|
|
|
|
On the right track
Cuff parade
PACESETTER Vibha Ahuja
|
|
|
On the right track Global Positioning System GPS (Global Positioning System) has been commonly used as a synonym for the service that provides position and time. GPS is a space-based satellite navigation system that provides location and time information in all-weather conditions, where there is unobstructed line of sight to four or more GPS satellites. It can be used anywhere in the world, 24 hours a day and there is no subscription fees or setup charges to use the system. The specific service is the handy work of the orbiting satellites and the ground stations. The satellites circle the earth twice a day in a very precise orbit and keep transmitting signal information to earth. The transmitted message includes:
The receivers on the earth take this information and use a technique to calculate the user’s exact location. The technique that is used for the same is called the ‘trilateration’ technique. Trilateration is a method of determining the absolute or relative positions of objects by measurement of distances using the geometry of circles, spheres and triangles. Once the user’s position is identified in terms of longitude, latitude and elevation or altitude, other information can be derived such as — speed, trip distance, direction, remaining distance to destination, path taken, sunset and sunrise time and much more. The system which was originally conceived and realised by U S Department of Defence, is now present everywhere — in cars, planes, boats, hand-held devices and much more. The economical cost and convenient availability of the service have made it ubiquitous. Multiple applications
Besides being extremely important for — defence, security and emergency services like 911, the location and time information is being used for multiple applications. The same data becomes much more powerful when it is clubbed with the profile of the end users and their interest history. The knowledge that keeps accumulating thus is used towards offering many utilities which are relevant, accurate and as per the needs of the users. A plethora of mobile apps are using the maximum benefit of this collaboration. Hikers and travellers can rely on their devices to learn where they are and how to reach where they want to go. The information provided by the GPS is constantly updated, which helps one to stay on the designated track. So hikers can let their hearts take the lead without bothering about the path that they take in the wilderness. Same holds true for people who venture out for camping. Live traffic updates, promotions information in the vicinity, marketing messages, real-time updates on deals and discounts, bus routes, fastest route to a nearest hospital or drugstore — are some of the things which are easily accessible through just a few clicks or selections on the receiver devices. Exercise or fitness apps have enabled the fitness enthusiasts to monitor their progress at a continuous basis while on the go. They can have the consolidated report on their workouts over a period of time. Some of the apps are clubbed with tertiary adapters to offer added functionality like monitoring the heart rate etc. Security of expensive paintings and art work is getting convenient too. In case of theft, the owners can track stolen pieces with GPS. This functionality has done wonders in tracking vehicle thefts and even preventing many such incidents. Senior citizens and disabled can benefit from the tracking services which include the emergency calls that can be initiated by them from anywhere. For travel companies having a fleet of vehicles, tracking every vehicle is much more convenient now and this cuts down heavily on the cost and fuel thereby increasing the overall efficiency of the company.
Best mobile apps
Out of a huge number of mobile apps that are available, there are some tried and tested apps that have received great reviews of the users. Users have a wide range of mobile apps to choose from in various categories. While a huge number of apps are freely downloadable, the priced ones range from Rs 50 to Rs 2,000. GoogleMaps, Sygic Maps (works offline too), MapMyIndia(most detailed mapping and navigation service(paid), Skyscanners (perfect for frequent fliers to check for lowest fares), TripAdvisor (trusted suggestions and reviews about getaway places), MapQuest (voice guided, turn-by-turn navigation), GPS Naivgation and Maps+Offline, Waze Social GPS,WisePilot Nike+ GPS (paid), RunKeeper, Endomondo Sports Tracker, Noom Cardio Trainer, Garmin Fit, Adidas myCoach, Google My Tracks, MapMyFitness Workout Trainer, FullFitness. GPS Tracking Pro, Realtime GPS Tracker, Family Tracker, Life360, CellTracker, MobileTracker — these are the apps which track the real-time location of the family members to ensure their safety. Some great mobile apps are being developed keeping ‘empowering women’ as focus. GoSuraksheit, Sentinel, Nirbhaya, SafeBridge, FightBack, One Touch SOS, inE, ifollow, SafeTrac, PanicGuard are 10 apps which were awarded by NASSCOM this year, as the best apps ensuring safety and security of women.
Limitations and Issues
GPS receivers fail to recognise obstacles in their paths such as road detours or flowing river, thereby putting up a case for the maps to not get obsolete any time soon. However, in tandem with a compass and a map, GPS forms a powerful package for navigators, trekkers etc. Transmission power becomes low under certain weather and climatic conditions. The signal strength gets significantly hampered in the presence of rainfall, fog or snowfall. In addition to that, certain geographical conditions may also cause problems with a receiver’s ability to record the data transmitted. Under dense forests or in deep canyons, where there is no clear view of sky, the signals become highly degraded and receiver system may not be able to provide the location information at all. Tall buildings standing close together in an area can pose problems like large multi-path and fading errors. Limited battery life of receivers is another problem. There have been consistent efforts in increasing it but even the maximum has its limitations. While it is a powerful tool in the hands of an individual, there is no denying the fact that it does violate the location privacy of an individual.
Beyond GPS
GPS is not very reliable indoors. In a multi-storey building this is a big hurdle. However, there are brains working on getting that exact precise location of the target accessible. NextNav is one such company which is committed to provide the technology complementary to GPS that works where GPS fails. Using a terrestrial network, the technology aims to provide high accuracy in urban and indoor environments. It would enable pin-pointing a user’s location not only in the horizontal dimension (longitude/latitude) but also in the vertical dimension (altitude). When you think about it, this technology can be life-saving by helping safety agencies to quickly locate a person’s mobile phone from which an emergency call is placed. The technology is opening new vistas of unimaginable fields every day. New records are set and new laurels are created in taming the technology for bigger, better and greater.
Power of positioning
GPS has been successful in registering its triumph over five fundamental areas — Location (absolute and relative location), Navigation (how to reach a destination), Tracking (monitoring the movement and progress), Mapping (virtually assigning address to every square meter on the Earth) and Timing (precise time, time intervals and time frequency).
|
||
|
|
Cuff parade That was when fashion gurus sensed an opportunity and stepped in to change men’s couture from drab to dapper. Thanks to their creative efforts, the new millennium has seen the Indian male becoming more accessory conscious even as designers are busy offering him an array of choices ranging from ties to belts, watches to wallets and necklaces to cufflinks.
Purely ornamental
However, nothing has caught the fancy of the metro male as much as a pair of trendy cufflinks that not just make an elegant statement but also distinguish a stylish gentleman from a crowd. A pair of links on the shirt cuffs showcases a man who gives attention to detail in his dressing and can carry off something that is purely ornamental. Many designers feel that accessories like cufflinks are essential to create that perfect look. These add a spark to an ensemble, making it come alive and look complete. Though most fashion-conscious men have started dressing to the nines flaunting ties, belts and over-sized watches, many hip trendsetters are falling for the charms of the cufflinks to complete that macho look. Wearing the right pair of designer cufflinks to match your tie-bar adds pizzaz to a business suit. This is evident from what jewellery designer Parul Kukreja has to say, “The number of men buying cuff-links for themselves featuring diamonds, and sometimes onyx or lapis lazuli, has increased by leaps and bounds. Cuffs spell style and when these are studded with precious stones, these look spectacular. On the shirt, cuff diamonds are a man’s best friend!”
The cufflinks are seeing a new revival in haute circles and are once again being considered chic. Suddenly, there is plenty to choose from in terms of metals and stones these are made from. You can get cufflinks made of an assortment of materials ranging from stainless steel, carbon fibre, titanium, gold, silver and other metals encrusted with onyx, crystals, mother-of-pearl and diamonds. The cuffs come in many shapes and sizes. The all-time favourites are the vintage style links, which are round or square in shapes made from gold, platinum or silver with black or brown onyx. There is something for everybody. You can get basic cufflinks for as low as a couple of hundred rupees to those studded with diamonds and rubies, which can run into lakhs. American luxury accessories brand Jacob & Company’s Canary Diamond cufflinks carry a price tag of $4.2 million (Rs 25.20 crore). These are made from 18-carat white gold and have a centrepiece that consists of 21 carats of canary yellow diamonds, surrounded by 10.76 carats of additional baguette-cut white diamonds.
Diamond cufflinks
Swedish shirtmaker Eton, which is commemorating its 80th birthday, has come out with a special Egyptian cotton shirt costing a staggering $45,000 (Rs 27 lakh). The main component of the price is the pair of stunning cufflinks that come with the shirt and are encrusted with dozens of high value diamonds. Not many know that cufflinks are not a new fashion appendage to a shirt. These came into existence in the 16th century when French King Louis XIV expressed his unhappiness at shirts that had open-ended sleeves. This sent the designers of the day in a tizzy and soon enough, they came up with “sleeve buttons”, which were tiny glass buttons with a chain running between to hold them together. Over the years, the glass on the buttons was replaced by a host of precious stones, including diamonds, rubies and the chains were supplanted by a single cufflink that was joined by a swivel bar to hold it from end to end. That was when this elegant accessory started being considered the most regal of all shirting details.
Different types
Today there are two basic types of cufflinks — the post and swivel bar types that have an ornament on the outside end and a clip on the inside end. The other, and more expensive ones, have ornaments on both sides. Either of these can be used on any shirt with cuffs and have their own legion of admirers. “For the meticulously dressed male, cufflinks are as important as the shirt he wears,” says Delhi-based designer Rishab Behl, and adds, “I would go a step further. Today accessories decide what you are going to wear. Many ultra stylish men have different cufflinks for different shirts, which stand them apart.” Leading designers are laying extra emphasis on accessories like cufflinks, which not just bring out their creativity but add that extra edge to their couture.
The Indian connection
With their demand rising among fashionistas, many Indian designers have launched their own brands of cufflinks. At the 2013 Cannes Film Festival, designer Tarun Tahiliani showcased a man’s ensemble, comprising a jacket, trouser and shirt in tussar gold with a pair of golden cufflinks. Fashion and accessories brand Satya Paul has a range of cufflinks costing between Rs 795 and Rs 2,995. For the 2011, ICC Cricket World Cup, he launched cufflinks in the shape of bats, balls and trophies. Designers Shantanu and Nikhil recently brought out a set of pure silk tie and a sterling silver finish pair of cufflinks. Packed in a premium leather and velvet box, these cost Rs 5,000 plus taxes. Mumbai-based accessories brand Leaf Jewels has come out with rhodium-plated cufflinks with pictures of a postage stamps of Mahatma Gandhi and Rabindranath Tagore. In many western countries, cufflinks made of hand-painted current and vintage Indian coins are very popular. These are sold by all leading vendors. Online retailer www.cufflinksman.com retails a pair for $175 (Rs 10,500)
This is a handsome pair of 18-carat yellow gold and white enamel cufflinks by American jewellery label David Webb. The equestrian motif in the shape of stylised horse-heads accented with ruby eyes exude a great macho appeal and also makes a valuable gift for someone special.
Cartier
Price:
Rs 5.35 lakh
Versace
Price:
Rs 18,000
Raymond Lee
Price:
Rs 2.10 lakh
Yozu
Price: Starting at
Rs 3.72 lakh
Dolce & Gabbana
Price:
Rs 16,200
Dunhill
Price:
Rs 21,000
S.T. Dupont
Price:
Rs 20,250
Jan Leslie These silver octopus cufflinks for men are from leading American accessories designer Jan Leslie’s Wild Side collection. These are crafted from sterling silver and hand-painted enamel. Each pair is finely crafted and will add a touch of playfulness and personality to any outfit.
Jewel of Ocean
Price:
Rs 4.2 lakh
Turnbill & Asser
Price:
Rs 16,200
Judith Lieber
Price:
Rs 2.5 lakh
Scully & Scully
Bvlgari
Price:
Rs 34,550
Tateossian
Deakin & Francis
Price:
Rs 27,000
Montblanc
Price:
Rs 1.35 lakh
|
||
|
|
Her heart beats for art’s sake Petite Vibha Ahuja, through her art gallery, is spearheading a movement to appreciate art and artists in Jalandhar Aparna Banerji Possessing a keen sense of art and aesthetics, she strives to spread art awareness among the city art connoisseurs, she began her little shoppe bringing in limited edition prints of classic European masters, including the likes of Van Gogh. After the Jalandhar crowds caught up, she began inviting works from city-based artists and selling them at rates which both the artists and buyers thought to be reasonable. Soon, her art gallery-cum-shoppe, became a one-stop shop for art work as well as the classiest of frames to display it in. Frequented by officials, artists and academicians alike, the gallery has earned accolades for the uniqueness of prints and the variety of art and frames that its entrepreneur readily makes available to her clients. Right since her childhood, she was known for her creative streak but chose a career in curatorship only after marriage and two kids. “I wanted to choose something I was passionate about and art was the foremost choice. However, passion had a big role to play in it. The artistic sensibilities of people here are not greatly developed. So in the beginning it was nothing short of a gamble. It took a considerable time to understand client tastes and build up resources. During that critical phase, there were times when I had to place artistic interests over profit. It has paid off.” Today, from acclaimed artists to students, she buys art from many with a strong sense of aesthetics and sells it to anyone with a keen eye, willing to pay the right price. Among artists, as well, she has earned a special respect for bringing them good buyers and fetching proper dividends for their work. She does admit that her stuff includes the occasional clichéd poster but that is only owing to demand and not her personal choice. Among her favourites are the likes of Paresh Maiti and Sanjay Panikar but given the limited artistic scope of buyers in the city, Vibha curates work only from regional artists. At her gallery, buyers can access anything from Tanjore (style) paintings, water colours, oil paintings to Victorian and African art posters. She also keeps monthly editions of art magazines she receives from galleries elsewhere in India to share works with interested clients, but says takers of avant garde art in the region are still limited. Vibha’s prime motive being the propagation of art she collects from the region, the curator’s own frames and ethnic boxes have also become so popular among collectors that lately she has even begun receiving bulk orders for weddings and other events. Unlike the usual outlet, every single box at Vibha’s gallery is hand-crafted in her own little workshop. Buyers include people from the city, Nawanshahr, Kapurthala, Hoshairpur, among other areas in the region. Her take on the art scenario in the city, “As per art is concerned, people are still largely stuck in the primitive mould, cut off from the present developments in the art world. But at the same time, there is an increase in takers for art in the region. Being a lone curator, I do think more women need to take up this profession. There are many in the jewellery and garment businesses but art needs more promoters.” Within four years, she had shifted to the Gymkhana road where her present shoppe/studio/workshop is currently located. Now, from available prints to contemporary art works and improvised, customised fare, she has it all. She says, except Phulkari art, she hasn’t come across any of the older painting work of Punjab being practised or surviving in the region. She keeps folk arts like Madhubani (MP), Pichwai (Rajashthan) and miniature paintings and is always on the look out for folk stuff.
|
||
|
|
bling it on
ON-AIR FREEBIE Price: Free for business class passengers
GET YOUR OWN FIGHTER JET Price: To cost between
Rs 30 crore & Rs 42 crore ($5 million & $7 million)
HIGH ON TRAVEL Price: Rs 2.40 lakh ($4,000)
WATCH THIS! Price:
Rs 81 lakh ($135,000)
A BOOK YOU CAN’T REFUSE! Price: Rs 1,800 ($30)
COOL DISPENSER FOR A HOT SHAVE Price: Rs 2,100 ($35)
A PEELING POOL TABLE Price: Rs 11.05 lakh ($18,425)
GPS THAT’S GONE TO DOGS Price: Rs 31,800 ($530)
SCOTCH WITH A ROYAL TOUCH Price: Upon request
SALTY DEVICE Price: Rs 1,200 ($20)
SEEING THE UNSEEN Price: Rs 36,000 (£400)
RIGHT FORMULA FOR A BICYCLE Price: Rs 10.80 lakh ($18,000)
TURNING EATING INTO A GAME Price: Yet to be announced
|
|