TV tsarina Ekta Kapoor, daughter of veteran actor Jeetendra, says when she started her career on television as a producer, no channel owners were ready to meet her and work with her.

“Life was good, but I had no plan B. I had no option. Sometimes your greatest curse turns out to be your best blessing. I decided I was starting a TV serial business. My dad invested in me,” Ekta said on TV show “TED Talks India Nayi Soch”.

She added: “Now comes the twist in the plot. Your biggest twist happens when you are at ground zero. The lowest point in your life — when you fall lower from a low. For me it was when lots of my pilots got rejected.

“Honestly, no channel wanted to meet me. How many chances will we give Jeetendra’s daughter? Some media professionals saw those pilots with my father and one of them asked, ‘Are you putting your money into your daughter’s hobby?”

Under her Balaji Telefilms Limited banner, Ekta has produced popular shows like “Kyunki Saas Bhi Kabhi Bahu Thi…”, “Kahaani Ghar Ghar Kii”, “Kasautii Zindagii Kay”, “Kaahin Kissii Roz”, “Pavitra Rishta”, “Bade Achhe Lagte Hain” and “Kumkum Bhagya”.

The episode of “TED Talks India Nayi Soch” featuring Ekta Kapoor will be aired on Star Plus on Sunday.

The government on Saturday said that capping of air fares could “raise prices for the 98-99 per cent of the passengers”.

The Ministry of Civil Aviation, in a statement, defended the domestic airline industry against the observations made by the Parliamentary Standing Committee on Transport which pointed to airline staff’s misbehaviour and over-pricing of air tickets.

“Pricing deregulation has allowed competition to bring down prices dramatically in India, making it one of the lowest-fare markets in the world. Indian airlines follow globally accepted dynamic pricing practices.

“… only between 1 per cent and 2 per cent of tickets are transacted at the highest fare basket. A capping of fares could raise prices for the 98-99 per cent of the passengers,” the ministry statement said.

“The government is cognisant of emergencies or natural calamities, which cause a sudden surge in aviation demand. In such cases, the Ministry works with airlines to create more supply by re-routing aircraft to the affected areas and ensuring stable prices,” it added.

The central government had dispensed with its right to approve tariff post the repeal of Air Corporation Act in March 1994.

According to the ministry, it has partnered with all key stakeholders to establish the innovative AirSewa platform and other modes of offering assistance to passengers.

“It is heartening to note that of the around 12 crore passengers that have flown domestically in calendar year 2017, we have received less than 10,000 complaints overall,” the statement said.

“The Ministry also proposes to issue an explicit and easy-to- understand Air Passenger Bill of Rights. We will be undertaking extensive public consultations to finalise the same.”

The Parliamentary Standing Committee had suggested to the Union government to fix limits for airline tickets and cancellation charges.

The recommendations were made in the Parliamentary Standing Committee’s 256th report on “Issues related to improving consumers’ satisfaction of airlines” tabled on January 4.

It noted that even after a 50 per cent reduction of the aviation turbine fuel prices, the airlines had not passed on the benefit to the consumers.

“The Committee notes that around festivals and for bookings made closer to the date of travel, some airlines are charging more than 10 times of the advance booking fare. The Committee observes that this is arbitrary. A deregulatory environment does not mean unlimited freedom of exploitation,” the report said.

“Economic viability cannot be the only criteria for decision-making. The Ministry of Civil Aviation, though aware of the rampant exploitation, is not showing any proactive role in regulating the air fares. The Committee, therefore, recommends to the the Ministry of Civil Aviation to consider fixing an upper limit of the air tickets for every sector.”

Further, the committee said cancellation charges levied by private airlines were arbitrarily set.

US President Donald Trump has said that he was willing to speak to North Korean’ Kim Jong-un.

Asked at a news conference on Saturday at Camp David (Trump’s country retreat in Maryland) whether he would be interested in speaking to Kim, the President said that he always believed in dialogue, reports Efe news.

“Our stance, you know what it is. We’re very firm,” Trump said. “But I would be… absolutely, I would do that (speak with Kim). No problem with that, at all.”

But when asked whether he would sit down to negotiate with the North Korean leader with no prerequisites, Trump said “that’s not what I said, at all”.

“Look, right now they’re talking Olympics,” Trump said of North Korea and South Korea over the upcoming Pyongchang Winter Olympics.

“It’s a start. It’s a big start. If I weren’t involved they wouldn’t be talking about Olympics right now. They’d be doing no talking or it would be much more serious.

“He (Kim) knows I’m not messing around. I’m not messing around. Not even a little bit. Not even 1 per cent. He understands that.”

Trump also expressed his desire that North Korean athletes participate in the Winter Olympics slated to be held from February 9 to 25, and that the neighbouring countries continue to hold talks after the Games.

On Saturday, representatives of the two Asian nations held initial talks aimed paving the way for a scheduled high-level meeting on January 9, the first between the two countries in more than two years.

Human Resource Development Minister Prakash Javadekar on Saturday emphasised on adopting simpler steps to protect and conserve the environment.

“We have been exploiting the natural resources provided by the Earth. Methods like reducing the use of plastic, vehicles and disposing off electronic items like mobile phones carefully can help in conserving the environment,” the Minister said.

Javadekar inaugurated the New Delhi World Book Fair through videoconferenceing and conveyed the importance of working together for protecting the environment.

Organised by National Book Trust (NBT) in association with India Trade Promotion Organisation (ITPO), the theme of this year’s book fair is “Environment and Climate Change”.

He also spoke on the importance of books and encouraged people to adopt the habit of reading.

“The world of books is unique. Books enrich the life of people, help humans to develop. They encompass all the knowledge. The forthcoming nine days would be a grand affair for book-lovers. They will have an opportunity to browse books from across the world,” he stated.

The Theme Pavilion highlights various environment-related issues like climate change, global warming, water pollution and other relevant subjects.

Moving swiftly after the Mumbai Fire Brigade probe report, the police on Saturday arrested Yug K. Pathak, the son of a retired DGP-rank IPS officer and the co-owner of The Mojo’s Bistro, where 14 people were killed in a fire on December 29.

“He has been booked under the stringent IPC Section 304 pertaining to culpable homicide not amounting to murder,” said Deputy Commissioner of Police Sachin Patil, of the third overall, but first major arrest so far in the case.

The son of IPS officer K.K. Pathak — who had served as police commissioner of Pune and Nagpur, besides other important postings — Yug had been questioned last week as part of the investigation into the blaze which also left 55 persons injured.

Besides Yug Pathak, the police have also booked and summoned Yug R. Tuli, a businessman from Nagpur who is one of the partners in The Mojo’s Bistro, for questioning in the matter, police said.

On December 30, the police had filed three first information reports against at least two of the pubs – The Mojo’s Bistro and 1Above — besides Ramesh Govani, the owner of the sprawling Kamala Mills Compound, Lower Parel, where these high-end establishments are located.

The police action was initiated after the Mumbai Fire Brigade (MFB) probe report said that the deadly fire started in The Mojo’s Bistro’s and spread to 1Above and other pubs in the vicinity leading to the tragedy.

“Since they (MFB) have opined that the fire started from The Mojo’s, we have included the names of the concerned as accused. Action will be taken soon,” Joint Police Commissioner (Law & Order) Deven Bharti informed the media.

On Friday, Mumbai police announced a reward for the whereabouts of the absconding owner-partners of 1Above pub – Kripesh Sanghavi, Jigar Sanghavi and Abhijeet Mankar.

Last Monday, (January 1), the police had arrested two managers of 1Above pub – Kevin Bawa and Gibson Lopez in the same case and were remanded to police custody till January 9.

Earlier on December 31, the police arrested two relatives of the absconding Sanghavi duo – uncle Rakesh Sanghavi and cousin Aditya Sanghavi – for giving shelter to the co-owners of 1Above pub, Kripesh Sanghavi and Jigar Sanghavi, against whom a reward has been announced.

The uncle-cousin (Rakesh Sanghavi and Aditya Sanghavi) were produced before the Bhoiwada Court and released on a bail of Rs 25,000, even as the police were on the lookout for another relative.

President Ram Nath Kovind on Saturday said vacancies in Central Universities were unfair to students and they should be filled quickly and urgently.

It was for all authorities to ensure that recruitment was “absolutely above” board and not influenced by other considerations, he said during one-day meet of Vice Chancellors of 17 new Central Universities.

“Vacancies in teaching staff are unfair on students who have enrolled, and a disservice to their education. Where necessary, engagement of retired professors for specific periods could be done.

“Vacancies that are anticipated – due to retirements or expanded needs – should be planned for months in advance,” said Kovind as per a release.

The President said the new Central Universities may have some teething troubles but they were actually at an advantage.

“They can completely avoid legacy issues. They can create systems and mechanisms that are in tune with future needs and futuristic technologies. In short, they can be genuine 21st century universities,” he said.

He expressed hope that the Ministry of Human Resource Development would resolve the problems discussed in a time-bound manner, and also set out a medium to long-term vision for these new Central Universities.

“We need to equip these universities to become national assets and world-class institutions. If we cannot achieve this in a reasonable time frame, we will be failing coming generations,” he said.

He also said the new Central Universities must rise together and must engage in cross-learning.

Coordination with the state government should be a continuous process, and not limited to initial questions of land transfer, he said.

“It would also be helpful to leverage and share resources and build partnerships with existing universities and institutions located nearby,” he said.

Kovind also urged every Central University to endeavour to get a good NAAC rating for itself and its affiliated colleges.

The Congress on Saturday attacked the Narendra Modi government over its management of economy, saying the worst fears of an imminent economic slowdown have come true and job creation remains the ruling BJP’s “single biggest failure”.

In a statement a day after estimates that GDP would be 6.5 per cent in 2017-18, party leader and former Union Finance Minister P. Chidambaram said the government’s tall claims of India growing at a “robust” growth rate have evaporated in thin air.

Congress leader Anand Sharma also lashed out at the government, accusing it of “monumental mismanagement” of the economy and remaining in constant denial of the ground realities. He said the economy was “gasping” and “not galloping.”

Chidambaram said the government should stop making “tall claims” and bend down to do solid work.
“The recent social discontent therefore can be a direct manifestation of this economic slowdown, which the government was conveniently hiding,” he said.

He said that the investment picture remains bleak in overall terms and the fiscal deficit is likely to overshoot budget estimates of 3.2 per cent of the GDP, adding that “no amount of sugar coating, false bravado and rhetoric along with headlines management can conceal the stark reality”.

“Our fears and warnings have proved true. GDP growth in 2015-16, 2016-17 and 2017-18 (est) is 8.0, 7.1 and 6.5. These numbers prove there is a slowdown. A decline in economic activity and growth means loss of millions of jobs,” he said.

“New project announcements have declined, fresh investment is low, informal sector is still reeling under the ill-effects of demonetisation, job creation is abysmal, exports are plunging, manufacturing sector growth has slowed down, agriculture sector has been hit hard and rural despair is abundant.

“A dispassionate assessment reveals serious weaknesses in the Indian economy,” he said.

Chidambaram said the growth in GDP during 2017-18 is estimated at 6.5 percent as compared to the growth rate of 7.1 per cent in 2016-17 and anticipated growth of real GVA (gross value added) at basic prices in 2017-18 is 6.1 percent as against 6.6 percent in 2016-17.

“In a double whammy, retail inflation soared to a 15-month high of 4.88 per cent in November and industrial output slowed to a three-month low of 2.2 per cent in October,” he added.

New project announcements by Indian companies touched a 13-year low of Rs 77,000 crore in the December quarter, according to the Centre for Monitoring Indian Economy, he said.

“The manufacturing sector has seen the sharpest fall in new project announcements. Job creation remains the single biggest failure of this BJP Government. In a slowdown, how will jobs be created? And how will the promised 2 crore jobs per year be created?”

Bank credit growth is extremely sluggish which doesn’t bode well for the economy, Chidambaram added.

Sharma meanwhile asked if Modi and Finance Minister Jaitley will stop saying that India is the fastest-growing economy.

“It is under the watch of the Prime Minister and his Finance Minister that the national investment rate has fallen. The credit off-take by the industry has hit a historic low of 65 years. The GDP growth is now at a four-year low,” he said.

“It is a matter of concern again that 33 per cent jobs have been officially stated to be lost in the informal sector which employs 90 per cent of India’s work force. Over 3.72 crore jobs have been destroyed by this government whereas only few lakh jobs have been created,” he added.

Lauding National cadet Corps (NCC) in its role in nation building, Vice President M. Venkaiah Naidu on Saturday called it a “shining example of national integration”.

“The National Cadet Corps is a shining example of national integration and you are the pillars of our Nation,” he said after inagurating the NCC Republic Day camp here.

Naidu appreciated the NCC cadets’ efforts in contributing to the society in educating and creating awareness among the masses about the Swachh Bharat Abhiyan, AIDS, adult education, dowry and corruption.

“Your efforts will positively improve the social fabric,” he said.

Also appreciating the impressive turnout of the ‘Guard of Honour’, he urged the NCC cadets to avail the best of NCC training and be more responsible and empowered citizens of the country.

In all 2,070 cadets, including 695 girls drawn from 29 states, and seven union territories are participating in this camp that culminates into the Prime Minister’s Rally on January 28, 2018. The cadets attending the camp would be participating in a number of activities, like cultural programmes, national integration awareness and institutional training competitions.

A contingent of smartly turned out NCC cadets drawn from all the three wings of the Army, Navy and Air Force, presented a ‘Guard of Honour’ to Naidu on his arrival as he was received by the DG NCC Lt Gen B.S. Sahrawat on his arrival.

He also visited the Flag Area where he was briefed by the young cadets about their respective states and regions on themes contributing towards national awareness and integration.

He appreciated the efforts displayed in the Flag Area. A spectacular cultural programme by the cadets was also organised in the NCC auditorium later.

Home Minister Rajnath Singh on Saturday said terror infrastructure in Pakistan continued to exist and the neighbouring country was leaving no stone unturned to instigate the youths of Jammu and Kashmir against India.

He also asked India’s top police brass to take strong action in cases of riots and desecration of religious places.

Addressing the annual conference of the DGPs and IGPs here, Singh said terror infrastructure in the form of training camps, launch pads and communication stations continued to exist in Pakistan and Pakistan Occupied Kashmir (PoK).

He said the neighbouring country was leaving no stone unturned to provide all help, including financial, to terrorism in Jammu and Kashmir and that youths of the state were being instigated against India, sources privy to the home minister’s speech said.

Singh said Pakistan’s encouragement to the separatist anti-India sentiment in Jammu and Kashmir often led to law and order problems.

Highlighting the appointment of a representative for initiating dialogue in Jammu and Kashmir, he said it was a matter of satisfaction that security forces were successful in tackling the situation in the state to a great extent.

The home minister said the violence perpetrated by Naxals had come down to a great extent and assured that the government would encourage surrender policy for Naxals in the coming days.

Referring to the north-east, Singh said insurgency had come down in the region but camps and hideouts of underground outfits in Myanmar was a matter of concern.

The home minister said there was a slight increase in communal violence in the country and asked the top police officers to take strong action wherever such incidents and desecration of religious sites take place.

Singh also talked about growing incidents of cyber crime, use of Internet and social media by anti-social elements to create tension in the society and asked police officers to be vigilant.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi will address the three-day conference on Sunday.

A tweet by the Home Minister’s Office said three police stations were awarded by Singh at the conference. These were RS Puram Police Station (Coimbatore City), Panjagutta Police Station (Hyderabad) and Gudamba Police Station (Lucknow).

Three Best Police Stations in the country were awarded by the HM at DGs Conference today. These three Police Stations are RS Puram Police Station (Coimbatore City), Panjagutta Police Station (Hyderabad) & Gudamba Police Station (Lucknow). @hydcitypolice @Uppolice @lucknowpolice pic.x.com/lZi2H2E08P

— HMO India (@HMOIndia) January 6, 2018

The conference of the DGPs and IGPs is an annual affair, where senior police officers of the states and Centre meet and discuss issues.

The Narendra Modi-led government has been organising the conference outside the national capital since it came to power in 2014. The last three conferences were held in Guwahati, Rann of Kutch and Hyderabad.

A transporter, who claimed that he had suffered losses due to demonetisation, on Saturday collapsed during Uttarakhand Agriculture Minister Subodh Uniyal’s Janta Darbar at the BJP office here, allegedly after consuming poison.

The minister said Prakash Pandey, a resident of Nai Colony in Kathgodam, stated that he was a transporter and had incurred losses in his business due to the notes ban in 2016.

The man said he was unable to repay loans taken from finance companies and had already written to the prime minister, the finance minister and the BJP president seeking waiver of the interest on his loans, Uniyal said.

“While he was still recounting his story, he collapsed.

The party workers rushed him to the ICU of Doon hospital in my car,” the minister said.

It seems that he had consumed poison before coming to the party office, Uniyal told PTI.

Doctors at the hospital said that Pandey was in a critical condition and was kept under observation.

BJP President Amit Shah on Saturday said that he was confident that the party will overthrow the ruling Congress-led Meghalaya United Alliance government and form the new government in the state after the assembly polls slated for later this year.

Addressing party workers after kicking off his election campaign at in West Garo Hills district, Shah said: “While on my way to Tikrikilla (to address a public rally), I did not have hope but after seeing the response of the people in Tikrikilla, and the anger of the public against (the Mukul) Sangma government, I am convinced that the next government will be of the BJP.”

Speaking after inaugurating the newly-constructed party office here, he charged the ruling Congress with running a most corrupt government.

“In our country, there should not be a competition, which one is the most corrupt government. This is a competition which is not good for the country. But if there is one such, Sangma government certainly is vying for the top spot,” he said.

He told that party workers that the party’s mission is not to form the government “because we are already in power in 19 states”.

“But our mission is to ensure that people get their due and Meghalaya should become a model state instead of vying as the most corrupt state. Meghalaya should become one of the most developed model state,” he said.

The BJP chief also questioned the Congress government for its failure to develope Meghalaya despite the central government sanctioning Rs 5,817 crore to Meghalaya under the 13th Finance Commission while under Prime Minister Narendra Modi, the 14th Finance Commission increased this to Rs 25,413 crore.

“Therefore, the question is where has this money gone. Are you seeing any development, where are development in villages, where are roads, hospitals, doctors? You take all these figures and educate the people and every voter in Meghalaya,” he said.

Earlier, launching his election campaign at Tikrikilla, Shah sought the people’s support to strengthen Modi and BJP’s dream for a developed India.

Union Tourism minister K.J Alphons and Assam Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma also asked the people not to fall prey to the Congress “misinformation” campaign that BJP is anti-Christian and anti-minority.

John Young, America’s “most experienced astronaut” who walked on the Moon during the Apollo programme and commanded the first space shuttle mission, has passed away, NASA said on Saturday.

Young died on Friday night following complications from pneumonia, Xinhua quoted the US space agency as saying. He was 87 years old.

“Today, NASA and the world have lost a pioneer,” acting NASA Administrator Robert Lightfoot was quoted as saying.

Young is the only US astronaut to go into space as part of the Gemini, Apollo and space shuttle programmes and the first to fly into space six times, said NASA.

Young made his first flight as an astronaut in 1965, joining astronaut Gus Grissom on Gemini 3, the first manned flight of the early NASA human spaceflight programme that helped the agency get ready for the Apollo moon landings.

Then, in 1966, he flew as Commander on Gemini 10, the first mission to rendezvous with two separate spacecrafts on the course of a single flight.

He also orbited the Moon in Apollo 10 in 1969 and landed there in 1972 as Commander of the Apollo 16 mission.

In 1981, he served as Commander of STS-1, the first space shuttle mission, which some have called “the boldest test flight in history.”

Two years later, on STS-9, his final spaceflight, Young landed the space shuttle with a fire in the back end, according to NASA.

He retired from NASA in 2004.

“Astronaut John Young’s storied career spanned three generations of spaceflight,” Lightfoot said, adding, “He was in every way the ‘astronaut’s astronaut. We will miss him.”

 At least 21 people were injured in a 5.1-magnitude earthquake that jolted Sar Pol Zahab city in Iran’s western province of Kermanshah on Saturday, Iran’s Seismological Center reported.

The epicentre, with a depth of eight kilometre, was initially determined to be at 34.458 degrees north latitude and 45.791 degrees east longitude, Xinhua reported.

The tremor has caused no casualties so far, said reports of assessment teams dispatched to Sar Pol Zahab and the suburban villages.

At least 600 Iranians died in a 7.3-magnitude earthquake that hit the Kermanshah province on November 12 last year.

Just a few minutes’ walk from Munirka bus stand towards the market complex, one will come across a small billboard reading — Guruprasad Udupi. Then after taking the well-decorated stairs, with plants and saplings lining them, one will end up in a vast restaurant. Unlike any modern and flashy eatery, the interiors of Udupi are quite simple. Once inside, one will be transported to the 1990s, with simple seating arrangements, tables, well-dressed and attentive waiters.

The restaurant doesn’t have attractive décor, high-end bars, unusual interiors and loud music — the only thing in the name of décor is the Thanjavur paintings, which adorn its walls. All in all, there is a vintage feeling inside the restaurant. But what is more attractive is that it is always teeming with people of different age groups. “Of course, I can make it as modern as other fine-dining restaurants in Delhi. But if I do it, it will lose its charm,” said Akash Rao, the present owner, “Udupi is a well-known restaurant. People come here because of its quality, quantity and hygiene, not just for the décor.”

The restaurant was started by his father, V Ramachandra Rao in 1985, at a very small and rented place. The primary purpose was to give Delhi’ites an authentic South Indian taste because, at that time, the city had very few South Indian restaurants — Madras Hotel being one of them. But little did V Ramachandra Rao know that one day his restaurant would be loved by not only South Indians but all Delhi’ites. That led him to expand the place and menu. “When my father started it, it was serving only South Indian and to provide authentic taste he brought over some cooks from our native place in Udupi. It was the taste, which fetched customers every time,” said Aakash Rao.

Now the restaurant is divided into three parts — one is wholly dedicated to South Indian cuisine, another offers just North Indian food and one part serves Chinese. All the three kitchens are open. It also has a play area for kids.

In terms of food, the all-vegetarian restaurant serves some toothsome South Indian delicacies, including as many as 50 different types of dosas. In the North Indian section, it serves Thali, Dal Makhni, Shahi Paneer and Cholla Bhatura. And in Chinese, the spring roll and Chowmein are the best.

Among the South Indian food one could try the Onion Paneer Rava Uttapam, which is served with sambar and red chutney. Another choice could be its South Indian Thali. Don’t miss its crispy papad and a filter coffee after meal.

Usually people from DDA colony, Munirka, Vasant Kunj, R K Puram and students of JNU, IIT, and campuses nearby, and offices frequently visit the place. Interestingly, they have some loyal customers. Even if they have migrated to other places, they don’t forget to come down here. “There were many couples, who came to the restaurants in their bachelor days, now they come to the restaurant with their grown up kids,” informed Rajendra Thapa, an employee of the restaurant since 1989.

Chloe Absolu de Parfum

Ten years ago the first Chloe scent was launched and had various incarnations since, always using the rose. This year’s anniversary launch is the Absolu de Parfum, an intense interpretation of the signature fragrance. It gives a boost of vanilla around the rose, with a heady kick of patchouli. It’s a rich scent without being overpowering. The 50ml bottle is available for £63.75.

Romilly Wilde Idle Eau de Parfum

This is for the ones who like their fragrances bold, unusual and yet strangely discreet. Fresh notes of bergamot and green mandarin give it a spirited lively start. Linden blossom and jasmine inject floral prettiness, while angelica seed and cardamom give it musky warmth that lasts longer than most scents. It manages to be woody, musky and floral all at the same time. The 30ml bottle is available for £90.

Jo Malone English Oak & Hazelnut Cologne

Unusual scent combinations aren’t anything new at Jo Malone. This one has a hint of smoky wood that carries sweetness, mixed with earthy nutty notes and while it has a masculine tone, it retains a real femininity too. The 30ml bottle is available for £45.

Dolce & Gabbana The One Eau de Toilette

This is a new, lighter interpretation of the ever popular The One scent, with the same sensual warmth but an added fresh twist. Not as heady as its previous incarnation, this is a blend of Italian bergamot blossom, mandarin, white peach, lychee, jasmine, orange blossom and ylang ylang. All that fruity floral zing is tempered with a rich sweetness in the base notes thanks to vetiver, amber, vanilla and musk. The 30ml bottle is available for £43.

Tiffany & Co. Eau de Parfum

The initial hit of this delicate, feminine scent is sparkling and zesty green mandarin, which moves into a feminine floral heart of iris and a dry-down of sensual patchouli. The bottle is inspired by a cut diamond and it’s all wrapped up in a signature Tiffany blue box. The 50ml bottle is available for £72.

Floral Street Wonderland Peony

First the packaging deserves attention. Strikingly modern, the image of the peony is imprinted on the glass at the back of the bottle, so as one looks through the perfume, one sees the flower. And the box is a compostable carton that can be used for growing seedlings or herbs, or simply storing things. The peony element is complemented by a zesty blast of Sicilian lemon, pink berries, pink guava and raspberry flower, with a grounding base of cedarwood and vetiver. The 50ml bottle is available for £55.

Elie Saab Girl of Now Eau de Parfum

This is a delicious winter scent, with an almond heart and base notes that bring Christmas cakes and marzipan to mind. The sparkling top notes of orange, mandarin and pear give a zingy freshness to the sweetness of the almond, while the orange blossom and magnolia in the heart notes give it a floral femininity. The pretty bottle has duck-egg blue porcelain petals set into the art deco-inspired ridged glass. The 50ml bottle is available for £49.30.

Michael Kors Sexy Ruby Eau de Parfum

Here’s a sexy fragrance. The initial sparkling hit of raspberry, apricot and pepper dries down to ultra-feminine floral notes of orange blossom, rose and jasmine. The warmth and richness comes from the base notes of cashmere woods and vanilla bean. The red glass bottle is cut like a gemstone for an undeniably glamorous feel. The 50ml bottle is available for £66.

Annick Goutal Nuit Confidences Eau de Parfum

This is the sort of perfume that lingers in a room long after the wearer has left. The initial hit of bergamot and pepper moves into a seductive heart of frankincense and tonka bean. Vanilla and white musk give rich, sweet warmth in the base of the scent that remains on the skin. These powerful ingredients blend together to give a really distinct perfume. The flacon is reminiscent of the night sky with indigo glass fading up to clear, with a silken pompom around the neck of the bottle. The 50ml bottle is available for £85.

Gucci Bloom Eau de Parfum

One spritz of this conjures up an abundance of white flowers on a hot summer’s night, somewhere exotic. It is heady with Indian tuberose and jasmine, delivering a double floral hit. The unusual lacquered bottle in a dusky pink looks more like porcelain than glass and has a real vintage feel. The 50ml bottle is available for £68.

Jimmy Choo Rose Gold Edition Eau de Parfum

Think of the girl who wears Jimmy Choo shoes and this is her fragrance: glossy and glamorous. It is a twist on the original Jimmy Choo eau de parfum, with a deeper and more intense blend. Fresh and sweet candid orange and tiger orchid meet the sweet heart note of toffee and the base of warming sandalwood and patchouli. The 60ml bottle is available for £54.

The Verdict

Romilly Wilde is ground-breaking and compelling in its blend, Tiffany & Co is a timeless classic and a guaranteed gift, while D&G is lively, sparkling and fresh. Jo Malone is out-of-the-ordinary with a subtle masculine tone and Floral Street thinks outside the box with eco-friendly utilitarian packaging. But our top spot for new fragrances goes to Chloe for another beautiful scent.

Avon introduces Anew Ultimate as a complete anti-ageing solution that captures multiple signs of ageing. It is formulated with Tiliacora, an Asian plant known for its healing properties that helps optimise skin cells. The range includes Anew Ultimate Cleanser (125g) for Rs 999 and Anew day and night cream that are available in 50g for Rs 2500 each.

Just Organik launched its range of premium jaggery-based product named Organic Jaggery Pearls. Made from the purest jaggery under the most scientific and controlled procedure, these pearls come as an asset to everyday consumption. Easy to store, convenient to handle, these are packed with nutrients to provide the optimum balance of sweetness with health. These are priced at Rs 95 and available www.justorganik.com and Amazon.in