In a bygone era where only a finite number of Fiats, Ambassadors and Heralds paraded the deserted Indian roads, P.V. Narasimha Rao’s economic reforms effectively struck the Indian automobile sector at its fundamental core and changed the game forever. Post 1992, multinational automakers such as Hyundai (South Korea), Suzuki & Toyota (Japan) began establishing a coherent automotive industry in India. In no time, the Indian consumer was almost spoilt with choices when he went o

In conversation with Vijay Singh Ajairajpura, the driving force behind Rajputana Customs Motorcycles (RCM), a Jaipur-based motorcycle outfit that changed the face of bike restoration in this part of the world.   Thanks to his father’s long-standing affair with two-wheelers, a young Vijay Singh Ajairajpura got introduced to motorcycles much earlier than his contemporaries did. He grew up riding a 500 CC BSA Falcon before getting onto bigger beasts. Upon completing his higher s

Once in a year, during the onset of the Hindu New Year, people from all spheres and walks of life unite to celebrate the divine wedlock of Goddess Parvati with Lord Shiva in Rajasthan’s most important local festival. The celestial communion of Gan (Shiva) with Gauri (Parvati), Gangaur entails a series of communal prayers, fast observances, domestic rituals and festive processions that bring Rajasthan to its celebratory best; and culminates in the bidaai ceremony or departure

The Birth of BCEF It all began at their Teach for India Fellowship, wherein both the BCEF co-founders, Shaivya Rathore and Pratul Narayan Singh envisioned an India with an excellent level of education. They wished to expand their vision beyond the urban urban poor and as a part of his masters’ degree in social sciences, Pratul started conceptualising a pilot project in the form of Biyanli’s literacy program. After an initial formulation, he got Shaivya on board as the co-foun

“I realised that no credible online resources existed for rajput families that were looking for matches for their children. There were a couple of commercially motivated players, but nothing that had the personal touch, albeit virtual, of a confident and counsel in a matter which is perhaps the most important to parents” says Kunwarani Tripti Singh, the founder and pioneering lady behind Gathjor, the first-ever online matrimonial community dedicated specifically to Rajputs wo

The Dhoti man then ventured on the Salt Satyagraha road in Orissa until he concluded his journey on the community Seed Bank in Orissa on Mother Earth Day. Having travelled 3000 kilometres across six states, fifteen districts with a travel bag filled with four khadi dhotis, Indra Shekhar Singh or the Dhoti man, as he refers to himself in this article, shares the story of his extraordinary journey. 

When one comes by some of his signature photographs, it is difficult to ascertain them to be the handishots of but a twenty two year-old young man. Kalpshakti Veer Singh Ranawat discovered his passion for photography when he first joined the photograph club as a student as Indore’s Daly College. From then on, there’s been no looking back for the Canon 60D user, who shares his special love for wildlife photography and an evident talent in landscapes as well. His early accompli

Back in February 2015, Indian media and news channels were rife with what was commonly as a ‘cross-border Royal wedding’ between the state of Amarkot in Pakistan’s Sindh district and Kanota in India’s state of Rajasthan. Kunwar Karni Singh Sodha, the 27th generation of Amarkot’s Sodha dynasty was tying the knot with Rajkumari Padmini Singh Rathore, daughter Kanota’s Thakur Man Singhji. Known to have ushered the first tika and lagan ceremonies from India to Pakistan in the nat

Striding past Rajasthan’s Vidhan Sabha corridors with his invigorating and jovial persona, he has earned his veteran status in the field through much blood, sweat and tears of humility and gratitude. An esteemed members of Raje-led BJP government of Rajasthan, he counts amongst Rajasthan’s leading visionaries and perpetrators of social change at levels spanning from superlative to grass-root levels. His inborn qualities of ingenuity, simplicity and an unparalleled loyalty tow

A Bangalore-based filmmaker & photographer, Shaktiraj Jadeja’s career path and journey to discover the self was far from linear. Prior to arriving at his final career choice, Shaktiraj’s adventurous career pursuit drove him past the most varied arenas of profession, from finance firms and ad agencies to sports management before he retracted a few steps into what he was passionate about. As a part of him had always known, photography and videography were the spheres where his

While driving past the designer boulevard on Jaipur’s Civil Lines, you cannot miss the quirky and young boutique salon called Tangerine. Fresh in its interiors and upmarket with its branding, Tangerine is the handiwork of none other than Natasha Singh Bissau. Natasha, an experienced and zesty professional stylist joins us in a Q & A to discuss her journey with Tangerine. Read further to find out the story of the boutique salon venture that Natasha had once dreamt of and which

Since time immemorial, the ceremonial pomp and glamour of Rajput weddings, coronations and gatherings have been complimented by the sheer diversity of royal attires and jewellery adorned by their attendees. Family heirlooms have been carefully preserved, inherited and displayed on these varied occasions whereby various ensembles convey historic tales of their own.   Amidst the native jugalbandi of Jodhpuri safas,  Gujarati patolas, Marwari poshaaks  and zardosi achkans,  one

When most of the world lay in deep slumber to wake up grudgingly to the next day, he had already returned from his morning walk, beaming due to the birds that he saw in the park. Amidst passer-bys who were hurriedly pacing through their health march, the ardent bird-watcher would leisurely sense the distinct call of the Coppersmith. He spent an entire centenary living an independent and healthy life, divorcing anger for its hazardous mental constraints. A man of fine dressing