In the Cover Story, the sportsperson fondly recalls the day she was able to fulfill her promise to buy a house for her family, expressing gratitude that her beloved sport, cricket, made it possible. Despite her incredible success, she comes across as grounded and focused. Whether hitting a century or walking out for zero, she is known to maintain a stoic demeanour, though the last few years have taught her to be empathetic towards the young team members she leads and mentors.

Reflecting on her passion for cricket, Smriti shares, “I think I’ve always loved cricket, (and) like any other kid, I loved batting more than (the rest of) the game. I understood later, of course, that there is a lot more to cricket than just batting but, as a kid, I would just hit a hanging ball or play gully cricket.”

Speaking about her family, she reveals, “We come from a very humble background. Today, when I see my parents happy and the life that they’re living, I feel happy about everything that has come with cricket.”

She adds that she has gleaned life lessons from the game: “The best part about cricket is that it is a great leveller; you always start from zero. Whether you score a hundred or you have a bad match today, tomorrow you just start from the bottom again. Take that lesson to every aspect of life and you will know what to do next.”

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Looking dazzling in ensembles that are only enhanced by their easy, affectionate chemistry, Richa and Ali open up about their relationship: one that is not balanced by any means, but one where they bring out the best in each other. It was not love at first sight. Ali, who had seen Richa in Gangs Of Wasseypur before meeting her on the sets of Fukrey, was already floored by her on-screen presence. Richa, too, had a different perception about him at the time, but, as they say, love happens when love happens. “I had always known him to be decent and respectful, but kinda naughty and also kinda nutty,” she reveals. “I could relate to his nutty side and I could also relate to the naughty side. Among the other boys in the group, I felt closest to him in terms of my mind, and I think that was the seed of it all.”

Talking to Femina about their long-awaited wedding, both share glimpses of how they met for the first time, the kind of ceremony they want, their idea of a perfect relationship, and the many delays that made them plan their wedding multiple times.

Sharing her thoughts about unrealistic notions about marriage and the tropes around it, Richa Chadha stated, “There are other things in the world apart from marriage that one needs to focus on. I would like to tell other girls who are reading this, who want to get married to the man of their choice – this is not the most important day of your life. This is a very important day in your life. It could be the most beautiful day of your life, for sure; it could be the most heart-warming day of your life, but don’t place unnecessary importance by saying that this defines you.”

Unveiling his deepest thoughts, Ali Fazal said, “I don’t think I can take you through my love story because it is one of the most beautiful personal journeys of my life, but I can tell you that it is a liking that is unmatched in the life that I have lived until now.”

Richa Chadha and Ali Fazal are all set to dive deep into a new life together.

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Protagonists include, but are not restricted to, a winemaker who works with kiwi farmers in her region; a communications specialist who is creating empowering feminist rag dolls; an adventure tour specialist who believes in giving travelers the flavour of local experiences; a talented businesswoman who brings traditional Maharashtrian fare to dining tables the world over; an entrepreneur who envisioned and launched an app to help everyone learn Indian languages, and a host of visionary women who are working to unleash India’s true potential. The stunning cover is a painting portraying six women in varied avatars. The artist Abhijeet Patole perfectly captures the spirit, effervescence and diversity of the new torchbearers for India.

Rukmini Vijaykumar, Bharatanatyam exponent and founder of the Raadha Kalpa Dance Company, shares, “I am happy to be featured in Femina alongside other strong women. Both in India and abroad, Bharatanatyam has garnered a lot of popularity. While I might choose to explore and spread my boundaries wide, I strengthen my roots, and that is what will bring out the uniqueness of this dance form worldwide.”

Talking about her passion for sharing Maharashtrian food with the world, Apurva Purohit, co-founder of Aazol, said, “If we want to truly showcase Indianness, our mindset must change. You come up with successful entrepreneurship only if you marry passion to what the world needs. Excited to be featured in Femina with this inspiring group of women.”

Sharing her thoughts about passion and new-age India, Ridhima Arora, founder of Namhya Foods, said, “We need more platforms to encourage entrepreneurs to come and represent their businesses and ideas. We should be proud to showcase Indian heritage to the world. Do it because that’s what you really believe in.”

Some of the other women featured include Akansha Dixit, co-founder of Craft Maestros; Priti Tatiya, founder of architecture and interior design-based company PTA Designs; and musician and singer Anumita Nadesan.

Deepak Lamba, CEO of Worldwide Media Ltd, said, “In this issue, we are privileged to showcase exceptionally-talented entrepreneurs and visionaries who have walked their own paths to set an example by building businesses that benefit local communities, uphold India’s diverse cultural traditions, contribute to the economy and bring glory to the country.”

Ambika Muttoo, Editor-in-Chief of Femina, said, “These are women who believe that better things come if you take chances. Each of the women in this issue has an exceptional story of perseverance and grit. We know our readers will be inspired to chart their own success stories.”

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Two powerhouses, Taapsee Pannu and Mithali Raj have long harnessed the media to challenge gender stereotypes. Ahead of the release of the biographical sports drama film Shabaash Mithu, the subject of the movie – Bharat Khel Ratna awardee and ODI Captain of the Indian women’s cricket team Mithali Raj – and the very talented Taapsee Pannu who plays her in the film engaged in an animated dialogue as they shoot the cover for the June 2022 issue of Femina. The free-wheeling conversation explored their impressions of each other, female friendships, the choices they have made in their lives, how they have carved a path in previously male-dominated arenas of cricket and Bollywood, and the movie itself.

Said Taapsee of the role, “I knew it would require commitment considering I’d never held a bat in my life before. But, because it was her, because a film on a female cricketer of her stature might never be made again, I braced myself for a long struggle ahead to learn the sport and make a movie where Mithali’s achievements of 23 years could be showcased.” She adds, speaking of Mithali, “Your career milestones and achievements speak so loudly that you do not need to say much.”

Mithali is equally appreciative of Taapsee’s commitment to her work. “On-screen, I have seen you take up brave projects and single-handedly carry them on your shoulders and own them. You have grown as an actor from film to film… Off-screen, I have always found you warm, chirpy and full of energy, and the opposite of me!” Speaking of the power of women working together, she said, “We are a formidable force when we are working together because I think that women, by nature, are more sincere towards their jobs. So, when women work together, they can create magic.”

Deepak Lamba, CEO of WorldWide Media Ltd, said, “Femina has been the frontrunner in providing a platform to strong women of credence and caliber. Taapsee and Mithali, through their tenacity, achievements, and unbridled optimism, have become role models for millions of Indian women. Consistency speaks volumes for them. We are excited to bring these two brilliant people together on the cover of Femina Magazine for our June issue”

Grab the latest issue of Femina – on stands and online now – to read Taapsee Pannu and Mithali Raj’s tête-à-tête with each other.

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Hailing from a village in Punjab, Harnaaz’s rise to the top can be attributed to her self-belief. Speaking about her date with glory, she says, “I had dreamt of that exact moment. I had envisioned standing in the same spot on the stage where I was. So, when Steve said, ‘India!’ it felt surreal. I was in tears.”

On her way to global domination, Harnaaz says that the win has taught her about ‘the responsibility to the crown’. “A Miss Universe is a woman who is unafraid to speak her mind, who is beautiful inside and out, and who has the courage to bring changes to society. I want to be the youth icon of India because I, too, represent the future. I know that people, especially young girls, are really looking up to me. I am in the limelight right now, and I know that whatever I do, people are going to take it forward.”

Deepak Lamba, CEO of Worldwide Media Ltd, said, “Harnaaz Sandhu is the ideal model for young Indian girls who are passionate about their dreams. We are proud to have her on the cover of Femina for the April Issue. We firmly believe in the potential of young India and we want our readers to be inspired by Harnaaz’s journey since she is the Indian face of beauty, someone who possesses elegance, confidence, poise and intelligence.”

Ambika Muttoo, Editor-in-Chief of Femina, said, “Femina has always recognised and featured powerful women from various walks of life who continue to scale the ladder of success. Harnaaz, at such a young age, has shown what one can achieve if they work hard towards their goal. She is the embodiment of what India’s future represents – A woman filled with confidence, strength, and social consciousness; she is truly a force to be reckoned with.”

Grab the latest issue of Femina – out on stands and online now – to read about how Harnaaz Sandhu is putting the spotlight on women’s empowerment issues and menstrual equity, about her work as the spokesperson for the Miss Universe Organisation, and lessons learned from the pandemic.

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The special video titled ‘Main Bhi Shakti’ celebrated women who have made a name for themselves in their respective fields. The anthem featured seven unstoppable women from various arenas. These include Ms. Sagrika Rai — Founder and creative director, Warp ‘N Weft; Ms. Puja Garg — Chairperson, FICCI FLO; Dr. Sharda Dubey — Champion of traditional Bhojpuri songs; Ms. Pankhuri Gidwani — Femina Miss Grand India 2016, actor, model, and UP khadi ambassador; Chef Pankaj Bhadouria — India’s first MasterChef, and an entrepreneur, TV host and author; Ms. Neera Rawat — IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Women & Child Security Organization, Uttar Pradesh; and Ms. Prashanti Singh — Indian national basketball team player, who is also a Padma Shri awardee, Arjuna awardee, and Rani Lakshmi Bai Bravery awardee. The inspiring lyrics of the anthem highlight how women are the embodiment of Shakti (power).

With the launch of the anthem on Women’s Day, Femina, via the initiative and with the state government of Uttar Pradesh, sent out a strong message to the masses that it stands with women. Dr. Kiran Bedi, IPS (Retd), Former Lieutenant Governor, Puducherry gave a special virtual address on the topic  Making Women Safety a Human Issue and not a Gender Issue. Neera Rawat — IPS, Additional Director General of Police, Women & Child Security Organization, spoke of the government’s ongoing Mission Shakti campaign. This was followed by a conversation on empowerment with Prashanti Singh, and a panel discussion on a new dawn for women in Uttar Pradesh; panellists included Ms. Renuka Mishra —  IPS, Additional Director General of Police with the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board; Ms. Sagrika Rai, Dr. Laxmi Gautam, Ms. Malini Awasthi, Ms. Aditi Singh, MLA, and Chef Pankaj Bhadouria, who spoke about women’s issues and the various measures being undertaken by the state government to address them. 22 women achievers were honoured at the event and it ended with a special performance by Meri Zindagi, a three-girl band that enthused the audience with rousing songs on empowerment.

Ahead of Women’s Day, Femina Spark took this very thought forward and collaborated with Grameen Foundation India and Abhishek Yadav — Special Commando Trainer and World Record Holder to curate special workshops for the lesser privileged women in Varanasi on March 4 followed by the same in Gorakhpur on the next day. The two workshops, on the topics of Financial Literacy and Self Defence garnered a resounding participation of women from these two cities. The workshop centered towards making these women independent, secure and empowered in every way possible.

Mr. Deepak Lamba, CEO, Worldwide Media, said, “A purpose-driven campaign requires like-minded partners and we are glad to amplify the underlying thought of Femina Spark with the UP Government. Through its efforts, we are starting to see the change that we want to see, and we are privileged to have played a role in building a better and safer future for women. We have always looked to make a difference, and we aim to reach out to as many women across the state with inspiring stories that will lead to a positive change in society. The anthem and event are a token of appreciation to those women who continue to shine amid all adversity and will surely encourage and empower every single woman out there to be a shining light.”

Dr. Dinesh Sharma, Deputy Chief Minister, Uttar Pradesh, said ‘’Femina Spark is an initiative to ‘Light Up Her Spirit’. Under this initiative, we have been doing many workshops to make women recognize their own honour, make them financially self-reliant, and to empower them. We believe joining hands with Femina will give  Mission Shakti Abhiyan an added dimension. We all know Femina has been  empowering the  women of India for over 61 years now by mentoring them at various stages. With this association, we look forward to keeping that tradition going for the women of Uttar Pradesh.’’

The Femina Spark campaign identifies and celebrates achievers from every walk of life. The initiative aims at spreading awareness on women’s safety and dignity, which dovetails with the Mission Shakti campaign driven by the state government.  The core idea of #MainBhiShakti will be explored through thought-provoking stories, spirited anthems, and testimonies from the female leaders of Uttar Pradesh, along with awareness workshops. Femina has also curated a series of videos featuring celebrities and achievers.

Link to the main video

– https://www.facebook.com/191478637535798/videos/866349250576562

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The campaign broadly focuses on spreading awareness about women’s safety and dignity, which aligns with the Mission Shakti campaign driven by Uttar Pradesh Government.  Through the hashtag #MainBhiShakti, Femina Spark will feature some of the most empowering stories from Uttar Pradesh. Here are some of the ladies who have been inspiring women across borders.

With over 30 years of experience in policing, human resource management, recruitment and training, criminal investigation, maintenance of law and order, community policing and trans-national crime control, Renuka Mishra, Additional Director General of Police with the UP Police Recruitment and Promotion Board, has been an inspiration to many. “I believe that all of us are products of our own socialisation processes and, when we wear a uniform or hold positions of responsibility, we need to rise above our socialisation to ensure a non-judgemental response based on trust that the victim is speaking the truth,” avers Ms Mishra.

Puja Garg, Chairperson of the FICCI FLO Lucknow chapter and co-Founder & CEO of Amara Exhibitions, has been empowering lives in the state of Uttar Pradesh through FLO and creating various opportunities for women in the state. “I have been empowered through my education and my work as an entrepreneur, which has given me a sense of accomplishment,” reveals Ms Garg, adding, “For me, empowerment comes from taking responsibility to bring a positive change in my surroundings.”

Athlete Priyanka Goswami recently created a national record in women’s 20km race walking and was felicitated with  the Rani Lakshmi Bai Award. She has also qualified for the upcoming Tokyo Olympics and is now prepping for them. “I feel proud to have been able to represent Uttar Pradesh on a national level and, soon, I will be representing India in the Olympics,” Ms Goswami enthuses.

Dr. Sharda Dubey is a well-known Bhojpuri singer, an English teacher and a cancer survivor. Upset that people don’t play traditional music at weddings any more, she is currently working towards bringing these traditions back. “I’m empowered by my self-confidence and dedication towards my work, irrespective of my age and health issues,” says Dr Dubey. “Being a cancer survivor, I often motivate girls and women by telling them ‘where there is a will, there is a way’. If society educates girls and trusts women, they can do the impossible.”

Sagrika Rai, founder and creative director of Warp ‘n Weft, has been working with the handloom industry and some of the most skilled craftsmen across the country for over two decades. Her clothing company has been delivering some of the finest Benarasi saris across India. “Being a woman is empowering, but perhaps the most uplifting thing for me is sharing the artisanal craftsmanship of Banaras and its incredible cultural legacy with the world,” says Ms Rai. “It’s a responsibility to safeguard, promote and re-establish love for our own Indian handmade textiles.”

Pankhuri Gidwani was the second runner-up at the Femina Miss India contest in 2016. She went on to score 92.7% in the ISC examination 2017, and is currently the brand ambassador for khadi in Uttar Pradesh. “I feel empowered every day because of the rock-solid support that my family has provided me to pursue the career of my choice,” says Ms Gidwani. “UP has been a land of opportunities and culture for me, and I have always received so much love and encouragement from my people that it keeps me connected to my roots and makes me feel empowered every day.”

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Femina,India’s leading women’s brand concluded the first edition of Femina Power Brands 2021, a virtual gathering of esteemed guests & leaders from lifestyle, media and entertainment industry to unveil most-sought after lifestyle brands of the past year. The event held on 25th January saw a host of invigorating panel discussions, fireside chats, interviews followed by unveiling of the Femina Power Brands 2021 Coffee Table Book Cover of top brands.

Last year, the brand unveiled two research reports, ‘All About Women’, shedding light on the preferences and insights on the lives of millennial working mothers and Indian homemakers. Insights of the research highlighted the decision-making power that women yield in Indian households and their influence in driving key consumer & FMCG product sales. Extending the research, the brand further delved into decoding the most preferred lifestyle brands by Indian women in the form of a Coffee Table Book. Further imparting their knowledge on powerful brands some of the imminent leaders of the industry like Sam Balsara (Founder, Chairman and Managing Director, Madison World and Madison Communications), Amit Sethiya (Chief Marketing Officer, Syska Group), Anamika Sirohi (VP – Marketing, Amway), IBM – India and South Asia) among many shared their thoughts on the current situation of the- lifestyle industry. Another session saw youth icon Masaba Gupta in a Fireside Chat with Femina Editor, Ruchika Mehta explaining the intricacies of building a brand where she shared why she connects with the youth of the world. “Being fearless is what makes me stand out to be the icon for women and the youth of this country,” said Masaba.

The event also had Primrose Monteiro-D’souza, Managing Editor, Femina, interviewing Frederic Widell, VP and Head – South Asia & Managing Director – India, Oriflame on Oriflame completing 25 years in the Indian Market.

Lastly, The Unveiling of Femina Power Brands 2021 Coffee Table Book Cover was done by Indian Actress Amyra Dastur.  Some of the brands featured included: Dabur Gulabari, Oriflame Bath & Body Works India, Fem Crème Bleach, mCaffeine and Sephora among others.

Mr. Deepak Lamba, CEO of Worldwide Media said, “While brands today understand the relevance of  modern Indian women as an ever-growing and significant consumer segment , Femina, as a leading media brand in this space are happy to not just present such a holistic guide to  some of these most preferred brands and but also showcase the decision-making power of Indian women. We are thankful to all the industry stalwarts,  brand custodians and marketing gurus who came together to open a dialogue amongst such leading consumer centric organisations around the potential of building and equipping their brand for the women if today.”

Ms. Ruchika Mehta, Editor of Femina said, “Insights and learnings from the two extensive research reports we conducted last year have led us in creating the ultimate guide for some of the most preferred brands by Indian women. These brands have been curated through the preferences of Indian women who are making informed decisions on behalf of the family while buying any product.”

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Indulge Fest is a three-day long digital food festival which will bring together some of the leading names in the food industry to help readers discover the latest food trends via specially curated thematic recipes, masterclasses, expert-led live sessions, product highlights, and interesting home-cooking challenges.

Femina, India’s leading women’s brand and GoodHomes, the most credible decor magazine from the house of media conglomerate, Worldwide Media, announce the first edition of Indulge Fest, a virtual food festival which will run from 23rd to 25th December 2020. With esteemed partners like Nestle Milkmaid, Alpenliebe Juzt Jelly, Estuary and Jimmy’s Cocktails, the fest will bring together leading Indian and international chefs for various interactive activities like masterclasses, expert sessions, #Festivefiles, panel discussions and product spotlights for readers to enjoy from the comfort of their home. There will also be daily contests for viewers. The event will witness chefs like Kunal Kapur, Saransh Goila, Gary Mehigan, Sonal Holland, Thomas Zacharias, Shivesh Bhatia and many more host sessions on topics like Restaurant life in the new normal, Match a wine style to your personality, The Mystique of the Michelin star among others.

The three-day long festival will follow a daily schedule that focuses on 3 different palates – Indian food, desserts and appetizers & party cocktails. In a bid to add on to the festive galore, Femina and GoodHomes seek to bring together families closer through the universal language of food & drinks! The days are filled with a stellar line-up of interactive activities to engage the audience.

Along with masterclasses and expert live sessions, the event will also have chefs featuring exclusive insights, tips and recipes from their own kitchens direct to audiences. The interactions will be shared on the social media handles as well as the Indulge fest microsite. Each day will see the editorial content section filled with recipes, DIY hacks, tips and listicles as per the day’s theme. Lastly, audience will be asked to participate and stand a chance to feature in the festival and on Femina.in.

Deepak Lamba, CEO of Worldwide Media said, “Keeping abreast of content consumption patterns in the new normal, Femina Indulge Fest, our very first virtual food festival adds to our evolving repertoire of offering innovative digital experiences. Through this initiative, we want to take the lead in turning the next page of the food industry. This unique virtual food festival will also provide a platform for re-opening the dialogue between the audience and experts most interactively and engagingly.”

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Femina has handpicked South Indian business leaders, doctors, designers, hoteliers, artists, educationists and philanthropists who have reached great heights and braved all odds to emerge successful in their respective fields. The illustrious list of achievers include A.R Rahman, Deepika Padukone, Kamal Haasan, Dr. K.J Yesudas, PV Sindhu, Rahul Dravid, Ravichandran Ashwin, Sania Mirza, Mani Ratnam. 

Brimming with tradition, vibrant culture and heritage, the South Indian landscape has given birth to countless pioneers and innovators who have put the country on the global map. Being some of India’s greatest minds, the region has seen them make a name of themselves across various fields that exemplify the diversity of the region in all its glory. In a fitting tribute to these leading lights of South India from the states of Karnataka, Andhra Pradesh, Telangana, Tamil Nadu and Kerala, Femina, India’s leading Women’s brand, honours these icons in the debut edition of Femina Icons of South.

After a fascinating introduction on each of the above-mentioned states, the issue dives deep into the lives of these luminaries from the fields of art, business, sport, politics, health, music, film, education, etc. As one reads through awe-inspiring stories, they seek a fascinating insight into the rise to stardom along with the stellar list of achievements that these phenomenal beings have made.

This stellar list features achievers who have made a name for themselves as a leader and role model to guide and motivate the future generation with their vision. This includes music composer A.R. Rahman, Bollywood superstar Deepika Padukone, Kerala’s health minister KK Shailaja, ace filmmaker Mani Ratnam, actor Parvathy Thiruvothu, shuttler PV Sindhu, tennis champion Sania Mirza, actor Trisha Krishnan, Dr. Mariazeena Johnson – the vice-chancellor of Sathyabama University, Dr. Manimekalai Mohan – the founder and managing trustee of SSVM Institutions, Sanjay Kumar Reddy Mula – the founder of Sirisha Reddy Garment Works, Mrs. Asia International 2018 Kajol Bhatia, Gayathri Chandrashekar – the founder of Nrutya School of Art, designer Vinita Pittie, cricketer Ravichandran Ashwin, and many more. Their tales have been lessons for the world with their achievements setting the benchmark for Indians to be proud of.

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