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Japan Times
13 hours ago
- Science
- Japan Times
A singular ensemble: Indian food, science and Fukushima
When I first visited Japan in 2014, raw fish over vinegared rice wasn't as much of a culinary shock as the sheer size of naan here. The bread, paired with an almost neon-red butter chicken curry, struck me as a strange take on my homeland's cuisine. The following year, I moved here to enroll in an undergraduate program and found my astonishment growing into disappointment. Indian food, to me, was unrecognizable in the ensemble most commonly seen in Japan. At home, it was Ma's weekday dinner where rice would be eaten in three parts: first with ghee and salt or stir-fried gourd skins (a vestige of British-manufactured famines in India during World War II); second with dal simmered with fish head alongside fried vegetables; third alongside a fish curry with rohu or catla, sweetened tomato chutney and finally a dessert. Growing up in suburban Mumbai, I also have fond memories of Goan pork sausages for breakfast or Anglo-Indian mutton curry (marinated in whiskey for a week) for dinner. Understanding Ma's attention to the individual elements of every meal wasn't just an exercise in gastronomy — it also formed the basis of my own journey in science. After receiving my bachelor's, I went on to pursue my PhD in chemistry, studying protein molecules bound to DNA. In this field of research, there are two major types of experiments: ensemble and single-molecule. The former involves collecting measurements from a large number of molecules, which means producing an average that erases individual nuance. The latter, which my lab focused on, scrutinizes single molecules, one at a time, allowing for a layered understanding of biological mechanisms. Although rewarding, the work itself is difficult. I spent the entire first year of my PhD in a dark room, observing molecules for hours without successful data. When my experiments did work, though, the joy was unmatched. Medium and message Even while working with molecules in lab environments, I always felt a need to connect with human society beyond campus enclosures. When I arrived in Sendai in 2015, there were several volunteer organizations working along the Pacific coast in the aftermath of the 2011 Great East Japan Earthquake. My understanding of the 2011 disaster was limited — mostly shaped by Indian media coverage when I was still in middle school. During my first years in Japan, as tourism around the Tohoku region was in decline, I participated in early projects that involved traveling all around to advise local governments on how to better attract and serve international visitors. A few years later, I met Tatsuhiro Yamane, a Tokyo native who had relocated with his family to Futaba, home to the Fukushima Daiichi Nuclear Power Plant. I eventually joined his company, the Futaba Area Tourism Research Association (F-ATRAs), and helped develop walking tours that highlighted the town's history and culture — stories of the everyday that often get buried under the disaster narrative. In 2023, Japan's decision to release treated water into the Pacific drew widespread backlash — not because of flawed data but due to broken trust. Coastal Fukushima is still viewed by some as a zone of fear, its agricultural and fishing industries tainted by the aura of the nuclear disaster. That is why I believe community-building and wresting control of the narrative — the work I'm still involved with through F-ATRAs — are so critical. Communication must adapt to its audience, especially when that audience is skeptical. I took this thought quite literally into my own kitchen in Sendai. In the spring of 2024, I had the opportunity to host a celebratory dinner at home for leaders from my academic institution. I decided to serve my version of Indian cuisine in a multicourse format. One of the dishes I prepared was chicken shahi korma, a white curry said to have been served at the inauguration of the Taj Mahal. Traditionally, curries are garnished with fresh cilantro. But knowing many in Japan are averse to its distinctive flavor, I opted for a local substitution: dried habanori seaweed. With its earthy flavor, habanori preserved the dish's subtlety and blended into the velvety almond-yogurt curry base. It was, in a sense, the same message — just spoken in a different tongue. The molecules of a nation My experience in single-molecule research taught me the value of examining systems at the microscopic level while keeping the broader picture in mind. This shaped how I saw the role of both Indian food and a town like Futaba within Japan. The country, as a unit, is similar to what one would describe as the conditions of an ensemble experiment. Democracy, without proper institutions, can represent only the average opinion of the millions of people within it. However, the framework of the nation-state is rather new. Land and its people existed long before the first nation-state was formed. Coming to Japan as a teenager — and indeed, that first encounter with Indian food in a vastly different cultural context — piqued my interest in the communities that constituted my immediate surroundings, the molecules that build toward the ensemble called 'nation.' Given that science is a product of the human hunger for meaning, Fukushima helped me realize the many ways I could connect science back to the philosophy that birthed it. The scientific method — problem, hypothesis, experiment, conclusion — has broader applications than we credit it for. When I moved from the prefectural capital of Sendai to the small town of Namie, Fukushima Prefecture, in the autumn of 2024, I decided to reorient myself through food. I spent New Year's eve making a box of osechi ryōri (traditional New Year's food), which included the simmered kuwai (arrowroot) of Sendai osechi and the hizunamasu (salmon head cartilage) with daikon radish of Namie osechi — a nod to the places that have come to define my journey in Japan. Mindful of local contexts and the emotional power of food, Banerjee puts his own flourishes on the cuisine he makes at home, whether Indian or Japanese. | Ari Hatsuzawa I also had the chance to revisit the sweetened tomato chutney from my childhood days, where I replaced lemon juice in the traditional recipe with yuzu zest. This spring, I finally created my own fermentation chamber to create my first batch of kōji, Japan's national mold used in everything from sake brewing to miso production. Love is a kind of fermentation. It demands time, and one clings to the sincere hope that something meaningful will come of it. Thousands of people remain displaced from their homes in Tohoku since the 2011 triple disaster. To me, the long-held love of these residents for their hometowns demonstrates a patience akin to making a bowl of miso or soy sauce. I believe the story of Fukushima cannot be told through statistics but rather through a bowl of rice topped with something made slowly, purposefully and with care. Science, food and society all weave a similar tale, suggesting the average can only ever tell part of the story. To truly understand, we must zoom in — to the single molecule, the tomato chutney, the individual citizen. We must stop flattening things into categories and start seeing them as they are: layered, storied and alive.
India.com
20 hours ago
- Entertainment
- India.com
Aruna Irani breaks silence on her bond with sister Bindu, reveals she always kept her distance because...
She may be known for lighting up the screen in over 500 films, but behind Aruna Irani's iconic performances lies a story few ever heard — until now. In a recent interview, the veteran actress peeled back the curtain on a past marked by distance, debt, and deep-rooted family disconnects. Aruna revealed that despite sharing bloodlines with fellow actress Bindu, the two never shared warmth. 'Bindu is my cousin — her father was my step-grandmother's son. But we never really bonded. Our families never mixed,' she shared. The distance wasn't just emotional — it was economical too. 'My mother often had no money,' Aruna said candidly. 'She used to borrow Rs 30 or Rs 50 from Bindu's mother or my aunt Jyoti just so we wouldn't sleep hungry. I was the one sent to ask for it.' The financial strain not only fractured family ties but also left lasting emotional marks. Despite both actresses working in the same industry, they never collaborated onscreen — a silence shaped more by circumstance than choice. Aruna's honesty is as raw as it is rare — a glimpse into the real toll of trying to make it big in a glittering world that often hides its cracks. She also admitted that some family members, including Bindu's father, director Nanu Bhai Desai, distanced themselves from her family due to their financial instability. At the height of her stardom, Aruna Irani found herself entangled in rumours of an affair with a married actor — whispers that not only strained their bond but also cast a shadow over her career. Years later, she set the record straight, calling him a mentor and insisting they were nothing more than 'good friends'. On the work front, Aruna Irani's career spans generations and genres. From Bobby, Caravan, and Bombay to Goa, to hits like Suhag, Raja Babu, Beta, and Judaai — she defined the quintessential character actress. Most recently, she was seen in Kesari Veer (2025), playing the role of Charan Jagdamba alongside Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, and Sooraj Pancholi. A woman who played every role with perfection — turns out, her most powerful performance was off-screen, holding it all together when even Rs 30 was hard to come by.
Skift
16-06-2025
- Business
- Skift
India's Only Ocean Cruise Operator Files Draft Papers for $84.5 Million IPO
Cordelia Cruises is counting on a rising middle class to fuel demand. Launching an IPO is a bold play, but in an untapped market, being early may be everything. India-based Waterways Leisure Tourism, the operator of Cordelia Cruises, is heading to the public markets with an IPO of up to INR 7.27 billion ($84.5 million). The move comes as the company looks to ramp up its capacity and capitalize on India's growing appetite for leisure travel. The draft IPO paper explains that the company plans to use INR 5.5 billion ($64 million) from the IPO proceeds to fund lease rentals for these ships through its step-down subsidiary, Baycruise Shipping and Leasing (IFSC). The company said it would use the remaining funds for general corporate purposes. Its cruise vessel — the MV Empress — primarily sails to domestic destinations such as Mumbai, Goa, Kochi, Chennai, Lakshadweep, Visakhapatnam, and Puducherry. It also offers international itineraries to Sri Lanka and has also sold cruise tickets for its first-time sail to Thailand, Singapore and Malaysia. Waterways Leisure Tourism also plans to expand its fleet with two new ships — it expects to induct Norwegian Sky by fiscal 2026 and Norwegian Sun by fiscal 2027. The company will lease both ships through time charter agreements to keep the expansion asset-light. The company builds its pitch to investors around forecasts that project India's overnight cruise market to grow from INR 8.9 billion ($103 million) in fiscal 2025 to INR 48 billion ($557 million) by fiscal 2030, at a compound annual growth rate of 35-40%. As of fiscal 2024, the company claims it holds a 65% share of the overnight ocean and coastal cruise industry in India. Global Shipping and Leisure Limited and Rajesh Chandumal Hotwani promote Cordelia and together hold 99.27% of the company's equity before the IPO. Cordelia's Growth Plans The company said in the draft papers that each new ship will nearly double the capacity of the fleet. Cordelia says this move will help 'streamline procurement, training, and maintenance processes' and improve profitability. However, the company while acknowledging the risk mentions that running its operations through a single vessel exposes it to concentrated operational risks. In its own words, Cordelia notes: 'We do not have the operational flexibility to mitigate these risks through alternative vessels or operational strategies… Any disruption to the operations of this cruise vessel… could lead to operational disruptions that could have an adverse impact on our business, results of operations, and financial condition and cash flows.' The Company Financials Cordelia has stated in the draft paper that its revenue for fiscal 2024 stood at INR 4.4 billion ($51 million), slightly down from fiscal 2023. However, it turned a corner on profitability. After posting a loss of INR 1.2 billion ($14 million) in fiscal 2024, the company reported a profit of INR 1.4 billion ($16 million) for the nine months ended December 2024. Other operating metrics show improvement too. Occupancy rates rose from 78.5% in fiscal 2023 to 86.3% for the nine months ending December 2024. The average ticket price also saw an uptick from INR 9,243 ($107) to INR 10,605 ($123) per passenger. The company stated that 90% of its revenue comes from ticket sales alone. What Drives Cordelia's IPO Ambition Cordelia Cruises is placing a confident bet on India's demographic and economic landscape. The cruise operator sees long-term potential in the country's growing middle class, expanding working-age population, and rising disposable incomes. In its draft papers, the company said almost 39% of India's population would be under 25 by 2030. Another 38% will fall into the 25–49 age bracket, identified by the company as the core segment for discretionary spending. This youthful, working population is a major reason Cordelia is bullish. As they enter peak earning years, their appetite for leisure travel is expected to grow, along with a preference for curated, premium experiences like cruising. The company also points to encouraging income shifts. The share of high-income individuals — those earning more than INR 3 million annually — is projected to rise from 4% in 2021 to 11% by 2031 and 26% by 2047. At the same time, the share of people in the middle and high-income brackets combined is forecast to jump to 95% by 2031. Cordelia believes these trends signal an emerging market for luxury and lifestyle services. 'This growth in disposable income may also lead to an increase in spending on luxury and leisure sectors, including cruise, as consumers seek to enhance their lifestyle," the company said in its draft papers.
News18
14-06-2025
- Sport
- News18
Yashaswini-Bernadette Star As U Mumba Win Thrilling UTT Season 6 Semifinal
Last Updated: U Mumba TT staged a dramatic comeback to beat Dempo Goa Challengers 8-7 in the UTT semi-final, securing their first-ever spot in the grand finale. U Mumba TT staged a dramatic comeback to beat reigning champions Dempo Goa Challengers in the second semi-final of Ultimate Table Tennis Season 6. Trailing 4-7, Mumbai won the final four games to clinch an 8-7 win against Goa and book their first-ever spot in the grand finale. With Goa just one game away from the final and Mumbai needing a clean sweep in the last rubber, Yashaswini Ghorpade rose to the occasion, winning back-to-back games before clinching the decider 11–10 in a nerve-wracking finish. Mumbai now face the Jaipur Patriots on Sunday, June 15, guaranteeing a new name on the UTT champions list. Harmeet Desai gave Goa a strong start with a composed 3‑0 victory over Lilian Bardet, sealing the third game on golden point after the latter had rallied from 2‑6 down. But Mumbai hit back through Bernadette Szocs, who handed Zeng Jian her first loss of the season. Szocs took the first two games with sharp counterplay before Zeng salvaged the third 11‑7. In mixed doubles, Mumbai struck back as Akash Pal and Szocs sprang from a 3‑6 deficit to seal games one and three, winning their rubber 2‑1. That win trimmed Goa's lead to a slender 5‑4 heading into the remaining matches. Vitor Ishiy almost sealed the tie for Goa, racing through the first two games against Abhinandh PB with scores of 11-6 and 11-4. But the latter refused to let Mumbai's campaign end. Down 6-9 in the third, Abhinandh clawed back with four successive points to snatch the game 11-9, keeping his team in the hunt heading into the final match. Yashaswini grabbed the chance with both hands thereon, beating Krittwika Sinha Roy across three close games to propel Mumbai to their maiden UTT final. For her efforts, Yashaswini won both the Indian Player of the Tie and the Shot of the Tie awards, while Szocs claimed the Foreign Player of the Tie honour. U Mumba TT 8-7 Dempo Goa Challengers Lilian Bardet lost to Harmeet Desai 0-3 (8-11, 4-11, 10-11) Bernadette Szocs bt. Zeng Jian 2-1 (11-5, 11-9, 7-11) Akash Pal/Bernadette Szocs bt. Harmeet Desai/Zeng Jian 2-1 (11-8, 8-11, 11-9) Abhinandh PB lost to Vitor Ishiy 1-2 (6-11, 4-11, 11-9) Yashaswini Ghorpade bt. Krittwika Sinha Roy 3-0 (11-9, 11-9, 11-10) First Published: June 14, 2025, 23:40 IST
The Hindu
14-06-2025
- Sport
- The Hindu
U Mumba pulls off a Houdini, sneaks into the summit clash
Never had a team made a comeback after trailing 4-7 in an Ultimate Table Tennis knockout match. And never had U Mumba TT been able to breach the semifinal barrier in the first five editions. Both the firsts were achieved on Saturday, courtesy P.B. Abhinandh and Yashaswini Ghorpade – two of the most emerging paddlers on the Indian table tennis horizon. With his back against the wall and trailing 0-2 against Vitor Ishiy, Abhinandh finally found an answer to Ishiy's serve and stretched the match into the deciding tie. Yashaswini – the Bengaluru girl – then held her nerves and blanked Krittwika Sinha Roy 3-0 on the last point of the match. After closing out the first two games, Yashaswini raced to a 10-6 lead, Krittwika finally getting trapped into Yashaswini's long-pimpled backhand. But Krittwika then had a four-point spree. But the golden point saw Krittwika finally hit her backhand long to let the U Mumba camp burst into a wild bout of celebration. Earlier, captain Harmeet Desai couldn't have gotten the Challengers off to a better start than a clean slate against Lilian Bardet. Despite Bardet having been his bogey player in UTT in the past, Harmeet went all out with his forehand winners to not let Bardet get into his game. But Bernadette Szocs – the highest ranked paddler in UTT at No. 12 in women's – brought Goa back in the game by inflicting the first defeat on Zeng Jian. When Szocs and Akash Pal – the doubles specialist who came up with stunning forehand side-spins close to his body – reduced the deficit to 4-5, U Mumbai was back in the match. Ishiy – the replacement player who came in for Tiago Apolonia towards the end of the league stage – then put Goa on the cusp of a win. But then started the great escape! The result: U Mumba TT bt Dempo Goa Challengers 8-7 (Lilian Bardet lost to Harmeet Desai 8-11, 4-11, 10-11; Bernadette Szocs bt Zeng Jian 11-5, 11-9, 7-11; Szocs & Akash Pal bt Zeng & Desai 11-8, 11-8, 9-11; P.B. Abhinandh lost to Vitor Ishiy 6-11, 4-11, 11-9; Yashaswini Ghorpade bt Krittwika Sinha Roy 11-9, 11-9, 11-10).
