Latest news with #Desi
Time of India
12 hours ago
- Business
- Time of India
‘Time to start discussion on India-Abu Dhabi bilaterals as rights fully used:' Etihad CEO
Etihad Group CEO Antonoaldo Neves NEW DELHI: Airlines of Abu Dhabi and India have full exhausted their flying rights under the existing air service agreement (ASA) in the last one year and it's the 'right time to start discussions on revising the bilateral,' Etihad Group CEO Antonoaldo Neves said Monday at the IATA AGM. Desi carriers, led by IndiGo and then Akasa to some extent, exhausted the Indian side of the bilaterals six months back while the Abu Dhabi-based airline did so a year back. 'One-and-a-half years ago, we were using just 50% of the 50,000 weekly seats that Etihad can operate in each direction. Indian carriers that time were using just 25-30% of their similar entitlement. Everything changed in the last one year with airlines of both sides now fully utilising their allocation under the existing ASA. We operate 170 weekly flights to 11 Indian cities. Abu Dhabi has over 17 lakh Indians,' Neves said. The ramp up by Indian side, led by IndiGo, has been massive in this period. 'IndiGo is a very strong carrier. Their cost of operations are very competitive,' he said. However unlike Dubai, Abu Dhabi has not yet made a request for a revision of the bilaterals with India. Asked if like Dubai's Emirates, Etihad will also not use any hike in bilaterals to increase the connecting traffic it gets to and from India, he said: 'The debate between point-to-point and transit traffic is pointless. Our flights to and from India are over 90% full (due to which fares are high, like Emirates). When capacity increases, which we hope in a staggered manner, consumers will benefit with more flights, more capacity and lower fares. Six lakh Indians currently visit Abu Dhabi every year and this number is growing,' he said. Etihad has been eying a bigger pie of the huge India-US travel market by leveraging the pre-clearance for America that its hub in Abu Dhabi — Zayed International Airport — offers. The Customs and Border Protection (CBP) facility there lets flyers clear US immigration and customs there itself and skip long queues on arrival. Etihad currently serves four US destinations with nonstop flights to Boston, Chicago, New York, and Washington. It will also launch services to Atlanta in July 2025.
Entrepreneur
3 days ago
- Business
- Entrepreneur
Bottling Nostalgia: Nikhil Doda, Co-Founder, Director & COO of Lahori Zeera
The flagship drink, Lahori Zeera, isn't your average soda. It's fizzy, yes, but it's also fortified with black pepper, dry ginger, lemon juice, cumin, and a carefully calibrated mix of salt and sugar, effectively making it India's sassiest electrolyte drink Opinions expressed by Entrepreneur contributors are their own. You're reading Entrepreneur India, an international franchise of Entrepreneur Media. In 2017, three co-founders with a nose for nostalgia and a palate for possibilities launched a fizzy rebellion against the sugary sameness of Indian beverages. Armed with cumin, ginger, and a firm belief that the Indian drinks aisle needed more soul (and fewer synthetic flavors), Lahori Zeera bubbled up into the market. Fast forward to 2025, and the brand now sells over 5 million bottles daily during summer, commands shelf space in over 8 lakh outlets, and clocks in a gross revenue of INR 743 crore. Not bad for a company that started with a "humble manufacturing facility" and a dream to make "Desi the new cool." "Ethnic Indian drinks is a big category which was unexplored and no brand was focusing on the same," says Nikhil Doda, co-founder, director & COO of Lahori Zeera. The team saw a white space in a market drowning in global flavors, and instead of a fruit fusion drink, they decided to bottle Indian nostalgia with a twist of carbonation. The flagship drink, Lahori Zeera, isn't your average soda. It's fizzy, yes, but it's also fortified with black pepper, dry ginger, lemon juice, cumin, and a carefully calibrated mix of salt and sugar, effectively making it India's sassiest electrolyte drink. "The moment people take a sip, they immediately connect with the burst of tangy, authentic flavors, reminiscent of a homemade desi drink," says Doda. In a market flooded with neon-coloured fizz bombs, Lahori Zeera manages to straddle the fine line between indulgence and familiarity. While the brand started with just Zeera, it has since grown a full cast of desi co-stars like nimboo, shikanji, kacha aam, imli banta, masala cola. The business model is as crisp as the drinks. Everything is manufactured in-house or via trusted co-bottlers, then distributed through a network of 2,000+ distributors across 17 states. General Trade (GT) is still the apex, accounting for over 90 per cent of sales, but quick commerce is bubbling up with potential. "Quick commerce makes perfect sense for a product like us where people can solve for their cravings," says Doda. Currently, it's just 1–2 per cent of the pie, but given India's appetite for immediate gratification, don't be surprised if that slice grows quickly. As of now, 65 per cent of Lahori's business comes from North Indian states like Delhi, Punjab, Haryana, Himachal Pradesh, where the brand's been around long enough to have cult status. But newer territories are catching up. You'll find Lahori now across Maharashtra, Gujarat, Madhya Pradesh, Bihar, and more. And although the UAE and other GCC countries are calling, Doda says they're focused on meeting explosive domestic demand first. International expansion is on the cards just not before they've quenched every last Indian thirst. "As a team we have plans of launching the brand in GCC countries within the next 2 years." For FY 2024-25, Lahori closed with a net revenue of INR 530 crore and a gross revenue of INR 743 crore. With 1800+ employees and INR 175 crore in funding raised, the brand is sprinting. And FY 2025-26? "We strongly feel that no number is too big for the brand," Doda says with the confidence of someone who knows what it takes to build a billion-dollar beverage. Lahori Zeera didn't just create a product, it reminded an entire generation raised on colas and canned mocktails that desi flavors don't have to be dusty relics of the past. They can be bold, fizzy, and mainstream.
Hans India
3 days ago
- Entertainment
- Hans India
Indo-western fusion outfits that scream 'Hot Girl—but make it desi'
With crop tops, micro minis, and linen coords all over your feed, us Desi divas know how to add an extra sprinkle of masala. Welcome to the realm of Indo-Western fusion—the wardrobe remix we didn't know we needed and now can't live without. The place where tradition meets TikTok trends, where your nani's dupatta gets frisky with your bralette, where you can go from brunch to baraat in the same outfit without blinking. 'Whether you're dancing at a destination wedding, sipping cha at a coastal cafe or just trying to slay Instagram, these five Indo-Western outfits have ensured that you look effortlessly hot and extremely desi. Let's sink our heels into the hybrids hotter than a Delhi June afternoon.' says Jigar Patel, MD of G3+ Fashion When Nani's pallu kisses your Pinterest mood board The saree has been around since forever, but that doesn't mean we can't give it a 2025 upgrade. Toss the traditional blouse and pair your saree with a corset, structured crop top, or a bralette. Think chiffon or organza drape with mirror work, paired with a backless satin top - elegant, but a little spicy. Want to take it up a notch? Add a belt at the waist and swap heels for chunky sneakers - it's giving bridal, but on holiday vibes. Coor-dinated but Kaftanified Western coor-ds are cute, but Indo-western coor-ds? A cultural reset, try kaftan-style tops and chic palazzo pants or embroidered joggers. Block prints, gota borders, bandhni patterns - all the desi drama, but soft cotton or mulmul to keep you cool. Whether it's travel or after-party lounging, this coor-d lift most definitely will say 'I woke up like this - except I woke up in Jaipur.' Salwar Kameez just dropped a mixtape Say goodbye to stiff churidars, and boring kurtas and hello to these new-gen suit sets that are fluid, flirty, and totally flirt-worthy. Short angrakha's with sharara's or cigarette pants? Please and thank you! Throw on her organza dupattas with sequin work, oversized sunnies, and you are now an Insta baddie. Bonus - this whole look says Hot Girl with just the right amount of desi touches that would make your dadi proud. When your bottoms do the talking (and a little swaying too) Plazzos are having an OV moment (deservedly so!) - elegant high-waisted, wide-legged, and all the drama that a lovechild of boho and Bollywood provide you. Need an outfit? Let your lehariniplazzos do the talking. Plan your plazzos looks by pairing them with your embroidered or printed plazzos and tucked tank or ruffled off shoulder blouse. Grab a pair of oxidised jhumkas, a bold bindi, and your breezy confidence level on high—Desi Dream Girl unlocked! Why choose one vibe when you can opt for them all at the same time? A voluminous lehenga skirt with the crispness of a white shirt or knotted at the bottom with a cotton blouse, is the ultimate Indo-Western hack. It's structured, it's a statement, and it spills 'I RSVP'd Yes to Fashion'. Finish the look with Kolhapuris, chunky bangles, and a bold lip. You've just created the ultimate crossover episode of Gossip Girl and Kabhi Khushi Kabhie Gham. Indo-Western Fashion isn't just a style statement. It's a celebration. It is a way to fuse roots with runway, heritage with heatwaves. Say no to boring and go big. Be the girl who rocks her culture like couture after all, nothing says Hot Girl quite like sweat-proof glam with a side of sass and sanskaars. Which fusion look do you want to try first?
Buzz Feed
3 days ago
- Lifestyle
- Buzz Feed
South Asians On Hollywood Scandinavian Scarf Trend
Note: This post is an Op-Ed and shares the author's personal views. Suppose you've been browsing TikTok looking for inspiration on what to wear to your friend's upcoming garden wedding. If so, you've probably noticed one particular item has been making the rounds on everyone's vision board for the season. Stroll through any women's clothing store and you'll spot it. Every celebrity was wearing it at award shows, and it looks like it's the accessory of the summer. I'm of course referring to those fab little chiffon scarves that the girlies have been draping around their necks. So chic, they've almost been impossible to escape. But if you have a South Asian friend, you might have had to sit through a rant or two on FaceTime where they tiredly explained their frustration with this particular accessory. My friends sure have had to put up with a couple of vent sessions over the past months. But you might be wondering what the actual issue is, if there's any at all. A little background for those who might need it: if your feed looks different to mine, you might have missed the discussion around the ironically named 'Scandinavian Scarf' micro-trend. The discourse has permeated the online cultural zeitgeist of the South Asian community over the past year, and it's been rampant. In case you missed it, here's the rundown. In a since-deleted TikTok video, the Bipty employee attempted to describe the style of sheer scarf worn as a shawl, saying it was 'very European and effortlessly chic.' While some agreed, the video was quickly spread in South Asian circles online, where viewers instantly recognized the style as something pretty distinctly Desi. In South Asian women's cultural clothing, more often than not, a scarf will be worn. This scarf, called a dupatta or a chunni, is a very prominent feature of traditional dress. It dates back literally thousands of years to the Indus Valley civilization, which was around during the Bronze Age. So it's not exactly something new. To this day, dupattas are worn by South Asian women, both in cultural clothing and in everyday life. You'll find them everywhere from Bollywood movies to Naani's wardrobe. They symbolize a lot of different things to a lot of different people, but it's a pretty distinctive marker that ties the community together. At least, that's what it means to me. After the original video went viral, Bipty founder Natalia Ohanesian took to social media to apologize for her employee's actions. 'The fashion aesthetic my teammate was fawning over in that video is very clearly not European,' she said. 'I understand the deeper conversations of cultural appropriation and all of the hurt that comes from these conversations.' 'I'm seeing this as an opportunity to really enrich Bipty's community, so thank you,' she continued. 'We are very sorry to the South Asian communities that were offended.' The video is currently unavailable as of May 2025, and it looks like Bipty has removed their TikTok presence entirely. Since last summer, South Asians online have been poking fun at the 'Scandinavian Scarf' trend and have been using it as an excuse to post themselves in their gorgeous cultural clothing. As they should. But despite awareness of the issue online, the scarf trend has only grown in popularity. Last year, during awards season, we saw a number of celebrities donning a scarf around the neck, and this year was no different. I counted 7 at this year's Oscars alone before I got bored and stopped counting. The style was sported at the SAG Awards, the Gotham Awards, the White House Correspondents' Dinner, and pretty much everywhere else you can think of. Now, I definitely can't claim that there's anything inherently wrong with wearing a floaty piece of fabric around your neck. A number of fashion outlets covered the trend and credited it to certain 'Old Hollywood' moments: most notably Marilyn Monroe in Gentlemen Prefer Blondes, Grace Kelly in To Catch a Thief, and Princess Diana at Cannes in 1987. While all of these are instances of the style being a Hollywood staple for a while, it's not hard to imagine how the '50s look gained popularity in the West, especially considering that India only gained independence from British rule in 1947. So gems and spices were probably not the only things the Brits took home. Many brands have also been getting a ton of flak for now selling pieces that look distinctly South Asian. Reformation, VRG GRL, and Oh Polly are among the labels that have faced criticism for their recent designs. The Oh Polly one was kind of my favorite, because in what world is that not a sharara? South Asians online have had varying reactions, but the overarching feeling is definitely one of dislike. Some creators have declared that all they want is credit, and that it's fine to wear South Asian inspired pieces as long as they are referred to by the correct cultural names. However, I feel like I'm getting flashbacks to Coachella 2015 when I was fighting for my life on Tumblr, arguing that no, it wasn't okay to wear a bindi and a tikka, yes, even if you were Vanessa Hudgens. As for me, I am of the camp that if you can't pronounce dupatta, there's no reason that you should be wearing one. However, I can't even bring myself to care that much. We really have bigger issues to focus on as a community right now. Have you seen the turmoil that our countries are going through back home? What I'm feeling is exhaustion. After years of the same arguments getting hashed out over and over again, my gut response is just fine, screw it. You win. Wear whatever you want. But I'm also exhausted because I know exactly how this is going to end. The most frustrating part about seeing your culture get co-opted for the trend of the week is knowing that it's on a time limit. With how fast micro-trends run in and out of the social sphere, it's now a matter of minutes before something goes out of fashion. In a year or two, people will look back and laugh about how everyone and their mother were wearing a neck scarf in 2025, and how they wouldn't be caught dead in one now. Meanwhile, my family and I will still be wearing dupattas on Eid, because that's what we do every year. But God forbid I wear one in public, lest someone think I'm following a dead trend. The very idea. Up until literally this year, long, decorated nail extensions were everywhere. Stiletto acrylics were so common that it really seemed like people forgot the origin — which was Black women from the early '90s onwards. At the time, the style was looked down upon as 'ghetto,' but as always, it was adopted by non-Black folks a couple of years on. But now, it seems like it's run its course, as many online creators have been talking about how short, nude nails are here to stay. Now, long nails are outdated. Another cultural look, taken and discarded with little remorse. We can't control trends. I certainly participate in them. And I can't really fault anyone for wanting to wear a scarf around their neck with a pretty dress. It's cute, I get it. But it's tiring, knowing the outcome. Knowing that when something is in, it's in. And when it's out, it's unthinkable. We're not able to change that. But if you see me wearing a scarf with a dress in five or ten years, at least don't act surprised. Check out more AAPI-centered content by exploring how BuzzFeed celebrates Asian Pacific American Heritage Month! Of course, the content doesn't end after May. Follow BuzzFeed's A*Pop on Instagram, TikTok, and YouTube to keep up with our latest AAPI content year-round.
NDTV
4 days ago
- Health
- NDTV
6 Desi Superfoods That May Boost Your Thyroid Health Naturally
The thyroid gland is the most crucial yet most overlooked gland in our body. This butterfly-shaped gland is located in our neck and plays a key role in maintaining overall health. It helps boost metabolism, digestive health, bone health and even regulates energy functions. While thyroid issues cannot be reversed, the good news is that they can be managed by eating the right types of foods. And no, you don't have to rely on medications or fancy superfoods to do so. Within our kitchens lie numerous foods that can be game-changers for your thyroid health. Recently, hormone coach Poornima Peri took to her Instagram handle to share six desi superfoods that may boost your thyroid health naturally. Also Read: Nourish Your Thyroid: Expert Reveals Key Nutrients For Optimal Thyroid Function What Are The Symptoms Of Thyroid? Constant fatigue Unexplained weight gain Slower-than-usual heart rate Feeling sensitive to cold Dry skin and coarse hair Feeling depressed Here Are 6 Desi Superfoods That May Heal Your Thyroid Naturally: 1. Moringa Moringa (drumstick) has several health benefits to offer, including managing thyroid issues. According to the expert, moringa is packed with iron and antioxidants, which help reduce inflammation and support thyroid hormone production. You can add it to your salads, smoothies or even stews like sambar. 2. Cold-Pressed Coconut Oil The type of cooking oil you use is also of great importance when trying to manage thyroid. Poornima recommends opting for cold-pressed coconut oil as it boosts metabolism, supports energy, helps with dry skin and sluggish digestion. So, if you've been using any other type of oil, consider swapping it with this one today itself! 3. Ashwagandha Ashwagandha is an Ayurvedic herb that has been consumed in India since time immemorial. It turns out that ashwagandha can also help manage your thyroid disorder. The hormone coach explains that ashwagandha is a magical adaptogen that balances cortisol and supports the thyroid-adrenal connection. However, the herb may not be effective for those who have hyperthyroidism. 4. Amla Also known as Indian gooseberry, amla is considered excellent for thyroid health due to its rich nutrient profile. It is rich in vitamin C, supports immune health, gut healing, and detoxification, which is crucial for hormonal balance. Poornima suggests you can eat amla in the form of a pickle, chutney or candy. 5. Jeera The expert also recommends including jeera in your diet to manage thyroid naturally. What makes it so great? It's because jeera aids in better nutrient absorption and promotes digestive health. This is essential for converting thyroid hormones properly. The best way to reap its benefits is by making jeera water at home. 6. Haldi Another desi superfood that can work wonders for thyroid health is haldi. This golden spice is known to reduce inflammation in the body and support liver function, which helps in converting T4 to active T3 thyroid hormone. Peri suggests making turmeric water and consuming it first thing in the morning. Also Read: Can Brazil Nuts Help With Thyroid Health? Nutritionist Explains Watch the full video below: View this post on Instagram A post shared by Poornima Peri (@poorniimahormonecoach) So, if you wish to manage your thyroid naturally, make sure to incorporate these desi foods into your diet. Stay fit and healthy!
