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Mint
a day ago
- Entertainment
- Mint
6 creative minds share their secrets on how to keep the ideas flowing
Defining creativity is tough. A seed of an idea can emerge as a painting as ethereal as Van Gogh's The Starry Night, a utilitarian safety pin or an ingenious self-driven car. But whether it is creating art or engineering a device, is being creative a talent ingrained in a few lucky ones? The good news is, creativity is a skill that can be developed. Another point to be made here is that having a creative bent of mind is not essential just to enrich your job or pursue a side hustle. Research, in fact, links creativity to happiness and well-being making it an invaluable asset to possess for the sake of it. Dr Elizabeth Gaufberg, an associate professor of medicine and psychiatry at Harvard Medical School, suggests that practicing or even just interacting with creativity can make us more empathetic, open-minded and sharpen our problem-solving skills. She suggests something as simple as engaging with art to help us tolerate ambiguity and listen to other perspectives. Lounge spoke to six creative minds who know a thing or two about what it takes to keep your brain stimulated and dream up ideas or solutions almost every day. 'BE ABSORBED IN WHAT YOU DO' Who: Peter James is a British bestselling crime author and the creator of the fictional detective superintendent Roy Grace. The book series (of which Queen Camilla is a fan) was eventually made into the British television crime drama series, Grace. With over 30 fast-paced books and a handful of films to his credit, James views creativity differently. How I stay creative: From the day I write the first line of a novel to the day I write that last line, I rigidly write a minimum of 1,000 words per day, six days a week, taking Sundays off. It doesn't matter where in the world I am, I get those words done. The moment I open my screen, find where I am at in the novel I'm writing, and begin typing, I become totally absorbed, to the exclusion of all else. What always helps me in so many different ways is research. In my new novel, The Hawk Is Dead, Queen Camilla is aboard the Royal Train when it derails near Brighton. A key scene is seen through the eyes of the train driver. To write it, I spent a day with Network Rail, learning to drive a train and riding from Brighton to London and back. That experience allowed me to write with authenticity, emotion and vivid detail. Takeaway: Creativity needs discipline, focus, research and commitment. 'DO NEW THINGS THAT SEEM SCARY' Who: Anuja Chauhan, bestselling author of Zoya Factor (2008), writes across genres from romance to mystery. Some of her books –Those Pricey Thakur Girls and Club You to Death – have been adapted for television and movies. How I stay creative: I try to do new things, especially things that scare me a little or are a bit ambitious. One scary thing I did was to swim in the open sea. You get to swim there without waves, sand or grit – just really deep, bobbing water all around. It was exhilarating. I try to learn a new thing, perhaps a musical instrument or a new skill like knitting, painting, baking, salsa dance or Photoshop. Also, being fit is important too. When your body is working hard, your mind goes blank in a wonderful way, which helps you recharge it. By the way, I recently got my Zumba instructor license! Takeaway: New experiences fuel creativity in you, more so when you are mentally and physically fit. 'KEEP YOUR SENSE OF WONDER ALIVE' Who: BS Shivaraju, better known as Cop Shiva. A former Karnataka policeman, Shiva is a fine art photographer known for iconic photo series like Being Gandhi that features photographs of a rural school teacher impersonating Gandhi and No Longer a Memory – a Hong Kong Asian Art Public Vote Prize 2023- winning personal narrative featuring staged self-portraits of his mother Gowramma and himself against Andy Warhol-esque wallpaper backgrounds. How I stay creative: Travelling and meeting all kinds of people has been a huge influence. I am always drawn to the extraordinary stories of ordinary people. Their stories teach me so much. Also, the places I have lived in and the cultures I have grown up with constantly shape my perspective. I observe everything with an open mind and a sense of wonder which keeps my creative energy alive. Takeaway: Creativity can spark when you meet people from different backgrounds. It comes alive when you nurture a sense of wonder in you. 'APPLY YOUR MIND WITHOUT FEAR' Who: Raghava KK is a multi-disciplinary artist – cartoonist, painter, sculptor, performance artist; has pioneered digital and interactive media – his children's iPad book Pop-it (2011) changes storylines on shaking it, his EEG-driven art Mona Lisa 2.0 alters according to the EEG headset wearer's brainwaves; is a co-collaborator of technology-art hybrids along with his brother Karthik Kalyanaraman; an early pioneer of NFT art in India; and TED speaker. How I stay creative: When facing a dilemma, conflict or hurdle in life, the answer often lies in applying your mind to get to a unique solution. For that, I suggest turning any 'WTF' moment into a 'How interesting' situation. Only if you are curious and not fearful, can you solve the issue. Look at the problem you face without any kind of judgment and respond to it. Reframe problems into questions and ask yourself 'What if I do this?" By shutting down all voices we can be as creative as we want. Takeaway: Respond with curiosity rather than fear or judgment. Quiet your inner critic. 'MAKE SPACE FOR CREATIVITY' Who: US-based chef Meherwan Irani's flagship restaurant Chai Pani (2009) revolutionized Indian cuisine in America by introducing authentic spice-forward street food. The restaurant was named the James Beard Foundation's Outstanding Restaurant in 2022 and Irani himself is a five-time James Beard-nominated chef. He has since opened other restaurants across the south (USA) and a spice brand (Spicewalla) as well. How I stay creative: Creativity is not an individual exercise. I try to surround myself with creative people. Nothing amps me up more than seeing an old problem in a new light and brainstorming with a group of creative people on how to solve it. You have to make space for creativity. It has to be a structured part of your work day or week. I don't wait for ideas — I schedule creative sessions with others. Our mantra – 'Ideas first, practicality later – is my way of not letting anything get in the way of the creative process. I don't let the 'how' get in the way of the idea. Takeaway: Make space for creativity by consistently making time for brainstorming sessions with other creative people. Get the idea first, think of the 'how' later. 'IDEAS FLOW WITH YOGA & NATURE' Who: Ira Trivedi is an author and trained yoga practitioner-teacher. Her books explore topics of sexuality, gender, women issues and yoga. How I stay creative: A steady practice of yoga has helped me throughout my writing career. It does not just work on the body but also on the mind. After doing yoga, your mind gets clear. This is important especially when we are constantly on our phones and social media where so much stuff is always happening. Also, engaging with nature by going on long walks or observing the gentle flow of the river, for instance, helps nurture the creative spark in us. Takeaway: A holistic practice like yoga or communing with nature can sharpen your ability to see things with a different perspective. These activities also calm you down and enhance your physical and mental wellbeing. Jayanthi Madhukar is a Bengaluru-based freelance journalist.
South Wales Argus
19-07-2025
- South Wales Argus
Northern Belle: World's poshest train to run trip from Cardiff
The 1930s Pullman-style Northern Belle, once part of the iconic Orient Express group, is a "luxurious yet intimate" train that travels the British countryside en route to some of the country's top destinations. The luxury train features seven beautifully detailed carriages (each bearing the name of a great British castle or stately home) that have been lovingly restored by some of the country's top craftspeople. The Northern Belle website adds: "Beyond the world of ordinary first-class, there has been an almost secret world. "Since the dawn of railways there has existed a world of private luxury trains and only a handful remain. "The Northern Belle is one such Train, and the most luxurious, carefully restored to its former glory by the Venice Simplon-Orient Express." The Northern Belle is regularly voted one of the world's Top Ten trains, while one of the individually hand-decorated carriages is used to form part of the Royal Train. It is even rumoured to contain the late Queen Mother's favourite seat. Actor Bill Nighy also described the train as 'the Grand Dame of luxury travel' when it featured on Channel 5's The World's Most Scenic Railway Journeys. The Northern Belle is regularly voted among the world's top trains. (Image: Cameron Pitts) When to see the Northern Belle in South Wales The Northern Belle is set to run a 'Cornish Lunch via Dawlish' trip from Cardiff on September 19, 2025. Britain's most luxurious train will depart Cardiff Central Station at 10.30am on Friday, September 19, making stops at Bristol Temple Meads and Taunton Stations, before returning at 8pm. Passengers, as well as those hoping to catch a glimpse of the Northern Belle, are advised that these times are "provisional" and are subject to Network Rail confirmation seven days before departure. How to book tickets for the Northern Belle If you want to be onboard the Northern Belle for its 'Cornish Lunch via Dawlish' trip from Cardiff, head to the website to book tickets. Tickets include: A round-trip on the Northern Belle luxury train Welcome Champagne reception including canapés and caviar blinis Seven-course lunch Bottle of wine per couple (Sommelier's Choice) On board entertainment Fortnum & Mason tea and Northern Belle blend coffee Escape the ordinary. ✨ Northern Belle 2025 journeys redefine luxury rail. Vintage carriages, gourmet dining, breathtaking Britain. Book your unforgettable escape: — Northern Belle (@northernbelletr) February 20, 2025 The Northern Belle website adds: "Your day will begin with a red carpet welcome at your departure station where our attentive Stewards will usher you aboard the Northern Belle luxury train for a journey to remember forever. "Once you've been escorted to your plush seat, one of our liveried Stewards will carefully pour a glass of Laurent-Perrier La Cuvée Brut NV Champagne as you study the sumptuous menu. "Ahead lies a journey back to the Golden Days of rail travel, a time when nothing was too good for the pampered passengers." RECOMMENDED READING: Prices Tickets for the Northern Belle Christmas experience cost £445 per passenger. You can also upgrade your ticket to: Laurent-Perrier Class - for an additional £95 (per passenger) KRUG Class - additional £195 (per passenger) The Northern Belle will return to South Wales on December 5 for a 'Christmas Lunch' journey (from £395 per person), with pick-ups from Cardiff and Swansea.
NDTV
13-07-2025
- NDTV
King Charles Set To Retire The British Royal Train After 180 Years
Britain's Royal Train is more than just a mode of transport for the royal family - it is a part of national heritage. The train has travelled through decades of British history, carrying key moments and members of the monarchy. It has allowed the royals to perform official duties onboard and travel overnight, arriving at destinations rested and ready for engagements. But that journey is soon coming to a close. According to the Royal Household's latest financial report, cited by CNN, the current royal train will be decommissioned by March 2027 to "secure best value for public money." Going forward, senior members of the royal family will rely more on helicopters and scheduled trains for official travel across the UK, including between residences in England and Scotland. The move is in line with King Charles's efforts to modernise the monarchy and cut costs. James Chalmers, Keeper of the Privy Purse - the official responsible for royal finances - described the decision as "the fondest of farewells," adding, "In moving forwards, we must not be bound by the past." He said the royal train had been "part of national life for many decades, loved and cared for by all those involved." Also Read: 6 Countries That Are Best Seen By Train If You Are Travelling Through Europe Queen Victoria was the first British monarch to travel by royal train in the early 1840s. Since then, royal trains have been maintained at Wolverton in Buckinghamshire - the world's first railway town. The current train features a dedicated set of claret-liveried sleeper, dining, and lounge carriages. Today, the train's fixtures and fittings are outdated, and its use has dropped sharply. In 2024-25, the royal train made only two trips, with a cost of over $105,000, according to the Royal Household's annual financial report. The train played a visible role during Queen Elizabeth II's Golden and Diamond Jubilees in 2002 and 2012. In December 2020, Prince William and Kate, now the Prince and Princess of Wales, travelled 1,250 miles on the royal train to thank frontline workers during the COVID-19 pandemic. View this post on Instagram A post shared by The Prince and Princess of Wales (@princeandprincessofwales) King Charles III is now set to end the train's service. Before it is retired in 2027, the royal train is expected to go on a farewell tour, offering rail enthusiasts and royal watchers one last look. What Happens To The Royal Train Now? While no formal announcement has been made about the train's future, several royal train vehicles have previously been preserved in museums, including the National Railway Museum in York (NRM). "I would not like to see them (parts of the royal train) scrapped," said Philip Marsh, senior railway manager and historian. "I'd like to see them displayed in a registered museum, whether that be the NRM or a new museum at their home in Wolverton."
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Travel + Leisure
11-07-2025
- Travel + Leisure
The British Royal Train Will Be Decommissioned Soon—Here's Why
Train travel is almost synonymous with British culture. But in March 2027, the current British royal train will be decommissioned, and senior royals will instead depend on helicopters and scheduled trains to travel around the country and between their residences. 'The process to decommission the Royal Train, in anticipation of the expiry of the current contract in March 2027, will commence during the year," the Sovereign Grant Annual Report 2024-25 states. "This decision has been made due to: the cost associated with the storage and maintenance of the Royal Train versus the level of usage; the significant level of investment which would be required to keep the Royal Train in operation beyond 2027; and the two new helicopters providing a reliable alternative." The current train was built in the 1970s and is in need of tailor-made refurbishment that would most likely cost tens of millions of dollars. The original royal train was built for Queen Adelaide, the widow of King William IV, in 1842. In 1869, Queen Victoria commissioned a bespoke train vehicle for herself, since she saw touring the country as an important part of her duties. For her Diamond Jubilee (a celebration of the 60th year of her reign) in 1897, the Great Western Railway built a train of six vehicles for Queen Victoria's use. Some people are surprised that King Charles, who is known for his environmental activism, would oversee the discontinuation of the train in favor of less sustainable options like helicopters. The announcement also comes, ironically, weeks before Britain will be celebrating the 200th anniversary of public rail travel in the country. But in the last year, the royal train only made two trips, compared to 55 private charter flights, 141 helicopter journeys, and a number of scheduled flights. However, the U.K. isn't alone or completely unique in its decision. Other European monarchies have let go of their royal carriage trains over the last 25 years, with only Denmark and Norway currently retaining them. And even in those two countries, the trains are rarely used. Train lovers and fans of the British Royal Family will have a last chance to see the royal train before it goes out of commission. Before its 2027 retirement, the Royal Train will make a final farewell tour of Britain, allowing the public to see it one more time as it passes. It is unclear what will happen to the royal train after it's decommissioned, but significant train cars are often preserved in museums, so there may be opportunities to see and visit this train again, sometimes in the future.
Yahoo
05-07-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
King Charles to Cut Costly Royal Train After $107,000 in Trips Over the Past Financial Year
King Charles III is making a modern change to a royal family tradition. The British monarch's new financial secretary announced on Tuesday, July 1, that the Royal Train is set to be decommissioned in 2027 after a series of needed renovations deemed the method of transformation to be cost ineffective. "The Royal Train has been part of national life for many decades, loved and cared for by all those involved. But in moving forwards, we must not be bound by the past,' James Chalmers, the Keeper of the Privy Purse, said in a statement. "Just as so many parts of the Royal household's work have been modernized and adapted to reflect the world of today, so too, the time has come to bid the fondest of farewells as we seek to be disciplined and forward looking in our allocation of funding." Chalmers noted that Charles, 76, signed off on the decision and explained that there will be discussions regarding 'a long-term home where some particularly historic elements' of the train will be displayed. The announcement came after The Firm released their financial report for 2024-2025. The report explained that the decision to decommission the train came after comparing 'the cost associated with the storage and maintenance of the Royal Train versus the level of usage.' There would also be a 'significant level of investment' to keep the train in operation. (The latest series of major improvements made on the train took place in 1980.) How Much Do the Royal Family Members Really Make? Breaking Down Prince William and More Salaries Maintenance for the train is already under contract until 2027 but will not be renewed. The royal family will continue to use the Royal Train until it is decommissioned. The late Queen Elizabeth II used the Royal Train as her preferred method of transportation until her death in 2022. Charles, meanwhile, has only taken a trip on the train twice this year — and it's been pretty costly. The trips combined cost an estimated £78,000 (which converts to about $107,000.) Instead of taking the Royal Train, family members will have an alternative in two new helicopters added to the fleet. While Charles only used the Royal Train twice in the past year, the royal family has traveled by helicopter 141 times and used 55 privately chartered flights, according to Tuesday's financial report. The report also noted that the royal family's cost of travel came in at £4.7 million (about $6.4 million), a near half a million jump from last year's report. However the total 2024–2025 Sovereign Grant stayed the same, coming in at £86.3 million (about $118 million). Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
