Professional Documents
Culture Documents
0310 - First
0310 - First
WOMAN ’S ERA
MARCH (FIRST) 2010
MARCH (FIRST) 2010
Vol 37, Issue No. 870
CONTENTS
BUILDS HAPPY HOMES
Founder: Vishwa Nath
(1917-2002)
84
48 BOMBAY
26 BEAUTY CONCERNS
32 STRESS & YOUR
SEX LIFE
Dr S. N. Khosla
FILMDOM
6
THE WISH TO LIVE AND AN
12 POWER OF HERBS
Shailja Mehta
1/ tsp of ajwain
4
salt to taste
METHOD
Prepare the
n
– carom seeds
STUFFED
BRINJALS WIT
MUSHROOMS
1 large brinjal
oil for deep
22 SEXUAL FAVOURS
the oil and ms
with the spices. 200 gm of mushroo
DELICACIES
potatoes together and keep 1 cup of sliced onions
2-3 minutes
Stir-fry for
Holi is a time 3 tsp of oil
Deepali Nandwani
of red chilli the ghee
2 tsp and mix in
1/ r powder
PAKORAS
breadcrumbs. 1 tbsp of coriande
ASPARAGUS
taste
drop by more as per fingers to resemblewater to knead 1 large tomato – chopped
into
FOR A SIGNATURE
throughout the INGREDIENTS: florets
Cut the
MINI SPRING
dough
the filling: Divide the pieces
To prepare pieces and brocolli into a dough. Roll out each 2 green chillies
– chopped
●
into 3 inch portions.
day. We bring ROLLS
asparagus
drop these
into boiling
water. Put
the
pepper powder
oil for deep
frying
into 12-14
portion into
a very thin
chapatti. salt to taste
from
you recipes
and allow broad strips D
off the heat the water salt to taste Cut 3 inches so as to get 2-3 METHO brinjal into two halves
INGREDIENTS: s to remain in Cut the portion
you roll wrapper asparagus Drain out all
the each chapatti up one strip at a out the centre
For the batter:
which allow 6-8 spring
oil for frying
for 3-4 minutes. asparagus into
2 cups of besan
such strips.
Pick and scoop
brinjals so
as to have
a
to be prepared
92 A
cut the the can be
Topping
and in of which
water
and keep aside. the 2 tsp of oil
time. of the filling -out brinjal
Mini Crispy
1/ tsp of basil Continue to salt and pepper layers. Fry both
●
water fried well.
2
Once all the Roll out
popular with the stalk. Sprinkle for 10 minutes. different strips. the sides are
1/ tsp of soya
sauce Remove
2-3 minutes. ted from the cut into strips in this way.
FASCINATING
2 aside again
oil keep and the pieces
your guests.
2 tsp of olive onions chopped has
evapora and
the water. portion layered samosas and keep aside.
keep aside. Drain out all for the and prepare the and
2-3 tsp of spring portions vegetables, one of the ingredients Heat oil and a
on Heat the oil
Mix all the For the filling:
40 CONFIDENTIAL
- green and
white Carefull y remove cut this half cups in this way. onions and
By Roma Ghosh one and a fry the samosasare fry the mushroo ms,
rolls
mini spring wrappers and easily. batter. Add and mix medium heat till most of
the
Asparagus spring roll a little more that these
can handle
Samosas
into sizes you make small spring of water or your few at a time so tomatoes together ted. Add the
Mix well with brown.
It is good to these into the besan. a smooth flowing crispy and golden water is evapora fire for 2-3
you can serve into cook on low
rolls so that fingers to obtain for deep spices and the scooped
-out
having to cut enough oil minutes . Fill stuffing and then
whole without batter. Heat florets into samosas
ARTISTIC
each of the Mini crispy
brinjals with
this just
in frying. Dip fry in oil, a in the oven
pieces. of the filling and deep
Place a portion this batter are place the brinjals before you are
PVV Satyanarayana
and till the pakoras
Stuffed Brinjals
wrapper pieces heating just
●
each of the both the sides and few at a time for
and crispy.
first wrap from into a mini-siz ed golden brown ready to serve.
then roll over
O
spring roll. pan-fry the CAPPUCCIN
You can either pan or
on a non-stick Serve MINI CRISPY BADAM MILK
SAMOSAS
JOURNEY
spring rolls
with Mushrooms
in hot oil.
deep fry theseinto small pieces. IENTS:
INGRED
without cutting milk
You can keep and
the
INGREDIENTS: 100 ml of hot
Optiona l: 57
74 MAKING A MONKEY
long
to 3-4 inches 200 gm maida
asparagus roll
in every spring us ghee 2010
100 gm of March (First)
use one piece asparag Woman’s Era
●
cutting the
instead of
GRATEFULLY YOURS
CROSSWORD
BABY CLUB
AS YOU SAY 80
FOR 72
RIGHT JEWELLED
STEPS BEAUTY
79 NEW LAUNCHES
82 MY FAMILY,
MY FRIENDS AND ME...
90 THE DESIRABLE
LOOK
44 38 95 YOUR BODY
THE STUNNING SARI COMBING NEATLY READERS’
I AM PREGNANT CONTESTS
FEATURES KITCHEN QUERIES
CLASSIFIEDS
FILL UP THE
CROSSWORD
AND WIN RS 15,000
20 BEAUTY QUERIES 64 JOKES
EVERY FORTNIGHT
51 TEENACHE 65 HOW HEALTHY ARE YOU
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EDITORIAL
DRUGS ENGULFING YOUTH RIGHT TO KILL
O S
ver the years, work culture has changed hashidhar Mishra of Begusarai, Bihar is the
completely in Indian cities, especially in metros. second person after Satish Shetty of Pune to have
24x7 is the new work funda of the modern lost his life under Right to Information (RTI) Act.
corporate world. Needless to say, service sector has His ‘crime’ was just that he had used this Right in order
grown substantially in terms of providing better services to expose the deeds of corrupt officials. News of
and satisfaction to the customers. threatening such persons, who are using RTI, are
But all this comes at a price – a price that our youth common from all over the country. Often they are forced
have to pay with their time and health. 24x7 work into false legal cases. But Bihar has surpassed all other
culture demands that the work is to be done in shifts. states in this regard. Murder of two RTI activists
As such, working late night and beyond physical indicates that all is not well in Bihar – and in
capacity has become the order of the day. After such a Maharashtra also – which is bragging of achieving
tiring work schedules, it is but natural for the youth to unprecedented growth rate.
be indulged in partying and merry making in order to What is more alarming is the fact that even the
relax their crying nerves. Police department is taking the matter
There is nothing wrong in enjoying the very lightly. They are terming this
goodies of life earned through hard work. murder a consequence of some old
But the problem arises when these same feuds of the activist. Lately, Shashidhar
hard-working youth begin to use narcotic had come to be known as ‘Khabarilal’
drugs in their parties unaware of their because of his using RTI and thus
serious consequences. exposing the bureaucratic scams. As
Recently, Hyderabad Police has such, he had become a bone of
busted a drug racket in the city. The contention for the players indulged in
police action has led to some startling the game of corruption. His murder also
exposures. It reveals that narcotic drugs indicates that all the tall claims made
have spread their tentacles among the by the State Government of providing
youth and are essential feature of youth security to whistle blowers are hollow.
parties called rave parties. And it is just There is also news that the State
the tip of the iceberg. Government is mulling a proposal to
Arrest of Tollywood film producer K.V. Rao in amend the RTI Act in the state. If the Government
possession of a narcotic substance ephedrine shows succeeds in its intention, its move will render the RTI
that even celebrities are being caught in drug nuisance. ineffective. In the context of Bihar, it is a bitter reality
Police raids on pubs and tents, venues of rave parties, that corruption has spread at all levels and in all
have led to recovery of some dangerous narcotics like spheres. RTI has provided a potent tool into the hands
LSD, Speed and even Cocaine. Ravers disclose that of the whistle blowers to challenge the claims of the
they procure these substances from Goa. government, which should have shown the courage to
Such disclosures put a serious question mark on provide all the relevant information under RTI and made
the efficiency of our enforcement agencies, especially it stronger. But exactly opposite is happening and
the Narcotic Bureau, as narcotic substances travel a people are being scared off or harassed in some other
long way within the country without any interruption. ways.
Use of narcotic substances is a crime in the country. Corruption is a serious malady in India. Funds
But the present day youth have an easy access to allocated for developmental works are diverted
these drugs. They are caught for consuming them, but elsewhere. Hardly five to ten percent money reaches to
the big fish always evade interrogation. the target audience. Panchayats and Block
Increasing use of narcotics in rave parties is also an Development Offices are the last rungs, which de facto
indication that drug peddlers are having a good time implement a scheme at ground level. Right to
and a flourishing business in the country. Drugs very Information, in such a scenario, can empower the
soon make a person addict even if tried for once only. masses. But the recent developments prove that one
But youth try these drugs regularly in rave parties. The has to pay with his life if one wishes to use this Right.
addiction will very soon drain out their mental and Otherwise, it is anybody’s guess how much difficult it is
physical capabilities. So the situation warrants strict to fight corruption in this country despite having a potent
vigilance from enforcement agencies. tool in hands. letters@womansera.com We
HE YOUR
IS wonder if he is actually “the
one”. Is this him? Is this the
dream man you've been
waiting for all your life. Now,
DREAM MAN
nobody can tell you if someone is the
person you are to share the rest of
your life with, but here are the signs
that will tell you that he is your dream
man.
Measures of a man in a girl’s future... He respects women: Okay, this
By Praney Deb is a no-brainer, so it's best to get it
out of the way first. If he's respectful,
well mannered, polite and opens
doors for you and stands aside to let
you through first, he’s got class and
comes from a good family. If he talks
nicely to your mom, and speaks with
respect to his mom, chances are he’ll
treat you with respect as well. If he
orders his mother around, shouts at He knows how to dress: Every
his sister, swears at his ex, and woman knows that a man who can
salivates at every passing skirt, give dress is a man who is looking to
him his marching orders. impress. If your man knows how to
dress without you interfering, you
He treats everyone nicely: Let's must keep him. There is nothing
face it; all of us are nice to our worse in the world than having to
superiors. But it takes someone dress your man and yourself for a
special to be nice to a person who is night out. If he can coordinate his
below their station in life and to whom outfit and look great next to you – is
they need not be nice. The guy who that a dream or what?
considers himself above the taxi
driver or doorman may soon act like He loves being with you: Every
he's better than you (or your woman needs a man who actually
profession or your family). Plus, you’ll enjoys her presence. If your man only
always feel mortified about his bad requests you to sit in the same room He really wants to be with you to
manners. with him while he reads or finishes share time and experiences with you,
work just because you brighten his even if that means heading to the
Google him: We don't encourage day, it is a good sign that he's a mall to ponder the sales. He is happy
spying but once you know his name it definite keeper. If he simply lights up to hear your voice, get an e-mail from
is kind of hard not to google him, the moment he sees you or hears you when he’s at work, and his face
admit it. Just typing in his name can your voice, he truly enjoys you as a lights up when he sees you. It’s great
tell you a few things about him – the person and as a mate. This is truly to be wanted and he can’t hide how
school he passed out from, his one of the best things you can ever he feels about you. Lucky you!
facebook friends, and whether he has have in a relationship.
any harassment or stalking charges He has a solid relationship with
against him. Do this early, so there his family: Finding a man who has a
are no surprises later, but use your great relationship with his family is
own judgement and do not believe
everything you read on the Internet.
FINDING A MAN priceless. A man who has a great
relationship with his family is a man
WHO HAS A who has great family values. His
He keeps promises: If he keeps relationship with his family can clue
appointments and keeps promises, GREAT you into what family life would be like
he’s a keeper. If he remembers what
he promised in the heat of the
RELATIONSHIP with him in the future.
Ever heard the saying that if you
moment, then he’s worth considering. WITH HIS FAMILY see how a man treats his mother you
If he goes beyond and above the call will know how he will treat you? Well,
of duty to carry out a promise, then IS PRICELESS. A it’s true. A man who has a sound
book yourself into the nearest mental
hospital if you let him go.
MAN WHO HAS relationship with his family and
friends reveals he has good family
A GREAT values and the potential to be an
He gets along with your friends: excellent husband and father. And
If he enjoys your friends’ company, I RELATIONSHIP while every family has ups and
mean really enjoys their company,
with no pretence, then he’s the real
WITH HIS FAMILY downs, seeing your man stand tall
and be supportive of his family is a
deal. There is nothing worse than IS A MAN WHO good sign he’s one to hang on to,
being with someone who always because he will do the same for you.
finds excuses not to hang out with HAS GREAT
He is not a show-off: He doesn’t
you and your friends. Of course, if he
showers too much attention on your
FAMILY VALUES. mention that his watch is a
hottie friends and ignores your Rolex. Or that he made a
nottie friends, then it’s probably killing in the real-estate
better to let him go. And because market. Or how much his
your friends know you so well Mercedes set him back.
they will gauge him on Guys who talk
their own and pass their about how much
own judgement, whether things cost,
you like it or not. especially to a
manage finances, and basically stay
out of trouble. If your man can do this
without your help, you have found a
great man.
If he’s not the type to blame
others, or circumstances for life
situations, if he accepts
accountability for his actions and is
willing to self-examine, take
responsibility, grow personally and if
you can trust him with your dog for a
weekend while you are out of town
with your girlfriends, girl, he is a
dream not to be woken up from.
THE WISH TO
scolded her. The next day I
remember narrating the incident
at school (where our medium of
instruction was Tamil), repeating
the word ‘suicide’ as many times
as I could, sort of showing off that
DIE
I had learnt a new word. Young as I
was, I did not realise the seriousness
M
aybe you have no problem after a main meal of the day. ● Try to start the main meal of
maintaining your ideal body ● Eat slowly. It takes about 20 the day with a heart-healthy
weight or you belong to the minutes for the satiety impulse to vegetable soup. In this way the
larger group of women who struggle arrive in the brain. Chewing the food nutrients in the soup will help with
every day to keep the extra weight well will also help digestion. digestion, and the consumed
off. Maybe you have tried many ● Never go grocery shopping amount of liquid will satisfy a part
diets but they didn't work or they hungry. It is the best to go buying of your stomach, so you will feel full
worked to some extent but, when foods after a meal. Then you are sooner with less food eaten.
you went back to your previous more likely to buy exactly what you ● Always start the day with
eating habits, you gained weight need, and make the healthier food breakfast. That will give your brain
back. The following living and choices and buy foods with less and body much-needed energy for
eating practices will help you to sugar and fat content. starting with the day’s activities and
maintain a healthy body weight. ● Drink plenty of water get your metabolism running. Active
● Eat small meals every two to throughout the day, between meals. metabolism means burning more
three hours. In that way you keep That will maintain proper nutrient calories.
your metabolism working and exchange and also a faster cleaning ● Have your last meal of the
prevent overeating at the next meal. of harmful by-products of cell day at least three hours before
● Do some kind of exercise for metabolism out of the body. Go for going to bed.
at least 30 minutes every day. That six to eight glasses a day. ● And, last but not least, don't
could be as simple as walking with ● Don't skip meals as you are cut on your sleep to finish other
moderate pace, preferably shortly about to overeat at the next meal. things. – Alma Letic.
Q&
must inform you of the effect you can
expect. You cannot expect Angelina What is the difference between
Jolie mouth if you have very thin lips. glimm er/ shimmer powder and
bronzing powder and how to use it
on the cheeks?
Whatever I do my kajal bleeds and The difference is in the light-
comes onto my cheeks. I love reflecting shine of the products. Also,
My question is about what cream wearing the natural kajal in the eyes bronzing powder is used to give a
producers say about method of using and don’t understand why this is defined sculpted look to the apples
exfoliators. Is there a simple list of happening, I used to do it when I of the cheeks and the shimmer
how to use them for maximum lived in Canada and it was not a powder should only be used on top of
benefit? problem. What should I do? the cheekbones.
When using the ready-made If you have always used the same
variety, do check out the instructions. product which is now bleeding it must
Generally, it is best to wet your face be the weather change. Maybe your I have ugly blackheads on my nose
before exfoliating. Use a loofah or kajal pencil is oil-based. There are and on the side of the nose. I get
exfoliating gloves while using the some lighter formulations available in them steamed in a salon but they
facial exfoliator. With circular motions the market. Try a more dry version. appear in no time. What can I do to
use the facial exfoliator. Avoid the Or opt for surma which is powder- appear better?
eye area. After using the exfoliator, based. Alternatively, you could even Blackheads are largely dirt that
rinse with warm water. Apply a seal it in with eyeliner. accumulates in our pores which is not
A
moisturiser afterwards. When removed. So regular exfoliation
exfoliating your face, use an should reduce the occurrence and
exfoliator that is specifically designed My lipstick tends to fade in no time. remove the surface grime. Take rice
for the face and not a body scrub, What can I do to make my lipstick and oatmeal powder in equal
and that it is not for a specific skin last longer? quantity, add water and rub over the
type which is not yours. You might benefit from selecting affected area daily.
the longer lasting lipstick – these are Adding buttermilk rather than
often matte and not glossy. Another water should give you better results.
My beautician says she uses trick that works most of the time is Also, you could wipe your nose with
essential oil in anti-wrinkle treatment. powdering and layering – draw the ice-cold water before going out and
Can I do this at home? outline with a liner, fill in with strokes that should minimise your pores.
In principle, yes, most self-made of lip pencil. Apply lipstick, blot gently.
treatments that are not from a known Apply a very light dusting powder and
company can be made at home but apply a final coat of lipstick. Do BEAUTY QUERIES
fine-tuning the ratio might take some remember that when it fades, the
time and practice. Some essential whole thing needs to be reapplied, not Readers are invited to send their
oils that can reduce lines and just touched up in the centre. beauty problems and questions
wrinkles are sandalwood, geranium, regarding face, complexion,
rosewood, rose jasmine, neroli and hair, skin, eyes etc to this column.
frankincense. We are a group of five friends and Address your letters, written
Mix these oils with evening we meet once a week. I want to legibly or typed on white paper, to:
primrose oil or another base to make prepare a suitable face pack. For all
WOMAN'S ERA,
your own natural anti-wrinkle lotion. skin types, so we can all enjoy the
E-3, Jhandewala Estate,
To make a natural anti-wrinkle cream same thing when we meet at my
New Delhi-110055.
for the eyes, use a base of cocoa house.
Womansera.com
butter and add neroli. Yes, there are face packs which
A
bout your children, Mr Durai?” a young fast asleep. Why can’t you discuss that tomorrow
reporter asked the celebrity furtively. The morning? Hope you do not have an early morning
celebrity who was answering all the earlier shooting schedule.”
questions with a kind of extreme confidence “I do. But it can wait. I will talk to her first and
bordering on arrogance, now lowered his then go out.”
voice and told her softly, “Only a daughter. Durai punched some numbers on his mobile and
Name, Kunthavai. She is everything to me. started issuing commands to his deputies.
She is doing her doctorate in clinical psychology.” It was just seven in the morning. Durai’s
The celebrity, Durai, was an acclaimed director of impatience was obvious. He had one eye on the
TV serials. His serials enjoyed the highest TRP rating newspaper and another on the door of Kunthavai’s
in the State. room.
He was an expert in making people cry with his
W
family soaps, a much-wanted man in the industry hen he saw his tall, beautiful daughter
who commanded a reputation and had earnings walking out of the room, he was all smiles.
which were the envy of his counterparts in the cine Kunthavai too reciprocated his smile.
field. “You wanted to talk with your dad, darling? Is it
A private TV channel had organised a felicitation about the Honda car I promised you last month? Or
for Durai and he was attending a press meet shall we go ahead and buy that diamond jewellery
immediately afterwards. which we saw in Prince Jewellery two days back?”
Once thoughts about his only daughter came Kunthavai’s face fell. Durai’s heart skipped a
flowing in, he did not have the mind to continue with beat.
that bland press meet. After answering another “No, dad. This is something serious. Dad...
insipid question, he ended the meet. dad... I am in a ... kind of... a trap. I am being
“Kunthavai... Kunthavai...” threatened... dad...!”
In response to Durai’s frantic call his wife came “What happened, my dear?” Durai tossed the
from the kitchen. newspaper to the floor and stood up.
“What’s she doing?” “Ush!” Kunthavai placed her finger on her
That was his usual question whenever Without lips, with her eyes pointing to the kitchen.
he came home from work every day. waiting for “Not so loud, dad. Mom need not know
There was a marked concern in his her father’s about it. Why don’t we go to the garden and
wife’s voice. consent she talk?”
“Sleeping. She was restlessly waiting walked into Without waiting for her father’s consent
for you till now. Was telling that she had the garden she walked into the garden through the large
to discuss something so badly with you. through the French window in the drawing room. Durai
She tried to reach you in your mobile. large French followed his daughter.
But...” window in the Kunthavai started to talk in a whisper.
“Cut that stuff. Come, let’s go and find drawing “Dad, you have to control yourself. Don’t
out what she wants.” room. Durai get worked up on this. Okay?”
“No, not now. She has been telling me followed his Kunthavai’s prelude served only to get him
that she is damn tired. Did not even eat daughter. worked up faster.
her dinner. Has gone to bed and is now “Dad, in another two months I will finish
D
write a few good words about it and sign it. Then urai was picking up bits and pieces from the
only will it be taken up for assessment.” dialogues he wrote for the last episode of his
“So what?” popular serial.
“Cool it, dad, cool it, please. Professor Kunthavai was too shocked to respond. After
Balakrishnan is my guide. His guidance has been what seemed to be an eternity, a shivering
really valuable. He helped me in the choice of the Kunthavai almost whispered to her father.
subject. “Dad, let’s not get into any kind of violence. Then
“He guided me on how I should do the research. you will be caught in a criminal case. Will you just
And whenever I got stuck, he was there to help. listen to me?
But... but... But... now... he... is...” “Please come with me to that rascal’s house. In
“Come on. Make it fast, girl. You drag for one my presence you lift that fellow up by his shirt collar
more minute, I will spit my heart out.” and ask him how dare he talk like that to your
“But now he has named a price for endorsing my daughter.
thesis.” “That’s more than enough for me, dad. Even if I
“Phew! That’s nothing to worry about, my dear. don’t get my PhD, it does not matter.”
When in Rome do as the Romans do! How much “Give me a minute to change my dress.”
does he expect? I will pay him double, why, three Kunthavai also went to change.
times the amount he normally gets from the other The moment Durai was alone he went to his iron
students. Will a hundred thousand be okay, safe hidden inside his wardrobe and pulled out a
darling?” revolver. He opened it to check if it had enough
“Oh, dad! It’s not the money. It is something bullets in it.
else.” He clicked it closed and put it inside his jacket.
Durai froze in his place. He did not tell Kunthavai about his carrying a
“What the hell does he want?” weapon.
“He wants me... wants me... to stay... with him... Both the father and the daughter came out to the
at a hotel in... Mahabalipuram... for a night.” portico at the same time. A driver who was standing
“Bastard! Scoundrel! Loafer! Leave him to me, nearby, came running to them.
dear. I will tear him to pieces. I will kill him right Durai waved him aside and jumped into the
largest of the cars parked in his driveway,
a Honda Accord.
Kunthavai got into the passenger seat
and soon they were on the main road.
“His house is at Velachery,” she said.
Durai was going at breakneck speed.
“What do you think, dad? What that
fellow has done is wrong, isn’t it?”
“Why should you have doubt on that,
Kunthavai? You should be his daughter’s
age. And if he is trying to misbehave with
you... Well, if he had done something
similar in an Arab country, his punishment
would be...”
Durai checked himself mid-sentence.
“If he asks a student like this and if the
student’s parents come to know, what kind
of torture will it be for them? As a
professor, should he not know that?”
Kunthavai was now fanning the fire in
her father’s heart. Durai impulsively felt the
weapon in his jacket.
D
“What are you saying, Kunthavai?” urai did not have the heart to lift his head and
“Yes, dad. It’s true. A rogue has asked his see his daughter’s face. He was focussing on
daughter the same question. And that rogue put that a dust particle in the floor mat of the car.
question to his daughter even before he asked me. Is Uncomfortable silence reigned for a while.
it not funny, dad?” Durai started the vehicle and attempted to make a
U-turn to go back to their house.
D
urai was shocked. The car skidded to a halt. “What are you doing, dad?”
The vehicles in the rear started to sound their “I am sorry, Kunthavai. I won’t let this happen
horns. Durai swerved the car to the left and again.”
looked askance at his daughter. “Dad, this is not the TV serial you are directing,
“What the hell are you talking, Kunthavai?” where the villain gets reformed in a single line of
“Truth, dad, nothing but the bitter, harsh truth. dialogue and some pleasant background music.
Professor Balakrishnan’s daughter wanted to act in This is real life, dad. Listen to me. We are going
TV serials. to Professor Balakrishnan’s house. You
“She went for an audition should apologise to the entire family in my
yesterday. The director shot her presence.
from various angles and finally “And you should promise on your
told her that she was not only daughter that this will not happen
good enough. She was sad again. If you do not agree to this, have a
and was about to leave the good look at me. This will be the last time
place. you will be seeing your only
“One of the director’s daughter. Goodbye.”
assistants came running to her. Kunthavai tried to get down
He told her in so many words that from the car. Durai stopped her.
if she was prepared to sleep with Kunthavai looked at her dad’s
the director that afternoon, she face. The famous TV director
would get a role in the next who used to teach his
serial. She ran away from the actors and actresses
scene in tears.” how to cry, the popular
“But you know, dad, her TV director who had
father did not jump in anger made millions of
like you did. He calmly told viewers cry every
his daughter that she had to week, was now
keep away from those places weeping shamefully.
if she wanted to be good. He was too
“He did not show his emotional to speak. He
emotions, dad. But he should held Kunthavai’s hand
have suffered a real hell inside. tight. He signalled to her
And you know better, because that he would do as
you have been suffering the same bidden.
hell for the past one hour. The Accord resumed its
“Yes, dad. I told my friend journey to the Professor’s
Gayathri that the scoundrel who house at Velachery. We
‘SPA’CTACULAR
famous but done in a crude way.
Today, India among the Asian
countries is becoming a popular
place to get de-stressed, rejuvenated
and beautified with the new
A great, passive way treatments discovered from all over
the globe.
to refresh and rejuvenate. And these traditional treatments
are being rediscovered and brought
By Gayatri T Rao to you in a scientific way.
T
hose after-office surprise through its natural process tries to choose from creams having SPF15
parties are a nightmare, protect itself from the ultra violet rays to SPF50 or even more. It is
aren’t they? After all the boss by producing more melanin, a generally advisable to buy products
doesn’t understand that even pigment that determines the colour having at least SPF25 and above if
the concealer fails to of our skin. Women who do not you are frequently exposed to the
camouflage those dark expose themselves to the sun very harsh rays.
circles after a hard day. And often may also get a tan. Another essential element that
that tiny pimple popping up has to be kept in mind is that you
on the right cheek is scary. Remedy: Dermatologists opine must know your skin type before
Actually it’s really difficult to that it is necessary to use a good buying a sunscreen lotion. Water-
be a diva, after nine hours of those quality sunscreen lotion before based or gel-based products are
acrobatic stunts with files, stepping into the sun. There are a always better for oily skin, as they do
presentations and tetchy clients. wide variety of products available in not give a blotchy look whereas
Our busy lifestyles, demanding the market giving you a scope to cream-based products are
schedules, weird working hours and choose the right product to suit your recommended for dry skin types.
stress are taking a toll on our internal pocket and your skin type. But before
health, which is manifested through buying a sunscreen lotion or a cream, How to use: It is said that the
different beauty issues like dark always remember to check the ideal duration for application of
circles, skin tanning, pimples, etc. ingredients and the SPF. You can sunscreen must be at least 20
externally. But you could still be a minutes before going out and should
epitome of grace and gorgeousness be repeated every four hours even
in spite of that busy schedule by though you are mostly inside. You
following some simple steps: must apply the lotion on your face
and other exposed parts of your body
Tanning: A very common problem and even on the eyelids with gentle
with women who are in jobs that strokes as they are among the most
needs one to stay outdoors for long sensitive areas.
hours is the tanning. This is a skin
problem often caused by over- Home remedies: Although there
exposure to the sun which causes are various products that prevent sun
severe damage to the skin. The skin tanning it is really difficult to reverse
M
disease early. By Dr S. S. Fonseca
ost women spend a lot of examined under a microscope by a gynaecological system.
time and money on their pathologist who reports on the Worldwide, Pap smears have
outer appearance but changes of the uterine cervix and played an extremely important and
forget that the well-being vaginal lining cells. The Pap test successful role in minimising the
of the unexposed female results are reported as a grade. incidence of cervical cancer. In a
organs is equally ● Grade I – everything is fine. German study, it was found that 20-
important. The Pap test ● Grade II – something is mildly 25 per cent of the women with no
provides an easy way of wrong. It may be an infection or complaints already had some silent
knowing what’s happening inflammation that also affects the gynaecological disease. It is now a
to the hidden cervix and appearance of the lining cells. universally accepted fact that a
vagina. The test evaluates the ● Grade III – the lining cells are woman may be suffering from
changes in appearance of cells lining definitely disturbed. Patients in grade changes to the lining of the uterine
these female parts. Invented by III must receive more aggressive cervix, with no complaints. It is also a
Greek doctor, Dr Georgios Papani- treatment, so that the changes are recognised fact that the success of
colaou, and his co-workers in 1948, arrested and not allowed to progress cervical cancer therapy depends very
the Pap test is still accepted to the next grade. The Pap test much on the early detection of the
worldwide for being very informative should be repeated after adequate cancer. Since cancer of the cervix
and inexpensive and is routinely used treatment. may take about 10 years to become
as a screening system. The Pap ● Grade IV – rings loud alarm full blown, early detection and
smear is meant especially for women bells. It indicates the great possibility treatment of cervical cancer has a
with no gynaecological symptoms or of malignant changes in the cells. very good outcome.
complaints, after 35 years of age. ● Grade V – confirms the It is therefore recommended that
The collection of a Pap smear is presence of malignant changes in the women without gynaecological
simple, quick and painless. symptoms take the first Pap
It is done in the outpatient test at the age of 35 years.
clinic, commonly after a If no pathology is found
gynaecological examination. (grade I), it should be
A pathologist or gynaecolo- repeated yearly. In case
gist collects it. The qualified there is any cell disturbance
doctor gently rubs a sterile or inflammation, the test
cotton swab or wooden must be repeated following
spatula over the cervix and treatment or after six
vaginal lining. The invisible months. With a regular Pap
cells collected on the swab smear to monitor the status
are spread on a couple of of her gynaecological
clean glass slides. The health, a woman can
slides are then sprayed over protect herself from
with alcohol. When dry, they immense suffering. The Pap
are dropped into an smear test helps a woman
envelope and sent to the live a long and healthy life,
laboratory for examination. thus enabling her to
In the laboratory, the continue showering her love
slides are stained and on her dear ones. We
Combing
hairdo.
neatly
a lot of
It is evident that to these
in
thought has gone et there is
hair makeovers. Yerimentation
exp
always room for vement
and impro
Focal combing
An Afro look
Occidental combing
A bob cut
Curls and waves
Oriental combing
Throw back combing
STORY
SHORT
Confidential
What happened behind the boss’ closed doors?
By PVV Satyanarayana
O
urs was a small marketing branch office with be asked to close the door. He had further added
a strength of 25. Our branch manager, that the boss had followed his advice in a number of
though a good man, was a terror. He was a cases; and to strengthen his contention, he had
taskmaster and would tolerate no nonsense in reeled off several examples too.
the office work. Being a perfectionist, even a With this new revelation, our regard for Ramana
small mistake invited his wrath. He would Rao had soared to new heights, and his image
give a thorough dressing down and spared doubled, I should say. Now that it became apparent
no one. He threatened the staff with dismissal if they that Ramana Rao was very close to the manager,
did not perform well. However, he was never known everyone vied with one another to woo him, hoping
to resorting to this extreme step. All the same, to get into the good books of the boss through him.
everyone at the branch was damn scared of him. They threw drink parties collectively and individually
The only exception, however, was Ramana Rao, to Ramana Rao, on some pretext or other, trying to
the seniormost staff of the branch. The 50- please him. He seemed to enjoy all this
plus man was tall and thin. Sporting the special attention.
French-cut moustache, he looked somewhat All of us at But I was the odd man out, as I had
funny. He had joined the branch at its the branch neither the inclination nor push to follow in
inception 20 years ago. respected him the footsteps of my other colleagues. I was
All of us at the branch respected him for for his the juniormost of all, having joined the
his seniority and long experience. We seniority and branch as a computer operator just a year
addressed him as guruji, as we took his long before. I had every respect and regard for
advice and guidance in our day-to-day experience. my seniors and never crossed my own
work. We held him in high esteem, We addressed limits. I always concentrated on my work
especially for his uncanny ability to emerge him guruji, as and never joined the others in their idle
from the boss’s chamber with a smiling we took his chatter.
face every time! We often gathered advice and Apparently this was the reason for
around Ramana Rao to listen to the stories guidance in Ramana Rao evincing special interest in
of his long experience. He was good at our day-to- me. As I mentioned this casually to a
narrating tales evoking interest in the day work. colleague, he had burst into laughter, and
listeners. said, “It’s not the love for you. You are an
It had been the practice of the manager to keep eligible bachelor and guruji has an Elizabethan
the door of his chamber a little ajar so that he could daughter to marry off. He must be having an eye on
check the staff from gossiping during working hours. you as his prospective son-in-law.”
Whenever Ramana Rao entered the chamber, he
E
would shut the door a couple of minutes later. This ven as I looked puzzled, he had elaborated,
was puzzling to all of us. So, one day, we had “My dear dude, Ramana Rao’s daughter is as
expressed our curiosity to him. old as Queen Elizabeth. And she is still a
Ramana Rao had smiled and explained thus: The spinster.” Poking fun at the girl, he had let out peal
manager often consulted him on the marketing of derisive laughter again.
strategies to be adopted, as the latter was working I did not like the gibe. I hated others’
there since the beginning. And whenever certain weaknesses or haplessness being a cause for the
confidential matters were to be discussed, he would butt of jokes. I made a grave face, expressing my
O
ne day, the manager had assigned me the “I have been admonishing you day in and day
task of locating some old files from the out, even drawing out a time table. Yet, you don’t
cupboards in his anteroom. This was a room seem to mend your ways. Of what use is your long
made of plywood partitions and curtains and used service if you can’t do a thing properly? You are
by the boss for taking his lunch and rest. Even as I only fit for rearing donkeys, I should say. Even
was on the job, I heard the boss summoning though I am fed up with scolding you every day, you
Ramana Rao, and the latter entering a few minutes are hardly moved and ashamed. How I wish I got
later. rid of you... if only the compassion factor was not
I was startled to hear our boss flaring up as soon coming in the way! Do you realise what would
as Ramana Rao entered. Unable to believe it, I happen to your family if you lose the job... that too
peeped through the curtain. Even as the boss was at this advanced age!” He drank another glass of
shouting at him, I could see Ramana Rao excusing water, again handed over by Ramana Rao.
himself, returning to the entrance and shutting the “You are mistaking my leniency for weakness, I
door quietly. suppose,” the boss continued the firing. “Ours is a
As the boss scolded him right and left using all the marketing branch, mind you! If I continue with a
expletives he could recollect, Ramana Rao stood waste fellow like you, I’m sure to be ousted from the
silently before him as would a most obedient student job myself! So, I have decided...”
before the teacher, with his hands folded and head Even before the boss could complete the
sentence, there came to be heard a thudding sound. Ramana Rao was so startled at seeing me that he
I had instantly peeped in to know what had almost fell to the ground but for holding on to the
happened. edge of the table. For he would not have expected
Ramana Rao was lying flat at the feet of the boss. me – or, for that matter, anyone else – there at that
Even as he was trying to hold the latter’s feet, the ‘odd’ moment. I felt quite uneasy at the situation. I
boss hurriedly withdrew them as though he feared did not dare look at him.
being pulled down by his subordinate as revenge. The boss asked me to tell the driver to keep the
“Please, sir. Take pity on me. I have three over- vehicle ready as he wanted to go out on official
aged daughters to marry off,” Ramana Rao was work in a few minutes. That gave me a respite, and
pleading, clutching the feet of the boss. “I promise an excuse to get out of the embarrassing situation. I
you, sir, I shall be more careful in my work. Kindly almost ran out, carefully avoiding meeting the eyes
do not dismiss me from service.” of Ramana Rao.
I found the driver sitting in the shade of the
T
he boss seemed to be pacified a little.” Okay, banyan tree in the compound smoking and chatting
okay. Now, you leave my feet. You seem to with somebody. I walked up to him and conveyed
have mastered the technique of falling at my the message. As I was returning, I saw Ramana Rao
feet every time, like the leg-break in cricket. If I show emerging from the manager’s room. I hid myself
mercy to you for the sake of your children, my from his view.
children would be on the streets,” he chided him.
S
“Mind you, this is the last and final warning! Next traightening his tie and sporting a broad smile,
time, you commit a blunder in your work... I shall not as if nothing had happened, Ramana Rao
make my feet accessible to you, any more. Do you nonchalantly walked out of the chamber. One
understand?” of the staff had approached him and asked, “The
“Yes, sir,” Ramana Rao got up happily. “Thank meeting seems to have taken a long time, Guruji. Is
you very much, sir. I shall keep your photo in my there anything special?”
puja room and worship it.” Ramana Rao looked around carefully, apparently
“What? You want me to die, eh?” the boss for me. Not finding me in the vicinity, he seemed to
jumped in his seat. have mustered courage. He replied with a broad
Ramana Rao was quick to add, “No, sir. Not at smile, “Yeah. We were discussing an important task,
all! You are my saviour. What I mean is... I shall not which is very confidential. Now the boss is going
garland your photograph, but worship it with out on that mission.”
flowers daily.” I was flabbergasted at what I had heard, and
“Okay, okay. Take care!” could not help musing, ‘Oh, what a great actor he is!’
“Yes, sir!” Soon after the manager had left, Ramana Rao
I was so stunned and obfuscated by the whole rushed to me even as I continued with my task in the
episode that I could come to my senses only at the anteroom. I could hear him closing the chamber’s
second call of the boss. Shaken a little at the door behind him.
unexpected unfolding of events, I walked slowly into Suddenly he caught hold of both my hands and
the chamber. pleaded with me, “Please, Rambabu. Promise me
not to tell anybody about whatever had happened
here earlier.”
I eyed him silently for a few seconds. He looked
pitiable. I assured him that I would
never reveal it to anyone.
He squatted on the floor as if
he had lost all his energy, and
held his face in his hands sadly. I
did not know what to say.
He had abruptly raised his
head and looked at me.
“Rambabu, I think I should
share my problem with
you, frankly...”
I looked into his
eyes expectantly. I
listened silently and
intently as he spoke with emotion... Ramana He was the A terrible shroud of pity engulfed me
Rao was once an efficient worker and had seniormost on learning the truth.
received appreciation from all his bosses. Of staff member “Sorry, Rambabu. All these days, I
late, however, the situation had changed. He in the branch, have been fooling all of of you
had three over-aged marriageable daughters after all; and if pretending to be close to the boss. If our
now. In spite of his best efforts he could not the others colleagues come to know of the truth, no
marry them off, as he was unable to meet the came to know one would care for me, not even for my
demands for huge dowries. This had invited that he was long experience. I would become a
the ridicule and rebukes from his wife, as also being scolded laughing stock. So please have pity on
taunts from his neighbours. This had severely by the boss, he me and bury the secret within yourself,”
upset his mental peace, and seriously was sure to pleaded Ramana Rao again, with folded
affected his concentration and efficiency in lose their hands.
his office work. As a result, he was inviting respect and I held his hands trying to soothe his
the wrath of the boss quite often... regard. emotions. “Don’t you worry about it,
He was the seniormost staff member in the guruji. I can very well understand your
branch, after all; and if the others came to problem. Even if you suffer from a bad
know that he was being scolded by the boss, he was patch at present, you will surely come out of it soon.
sure to lose their respect and regard. So, whenever You are still our valued senior colleague. Who else
the boss was to scold him, he would close the door has got the kind of long, rich experience as you
so that the shouts of the boss were not heard have, at this branch? You are always a guruji for all
outside. He would tell the colleagues that the boss of us,” said I, wholeheartedly.
was discussing confidential matters with him, only to Light-hearted and ebullient at my reassuring
save his own face. He would sport a smile even words, Ramana Rao embraced me with affection
while weeping inside! and apparent gratitude. We
Sari, the Indian
attire looks
enthralling from
any angle you look
at the wearer. It is
no surprise that it
has found wide
acceptance in the
west too.
The
Stunning Sari
This superb and stylish
sari can be your prized
possession.
It is the way of wearing the
sari which has enhanced the
wearer’s looks.
The wearer has
worn the sari in
quite a novel
way. It leaves
nothing that can’t
be admired.
There is
imagination and
innovation in the
style of draping
the sari around
the person.
STRESS
&
YOUR
SEX LIFE
Methods to
tranquillity to solve a
major modern problem.
By Dr S.N. Khosla
There is a big distinctive common manifestations of stress and
difference between stress and strain. strain. A very important aspect of
Stress is what is going on in our stress which is often ignored is the
environment, the difficulties and deleterious effect of stress upon sex
frustrations of daily life, unwelcome life. The earliest casualty may be a
surroundings, the rat race to go up decrease in the sex urge and both
in the hierarchy and, for some, the men and women may start having
struggle to fight for their very hardly any urge left for normal sexual
existence. In contrast to this, strain activity. Often, this leads to tension
is a reaction inside the victim who is in the minds of people as if some
crying, fighting with his or her normal major catastrophe is going to
body processes and in the bargain happen. A decrease in the sex urge
gets various physical and mental ills. conducive to good health. A small develops because of an imbalance
It is living under this constant state degree of anxiety induces a person to developing in a person’s sympathetic
of tension whether physical or mental react in a way he or she can adjust. system due to heightened tension
which has its own hazards. Those who fail to react, carry an and anxiety. In fact, it is a vicious
The human body has great unnecessary burden of undesirable circle. Stress may be responsible for
capabilities of adapting itself to situations which produce nothing but a decrease in the sex urge (libido)
environmental situations and states poor health and an ill-adjusted while the couple is unaware of it and
of stress. It increases its capacity to individual. But stress for one person may start blaming each other as
withstand various forms of pressures, may not be stress for another. impotent or frigid.
whether external or internal. When There are certain professions
put under stress, certain which mean more stress and these
physiological changes in the form of include high executives and
an increased liberation of hormones professional people like doctors,
takes place and if the body lawyers and people holding senior
withstands the stress, the whole jobs. No wonder such people are
strain is absorbed but in case the always more prone to getting ulcers,
tissues fail to respond to the stressful heart attacks and high blood
stimuli, the damage varying from mild pressure, etc. But let us not get away
to irreparable may occur. with the notion that it is only the
Stress may be a source of anxiety, higher-income group or rich people
tension worry and fear when an who suffer from tension. Poverty has
individual is unable to adjust its own hazards and probably it may
successfully to the unpleasant be the single biggest cause of
situations and it has been rightly said, physical and mental ailments in our
“when this happens, there is anarchy country. The most prominent part of your
in the body and mind, instead of Hardly any system in the body personality is your face. Therefore you
should keep it shinning like the moon. You
forming a coherent and harmonious escapes from the ill-effects of stress. must cleanse it with a nice cleanser. Do it
whole, it is like soldiers in the same Emotions and stress have a great daily. It is a good way to smooth your face.
regiment who set about killing each role to play in the causation of a Take note that good diet means good
health and consequently a soft, smooth
other.” number of ailments. We may respond and shining skin. Eat fresh vegetables and
Most of the time we cope with differently to various stresses fruits. That’s the best way to ensure good
health and silky skin.
stress and strains of everyday living depending on our build and genetic Needless to say, you must be a foundation
but when the pressure mounts too predispositions. There is often user. It is but natural. But select a light-
high or the stress or strain lasts too general irritability, weakening of weight one.
Cosmetics and beauty go together. Now is
long, it takes a heavy toll in its wake. activity, excessive fatigue or often the time to choose the best. There is a lot of
A person under stress may be hyper excitability. cosmetics available. Use good cosmetics
as many times as you wish during the day.
anxious, irritable and tense. The daily Vitamin E oil works wonders to the skin.
chores of life become a constant
effort and rather disagreeable. There
MANIFESTATIONS OF You should get habituated to the oil. Use it
every night before retiring. Keep it on the
is lack of concentration, attention, STRESS skin for half an hour and give it a vigorous
rubbing in.
loss of memory and sleeplessness. Irritability, sleeplessness,
Anxiety and lack of well-being may palpitation, headaches, lack of
be the index of a person’s response concentration, loss of vigour of life,
to external stress. In fact, absolute pain in neck or back, excessive
tranquillity in the face of stressful fatigue, premenstrual tension in
situations is neither desirable nor women — all are some of the
TEEN ACHE
TEEN CHE
I do to become okay? My parents,
A
both high-ups in the corporate world,
have talks with sympathetic school
counsellors or a kindly understanding
Q&
do not even know I exist! I have no relative, friend or psychiatrist who will
siblings. help you unload your emotions, and
Your habit of cutting is a common, take stock of them. Experienced
My boyfriend and I are both 19 years recognised behaviour pattern of persons will help you relax, unwind
old and are planning to get married in disturbed youngsters. Since these and start enjoying life. In fact, when
a couple of years when he starts persons feel impotent rage and you are taught the right attitude,you
earning. My problem is that his frustration against the whole world, will find that no external element can
parents do not approve of me and they direct the attacks on to their own upset you unless you let it do so.
are trying to scuttle our plans. They persons. Some even show excessive
do not want him to marry for at least aggressiveness...like kicking and I am a 15-year-old girl in a very
10 years more, and preferably to a punching the wall or furniture. It difficult situation. My friends and I
better-suited girl than I am! I know seems evident that you are full of attended a party last week where we
my boyfriend cares a lot for his unexpressed rage and sad with your tried some alcohol for the very first
parents. Do you think I will be happy parents’ neglect. It will be good to time. I felt very dizzy and disoriented
with him, when he will surely take and had to be helped to a bedroom to
their side more than mine, when we I am really at the end of my tether! rest. I fell asleep. When my friends
are married? I am an only child of my parents. came to wake me up, they found me
You have seen the risks of this The two of them do not see eye to naked, covered by a sheet. It was very
relationship quite rationally. If he is eye over any matter and are clear that someone had molested or
still tied to his parents’ apron strings, always quarreling. I think they are even raped me. I remember nothing
you may have to be very tolerant and thinking of divorce too. My problem at all. We decided to keep this a
forgiving in this marriage. Are you is that each fills my ears with secret to protect my character. Please
willing to do this? complaints about the other. All the tell me what to do. Should I just put it
His parents’ reluctance to an early time. I hate this for I do not want to aside like a bad dream?
A
marriage is understandable. Unless take sides. I love both of them. First of all, you should consult a
a man is fully capable of looking after Help! lady doctor to find out whether you
family and home, he should not think Parents often think only about have been raped, and whether you
of marriage. Does he think both of themselves and do not see how have become pregnant. This is a very
you can stay with his parents? This their children are affected by their real risk. The doctor can also treat
may be difficult considering their quarrels. In your case, you do not you for infection and bruising if any. If
antagonism. It is definitely advisable have siblings either to lessen your pregnant, you should consider an
to wait before taking the plunge. At distress. Your views are indeed abortion.
the present, do not make any mature and considerate. You must, You should confide in your mother
promises or commitment. You are however, talk to your parents and surely you will not be scolded or
both very young by today’s norms to frankly and tell them not to blamed for the incident, although you
enter matrimony. Both of you could badmouth each other to you. Let may have to face the music for
find more suitable partners with the them know how disturbed you are. imbibing drinks. As you are very
passage of time. This could be a wake-up call for young, you need adult help and
them to take up their child-rearing support. This is a very grievous
Whenever I get angry and frustrated responsibility more realistically. crime.
with life, I find that I get relief by In the meanwhile, try not to be Your parents will decide whether
causing hurt to myself...by inflicting unhappy with their self-centred to suppress the matter or report it. If
cuts on my arms and thighs. Nobody behaviour. Enjoy your life in the you keep it to yourself, your molester
knows this because the cuts are company of good friends without could blackmail you after some time.
hidden by my clothing. I am a high- being overwhelmed by this All things considered, do not waste
strung, 14-year-old girl who is beset situation. much time, especially in consulting a
with depression and anger. What can doctor.
Hyderabadi Biryani
Step 1: Boil 3 ½ cup rice in 1 litre water with 2 tbsp oil
and 1 tbsp lemon juice till ¾th done. Drain excess
water and keep aside.
Step 2: In a deep pan cook 350g chicken/ 350g
chopped vegetables with 2 tbsp oil, 1 ½ cups water and
1 pack Knorr Ready to Cook Hyderabadi Biryani till the
chicken/vegetables are cooked and gravy is reduced to
half.
Step 3: In the same pan spread the boiled rice and mint
leaves on the chicken/vegetables. Then spread a mix of
hot ghee and ½ tsp turmeric.
Step 4: Seal the pan with heavy lid, place on a hot tawa
and cook further till steam begins to come out from the
sides of the lid.
Serves 4
Paneer Butter Masala
MINI CRISPY
SAMOSAS
INGREDIENTS:
200 gm maida
100 gm of ghee
Litchie
Strawberry
supreme
water.
(Makki sarso puris)
This is a combination of makki
Allow the tea bags to remain in
the water for 15 minutes and then
and sarso saag and goes good as
a starter.
COCONUT
remove these.
Bring the tea to boil and mix in INGREDIENTS:
SUGARY
the cashew pieces, petha and 2 cups of makki ka atta MITHAI
cherries and cook on medium 1 cup of prepared sarso ka saag
INGREDIENTS:
heat, adding sugar. 1 tbsp of ghee or oil
200 gm of freshly grated coconut
Cook and stir till the mixture oil for deep frying
400 ml of milk
begins to thicken. METHOD 150 gm of sugar
Once only a little syrup Mix the sarso saag into the
remains, pour spoonfuls of the METHOD
makki atta and knead into a
prepared mixture into small Grind the freshly grated
dough. Sprinkle and rub in the
glasses. coconut in a mixer so that the end
ghee as well. Divide the dough
Fill only half the glasses and product is really smooth and
into small portions. Roll out each
allow the mixture to cool and set. without any granular pieces.
portion into a small puri and fry in
Serve topped with icecream. You could use a few tbsp of
hot oil till the puris puff up. Serve
milk when you are grinding the
Tulsi tea and cherry mithai hot with green chutney.
coconut.
Heat the milk and cook the
FISH NUGGETS coconut mixture in the milk and
cook on low fire stirring from time
INGREDIENTS:
400 gm of boneless fish Fish nuggets
2 tsp of ginger-
garlic paste
1 tsp of green
chilli paste
2 beaten eggs
3 cups of bread
crumbs
oil for deep frying
salt to taste
METHOD
Cut the boneless
NON
VEGETARIAN
SALAD Non vegetarian salad
Your word is just as good as the Wife: Then where has the business
JOKES apples. gone?
Win
Prize
3
you supposed to eat each day?
e
be published in th
S elected entries will oman’s era. Look out
of W
forthcoming issue April 2010 issue
for th e 15
Last date for sending entries: 31 March 2010
r
ph of yo ur friend for a bette
A ttach a ph ot og ra
chance of featurin
g in Woman’s era
Do you read the ingredients If you eat a lot, what do you do
Q Q
4 12
before you eat the food? afterwards?
a. Of course a. Exercise until you have fully burned
b. Why should I it off, or fast the next day.
c. Not usually b. Go to sleep
c. Purge
d. Nothing
What do you eat for lunch?
Q
5
a. I don’t eat lunch How many calories do you eat
b. Home-cooked meals
Q
13
c. Fast food per day?
a. As little as possible
b. Around 1200
Do you eat healthy food because you c. I don’t know
Q d. Around 500
6
want to or your parents force you to?
a. I don’t eat healthy food
b. It’s my own choice
Q If you were 5’8’‘, what weight
14
c. My parents force me would you want to close to be?
a. 95
b. Whatever is healthy
A candy bar is healthier than fruit. c. 115
Q d. 105
7
a. True
b. False
8
Don’t you hate those artificial quizzes that
mentally and physically? only have one obvious right answer? Health food makes healthy
a. True body. So answer according to what you feel is best.
b. False
Prove that you are aware
of this trivia. Send us the coupon with your
photo along with the correct answers.
Do you exercise almost every day?
Q
9
Name
a. True
Age
b. False
Address
PIN
Effective exercise has to be for
Q
Phone: E-mail
10
Occupation
one hour.
a. True
b. False
Donʼt forget to attach a photograph
1. Mark the answers and send us the cutting of this
quiz along with this coupon. The last date is
31 March 2010. So hurry up and post it now.
You are supposed to have
Q 2. The decision of the editor will be final. 3. Depict
11
eight servings of fruits and your true self only. 4. Send a photograph of your
vegetables a day. own. It may be printed in Womanʼs Era, along with
the results. Send to: Woman’s Era, Delhi Press,
a. True E-3, Jhandewala, New Delhi-110 055.
b. False
Anne Julia
Hagen poses for
photographers
after winning the
Miss Germany
Beauty
competition in the
Southern German
The winner
city of Rust.
Toshiba displayed a
prototype model of a
head set used to Sri Lanka’s legendary
analyse a person’s doorman Kottarapattu
brainwaves which Chattu Kuttan (89) shows
connects to a off his souvenir lapel pins
computer using from different countries,
bluetooth wireless standing outside the
communication at a Island’s historic 146-year-
symosium of old Galle Face Hotel in
Continua health-care Colombo. Hailing from
devices and Kerala, Kuttan turned 90
The phenomen Communication on 15 February. He has
on of electron Alliance in Tokyo. no plans to retire, and is
ics the world’s oldest
employee in the
hospitality business.
Japanese toy
manufacturer company
Tomy displayed a toy
robot called
“Transformers Disney
span
small vehicle to a
Donald Duck-shaped
robot on a surf board
at the company’s
headquarters in Tokyo.
nology
Thrust of tech
lpture
A man works on a Citrus fruit scu
“Melies” sculpture
made with citrus fruit in
Menton on the French
Riviera, ahead of the
start of the “Fete du
Citron” (Lemon
carnival). The theme of
the 77th edition,
running from
10 February to
3 March, is “Menton
does its cinema”. In the
next picture a man
places citrus fruit on an
installation.
The Stad
Amsterdam, a 60-
metre, three-mast
clipper ship passes
the Sydney Opera
House after entering
Sydney Harbour on
13 February. The
Dutch Tall Ship is
retracing charles
Darwin’s famous
journey on the HMS
Beagle that led to
his Theory of
Evolution.
Darwin’s journ
ey Re-enacted
Samsung is
displayed at the
ating program
Mobile World
Congress in
Barcelona on
15 February. The
2010 Mobile
World Congress
was held in
Barcelona for four
days. In the next
Free figure sk
picture a man at
his mobile phone.
What a cellpho
ne!
LOOK OUT FOR THE
BUTTERFLY IN YOUR THROAT
Thyroid therapy demystified.
M
By Dr S. Fonseca
ona put down the receiver, against your voice box in your neck. functions in very tiny quantities. If
thinking pensively, ‘I’m When it doesn’t function properly, they aren’t present in the right
getting lazy and forgetful. I you may get such symptoms as you amounts, the body processes slow
don’t feel like doing have. It can happen at any age but is down or accelerate.”
anything most of the time. more common in middle-aged “Tell me more, doctor. You mean
I’m falling apart. I wonder women.” that if there are less of these
if it’s something to do with “How can we find out if it is not hormones the body slows down. But
my completing 45 years. functioning properly?” Mona asked if they are increased the body will
Aunty was very quickly. work faster? How can this be?”
concerned. Maybe she’s “First, I must check your pulse and “By accelerate, I mean, yes, the
right. I must go to my doctor pressure and see if we can feel any body works faster in that the heart
immediately.’ bumps on the gland.” beats faster and there are symptoms
That evening, while Mona got Having done that, the doctor like palpitations and tremors. In your
herself ready to visit her old family scribbled on his prescription pad, case, the hormones may be less,
doctor, she gazed at the mirror and saying, “Nothing definite on therefore you have such symptoms.”
mused, ‘My hair has thinned and my examination but go for this blood test A couple of days later, Mona was
face looks puffy. In spite of all that in any reputed laboratory and get back at her doctor’s clinic with her
walking exercise, just look at the back to me with the reports.” blood report. “You were absolutely
weight I’ve put on.’ Mona looked at the paper which correct, doctor. The butterfly in my
Later, after his usual greeting, her he handed her, “What’s this, doctor? throat is not working properly. The T3
doctor came straight to the point, T3, T4, TSH? Some doctors’ code?” and T4 are less but the TSH is high.
“How can I help you?” He smiled patiently. “The thyroid What does that mean?”
He watched her silently while she gland is very small but it does very “This condition is called
recounted her woes. important work. T3, T4 are hormones hypothyroidism. It simply means that
“I’m so fuzzy-headed and forget- or substances produced and the thyroid is not able to cope and is
ful. I can feel myself slowing down. I released into the blood by the thyroid not producing enough T3 and T4.
get nervous and irritable easily and gland. These hormones help the The TSH is released by the brain to
haven’t you noticed how fat I’ve body to remain in top form. They’re stimulate or remind the thyroid to
become, doctor? Just look at my essential for practically all the body produce more T3 and T4 to meet the
puffed face. Even my lips and body’s requirement. When the T3
nose are thickening. My legs also and T4 are in sufficient quantity,
pain so much. Now walking as an the TSH will also come to normal.”
exercise is a real challenge. Is it “Oh. How simple you make it
because of my age? Can’t all sound, doctor.”
something be done?” Mona’s doctor handed her a
Her trusted doctor smiled. “It prescription. “These tablets will
must be the butterfly in your replace the T3 and T4. Take the
throat,” he said. Mona’s hand dose once a day and come back
reached for her neck. “Where’s after a month to tell me how you
the butterfly? There’s none here. are feeling.”
Did you see one, doctor?” Mona left her doctor’s clinic
“You can’t see it,” he laughed smiling. It had been all so simple
gently and explained. “There’s a and she had wasted so much time
very important butterfly-shaped unnecessarily struggling with her
gland called the thyroid. It rests doubts and fears. We
A necklace of ingenuity
with corresponding
danglers.
A moon-shaped necklace
with matching eartops.
T
Before leaving, Ashok asked with a smile, “You hat night, outside Neha’s house, a usual scene
won’t dance with me there, Neha?” occurred inside the Bentley. Ajitesh had his
“Oooh! Please! I consider you a friend and will usual share of pub brawls and was sozzled.
always do so. But I gave you a polite NO last year. “Can’t you ever be normal when we go out?”
The same applies this year too. Sorry,” sighed the complained Neha.
girl in a friendly, exasperated tone. “I will be what I am. It was that guy who tried to
As if to bolster the firmness of her ‘No’, a British- talk to you. I showed him the consequences,”
made Bentley two-seater car screeched to a halt just growled Ajitesh.
eight metres away. “I have my own life, give me some breathing
“Nehaa! Nehaaa...!” called an arrogant voice. space, will you?”
“Wasting your time with this computer geek, eh? Ajitesh replied, first by slapping her and then by
T
arrived in India just two months earlier. The children, he doorbell rang unexpectedly at Ashok’s
being told by friends and relatives that India was an house. Visitors were few for the past several
exotic land of elephant, fakirs and maharajas months as no one wanted to disturb his
wanted to see some local wildlife. But their busy preparations for the grand exams.
parents had no time to visit any wildlife sanctuary. It was Ashok who opened the door. To his
They were quite disappointed as a result. amazement, outside was a smiling Neha with two
European kids.
A
fter the guests settled down and downed some “Hi! What a surprise! Come in! Come in!” said
coffee and snacks, the kids started pestering Ashok, who could not believe the pleasant surprise.
their parents. But Neha came to the point and said while gesturing
“Papa, I want to see some elephants,” said little to the children, pretending to sound cheerful,
Gunnar. “Ashok, these are my dad’s boss’ children from
“Papa, I want to see a monkey,” pleaded the Sweden, and they want to see monkeys. So, I
older Adam. thought I would take you along to show them the
“We can’t see them now, darlings. Papa has monkeys at Road No. 33, really closely. They would
work,” the boys’ mother replied. like to see you feed them. Please, my dad has to
Neha’s father saw this as a means to get his long impress his boss.”
overdue promotion. For Ashok, this was a situation that had fallen
“Beta, why don’t you take the kids to see the straight from heaven. “Right ho!” he said happily,
monkeys at Road No. 33? There is a large troop of and went into the kitchen, and returned in a jiffy
bonnet macaques there,” he suggested. with a large packet of salted cashew nuts.
Neha got the idea and said, “Adam and Gunnar, “Where to now?” smiled Ashok.
we’ll see some monkeys now, all right?” “Road No. 33,” chirped Neha. And they all
Neha’s mother intervened, “But they have already went, much to the surprise of local residents, who
bitten 11 people over the past several weeks.” had till now only seen Neha with the richie-rich
“That’s not a problem. Ashok is friendly with dude.
them. Take him along,” replied Neha’s father. They walked for half an hour. Ashok tried to chat
Neha immediately retorted, with Neha en route, but she initially replied to his
clearly sounding irritated, questions in monosyllables. However, as Ashok’s
“But he’s preparing for the warm and friendly nature came out, she began
civil services exams most of opening up. After a few minutes she asked Ashok
the time. Who knows? He what his latest essay was about. Ashok replied
that he was writing to a woman’s journal on
wife battering. Neha began listening with rapt
attention. Ashok went on to say how wife-
battering takes various forms, like physical
assault and the burning of the body with
cigarette butts, and verbal abuse. And he
spoke at length about the problem, as how it
was a violation of a woman’s rights and self-
respect. Finally, he concluded by saying
how it sometimes ends up in murder.
Ashok’s enlightening lecture sent
a chill down Neha’s spine, and she wondered a complaint against him in the local police station
whether her own life was going in such a direction. under The Prevention of Cruelty to Animals Act.
She in turn asked Ashok what should be done in Some religious organisations also put pressure for
such circumstances. He replied that it was safest for action as monkeys are considered sacred.
the woman to simply break off such a relationship. Subsequently, Ajitesh was arrested from his home by
Neha was also impressed by his knowledge of the police. But he was bailed out by his father’s
feminism. lawyers after spending three hours in the police lock-
At last, the group reached Road No. 33. The up with other common criminals.
instructor at the local gym, a friend of Ashok, was
N
standing there with a plastic bag full of bananas, eha was horrified. She had begun to like the
feeding the simians. Ashok greeted him cheerfully, hyperactive monkeys. After all, they gave her
“Guruji, namaste!” He took a dozen bananas from father his promotion. And, following Ajitesh’s
the instructor and proceeded to feed the monkeys arrest, her father asked her what she would do if he
himself. The animals surrounded Ashok and began were arrested for even bigger offences. Neha
to eat from his hands, stuffing their huge cheek- instantly remembered all the assaults and cigarette
pouches in the process. Ashok beckoned Neha and burns she had received from Ajitesh. She then
the two children to join him in feeding the monkeys. remembered Ashok’s talk on abusive relationships
He told the kids not to irritate or tease the animals and the need for women to be assertive. She thought
if they wanted to avoid getting bitten. The children and thought, and changed her mind.
were on cloud nine, not only seeing, but also One evening, Ajitesh’s Bentley screeched to a
playing with and feeding an exotic halt outside the gate of Neha’s house.
animal. Neha wondered how Ashok could Ajitesh told Neha came out.
be on such friendly terms with these her, “Hey, Ajitesh told her, “Hey, Neha! Let’s go to
irritable and unpredictable animals that Neha! Let’s go TGIF for dinner tonight!”
had bitten a dozen people over the last to TGIF for Neha replied quietly, “Go away,
several months. Her mind also began to dinner Ajitesh, it’s all over. I cannot love a monster
wonder who could care for her better, an tonight!” like you any more.”
intelligent and gentle guy with limited Neha replied “What?”
means, or a human monster with all the quietly, “Go “If you could kill those harmless creatures
money in the world. today, you could kill me tomorrow. And,
away, Ajitesh,
besides, there is something called self-
A
it’s all over. I
fter about half an hour, the kids were respect, which was getting damaged each
cannot love a
joyful and had seen Indian monkeys time you hit me. I could put you behind bars
from close quarters to their heart’s
monster like by this evening for assaulting me repeatedly
content. They were ready to return. The
you any in the past. I now love Ashok who respects
four of them began to return to Neha’s
more.” women.”
home, with Ashok enlightening the girl Ajitesh raised his hand and slapped
further on various current issues. On reaching home, Neha across her face.
the Swedish kids joyfully told their father about their “Stop it, Ajitesh! Get away from here before we
Indian experience, pleasing everyone in the house. call the police,” it was Neha’s father, and next to
A week later, Neha’s father got his long-overdue him was Ashok.
promotion. “But, uncle!” Ajitesh protested.
Neha happened to tell Ajitesh about her “No one wants you here. Don’t return here for
experience and her father’s subsequent promotion. your own good,” said Ashok.
He immediately slapped her and walked away in a Ajitesh conceded defeat. He hung his head in
huff. shame and went back to his car without uttering a
Consumed by jealousy and rage, Ajitesh took an word.
air-rifle and a boxful of metal pellets and drove Neha then turned back to her father and Ashok,
down to Road No. 33. On reaching the ridge there, and said, “I am sorry it took me so long to realise
he immediately began shooting at the monkeys with the love both of you have for me. But it was better
deadly accuracy. By the time the pellets in the box late than never.”
got exhausted, nine monkeys lay dead and dozens Neha’s father watched as he put her hand in Ashok’s.
were injured. “So, when is the engagement?” he asked.
The next day, the news of Ajitesh’s cruel deed “In a week, definitely,” said Neha.
spread throughout Diamond Colony. That evening All three of them smiled and went into Neha’s
the gym instructor and a couple of nature lovers filed home in bliss. We
Right Steps
them, adding glamour
to your feet.
Courtesy: Adonia
Ph: 0120-2457132
QA &
My husband and I got
divorced because he was
a bisexual. We decided
not to tell our son who
was three at the time.
Now he is 10 and we
have still not told him. He
thinks his father lives in
another city, so that is why they meet
once a month. What is the right
course of action? How do I tell him?
support. We all do parenting in the At the age of 10 he is still too
way we believe and you are doing young to comprehend the details of
Q&
what you believe is best for your child bisexuality. However, not telling him
as surely your sister-in-law is doing. about your divorce is not right. Yet
Extremity of any kind, pushing the you have to follow your heart when it
I find that my daughter is always child or not controlling their comes to the right time to tell such
comparing our home with that of her behaviour, can be equally wrong. news to the child.
friends and ours is never good
enough. I want her to understand the My sister is married into a very rich I never had a girlfriend and got
concept of living within means. How business family whereas my husband married to somebody my age,
can I do that without sermonising all is not doing well. I feel my sister looks selected by my parents. She also had
the time? down on me and our lifestyle. How do no experience of sex but says I have
Although you have not written the I tell her that I am happy? no sexual skills and that I cannot
age of your daughter, presuming that Your sister is probably equating even kiss properly. What do I do and
she is over 15 years of age, try to money with happiness. You have to how can she be so sure I am wrong
make her participate in prioritising of clear the air if you feel that she is when she knows no better?
expenses. Only by respecting the looking down on you for lack of You are obviously stressed by the
process of selecting the manner in money. But before talking to her, situation. Maybe you lack some tricks
which money is spent can she under- ensure that you are not imagining but they are easily learnt. Of course,
stand the concept of spending and something which is not there. Ask it is possible that your wife’s perce-
saving from one’s income. It will be yourself and ask her a few leading ption is wrong and she is imaging
difficult but it is achievable. questions and you will know. lovemaking as seen in Hindi films.
You can watch blue films together or
My children are very fond of reading read an instruction guide (foreign
and have a good command of We have been ones are much better).
A
English. Recently when their grand- married for eight
parents visited I realised that they years. I used to surf My husband is like two
can barely converse in Hindi. I feel the porn sites but it men in one body. He is a
guilty, what should I do? meant nothing. When per fect gentleman in
Quite simple really – ask your my wife confronted me, I told her public but the moment we
parents and those of your husband to that it was exciting but not are alone, he taunts and
spend more time with your children. perverting. She asked me to stop harasses me. Nobody
There are some Hindi publications as and I totally stopped. I now find believes me. What can I
well – select the ones right for their that my wife is addicted to these do?
age. Command of the mother tongue sites and that’s what she does all Your efforts should be focused on
is desirable and they will be as fluent in day, neglecting our children and making him see his ways and not to
Hindi as they are in English. her work. make people believe how bad he is
You will have to speak to your when you are alone with him. A split
I find that my brother’s wife pushes wife just as she confronted you. personality like that implies that he
her young children to be great There can be no secrets between wants to be accepted by people and
achievers and recently told my a husband and wife. Communi- relatives but there is some reason
brother that my way of bringing up cation is the only key. Maybe she that he gets sadistic pleasure in
children is wrong. I am very upset, is lacking something in her sex life torturing you.
should I confront her? and is trying to fulfil that space. You have to take some sort of
There is nothing to be gained by Together you can overcome this stand before it gets worse and you
confrontation except maybe losing malaise of modern society. could consult a psychiatrist if you are
your brother’s confidence and unable to handle it.
B O M B A Y F I L M D O M
Award in Paa.
films with Vidya Balan (of Lage Raho
Munabhai fame) in mind, this writer
had wondered if this relative
newcomer was really so talented. But
she has proved that she is. She won
the Best Actress Award for her
performance in Paa at the function
mentioned above. Congrats Vidya.
A
Aamir Khan in 3 Idiots.
fter the grievances of hockey
players of India that they were
not being paid their well-deserved
dues, Shah Rukh Khan expressed
T hanks to growing friendly relations
between them and their families,
reportedly Shah Rukh Khan has
his sympathy with them. You may agreed to play a brief, but important,
wonder what’s the connection negative role in a sequal to Krish
between hockey players and Shah planned by Rakesh Roshan. Dipika
Rukh? He had played a hockey Padukone has already been finalised
coach in Chak De India, a super hit for the female lead. It hardly needs
film. Meanwhile hockey players’ any reaffirmation that Krish was a
complaint has been taken care of. super-hit.
T
career. here is no exaggeration
Amitabh Bachchan with Dharmendra
at the Lions Gold Awards function. whatsoever if we say that the
Bachchans will always cherish the
moments when Amitabh passed on
the trophy to son Abhishek for
making a splendid debut as a
producer with Paa (as part of 16th
Screen Awards), the film which got
for him yet another Best Actor Award!
H
The festival of colour across India. By Deepali Nandwani
oli, the most spectacular splendid with freshly-blossomed, mention of the boisterous lathmaar
festival celebrated in India, beautifully – coloured flowers, holi that is celebrated with a lot of
makes its grand entry in the spreading a distinctive air of romance cheer and joy at Barsana, the birth
month of Phagun heralding all around. The woman nationwide place of Radharani. Women here are
the entry of the beautiful, show their skills in an attempt to join seen in big groups with large
balmy spring season and an hands with nature, by decorating the ghunghats on their faces carrying big
effective exit of the dry and entrances to their homes with richly sticks, to hit the men as they try and
cold winter season. As this varied patterns of rangoli in bright shield themselves and also throw
colourful festival signifies a colours. colour on them. All this is in a spirit of
triumph of good over evil, Come, let us take a look at some pure fun and joy as side by side they
people of all communities come of the exciting ways in different states sing bhajans in the typical Braj
together to rejoice, trying to leave of India as they celebrate this language and punish the men who
behind all their in-between enmities. colourfully-spirited festival. retaliate by making them wear female
Zealous children and elders are seen clothes and dance around. Then,
roaming around, looking as there is the flower Holi too in which
unrecognisable as ever with UTTAR PRADESH the whole of Vrindavan’s population
unbelievable variety of colours of Mathura aur Vrindavan ki holi: is seen showering everyone around
pink, violet, maybe orange and As one thinks of holi, the first place with flowers. To be seen here other
green, smudged on their faces, arms, that comes to mind is of course the than the Holi of all temples, is the
neck, feet and – surprise surprise, Vraj bhoomi, the place where Krishna gulal kund Holi at Braj where Holi
the teeth too. is believed to have spent his goes on for almost the full year with
Everybody can be seen running childhood. Immediately, one is small children enacting the scenes of
around or trying to hide from the reminded of the divine love between Kanha and his pastimes.
colourful water squirts, in their the playful chitchor Kanha and his
clothes blotched with patches of dry consort Radharani. The story that Saade Punjab di holi: One day
and wet colours that were splashed goes around here is that, Kanaha ahead is celebrated here as the
on to them. The culprits may have always complained to his mother chhoti Holi and days ahead the kids
been our very lovable pichkaris or the Yashoda about his dark complexion are seen roaming around with water
small water balloons available in whereas the gopis and Radha were pistols in their hands wetting the
delightful colours. Ouch! Mind you, fair. She laughed at him and one day place wherever they go, as
they really do hit hard. Shop vendors asked him to colour her face with any sheepishly they call aloud “holi hai”.
have a gala time as they display the colour, just in fun. The houses emit the fragrance of
plenty of colours and gulal and also Since then, this festival has been yummy carrot halwa or kheer or
the pichkaris of various shapes and celebrated here as the symbol of sweetmeats made with mava. Some
sizes. May it be a gun or a huge love. The Holi here goes on for houses make the ghujias too. Big
dolphin or any others, they are seen around two weeks till the day of glasses of lassi are gulped down by
hanging in abundance at the rangpanchami arrives. People go people, sometimes laced with bhang
entrances of the shops to attract around singing Radha-Krishna too.
attention. bhajans in full masti and enthusiasm Sikhs here celebrate the special
As the trees show off their new colouring everyone around. ʻHolla mohallaʼ. Dressed in long,
formed lush, green leaves and look We, of course, cannot miss the deep-blue tunics and turbans they go
T
By Subhra Majumdar
he art journey of this shy, moulded for his needs. The
soft-spoken and committed household pot, I felt, held in its centre
artist spans the three cities so many household stories because
of Delhi , Jodhpur and Leh, it has been witness to so many
in the Ladakh district of the generations of life amidst us. I felt
state of Jammu and that this was the ideal way to depict a
Kashmir. Inspired by the symbolic concept and ever since
works of the miniature then, I have been painting pots in
painters of his home state of various forms, settings and ideations.
Rajasthan, Meghwal took to
painting like a devotee to his Lord. What was the reception of the
On that circuit, he met a Dutch galleries and viewers when they
traveller who influenced him to try his first saw your works?
hand at painting the landscape of the It was at Rang Art gallery of Delhi
Ladakh region and thus Meghwal (www.rangartgallery.com), Ph No.
included it in his painting journey. 9811078742 that I got the most
When in need of materials and a heartening response. Thereafter, I
gallery to display his art, he came to have painted more than 200 works
Delhi and to Rang Art Gallery , from with this theme and Rang Gallery’s
where the unusual but fascinating brush and paints, I also imbibed the patrons are very satisfied with my art
journey into art began for him. philosophy of Buddhism. I realised hung on their walls. Also, the owner
the tremendous power of Silence, not Kapil, has gone out of his way to
Despite your liking for miniature as an empty space but as a span of promote my artistry and on my part, I
art, you have not been doing work life filled with serenity, peace and the have made sure that I work at the
in that style. Why? higher thoughts. It influenced my
I am by and large a self-taught paintings and instead of going
artist who has picked up skills from outdoors and capturing the beauty of
studying the great masters of Europe. the rocky scenery of Ladakh, my
I have also studied several other mind began to conceive art works
books on Indian art with the aim of depicting the form of Shunya.
acquiring knowledge on art and
painting. I also observed people at How did you depict this concept
work, depended on my memories of through art?
artists and works and began to I was drawn to the idea of the
discover my talents. Finally, I earthen pot. The
received formal training in Tibetan shape of the pot
folk art painting, also known as Druk suggests a circle
art, when I went to Ladakh. or shunya. It is
also made of
How did the Druk style of primeval earth, the
painting affect your own art style? oldest material
Besides the style of using the that mankind
Q
repeated infections. Sometimes it treated promptly.
occurs when diabetes is not under
control. You have to be very careful I am 40 years old and mother of two
about getting infections. Any mild kids. Five years ago a swelling
infection must be treated promptly appeared on my left breast which on
under medical guidance. Poor biopsy turned out to be a benign
diabetes control always worsens the growth. Now another swelling
Q
condition. So be careful. has appeared on my breast. On
Q&
biopsy it again turned out to be a
I am 35 years old. My breasts are of benign growth. I am worried. Please
average size. I consulted a surgeon help.
who advised me to go in for surgery Appearance of swellings on your
which I do not want. Please help. breasts requires special attention. It
There are many artificial ways by would be better if you go for
which a women’s breasts can be mammography to exclude any other
made to look bigger. Nature helps lesion in your breast. Moreover a
only to some extent. Best for you regular check-up will be required at
would be to take good nutritious food frequent intervals to detect the
Q
(high-class proteins, milk, fish, eggs, appearance of any untoward growth.
I am 28 years old and married. My poultry etc.) and do exercises which
problem is that I get recurrent pelvic strengthen your pectoral muscles on I am 28 years old and had a
infections. I am afraid I may get which the breasts rest. A slight miscarriage last year. I am getting
Q
cancer. Please advise. massage will also be helpful. repeated attacks of acute pain in the
Your fears are well founded. upper part of my abdomen
Repeated infections of the pelvis is I am 25 years and unmarried. Sadly I accompanied by vomiting. Whenever
one of the factors responsible for have to admit that I indulge in sex I get the attack, my limbs become
causing carcinoma of the genitalia in with my boyfriend. Recently I got very cold. Please help.
females. I see no reason why your infected and was diagnosed to be From the description given in
pelvic infection cannot be treated suffering from the papilloma virus your letter it appears that you are
properly. infection. Please help. getting attacks of acute pancreatitis
A
If you follow the advice of your What you have got is as a result of affecting a small organ situated in
doctor correctly there is no reason sexual contact. I presume it was an the upper part of the abdomen. I
why you should not be cured. unprotected sex act. Best for you presume that you are not fat and
would be to take adequate treatment also not suffering from inflammation
I am 25 years old and suffer from and avoid any future source of of the gall bladder, the two conditions
attacks of allergy. I have tried many infection. Women who repeatedly which predispose a woman to suffer
methods but to no avail. Please suffer from this type of infection are from this disease. What you suffer
help. more liable to suffer from carcinoma from cannot be ignored. I am sure
Q
Allergy is one problem which is of the cervix. your doctor is taking care of your
very difficult to manage. A person problem by proper investigations.
may be allergic to the food he or she I am 22 years old and employed in a — Dr S. N. Khosla, MD.
takes (e.g. egg, fish, bananas) multinational. My problem is that I
Readers are invited to send in any health
perfume, clothes – especially have too many boyfriends. I also and medical queries they would like to be
synthetic) household dust, flowers indulge in sex with them. But answered. Woman’s Era will provide
and hair from pet animals sometimes I get afraid about whether answers to your questions and offer
In fact the list is endless. You can I may get some deadly disease. solutions to your problems. Individual
replies cannot be sent. Address your letters
be allergic to anything on this earth. Please help.
(neatly written on white paper) to:
Best would be to maintain a diary in Your are treading on a very
which you record your daily activities dangerous path. Sex with too many WOMAN'S ERA,
and see what is responsible for E-3, Jhandewala Estate,
people at this age is nothing short of
New Delhi-110055. Womansera.com
causing allergy. promiscuous behaviour. You are
“Revelation is not
just for unfolding the
hidden things but to
educate and inform
us,” says the artist.
Our Correspondent
THE MATTER OF
COMMUNICATION IN ART
A
n unorthodox is the most society’s entire life and later the
mum person in this chaotic society gets the healing, poured by
world as he finds no one to those – labelled out of track persons
listen to his words that of that time.
show the mirror of man and A conscious person close to heart
society. Society frames understands meaning and purpose of
rules that become tradition life well. Artist Bijan Paul is too
and puts restrictions – what feeling the heat due to speaking his
to do and what not to do, heart rather than mind. Proving his
although the rules or talent and uniqueness in the field of
restrictions are introduced by the art for more than 30 years hasn’t
same mind of people – unorthodox. been easy. He went through many
They feel the heat of apartness in ups and downs in his work-time but
never compromised on the matters
he wanted to communicate.
Bijan Paul Paul says, “There are many
Birth: 1st January 1958 in Calcutta precious and important matters that
Ph: 09871182009 require to be discussed for settling
Solo shows: down outcomes of
1981: Paris, 1986: London, miscommunication, misunder -
1981: Home Stores (Art Division) standing or non-understanding. But
(Telok Karau, Singapore) we don’t talk about the problem and it
2007: Art in CANAN Road, has become a secret in our lives. So
New Mexico, we ought to reveal this secret and
Group shows: understand how it affects us.”
1980: London, 1982: Canada, Secrecy is like an invisible worm
1983: Japan, 1985: Germany. that grows up inside us and bugs
2000-2008: First International silently, gradually. Truth must not be
Conference South Asian Artist, hidden whether it is with good or bad
focusing on “Capacity Building of face. Bijan utilises canvas as the
Marginalised Women and widows platform to reveal the secrecy of life
in February 2002. which we don’t ponder upon. He
unfolds his experience and
At nature’s doorstep.
R. S. Prakash
last, his body weight is expected to
be less by 21 gm. Hence, the weight
of the athma is said to be only 21 gm!
E. L. Indranath has assumed
responsibility for the story,
screenplay, music and direction
besides appearing in the lead role in
Uriyin Vilai 21 gm. He is a former
student of the Film Institute. Veteran
Malayalam actor Thilagan is playing
a vital role in the film. The theme
sketches the lifestyles of those who
lead an endangered life. Manian
Pradeep is the music scorer. Raj
Selva is the cinematographer.
R
egardless of the language, and direction too. He has also
films that showcase themes on distributed over 350 films in Tamil
intimacy attract and arrest the Nadu, Andhra Pradesh, Kerala and
attention of the viewers instantly. Karnataka.
Stories that sketch the plight of sex- With nearly three decades of
workers, that too with a sizzling experience in the distribution and
screenplay, strike a chord production of films, Rakmangadhan
immediately in the minds of film – is presently the president of the Film
goers. K. town’s latest offering is and Television Producers Guild of
Andharangam which means intimacy South India as well as a committee
that deliberates on the life of an member in the South Indian Film
innocent young girl, who after having Chamber of Commerce. He has
been taken for a royal ride by her already produced and directed two
lover gets embroiled in the flesh films Aval and Avanum Avalum and
trade, owing to the force of the both were dubbed into Telugu, Hindi
circumstances. and Malayalam following their
Kamalika, who has acted in a successful run in Tamil. He is also
couple of Bengali and Hindi flicks, an importer of foreign films and has
plays the protagonist in this, who are also marketed them throughout the
really and literally dared to bare! country.
Reveals a source from the unit, He is making this movie in four
according to whom, the film features languages – Tamil, Telugu,
a couple of semi-nude scenes, in Initially Kamalika was a bit Malayalam and Hindi.
accordance with the demands of the reluctant to do the scene but once “Such themes have a global
script (!) the director explained the necessity appeal and language is no barrier,”
It is understood that the film’s of having such a scene in the film, says Rakmangadhan who struck gold
leading lady did a topless scene she agreed to do it and did it, with one such earlier venture titled
which was canned within the confines remarks the source. Ilamai Thudippugal. He is also
of a posh bungalow in the city, J. V. Rakmangadhan, a well- contemplating on taking this movie
obviously with a skeleton crew! known Tamil film-maker with about overseas with suitable sub-titles!
T
wo incidents that took place recent buzz is that as now, Vikram rose to the occasion and came up
recently at Kollywood, clearly Kumar has been replaced by with a good story idea that was liked
proves this point. Film-maker Bhoopathi Pandian, who made by the team, the schedules are to
Vikram Kumar who stunned the Tamil successful films as Devadaiyai start soon.
audience with his sweeping success Kandein Thiruvilayadal Arambam In the second incident the parting
story Yaavarum Nalam was (both with Dhanush) and Malai Kottai of ways between director K. V. Anand
supposed to direct actor Vikram in a (with Vishal). When probed further it (who is credited with 2009’s biggest
project tentatively titled 24, the was learnt that apart from the one- hit Ayan) and actor Simbu, owing to
producer being Mohan Natarajan, line theme which Vikram Kumar creative difference between them
who is an actor too. With great narrated, he is yet to come up with a both regarding the script as well as
difficulty Ileana was roped in, but the proper script and Vikram’s call-sheet the choice of the heroine, has
H
aving branched off from a “As a matter of fact, I used to get
branch of engineering degree, offers from the small screen even
to be paired opposite superstar when I was busy with the big screen.
Rajnikanth in S P Muthuramna’s But then time has come just now with
Guru Sishyan Gauthami has come factors like the producers of the serial
a long way. One interesting feature being Abirami Ramanathan (of the
that is quite obvious with respect to Abirami group of theatres) and the
her film career is that though she channel making it happen,” she
started it off with Rajnikanth, she elaborates.
soon turned an all-time favourite of What draws her to project – big or
Kamal Hassan after co-starring with source of support not only to Kamal small screen?
him in Aboorva Sahodarargal, Devar Hassan but also to his daughters. The script, my character, and the
Magan, Kurudipunal and Nammavar. Prod her about her best films and crew are the factors I consider before
Her special relationship with Kamal you would find them mostly to be I take up a project.
Hassan before and after, the Sarika Kamal films in which she co-starred When it comes to taking things in
era is only too well known. besides films as Rudra, Nee Pathi stride, Gauthami has always
But then, Gauthami’s inner mental Naan Paathi, Su Krutham remained firmly rooted to the ground.
strength has been truly phenomenal (Malayalam), etc. Recently, she has “I have gone through ups and downs
and not only has she been able to go made a foray into the small screen. and life keeps on changing, presently, I
ahead with her life despite When quizzed about the response, am on workouts regularly as I have
shortcomings on her health side but she gets excited. “It has been a realised what it is like to maintain
has also been able to stand out as a tremendous experience and I have fitness, she turns philosophical.
T
amil cinema has certainly come titled Learn dancing in one night!) the
of age – Tamizh Padam (which hero turning into a prince from being a
means a Tamil film) released pauper at the stroke of a finger, all at
recently is truly a trend – setting the instance of his lover’s dad and
movie that has dared to do something eventually becoming a undercover cop
which no film-maker has ventured so (after being suspended!) and standing
far! The film talks elaborately and in out as the commissioner at the
detail about the cliches that are penultimate reel... so on and so forth.
usually associated with the No hero of the contemporary
screenplay of Tamil films. Also, it times has been spared, including
takes a dig at the phenomenon and character artistes and scenes from
process of hero-worship that the their films have been ripped off and
Tamil tinsel town is famous for. recycled! Sources state that even the
Venkat Prabhu’s Goa too, to a legends – MGR and Sivaji were not
reasonable extent, could be spared but the seniors in the family of
categorised in the same genre, as it the makers advised the makers to
also takes a dig at some regular and remove those scenes! (The film has
oft-repeated cliches of Tamil cinema hero being projected as the sole been produced by Dayanidhi
that have been in existence since savior of the masses, the heroine Azhagiri, son of Azhagiri who is the
time immemorial. falling, head in heels in love with him son of Sri M. K. Karunanidhi, the
C. S. Amudhan, the ad man- by virtue of the fact that she was a C. M. of the state!)
turned-film-maker of Tamizh Padam major eyewitness of his noble act of But for this fact, the film would not
can certainly be credited for dishing championing the cause of the needy, have been ever released!
out a creditable screenplay that is the reel-life friends of the heroes, Yet, it is no doubt a daring attempt
nothing but a mirch masala of several who are college-students, whereas in by the first-time film-maker who has
other screenplays that run on real-life they belong to an age-group facilitated Tamil cinema to move on
predicable lines, right from the that would be well beyond that of to the next level. After all, Tamil film-
moment go. retired college professors! goers need to learn to laugh at
To quote a few anecdotes the Conversations suddenly breaking into themselves!
M
usic is divine-whether it is universal appeal. Thirty eminent crafted to perfection without losing its
from the east or west. Music singers of India from different charm, feel and emotions in
has always been one form of languages have participated in this translation. Even while sticking to
art that transcends all geographical grand musical fiesta. regional styles, all the songs are
barriers. East Coast Audio As is always the East Coast way, marked by its amazing uniformity of
Entertainers, that is primarily based this mega-project has also offered a composition and rendition. The use
in Trivandrum, Kerala, has been platform to many young talents and of simple yet precise words with
associated with the music industry prodigies, to sing along with profound meanings and insight add
since long and has been responsible accomplished singers of repute. to the sublime effect. The theme
for the release of several soul-stirring Another distinctive feature which Ennennum is envisaged to transcend
albums that have simply stolen the sets these songs apart is its barriers created by regionalism to
hearts of millions! East Coast can wonderful adaptability as caller tunes. reaffirm the universality of music and
boast of a repertorie of songs and Vijayan East Coast, the refined love. The strong sublime and flexible
albums of a evergreen nature such and tasteful mind behind all the lyrics are so ingeniously coined that
as the romantic series. As a part of success stories of the audio they can adapt to any language. The
their series, they have presented the company, is the lyricist of all the five language project is the result of
first ever five languages romantic album mellifluous melodies. Ennennum, a the relentless pursuit of the East
“FOREVER”... Ennennum, Entrentrum, departure from the set of patterns is a Coast crew which has taken more
Endendhu, Ennadiki, Sadaa. multilingual collection of melodies than 15 months for completion.
The project, a fabulous collection tuned by the music director, Vijay No doubt, the five-language
of melodies, sung in five languages is Karun in which each song is sung in romantic album stands out as a
the first of its kind in India. It captures five different languages. The languages special gem as far as music lovers
you by its versatility, style and that feature in this pioneer venture are concerned! We
‘BABY-PROOF’
YOUR HOME
Got an infant? Take these precautions.
E
By Mita Banerjee
ight-month old Chandran floor, cut themselves on sharp around with the eyes of a curious
burnt the entire skin of his instruments or even on bric-a-brac baby. The next step would be to
palms when he reached out decorating a coffee table. A baby ‘baby-proof’ your home to guard
to touch a hot iron left on a learning to roll over, may just fall off against all these accidents just
low table by his mother. the bed. waiting to happen.
Apart from the pain, anguish Everything around us can become
and expensive medicines a potential hazard and the little one is
needed to treat him, he still unaware of the danger surrounding IN THE LIVING ROOM
bears the scars even three her or him. To see the world from ● Keep away all heavy bric-a-
years after the accident. their point of view, it is essential that brac, crystal and glass curios. A baby
Accidents involving little children, you get down on all fours and look may not only break them but cause
happen much more often than we cuts and injuries to himself or herself
think. We may consider our home to in the bargain.
be a safe haven. But to a little ● Cover all unused electrical
baby who is just learning to outlets with safety caps or tape.
crawl or walk, who is only 12 to ● Don’t leave electrical cords
24 inches above the floor, and from TVs and lamps hanging. Unplug
who is busy exploring new wherever possible. The baby might
activities every day, it can just give it a tug.
present a 101 accident traps. ● Position the TV or video in
They can fall into a bucket of such a way that baby cannot fiddle
water, splatter themselves with a with the back, which may cause
pan of hot food left at the edge of a electric shocks.
kitchen counter, get an electric ● It is better to remove small
shock when they poke their finger rugs as it may cause you to
into a plug point which is too near the trip while carrying a baby.
● Empty all ashtrays immediately reach up and pull them down.
and never keep burning cigarettes Very dangerous if it is full of hot
lying around. The baby might swallow stuff.
one. ● Keep all hot dishes out of
● Keep all alcoholic drinks safely the reach of the baby.
locked away. ● Keep all knives, forks,
spoons, matches and lighters
out of the reach of the baby.
IN THE BEDROOM ● Don’t allow your baby to
● Don’t keep cosmetics and ever fiddle with the knobs of
perfumes where your toddler can get the stove or oven.
to them. ● Make sure that no
● Remove all medicines from the electrical gadgets or their wires
baby’s reach. are within reach. Keep the
● Never keep coins or any small refrigerator locked or the baby
objects on low dressing tables. If might easily pull it open.
baby swallows anything, they might ● Keep away all
cause choking. Or the baby might detergents, pesticides, etc.
just stick into up his or her nose. ● Keep your dustbin out of
● Disconnect any electrical the reach of the baby.
appliances like hair dryers, shavers ● If anything spills on the
etc. floor, mop it up immediately.
● Never leave a hot iron where a
baby can reach it.
● Ensure that cupboard
doors can be opened from
the inside, in case the baby
gets stuck inside.
● If you have low drawers
ensure that there are no
small objects inside because
IN THE BATHROOM
the baby can easily open the As far as possible, keep
drawer and fiddle inside. the bathroom door bolted
● Try to do away with a
from the outside, so that the
pillow for the baby, as it can baby cannot get in.
accidentally cause suffo - An immersion rod
cation. plugged into a bucket of
● Be careful while buying
water is a potential hazard
toys and keep a close watch with a baby around.
on them even later. Sharp Keep the lid of the toilet
edges, toxic paints, small seat down. There have been
buttons for eyes or stuffed cases when babies have
sawdust and foam can be leaned and toppled in or
harmful. have splashed and even
drunk that water.
Never keep buckets filled
IN THE KITCHEN with water, unguarded.
A kitchen with its fire, Never leave a baby
many electrical gadgets, and unguarded even for a
umpteen utensils like knives moment when bathing in a
and forks is a danger zone bathtub (to answer the
and one has to be especially doorbell or phone). Babies
careful here. have been known to drown
● Turn saucepan handles
in a few inches of water.
inwards or the baby might We
THE
BEAUTY OF
JABALPUR
An absorbing
view of a
J
unpublicised city abalpur is a beautiful city in
rich in history, Madhya Pradesh, not much
known to many. Many a time
geography and it is confused with Jodhpur in
Rajasthan. Madhya Pradesh
tourist attractions in general is known to all as
the central part of India but
– right at the not many know about its
historical background and the
centre of the tourist spots worth visiting.
Geographically, being the centre of
country. India, tourists covering other places
can have a break-journey and
By Sheela complete their sightseeing and then
proceed.
Ramakrishnan Mostly a high plateau, Madhya
Pradesh is India's largest state with
very dry and hot summers going up
to a maximum 48oC and cold winters
A
satisfying sex life is the responsible for this unfortunate state “Despite this staggering incidence,
foundation of overall well- of affairs. few cases come to light as ignorant
being of a healthy One, ignorance, superstition, guilt and shy patients tend to consult a
individual. But unlike the and taboo attached to anything quack than a specialist on issues
West, our social set-up sexual in the minds of the people. related to sex,” said Dr Ashok Gupta
does not allow us to openly Two, quacks who serve as the first of Ashok Clinic in Delhi.
debate issues related to point of contact for abysmally ill- “A man’s ego often does not
lovemaking – an art and informed patients who end up permit him to admit that there is
way of style mastered by endangering their lives by falling in something wrong with his manhood.
our ancestors who created their trap. This is unfortunate because most
the centuries-old Kamasutra. Self-styled “sexologists” or quacks cases of impotence are curable as
Myths and stigma have made all tend to thrive on a patient’s ignorance long as they land before a trained
discussions on sex a taboo. Though and compulsion to maintain secrecy and qualified medical practitioner,”
the picture is changing fast in some about his problems like erectile said Dr Gupta, who has personally
urban areas, in large chunks of the dysfunction (ED). helped thousands of patients over the
country sexual ignorance and lack of Impotence or erectile dysfunction last few decades.
knowledge continues to force millions (ED), as andrologists prefer to call it, Talking about myths and
of Indians – both men and women – has always been and continues to ignorance surrounding sex and
into unhappy sex life. remain an extremely common problems related to performance in
Even today, sexual impotence is disorder. It is said to afflict as much bed, the founder of Ashok Clinic said
perhaps the most poorly understood as 10 per cent of the male andrological research over the past
and mismanaged condition among population. Above the age of 40, few years have conclusively
men as compared to other medical nearly 52 per cent of men are established that physical exercise
disorders. Two factors are affected. and aerobics can improve sexual
N
ext to the instinct for into primary and secondary. Couples genitalias comprises two ovaries that
survival, the urge to with primary infertility have never are responsible for the production of
procreate is strongest in all been able to conceive while, those female hormones and eggs (ova).
living beings. Though most with secondary infertility have There is a uterus in a pyriform
people fulfil this desire to difficulty in conceiving after already structure of about 3” x 2” x 1” with a
reproduce and raise having conceived before, irrespective fallopian tube attached on either side.
offspring there are an of whether the previous pregnancy The vagina connects the uterus with
unfortunate few that are had ended in a delivery or a the external genitalia. The vagina is
unable to do so. Such miscarriage. the organ for intercourse, the
couples suffer from great Some people with conditions like receptacle for semen, and forms the
emotional stress, more so because endometrisis, polycystic ovarian birth canal during delivery.
of the social stigma attached to disease are subfertile which means A single egg is released during
infertility. It is important not to lose that they have lower chances of each menstrual cycle usually around
heart, for rapid progress had been conceiving than an average couple. the 14th day before the next period is
made in this branch of science, and due – this works out to be midcycle in
medical aid is available to most of Prevalence: About 15 per cent of women with a normal, 28-day cycle.
infertile couples. all married couples are infertile. Of One must remember to count the first
these about a third are due to female day of the period as day one. The
causes, another third due to male egg is picked up by the fingerlike
DEFINITION causes and in the remaining third processes at the loose end of each
● The couple has not conceived both partners have problems that tube called fimbria and is transported
after 12 months of contraceptive-free make them incapable of having a towards the uterus. If intercourse
regular intercourse if the female is child. Due to various reasons like occurs during this fertile period the
under the age of 34. increasing age of marriage, planned sperms swim up and fertilise the
● The couple has not conceived delay in conception, and ovum in the proximal part of the tube.
after six months of contraceptive-free environmental factors, the number of The fertilised egg is transferred to the
intercourse if the female is over the infertile couples have been uterus where it gets attached to the
age of 35 (declining egg quality of increasing worldwide. uterine wall and remains lodged there
females over the age of 35 account for the nine months of pregnancy.
for the age-based discrepancy). Conception: To understand the
● The female is incapable of causes of infertility it is important to Causes: Infertility may be due to a
carrying a pregnancy to term. understand the process of single cause in either the woman or
Infertility can be further divided conception. The internal female her partner, or a combination of
factors that may prevent a pregnancy Other factors contributing to infertility. Lifestyle pattern is taken
from occurring or continuing till term. infertility are: into account since the intake of
Common causes are: ● Advanced maternal age – fertility alcohol, smoking, lack of exercise
● Ovulation problems declines sharply after 35 years of age can affect fertility. Men working in
● Tubal blockage due to decreased quality of eggs high temperatures expose their
● Male-associated infertility ● Weight – over or underweight testicles to heat that can affect
● Hormonal imbalance ● Genital infections fertility. A thorough general physical
● Uterine problems ● Endometriosis examination is followed by a battery
● Previous sterilisation operation ● Environmental toxin-like of tests. Basic investigations include
on the male/female pesticides sperm count, ultrasound, ovulation
● Tuberculosis (TB) of the genital ● Genetic causes studies and testing for tubal patency.
tract – a common cause in India Treatment depends upon the
● Anatomical defects in either Unexplained infertility: In about diagnosis.
partner 15 per cent of cases the infertility
● Medical conditions like thyroid investigation will show no Treatment: If tests do not reveal
disease, diabetes. abnormalities. In these cases abnormalities the couple is asked to
Therefore, it is seen that for a abnormalities are likely to be present make lifestyle changes. Abstinence
woman to conceive, intercourse must but are not detected by current from alcohol, smoking, drug abuse
take place around the time when an available methods. and maintenance of optimal weight
egg is released from her ovary. There for height is required. Those with
should be adequate amounts of Assessment: Once a couple diabetes or thyroid diseases need to
healthy sperms, her tubes must be visits a hospital for infertility a have these issues addressed before
patent, her uterus prepared to detailed general, medical sexual contemplating pregnancy. Hyperpro-
receive the fertilised egg and her history is taken. Obstetric history is lac tinemia is a condition in which
hormones must be balanced. of import in women with secondary there are secretions from breasts
without the presence of a
pregnancy/ delivery. This is due to
Fertilized ovum
Fertilized ovum (5 days) raised levels of a pituitary hormone
(4 days)
called prolactin which interferes with
Fertilization
conception and can be normalised
with drugs. Tuberculosis of the
genital tract if present, need to be
treated with long-term antitubercular
drugs before conception is
attempted.
Ovulation implanting fertilized Low sperm counts and motility in
ovum (6 days) males can be improved with drugs.
Males with varicocele, hernia,
hydrocele, phimosis, undescend
Endometrium testes, blocked vas (the tube that
carries the sperms from the testes to
the penis) need to have surgical
offered me to take to school in his car. usually afraid, had such a caring
Our school had a very big area, heart. Her affectionate behaviour left
surrounded by a long boundary wall an unforgettable impact on my mind.
and the building was far from the main – M.P.S. Chadha, Chandigarh.
gate, in between being katcha grounds.
For upgrading the ground, a lot of soil,
etc. was being unloaded by trucks,
hence heaps of soil was scattered
everywhere, restricting the car from Every one of us has,
An affectionate disciplinarian sometime or other in
going inside up to the building. one’s life, received help,
The incident relates to the days The classes had already begun guidance, sympathy, understanding
when I was studying in primary when our car stopped near the main and love from some fellow human
school. While a student of Class-II, gate. My class teacher, a strict being. Can you recall any such event
the doctor advised my parents to get disciplinarian lady of around 35, or occasion in your life, when you
received such consideration and for
me operated upon for tonsolitis. The perhaps seeing us from the window of which you are grateful? Each
operation took place successfully and the classroom, came up quickly and published anecdote will be awarded a
I had to abstain from school for few reached us in no time, had a few words prize of Rs 200. Send your
days. My uncle and family, residing with my uncle asking about my contribution to:
in Jalandhar, had visited and stayed operation and well-being. With smiling GRATEFULLY YOURS
with us for help during my hospital face and kissing me on cheeks, she
days and his having a car, a rare picked me up from the car seat and E-3 Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110055.
Womansera.com
prestigious facility in those days, was took me up to my class, walking
really helpful. through the long stretch of rough Name:
The day I rejoined school post- ground. I wondered how the always- Mobile:
operation, I was thrilled when uncle strict disciplinarian, whom we were E-mail:
S
Tips for whitening your skin. By Shailja Mehta
hreya avoids birthday embarrassing problem for me,” says Asians are fonder to get a whiter skin
bashes, college gatherings Shama. I spent countless hours and and do lots of things to get the skin
and for that matter any a good fortune putting myself through whiter and lighter than the natural
social event. She does not torturous hair removal techniques, shade.
want to go in the crowd with only to watch the hair reappear. This The facial bleach packs available
her blemishes. She suffered was frustrating. at chemist shops consist of a cream
acute acne problem as a Whether your issue like mine was and powder. The cream and powder
teenager. Her acne left a few random chin hairs, widespread should be mixed using a plastic
behind small brown spots on body hair or a female “mustache,” it spatula provided. The mixture is then
her face and she hates them was important to hide those excess applied on the hair for ten to fifteen
the most. She wants a beauty hairs. Since most hair removal minutes according to the manu -
product that will hide her blemishes methods are temporary and painful, I facturer’s instruction. The mixture is
by making them lighter. She wants to choose to make my body and facial then washed away. Along with the
feel comfortable among others. She hair less noticeable by bleaching it. hair, the skin will also become lighter.
too desires a good complexioned Everybody in the world is fond of The skin will revert to the original
skin. Will good skin bleach rescue white skin and is ready to do anything colour within a few days. As new dark
her? to get the skin whiter. Even fairer skin hair grows in one or two weeks, it
“Excess or unwanted hair growth people put their best efforts to keep may again need to be bleached.
was irritating and downright their skin tone whiter. Especially The effectiveness of bleaching
S
to a devastating revelation. By Barnali Saha
helby Watson was a paragon of virtuous magic page for her reading all the problems on
human relationships. She lived a classic life in earth and comparing them to her life – devoid of
her quintessential New York home with her marital clashes, money woes, unhappy in-laws. It
quintessential husband, Robert, a well-known was a measure-your-happiness page for her which
Wall Street figure, in perfect bliss. Life was inevitably lifted her spirits. You know, a great many
devoid of pain and she was more than happy people on earth can seldom say, “We are happy
to the extent that she would cry while watching with our lives” but Shelby knew how to count her
the daily soaps on television. She had been married happy stars. She was not one of the morose New
for three years now and, as expected, she was now York women who had everything and still felt like a
thinking of getting a job. fiasco. After careful consideration Shelby decided to
"I need a job, Robert," Shelby said one night over go for the interview.
dinner. Robert, who was munching on a "Robert, you are perfect. It is just that I
perfect steak, looked up from his plate. He love this idea of being a relationship
sipped a little red wine and put the fork "Why, adviser. I am going for the interview
down. Shelby was waiting for his honey?" he tomorrow," Shelby said.
response. said, looking Robert smiled at her and raised his glass
"Why, honey?" he said, looking quite to toast his wife's decision. "I wish you all
surprised. "Aren't you happy at home? Do
quite the luck, honey, and I hope you get the job.
you want me to spend more time with surprised. Are you nervous?" he asked.
you?" "Aren't you "No, not that," said Shelby as she did
Quite frankly, Shelby herself found no happy at the dishes."You see, I have nothing to lose
reason for getting out of her fabulous glass home? Do if I don’t get the job. Since I am not a
house; she thought she would miss looking you want careerist, it really doesn’t matter."
out of the big window of the living room at me to spend Robert rose from his chair and walked to
the busy Manhattan street filled with more time his wife in the kitchen and put his hand
people, most of them carrying glossy bags around her slender waist and kissed her. At
full of designer stuff. She would miss
with you?" that moment of passion, Shelby felt her
listening to the radio murmur, see the whole being melting like ice and she heard
beautiful sunset, Martha Stewart and Food networks. herself saying, " l love you."
But life to Shelby meant a little more than being a
T
home-maker. She felt an innate urge that told her he next morning, as Shelby put on her Louis
that it was time for her to get a job and fortunately, Vuitton navy-blue pencil skirt and white blouse
she had already found the dream job that had to be from Christian Dior, she was filled with
hers. confidence. She looked at herself in the mirror and
While lazily turning the pages of Her, Shelby's complimented her features. She had put on minimal
eyes fell on a hiring ad. Her had been Shelby's make-up and accented her dark brown eyes with a
favourite magazine for ages, partly because of the coat of lush black mascara. Her face had a healthy
fabulous coupons and the line of events in the city glow from the tinted moisturiser and the little sweep
that they wrote about in great detail and partly of the blush that made her cheek bones prominent. "I
because of their Personal Woes column and the can do this," she said to herself, then took a deep
unique solutions to the problems they provided. breath and left the apartment.
Shelby read those solutions intently. It was like a The office of the Her magazine in the Twentieth
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hey now owned two floors of a building in spacious and airy and Shelby sat comfortably in the
Twentieth Street and were doing pretty well. Of black leather chair and smiled again.
late, they had been looking for a new face to "Well, Shelby," Laura said, "how are you doing
work with them. Becky Snider, who worked as the today?"
relationship adviser in the magazine's Personal "Pretty good, thanks," she replied.
Woes section, had met with an accident and would "I read your resume early this morning and I must
be bedridden for quite some time. Becky didn’t like say I am impressed by your previous experience as
her job and wanted to work in a more scholastic a clinical psychologist," Laura said with a grin.
magazine, thus Her was now looking for a fresh, Shelby felt a burst of confidence inside and she
young face to guide the mortal millions. They had knew there was hope for her.
interviewed a number of women for the job but "So tell me, Shelby," Laura asked as she took out
Laura Warren wasn’t satisfied; she was looking for a Shelby's resume from a file and looked at it. "have
confident woman just like she was, someone who you ever tried a new way of doing things? Did you
was mature and sincere. succeed? And why do you think you are suitable for
Most of the women she had interviewed were this job?”
young college girls or up-and-coming models who
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had no idea about real life. One of them had acute helby thought for a minute before saying, "In
OCD and was on medication. On Monday morning my previous job as a clinical psychologist intern
Laura was to meet Shelby Watson, a woman who at St Peter’s Hospital, New Jersey, I
had phoned her on Friday about the details of the encountered a gamut of challenging situations where
I had to think out of the box and combine my
theoretical knowledge with my sagacity and find out
solutions. My job involved dealing with patients who
were on medication due to psychological
problems. I had to be careful in
dealing with them. Since each case
was unique in itself I had to talk
to my patients and, fortunately,
in most cases, my therapy
helped them cater to their
personal development. I
guess my previous
knowledge will help me in
this job as this job
involves dealing with
personal problems and
finding solutions to them."
"Then why did you
give up your job, keeping
in mind that you did so
well?" Laura asked.
"I wanted to get
married and have a family. After my college, I she always compared the happiness in her life with
realised that I wanted a family life more than the unfortunate one.
anything else, thus, I intended to become a home- One night Shelby was working from home when
maker." she got an e-mail. It was pretty late, around 12.30,
"Then, why are you applying for a job now?" and she was about to shut her laptop when the
asked Laura. 'New Message' icon popped up. Unwillingly, she
"Because I think I am suitable for this job. I like opened the page and found an e-mail from one
talking with people and I love reading your Paula Sexton. It was an interesting mail – the woman
magazine and, more than anything else, I now want was thinking of having an extramarital affair with a
to have a new career," replied Shelby. "happily married man" who had lately been
"Well then," Laura said with a smile and rose to showing her enough interest to make her feel
offer her hand in a handshake. "The job is all yours. wanted in a special way. She knew it was unethical
Congratulations, Mrs Watson, you are now part of on her part but she couldn’t forget the man.
our magazine and I wish you all the best. You will
S
begin your work from next Monday.” helby wanted to laugh but decided to write a
Laura took Shelby to the office and introduced her serious note to solve her dilemma. She looked
to the staff, which included Janice, the co-editor, at Robert, he was fast asleep. Shelby detested
Sheila, the photographer, and the other staff. the e-mail and the way the woman put her questions,
Everyone applauded and Shelby was happy to see but she wanted to write a good answer. Maybe the
her future as a relationship adviser to the Her woman was not happy with her husband, maybe the
magazine. husband wasn’t good in bed, or maybe he was an
Shelby began her journey with the magazine on unfeeling rogue who didn’t give her enough time or
the following Monday morning. Everybody in office attention. If that was the case, then definitely the
congratulated her on her first day and Shelby woman needed a break-up with her husband and go
Watson was confident and cool. She was for the new man, but then, what would
given a line of printed letters and e-mails happen to the wife of the man? She was
and each declared in bold one problem or Shelby innocent. Shelby thought over the issue
another which she had to answer. She felt wanted to and finally decided to help Paula. She
a tad nervousness in her gut as she looked laugh but wrote a note where she asked Paula
at the first e-mail but then she realised that it decided to several questions about her marital life and
was not rocket science and, besides, she write a her job, and why she was interested in
had the brains to debate her own ideas so serious note another man.
she could definitely find out healthy The reply came the following evening
solutions to all private anguishes.
to solve her and Shelby was amazed at what she saw.
dilemma. Paula was evidently a successful
I
n a month Shelby was a well-recognised She looked businesswoman with a happy family and
figure in the Her magazine. The readers' at Robert, her husband had no idea about her
eyes loved Shelby's solutions and he was fast whereabouts. She had met the new man at
debating techniques; the magazine now asleep. a business meeting and was drawn by his
saw a deluge of e-mails and letters and handsome features and, since then, she
Shelby had a facebook community to her couldn’t concentrate on work. Recently,
name. Laura Warren was happy with her selection she had tried to express her interest and the man
and so was Robert, Shelby's husband, with his had reciprocated to her feelings. They saw each
wife's success. other a couple of times outside office and one such
Shelby enjoyed every moment of her newly meeting was fateful.
acquired job and felt that her happy life was Shelby had received such clueless queries before
happier now. She would receive all kinds of which made her laugh over the psyche of people
questions from people. Apparently, people had a lot she saw around. One such e-mail came from a girl
of problems these days, but Shelby Watson had all who spied on her husband for no reason; another
the solutions – be it personal problems or problems one came from a woman who was a compulsive
with one's boss or difficulty in dealing with one's liar. But Shelby decided not to involve her emotions
colleagues or in-laws, Shelby knew the answers to in this case, as she often did, but wanted to do her
all. She had a unique approach while providing job. So she replied to Paula with a two-lined e-mail
remedies. She would read each problem and place and asked her to follow her heart. Since the woman
herself in the situation of the writer and think how had already developed feelings for the man and the
she would deal with it but, every time she did that, man had also reciprocated, Shelby thought there
S
afternoon's laugh over Paula's crazy love life. helby left her office that evening with a strange
It had been two and a half months now and feeling in her gut. She didn’t know what it was
Shelby was well versed in Paula Sexton's love life. but she wanted to be home. She rushed to the
parking lot. There was heavy traffic on the Fifteenth
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helby was thinking about Paula's latest e-mail Street; nonetheless, Shelby reached home in half an
for over an hour now. It was probably the hour. She opened the door and called out to Robert.
strangest e-mail she had got. The e-mail read, There was no answer, he wasn’t home yet. She
"Dear Shelby, I hope you are doing fine. I am in a looked at her watch, it was only 7.15, and so
fix, need your advice ASAP. The man I love Shelby changed and decided to make a good
proposed to me over lunch yesterday and I am dinner for Robert. By 9 o’clock the pasta and the
ecstatic. He said he wants to leave his boring wife garlic bread was ready. Still, there was no sign of
and start a new life with me. You know my story. I Robert. Shelby called him on his mobile but it went
am also thinking of divorcing my husband before we straight to his voicemail. She didn’t know what to
start over. So, do you think it would be a good idea do, so she switched on her computer. There were a
to live together right now? We looked up a good couple of new messages in her folder; Shelby
apartment yesterday evening and he seems to be thought it might be Robert who had the habit of
excited too. His wife doesn’t have any idea, and so leaving quick instant messages. Shelby excitedly
does my husband. Would it look absurd if we opened her AOL account. She had two unread
suddenly vanish from their lives to live with each messages from Paula, the person whom she least
other? I am so excited about my new life. We are wanted to encounter at that moment. Unwillingly,
getting new stuff for the home and we talked with she opened the letter, it said, "Dear Shelby, thanks
each other the whole day today. I am waiting for so much for your advice. We have taken the
your advice. The lost traveller in a new road – decision of living together from today. We are on
Paula." our way to our new apartment now. Thanks so much
Shelby read it over again and clicked on the honey for your support. Love – Paula." Shelby
reply option. She was worried about the people who deleted the e-mail and opened the other unread one,
were still in the dark. For some reasons, she missed this one said, "I am attaching a picture of myself
Robert now and wanted to head back home as soon and my Prince Charming, and I hope you like him."
as possible. She had decided not to receive Paula's Shelby scrolled down and found an attached file,
e-mail any more and so she wanted to compose the which said 'we took your advice.' She opened the
final entry with more thought than usual. "Dear picture. In a moment, she felt like throwing
Paula," Shelby typed, "I really do up. The whole world had stopped
not have an advice to give and Shelby felt like a cold
you, since you two corpse. In the picture with
have decided Paula, a sultry blonde
everything already; woman, was a man.
you have even seen He was somebody
an apartment. Shelby knew for
There is no point ages — it was
in replying to Robert. She
you with any dropped the
negative ideas. laptop and threw
Rather, I wish you away the dinner
all the happiness in plates and began to
future and I want cry. Outside the
you to enjoy your glass window of the
new life. I think, apartment, the
since you two romantic New York
love each other, it City evening was
is a great idea to setting in. We
I
nfertility has always been an hormone imbalance which prevents vaginal acidity. Sperm loss may be a
issue which has brought forth the normal maturing of eggs. factor when infertility is otherwise
many social and psychological In most cases, by using fertility truly unexplained. Sometimes, the
traumas in the society. A drugs such as clomifen, it can be mucus of the cervix (neck of the
childless woman was considered relatively easy to stimulate eggs to uterus or womb) can be hostile or
a bad omen on happy occasions grow to maturity and to ovulate. very thick and unfavourable. Some
in the family. Advances in Various hormone injections are also men may have problems such as
medical science have come to utilised for ovulation induction. The impotence, premature ejaculation or
the aid of such childless couples maturation of ova and ovulation is an abnormality of penile anatomy
with the development of various monitored by ultrasound and couples which may make it difficult or may be
new assisted-reproduction techni - are encouraged to have sex at an impossible for sperm to be deposited
ques. This was a revelation for appropriate time. These hormones in the vagina. It is quite common to
Sunanda when she took her childless also help in making the cervical find that the seminal fluid containing
daughter-in-law Pooja to doctor for mucus of a better consistency so that the sperms do not liquefy or remain
consultation. Doctor discussed the sperms can pass through with ease. very like glue. This is likely to be a
matter in detail starting from the story significant cause of infertility.
of the initial test tube babies of the Intrauterine insemination: In these situations, successful
world who are now young women Sperms are deposited in the vagina pregnancy can sometimes result if
and men. These medical methods at intercourse, the majority are especially treated sperms are placed
are technically called as assisted normally lost because the sperm into the uterus above the level of
reproduction. Assistance in repro - either trickle out or are destroyed by cervix at the time of ovulation. This
duction could be done in various treatment is called Intra Uterine
ways. Insemination (IUI). Semen contains
many other biological entities besides
Ovulation induction: Ovulation, sperms, hence prior to putting the
which is the release of an egg from sperms into uterus they are prepared
the ovary, is not always a regular and by certain washing and treatment
predictable event. In fact, nearly 30 techniques. IUI is not a very good
per cent of infertility problems are technique when the sperm count or
due to defective or absent ovulation. quality is very poor. For the success
The commonest cause of this is a of this technique the fallopian tubes
condition called polycystic ovary of the woman partner should also be
syndrome where there is a major open and undamaged.
ahead with the marriage arrangements. You may please hand it over to your
Now, for the last 15 years, we are servant.” You could imagine the
also living as a joint family. Though I feelings of the poor sister-in-law.
have asked my son and family to move – Savithri Viswanathan, Chennai.
Joint family upstairs as it is constructed for them
Fifteen years ago, I was on the by taking a bank loan, they are not
look-out for a suitable bride for my inclined to shift and stay with us.
bank-employed son. I never wanted
any dowry or cash from the girl’s A discourtesy If you have had
an encounter with any
party, but wanted a good, accommo- A distant relative of mine lost her of your in-laws, let our
dating girl from a respectable family. husband some years ago. As is the readers know it. Whether it is
An alliance came through. The custom in Brahmin communities, the pleasant or sour, it does not matter
girl belonged to a joint family. Two first 13 days were spent in doing all so long as it is interesting and
brothers, their wives, children — the religious ceremonies, obsequies, illustrates human strengths and
weaknesses. All accepted
each one had two — their old parents etc., etc. contributions will be paid Rs 200
and also an old unmarried uncle were According to the custom, the each. Send you contributions. duly
staying together, all under one roof widow is presented with a sari on the typed or written in neat hand writing
for the last 40 years. 10th day by her brothers. The brother to.
They seemed to be living without of the lady was not well-to-do but he IN-LAWS/OUT-LAWS
any quarrels or misunderstandings. still purchased an ordinary sari and
The proposed girl was the daughter presented it to his sister. E-3 Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110055.
Womansera.com
of the elder brother. Though the girl Now, after a year or so, the sister
was very, very ordinary, and an returned the sari to her brother’s wife Name:
unemployed graduate, I thought this with the comment, “Babby, I don’t like Mobile:
was the girl for my son and went the sari given to me by my brother. E-mail:
L
blade free Lasik. By Dr Mahipal Sachdev, Centre for Sight
asik has brought about a Are the procedures painful?
revolution in the field of eye Lasik is almost painless procedure
care. People who hid behind performed under topical drop
thick glasses or had to put up anesthesia. You can walk in and walk
with the discomfort and out of the operation theatre in less
inconvenience of contact than 15 minutes. Few eye drops have
lenses during their entire life to be used for a couple of weeks to
can now gain a new lease of allow a smooth healing.
life with Lasik. People who
underwent Lasik Vision What are the restrictions
Correction felt more confident, following surgery?
reassured and were ready to take on microkeratome blade. This is You can return to your daily
the challenges of life. Professionals followed by customised ablation of routine the very next day. There are
ranging from pilots, military and navy corneal surface to correct the no dietary restrictions. Sun glasses
personnel, sports people e.g. curvature of the eye. This is the most should be worn outdoors. Avoid
athletes, golfers, scuba divers, advanced technology for Lasik and splashing water or rubbing your eyes
models and air hostesses and even has been found to be extremely safe. for a few weeks. You can watch TV
people working in offices and at NASA has recommended the or work on the computer as and
home have benefited from the Intralase with Customised Excimer when you feel comfortable.
various advantages that Lasik has laser correction for its astronauts as
offered them. this can withstand high gravitational Do I need to wear glasses after
forces and has been found to be my eyes have healed from the
What is Lasik? stable and secure even in extreme procedure?
Lasik is a surgical procedure for environmental conditions. No glasses are required for
correcting near sightedness routine daily activities. People over
(myopia), far sightedness (hyperopia) How is blade free Lasik different the age of 40-45 years may need
and cylindrical (astigmatic) refractive from Lasik? reading glasses as that is a normal
errors. LASIK stands for Laser- ● Personalised Lasik Treatment ageing change called presbyopia.
Assisted In Situ Keratomileusis. It for any kind of refractive error
has been available across the world ● 100 per cent Blade Free Can I wear contact lenses after
for nearly 15 years and millions of ● Uses a laser to create the the Lasik?
people have undergone this Laser corneal flap Yes, you can wear glasses or
vision correction procedure. ● Highly advanced computer- contact lenses after Lasik. Even an
controlled technology enhancement for any post-lasik
How is Lasik done? ● Better night vision and contrast residual power is usually possible.
Lasik is a simple procedure which ● Improved quality of vision –
takes less than15 minutes to perform. crisp vision If Iʼm unsuitable for Lasik is
Eye drops are used to numb the eye there any other option available for
and a thin flap of cornea is raised How safe are the Lasik me.
using a fine micro-keratome blade. procedures? People found unfit for Lasik have
The flap is everted and a laser is Millions of people across the world no reasons to lose hope. They have
used to reshape the cornea. The flap have used Lasik for their vision several options at their disposal:
is replaced and the reshaped eye correction and have found it gave Implantable contact lenses (ICLs),
curvature helps you to see clearly. them a safe, accurate and stable surface ablation procedures, INTACS
result. Visual recovery is quick with or intrastromal ring implants, clear
What is blade free Lasik? little or no post-operative discomfort. lens extraction with multifocal IOL
It is a 100 per cent blade free They are able to pursue the lifestyle implantation, etc. Get yourself
technology for laser vision correction. and profession of their choice without examined and seek the best advice
A femto-second laser is used to the inconvenience of glasses or for your eyes.
create a flap instead of the contact lenses. Email: drmahipal@gmail.com
S
Tips for whitening your skin. By Shailja Mehta
hreya avoids birthday embarrassing problem for me,” says Asians are fonder to get a whiter skin
bashes, college gatherings Shama. I spent countless hours and and do lots of things to get the skin
and for that matter any a good fortune putting myself through whiter and lighter than the natural
social event. She does not torturous hair removal techniques, shade.
want to go in the crowd with only to watch the hair reappear. This The facial bleach packs available
her blemishes. She suffered was frustrating. at chemist shops consist of a cream
acute acne problem as a Whether your issue like mine was and powder. The cream and powder
teenager. Her acne left a few random chin hairs, widespread should be mixed using a plastic
behind small brown spots on body hair or a female “mustache,” it spatula provided. The mixture is then
her face and she hates them was important to hide those excess applied on the hair for ten to fifteen
the most. She wants a beauty hairs. Since most hair removal minutes according to the manu -
product that will hide her blemishes methods are temporary and painful, I facturer’s instruction. The mixture is
by making them lighter. She wants to choose to make my body and facial then washed away. Along with the
feel comfortable among others. She hair less noticeable by bleaching it. hair, the skin will also become lighter.
too desires a good complexioned Everybody in the world is fond of The skin will revert to the original
skin. Will good skin bleach rescue white skin and is ready to do anything colour within a few days. As new dark
her? to get the skin whiter. Even fairer skin hair grows in one or two weeks, it
“Excess or unwanted hair growth people put their best efforts to keep may again need to be bleached.
was irritating and downright their skin tone whiter. Especially The effectiveness of bleaching
GYM
fat. She selected a high-end gym, but
found that she did not use most of
the equipment whereas she was
charged for it!
So first decide your fitness goals.
Do you want to tone or contour your
body? Do you just want exercise to
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stay healthy? Do you want to lose
weight? Are you aiming for that eight-
Five basic eing physically fit has pack abdomen? Whatever your aim
become such an integral is, not every gym is going to meet the
gym rules you need part of everyday life that needs of every person.
more and more people are So, select a gym that meets your
to follow. enrolling in gyms to get specific needs. For just using
By Renuka Vishwanathan regular exercise. The weights, you need not choose an
popularity of gyms is on an elaborate gym, which includes
upward rise. This has also charges for sauna, swimming pool,
led to the mushrooming of cardio and high-end equipment that
gyms at every nook and you may not use at all!
corner.
It would be wonderful to be able to Check out the Gym Facilities:
afford a home gym, but space and When you go hunting for a gym, you
money constraints will limit that will be offered a tour of the centre.
luxury to a select few. For the Make sure that you check it out
majority, enrolling in a gym is the thoroughly and assess it for yourself,
better alternative to get rid of the flab and not go by word of mouth. In
and to get fit. particular, check out:
avoid talking and whispering to other WEAR A T-SHIRT ● Smell good: The smell of
members. It is not only disturbing, but
is plain rudeness to the instructor.
AND TRACK PANTS sweat is definitely not attractive! Just
as you abhor the smell of sweat on
Grow up, please! AND PROCLAIM others after a workout, other do too!
B
By B. L. Nagpal
acterial infection of the surrounding it is contaminated and varying height producing a varying
urinary tract is quite crowded with a variety of a large degree of illness.
common among women; number of micro-organisms which If the infection with subsequent
next only to respiratory are normal harmless inhabitants of inflammation and tissue damage is
infection. The danger of the large intestine and are passed restricted to the urethra, it is called
developing UTI looms large but with faeces/wind through the as urethritis; if the bladder is involved
throughout the life of a anus. it is termed as cystitis and if the
female right from infancy to kidneys are infected, the disease is
old age and it has been
estimated that about 50 per
VULNERABLE TO known as pyelonephritis. This
ascending mode of infection is the
cent of women suffer from symptoms INFECTION most common but the infection may
of UTI sometime during their adult The body area includes the vulva, occasionally start from the kidneys
lives. Whenever given a proper vagina and the whole area of the through the bloodstream and
understanding of this disease and perineum. Even the undergarments descend to the ureters, bladder and
taken adequate preventive measures carry these bacteria, although the urethra along with the urine.
many of its complications and number may vary with the degree of UTI is far more common in
recurrences can be avoided. personal hygiene. The close females as compared to males
The urinary tract consists of the proximity of the external urethral because of certain anatomical,
kidneys, ureters, urinary bladder and meets to the anus which is a source physiological and pathological factors
urethra as shown in Fig. 1. The of infection, makes the urinary tract seen exclusively in females. The
kidneys produce urine drop by drop most vulnerable to infection. short length of female urethra (4 cm
which is propelled through ureters to The organisms, when they enter to 20 cm in males) facilitates the
the urinary bladder which acts as a the body tissue other than the large entry of bacteria from the urethral
reservoir. When filled to its capacity intestines, become harmful and orifice to the urinary bladder. A mild
the bladder contracts; its sphincter is disease producing. Normally, a trauma to the urethra received during
opened and urine is allowed to pass delicate balance is maintained sexual intercourse forces the
out through a slit-like passage called between the defence mechanism of organisms into the urinary bladder
urethra. the urinary tract and the invasiveness resulting in a disease called
The normal structure and of bacteria and if any factor disturbs it “honeymoon cystitis.”
functions of urinary tract are such as in favour of bacteria, UTI will easily The cells lining the female
to discourage and inhibit the entry result. urogenital region are rich in
and multiplication of bacteria from From the urethral opening, the oestrogen receptors, and certain
outside through the external urethral organisms ascend into the urethra bacteria like E. coli have a special
opening. The urethral orifice as well and urinary bladder and are carried affinity for adhering to these
as a wide surface area of the body on to the ureters and kidneys up to a receptors. The micro-organisms
O
f the 1.2 crore blind people says, “Ever Since Micro- intraocular lens was then
in India, 62.6% are due to Phaco has come it has implanted and the wound
cataract. The blindness revolutionised cataract was closed by stitches.
caused by cataract can be surgery. The patient can go Such a surgery would put
avoided by timely back to work the very next the patients off their daily
intervention. Once cataract day and one cannot even routine for a month or so.
develops, surgery is the make out if a surgery has Such techniques are now
only treatment. With the been done.” outdated. The quick,
advent of newer Alcon-USA, one of the virtually painless and a
technologies and modern biggest manufacturers of walk-in, walk-out cataract
innovations, cataract surgery has cataract related products in surgery, Micro-Phaco, is a
come a long way. the world, and owner of the breakthrough innovation in
Today, a cataract surgery which INFINITI Phaco machine cataract surgery making life
INFINITI – the
provides faster recovery enabling the have launched the Micro- machine for
a lot simpler, comfortable
patient to get back to work the next Phaco kit “Propak” which Micro-Phaco and safer for cataract
day is the need of the hour. MICRO- has all the world class patients.
PHACO does just that. Here, an consumables for cataract surgery in
incision as small as 1.8-2.2 mm is one bag including the lens. Why Micro-Phaco?
made and a Phaco needle is The routine Phaco-emulsification (Incision on the eye 1.8 to 2 mm)
inserted. The natural opaque lens is which was the most accepted • Micro-incision
dissolved and aspirated and an ultra- technique of cataract removal till now • No stitch
soft intraocular lens is placed through requires an incision of around 3 mm. • Walk-in Walk-out surgery
the same incision. This procedure A foldable intra-ocular lens is injected • Faster recovery
takes hardly 10 minutes. This through the same incision. The • Premium Lens
technique is designed to speed the smallest incision in this technique • Reduced need for glasses
recovery of vision, improve visual could be as large as 2.8 mm. These
outcome and reduce restriction of incisions are usually self sealing with Dr Sanjay Chaudhary is a leading
activities after surgery. Micro-Phaco good recovery. cataract and refractive surgeon of
has come as a boon for cataract The earlier techniques of cataract Delhi. He is one of the pioneers of
patients at a cost just 15-20% more removal required a large incision of phaco and Micro-phaco in Delhi. He
than normal Phacoemulsification around 8-12 mm. A hard artificial is also a pioneer of Lasik surgery for
surgery. vision correction. With over 25 years
This technique requires the Dr Sanjay Chaudhary performing of experience in the field of
combination of a highly skilled Micro-Phaco ophthalmology, he has been in the
surgeon and a highly advanced forefront of all latest technologies and
machine. innovations in the field like the use
In India, only 2 companies have of accommodative, multi-focal and
launched these machines, INFINITI toric intra-ocular lenses in cataract
by Alcon and Stellaris by Bausch & surgery and C-Lasik, SBK (Sub
Lomb. The ultra soft intraocular lens Bowman Keratomileusis) and ICL in
which is used in this technique are – the field of refractive surgery.
Acrysof IQ by Alcon and MIL by
Bausch & Lomb.
Dr Sanjay Chaudhary is also Director-
Dr Sanjay Chaudhary who
Eye7 Group of Hospitals
pioneered Micro-Phaco Surgery in
Email: drchaudhary@eye7.in
Delhi on the INFINITI system at (www.eye7.in)
Chaudhary Eye Centre, Darya Ganj
T
he Delhi government has got in different groups leave for their trends and opportunities – e.g.
elaborate plans to rid Delhi allotted begging places for a fixed preparation for the Commonwealth
of beggars before the period. Vijay Babli is the beggar Games. Foreign language tutorials
Commonwealth Games this leader at Lal Quarters who regulates are being arranged not to prepare
year. But the track record of the working hours of the beggars who them for taking any degree or
the government so far casts are constantly rotated at different diploma but enabling the beggar to
a shadow of doubt on its spots where they earn Rs 150 to 200 talk to foreigners, with a tooti phooti
efforts to wipe out beggary per day. knowledge of that language. It has
from the city. The beggar Beggars from Rajasthan belong to been observed that many boys and
population in Delhi at present the Dom and Sansi tribes. Doms are girls amongst the beggars are really
is more than 60,000 which is likely to worshippers of Shani Dev, so collect intelligent enough to pick up the
go up to more than one lakh well Shani dues on Saturdays and act as rudimentary knowledge of the
before the games. Beggars have pujaris at shani temples. The Sansi is language taught to him or her, be it
their own plans. The entire picture a criminal tribe and notorious for English, Spanish, German, French,
seems to be gloomy according to a killing people in cold blood. They etc. in phrases like “I am a destitute”,
report. usually beg through tricks. At a red “No place to go,” “Mother ill,” “No
The beggar problem has over a light, if you happen to see two, three money for treatment,” etc.
period of time assumed menacing women carrying a so-called pregnant
proportions and government has
miserably failed to eradicate this
woman asking for alms, they are
definitely from the Sansi tribe. It is
BEGGARS BEING
social evil due to poor they who pick purses, bags and other CHOOSERS
implementation of its laws by its articles from cars if the side glass is In fact, beggar mafias/controllers
corrupt and disloyal authorities. In open. These beggars donate their are expecting huge earnings from
fact, the government itself is begging places in dowry. It is not the foreigners who may be visiting India
confused whether the Bombay prerogative of a beggar to choose a in lakhs during games. To avoid or
Prevention of Begging Act or Juvenile place for begging. Bosses control detect the possibility of cheating
Justice Act should be used to tackle them. foreigners, the beggar trainees are
this chronic problem. The begging business is well made conversant with all the
Two agencies, the Delhi School of organised and proper training for denominations of the currencies of
Social Studies and the Delhi begging is imparted to new entrants. many countries. Their estimate is that
Commission for the Protection of They are taught all possible tricks to each beggar will earn at least Rs 200
Child Rights, are closely connected get the full sympathy of the client who to 300 per day. A conservative
with this problem. If you desire to see is compelled out of compassion to estimate of about 1,500 such
how beggars are preparing for the donate something. But the training beggars will be on the prowl during
Commonwealth Games, we suggest involves torturous methods similar to the games. The responsibility of
that you pay a visit to Katputli Colony those applied to animals such as less eradicating begging depends upon
in the Shadipur Depot area and Lal food to eat only once a day. This multi-agencies. The Department of
Quarters area in Rohini. Beggars live training system can be easily seen in Social Welfare of Delhi Government
in these two colonies. Their activities Lal Quarters. Training courses are is primarily responsible for making
start right from 6 a.m. when beggars designed taking in view the emerging the national capital beggar-free when
I
needed to lie down desperately. The events of “Don’t put on the lights,” I said sharply, as he
the last few hours had completely upset me and went to switch on the lamp. I decided I had to come
I felt as if my head was being pounded by a clean. It was a burden I had carried for many years
hammer from inside. I went to my bedroom, and now providence was giving me a chance to
drew the curtains and lay down in the dark, share it with my son. What I had to tell him needed
trying to calm my agitated mind. But I couldn’t a soothing atmosphere, subdued and calm, not lit up
relax. Things were in such a turmoil. by the harsh light of an electric lamp.
Abhishek had gone to drop Kamna home. He sat down again, this time on a chair, not
Kamna, the girl I had been eagerly waiting to knowing how to broach the topic. I sensed his
welcome as my daughter-in-law. What must she discomfort. I had to take the bull by the horns. I took
have thought of my behaviour and the way I had a deep breath.
reacted to her? “Abhi, you must be wondering why I reacted like
“Mom, what’s wrong with you?” Abhishek had that to Kamna when she mentioned her parents.”
hissed at me, as I had stared open-mouthed at His pained eyes looked at me, and he nodded his
Kamna. I couldn’t reply as I had been numbed by head. He would not question me, our relationship
his words. I just couldn’t believe it. What cruel twist was too deep for that. But I desperately needed him
of fate had brought her back into my life? to understand why I had done such a thing. He had
I knew that I had a lot of explaining to do to to understand the past, as it was linked to the
Abhishek and I began to panic. Would he present.
understand why I had done such a thing? And “I know Kamna’s parents,” I began.
would he understand why I had behaved as I had? “You do?” he asked a bit shocked. “Then how
The most important question was: should I tell him? come you don’t know Kamna? I had told you about
I must have fallen asleep, exhausted by the events her.”
because I woke up with a jerk, when Abhishek
I
opened the door of the room to enter. “Are you sighed. Abhi had mentioned he had met a girl he
okay, mom?” he asked in a whisper, coming and liked. She was a software engineer, working in
sitting on my bedside. his firm. She was his junior, but they had worked
I sat up and looked at my only son, the only on a project for six months together in the USA and
reason that had kept me going on throughout my had become very close friends. That friendship had
life. I nodded at him. “Open the curtains and slowly blossomed into love.
windows,” I said and he obeyed. “She is wonderful, mom,” he had gushed to me.
The late evening breeze came in through the “She is the only daughter of her parents and they
windows and the dim light duly lit up the room. are very well off. Her father owns a manufacturing
unit in Jabalpur and exports a lot. His mother is a
well-known social worker in that area. They were
very nice to me and they have no objection to my
relationship with Kamna. Now, we need only you to
approve.”
“Let me meet her first,” I had laughingly told him.
And I had meant to approve. I could never break
the heart of my only son. I was ready to welcome
Kamna into my home and heart, as the daughter I
never had. But the mention of Jabalpur had raised my
hackles.
I had been lucky to land a job in a government
hospital, a few miles away from the city. There I had “I need anonymity,” I insisted.
been allotted a small room, which Abhi and I had Dr Mathur managed to convince the couple and
called home. The pay had been just enough to the whole operation went through successfully.
manage our food but I was lucky to have a
I
wonderful boss, Dr Mathur, who was chief of the came back to the present and saw Abhi waiting
hospital. He was an enterprising person and a keen eagerly for me to continue with my explanations
researcher and headed the hospital’s fertility centre. on how I knew Kamna’s parents. Actually, I had
He was investigating some new technique which done a bit of spying. I had been quite curious about
was still in the nascent stage. the couple who had required my services so many
And that is how I was roped in by him into his years ago. I had secretly peeped into a file of Dr
plans. I was talking with him when he had invited Mathur’s and got to know their names and address.
me to join him for a cup of tea. That is what I liked I still remembered it after so many years. And
about Dr Mathur. He was friendly, casual and had Kamna was the right age.
no airs. I opened up and told him about my “What is Kamna’s date of birth?” I asked Abhi
concerns for Abhi. suddenly.
“I want to give him the best education. I want to “12 December 1980,” he replied.
make him an engineer. He is so brilliant, but there is That was proof enough. That was the day it had
just not enough money,” I had sighed. actually happened. That was the day I had sold
That is when Dr Mathur had put forward his myself for Abhi’s future, in a way.
proposition. “Mom, I am waiting for explanations,” he urged me.
I had initially been shocked. I knew I could no longer hide things from him.
“I can’t do such a thing. It’s immoral.” “We used to live in Jabalpur between 1977 and
“There is nothing wrong with it,” he had soothed 1980. You were an infant. Your father was not
me. “It is just that it is not so common in our country, killed in a road accident, as I had told you. He had
but in a few years it is sure to catch on. You are abandoned you and me and left with all my money
young, healthy and you are at no risk at all. And the and jewellery.”
money involved is considerable.” Abhi gaped at me in shock.
“All this money we now have and had is not your
T
he amount he mentioned took my breath away. father’s legacy to you, but because of me or rather
I could give Abhi whatever his heart desired. what I did. I told you lies because I did not want you
We could buy a small house of our own. Our to feel upset and humiliated on having a good-for-
future would be secure. And that is what set me nothing father and be ashamed of what I did.”
thinking. “What did you do?” he asked horrified.
“You will have to decide soon,” Dr Mathur had “Hear me out patiently,” I said. “And don’t
said gently. “The procedure is quite complicated interrupt. Science was not as advanced as it is
and there may be success immediately or may be today. Fertility techniques now have made it so easy
not. So it takes time.” for infertile men and women to have children. But in
“I agree,” I told Dr Mathur finally. “But there is 1979, it was quite difficult. An infertile couple was
one condition. They should not know my identity.” desperate to have their own child. They had all the
“But how is that possible?” Dr Mathur had asked money in the world, so they approached a doctor
me, annoyed. known to them who was a pioneer in the field of a
“That is my condition. I don’t think I have to come new fertility technique. He in turn approached a
in contact with them, do I?” young, healthy woman, to take part in the project.
“I will talk to them,” said the doctor, a bit Desperate for money and the future of her son, the
stumped by my demand. But I was adamant. young woman agreed.”
“It was you!” exclaimed Abhi, with both and stared at me as if I had gone mad.
astonishment and horror in his voice. I held up my “We pretend that we don’t know about Kamna’s
hand to silence him. origins. Her parents don’t know me. Kamna is their
“Yes, it was me. The project went through child biologically and genetically. She does not
successfully and the couple went home happily with have my blood or genes. I have just been a mother
a child, and the young woman with the promised to her when she was in the womb. And fate has
money. She immediately left the place and made a given me another chance to be a mother to her for
new life for herself and her son,” I paused. I knew the rest of my life. Isn’t it wonderful? She is really my
that the next words would shock Abhi. I bent daughter, isn’t she?”
forward and took his hands firmly in mine. Abhi broke into a huge grin after absorbing my
“Kamna was that child born to the couple. The words and hugged me.
couple are her parents and I was the surrogate “I love you, mom,” he said. “I know you always do right.”
mother who bore Kamna.” But suddenly his face clouded.
“But what about your husband, I mean my
A
bhi’s face showed no expression on hearing father?” he stammered at the unfamiliar words. “Is
my words. He seemed to be in a sort of he still alive?”
stupour. He shook his hands free from mine “That scoundrel” I exclaimed in scorn. “He was
and went and stood near the window, looking out killed in a drunken brawl about 10 years after he left
into the darkness. I waited quietly as long as I could, us. I met one of his friends by chance after I had left
then I felt I had to say something to break the silence Jabalpur and he gave me the news.”
and to justify myself. A great sense of relief flooded over Abhi’s face.
“Abhi, Kamna’s parents don’t know me at all. It “And remember, Kamna is not to know any of
was my condition that I would maintain my this. If she knows the truth and ever reveals
anonymity. But I got to know their names it to you, act surprised. And I am sure she
and they are embedded in my mind. I also
It would be will not know about me. Her parents
learnt that the child I had given birth to was wrong to anyway would not bother about the poor
a girl. There can be no mistake. That child deny that I woman who helped them have a child.
is Kamna.” had never Besides, today surrogacy, IV fertilisation,
It would be wrong to deny that I had thought babies from donor eggs and donor sperms
never thought about the child. After all, I about the are all so common, it is not such an issue
had nurtured her in my womb for nine that it was years ago.”
months. And wasn’t motherhood about child. After I stretched myself, feeling better than I
nurturing? But I knew that to forget the past all, I had had in the last few hours.
was best for the future and so I had tried not nurtured her “Now go and tell Kamna that I was not
to think of her. Maybe I would never have in my womb feeling well. Call her and I’ll talk to her.
revealed the truth to Abhi if Kamna had not for nine We’ll lunch together tomorrow. It’s the
entered our lives in such a fateful way. months. weekend, so you’ll both be free.”
“What happens now?” demanded Abhi Abhi jumped up and ran out of the
suddenly, facing me with anger and room and I followed him. With the way
anguish writ large on his face. “How could you have science was progressing, it is possible that in the
done such a thing? How can you keep such a thing future, a person would not be sure if a stranger he
hidden from me?” meets is genetically related to him or her or not. But
He collapsed in the chair, burying his face in his hands. now, I had to talk to my daughter, Kamna. We
“We do nothing,” I said as calmly as I could.
Abhi jerked his head abruptly out of his hands
A
By Maharaaj K. Koul
team of 16 surgeons and Speaking to reporters, visibly overcome by these dramatic
nurses at the Royal jubilant hospital chief Dr Leo Donnan developments. The twins shared
Children’s Hospital, said, “The teams managed to parts of their skull, brain tissue and
Melbourne, Australia, separate their brains and they are blood flow. Working through the
successfully separated both very well. Now we have the long night, the specialists took occasional
joined-at-the-head, three- task of reconstructive surgery, which food and rest breaks and listened to
year-old Bangladeshi twins will go on for many hours.” Plastic pop music in the operation theatre to
– Krishna and Trishna – surgeons, headed by stay alert as the operation
after more than 50 hours of Dr Tory Holmes ran hours past its
complicated surgery on 17 finished reconstructing scheduled midnight finish.
November 2009. The surgeons the girls’ skulls using “Everyone has known
described the moment as ‘surreal’. a combination of their these girls as one with their
The twins, rescued from certain own skin, bone grafts individual personalities, so
death in a Dhaka orphanage, had and artificial materials to see them as separate
been flown to Australia by the about five hours after human beings is a pretty
Children First Foundation Trust, an the separation surgery amazing moment,” said Dr
aid organisation, in November 2007. ended. Donnan.
With medical experts opining that the Moira Kelly, the But they were nursed
twins had only a 25 per cent chance girls’ legal guardian, back to health developing a
of survival, the doctors, who operated who brought them to unique system of crawling
on the orphans, say such a surgery is Australia from on their backs as they
a ‘once in a lifetime experience’. Bangladesh, was underwent a series of
✂
CONTEST
1 2 3 4 5
N B
6
Tear along the dotted line and mail to Crossword No. 173 Womanʼs Era, Delhi Press, New Delhi-110 055.
D
7 8
E E
9 10
G T
11 12
I
13 14
A
15 16
F I
17 18
E
19 20
O
21
R N
22
E
Across
1. A situation which cannot be 1. A person appointed to watch people
while they are taking an exam to
avoided (10)
6. A cover over a container that can make sure that they have everything
be removed or opened by turning they need, that they keep to the
it or lifting it (3) rules, etc. (11)
7. A bitter taste made from malt (= a 2. Abbreviation for English Place-Name
type of grain) or wine, used to Society (4)
add flavour to food or to 3. Having a strong, bitter smell or tase
preserve it (7) that is unpleasant (5)
9. Facts or information, especially 4. Attractive and showing a good Please accept my entry for the
when examined and used to find sense of style (7) crossword competition. I
out things or to make 5. To draw or bring out; elicit (5)
Decisions (4) 8. Using words that are clever, but are subscribe to all the rules and
11. To drink something, especially not sincere, and do not show much regulations of the competition.
alcohol (6) thought (4)
13. A person who is very large, 10. A substance that enters the body and
starts a process that can cause Name
strong, intelligent or important (5)
15. A fight or violent behaviour in a disease (7)
public place (6) 12. To confuse somebody completely; to
Down
.
shedpur. Seema Mahajan, Agra. Sharma, Noida
N. Pooja, Jam Krishna Gopal
Answers to Crossword-170
n w in
Across: 1. Piston, 5. Lycra,
8. Beau, 9. Satin, 10. XML,
w i o rd
11. Odd, 13. Ova, 14. Axle,
16. Trident, 17. FE, 18. Gamul,
n
i ur w
W yo wer
21. Minister, 24. Index, 25. Sect,
26. MMS, 27. RUT
Down: 1. Pist
3. Obnox ious ,
ol, 2. Satiate,
bl
4. NE, 5. Lux,
e, 12. Dredge, o n p o
6. Calyx,7. Am sy, 19.
. Lilt, 17. Flim
14. Atom, 15 . Inch, 23. Exit
er, 22
Aries, 20. Udd
5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12
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make approp riate and
thorough enquiries before
acting upon any advertise-
ment. This magazine does
not vouch or subscribe to
claim and represen tation
made by the adver tiser
regarding the particulars
of status, age, income of
the bride/bridegroom.
this disease is on a steady rise. Level Rangachari. Liberalisation has led to
of awareness of breast cancer in the fall in the traditions of family
India is “worse” than other countries, value, arranged marriages are
particularly in rural areas that are forgotten and the educated singles
more “orthodox and conservative” prefer to select their own life
and where people do not feel partners. The present scenario for
comfortable talking about breast employment of women has vastly
cancer. changed. The trend is that women
To prevent a disease, one needs prefer to work in apparel manage -
to mitigate the risk factors that may ment, fashion technology and call
lead to breast disease and breast centres. They were working in
cancer. Here is a simple message for insurance, banking and service
A TIMELY ADVICE women to keep in mind “If you love sectors a decade ago, now changing
THERE IS
LIFE AFTER
ON BREAST your life, you can save your life their outlook.
BREAST
CANCER er
CANCER through early detection.” Women in apparel or call centres
A breast-canc
woman
By Sudha
Thanks for your
should read. sekaran
Chandra who is a
breast
also at risk.
Hormones
cases
seem to play
but are not
role in severald. Tall women with
nice, informative article thus they opt for western wears. The
lung, stomach, Even historybreastfeed both lifestyles: their first
or who had a slightly
colon cancers. cancer I had be children, years of age, have what
each.” that cannot
though breast ly year after 30 still not clear
rates are
traditional Risk factors family history, age higher risk. It is play in
pills might
countries, include proven and part birth control found that
low in Asian cancer in changed The most getting it has been birth control
genetics.
of breast rate and and risk factors for and this, but are using
incidence
the at an alarming most significant being female per women who of getting
India is rising cancer are five to 10 greater chances have never
the second Indian breast pills have
has become older. About are thought to women who studies have
IN STEP WITH
been identified. factors have menstruating early t and progestin.
factors have risk underwen
one or more and those startedof 12) or who are oestrogen
who have
breast cancer, risk age age of 55
never get it do not have any e after the
menopaus
who do get Isn’t it strange? (First) 2010
Breast Cancer
T
factors at
all. Era ● January
Woman’s
loving is
said that
THE TIMES
as husband
company knowing
still not
wife, and There is
much
the person. reveal about
spouses that
s and much
themselve knows
back. One
they hold reveal
wishes to
(January II). The incidence of breast seek solace in rave partying and
the other give away.
only what and words features
or what actions
most important ps is
One of the l couple relationshi
share
of successfu friendship they
of know about
the quality do they
— how much what pleases
particularly are
each other, and what
annoys them
and what
of each.
the dreams Viveka are now married
Rahul and met each
KNOW AND
rapidly becoming the number one YOU SPOU
Womanʼs Era (January
ND
UNRDERSTASE and resorting to meditation and
cancer in females, pushing the II) 2010 issue. The spirituality will keep the society sober
An ideal
way to keep
ge
your marria
going.
i Singh
By Padmin
cervical cancer to the second spot. magazine presents and the Indian heritage and culture
The cancer survivors have rightly article according to the will be preserved.
said that “courage is all that is changing needs of the readers. It – S. Boomija, Bangalore.
needed.” The task of spreading the tries to incorporate the best and the
awareness about the prevalence of most, for which it needs applause. HOW DO YOU LIKE THIS ISSUE?
this cancer and advising women on “Men of Substance” illustrates how Entertaining, WE is anxious to give you
good, interesting and useful material in
undertaking self-breast examination much Womenʼs Era cares for men. every issue. It will help us a lot if you let us
comes into the picture. The tip for fighting recession was of know which features, stories and articles
you like from this issue and which you
My Bua (Father’s sister) in million dollar. didn't. Suggestions for new features and
Vadodara is suffering from breast The article Know and Under - topics are most welcome.
standing Your Spouse is incompar- Please address your letters to:
cancer that was diagnosed as intra-
ductal breast cancer on one side and able as regards relationships. Time WOMAN'S ERA
E-3 Jhandewala Estate,
is doing fine. Thanks to mammo - comes when differences arise New Delhi-110055.
graphy and early detection. between spouses and timely write – Womansera.com
According to the health experts ups of Womenʼs Era work during The prize is awarded to:
lack of awareness is the reason why these testing times. S. Boomija, Bangalore.
The art of India has been well
SHOPPING INFORMATION
depicted in pages of Womenʼs Era. WOMAN'S ERA
THE STUNNING SARI The beauty of paintings of India is invites readers’
Designed by: Reena Aggarwal opinions and
Mob: 09871916663 beyond compare and needs exposure
at international level. “Stripping of reactions on
TREND TODAY articles, short stories
Designed by: Deepak Singh police medals” is an apt editorial for
No: 09899595195 and features published
teaching lesson to bigwigs at the helm in Woman’s Era. The best
Website: www.deepaksingh.co.in
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Ph: 0120-2457132 GIVE A THOUGHT
W
are very proud
e Indians and our
of our heritage
TO VALUES
how well-suited deal
still are to
were and
Cover Courtesy:
social
with various
New Delhi-110055.
of
– the care
problems
etc. But the
facing adversity, is
the old, that our culture
matter is among
fact of the especially
ng fast – and
disappeari our towns
class in one
the middle that too in just about
metros. And
Womansera.com
generation everywher
classes,
The upper still do what they like,
and
always did or anybody.
of anything always had
not afraid e,
everywher
The poor, on its hands
has enough of keeping
and still
with the nitty-gritty to think of
Sonna Bhatia
body and
But the middle that is
much else. the bastion of all ss
always been middle-cla
. So, when it is time to
traditional to change,
values begin notice.
take
sit up and
IN JUST
ONEN!In Just One Generation
Model: Meghna Naidu Name:
Make-up: GENERATIO Mobile:
Virendra Narvekar As a New
at the social
Year dawns
changes broug
our countr
, let us look
y... By Kasturi
ht about i
Rangachari
in the January I, issue
Hair: Sonu written by Kasturi E-mail: