Tag: #lifestyle

Travel

Hon’ble Minister Rohan A. Khaunte Flags Off KTC Electric Bus Service Between Mapusa and Panjim

Tanisha Cardozo

In a progressive move toward greener and smarter mobility solutions, the Kadamba Transport Corporation Ltd. (KTCL) has introduced a new electric bus service connecting two major hubs of North Goa—Mapusa and Panaji. The service was officially flagged off by Hon’ble Minister for Tourism, IT, E&C, and Printing & Stationery, and MLA of Porvorim, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte, during a ceremony held at Art Park, Porvorim.

The inauguration event witnessed the presence of local leaders including ZP Smt. Kavita Gupesh Naik, Sarpanch Shri Swapnil Chodankar, Sarpanch Smt. Sonia Sanjay Pednekar, and members from the Socorro, Penha De Franca, and Salvador Do Mundo Panchayats. Their participation highlighted the collective community effort toward building sustainable infrastructure.

During the flag-off, Shri Rohan A. Khaunte emphasized the government’s commitment to enhancing public transport systems through innovative, sustainable solutions. “The Government of Goa is committed to improving public transport infrastructure with sustainable solutions. The introduction of electric buses on this crucial route not only reduces congestion and travel time but also aligns with our vision of creating a cleaner and greener Goa,” he stated. He further underlined how this initiative supports the Regenerative Tourism model by focusing on environmental sustainability and community welfare.

The two electric buses will operate daily on a fixed route with strategically planned stops, including Paliem, Vaddem, Kharrem, Socorro Church, Ambirna, Paithona, Torda (Ganesh Temple), Art Park, Ramvadeshwar Temple, Britania House, Kavlekar Super Market, Porvorim Old Market (GCA), Maharudra Hanuman Temple (Housing Board), Clock Tower (Gadge Maharaj Hall), and Sanjay School, before reaching the Panaji Bus Stand. The return journey follows the same route in reverse.

Morning services begin at 7:30 AM, with one bus leaving from Mapusa and another from Panaji. Return services operate at 10:00 AM. The afternoon schedule begins at 4:30 PM and concludes with a return trip at 6:30 PM.

This reliable and environment-friendly transportation alternative is expected to be a boon for daily commuters, students, and professionals who travel between the two towns. More importantly, it sets a new benchmark for clean, community-focused public transport systems in the state, contributing significantly to Goa’s broader climate and mobility goals.

Finance

Axis Bank Launches ‘Dil Se Open Celebrations 2025’ with Exciting Season-Long Festive Offers

Tanisha Cardozo

Axis Bank, one of India’s leading private sector banks, has officially launched its flagship festive campaign, Dil Se Open Celebrations 2025. This nationwide, season-long initiative is designed to deliver maximum value, exclusive deals, and seamless joy to millions of customers across the country as they celebrate India’s rich and diverse festive season.

Starting from September 2025, and continuing throughout key Indian festivals including Navratri, Diwali, Christmas, and beyond, the campaign emphasizes Axis Bank’s customer-first philosophy. The campaign carries the theme “Sirf ek festival nahi, poore festive season chalega,” positioning Axis Bank as a trusted celebration partner—not just for a day, but through the entire season.

Customers can enjoy a variety of special offers across categories like shopping, electronics, travel, dining, and lifestyle, all through Axis Bank Credit Cards and select banking products. These include exciting EMI options on high-ticket purchases, cashback rewards, discounts, and exclusive partner collaborations with leading national and global brands.

In the shopping and e-commerce category, Axis Bank has partnered with Amazon, Flipkart, Haier, LG, Samsung, Sony, OnePlus, Motorola, Xiaomi, Blinkit, Bigbasket, and Instamart. The fashion and lifestyle segment features brands such as Jack&Jones, Vero Moda, ONLY, Selected, Shoppers Stop, Tira, and luxury names under Reliance Brands including Coach, Michael Kors, Mothercare, and Hamleys. In the travel segment, offers extend to Cathay Pacific, Cleartrip, ITC Hotels, ixigo, MakeMyTrip, and SriLankan Airlines.

Alongside credit card benefits, the campaign includes competitive offers on loans and liabilities. Home loans start at an attractive rate of 7.40% until September end, and personal loans are available from 9.99% with low processing fees. Special rates are being offered on two-wheeler EV loans, superbike loans, commercial vehicle and construction equipment loans, and car loans—with added benefits such as fee waivers and extended tenures. Locker registration charges are also waived for new bookings during the campaign period from 22nd September to 31st October 2025.

Arnika Dixit, President & Head – Cards, Payments and Wealth Management at Axis Bank, emphasized that this initiative reflects the bank’s goal to offer meaningful and rewarding customer experiences. She highlighted the bank’s focus on combining innovation with value through exclusive partnerships and offers.

Echoing this, Anoop Manohar, Chief Marketing Officer of Axis Bank, explained that the campaign was designed to mirror the cultural and emotional depth of India’s festive season. “This initiative goes beyond banking benefits; it is about being present in our customers’ lives during the most cherished time of the year,” he said.

With Dil Se Open Celebrations 2025, Axis Bank positions itself not just as a financial institution but as a holistic celebration partner for Indian households. The campaign aims to set new benchmarks in festive marketing and deepen customer trust through emotional connection and practical rewards.

Fit & Fabulous

Jungkook Steals the Spotlight at Calvin Klein’s NYFW 2025 Show in Effortless Style

Tanisha Cardozo

BTS’ Jungkook made the Calvin Klein show at New York Fashion Week 2025 feel like his personal runway, captivating the audience and dominating online conversations the moment he arrived. As flashing cameras and fan cheers filled the venue, it was clear that his appearance wasn’t just highly anticipated—it was the moment of the night.

Dressed in a chic beige oversized suit that balanced tailored elegance with youthful ease, Jungkook embodied effortless sophistication. His look spoke volumes without saying a word, capturing the understated luxury Calvin Klein is known for while infusing it with his own edge. As he stepped into the spotlight, the internet did what it does best—erupted. Fans and fashion lovers alike took to social media with an outpouring of admiration and excitement. Posts declaring “The Prince Charming Arrived” and “Jungkook always brings an unmistakable energy to the runway” spread quickly, with some simply dubbing him “King” or “Girls’ Biggest Crush.” One viral phrase summed it up perfectly: “Face Card. Face Bank. Face Economy.”

Since being announced as Calvin Klein’s global ambassador in March 2023, Jungkook has fronted several successful campaigns for Calvin Klein Jeans and Calvin Klein Underwear, each one met with global fanfare. His collaboration with the brand has not only boosted Calvin Klein’s visibility among Gen Z and Millennial demographics worldwide, but has also significantly impacted its sales and digital engagement metrics. His presence at NYFW 2025 marked another high point in this ongoing partnership, reinforcing the brand’s position in both fashion and pop culture.

Jungkook’s appearance at the Calvin Klein show wasn’t just another celebrity front-row moment—it was a fashion headline in itself. From the sleek tailoring to his undeniable stage presence, he redefined what it means to be a brand ambassador in the modern age. His influence transcends music, and with every appearance, he continues to prove he’s not just part of the fashion conversation—he is the conversation.

Spotlight

Cdr Clifford N Parakh: From Naval Officer to India’s Premier Illusionist

Tanisha Cardozo

Written by Tanisha Cardozo

The year was 2003. A simple visit to a magic stall in Mumbai changed the course of Cdr Clifford N Parakh’s life forever. At 33, while still serving as a Naval Officer, Clifford purchased a small magic trick. What struck him wasn’t just the trick itself, but the joy it brought to others. That moment became the spark that would eventually ignite a full-time career in the world of illusion.

Encouraged by his wife Radhika and inspired by the renowned Goan illusionist Mr. Edmundo Da Cunha, Clifford took the bold decision to step away from his career in the Indian Navy and fully dedicate himself to magic. Now, over 15 years later, he stands as Goa’s leading illusionist, recognized not only for his technical mastery but also for his signature style of engaging, corporate-friendly entertainment.

Clifford’s act, meticulously designed for corporate audiences, is a blend of minimalistic setup and maximum impact. He operates with few props—often just a briefcase—but delivers a 45-minute act packed with sleight of hand, humour, communication, and mentalism. His performances are tailored to the business world: clean, interactive, and free of controversial content. Whether it’s breaking the monotony of a long conference or launching a product in a spectacular fashion, his shows are designed to leave a lasting impression.

What sets Clifford apart is his focus on audience interaction. He believes magic is not just about deception but emotional engagement. “When someone comes on stage, the entire audience lives the experience through them,” he says. Whether performing for CEOs or regional sales teams, Clifford takes time to research his audience, sometimes even learning a few lines in their local language to establish rapport instantly.

His most celebrated performance? The Mind Reading Duo Act with his wife Radhika. In this unforgettable illusion, Radhika is blindfolded while audience members silently think of names, numbers, or places. One by one, their thoughts are revealed with uncanny accuracy. “This is probably the only act of its kind in India,” Clifford shares, and it consistently wins hearts wherever it’s performed.

Despite his accolades, Clifford remains grounded. He views magic as a lifelong study of not just tricks, but of psychology, pacing, humour, and the deep, nuanced art of showmanship. “Even after two decades, I feel I’ve just scratched the surface,” he admits.

Clifford has had his share of on-stage mishaps too, but with presence of mind and years of experience, he always finds a way to keep the illusion alive. “The audience doesn’t know what’s coming next. As long as the trick ends logically, they’ll never know something went wrong,” he smiles.

He’s also cautious with technology in magic. While modern illusions often rely on digital props or internet-based tricks, Clifford prefers sleight of hand. “If tech fails, there’s no way out. Skill never fails,” he asserts.

Today, Clifford wears many hats—illusionist, author (Discover The Magician In You), mentor, and recipient of the prestigious Karamveer Chakra Award (Gold) for 2024. He has won the National Illusion Competition in 2009, featured on Prime TV’s street magic series, and etched his name in the India Book of Records (2022) for being the first to perform a magic show for the visually impaired—on radio.

For aspiring magicians, Clifford offers honest advice: master fewer tricks, perform them perfectly, be likable on stage, and never rely solely on magic for income—at least not at first. “Build a reputation first, then let the price follow,” he says.

In a world constantly chasing the next thrill, Clifford N Parakh brings something rare—wonderment. For a few magical moments, he invites audiences into a world where logic takes a backseat and imagination takes flight. And that, as he rightly says, is the timeless appeal of magic.

rip

Giorgio Armani Dies at 91: A Titan of Fashion Who Redefined Elegance

Tanisha Cardozo

Giorgio Armani, the Italian fashion designer whose name became synonymous with elegance, precision, and power, has died at the age of 91. Over a career that spanned more than six decades, Armani changed the language of fashion—removing stiffness from men’s tailoring, empowering women with refined suits, and leaving an unmistakable mark on red carpet culture.

Born in 1934 in Piacenza, northern Italy, Armani came from humble beginnings shaped by war and scarcity. He originally pursued medicine and served in the army before beginning his career in fashion as a window dresser. It was there, on the shop floor, that Armani’s acute understanding of fabric, form, and what people wanted to wear was forged. Rising through the ranks, he became a buyer, then a designer, eventually working for Nino Cerruti before founding his own label in 1975 with his partner Sergio Galeotti.

Together, they built an empire that challenged convention. Armani softened menswear—introducing more fluid shapes and luxurious fabrics—and hardened womenswear, with sharply tailored suits that reflected women’s growing presence in the workplace. His designs communicated quiet power and modernity, worn by some of the most influential figures of the 20th and 21st centuries.

Hollywood embraced his vision early on. In 1980, Richard Gere wore Armani in American Gigolo, launching the designer into global stardom. From there, he became a red carpet mainstay, dressing stars like Julia Roberts, Cate Blanchett, Zendaya, and Russell Crowe. He created stage outfits for Lady Gaga and film costumes for The Untouchables and The Wolf of Wall Street. Armani understood better than anyone that image was power—and his garments delivered it.

He was also a man of principle. In 2006, he became the first designer to ban underweight models from his runway shows, following the tragic death of Ana Carolina Reston. His business remained fiercely independent, resisting outside investment while expanding into beauty, fragrance, hotels, music, and sport. With annual revenues exceeding £2bn and a personal fortune estimated at $13bn, Armani was one of the last great independently owned fashion houses in the world.

Tributes poured in from across the globe. Donatella Versace called him “a giant,” Julia Roberts described him as “a true friend,” and British designer Paul Smith praised his “staying power” and “down-to-earth nature.” Actor Russell Crowe recalled Armani being present for many significant moments in his life, while Prime Minister Giorgia Meloni called him “an icon, a tireless worker, a symbol of the best of Italy.”

Even in his final years, Armani remained creatively active, presenting his last collection remotely from Milan in July 2025. His March show earlier that year was a call for global harmony—his design always reflecting the times, always evolving with the world.

Behind the discipline and minimalism was a deeply private man who lived with quiet intensity. He swam daily in a specially designed pool just one yard wide. He worked tirelessly, never satisfied, always in pursuit of perfection. Armani once said, “I never give up until I’ve achieved the results I want.”

He is survived by the brand he built, the style he transformed, and a legacy woven not only into fabric but into the very way people see themselves. Giorgio Armani wasn’t just a designer—he was a revolutionary. And he will be remembered as one of the greatest ever to shape the world of fashion.