Check out the August 15, 2013 edition of the Kunzum Magazine - and join us in our travels through images and stories. This edition has a special focus on Portraits of Young Indians. We also cover music, books, films, apps, tech and more for travellers. Download the edition and enjoy.
Don't miss any forthcoming issues - out on the 1st and 15th of every month. For more, visit http://kunzum.com/mag.
2. We travel.
What do you do?
SUBSCRIBE to the Kunzum Magazine and access earlier issues at http://kunzum.com/mag
The Kunzum Magazine is back. In a new avatar. With a fresh design and a
spunkier editorial agenda. And we are feeling good about it.
For those who came in late, the mag used to come out as a monthly till last
year. And then we gave ourselves a break. We took time off in-between to
travel, and recharge our batteries. We are energized enough to bring you not
one, but two issues a month from now on. Starting with the Independence
Day edition. After all, travel sets you free like nothing else.
This is what we do. We travel. It defines us. And we love to share our stories,
experiences and images with you. To inspire you to take off yourselves. We
want you to travel - after all, almost everything else in life is incidental.
There is something to be said about this mag. We have kept it very pictorial.
And thrown in additional features for travellers covering photography, tech,
music, books, films, apps and more. We will be adding more sections soon -
and video too. Yes, the mag will be multimedia just a few editions down.
And it has been designed to be read on any device - iPad, iPhone, Kindle, and
all other tablets, smartphones and computers. If you notice, we have also
given it a landscape (horizontal) orientation, and why not - our screens are all
horizontal. This minimizes the need to scroll around while reading.
Our columnists and designers have been carefully selected to maintain the
highest standards of writing and photography. We will not have it any other
way. This is us.
We travel. Join us in our journeys. What would you rather do?
AJAY JAIN
4. #WeTravel
And share
our stories
through
paper books
and e-books.
PICK UP OR DOWNLOAD OUR COLLECTION
TODAY. AND JOIN US IN OUR JOURNEYS.
http://kunzum.com/books
E-Books available for iPad, iPhone, Kindle, and
all other smartphones, tablets and computers.
5. COVER STORY04
AJAY JAIN
For me, meeting people is perhaps the best part of travel.
No doubt landscapes, events, wildlife and buildings hold their own attraction - but it is
people I am most drawn to.Why? Because it gives me an understanding of this world and
its inhabitants not possible any other way. It helps me realize that deep down, we are all
the same.We may differ in our social structures, customs, festivals, food, dressing,
habitats, and occupations - but humans are humans. Any difference is only in our minds,
our conditioning and our politics.
And when you allow yourself to understand and respect others for who they are, you will
grow as a person yourself. Narrow-mindedness and stereotypes will no longer have any
meaning, and the world will seem a more beautiful place.You will make special friends
and develop bonds not possible on Facebook.You will be rich in ways that have no
worldly measure.
In this special issue, I have painted portraits of young Indians I met during my travels -
their innocence, their freshness, their happy states of mind are a message that we should
never stop being children ourselves.
Say hello to our young friends.
PORTRAITS
OF YOUNG INDIANS
A BeautifulYoung
Nyishi Girl
In Boasimla Village, Arunachal Pradesh
6. 05
A Humbling Experience
NEAR KARGIL IN LADAKH, JAMMU & KASHMIR
Driving to Zanskar in Ladakh, I stopped to take
pictures of the landscape near Kargil - it was
evening, and the high altitude mountains and
villages were a photographerâs delight. And
then I noticed some children approaching me
from a village situated a few metres below road
level. I assumed they would expect me to share
goodies from my tuck with them - only to real-
ize they were coming to present the stranger
fresh peas (as seen in one of the girlâs hands)
from their farm. My thinking was stereotypical
- and I stood humbled in front of these children
living in Godâs land.
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7. 06
TheYoungest One
An infant belonging to the Mishmi tribe in
Pukhuri village near Wakro in the north-eastern
state of Arunachal Pradesh
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8. 07
Boys caught in the rain near
KibithuinArunachalPradesh
Kibithu is the easternmost motorable point in India on the
Chinese border - and the approach to the same can be
tricky when the rains come in. The landscape experiences
regular landslides and rockfalls, and it can get very cold.
Driving in such conditions, I could not help noticing these
boys caught in the showers - huddling close to keep the
water away and their bodies warm.
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9. 08
Children near Along in
Arunachal Pradesh
On the way from Along to Pasighat, a short detour takes
you to a shaky suspension foot bridge across the mighty
Siang river near Pangin village. This bridge is the lifeline of
villagers living across the river; the region is also famous
for its oranges and farmers need to send their produce to
the market across this bridge on time. How this bridge is
navigated with heavy baskets of fruit is another matter -
what caught my attention were these happy children who
were playing around while their parents went about the
job of delivering oranges to waiting trucks.
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10. 09
Everyone Loves a
Joyride In Ziro,
Arunachal Pradesh
The Ziro Valley in Arunachal Pradesh is one of
the most beautiful places on the planet. While
I was shooting a celebration in a temple in one
of the villages, these children hopped into my
car uninvited and got my co-traveller to take
them around on a joyride. Their expression says
it all.
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11. 10
TheYoung Musician from
Barmer in Rajasthan
The Bikaner Camel Fair is one of the best festivals in
Rajasthan; it is full of colour, music, dance and more. One
of the attractions in recent years has been the troupe
from Barmer performing the Lal Angi Dandiya Gir Nritya
dance dressed in all red - and this young man is one of the
musicians of the group. Loved his expression.
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12. 11
The Ghee Seller in
Bikaner in Rajasthan
Rajasthanis love their food - and always want it prepared
in a certain way with the right ingredients. Much of the
food is cooked in Ghee, a class of clarified butter - health
experts may scoff at its rich contents but that does not
stop anyone from using it. This boy is selling Ghee with a
promise of 100 percent purity in one of the busiest
markets of Bikaner.
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13. 12
TheYoung Camel Driver
ATTHE SAM DUNES NEAR JAISALMER IN RAJASTHAN
The Sam (pronouncedâsomeâ) Dunes are a popular spot
for those wanting to catch stunning views of the setting
sun - and also to camp in the area. You park your car and
go over the dunes on camels - managed byâdriversâof all
ages including this boy.
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14. 13
Zarina, the Girl near
Kargil in Ladakh
I met Zarina when I stopped at her village near
Kargil in Ladakh in the Himalayan state of
Jammu and Kashmir. As I stood taking pictures of
the stunning setting, more than a score of children
floated in from nowhere through the fields. They
just stood while I clicked - efforts to make conver-
sation did not get me far due to language barriers.
I shared some chocolates and biscuits, and Zarina
theâringleaderâtook it upon herself to share it with
other children. And just when I was driving off, she
pressed her face against the passenger side
window - and I captured the moment in a reflex.
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15. 14
Children at Martanda
(Sun)Temple in Kashmir
The Martanda (Sun) Temple near Matan on the way to
Pahalgam in Kashmir is truly a hidden wonder in the state
- it is a must-visit if you are driving in those parts. The
other surprise that awaits are the good looks of people
in surrounding villages. Can you take your eyes off these
children?
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16. 15
The Bored Lama Boy at
Hemis Festival in Ladakh
When the rains come down, a lot of plans go awry.
Including the start of the annual Buddhist festival at
Hemis Monastery near Leh in Ladakh. This lama boy, all
enthusiasm in the morning, wore a bored expression
waiting for the prayers and masked dances to start.
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17. 16
Lice in the Hair
IN KHONOMAVILLAGE NEAR KOHIMA IN NAGALAND
Lice in the hair is a common problem in a tropical country
like India - especially when living conditions are not
ideally clean. And mothers have quite a job at hand
plucking these lice from the hair of their children - like
in this case in Khonoma village near Kohima in the
north-eastern state of Nagaland.
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18. 17
GirlWeaving Cloth in
Khonoma in Nagaland
It is common to see families weave cloth for their
personal use in the north-eastern part of India. All such
weavers seem adept at weaving beautiful patterns. And
why not? After all, they start young like this girl in
Khonoma village near Kohima, the capital of Nagaland.
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19. 18
Tea Anyone?
AT CHRISTMAS BAZAAR IN KOHIMA IN NAGALAND
Every occasion is reason enough to celebrate in Nagaland
- especially Christmas. The main market streets come alive
with bazaars after shops close - with ample food, music
and dance for all. And hot cuppas of tea served by
attractive girls. The tea certainly tastes sweeter.
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20. 19
Bird Hunters in
Longkhum in Nagaland
There is an unfortunate phenomena in the beautiful state
of Nagaland - you will hardly hear the chirp of any birds.
Why? Because most have been hunted for the dinner
table by locals. Including boys like these who prowl the
greens with their air guns to hunt any bird they spot.
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21. 20
Assamese Girl
by the Highway
Driving from Dibrugarh in Assam to Wakro in Arunachal
Pradesh, I stopped at a village by the highway for a bit -
and got to meet its wonderful inhabitants. Including this
girl dressed in a school uniform, looking enchantingly
beautiful from behind the fence.
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22. 21
Karna Ram, theYoung Herder
IN OSIAN IN RAJASTHAN
The Thar desert in Osian in Rajasthan, though scrubby,
makes for a beautiful landscape. It is young Karna Ramâs
job to ensure his herd of goats and sheep get fed daily.
Karna has a perpetual grin on his face, and speaks fond-
ly of his animals - he also knows each by name, just like
family.
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24. 23
SIGNATURE DISH
SUCKLING PIG IN
SPAIN
SHUBHRA KRISHAN
Madrid is perhaps the most underrated Spanish city, gamely
playing second lead to beautiful Barcelona. But put it on your
itinerary, and it wastes no time in flaunting what itâs got.
Enchanting architecture, a nightlife that blends seamlessly into
morning and then goes on all day. And The Old Quarter, where
taverns and pubs huddle together, mothballed in history.
It is while wandering enchantedly through the Old Quarter that you
will stumble upon the pig. As in suckling pig. It presents itself as a
glazed face staring at you from an open oven in an open kitchen in
an old eatery. (Some of the taverns here are among the earliest in
the world).
But back to the pig. The face, you quickly notice, is attached to the
body. It glistens with a caramelly glaze. Suckling pig, slaughtered
when still feeding on its motherâs milk, is Spainâs national delicacy.
The baby animal is coated with lard and roasted wholeâcrisp on
the outside, tender inside. Some call itâflabbergastingly delicious,â
others simply donât have the stomach for it. Ifâroast suckling pig
served with Sevilla oranges and caramelised shallotsâgets your
juices working, Spainâs the place to try it!
ShubhraKrishanistheEditorofTravelSecretsmagazine
(www.travelsecretsmag.com)
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25. BOOK REVIEW
24
Across India, On An Elephant
Travels on my Elephant
MarkShand
208 pages
Rs. 317 (on Amazon Kindle)
NIMISH DUBEY
An Englishman. On an elephant. Travelling more than 800 miles across
north and central India. If that sounds eccentric to you, just wait until you
actually start reading Travels on my Elephant, an utterly delightful book
about Mark Shandâs endeavour to traverse India on one of its most
amazing animals, the elephant. Right from his attempts to purchase an
elephant (the amazing Tara), to his learning to cope with its
eccentricities to negotiations with mahouts and amused state officials,
this is one crazy joyride. And no, unlike some authors who tend to go
on and on about the spiritual side of such journeys, Shand is remarkably
matter-of-fact and wonderfully self-deprecatory. The result is a slim
volume that finishes way too early and leaves you yearning for more.
Shand, incidentally, did write two more books, but this is the one that set
the ball rolling for him. It will have you rolling with laughter, we wager.
Travellerâs Quotient
Best for a short trip, really, as it gets over way too soon. But very very readable
nevertheless. And with great repeat value.
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26. E-BOOKS
25 kunzum
FIVE GREAT
TRAVEL BOOKS
THAT YOU CAN
READ FOR FREE
NIMISH DUBEY
Want to read about travel, without
blowing a hole in your wallet? Well, you
can do so by just heading to Project
Gutenberg (http://www.gutenberg.
org/) and downloading some of these
classic titles that are now available free
of cost.
Three Men in a Boat by Jerome K Jerome
Seldom can any trip have been described as hilariously as this
boat trip between Kingston and Oxford. Be it the adventures of
the four travellers, the descriptions of those they met, and well,
even the attempt to open a can of jam, there is plenty to make
you laugh here! Although fictional, easily the most entertaining
travel book ever.
TheWorst Journey in theWorld by Apsley Cherry-Garrard
This book details the 1910-13 British Antarctic expedition that
claimed the lives of Robert Scott and three of his colleagues.
Wrap yourself up well when you read it, for, no matter what the
temperature is, you will feel a chill around you as Cherry-Garrard
describes Antarctica, its beauty and its dangers.
Around theWorld in Eighty Days by JulesVerne
Verneâs classic is a work of fiction, but it captures the thrill of
travel like few travel books do. It all begins with Englishman
Phileas Fogg taking a bet to circumnavigate the globe in eighty
days - a tough ask in the nineteenth century. Things are not
helped by the forces of nature, an eccentric valet and a suspi-
cious detective.
Travels with a Donkey in the Cevennes by Robert Luis Stevenson
Best known for classics like Kidnapped and Treasure Island,
Stevenson is also believed to have paved the way for modern
travel writing this account of a 12 day hiking trip in Southern
France. Yes, he did take a donkey along.
Life on the Mississippi by MarkTwain
Before he became a celebrated author, Mark Twain was a steam-
boat pilot. Life on the Mississippi details his training for the job as
well as a trip from St Louis to New Orleans. It is considered a
travel classic and has also inspired its share of films and other
books.
27. Kindle
Paperwhite 6.0!
Love to read and going out on a long-ish trip (hey, most travellers
love to read)? We suggest you grab a Kindle Paperwhite (3G) and
take it along. No, itâs not because we are gadget freaks (we are not),
but just because we love reading, and travelling without it seems
impossible for us now. Check our six-point rationale:
1. Hundreds of books in your pocket: You can store hundreds of books in
it - itâs like carrying multiple book racks in your coat pocket.
2. Leave the charger behind: One charge should see you through almost
a month of usage - in other words, through most trips. Leave your
charger behind. We do.
3. Close to paper experience: It is good to read on - e-ink is the closest
thing to digital paper we have seen. Fonts are sharp and can be
tweaked as per your needs (make larger, smaller, etc.).
4. Keep reading after lights-out: It glows in the dark. Yes, you can even
read it inside a tent or in the dark interiors or a bus/train. And yes,
the battery holds up just fine.
5. Download on-the-go: Yes, we know the Wi-Fi edition is cheaper,
but thereâs a reason we are recommending the 3G version - you can use
it to browse and download books without paying for the Internet
connectivity. So you are literally carrying a bookstore with you - the
Kindle store has hundreds of thousands of books.
6. Lightweight, but packs a punch: The Kindle Paperwhite is 9.1 mm
thin, and weighs slightly over 200 grammes - thatâs about as much as
a run of the mill bestseller and a lot lighter than some of those hefty
travel guides!
Price: Rs 13,990; Available at www.amazon.in
E-BOOKS
26
SIX REASONS WHY A KINDLE
PAPERWHITE IS A GREAT TRAVEL
COMPANION FOR BOOKWORMS
NIMISH DUBEY
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28. BlackBerry Q5
For Messaging Types
NIMISH DUBEY
What makes it special?
At Rs. 24,990, its perhaps the most affordable phone with a modern OS and a proper
QWERTY keyboard. The only alternatives in the price range are the older BlackBerry
devices.
How well does it work?
The combination of QWERTY keyboard and touchscreen can be a bit confusing, as
you have to keep switching between the two. Call quality is excellent and
battery life very good - comfortably goes beyond a day of hefty use with mail and
social networks running.
Whatâs not so great about it?
Multimedia and apps are its weak points in our opinion. The 5.0-megapixel camera
is not the greatest, sound is a bit tinny and BlackBerry still does not have the kind of
apps that Android and iOS do.
Should you buy it?
If you love typing and have a budget below Rs. 25,000, yes. It does mail,
messaging (IM, WhatsApp and of course, good old BBM) very well.
Travellerâs quotient:
The Q5 is built on solid rather than spectacular lines and is superb for
messaging, but its poor camera could deter impulse snappers. We also think it is a bit
expensive at this price.
Also consider:
The LG Nexus 4, the official Google phone which also costs Rs. 24,990 and has a better
camera and more apps, but suffers in terms of battery life.
Price: Rs 24,990
27
Tech for Travellers
kunzum
29. Acer Iconia W3
Windows 8 in your Pocket
NIMISH DUBEY
What makes it special?
It has the COMPLETE Windows 8, with MS Office 2013 thrown into
the mix, in a tablet with a 8.1 inch display that is smaller and lighter
than the iPad with retina display. It costs lesser too.
How well does it work?
As long as you stick to browsing, word processing, basic presentations and mail, it
works brilliantly. Battery life is very good too, thanks to the Atom processor - almost
eight to nine hours.You also have Wi-Fi, Bluetooth and USB connectivity.
Whatâs not so great about it?
The display is not the greatest and at 1280 x 800. Onboard storage is limited to 32
GB, although you have the option of connecting USB drives to it. This being an Atom
processor, do not expect to do high-end tasks on it.
Should you buy it?
If you want something that almost totally mimics your computer and fits into your
coat pocket, this is your only option at the moment. You can even attach a Bluetooth
keyboard to it if you wish.
Travellerâs Quotient:
It wonât turn heads but the Iconia W3 is very solidly built. USB connectivity means it
will support data cards too. And yes, it is literally like your Windows computer in your
pocket.
Also consider:
The iPad with retina display (4th generation) which starts at Rs. 31,990 has a better
display and camera and superb design. But yes, it is a different OS - no MS Office on
this one.
Price: Rs. 30,499
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Tech for Travellers
28
30. FIVE PHONES
THAT CAN MAKE
YOU LEAVE YOUR
CAMERA BEHIND
Apple iPhone 5
Simply the most consistent camera on a phone in
terms of detail and color. The plethora of high qual-
ity apps that let you do more with your pictures just
is a massive bonus.
Nokia 808 Pureview
It is bulky, not very pretty, does not have the great-
est interface, but counterbalances that with a stag-
gering 41.0-megapixel sensor that takes magnificent
shots.
HTC One
Forget the ultra pixel hype or the fact that the sensor
is just 4.0 megapixels - you get great shots in man-
ageable file sizes with this one.
Samsung Galaxy SIII
Some might wonder why we picked it over the
newer S4, but we think that the SIII actually handled
colours and detail better.
Nokia Lumia 920
It might be a bit inconsistent in broad delight, but
few can match the Lumia 920 when the lights start
dimming. Or when one needs to shoot some video.
MOBILE PHOTOGRAPHY
29
We still do not think that
cameras on phones can compete
with decent prosumers and DSLRs.
But these five can more than
compensate for the absence of
your point and shooter and
sometimes, even your DSLR.
NIMISH DUBEY
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33. DIVA TRAVEL
32 kunzum
Lately, weâre hearing horror stories of increasing attacks on female travellers all
over the world. So should that stop solo female travellers from travelling to these
âunsafeâcountries altogether?
I donât believe so. Go out there and live life but make sure you carry your common-
sense along and trust yourâfemale instinct.âA few tips to stay safe and make your
odysseys memorable:
âą For starters, donât go down dark streets and donât hitch hike.
âą Always use authorised taxis or public transport.
âą Try having your main meal at lunch time to avoid going out
at night.
âą You meet this oh-so-charming guy, but donât get carried away!
Beware of date rape drugs and never accept drinks from strangers.
âą Donât encourage unwanted male attention in the first place.
Being friendly and making eye-contact can be mis-read in
some cultures.
âą Always wear appropriate, neutral clothing that is a cultural fit
with your destination.
âą Keep valuables in a fanny purse close to your body to beat
pickpockets.
âą ALWAYS carry your pepper spray .
And no, I wonât suggest you wear a fake wedding ring, because itâs not a big bad
world out there. When you travel solo, youâre more approachable and more likely
to approach and meet fabulous people that make up this wonderful world!
Isnât that the idea of travel solo in the first place?
HELLO LADIES!
TRAVELLING SOLO?
Be Safe. And Have a Good Time!
NEENA JHANJEE
34. T-49, GF, Hauz Khas Village, New Delhi 110 016, India
+91.11.2651 3949, +91.9650 702 777
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