Eyeing the stars
Though it may still be a niche hobby, stargazing has its own passionate fan following which is growing by the day
Augusto Rodrigues

It is getting close to 11.30 a.m. and the trickle is slowly beginning to swell. The gates outside are abuzz with activity as people begin to make way for the first show of the morning at Delhi’s Nehru Planetarium about astral phenomenon explained in a simple, comprehensible way. Soon the 250-seater auditorium is packed with children and amateur stargazers. As the lights go off, the enthusiastic audience is transported into the world of stars.

Most cities in India have amateur astronomers associations or amateur clubs because of the growing popularity of stargazing

To a stargazer, the simple pleasure of watching the night sky is akin to capturing the essence of life. Looking up at the details of the ‘milky way’ or the contours of lunar craters or even the blurry rings of Saturn can be mesmerising. Colours, patterns, sparkles — the universe is exciting and full of surprises. One of the unending pleasures of cosmic gazing is that it is also unpredictable. What you are watching now may not be visible for the next hundred years.

Passionate following

It is this changeable nature of the skies that makes astronomy so tantalizing. Though it may not still be a mainline hobby, stargazing has its own passionate fan following which is growing by the day. An indication of this can be had from the fact that Amazon.com, one of the world’s largest e-commerce sites, has reported an increase of 500 per cent in the sale of telescopes. BBC’s recent series Stargazing Live has been a thunderous success. The Greenwich Royal Observatory is seeing a huge number of visitors who come to witness the wonders of the night sky.

There are amateur clubs in all parts of the world, including India. Apart from places like Delhi, Mumbai, Kolkata, Chennai and Bangalore you will find clubs in Faridabad, Ludhiana, Roorkee, Jodhpur, Jaipur, Anand, Vadodara, Bhopal, Nagpur, Bhubaneshwar, Aurangabad, Coimbatore, Kochi — in fact, practically in every town of the country.

Lure of astronomy

“The lure of astronomy is back with a bang,” says Srinivas Jawahar of the Astronomy Club of Hyderabad, which has 873 members. Each member pays an annual fee of Rs 3,500 for the pleasures of stargazing. “We use this money to buy the latest space-related equipment.”

One doesn’t have to be a rocket scientist to realise that astronomy is an expensive hobby. It requires sophisticated equipment like powerful telescopes and binoculars. Even the government-sponsored Nehru Planetarium cannot boast of being completely abreast with latest technology. “We do not have the latest equipment as our budget does not permit us to make very expensive purchases. But whenever we need special equipment the Amateur Astronomers Association (AAA) provides it to us,” says Dr N Rathnasree, director of the Nehru Planetarium.

The Delhi-based Amateur Astronomers Association comprises a mixed bag of seasoned astronomers and enthusiasts from different walks of life who gather to gaze at heavenly bodies. The thrill runs high during a celestial event. In August 2012 in a tie-up with NASA, it set up several telescopes in the lawns of the Nehru Planetarium for people to observe American spacecraft Curiosity land on the Mars.

Pleasures of stargazing

But stargazers do not wait only for special events. For Manoj Pai, president of the Astronomy Club of Ahmedabad, the sky has no limits. “Though I have been lucky to watch the Halley’s Comet in 1986, the Hyakutake Comet in 1996 and the ‘Great Comet’ Hale-Bopp in 1997, I find ‘event-less’ celestial sightings a sheer pleasure.”

However, he says that the International Year of Astronomy in 2009 was one of the most exciting periods for astronomy. The European Southern Observatory (ESO) — a 15-nation inter-governmental research organisation in the Southern Hemisphere that has provided astronomers with state-of-the-art research facilities — organised a live webcast where visuals were beamed from 80 different observatories in the world.

Celestial sights

Raghu Kalra, general secretary of AAA, agees, “Stargazing does not necessarily need an event. It is the sheer joy of looking at a sky full of stars. When it is bright and clear you sometimes do not even need a telescope, you just need to have an eye for the stunning celestial sights.”

However, a clear sky in big cities is a rarity. Dust, pollution and the high levels of lighting affect clarity even through a telescope. “Forget cities, today even rural India is being affected by strong urban lights that dull the sky. Many serious stargazers head for the hills for clearer skies. Dr Rathnasree feels the best place to view the universe in India is in Leh and Ladakh.

Leaving aside the Amateur Astronomers Association, the Astronomy Club of Hyderabad, the Astronomy Club of Ahmedabad and some others, most clubs around the country have from 10 to 50 members who chip in the money for basic equipment and meet from time to time to watch the night skies and sometimes the day skies for events such as sunspots and solar eclipses.

Gandhidham-based Harish Tharwani runs a club of 10 members who are avid stargazers. “We do not charge any fees and we share the equipment we have. I own a telescope that costs around Rs 40,000 others own binoculars, star charts and powerful cameras which we happily share them with each other.”

Marvelling the skyline

Most clubs are generous enough to share their equipment and when they fall short, most members chip in. Says Hyderabad’s Srinivas Jawahar, “One doesn’t have to be necessarily rich to enjoy celestial sights. We have many members from the corporate world who are always ready to help.”

Most enthusiasts say that more should be done to motivate people into this hobby. Says Raghu Kalra, “A good telescope or a binoculars have to be imported but these do not come under the ambit of educational apparatus and thus attract import duty. It will be better if the government withdraws import duty so that more people can have access to good equipment.”

A good news for stargazers, the Nehru Planetarium is planning to introduce a beginner’s courses for stargazers. Perhaps that would be the first step to bring to people the pleasures of stargazing and celebrating the beauty and mystery of our marvellous universe.

Stargazing equipment & prices

Telescope: This is one of the most important tools of astronomy and can vary in terms of power and prices. Though you can get a basic telescope for as low as Rs 2,500, a good one would cost big bucks. Companies like Galileo, Celestron, Takahashi and Orion make top quality telescopes and prices can range between Rs 30,000 and Rs 50,000.

Binoculars: Though less powerful than a telescope in magnification, these are lighter and easy to carry. The quality ones cover a wide field of view and because of their twin eyepiece give a normal 3-D vision. Though there is a big variety, a quality Carl Zeiss binocular can cost between Rs 25,000 and Rs 40,000 depending upon the power.

Compass: Many amateur stargazers may ignore it but a compass is vital for stargazing as it helps you find the stars you are looking for in the night sky to view through the telescope or a pair of binoculars. Some of the best compasses are made by companies like Victorinox, Gerber and Pioneer and cost around $30 to $ 50 (Rs 1,650 and Rs 2,750)

Star charts: Also called Star Atlases, these are available separately for beginners and professionals. Some, like the Orion Deep Map 600, show the sky in its entirety and others, like the Star Atlas 2000.0, is a complex set of 26 charts each specialising in a certain aspect of the sky. Most quality charts cost between $15 and $ 20 (Between Rs 825 and Rs 1,100)

Summer designs
The spring and summer collections have heralded in yet another festive season. As the mercury rises, so do trends in the world of haute couture
Nutan Sehgal

If the recent fashion collections are a barometer of the trends to come, it would appear that the designers are busy re-inventing the summery look in a very slick and contemporary way. Things like patchwork paisley, crocket and beads have been reincarnated. So have loose shirts and floral dresses.

A new energy seems to be inspiring summer dresses. There’s emphasis on sobriety and an element of reality. Fashion today no longer belongs to the overly superfluous elements and is in sync with the changing times. The summer collections of a number of top designers emphasise on a desire for simplicity. Neutral silhouettes, understated fashion statements, balanced proportions and minimum details are the hallmark of the season.

Back to Nature

Designer Ranna Gill, for instance, goes back to nature and offers designs which are in consonance with the environment making her Spring/Summer 2013 collection evocative of a sculpture garden. It is a mélange of flora and fauna complete with orchids, birds and natural locations.

Most fashion experts will tell you that when it comes to adding freshness and appeal to your attire, there is nothing like being wrapped up in flowers. This season flowers are in full bloom in haute couture. As designer Anshu Chauhan emphasises, “Flowers are very Indian in their appeal. It’s all about using your imagination and bringing out the feminine side of the wearer. Floral prints are dominating the fashion circuit this summer. You can have these on T-shirts, sarongs, skirts, and even dresses.

But floral prints are not just an Indian phenomenon. A number of collections of international brands, too, are big on flowers. One of Europe’s largest fashion retail chains H&M has come out with the stunning ‘Conscious’ collection which is a red carpet range, all made from sustainable materials: organic cotton and hemp and recycled polyester to name two and has a striking range of floral designs.

Pastel hues

Donna Karan, another global brand with a presence in India, has a flattering palette of pastel hues for the summer season. There is an amazing variety of hues in this collection ranging from mint green to medium blues, and even pinks. There’s definitely something for everyone and for every occasion, from casual individual pieces to sleek, elegant evening dresses in plain black and whites.

Most of the designers are at their creative best when it comes to summer dresses. The spotlight is on soft reds, yellows, greens and blues that are easy on the eye. Then, there are subtle greys and blacks downplayed with whites.

Some designers are also using blush, saffron and lime that form the basis of cool yet bright colours. However, for a section of designers, the primary colour is white as it is cool and sophisticated and offsets the intensity of hot weather.

Variety of fabrics

There is a wide variety of fabrics that have gone into the summer collections. These include linen, cotton georgette, century voile, enzyme-washed cotton blends, pure silk and silk Maheshwaris with floral patterns. A number of jackets, tunics, dresses, skirts and pants are all made from these fabrics.

The surprise of the season are the collections by online fashion retail sites like snapdeal.com, fashionandyou.com, trendydivva.com, koovs.com and others. The colours of spring’s fresh flowers brighten up their lines. A variety of looks include short and knee length dresses and skirts with flirty tops. Capri pants and long shorts have been teamed with white shirts that are matched with hip belts and hair accessories.

Says Gurprit Sawhney, promoter of Trendy Divva, “Our summer collection has a range of fashion favourites. These include dresses that come in a variety of prints as well as bold single colours with subtle embellishments.”

Subtle colours

Most of the material used in these collections have been carefully chosen and developed keeping the Indian summer in mind. The palate is enhanced by floral designs in a burst of subtle colours to give an elegant yet a sporty look to dresses. “The emphasis is on simplicity and elegance,” says designer Anshu Chauhan.

And that, in a way, sums up the mood for the summer look of 2013 — Natural and understated yet making a bold fashion statement.

EMILIO PUCCI STRETCH JERSEY DRESS When it comes to summer dresses, Italian fashion label Emilio Pucci never fails to impress. The collection is a mix of colours and fabric. The standout garment is the stretch-jersey with a sand-lined lace insert, side vent. Just the perfect evening dress for a romantic dinner. Price. Rs 23,650	MACY’S MARILYN MONROE COLLECTION American lifestyle chain Macy’s has come out with one of the most striking collections this summer. It is inspired by the iconic Hollywood star Marilyn Monroe and incorporates the actress’ fascinating sense of dress, which instantly translated into the trends of the season. Price. From  Rs 1,600 to Rs 4,900	TRENDY DIVVA  SUMMER DRESSES Discover beautiful dresses at Trendy Divva for different occasions and styles. Move with ease from downtown casual meetings to uptown dinner parties in these hot trends. The summer dresses collection boast of varied cuts, silhouettes, hues and prints, designed to give you a diva look. Price. From Rs 500 to Rs 1500 onwards
H&M RED CARPET READYCOLLECTION Make the summer glamorous with H&M’s new Conscious collection. The high street giant has launched its red carpet range with a collection of dresses made from sustainable materials like organic cotton and hemp and recycled polyester, which are an ode to fashion and environment. Price. Starting around Rs 5,100	URVASHI KAUR’S SUMMER COLLECTION One of the fastest emerging names in fashion, Urvashi Kaur’s summer collection comprises tunics, kaftans, rayon silk dresses, georgette poncho tops, lycra cotton trousers, linen and matka silk kurta and a host of other dresses. The collection pushes the boundaries of design in a range of colours and fabrics. Price. Between Rs 3,040 and  Rs 18,450	RANNA GILL SPRING SUMMER 2013 Ranna Gill has sustained a combination of style and substance that make all her collections so stunning. In her Spring/Summer 2013 collection, the designer has gravitated towards nature as her primary inspiration. Her sensuous feminine forms are in silk georgettes and woven brocades. Price. From Rs 4,000 to Rs 20,000
SUMMER OF UCB Feminine, stylish and light. This is the United Colors of Benetton woman’s Spring Summer 2013 collection. Bursting with colour, designed to emphasise every aspect of true femininity, this collection has nicely fitting floral print outfits that will drape around the body with elegance. Price. Available on request

PACESETTERs Biswa & Karamjit
Bridging the language gap
IndiLit, the brainchild of Biswa Dutta and Karamjit Singh, has helped them go in for publishing of e-books in regional languages
Vibha Sharma

A science graduate from Mutual University (Odisha), Biswa Dutta headed towards Delhi for higher studies. He joined fine art classes at Triveni Kala Sangam. Though he started getting recognised as a promising artist who could paint in the dual forms of existence in singularity, it was not lost on Biswa that he was one among many struggling artists.

Not seeing great future going ahead, he left the art school to join Arena multimedia to learn technology. And thus began his tryst with computer world. Charmed by the city, he decided to make Chandigarh his place of work. A passionate writer of short stories in Oriya, Biswa's reading/writing underwent a sea change because Oriya literature was not easily available in the market. He felt the need of regional literature getting its due throughout the nation. This thought which had stayed in his mind all through saw some spark when iPad was released.

Karamjit Singh, a fine young gentleman, hails from a small village, Grangan near Mohali. Possessing unbound energy of a typical Punjabi, he has never settled for mediocrity. His desire to create something worked in tandem with Biswa’s ambition. They decided to go in for publishing of e-books in regional languages.

The first prototype on Android platform was developed in 2012, setting the stage for the birth of IndiLit. Karamjit dons the technical hat, while Biswa takes care of the product features and marketing.

IndiLit Reader is available on Google Play and so far 500 paid Punjabi books written by writers like Surjit Patar, have been made available through the readers app that is freely downloadable. The product has gone through various phases of its growth already and what was initially developed in a closed office saw modification and improvement when the IndiLit team invited the feedback of writers and publishers. Though still short, this journey taught them that taking that first step needs courage but the subsequent steps fall in place.

 A team of 12 highly talented and passionate young individuals, IndiLit has reached a stage where their turnover can sustain them comfortably. The future is bright as many investors are taking keen interest in their product.

Leaving well-paying jobs and facing financial, resource and marketing issues to convince publishers to adapt to the new technology, was an uphill task. They say “Our platform creates a digital content which can be accessed globally. It doesn't compete with the physical book but complements it.” Committed to retain the glory of regional languages for future generations, Biswa and Karamjit know that going digital is the best option to preserve this rich heritage.

BLING IT ON

KNIGHT IN A DARK HELMET It’s an accessory that will put you in a league of your own. American company Helmet Dawg’s Dark as Night helmet will make you look like Batman -- ears and all. The sturdy helmet is made of thermo-plastic poly alloy shell and its ears are moulded from impact-resistant plastic adding to the helmet's protective attributes. And if you also go for the Batman motorcycle suit and backpack that the company produces, then you are sure to look exactly like the protector of Gotham City! Price of helmet: Rs 17,875 ($325)

ONE FOR THE RACES Back in the early days of car racing Bentley was the most formidable champion of the tracks. Though the cars were nothing like the speed hogs they are today, they reflected the leisurely times when people went to enjoy racing with their picnic bags. Bentley is now going back to the past with the Bentley Weekender Picnic Bag inspired by the company’s rich racing past. The bag features the number ‘2’ taken straight out of the 1930s Le Mans-winning car—the Bentley Speed Six Racer. The classic weekender bag is perfect for anyone who wants to be a part of the car racing history and add a retro touch to one’s personality.  Price: Rs 37,675 ($685)

'TYPE' OF A MOUSE  If you are a computer geek and like spending hours pounding on the keyboard and navigating with the mouse, then this new gadget is surely going to grab your attention. Researchers in Perth, Australia have come up with a Combimouse which, as the name suggests, is a keyboard and mouse rolled into one. Divided in two parts, its left unit is stationary with a scroll wheel and some multimedia keys, while the right unit serves as the mouse and the other half of the keyboard. Apart from saving space the Combimouse is an innovative attention-grabber. Price: Rs 5,500 ($100)

BACK TO THE FASHIONABLE FIFTIES It’s been over 50 years since she died, yet her memory has become larger than life elevating her from a glamorous star to an icon. Proof that Marilyn Monroe is still a style diva can be had from the fact that the upscale American store Macy’s recently released Marilyn Monroe, an apparel collection that combines the style of the 20th century fashionista with a modern twist. The collection incorporates the actress’s alluring personality and retro styling into flirty fun pieces. The line embraces silhouettes that fit and flatter the wearer, evoking a Monroe-esque image. So if you are a fashion-forward girl go ahead and order them online.  Price range: From Rs 1,600 to Rs 4,900 ($29 to $89)

A FAT MAGNET  This inexpensive gadget promises to make you slim and trim better than any workout in a gym. The ingenious device is the work of a creative person with fitness on his or her mind. The Fat Magnet removes excess fat floating on the surface of greasy foods and makes meals healthier and even tastier. All you have to do is to put it in the freezer for some time and when a meat or a vegetable is cooking simply glide it over the hot dish for a few seconds. Its metal cone will suck off the floating fat on the surface of gravy foods and curries. Could there be a more lip-smacking way of saying goodbye to those love handles around the waist? Price: Rs 1,100 ($20)

FOREVER SHIRT How many times can you wear a shirt wearable before washing it? The best answer --- one day in summers and maybe a couple of days in winters. How would you react if you were told there is a shirt that can be worn a 100 times before being washed? Impossible, you’d say. Not really. It’s is going to be a reality in the very near future. No wrinkles. No odour. That is the promise from the American fashion manufacturer Wool & Prince, which is transforming the button-down shirt into a tailoring marvel. The company has developed CottonSoft wool fabric, which is anti-wrinkle and very durable. The lightness and breathability of the material is what enables the wearer to smell and look fresh and not like a 100 days old. Price: Rs 5,390 for one &  Rs 15,400 for three ($98 & $280)

HOME IS WHERE THE THEATRE IS Bring out the recliners, pop some corn and enjoy the extreme pleasures of experiencing true hi-fi sound quality from your new KEF E305 home theatre speaker system. Based on the company’s iconic egg-shaped design, the luxurious system will provide hours of audio and video entertainment. It has an astounding surround sound home cinema experience. It has been fitted with five speakers plus a sub-woofer with each speaker, weighing nearly 2.5 kilos, for that command performance. A blend of aesthetics and technology, this new home theatre system takes entertainment to a new level. Price: Rs 76,000 (£900)

BARING HIS FANGS FOR WINE What does the Vampire drink when he’s short of blood supply? Red wine which is exactly the colour of blood. Don’t believe it, then buy the Vampire Wine Bottle Holder which has the ‘Count’ seemingly guzzling your best bottle of wine down his thirsty gullet! Made of cold cast resin, this unique wine bottle holder is hand painted, wonderfully detailed, and makes a great gift for your vampire-loving friends. In your drawing room it may give the creeps to the weak-hearted guests but for most it will make a hilarious conversation piece. Price: Rs 2,200 ($40)

HAVE BOOK, WILL TRAVEL For those with a peripatetic streak, these books can be the ultimate travelling companion. Louis Vuitton has unveiled a set of four artistic travel books: Easter Island by Daniel Arsham, New York by Jean-Philippe Delhomme, London by Natsko Seki and Paris by Chéri Samba. The four books are available in English and French and a special limited-edition version, numbered and signed has also been released for each title. Whether they enhance your travel experience or not may be debatable but they are sure to make a style statement as your hand candy on your next vacation. price: ~3,300 for each normal  Edition book & Rs 1.43 lakh for the special edition books ($60 & $2,600)

leasH POWER  Does your furry friend make you run around for every little need? When you are taking it for a walk, do you get the feeling that you are packing for a round-the world journey? If yes, then the Smart Dog Leash is just what the Vet ordered. It has everything you will possibly need for the next potty break. And that ‘everything’ includes a pop-up water bowl, a dog biscuit container, LED flashlight, LCD clock and all else you require to make your pet feel like a pampered pooch. After all, it is well worth it to unleash the power of the leash! Not only will your pet feel special butn you will add a dash of style to all the spoiling the leash does. Price: Rs 1,430 ($26)

FRAMED WITH A KISS  It is one of the most iconic pictures of our times. Though clicked in 1945 it remains etched in the memory of old-timers and photographic aficionados. The Kiss in Times Square by Alfred Eisenstaedt, clicked with a Leica lll Rangefinder camera, is a part of the photography folklore. The lensman froze the moment of a sailor spontaneously kissing a nurse in New York’s Times Square to celebrate the victory of the Allied Forces over Japan. Almost seven decades later that Leica camera is up for grabs and will go under the hammer soon in Vienna. If you are an avid shutterbug then go ahead and bid for it and become a part a part of photographic history. Price: Estimated to go between $26,000 & $33,000 (Rs 14.30 lakh & Rs 18.15 lakh)