Life & Style

Did you know one of your favourite toys as a child had a history worth hundreds of years? Building blocks have always played an important part in education, childhood development, and creative play for centuries. These simple yet profound learning tools have evolved from handcrafted wooden cubes to sophisticated digital and interactive sets, all designed to improve cognitive development and problem-solving skills. Philosopher and medical researcher John Locke, in his writings, also emphasised the importance of including play in learning and thus inspired the development of some of the early educational toys.

The earliest known building blocks were introduced in the 18th century by educationalist Friedrich Fröbel. Fröbel, who was the founder of kindergarten, introduced “Fröbel’s Gifts” in the early 1800s, a set of geometric blocks that encouraged children to explore shapes, structures, and patterns. These blocks laid the foundation and influenced the design of modern building blocks. His ideas revolutionised childhood education by fostering problem-solving skills, creativity, and logical thinking. 

Future in blocks

Soon, wooden blocks became a popular educational tool, particularly in Europe. Teachers and parents used them to introduce children to basic arithmetic and creative design. These early blocks were usually handcrafted from wood, featuring simple geometric shapes. The 19th and early 20th Centuries saw a significant expansion in the popularity and accessibility of building blocks. Companies such as Anchor Blocks in Germany and Milton Bradley in the United States began mass-producing educational blocks with standardised shapes and sizes. 

During this era, educators increasingly recognised the value of building blocks in teaching practical concepts. They were integrated into school curricula to teach mathematics, problem-solving, physics, etc. 

Leg(o)endary innovations

A major milestone in the evolution of building blocks occurred in 1932 with the introduction of LEGO in Denmark. LEGO revolutionised the traditional block by creating an interlocking brick system that provided endless possibilities for creativity and construction. The interlocking design allowed children to build more complex structures, fostering a deeper understanding of spatial reasoning, engineering, and architectural principles. 

With advancements in technology, building blocks have transformed into digital and interactive learning tools. Augmented reality (AR) and STEM-focused kits, such as LEGO Mindstorms and programmable robotic blocks, allow students to integrate coding, engineering, and design thinking into their play. These innovations continue to bridge the gap between traditional learning and modern technological education.

The 21st century has seen the rise of smart building blocks, such as programmable cubes and digital platforms that integrate with mobile applications. These blocks help introduce children to coding, robotics, and automation, preparing them for careers in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) fields. Companies like Osmo and Cubetto have developed block-based learning systems that teach logic, sequencing, and computational thinking through interactive play.

Sustainability has also become a key focus in the production of modern building blocks. Many companies are shifting towards eco-friendly materials, using recycled plastics, biodegradable components, and ethically sourced wood to create sustainable learning tools. This shift reflects a growing awareness of environmental responsibility in educational product design.

Did you know that the city of Basel, Switzerland with a population of around 1,75,000 people has 37 museums? A similar city division in India, such as Bandra East, Mumbai has that many people. Upmarket Bandra however has no museums and the city, barely a handful.

India has a slew of mega museums on the horizon. The Yuga Yugeen Bharat National Museum is set to span approximately 1,55,000 square metres in New Delhi and is part of the Government of India’s major foray in this space. The Kiran Nadar Museum of Art (KNMA), slated to open in 2026, will present 1,00,000 square metres in the national capital. In Gujarat, the National Maritime Heritage Complex in Lothal will span 375 acres and open to the public in phases starting this year.

A model of the new KNMA museum
| Photo Credit:
Rakesh Anand

These mega cultural powerhouses on the horizon aim for the future even as they present treasures from our shared historic past. As the country shrugs off its colonial cloak, and surges into the second quarter of this century, here are some pointers for it to reimagine its museums as future forward vibrant cultural institutions.

Spectacle buildings by star architects

When housing priceless treasures, most museum planners turn to a well-established architect, with a brief to peg the building as a spectacular talking point. So, whether it’s architect Frank Gehry who put Bilbao, Spain on the map with the Guggenheim Museum or the technology aided soaring glass structure of the Fondation Louis Vuitton in Paris or the Benesse House Museum in Naoshima, Japan by Tadao Ando, the museum buildings are ambitious attractions in themselves. Ando’s contextual architecture inspired by his own personal philosophy translates into powerful spatial experiences in the buildings he creates and is ideal for us to consider.

Guggenheim Museum, Bilbao
| Photo Credit:
Getty Images

In India, a lone example of an extraordinary museum building in recent times is the Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum in Bhuj, Gujarat by late architect B.V. Doshi. It was honoured with the UNESCO Prix Versailles 2024 award and named among the seven most beautiful museums in the world. Attracting several lakh visitors a year, it is a compass for future museums.

Smritivan Earthquake Memorial Museum, Bhuj

Better storytellers in the room

Powerful storytelling that presents historical context or meaning is relevant more than ever in museums. The average city human today is blitzed with images from wake up to lights out. Phones, screens, print media, billboards and more have ensured shorter attention spans and a reluctance to read. It, therefore, takes more than the printed label alongside a museum artefact to enchant a visitor. The US $1 billion Lucas Museum of Narrative Art, slated to open early next year in Los Angeles, California offers a glimpse of the museum of the future revolving solely around visual storytelling. Embedded in its name is its commitment to the narrative.

Palace museums in India in Jodhpur and Udaipur in Rajasthan for example, pepper their historical complexes with local performing artists. The soulful strains of a flute or the twirling, colourful folk dancers enrich visitor experience and make compelling memories. Effective presentation of precious museum valuables requires a mix of good exhibition design, lighting, security and beauty, all wrapped up in engaging storytelling.

A mini-Quran from Partition at the Museum of Material Memory. The museum, co-founded in 2017 by Aanchal Malhotra and Navdha Malhotra, is a crowdsourced digital repository of material culture from the Indian subcontinent, tracing family histories and social ethnography through heirlooms, collectibles, and objects of antiquity.
| Photo Credit:
Madhavi Jain/Museum of Material Memory

Welcoming millennials

As a non-millennial, I offer the definition of this term for this argument as any young person with easy and constant access to technology and social media. Millennials today have avatars that simultaneously reside across a bewildering number of platforms. Like you and I brush our teeth in the morning, they share personal stories of everything from getting dressed (GRWM), community and caste trauma, complicated family histories, immigrant hostilities and diaspora celebrations. Barring the mundane, some of the stories are visceral, raw and filled with emotion.

Now, take these young persons to a museum filled with objects, screens and diagrams. Nothing. There is no connect. These audiences want histories told through stories. They also want immediate access to photograph, share, meme and speak. It is their language and our major Indian museums with a blanket ban on photography, videography and restricted access to collections shut out this age group.

A sewing machine as old as independent India. The Museum of Material Memory is powerful, emotional and forms a bridge for people to connect through stories told in the digital realm.
| Photo Credit:
Aanchal Malhotra/Museum of Material Memory

Not just a game

Did you know the Tate Modern is a Pokéstop? Have I lost you, and may I explain? The highly addictive Pokémon GO released in 2016 is an augmented reality game. With over a billion downloads, players surprisingly cut across all age groups and chase Pokémon monsters in the real world, including museums such as the Tate. Museums as geolocations have lured gamers and thereby bolstered engagement, because once you enter a museum, even the most resilient visitor will find fascination in something. The Nintendo Museum, Kyoto that opened last year enables visitors to experience the nostalgia of early video gaming.

Nintendo Museum, Kyoto
| Photo Credit:
Reuters

Meanwhile in India, tech museums or even the incorporation of high-end tech is still in a nascent stage and leaves much to be desired.

The writer is the founder-director of Eka Archiving Services.

The motorcycle is powered by a new 399cc single-cylinder LC4c engine.
| Photo Credit: Special Arrangement

KTM has officially launched the 390 Enduro R in India, introducing its Enduro category to the market for the first time. Designed as a dual-sport motorcycle, the 390 Enduro R combines off-road readiness with on-road functionality.

The motorcycle is powered by a new 399cc single-cylinder LC4c engine, the same unit featured in the latest generation of the KTM Duke 390. The powerplant is BS6-compliant, with updated cylinder heads, revised gearboxes, and a Power Assisted Slipper Clutch. KTM has also added a Quickshifter+ system as an option. Service intervals are set at 7,500 km, following an initial 1,000 km service.

The chassis of KTM 390 Enduro R comprises a new 2-piece steel trellis frame and bolt-on steel subframe.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The 390 Enduro R follows a maintenance schedule with the first service at 1,000 km, followed by regular intervals of 7,500 km. With this launch, KTM aims to appeal to riders looking for a machine capable of tackling Indian roads and trails with equal confidence.

The chassis of KTM 390 Enduro R comprises a new 2-piece steel trellis frame and bolt-on steel subframe, tailored for off-road geometry. A gravity die-cast swingarm further reinforces the structure. Suspension duties are handled by a 43 mm open cartridge fork with 200 mm of travel at the front, and a WP APEX monoshock offering 205 mm of travel at the rear. The bike runs on 21-inch front and 18-inch rear spoke wheels wrapped in knobby tires sized 90/90R21 and 140/80R18. Braking is managed by ByBre disc brakes—285 mm at the front and 240 mm at the rear—with switchable ABS.

Ground clearance is improved thanks to a redesigned airbox.
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Ergonomics and utility are considered with a slim 9-litre metal fuel tank, off-road-oriented fairings, and an off-road-focused rider triangle. Ground clearance is improved thanks to a redesigned airbox, while a new stainless steel exhaust system removes the need for an end muffler, helping to reduce overall weight.

In terms of technology, the bike features a new 4.2-inch TFT dashboard with bonded glass and anti-glare coating, a USB-C charging port, and updated switchgear with joystick control. Bluetooth connectivity allows for turn-by-turn navigation and music control via a smartphone.

Riders can choose between Street and Off-Road ride modes
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Riders can choose between Street and Off-Road ride modes, with the latter offering increased rear-wheel slip and the option to turn off Motorcycle Traction Control entirely for better control on rough terrain. LED lighting is standard across the model.

The KTM 390 Enduro R is priced at ₹3,36,500 (ex-showroom, Delhi). A variant with extended 230 mm suspension travel will be introduced soon.

Motorscribes, in association with The Hindu, brings you the latest in cars and bikes. Follow them on Instagram on @motorscribes

Imagine you are eating takeout, and suddenly you feel like you are getting breathless and it’s getting difficult for you to swallow the food. You also feel itchiness in several parts of your body. These might be symptoms of an allergic reaction or anaphylaxis. When you are allergic to a certain food item or object, and you accidentally consume the same, your immune system reacts to protect you from the “invader”. This immune response leads to the release of a flood of chemicals, which cause symptoms of an allergic reaction.

An anaphylactic shock is a more severe, life-threatening allergic reaction that occurs after exposure to an allergen. It is a rapidly progressing anaphylaxis resulting in a life-threatening drop in blood pressure. It is a medical emergency that requires immediate attention and can affect multiple organ systems in the body, including the respiratory, cardiovascular, gastrointestinal, and skin systems. Understanding its causes, symptoms, diagnosis, and treatment is essential in managing this critical condition effectively.

The most common allergens that can cause anaphylaxis include:

– Foods like peanuts, tree nuts, shellfish, milk, eggs, soy, and wheat are frequent culprits.

– Medications, including antibiotics like penicillin and some anaesthetics, can induce anaphylaxis.

– Bee, wasp, hornet, and ant stings or bites can also be triggers.

How does the shock occur?

Anaphylactic shock occurs when the immune system produces immunoglobulin E (IgE) antibodies (a type of antibody primarily involved in allergic reactions and parasitic infections, produced by the immune system to defend against allergens and other threats) in response to an allergen. Upon re-exposure, the allergen binds to these antibodies on the mast cells and basophils (both are white blood cells in the immune system), causing them to release large amounts of histamine and other inflammatory mediators (naturally occurring chemical compounds that play a crucial role in the body’s immune response).

This is what leads to the various symptoms of an allergic reaction, including vasodilation or widening of blood vessels, resulting in a dramatic drop in blood pressure and increased vascular permeability, causing fluid to leak from blood vessels into tissues, which contributes to swelling; bronchoconstriction or narrowing of airways, making it difficult to breathe; and gastrointestinal symptoms like vomiting, diarrhoea, and abdominal pain and skin reactions, including hives and itching. These physiological changes can rapidly compromise the function of vital organs, particularly the heart and lungs.

How do you identify anaphylaxis?

Anaphylaxis typically has a rapid onset, often occurring within minutes of exposure to an allergen. However, in some instances, symptoms may not manifest for up to an hour or more. Check for the symptoms mentioned earlier and contact a medical professional as soon as possible, apart from using epinephrine or an EpiPen on the individual. In severe cases, there may be a sudden drop in blood pressure, which can lead to loss of consciousness as well.

Diagnosing allergies!

Anaphylaxis is primarily diagnosed based on clinical presentation and patient history. There are no specific lab tests that can diagnose anaphylaxis during an acute event, but tests such as serum tryptase levels can help confirm the diagnosis afterward.

Identifying the allergen through allergy testing (such as skin prick or blood tests) may also be useful to prevent future episodes.

Healthcare providers use criteria from the World Allergy Organization (WAO) or National Institute of Allergy and Infectious Diseases (NIAID) to identify anaphylaxis. A diagnosis is typically made when there is a sudden onset of symptoms involving multiple organ systems after exposure to a known or likely allergen.

Important treatments

Immediate treatment is crucial to prevent death from anaphylaxis. The first-line treatment is the administration of epinephrine (adrenaline), as it helps in constricting blood vessels, which increases blood pressure, relaxes the muscles in the airways, makes it easier to breathe and reduces swelling and hives. Epinephrine is usually administered via an auto-injector (like an EpiPen). After administration, the person should seek emergency medical help, even if symptoms appear to improve, as a biphasic reaction (a second wave of symptoms) can occur hours later.

Preventing anaphylaxis involves identifying and avoiding known allergens. People at risk should remember to carry an epinephrine auto-injector at all times and know how to use it. One should also remember to inform healthcare providers regarding their allergy before receiving medications or undergoing procedures to avoid unwanted reactions. Also, take care to read food labels and ask about the ingredients used when eating out. Some may benefit from allergen immunotherapy (desensitisation) under the supervision of an allergist. This therapy gradually introduces small amounts of the allergen to reduce sensitivity over time.

With prompt treatment, most people recover completely from anaphylaxis. However, the condition can be fatal if not treated quickly. According to studies, the mortality rate for anaphylaxis is low but not negligible, highlighting the importance of awareness and preparedness. Children, individuals with asthma, and those with a history of previous anaphylactic reactions are at a higher risk of severe outcomes. Continuous education, awareness, and preparedness can significantly reduce the impact of this condition.

On the map, Kodakara is a small, nondescript town in Kerala’s Thrissur district. At best, the famous Athirappilly waterfalls is located about 30 minutes from it. My interest, however, is piqued when I learn — through lens-based artist and writer S. Hariharan’s social media posts — about the existence of two art museums in close proximity to this town. They are noteworthy because not only are the two creating access and awareness about art and photography in a region where such facilities do not exist, but they are also taking such conversations beyond the urban elite.

PhotoMuse, located in the adjacent Mattathur panchayat, is dedicated to the art, history and science of photography, and the Art Museum of Love in Kodakara displays a collection of artworks themed around the concept of love. The common link: Unni Krishnan Pulikkal, a photo artist, curator and medical practitioner based in Kodakara.

Unni Krishnan Pulikkal

When I meet Dr. Pulikkal, he introduces himself as a doctor till noon — his practice is in his birthplace, Kodaly village, about 8 km from Kodakara — and artist for the rest of the day. Over the years, on his travels across India and abroad, he has been a regular visitor of art museums. “I have always felt that art shouldn’t be restricted to a select few. What about the people in my village [many of whom are from lower income groups]? Shouldn’t they have access?” asks Dr. Pulikkal, who has previously talked about how the idea first occurred to him while visiting the George Eastman Museum (dedicated to photography) in the U.S. in 2009. It was reinforced during visits to other photography and art museums in New York and Berlin. “In the times we live in, every person should receive an education in the arts. It makes them more humane. And the museums are my way of making that contribution to society and my people,” he states.

PhotoMuse

Exhibitions and exchanges

PhotoMuse, run by the Better Art Foundation, a non-profit public charitable trust founded by the doctor, is India’s first public photo museum. It operated from a small room in a rented building for over a decade, before a permanent museum opened in 2024. Its over 15,000-strong collection includes antique cameras and photography equipment, antique prints, documents, books, negatives, and much more.

Antique cameras at PhotoMuse

Over the years, the museum has curated exhibitions featuring well-known artists, and organised shows and exchange programmes with foreign institutions — such as the current exhibition City as a Dynamic Space with the Cleveland Photo Festival. Regular workshops are held to create awareness, and empower the local community through photography. The museum also brings out an annual photo journal, and is now working towards organising a photo festival in November, a first in the region.

Visitors at PhotoMuse

The museum, which receives between five and 10 visitors on any given day (with the numbers increasing on holidays and when school or college groups visit), is supported by 40 patrons who pay an annual donation of ₹1 lakh each or more. Last month, in recognition of their work, PhotoMuse also received a one-time grant of ₹1 lakh from the Kerala government last month.

All for love

The Art Museum of Love, which opened last year, is Dr. Pulikkal’s passion project. Located on the Thrissur-Kochi Highway, it displays paintings, folk art, sculpture, and photography connected to the celebration of love across different visual art traditions. “I have been collecting art for over 20 years, and I wanted to share this. It is an attempt to remind people about the omnipresence of love in all cultures of the world,” he says.

A display at the Art Museum of Love

It has exhibition galleries and a beautiful outdoor café with an adjoining space for discussions and get-togethers. But, do the locals visit? “Very few [at the moment], but change takes time. It can’t happen overnight,” he says, adding that the museum is preparing to host two exhibitions — one featuring photography and another paintings.

At the Art Museum of Love

“The scenario in the West is very different because going to a museum is an accepted cultural activity and part of their education and upbringing, so those comparisons aren’t fair. But I am in no hurry. I am sure they will come and I am ready to wait.”

The writer is a critic and cultural commentator, and teaches at FLAME University, Pune. 

The luxury watch industry is on a sticky wicket. After two years of stupendous global sales growth backed by post-COVID revenge shopping, the industry fell back a bit last year — approximately 3% by sales revenue and almost 10% by units sold. Clearly, brands are selling more expensive products and increasing prices. Watch prices over the past three years have outperformed even some of the stock markets.

Now that premiums have corrected to some extent from the post pandemic highs, the key concerns facing the industry remain: a persistently strong Swiss franc, and President Trump’s sudden announcement (during the fair) to raise tariffs to 31% on Swiss import — sending the luxury sector into a tizzy. The US has not only been the biggest market for luxury watches, it has also delivered excellent growth over the past three years. No wonder, the industry is worried.

Oyster Perpetual Datejust 31
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

As a luxury watch enthusiast, I was curious to see if there were price corrections and more accessible offerings at Watches and Wonders 2025 to propel the industry back into the growth orbit.  Instead, I witnessed just the opposite.  Brands have chosen even more precious, expensive, and exclusive routes. More gold and precious metals. More high jewellery paired with fine watchmaking.

Another trend I observed was the increased use of colour and art on dials. The dominant case size remained around 38-40 mm dials, a trend we have been witnessing since 2022. No more solid black, white or greys, no chunkier 46-48 mm watches. What was missing this year, however, was any significant technical breakthrough in watch movements.

Go for gold and beyond

I saw so many gold case and bracelet watches, that they seemed to outnumber the stainless steel watches, — at least in the central area of Palexpo where the big brands exhibit. There was the new Rolex Land-Dweller in gold and platinum; and the sportier IWC Ingenieur Automatic 40 had a full 5N gold case and bracelet version.

Almost all Rolex models like GMT-Master II with Cerachrom dial — made from a green ceramic, Datejust 31 with red ombré dial and diamonds on the bezel and hour markers, Cosmograph Daytona with turquoise blue lacquer dial — came in white or gold versions. The more classic 1908, was spotted in platinum.

IWC Ingenieur 40
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The bigger story was the comeback of yellow gold, with many brands opting for the OG gold colour instead of the industry darling, rose gold. Platinum was also the choice for the commemorative 160th anniversary edition of Zenith GFJ, celebrating the return of the iconic Calibre 135 for the Maison. Needless to say, marquee brands like Jaeger-LeCoultre, Cartier, and Vacheron Constantin leaned heavily on precious metals to uphold luxury codes and maintain high price points.

Pop goes the colour

Colour on Swiss watches was relatively a new phenomenon. Only the last decade had seen brands experimenting with colour, and the trend had picked up steam post-pandemic, almost as a mood elevator. When a high-end collector’s brand like Richard Mille introduced candy colours a few years ago, pop colour got its legitimacy in the holy grail of watchmaking. There is no stopping it now.

This year at Watches and Wonders, TAG Heuer marked its comeback into F1 timekeeping with an array of products, notably the Formula 1 Solargraph in nine references featuring a new material, TH-Polylight, in pop hues like yellow, red, and blue. Even the second line — TAG Heuer Carrera Day-Date and TAG Heuer Carrera Date Twin-Time, with refined case geometry and powerful in-house TH31 movements offering 80 hours of precision and a five-year warranty — was offered in five striking references that channelled heritage with modern elegance.

TAG Heuer F1 Solargraph
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

The same story continued with Hublot’s 20th year celebration of the iconic Big Bang, with most key lines adopting colours in ceramic and sapphire. Limited to just five sets, the Big Bang 20th Anniversary “Master of Sapphire” set features five Big Bang MECA-10 models, each cased in a different sapphire or SAXEM (Sapphire Aluminium oXide and rare Earth Mineral) case: transparent sapphire, water blue sapphire, deep blue sapphire, purple sapphire and neon yellow SAXEM — each with a transparent strap to match.

To celebrate its 160th anniversary, Zenith unveiled a trilogy of its most emblematic chronographs: Chronomaster Sport, Defy Skyline Chronograph and Pilot Big Date Flyback in a specially developed deep blue ceramic — each limited to 160 pieces, available individually or as a collector’s set. Ulysse Nardin’s lightest mechanical dive watch, the highly skeletonised Diver (AIR), sported a bright orange strap weighing only 8g.

Dial for art, dial for the jewel

Artistic and high jewellery timepieces were in full view. Jaeger-LeCoultre launched an impressive artistic collection in Reverso — particularly noteworthy was the Reverso Tribute Enamel Shahnameh, which paid homage to one of the world’s greatest works of literature and art–the Persian epic poem, Shahnameh. In tribute to the history of miniature painting, which originated in Persia, the caseback of each piece featured a miniature illustration from the magnificent edition of the Shahnameh created in the 16th Century, dedicated to Shah Tahmasp.

Franck Muller Cintrée Curvex Cut Flower 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Van Cleef & Arpels, though unusually restrained this year, launched the enchanting Lady Arpels Bal des Amoureux Automate watch in 18k white gold and diamonds. Taking its inspiration from a charming setting reminiscent of the Parisian guinguettes of the 19th Century — open-air dance cafés typical of Paris’s surrounding areas — the two lovers came closer together for a kiss at noon and midnight, and on demand, thanks to an automaton movement.

Outside of the fair, Franck Muller dazzled with collections mainly focussed on the feminine, in high jewellery timepieces. The brand unveiled the Cintrée Curvex Cut Flower — a high jewellery timepiece with diamond-petal motifs crafted using the Curvex Cut Diamond technique that shaped each stone to follow the curvature of the petal, creating a sense of depth and organic movement. The openwork dial revealed the interplay of gears, bridges and springs. Scattered across the dial, diamond flowers bloomed.

Chopard’s L’Heure du Diamant collection 
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

Chopard’s L’Heure du Diamant collection combined the Maison’s contemporary high-precision watchmaking and artistic jewellery design. The collection is now enhanced by a stylised new model in ethical 18k rose gold, with a malachite dial surrounded by diamonds featuring Chopard’s signature crown-setting technique. 

Size remains modest

Joining the 40 mm size of the Rolex Land-Dweller and IWC Ingenieur were many other brand launches. TAG Heuer brought the TAG Heuer Formula 1 into the spotlight with nine reimagined solar-powered models, featuring a refined 38 mm case, bold colourways inspired by F1® liveries.  

Frederique Constant Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture
| Photo Credit:
Special Arrangement

To celebrate 160 years of watchmaking excellence, Zenith revived Calibre 135 from the 1950s in a commemorative model — the GFJ, named after Zenith founder Georges Favre-Jacot. This beautiful timepiece in a 39 mm platinum case featured three shades of blue on the dial: a striking lapis lazuli dial, a mother-of-pearl subdial, and a guilloché brick motif, inspired by the historic Zenith Manufacture.

Frederique Constant brought back the Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture with a new design and movement, and a stunning salmon colour. The Classic case houses the new Manufacture FC-776 calibre, the 34th developed in-house, boasting a three-day power reserve, and the case size measured 40 mm.

While another year of Watches and Wonders being bold, gold and different comes to an end, the industry waits with bated breath on which way it is headed. Will we see the run of colour continuing next year, or see more whites, greys and blacks, only time will tell.

When it comes to age-defying skincare, most of us look to serums, creams, and cosmetic procedures. But sometimes, nature has already gifted us with a powerful anti-ageing ingredient and it may be hiding in your kitchen or local Ayurvedic store. Enter Gond Katira, also known as Tragacanth gum, a natural gum derived from the sap of plants native to the Middle East and parts of South Asia. This translucent, jelly-like substance has long been used in Ayurvedic and Unani medicine for its cooling, restorative, and healing properties. And now, it’s having a well-deserved moment in the wellness spotlight as a powerful, ingestible beauty elixir.

Gond Katira is a rich source of polysaccharides, essential minerals, and antioxidants. These nutrients help combat free radicals, unstable molecules that damage skin cells and accelerate ageing. Its cooling properties help balance internal inflammation, which is often a hidden culprit behind skin issues like premature wrinkles, dullness, and breakouts. Beyond skincare, Gond Katira supports gut health, hormone balance, and hydration – each of which plays a key role in how our skin looks and feels.

This gum is also known to support collagen production, improve skin elasticity, and maintain hydration from within. Unlike topical treatments, consuming Gond Katira works from the inside out, providing long-term benefits that reflect on your skin, hair, and overall vitality.
So, how exactly can you consume Gond Katira as a part of your anti-ageing routine?

Gond Katira comes in small crystal-like pieces that need to be soaked before consumption. Take about 1 teaspoon of dry Gond Katira and soak it in a glass of water overnight. By morning, it will have swelled into a jelly-like, translucent mass. This is the base for all your beauty-boosting preparations.
Pro tip: Make sure to wash it thoroughly to remove any dust or impurities.

There are multiple delicious and effective ways to consume Gond Katira. Here are a few easy options to suit different tastes and routines:
1. Morning elixir with honey and lemon
Start your day with a glow-boosting detox drink.
Ingredients: 1-2 tablespoons of soaked Gond Katira, juice of half a lemon, 1 tsp honey, and a glass of lukewarm water.

Summer is here and it is important to keep the body cool and hydrated. And one of the ways to do so is to add Gond Katira in your summer diet. Also known as Tragacanth Gum, it is a natural resin derived from the sap of certain plants, commonly used in Ayurveda and traditional Indian remedies. It’s known for its cooling, hydrating, and medicinal properties. As per Ayurveda, it is a rasayana, which helps revitalize the body, improve strength, stamina, and overall vitality. It has cooling properties, which help calm inflammation, skin issues, nosebleeds, and excessive heat-related symptoms — all signs of aggravated pitta. Take a look at 5 reasons to add Gond Katira in your summer diet.

Benefits: Lemon detoxifies, honey adds antibacterial properties, and the Gond Katira cools and hydrates the body.
2. With milk or plant-based alternatives
Turn it into a creamy, soothing beauty drink.
Ingredients: 1 glass of warm or cold milk (dairy or almond/oat milk), 1-2 tbsp soaked Gond Katira, a pinch of cardamom, and jaggery or dates for sweetness.
Benefits: Perfect as a night-time potion, this combo promotes skin repair, better sleep, and hormonal balance—key factors in slowing the ageing process.
3. Mix into your Chia pudding or smoothie bowls
If you’re into functional superfoods and pretty bowls, Gond Katira is a great addition.
Add 1 tbsp of the soaked jelly into chia pudding, smoothie bowls, or overnight oats.
Benefits: Adds texture, boosts hydration, and enhances the nutrient value of your breakfast.

The best time to consume Gond Katira is either early morning on an empty stomach or at bedtime, depending on your lifestyle. Morning intake helps flush out toxins and prep your system for the day, while night-time intake supports internal healing and skin regeneration as you sleep.

For beauty and anti-ageing benefits, three to four times a week is ideal. In hotter months, Gond Katira also acts as a natural body coolant, so daily consumption in summer can also help calm inflammation that leads to skin flare-ups.
However, moderation is key. Taking too much can cause excessive cooling and digestive issues in some individuals, especially in winter months.

Gond Katira doesn’t just keep wrinkles at bay, it’s a holistic health booster. Here’s what else it can do for your overall wellness:
Hydrates from within: It acts like an internal moisturiser, keeping your skin supple and dewy.
Promotes hormonal balance: Especially helpful for women in their 30s and 40s, as hormonal shifts can impact skin texture and radiance.

Aids digestion: A healthy gut means clearer skin and better absorption of nutrients.
Boosts hair health: Its collagen-supporting properties also help in maintaining strong, shiny hair.

While Gond Katira is generally safe, it’s not recommended for:
People with extreme cold body types or excess mucous issues in winter.
Pregnant women (without medical advice).
Those on heavy medication or with chronic health conditions should consult a doctor before adding it to their routine.

There’s a reason why ancient traditions swore by Gond Katira, it’s one of those rare ingredients that addresses both internal and external ageing. With its unique ability to cool, hydrate, and repair from within, it deserves a spot in your natural beauty arsenal. So, the next time you think of skincare, don’t just reach for a jar of cream, reach for a spoonful of soaked Gond Katira instead. It’s nature’s quiet little secret to youthful, glowing skin that doesn’t just look healthy, but is healthy from within.

Laser tag at Sector7 Games
| Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“Do you want to try this again?” asks Govind Ajayakumar — co-owner of Sector7 Games located in Kazhakuttam, Thiruvananthapuram— a few minutes after I sat down to catch my breath, playing hyper grid — a game, which requires the players to move on a 12*24 touch sensitive rectangular course with illuminated tiles of evolving colours. As I began, I was chased by a wave of red tiles. I ran, leapt and dove onto the blue-and-white tiles, to earn points, qualify and stay alive in the game.

Hyper grid at Sector7 Games
| Photo Credit:
Nainu Oommen

I had five lives, meaning I could step on the crimson tiles only five times. The timer was also set at five minutes, even though I went through all my lives and energy in less than two minutes. “That was our easiest level,” says Govind smiling, before he armed me with a plastic gun and armoured me with a black vest dotted with LED lights and censors.

Little did I know, Govind was warming me up for a battle at the gaming centre’s laser tag arena, possibly the only one in the city.

Laser tag, a global recreational sport popular as a “corporate team outing activity” in cities like Bengaluru, has players battling it out with plastic model guns which emit infrared laser rays targeted at opponents. The objective is to hit the rays on the opponents’ vests.

Laser tag equipment at Sector7 Games
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

“I have always liked laser tag and saw a gap for it in Thiruvananthapuram. We started working on the idea in August 2024 and began functioning on March 15 this year,” says Govind who is also currently working at a private company in Bengaluru. “Even when we go for team outings, I always push for laser tags even though we have multiple options like escape rooms or go karting there,” adds the 31-year old who partnered with his former schoolmate Ajesh Anil to open this venture.

The laser tag range at Sector7 Games is a dark room spanning around 1500 sq ft, with ramps and plywood partitions of different heights and fluorescent blue reflective tapes stuck on their edges, acting as hideouts. The players are armed with rechargeable equipment imported from Russia. They must be agile, alert and accurate while running through obstacles and taking down their opponents. “The games are physically taxing, and it can actually feel like a workout,” says Govind.

Inside the laser tag range at Sector7 Games
| Photo Credit:
SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Four types of laser tag battles can be played here. Best of best refers to a match with the players competing individually. Two to 10 players can play the game simultaneously and each will have five lives when they begin. However, even if they run out of lives, the players will be revived in a few seconds and can fight again. This goes on till they run out of time and ultimately, the scoreboard reveals the winner.

“Another mode, base station is played in teams. The players must attack their opponents and their enemy bases. For each hit on their opponent, they get two points and for each hit on the base, they get 10 points,” says Govind. In this mode, the bases are revived after a small interval and the players are revived at an area called the energiser. Another team game called control point includes capturing the three bases in the field for as long as they can while attacking.

The laser tag sessions are charged at ₹349 per person for 20 minutes. “Within this period, we give them a five-minute trial period to get used to equipment. We have given 20 minutes so that people can enjoy it thoroughly. However, with all the running and climbing, people are completely exhausted by that time.”

The hyper grid which has 10 levels and three difficulty modes, is priced at ₹199 for 15 minutes. Players can also compete in teams and against each other in this game. Sector7 Games also offers a few games to be played with a Virtual Reality headset. These cost ₹99 for 10 minutes.

“Ideally, we want to open more such centres in Thiruvananthapuram as there aren’t many premium entertainment options for young adults in the city. We are aiming for corporate team outings while birthday celebrations are also common in these centres.”

Sector7 Games is located at first floor, Soorya Enclave, Kazhakuttam. Laser tag: ₹349 per person for 20 minutes; hyper grid: ₹199 per person for 15 minutes; VR games: ₹99 per person for 10 minutes. Contact: 8921426693

A molecular biologist from Madurai, our quizmaster enjoys trivia and music, and is working on a rock ballad called ‘Coffee is a Drink, Kaapi is an Emotion’. @bertyashley

Quiz: Easy like Sunday morning – What has April 20 ever given us?

What is English actor and filmmaker Andy Serkis best known for?

START THE QUIZ

1 / 10 |
On this day in 1861, American scientist TSC Lowe made a record journey travelling 900 miles from Cincinnati to South Carolina. Calling himself an ‘aeronaut’, what did he use to fly that should remind you of the film Up?

2 / 10 |
On this day in 1862, French physiologist Claude Bernard and his friend completed their experiment, which disproved the theory of spontaneous generation. They heated milk up to 100°C and proved that all microorganisms died. Who was the friend after whom this process is now named?

3 / 10 |
In 1902, this day, a couple successfully isolated 0.1 gm of Radium chloride from pitchblende. This was the discovery of a new element as well as the beginning of understanding radioactivity. What was the name of the couple?

4 / 10 |
Born this day in 1904, George Stibitz was an American researcher who is recognised as one of the founders of modern computing. He was the first to put forth the usage of a word to represent the usage of binary code in computing. What word did he suggest that earlier meant ‘fingers’?

5 / 10 |
On this day in 1940, the Radio Corporation of America (RCA) demonstrated a revolutionary microscope in Philadelphia. It was able to achieve an unprecedented magnification of 100,000 times. What device was this that uses subatomic particles as a source of illumination?

6 / 10 |
Born this day in 1950, this person known as the modern ‘Kingmaker’ is the longest serving Chief Minister of his state. He played a major role in the governance of three Prime Ministers — H.D. Deve Gowda, I.K. Gujral and A.B. Vajpayee. Who is this CM, who played the same role again last year?

7 / 10 |
On April 20, 1962, a NASA civilian pilot took a X-15 to 63,250 m, the highest altitude reached ever. The next was Gemini-8 that was in outer space. The pilot, who was travelling at Mach 5.74, was later chosen to do something historic seven years later. Who was this pilot?

8 / 10 |
Born this day in 1964, Andy Serkis is an English actor who has been part of multiple box-office hits. The audience might not recognise him as his expertise lies in the art of ‘mocap’, with which he played Gollum, King Kong and Baloo the bear. What does ‘mocap’ stand for?

9 / 10 |
On this day in 1968, a British rock band called ‘Roundabout’ debuted in Denmark. After the tour, they decided to change their name. The options were either ‘Concrete God’, or another name which was the guitarist’s grandmother’s favourite song title. Contrary to popular belief, it wasn’t their favourite colour. Which band is this?

10 / 10 |
Born this day in 1969, Felix Baumgartner is an Austrian daredevil who in 2012 was the centre of the Red Bull Stratos Project. He set multiple world records then and became the first human to break the sound barrier without a vehicle. What did he do to make these records?

Answer : Jumped from the stratosphere

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Depression is becoming more common in the US, a new report from the US Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has highlighted.
Depression prevalence has nearly doubled, from 7.3% in 2015-16 to more than 13% in 2021-23, the report, which was released on Wednesday, revealed. “Depression prevalence decreased with increasing age. Overall, prevalence was highest in adolescents ages 12–19 (19.2%) and lowest in adults age 60 and older (8.7%),” it found.
The findings come from a federal survey conducted between August 2021 and August 2023. Participants were asked whether they had experienced specific symptoms linked to depression in the previous two weeks. Their responses to these validated screening questions were then scored to assess whether they met the criteria for depression. Depression symptoms were measured using the Patient Health Questionnaire.

“Major depression is a common and treatable mood disorder characterized by changes in cognitive and physical symptoms lasting for at least 2 weeks,” the US CDC defines.
Depression is a lot more than just a bad mood or feeling low. It’s a mental health condition that affects how you think, feel, and act. It can make even the smallest tasks feel like climbing a mountain. And the tricky part? You can’t always see it. Someone may look perfectly fine on the outside but be battling a storm within.
Depression, often misunderstood as being lazy or overthinking, is a real, medical condition that needs just as much attention as a physical illness. It affects millions globally and is becoming more common, especially with the fast-paced, high-stress lifestyle many of us lead today.
Building healthy habits early on—like regular exercise, eating nutritious food, getting enough sleep, staying socially connected, and managing stress—can all help protect your mental health. Think of it as creating a strong base so your mind has something solid to stand on during tough times.
Depression doesn’t look the same for everyone, but here are some common signs:

If any of these last more than two weeks and interfere with your daily life, it’s a sign you might need support.

The first step is to acknowledge what you’re feeling. And know that it’s okay to not be okay. You don’t have to tough it out alone. Talk to someone you trust—a friend, a family member, or a professional.
Talk to a therapist or counselor. Therapy isn’t just for “serious” cases—it’s a safe space to sort through your thoughts. Move your body, even a 15-minute walk can help your brain release feel-good chemicals. Eat right and hydrate, your gut and brain are connected. Junk food can mess with your mood. Stick to a routine, even small daily rituals—like making your bed or taking a morning shower—can create a sense of structure. Limit screen time, social media can sometimes amplify negative feelings. A little digital detox can work wonders. Try journaling or mindfulness, writing down your thoughts or just sitting quietly with your breath can help you feel more grounded.