APRIL (FIRST) 2009

Vol 36, Issue No. 848

CONTENTS
BUILDS HAPPY HOMES
Founder: Vishwa Nath
(1917-2002)

SUMMER & TRAVEL SPECIAL

womansera.com

80

18 28
STAY FIT BEAUTIFUL
LITTLE KNOWN
LYTTELTON
Kavita Sivaramakrishnan

GETTING THERE WHILE TRAVELLING CRUISING IN ALASKA

Kasturi Rangachari Suman Bajpai Amrinder Bajaj

86 JAKARTA AND SRI LANKA: DALADA AND SRI

PARATHAS MAHABODHI TEMPLES
Dr Beena Rani Goel Zareen Myles

ARTICLES
CAIRO DIARY
D. B. N. Murthy

7
ENJOY STAYCATIONS
Sudha Chandrasekaran

12 BEAT THE HEAT WITH

32
TRAVEL THROUGH 56
COOL TOUCH REIMS
Suman Vats Ameeta Sharma A SPECTACLE
64 WHY MASS COMM OF BEAUTY &
EDUCATION? GRACE
Suman Bajpai

76 HOW ABOUT BORN

IN INDIA
Rajib Sen

90 AN ARTIST FORESEEING
COOKERY
THE 22ND CENTURY 48 BAISAKHI FESTIVITY Chicken
in peas

40
Our Correspondent ● Pineapple Fish METHO

the oil and

D

and
e the filling:
To prepar fry the rice adding
Heat

heat for
Fry on low

● Indian Bread
all the spices. aside. The
s. Keep
2-3 minute be spicy and tasty.
ghee and

93 HELL IN PARADISE PAIN

filling should salt and
Sift the flour, water to knead so
enough dough stir gently
add just Divide the each lauki and to mix into
is a time into a dough. s. Roll out
the grated
Baisakhi lauki beginsthe curd and

Stuffed with Rice

portion chappati that the
on, time
HEALTHY
into 3-4 a small sizedyour palm oji. Beat .
rava mixture
for celebrati
into the rava/so
portion chappati
in into the little
the also mix add oil a
SNACK
. Hold this a portion of the spices and each of the
to entertain and keep centre of
filling in the from all ends rava snack
) Add the
while adding low flame,

THE LONE TRAVELLER

may (lauki and

OF ARTIST
at a time Cook on
prepared
guests who We of the
it
and close out this ingredients. time till most
chappati ball. Roll fry INGREDIENT
S: the in a pre
g. stirring all

Healthy Snack
a round ated. Bake C for
come alon to obtain thick chappati and on

●
sooji is evapor
a or ghee 1 cup rice water at 160 degree of the
ball into . 1 cup rava – broken
three a with oil heated oven
bring you this paranth crispy and brownin
2 cups of
grated lauki
atleast an
hour till
the top
Remov e
different low fire
till
parant has
dahi r golden
brown. s
meals with savour the other 2 cups of cake is into square
powde
Prepar e 3/ spoon of
red chillies r oven, cut
le fish way. r powde from the
flavours to
Pineapp the same stuffed with rice 4
1/ tsp of amchu as a snack.

Puja Sharma Suman Bajpai

and serve

Chicken in Peas
Indian bread 4 of oil
festivity.
●
3-4 tbsp
during the salt to taste
N IN

BAISfeAstKivHitI y
D
CHICKE
Ghosh METHO the
By Roma Dry roast rava

PEAS
the
sooji and golden
till a light S:
the same
INGREDIENT

Steamed Dumplings
brown. In ly grated

●
once the of coarse
kadha i, a 11/ 2 cups
rava are
sooji and peas
brown, add 3 tbsp of oil
light golden masala
1/ tsp of garam r
2 chillies powde
snack 1/ tsp of red
BREAD
Healthy
lemon juice chicken
4

in Milk
2 tsp of
INDIAN WITH
ss
of bonele
a time. Turn 400 gm
STUFFED
a few at so
fish pieces or twice pieces
pieces once are golden salt to taste
PLE FISH
the fish
PINEAP
the sides
RICE
aside. marinade: paste

FICTION
that both e and keep onion For the
ntha)
DIENTS: brown. Removpan, fry the wal para 2 tsp of
ginger garlic
INGRE of rahu fish In the same Lower the (Cha

Chocolicious
dahi
golden brown. S: 3 tbsp of paste

●
6-8 pieces the
ple
of pineap – sliced slices till leaf and INGREDIENT 1 tsp of
green chillies
4 slices mix in bay fine aroma tha:
onion into heat and fry till a take 2-3 For the paranflour salt to taste
1 large sized papad – cut spices and
of aam this should cup of wheat D for the
100 gm rises – tomato puree 1 ghee
METHO ingredients te the
d oil Mix in the slices which 1 tbsp of Mix all the
cubes
of mustar minutes. for frying and marina 1 hour.
4-5 tbsp pineap ple or ghee marina de this for
and the small pieces. oil to taste pieces in

Bell Peppers Stuffed

leaf into and cook

●
1 bay cut and salt chicken
have been of water oil in a kadhai
half cup in the filling: Heat the
2 chillies powder Also add to boil. Mix pieces For the 49
1/ tsp of haldi rice
2 chilli powder bring the gravy
aam papad 1 cup of cooked
red
1 tsp of and
fish pieces e to cook for
a few of oil r or
tomato puree to 2 tsp chillies powde April (First)
2009
3 tbsp of and continuthe gravy beginsthe 1/ 2 tsp of red Era ●
Woman’s
salt to taste minute s
till adjust ur powde
r
more
half the thicke n. You couldgravy to your

with Couscous
D of aamch
METHO salt and pinches powder
Sprink le powder
over of the l ka 3-4 of roasted jeera
of the haldi consistency with chawa 1 tsp
quantity aside for . Serve
and leave d oil choice
the fish piecesHeat the mustar the parantha.
s. fry
10 minute and pan (First) 2009
non stick pan s Era ● April
in a Woman’

● Okra and Cottage 48

24 TO YOU WITH HOPE KUTTAN’S PARENTS Cheese ● Gooseberry Curry

Neelam Chandra Betty Paul Thottam ● Tri-layered Pineapple Delight ● Chinese Chopsuey
● Bengali Sweet ● Rabrie with Fruits
36 A MODERN LOVE STORY ● Salt Pepper Tofu and ● Carrot Stuffed
Veena Adige Vegetables Indian Bread
● Bread Biryani ● Eggs on Spinach
 16
FASHION NEWS IN
PICTURES

38 THE INCIDENT
I CANNOT FORGET
42 GRATEFULLY YOURS
131 BABY CLUB
96
132 CROSSWORD 60 ON THE TRAIL
SETTING NEW MILESTONES OF GREAT
146 AS YOU SAY MEET PREETI DESAI MASTERS
Ameeta Sharma Puja Sharma

83 TEENACHE
84 COSY NEST (Interiors)
89 YOUR BODY
136 CHILD CHALLENGES

68 44
140 CLASSIFIEDS
GRACEFUL TRENDY &
STYLISH LONGER & SEXIER READERS’
CONTESTS
FEATURES 78
PERFECT PICTURE
FILL UP THE
CROSSWORD
Page
132

35 BEAUTY QUERIES 62 A TOTAL AND WIN RS 15,000

59 MY FAMILY, MY FRIENDS
AND ME...
Editor, Publisher & Printer
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www.womansera.com
 SILKY, SMOOTH SKIN
Which hair remover is best to
use without creating more
problems?
You can find a hair remover which
does the role to your full satisfaction
and also leaves behind a mild
pleasant fragrance.
Usually, hair removers do not
give the desired result. How can
the hair be removed without
leaving visible traces?
Some hair removers work
extraordinarily and the body glistens
after use.
It appears that the body had no
hair growth at all. Look for a
hair remover which can deplete body
hair.
Some hair removers leave a
hot sensation after use and
the skin wears an unnatural
look. How can I cope with the
problem?
There are hair removers which are
easy to use. They create no skin
problem. Besides made for easy use,
they are also convenient to use and
leave no hair problem.
How can I remove unwanted
body hair and still look natural?
Use a hair remover which can
remove the hair quickly forming a
protective shield around your skin.
Hair remover should do much more
than just wiping out hair. It should
have a formula.
Can you recommend any
particular hair remover?
Normally you find different kinds of
creme Hair Removers in the market,
though the ones with added
properties work better for your skin
and its upkeep.
Added to it, if the creme hair
remover comes enriched with
Olive Oil, Shea Butter, it works
complementary to the process of hair
removing.
Jolen has launched its three
variants of creme Hair Remover with
Olive Oil and Shea Butter,
which removes hair gently from the
follicide bulb, leaving skin soft,
silky and beautiful. It is a complete
treatment.
 EDITORIAL
REGULARISING SURROGACY
O B
ver the years, business of surrogacy has
mushroomed throughout India. Just take a look
at the statistics. At present there are about
17000 fertility clinics all over India. Mostly serving to the
foreign clients, these clinics churn out an annual
business of about Rs 2000 crore in surrogacy.
Certainly, quite impressive figures. But strangely
enough, at present there are no rules and regulations
or laws to govern this vast business, which is sure to
grow further in the years to come.
Nowadays, newspapers and magazines openly
carry advertisements for the services of the surrogate
mothers. Huge sum of money is involved in the entire
business with, of course, assured secrecy for the
women desiring to rent out their wombs. But lack of a
proper governing law means, that there
is every possibility of cheating or being
cheated.
Taking note of the vastness of the
business and associated complications,
the outgoing Central Government had
proposed a law and drafted legislation
for the same. But it could not frame it,
as by then general elections had been
declared.
So the country will have to wait till the
formation of next Lok Sabha. Experts in
fertility business are hopeful, that the
new government will frame the laws as soon as
possible after assuming power. Then, they maintain,
there will be no room for the legal complexity in the
business.
Whether the government keeps their expectations or
not, only the time will tell. But one thing that highlights
in the whole scenario is an unpardonable negligence
on the part of the government.
It allows certain activities to grow unchecked and
comes round only when some ambiguity surfaces.
General understanding among the public is that you
cannot start your business legally, for at every step
the government machinery will interfere with your
working.
Yes, if you have the guts, you can start anything by
greasing the palms of local authorities. When you begin
to flourish, government will come itself to grant your
work a legal recognition. Sadly, this is how business
grows in India.
And sadly this is how the whole picture has become
so haphazard, where an honest and hard-working
person hardly gets an opportunity to grow. Hopefully
with new Parliament in place, a new system will
emerge where business regularisation will not mean
under-cloth dealing.
6 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
FALL OF FREE MARKET ECONOMY
ritish Prime Minister Gordon Brown had declared
to take full responsibility for his role in the
banking failure that led to global recession. He
claims that the downturn marks the end of the era of
laissez-faire government.
In an interview, he concedes that in retrospection
he wishes he had mounted a popular campaign 10
years ago to demand more responsible regulation of
the world’s financial markets. Then, Asian countries
were facing similar problems and Western nations
thought they would go away on their own. Brown claims
that the 40-year-old prevalent orthodoxy known as the
Washington Consensus in favour of free markets has
come to an end. Laissez-faire has had its day. People
on the centre-left and the progressive agenda should be
confident enough to say that the old idea
that the markets were efficient and could
work things out by themselves are gone, he
says.
Reasons are simple. Most people want
the business to adhere to the same values
as they practise in their daily life. People
will rather reward hard work rather than risk-
taking and rash driving, they want to support
enterprise and not excess. They want to
support people that take responsibility and
not run away from it. This eye-opener has
come in wake of the revelation that
unemployment in Britain passed the two million mark in
the three months by the end of January, 2009 reaching
its highest level since 1997, according to the official
figures. The jobless total reached 2.03 million, pushing
the unemployment rate further to 6.5 per cent.
This rapidly rising number of unemployed youths is
definitely going to put enormous pressure on the
country’s government. Already demands have begun
to be raised there to deport the foreign nationals
working in Britain and deny visa to freshers. What is
more, the British Chambers of Commerce (BCC)
predicted earlier this month that unemployment would
climb to 3.2 million by the end of 2010. These
revelations are coming amidst the International
Monetary Fund (IMF) prediction that Britain’s recession
would last longer than that of anywhere in the world’s
other major economies. All these developments point
to the fact that in near future, governments in western
countries will meddle more with day-to-day business
activities. There will be more regulations making it hard
for the youth from Third World countries to settle there.
India and other developing nations will have to put their
stakes in correct perspective in G20 meeting that is
going to start in London from 2nd April, 2009.
write to: letters@womansera.com We

re you suffering from
A
vacation envy as you see
your plans vanishing due to
the skyrocketing prices of
petrol and airline tickets?
Vacations carry important
benefits for stress
management, productivity
and health. Unfortunately,
many people do not avail
of vacations because of time or
money constraints. Luckily, there are
ways you can enjoy many of the
benefits that a vacation would bring
without spending as much time or
money as you would on a “formal
vacation”.
Recently, we have been hearing
a lot about ‘staycations’. It is the new
buzz word which encourages people
to take a vacation at home and be a
tourist in their own city. Go on a
frugal staycation filled with old
favourites and new adventures!
Chances are that you have not
experienced everything in your local
region. Save money, avoid crowds,
ENJOY
STAYCATIONS
and return to work with a
relaxed, refreshed and
positive outlook. With soaring
petrol prices and financial
meltdown, staycations are a
new reality in the West. In our
country, too the staycation is
attracting workaholics and very
frequent travellers who travel too
munch on work.
I do enjoy travelling a lot but of
late this idea of holidaying at home
seems to appeal to me. People may
think it is a good idea to save on
costs during these hard times. But
whether recession or otherwise, a
vacation at home is indeed most
welcome.
STAY AND VACATION
“Staycation” was coined by
Canadian comedian Brent Butt in his
famous television series Corner Gas.
It became popular with the soaring
gas prices and economic slowdown.
The staycation is a portmanteau word
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
A look at a frugal
and relaxing modern
concept!
By Sudha Chandrasekaran
that combines “stay” and “vacation”
and refers to a holiday that takes
place either at or near home.
According to The New York Times, it
is “a neologism used by those who
prefer to unravel the mysteries of the
world from the comfort of their living
room couches”. The recent emerging
vacation trend, staycation is a holiday
minus the stress associated with
travel and it is a period of time
wherein an individual or family stays
at home and relaxes or takes day
trips from their home to area
attractions.
7
 RECENTLY, WE HAVE
BEEN HEARING A LOT
ABOUT
‘STAYCATIONS’. IT IS
THE NEW BUZZ
WORD WHICH
ENCOURAGES PEOPLE
TO TAKE A VACATION
AT HOME AND BE A
TOURIST IN THEIR
OWN CITY.
Staycations have become a trend
as people attempt to go easy on their
wallets. More and more people are
opting for staycations forgetting far-
flung journeys to exotic locales and
these staycations can be more
memorable than distant vacations.
There have been a few terms tossed
around regarding the idea of enjoying
your summer at home. We have
heard the terms: staycation;
fitcation – enjoying some time off
while focussing on your fitness;
daycation – taking day trips
usually on one tank of petrol or
less.
In some ways, it can be even
more stress-relieving because it
typically involves less planning
and expense. The staycation is
just one example of a
8 Woman’s Era
behavioural shift caused by a rapidly-
changing travel-cost structure. There
are no logistical worries related to
travel. “You can switch to sloth mode
and simply be yourself, unlike travel,
where you put yourself through a
demanding schedule to get your
money’s worth,” explains financial
consultant Sushma Agarwal.
People take staycations for many
reasons – including but not limited to
saving money, avoiding travel are
taking advantage of and enjoying
what is available in their own city. It is
not just fuel costs that make people
unwilling to travel. Threats of
terrorism have made local and
international travel much more
agonising, as vacationers deal with
added security, long lines and new
visa requirements. A romantic
evening in a hotel just down the
street from a couple’s home, could
be a lot less stressful than planning
and taking that holiday abroad.
“The staycation is a choice we are
making,” asserts techie Srinivas
Ramachandran. He continues, “We
work and travel 24x7. The staycation
is an opportunity for us to reconnect
with ourselves and our homes. It’s
the only time when my
overscheduled family forgets the
clock and makes day trips to the ECR
or simply chills out in the backyard.
Bliss – without depleting our
savings!”
Has your leave balance risen to
absurd levels? When is the last time
your family had a meal together?
Have you visited the nearest park,
strolled on the beach or hopped to
area attractions in recent months?
● April (First) 2009
The answer to all these queries is the
staycation! On taking a walk
somewhere you normally drive
through, you might be surprised at
the things you notice for the first time.
There are plenty of ways to find
culture and excitement in your
hometown without spending much
money.
Tips for enjoying your
staycation: First and foremost,
remember that a staycation is just for
you or your family. So guests are
unwelcome!
Change your routine: It will not
feel like a vacation if you do the same
things. Shake up the routine! Be
spontaneous and give yourself
unscheduled time for fun. Do the
unexpected. Your usual routine will
be there waiting when you are back
to work!
Become a local tourist: You can
play ‘hometown tourist’, and enjoy
the fun things that your city (or
surrounding areas) have to offer
which you normally might go out
of your way to experience.
Rediscover the things you love
about your hometown. There is
sure to be some local attractions
you have been meaning to visit for
years. Pick up a guidebook and
discover what visitors enjoy in
your town. The staycation is
actually a very good idea In fact, I
have lived for 10 years in
Colombo, Sri Lanka, but have
never visited the museum there
which was about five minutes’
drive from my residence. Our
relatives who visited us took the
opportunity to visit entire Colombo
city which we ourselves had not
done!
Unplug: After all, we have a
staycation is life unplugged as home
the place where we are most
connected. To name a few of them:
the phones, computers,
Internet–enabled gadgetry etc.
Turn off the cell phone, take off
the watch, put the Blackberry in a
drawer, stay away from e-mail and
screen your telephone calls. Resist
 YOU CAN PLAY downtime and let yourself do
whatever you feel like. You have the
‘HOMETOWN luxury of time to sit back, relax and
TOURIST’, AND immerse yourself in great books
which you have been gazing at
ENJOY THE FUN longingly as they sit taunting you on
THINGS THAT YOUR the shelf wishing you had time to
read them.
CITY (OR
SURROUNDING Try something new but do not
over-book yourself: After your
AREAS) HAVE TO staycation is over, your fond
OFFER WHICH YOU memories will be triggered and you
can relive the fun. You may also be
NORMALLY MIGHT more inclined to do such fun things
GO OUT OF YOUR during the rest of the year when you
are not vacationing, which might
WAY TO provide a wonderful escape that can
EXPERIENCE. help stave off burn-but.
the temptation to check in with work.
Pretend you are too far away for
anyone to reach you. The biggest
challenge of your staycation is to
keep work at bay.
Eat out: Dining out is part of any
holiday. Go on a gourmet hunt. Invite
some friends for dinner or join some
get together of your friends in a good
restaurant. Your expense will not be
much when compared to the savings
you have made by enjoying a
staycation!
Relax: It is best not to over-
schedule oneself. Leave time for
Pamper yourself: Be bold
enough to splurge and treat yourself
kindly. Visit a day spa. Spend the
entire afternoon lounging in one of
those glorious robes while you get a
massage, facial, pedicure and
manicure done. It makes all the
difference between a staycation and
just a week hanging around the
house.
Take staycation pictures: Why
is it that most of the pictures we have
of ourselves are taken when we are
far away from home, in unfamiliar
surroundings, wearing very casual
clothes? So get out your camera and
10 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
use this staycation as an excuse to
document your native environs.
Immerse yourself in nature:
Enjoying the outdoors is a big part of
a staycation. Slow down. When was
the last time you laid back and
watched the clouds roll by, enjoyed
the chirping of birds early in the
morning, had a relaxed swim in your
club, and took a leisurely stroll talking
sweet nothings with your spouse?
Now is the time to reconnect with
nature and renew your romantic life!
Plan an overnight camping trip, which
will be fun too.
Set the time and date: Give your
staycation a start and end date –
otherwise, it runs the risk of feeling
like just another string of nights in
front of the television. So co-ordinate
your calendars, synchronise your
watches, and settle on specific days
when you can officially be on
staycation.
Though environmentalists support
the trend as a “sustainable” vacation
because you save on fuel, avid travel
bloggers dismiss it as “sad”. The best
way to maximise the benefits of a
staycation is to draw up a strategy. It
cannot become an extension of your
regular life. It has to be absolutely
stress-relieving.
Decide up front what you want to
have at the end of the vacation.
Staying productive can help you
refresh and recharge yourself, for,
too much downtime can actually
drain energy. For some, the
strangeness of different cultures or
languages, figuring out foreign
currencies or worrying about lost
luggage can take a toll and hence the
staycation appears to be a boon for
them.
This concept is yet to take root
and the majority of the travel lovers
feel that nothing replaces the renewal
that comes from going physically
away from our daily life. Anyhow, a
staycation need not be the second-
best to a get-away. With a little
planning, your frugal week could be
everyone’s favourite “trip”. So why
not give staycation a try this
summer? We
 ummer is here again with

S
the heat and humidity
keeping us hot and troubled.
No matter, how much effort
we make to avoid the sun’s
rays and scorching high
temperature, the energy
crunch will affect us all
through the summer.
According to the eminent
observers the “summer heralds the
arrival of sweat, drainage of energy,
dehydration, characteristic diseases,
harsh sunburns, deep tanning and
myriads of skin and hair problems.
One must have the required
knowledge and skill to combat this
problem at its earliest stage before it
becomes aggravated. However,
survival can be ensured by following
the saying, ‘better late than never.’
Extra time and attention is demanded
for giving everyone a glowing fresh
look, confidently bearing the
scorching heat and the merciless
impacts of heat waves on the skin,
hair and health. Food intake needs
to be taken care of for sustaining the
glow and as for maintaining good
health.”
Basically we tend to expose more
of our body to the sun especially

BEAT THE
HEAT WITH
COOL TOUCH
By following the
advisory mentioned
there in depth, you can
surely beat the
scorching summer.
By Suman Vats
during summer which results in the
loss of water from our body by the
process of draining (sweat) and so
there is a lack of resistance and
energy. So maintaining the body
water level is very important.
Increase the intake of liquid foods like
juices, sodas, shakes, nibu paani
(lemonade) and water. Drink at least
eight glasses of water and
intersperse these with fruit juices,
including citrus, apple, apricot and
pineapple – also vegetable juices,
especially carrot, tomato and celery
It is better to avoid heavy and fatty
foods especially those which are oily.
Fruits are the best active energy
agents that keep you ever active. Eat
fruits like grapes and watermelons
that keep the body cool and help in
regulating the heat. Try to eat fresh
and green vegetables as much as
possible during the day.
With a little care and precautions,
you can beat the heat. As you step
out of the house, make sure to apply
a sun screen lotion on your face,
neck, hands and other exposed parts
of the body. Use a sunscreen of SPF
15 or higher. In this way, you can
protect your skin from getting burnt. If
you do burn, apply aloe vera or
lotions containing it. This will cool and
soothe your skin and help you heal
faster. For the lips, the best
protection against sun damage is a
water-resistant lip balm that keeps
the lips moist and has an SPF of 15
per cent or higher. If your skin tans
easily, then wear clothes that cover
your arms and protect your skin from
harmful rays of the sun.
Do not go out into the sun
suddenly from a cool or air-
conditioned room, or do the opposite.
Learn to become accustomed slowly.
When out in the sun, make sure you
use an umbrella or a hat. A hat gives
ideal protection from the burning
effects of the sun. It is effective in
cutting out the sun’s rays from
reaching the scalp and reduces the
damage to a large extent. Mesh
hats are translucent and allow
the sun’s rays to penetrate
through it thereby rendering
it useless in its
duties. Hence, hats of
breathable fabric like cotton should
be used.
DO NOT GO OUT
Besides this, make a habit of INTO THE SUN
splashing your face gently with water
for instant freshness (try and use
SUDDENLY FROM A
mineral water). It is important to COOL OR AIR-
cleanse your skin properly in the
summer to cool yourself. Wash your
CONDITIONED ROOM,
face four-five times a day with cold OR DO THE OPPOSITE.
water and a soap-free cleanser. This
removes the build-up of sweat, dust
LEARN TO BECOME
and make-up from your skin and ACCUSTOMED
keeps the pores clean. Since facing SLOWLY. WHEN OUT
the sun cannot be avoided, exfoliate
twice a week and get a facial every IN THE SUN, MAKE
fortnight to maintain a healthy and SURE YOU USE AN
balanced skin. Exfoliation removes
dead skin cells, tones and adds a UMBRELLA OR A HAT.
glow to your face. Your skin loses its
natural moisture in summer. Hence,
you must use a moisturiser daily
irrespective of your skin type. Apply it
on duly cleansed skin before going
to bed at night, so that your skin
regains the moisture it has lost during
the day.
ROSE WATER
Rose water is one of the natural
skin-care products immensely useful
during this hot-wet season. Equal
quantities of rose water and
cucumber juice have to be bottled
and refrigerated. This soothing lotion
can be refrigerated for seven days.
To treat heat rash apply home-
made yogurt all over your body
before bath or add turmeric to the tomato are very effective in removing
yogurt and apply it. If you have any suntan. These natural products
skin-related problems you can add should not be used directly on your
neem juice to the pack and apply it. skin but should be applied with a
Natural bleaches like lemon and base. If your skin is sensitive to
lemon and tomato juice, apply a
mixture of cucumber and
turmeric juice three-four
times a day.
Do not go out during the
hottest part of the day,
between 10 a.m. and 4 p.m.
A thin mixture of red
sandalwood powder and
rosewater applied to
your skin two-three
times a week can
help it become more
supple. Take an
aromatherapy
floral water or hydrosol along for the
day to stay refreshed. Each evening,
splash lots of cool water on your
eyes. You can soak some cotton
pads in cool water or rose water and
place them over closed eyes for 10
minutes. Keep your feet clean and
cool. Wear sandals when you can to
let your feet breathe and stay odour-
free.
The hot sun’s rays not only harm
the skin but also affect the hair. Thus,
hair too requires special care and
attention during the summer. The
most important point in summer hair-
care is to adopt a manageable
hairstyle for the seasons. It is most
convenient to sport short hair during
the hot days, as it is hassle free and
does not frizzle. Summer heat makes
our hair brittle leading to hair
damage. Try to use hair moisturisers
if you don’t use alternative hair
polishers like coconut oil, cream, gel
etc.
“It is imperative to use a mild
shampoo specific to various hair
types to cleanse and preserve its
lustre. A clarifier should also be used
to wash away dirt and other
chemicals from the scalp and the
hair. A conditioner enriched with
sunscreen should be used that will
form a protective layer ensuring a
longer living shine. A pinch of
sunscreen may also be applied on
the hair and scalp to be washed
away later, for that extra protection.
Hair colouring and highlighting
causes dryness that makes the hair
appear dull and coarse to touch.
Hence, control experimenting with
your hair in summer months.”
Even though summer calls for
swimming and playful splashing in
water, one must not overlook the
harmful effects of chlorinated water
on the hair. The best action would be
to rinse the hair before and after
swimming. The hair wash preceding
swimming enables the hair follicle to
soak up fresh water that minimises
the intake of chlorine or salt water
that causes intense damage to the
hair. The hair wash after swimming
rinses away the chemicals that might
linger in the hair.
During this season your make-up
should be reduced to the minimum
and the emphasis should be on
naturalness. Avoid using foundation
creams and lotions of any sort
because heat may cause them to run
down your face. Use a lipstick of a
pastel shade and use rouge
sparingly. Finish your make-up with a
light puff of powder. Switch to
products that can handle the heat
and sweat.
Look for a long-wearing eyeliner
which is also water-resistant. If it’s
really hot and you don’t want to go
to the trouble of applying full make-
up, a touch of waterproof mascara
and a little eyeliner will open up the
eyes and bring your face to life. Use a
cooling pack comprising cooling
agents such as cucumber, rosewater,
sandalwood, Fuller’s earth, camphor
powder, neem leaves etc.
COOL PACKS
● Apply one spoon each of honey
and lemon juice to your face every
day. It will noticeably lessen the
darkening of skin due to sun exposure.
● Prepare a green tea brew.
Freeze the brew to form ice cubes.
Rub the cubes gently all over your
skin for a cooling effect.
● Application of mashed unripe
papayas as a face mask is an
excellent way to prevent premature
ageing that comes with constant
exposure to the sun.
● Aloe vera is the perfect cooling
remedy for a sun-burnt skin. Pluck a
fresh aloe vera leaf and extract its
gel. Apply it to the face and rinse it off
after it dries for a cooling effect.
● Apply a paste of freshly ground
green mint all over the face. Leave it
on for 15 minutes and then wash it
off. This pack will absorb the internal
heat of the skin.
● Take one tablespoon or some
quantity of besan as required by you.
Mix double the quantity of curd and
apply the mixture on your face for 20
minutes. It has a cooling and relaxing
effect on the skin. We
A promoter introduces
Samsung’s new
Tristar 7.9 millimetre
thick liquid crystal
display (LCD)
television which the
company plans to
produce in China.
Meanwhile, a Chinese
court recently ordered
South Korean
electronics giant
Samsung to pay
compensation to a
local cellphone
manufacturer Holley
Communications $
7.3 million for alleged
patent infringement. New-age marvel

Nothing left for imagination

Sofiya Rud’eva
participates in
a swimsuit
competition
before being
crowned “Miss
Russia 2009”
in Moscow.
She will vie for
Marathon voyage ‘Miss World’
British rowing adventurer Sarah Outen leaves the title in the next
lights of Fremantle harbour behind at sunrise to start her competition.
marathon voyage on the Indian Ocean heading for Mauritious.
She hopes to make the 5,000 kms trip in 100 days.

Aamir Khan celebrated his 44th

birthday on March 14, with his fans at
his residence in Mumbai.
Aamir turns 44
 Australian model Erika Heynatz (centre R),
touches a 2.1 metre high Barbie Doll chocolate
mud cake to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the
world’s most popular doll on the foreshores of
Sydney Harbour on 9 March. (Inset) The Japanese
actress Akina Minami shows off the Barbie model.

Barbie Doll’s 50th anniversary

Love for animals

Animal party organisers Rima
Parikh (L) and Yasmin Waskow
(R) pose with a fully grown
National symbol

miniature horse called “Willow”

at the “Woofstock 90210” pet
show in Beverly Hills.

A swan-shaped
boat is moored at
a pier on Lake
Inawashiro in
Inawashiro. The Here is Denmark’s national symbol the statue of
boat started Little Mermaid which sits on a rock in the
operating from this Copenhagen harbour in Churchill Park with one
spring as arm missing. The sculpture is likely to head for
sightseers have China next year in nearly a century to be exhibited
started visiting in 2010 Shanghai World Expo, while most Danes
the lake. are opposed to its going out of Denmark.
Swan-shaped boat
 DUBAI EPISODE -1
The roads have lawns and flower beds edging them.
he process for an Indian
All sorts of
T
(and people belonging to
several other countries) to
people want to get a visa to visit Dubai is a
little strange. One cannot just
reach Dubai for all apply for a visa as one can
when one wants to visit most
sorts of reasons. other places. Instead one
has to be sponsored by a
Here’s what person or organisation in
Dubai. That person or organisation
happens to those will then be issued the visa. People
working there can sponsor visas for
travelling relatives and friends. If one gets a
job there, one’s employer will
as tourists. sponsor one’s visa and if one is a
tourist, the hotel one is booked at
By Kasturi Rangachari does the needful.
However, people from America,
Europe, etc. can get a visa by just
asking for it on arrival at Dubai
airport!
This is to visit the emirate, but
18 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
there is also a resident visa which an
individual working in Dubai can use
to sponsor his family. A married man
can sponsor his wife, his unmarried
daughters and sons who are either
under 18 or still studying. An
unmarried man can sponsor his
parents. A man can sponsor his
family only if he is earning more than
Dh3000 and gets accommodation
from his employer/company or if he
earns more than Dh4000. A woman
can sponsor her family only if she is a
professional – a doctor, engineer,
nurse, teacher, etc – but women who
earn enough are often allowed to
bring their families in on humanitarian
grounds.
The government announced some
time ago that they were going to raise
the amount that a person had to earn
to bring his or her family to live with
him or her to Dh10,000 because they
 The Marhaba lounge at Dubai airport.
The skyline of Dubai. The city is full of imposing buildings.
felt that the city was getting too
crowded, putting an enormous
pressure on the infrastructure. But
the current financial crisis has put all
those plans on hold.
We were being sponsored (for
visitor visas) by our elder son who
works in Dubai and he had applied
for visas for us. Once he had got
them, he had scanned them and sent
them to us by both e-mail and fax.
This is what he had done on earlier
visits too. But for some reason, this
time, the printouts of both the e-mail
attachment and the fax just weren’t
clear enough. So we were rather
nervous. The original would be
waiting for us in Dubai but Indian
immigration authorities would have to
accept our visas and let us leave!
When our turn came, we went
together to an immigration counter,
handed over our passports and visa
20
printouts and waited with our hearts
in our mouths. We had provided two
copies of each visa printout. In
hubby’s case, both printouts were
faint but legible to a person with
sharp eyesight. But in mine, my
name was clear in one copy and the
visa number in another! I prepared to
point this out to the immigration
official but it wasn’t necessary. The
man just checked our faces against
our passport pictures and stamped
our papers and handed them back to
us. We were through!
We still had an hour or so before
take-off time and just had the security
check to go through. But, because
we were travelling business class, we
could use the business class lounge
to wait in comfort.
We went on board and were
served a welcome drink and asked if
we wanted breakfast. In true Indian
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
A MARRIED MAN
CAN SPONSOR HIS
WIFE, HIS
UNMARRIED
DAUGHTERS AND
SONS WHO ARE
EITHER UNDER
18 OR STILL
STUDYING. AN
UNMARRIED MAN
CAN SPONSOR HIS
PARENTS.
take-whatever-you-can-get-free style
(this middle-class attitude of mine
greatly embarrasses my whole
family!) I said I did – to the great
surprise of my husband who looked
at me as if I had gone crazy. OK,
breakfast at 5am is crazy, especially
if one has hogged in the lounge just a
while earlier, but I was not going to
pass up on any freebies I was
entitled to!
AIRPORT WELCOME
Once the plane rolled to a stop on
terra firma, we exited with our hand
luggage and there, as we came out
of the aerobridge, stood a smart,
neatly-dressed young lady holding up
a placard with our names on it. This
was the Marhaba service welcoming
us to Dubai!
The Marhaba (the word means
welcome or hospitality) service is a Marhaba girls will whisk you eyed. Anyway, my son and daughter-
Meet and Greet service which is through immigration, iris check and in-law have decided – in the
meant to ease a passenger’s way baggage collection as they are disconcerting way grown children
through Dubai airport – a place so entitled to jump queues with their often do – that their middle-aged
huge that a plane-load of passengers charges and so, they get you out of parents/parents in-laws (both of
can easily get lost in it never to be the airport pretty fast. They will also, whom hold down jobs and lead pretty
seen again! The Marhaba girls, who if you want them to, take you to a full lives) are so fragile, vulnerable
are all identically dressed in black Marhaba lounge to relax, deliver and downright foolish that they need
stockings, black skirts, white shirts flowers and visas and arrange for a to be looked after and escorted from
and yellow jackets, know the shortest limousine service. the plane to where they would be
routes to take, where the elevators, The Marhaba Diamond service waiting for us!
escalators and people movers are ensures that you are met as you Our Marhaba girl had our original
and the routes that the golf-cart-like come out of the aerobridge, while the visa papers and we jumped a queue
vehicles you can use to spare your Marhaba Standard service meets you of about a hundred people at
feet, take. farther along the way. immigration and were rushed
through. We were also spared the iris
THE MARHABA A NEEDLESS LUXURY identification procedure that
passengers usually have to go
GIRLS, WHO ARE You can of course manage through. Finally, we were helped to
ALL IDENTICALLY without paying for this service (only get our checked-in cases and
two Marhaba girls had been booked brought out to where my son and
DRESSED IN BLACK for our flight), and I suppose the daughter-in-law were waiting for us.
STOCKINGS, BLACK service is an unnecessary luxury. But We drove home along clean, wide
it is nice to be cosseted and looked roads with impressive buildings on
SKIRTS, WHITE after when you have been up the either side. I looked around with
SHIRTS AND whole night and are pretty bleary- interest. How was the worldwide
YELLOW JACKETS, recession affecting Dubai, I
wondered. My son had told
KNOW THE me that construction activity
SHORTEST ROUTES had slowed down, that many
people had lost their jobs
TO TAKE, WHERE and that real estate prices
THE ELEVATORS, were plunging.
Yes, many of the
ESCALATORS AND construction sites along the
PEOPLE MOVERS. way were deserted though it
wasn’t a holiday. And there
were fewer cars on the road
too. Dubai had always
seemed a city that was
growing at a hectic pace. But
it no longer did.
However, the city seemed as well-
planned, clean and well-regulated as
it always had been. Everything was
spic and span and even in this desert
city, one could see a lot of greenery
in the form of edging to roads and
parks.
As we drove along Sheikh Zaheed
Road, we saw on one side, the raised
track of the Metro that Dubai is
building to ease its traffic problem. At

A vast amount of construction is

constantly going on in Dubai. 70-75 per
cent of total employment is under the
construction.

Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 21

intervals along the track were the
steel frameworks of stations and
over-bridges for passengers. But, in
an emirate which prides itself on the
speed at which projects are
completed, work on the Metro has
slowed down dramatically – thanks
again to the worldwide economic
crisis. There is even talk that the
Metro, like many other projects in
Dubai, has been bought up by oil-rich
and cash-heavy Abu Dhabi.
This puts a big question mark on
the future character of Dubai. Of the
seven emirates that make up the
UAE, Dubai has always been the
least conservative and most outward
looking. But this may change if
traditionalist Abu Dhabi gets the
upper hand. Abu Dhabi has always
disapproved of Dubai’s openness,
but Dubai has always known that
unless it is open and all-embracing, it
will not be able to attract the tourists
who are the life blood of this emirate
that has no oil and depends on
construction, retail, trade and tourism
for its growth and prosperity.
Except for the traffic, it’s a
pleasure to drive in Dubai. Most
roads, not just the freeways or
arterial roads, but also the main
roads in residential neighbourhoods,
are four- or six-lane ones, with inner
roads on either side allowing
approach to shops, residences and
parking.
STRIPS OF LAW
And in between the main road and
the inner one are strips of lawn and
flower beds. If one goes on an early
morning walk, one can see dozens
of gardeners watering these lawns,
weeding and watering the flower
beds and transplanting flowering
shrubs and plants into the beds. Most
of the gardeners I saw while on my
morning constitutionals were South
Asians.
As we drove along home we could
see cars of every possible make all
around us. The traffic was very
orderly. Traffic always is in Dubai. It’s
very difficult to get a licence here (the
process for getting a licence is long
and people appearing for their final
22
Marhaba girls welcome arriving visitors.
AND IN BETWEEN THE
MAIN ROAD AND THE
INNER ONE ARE STRIPS
OF LAWN AND FLOWER
BEDS. IF ONE GOES ON
AN EARLY MORNING
WALK, ONE CAN SEE
DOZENS OF
GARDENERS WATERING
THESE LAWNS.
test are routinely failed a few times
before they are given their licences)
and the traffic police come down hard
on any infringement of traffic rules.
So people tend to drive carefully.
If you want to cross the road where
there is no pedestrian crossing (only
possible if it is a narrow, inner
neighbourhood road), cars will stop
and drivers will gesture to you to
cross and wait patiently for you to do
so!
Radars on all the main roads
check each passing vehicle for speed
limit violations, jumping red lights,
etc. Erring vehicles are immediately
photographed and the photographs
clearly show the licence numbers and
the drivers of the vehicles. If you are
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
caught you are fined and the news
of the fine is faxed, e-mailed or even
SMSed to you with disconcerting
promptitude. You are then expected
to pay the fine within a week.
If you haven’t given a fax number,
e-mail identity or cell number to the
authorities, you are expected to pay
your fine(s) first when you go to
renew your car registration,
something which you have to do
every year.
FINE ON THE FREEWAY
You are fined if you run out of
petrol on the freeway too because
you are causing inconvenience to
other drivers. Cause an accident or
be involved in one, and you have to
stay put till the traffic police arrive
and check the accident scene and
talk to the driver(s), the injured and
other witnesses. If the accident has
caused injury or death, the driver at
fault is promptly taken into custody.
Every accident or infringement of
traffic rules earns drivers black marks
on their licences. Too many black
marks can result in a licence being
revoked for a certain length of time.
About a year and a half ago, the
Dubai government started levying
tolls at four points on three busy
roads in the city – the Garoud Bridge
Road, the Mahqtoom Bridge Road
and Sheikh Zaheed Road. Owners of
vehicles have to buy Salik tags and
put a sticker on the windscreens of
their vehicles. The toll is
automatically deducted from the
amount they paid for their Salik tags.
Trials, not just for traffic violations
but for all infringements of the law,
proceed quickly and punishments are
severe, but fair. A prison sentence is
invariably followed by deportation.
In fact, constantly hanging over
the heads of the 3.23 million-strong
expatriate (called expats for short)
community which forms nearly 80 per
cent of the population of Dubai, is the
threat of deportation not only for
violations of the laws of the land, but
even for losing their jobs or having
their visas cancelled. And that’s a
great incentive to keep them on the
straight and narrow! We
 To you with Hope
Covert police work brought sanity to a family wrecked by domestic violence.
By Neelam Chandra
W
hen Sameera returned from her school that
day, she could hear her mother again
shouting and pleading for mercy, right
from the entrance. She knew her father
must again be hitting her mother. In fact,
this had become a regular activity in their
house. She was only eight years old, but
the circumstances in her house had made her more
mature than her age. At times, her father would be
very loveable, caring and cuddling and speaking
softly to them all. At other times, he would suddenly
get violent. Of course, he rarely troubled her
directly, but during such times, her mother would be
his object of hatred and violence. And this was a
scene she dreaded the most.
While she was smaller, she would hope that
either her nana or mama or chacha would come
and save her and her mother. But with experience
and time, she learnt that relatives come and go and
nobody had a solution to her father’s violence.
While she would go and sit on her mother’s lap later
to show her love, her mother’s tears seemed to tell
her that this was their fate and they had to endure
this all their lives. But her infant mind would always
feel that there was some solution to these problems,
although she did not know what it was. She hoped
She defends herself from the onslaught of her husband,
suffering from schizophrenia.
an angel would come to her one day, sit with her,
find out her grief and with some magic make her
happy.
Sameera entered her home to find one of the
violent scenes. Her father was pulling her mother’s
hair and sometimes hitting her and at other times
touching her body with a hot cigarette butt. Her
heart bled. She shouted and started hitting her father
with her small, timid hands. At this juncture, she was
not even afraid of what her father would do to her.
Her father suddenly stopped hitting her mother
and started laughing. He took her in his lap and
said sweetly, “Sameera, you are a darling daughter.
Do you know, darling, that I am Lord Ram and your
mother Sita who had run away with Ravana? That is
why I was hitting her. Since you are stopping me, I
will not do it.”
She literally jumped down from his lap and
reached out to her mother who was lying on the
floor with dishevelled hair. Sameera straightened
her mother’s sari and took her to the bedroom of
their two-room flat. She got Burnol and applied it on
her mother’s burns. Later, both of them cuddled and
cried for hours.
If Sameera could hear the cries and wails of her
mother from so far, she was sure that her neighbours
must also be hearing them. She wondered why her
neighbours never came to help her mother, although
normally they would talk to her so nicely as if they
were her best friends. She felt that the rasogullahs
shared by Mrs Ghosh, their next door neighbour, or
the puran-poli shared by Mrs Kulkarni below, had
no meaning if they could not share her grief. At this
instant she hated them all and was angry at her
mother for even speaking to them.
Although she knew it was of no avail, she was
again asking her mother why they don’t leave the
house and run away somewhere. Amidst tears, her
mother asked her where they could go. One by
one, Sameera started suggesting all the relatives’
names. Her mother kept giving her some reason
or the other why they couldn’t go to those
people’s houses. This questioning had become a
routine and so had the answers. But today Sameera
made one more suggestion.
She told her mother, “Mummy, we will run away
interest to you, so I have
just kept it.” Now that
Mala was a pragmatic
SHORT

and you can work as an ayah in my school. My
teacher is very angry with the present one. We can
then stay in the school. Since I always get the
highest marks, my principal loves me a lot. She will
give you the job.” What her mother could not tell her
was that she was qualified enough to be a teacher
herself. But she was not allowed to work and that
she didn’t have the courage to stay alone in this
society which was full of wolves.
STORY
lady Piyush always valued her judgement.
He read this letter from a girl, Sameera, and
instantly liked the girl. Although it was not
strictly a part of his duty, such cases always
aroused his interest, for he was also a
writer. Moreover, as DCP he could help
such cases. Mala must have sensed his
interest in them.

Sameera remained dissatisfied. Although her
mother had accepted all the domestic violence, she
could not. She wanted to do something for her
mother, to save her from all these problems. She was
not able to digest why her mother wanted to
continue staying with such a devil.
O
n first thoughts, he thought of sending
the girl and the lady to an NGO
home, but then, on second thoughts,
decided to meet Sameera himself.
After the VIP visit, he decided to see her on a
Sunday evening. He decided to dress up simply and
not as a police officer. He also preferred the Maruti

S
he switched on the TV. There was some news car to the police Jeep and reaching there all alone.
regarding a boy who had bravely run away When Piyush knocked at the door, a little girl
from the clutches of a gang of kidnappers. The opened it and asked, “Whom do you want to meet?
kidnappers had locked him up in a bathroom of one My father is not at
of the general class coaches from Kolkata and were home and we do not
taking him to Mumbai. The boy had started shouting entertain visitors.” He
seeing some policemen at a big station despite did not feel like
knowing the fact that the gang was sitting near the revealing his true
door of the toilet. The policemen were alert and identity, since he
sensitive to his call and had caught three members would not get to the
of the gang and also rescued him. Sameera root of the problem if
suddenly got an idea. She decided to write a letter he did so. He instantly
to the head of the police, DCP Ashthana, whose decided to pose as an
interview was being shown on television. She old friend of
scribbled: Sameera’s father,
Respected Ashthana Uncle, whose name Yash
Uncle, I am Sameera and stay in your city. I am Mishra was written on
studying in St Michael High School in Std: 3. I see the name plate at the Cleanse your face twice daily with a
you catching so many thieves and goondas every entrance of the flat. good cleanser. Give your body skin a
day. Uncle, can you please save me and my The curly hair and full moisture treatment.
Nutrition plays a big part in improving
mummy. Uncle, my papa is a devil. He hits my fair round face of the the condition of your skin. Spring
mother all the time. Today he has burnt her with little girl had an time is time when fresh, green
cigarette butt at many places. Uncle, I have tried innocent beauty in vegetables and fruits come in handy
for maintaining a glowing skin.
telling all my relatives and all my neighbours also them and the In case you are habitually using a
know the problem. But nobody helps us. expressive almond- foundation, then choose the light-
If you help us Uncle, I will give you my doll, like eyes seemed to weight one with SPF protection of
minimum 15.
Pinky. I normally do not let even Tanisha and Anita tell a hundred stories. Spring season triggers many
touch her, although they are my best friends. Hearing the noise, her allergies. A cool compress before
mother also came applying cosmetics can help prevent
Waiting for you, minor allergies.
Your small friend, near the door and, Use Vitamin E oil before you sleep.
Sameera. fearing that her This will freshen the skin which has
grown dull after winter.
Piyush Asthana was in a great rush in the office daughter must have
that day. There was a VIP in the town and he had to said something
take care of the entire bandobast. His steno, Mala, awkward,
brought the dakpad with the important letters. She immediately
also handed him one letter saying, “Although this apologised and
letter is not exactly important, I thought it may be of asked Piyush who he

Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 25

was. He replied that he was Piyush Tripathi, a
college friend of Yash. He added that he was a
bank officer and had been recently transferred to the
city and decided to meet Yash.
Mrs Mishra welcomed him inside. She told him
that her husband had gone out on a tour for two-
three days, but asked him to stay back for a cup of
tea. Mrs Mishra was also a beautiful lady with big
expressive eyes just like her daughter. She was
wearing a full-sleeved blouse with a colourful sari
which covered her head. Although the sari was torn
at places, she had neatly mended it so that the cuts
were invisible.
asked her what these were. She kept silent. But he
wanted her to speak out and he made a statement,
“But Yash was never like this.”
She was serving him the namkeens she had
brought and simply uttered, “Yeah, this is what
everybody tells me. What to hide from you, my life
has become a hell. But what worries me is the
tension Sameera goes through.”
He asked her, “Bhabhiji, you yourself look quite
educated, why do you bear all this?”
She replied, “Yeah, I am a BEd and was in fact
teaching in a primary school when this proposal
came. Since I was already 23 and there were two
more sisters to get married, I decided to go ahead

W
hile her mother went inside to get a cup of with the proposal from Yash’s family for Yash. He
tea, Sameera sat on her cycle looking had told me that I will not be allowed to work and I
apprehensively at Piyush. She was biting her had agreed. It was all right in the beginning but then
lower lips. It was evident she was not used to having these dark shades of his personality started
guests. He wanted to be friends with her and started appearing. At times he is so soft, so loving that I feel
asking her questions to which she was replying in as if I am in a heavenly bliss, but then at other times,
monosyllables. Since Sameera was holding a doll he is a real devil — hitting me, cursing me,
tightly, he understood that this must be the doll threatening me. Sometimes, he gets illusions that he
Pinky, about whom she had mentioned in is some famous personality. Actually, I am
her letter. He asked her if she would give yet to understand his behaviour. I just don’t
him the doll, to which her reaction was
Uncle, can know where I have gone wrong. I cannot
sudden. She shouted, “I will not even allow you please go anywhere because my parents are
you to touch it.” He looked at the doll. The save me and dead and my brother is in Dubai.”
doll had blue eyes, one of which was my mummy. Piyush decided to dig further, but there
broken. However, the hair was neatly Uncle, my was no reason for Yash’s unhappiness. No
done in a ponytail. Her pink dress was papa is a devil. affair, no other vices. He decided to talk to
also very beautiful and neat. Piyush asked Jharna, his doctor wife, regarding the
her why she wouldn’t part with it to which
He hits my problem and requested Mrs Mishra and
she shouted again, “Because you will hit it mother all the Sameera to keep his visit a secret at
and pull her hair.” He asked her if anyone time. Today he present, since he did not want them to
hits her too to which she replied, “No, but has burnt her know that there was no Piyush Tripathi, a
my papa hits my mummy.” with a classmate of Yash. He also decided that it
Mrs Mishra entered the room with some cigarette butt. would not be correct to reveal his true
snacks and tea and must have overheard identity now.
their conversation, for she said, “Bhaiya, When he gave the details of the case to
please do not pay attention to this girl.” But, being a Jharna, who was a psychiatrist, she immediately told
writer, he was quite observant and immediately saw him that it appeared to be a case of schizophrenia.
the cut on her left hand and swollen right hand. He Since Jharna saw Piyush’s interest in the case, she
decided to take it up herself. She asked Mrs Mishra
about the details telephonically and these
discussions further confirmed her doubts. Her
husband’s case was a paranoid schizophrenia,
always suspicious of others, and had grand schemes
of persecution at the root of his behaviour. He would
have hallucinations quite often. Since he had had
this problem for long which had remained
undiagnosed, the treatment would be difficult but not
impossible. Before starting the treatment it was
The violent necessary for Jharna to meet Mr Yash Mishra at
behaviour of her least once.
father is wrecking
the innocent life of
When Piyush and Jharna reached Sameera’s
Sameera. house, they introduced themselves correctly this time.
Mrs Mishra and Sameera were surprised, but Yash
got extremely angry with Mrs Mishra for revealing
so much to strangers. He got violent suddenly and
was about to hit Mrs Mishra right in front of them —
but they intervened and Piyush told him sternly that
he was the chief of police and in case he
misbehaved, he would put him behind bars. It was
one of the rare times when he enjoyed using his
powers.
M
eekly, Yash agreed to start taking medicines
as suggested by Jharna. She also put him
under regular counselling sessions. The
initial response of Yash was of reluctance, but then,
seeing the benefits, he started cooperating. During
the counselling sessions, Jharna had noted that Yash
also loved his wife and daughter a lot. It was his
problem which had made him what he was. He
understood how difficult it must be for his family to
bear him. With strong will-power, regular
medicines, counselling sessions and an
understanding family, Yash started showing an
improvement very soon. When Jharna informed
Piyush about his progress, he decided to visit the
family once again.
They reached their home suddenly one day.
Theirs seemed to be a completely different home this
time from Piyush’s visit about 10 months ago. The
doors were open when they reached. Yash was on
all fours as a horse on the floor and Sameera was
sitting on his back riding the “horse.” Mrs Mishra
was laughing sitting on a sofa watching the father
and daughter play. She was wearing a nice salwar
suit and her head was not covered this time.
Convinced of the family’s happiness, Piyush and
Jharna were about to leave, when Sameera saw
them and ran to Piyush shouting, “Police uncle,
police uncle.” She was no longer an apprehensive
and silent person, but a bubbly and naughty girl.
She told him a hundred and one stories in the next
10 minutes. They learnt that her mother had taken
up teaching again. Mr and Mrs Mishra thanked
them profusely. They made them stay back for
dinner and Piyush and Jharna thoroughly enjoyed
the family atmosphere in their house. When they
were about to leave, Sameera quietly came and
gave a gift to Piyush and asked him to promise that
he would always keep it with him wherever he went.
When Piyush reached home, he opened the box.
It contained Sameera’s favourite doll, Pinky. He knew
that this doll would always occupy a special place,
not only in his showcase, but also in his heart. We
STAY FIT &
BEAUTIFUL WHILE
TRAVELLING
Healthy practices on the go.
By Suman Bajpai

t can be a challenge to stay ‘in

I
shape’ while away from home.
Each kind of travel – business,
vacation, or personal – has its
own stresses and temptations.
Plan ahead and make sensible
choices while on the road. Be
realistic. Don’t try to lose weight.
Instead, try not to gain any. Don’t
aspire to a greater level of
fitness. Instead, try not to lose what
you have already achieved.
Travelling takes its toll on the
body, especially if you are travelling
abroad. Jet lag has adverse effects
on the body. Try and eat as much
fresh food as possible on your trip.
Eat fresh fruits and vegetables
throughout the journey. Apples,
bananas, unsalted peanuts, dried
apricots, etc. have the nutrients that
are necessary for your body and
helps in keeping you alert and active.
Pack nutritious food for the road
which includes water, green tea,
almonds, apples, bananas, and
juices. Avoid unhealthy high-fat foods
on airplanes and at business
meetings by carrying a couple of your
favourite types of simple healthy
snacks like one or two handfuls of
mixed nuts and/or dried fruit.
Don’t get tempted by the
sumptuous food of the hotel, look for
things like oatmeal, wholewheat
toast, fresh fruit and low-fat yogurt.
If there is a grill, you might be able to
get an egg white-based omelette
stuffed with veggies.If you know you
won’t be able to avoid the sweets,
pack a bowl and some wholegrain
cereal.
Don’t wait too long between
meals or you may find that you are
too hungry to make sensible choices.
You might find yourself eating
handfuls of chips or several pieces
of bread before your meal even
arrives. Drink a glass of water. Order
a soup or salad to begin your meal.
Eat slowly. Let water be your main
beverage. Carry a bottle of water
around with you during the day. It will
help you stay hydrated; you will feel
less empty and less tempted by
unhealthy snacks.
THE HURDLES
After nutrition, simple laziness is
the next hurdle you have to
overcome while travelling. It’s easy
to talk yourself into skipping a
workout if the hotel gym
doesn’t have the
equipment you’re used
to. Schedule exercise
into your day just as you
would at home. If you
exercise early in the day,
you won’t have to worry
about fitting it in later
when you really would
rather take a nap.
Schedule your workouts
with as much dedication
as you schedule your
business meetings.
When you book your
hotel, make sure you
have access to an
adequate hotel gym or nearby fitness
establishment. In that way, you can
continue with your regular exercise
routine. Take advantage of whatever
time slot is available for exercise
during your travels. And don’t miss
it. Spend waiting time walking. Take
the stairs instead of the lift.
Travel with a ‘maintenance
mindset’. Stick to your plan, and
you’ll return home without gaining
any fat or losing any fitness.
SKIN CARE
It is important to maintain your
beauty and look great while you
are travelling. For that, pack
cleansing products which you
can use regularly to clean
off the dust and dirt.
You can also
take with you some
refreshing wipes to remove the dirt
just by a wipe at any time. Carry with
you moisturising cream and apply it
before you leave your boarding
place. You can skip the foundations
for the make-up and just use
moisturisers to get your skin wet.
Avoid heavy make-up while
travelling as stuffy air may make you
get tired soon if you have on heavy
make-up. So you can do minimal
make-up, so your skin does not get
affected too much. Try not to apply
bright-coloured nail polish which may
chip off soon and give an unfinished
look very quickly. Skip long-lasting
lipsticks. Rather, you can apply light
shades of lip stain.
Apply good condi-
tioners to your hair
before you start
the journey. The
conditioners can
help in maintaining
PACK NUTRITIOUS
FOOD FOR THE ROAD
WHICH INCLUDES
WATER, GREEN TEA,
ALMONDS, APPLES,
BANANAS, AND JUICES.
your hair wet and avoid the dry hair in
the bright sun.
Your eyes may be strained due to
bright lights or pollution in the air. So
keep eyedrops with you to clean your
eyes whenever required. Whether it’s
sub-zero temperature or tropical
weather, it always makes sense to
pack your sun block. Wiping your
face and neck with a bit of cotton
wool soaked in a gentle cleanser will
leave you feeling refreshed and
squeaky clean.
If you can sleep during your
journey, use a little eye cream under
your eyes and a small amount of light
night cream. This will ensure that
your skin is refreshed and relaxed
when you wake up.
To avoid looking like you just
woke up, wear fabrics that don’t
wrinkle easily. This will allow you to
emerge from any airport looking fresh
and rested, not frustrated and
frumpy. Because you’ll be on your
feet before, during and after your
business matters, you’ll want a pair of
shoes that scream comfort for your
tootsies. Avoid wearing your social
business heels and fancy boots
when you’re not on the job. We
 TRAVEL THROUGH
REIMS
rance has a beautiful mix of

F
natural beauty through the
countryside and a cache of
man-made artistic paintings,
sculptures, buildings and
other artifacts right in the
If Paris is capital – Paris. But the beauty
of France is not limited to just
charming, there’s Paris or even Cannes – these
might be more written about
much more and visited by more tourists but it is
worth any traveller’s while to think of
enchantment destinations beyond these while in
that part of the world.
beyond its bounds. Reims (pronounced as if in rhyme
with chance, if you get the ‘n’ as a
By Ameeta Sharma soft sound or think of the Hindi tele-
serial Saans and then say “Raans”) is
less than 90 miles east-north-east of
Paris and was originally founded
during the Roman Empire. It is
approachable by road or by rail.

History: Reims is considered the

capital of the Champagne region –

32 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009


an old province of France famous for
its sparkling wine of the same name.
While protecting their appellation,
the CIVC has ensured that only
champagne from the region
Champagne may be called
champagne. But the history of Reims
and the region is older than this
sparkling wine.
It is the largest city of the region
but its roots are deep and, yes, it is
as old a city as the Roman times. If
you have seen the Hollywood
production Joan of Arc and admired
the acting of beautiful Mila Jovovich
then you might remember the church
of Reims that they show briefly where
the king is being anointed. This is
where the kings of France were
crowned. The Cathedral of Reims
which was damaged during World
War I has since been restored. It is to
France what the Westminster Abbey
is to England. The preserved
buildings and Roman ruins remain
monumentally impressive sections of
historic buildings do something
special for you. In May 1945, General
Eisenhower and the Allies received
the news of the unconditional
surrender of the Wehrmacht here.
The façade of the cathedral
reminds one of the more defined and
celebrated Notre Dame of Paris.
Inside, some might consider it a lot
more austere as compared to other
cities of France but it has character
and some beautiful windows of
stained glass.
The best way to know Reims is to
get an audio guide and walk around
at your own pace. At the end of the
tour, just return it to the tourist office.
That, actually, is the best part of
France; they have packaged every
tourist site well and offered it as best
as it can be. There are tourist offices
in every town that has something to
offer and Reims definitely has a lot
to offer.
Beauty of the region: The
countryside is very conducive both
for children and the elderly. The
rolling landscapes are just perfect for
summer but spring and autumn are
good too. Winters do not lend
themselves well for kids to play
around in parks, but if it is just before
Christmas, then Reims has a street
market which has a most amazing
quality and spirit of sharing in it.
If city dwellers visit this area,
doing the rural thing can have its
advantages. Duck-breeding farms
are a great visit for kids as it is the
possibility of discovering animals in
a farm, in their natural habitat and
friendly with visiting kids. Or a coypu
(another little animal) farm could be a
place of interest to visit for kids and
adults alike. There is also a chocolate
factory here just 30 odd kms south
of Reims. For the car lovers there is
an automobile museum with over 200
vehicles dating from 1908 until now
and thousands of miniature cars to
keep you busy.
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
REIMS IS
CONSIDERED THE
CAPITAL OF THE
CHAMPAGNE
REGION – AN OLD
PROVINCE OF
FRANCE FAMOUS
FOR ITS SPARKLING
WINE BY THE
SAME NAME.
One could take a short cruise on
the river Marne which has a leisurely
pace to it. As we were in a small
group of four and no children or the
elderly, we opted for just a short walk
in the town square, soaking in the
atmosphere and then decided to
spend our days following the trail of
good food in and around Reims but
only after enjoying all the pieces of
art and history at the Saint Remi
Museum.
If you have ever admired the
twisted rare beech tree in pictures,
here is your chance to see a whole
park which has the maximum
concentration of these trees
anywhere in the world. They look
gnarled but are so beautiful that you
forget to wonder why they are the
33

way they are. But then, that is nature
for you, sometimes without reason
that can be understood by science.
Due to the high concentration of
grape vines in the countryside, it is
the champagne region after all, any
time of the year that has a different
look. It could be green in summer,
red and gold in autumn and stark with
soil showing through, as it did when
we were there, through the winter
and later I am sure it looks quite
picturesque covered in snow.
Special shopping: The best-
known item of Reims that the whole
of France likes and the rest of the
visitors always stock up here are the
pink biscuits with a dusting of sugar
on them. They are called Rose
biscuits and it is advisable that you
buy them in sturdy tins, otherwise
they are so fragile that in cardboard
boxes they would only reach back
house as almost powder! These have
been made here since 1756 and
Fossier is the great name behind it.
If you hanker for Paris-style
shopping there is a smaller – much
smaller than the original – version of
the Galleries Lafayette with their
usual staple of big-shop contents –
some designers, their in-house stock
and, of course, cosmetics. The usual
nationwide chains are also available
here and if you arrive in the sale
season, then, of course, you could
pick up some real bargains.
Seasonal offerings: There are
various events in the city during
different months including the much-
34
appreciated jazz music event held in
November for the past 10 years. But
we were late for it, though just in time
for the Christmas bazaar. This is
located in the city square and there is
a mini-train that shuttles between the
Christmas market and the railway
station.
It is the kind of market that is
enjoyed by kids, adults, and the
elderly as it has something for
everybody. Street food, candy floss
being made right there, even African
woodwork and delicate French lace
– it’s all there. I really enjoyed seeing
families enjoying themselves with
kids perched on their fathers’
shoulders just as we see them in
Indian fairs and melas . And the
younger ones were in their prams,
half asleep while the parents were
enjoying fresh hot crepes or maybe
just coffee.
Cuisine par excellence: If there
is just one meal you intend enjoying
while in this region, drive out a bit
and go right up to Hostellerie La
Brigueterie, as it is closer to Epernay
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
than to Reims. If you like food,
natural beauty of well-laid-out
gardens, the possibility of getting lost
in the period furniture and high-class
service is very real here. And be
prepared to be convinced by whoever
is accompanying you to stay a day
there. The rooms are well appointed
and absolutely delightful.
There is the promise of a
massage in their spa and
little quirks of the place
are enticing, truly
delightful.
As for the food, take
your senses for a journey
that you might not want to
end. The oysters we ate
here were like a dream come true,
so fleshy and fresh that even their
memory is rewarding. No, it is not
as reasonably priced as some of
the smaller restaurants in Reims
or Epernay, but then some
experiences are worth the money
and this is one of those.
The food presentation here is
an art, service prompt and
attentive and the décor of the
place – all extremely rewarding. With
a real fire burning in the waiting area,
the dining room is warm and has high
windows and doors that open out to
bring the beauty of the gardens in
when the weather permits. Just one
problem: if you do not know French –
you would need to rely on your
waiter. Probably because the staff
here speaks such impeccable
English they do not think it necessary
to have an English translation of the
menu. However, there is a way out.
You can check the place on the
Internet and even get the English
translation of the menu at
www.labriqueterie.fr and there are
some lovely pictures to drool over of
the restaurant, the waiting area and
the rooms.
And if you do go there, do check
out their comments book – I posted a
comment in Hindi during the month
of December 2007, praising the
experience. You need to be Indian
and be able to read Hindi to be able
to read it though. That was my gift to
the place, and those who go there
now… We
 QA &
Q&
My dandruff is really bothering me.
After using home products it reduces
and then again comes back, especi-
ally in winter. What do I do?
Using some products – home-
made or cosmetic company-products
– reduces the dandruff and then it
comes back, probably because you
stop using the right products and go
back to a wrong choice. Certain
A
products like curds is difficult to use
in winter because it is cold and you
do not wash your hair that often in
winter and build up on scalp
happens. Do consult a dermatologist
to confirm you do not have a fungal
infection or some other problem. But
be consistent in using the right
product to keep it under control not
just to treat symptoms and going
back to improper product use.
I want a spa-like pampering weekend
at home. How do I plan the whole two
– to three-hours event for myself and
my sister as we are low on money
but high on love?
When two girls are doing a beauty
treatment, everything becomes fun.
You can select the products (either a
readymade branded one or a home-
made version) depending on your
skin and hair type but this is the best
sequence. Massage your hair with
warmed oil. Then use an exfoliator for
the face and neck. Tone it and leave.
Also, do a pedicure by soaking your
feet in warm water and apply cream.
Massage the body with cream or oil
(you can do this for each other) and
relax with some good music and put a
face pack on. Shower with the use of
a loofah to get the blood circulation
going well – and enjoy your pam -
pering throughout.
Do anti-wrinkle creams really work?
My mother is 46 and recently became
aware of fine lines. She wants to be
assured before buying all the
expensive creams and lotions.
Yes, they do work, but on the
other hand they might not be totally
effective on your mother’s skin as it
depends on the condition of the
individual. She must try the product
for a minimum number of weeks
prescribed before deciding whether it
suits her or not. These are not magic
potions but do fill out the fine wrinkles
a little for a smoother appearance.
I like to experiment with my make-up
and hairstyles. Sometimes what is in
fashion does not suit me, but I have
already invested in it so I continue to
use it and hate it. What is wrong with
me?
Actually nothing is wrong with you.
You like to experiment which is good
but you do not have to follow every
trend to be fashionable. You need to
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
adapt a colour use or just use a
toned down version to suit your skin
and lifestyle. Better still, when experi-
menting with a product try it in a shop
and think about its function before
you buy it outright and then feel
constrained to use it.
How do I select a face pack from all
the ones available in the market? I
have normal skin and like to use
something on a weekly basis at home
and often do not have the time to go for
a facial or make my at home facial kit?
Well, it is always possible to select
a readymade product that is almost
as good as a tailor made one just for
you! If you are dusky complexioned,
pick up something that is a purifying
mask with if you are over the age of
32 select a product that promises
skin tightening. Selecting a product
should be on your age and skin
requirements. Consult the therapist
to ask what are the benefits of the
product and you can select more
than one to use it alternatively to give
best results.
I am a total hair colour junkie at age
26. I spend a lot of money on my hair
colour and care. What is the latest
international trend about hair colour?
Many international colour crazes
do not work with our skin tone, so
whatever you select should be
suitable to your skin colour and your
hairstyle as well as your lifestyle.
Shades of chocolate and wine are
said to be big this year and even
classic black (though that looks too
stark). The heavy streaks seem to be
phasing out though it will always
have its own followers.
35
 A Modern Love Story
How a busy, highly ambitious executive found her “match.”
By Veena Adige
S
hilpa drummed her fingers on the table. The
diamonds on her fingers shone as her hands
moved. She was frowning. ‘Why am I feeling
so depressed?’ she asked herself. She had
everything that money could buy – a lovely
house, two chauffeur-driven cars, name and
position. Yet there was something lacking.
‘A personal life,’ she muttered to herself,
‘Someone to give me a big hug when I come home.’
She was in office from early mornings till late
evenings, working and earning more money. She
was always on the move, always having her bags
packed to fly off at a moment’s notice, whenever
duty called.
Her ambition, her career, always won over her
parents’ insistence on marriage and family.
“Ma, papa, where do I have time for all that?”
she had said to her parents umpteen times ever since
she had completed her MBA and landed an
excellent job. “I hardly have time to eat, leave alone
time to cook or look after a house. You know my
hectic schedule.
“Besides, ma, I cannot spare a couple of years of
my life at this stage creating a family and looking
after them.”
“The boy should match our Shilpa in education,
looks and salary,” her parents had insisted. They
had started looking for a match when she was 25
and now, a decade later, they had still not found a
suitable boy.
Shilpa had climbed the ladder of success and
reached the top.
‘Oh, but it is so lonely at the top,’ she said to
herself now. ‘Have I missed the bus?’
Then she called out to her secretary ”Cancel all
my appointments for a week and book me a nice
beach house in Goa,” she ordered.
Early the next morning, even before the golden
sun made its appearance, Shilpa was out on the
beach, the cool breeze playing with her hair and the
soft sand trickling between her toes.
So engrossed was she in her thoughts that she did
not see the pony cart speedily coming her way.
“Hey,” shouted the cart driver just as a pair of
male arms snatched her to safety.
L
ooking into the warmest brown eyes she had
ever seen, Shilpa just muttered a “thanks” and
pushed away.
That evening she met the man again and
exchanged smiles. In the days that followed they met
several times as he too was in a similar position as
she. Pramod too was a top executive in his firm, one
foot in India and the other anywhere in
the world that his business took him.
He, too, was dissatisfied despite all the
worldly goods, and had come to Goa
for a short break.
“Sailing in the same boat,” they said
together and smiled. They had a lot in
common and they spoke endlessly over
business matters, political topics and other
topics of common interest.
But on the personal front they retained
their mysteries.
Shilpa returned home to Mumbai and
picked up the strands of her life again.
She had a whirlwind of meetings, of tours and
conferences. But somewhere at the back of her mind
was Pramod and his warm brown eyes, his attractive
SHORT

STORY
looks.
A routine medical check-up told her that stress
and a hectic schedule, together with an unbalanced
diet, had taken its toll leading to complications. The
ubiquitous high BP was making an appearance in
her life. Slight sugar problems, and more worrying
was the lethargy of her ovaries.
“Shilpa,” said her doctor, “if you want to marry
and start a family, I suggest you do it right away. I
am not saying that it is not possible but at your age
it is difficult and there are risks involved.”
Her mother too voiced her worries.
“Shilpa, there is an eligible man who is quite your father and came to pay my
ready to marry you,” she said, “but his position and condolences. I was in the USA, otherwise I would
income are not on a par with yours. Is it okay?” have come earlier,” he said . As Shilpa introduced
him to her mother, she could feel the vibrations. Her

S
hilpa shook her head, knowing that she could mother was matchmaking in her mind.
not compromise. She needed to respect the man “No, ma,” said Shilpa. “I know nothing about
she married. And respect came from position, him. He may be married and, anyway, he may not
from income and qualifications, she thought. ‘What be interested in me that way. Besides, I cannot offer
about love?’ whispered her heart. She had no time him a child because of my condition and no man
to socialise or meet someone she could fall in love will like that.”
with. There was just no time. It was office, Yet, when Pramod invited her, she went
office, work and more work. That’s why “Shilpa,” said to a film, to a club, anywhere and
she was where she was. Career-wise on her doctor, “if everywhere.
top of the ladder but personally at the you want to One fine evening, over a cup of coffee,
bottom. marry and start Pramod went down on his knees and
A couple of months later, Shilpa’s world a family, romantically popped the question.
came crashing down. Her beloved father, I suggest you “Shilpa, I love you, will you marry me?”
her support and guide, met with an do it right he burst.
accident which had been fatal. away. I am not As she hesitated, he misunderstood and
Her mother was inconsolable. They had saying that it is continued, “Think about it. Consult your
always been together, done everything not possible but mother. I will call you tomorrow.”
together, going on picnics, and to films, at your age it is Shilpa spent a sleepless night. What
dramas and parties. They had led an active difficult and was she to do? She definitely wanted to
social life, especially after his retirement. there are risks say yes, but she had to be fair and tell him
Shilpa’s mother sold off the beautiful involved.” about her age and her medical condition.
apartment, the cars and all the luxuries and “The doctor has not said that you can’t
prepared herself to migrate to their village have a baby,” scolded her mother. “Why
home where family servants and warm neighbours are you imagining things? She has only said that
would keep her company and look after her in the there are risks. And you re not an old woman.”
evening of her life. “Ma, I am 35,” Shilpa replied. “If I had met
Shilpa insisted that her mother stay with her. Pramod five years ago, I would have had no
“But, Shilpa dear, what will I do the whole day? hesitation in saying yes.”
Your bungalow is too big and there are no

neighbours with whom I can socialise. No, I would
rather go to my village.”
On Shilpa’s insistence and a bout of tears, she
decided to stay a month at her house.
“Then I will go to the village,” she declared firmly.
A few days later Shilpa was pleasantly surprised
when Pramod landed up on her doorstep.
“Hello,” he greeted her anxiously, “I read about
T
he next day, Pramod rang her up and invited
her to his house. “I have something to confess,”
he said ominously creating panic waves in
Shilpa. Now, what did that mean?
As she entered the grand house, she felt that it
was cold and not very friendly.
Pramod came, a bit hesitantly and sat near her.
“Shilpa, I have kept my personal life a secret from

Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 37

you. There is something you must know,” he said.
“Yes, I too have something which I have to tell
you, a confession to make.”
They looked at each other wondering what they
were concealing from each other.
“You first, Shilpa,” he said after a brief hesitation. Shilpa with big, innocent eyes.
“Pramod, you know that I am 35 years old,” she
began. “And with age and the tensions of my life, I
have problems with sugar and BP.”
“Oh, that’s okay,” said Pramod relieved. “It
happens to everyone. I am also over 35, so I also
may be having such problems.”
“Pramod, that is not all,” Shilpa
continued. “I may not be able to conceive.”
Pramod kept silent.
sleepless night.
“I too have a confession,” he said, “I
was married six years ago to a beautiful
woman whom I loved with all my heart.
Unfortunately, she died two years ago...”
He was emotional while thinking of his
wife. Shilpa was stunned. That Pramod
could have married was in her thoughts but
that his wife had died was tragic.
“Oh,” she said touching his hands in a
comforting gesture.
“There is one more thing that you should
know. I have a three-year-old son who
needs a mother. Oh, that is not the reason
why I am asking you to marry me,” he said hastily,
“My son, Dheeraj, is a smart child. I have had to
leave him with my brother and his family as I cannot
look after him, and we miss each other.”
Dheeraj entered the room silently and looked at
“Oh, he is so sweet!” cried Shilpa getting up and
trying to gather him in her arms. The child
responded eagerly and they held each other for a
while.
“I think that all our problems are solved if we
marry each other,” said Pramod happily.
“We love each other, that is the main
Shilpa spent a reason for our marriage. Your age and
your problem, which I still don’t
understand, will not be a problem as I
What was she
already have Dheeraj. We might well have
to do? She a brother or sister for him.”
definitely Shilpa blushed and smiled.
wanted to say “That will solve my mother’s problem of
yes, but she getting bored the whole day at home. She
had to be fair can live with us, look after Dheeraj when
and tell him we are away and it will be one big happy
about her age family, won’t it?” she looked at Pramod,
and her her eyes shining.
medical And thus the modern story of busy
condition. executives and their work culture was
solved. At least for this couple. We

A miserable joke on 1st April
Praful, Preeti and I along with
some more friends, used to attend the
same tuition classes. We were
studying in an exclusively girls
school and therefore mingling with
boys was a ‘no’ ‘no’ us. But Praful’s
nature was different. He was a nice
easy-going guy. I never felt odd in
his company. Ours was a healthy and
normal friendship. Our birthdays fell
in the same month. So, we have been
wishing each other for five years.
On the 1st of April, I was well
prepared to counter-attack all those
who thought they could play a silly
prank on me. I carefully analysed
every word uttered about me whether
it was a pun or a taunt to avoid
becoming their Bali ka bakra.
My telephone bell rang. My friend
Preeti was on the line. After the usual
greeting, she said; “Praful is no more.”
My immediate reaction was “Preeti, do
not play such a serious joke. At least
definitely not with Praful’s life.” I
could not believe it. She confirmed the
news by giving further details about
what happened. I had to believe Preeti.
She spoke to me convincingly: “Why
don’t you believe me? I am not joking.
Forget the fact that today is Ist April
(i.e. fool’s day).”
I could understand that her news
was correct, but Praful had expired. I
wondered how could a young 16-year-
old boy, who had just finished SSC
board exams and was free of all
worries, and who had no sickness, could
suddenly die of cardiac arrest. I could
not get the answer to my questions.
Every year, when I think of that 1st
April, I remember Praful. His thoughts
always leave me very sad. Death came
to him unexpectedly. I remembered
him on my birthday and I shed a tear
for him. I think of him on every 1st
April (Fool’s Day). He has played a
big prank on all his family members
and friends. He has set out on an
eternal journey... never to return.
— Ulrica Pinto, Mumbai.
Has something
happened in your life
that has left an indelible
impression on your mind? Some
experience that gladdens your heart
or which makes you shudder with
pain or embarrassment even after
years! Why not share it with the
readers of Woman’s Era? All
published incidents will be paid
Rs 200. Send your entries to:
THE INCIDENT I CANNOT FORGET
E-3 Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110055.
Womansera.com
Name:
Mobile:
E-mail:

38 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

 s more and more women

A
are venturing out and
holding responsible
positions in the work area,
the need for travelling
alone for office work or for
leisure has increased.
They want to break the
monotony of the daily
routine and get out of the
stress and work pressure for some
days. They want to be on their own,
enjoying every bit of the moment and
pleasure of being alone. For these
women, travelling alone is also a
thrill, a rush of excitement and
empowerment of being completely
independent and in control of their
own situations.
If a woman travels with her family,
she is generally managing the family

THE LONE
TRAVELLER
New highs come for solo
women on the go.
By Suman Bajpai
and does not get time to enjoy
herself. In such scenarios, women
are more concerned about whether
the kids have eaten properly or are
seated comfortably. So special
packages for women relieve them of
such family tensions and they can
enjoy themselves.
Women are looking forward to a
trip where their phone won’t ring and
there’s no e-mails to check at all. No
deadlines, no rush. A complete
vacation for the body, mind and soul.
More and more women are
discovering the adventure and
excitement of travelling solo. “I didn’t
know solo travelling could be so
much fun until I started going on
business trips. I started to enjoy them
and today I actually look forward to
them,” said an executive Pallavi
Mehta.
The temptation of travelling alone
offers countless possibilities and
opportunities for adventure and is
becoming more popular than ever
before – and the number of women
opting for solo trips in recent years
has increased even more sharply
than the number of men. Around 45
per cent of solo travellers are now
women, a sign of the times
undoubtedly, and an encouraging
one for those with a thirst for
adventure but a fear of the big
unknown insecurity With the number
of women business travellers
shooting up in recent years, the
hospitality industry in India has begun
to catch up with international trends –
sensitising their services to meet the
women travellers' specific needs.
Leading Indian hotels are offering
exclusive wings, separate floors and
specialised services to protect and
pamper them – a new concept in the
country.
ONLY WOMEN-FLOORS
Keeping these and other concerns
in mind, hotel chains like the Marriot,
Hilton and ITC Welcome group have
introduced women-only floors. “Some
of the properties have special floors
only for women where even the
housekeeping and room service staff
are women. Sometimes, the hotel
leaves behind little gifts in the room
to make women feel special; the soft
touches do a great deal in making
you feel safe,” says a spokesperson
of the Marriott Group of Hotels.
The ITC hotel chain, for instance,
has Eve Floors – floors dedicated to
women where men are simply not
allowed. The lifts don't stop at the
floor unless you swipe the lift board
with your room key card. Even hotel
staff such as butlers and
housekeepers are women on these
floors. The Taj Mahal Hotel in New
Delhi has a separate ladies' wing. It
also employs women butlers or
chauffeurs who assist guests while
shopping or travelling in the city. The
ITC Maratha, Mumbai, which has 18
rooms exclusively for women, also
provides a videophone in each room
to check from inside who's at the THE MENU
door. All calls are screened.
The Inter continental in South OFFERS SPECIAL
Delhi offers specific rooms with HEALTH-
special touches like personal kits and
magazines. Their CCTV cameras are ORIENTED
placed in strategic locations in the DELICACIES AND
public areas of the hotel and calls are
monitored by their operators. The LOW CALORIE
Park, New Delhi, ensures that calls OPTIONS
are screened, VIP treatment is
meted, rooms are near elevators and, KEEPING
perhaps in the near future, a floor WOMEN IN
might be dedicated to women
travellers. MIND.
Many hotel rooms have been
sensitised to women’s needs – with
provisions for sunscreen lotions,
moisturisers, deep cleansing milk,
scrubs, soft textured towels, satin
bathrobes and silk slippers. There
are skirt hangers in the cupboards,
vanity mirrors for make-up, flowers,
international women's magazines
and a well-designed cosmetics boxes
in some of the hotel rooms.
Women travelling alone are often
given rooms close to the elevator so
that they don’t have to walk down a
dark corridor in case of a momentary
power shut-down. If this isn’t your
preference, advise the hotel in
advance. Some chains also have a
person from the guest relations office
check with each female guest on her
own to be certain that she feels
comfortable and to let her know that
the hotel is aware that she is by
herself in a room.

The menu offers special health-
oriented delicacies and low calorie
options keeping women in mind.
There is a ladies-only lounge. And for
that there is no need to step off the
exclusive floor. Ladies can also
indulge in beauty treatments and spa
facilities which are available at a
discount. To ensure optimum
security, most hotels these days at
least offer free pick-up and drop-off
services from the airport and rooms
are offered near well-lit elevators
where guards are present.
Realising this standard shift, travel
agencies and even other countries’
tourism boards are doling out special
packages just to cater to these
womenfolk. Now women are more
confident to venture out on their own.
Selfless Service
In the nascent stage of my
teaching career of 38 years, I was
staying alone in a rented room. Every
Saturday I used to visit my parents
at a distance of nearly 36 kilometres
by crossing the river Sharavati, as
there was no bridge over it in those
days.
Navaratri holidays had begun in
the month of October. I was going to
my native place with a travel bag full
of clothes. I had kept seven bundles
of answer papers of my students in a
separate bag which I had kept near
my travel bag. As the boat touched
42
Travel tips for women travellers
Don’t wear clothes that are
revealing or very body-hugging. It
is best to cover yourself up to avoid
unwanted attention.
Don’t try to be friendly with
people unnecessarily. Keep a
distance from men. Some people
might just take it in the wrong sense
and not like it.
While roaming on beaches, it is
best to be clothed. Indian society
does not allow people to be in their
swimwear even in beaches. Wear
a cotton pant and a tee shirt.
While in a pub,
discotheque or
bar, it is
advisable to
take a friend
along. Do not
venture there alone
as it may not be very
safe. If you happen to
come across a street
party or a festive
procession, it is best
the shores of my native place, my joy
knew no bounds. I picked up my travel
bag and got down hurriedly without
realising that I had left behind the
bundles of answer sheets in the boat.
That evening I met an old friend of
mine, who was also a teacher. Casually
she asked me, “What is the quota of
answer papers for assessment?” A bolt
from the blue! Then I remembered that
I had forgotten the bundles in that boat.
I just gave her one word answer,
“seven”. So many thoughts engulfed
my mind. If I would not get the
bundles, I would not only lose my job
but also the headmaster would give a
bad remark on my discharge certificate.
It was 11 p.m. and I could not get
sleep. I heard a knock on the door.
There stood the contractor of the boat
service with a bag full of my seven
bundles of answer sheets. Tears of joy
rolled down from my eyes. Though the
contractor was tired he took all the
trouble to come to my house and
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
not to take part. You can watch
from a distance and move on when
it has passed you.
Do not panic. Try and gain
control of an unpleasant situation in
a calm and decisive manner.
However, if you feel in extreme
danger, do not hesitate to draw
attention to yourself.
Always carry a personal safety
device with you. A whistle or an
alarm may provide the extra time
needed to escape to safety. Carry
all your necessities with you.
Feminine hygiene products are
sometimes difficult or expensive to
acquire. Carry supplies to last the
entire trip.
Don’t carry too much of luggage.
Flight delays and late-night
arrivals need planning. Keeping
emergency numbers handy, asking
the hotel for an airport pick-up, and
messaging the cab number to a
contact in the city, are good rules
to keep you safe.
handed over the bundles safely. I felt
very grateful to him. I will never
forget his act of kindness!
— Nirmala V. Rao, Mumbai.
Every one of us has,
sometime or other in
one’s life, received help,
guidance, sympathy, understanding
and love from some fellow human
being. Can you recall any such event
or occasion in your life, when you
received such consideration and for
which you are grateful? Each
published anecdote will be awarded a
prize of Rs 200. Send your
contribution to:
GRATEFULLY YOURS
E-3 Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110055.
Womansera.com
Name:
Mobile:
E-mail:
 A STORY OF
SUCCESS
A successful doctor usually sticks to his profession. But
for a genius there are many more destinations. Here is
Dr. Vishnu Kr. Agarwal an account of such a genius who is successfully
MBBS, DCH, MBA
Chairman
managing a mega technical, educational organisation
IET Group of Institutions too, all set to blaze a new trail. By Our Correspondent
Just in a span of ten years you established a series of high-class
have made tremendous progress educational institutions which
and emerged as one of the North comprises of Engineering Colleges,
India’s largest educational group. PG level professional institution,
What are your plans for further Pharmacy institute, Biotechnology
expansion? institute etc.
Our Group is in continuous I also want to say that our Group
process of enhancing the is also in process for private
infrastructural facilities within the university in Alwar within 3 years to
campus, updating the laboratories as cater to the need of the students of
per present and future needs of the the region.
industries.
From the coming session our You have quite a large number
Group is going to start three projects, of students in various sections.
first MBA, BBA & BCA Institute at Don’t you think that you can
Singapore in a big Campus with the attract more students if some
affiliation of Australian/UK/ Canada more innovative courses are
University, second new B.Tech offered?
Degree Engineering College in Distt. Yes, we will be able to attract both
Mewat, Haryana, and third B.Tech greater numbers of students with
Degree Engineering College for greater potential because of creative
Women at Alwar (Rajasthan). students are looking forward
engaging themselves and creating a
How do you see future of new avenues in new technologies,
vocational institutes? businesses and fields.
India has what is called Thus if more innovative courses
‘Demographic Advantage’. The specially which allow students to
advantage refers to the fact that India learn new emerging technologies and
has youngest population in the entire allow them to use their creative skills
world and is getting younger. It is we see more quality students getting
estimated that in next five years, 65% attracted.
of our population will be in age group Our Group also hosts the
16 – 35 years. Knowledge Dissemination Center
(KDC), a highly regarded initiative of
You are equipped with state-of- Government of Rajasthan under its
the art technology and showcase programme of E-
infrastructure of world standard. Governance. KDC brings together
Still you must be feeling the need students, faculty and industry leaders
to take another leap? to take part in live projects,
The Group, taking a leap to keep enhancing the quality and
pace with international requirements, employability of budding technocrats.
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
How do you go about the
placement campus? What are the
steps involved? How it is done?
This is what it all boils down to.
Four years of learning, training,
grooming and one interview can
make it all worth the effort, and give
you a head start in life. Since the
entire teaching methodology at IET
revolves around creating industry-
ready professional, the college has
made soft-skills, hands on
industry training and constantly
upskilling of teachers a part of year-
round routine. So, by the time
students reach the pre-final year, they
are ready to confidently face interviews
and GDs, and impress potential
employers with their personality as
much as their technical prowess.
Any problems in the R&D
Department?
Our work in R&D is driven by
simple word Affordable Technology.
We believe that we need to find
technology solutions for local
problems.
Global technology is marching
at a fast pace. Where do you see
your organisation in the next
decade?
We believe in providing world-
class education for promoting
research in technology and producing
competent & versatile professionals
who will build a strong nation and
take on global opportunities.
MIA, Alwar (Raj.) India
www.ietalwar.com
43
 Straight and simple

The long hair

falling over the
shoulders has its
own appeal,
enhancing feminine

Longer
allurement, and
adding to the
facial beauty.

& Sexier
 Capping the long,
beauteous hair

Long and enticingly curly

Investing a commanding charm

What hairstyles can do to the

face is simply amazing – lighting
Bewitching encirclement.
up passion, giving free rein to
Crowning glory
emotions and moving the
senses to visual romance.
Cutting long hair perfects the
magnetism of an attractive face,
rendering it even more
attractive.
Blend of the
ancient with
the modern
 DELICIOUS DISHES
IN A FLIP
The guests drop in suddenly and you wish
to pass as much time with them as possible. Knorr
ready-to-eat packs come handy in such situations,
leaving you with much time to share with your
guests. Try some of these recipes.

You may serve this Punjabi

PUNJABI Channa Masala with puris, parathas,
CHANNA roti or rice also.
For two people
MASALA
INGREDIENTS
1 packet Ready-to-eat Punjabi
Channa masala
CHINESE
3/ cup soaked grams
4
SCHEZUAN
11/2 cups of fresh water INGREDIENTS:
1 tsp oil 1 packet ready-to-eat Chinese
METHOD Schezuan
For this recipe you will have to use 150 gm cheese cut into pieces
pre-soaked grams (soaked up to 6-7 2 tbsp capsicum cored and cut
hours). along the length
Put soaked grams in pressure 1 cup finely chopped spring onion
cooker and boil on high flame. 2 tbsp corn flour
Turn the flame low after two 1/ cup finely chopped broccoli
2
whistles and allow cooking for 30 2 tbsp refined oil
minutes. 1 tbsp vinegar

METHOD
Mix corn flour with 2 spoons of
water to make a paste of running
consistency. Heat oil in a non-stick
pan and fry cheese pieces in it after
dipping them in corn flour paste. Fry
all the vegetables in the remaining oil
for 2 minutes and then add 4 cups of
warm water. Add ready-to-eat
Schezuan powder. Add cheese
pieces when the mixture begins to
boil. Stir the mixture for 2 minutes on
low flame. Add vinegar and your
delicious Chinese Schezuan is ready
to serve.
(Time to prepare: 2-minutes. Time
to cook: 6-minutes. Ready in: 8-
minutes)
CHINESE HAKKA
NOODLES
INGREDIENTS:
1 Pack of Knorr Chinese Hakka
noodles recipe mix
100 gm noodles
150 gm chopped cabbage
1 big chopped carrot
1 medium size chopped onion
1 capsicum chopped
1 litre water
oil for frying
For garnishing:
onion swirls
METHOD
Boil noodles with little oil in 1 litre
water. Drain off excess water and put
aside the noodles to cool. Fry
chopped onion, carrot, cabbage and
capsicum together in some oil for 2
minutes.
Add one cup of water to the fried
content and then add 1 pack of
Chinese Knorr Hakka noodles recipe
mix and boil with continuous stirring.
Now add boiled noodles to the
boiled recipe mix and cook thoroughly
on low flame till all the contents are
mixed fully.
Garnish with onion swirls and
serve hot.
Definitely, your guests will lick their
fingers. Don’t forget to tell the secret
of your delicious recipes.
(Time to prepare: 5 minutes. Time
to cook: 7-8 minutes. Ready in: 12-
15 minutes)
 Baisakhi is a time
for celebration, time
to entertain
guests who may
come along. We
bring you three
meals with different
flavours to savour
during the festivity.
By Roma Ghosh Pineapple fish

BAISAKHI
festivity
PINEAPPLE FISH
INGREDIENTS:
6-8 pieces of rahu fish
4 slices of pineapple
1 large sized onion – sliced
100 gm of aam papad – cut into
cubes
4-5 tbsp of mustard oil
1 bay leaf
2 chillies
1/ tsp of haldi powder
2 have been cut into small pieces.
1 tsp of red chilli powder
3 tbsp of tomato puree
salt to taste
METHOD
Sprinkle salt and half the
quantity of the haldi powder over
the fish pieces and leave aside for
10 minutes. Heat the mustard oil
in a non stick pan and pan fry the
fish pieces a few at a time. Turn
the fish pieces once or twice so INDIAN BREAD
that both the sides are golden
brown. Remove and keep aside.
STUFFED WITH
In the same pan, fry the onion RICE
slices till golden brown. Lower the (Chawal parantha)
heat and mix in bay leaf and the
spices and fry till a fine aroma INGREDIENTS:
rises – this should take 2-3
For the parantha:
minutes. Mix in the tomato puree
1 cup of wheat flour
and the pineapple slices which
1 tbsp of ghee
oil or ghee for frying
Also add half cup of water and
salt to taste
bring the gravy to boil. Mix in the
fish pieces and aam papad pieces For the filling:
and continue to cook for a few 1 cup of cooked rice
minutes till the gravy begins to 2 tsp of oil
thicken. You could adjust the 1/ tsp of red chillies powder or
2
consistency of the gravy to your more
choice. Serve with chawal ka 3-4 pinches of aamchur powder
parantha. 1 tsp of roasted jeera powder

48 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

 Chicken in peas
METHOD
To prepare the filling: Heat
the oil and and fry the rice adding
all the spices. Fry on low heat for
2-3 minutes. Keep aside. The
filling should be spicy and tasty.
Sift the flour, salt and ghee and
add just enough water to knead
into a dough. Divide the dough
into 3-4 portions. Roll out each
portion into a small sized chappati
. Hold this chappati in your palm
and keep a portion of the HEALTHY
prepared filling in the centre of the
chappati and close it from all ends SNACK
to obtain a round ball. Roll out this (lauki and rava snack)
ball into a thick chappati and fry
INGREDIENTS:
this parantha with oil or ghee on
1 cup sooji
low fire till crispy and brown.
1 cup rava – broken rice
Prepare the other paranthas in
2 cups of grated lauki
the same way.
2 cups of dahi
Indian bread stuffed with rice 3/ spoon of red chillies powder
4 atleast an hour till the top of the
1/ tsp of amchur powder
4
3-4 tbsp of oil
salt to taste
METHOD
Dry roast the
sooji and the rava
till a light golden
brown. In the same
kadhai, once the
sooji and rava are a
light golden brown, add
Healthy snack
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
the grated lauki and stir gently so
that the lauki begins to mix into
the rava/sooji. Beat the curd and
also mix into the rava mixture.
Add the spices and add oil a little
at a time while adding each of the
ingredients. Cook on low flame,
stirring all the time till most of the
water is evaporated. Bake in a pre
heated oven at 160 degree C for
cake is golden brown. Remove
from the oven, cut into squares
and serve as a snack.
CHICKEN IN
PEAS
INGREDIENTS:
11/2 cups of coarsely grated
peas
3 tbsp of oil
1/ tsp of garam masala
2
1/ tsp of red chillies powder
4
2 tsp of lemon juice
400 gm of boneless chicken
pieces
salt to taste
For the marinade:
2 tsp of ginger garlic paste
3 tbsp of dahi
1 tsp of green chillies paste
salt to taste
METHOD
Mix all the ingredients for the
marinade and marinate the
chicken pieces in this for 1 hour.
Heat the oil in a kadhai and cook
49
the marinated chicken pieces with
all the marinade on low fire. Cover
with a lid and cook till the chicken
pieces are half done. Now mix in
the ground peas and all the
spices. Cook on low fire, stirring
from time to time so that the peas
gets mixed with the chicken
pieces. Cover with a lid and cook
on low fire, adding oil a little at a
time. Once the chicken pieces are
tender remove and serve.
kadhai and melt the jaggery over
low fire. Mix in the desiccated
coconut and keep stirring on low
fire. Mix in the condensed milk
and continue to stir and cook and
allow the mixture to dry up. Put
off the heat and keep aside.
To make the dough: Mix
together the rice flour, sugar and
ghee. Mix with your fingers to
resemble bread crumbs. Add just
enough water to knead into a
dough. Keep beating the dough
with your fingers so that it is
centre. Fold up the sides and
make a crescent shape or long
shaped dumplings. Prepare all the
dumplings and keep aside.
Heat the milk in a thick
bottomed pan. Low the heat and
drop the dumplings a few at a
time into the milk and cook on low
heat for 3-4 minutes. Crush the
jaggery and mix into the milk. Stir
gently so that the dumplings do
not break. Remove from fire, cool
and serve as a dessert.

STEAMED pliable. With your palms roll out

the entire dough into a long roll. CHOCOLICIOUS
DUMPLINGS IN Place this roll on a rolling board
and cut half inch sized pieces.
INGREDIENTS:

MILK Roll each of these pieces into a

1 litre of milk
1 cup of condensed milk
circular round ball. Roll out each
INGREDIENTS: 2 tsp of sugar – optional
of these balls into a two inch 11/2 tbsp of drinking chocolate
For the dumpling crust: circular chappati. Hold the small powder
200 gm of rice flour chappati in the left palm and place
1 tsp of powdered sugar a portion of the filling in the For garnishing:
3 tbsp of ghee Chocolicious cherries
For the filling: METHOD
1 cup of desiccated Mix the drinking powder
coconut in half cup of luke warm
50 gm of date palm milk and keep aside.
jaggery Bring the milk to boil
3 tbsp of condensed in a thick bottomed
milk pan and cook and
stir till the milk is
For the milk syrup: reduced to less
1 litre of milk than half its
150 gm of jaggery quantity. Mix in the
METHOD chocolate powder and
To prepare the filling: Heat a continue to stir so that the
milk does not stick to the bottom.
Steamed dumplings in milk
Mix in the condensed milk and stir
gently. Continue to cook and stir
for a further 3-4 minutes. Add the
sugar at this stage if you need it.
Stir till the milk and condensed
mixture is thick. Put off and cool
the mixture in a fridge. Serve
garnished with cherries. The
consistency can vary according to
your needs. If you like it thinner
than you need not reduce to the
milk to half its quantity before
adding the chocolate.

50 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

Bell peppers stuffed with couscous

BELL PEPPERS STUFFED

WITH COUSCOUS
INGREDIENTS:
1 red bell pepper
1 yellow bell pepper
3 tsp of olive oil
For the filling:
1/ cup of couscous or any other macaroni
2
2 tsp of olive oil
1 tsp of rosemary
pepper to taste
salt tot taste
METHOD
Make a slit across each bell pepper and remove
the seeds but leave the bell pepper whole. In a non
stick pan heat the olive oil and place the bell
peppers and fry these on medium heat turning over
so that all the sides of the bell pepper get cooked
slightly. Once the bell peppers are charred/cooked
lightly on all sides remove and keep aside.
Prepare the filling: Place the couscous in a pan of
hot water and leave aside for 3-4 minutes. Drain
and keep aside. Heat the oil in a non stick pan and
fry the couscous adding the spices. Stir fry for 2
minutes and remove from fire. Use this filling to fill
the bell peppers. Place the bell peppers in the oven
for only 5-6 minutes just before serving so that these
are warm. One bell pepper per person or even half
would add variety to the plate of the festive meal.

OKRA AND COTTAGE

CHEESE
(bhindi stuffed with paneer)
INGREDIENTS:
400 gm of bhindi medium sized
Okra and cottage cheese
3-4 tbsp of oil for frying the bhindi
1 tsp of garam masala powder
1/ tsp of jeera powder
2 serving plate. Spread the kiwi
1/ tsp of red chillies powder
2 preserve over and garnish with
salt to taste
For the filling:
150 gm of grated cheese
2 tsp of oil
1/ tsp of jeera powder
2
1/ tsp of amchur powder
4
1/ tsp of red chillies powder
4 BENGALI
salt to taste
METHOD
Wash the bhindis, dry with a
napkin and cut the top edges.
Keep the bhindis whole, making
a slit in the centre and removing
as many seeds as you can.
To prepare the filling: heat the
oil, and fry the paneer adding all
the spices. Fry on low fire for 2-3
minutes. Remove and keep
aside to cool.
Fill each of the bhindis with the
paneer filling. Heat oil in a non
stick pan and fry the bhindis
over low fire. Cover with a
lid and stir gently from
time to to. Mix in all
the spices and
sprinkle over the
bhindis and cover
with a lid and cook
so that the masala
is mixed into the
bhindis. Cook till the
bhindis are tender.
Remove and serve hot.
52
TRI-LAYERED Bengali sweet
PINEAPPLE
DELIGHT
INGREDIENTS:
For one serving:
1 slice of pineapple
3-4 tbsp of kiwi preserve – you
can use any other fruits sauce
or preserve
red grapes
METHOD For the filling:
Place the pineapple slice on a 1 cup of desiccated coconut
50 gm of date palm jaggery
3 tbsp of condensed milk
the red grapes and serve it at METHOD
once. This is a refreshing desert To prepare the filling: Heat a
and can be prepared with little kadhai and melt the jaggery over
time. low fire. Mix in the desiccated
coconut and keep stirring on low
fire. Mix in the condensed milk
and continue to stir and cook and
allow the mixture to dry up. Put
SWEET off the heat and keep aside.
To make the dough: Mix
(Puli petha) together the rice flour, sugar and
INGREDIENTS: ghee. Mix with your fingers to
200 gm of rice flour resemble bread crumbs. Add just
1 tsp of powdered sugar enough water to knead into a
3 tbsp of ghee dough.
oil or ghee for frying Keep beating the dough with
300 ml of sugar syrup your fingers so that it is pliable.
Tri-layered pineapple delight
With your palms roll out the entire
dough into a long roll. Place this
roll on a rolling board and cut half
inch sized pieces. Roll each of
these pieces into a circular round
ball.
Roll out each of these balls
into a two inch circular
chappati. Hold the small
chappati in the left palm
and place a portion of
the filling in the centre.
Fold up the sides and
make a small round
cake. Prepare all the cakes
in this way. Heat ghee or oil
and fry over medium heat for 3-4
minutes and then reduce the heat
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
and fry till the cakes are crispy
and golden brown. Fry a few
cakes at a time. Once each lot of
cakes is ready, drop these into
the prepared sugar syrup and
leave in the syrup for 30-40
minutes before serving.
SALT PEPPER
TOFU AND
VEGETABLES
INGREDIENTS:
200 gm of tofu
200 florets of broccoli
50 gm of cherry tomatoes
3 tsp of olive oil
1 tsp of pepper powder
salt to taste
METHOD
Cut the broccoli in florets, the
tofu in cubes and keep aside.
Heat the oil. Fry the tofu for 2
minutes in oil and remove and
keep aside. In the same pan add
the broccoli and fry till a light
golden brown in colour adding salt
to taste. Mix in the fried tofu and
the cherry tomatoes. Check for
the salt. Add the pepper powder
and toss gently. And serve at
once.
Salt pepper tofu and vegetables
Bread biryani
BREAD BIRYANI
INGREDIENTS:
6-8 slices of bread cut into
quarters
ghee or oil for deep frying the
bread pieces
1 medium sized chopped onions
2 chopped tomatoes
1 cup of green peas
1 cup of corn niblets
3 tbsp butter
1 tsp of cumin seeds
1 tbsp of garlic and ginger paste
1 tsp of chilli powder
2 tsp of lemon juice
2 tsp of biryani masala powder
salt to taste
METHOD
Fry the bread pieces in oil till
golden and crispy. Alternately,
you could oil roast the bread
pieces or you could even
toast the bread slices in
case you want to avoid
the oil.
Heat oil in the kadai
and add cumin seeds
and allow the seeds to
crackle.
Add the onions and fry
till translucent. Now mix in
the tomato pieces and fry for
a further 2 minutes. Mix in the
peas, corn and the haldi powder
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
and the ginger garlic paste. .
Cook on low fire for 3-4 minutes
add 2-3 tsp of water if required.
Cook till a fine aroma rises from
the cooked spices.
Now mix in the biryani masala
and the lemon juice cook for 1
minute more. Add the fried bread
pieces. Toss gently and serve at
once before the bread pieces get
soggy.
GOOSEBERRY
CURRY
INGREDIENTS:
250 gm of gooseberry
For the gravy:
3 tsp of oil
3-4 tbsp of tomato puree
2 tsp of ginger garlic paste
1 tsp of red chilli paste
1/ tsp of haldi powder
2
1/ tsp of jeera powder
4
1/ tsp of garam masala powder
2
salt to taste
for garnishing:
coriander chopped
METHOD
Wash the gooseberry after
removing and discarding the
leaves. Cut a few into halves and
53

leave the others whole. Keep
aside.
Heat the oil in a kadhai and fry
the ginger garlic paste for 2
minutes. Lower the heat and add
the tomato puree and the spices
and stir fry for 2-3 minutes. Add
one cup of water and salt to taste.
Bring the gravy to boil and add
the gooseberries. Allow the
berries to simmer in the gravy for
2 minutes. Add the garam masala
and boil for another 1 minute.
Serve garnished with coriander
leaves.
CHINESE
CHOPSUEY
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup of French beans cut
into long pieces
1 cup of carrots cut into long
pieces
1/ cup of lotus stems cut
2
into diagonal pieces
1 zucchini cut into thin circles
300 ml of vegetable stock
1 tsp of chilli sauce
1/ tsp of agino mato – optional
2
2 cups of crispy deep fried noodles
salt to taste
54
Gooseberry curry prepared soup in individual bowls
and top with crispy fried noodles
over each portion.
RABRIE WITH
FRUITS
INGREDIENTS:
1litre of milk
sugar to taste
1/ tsp of cardamom powder
2
for garnishing:
fresh fruits
METHOD
Bring the milk to boil in a heavy
bottomed pan and reduce the milk
to half its original quantity. Add
METHOD
the sugar and stir till the sugar
Par cook the vegetables in
melts. Once the milk is thickened,
salted water till just tender but not
cool the sweetened milk. Place in
over cooked. You could boil the
a fridge to cool. Serve with fresh
lotus stem separately so that all
fruits and serve.
the dirt can be removed. Place all
the par boiled vegetables in a large
sized pan. Add the vegetable stock
and one cup of water and bring the CARROT
soup to boil. Mix in the chillies
sauce and the agino mato and
STUFFED
allow the soup to simmer with the INDIAN BREAD
vegetables for 2 minutes. Remove INGREDIENTS:
and place in a deep serving dish. For the parantha:
Top with the fried noodles and 1 cup of wheat flour
serve at once. You could place the 1 tbsp of ghee
Chinese chopsuey
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
oil or ghee for frying
salt to taste
For the filling:
2 cups of grated carrots
2 tsp of oil
1/ tsp of red chilli powder or
2
more
3-4 pinches of aamchur powder
1 tsp of roasted jeera powder
METHOD
To prepare the filling: Heat
the oil and and fry the grated
carrots, adding all the spices. Fry
on low heat for 2-3 minutes. Keep
aside. The filling should be spicy
and tasty.
Sift the flour, salt and ghee and
add just enough water to knead
into a dough. Divide the dough
into 3-4 portions. Roll out each
portion into a small sized
chappati. Hold this chappati in
your palm and keep a portion of
the prepared filling in the centre
of the chappati and close it from
all ends to obtain a round ball.
Roll out this ball into a chappati
and fry this parantha with oil or
ghee on low fire till crispy and
brown. Prepare the other
paranthas in the same way. Serve
garnished with a bit of the filling
and some spicy aachar.
Rabrie with fruits
Carrot stuffed Indian bread
EGGS ON
1/
2 teaspoon turmeric powder
1 tbsp of ghee
SPINACH 1/ teaspoon chilli powder
2
4-5 eggs
INGREDIENTS:
salt and pepper
1 kg spinach
1/ cup finely chopped fresh Clean the spinach and discard
2 the thick stalks and chop the
coriander
tender stalks and the leaves into
2 medium onions, finely sliced
one inch pieces. Heat the ghee in
2 tsp Worcestershire Sauce
a thick bottomed pan and stir fry
3 tsp of ginger garlic paste
the onions till a light golden brown
2 tsp of green chillies paste
in colour. Mix in the ginger garlic
11/2 tsp sugar
and chillies paste. Mix in the
11/4 tsp salt spices and the coriander leaves
2 tsp oil or and stir fry for a further 2 minutes.
Mix in the chopped spinach
leaves and cook on medium heat
for a further 3-4 minutes, add the
sauce, sugar and salt to taste.
Cover with a lid and cook for
another 2-3 minutes.
Place the prepared spinach in
a baking dish and spread it evenly
on the base of the dish. Carefully
break one egg at a time on top of
the cooked spinach. Break the
eggs all over the spinach base so
that the eggs yolks are distributed
all over the spinach base.
Sprinkle salt and pepper over the
eggs and bake in an oven till the
eggs are set. Serve at once. We
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 55
 These kurti-
churidars and
salwar-suits
in dazzling
designs
create a
Irresistible
fashionable
appeal: When
someone close
ambience.
to you sees
your royal
a spectacle of
Beauty &
transformation
in this attire, he
cannot but fall
for you.

gra ce
Oomphish charm: This ultra-seductive
appearance in sleeveless kurti-salwar goes
well in the fashion – conscious world.
Romance of the A dreamy dress:
pink: Pink is the There are certain
colour of subtle dresses which
love, and this give dream – like
ensemble will reality. Yet, you
only draw your make a style
beloved to you. statement with it.
 Symbol of class:
Classic is one
Exuding who chooses
elegance: White classy dresses.
is the colour of Attired so, you
purity. You will deserve to be in
look nobler clad in the circle of
this kurti-churidar. the class.
 Scintillating
A winning adornment: What
combination: This a proper attire
dress just combines can do to a
beauty with beautiful woman?
elegance and leaves Just make her
nothing more to more beautiful
desire. and sexciting.

Dresses: Silver Beads India

New Delhi. Ph: 011-26340945, 09811045069
 A British beauty’s
experiences in the land of
her Indian parents’ birth.
SETTING
By Ameeta Sharma
NEW MILESTONES
MEET
PREETI DESAI
ou can take an Indian out of
Y
India but you can rarely
take the India out of an
Indian. Many young British
passport holders who are
first-generation British but
whose parents were Indians
have this long-distance love
with their country. The
annual holidays instill a
sense of belonging and their roots
are watered by the parents who
might live elsewhere but their hearts
are still as Indian from the day they
left their country.
Preeti Desai too was born in UK to
parents who left India a long time
ago. She has worked as a beauty
therapist after a rigorous three-year
training, and went on to be a partner
60 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
in her parents’ company G2
Fireworks. However, her heart was
always set on something else. She
has become the first Indian-origin girl
to be crowned as Miss Great Britain.
She recently walked the Lakme
Fashion Week in Mumbai.
Apart from all these catwalks,
modelling and advertising, she is the
adventurous kind of young girl who
loves swimming and dancing and is a
keen practitioner of the martial arts
and yoga. In this encounter, she
shares her memories, her ideas and
plans with the readers.
Tell us about your journey of
being crowned Miss Great Britain?
I was crowned in November 2006
after a public vote. Actually, the
competition was earlier in the year
and I came in 5th. Then the top 12
girls got recalled as the winner was
disqualified for being in a relationship
with one of the judges and this got
found out. After this, there was a
public vote; and I received the most
public votes to be crowned.
What did this crown mean to
you as an Individual?
It gave me a platform and voice to
think loudly about what I wanted to
do; but most of all it made my mum
so happy.
Did your being of Indian origin
play any role in getting this
crown?
Well, I was the only girl of Indian
origin to have made it to the final and
the first Indian girl in history to win
the title. So, although I am sure
others will carry on in years to come
to be of Indian origin and win this
title, I will always be the first to have
achieved it.
As a growing child what was
your experience in Great Britain -
which part do you live in and did
you face any discrimination while
you were growing up?
I was born and raised in
England in the North East and have
not experienced any discrimination
in my social or work life. I always felt
part of where I was
growing up and
had a normal,
ordinary, growing-up
experience.
Tell us a little about your family
– how many siblings and what
they do. What do your parents do?
How did you balance out being of
Indian origin and growing up in
Great Britain?
I have a younger sister Anjlee who
is a singer and in a girl group in
England, ‘The Madam Project’. My
parents have a company G2
Fireworks. The rest is all routine and
normal.
What does the company G2
Fireworks do?
It is one of the biggest Firework
display companies in the UK. My
mother, sister and I look after the
retail side of the business while my
father designs and does the
execution. I was made a partner by
my parents after years of working for
the business and after the relevant
experience had been garnered.
What were your dreams as you
were growing up? What did you
want to do and how did
your family support you?
While I was growing up,
I believe I was a big day
dreamer. In many ways I
still am. When I was
young, I wanted to be a vet
as I love animals so much.
My parents are very
supportive in whatever I do as long
as I am happy doing it.
It is often said that beauty and
brains do not go together (I do not
believe that) but what do you prize
more – your beauty or your
brains?
Brains and personality make you
beautiful. Of course brains and
beauty go together, so many beautiful
women are also great academic
achievers and even homemakers are
so smart to manage it all.
What are your hobbies and how
do you balance your work with
these?
I love going on long walks in the
countryside with my dogs back in the
UK, I love watching movies, I love
seeing different places in the world, I
love eating out. Now I am spending a
lot of time in India and do other things
that I enjoy.
What are future plans?
Considering you are visiting India
so often and participating in the
beauty and fashion business, do
you plan to pursue that career?
I tend not to plan the future and
just go with the flow. Currently, I am
enjoying modelling in India and let’s
see what else comes my way.
What about romance? What do
you look for in a man you want to
love and hope to marry?
The most important thing is
respect for each other. Yes, I
would think romantically for
someone that can make me
laugh. Humour is important
in life.
What is your
opinion on love
vs arra nged mar -
riages?
It is totally up
to the individual.
As long as both
partners are happy,
then either is fine. It
is not really for me to
be judgmental either
way. We
 A TOTAL
TRANSFORMATION
Make-up material can make
the face lovely and attractive.
It illuminates the face and the
appeal is simply irresistible.

A model without a make-up. She has

an uneven complexion and her chin area
reflects the pigmentation patches.

Applying FB2 face and body illuminator from

Coloressence on cheeks, forehead and chin
brightens the face.

Apply yellow tone concealer from Coloressence

cream make-up, to reduce the blackish effect of
pigmentation. The colour tone matching the skin
tone is applied to give an even look.

To set the face

concealer
pancake is
applied.
 For her eye make-up,
parrot green and emerald
green is applied.

Dab Shimmers
(SS-2 gold) from
Coloressence for
shimmering
effect.

For the
lips, apply
rust-brown
colour from
Coloressence
lip pallete.

After the total

make-up your face
becomes an asset
which contributes
immensely to your
personality.

To highlight
cheekbones,
use two
blushers –
gold and
peach from
mineral
blusher.
Make-up: Nature’s Essence, Suneeti Soni,
H-15/3, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi.
Ph: 011-26673045/65, Mob: 9899801623
 WHY MASS COMM
EDUCATION?
When the members career in the media photography, graphics, animation,

A
industry is the latest trend
of the faculty are in among many youngsters in
India. Today the strong
touch with the influence that the media
holds over people’s lives
changes taking has also attracted many to
start a career in Media.
place in the media The business opportunities
in Indian media and
world, and inculcate entertainment industry are enormous.
There is untapped potential along
in students media with the good creativity talent. The
study that is media industry is very vivid and one
of the most versatile industries and
modern and hence finding the right kind of
institute is no easy task. But in this
relevant, there respect and for a proper guidance in
journalism, you can trust upon the
is no doubt about MassCo Media.
MassCo Media is an established
achieving newage communication institute for
the study of print and broadcast
one’s goal. journalism, TV production,
By Suman Bajpai
media management, advertising, PR,
corporate communications, event
management and related areas. It is
one of the best-equipped media
schools in the country in the private
sector.
Situated in Noida, in the NCR
region, it has a capacity to
accommodate 750 students with two
complete industry-standard TV
studios, non-linear editing suites,
radio studio, photography studio, e-
classrooms and commercial content
development.
The institute has started a fresh
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diploma programmes, after graduation
and 12th class respectively in the
above-mentioned streams and six-
month certificate programmes in TV
production and anchoring, radio
jockeying, programming and
production. Also being launched is a
special master programme in
electronic media and advertising.
The Institute has a well-qualified
faculty of academics and industry
experience. Besides, many
professionals from all over the
country and outside keep coming to
deliver lectures on emerging areas in
media and communications. This
institution also provides solutions in
broadcasting and TV software
production, graphics and animation.
Second year students of the three-
year degree program of arts in media
and communication think that here
they can get much more
opportunities in comparison to other
institutes. “Here the focus is on the
practical-based work and the most
encouraging part is that the faculty is
very competent and efficient. This
place is a good platform for working
in the media industry,” note the
students.
MassCo Media has a tie-up with
universities in Australia and the US
for imparting undergraduate
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affiliates allow students to study in
India and get a credit for the years
of study to finish the degree. Each
student is empowered to finish his or
her degree in Australia or the US.
There is also a tie-up with an Indian
university for a graduate degree in
media and mass communications.
For Ravikant who has come from
Gorakhpur, a student of media and
communication, it is a platform to
augment his public-speaking skills. “I
was looking for an animation course
but seeing this course, I thought I will
get the better chances to learn many
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Apart from the incredible learning
today I can say that I feel more
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CAREER PANORAMA
A student of MassCo Media not
only gets the opportunity to absorb a
true media experience, but can
explore his or her talents in many
ways. Rather than just textbook
education, here students learn
through their practical experiences
which enhance their growth so that
when they reach industry
placements, they are ready with the
enriched thoughts and experience in
versatile media projects under their
belt.
Richa Sharma who is pursuing her
first year PG diploma in event
management and PR from this
institute has come all the way from
Rourkela, Orissa. She came to know
through the net about this institute.
She feels, “This place is ideal for my
kind of course as we get a chance to
explore in terms of field work and
placements.”
For Sri Raj Ray who has come
from Kolkata, it is like dream come
true. He is doing the photo journalism
course. He has a great regard for his
professor. “My professor is
competent techniquely, but his life
experiences are so extensive which
help us enormously. Even the
environment is very good and
friendly. We have the latest
equipments and technology.”
The best part of this institute is
that it provides a career panorama
for each student who is talented and
creative. For Payal Singh who is now
working as an account manager with
iAvatarZ Digital, an Australia-based
ad network, primarily into online
marketing and advertising, MassCo
Media has been a great learning
experience for her as a student. “I am
glad that I took the step of joining
MassCo Media and could enrich
myself and today have a job with an
ad network. MassCo Media is just not
about theory and classrooms it's
more about infield knowledge.
On the job training they provide
makes you professional in your
chosen field. I think the best part is
the facility, which this institute
provides to its students not only in

MASSCO MEDIA HAS
TWO COMPLETE
INDUSTRY-STANDARD TV
STUDIOS, NON-LINEAR
EDITING SUITES, RADIO
STUDIO, PHOTOGRAPHY
STUDIO, E-CLASSROOMS
AND COMMERCIAL
CONTENT DEVELOPMENT.
terms of the latest industry
equipments and infrastructure but
also the personal attention that each
student avails from the faculty. Apart
from excellent in-house faculties,
they provide us with visiting faculty
from the respective industry.
This was a great help as we used
to get trained according to the
requirements of the industry. I had all
the freedom and access to use the
library, computers and studio any
time of the day as per my
convenience. The training module,
which requires every student to give
a presentation with a proper set-up
and live audience, has sure boosted
my confidence, which today I
consider is the most important asset
for any beginner. Appearing for the
campus interviews held almost every
week helped me to sharpen my
communication skills and knowledge
as per industry requirements. All I
can say that it helped me shape my
career and personality,” beams
Payal.
When Sarika Tirkey came to know
about this institute through a career
fair organised in Ranchi, Jharkhand,
she knew this was the place for her.
She is pursuing her master program
in TV production. “When I came here
the star attractions were equipment
and studios.
I am lucky to have a supportive
faculty and any student who wants to
prosper he or she can fulfill their
dream here,” declares Sarika with
confidence.
Each student who is studying here
or was a student of this esteemed
institute has something positive to
share in terms of experiences, in
terms of guidance and in terms of
placements. Suposh Sharma, an ex-
student of this institute is now
working with the Jan Sandesh Hindi
news channel as a production
executive. He shared his experiences
with us. “There is a saying which
goes like, ‘Better late than never’.
This is how my tryst with the media
industry has begun and thanks to
MassCo Media and Prof Avinash
Singh in particular.
FREEDOM TO
STUDENTS
MassCo Media has given the kick-
start to my long impending craving to
get into media. This began when I
stepped into MassCo Media. The
best thing about the institute was the
freedom to students in terms of
creativity, implementation of their
concepts among others, which
include a stunning and industry-
standard facility.
When the students like me
graduate from the institute, they do
not get awe struck to see the media
environs. Studying in MassCo Media
is not like studying, it’s actually
working, working towards your goal.”
When the members of the faculty
are in touch with the changes taking
place in the media world, and
inculcate in students media study that
is modern and relevant, there is no
doubt about achieving one’s goal and
develop creative passion. When the
faculty challenges the students to
consider the media world from new
perspectives and the students benefit
from the faculty's vast experience,
then the possibility of success
increases.
Md. Shujauddin Khan has written
one such success story. He did his
diploma in television production and
broadcast journalism from MassCo
Media and is presently working with
Jan Sandesh Hindi news channel as
a production executive. He considers
his days at MassCo Media the
precious moments of his life.
“The days at MassCo Media were
the best days of my life as I identified
my passion for mass media and
groomed to become a professional.
Mr Mani Kandan is a teacher that I
would remember my whole life who
introduced us to the world of
Cameras and other TV production
techniques. I had great time
reading news through the tele
prompter and anchoring for in-house
programmes.
Documentary making was another
great experience as we explored the
art of story telling through the lenses.
It was with the help of my professors
that my documentary titled Jeena Isi
Ka Naam Hai won the First Frame
2008 award for the best director
category. I feel it is among the best
institutes in India that provides us
with the latest equipment that are of
industry standards,” enthuses
Shujauddin.
This is one institute which
changes the perception and provides
direction and opportunities to grow in
the respective media fields. We
 OVERCOMING
THE STIGMA CALLED
DISABILITY
Efforts and achievements of
people afflicted with disability will not go
unnoticed, thanks to the pioneering work of
Ability Foundation and support
by CavinKare.
A. R. Rahman receiving a memento from C. K. Rangnathan.
enerally, society looks
G
upon disability as a stigma.
Persons afflicted with
physical and mental
disability are taken as
curse on the family. But
now, you don’t need to see
everything in shades of
black and grey. Disabled
people are scaling new
heights everyday and creating new
records.
This was evident at a function held
recently in Chennai by the Ability
Foundation, an organisation working
for the uplift of disabled people. At
the function, 12 disabled people were
shortlisted for the prestigious
CavinKare Ability Award by a jury
that comprised eminent personalities
like Oscar winner music director A.R.
Rahman.
Later, speaking to the
mediapersons, Rahman said he was
deeply touched by their efforts to
overcome challenges posed by
disability. “All of us think we have a
problem. We complain how we are
fat or thin, fair or dark. But there is a
lesson for us all to learn from persons
with disabilities,” he said. He also
said that their stories show how
persons with congenital disabilities
could become achievers with
consistent efforts.
Of the 12 shortlisted people from
200 nominations received for the
award, seven will finally receive
various awards. The names of the
winners would be announced at a
gala event in early March, said
Janaki Pillai, director (operations) of
the Ability Foundation.
The other prominent jury members
also shared their thoughts on the
nominees. Director Radha Mohan,
whose film Mozhi–ITAL portrayed the
emotional journey of a deaf and
dumb girl Archana, said he was
inspired by the work done by Ability
Foundation and that he had learnt
sign language for making the movie
at the foundation.
Actress Revathy, also a trustee of
the Ability Foundation, said these
awards played an important role in
removing the stigma attached to
disability. “The words ‘I cannot do’
should not be uttered by a person
with disability. That is our aim,” she
said.
A HUMBLING
EXPERIENCE
N. Murali, managing director, The
Hindu–ITAL, said it was a humbling
experience for him to meet the
nominees shortlisted for the award.
He said the nominees had
demonstrated that they could not only
overcome their disability, but also
achieve much more than what the
persons without disability could. He
said the selection process was tough
and it was not easy to arrive at a
decision as to who was eligible for
the award.
Former chairperson, National
Commission for Women, V. Mohini
Giri said ability and disability were
synonymous and attitudes towards
persons with disability were changing
in society. “It is not a stigma any
more,” she stressed.
Director of Ability Foundation
Jayshree Ravindran said the awards
were aimed at breaking the
stereotypes surrounding the abilities
of persons with disability. C. K.
Rangnathan, CMD of CavinKare,
which sponsors the awards,
presented mementos to all the jury
members. We
67
 These apparels
present a fusion of
oriental and
occidental fashion.
Keeping in touch
with the taste of
urbane woman,
these fashionable
ensembles adorn
the lady on the go,
accentuating her
charm. However,
the obvious drive is
towards a perfect
and presentable
you to your friends
and admirers.

Graceful
Trendy & Stylish
The allure of black
& white: This
attractive skirt with
all-white top is
bound to shake up
even the ascetic.
What a befitting
ensemble?: The
shimmering churidar
has a fit combination in
the top worn with a wide
ornamental belt. The
modernistic hairdo is an
added attraction to
present a winning
personality.
A reflective pose:
This modern
dress blends well
with the garland
of round glass
beads.
Delightful look:
The short pants with
the trendy top with
an engaging hairdo
is sure to set the
house on fire.
Adding to a
glamorous look: The
floral skirt with
equally matching
top is sure to make
the intended
conquest.
Accentuating the
assets: Dressed in
stylish trousers with
a contrasting top,
the target seems to
be someone very
close to her.
Eyes on style:
This floral pants
synchronises
temptingly with a
top and garland
of beads.
Dressing to kill:
This tapering churidar
with stylish kurti makes
the lady all the more
charming with a
outshining necklace.

Dresses, Accessories and styling by:

Anomitro Ganguli
Photography: Hemant Kedar
Make-up: Amit Sawant
Hair: Minakshi
Model: Parvati Nirban

HOW ABOUT
BORN IN INDIA
A tongue-in-cheek look at a
“minor issue” that’s quietly
becoming a mania. By Rajib Sen
ON-STATUTARY WAR -
N
NING: READING THIS
MAY BE INJURIOUS TO
DOCTORS’ HEALTH. Born
in the USA, Bruce Spring-
steen’s huge 1984 chart -
buster became an anthem
for American anti-Vietnam
war protesters. But India’s
new-age newlyweds sing
another tune – without any idea of
the original’s lyrics. Their big dreams
for families they are yet to start? The
prized US passport – as their kids’
ticket to travel to worlds the would-
be parents can’t without visa hassles.
But there’s another big factor: their
perception that there’s a big differ -
ence in American hospital facilities at
the time of delivery. Big deal! Are
Indian hospitals less well equipped?
Not so long ago, in fact, people would
wonder what one needed a hospital
for only to have a baby. Those were
the days when childbirth was consi-
dered nothing more than a home-
76
?
delivery service of the medical
profession.
After all, it’s always been just a
matter of the doctor bringing home
the bacon by bringing home the
babies although, lately, it’s been in a
maternity ward. But, in the past, there
was no fuss with no one getting
hyper, building tension about the
small matter that was about to make
an appearance. Come to think of it,
no one ever did make a fuss about
something like that for something like
the previous 40,000 years of human
evolution. That is, till some time in
the mid-twentieth century. After that,
hype overtook common sense.
In fact, among the billions of
species of life on Earth, has anyone
wondered why it’s only been people
who have paid to be pampered by
obstetrical attention? Plants have
their own mysterious ways of going
about reproduction. The birds and the
bees have long been proverbially
reputed to be self-reliant in such
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
matters. I can’t see our cousins, the
apes, having a gorilla monkeying
about at such delicate moments. And
can you imagine the whale of an
underwater income that an
obstetrician of that breed is missing
out on after graduating from the
school of fish?
So when and how did this human
mania for hospital delivery by an
obstetrical stork rear its mystifying
head? And what makes it so much
superior in the US of A? Are babies
born there s-o-o much more better
off than those born even in our
shanty towns and remote villages?
Let’s face it. From the evolution of
humankind, those embryonic speci-
mens of humanity have literally been
born fighters. They have been born
while being borne sky-high in
transcontinental jetliners as success-
fully as in down-to-earth jhuggis and
jhompris. They have all been born to
live.
And they have lived, survived and
also flourished even amid the utmost
of deprivation. Despite their birth
circumstances, so many thousands
have grown up all over the globe to
conquer the world in wide-ranging
fields – from astronautics to agri -
culture (besides other lands!).
Let’s not forget one of the most
famous conquerors in the world (of
the then-known world): Gaius Julius
Caesar (100-44 BC). His name is
inextricably linked with – ahem! – a
section of obstetric practice (to boost
it in more ways than one?). He too
was surgically extracted by the
Caesarian procedure as it’s since
become known. Yet he was still born
at home – not stillborn in a hospital
as happened with my US-based
relative’s daughter there recently.
Even in the twenty-first century,
what about the thousands born in our
small towns and remote villages? So
many appear on the scene with the
help of nothing more than, perhaps, a
midwife or semi-literate dai? None of
their mothers – like their mothers and
their mothers’ mothers for gener -
ations back – needed anything
remotely like an operating table, a
recovery room and all the parapher-
nalia that seem so crucial to modern
urban childbearing.
OTHER OPTIONS
Statistical percentages would
definitely vary but not as drastically
as die-hard supporters of today’s
medicine – especially in the US – will
contend. Remember, especially in
India, even among the better
educated and better-off segments of
society, there are so many who never
trust allopathic medicine. They
normally prefer every alternative from
homoeopathy and naturopathy to
ayurveda and unani, instead. All
quacks? How many ducks have they
scored in their diagnoses without
modern diagnostic support? Thanks
to their fan following, some have
become self-proclaimed godmen and
godwomen! Do you think followers of
such persuasions would trust a
hospital where the underlying disci-
pline is allopathic medicine when it
comes to delivery? Who knows?
Still, if today’s Indian couples have are always prepared to attend to
the choice between India and the US, people in urgent need but you have
what’s better than doing so where to wait depending on their assess -
their parents are? No matter how ment of the seriousness of your
medically ignorant they are, can any- problem. For instance, if someone
thing match those parents’ support with a gunshot wound is brought in
when a new generation appears? while you’re waiting, your wait just
That’s how it’s always been from time gets longer – sometimes by hours! –
immemorial. It doesn’t matter how far no matter how serious you think your
apart they are in India, the elders are case is.
forever within reach. What can beat
that advantage?
Then again, once the mother gets MAHA INDIA
home with her baby in the US, how Finally, let’s not forget the
soon can she have access to the immeasurable cost benefits of the
same doctors – without an appoint- Indian medical system. It’s not for
ment for a date that’s something like nothing that patients from America
two months later? Sure, she could and all over the world make a beeline
talk over the phone, but is that ever for this country. But they’re not dupes
as good as a face-to-face consul - or cheapskates running after the
tation, especially if a physical exami- cheapest bargains. They’re hard -
nation is called for? That’s what headed hunters of top-quality delivery
access to medicine is out there – just from pains far removed from labour
check that out with anyone who’s (child-labour – hmm ;-)! And they’re
undergone any kind of Yankee-style simply delighted that India makes the
medical treatment for anything. standards they are used to at home
Back here, there’s a friendly available at costs not even their
neighbourhood doctor with an open insurance policies can pay for in their
door for anybody to walk through at own countries. (And we manage our
any time of day or night. medical bills without
Of course, you pay more insurance!)
if he or she sees you at LET’S NOT Our medical tourism
non-regular times or at FORGET THE has added a healthy
your home. But that’s IMMEASURABLE dimension to the
okay – the treatment is COST BENEFITS Incredible! India image
always prompt, OF THE INDIAN already – bringing
professional and MEDICAL foreigners to this country
invariably successful.
What more do you want?
SYSTEM. IT’S NOT through a healthy level of
medical tourism. So all
And that’s the case with FOR NOTHING those people travel all the
medical practitioners THAT PATIENTS way here for anything but
across the country in FROM AMERICA childbirth for world-class
small towns and big AND ALL OVER treatment at a bargain.
metro politan sprawls. THE WORLD ( Paisa vasool? ) Yet our
Even the shantytown MAKE A BEELINE youngsters fly all the way
poor have some kind of there for that very
FOR THIS
daktar sahib, vaid or purpose and pay a bomb!
hakeem who dispenses COUNTRY. (Kharcha fazool?) Isn’t
relief soon enough and that funny?
without charging the earth. But, jokes apart, I doubt this article
Only in real emergencies does will strike the funny bone of our
one visit one of our super-speciality esteemed medical fraternity. They’re
five-star medical malls for a taste of unlikely to rest in peace (RIP?) with-
their high-cost, multi-menu hospit - out ripping this article to pieces. If so,
ality . It’s the same in the US from so be it. But can anyone deny the
what I have understood. Agreed, like fact that the facts given here haven’t
the OPDs of our public and private been doctored – even though in
hospitals, the US emergency facilities humour? We
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 77
 Perfect picture of
innocence
The charm of these
children is further
enhanced with these
colourful, designed
dresses.

Hey! How A serene look:

do I look: The skirt with
Is’nt the girl frills adorns Smiling pose:
exuding the red The skirt and
simple coloured the floral top
charm in a sleeveless complement
stylish skirt top, imparting each other.
with a look of The matching
designed dignity to the handbag
top? girl. completes the
rest.
 Come on guys:
The colourfully striped
outfit, play up the girl’s
charm with an
adornment of a scarf.
She is holding out her
glassy necklace, thus
augmenting her beauty.

A naughty look:
Wearing a laced
capri, an
The stylish attractive attire,
look: The girl with written
looks no less message and
impressive in golden belt, the
this suitably girl draws
designed attention.
outfit.

A fresh look: The girl gives a striking pose in

this well - combined tight-fitting outfit.
Dresses: Pretty One
Ph: 011-25812155
LITTLE-KNOWN
LYTTELTON
Countries down under
have many big attractions.
But a visit to this little town
would be an exciting
experience.
By Kavita Sivaramakrishnan
holiday in New Zealand is
A
never complete without a
trip to Lyttelton, port of
Christchurch, which offers
us one of the most
fascinating views of the
extinct volcanoes in the
world. Lyttelton is located
on the north shore of
Lyttelton Harbour on Banks
Peninsula, 12 km by road from
Christchurch on the eastern coast of
the South Island of New Zealand.
The quaint town consists of small
cottages and is very picturesque and
80 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
beautiful with views of the harbour on
every side.
The harbour is an inlet on the
north-western side of Banks
Peninsula, extending 18 km inland
from the southern end of Pegasus
Bay. It is surrounded by steep hills
formed from the sides of an extinct
volcanic crater which rises to a height
of 500 m. Several smaller settlements
are dotted along the shore of the
harbour, notably Governor's Bay and
Diamond Harbour. A small island,
Quail Island, sits in the upper harbour
south-west of Lyttelton.

Lyttelton looks calm and serene
and is famous for its Banks Peninsula
which consists of eroded remnants
of 2 ancient volcanoes. Banks
Peninsula is situated in about the
middle of the east coast of the South
Island on the margin of the
Canterbury Plains. It is approximately
450 sq miles in area and its highest
point is Herbert Peak, 3,014 ft. A trip
on the gondola which takes one to
the top of the sightseeing spot from
where we can view those famous
volcanoes was really very
fascinating. The volcanoes were
breathtaking and are really a sight to
behold. Their craters have
subsequently been enlarged to many
times their original size by stream
erosion; they were then invaded by
the sea during the post-glacial world-
wide rise in sea level beginning about
15,000 years ago. They now form the
harbours of Lyttelton and Akaroa.
Originally, Banks Peninsula was
an island, but it became tied to the
Canterbury Plains at some late stage
in geological history when the
growing alluvial plain reached its
base. The Lyttelton volcano began
erupting perhaps 15 million years
ago. The last eruptions on the flanks
of the younger Akaroa volcano
occurred less than 6 million years
ago. “Banks Island” was eventually
joined to the mainland by sand and
gravels eroded from the Southern
Alps by the enormous glaciers of
several ice ages. The sand and
gravels were washed seawards to
form the Canterbury Plains. The two
extinct volcanoes were active less
than half a million years ago.
Akaroa is the larger volcano and
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
probably reached a height of over
4,500 ft. Estimates of its original
height are uncertain, since they
cannot be based solely on the
projection of existing lava slopes
upwards for the reason that
volcanoes of this type often have
domed profiles with a falling off in
gradient towards their tops. As sea
levels rose and fell, the old volcanoes
were at different times an island, a
landlocked mass of hills and a
peninsula.
WORLD'S OUTSTANDING
GEOGRAPHY
Lyttelton and Akaroa, the principal
settlements on the peninsula, lie
inside the eroded craters of the old
volcanoes, now flooded by the Pacific
Ocean. These sea-invaded craters,
the twin harbours of Lyttelton and
Akaroa, are among the world's
outstanding examples of eroded and
flooded craters. Colourful cliffs of
layered lava and ash deposits can be
seen around the outer coast. The
cliffs provide havens for wildlife and
form stunning coastal scenery.
In the course of his
circumnavigation of the South Island,
Captain Cook sighted the peninsula
on 16 February 1770. On the
following day he concluded it was an
island and named it in honour of
Joseph Banks. On that day he also
saw the entrance to Akaroa Harbour.
In the early years of the 19th century
81

sealers and whalers appeared on the
scene and they found Maori ( Ngai
Tahu) settlements near where
Lyttelton and Akaroa now stand.
During the 1830s, French,
American, and British deep-sea
whalers were frequent visitors and
they all traded with the Maoris,
particularly for flax and foodstuffs.
Lyttelton definitely has a very
Tell me,
TELL ME...
Why, when you are with me,
The skies seem bluer,
The breeze more cool,
The flowers smell sweeter,
Birdsong’s full of cheer?
Tell me,
Why, when I am with you,
My heart sings with joy,
I am loving and gentle,
Compassionate and giving,
So at peace with myself?
Tell me,
Why, when we are together,
I like myself better,
Feel so blessed, so hopeful,
82
interesting legacy and the people are
charming and very friendly.
Banks Peninsula has a somewhat
more salubrious climate than
Canterbury Plains, with a higher
rainfall and fewer frosts, particularly
on the lower slopes. Snow is
common on the highest slopes during
the winter months and often lies for
several weeks on the tops, although
the thickness is not great.
Lyttelton is linked to Christchurch
by railway and road tunnels through
the Port Hills. At 1900 m long, the
Lyttelton Road tunnel (opened in
1964) boasts of being the country's
longest road tunnel, and the railway
tunnel is the country's oldest, dating
from 1867. And that's not all; Lyttelton
has more in store for one. Lyttelton is
also famous for its wildlife which
comprises dolphins, seals, penguins
and sea birds. It also offers ferry
services which offer visitors views of
wild life at a very close range and also
a chance to swim along with them.
No doubt, a trip to Lyttelton was
definitely worth the trip. We
Find life so wonderful,
Cannot just stop smiling?
What secret do you hold,
What magic do you weave,
To drive the bogeys away,
When you are with me?
Just promise me one thing
Come what may...
That you will never leave my side
Or let me leave yours...
Ever.
– Romola Shanbhag
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
 QA &
Q&
I am an 18-year-old girl belonging to
an orthodox family. I have always
wanted to become a doctor and my
father has been quite supportive – till
last week, when he visited an
astrologer to show him my
horoscope. This man told my father
firmly that I should not study further –
or I will jeopardise all my chances of
having a good marriage. According
to him, if I study further, I will remain
unmarried. This has scared my father
who is, naturally, keen to see me
married and happy. So, now, he is
refusing to let me go to medical
college. I am so desperately
unhappy. Is there any way out?
A
It is a very difficult situation for
you, but you should know that
astrologers and their predictions are
all bunkum. How many of their
forecasts have proved true? Haven’t
several astrologers given conflicting
predictions? All the same, you will not
find it easy to convince your father
who is, anyway, doing what he thinks
is best for you. You can ask some
close relatives or friends he trusts to
speak to him. Even your teachers
could try to make him change his
mind.
As a last resort, you can simply
put your foot down and state that you
are determined to follow your dream
– even if it means that you will remain
single as your father believes. This
might bring him to his senses. You
cannot let any astrologer jeopardise
your future with such impunity.
TEEN ACHE
TEEN CHE
My boyfriend and I are both 19 years
old and plan to get married in five
years when we are settled in our
A
careers. The problem is that although
we love each other, we are
constantly arguing with each other.
Sometimes, we don’t speak to each
other for days on end.
My friends tell me that marrying
him is a bad idea as we will surely
divorce each other soon. I, however,
feel that we will stick together even if
we constantly fight. What do you
advise?
What are the issues you quarrel
about? If these are trivial, your fights
I am a 15-year-old
girl. My hands and
feet are always
sweating, even in
cold weather. This is
very embarrassing
when I shake hands
with anyone, for my clasp is
clammy and sticky. Even my exam
answer sheets get smudged and
grubby with my sweat. Please
advise. My parents are of no help,
and my friends only make fun of
me.
Are you of a nervous
disposition? High strung persons
often perspire a lot, and in fact,
their sweat exudes a peculiar
unpleasant odour. But then, their
sweating is not confined only to
their hands and feet. If this
problem bothers you, consult your
family doctor. He can suggest
remedies and medication if
needed. In the meanwhile, wipe
your hands frequently with
perfumed tissues, and powder
your feet before wearing your
footwear. This can help. Also try
some relaxation exercises.
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
will not matter. If you do not see eye
to eye on major issues like money,
children, future goals etc., it is a good
thing to sort these out before
deciding to marry.
Perhaps you are both short
tempered and egoistic. In this case, if
you love each other, it does not really
matter if either of you gives in to the
other’s wishes to avoid a
confrontation to avoid bitterness in
the relationship. If neither of you is
willing to compromise, constant
bickering can take a toll. So, think
carefully before taking the plunge.
I feel completely devastated and
shocked. I have always had the
greatest respect for my father
because of the good values he
upheld but when I saw him browsing
through some porn sites on the net, I
was horrified. How can he do this?
He does not know that I found out but
I have lost all affection for him.
Should I tell my mother, who is a
gentle loving soul? Please help me
gain my peace of mind.
Although it is understandable that
you are shocked, perhaps you should
face reality and accept that your
father is a normal human being and
not a saint. Looking at porn sites is
not a wicked thing but a harmless
activity for many men, who are good,
loyal husbands and fathers. Children
hate to know that their parents have
sexual feelings! Many are even
extremely uncomfortable and
unhappy to think that their parents
have sex with each other. You should
definitely continue to respect your
father for he seems to have earned it.
Even if you confide in your mother,
chances are that she will not be
shocked but amused by your
revelation. In fact, she may know this
already!
83
 A regal touch: Sofas in creamy and brown
hues and centre table with a glass top create a
feeling of harmony in the living room. The stair

Cosy Nest
case leads to the bedroom. Other furnishings
in the room add elegance.

If the house is where your heart is, then

why not bring the latest trends of fashion
and elegance to comfortable classic styles.

Relaxing zone: An entertainment unit with TV,

cabinets and wooden shelf! Tea time: Table with glass top,
trendy chairs and single-seater sofa
for the small family to enjoy the cuppa!

84 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

 Cuddle up: Master
bedroom with low
wooden beds and
bedding in wild prints and
hues. The illumination,
rug and cushions lend a
warm touch!

Study time:
Study unit with
wooden
cabinetry and
book case.
Orange rug on
the floor livens
up the mood!

Fresh feel: Freshen up in this

washroom equipped with bath
tub and sinks.

Cooking delight: A well-equipped

modern kitchen with cabinets in hues of
green and white, counter top and other Courtesy: Ansa Interiors,
kitchen accessories and appliances. New Delhi. Ph: 9811014609
 ish you luck, and take
W
care. Jakarta is always
in the news for all wrong
reasons", my friend
remarked when I told of
my impending trip to
Jakarta. So it was with
a certain amount of
apprehension that I
started my journey.
Wasn't I in for a surprise?
Everyone who met us in Jakarta
had a warm smile and talked niceties
to us. Later I came to know that
Indonesians are known as the
friendliest people in the world
towards foreigners and they are very
tolerant of their behaviour. But there
are some things that one has to take
care while interacting with
Indonesians. Patting on the head is
not done among adults since they
consider the head as sacred and
must be respected. It is considered
impolite to call someone by crooking
the index finger.
JAKARTA AND
PARATHAS
Though the majority of Indonesians
are Muslims, Indonesia is not an
Islamic state. Moreover, the people
are most friendly to the foreigners.
By Dr Beena Rani Goel
High rise building and the adjacent modest houses.
Jakarta, the capital of Indonesia,
is home to over 10 million people.
Forest fires and land clearance
produce thick haze over Jakarta. It
seems there is no easy solution for
the Indonesian haze that has blighted
Southeast Asia every year for the
past decade. Children under five
years and people who work outdoors
suffer from haze-related ailments.
The majority of Indonesians are
Muslims, but Indonesia is not an
Islamic state. It is a Pancasila state,
the ideology of which is "belief in the
one Supreme God". This means that
the different religious systems must
be respected. You can see many
Moslem prayer houses in the city
beside many churches and a few
temples.
Jakarta, one of Indonesia's
designated tourist areas, is a
gateway to other destinations in the
country. It has the largest and
modern airport in Indonesia, as well
as the most important harbour in
Indonesia, and is well connected by
rail and good roads to other
destinations in Java, Sumatra, and
Bali. Jakarta is truly a city of
contrasts; where traditional and the
modern, the rich and the poor, the
sacred and the worldly, often stand
side by side.
Prince Fatahillah from
neighbouring Cirebon conquered
Sunda Kelapa, a small 16th century
harbour town and renamed it
Jayakarta, meaning glorious victory.
In 1619, the Dutch East Indies
Company captured the town,
destroyed it and changed its name to
Batavia. It was made the centre for
the expansion of their power in the
East Indies. During the World War II,
Batavia fell into the hands of the
invading Japanese forces that
changed the name of the city to
Jakarta as a gesture to win the
sympathy of the Indonesians. The
name was retained after Indonesia
achieved independence
after of the war ended.
Lately, Jakarta has
been booming with
supersize megamalls
where you can find
everything under one roof.
Then there are the pasar
or markets. Pasar Baru,
which literally means the
New Market, is where
locals shop for various
things like fabrics. A local
friend took us there and
Performers with angklung,
the traditional bamboo
musical instrument
what a huge collection of clothes we
saw there! There are food courts in
most of these shopping malls, which
offer delicious Indonesian food.
Chaotic street names and poor
signs make finding places in Jakarta,
especially smaller buildings, difficult.
Since the same name is used for
different streets in different parts of
the city, without the postal code, it
would be a tough job to find the
correct street address.
THE CONTRAST
The contrast between the obscene
wealth of the opulent and the
appalling poverty of the urban poor Beautiful statue in the Jakarta
is incredible. During our drives Convention Center
through the city, every five minutes,
we could spot begging women and
children on the pavements. Also the LATELY, JAKARTA HAS
many BMWs that were speeding by! BEEN BOOMING
The city's traffic is in a perpetual
The classy dining experience in Jakarta.
WITH SUPERSIZE,
MEGAMALLS WHERE
YOU CAN FIND
EVERYTHING UNDER
ONE ROOF.
gridlock. The traffic jams
become more acute after the
rains. Our conference venue
was five minutes’ drive from the
hotel in the morning, but while
returning at night, due to the
traffic jams, it used to take
around 40 minutes.
If one can stand its pollution,
and afford to indulge in its
charms, Jakarta is one of Asia's most
exciting cities. From cosmopolitan
shopping at Plaza Senayan to one of
the hippest nightlife scenes in
Southeast Asia, there are plenty of
things one can do. Jakarta boasts of
the region's best skyline and it has
one of Asia's best bus systems, the
Transjakarta Busway. The building of
a monorail and MRT is currently
under way.
The Jakartan equivalent to
Thailand's tuk-tuk is the Bajaj
(pronounced "badge-eye"), orange
mutant scooters converted into
tricycles that carry passengers in a
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 87

small cabin at the back. Then there
are the motorcycle taxis, Jakarta’s
ojek services that consist of guys with
bikes lounging around street corners.
They usually shuttle short distances
down alleys and roads but will also
do longer trips for a price.
Jakarta's architecture reflects to a
large extent the influx of outside
influences. The old Portuguese
Church and warehouse have been
rehabilitated into museums. Old
Batavia, one of the oldest sections of
Jakarta, was restored by the Taman
Fatahillah Restoration Project. The
old town hall is now the Jakarta
Museum, displaying such rare items
as Indonesia''s old historical
documents and Dutch period
furniture. The old Supreme Court
building was converted into museum
of fine arts, which also houses part of
the excellent Chinese porcelain
Winner
of
Friendship
Quiz
Contest - 72
Aneeta Salaria
556-A, 1st Floor,
Gandhi Nagar, Jammu,
J&K. Pin-180 004
88
Indonesian dance
Another beautiful statue at the Jakarta
Convention Center.
collection of former Vice-President
Adam Malik. A collection of over
327 kinds of textiles from all
over the country; hand-woven
cotton, silk and batik cloths,
both of the ancient and
contemporary productions are
put on display in an authentic
Betawi house which is the
Textile Museum.
A main tourist attraction of
Jakarta is Taman Mini
Indonesia Indah (Beautiful
"Indonesia in Miniature" Park)
popularly called TMII. It was
built to portray the variety of
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
cultures found within the many
islands contained in the Republic of
Indonesia, and this open-air museum
comprises the different architectural
forms of arts and traditions of all
Indonesian provinces.
I was really captivated by the
music performed by a group, with the
angklung, the traditional bamboo
music equipment. Angklung music is
made by playing a set of at least 14
hand-held bamboo instruments, each
of which produces a particular note
when shaken or "trembled". Bamboo
tubes of varying widths are cut to
certain lengths so that they make the
same note in different octaves, and
two, three or four tubes are secured
on a frame.
When the frame is shaken, two
projections at the base of each tube
''sound'' as they knock against the
ends of the slots in the bamboo base
into which they are suspended.
Members of an angklung orchestra
hold the angklung in their left hand
and shake it with their right when it is
their turn to play that particular note.
Cooperation and concentration are
needed to produce this delightful
music. The most exciting thing was
that two kids aged five and seven
years played this instrument to
entertain our group and what a
flawless performance it was! And
they were so confident.
THE MODERN MUSIC
GROUP
The modern music group which
performed for us, participants from
different countries, astonished us by
calling some of us to the stage and
singing songs of his or her country.
When the performer started with
“Savan ka mahina, pavan kare” there
was a huge applause from the
Indians. Then she folded her hands
and said, “Kuch kuch hota hai”, and
explained, “It is the name of an Indian
movie”. The people of Jakarta are so
fond of Indian movies that one
theatre shows only Indian movies on
Sundays. Our tourist guide told us
“There is a small shop near my
house run by an Indian and he sells
rotis and parathas.” We

Q&
I am 30 years old and my husband is
35. Both of us are overweight. Will
our children also be overweight? We
are both worried. Please help.
Obesity/fatness has been linked
to a number of factors which range
from heredity, the environment, diet
and lack of physical activity to
hormonal influences. Whether your
offspring will be obese will be guided
by a number of factors as already
A
elucidated. Heredity is only one of the
factors.
I am 25 years old and I have recently
noticed small vesicles on my private
parts. These vesicles have turned
into blisters and there is oozing from
them. Please help.
What you have got is genital
herpes which is usually transmitted
by sexual contact. No doubt, these
lesions are painful and are likely to
heal within a week. But the problem
will be that the whole area will
become painful and may leave
behind a burning sensation. You
should consult your doctor who can
advise you accordingly. In the
meantime, keep the part clean with
frequent washing. Also no sex till you
are cured of the disease.
Q
I am 20 years old. I have got a lot of
hair in my upper lip, chest and
abdomen. This is causing me lot of
embarrassment. Please help.
Your problem is related to
hormonal imbalance. Very often a
growth in the adrenal glands is
responsible for this condition called
hirsutism. You should see your
doctor who after examining you will
investigate and treat you accordingly.
In the meantime, you can either
bleach, shave or pluck those hairs.
But please remember that these are
only temporary measures.
Q
I am 35 years old. My husband is 40
year. Recently his father aged 60
died of a heart attack. It has left us
shaken. I am worried about my
husband since heart attacks run in
families. Please advise.
Your fears are well founded. Heart
disease does run in families. It would
be better if you get your husband
checked medically. In the meantime,
take care of his weight, diet, blood
pressure and cholesterol levels. But
do not get panicky. Adopt a positive
attitude with a healthy lifestyle.
Q
I am 30 years old and married. I get
quite a pain when having sex. This
problem has arisen only for the last
few months. Please advise.
What you suffer from is called
vaginismus where the sex act
becomes painful. It is due to chronic
pelvic inflammation, lack of lubrication
in the vagina and the use of certain
drugs. Your doctor can check for any
such problem like chronic infection
which might be lingering there and
treat you accordingly.
Q
I am 30 years old and recently
noticed a small swelling on my
private parts. My doctor says they are
genital warts. What are they? Please
advise.
Genital warts are sexually
transmitted and are caused by the
human papilloma virus. These may
appear alone and/or in clusters.
These are caused by viruses and are
easily transmitted from one sexual
partner to another. It would be
advisable for you to get this treated
properly and check your partner also
to prevent reinfection.
Q
I am 32 years old and married for the
last seven years but I have not
conceived so far. I have normal
periods at regular intervals with normal
blood flow. Then what is the reason
that I am infertile? Please advise.
Having normal periods in any
woman of child-bearing age does not
confer on her automatic fertility. It only
means that your body is adhering to
the normal hormonal pattern which
governs the release of ovum. But
there can be other causes like
blockage or impaired movements of
your fallopian tubes. In addition, some
women have endometrioses which
might be the cause of infertility. But
help in your case can come only from
your doctor who has to investigate
you thoroughly for your problem.
Q
I am 20 years old. It is quite a fashion
to get a tattoo. I am thinking of
getting one. Is there any risk
involved? Please advise.
Getting a tattoo depends more on
the whims of the person. Medically
the only problem is introduction of
infection (if the instruments are not
properly sterilised). The main risk is
catching hepatitis, AIDS and tetanus
from contaminated needles. So be
cautious and take proper precautions
before you go for tattooing.
Q
I am 30 years old and slightly on the
obese side. I recently read that coffee
can help reduce weight. Please
advise.
Coffee drinking has its own
benefits, provided it is taken in
moderation. It is a mild stimulant and
may suppress your appetite but this
is only temporary. If your are really
interested in reducing your weight,
you have to follow the routine of diet
control and an exercise programme.
There is no short cut to it.
— Dr S. N. Khosla, MD.
 An artist who
progresses with
the process of
introspection.
By Our Correspondent
AN ARTIST FORESEEING
THE 22ND CENTURY
assing era is witnessing
P
great changes as time has
been seeing it since nobody
in existence. By the
development or (advancement
of complexities) in living and
nonliving, humans appeared
and so their witty or confused
mind generated nonliving
men representing machines.
Thereafter mankind’s closeness with
nature (sincere and genuine) had
begun to far to farther. Though man
90 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
is just a creation of nature like all
other creatures.
How are humans becoming
machines – more or less – it is well
shown by Pratibha Singh with her
brush. And her art works are not only
of juxtapositions of man and material
but this also reflexes the power of the
combination and loneliness of man-
machine entities. The paintings
showing greenery depicting nature is
around us like a mother’s lap for a
baby.
Pratibha’s recent series, Shape of
things to come rightly spreads
imagery amalgamation of man and
machine in realistic form. Under this
theme she evolved some future shots
that might be far from us but not from
our coming generations.
Pratibha’s work is neither futuristic
nor science fiction but she has used
a vision to compound contrary
elements. In her hands the organic
and the inorganic are brought into
bedlock apart from human-cum-
animal forms. After all, art is for our
introspection, retrospection, so that
we float with our emotions of fear and
wonder, and what not in order that
our awareness expands in freedom.
We humans are speculative
creatures, and especially so our
Woman’s Era
●
April (First) 2009
91
In own style: Lord Shiva’s creature worshipping by heart only.
vanguard, the artists who
exercise their imagination
to the hilt. It is so this artist
invents, not superrealistic
images, but an evolutionary
artistic designs.
Born and brought up in
Varanasi, Pratibha has well
realisation of “Vedic mantra
enchanting” and brass bells
with drums enthralling
sound.
Pouring the energy of incantations
into society, Pratibha spread out the
visuals on the mantras in unique 3-D
forms under the theme Mask of
Tranquillity . The visuals with this
theme are like multicoloured carvings
that communicate with us how rich
our spiritual culture and art are. In
addition, it propagates that when art,
imagination, technologies and
spirituality are added up excellence
emerges. And it spreads out
enthusiasm and tranquillity.
She isn’t a graduate in the art. But
the most vital tender heart of
imagination was with her since
childhood. Later, joining Triveni Kala
Sangam and getting guidance under
Guruji Rameshwar Broota helped her
in shaping the lines and refining the
imagination’s visuals on canvas.
She takes out some time from
busy schedule for Woman’s Era.
Excerpts of the talk:
92
Metal human and
animals! What does it
mean to commoners?
It’s a cultivation of my
imagination about
humans and their coming
up of mechanical nature.
It’s neither a future
prediction like an
astrologer nor about
morphological changes
that is going to happen to
us. It is rather an outcome of mental
reading of people around us in cities
who are not a machine but their
mode of working and sorting out
matters is like a machine. But, at last
it is you the beholders to understand
it. One thing I am quite clear about it
is that the essence of particular
visuals are much realised if one mulls
over oneself and coming generations.
Joints and heavy metal look
giant and robust! And what is the
theme of your works?
It propagates a large quantum of
energy. Enthusiasm and boldness
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
resemble. It’s not a
negative idea disse -
mi nating work. At
last, it is evaluated in
the beholders eyes.
So I let it on to you to
analyse.
“Shapes of things
to come” is the theme
that’s the folder
contains the imagery
visuals about much
mechanical mankind.
How did you get into the field
of art or painting?
My childhood was spent in
Varanasi’s spiritual-ritual-maintaining
family so I grew up in the vibrations
of sloka chanting. It was enthralling
as my tender mind began to mull
over energetic elements present in
the environment. Imaginary unseen
but deeply realised matters opened
to arise in my mind.
How did you get a grip on a
brush despite having no degree in
art?
Practice makes one
perfect. After marriage I
spent a long time in greens
of North-eastern India. Living
in a naturally rich and calm
place infused inner sense of
art and I took out time to do
painting. Wandering in hills
and bays filled me up with a
lot of energy and vitality.
After settling in Delhi I
joined Triveni Kala Sangam
and got training by
Rameshwar Broota. I am greatly
obligated to Broota-sir. I learnt
pragmatism and fine class of art from
Broota sir. So I didn’t need a degree
to splash my thoughts.
What about other works in art?
My last series was Mask of
Tranquillity in which inscriptions of
mantras with the image of Lord Shiva
have been shown. It radiates rays of
energy and calmness. I depicted
mantras in different shapes and the
radiation. Naturally, I had to give
back what I took from spirituality and
art; and I did so. We
 About the artist

HELL IN PARADISE
Asif Iqbal Khan
Ph: 9419547993, 0194-2428151
E-mail:asifoart@yahoo.mail.com
B.F.A. from Kashmir University

PAIN OF ARTIST
B.Sc.-I from Kashmir University
6-month course in documentary films
from Wide Angle Films
Production House.
Participation:
Annual State Art Exhibition, Jammu ...Yet the artist sees a silver lining
and Kashmir Academy of Art, Culture
and Languages from in every cloud. By Puja Sharma
Art competition organised by NZCC
(North Zone Cultural Centre),
Srinagar.
AIFACS, New Delhi.
Art Teachers’ Corner, Delhi Public
School, Ranipur and Hardwar
Awards:
First Award by North Zone Cultural
Centre, Srinagar 1987.
J and K Academy of Art, Culture and
Languages 1998; calligraphy 1997
Funkar Cultural Organisation 1998
Appreciation Award for poster on AIDS
Academy of Art, Culture and
Language 2000
Best Exhibit in Art Teachers’ Corner
2005, 06, 07
Contribution to art by Education
Minister (J&K), Best poster by Chief eautiful is the city when one to nurish the soul of some and at the

Minister (J&K), Medal for best painting
by Vice-Chancellor (UK)
Solo shows:
Government Boys Higher Secondary
School, Srinagar
Paintings, drawings and still-lifes,
Delhi Public School, Srinagar
Group shows:
Contemporary Art Foundation,
Srinagar, Kashmir.
Collections:
India, England, Denmark, Croatia.
Scholarships:
Merit scholarships from Fine Arts
College, Srinagar
Presently working at DPS, Athwajan,
Bypass-Chowk, Srinagar (J&K) India.
B
talks of colours. A vast
variety of flowers, chinar
leaves, range of hills and
mountains and multi -
coloured gardens of never-
ending spring. Orange,
ochre, red, yellow, crimson,
scarlet, and numerous
shades of grass and leaves
of autumn. White, grey,
hazy and transparent –
so many shades of snow
on mountains.
So vast a variety of
unseen hues, comprising
an enchanting place
none other than Kashmir
– a paradise on earth is
proved by the paintings
of Asif Iqbal Khan a very
young and sensitive
artist from Srinagar in
Kashmir. Born and
brought up in such a
lovely place, where
beauty is the good food
same time kills the desire to live, of
other heartless people, who want to
destroy nature and its creation, Asif
very successfully portrays both the
angles of the events taking place in
his surroundings in the vale of
beauty.
Nature is the best source of
inspiration for an artist to express his
feelings and emotions.
We can not create or
draw natural objects or
things as perfectly as
they had been already
created. However, we
can appreciate nature
or beauty on the basis
of our own interpre -
tations and percep -
tions.
But for every type of
work or meditation, we
definitely need to have
peace of mind which is
very important. When
this peace of mind gets
Disturbance – painting by Asif Iqbal Khan.
disturbed by any means it
disturbs an artist’s mind. When
the mind gets disturbed, the
situation becomes unbalanced.
So it becomes a big issue for an
artist to revolt against these
disturbing and unbalancing
circumstances.
A very young artist Asif Iqbal
Khan paints whatever he
observes spite of the fact that an
artist, who is the real lover of
nature, always tries to create a
piece of art which gives pleasure
rather than pain and agony.
The artist says, “I’m feeling
very sorry for the prevailing
conditions of my valley. My valley,
once upon a time, was known as the
paradise on earth, the symbol of love,
peace, brotherhood, and what not!
Everyone is sad, worried, tense and
trapped in anxiety.
It is said that an artist is more
sensitive than a normal person, he
quickly gets the impressions of any
incident. “My works are actually the
expressions and reflections of the
of time...” comments Arshia
Malik.
Excerpts from an interview:
What is your philosophy of
art?
Art for me is the source to
control and balance the internal
energies with the help of
speaking lines and colours. Art
acts as a second arm of a
balance or a scale to equalise the
cultural feelings and emotions...
Which are your favourite
colours and mediums of paint?
Blue and white and I paint in
prevailing conditions of our valley.” oil and acrylic.
“One can see and observe clearly
the impressions of disturbance, How do you react to criticism?
disorder of colours, lines and forms. I For me criticism acts as a strong
am feeling that the original, real and energy source. It makes a person
beautiful shape of our valley is lost more confident and presentable
and de-shaped. Let’s hope and pray provided you are constructive and
for the best and peaceful future of positive.
our valley.”
Asif is deeply pained and brings How do you develop an idea for
that out in his paintings yet feels a composition for your painting?
happiest when he Deep study and observation click
makes his paintings my mind to develop an idea for my
speak for him. He loves composition on the basis of my
to see the figurative perception and interpretation. But I
paintings of Raphael still remember it was a long way back
and Dutch artist Vermeer in my childhood, when I often used
and the sculpture of to scribble with my charcoal pieces
Michelangelo the taken from the kandi (fire-pot) on the
legendary old master of walls of my classroom. I was often
art a good ideal. punished for this as they thought I
“Asif’s drawings, was making the walls dirty. That
especially the hand and piece of desire developed in me
the feet imprints, bring earnestly and till today it has made
up the minds and the me a developed artist – an artist with
desperation that each of creation. I think a painting without
us feels in the valley emotion is a body without soul.
today, but at the same
time it gave hope that Is art for art’s sake?
they were not missing at If your really paint with dedication
all from his works or and a strong feeling, people will
their size had not automatically appreciate you and
decreased as had the purchase your painting. Art should be
figures in his paintings for art’s sake if you are a real painter.
like tiny beings My dream is to make my own identity
powerless before the as a painter at international level.
tides of time. For this in
itself is evident that Anything for the new artists?
despite all the turmoil The only secret is to spend more
he still wants to leave time in nature, love your colours and
his mark on the sands play with them. We
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 95
 About the artist
Bhumika Takshak
Qualifications: B.F.A., (International
College for Girls, Jaipur, 2005.
M.F.A., Rajasthan School of Arts,
Jaipur, 2007).
Participation:
National Exhibition of Art, Lalit Kala
Akademy, New Delhi 2006.
Annual Art Exhibition, Rajasthan Lalit
Kala Akademy, Jaipur 2005-07.
All India Art Contest and Exhibition,
South Central Zone
Cultural Centre, Nagpur 2003-05-06.
All India Exhibition of Arts, the Indian
Academy of Fine Arts, Amritsar 2007.
‘SAMHITA’, a national-level seminar-
cum-workshop, New Delhi 2006.
Students’ art competition, Rajasthan
Lalit Kala Akademy, Jaipur 2003.
Ravi Jain Annual Exhibition, ON THE TRAIL OF
GREAT MASTERS
Dhoomimal Art Gallery, New Delhi
2006-08.
117th All India Annual Art Exhibition,
Bombay Art Society, Mumbai.
80-81th Annual All India Art
Exhibition, AIFACS, New Delhi 2009. “To be with the painting” – great masters
Award:
Rajasthan Lalit Kala Akademy, of olden days enable me to connect to
Jaipur, 2007.
Solo shows: that period, feels the artist, Bhumika
AIFACS, New Delhi 2008.
Triveni Kala Sangam, Takshak. By Puja Sharma
New Delhi , 2009. magination beyond limits – no thankful to him as he helped me in

Hirji Jehangir Art Gallery,
Mumbai, 2009.
Two-person shows:
Sukriti Art Gallery, Jawahar Kala
Kendra, Jaipur 2006.
Welcom Art Gallery, Rajputana
Palace Shereton, Jaipur 2007.
Group shows:
‘Aabha’, Ankan Art Foundation
(Mumbai), AIFACS, New Delhi 2008.
Samanavi Art Gallery, Jaipur 2005-
06-07.
Gallery One, Gurgaon 2007.
Camps:
Organised by Shangrila Art Gallery
(Trivendrum) at Samrat Hotel,
New Delhi.
Email:bhumi_takshak@rediffmail.com
Website:www.studiorameshwaram.com
I
boundaries – paintings in which;
you travel to a place one can only
dream of. An artist none other
than Bhumika Takshak, a very
young and egoistic, person, living
in the world of dreams,
accompanying the most famous
art world of the masters of the
past. An artist whose dream is to
be in the Arts News of the London
Times . May her dreams come true
one day. Excerpt from an interview:
Say something about
your life.
I belong to an artistic
family. My father,
Rameshwar Singh, is a
renowned artist from
Rajasthan. Since child -
hood, I had a keen
interest in painting
because my father always
used to give me small
canvases, paper, paints
and brushes. I am very
choosing the right profession. And
my mother, who is a housewife,
always supported my father and me.
She would not let me do my
household chores if my show is very
close! And my parents’ and sisters’
love and support enabled me to
become a good artist.
I have four older sisters and all are
married. I did my MFA from
Rajasthan School of Arts, Jaipur in
2007 under our head of the
department and well-
known artist Vidhyasagar
Upadhyay, who has
really helped me in
developing new ideas.
What is your
philosophy of art?
Art is the expression
of ‘self’. My works
consist of experiments
on the works of famous
western artists like
Woman’s Era
●
April (First) 2009
97
Bhumika with Monalisa and her sister.
Pablo Picasso, vanGogh, Leonardo which is very different or something
Da Vinci and others accompanied by that is not real or you have never
my self-portraits. Since the seen before!
beginning, I have been attracted to Why should I paint something
the works of these artists. And to be common like what is around us. I
with the greatest artists of the world don’t like to paint poor and hungry
and affection for them really gives me people or terror because these things
pleasure and my dream of their always scare us. Then why should
company takes me to those centuries we paint it? Paintings should give
or brings them to this century. It’s a peace or make us smile!
unique and eternal experience My father always encourages me
indeed! whenever I paint. I always have
We have so many great Indian interactions with my father on art.
artists. But since the very beginning I
am attracted to western masters who What is your source of
created history in the world of art. inspiration?
And their tragic lives inspired me to My first inspiration is, of course,
study more about them, and to begin my father. As in every painting of
my paintings with the elements of mine you will see a ‘newspaper’ kind
world popular paintings. of script, an important element of my
paintings. This gives textural effect
Which are your favourite as well as my interest in writing
colours and mediums? something about the western artist
I like bright colours in my paintings and me. And sometimes, I make their
which are, of course, derived from famous paintings’ drawings in it.
our Indian culture! I like all the
colours especially red, green, black How do you gather ideas to
and white and I paint in acrylic. compose a painting?
I love making self-portraits! As I
What is your style of painting? love fashion, I try to make it very
My work takes forth from the ‘pop creative with flowery hair-styles,
art’ technique, which attempts to tattoos and fashionable dress or
reinterpret and reproduce works done something!
by other artists. The Introduction of Some faces are even mask-like or
old masters in my works is linking me funny to give a smile onto the face of
with the glory of the past and with the viewer and myself! I give coats
today’s touch of modernism. I wish and coats of paint on the canvas till it
to create highly imaginative and gives textural effect and depth. I paint
dramatic space both for my whatever strikes me. I love flowers.
satisfaction as well as for the And they are always part of my
spectators. Flowers, scripts, drawings compositions.
and self-portraits form valuable I just want to become a good artist
elements in my paintings which knowing I’ll have to work harder and
intend to blend the past and the harder. And I’ll do it. When I was
present, the east and the west... I three or four years old, my father
wish to stay forever with my art stuffs gave me paper and a pencil. And I
like colours, palettes and brushes used to make forms with scratches!
and the love for the masters! He used to get very happy. And as I
grew younger I developed an interest
How do you react to criticism? in painting.
When people criticise my works
as very similar to my dad’s, I just When and where are your
smile and say ‘when you work with coming shows?
another artist in his studio for long, I have two solo shows this year.
his impression would definitely be One is from 25 March – 4 April 2009
seen in your works!’ And I don’t feel at Triveni Gallery, Delhi. And the
bad about it. second is from 20 to 26 April at Hirji
I always wish to create something Jehangir Art Gallery, Mumbai. We

98 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

 CAPITAL
Ch i t - C h a t
AAHAR – FOOD
MATTERS
Food is not simple any more,
technology has overtaken many
aspects of it, yet international
exposure is something we all need.
Not just for cuisine but the machines
that make many things simpler and
for products constantly launched
internationally. The recently organi-
sed Aahar exhibition which is an
annual affair now, at the India
International Trade Fair Centre was
bigger than ever before and had lots
of stuff for the businessman to select
from.
For the consumer, though the
charm lay not in the refrigeration and
cleaning machines and other
equipment but in a different hall
which had all kinds of food on display
– ranging from coconut products from
India to internationally made gold
varq and gold plated balls and other
shapes to put on your food to make it
visually appealing.
Barista – the coffee place we are
all familiar by now – is actually the
Overview of the hall with the food exhibition.
100
Italian word for somebody who
makes coffee! So, we had two
Baristas, one a young man in his late
twenties and the other a more mature
man who had won many international
competitions, showcasing their art in
making coffee designs in a
cappuccino. But coffee in Italy and
France is not just that frothy
cappuccino but there are other
options. Including the espresso shot
which is barely a mouthful, dark,
aromatic, and so satisfying as to
invigorate the most flagging spirit.
These Baristas know how to make
over a hundred designs over the
cappuccino froth with just a shake of
a hand and sprinkle of the powder.
They will hopefully train the guys who
work for Indian chains and we will
soon have a smiling panda in our
cup. Other imported goods like
olives, pates, sauces and pasta were
showcased by respective importers
to make them more popular. At the
counter of Rodaji who supplies these
goodies to many hotels and
restaurants, the crowd got to taste
artichokes and cakes from Italy, fruits
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
stuffed with goat cheese from Austria
and other products from Germany. It
is definitely a gourmet’s delight to
visit such places and the four day
event, just before Holi was indeed
well attended.
ANOUSHKA SHANKAR
ENTHRALLS
Anoushka Shankar is a lucky
young girl to have Ravi Shankar for a
father. Yes, she too is a talented
sitarist with other attributes of being
an actor and a dancer as well, but as
a sitar player, her support from her
father is indeed her good fortune.
The father and daughter duo often
play to a packed audience and the
performance in Delhi at the open-air
Nehru Park was organised by Spic
Macay and attended by almost two
lakh people who were enthralled by
the evening.
The event was soon followed by
her solo performance. Anoushka has
been nominated twice for the
Grammy and will surely rise further
in her career. For her performance
without her father, Anoushka kicked
off the evening with a song dedicated
to women as it was the “International
Women’s Day”. There was an
uplifting flamenco number, a song
written in collaboration with Nitin
Swanhey titled Charu Keshi Rain ,
and a host of songs based on ragas
composed by her father all
culminating in a track based on raga
jog.
For all those who believe that any
shopping mall is just a place for
shops and restaurants and about
money, this was an interesting
change. The line-up that played in
citywalk night was a truly
multinational one, consisting of
musicians from Delhi, Kolkata,

Anoushka Shankar enthralls.
Bangalore, California and Michigan.
While playing, they had the crowded
entrance enough to get them a
standing ovation at the end of the
show even Pandit Ravi Shankar, was
full of praises for his daughter and
her band members.
IKEBANA – THE ART
WITH FLOWERS
Flowers are the easiest way to
add beauty to any space.
Arrangement of cut flowers in a
beautiful manner is definitely an art
that has been established by the
Japanese and is called ikebana. To
popularise this art there is the
Ikebana International , which is a
worldwide organisation founded in
Tokyo, Japan, in 1956. With a motto
of “Friendship through flowers” this
non-profit cultural organisation now
boasts of over 10,000 members in
more than 50 countries. Its members
are dedicated to the promotion of
mutual understating and friendship
through ikebana, the art of Japanese
flower arrangement. Traditional
ikebana , an ancient Japanese art
form of flower arrange ment, is
extremely formalised, following rigid
rules. How ever, modern ikebana ,
which began about a hundred years
ago, allows more spontaneity. A
skilled ikebana arranger can create
compositions of utmost simplicity
through the use of flowers along with
branches, leaves and dried
materials. The emphasis is on
creating beautiful, symmetrical lines
and harmony of colour, combining
them with a container appropriate to
Ikebana - the art with flowers
102
the material used and the style of the
arrangement. An ikebana arrange -
ment strives to perfect the balance
between the various materials used
to give a pleasurable view from all
angles.
The Delhi chapter was formed in
1965. Its members have participated
in various national and international
conferences and exhibitions. It also
organises an annual exhibition, which
has become a major event in Delhi’s
cultural calendar. Its annual show in
Delhi allowed a larger number of
people to enjoy the arrangements.
With a theme of Spring is in the Air,
the exhibition featured the use of a
large variety of flowers and blossoms
which are available at this time of the
year.
The two-day exhibition allowed
many people to admire it and the
President-Ikebana International,
Delhi Chapter, Neera Makhija, and
the exhibition chairperson Asha
Wadhwa, were very happy with the
entries and the response they got
from admiring women, men and even
children.
GALA BALL
DANCE EVENT
Dance is some thing that might
take years to practise if you follow
the traditional and classical form but
the formal dance of waltz and
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
ballroom dancing is something we
have all admired in English films.
However, to enjoy it in India is a
dream come true. Austria and India
are celebrating 60 years of diplomatic
relations in 2009 and as part of that
an event held in Delhi and Mumbai
won many a sight of pleasure.
On this special occasion the
Austrian Embassy together with the
Austrian Cultural Forum, New Delhi
invited the Vienna Chamber
Orchestra (35 musicians) with the
conductor Joji Hattori for a concert
tour through India performing in
Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai, Chennai,
Shillong, Bangalore, Mysore, Goa
and Pune. In addition to the concerts,
Viennese balls were held in Delhi and
Mumbai featuring the Vienna
Chamber Orchestra.
In Mumbai they went ahead with a
special package including overnight
and airport transfer arranged with the
Grand Hyatt, Mumbai, though in
Delhi it was simply at the Hyatt.
People could get a pass for a
donation of INR 3,500 per person.
The charity ball was organised for the
benefit of the Austrian project "ZuKi"
(Future for Children) project for street
children in Kolkata, so it was all for a
good cause as well.
In order to prepare for the
Viennese ball and enjoy the ballroom
dancing with the Vienna Chamber
Orchestra and a dance orchestra
from Austria, a workshop was
arranged which offered free dance
lessons by the Austrian dance
instructors Heinz and Karin
Grossmann from Vienna for those
who were interested. There was the
option of a refresher course for
dancing for guests who had prior
knowledge of dancing as well as
beginner courses.
Traditionally the Viennese ball
should be opened by debutants,
though in reality this formality had
to be done away with in India. Yet,
it’s a charming event, unusual for us
in India but an annual event in a
world where it was a place for the
young to meet and arrange
courtship followed by marriage for a
lucky few.
– Sona Sharma.
 FACELIFT AND
Dr. Vijay Kakkar
M.S, M.ch, F.I.C.S
NECK-LIFT
How does the face age?
As we age, our skin loses its
elasticity and gives in to gravity. This
causes sagging of the neck and jaw
line as well as loose folds of skin
around the mouth. Some people may
also develop fatty collections under
the chin, and others get thick cords
under the skin of the neck. Today,
men and women in their 50s and 60s
are healthier, more active, and more
productive than ever before.
What can a facelift achieve?
A facelift can reverse many
features of the ageing face and neck.
The most dramatic improvement is
seen in the jawline and the neck. A
facelift may be combined with other
procedures to help maintain facial
balance and harmony.
Before After
Before After
After adequate tightening of the
deeper layers, the skin is redraped
and excess skin is carefully trimmed
and meticulously sutured along the
incision lines. This results in
improvement of the laxity of the
jawline and contour of the neck.
Where exactly are the facelift
incisions made and how visible
are they?
Facelift incisions are carefully
placed within the natural creases in
front, within, and behind the ear. After
adequate tightening of the deeper
structures, excess skin is removed
from both sides and the incisions are
carefully repaired. The finest sutures
is used for closure of incisions, which
in most individuals will usually fade
to a barely visible thin line.
Before After
What is the best age to have a
facelift?
One of the biggest questions our
patients ask is about timing of this
procedure. Some worry that if they
have the procedure too soon they
may want to repeat it again later in
life, while others worry that if they
wait too long they may be beyond
help. Most of our patients coming in
for face and neck-lift procedures are
in their late 40s to late 50s. They
have started to show early sagging
of the face and neck and are trying to
be proactive about maintaining their
youthful appearance. Typically, face
and neck-lift procedures can set back
the clock by about 8-10 years.
Although aging will continue, you will
always look better for your age than if
you had not had the surgery. Face
and neck-lift procedures can be
safely repeated in 8-10 year intervals.
What is a deep-plane facelift?
It is ideal for most individuals in
their late 40s or older who wish to
have a long-lasting improvement of
their ageing face and neck. The
procedure involves a thorough
tightening of the sagging muscles of
the lower face and neck, and can be
custom tailored to the specific needs
of each person. The recovery time for
a deep-plane facelift is the same as a
mini-lift or S-lift, and bruising is often
less, since the work is being
performed at a deeper level. This
type of facelift may also be combined
with other facial procedures such as
blepharoplasty, brow lift, or laser
resurfacing.
What is a mini-lift or s-lift?
An S-lift or mini-lift is a technique
of lifting the face with limited incisions
and minimal skin removal. Patients
with relatively minimal laxity (typically
early to mid 40s) may be good
candidates for this procedure.
However, because of the limited
incisions and more conservative
tightening and skin removal, this
technique is not as effective as a
deep-plane facelift for rejuvenation of
more advanced sagging of the lower
face, jaws, and neck. Most
individuals in their 50s and 60s with
more advanced laxity are therefore
not good candidates for this
procedure as they will not receive the
lasting benefits of a facelift. Because
of its relative technical ease and
minimally invasive nature, the S-lift
or mini-lift is popular among many
non-surgeons who perform plastic
surgery.
What is a ‘weekend lift’?
This procedure allows the sagging
neck tissues to be tightened through
a very small incision under the chin.
Excess fat can be removed and
neckbands can be improved.
Because no skin is removed, there is
no need for incisions around the
ears.
Dr. Vijay Kakkar
M.B.B.S, M.S, M.ch, F.I.C.S
Is a Senior Consultant plastic and
cosmetic surgery with
Max hospital and Mata Chanan Devi
hospital, New delhi.
Email: kakarclinic@hotmail.com
Mobile:0-9811079483
WHEN A
JOURNEY
BECOMES
UNCOMFORTABLE!
Scared to travel otion sickness is a
M
nightmare for travellers
because of motion who are susceptible to it. It
can occur when the
sickness? Follow sensory inputs about body
position contradict what is
these tips. expected. Motion sickness
can be provoked by abrupt
By Dr Kiran Bala changes in movement
such as occur during
bumpy rides, turbulent flights and
rough seas. It can also occur when
one is exposed to moving visual
scenes while the body is in a
relatively fixed state.
According to experts, almost
everyone will get motion sickness if
the conditions are extreme enough.
But generally about one-third of the
population is highly susceptible to
motion sickness, a third experiences
it in fairly rough conditions and the
other third becomes sick only in
104 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
extreme conditions.
Some groups seem particularly
susceptible to motion sickness
including children aged three-12
years, people who experience
migraine, and women particularly
during menstruation and pregnancy.
A large study (535 subjects) done in
India, found the prevalence of motion
sickness was about 27 per cent.
The first documented evidence of
motion sickness is in ancient Greek
literature from the early days of
seafaring history. And it is interesting
to note that the English word nausea
comes from the Greek word for ship
(naus), which is also the origin of the
word “nautical”.
Features: All of us have probably
had some form of motion sickness at
one time or the other. It is an acute
condition of medical distress that
results in skin pallor, restlessness
and cold sweat. It often starts as
stomach discomfort. In later stages,
nausea, excessive salivation and
vomiting occur. The degree of
symptoms depends upon the
susceptibility of the person and
intensity of stimuli.
AETIOLOGY
The precise aetiology is a mystery
but there are some theories:
● Classic sensory conflicts:
Motion sickness occurs when there
is a mismatch of messages delivered
by vestibular receptors, eyes and
proprioreceptors in the skin muscles
and other tissues. Sensory signals
conflict with each other and the
brain’s positional memory.
As an example, if you are
travelling in a car and reading a book,
your inner ear and skin receptors will
detect that you are moving forward.
However, your eyes are looking at a
book that isn’t moving and your
muscle receptors are telling your
brain that you are sitting still. So the
brain gets a little confused. Things
may begin to appear a little
scrambled inside your head – and
you get motion sickness.
● Postural instability theory: In
experiments, it was found that motion
sickness was usually preceded by a
statistically significant increase in
several indices of postural sway. In
these cases, motion sickness
symptoms were not linked to sensory
conflict, but rather to a decreased
ability to actively control body’s
postural motion.
HOW TO HELP
While medication may be an
acceptable treatment for travellers
who experience motion sickness
occasionally, the goal for individuals
who experience motion sickness on a
regular basis or whose work is
affected by their symptoms is to learn
to control and eventually prevent
these symptoms.
How to prevent motion sickness
● Watch your consumption of
106
food, drink and alcohol before and
during travel. Eat a light meal no less
than three hours before exposure.
Avoid excessive alcohol, smoking
and disagreeable odours. Avoid dairy
products and foods high in protein
calories and sodium before starting
the journey.
● Stay occupied to distract your
mind from thinking about motion
sickness.
● Avoid visual stimuli (reading,
watching videos) as they make you
more prone to motion sickness.
● Choose a seat where you will
experience the least motion. Do not
sit facing backwards from your
direction of travel. When travelling by
car, it helps if you keep your gaze
fixed on the horizon or look at a
distant point.
● Reduce anxiety and fear. Some
individuals are naturally prone to
motion sickness but fear or anxiety
can promote symptoms.
● Isolate yourself from others
who may be suffering from motion
sickness. Hearing about motion
sickness or seeing others becoming
ill can sometimes make you feel ill
yourself.
● Limit head movements (for
example pressing your head into the
headrest).
● Increase ventilation
exposure to cool, fresh air.
CAUTION ABOUT
MEDICATIONS
Medications should be taken after
consulting your physician:
Medications for motion sickness may
cause drowsiness and impair
judgement and therefore should be
avoided by pilots, astronauts, ship
crew-members and any person in the
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
occupation where he or she uses
machinery. In such cases,
biofeedback training and relaxation
and cognitive behaviour therapy can
be useful.
Biofeedback training and
relaxation: In a study of 55 pilots who
had to stop flying due to symptoms of
motion sickness 76 per cent of them
successfully overcame their motion
sickness and returned to work after
participating in a biofeedback training
and relaxation programme. Pilots
were exposed to a stimulus that
caused motion sickness (sitting in a
tilting rotating chair). While sitting in
the chair the pilot performed various
relaxation techniques such as deep
muscles relaxation and mental
imagery.
After some time when the pilots
were habituated to the rotating chair,
they no longer felt sick because they
learnt to relax in it.
Cognitive behaviour therapy: The
or goal of this therapy is to alleviate the
anxiety that some people experience
simply thinking about motion
sickness. In a study of 50 pilots who
occasionally experienced motion
sickness, 86 per cent of them
successfully overcame their
symptoms after cognitive behaviour
therapy.
Breathing technique: Taking slow,
deep breaths can reduce symptoms.
Have a safe and happy travel! We
 MESA VERDE:
EXPERIENCE A UNIQUE
CULTURAL
LANDSCAPE
hile checking for the when it was warm in the daytime and
These ruins of

W
history of the American cool in the evening.
Indians, I came across
the ancient the word ansazi and
saw some spectacular CLIFF DWELLINGS
dwellings of pictures of a Stone Age We drove from Colorado to the
civilisation that existed Mesa Verde National Park. The
American between 650 AD and entrance to the park is nine miles
1300 AD. My knowledge east of Cortez on the US Highway
Indians give one of Spanish was enough 160. On day one, we decided to visit
to tell me that Mesa Verde meant the two most important ruins, Balcony
a fascinating “green table.” House and Cliff Palace. After
The Mesa Verde National Park is breakfast, we started to climb the
glimpse of a one of the oldest national parks in the mountains after first going to the
world and celebrated 100 years as a visitors’ centre where we bought
unique culture. National Park in June 2006. tickets costing $3 per person. The
It is the first site to be included as tour started at 11 am and our guide
By Partha De Sarkar a Cultural Heritage Site National Park was ranger Pete Morrison.
in the UNESCO list of 1976. The The culture represented at Mesa
Mesa Verde National Park consists Verde reflects more than 700 years
of mountain valleys and at times of history. From approximately 600
viewpoints reach the height of 8,500 AD through 1300 AD people lived
ft. We were in Mesa Verde in May and flourished in communities

108 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

throughout the area, eventually
building elaborate stone villages in
the sheltered alcoves of the canyon
walls. Today, most people call these
sheltered villages “cliff dwellings.”
The cliff dwellings represent the last
75 to 100 years of occupation at
Mesa Verde. In the late 1200s within
the span of one or two generations,
the people left their homes and
moved away due to drought.
Balcony House is built under a
rock at an altitude of 600 feet above
the canyon floor. It consists of about
35 to 40 rooms where people lived
around 1200 AD. As with most cliff
dwellings in Mesa Verde it was only
inhabited for about 75 to 100 years.
Balcony House’s stones, cement
and plaster are still the original ones.
This holds true for all cliff dwellings.
The most important places in an
Anasazi community is the Balcony
House or the so-called kivas. In the
language of the Hopi Indians, kivas.
means ceremonial room.”
A kiva is a circular room within the
ground with a roof made of wood and
clay. In the middle of the roof there is
a hole that serves as a chimney. This
hole also holds a ladder to enter and
leave the kiva.
The kivas were used by the
Indians for all kinds of ceremonials
and social meetings and also as a
sleeping place. They also prayed
there for rain, good crops, successful
hunts and early healing when
someone fell ill in the community.
The water supply in Balcony
House is via a seep-through spring,
that is caused by rain and the
water seeps through the soft
sandstone. The exit from Balcony
House was as spectacular as the
one to enter it. After the tunnels
we had to climb a number of
ladders again to resurface.
THE CLIFF
PALACE
Before we left for the
Cliff Palace, Pete again
explained that the
archaeological sites
found in Mesa Verde
were some of the most
notable and best preserved in the
USA. To reach Cliff Palace, we first
had to descend via a number of
ladders.
We could see that the Cliff Palace
was larger than the Balcony House. It
has 217 rooms and 23 kivas. There
was however no running water as in
Balcony House. Inhabitants had to
climb down to the river to fetch water.
Leaving Cliff Palace was also via a
number of wooden ladders and
narrow stone steps.
From Cliff Palace we went to the
Spruce Tree Terrace where we had
our lunch. Then we descended to
Spruce Tree House, another cliff
dwelling. This was built between
1200 AD and 1276 AD and it has 114
rooms and eight kivas. A number of
them have roofs and one is open for
the tourists. We went back the same
way we came and we drove to the
Far View Ruins. These were the
houses of the Indians before they
started to build the cliff dwellings.
At the museum near the park
headquarters, we learnt that in its hey
day, Mesa Verde supported over
50,000 inhabitants. By way of
comparison, at the same time in
Europe, London and Paris only had
about 30,000 inhabitants each.
On day two, we went through the
rest of the ruins that we saw while at
Mesa Verde. The Badger House
Community Ruins hike was very
pleasant as it went through the
woods. Pueblo Indian ruins here are
old and really weather-beaten.
Then we travelled to the top
of the mesa where we reached
Cedar Tree Tower, one of the
several towers discovered at
Mesa Verde.
Adjacent to the Cedar
Tree Tower area was the
trailhead for the Farming Terrace
Trail. Along the trail we saw a good
example of an ancestral Puebloan
farming terrace. On taking this walk
we learnt more about how farming
was accomplished 800 years ago.
Our next destination was the Sun
Temple. According to modern Pueblo
Indians, the Sun Temple’s features
classify it as a ceremonial structure.
The symmetrically planned D-shaped
building was never completed, yet its
size alone points to the amount of
labour that went into its construction.
The stones were shaped and given
a dimpled, flat surface by the builders
of the structure.
Although never completed, the
Sun Temple reflects a great
construction effort by the people who
once lived at Mesa Verde.
The Mesa Verde National Park
gave us a really fascinating look into
the lives of the ancestral Pueblo
people. Twenty-four native American
tribes in the south-west have an
ancestral affiliation with the sites at
Mesa Verde.
For more information regarding
facilities and centennial, visitors can
write to:
Mesa Verde National Park
PO Box 8
Mesa Verde National Park, CO
81330-0008
Email: Mesa Verde National Park
Getting to Mesa Verde National
Park: The closest international airport
is Denver, Colorado, and there are
smaller airports in Cortez, Durango,
Pueblo and Colorado Springs. One
has to travel to Mesa Verde National
Park by car from these airports.
Several roadway networks connect
the National Park with the rest of the
USA.
Places to stay: At the closest town
of Cortez the Sand
Canyon Inn
At Durango, the
Spanish Trail Motel
At Dolores the
Laughing Coyote Lodge
At Mancos the
Enchanted Mesa Motel
There is a camping
ground inside the
park. We
 QUIZ
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Q1 I am very needy.
a. Most of the time.
b. Hardly ever.
c. Some of the time.

Q
2
I fall in love almost overnight.
a. Most of the time.
b. Some of the time.
c. Hardly ever.

Q
3
When I fall in love, I obsess. I can’t
help myself.
a. Some of the time.
b. Most of the time.
c. Hardly ever.

?
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ARE YOU A
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Q
4
When I am looking for a relationship,
I will get involved with almost anyone
who shows interest in me.
Q
8
I either trust the wrong person,
or I can’t trust at all.
a. Hardly ever
a. Hardly ever b. Most of the time.
b. Most of the time. c. Some of the time.
c. Some of the time.

Q5 I tend to smother my partners.

a. Some of the time.
b. Most of the time.
Q9 When a relationship ends, I feel
as if my life is over.
a. Some of the time.
b. Most of the time.
c. Hardly ever. c. Hardly ever.

Q6 I will hold onto a relationship no

matter how unhealthy it is or what
the cost.
Q
10
When a relationship ends, I want
to kill myself.
a. Hardly ever.
b. Some of the time.
a. Most of the time.
c. Most of the time.
b. Some of the time.
c. Hardly ever.

Q7 I always fall in love with the

wrong people.
Q
11
I take on more than my share of
responsibility for the survival of a
relationship.
a. Hardly ever. a. Hardly ever.
b. Some of the time. b. Some of the time.
c. Most of the time. c. Most of the time.

Prove that you are aware of this trivia.

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 Kuttan’s Parents
When 10-year-old Kuttan unexpectedly learns he is
an adopted child, he undergoes a near-traumatic experience.
By Betty Paul Thottam
K
uttan’s world lay shattered. In his 10 years
on this earth, his life had been normal in
every way, or so he thought. There were the
usual tiffs with friends, trouble with his
parents over small misdemeanours and very,
very rarely an upset with his little sister
Ammini.
Now that was all over. By overhearing a
conversation, his secure world had tumbled. He had
returned home early from school with a slight fever.
He heard voices in his father’s office and nearly
entered, when he heard a strange voice say, “Well,
after all, Kuttan is my son.” He stopped short and
instinctively hid behind the door.
He listened with bated breath, praying that his
daddy would deny the statement. With a sick
feeling, he heard his father say, “Yes, but...” Not
able to bear any more he slipped away to his room.
There, he sat unhappily on the
window sill and looked out onto
the road, his mind in a whirl. He
did not know what to think. As
he sat looking out, he saw the
stranger open the gate and
walk out of the
compound.
Kuttan saw with a feeling of familiarity, the face
of the stranger. It suddenly struck him that the man
looked familiar because he resembled Kuttan
himself. So it was true, what he had overheard!
Without a coherent thought, Kuttan ran out of his
room, out of the house and followed the man. He
thought he heard his mother’s voice calling out to
him but he paid no heed.
When he caught up with the stranger, he
slackened his pace. So they proceeded for some
time, the stranger in front and Kuttan following him,
until they reached a poor locality.
The stranger suddenly whirled around and
grabbed Kuttan by the arm. “Did they send you to
spy on me?” he demanded roughly. Kuttan tried to
pull away but the vice-like grip was too strong.
“No, I did on my own,” he replied.
Seeing Kuttan’s expression of candour, the
stranger decided to change his tactics. In a soft
voice be asked, “Do you know who I am? Why did
you follow me?”
Kuttan was taken aback by the change of tone, “I
overheard you say that you are my father and
daddy agreed with you. So I just came.”
The stranger patted Kuttan on the head, “Yes,
Kuttan, I am your father. I am a poor man, your
daddy’s cousin. I had borrowed money from him
and could not return it. He threatened me and
demanded that I give you up or return his money.
You were only a month old when I gave you up.
Your mother and I long to see you, but they don’t let
us. If you come with me, you can see your amma”.
The stranger continued in a serious tone, “I have
nothing against your daddy and mummy. However,
call us appen and amma, for we are your real
parents and we prefer the native ways of speech. Let
us leave westernisation to the rich.”
Changing the topic, the stranger said that his
name was Verghese and described his job and
spoke charmingly and humorously of the rigours of
The revelation to Kuttan that he was the adopted
son, magnified the conviction of his ill-treatment by his foster parents.
poverty. Kuttan was completely mesmerised. He
thought Verghese to be the most marvellous person
he had ever known.
Verghese then brought the topic around to
Kuttan’s life with his daddy and mummy. He hinted
that they must be more loving to Ammini, since
Kuttan was only an adopted son.
Verghese also hinted that Kuttan’s foster parents
had not told him that he was an adopted child for
some dark and evil reason. Subtly, he poisoned the
child’s mind against his foster parents, painting
himself at the same time in heroic hues.
I
nfluenced by this talk, Kuttan now viewed his
foster father’s sterness and strict demands to
discipline in a new light. Yes, it was due to lack
of love, he decided.
To Kuttan’s mind, all the little incidents that occur
in every family, where one child feels another is
more loved, became magnified. He was convinced
that he had been treated badly.
Kuttan felt he would be happy to follow Verghese
to the end of the world. Impulsively, he put out his
hand, with a smile. Verghese held on to Kuttan’s
hand. So, hand in hand, they walked till they came
to a little house.
Though small, the house was clean and neat.
Verghese knocked on the door. A thin, short woman
with a harassed expression on her face, opened the
door. Without noticing Kuttan she started a tirade,
“Why are you so late? Did that good-for-nothing
cousin of yours give you any money?”
Kuttan was shaken by the woman’s tone and
expression on her face. Could this be his own
mother? He thought of his mummy, her sweet face
and charming voice. She too can get terribly angry
– but what a difference between the two!.
Verghese made a warning sign to his wife and
then said in a joyful tone, “See, I have brought you
something more precious than money! This is Kuttan,
our own dear son. Kuttan, this is your amma.”
The woman struggled to put up a pleasant front
and pretended to be happy to see Kuttan. Her
performance was not very convincing, so Verghese
Woman’s Era
hastily took Kuttan
around the house, all
along keeping up a
SHORT
STORY
string of cheerful talk.
When dinner was ready the woman
called Verghese and Kuttan. She served them
and did not have much to say to Kuttan.
After dinner, Verghese told Kuttan that he
must be tired and should rest. “We can
discuss serious matters in the morning. Go to
sleep now. You are safe with us. Are we not
your real parents?” So saying, he showed
Kuttan the room he was to sleep in.
K
uttan’s foster parents were in misery in
the meanwhile. His stern but loving
daddy was pacing the floor. His mummy was
weeping and had Ammini in her lap. The little girl
had cried herself to sleep. None of them were in a
mood to eat and the dinner was hardly touched. The
police was informed and they were hopefully
waiting for the phone to ring.
Kuttan for his part lay on the mattress laid out for
him on the floor. Though exhausted by the events of
the day, he was too excited to relax and fall asleep.
He found he was desperately homesick and missed
his daddy, mummy and Ammini.
His wounded heart kept crying silently, “Why
didn’t you tell me I was adopted? How can I ever
trust you again? Mummy, daddy, why did you do
this to me?”
He heard the door to his room creak, someone
was coming in. He lay quietly and appeared to be
fast asleep. “Kuttan,” Verghese called in a soft
voice. Getting no reply, he whispered, “He is
asleep.” His wife then said in an angry voice, “All
right, I have been patient long enough. Now tell me
why you have brought this brat here – don’t we have
enough troubles without an extra mouth to feed?
What is all this talk of ‘our own dear son’? Since
when were your paternal instincts roused? After all,
we had him for the sole purpose of selling him to
your rich cousin who is incapable of producing a
child.”
● April (First) 2009 117
 At this point, Verghese interrupted her and said, tried to run faster. He turned a corner and ran smack
“Keep your voice down or he may wake up. Do you into a policeman.
think I am a fool? By now you should know that I The policeman held on to him and demanded,
don’t do things without good reason. By pretending “Where are you running to so fast, you rascal?”
to be a loving father, I have gained Kuttan’s Then, noticing that it was not a street urchin as he
confidence. I shall use him as a lever to extract first thought, he asked, “What are you doing in an
money from my cousin. I shall go in a little while and area like this and that too at 10 o’clock at night?
tell them that Kuttan is with us and does not want to Where do you live?”
go back. Then I shall say that for a monetary Before Kuttan could answer Verghese came on
consideration, I am willing to persuade him to go the scene. When he saw the policeman, he tried to
back. The fools will pay up, their love for this brat is turn back. The policeman called out, “Hey, you,
genuine.” come here. Do you know this boy? Are you trying to
Kuttan was struck dumb when he heard this. harass him in anyway?”
‘What a fool I have been!’ he thought. Verghese glanced at Kuttan. Seeing that the boy
The woman said, “I must say this is a very clever did not intend saying anything, he said, “I don’t
plan of yours. I hope it works. Do you think Kuttan know him. I caught him peeping through the window
will do what you say?” of my house and chased him. I think he is a little
“I am sure Kuttan will fall in with us – he seems to thief.”
have inherited our wonderful nature,” The policeman found this hard to believe
Verghese said and laughed. Kuttan’s very and told Kuttan, “Don’t be frightened. If he
soul revolted. was bullying you, tell me.” Kuttan shook his

K
uttan’s very soul revolted. He felt head.
He felt ashamed
ashamed of his foolish behaviour. “You may go,” said the policeman to
He did not want to be a pawn in this of his foolish Verghese. Turning to Kuttan, he said,
dirty game. He decided to run away and behaviour. He “Come with me. At the station, we can talk
somehow earn a living and stay alone, for did not want to and I will take you home once you tell me
how could he go back to his daddy, be a pawn in your address.”
mummy and Ammini? They too would this dirty game. When they reached the police station,
judge him as bad and ungrateful. He decided to the inspector in charge was happy to see
Kuttan got up and silently walked to the run away and the policeman with Kuttan, “Ah! you have
door, he opened it a little and peeped out. somehow earn a found him very quickly I must say.”
No one was around, he took to his heels living. Seeing the policeman’s puzzled look,
and was out of the house in a second. the inspector continued, “Don’t you know
On hearing the sound of that there is an all-out alert for this boy?
the front door open, The complaint that he is missing and a full
Verghese and his wife rushed out. description came in four hours ago. The parents
“Stop, Kuttan,” they shouted. He have also made radio announcements offering
paid no heed and ran with all his rewards for news of his whereabouts. I will phone
might. up your parents now. Don’t worry, boy, they will be
Verghese was furious. “Get here in 10 minutes.” With that, the inspector rang
me my shirt,” he told his wife. up and, within 10 minutes, Kuttan’s daddy and
“That brat will help me in my mummy arrived.
plan whether he likes it or

T
not. I will bring him back here was a tearful reunion. Kuttan tried to
and lock him up in the explain matters and asked forgiveness but his
room for tonight.” fosterparents were too relieved and happy to
Struggling quickly into listen. “We will talk things over at home,” they said.
his shirt, Verghese gave After thanking the policeman and the inspector
chase. Kuttan seemed to and duly rewarding them, they left with Kuttan.
have wings on his feet as On reaching home, they asked Kuttan what had
he ran. His heart was happened. He explained and ended, “If you had
pounding. Verghese told me I was an adopted child it would have been
was catching up with
him. Sobbing he The realisation to Kuttan that he was merely a
pawn in the hands of his greedy real parents,
made him ashamed of his foolish behaviour by
leaving the sweet home in a huff.
so much better than knowing it this way. I wife were the natural parents.
have behaved badly, I know, but I was There was a “Daddy, mummy, what can I say? How
shocked at the revelation.” tearful reunion. can I ever be worthy of your love?”
“Kuttan,” his daddy said, “We are also Kuttan tried to “Son, we want you to do one thing for
to blame. We wanted to tell you but explain matters us,” said his daddy.
decided to do so when you are 10 years and asked “Whatever you ask, I will do willingly.”
old. A month before your birthday, you forgiveness but “Tell Ammini the whole truth. Coming
came from school and told us about a his fosterparents from you, it will be easier for her. Let her
friend of yours whose aunty and uncle had were too relieved not run the risk of ever coming to know the
adopted him. You said, ‘Poor chap, how and happy to truth as you did. Will you do this for us?”
sad to be an adopted child. I am so glad listen. “We will “Yes.”
you both are my real parents.’ After talk things over “Well, son, now you better go to bed.
hearing that, we decided not to tell you You must be very tired. You sleep in
at home,”
anything till you are an adult. Now, I feel Ammini’s room tonight. She has cried
they said.
that we should have told you. Then the hurt herself to sleep and may wake up in the
would have been much less to what you middle of the night. If she sees you next to
have undergone. Now, coming to the part of loving her, she will be happy.”
Ammini more, I want you to read your adoption “Good night, daddy, good night, mummy.”
papers and see for yourself what trouble we went “Good night, son.”
through to get you.” Kuttan went to sleep next to Ammini. She woke up
Kuttan found that his daddy had paid and, on seeing Kuttan, exclaimed, “You are back!”
Rs 20,000 as compensation for taking Kuttan from “Yes, now sleep, Ammini.”
his father. Kuttan was then shown another paper and As he fell asleep, Kuttan decided that he must tell
was stunned to read that Ammini too was Ammini how lucky they are to be adopted by their
adopted on the same terms and Verghese and his mummy and daddy. We
CRUISING
IN
he stark beauty of this icy
The largest and coldest state in the

T
wilderness as viewed from
the deck of the Golden
US offers breathtaking vistas of beauty. Princess was a gift I would
treasure for the rest of my
And a cruise can be unforgettable. life. Alaska, the name
conjured up freezing cold, a
By Amrinder Bajaj
snow-submerged landscape
and little else. The weather
was surprisingly mild, for it
was summer and the peak tourist
season; the ice had melted in most
parts and covered distant mountains
in a most enchanting manner. Our
ship, the Golden Princess, was a
floating palace that glided smoothly
over blue waters, leaving a frothy trail
behind. I had never been on a cruise
before and such opulence took my
breath away. Maybe, this was the
best but I had no precedent to
compare it with. It had 17 floors. Up
to deck 4 was reserved for a staff of
1200 people while the 2,800 high end
tourists, chiefly Americans, occupied
the state-rooms with private
balconies from decks 5 to 12. Our
rooms were comfortable though the

120 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

 THERE WAS AN ART
GALLERY THAT HELD
AN AUCTION
WHERE BEAUTIFUL
PAINTINGS WERE
SOLD AT
EXORBITANT PRICES.
cubby hole of a bathroom was
disappointing.
Of course, there was no deck 13
and the 13th floor which was
superstitiously called deck 14 was
the dining area that served an
abundance of food of all varieties
round the clock. Salmon was aplenty
in early August as they were making
their journey back from the sea to
spawn at their birthplace and we
feasted on salmon cooked in many
ways. There were cuisines catering
to all tastes and cultures, mounds of
exotic fruits and an array of desserts
and drinks. In fact, some of the rich,
fat wheelchair-ridden tourists came
on cruises just for the food and fresh
air.
AN EXCELLENT VIEW
The topmost deck gave an
excellent view of receding ports,
passing ships, hazy hills,
approaching land and most of the
time a deep blue sea without
horizons that threw up an occasional
surprise in the form of whales and
dolphins! There were four heated
swimming pools, two of which were
indoors and a pair of Jacuzzis beside
each pool. At the theatre were
comedy and magic
shows, musicals and
movies. A discotheque, a
bar and a casino was
available for those so
inclined to indulge. The
duty-free shops were a
shopper’s delight
especially, the grand sale
on the last day. The
shops closed each time
we docked for they could
not remain duty- free at
ports.
There was an art
gallery that held an auction where one could walk around the ship
beautiful paintings were sold at taking in the fresh air and the endless
exorbitant prices. There were sea in its various moods. It was a
playrooms for children who were kept deep rich blue in the daytime, a
busy with fun-filled activities so that shimmering sheet of silver at sunset
their parents could pursue their own and had an inky darkness about it at
pleasures. The library was well night. The engines of the ship
stocked and the most peaceful of all churned the sea to a boil at the rear.
pursuits was to recline on a deck The vessel was indeed a moving city
chair facing the sea with an bustling with activity.
engrossing book. The first day was spent in
Besides the main dining area acquainting ourselves with our
,there were restaurants on various surroundings, swimming, unwinding
decks that catered to delicate tastes in the Jacuzzi, feasting on the rich
where we sampled fresh mountain repast and laughing our guts out at
snails, calamari, caviar, foie gras , the comedy show in the theatre.
squids and mussels. The 7th floor Being a vomity sort of a person I
was called the promenade deck and expected to be sea sick but the
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 121
 THE PARLIAMENT
HOUSE BY THE INNER
HARBOUR WAS A
SPLENDID PIECE OF
ARCHITECTURE WITH
BRIGHT HUED TOTEM
POLES AND
MANICURED
GARDENS.
motion of the ship was barely
perceptible and I could enjoy its
pleasures to the fullest.
THE FIRST TOWN
Juneau was the first Alaskan city
we docked at. We took a coach uphill
through temperate rain forests that
had neither snakes nor poisonous
plants, past an abandoned gold mine
where tourist still panned for gold to a
mountain top where an unusual site
greeted our eyes. One hundred and
twenty Alaskan huskies chained to
blue kennels were barking their
heads off!
There was a smell of wet dog in
the air for we were told that it rains
361 days in the year and we were
lucky enough to visit the city on one
of the four dry days! The dogs
appeared smaller and mangier than
their Siberian counterparts – beautiful
furry creatures with blue eyes.
ABOARD A SLEDGE
Soon we were aboard a sledge to
which were harnessed 14 dogs and
the musher took us downhill at break
neck speed! The experience was
exhilarating to say the least. Later
sauntering down Franklin streets we
entered a jeweller’s shop and bought
the famed Alaskan blue diamond.
Our ship set sail from Juneau at 9.30
pm even as we dined at the
Donatanello Restaurant on French
onion soup which I did not quite fancy
though the duck I ordered as the
main course was excellent as was
the orange souffle with honeydew I
had for dessert.
It seemed as if I had barely closed
my eyes when it was another day in
yet another Alaskan city, Scagway.
A narrow-gauge toy train took us up
the mountain along the path the
stampeders took for the gold rush.
We passed a cantilever ridge rated
in the category of the Eiffel Tower
and the Statue of Liberty and saw
Dead Horse Pass where hundred of
overburdened, underfed horses fell
to their deaths in a snow blanketed
winter. The stench of dead flesh was
so strong that it could be smelt at
Scagway 17 miles away! Summit
Lake was a freezing body of water
into which every new train recruit was
made to take a dip as a sort of
initiation ceremony!
The next morning we were up and
about at dawn for the most
picturesque of all visual treats on this
trip. There would be no docking today
but we were to experience something
infinitely beautiful. We were entering
Tracy’s Arm an arm shaped fjord
lined by forest-clad, snow-capped
mountains that harboured bears and
other animals. Waterfalls plunged
into the deep blue sea bespattered
with cobalt blue icebergs that lay
strewn about its bosom like the
fragments of a broken heart.
On one iceberg, like a couple
reclining on a sofa, a pair of seals
sailed past! Seals were aplenty in
May when it was their breeding
season and we were lucky to see
these two at this time of the year. In
this uninhabited, untampered
wilderness we breathed in the purest
air on earth. Thousands of miles of
untouched paradise stretched before
our eyes. These blue seas flecked
with icebergs, lined with granite rock
face, and mountains with hanging
gardens that were home to osprey,
bald eagles and bears. These in turn
feasted on salmon rich waters. Of the
8000 eggs laid by a salmon only two
make it to the sea! Their life’s job
done, they give themselves up to
death and decay so that other
animals could feed on them and
nurture their own young.
A FROZEN RIVER
Then came the piece de
resistance - a river frozen in mid-
cascade – the beautiful blue Sawyer
Glacier tinged pink by the rising sun.
Unmindful of the freezing cold we
stood on the open topmost deck and
gaped with wide-eyed wonder at
such unsurpassed beauty. It was a
tidal glacier 26 miles long, one mile
wide and 300 feet deep of a delicate
blue hue. On the mountains on either
side were hanging glaciers so called
because they do not reach the sea;
instead, they give birth to waterfalls.
To our amazement we saw a ship
emerge from between the mountains
where the stretch of water was so
narrow that it was barely discernible.
To our disappointment, we could not
go as near the glacier as the other
ship because of the sheer bulk of our
luxury vessel.

Our next stop was Ketchiken
where we went in a semi-submerged
boat and sat below sea level to watch
the denizens of the sea. Our guide
even had some in a pail and passed
sea urchins, sea cucumbers and
starfish around so that that we could
hold them though the more queasy
amongst us declined. They were all
over the sea bed as were huge white
spotted brownish seaweeds called
Turkish towels. Another sea weed
with a rope like stem that grew from
one to three feet in a day, had long
flowing golden brown leaves
laughter and, last but no least, the
champagne fountain. 741
champagne glasses were arranged
in the form of a pyramid over which
hosts and guest alike poured bottle
after bottle of champagne till the
amber fluid tricked down to fill every
single glass after which they were
served generously to one and all.
Our final stop was at Victoria in
Canada - one of the most beautiful
cities I had seen. It is not without
reason that it has been given various
epithets like ‘The Perfect Eden’, ‘The
City of Gardens’. The Butchart
Gardens, situated 21km from the city
and spread over 55 acres is most
famous of all its gardens.
It has been in bloom for a hundred
years and was the brainchild of
Jennie Butchart. She began by
beautifying a worked- out limestone
quarry that supplied her husband’s
cement plant. The wide variety of
shrubs and flowers got all over the
world and planted in the dug-out pit
gave birth to the famed sunken
gardens. The hobby became a
passion and there followed the
Japanese, Rose and Italian
Gardens.
Their grandson Ross added the
Ross Fountain where a colourful play
of waters rising up to 70 feet provides
a magnificent display. The gardens
can also be approached by
seaplanes and motor boat and we
had the good fortune to watch a
dramatically vivid sunset at the
harbour. Viewed by over a million
visitors each year the garden has
become a National Historic Site of
Canada. The parliament house by
the inner harbour was a splendid
piece of architecture with bright hued
totem poles and manicured gardens
and resplendent with lights at night.
THE LAST DAY OF
CRUISE
On the last day of the cruise we
sat long at the dining table going over
the enriching journey, our hearts
already filled with the mild, sweet
pain of nostalgia.
By tomorrow morning the
wonderful experience aboard the
Golden Princess would be a mere
memory and all that I’d have to show
for it would be a handful of
photographs and mementoes.
Sooner or later, Cinderella had to
return to terra firma and drudgery, but
no one could take away the
splendour of this experience from my
life.
I did indeed feel blessed for being
allowed to live like a queen, witness
such profound beauty, and returned
replenished and recharged to face
the world again. We

that gave birth to the legend
of the mermaid.
T SHIRT THAT
CHANGED COLOUR
We bought a T shirt that
changed colour in the sunlight
though the price was a bit
steep, and boarded the ship
once again. The walk in the
fresh air had whipped up a
ravenous appetite and we
dined on shrimp cocktail,
Caesar’s salad, pheasant and
passion fruit souffle. As it was
the penultimate day of our
cruise, we assembled in the
hall for a bit of fun. There
were songs and dances,
flowing streamers, bubbling
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Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 123


Two of the
most sacred
places for
Buddhists raise
some interesting
questions.
By Zareen Myles
o the Sri Lankan Buddhists
T
nothing is more sacred than
the Tooth Relic in Kandy, or
the Bodhi Tree in Anuradha-
pura. The Tooth Relic is the
left canine tooth of the
Buddha, and had been sent
to Sri Lanka by King
Guhasiva of Kalinga, India,
in the 4th century AD for
safekeeping. Since then Sri Lankan
kings have safeguarded and revered
the Tooth Relic. It had first been sent
to Anuradhapura, the flourishing
capital at that time. Only after the fall
of Anuradhapura did it come to
Kandy, about 500 years ago.
It is said that about 300 years ago,
there was a period of continuous
drought for three years. The relic was
then taken out in a procession, and it
not only rained, but also flooded.
Since that time it has never been
taken out.
We visited the Dalada Temple for
124
SRI LANKA:
DALADA AND
SRI MAHABODHI
TEMPLES
the 6 pm ritual service and got
special permission required to
participate to enter the sanctum
sanctorum for a darshan of the
sacred casket holding the relic.
At the time of the evening service
ritual, 3 drummers and one pipe
player take their place in front of the
door leading to the sanctum
sanctorum, and start playing on their
instruments. This signifies that the
door, hidden by a huge cloth with a
batik painting of the Buddha, is about
to be opened and the rituals ready to
begin.
GATHERING
REVERENTIALLY
People start gathering around,
waiting reverentially, while those who
have taken permission to go inside,
stand in a line at one side. After
some time priests come, remove the
cloth painting and the door made of
pure solid silver is opened.
A little later when signalled, the
devotees who have prior permission,
go in one by one. As we enter the
little door we find ourselves in a tiny
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
Dalada Temple.
room with walls lined with glass
cases where gold ornaments and
other offerings of the devotees are
on display. We then climb a narrow
staircase to the second floor another
tiny room.
Leading from this is another,
smaller room, the threshold of which
is made of pure silver. One must not
step on it, but go over it so our feet
do not touch it. Inside the sanctum
sanctorum is the glittering dome
shaped casket made of pure gold.
Inside this casket are six more
caskets of gold and the tooth relic is
inside the seventh, innermost casket.
This innermost casket is never taken
out.
Two priests stand on both sides
of the casket, in front of which is a
large silver tray filled with fresh
sweet-smelling jasmine flowers,
which are given to the devotees to
offer. There is also another tray in
which devotees put their offerings.
There is no way that anyone can
even touch the casket. The room is
very tiny and the long line of
devotees waiting to come in, makes it
impossible to really look around at
 The sanctum sanctorum.
the rest of the room. We have to
quickly turn and go out.
Outside on the second floor there
are many devotees sitting on the floor
in quiet meditation, while on one
large altar other devotees come and
put offerings of lotus flowers and
incense, and light lamps. In another
small side room with another altar,
are preserved many old manuscripts
(900 to 1000 years old) written on ola
leaves. These manuscripts pertain to
the lives of the Buddha. I was
surprised to learn here that the
Buddha had actually visited Sri Lanka
3 times during his lifetime.
As we go out we admire the
beautifully painted walls of the halls
and passage. Outside it is quiet as
people leave the temple talking
quietly, still filled with reverence.
Our second visit was to the
venerated Sri Mahabodhi Tree or the
sacred Bodhi Tree. This temple is
situated in the ancient sacred city of
Anuradhapura about a hundred and
thirty kilometres from Kandy, and is
regarded as the first of the eight
sacred places in Anuradhapura.
It is said to be the only tree in the
world with the longest written history,
and is 2,300 years old. Written
records show that this sacred Bodhi
Tree is the right branch of the Sri
Mahabodhi Tree in Gaya, under
which the Buddha attained
enlightenment. This sapling was sent
here in the 3rd century by the
Emperor Asoka through his daughter,
the Buddhist nun Sangamitra, at the
request of the king of Sri Lanka.
No vehicles are now allowed
within a kilometre of the temple, so
one has to walk along a beautiful,
126
wide, tree-lined road to reach the Sri
Mahabodhi Tree. There is a small
temple in front of the Bodhi Tree
while there is a huge platform or
chabutra built on three sides of it.
In the 5th century AD when the
Chinese monk Fa-Hsein visited
Anuradhapura, he recorded that the
tree had bent over to the south east,
and fearing it would fall, the king
placed a prop to support it. Over the
ages, successive kings have made
many other props to support the
branches, with additions and
alterations to the site. Today there
are more than 20 such props covered
by brass holding up the branches.
SPECIAL SIGNIFICANCE
As we walked to the tree, we saw
many people, specially women and
children, carrying the usual lotus
flowers, and trays with incense but
also small coconut saplings to offer to
the Bodhi Tree. On enquiry we found
that there is a belief that if pregnant
women or a family member, and
children offer coconut sapling to the
tree the child will be an enlightened
one.
Of special significance is the full
moon night in June when hundreds
and thousands of Buddhists throng
here to pay their respects and offer
thanks to their ancestors who fought
at the risk of their lives to protect this
sacred tree, from both the ravages of
nature and devastation by wild
animals. It is easy to believe this as
when we went there on an ordinary
day, there were still hundreds of
people coming there to pay their
respects.
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
Quiet Meditation.
We join the milling crowds on the
platform around the mighty and
majestic bodhi. It is an awe-inspiring
sight, more so when we realise it is a
2,300-years-old tree. That it is truly
venerated is seen from the fact that
no one is allowed to wear a cap on
the platform. One of the tourists was
wearing his sun cap to shade his
eyes, when a guard came up and
politely asked him to remove it. No
one is allowed to go near the tree or
touch it. There is a brass rail all
around and one can only give the
offerings to the monks standing
there, who take these, put them near
the tree on one side, and then
remove them. The tree is thus well
protected and no stress put on it.
It had been interesting visiting
these two places. At the end of the
day I could not help thinking how
easily the gullible people are ready
to believe anything blindly the minute
it is wrapped in a religious coating.
There is absolutely no proof that a
child will be enlightened if she or he
offers a coconut sapling to the
Mahabodhi Tree, otherwise would
not have had many more enlightened
beings in this world? How wonderful
that would have been!
If only the Tooth Relic really could
make it rain, I thought, we would
have no droughts. How wonderful
that would have been. Yet it is the
many unfounded beliefs such as
these, in all religions all over the
world, which can even cause wars
and political upheavals. In the end it
is the poor gullible devotee who goes
back empty handed, while the perpe-
tra tors of these myths and beliefs
fulfil their own ulterior motives. We
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“You cannot be fit and fat,” “no
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While exercise is not a panacea,
it has consistently been shown to
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The percentage of body fat

128 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

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The key to fitness success is establishing a regular
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CAIRO DIARY
on’t be surprised when any
D
service provider requests, or
rather demands, baksheesh
in Egypt! That became clear
when my wife and I landed
at the Cairo International
Airport recently. I had to buy
a phone card, costing 17
Egyptian pounds (about 6
Egyptian pounds = 1 US
dollar) just to make a phone call, but
there was no other way. I recalled
how easy it was to use a coin-
operated phone or a manned
STD/Local call booth back home.
The hotel I had booked in
downtown Cairo had not sent a
vehicle, though I had requested for
it. The person at the car park had a
smattering of English.
“I shall give you the receipt,” he
said seeing my hesitation when he
demanded E£55 (prepaid) for a taxi
trip to hotel. I paid him the money but
he asked, “What about my tip, sir?”
The silent cab driver drove us
safely and to the correct address.
When I tipped him E£2, he said, “Sir,
that’s too small.” So I had to shell out
E£3 more to satisfy him. That
became the “normal” practice and
soon I was tipping left, right and
centre without anyone even asking
130
for it. “Be an Egyptian in Egypt,” is a
good piece of advice.
CONDUCTED TOUR
Without losing much time, the next
morning we were off on a whirlwind
tour of the Giza Pyramids, Sphinx,
Saqqara and Memphis. Our cab
driver, Ahmed, a part-time employee
of the hotel, acted as our guide. He
had a smattering of English, which
helped us to communicate. The first
stop was not ours but Ahmed’s. He
ushered us into a posh shop selling
papyrus. It was called the Egypt
Papyrus Museum.
The smartly dressed manager
greeted us with a smile. “First of all,
let me extend our Egyptian hospitality
to you. What would you like to drink?”
We settled for a soft drink which was
refreshing in the sweltering heat. We
were invited to watch the process of
preparing papyrus — from the raw
plant to the final sheet on which
painting is done. My wife wanted a
picture to be taken of her holding a
papyrus plant “grown on our own
farm,” as that gentleman put it.
Then it was time for a tour of the
museum with a card in hand to make
a note of the numbers of the
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
The baksheesh
culture in Egypt
can be enormously
irritating but the
sights of Cairo are
absolutely
breathtaking.
By D. B. N. Murthy
paintings we wanted. He assured us
in his impeccable English, “Don’t you
worry, sir! I shall give you a good
price.” He then drew our attention to
a striking painting of the Last
Judgement where a person’s heart,
after his/her death, would be weighed
against a feather in the presence of
God Anubis and God Thuth who
writes down the result. God Horus
would lead those who had passed
the test into paradise.
Time and again he asked us to
buy it because “it gives you an idea
of ancient Egypt.” Seeing our
hesitation on looking at the price tag,
he gave us a deal. He’d give us two
for the price of one, if we bought the
Last Judgment.” I looked at my wife
who looked confused too. “Sir, this is
genuine stuff. I shall give you our
certificate of guarantee. You will not
get such a wonderful painting
anywhere else. The long and the short
of it was that I fell for the deal and had
to part with E£ 500. The touts offering
camels and horse-drawn vehicles
pestered visitors right in front of the
policemen who were supposed to
prevent such harassment. In fact,
some of the law-enforcers would pose
for photographs with the visitor and
ask for baksheesh later on! We
 1 2
5 6
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1. Nyanisha, New Delhi
2. Devansh, Lalitpur
3. Chinki, Sahibabad
4. Rhytham, Najafgarh
5. Monali, New Delhi
6. Revant, Bhubaneshwar
7. Sumedha, Bahadurgarh
8. Madhumita, Bangalore
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12. Shriya, Ludhiana
Winners who have won educational CDs.
Devansh, Lalitpur ● Madhumita Bangalore
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151 Crossword
F A M I L Y P H O T O

✂
CONTEST
1 2 3 4 5 6 7
L I

Tear along the dotted line and mail to Crossword No. 151 Woman’s Era, Delhi Press, New Delhi-110 055.
O
8 9
A
10
A I
11 12
B
13 14
R
15
N
16 17
T D
18 19 20
Y
21
N H U
22 23
E
24
T

Across
1. To throw something somewhere in a
careless way (5)
4. A structure that is built over a road,
railway / railroad, river, etc. so that
people or vehicles can across from
one side to the other (6)
8. (of a group of people or an
organisation) not well organised;
giving a bad impression (6)
10. A relationship between two
organisations or different
departments in an organisation,
involving the exchange of
information or ideas (7)
11. The main or general meaning of a
piece of writing, a speech or a
conversation (4)
13. Gigabyte (2)
14. A type of strong cloth made of wool,
used for making clothes (5)
15. The part of the body around the hips
between the waist and the tops of
1. To grow, spread or move in an
untidy way in different directions (8)
2. Noun form for taking food, drugs,
etc. into your body, usually by
swallowing (9)
3. Something that you hope to
achieve (4)
5. A disease of dogs and other
animals that causes madness and
death. Infected animals can pass the
disease to humans by biting them (6) Please accept my entry for the
6. A system of government in which all
the people of a country can vote to crossword competition. I
elect their representatives (9)
7. A period of time, usually in history, subscribe to all the rules and
that is different from other periods
because of particular characteristics regulations of the competition.
or events (3)
9. To speak quickly in a way that is Name
difficult to understand, often
because of fear (6)
12. To go with or in front of a person or
Down

the legs (4) an animal to show the way or to

16. A person, especially a child, who make them go in the right Address
behaves badly (4) direction (4)
18. Motor racing around a track which 16. A small road that is not used very
is raised at both sides (4) much (5)
19. Either of the two organs on the face 17. The space between two lines or City Pin
that you see with (3) surfaces that join, measured in
21. A ghost or other spirit (5) degrees (5)
22. A law that has been passed by a 18. A unit for measuring length, equal to
parliament (3) 2.54 centimetres (4)
23. To make a person or an animal 19. To cut lines into a piece of glass,
healthy again after an metal etc. in order to make words or
illness (4) a picture (4)
24. A unit of information stored 20. The unit of money of some countries
in a computer, equal to 8 bits (4) of the European Union (4)
✂

132 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

 WIN UP TO
Winners of Crossword - 148
Rs15,000 IN CASH PRIZES

Vestaltina Dias,
Kaushlender, Faridabad. Anita Dunn, Mumbai.
Chickmagalor.

M. Brunda, Ve Amruth Rasquinha, Mangalore. Babitha Anil,

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Manisha Ran Shweta T. Gaba, Bangalore. Aastha, Muzaf

i, Palwal. farpur.

A. Ramachand Rajila Singla,

ran, Chennai. Radha Sasikumar, Cochin. Noida.

Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 133

151 Crossword
F A M
CWinners
I
O Nof Crossword
TES
L

- 148
T
Y P H O T O

Gaziabad. ew Delhi.
Munish Jain,
Jaideep Dhadda, Jaipur. J. C. Jindal, N

a.
Begam, Kolkat Binita Kakati, Guwahati. man, Tanjore.
Nurum Nesa Deepthy Jess

Mumbai. rivastava, Indo

re.
Patwardhan, Harish Singh, Pantnagar.
Suryamanju Sh
Dr. Sushama

athura. Chandigarh.
Lalit Kumar, M Anita Gupta, Gurgaon. Vijay Kumar,

134 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009

 WIN UP TO
Rs15,000 IN CASH PRIZES

Winners of Crossword - 148 Rules and Regulations

A prize of Rs 15,000 will
be given to the person
sending an all-correct
solution. In case there are
more than one sender of an
all-correct solution, the prize
amount will be divided
among the first 30
competitors chosen by lot.
Narender Jain
, Hissar. S. Priyanka, Kovilpatti. The decision of the manage-
ment will be final and
binding. Entries must be on
the crossword printed here.
Photocopies will not be
accepted.
Entries must be sent so
as to reach Woman’s Era
by 15 May 2009, by
ordinary post. No corres -
pondence in this matter will
A. V. Sundaram be entertained.
, Secunderab V. Jhansi Rani, Vijayawada.
ad. The contest is not open
to the employees of Delhi
Press. Every entry should
be accompanied by the
sender’s family photo. If you
are declared a winner, your
family picture may be
printed in the oncoming
issue. Please send a signed
declaration that you have
no objection to printing your
Madan Lal M Grace Nirmala, Chennai. family picture.
ittal, New Delhi.

Answers to Crossword-148

n w in
Across: 1. Monger, 6. Import,
8. Long, 9. IIT, 10. Leave,
w i o rd
11. Terror, 14. All, 16. Nought,
17. Boa, 18. Erase, 20. Chat, n
i ur w
22. Genome, 23. Stand, 24. Erode
W yo wer
Down: 1. Milit
ant, 2. Nun, 3.
4. Appeal, 5.
, 13.
Drive, 7. Ti
Rate, 15. Tand
e,
Rid,

em,
o n p o
12. R ough . Clot,
19. Rog ue, 20
17. Beyond,
21. Toad

Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 135

 QA &
Q&
My son is 16 months old and quite
an active child. He was a chubby
child in the first year of life and used
to eat properly. Of late, he has
repeated bouts of some ailment or
the other which makes him feel
nauseous and he loses his appetite.
Sometimes, he gets gastrointestinal
symptoms and at others high fever
with malarial symptoms. Then there
is the usual cough and cold no matter
how much care I take of him at home
and while going out. All this has
resulted in loss of weight. By the time
he feels all right and regains his
appetite he falls sick again. I have
begun to force-feed him since I am
worried about his health. I am worried
that repeated medication along with
A
lack of proper nourishment will further
lower his resistance. Please tell me
what to do.
First and foremost you have to
improve his health and resistance.
Keep him away from areas where he
is likely to catch infection – for
example crowded areas like market-
places, cinema halls, etc. Also, do
not take him in the vicinity of a child
with fever or any other infection.
Feed him freshly-prepared hygienic
food. If you are bottle-feeding him
even once a day stop it at once. Feed
him with a small cup or with a spoon.
Juices, if at all, are to be prepared at
home and consumed immediately
preferably without ice. You have also
rightly pointed out that antibiotics also
lead to diarrhoea since they kill the
good protective bacteria too. These
can be replaced by probiotics that his
136
doctor will prescribe. Once the
vicious cycle of infection-medication
is broken you can concentrate on
improving his appetite and health.
Once his health is regained, his
resistance will improve and he will be
able to combat diseases better. Do
not force-feed him.
I am an NRI working in Saudi Arabia.
I would like to come back and settle
in my own country with my wife and
two children - a son aged six and a
three-year-old daughter. A serious
problem arises when we come to
India even for a visit. Whenever my
I have a son who
is three years and
three months old.
He drinks milk
only with the
addition of cus -
tard. In this way
he takes custard
thrice a day. I
want to know if this practice is safe
for the child. He also eats roti ,
subzi, fruits, etc.
As your son is eating a
balanced diet besides the custard,
it is fine if he takes it with milk thrice
a day. If he was only on custard
and milk then perhaps it would not
have been such a good idea. You
must watch his weight carefully. If
there is a tendency to obesity you
could decrease the amount of
custard and sugar in his milk,
otherwise go ahead with the routine
you are following.
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
son gets bitten by a mosquito, he
gets infected in the bitten part. That
particular area becomes as big and
thick as a table tennis ball.
We have shown him to various
paediatricians and skin specialists
who treat him with some antibiotics
but the problem recurs with another
bite. Other treatment modalities like
vitamin B and eucalyptus oil are of
no use. Despite the use of coils,
mosquito nets, socks and gloves,
there is no escaping mosquitoes in
India. Is there any way in which
you can help so that I can return
to India permanently?
Some people are hypersensitive
to mosquito bites, especially when
there is a change of region as in the
case of your son. Others develop
hypersensitivity when there is a
change of season for the species of
mosquito changes with the season.
Meticulously prevent mosquito bites
by liberally smearing the exposed
parts with mosquito repellents. Anti-
allergens and most other drugs are
of no use. Some children do
overcome this hypersensitivity by and
by. If not, as your doctor says, stay
away from places that cause such a
severe reaction.
My six-year-old daughter has
developed caries in a couple of teeth.
Could you tell me why this has
occurred and what should be done to
prevent further destruction of teeth.
Please tell me what I should do to
improve her dental hygiene.
Caries occurs due to poor dental
hygiene. If the teeth are not properly
brushed after meals, food particles
remain in the gaps between teeth,
resulting in the growth of bacteria.
These bacteria produce acid, which
in turn damages the enamel, the
uppermost covering of the teeth,
which is supposed to be stronger
than bone.
Once the enamel is destroyed, the
process spreads deeper down
affecting the dentin just below and
finally the pulp. This causes pain as
the nerve roots are exposed. So
consult a dentist at the earliest and
do as he advises.
HIGH-profile
WANTED BRIDE
CLASSIFIEDS
handsome Christian
businessman 42/166 affluent, loving, caring,
helpful, sincere, understanding, physically
strong, having flourishing business looking
for pretty, educated, broad-minded,
independent, girl/divorcee/widow with/
without child for lifelong relationship, very
good loving care assured, no bars/demands e-
mail: johnphilips99@gmail.com or C/o Box
No. 1448 W’Era New Delhi-110 055.
HIGHLY educated, well placed, 44 loving,
caring understanding, well-built man looking
for highly educated well-placed independent
woman for lifelong serious relationship
Contct: coolkumar.64@rediffmail.com.
BRIDE wanted for 40 years old, Engineer and
Contractor. Caste no bar. Cell 09272423999
e-mail: parmeshwarmganji@yahoo.com.
Apply Box No.1454 C/o Woman’s Era New
Delhi-110 055.
MARRIAGE BUREAU
CONTACT Wing Commander N. K. Kaila for
decent reliable status alliances. All castes/
religions/NRI/second marriage, professionals,
business class, defence services, doctors,
engineers, MBA, CA and merchant Navy. EC-
326, Maya Enclave, New Delhi-110 064. Tel:
(011)25120386, 9810843039.
HIGH profile match for any families,
professional, business class, industrialist, NRI.
Contact Dilipji-9999765557. (Delhi) e-mail:
sambandh55@gmail.com.
140
SURROGATE MOTHER
WANTED 20-35 years, tall beautiful lady as
surrogate mother, excellent financial reward
and secrecy guaranteed, Call-09780023355,
e-mail- ajai3969@yahoo.in.
WE are looking for a healthy 25-35 years old
lady who would agree to be a surrogate
mother for us. Prior tests to be done. For other
details speak on : 98189095791.
DELHI based, educated and doctor couple want
surrogate mother preferably below 35 years
compassionate, unmarried/single/widow/divorcee
lady. Suitable reward and confidentiality assured.
Contact on mob- 09958023575 or e-mail:-
surrogate mother@yahoo.com.
WANTED women/widow/divorcee/married
for surrogacy between the age 20-30 years, she
should be healthy. Will have to undergo blood
test and examination to qualify. Contact:
riachaudhary_70@yahoo.co.in. 9810699470.
WANTED women between age 21 to 35 years
to surrogate, they should be healthy with no
family history of any major illness, preferably
they should have child and wanted women age
between 20 to 30 to donate eggs, they should
have to undergo medical examination to
qualify (preferably ready to stay at Bangalore
or Mysore, accommodation will be provided).
For further details contact 09844358145.
WANTED women between ages of 21-28 to
donate eggs, and women between ages 25-35
to surrogate. They should be healthy.
Preferably they should have one child. For
details of financial emouluments and
procedure. Cell no. 9320578307.
SEMEN DONOR
A healthy, handsome, attractive, well-placed
high-profile, North Indian middle-aged-male
is willing to donate healthy semen to needy
childless ladies/ couples. Assured success.
Many have benefited, full secrecy assured.
(M) 09198477251.
SITUATION
VACANT
CHASE Aroma Beauty Clinic requires
professional hair stylist qualified beautician,
naturopath. Dr Arora, A-17 Naraina Vihar
New Delhi (M): 9818360123, 9810292899.
ENGLISH fluent independent, smart female,
personal secretary/willing to travel, part/full
time. Handsome salary. # 09810016272.
PAYING GUEST
PAYING guest accommodation for working
girls,executive ladies in I.P. Extn. Society
Patpar Gunj contact no. 42171193 ,
9717448140, 9910189237.
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
ADOPTION
WANTED good looking, good caste, Hindu
vegetarian girl from six years to 12 years good
at studies for adoption for a very good
Brahmin family. Full secrecy assured. Apply
with recent photograph and E-mail:
rita27_sharma@yahoo.com. Mobile No.
09005915027.
EDUCATIONAL
RECOGNISED by Government and U.G.C
offers distance education programmes M. Phil
(all subjects) MBA, BBA, BCA, BA, DMLT,
BMLT, B.Sc (optometry), diploma.
Optometry, nursing assistant. Contact: Max
Institute of Higher Studies, Gopal Plaza,
Railway Road, Bajaria, Ghaziabad. Ph.:
09990638463, 0120-4136210. e-mail:
max_ihs@yahoo.co.in
M. PHIL (all subjects). MBA, BBA, BCA,
BA, B. ED, B.COM, BSC, M.A.,M. COM,
MSC, MCA, Library Course, NTT, DMLT,
B.SC. MLT, D.Pharma, B. Pharma, (B.A.
Hindi level do in one year). For guidance,
West Delhi College A-1/22 Hastsal Road,
Uttam Nagar, New Delhi-59. Ph. 011-
25376951, 09999176172.
CCIMS est.99 recognised by government of
Karnataka offers Distance Education
programme in diploma, PGD, MBA, EMBA,
degree courses B.A. B.Com, BBM. M.Com,
M.A: English, Urdu, Hindi, Political science,
History Economics, HR, Admin, Facility,
Marketing, Hospital Management, Montessori,
NTT, Teachers Training, Correspondence/
part time 100 per cent practical training,
Elgbt- 10+2 / Graduate call: 080-25282912,
25257320 9880263709, 9900268253.
Website: www.ccimsinstitute.com, email-
ccimsinstitute@rediffmail.com.
LEARN interior designing and Nursery
Teacher Training (NTT) course through
correspondence. Heights established in year
1995, offering distance courses having
5000+students from India and abroad. Course
compiled in a set of printed 11 self-
explanatory books with colour illustrations
and examples. Get diploma and job assistance
after successful course completion. To get free
prospectus contact: Heights Institute, 3rd
Floor, P.P. Tower, Main Road, Pitam Pura,
Delhi-110034 (India) Ph. 09811437000 ,
9310137111. www.heightsglobal.com.
M Phil, MA all subject MBA, M Com MLIB,
MSW, BLIB, BCOM, BA, BSW valid for
Government employee promotion UGC-DEC
approved university degrees, VS Institute
C-9/5 Sector-7 Rohini 9212896078,
9212230280 e-mail: vsitech@yahoo.co.in.

Want to book a classified?
24x7 9990057924 (Delhi)
Tele-booking number
LEARN interior decoration through
correspondence English/ Hindi medium.
Course fee payable in easy monthly
installments. Study materials prepared by
famous architects and interior decoration
experts. Best postal coaching. Oldest institute,
established in 1986. Study at your own home
at your own pace. No need to buy costly
books. No minimum qualification needed.
Certificate awarded to all successful
candidates after course completion. For
prospectus send Rs 30 money
order to Academy of Interior Decoration,
10A/14 Shakti Nagar, Delhi-110007,
Phone-011-23847273, 23847274,
e-mail: aid_agoel@hotmail.com. Website:
www.interiorcourses.com. Prospectus can be
downloaded free from the website.
LASER COSMETIC SURGERY
FOR permanent hair reduction, pus-filled
pimples and wrinkles, make use of the best
laser machine in town. Contact Dr Mathur’s
Laser Skin Clinic # I, Sec 14 Faridabad
(HAR), Tel no. 9818597337, 1294107840.
Get best result at even better rates.
LASER hair-removal, acne marks,
pigmentation, birthmarks and laser cosmetic
surgery by USA-trained and qualified
cosmetic surgeon. E-34, Greater Kailash-I,
New Delhi-110048, Phone29236912,
29236550.
TOUR & TRAVELS
TRAVELEASE : For Rail and Air Ticketing,
Car Rentals, Hotel Reservations and
Documentations. Special Holidays Package.
For Shimla, Manali, Mussoorie, Nainital,
Dalhousie, Darjeeling. Also Mauritius,
Bangkok, Phuket, Europe, USA and for more
than 100 destinations in India and abroad.
Contact phone 22459136 fax 911122502959
at Manglam, R-50, Vikas Marg, New
Delhi.(Sunday open).
GENITAL/SEXUAL
PLASTIC SURGERY
IF your tummy(abdomen) is loose and ugly
with lot of fat deposits; plastic surgery can
give flat virginal tummy in Delhi, Bangalore.
Call 09311630223/9811440239. Also for fat
deposits over thighs, hips, breasts, etc.
BOOK ONLINE
MATRIMONIALS
PAY AND SEE IN NEXT ISSUE.
FOR DETAILS CLICK
womansera.com
EMAIL
marry@womansera.com
142
IF your husband is not satisfied because your
sexual organs are loose ; get tightened and
virginal sexual organs by genital plastic
surgery. Dial 09811440239 or e-mail
info@vaginohymenoplasty.com.
WHEATGRASS DEALERSHIP
WHEATGRASS powder (food supplement)
company wants dealers in all States. Starting
cost 4500/- income 10,000+marketing from
home/ shop. Wheatgrass helps cure Anemia,
Thalassemia, Diabetes, Arthritis, Piles, Ulcers,
Obesity. Sms your address 09822002042
(Pune) for details by post.
(www.girmeswheatgrass.com).
DETECTIVE
WE are specialists in Matrimonial Enquiries in
India and Abroad, premarital, health check-
up, locating surrogate ladies, and children
available for adoption arranging, difficult
marriage of minorities, Dalit and OBC castes
of physically challenged and second marriage
(of senior citizen). Contact “Sheel
Consultants” 184 A Paschim Vihar Extension
(near Madi Pur) Police Post New Delhi-
110063. Phone No. 011-25214088.
DIVORCE, surveillance, enquiries doubt,
court case, business, quarrel- related enquiries
Delhi or out side Delhi. Phone- 9818880313,
9871977588.
DOUBTS, deceit, stalking, divorce,
investigation courtcase, labourcase, business,
employee, matrimonial, secret enquiries,
universal investigation 9810412615,
9811583899.
BALDNESS
BERKOWITS offers unique solution to
Baldness. Most successful technology
worldwide, Non- surgical cosmetic treatment,
Painless, one-sitting solution, perfect natural
look, Berkowits Hair and Skin Clinic.
Connaught Place: Ph 23711571-72. Greater
Kailash-I : Ph: 29244630-31. Noida : Ph.
9999880480 www.berkowits.in
JOURNALISM AND
CREATIVE WRITING
ACQUIRE an internationally-recognised
Global Certificate in Journalism and Creative
writing by taking a simple fail-proof written
test at your home. No minimum eligibility or
age limit. Ideal for housewives, students and
aspiring journalists/writers. Extremely nominal
fees. London-trained faculty. Also get your
articles/poems/stories published abroad.
Scholarships and freelance assignments
available. Assistance in placement also. Free
copy of prospectus from: The Writer’s
Academy, Villa Bougainvilla, 13 Agra Club.
Agra-282001 Phone: 0562-2226578 e-mail:
thewritersacademy@rediffmail.com.
FACIAL COSMETIC SURGERY
TREAT white/black scars, moles on cheek by
cosmetic surgery with stem cells. It leaves no
line of stitches. Also for lip, nose, cheek,
breast, tummy cosmetic surgery in Delhi/
Bangalore. Dial 09811440239/09311630223.
Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009
CUTS colour rebonding facials microlift
treatments at poise salon, mega mall, Oshiwara,
Andheri west (unisex) thalgo/ cheryls/loreal
professional tel 26316159, 9819706113
Borivili (Ladies) 28945044. Mumbai.
SKIN REJUVENATION
BERKOWITS is specialised clinic for
assuring beautiful and silky skin by offering
multi- therapy treatment for pigmentation,
acne, anti- ageing, tanning, under- eye dark
circles, and puffiness, pits scars, moles , warts
and tags removal. Berkowits Hair and Skin
Clinic, Connaught Place : Ph. 23711571-72
Greater Kailash-I: Ph. 29244630-31 Noida :
Ph. 9999880480 www.berkowits.in.
LASER HAIR REMOVAL
BERKOWITS offers hair removal by high
Power ND: YAG laser (US FDA approved).
Best laser in NCR; Remarkably Low Prices;
Safest and Fastest solution to unwanted hair.
Berkowits Hair and Skin Clinic, Connaught
Place Ph. 23711571-72 Greater Kailash-I: Ph.
29244630-31 Noida : Ph. 9999880480
www.berkowits.in.
HOME TUITIONS
S R tutors bureau provides results oriented
tutors board X, XII, IIT-JEE PMT DCE
ALEEE BBA BCA BCom CA, CS, Computer
Science- 9350121003, 9871986962.
PRAGATI tutor’s bureau – Experienced
results oriented home tutors for Physics and
Maths and for all Classes/ Subject/ Locations.
Spl. – I.I.T., D.C.E., Medical, Cat, Mat, B.Sc
etc. By 10 years Exp. Teacher. Crash courses
also running. Contact: N.C. Pathak (M.Sc.).
Ph.: 9910538244, 011-29956800 (Teachers
welcome).
BIOLOGY
RANJAN Biology Centre – For: 10th, 11th,
12th and Specially for PMT. CBSE-PMT,
DPMT, CPMT, VMMC, BHU & AIIMS.
Guarantee your seat in Medical College.
Complete Syllabus during Summer Vacation
(If you want to be a topper, don’t hesitate).
Call – Ranjan: 9910691889. Group Classes at
D-6, Vasant Kunj & Munirka.
MATHEMATICS STATISTICS
MATHEMATICS statistics – for BA, B.Com,
B.Sc, BBA, BCA and BE. All Indian and
Foreign University. Eco (H) and B.Com(H),
Maths and Stats. Maths(H) various papers.
Maths for X, XI, XII. French up to VIII. Call:
Karmesh Sinha (Since 1982) Mobile:
9958670889.
PHYSICS HOME TUITIONS
BY Manoj Rajput (FAC. IIT-JEE)/ Physics
for IIT/DCE/AIEEE/PMT/AIIMS/XI/XII/IB/-
ICSE/XI/XII/SAT/Olympiad/ Call-
9818809196.
CHEMISTRY HOME TUITIONS
CHEMISTRY home tuition by Dr Arif Khan
for IIT, DCE, AIEEE, BITS, PMT, IB, ICSE,
XI, XII, Olympiad, SAT. Call 9958845786.
(Delhi). (experience 20 years).
 Want to book a classified?
24x7 9811744262 (Delhi)
Tele-booking number
DESIGNER STUDIO IN AJMER
NAV-MANN studios brings designer ware
stores for ladies and girls ready-to-wear suits,
plus size, sarees and indo-western garments
available on prior appointment. Contact-
09414004672, 0145-2429948.
PHYSICS/MATH COACHING
HOME tuitions for IIT/DCE/AIEEE/Medical
XI/XII with assignments and exclusive notes
by Prashant (Ex.IITian), 12 years experience.
Call: 9990088009, 9312237121, (Delhi).
HAND BLOCK PRINTED SUITS
CHIPPA-STUDIO- for exclusive block-
printed suits in cotton, silk, voile, kotta and
tussar. Quality assurance, preshrunk fabric fast
colour, no bleaching (S.M. dye chem Mumbai
dye used). Best in sector. Anti-allergic dye,
USP.. Blocks procured from Bhola Khan
Sanganer (Rajasthan). Two times National
Award Recipient. Consultation in selecting
fabric colour according to your complexion.
Limited edition blocks available. Swatches on
request, Niti Gujral, Alumni (1985,
South Delhi Polytechnic, behind Lady Shri
Ram College, New Delhi). Mobile:
09412205532, 09897024257, e-mail:-
harjeevsg@gmail.com
COMPETITIVE EXAMS
ADMISSION COUNSELLING
FOR ICSE, IGCSE, CIE, CBSE, IIT-JEE,
DEC, AIEEE, AIPMT, DPMT, CAT, GMAT,
GRE, JMET, SAT, MBA, MCA, BBA, BCA,
F.LANG., IELTS, TOEFL, UGCNET,
(CSIR), GATE, JAM, English Speaking
Course, H.M., SSC., Bank (P.O.), Bio-Tech,
NIT, IIT, BDS, LLB, HM, B.Sc, B.com
H/P/S), B.ED, SSC (MAT/GRADE), BANK,
RAILWAYS, STAT, F.LANG., CA, CS,
CPT, IAS, IPS, IFS, BBA, BCA, BBM, NIFT,
NDA, CDS. Correspondence course available
for all stream and coaching classes all over
the world. Experts welcome. Log on -
www.globaleducationforum.com.Call - taut with only external gel with an effective
9350055520, 9213161909 (Delhi).
MARRIAGE PROBLEM
LOW or over stimulation, low or no sperms
and enlarged prostate in males, blocked tubes
(non-surgical) and irregular menses (female
loose genitals). Kindly write your problem and
any disease you had? Consult Dr G S Kohli
(forty years experience) at E-14, Alpha-I,
Greater Noida, Uttar Pradesh. Phone
No.9213135041, 9958400497.
COUNSELLING
FOR advice/guidance regarding people manage-
ment skills, career enhancement/ problems,
career counselling fluency in English speaking.
Nature cure visit http:// www.rnsaxena.com and
http://asymtotic.com/ RNSaxena.
BOOK ONLINE
BUY AND SELL
DEALS AND WHEELS
PAY AND SEE IN NEXT ISSUE.
FOR DETAILS, CLICK
womansera.com
EMAIL
shopping@womansera.com
BUST HEALTH
NO surgery, no hormones for sagging and
small bust line. Get your ware made ample and
massage techniques progressing stage by stage
which can be done at home from highly
experienced dermatologist, Dr G S Kohli, E-
14, Street No.9, Alpha-I, Greater Noida, UP.
Mobile No.9213135041, 9958400497. Write
your age, weight, height, bust size, unmarried/
married or children. Three months complete
course costs Rs.500 . Speed post extra.
PET DOGS
EXCLUSIVE pet shop and clinic offers:
German Shepherd, Labrador, Boxer,
Doberman, Spitz, Rottweiler, Golden
Retriever, Great Dane, Saint Bernard,
Neapolitan Mastiff, Lhasa, Dashchund, Pug,
Pom, Beagle, Cocke, Poodle, Pekingese,
Bulldog, Irish Setter, Pointer, etc. Phone :
9911392866, 9810748422, Delhi.
 NATURAL THERAPY
PANCHTATVA yoga and naturopathy
treatment and training centre. Thyroid, spinal,
obesity, sugar, ladies problem, arthritis,
slipped disc, high bp, heart diseases,
depression, cervical and other diseases cure
for without side effect. All facility available.
Home treatment and readymade kit available.
Contact :- WZ-1532-B, Radha Krishana Gali,
Nagal Raya, New Delhi-110046. Phone :-
09871224378, 09810095933.
PEST CONTROL SERVICES
GOVERNMENT approved organisation
provides all pest control solutions. General
pest control, termite control, rodent control,
fumigation. We use odourless chemical. No
bad smell, no shifting tension. Call:
9899123862, 011-32633334 (Services Delhi
and NCR).
HERBAL MIRACLE
CORN, Wart, Mole? Vanish by cream
capsule:- arthritis, sinus, fairness, skin, hair,
breast hardner/bigger, penis power. Talk :-
Hari Prasad Lodha - 09830311758. SB- A/c -
11161791075. CB-A/c-1062209946.
SUHAG CHURA
KING-STONE suhag chura. Guarantee one
year. A.T.C. Punjab. Contact: Shri Krishan
Cosmetics, B-2/4 Shop No. A-6, Central
Market, Lal Quarters, Delhi.
“DULHAN Ne Kiya Shringar Bentax Chure
Se Hua Nikhar.” Bentex suhag chura
guarantees one year. Contact:Sethi Fancy
Centre Shop No. 8B Central Market, Lajpat
Nagar, New Delhi.
“SUHAG Ki Nishani Suhag Chura 555” ATC
Punjab. Guarantee one year. Contact: Shreejee
Kangan Palace, 6439 Mukherji Gali, Gandhi
Nagar, Delhi.
BUSINESS
I-MAX Academy offers Master, District and
Unit Franchise anywhere in India for ABCUS,
VEDIC Maths, Creative Art Program
Contact: 9971201246, 9811912146.
www.imaxacademy.com
PERSONS interested in opening a study centre
of The Global Open University Nagaland in
Uttar Pradesh. Kindly send details to Mr. S.
K. Mishra. Contact: Max Institute of Higher
Studies, Gopal Plaza, Railway Road, Bajaria,
Ghaziabad. Ph.: 09990638463, 0120-4136210.
e-mail: max_ihs@yahoo.co.in
AMAZING ARTS
FOR correspondence / regular courses in
stainglass, warli, Madhubani, American tribal
art, aboriginal Australian art, village art,
jharokhas, Rajasthani paintings. We also take
order work in different mediums. Painting in
relief works and hand-painted lamps for sale.
Contact Mrs Honey Singh, 798 Nikka Singh
Block, Asiad Village, Near Siri fort
Auditorium, New Delhi-110049. Ph: 98105-
62857, 011-26496798, e-mail:-
amazing_artz@yahoo.co.in.
YOGA THERAPY SPECIALIST Want to book a classified?
THERAPIES are provided by Renowned
Yoga Guru and corporate trainer Dr Sandip 24x7 9350832323 (Delhi)
Kumar, course Director of Shivananda Yoga Tele-booking number
Sevashram, New Delhi. He is a Postgraduate
in Yoga Psychology from Bihar Yoga Bharti/-
Bihar School of Yoga, Munger and Post - ADVICE
graduate in Preventive and Promotive Health READERS are advised to make
Care from Apollo Hospitals Group, and again, approp riate and thorough enquiries
he is a postgraduate in Holistic Health Care before acting upon any
from the same, Apollo Hospital Group. advertisement. This magazine does
(Teachers and Therapists are also available
for Home visit). Sivananda Yoga Sevashram,
not vouch or subscribe to claim and
representation made by the advertiser
258, R. P. S. Colony, Khanpur, (Near Sainik
Farms), New Delhi-62, Helpline: + regarding the particulars of status,
919811328067, e-mail:-www.yogayogini.com age, income of the bride/bridegroom.
CREATIVE WORLD
OF FANCY ART SHOPPING INFORMATION
REGULAR classes- Trousseau packing,
perfume, making, flower-making, Toran Cover & Fashion Courtesy:
making, gift boxes making, hand embroidery,
GRACEFUL TRENDY & STYLISH
designer candle, water fountain, advanced Dresses, Accessories and styling by:
mehandi, Mix media, modern art, paper mashes
Anomitro Ganguli
work, pot decoration, designer envelope, Photography: Hemant Kedar
mughal darwaja, mural painting, relief painting,
Make-up: Amit Sawant
jharokha painting, fruit painting, calligraphy
painting, glass painting, johara art, 3D painting, Hair: Minakshi
Model: Parvati Nirban
Tanjore painting and many other
courses.Correspondence Course also available.
Contact: 9810109998, 011-22144598 (Delhi). A SPECTACLE OF
BEAUTY & GRACE
COSMETOLOGY Dresses: Silver Beads India
LEARN how to make shampoo, coldcream, 128/2A, Kilokri Village,
facepack, gel, home-made soap and start your Near Maharani Bagh Chowk,
own business. Certificate provided by KVIC, Behind CTC Plaza,
Govt of India. For detail, plz dial 9811272138,
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Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009 145
 people. Except Shabana Azmi, no and learns the Ten Ancient Rituals
body took interest to fight for slum for Radiant Living in three years from
dwellers. According to Shatrughan the sages of Himalayas. He takes a
Sinha, film stars become members of single night to teach the same to
parliament to avoid income tax raids. another character named John who
They are not interested in any happened to be his colleague and
national work. subordinate in his earlier law
– I. P. Gandhi, Karnal. profession. I had felt exhausted at the
end of the novel because it was
circuitous. In analogy, the author of
EDITORIA
L
TARGETIN G WOMEN A
GAIN
on the fringe
EXAMS: the above said article Monidipa
PREDICAMENT
country was Day, moral
when our
t a juncture, g her 60th Republic once again
EXAM PHOBIA winter is fast giving
TACKLING
time again.
As the
students
are burning
ns A of celebratinHindutvav adi forces
brigade
of
described
what is being in Mangalore, a fast
as women’s
liberty.
developing

Sharma has listed 16 rituals in a

t is exam millions of of a

I way to spring,
midnight
for class
oil with the
X and XII,
which begin
this, exam-rela
in the
ted stress
among the
examinatio
ensuing board first week of
and anxiety
students,
are The
but also
trounced place
incident took , where around fortyand bashed up
city in Karnataka barged into
right-wing
group
women just
a pub
two days
members

before the
Republic

March. With several young

rise not only those women
openly
also on the parents. reasons our
due to many alleged that – a practice that

THE POWER OF
Day.

OF STUDENTS
among their on the students is percentag e marks. The attackers wine there brought Sri
Pressure high parents and in drinking The attack also n’s chief,
to secure indulged
like targetingpressure from the
peers, It culture forbids. Arrest of
organisatio Bharat
to the students. great Hindu
Sometime
s,
dose of stressbecause of such into limelight. its links with Abhinavgaining
give an extra Ram Sena revealed on
that step of

mind-appealing way. Practically

teachers Muthalik, organisati
to be ignoredtake the extreme not Pramod – another Malegaon bomb
blasts.
is also not could after that the
many studentsthey feel that they notoriety n so far reveals behind
pressures
suicide, when of others. Investigatio people
committing ns and of the
expectatio motive now Mangalore
keep up the their anxiety phase blasts and a Hindu
To overcome stress, the first Malegaon is to create
from 1st India.
pub incident the precincts of

POSITIVE THINKING
n-related
examinatio g began new
counsellin till 2nd April, Rashtra within indication that
of CBSE continue e year It is a clear Taliban mindset
are
It would
February. is the 12th consecutiv g
perpetrato
rs of
in the country
counsellin
2009. This providing heads
has been during raising their

The editorial in WE
that CBSE students and parents

speaking, I have implemented these

of
to again. beating
to say,
services e Needless hit the eye
examinatio
ns. programm the pub has all
CBSE Outreach the women inside The people from
In fact, the designed keeping and are
How to get of the storm. the youth
is carefully of students’ population of especially
eity modes sections, over the country
Multiple NGOs all in
s heterogen
cal spread. infuriated. against this vandalism is
positive result geographi as telephonic in this
ation such columns out protest
marches to them,
communic Question-Answer
e Voice Response
are taking policing.
According
rights have black
been

through positiv
g, CBSE of moral
counsellin as a
rs, Interactive counselling through more the namefirst time that women’s this incident
newspape and online out to more and
thinking.
not the also terming

The article Get rid of

(IVRS) are

of February II 2009 things in my life for the last couple of

System to reach They not
is used attacked. rights. is simply
website
during this
phase. , trained spot on women’s of moral policing Also,
as 43 principals nt and such kind c society.
Ramakrishnan examinees as many governme Of course, and democratimembers of the
By Sheela This year affiliated will in a civilised and in bad
s from CBSE ists and social scientists tolerable ministers only

NEGATIVE
of are not
counsellor psycholog and abroad. some comments n for Women wounds.
y in India
private schools; help line
individuall the cities of Delhi, Commissio salt on the e

GET
in National a progressiv
operate this centres in India Gurgaon, also rubbing the fact that in
39 Jaipur, taste, but far greater
There are h, Meerut, Jamnagar, There is no denying women are playing and must
Chandigar ar, Vishakhapatnam, from six that of India, tion. They should be male

RID OF
Noida,
Bhubanesw the first time society like used to

THOUGHTS
transforma
Faridabad, e and for Guwahati, in social that once
Bangalore There are roles

Negative Thoughts is
Coimbator those rights

Tackling
,

entitled years and I feel terrifically disciplined

Jabalpur, Nagpur, enjoy all
of Bhopal, of Kerala. by womenfolk
new cities Kollam in the state India at Kuwait, prerogativ
es only. g drinks tely,
Baroda and centres outside g intoxicatin practice. Unfortuna is
help line Consumin healthy and libertine to
lly, also four Sharjah. can take
good is not a being liberal
successfu Qatar and however, high time
his project only Dubai, Doha , students and parents , it is the line between by day. Isn’t it
to complete within budget with Therefore s. Ultimately cool dividing
blurred day
was counsellor . Keeping the two? m We
view everything on time and His boss the CBSE So, getting mansera.co
ll of us mistake. work, advice from have to tackle everything always work.
te between
write to: letters@wo
our prevailing one minor satisfied with his differentia

A
who
through If our and was happy students exams positively of young
mental attitudes. that pleased in the team facing the All the best
to millions
to magnify mind and boldly.
are positive, are everyone
thoughts He began The face the exams
but if they and except himself. unnecessarily. (Second) 2009

inspiring and thought

is fine,

Exam Phobia made

by his

and I look much younger than my

mistake minds.
our lives the small minimised Era ● February
negative,
ces will probably project was Woman’s
circumstan thoughts. We entire attitude. back and
mirror these negative taken a step a
thoughts Had Rahul thought to
all have negativethen. This his negative at the whole
and
every now as we might reverted one and looked he
behaviour t positive and positively, the
is normal unpleasan objectively
through some too thing not only have completed also
have gone lives. But would ily, but wouldfuture
es in our are bad and project satisfactor for
experienc thoughts a mentor
many negative become should be
ctive. to be have

provoking. It reminded
Small mistakes to

interesting reading. The stress and

can be self-destru

actual age. Along with these 16 steps

thinking appears projects. and efforts
Negative thinking. from our minds, again should
than positive effort, erased such mistakes can
more prevalent requires some prevent thought
thinking comes A positive and turn
Positive thinking made.
negative much be positive
action
whereas This has initiate a
easily and
uninvited. and the that her
education in. things around. Meena realised
to do with one has been living One day, and she wanted
nt in a mess
environme to undertake house was aning project
assigned
Rahul was his manager. to begin a house-cle
project by
an important he was able
hard months,

me the words of anxiety faced by the students and one can add one more ritual which is
After three

Norman Vincent Peale who parents is on the rise. Millions of ‘Reading’. Reading habit is a good
advocated positive thinking. He said, students will be burning the midnight habit which the younger generation
“Change your thoughts and you oil with the ensuring board examin- has failed to develop. In my opinion
change your world.” No one can ations for class X and XII. the story ‘Homecoming’ was simply a
expect to achieve perfection or to Pressure on the students is due to disaster. I continued reading it in
solve satisfactorily every difficult many reasons-reasons like targeting search of some actual story or some
problem that arises throughout life. to secure high percentage marks. thing at least at the end. When I
But a positive attitude and Sometimes pressure from the peers, finished, I was puzzled and uttered
constructive approach help us to parents and teachers give an extra “Hmm...was it a fiction?” We all are
tackle troubles optimistically, by using dose of stress to the students. familiar with the traditional weddings.
our talents and skills in ways directed Because of these pressures, many Also, young people who work/study
towards success rather than failure students take the extreme step of abroad don’t prefer to come back and
To acquire the positive outlook we committing suicide, when they feel settle down in India is a century-old
have first to eliminate from our that they could not keep up the fact. There is no story in it to tell!
personality the negative thoughts that expectations of others and secure Only thing I can say good about this
hold us back, make it harder to high marks. To overcome their is that the author is ingenious
secure good relationship with others. anxiety and examination related regarding the language he has used.
The positive and constructive stress, the first phase of CBSE – Beena Ramesh Hegde,
approach to life demands energy, counselling began from Ist February, Ahmedabad.
action and enthusiasm to accomplish and it will continue till 2nd April 2009. The prize is awarded to:
worthwhile things in life. This is the 12th consecutive year that Beena Ramesh Hegde, Ahmedabad.
– Beena Mathur, Pune. CBSE has been providing
counselling services to students and WOMAN'S ERA
invites readers’
parents during examinations.
FILM STARS opinions and
– Anthony Sanders, Mumbai. reactions on
AY F I L
M D O M SELF-CENTRED?
B O M B
articles, short stories
This refers to
Slumdog
R
ahul Bose
feels that
was the
best comm
-
Rahul's adopted
the Mumbai Andaman and Nicobar Foundatio n,
trust, The
after charitable d in the Mumbai
children from his
Islands for
the

Marathon.
any sort of and features published
GOOD WAYS
es tale Marathon especially participate
ags-to-rich at the to happen He feels runs to eradicate He feels
hit the jackpotwinning unity event terror attacks.
R Millionaire
66th Golden
Globe Awards,including the
recent
even after
the recent and in
The trust
attacks the discrimination from
society.
the Andaman
children from don't feel
coveted awards up in that spirit die ly that these
not let its

Bombay Filmdom
Islands

in Woman’s Era. The best

four of the give it a leg city should more aggressivefor and Nicobar be a part of mainland
drama to come forward s to
best film Oscars. demand think
's race for young fact support and themselve don't really
Hollywood " which tells of a show their e. ”We can
demand as Indians a part of India.
com- to - India to be
"Slumdog, love and governanc a corruption of the
looking for game better a cleaner and where the Andamans a part
Indian man a television to have kids are by Rahul
and
money on for director in times ial. These
peting for Mumbai uncongen I scholarship provided at the Rishi
also earned awards er Simon free re seemed of WE. studying

TO ENERGISE
show, .
screenwrit atmosphe think in terms in a city are currently in Bangalore
Danny Boyle,composer A.R. Rahman We needed to niece Aalia minds Valley School
Beaufoy and thanked leave my is the
score. Boyle Asso- want to of million on the block With

letter will be given a prize of

for best musical Foreign Press that is a
community
, aspiration
s and he new girl Parekh.
T

(February II). Slumdog

the Hollywood gives out the Golden and ideologies communit y all the dusky BrindaPokkiri (Tamil) and
his but a
ciation, which for supportingpace opinions, blockbuste
rs like ), under
her
Globe Awards, the frenetic same." ta (Kannada
Buddhivan back in B – Town.
After
captures ,
movie that Dev Patel with
belt, Brinda is
e in Corporate
of life in Mumbai. Irffan and appearanc
Freida Pinto Slumdog Millionaire. her guest lead in Vipul
Anil Kapoor, Boyle of a negative a Salman
Brinda plays
Director Danny
Small, easy-
Dreams,

YOURSELF
Shah's LondonDevgan starrer.
Ajay often been
Khan and beauty has
to-adopt

Rs 500. Address your letters by

The dusky Bipasha
with the sensuous about it,
she
ideas to
compared

Millionaire got several

quizzed think
Basu. When nice because I
feels and
said, "It
make a big
talented

28
Bipasha
is extremely her as
consider
looking. I long
very good me a very to
It will take
my mentor. where she is."
time to get
to difference
Soha Al your life.

E-mail to: letters@womansera.com

Tagore and fo
harmila
ran the marathon a
S Khan also By Monidip
Sharma

prizes. But Amitabh I simply loved the

(Second) 2009
Era ● February
YS
SIMPLE WA
Woman’s

TO FEEL

ENERGISED
or by post to:
Bachchan does not like that film article Simple ways to EVERY DAY

producer earning millions at the cost feel energised every AS YOU SAY
of our poverty. Rajya Sabha member day (February I) for its
Nargis had also raised the same E-3 Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110055.
brevity and cajoling presentation. Womansera.com
question when Pather Panchali got This reminded me of the novel ‘The
several prizes in the West. monk who sold his Ferrari’ written by Name:
Film stars are playing in crores. Robin Sharma. Julian, one of the Mobile:
But they do not try to help poor characters relinquishes all his wealth E-mail:

146 Woman’s Era ● April (First) 2009