The media always sensationalises any trivia into a big show. This time it donned the role of a grumpy and disgruntled chaperon who wants everybody, especially our political leaders, to behave. The case in point: Shyam Bahadur Singh, Janata Dal (United) member of the Bihar Assembly, organised a 'fun and frolic' event for entertainment of the members of his Ziradeio constituency in Siwan district.
To add pizazz to the event and spice up the entertainment barometer, a few girls were trotted to the gathering. As the evening progressed, the crowd went into a frenzy, and jived to their favourite Bollywood numbers. In no time, Singh, full of enjoyment and merriment, joined the gathering, and was seen shaking a leg with the girls. A feat which other politicians try to emulate, but are hardly successful. We saw the visuals of Singh in full motion, matching step for step and move for move. More importantly, he was having a gala time, enjoying every bit of the party, which media doesn't tolerate in our political class. A section of media accused Singh of making indecent moves. The media is basically hooked only on rallies, programmes and issues of what collectively appeals to the masses (like snore inducing programmes full of patriotic songs, meandering speeches and panel discussions ). The do drew a lot of flak and went into a bit of tailspin, raised a lot of furrowed brows among the media bigwigs, and raised some voices of disillusionment.
Our country has a bigoted perspective on how the leaders should behave. And for that the finger wagging media is largely to blame. The issue has aroused myriad of speculation and we need understand the problem from as many perspectives as possible. All right-thinking and well-informed persons will understand that this whole incident was pushed into some convenient direction. As we shift through conjecture, facts and fiction this is what bothers me. Are we right to judge Singh? Do politicians have a life of their own beyond their official one? Do they need moral policing? Who decides where to draw the line? Why can't politicians nurse a drink or dance in a party? Why do our politicians have to be squeakily funless? No laws were broken, no one was upset. So what makes people think that our leaders can't shake a leg. I'm not sure what the answers to the questions are, but it is time to reconsider our stands. After a day's hard work, every one is entitled to a little colour and fun in life. Rather than running them down, the people should love a person, who is more accommodating, altruistic and succumbs to foibles and shortcomings like others. Thank Singh for showing everyone the way. Way to go Mr Singh!
Saturday, February 27, 2010
Friday, February 19, 2010
Be kind to your skin
An interview with city based Dr Dilip Shah, Dermatologist and Cosmetologist
Being beautiful is what most of us wish for and desire. No matter which part of the world we inhabit, being beautiful is one universally aspired trait. And beautiful is what most brands claims to make you with their plethora of creams and lotions which they launch everyday in the market.
So obviously you are at your wit's end to choose the right product, and decide on the frequency and amount to be used. And what are the precautionary measures one has to take if the skin breaks out after using these products? What do you do in such cases?
The common creams which we usually fall prey to are whitening creams, anti-acne creams, anti-pigmentation, wrinkle-free creams and sunscreens. Different campaigns are created to lure innocent customers with assurances like 'fairness within a week', 'no more pimples' and so on. According to doctors, this is hogwash. There are no creams and lotions that give you the perfect antidote to your problems.
Your skin contains a pigment known as melanin, which gives you your skin tone. So, if you apply sunscreen on your skin, it will give you a luminescent glow only for a couple of days. No cream can dissolve the melanin under the skin, no matter how tall the company claims may be. Ditto in the case of anti-acne creams. A person gets acne, due to hormonal imbalance and other internal factors. The main cause of the acne should be found out and diagnosed accordingly. Proper medicines should then be prescribed accordingly, rather than going for self-medication.
Moreover, the products found on shelves are not always what they claim to be. Though the different advertisements show the products to be very different from other existing products, truth is that the ingredients do not change, only the label changes.
Case in Point: To protect yourself from the scorching heat of the sun, it is advisable to use a sunscreen. Normally, a sunscreen having SPF 30 is right for Indian skin. But walk to your nearest store, and you will be surprised by the sheer number of sunscreens that are available in the market, right from herbal to imported ones. The labels do not give details of the quantity and the number of times that the cream should be applied on a daily basis. At the end, we use more or less than the desired amount and thus do not get the coveted result.
While buying a cream or lotion for the first time, the first thing that one must do is to apply the cream on your elbow and watch for any reaction. But, how can you expect your skin to show a reaction in 5-10 minutes? Usually, to test a cream, it is good to apply it on your elbow for a couple of hours or for the whole night. If it doesn't suit your skin, it may turn red, itch and even break out.
In many cases, antiseptic lotions are applied to the affected area. This is a complete no-no, as it may aggravate the rash and result in satellite eruptions all over the body. The antiseptics usually burn the skin, and may spread and leave deep scars and marks on your face.
Be kind to yourself. If your skin breaks out, don't take matters in your own hands, but consult a dermatologist immediately. Also, for a couple of days, maybe weeks, you should be careful of what you eat and drink. Sea food, chicken, eggs and red meat of any sort should be avoided as they produce heat inside the body, which may indirectly affect the area.
- As told to Barnalee Handique
Being beautiful is what most of us wish for and desire. No matter which part of the world we inhabit, being beautiful is one universally aspired trait. And beautiful is what most brands claims to make you with their plethora of creams and lotions which they launch everyday in the market.
So obviously you are at your wit's end to choose the right product, and decide on the frequency and amount to be used. And what are the precautionary measures one has to take if the skin breaks out after using these products? What do you do in such cases?
The common creams which we usually fall prey to are whitening creams, anti-acne creams, anti-pigmentation, wrinkle-free creams and sunscreens. Different campaigns are created to lure innocent customers with assurances like 'fairness within a week', 'no more pimples' and so on. According to doctors, this is hogwash. There are no creams and lotions that give you the perfect antidote to your problems.
Your skin contains a pigment known as melanin, which gives you your skin tone. So, if you apply sunscreen on your skin, it will give you a luminescent glow only for a couple of days. No cream can dissolve the melanin under the skin, no matter how tall the company claims may be. Ditto in the case of anti-acne creams. A person gets acne, due to hormonal imbalance and other internal factors. The main cause of the acne should be found out and diagnosed accordingly. Proper medicines should then be prescribed accordingly, rather than going for self-medication.
Moreover, the products found on shelves are not always what they claim to be. Though the different advertisements show the products to be very different from other existing products, truth is that the ingredients do not change, only the label changes.
Case in Point: To protect yourself from the scorching heat of the sun, it is advisable to use a sunscreen. Normally, a sunscreen having SPF 30 is right for Indian skin. But walk to your nearest store, and you will be surprised by the sheer number of sunscreens that are available in the market, right from herbal to imported ones. The labels do not give details of the quantity and the number of times that the cream should be applied on a daily basis. At the end, we use more or less than the desired amount and thus do not get the coveted result.
While buying a cream or lotion for the first time, the first thing that one must do is to apply the cream on your elbow and watch for any reaction. But, how can you expect your skin to show a reaction in 5-10 minutes? Usually, to test a cream, it is good to apply it on your elbow for a couple of hours or for the whole night. If it doesn't suit your skin, it may turn red, itch and even break out.
In many cases, antiseptic lotions are applied to the affected area. This is a complete no-no, as it may aggravate the rash and result in satellite eruptions all over the body. The antiseptics usually burn the skin, and may spread and leave deep scars and marks on your face.
Be kind to yourself. If your skin breaks out, don't take matters in your own hands, but consult a dermatologist immediately. Also, for a couple of days, maybe weeks, you should be careful of what you eat and drink. Sea food, chicken, eggs and red meat of any sort should be avoided as they produce heat inside the body, which may indirectly affect the area.
- As told to Barnalee Handique
Thursday, February 18, 2010
Nature, nature everywhere!
They are not professional artists but their dexterity with the brush and strokes makes this painting exhibition by the Ruturang Group a must-watch
Under the able guidance of Subhash G Kulkarni, seven artists are exhibiting their work at Balgandharva Kaladalan. Explaining the concept, Kulkarni, who is also showcasing his work, says, “This is a podium where professionals from various backgrounds express their creativity through colours and strokes. All of them have developed their own individual style and the works are an amalgamation of various themes brought out through various mediums. While some reflect on the changing landscape of the city and the region, others delve into the floral, wildlife and still life.” The artists are putting up their works under the banner of Ruturang Group for the third successive year.
Kulkarni's most favourite themes are landscape and wildlife. In most of his paintings, he uses blue, brown and ochre. The amazingly wide range of tones he creates on his paintings simply catches your eye. Says he, “I love painting nature's moods and landscapes, as I find it beguiling with the rough, unpaved roads, dark surroundings and varied backdrops.” Among the most arresting images are those of an old man sitting in a park, a grounded fishing trawler and a mountain brook.
Former Geography professor at Wadia's and artist Prabha Padey, who is also showcasing her work, is an ardent devotee of nature. What fascinates her the most are the sights and sounds of nature which she sees in her everyday life. The most striking feature about her paintings is the use of dark and light colours to give a multi-dimensional effect.
“My favourite mediums are water and acrylic, and I love to paint anything which captivates my mind,” says Prabhakar Joshi, a retired engineer. Joshi was inspired to draw from the art books he collected from the US. It was only after his retirement that he took up painting seriously. About his impressions, he discloses, “My paintings are an expression of a person or an object as I see them. I put colour on the canvas, then brush or roll it according to the composition that I am looking for. As I paint, I add the finer nuances and detailing,” Joshi explains.
The other artists who are displaying their works are Shrinivas Palshikar, SG Kulkarni, Rekha Patankar, Vashudha Despande and Kalpana Joshi. The exhibition continues till Feb 21.
Under the able guidance of Subhash G Kulkarni, seven artists are exhibiting their work at Balgandharva Kaladalan. Explaining the concept, Kulkarni, who is also showcasing his work, says, “This is a podium where professionals from various backgrounds express their creativity through colours and strokes. All of them have developed their own individual style and the works are an amalgamation of various themes brought out through various mediums. While some reflect on the changing landscape of the city and the region, others delve into the floral, wildlife and still life.” The artists are putting up their works under the banner of Ruturang Group for the third successive year.
Kulkarni's most favourite themes are landscape and wildlife. In most of his paintings, he uses blue, brown and ochre. The amazingly wide range of tones he creates on his paintings simply catches your eye. Says he, “I love painting nature's moods and landscapes, as I find it beguiling with the rough, unpaved roads, dark surroundings and varied backdrops.” Among the most arresting images are those of an old man sitting in a park, a grounded fishing trawler and a mountain brook.
Former Geography professor at Wadia's and artist Prabha Padey, who is also showcasing her work, is an ardent devotee of nature. What fascinates her the most are the sights and sounds of nature which she sees in her everyday life. The most striking feature about her paintings is the use of dark and light colours to give a multi-dimensional effect.
“My favourite mediums are water and acrylic, and I love to paint anything which captivates my mind,” says Prabhakar Joshi, a retired engineer. Joshi was inspired to draw from the art books he collected from the US. It was only after his retirement that he took up painting seriously. About his impressions, he discloses, “My paintings are an expression of a person or an object as I see them. I put colour on the canvas, then brush or roll it according to the composition that I am looking for. As I paint, I add the finer nuances and detailing,” Joshi explains.
The other artists who are displaying their works are Shrinivas Palshikar, SG Kulkarni, Rekha Patankar, Vashudha Despande and Kalpana Joshi. The exhibition continues till Feb 21.
Tuesday, February 16, 2010
dead man walking
I have always been drawn towards the supernatural realm. The world of ghosts and spirits intrigued me, and I never lose an opportunity to go ghost hunting. So when close colleagues and friends told me about the strange going ons Vaikunth Shamsan bhoomi or crematorium,I was little amused and quite skeptical about the whole affair. I couldn't help biting the bait. Specially, when the motley group allegedly claimed to have witnessed the going ons. So I I roped in a friend of mine and decided to check the point of no return.
And wouldn't you know it, even the weather decided to join us, because on the evening of our plans, it was storming. Ghost busting on a stormy night wasn't exactly something we had penned in on our list of fun things to do. By the time, we wend our way to the destination, the wind had kicked up and streaks of lightning streaked across the sky. Adding the right kind of mystery and suspense to our adventure. The rain fell in sleets, and the electricity went off as soon as we entered the gates of the crematorium. The dense tress all round the crematorium looked dark and foreboding. All this heightened our senses, and we could feel the chill tripping up and down the spine. And if we jumped up at every shadow and sound that we saw and heard, one couldn't really blame us, could they? After all, we were raised on a healthy staple of ghost stories since our and with hearts pounding with fear and morbid fascination, we entered the complex.
The weather cold and blustery, was certainly not helping us, as the watchman with his flickering lantern escorted us inside the building. Inside the main hall, a tiny group sat around a small fire. We settled ourselves comfortably for the vigil with a steaming cup of tea, and a night of spooky tales. To our consternation, every worker had a tale to tell. There were experiences felt by workers. There were tales of windows opening and shutting of their own accord and bloodied footprints all across the floor. But right, at the moment, the floor looked clean thankfully to us. As we were listening to the tales, a sudden gust of wind gutted the candle. Our hearts jumped from the vicinity of the chest and jammed into our throats as we waited with bated threat. Everyone fumbled in their pockets to find a light. Suddenly, we heard the faint jingling of anklets as if someone was walking past our group. Or was it our overactive imagination playing tricks on us. One of the worker explained, “It is the lady who keeps watch over us. She walks the whole vicinity at night. She doesn't harm anyone.”
Suddenly, I felt a cold hand press on my face. I sat up and noticed the shadow of a flitting lady. However the people at the crematorium were not upset by the experiences. That made me wonder are these incidents proof of an unknown dimension?What makes them come back to our normal life?
As we finally made out way back, we glanced back and saw a woman walking down the parapet. Her saree billowed and there was no wind to lift. It seemed the air held its breathe, and all the sounds of the night, the rustle, the peep and the hoots fell like a terrible crescendo. On the parapet the woman began to turn...or was it our imagination?
And wouldn't you know it, even the weather decided to join us, because on the evening of our plans, it was storming. Ghost busting on a stormy night wasn't exactly something we had penned in on our list of fun things to do. By the time, we wend our way to the destination, the wind had kicked up and streaks of lightning streaked across the sky. Adding the right kind of mystery and suspense to our adventure. The rain fell in sleets, and the electricity went off as soon as we entered the gates of the crematorium. The dense tress all round the crematorium looked dark and foreboding. All this heightened our senses, and we could feel the chill tripping up and down the spine. And if we jumped up at every shadow and sound that we saw and heard, one couldn't really blame us, could they? After all, we were raised on a healthy staple of ghost stories since our and with hearts pounding with fear and morbid fascination, we entered the complex.
The weather cold and blustery, was certainly not helping us, as the watchman with his flickering lantern escorted us inside the building. Inside the main hall, a tiny group sat around a small fire. We settled ourselves comfortably for the vigil with a steaming cup of tea, and a night of spooky tales. To our consternation, every worker had a tale to tell. There were experiences felt by workers. There were tales of windows opening and shutting of their own accord and bloodied footprints all across the floor. But right, at the moment, the floor looked clean thankfully to us. As we were listening to the tales, a sudden gust of wind gutted the candle. Our hearts jumped from the vicinity of the chest and jammed into our throats as we waited with bated threat. Everyone fumbled in their pockets to find a light. Suddenly, we heard the faint jingling of anklets as if someone was walking past our group. Or was it our overactive imagination playing tricks on us. One of the worker explained, “It is the lady who keeps watch over us. She walks the whole vicinity at night. She doesn't harm anyone.”
Suddenly, I felt a cold hand press on my face. I sat up and noticed the shadow of a flitting lady. However the people at the crematorium were not upset by the experiences. That made me wonder are these incidents proof of an unknown dimension?What makes them come back to our normal life?
As we finally made out way back, we glanced back and saw a woman walking down the parapet. Her saree billowed and there was no wind to lift. It seemed the air held its breathe, and all the sounds of the night, the rustle, the peep and the hoots fell like a terrible crescendo. On the parapet the woman began to turn...or was it our imagination?
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