Eves E Publish[1]

Rs. 15/ Only South India’s Lifestyle Fornightly

Vol: 5 No: 153

October 16-31, 2009

Rs. 15.00

16 Pages

The Beauty Bistro

THE TRADITIONAL GANGA SNANAM

For Your Eyes Only Simbu

Jus’ Jus’ask ask Brinda Brinda

Deepavali Sweets

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Page1111 Page

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uquet for the Teacher

October 16-31, 2009

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anara Bank, is opening 55 branches across the country on Thursday, the 8th of October 2009. The 2860th branch is being opened at Thaltej, Ahmedabad by the Chairman and Managing Director of the Bank, Sri A.C. Mahajan. Addition of 55 branches will take its global network to 2861. With a significant Branch Expansion Plan to reach out to the masses, the bank aims to take its branch

network to over 3000 by March 2010. Also, the Bank has more than 2000 ATMs to provide service to its large clientele. The bank has also launched a mega “Savings Utsav” Campaign to expand its clientele base and improve CASA deposit. It has also offered a reduced interest rate of 8% on home loans and 8.5% on vehicle loans during this festive season.

In its Chennai Circle, two new branches are being opened at Kavanur and Kelambakkam. The Extension Counters at Dr MGR University Maduravoyal Chennai, Islamiah College Vaniambadi, Vellore, Thiruvannamalai District Co-op Milk Producers Union Ltd, Om Sakthi Narayani Siddar Peedam Sripuram, Thirumalaikodi, Vellore will also be upgraded as full fledged branches, taking the total to 143.

Tenpin Bowling Team Championships 2009

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n the third National Tenpin Bowling Team Championships held at Star City, Bangalore, the Tamil Nadu Trio of Sabeena Saleem, Bharath Nahar and Shabbir Dhankot won the first Gold medal for their state with a win in the Mixed Trios event, defeating another team from Tamil Nadu comprising of Sana Saleem, Raml Jain and Surendra Babu by 152 pins. In an exciting day 4 of the championships played on Short oil condition both the Tamil Nadu teams were trailing the team from Kamataka. But both the teams from Tamil Nadu had a field day in the final three games and snared victory from the Karnataka team.

The other team from Tamil Nadu comprising of Sana Saleem, Rahul Jain and Surendra Babu also shot very high scores and secured the Silver medal. The Kamataka team Bronze medal.

won the

October 16-31, 2009

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Doodles

Deepavali Enlightenment Hi Friends

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hile the stage is all set for the grandiose festival of lights, we can look forward to some respite from the spate of societal disturbances and untoward happenings on many fronts and indulge in the true spirit of Deepavali. Let us renew our hopes for a bright future, our family and friendship ties and dispel all misgivings and pessimistic tendencies. There’s a lot to look forward to in the future. The stage has been set by global Indians such as A.R. Rahman, Venkatraman Ramakrishnan who won the 2009 Nobel prize for his path breaking work in chemistry and others which goes to prove that we Indians have the capabilities to achieve globally. So we have one more reason to celebrate. On the occasion of the festival of lights let us remove the darkness from

our minds and light the lamp of illumination. Women have been proving their mettle globally too, setting trends in the hitherto uncharted male bastions. With such a low percentage of girls being permitted to acquire education, if young Indian women can achieve globally in varied fields imagine what intellectual wealth our country would possess if all our girls were sent to school! During this Deepavali, let us make up our minds to encourage the education of the girl child and in our own way try to do our bit toward this noble cause. Let us set apart some money for the daughter of our domestic help, driver, watchman or any other indigent girl in the neighbourhood… a percentage of the total amount spent on crackers, new dresses and sweets. Let it become a way of life

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for us to make every happy occasion, one of complete fulfillment even as we create a culture of investing in the intellectual advancement of the unfortunate and the needy girl populace. Most young girls are saddled with the burden of running the house, cooking and taking care of the younger siblings. Many a girl child has never seen the portals of educational institutions, while their brothers are sent to school. To ensure that the men in the family get their fair share of meals, little girls go to bed with grumbling stomachs. By depriving the education of these girls, we are snatching away their entire future, and that of the future generations.

As long as the women of our houses are shunned by the society and families, we can never hope to rise to higher rungs in the Human Resource Development Index, which has unraveled the dismal, but true nature of our society. It reflects the stark reality that only a few people are amassing the benefits of all global advancements whereas the plight of millions of Indians is pathetic. How can anybody hope to live in happiness when our neighbours go to bed hungry after backbreaking hours of arduous toil? I know of some women from the middle class who spend their leisure time giving free tuitions to unfortunate girls from BPL families (Below Poverty Line) who have had no opportunity to go to school or need help to understand what is being taught in their schools. This is yet another way of offering our help and imparting knowledge. We can also do small things like donate old school books,

clothes, stationery and study materials, etc. The next time you see a young girl in rags on the road, balancing a pot of water on her fragile shoulders and traipsing along, remember,

that this could be the girl who needs your help and guidance. A toast to the success of young Indian women! Happy Deepavali!

Ciao! Swati Amar

True Deepavali Sentiments T

he moonless Deepavali night signifies dispelling darkness and ignorance and spreading light. Let us

illuminate our minds by looking at environmental issues that arise out of the consequence of celebrating Deepavali. Globally environmental concerns are taking centrestage and impact the lives of every one of us. While we are celebrating a grandiose global festival, it is imperative we contemplate about bringing a major overhaul in the mode of celebrations by including Mother Nature too as a part of our Deepavali Sentiments. Continued on page 16

October 16-31, 2009

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For the Special DEEPAVALI Glow

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uring Diwali we wear festive Indian outfits. Our makeover should also be appropriate to the festive season. You can make your eyes m o r e

Safe Beauty tips

attractive. You can try smoky eyes which you can create by smudging the kajal. You can also apply extended eye-liner to get the traditional festive look. For eye shadow, shimmer with bronze, deep brown or copper colours. They suit Indian skin and outfit of almost any colour Foundation is very important. Using the wrong foundation c a n make you

look like a frying pan! Avoid cracked and flaky skin by rubbing on either mineral based or water based foundation corresponding to your skin type. Same goes for blush – use oil or powder based blush-on according to your skin type. It’s a personal choice what lip colour you will use. Of course, it should match your overall make up and outfit. However, depending on what you like, either wear gloss or matte lipstick but do carry your lipsticks and gloss with you so that you can refill your lips. Finally, give your body the perfect glaze by mixing some shimmer with your body cream and applying it evenly all over.

Beauty’ S Peak

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ve’s Times is happy to carry out a column on beauty care by cosmetologist and aesthetician Vasundhra, Chennai’s renowned woman of beauty and influence. Vasundhra’s tips will help the busy women of today to maintain their health and appearance without much ado.

A Soothing Bath

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ou can take recourse to nature to enhance the nature of your skin, strengthening it and making it more radiant and smooth. Neem is very effective in removing body odour . Add

neem leaves in your bath tub and soak for some time before you take your bath. Neem extract has antiseptic properties and is very good for the skin. Remove the leaves after some time and take your bath. You can also add camphor to your bath water, which helps remove body odour. Fruit masks are very good for maintaining the health and luster of your skin during summer. You can use apples, banana, melon, tomato, cucumber and coconut milk to make your fruit face mask. People who

have sinus problem should avoid this. Try to take a lot of fluids during summer, especially if you are a person who needs to be on your toes at home and at work. Try to take fresh juices of oranges, lemon or coconut milk as often as possible. To avoid a sun stroke, keep an onion in your bag.

Winter Care While you can keep yourself warm by using woolen clothes, you still need to take extra care of your skin during winters. Cold climate wreaks havoc on your skin. Even

No matter how expensively or elegantly you dress up, nothing will fetch you complements if you don’t feel fresh and happy inside. Deepavali inevitably means gorging on sweets but maintaining a balanced diet is of utmost importance. Keep track of what you are eating. You can dig into sweets but don’t forget your vegetables and fruits. If you have any health problem, avoid foods rich in fat and refined sugar. With all the firecrackers bursting and burning, do wash your hands every time you eat so that no residue of gunpowder is left on your hands. This will keep your stomach clean. Washing hands with antiseptic soaps or a handwash during Deepavali is very important. Removing makeup is also a priority. A lot of people end up with eruptions on their skin and loss of hair. So it’s for your own good that you tie up your hair and shampoo and condition it properly on the day after the festival.

though the climate may be cold, the moisture content of your skin will however be less during winters. Sweating will be less. Hence body heat will be high which will result in dryness of the skin. Since the moisture of the skin depletes, there is a tendency for the outermost layer of the skin to peel off and make your palms, feet and hands look dry and scaly. Your lips may develop cracks and so would your heels. Cracked feet will result in constant pain in the feet. Hence it is important to take extra care of your skin during winter season. To be continued…..

October 16-31, 2009 Business Etiquette

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especially if an employee or coworker has done his task well. Praise something your coworker has done well. Identify the specific actions that you found admirable.

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imes are difficult now. Organizations cannot afford to lose valuable employees, especially those who contribute to the company’s growth and profits. There are many ways organizations can show their employees how much they are valued. One of the most important ways is to offer food, favours and appreciation. You can tell your colleagues, coworkers and employees how much you value them and their contribution any day of the year. No occasion is necessary. In fact, small surprises and tokens of your appreciation spread throughout the year help the people in your work life feel valued all year long. Start by creating a gracious, polite workplace by resorting to social niceties such as please and thank you,

Getting to know your coworkers will buy you their loyalty and respect. Ask your coworkers about their family, their hobbies, their weekend or special events in their life. Ensure that you don’t give the impression of being nosey. Your genuine interest causes people to feel valued and cared about. Know your coworker’s interests well enough to present a small gift occasionally. An appreciated gift, and the gesture of providing it, will light up your coworker’s day. Another way ay of showing employee appreciation is by offering staff members f l e x i b l e scheduling forr the holidays, s, if feasible. If work coverage e

is critical, post a calendar so people can balance their time off with that of their coworkers. If you can afford to, give staff money. End of the year bonuses, attendance bonuses, quarterly bonuses and gift certificates are good ways to say “thank you.” . Everyone appreciates food. Take coworkers or staff to lunch for a birthday, a special occasion or for no reason at all. Let your guest pick the restaurant. I know of organizations where people decide to get take-ways during lunch time or go for a picnic once or twice a year or during special occasions. This creates a sense of belongingness to the organization and its people. In the case of organizations, especially those from the IT industry many have fun traditions fo for seasonal hol holidays or holiday part parties. There are oppo opportunities for

different department people to come together and spend fun time with one another. There are also opportunities for employees to show off their talents and skill, which is a great morale booster. Combined with delectable food, fun times infuse new energy to staff members, who get back to work with renewed enthusiasm, which

is a spring well of innovation and creativity. Last, but not least, provide opportunity. People want chances for training and cross-training. They want to participate on a special committee where their talents are noticed. They like to attend professional association meetings and

represent your organization at civic and philanthropic events. There are hundreds of

other

employee

and

coworker appreciation ideas just waiting to be found. They’ll bring you success in

employee

motivation,

employee recognition and in building a positive, productive workplace.

October 16-31, 2009

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The Health and Fitness Clinic

THE TRADITIONAL GANGA SNANAM

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eepavali festival begins with the ‘Ganga Snanam.’ Our grandmothers used the ‘boilers’ for getting the warm water ready for the traditional bath. On the eve of Deepavali, this boiler was scrubbed, cleaned and purified using ‘sunnambu’ and sanctified using the sandal paste and vermilion. In the wee hours of the morning, the boiler used to start working, getting the warm water ready for the oil bath. Meanwhile the oil was prepared for the ritual. Sesame oil was taken in an iron container. To this oil, omam seeds, pepper corns, turmeric powder and one or two red chillies were added and the oil was warmed. This oil was rubbed on to the scalp of the family members by the women of the house. The ingredients added to the oil helped in developing immunity against colds and coughs. This oil mixture also helped reduce body heat. Sesame seed oil has been an inherent part of the lives of the people of Tamil Nadu since time immemorial. Though the daily ritual of the sesame seed oil bath has come down drastically, even today in traditional households, oil bath is taken on Tuesdays and Fridays. Sesame seed oil bath grants immense benefits. The hot and humid climate of Tamilnadu causes increased body heat, fatigue of the brain and nerves, tiredness of the limbs etc. Sesame seed oil helps retain body heat at desirable levels. A regular routine of sesame seed oil massage in the head and body, followed by retaining the oil for about half an hour and a warm bath helps in rejuvenating the mind and the body. Lifestyle changes and environmental pollution are the prime causes for the rise of incidences of myriad disorders in recent times. Thanks to the environmental pollution, we are constantly inhaling and ingesting toxins everyday.

Sesame seed oil massage is a natural technique to detoxify our body. In Ayurveda, it is known as ‘Abhyanga’. Charaka Samhita, the medical treatise, delineates the benefits of sesame seed oil massage in great detail. Sesame oil massage promotes softness and luster of the skin, lubricates the muscles, tissues and joints and increases flexibility. A regular routine of this massage is believed to make one strong, and diminish the effects of aging. It helps increase the body’s capacity to handle strenuous work and healing after injury. Research studies on the healing properties of sesame oil massage have documented that it decreases stress hormones and strengthens the immune system. It reduces anxiety, depression and pain. The National Cancer Institute recommends this massage for alleviating the pain of cancer patients. The linoleic acid in sesame seed has antibacterial and anti-inflammatory properties. Therefore, the oil massage decreases the bacteria on the skin. Certain procedures have to be followed to derive true benefits of sesame seed oil massage. Curing the oil by heating it to 212 degrees F is important. For this, the oil is heated gradually on a low flame. A drop of water is placed in the oil, which is removed from fire as soon as the water pops. The oil is then allowed to cool. The oil should be warmed before use to enhance the antioxidant

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estive times are great as long as we can enjoy the eats . But they also place a great strain on your teeth and oral hygiene. It is therefore important to take extra care of your mouth during these times. Stop your teeth from growing old before their time! Take your oral hygiene seriously. Regular periodontal evaluation from your dentist and some basic habits will retain your youthful smile for years to come.

Traditionally the massage used to be done before meditating and showering. The oil is kept for about 20 minutes and then a shower is taken. The body’s self purification mechanisms have been rendered inadequate by the impurities surrounding us. To contend with our daily encounters with varying types of toxins everyday, eliminating them on a regular basis makes sense. Our ancestors have provided us with an excellent habit that not only helps us to get rid of body toxins but also bestows immense benefits to our general health. A gentle rub that soothes is all you need to keep you rejuvenated, energized and radiant!

Get Your Special Paste Ready After the oil massage, the oil is washed away from the hair by the Shikakai powder. For the body, people generally use green gram powder. You can get the shikakai powder

You can prepare your own special body paste. Dry lemon rinds and rose petals under the sun. Also dry kasturi manjal under the sun. Or you may choose to use the turmeric powder available in the dabba chetti kadais. Either way, mix the dried rind and rose petals with green gram and get them ground to a fine powder. On the day of Deepavali, after the oil massage, take a little of this powder, mix kasturi manjal powder if you have not already mixed and add curds and rub vigorously over your body. You will emerge with a soft, glowing skin and a good feeling. The scrubbing improves your blood circulation too. ✤

Steps to a More Youthful Smile

properties. But curing is done only once. For applying oil, the palms of the hands are used instead of fingertips, in vigorous circular motions. It is ideal to begin the massage on the scalp, followed by the face, ears, front and back neck, and then the arms. Circular motions over the joints and straight motion over the muscles are effective for the arms and legs. The chest and abdomen are massaged in large clockwise motions. The massage on the back is done vigorously. The ritual is concluded with a rub on the legs and feet.

from the market or get the ingredients from a Dabba Chetti Kadai and dry them under the sun, powder them and keep.

Avoid artificial junk food, e.g., confectionary, chocolates and sticky sweets. Brush preferably twice daily, but definitely before going to bed. Recommended technique:

brushing

The right way of brushing your teeth recommended by dentists, that will enable them to gleam and sparkle: For cheek and tongue surface of the tooth: Start by placing the bristles of your tooth brush at 45 deg at the gum margin and sweep down for upper teeth and sweep up for lower teeth in a slow motion. Repeat a few strokes at each place. For grinding surface of the tooth: Use small circular motions or back and forth motion.

Tips for good dental health Eat food with a lot of fibre content, e.g., fruits and fresh vegetables, cereals. Consuming too many oranges, too much grapefruit juice or other highly acidic foods and beverages can erode the enamel, leaving tiny pits or grooves that accumulate deposits. Hairline fractures can occur by chewing ice or hard candy.

To reach behind the last molar: Use a long and slender necked toothbrush.

Shed those injurious habits! Beware! Clenching or grinding your teeth is mighty harmful to your teeth. They accelerate natural wear and tear and prematurely age your smile!

Replace worn down crowns or bridges. Also replace fillings whenever necessary. Do not wait for your cavities to enlarge! Have any discolored teeth corrected. Staining gives you an older appearance. Don’t hesitate to replace any missing teeth as soon as possible because missing teeth can cause your bite to collapse and tissues to sag. If you have a bad bite, attempt to correct it soon. Prevent bone and gum loss by adhering to your dentist’s counsel. Scrubbing too aggressively can wear down the enamel, which can expose the dentin or cementum underneath and jeopardize the health of the teeth. Don’t forget! The dentist is your best friend and will help you keep flashing your dazzling smile everlastingly.

teen mag

October 16-31, 2009

Quizzeria? W

ith the Deepavali fever raging in the milieu let’s unearth your knowledge about Deepavali. After all, it is important to know about our culture , right? Then again , Deepavali is one of the most popular festivals globally. So go right ahead and try to emerge a winner!

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GRAFFITI MARRIAGE – THEY SAID IT! Before I got married I had six Theories about brining up children. Now I have six children and no theories. Lord Rochester

1. Who is supposed to be the husband of Goddess Lakshmi? a. Lord Shiva b. Lord Vishnu c. Lord Indra d. Lord Brahma 2. Who killed Narakasura? a. Lord Narayana b. Lord Shiva c. Lord Krishna d. Lord Rama

5. Which Hindu month is Diwali observed on?

9. What is the first day of Diwali season called?

a. Ashvin b. Karthik c. Sravana d. Chaitra

a. Dhanteras b. Diwali c. Lakshmi puja d. Naraka Chaturdasi

6. What does the word Diwali actually mean?

3. Which deity is Goddess Kali said to have emerged from? a. Lakshmi b. Durga c. Saraswati d. Tara 4. What do the Sikhs commonly call Diwali? a. Deepavali b. Bandi Chhorh Diwas c. Bhaubeej d. Naraka Chaturdasi

a. Row of lights b. Festival of lights c. Celebration of dance d. Celebration of family

10. Playing cards during Diwali is part of celebrations in which Indian metropolis?

7. Deepavali celebrates the return of two people. Who are they?

Marriage is the only field where experience is a disqualification.

a. Rama and Sita b. Raj and Meera c. Krishna and Radha d. Bharat and Shatrugnan

After forty, men have married their habits and wives are only an item in the list and not the most important.

8. How many days does Diwali festivals last? a. One c. Five

George Meredith

b. Three d. Two

Answers on page 10

GRANNY’S DARLING

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8 3

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4 1

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2

If men know how women pass the time when they are alone, they’d never marry.

a. Mumbai b. Bangalore c. Chennai d. Delhi

easing and tickling your gray cells is said to improve your brain power. So go ahead and play with the numbers and check for yourself if you have it in you to vanquish number puzzles with ease! Happy Sudokuing!

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Every woman waits for the perfect man to come alongbut in the meantime, she gets married.

Brain Teaser

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Before marriage a man yearns for a woman, afterwards, the ‘y’ is silent.

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Q1. You are going to hangout with your friends, and you don a snazzy spaghettitop over a pair of skinny jeans. Your grandma eyes you disapprovingly and comments on your outfit. You:

Q2. You are watching your favorite soap of Friends on TV, and your Grandma wants to watch Kolangal. You:

Q4. You are going out with your friend, and your Grandma asks you to accompany her to the temple. You:

a. Tell her that you just cannot sacrifice your Friends, for some boring Tamil drama family serial.

a. Tell her to go alone, or find someone else to go with.

a. Roll your eyes and tell her that this is the 21st century, where people no longer wear paavadai, and then walk out.

b. Hand her the remote control with a smile. Well, you can watch Friends anytime.

b. Go to your room and wear a jacket or change into something she would approve of, before you leave.

c. You grit your teeth, but hand the remote to her, wondering what she could possibly find so fascinating in a sob serial. Q3. You are bored one afternoon, and your Grandma launches into one of her mythological days. You: a. Invent some work and leave the place pronto. b. Listen eagerly. She certainly knows how to perk up your interest.

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re you Granny’s little Chammathukutty, or the angel with the horns, or the riotous devil? Have you been a good granddaughter? The only way to find out is to take this quiz!

c. Explain to her that you are going out with your friends, and that you can carry off the outfit well with dignity.

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A

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Answers on page 10

c. You nod your head to everything she says, but allow your mind to travel to another country.

b. You try your best to cancel on your friend, to spend time with your Grandma. As they say, family first and then friends. c. Explain to her that you’ve already made plans and you can’t cancel out. Q5. You go shopping with your Grandma, and she insists you should buy a really hideous salwar kameez, which you know you will never wear. You: a. Tell her to take a hike, and you walk away to the section of western-wear. b. You actually buy the dress, and wear it just to please her! c. You tell her that you feel the dress is not very becoming on you. Answers on page 10

teen mag

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October 16-31, 2009

Teen Fitness

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ith Diwali at our doorstep, the usual pandemonium of crackers seems to have flickered down, compared to the previous years. In fact, even the fire-cracker markets aren’t swarming with excited masses shelling out from their pockets, to keep up with the cracker-bursting mania that has ceased to exist today. Even last year, I remember, the cracker-craze was booming, and I was left with a severe migraine weeks before Diwali. Comparatively, the obsession of bursting crackers has receded to a major extent. We’re still trying to figure out why most people have lost interest in bursting crackers. Maybe it’s because they are finally becoming environment-

conscious (kudos to you!). Or because they are just too busy all-year-around and want to spend some quality time with their family and friends. Or maybe they’ve finally attained enlightenment and have realized that money cannot all be spent to produce lots of noise and puffs of smoke. However, don’t forget that Diwali is a once-a-year festival that should be celebrated grandly, and we must keep up with the tradition of bursting at least a few crackers.

can gift them new clothes, crackers and a few goodies to munch. And , of course, be careful not to hurt yourself or others while bursting crackers. Finally, for people like us who are far away from our homes and spending Diwali poring over huge books , with a strong yearning to be a part of the celebrations, wish us well! Wishing you all a Happy Diwali! Until next fortnight Namrata Editor, Teen Mag

Don gorgeous ethnic clothes, light up your house with fancy, earthen diyas, and watch the rockets skirting through the night sky. In the meantime don’t forget to light up the lives of the unfortunate, especially children. Those BPL children too deserve some fun and frolic in their lives. Your Diwali will be most enjoyable if you

THE ASCENT OF 21 WOMEN LEADERS OF INDIA INC. “The Voyage to Excellence has documented the success stories of women in our country. Such books build up our confidence and courage. Every girl, woman and the parents of every girl should read the book and understand that we too can ascend the ladder of success-”Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Women & Child Development Renuka Chowdhury. “The book is first-class and a must-read for all as it brings to light the respect that women command in today’s era. Nischinta and Debashish have brought us to an era of command-the era when women command respect, an era when women seek a place for themselves by their hard work” Dr.Kiran Bedi IPS (Formar UN Civilian Police Advisor to the Secretary General) Do you want to be successful? Get your copy of the most sought after book today by women all over the country. Available in all bookstores in Chennai or call 24526739 to book your copy at a discount!

ou cannot not eat Deepavali sweets and savouries, especially if they are homemade. I am sure your tongue must be missing all the traditional eats, having indulged in hordes of junk and instant food. So now, you are worried that the fruits of all your hard work in the gym or practicing sports or doing other fitness exercises may have gone down the drain. But here is help at hand. Check out these quick and easy ways to burn an extra 100 calories for a week or two before, during or after Deepavali and stay fit! Cycling (10 minutes) - If you have a bicycle, just ten minutes of steady cycling will burn off 100 calories. It’s a great excuse to go out into the fresh air too. Cycling will strengthening your legs and heart. Video workout (10 to 15 minutes) - Find yourself a fitness video you enjoy and give yourself a 10- to 15minute workout four or five times a week. It will help burn some extra calories and refresh your mind. Walking (15 minutes)- It’s the easiest and simplest exercise known to man. Fifteen minutes’ brisk walking will burn at least 100 calories. Skipping (15 minutes)Skipping ropes are cheap and lightweight, and they can be used pretty much anywhere. Make sure you have a good pair of cross trainers and that you stretch your leg muscles, especially your calves, before and after each session. Not only does skipping work the heart and lungs, your legs and upper body get a great workout too. Fifteen minutes’ exercise will burn 100 calories or more. You may have to start in bursts of

two to three minutes, but you will be surprised how quickly your body adapts. Jogging (15 minutes)- If brisk walking uses 100 calories in 15 minutes, you can expend even more calories by adding one or two minutes of jogging. If you did this twice a day, you would probably be burning at least 300 calories each day. Stairs (15 to 20 minutes). If you have them, use them. They are brilliant for toning up your bottom and legs, and they burn calories very efficiently. By using stairs as often as possible, your calorie consumption is greatly increased - obviously greater the effort, the more calories you will burn. You can burn approximately 100 calories in 15 to 20 minutes’ stair climbing. Dancing (20 minutes)Nothing improves leg muscle tone, cardiovascular fitness and your mood more than good old dance. Dance around your bedroom, kitchen or living room. Just put on some music and cut up that carpet. Housework (20 minutes)You can bargain with your parents and take up power cleaning. You get to make pocket money, keep your home sparkling and in the process shed o f f excess calories. Beneficial in many ways! And to top everything you will be considered an angel if you lend a helping hand during Deepavali. Power cleaning is a great way to raise your heart rate and tone your muscles. Power cleaning depending on intensity - can burn 100 calories every 20 minutes.

, earn your pocket money and burn off extra calories.. Washing and waxing the car will exercise your upper body. Reaching over the roof and bonnet will increase your flexibility. Gardening (25 to 30 minutes)- If you are a nature lover, apart from earning the respect of your family as well as some pocket money and losing calories, you can revel in your creativity being one with nature. Your garden will end up looking great! It’s not just the physical effort that makes gardening beneficial: the release of stress and the enjoyment it provides are also important. Remember to engage your abs when gardening, especially when bending or lifting objects. A good cool-down and stretch for the back and hamstrings at the end is a good idea. It’s not always easy to find the time to do any of these things. In fact it’s a lot easier to find excuses not to do them. But if you make the effort to try a couple of these, you will be amazed at how much better you will feel - and how much better you will look.

Washing the car (20 to 30 minutes)- Impress your father

Choose the Star Teenager of the fortnight … Write about a teenager who is simply out of the world…… according to you … well, you have to justify… why does he or she deserve to be the star? If you feel you can be that star… go ahead and propose your name… Send in a list of the star teenager's achievements…

Authors: Nischinta Amarnath Debashish Ghosh

EVE’S Eve’sTHOUGHT ThoughtFOR for THE the FORNIGHT Fornight One back withof appreciation the brilliant teachers, but with gratitude to those Thelooks happiest people todon’t necessarily have the best of who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material, everything; they just make the most of everything that comes but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child. along their way. - Carl Jung

teen mag

October 16-31, 2009

For Your Eyes Only Simbu T

his is a fun column, a friendly exchange between you and your favourite stars. If you feel like opening out your heart to someone, suave and smart Simbu, a role model of a determined achiever who is on the way to become a one-man industry is willing to lend you a helping hand. You can ask anything under the sun… but this column is meant only for the teens…ADULT ALERT!!!!

I

am a sixteen-year-old girl studying in school. All my friends have boyfriends, but I don’t. I feel very left out. I am very tomboyish and rather rough and even though I am good-looking, I don’t really give importance to my looks. My friends say that guys dig only pretty, glamorous-looking girls, and that I am too un-feminine and an intimidating figure. Is that true? Do guys only go for girls who are pretty and glamorous? What is it that a guy really looks for in a girl?

it’s the character that counts. Moreover,

Firstly, I should tell you, be happy that you have escaped the clutches of a relationship and you don’t have a boyfriend. It is not that guys only dig glamorous girls. It’s true—looks do matter to a general extent, but after that,

attracted to you the way you are. After

it’s the compatibility and synchronicity between the two, that matters. Guys have different tastes, but they generally go for girls of their wavelength in maturity and intelligence. When you’re looking at such a broad spectrum, looks hardly matter. On the other hand, it is the charm you exude and the way you carry yourself, which actually matters. As for you, I feel that you shouldn’t change yourself for any guy. You will soon find a guy who is all, you are just sixteen, and you have a long way to go. But I must correct this misconception most girls have—guys don’t dig only beautiful or glamorous girls. There is more to it than that.

Page g 9

teen mag

Page 10

Jest For Laughs

Dear Mr. Bill Gates,

T

his letter is from Mandu Mohan from Chennai. We have bought a computer for our home and we found problems, which I want to bring to your notice.

for an account in the Hotmail in the password column, only ****** appears, but in the rest of the fields whatever we type appears. We face this problem only in the password field. We checked with the hardware vendor and he said that there is no problem in the keyboard. Because of this we now open the e-mail account with password *****. I

request you to check this as we ourselves do not know what the password is. 2. We are unable to enter anything after we click the ‘shut down ‘ button. 3. There is a button ‘start’ but there is no “stop” button. We request you to check this. 4. We find there is ‘Run’ in the menu. One of my friend clicked ‘run ‘ and ran up to Madurai! So, we request you to change that to “sit”, so that we can click that by sitting. 5. One doubt is that any ‘rescooter’ available in the system? As I find only ‘recycle’, but I own a scooter at my home.

1. After connecting to the Internet we planned to open an e-mail account. Whenever we fill the form

So Much Sense Find a boy who calls u cute Instead of hot. Who calls u back When u hang up. Who will stay around just to watch u Sleep Wait for the 1 who first kissers ur forehead Than ur lips. Who wants to show the world What u mean to him. Who holds ur hand in front of his friends and not your waist. Wait for 1 who is constantly reminding u of How much he cares about you, And how lucky he is to have you. Wait for d 1 who turns to his frndz And says “That’s my life.” Terrorists have captured our principal And they demand Rs.5,00,000 Or they will burn him wit kerosene. Pls contribute. I have donated 15 litrs!

Quizzeria? Answers to this fortnight’s questions 1 b. Lord Vishnu 2. c. Lord Krishna 3. b. Durga 4. b. Bandi Chhorh Diwas 5. a. Ashvin 6.a. Row of lights 7. a. Ram and Sita 8. c. Five 9.a. Dhanteras Answer 10. d. Delhi

Answers to last fortnight’s questions 1. A Shadow 2. Eat or Ate 3. A Sponge 4. Dozens 5. A River 6. A keyboard 7. A Ring

Brain Teaser

Answer

Answer

5

2

4

9

6

8

3

7

1

1

9

8

3

5

7

2

6

4

3

7

6

4

2

1

8

9

5

9

3

2

6

8

4

5

1

7

6

4

7

1

3

5

9

2

8

8

5

1

2

7

9

6

4

3

2

8

5

7

4

6

1

3

9

4

6

9

8

1

3

7

5

2

7

1

3

5

9

2

4

8

6

October 16-31, 2009

6. There is a ‘Find’ button but it is not working properly. My wife lost the door key and we tried a lot to trace the key using this ‘ find’ button, but we were unable to trace. Is it a bug?? 7. Every night I am not sleeping as I have to protect my ‘mouse’ from CAT, So I request you to provide a DOG to kill that cat. 8. Please confirm when you are going to give me money for winning ‘HEARTS’ (playing cards in games) and when are you coming to my home to collect your money. 9. My child learnt ‘Microsoft word’ now he wants to learn ‘Microsoft sentence’, so when u will provide that?

was alive when you began autopsy?

T

rue incidents court!

in

the

ATTORNEY : Are you qualified to give a urine sample? WITNESS : Huh? ATTORNEY : Doctor, before you performed the autopsy, did you check for a pulse?

ATTORNEY : Did you check for blood pressure?

WITNESS : Because his brain was sitting on my desk in a jar. ATTORNEY : But could the patient have still been alive, nevertheless? WITNESS : Yes, it is possible that he could have been alive and practicing law!

WITNESS : No. ATTORNEY : Did you check for breathing? WITNESS : No. ATTORNEY : So, then it is possible that the patient

GRANNY’S DARLING

MOSTLY Bs: You’re the model granddaughter, Grandma’s darling, and chammathukutty. However, I find it incredibly hard to believe that you harbor no feelings of impatience, when your Granny tends to get a little picky. If you’ve been true to yourself, you can bet your life’s earnings, your Grandma looovves you!

OSTLY As: You are the cruel granddaughter who is too modern for words, and lives in the urban world of gadgets, friends, clothes and party. You’ve put down family only after your friends and social-life. If you need people for you, you’ll have to change your attitude! But hey, there is always time for change.

ATTORNEY : How can you be so sure, Doctor?

WITNESS : No.

Desperately Yours, Mandu Mohan

M

WITNESS : No.

MOSTLY Cs: You’re human, but could certainly do with

a bit more kindness to your grandma. She’s after all, a gazillion times more important than your million friends. Try to love her a little more, and you will be surprised to see how much love she returns!

October 16-31, 2009

Page 11

YOU’VE GOT

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(with 55% representation) and Baby Chitti (39%)for a well-deserved win.

AMBI MAMA

“It’s a great day for all Ambi Mamas. All the years of hard work - drinking coffee, criticizing the Indian team selection and complaining about blood pressure - have finally paid off. Yay!”, said Ambi Mama, a spokesman for the Ambi Mamas Association of Dear Old Rambams (AMBASSADOR), a division of the Hardcore Brahmin Organisation (HBO). [Editor’s note - The previous sentence has been roundly condemned by the Society for Prevention of abbreviations that are Needless, Dumb and Execrable (SPANDEX)] Some of the stalwarts of the Ambi Mama team pose for a photographer, after blading him with outdated advice on the best cameras, film, and lighting.

ve’s Times will bring to you heart-rending stories, anecdotes , jokes and any meaningful piece of writing that are floating around in the cyber world. Of course, you too are invited to send in your mail to editorevestimes@gmail. com. The present article from the cyber world is to be enjoyed as a piece of humor and is not meant to hurt the sentiments of anyone or any particular group of people.

Ambi Mama is the leading Brahmin relative” – Survey A survey has revealed that ‘Ambi Mama’ is the

leading relative among Tamil Brahmin families worldwide, with six in ten families having one of their own (a 60% representation). Apparently, Ambi Mama held off stiff competition from Mani Mama

Mani Mamas all over the world watched in anguish as the final results were announced, plunging them into gloom. “It’s no fun being a Mani Mama anymore”, said Mani Mama. “ Maybe if I change my name to ‘Ramesh Anna’,

E

ve’s Times is happy to announce that Family therapist and ParentTeacher Educator Brinda Jayaraman will answer any query you want to ask relating to interpersonal interactions. Send in your questions to [email protected] or to our office directly.

I

am a middle-aged married woman, with two children and working in a bank. My husband works in a private company and we are reasonably well off. I too earn a good salary. My problem is that my mother has been diagnosed as a schizophrenic several years back. She is living with my younger brother’s family. Though his wife is not very happy about this, she has managed to take care of my mother so far. Now my brother has got a good job in the Gulf and he wants to go. I offered to keep my mother with me. My husband, who has been so far very nice to my children and me, has suddenly become very difficult. He does not want to take the responsibility of keeping my mother with us. My father died when we were young and I remember that my mother worked very hard to get us both educated. I do not want to leave her in any institution. Also I feel terribly let down by my husband. I thought that he was a kind and compassionate person. He appears very selfish now. As a result of this, we are fighting every day and my children are disturbed.

My son’s marks are dipping. I am tense and nervous. When I earn a good salary, don’t I have the right to look care of my mother, who needs to be taken care of? My husband is very adamant about not keeping her. What do I do? It is very unfortunate that in the Indian milieu, women, after marriage are expected to

‘de-link’ themselves from their parental families. Demands are more than this- they have to adopt their in-laws as their parents; whereas men do not owe any responsibilities towards wives’ parents! There is no code of justice at all in such a social norm. Many women are no more tolerant towards this attitude and exhibit insolence as a ‘tit-fortat’ towards husbands and their families. This is no solution of course.

In your case, you are left with no option except keep your mother with you. At any point of time, has your husband expressed that you care more for your family than his? If so, his non-cooperation maybe mainly because of this grievance against you. Please do something about redressing this complaint though you may feel that he is not justified. Be diplomatic and politically right (not contradicting him). Accept the fact that you cannot expect any support from him regarding this issue. If you complain, he would also come up with many against you. Part of it maybe a fact too. No one is perfect. In case nothing works, improve your stress tolerance and manage your time very effectively. There is no need to argue with him, but let your actions show that you Will take care of your mother.

MAIL!

I will have a brighter future,” he pondered pointlessly.

people watching cricket on a nearby television.

The survey also said that a respectable number of families (or a number of respectable families, as the case may be), have a Vaidhi Thatha, Bangalore Anna, and at least one random guy named ‘Chandroo’ who is at all functions, but no one can really place him (and may not be related at all).

Not all are happy with the progress, however. “These youngsters are ruining everything by naming their children Archish, Dhruv and Plaha,” thundered Badri Athimber. “Can you imagine how it will sound? Dhruv Mama, Anamika Athai, Archish Chittappa Ugh! Phooey! That is so not cool!!”, he growled, using expressions of disgust picked up from his states-based cobrother.

Predictably, bringing up the rear were non-entities like Driscoll Periappa, Jessica Alba Anni and Darth Vader Mama, which had zero representation. “Brahmins are way too conservative, dude!”, complained Cleveland Shankar, one of the more modern Iyer boys (or boyz, if you prefer. We offer multiple-choice reading. You’re welcome.) “When are they going to drop old dudes like Venkatakrishnan, Suresh and Balaji, and start using hipper names like Jason, Beyonce and The Human Torch?” he asked, to a wide applause from a group of

A

lot of information on health and heart appeared in your last fortnight issue, which is very useful. Human interest stories that appear in Eve’s Times are very good. Mangalam, Chennai

E

ve’s Times provides a variety of articles on different topics. You should try to increase the number of pages and make some of them regular, such as those dealing with investments, real estate etc. The range of articles are good. Keep up the good show! R. Vaithiyanathan, Chennai

I

t is a matter of great concern that the incidence of heart diseases among women is on the rise. While we should not take that as a warning signal to confine women to their traditional roles, we must definitely try to lessen their burden, as a society. Men should come

When asked for their response, several Brahmins living in Adyar merely arched their eyebrows, pursed their lips, and continued waiting for the December music season.

Yeah Write! Optimist Vs Pessimist

B

oth

optimists

and

pessimists contribute to

society. The optimist invents the aeroplane, the pessimist the parachute. An optimist is a man who waits in his car with the engine running while his wife goes shopping. An optimist is an ninetyyear old man who is getting married and wants to buy a home near a school. Always borrow money from pessimist, he never excepts to get it back. Contributed by Archana, Chennai

forward to take on more responsibilities at home. The attitude that predominantly prevails in most families skews towards encouraging the male members in all their efforts while permitting the women to educate themselves and take up responsible jobs being considered as a privilege must be changed. The media must play a major role in creating attitudinal change among women….. yes… in many families it is the woman who instills discriminatory attitudes and gender bias among the members. R.Gomati, Chennai

L

ooks like the other countries of the world genuinely remember Gandhiji more than our own country fellows. So you have Obama’s special message, auctioning of Gandhiji’s personal belongings in various parts of the world , the World Peace March etc. As for Gandhi Jayanthi being celebrated in our country,

every year it is the same. Politicians make the same speeches, visit Raj Ghat and do the same things every year. Remembering Gandhi has become more of a ritual than a duty toward our country and fellow beings. Hey Ram! Mohanashankaran, Chennai

M

allika Badrinath’s kitchen queries have become more interesting, focusing on health foods more than other foods. All the recipes last fortnight were good and very useful for making Deepavali sweets at home. If we can have the recipe for Deepavali marundu, it will be a mighty help. Revathy Madhavan, Chennai

October 16-31, 2009

Page 12

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or Deepavali Marundu, can we use Palm Sugar (Panam Kalkandu) or Nattu Sarkkarai to make the legiyam, instead of Jagiri, because this contains more vitamins and minerals? Since the sweetness differs for Palm Sugar, in what proportion can we add the sugar to ginger and other ingredients?

ry out innovative sweets this Deepavali. They are not only tasty, but easy to make too. What’s more, you even have special sweets for diabetics in your family. So go ahead and make this Deepavali a creative and memorable festival!

QUICK WHEAT PEDAS

Rajalakshmi Manoharan, Chennai

Ingredients

Legiyam needs a certain consistency which is why jaggery is normally used. This consistency cannot be replicated by using either Palm Sugar or Nattu Sarkkarai.

Wheat flour

2 cups

Ghee

1 cup

Kova

1/4 cup

am a cookery enthusiast. I would like to make a different sweet during this Deepavali. I was looking at making Dumroot halwa or white pumpkin halwa. I am wondering whether we can make halwa using yellow pumpkin instead of gourd or white pumpkin. I surfed the net to find a recipe to make a halwa using yellow pumpkin, but I didn’t get any. If we can make such a halwa in what proportion should we add sugar since yellow pumpkin already has some sweetness, when compared to white pumpkin? Sumati, Chennai

I

Condensed Milk

1/2 cup

powdered sugar

2 to 3 T sp

Almonds

a few nos. (10 to 12)

Elaichi powder

1/4 tsp.

Yellow pumpkin tastes better than white, and has less moisture as well. To make pumpkin halwa, remove the outer skin and the pips, and grate the pumpkin. Add one and a quarter cups of sugar to one cup grated pumpkin, along with fifty grams of khova [sugarless milk], two tablespoons of ghee, one and a half tablespoons of chiroti rawa and sliced nuts like badam, chironji etc. Mix all the ingredients well, place the mixture on a greased baking tray and bake in an oven for 30-40 minutes till the halwa turns golden brown.

Heat the ghee and fry the wheat flour till the fresh smell goes away. Cool it and than add the kova and sugar powder and mix it well. Than add the elaichi powder and the condensed milk and mix well. Then make small balls. Meanwhile slit the almond into 2 halves for decoration. Put each half of the almond in the center of the ball and flatten it like a peda. In case you want to decorate it more you can make designs with a fork on the top of the peda .

For those who do not have an oven, pumpkin halwa can be made in a non stick pan as well. Take a banana leaf and place it in the pan. Pour a layer of the halwa mixture onto it till it is about one and a half inches thick. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat and cook on the gas for about 10-15 minutes till the ghee oozes out, and a wonderful aroma fills the kitchen. When done, slide the halwa onto a plate and serve. To make pumpkin halwa more delicious, you could add saffron or cardamom shreds to the mixture as well. * Congrats Ms. Sumati! Your question has won a special gift hamper for Deepavali from Eve’s Times! Interview by Deepti Menon

Method

PINEAPPLE ATHIRASAM Ingredients

The Best Query of the month will win a masala hamper from Mallika Home Product Pvt. Ltd. Cooking has never been a Spicier Experience!

Rice flour

1 cup

Jaggery

1/2 cup

Eve’s Times readers have exciting news! Watch out for competitions on cookery tips and recipes. Dig out exotic recipes and innovative tips and win prizes! Send your recipes/tips with your colour pix to Eve’s Times #18/1 Second Cross St Dr.Radhakrishnan Nagar, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041 or by e-mail to [email protected]

Tinned Pineapple pieces

1/4 cup

Ghee

1/4 cup

Elaichi pd

1/2 tsp

Oil as required for frying

Method

CRISPY MYSORE PAK

Grind the pineapple into a fine paste in a mixie. Boil the jaggery, remove the impurities and add the pineapple paste, elaichi powder and cook it till you get a soft ball consistency. Add the rice flour and mix well. Remove from fire and in medium heat itself make small balls and flatten it on a banana leaf or butter paper and deep fry it in oil.

Ingredients Gram flour(Kadalamavu)

- 1 cup

Sugar

- 2 1/2 cups

Water

- 1 cup

Ghee

- 2 1/2 cups

Baking soda

- 1 pinch

Method Mix together gram flour, sugar and water smoothly. Pour this into a pan and cook on a low heat. Heat ghee in another vessel kept on a low heat and add this ghee to the gram flour stirring continuously. Do this until the mixture turns into a non-sticky paste. Add the soda when it is about to get over and stir. Grease the inside of a large bowl with ghee and pour the cooked mixture on this large bowl. When it is still hot, cut into cubical pieces by drawing parallel lines on its surface.

Handy Household Tips C lean door and window screens with kerosene dipped cloth, to remove rust and even keep mosquitoes from sitting on them.

For a painful scald, try this home-made remedy. Place a crushed onion on the affected part, with a bandage over it. It

really works and brings relief. Another good remedy for burns and scalds, is to smear the parts immediately with the white of an egg. In half an hour there will be no sign of the burn, and no soreness. Works like magic! Janaki Ramachandran, Chennai

C

ollect tiny leftover pieces of bath soap. When sufficient quantity is collected, boil in a little water. Stir often, allowing all the bits to melt and form a thick solution. Cool bottle and use as cleaning liquid. While cutting onions, soak them in cold water for half hour and then cut. Your eyes will not water. Better still if you keep it in the fridge overnight before cutting, eyes will not water. To break coconuts

open easily

(the brown ones). Place them in the refrigerator for 30-60 minutes. This would separate the shell easily. Banumathi Chandrasekar, Vellore

Granny’s Alcove

M

ake a decoction of tea leaves mint, a bit of ginger. Mix in a dash of honey; sip hot to give relief from chest congestion. Dissolve ½ tsp.of turmeric powder in half a cup of hot sweetened milk and drink for relief from cough and cold. Repeat morning and night for a week.

A tsp each of ginger juice and honey when warmed and taken just before sleeping, brings relief from severe cough. Repeat every night for a week. A clove and a cardamom kept in the mouth while traveling, brings relief to those suffering from motion sickness.

October 16-31, 2009

Page 13

ring

Trrrrrrrrrrrrrring……… Trrrrrrrrrrrrr .Amma finally approved. Amma is adept at hand work and has made beautiful surukku pais.

H

ey there! Heard of a dainty little home for your mobile? Such as ornate cell phone cases / pouches? Trrrrrrrrrrng. Trrrrrrrrring…… my cell phone jingled. Bombay Jayashree’s Paartha mudhal naaley sang aloud as the speaker of my mobile was turned on. Ma-in- law took a look at it and said, ‘What is that lil’ case that’s screeching?’

EXTRAVAGANCE! In our days we used to have lovely surukku pais jingling with coins. The same can be used as cell phone pouches too!’ ‘No Amma, this one is very compact. We can put into our hand bags too, but this will occupy more space.’

A frequenter of cultural festivals and craft exhibitions anywhere in the city of Chennai, it was during these delightful explorations that I discovered the designer cell phone cases and pouches and surmised that it could be a remarkable part of accessories and grooming. Ethnic mobile pouches are a specialty line inspired by ageold techniques with a modern look and feel.

I laughed and said, ‘err... Ma, it’s my cell phone’……….. in a beautiful bamboo case bordered with black lining and embellished with cowries.

‘You have a separate flap / compartment in the hand bag itself for this, is it not?’ Ma in law queried.’ But Amma, it gets mixed up and if I put my cell in the bag, most of the times I don’t hear it ring. It’s better to put in a separate pouch with a beautiful string and hang around the neck! Oh Amma, look at that!’

‘Tut tut,’ Amma exclaimed, ‘Never seen such

‘Yes, I guess it’s easier to make than surrukku pais,’

Exquisite crafting techniques give a stylish look to cell phone cases. The good thing about this little fashion accessory is a fusion of traditional Indian handicraft with the modern western style. This has given the Indian accessory a unique identity and helped the nascent Handicraft industry boom

borne by the middle class! Prices of commodities

needs to be re-defined. My maid came late to work one

Give me a Song

Fashion today is not just limited to looking good or wearing a designer outfit. Equal emphasis is given to the right shoes, bags, jewelry, head gears, belts and of course, the ubiquitous cell phone cases. Worldwide, designers are increasingly focusing on the extremely lucrative accessories market. Choosing the right accessory is as important while deciding your look, as the garment itself. A simple long black dress teamed with a nice belt, shoes or earrings can make heads turn. Whether you are stepping out for a party or you are dressing for an important corporate meeting, something as simple as the earrings and well, an attractive cell phone pouch dangling round your neck can accentuate your look from sexy to serious, empowered women. Get ready to herald a Tarun Tahliani or a Rohit Bal era abundance. Tell me, how many of us middle class

AND THE COMMON MAN R

ecession cannot affect the common man. Do I see aghast expressions and hear snarling sounds of disagreement at such a statement? Well, I am not making the statement but the present scenario is. The term ‘common man’ here has not been borrowed from ‘A Wednesday’ or ‘Unnaipol Oruvan’. It holds more weight when termed with its synonym, ‘middle class man’. Of course the upper class is taxed too, but the difference is hardly felt or not at all. Thus the brunt gets borne by the middle class. With the insurgence of recession, prices hiked like nobody’s except the middle classes’ business. Milk vendors started a strike demanding a rise in the price of milk. Their demands were met but how? By the grace of the middle class! Teachers ‘salaries were declared insufficient and so, a salary hike was announced. Who meets that hike? The steep increase in students’ fees is

are sky rocketing and the middle class is challenged with a strict ultimatum of ‘either pay up or give up!’ When you can hardly give up every day requirements of rice and dhal, you are left with no choice but to pay up. Venture out to restaurants and after a quick summation of the prices on the menu, you arrive at the total amount. But the carpet is pulled off your feet when the bill arrives. You are slapped with another hefty amount on the total bill in the name of VAT or value added taxes. That, such taxes add value only to the bill and never to the services is your misfortune. Remember you belong to the ‘middle class’. ‘Middle class’- a class which neither enjoys the privileges of the upper class nor the benefits of the poor class. Poor? How is ‘poor’ defined? According to the Oxford dictionary, poor means ‘not abundant’. Looks like, the definition has to change. Ever since televisions (colour ones at that!) are being distributed to the poor, the term ‘poor’

day. She told me she had to spend the morning getting a TV as televisions were being distributed free in her area. I asked her, ‘Don’t you have a TV?’ She replied indignantly, ‘Who doesn’t have one these days?’ ‘So why do you need a new one?’ I asked confused. ‘Oh we will also have this one,’ she replied coolly. Talk about being not abundant, here it is being in great

people, have two TVs in our homes? Again, some time back, the authorities had a vision of the ‘poor’ class being endowed with the same means of cooking gas as all the other classes. So a supply of LPG was sanctioned instead of the usual kerosene. A gas stove was also given free of cost. The source for the provision of all these benefits

by dabbling not only in designer garments but also in products like lingerie, perfumes and accessories. From being a simple store selling garments, all garment shops and boutiques have transformed into multiproduct stores and among the multitudes of things they peddle, this small and eyecatching pouch is a valuable and fashionable accessory that can add a special touch to your exclusive personality. Mobile pouches are made in vivid designs, shapes, colors and textures. They come in a wide range of styles and materials from high quality soft Napa leather, to ethnic ones made in Gurjari styles, bamboo or the regular polythene ones, the designer ones, funky types and then some. There are pouches that are just perfect to store your mobile or even your iPod. Some come in patent leather with detachable straps; there is no secret. The tax payers’ money of course! Well, coming back to the LPG supply, it is being done with such promptness that we the ‘middle class’, whose first chore on waking up every morning is to switch on the gas and start cooking, literally have to go up in flames with envy. Here, we spend weeks in tension with one empty and another nearly empty cylinder, waiting. Still the booked cylinder fails to arrive even after umpteen follow-up calls. And there, the cylinder is delivered the very next day of booking it! My friend was seriously contemplating on booking a cylinder through her maid! Things being what they are, such a day is not too far away. The onset of festival months is another example. I gave a saree to my maid for the festival expecting a radiant smile and a thank you. Imagine my shock when she stamped her foot and said that she didn’t want a saree but wanted money. It made me think, are you obliged to give anything in the first place at all? Out of affection, you buy her clothes when you buy for yourself and the family and in return you get a greater demand. Finally I gave her money but without the joy of giving that is felt in your heart. I gave it, but with a feeling of compulsion. But my

are those with front patent leather flap, muted colors with contrast lining, some with fashionable details like studs and buckles. There are also sequined ones, and those with kaleidoscopic patch work. Decide your personality, your outfit, the occasion, your fashion accessories and footwear and finally, the diminutive little pouch to place your precious little communication gadget, that can add a touch of class and style to your personality. Voila! The world is yours to conquor!

Malini Shankar shock did not end there. She shocked me further when she said she wanted a whole month’s salary as that is the rule. Who sets these rules anyway? Do all employees get a whole month’s pay to celebrate festivals? We slog for more than 8 hours a day, work on holidays too but are left with the same amount we always get at the end of the month. They work anywhere between 30 to 45 minutes a day in a house, take leave of absence at their wish and get paid anyway even for those days and still make demands! Common man or middle class man? I will stick to the more appropriate term ‘civilian’. That’s what we are, aren’t we? We do not react. We do not show displeasure. We are civil even when there are price hikes, VATs, less employment facilities, less benefits, no privileges and higher taxes. Yes sir, we are civilians.

Kanchana. Rao

October 16-31, 2009

Page 14

D

eepavali has a fashion fad of its own. Given its ethos of victory of good over evil and the spiritual ambience of Lakshmi puja, now is the time when contemporary trends meet the ethnic. For women the season encourages embellished tulle saris, jazzy tunics, solid gowns, and paneled and sequined kurtas. Give bling a break and opt for statement jewellery with kundan, silver, stone studded and gold trinkets adding an alluring glitter to the illuminated ambience around you. Although the salwar kameez and the sari remain

classics for Indian w o m e n , designers are creating fashions that are more western, more glamorous, and more feminine in deep, rich hues, fitting festive seasons. Deepavali is an out-and-out Indian festival so the focus is definitely on ethnic wear, like saris and salwar-kameez. However, you can give Indian wear a western silhouette by either incorporating western cuts in your ethnic wear or by going for a fusion wear. Try wearing a blouse or top embellished with stones, beads, zaris and chamkis. For a Diwali night out, accessorize your dress with brooches or a heavy long dupatta. If you belong to a family that revels not only in traditional pujas at home, but follows it up with cocktail parties and poker then you can go for draping, which is the fad today.

During gatherings, bring out the Diwali sparkle in velvet, gold antique work, and resham embroidered fabric. The trend is to avoid silver this season. Go for bright colours and bold combinations. To stand out, you can try western drapes. One thing that everyone can try is straight skirt with a side slit worn with churidars and embroidered top or kurta. You can also experiment with your cholis as much as you want to add more festive charm. Women on the heavier side need not despair. They can wear darker shades, avoiding too much embellishment on the garment itself and wearing toned down necklines. Try to avoid a single colour piece. Multiple yolks and colours in your dress will give a slimmer look. You can try simple accessories that can give

BREAKING NEWS………THE LIGHTER SIDE WATER FIND SPARKLES A MAD RUSH FOR LUNAR PROPERTY

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USheadquartered company, Lunar Embassy, has been registering property on the Moon for the past 29 years. Its website explains everything about the process including the information that this venture is not a fraud. All you lucky girls out there, who have been promised the moon by your sweethearts that promise to you, can be now kept. And all you boys who have made that promise, rush to keep it as real estate prices are touching the sky; well in this case, the prices are touching the moon! UP JUDGES DIFFER OVER DECLARING ASSETS The Judiciary in UP is divided over the issue of declaration of their assets. Now wouldn’t it be interesting if, technically, the judges were

to fight their case? Who would be the judge? Who would defend the case? As numerous such curious questions unfurl, describing the case as interesting, would be putting it mildly. Calling it a media thriller will be more like it! WITH THE MUSIC OF HIS FILM ‘RADIO’ ALREADY A HIT, HERE’S HIMESH RESHAMMIYA WITH A NEW VOICE AND A NEW LOOK Come ‘Radio’ and you will see a totally different Himesh Reshammiya. The music director-singer-actor has not only gone into an image make-over, but he has also undergone surgery to get a middle voice while singing. He went under the knife in order to improve his voice quality he said. Exit MJ enter HR?

innovative mineral make-up range. Just when you think beauticians couldn’t possibly come up with another new component for their make-up products, they produce one, more innovative than the rest. After fruit, vegetable, herbal, gold, pearl and many more such varied components, it is now mineral. With ladies going to any lengths to pamper their skins, this is one industry that has to keep innovations flowing. Now after minerals, it is back to wondering what could hit the ladies… oops market next.

NOW ‘MINERALISE’ YOUR MAKE-UP! Oriflame India, the wholly owned subsidiary of Swedish direct selling company Oriflame, launched an

Kanchana.Rao

y o u he real slim the Hot colours effect. ali season are this Diwali ange, purple, rusty orange, beige, blue, and een. bottle green. Men are re doing more than an just the standard andard kurta pajama and sherwanis. rwanis. What’s new for Diwali iss there are shiny ny suits, jackets, with metallic fabrics and asymmetrical collars. In n the chic sense, it’s very clean lines, but a quirky look. ok. Indians are becoming d more exposed more and ety of fashions to a variety that are sophisticated, d unique, fitting chic, and e festival like grandiose ali. Deepavali.

October 16-31, 2009

Page 15

Being Human

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hen we use the word human in terms of our language, it’s synonymous with love, compassion, gentleness; but the most inhuman acts on the planet are not committed by some other creatures. They’re always committed by human beings. So why it seems to be so difficult for a human being just to be a human being? If I ask you to be a tiger, it should be difficult. If I ask you to be an elephant, it should be difficult. If I ask you to be a grasshopper, it should be difficult. Why is it so difficult for a human being just to be a human being…not something else? If only in this world whatever is beating in the human heart, whatever the core

So the whole effort of Yoga is just that - a human being can just be naturally human. He doesn’t have to struggle to be human. He doesn’t have to work hard to become a human being—the way he breathes is like a human being. The way he exists is like a human being.

that beats within him, if

expressing our own nature.

that quality could be made

If we are required to be like

into every cell of his body

some other creation which

and his mind, it wouldn’t be

we are not, then there is

difficult for a human being

difficulty. If you were to ask

to be a human being. It’s

an ant to be a human being,

not natural that a human

it must be very difficult for

being should struggle and

him; but he has no problem

strive to be a human being.

being an ant. He’s a perfect

Whichever way he is, he

ant, but human beings are

must be human.

having problems in being

There

should be no difficulty in

human.

If this fundamental nature of what it means to be human finds a natural expression in one’s life, one need not go in search of the divine. The divine will come behind you. Wherever you go, the divine will follow you like your servant. Generally, most people have been taught to look up to the divine, to plead and to beg the divine, to pray to the divine. I think you must keep the divine as your

servant, not as your master. You must live in such a way that the divine should be a willing servant in your life. Only then this life is really worth it. If you live in such a way, if you transform yourself into such a beautiful being, the divine should crawl behind you all the time. ‘Where can he find a man like you?’ That’s how it should be! He must have been waiting for a long time to find one good company! I want people to live in such a way that the divine will crawl behind them. They will not crawl behind the divine. This is not out of ego. It is just that when the flower blossoms, the flower does not go in search of the bee, though the flower’s existence and flower’s future depends on the bee, the flower does not go to the bee. It exudes such fragrance that the bee has

A Bouquet for the Teacher

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to come. Even though the very existence of the flower is dependent on the bee, still it is the bee that comes to the flower. If only if you had the fragrance - if you don’t have the fragrance, you have to take the flower to the bee.

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adhguru is a Realised Master, Yogi and profound Mystic of our times. A visionary, Sadhguru asserts that peace and happiness are not the ultimate goal of life, but the most basic needs in every human being. He developed Isha Yoga as a powerful method for individual transformation leading to human emancipation. A glimpse of his life and work can be found in the books of Encounter the Enlightened and Mystic’s Musings. For more details www.ishafoundation. org and chennai@ ishafoundation.org

Registrar of Newspapers for India Registration No TNENG/2005/16719

Regn No: TN/ CC (S) Dn 354 /08-10 October 16-31, 2009

Page 16 continued on page 3

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hile fitness is taking a predominant place in the young Indian’s psyche, it is not just about being personally fit as a fiddle. Unless the environment around you is good, how can you stay fit? The onus is on us youngsters to keep our environment fit and fine too . So I think we should seriously think about making Deepavali more fun-based and interesting and at the same time safe for us and the environment.

Environment Friendly Deepavali When we celebrate Deepavali the traditional way we are causing air pollution by bursting firecrackers, encouraging excessive consumerism and there is high energy consumption due to excessive use of electric lights. Bursting firecrackers not only causes air pollution, but many young lives are lost or marred due to accidents. Socially thinking, our joy comes by bursting crackers made by very young children who toil in distant lands, hurting their lungs, eyes, digestive system and health as a whole . Many

True Deepavali Sentiments of them do not even live to see the joy of youth due to chronic ailments arising out of the harsh working conditions. Many young lives are lost due to fires in firecracker factory. But little do people realize that in our increasingly populated and polluted cities, the temporary joy of watching the firecrackers is transient. The toxic substances used in the firecrackers release toxic gases that are harmful to the health of all living beings. The high level of noise generated by the crackers causes immense suffering to infants, the sick and the ailing, not to mention the birds and animals. Chemicals present in the crackers such as copper, cadmium, lead, magnesium, sodium, zinc, nitrate, nitrite etc., are extremely harmful to our health. They cause irritation of the respiratory tract, lead to anemia and damage of the kidney. Some of them affect the nervous system, irritate the skin, cause nausea and vomiting and even lead to mental impairment and coma in some cases.

Do you know that crackers that make a noise of more than 125 decibels at four metres distance from the point of bursting are banned by the law? But nobody seems to follow the rules. Excessive noise pollution causes hearing loss, high blood pressure, heart attack and sleeping disturbances. Sudden exposure to loud noise could cause temporary deafness or permanent relative deafness. Deepavali promotes consumerism universally. Since the festival is a celebration of prosperity, many people believe it is auspicious to make purchases on the festive day. Many of us go out and buy products we don’t really need. The retail market exploits these sentiments of the consumers and resorts to aggressive advertisements offering freebies, bargains and discounts, encouraging us to

buy more and more, if not with cash, by borrowing at least.

centuries without completely getting integrated into the soil.

Digging deeper into the long-term negative impact of excessive consumerism, we can understand that depletion of non renewable natural resources is one of the worst impacts of consumerism since all products are made from raw materials that come from nature.

Pay Obeisance to Mother Nature this Deepavali

Most of us make it a point to buy gold ornaments during Deepavali as it is considered to be auspicious. However, the gold that you buy comes from a gold mine and constant mining depletes the gold resources of the earth. But the process of mining itself ruins the balance of ecosystems. Most environment related problems as well as health ailments we are afflicted with today are due to the harmful impact of our actions on the beautiful balance that nature has bestowed on our ecosystems. Solid waste created by human beings which is non biodegradable has to be filled into holes dug up in the ground. These ‘landfills’ as they are called may exist for

We can offer our obeisance to Mother Nature by taking a few proactive steps. You can seriously consider reducing the amount of products you use, analyzing those that are essential and those that we can do without. At every point in time, we should try to reuse the things we have and recycle those that are no longer functional but can be useful if their character is changed. Also seriously rethink about your choices when you want to make a purchase and bluntly refuse things that you don’t need at all. Let all your festival plans be based on these principles such that we enjoy the true spirit of the festival. For energy conservation we can re-introduce the beautiful tradition of lighting earthen lamps as it not only adds to the aura of the festival and enhances the aesthetics but also helps in reducing the heavy load on electricity

consumption during Deepavali. The use of electric lights to adorn homes, business establishments, monuments and roads requires a huge amount of electricity. Finally, the character of Deepavali celebrations is transforming into a more and more eco sensitive one as the environment-conscious younger generation has started recognizing the impact of Deepavali celebrations. While in some quarters, endeavours are being made to transform it to a community celebration, socially conscious groups have commenced efforts to celebrate Deepavali by Giving- to the underprivileged and the unfortunate. Let us all join hands to celebrate the true spirit of Deepavali- by igniting not only our homes, but our minds too.

Published by Smt. Kamala Balachandran on behalf of Eve’s Times Group from 18/1, Second Cross Street, Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041. Ph- 2452 6739. Printed by K. Elumalai at Sakthi Scanners (P) Ltd., No 7, Dams Road, Chindadripet, Chennai - 600 002. Editor: Lata Amarnath