Latest news with #Meghna
Time of India
4 days ago
- Politics
- Time of India
State felicitates 10 from Bengal who cracked civil services exams
Kolkata: Meghna Chakravorty, a Modern High School alumna, who ranked 79th in the Civil Services Exam 2024, scored the second highest (215) in interview, just one mark below the national highest of 216. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now "Now that I transition from the other side, which was filled with darkness and uncertainty, to this side, I wonder if we should ever forget the hardships and struggle that was needed to get here," said Meghna at the state felicitation event for this year's successful civil service aspirants. She and four others trained at the state-run Satyendra Nath Tagore Civil Services Study Centre. In all, 10 from Bengal cleared the exam. This was Meghna's second attempt at the exam. "Didn't go up to the interview level last time," said Meghna, who graduated from St Stephen's College and did her PG from JNU. As Urmi Sinha, who bagged 170th rank in the UPSC-conducted exam in her maiden attempt, shared her childhood dream of becoming an IAS officer, she spotted her mother, Poonam, crying in the audience. "Mamma, don't cry..." said Urmi softly, unable to continue. "Can't thank SNTCSSC enough for all the help they offered my daughter," said Archana Malakar, mother of Paramita, who ranked 477. Paramita, away on training, couldn't attend the event. Rajdeep Ghosh, who has ranked 789th, will give it another shot next year. Everyone in the audience was stunned by grit as he said, "I shall be here to take the exams with you next year again." The candidates thanked the nonagenarian Jyotirmoy Pal Chaudhuri, veteran civil service trainer and SNTCSSC's academic consultant. Tired of too many ads? go ad free now Pal Chaudhuri, in turn, told them about Kolkata-born and IIT-Kharagpur alumnus Ashok Khemka, known for his 57-posting career. "Instead of asking 'what went wrong' we should perhaps ask 'what went right'," he laughed. State chief secretary Manoj Pant, who drew parallels between the candidates and his own journey, advised that persistent effort would do the trick. "I want to reiterate what Mr Pal Chaudhuri said. Never forget that you are here to serve (the people of India) and serve with integrity," Pant said. Among the others felicitated were Sahars Kumar (153), Praveen Kumar (837), Yash Kumar (227), Prativa Lama (461), Zojila Dolkar Bhutia (765) and Rishita Das (840). "Our 2024 batch has done really well—54 from our centre cleared the prelims, 17 went up to the personality test and five made it to the final list," SNTCSSC chairperson Surajit Kar Purkayastha said.
The Hindu
23-05-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
Summer fashion: These Indian labels are creating classic silhouettes in breathable fabrics
Indian summers are predictable. But your wardrobe does not necessarily have to be. With flowy silhouettes, comfortable fabrics, vibrant colours and holiday prints, designers are making summer dressing fun. The inspiration is diverse — from tropical countries and candy colours to hints of nostalgia. In a country where the temperature hovers in the late 30s for 10 months a year, for many brands seasonality takes a backseat as they focus on summer-friendly dressing round the calendar. We speak to a few designers to understand what goes into designing for summer and how they want us to stay cool and look hot. Summer Away For Meghna Goyal, founder of Summer Away, who loves travelling to tropical destinations, fashion has been a big part of how she experiences new places. 'I love curating my wardrobe for every trip, knowing exactly what I'll wear and when. But I often found myself struggling to find vacation-ready pieces in the mid-range segment in India. Nothing quite captured the easy, effortless vibe I was looking for,' says Meghna. In December 2019, her label was born from a desire to create something that offers elevated, travel-inspired summer wear. The materials used are breathable, natural fabrics like organic cotton, linen, and blends that work beautifully in warm weather. In terms of colour, the brand leans into soft pastels, earthy tones, and tropical-inspired palettes; think seafoam greens, blush pinks, sandy neutrals, and the occasional splash of citrus. Deep rich browns, butter yellow, cherry red, and blush pink are big for the label this season. 'Our colour stories often reflect the mood of the destination that inspires the collection,' says Meghna, adding that the Summer 2025 collection, which will drop in two parts — one in May and another in June, is inspired by Parisian city life. 'That effortless charm and quiet sophistication that defines the French girl aesthetic. You will find co-ord sets, midi dresses, and styles like the vintage-inspired drop waist dress that is making a quiet but powerful return this summer and has been imagined with romantic details like lace accents and soft fabrics,' she says. The collection also features delicate lace, soft gingham, and silhouettes that feel classic yet fresh. Go-to look for summer: A breezy linen co-ord or a backless midi dress, paired with minimal gold jewellery and flat sandals. It's effortless. Mati Fatima K Punjaabi has coconuts on her mind. And now this hydrating sunny day essential has found its way into her collection that is aptly titled Nariyal. The first drop invokes a tropical beach vibe. 'These are pieces you can wear to Goa, for a lounge weekend in Alibaug, and also something for a romantic place like Maldives, a fun trip with the girls, and festive beach weddings,' says Fatima who launched Mati in mid 2016. Mati uses block printing and a lot of embroidery with different kinds of sustainable materials. For this collection, Fatima is using embroidery to create textures that resemble the surface of a coconut and the bark of its tree. There are co-ords, long tunics, dresses, shorts, tops, and saris for women and shirts and jackets for men, all in cotton, kala cotton, and crushed cotton, with sizes ranging from XS to 7XL. Lehengas are also part of the plan. The colour palette draws from shades of coconut — green, white, and brown, and blue sky and waters of the Maldives. 'We are planning to collab with coconut-based organic brands. The whole idea of the journey is to move people towards sustainable living while promoting similar thoughtful brands,' she says. At Mati, the 15-member team of karigars and tailors makes clothes on-order. 'We don't have stock or inventory. It is a sustainable method that has kept us floating through demonetisation and COVID,' says Fatima. Go-to look for summer: I am a sucker for comfort. I like plain co-ords, or a pair of wide leg pants with a simple tunic. I can style it up with a nice accessory or layer with a jacket while travelling. Nirvanaa Nirvani Dhaddha's search for the perfect swimsuit — comprising great materials, fit, and a price tag that does not burn a hole in the pocket — led her to launch her own line in the middle of summer in July 2023. What started as a swimwear brand, now encompasses resort and travel wear. 'We focus on comfortable clothes with great fits and sustainable fabrics. For swimwear, we use an Italian fabric called Carvico Vita that is made of recycled fishnets. For resort wear we use linen and cotton, she says, adding that breathable fabrics are the way to go. The free flowing silhouettes are such that they can fit a person through multiple stages,' she adds. For this season, there are tank tops, backless tops, overlays, shirts, dresses, swimwear, trousers, and kaftans. Nirvanaa launches its collection part-by-part, five styles every two months. Each drop is referred to as 'chapter'. The brand started with shades of blue and beige — reflecting the sky and forts of Jaipur, the city Nirvani is based out of. The brand mostly uses muted colours; the next chapter will have brighter hues like butter yellow, rust orange, and light lilac with stripes. The clothes are minimalist with touches of applique, French knots, colour blocking, and embroidery. For the upcoming drop, Nirvani plans to incorporate strategic cutouts for an edgy look. The brand also uses its waste material to create little circles that are used as embellishments on garments — something that features in most of her chapters. Go-to summer look: Loose shirt and linen pants. Nouria When Dipti Advait went through a health crisis, she found that her body size kept fluctuating. 'There were lesser choices for women once they reached mid sizes. Whenever we had to shop for a special occasion, we were given choices of oversized clothes, which further added volume,' she says. Women's bodies keep transforming with different roles, for example when one becomes a new mother. The change in body is not something to feel depressed about, she says. So Dipti wanted to create clothes that make women look good in every size. And thus Nouria was launched in 2023. While designing, Dipti always asks herself, will this silhouette look good across sizes? That is her focus. She is not driven by trends; comfort and style are important to her. 'My signature style is a combination of fluid and structure which gives a good shape,' she says. After her recent Holiday edit that was launched in March, Dipti is now launching High Summer, which features mix and match pieces that can be worn in multiple ways. This comprises shirts, a modern take on tunics, skirts and three-piece styles with jackets in voile, cotton, and cotton silk. We are making a lot of fun shirts that are not over the top, are light, and hassle-free and get the job done without you having to do too much with your look, she explains. Blacks, whites, grey, blues and browns — especially mocha and combination of pastels — populate the collection. Go-to summer look: Denims and a white shirt.
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
‘This is how we learned to eat food': Dubai's viral kadak chai toast brings a nostalgic twist to classic desi snack
Social media is brimming with reels and videos showcasing the latest food trend taking over timelines, Dubai Chai Toast. Following the viral success of kunafa chocolate, this warm and gooey twist on the classic chai-toast combo has become the new sensation. Known also as Chai Malai Toast, the dish has sparked curiosity and cravings, with Instagram videos highlighting its rich, comforting texture and nostalgic appeal. Also read: Bihar-based content creator recreates scenes from Laapataa Ladies, gets nod from lead actress Nitanshi Goel Chai and toast have long been a staple pairing in many Indian households. Typically, buttered toast is lightly dipped in tea, creating the perfect balance of crisp and softness in every bite. However, the version going viral is a completely different take. Rather than simply dipping the toast, this snack involves pouring hot chai directly over a malai-filled bread sandwich. The trending dish consists of three primary ingredients: kadak chai (strong milk tea), malai (fresh cream), and sliced bread. In the viral recipe, fresh cream is sandwiched between two slices of bread. Then, hot tea is poured over the sandwich until it's completely soaked, making the bread soft enough to be scooped up with a spoon. The result is a warm, rich, and nostalgic snack that's gaining traction everywhere. Also read:Indian-origin woman wearing lehenga turns heads in Paris metro: 'Wasn't ready for desi baddie' A post shared by Meghna's Food Magic (@meghnasfoodmagic) A user commented, 'My mother started giving us this chai dipped bread since our childhood days this is how we learned to eat food' Another added, 'We used to feed our babies in 1980s.' Also read: 'You come to beg here': Delhi influencer responds to Karnataka auto driver's language snub One user asked, 'But bread looks soft .. then what's kadak in this ???' One user suggested, 'Tastes good wit a good BunMalai'
Hindustan Times
22-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Hindustan Times
After Dubai's Kunafa chocolate craze, Dubai malai toast goes viral: It's too easy to not try!
We know a true chai lover, when we see them sipping on their daily ritual even in this sweltering heat. But chai enthusiast or not, this viral Dubai malai toast recipe is bound to intensify the love of chai for this lot on one hand, and mint converts by the thousands on the other. And the best part? You can literally have it ready in the next 5 minutes. Ingredients: Chai - 1 cup (and another if you want to sip on some more on the side), malai, sugar - to taste, bread - 2 slices A post shared by Meghna's Food Magic (@meghnasfoodmagic) Method: Set your chai to boil as you lather generous amounts of malai onto the bread. Sprinkle with some sugar and create a simple malai sandwich. Once your chai is ready, pour the steaming cup onto the bread letting it soak in the liquid. It's completely fine if all of the chai doesn't get soaked up — this recipe is supposed to be messy. Next just dig right into the chai-soaked malai toast with a spoon and let the nostalgia kick in! (recipe from Meghna's Food Magic) For something as effortlessly delicious and wholesome as this, there can't be a wrong way to devour it. But food influencer Viraj Naik proudly showcases his way of gorging on the Dubai malai toast trend. Taking 2 slices of white bread — edges off — he lathers a thick — and when we say thick we mean it — layer of butter between them before slicing them in half. Taking the humble bread butter sandwich, he simply dunks it head first into a piping hot cup of chai. This may sound simple, maybe a little TOO simple, but watching the bread and butter get dunked in the chai will set off your crave alarms right away. A post shared by Viraj Naik (@virajnaikrecipes) When are you trying the viral Dubai malai toast?
The Hindu
19-05-2025
- Business
- The Hindu
The Preloved Co. is a store in Bengaluru where you can thrift for a cause
Co-founded by Bengaluru-based Mariam Begg and Meghna Khanna, the Preloved Co is a clothing thrift store at Halasuru, Bengaluru, that raises funds for different NGOs and social organisations. The Preloved Co. also aims for sustainability by taking in used clothes in good condition from local donors and selling them at affordable prices. 'All the proceeds from our sales, after covering our expenses, go to different NGOs working for social causes such as WeLive, Ulsoor Canine Squad, Home of Hope and other organisations that support the slums, transgenders and sex workers,' says Meghna. The store which opened in December 2023 has a varied collection ranging from Indian and Western wear, as well as casuals and formals from brands such as Christian Dior, Zara, H&M as well as home grown labels and local brands such as Nicobar, The Summer House and FabIndia. The clothing store also collaborates regularly with exhibitions in the city — Sunday Soul Sante, Namu Recommends Vegan Market, Hundred Hands, apart from partnering with corporates, apartment complexes and spaces like GoodEarth Malar, the Brigade Group, the Bangalore International Centre and the Bangalore Creative Circus. 'Luckily, we have many volunteers who come in to help us at the store as well during such exhibitions. We also offer them an opportunity to intern with us,' says Meghna. Vanshika Singh, a college student who regularly volunteers at the Preloved Co, recently completed an internship there and says, 'There are a lot of ways in which a volunteer can help. I aided with sales and marketing which included interacting with the customers, sorting clothes before the event and billing during different exhibitions.' Thirft culture still new to the city Meghana mentions that people sometimes misinterpret the term 'preloved' to mean a donations store. 'Most of the time people reach out to us with used clothes which we don't accept. We don't donate our clothes directly to charity — we sell them and it is the amount we raise through their sales that is donated to charity. That is why we only accept garments that are saleable, and not worn out clothing.' Vanshika says, 'Thrift culture is still new to Bengaluru. Not a lot of people are open to wearing used clothes but thrifting is slowly getting a lot of attention because it is also directly linked with sustainability.' Meghana explains, 'If people were aware of how many thousands of litres of water are required to make one t-shirt or a pair of jeans, perhaps they would want to try reusing clothes. But now since fast fashion is the trend, a garment which was earlier worn 20 to 30 times, is either thrown away or never worn after four or five outings.' 'When you donate your clothes, someone else gets to wear them and when you buy from a store, you are contributing to a social cause. This is how we want to function, where people can consider thrifting as a way of life.' 'In the future, we would like to expand, reach out to more people, and even collaborate with more colleges,' says Meghna. Prices start at ₹100. The Preloved Co is at Halasuru, and also provides online shopping options via their Instagram handle. For pick up or drops, call 916361866517.
