residents of noise pollution. Jalandhar, Punjab were able 166

to spot the Himalayas from stress.” mental health! Nature is their homes and people from Courtesy the current bountiful, it only provides: it Saharanpur, Uttar Pradesh scenario, there has been nourishes, it nurtures, it heals were finally able to see the positive effects of the natural and it sustains us. Nature Dhaulandhar Mountain range world on our mental health connects all living creatures, after 30 years. as well. Spending time with big or small”. She feels that, nature and surrounding “we need nature for our Col CP Muthanna, 62, Vice oneself with it reduces anger, existence. We breathe the air, chair of Kodagu Model fear and stress and increases nature exhales, we drink the Forest Trust and founder pleasant feelings. Exposure water and eat the food, nature of Environment & Health to nature not only makes one provides. It is nature that Foundation (India), says, feel better emotionally, it also sustains us”. Image source: edtimes.in “If a person is surrounded contributes to one’s physical So, does this mean when the pandemic gets over, we by greenery and sparkling wellbeing. It also helps to be humans will forget the boon this lockdown had been streams, he will certainly be more active and make new to nature? Does this also mean that there will be an in a far better mental state connections. increase in air pollution, water pollution, and noise pollution? than a person who is stuck Will nature be again forced into confinement? Are we all in a traffic jam in a crowded Nita Ganguly, 57, an heading back to square one? Let’s just hope this change is city or a person living in an educator, author, climate not a temporary one. unclean and crowded slum. leader & mentor / National 167 According to him,” In essence, Coordinator for Waste to a serene natural environment Wealth for TCRP-India, based provides mental peace in Mumbai, says “Nature whereas a crowded city has only positive effect on environment causes mental a person, especially on its

Let’s keep the grass 03 green on this side too. Feroze Kaliyadan, 43, Image source: Hindustan times Faculty, College of medicine, King Faisal University, Saudi Arabia 01Theoretically, a lot could be done. Encouraging the use of renewable energy sources, better and more efficient mass transit systems, cycling/walking and of course using the opportunity in educating the public regarding sustaining these positive changes. 02 Vipin Gopinath, 48 years, General Manager & Corporate Team Member - HiLITE group of Companies, Kozhikode, Kerala The pandemic has taught a lesson or two to us, the homo sapiens. It proved that without us this world would be a much better place. And we more or less understood that. The lesson was learned the hard way, but now that we have learned it, we need to put that to practice. Live a simple life, it’s not always about what you earn as money in your lifetime that is important, it’s how happy you could be with what you have today. And most of the things that make us happy are not bought with money. Stay safe, stay aloof, live the moment 168

Col Farooq Siraj, 59, Doctor, Pune This lockdown has given us time to introspect. If we follow the basic rules of hygiene which has been repeated by every teacher, leader, doctor, famous person, media, paper, TV then 3 we can maintain a clean and safe environment. We will fall sick less. In these times we have also witnessed nature’s fury- heat waves, cyclones, flood and it has made us realize how much we have tampered with nature. We must respect nature and make efforts to use technology to save it and not destroy it. Conserve electricity, use biodegradable items, green fuel, save water, plant trees. Love nature and we will be in harmony with nature otherwise our greed will destroy both nature and us. 04 05 Nisha Pai, 45, Lecturer, Bhopal We need to reassess our human nature and follow the policy of live and let live. Following the age-old policy of leaving a particular area untouched for some time allowing it to rejuvenate, renewable energy, more disciplined lifestyle, using transport which is healthy for us and not harming the environment, car-pooling. Art by: Nazvi Rashima Verma, 35, Dentist, Bagdogra A lot of introspection and a firm resolve is required from each and every one of us. We should realize that if we have survived these past six months without doing certain things that have a delirious effect on the environment, we can definitely do so in the coming times too. Using fewer vehicles is one such example. The onus of this matter is not on a single shoulder, but we all as a society need to introspect and maybe make certain rules that need to be followed strictly on a daily basis so that this positive change can be continued. 169

Comfort food tops quarantine life! COVID-19 has undoubtedly brought a lot of discomfort, but new and rising comfort foods have made it easier for people to get through the pandemic. By: Kamya Gupta Coronavirus has put a Recipe complete stop to eating from outside. Eating out on Saturdays or ordering on Mondays has come to a still, and individuals are now dependent on home-cooked food. In these times, indulgent and nostalgic comforts foods have come to the rescue of many people. Comfort food can be anything and is a personal choice, whatever that provides satisfaction and can feed one’s craving. These comfort foods don’t necessarily need to be healthy; in fact, most of them aren’t. “The lockdown has been stressful. Maggi became my comfort food because it was easy to make and always accessible. Times are tough, and it’s tougher to follow a healthy, well-planned diet as I’m restricted to eating whatever is available in the house.” shares Manya Sachdeva, 21, a Fashion Media Communication student at Pearl Academy, Delhi. 170

FOOD & TRAVEL Sinful double chocolate chip cookies for the soul 171

Ready-to-eat meals and instant noodles were seen to be taking off the racks in general stores, with their deals soaring in the first month of the lockdown. According to Manoj Bansal, manager at Modern Bazaar, a grocery store in Punjabi Bagh, Delhi, “When rumors started spreading about the first lockdown, customers hoarded our store to stock groceries. Besides bare essentials, Maggi and frozen fast food like momos, nuggets, and fries were sold the most.” On May 19, Nestlé India chairman and managing director Suresh Narayanan during an online media roundtable, said the company observed a 10.7% increase in domestic sales amounting to `3,124.2 crores for the March quarter. The January-March quarter recorded the best quarterly sales growth in almost five years globally for the company, as consumers stocked up on packaged food products, Narayanan said. He further added demand for items like Maggi noodles, coffee, Milkmaid condensed milk, KitKat, and Munch chocolates surged during this period. “There 172 Taking over the quarantine trend

has been a lot of interest in our brands because in-home consumption has gone up,” he said, adding that pantry- loading would increase in the future with a rise in in-home consumption of foods. Quick food hacks and recipes circulating on social media have resulted in people developing new comforting foods. Individuals who’ve either made debuts in their kitchen or explored the inner chef resided in them during the lockdown is now trending on Instagram as ‘Quarantine chefs.’ From celebrities to layman, everyone has been posting and flaunting their cooking skills on Instagram. “I love Banana bread, and I always used to get it from a bakery near my house before the pandemic. Post the lockdown announcement, I was craving for banana bread, but couldn’t order since everything was shut. To my surprise, I found out the banana bread is super easy to make. It’s been eight months now, and I’m glad I’m not dependent on anyone to bring me my comfort food.” describes Neha Rana, 28, an entrepreneur based in Delhi. 173

Styling and photography by: Kamya Gupta 174

Comfort food also carries a different meaning for those who have returned to their homes due to the lockdown—especially students studying outside their hometowns. According to a survey conducted on Instagram, 16 out of 30 individuals aged 18-23 years old stated ‘Rajma Chawal’ as their comfort food. On further research, 10 out of those 16 students lived in hostels and have come back to their homes because of the pandemic. “Mom’s Rajma Chawal cannot be replaced by any other food for me when it comes to comfort food. For me, comfort food is all about love and the feeling of home. All this while, I knew I could ask my mom to make it for me anytime, unlike in New York, where no pizza could fulfill my craving for home-cooked food.” shares Sonalika Grover, 20, a food blogger and a Fashion Business student at The New School, Parsons, New York. In these challenging times, people have found their source of comfort to divert themselves from the pandemic. From nostalgic recipes to reminisce childhood to learning new ones, food has served happiness, comfort, and security to most households. Staying indoors is difficult; however, the pandemic has also given people the gift of time to fulfill their cravings, work on themselves, and reunite with families. Thus, let’s stay home, stay safe, and get through this phase with our comfort foods on the side!. Recipe 175

176

For the finest bespoke products visit www.atinymistake.com 177

Travel Archives The only way one can take a trip during this pandemic is to take a trip down the memory lane. By: Khushi Choudhari ITALYGreetings from There is no experience better than exploring different regions, learning their culture and heritage, and meeting new people. Unfortunately, there will be no new stamps on our passports this year, just the memories of the past that are now etched in our hearts. 178

FOOD & TRAVEL From: Karishma Diwan One of my most cherished experiences was the pizza Mumbai I indulged in at the Venice Station. Almost missed my train back to Milan because I went back to grab another slice from the other side of the station and I swear I ran like anjali that day with a pizza slice in my hand but there’s no way I’d do anything differently. Dad was waiting at the door like a pissed off Shahrukh Khan. 179

Greetings from GOA 180

From: Palak Choudhari When you hear goa all you can think of is an extravagant Mumbai party destination by the beach. But for me, Goa is a serene, calm, covered in a lush destination away from the city madness. Sitting by the ocean and eating the most amazing food is what I miss the most. In March just before the lockdown was announced I went to Patnem in Goa. I had the most amazing pizza at this cafe by the beach. The sweet cacophony of live music and the sound of the ocean made it my most cherished experience. According to a Times of India article ‘Beating the lockdown blues with a dose of nostalgia’ dated May 15, 2020, Nostalgic happy memories give rise to positive thoughts, which in turn releases endorphins in the mind and body. It helps one cope with stress, anxiety, and irritability. 181

Greetings from KENYA 182

There’s solace in the indelible nature of previous experience. During these trying times of anxiousness, self-doubt, and negativity increasing rapidly, diving into the memory box certainly helps in developing a feeling of belonging. It reminds us of better times and brings a feeling of normalcy. From: Dhwanil Kapasi Nairobi, Kenya is calm and subtle in its own very unique Mumbai way. There’s chaos but immense amount of nature to balance it out. People there live almost below the normal standard of living, but the connection they have amongst themselves is surprising, this being said, it still has multiple theft cases in a day. The thing I was surprised about most was people over there, have the side mirrors, logo, headlights and such lose parts actually chained so they don’t get stolen in a moving car. 183

#LocaRec B O O K S A heart warming tale The novel details two days in A 29-year-old Eleanor about the bond between a the life of 16-year-old Holden Oliphant, social misfit precocious seven-year-old Caulfield after he has been with a traumatic past Elsa and her grandma. When becomes enamoured of Elsa’s grandma passes way, expelled from prep school. a singer. The novel deals she has to track the people Holden searches for truth and with her transformation her grandmother wronged. rails against the “phoniness” journey towards a fuller understanding of life. of the adult world. A 2020 documentary film directed by Caroline Suh, A story of single mother and that tells the story of South daughter who is trying to find Korean girl group Blackpink a groom for herself. Their as bandmates and as lives change when a retired individuals, and details their army major and a young man rise to fame. move into their building. 184

commends This novel is about a little This richly textured novel M cafe in Kabul, and five centres on Atticus Finch’s O extraordinary women who attempts to prove the meet there and form a unique innocence of Tom Robinson, bond that will for ever change a black man who has been wrongly accused of raping a their lives and the lives of many others. white woman. V I E The film captures the agony, Instant Family is a heartfelt This tear-jerking biopic S angst and anger of a dalit dramedy based on the true looks back at the life of Zach story of a married couple, Sobiech, a teenage musician 185 man . He resorts to rebellion who decide to foster three and is determined not to let kids and they must face the who died of a rare bone his son be encumbered by challenges that come with it. cancer in 2013. social constraints.

Sun monN Groove with us on the tunes Loca X Nose to 2 of our November favourites tail events- Eco friendly decor workshop 3 to 5 pm 1 Celebration of Mukha Mela Wooden Mask Festival- Art and it’s history 8 5 pm 9 Scan the code to jam to the playlist Art therapy 16 workshops with 23 Aditi Kaul 2 pm 15 Collection launch of NOMAD bags- Instagram Live 7 pm 22 Be a part of the Celebration of 30 #LocaTribe, follow us India’s street culture- Live rap on Instagram performances 8 pm 29 186

Novemb20e20r tue wed thu fri Sat Live book reading In collaboration with Nada Yoga School, with Karuna Ezra International yoga and music festival at Parekh- The heart asks pleasure first Rishikesh. 7 pm Ayurveda session Iyengar yoga 6 pm 7 am 34 56 7 #reelthedeal Live Concert 14 Show us your loca with Nikhil D’souza side- Instagram 9 pm challenge 12 13 10 11 17 Dress up like Watch with your favourite loca, the heart #NoNewclothing sitcom character- warming movie November Instagram ‘Clouds’ challenge- Styling challenge 7 pm pre-loved clothes & 18 19 20 21 Talk with fitsquarethrifts Celebration of India’s street culture 24 Launch of Movie screening podcast with of independent India’s celebrated street artists short films 6 pm 25 26 27 28 187

188

189

190