ongratulations to all the political parties for finally passing the Women's Reservation Bill in the Rajya Sabha. Women are in celebration mode because 33 percent of the seats in legislatures will be reserved for them. The main issue is about having women in legislatures in proportion to their number in the population. But to begin with, only 181 will be the number of women representatives in the 543-member Parliament. So the fair species will fight against men in general category and ST/SC seats and contest rotating constituencies against fellow women.
But personally, I am not entirely happy with the present situation. All this hullabaloo over giving 33 percent of seats in Parliament and state assemblies to women is uncalled for. How radically different will the country be when it is represented by 350 men 181 women instead of just a sprinkling of women as is the case now? I can't really believe that things are going to be transformed suddenly. Also, a male MP nursing his constituency carefully for years would unnecessarily be chucked out suddenly to make way for women under the new law. This will undoubtedly be unfair to the few men, who have really worked their bones off in the interest of their constituency. Also, as constituencies are reserved for women, they will be competing against other women.
This is a glaring example of how the politicians can promote a deserving cause in an undeserving way. Time and again, women have been advised against contesting elections because they hardly have any chance of winning them. Instead of helping them to develop their potential, the new bill has been brought in as a favour to them. Should women accept such protected space, where men are kept away by law? Or should they fight it out? Will it be fair for women to live on reservation? Should she accept something she can't earn?
No sensible person can deny that there should be more women in legislatures. The country's present 10 percent female strength is embarrassing. How should we boost the tally? What is the best way? There are ways to do it without amending the Constitution. We can have additional seats only for women. However, this will trouble those who oppose reservations. This will put a stop to the idea of rotation of seats. We can also go for dual constituencies where the other member is a woman. Political parties which believe women are under-represented in legislatures, can amend their party constitution to reserve a certain number of seats for women. Parties field candidates to win. So the number of elected women is bound to go up gradually.
Monday, March 22, 2010
Friday, March 12, 2010
Hounding of Husain
We are very proud of our country and our countrymen. We revere renowned artists, musicians and sportspersons, who have carved a niche of their own. With our head held high, we bask in the glory of their triumphs and take pride on the fact that that they belong to our country. But when world renowned-painter M. F. Husain was berated right, left and center over his creations depicting Hindu goddesses in nude, where was our pride?
Husain was ostracized. Self proclaimed extremist Hindu activists left no stone unturned in baseless tirades against him. In Ahmedabad, a gallery dedicated to his work was ravaged. In other parts of the country, organizations daring to exhibit his work were threatened with dire consequences. Husain faced so much anger of a certain section of people that he had to leave the country in 2006.what kind of people are we to drive away one of the finest artists of our country? We just ignored the issue and kept mum on the vital issue of artistic liberty.
There were innumerable court cases waiting to harass him. Irate mobs wanted to assault him. So finally reluctantly Husain accepted the Qatari citizenship. But many of us like his paintings and also like him as human being. We are all saddened by the turn of events. I believe artists should be given complete freedom to express themselves through their work. If some of my fellow countrymen are offended by Husain’s portrayal of nude goddesses, they can simply look away. But no one has the right to stop him from expressing himself or deny us the privilege of viewing his creative works.
As for the government, the less said the better. It never lifted a finger throughout the saddening episode. Never did it try to assuage the trampled feelings of Husain, ultimately pushing him over the edge. It could not have been an easy decision for Husain. Artists have often fled from oppressive societies to embrace liberal ones. But in Husain’s case, it seems to be the other way around. he is perhaps the only artist who has had to abandon a democratic society that values f freedom of expression and adopt an undemocratic society.
But is there any way out now? I think if Husain has decided to stay abroad, he should do so if it spares him day-to- day tension and makes him happy. But I also wish that he doesn’t turn his back to his own country for ever. Great artists like him should not give up their nationality because of such opposition. He should have fought against it.
Husain was ostracized. Self proclaimed extremist Hindu activists left no stone unturned in baseless tirades against him. In Ahmedabad, a gallery dedicated to his work was ravaged. In other parts of the country, organizations daring to exhibit his work were threatened with dire consequences. Husain faced so much anger of a certain section of people that he had to leave the country in 2006.what kind of people are we to drive away one of the finest artists of our country? We just ignored the issue and kept mum on the vital issue of artistic liberty.
There were innumerable court cases waiting to harass him. Irate mobs wanted to assault him. So finally reluctantly Husain accepted the Qatari citizenship. But many of us like his paintings and also like him as human being. We are all saddened by the turn of events. I believe artists should be given complete freedom to express themselves through their work. If some of my fellow countrymen are offended by Husain’s portrayal of nude goddesses, they can simply look away. But no one has the right to stop him from expressing himself or deny us the privilege of viewing his creative works.
As for the government, the less said the better. It never lifted a finger throughout the saddening episode. Never did it try to assuage the trampled feelings of Husain, ultimately pushing him over the edge. It could not have been an easy decision for Husain. Artists have often fled from oppressive societies to embrace liberal ones. But in Husain’s case, it seems to be the other way around. he is perhaps the only artist who has had to abandon a democratic society that values f freedom of expression and adopt an undemocratic society.
But is there any way out now? I think if Husain has decided to stay abroad, he should do so if it spares him day-to- day tension and makes him happy. But I also wish that he doesn’t turn his back to his own country for ever. Great artists like him should not give up their nationality because of such opposition. He should have fought against it.
Monday, March 8, 2010
The Atmosphere is refreshing
In keeping with the latest trends and ever-changing home fashion and lifestyle trends, Atmosphere at Koregaon Park brings to you an incredible collection of furnishing fabrics, writes Barnalee Handique
Are you planning to refurbish your home with the latest unique and exclusive upholsteries that are available in the market? Well then, look no further. Atmosphere, one of the leading luxurious furnishing brands in the country, has this unbelievable range of fabrics that will beckon you! On offer at the store in Koregaon Park are exotic fabrics like damask, brocade, faille, ninon and several others for your upholstery, sheers and curtains. And what's more is an impressive collection of artefacts, cushions, quilts... in various colours, textures and designs.
The designs are unparalleled and exclusive. Store manager Ritu Dia says, “We have our design studios based in Bangalore and New York, which has the one of the best design infrastructures with a 15,000-strong product archive built over the years. The brand constantly adapts to the ever-changing home fashion and lifestyle trends of its global customers to provide them the best of designs and colours.”
Apparently the store is going to great lengths to make shopping an amazing experience. The store has launched a new collection of 33 new fabrics with 3 different themes. Revealing the themes, Dia says, “Villa Verde boasts of opulent designs and rich colours including damasks, stripes, satins, plains and velvets. Then there is the Enchanted Garden and as the name suggests, the inspiration is drawn from forests and gardens, trees, shrubs, flowers and berries. What makes this range unique is the delicate embroidery on linen and sheers that complement botanical forms etched in woven material. The Graphic Rhythm has a contemporary signature to it. It is characterised by bold forms, rhythmic lines and pure undiluted colours, which add an element of style and sophistication to the fabric.”
But the fabrics that exclusively stand out from the rest of the collection are the Moonwalk, Northern Lights Krishna. Moonwalk a unique sheer with metallic yarns enmeshed between two layers of fabrics recreating the magic of silvery shadows. The second variety, Northern Lights,is presented in a dynamic panel of saturated colours. In Krishna,the fabric is highlighted with its ethereal metallic sheen in blue, silver and copper. Interestingly, the textile is versatile enough to be used as a highlight on an individual chair or as flowing drapes. Dia informs that with its wide range, the fabrics can be coordinated to create any kind of home décor --- from minimalist to ethnic to grandiose.
Also on offer at Atmosphere are rich and exquisite cushions for the living space. These brands are priced between Rs 500 to Rs 6,300. The store also caters to the hospitality industry and has undertaken projects and client orders for many five star hotels and corporate offices in the city.
To top it all, once you select the fabric, the store ensures that it reaches your residence within three days. The brand does free delivery all over the country. So, you not only save on delivery expense but also do not have to worry about piling reams of expensive fabric in your car boot.
Are you planning to refurbish your home with the latest unique and exclusive upholsteries that are available in the market? Well then, look no further. Atmosphere, one of the leading luxurious furnishing brands in the country, has this unbelievable range of fabrics that will beckon you! On offer at the store in Koregaon Park are exotic fabrics like damask, brocade, faille, ninon and several others for your upholstery, sheers and curtains. And what's more is an impressive collection of artefacts, cushions, quilts... in various colours, textures and designs.
The designs are unparalleled and exclusive. Store manager Ritu Dia says, “We have our design studios based in Bangalore and New York, which has the one of the best design infrastructures with a 15,000-strong product archive built over the years. The brand constantly adapts to the ever-changing home fashion and lifestyle trends of its global customers to provide them the best of designs and colours.”
Apparently the store is going to great lengths to make shopping an amazing experience. The store has launched a new collection of 33 new fabrics with 3 different themes. Revealing the themes, Dia says, “Villa Verde boasts of opulent designs and rich colours including damasks, stripes, satins, plains and velvets. Then there is the Enchanted Garden and as the name suggests, the inspiration is drawn from forests and gardens, trees, shrubs, flowers and berries. What makes this range unique is the delicate embroidery on linen and sheers that complement botanical forms etched in woven material. The Graphic Rhythm has a contemporary signature to it. It is characterised by bold forms, rhythmic lines and pure undiluted colours, which add an element of style and sophistication to the fabric.”
But the fabrics that exclusively stand out from the rest of the collection are the Moonwalk, Northern Lights Krishna. Moonwalk a unique sheer with metallic yarns enmeshed between two layers of fabrics recreating the magic of silvery shadows. The second variety, Northern Lights,is presented in a dynamic panel of saturated colours. In Krishna,the fabric is highlighted with its ethereal metallic sheen in blue, silver and copper. Interestingly, the textile is versatile enough to be used as a highlight on an individual chair or as flowing drapes. Dia informs that with its wide range, the fabrics can be coordinated to create any kind of home décor --- from minimalist to ethnic to grandiose.
Also on offer at Atmosphere are rich and exquisite cushions for the living space. These brands are priced between Rs 500 to Rs 6,300. The store also caters to the hospitality industry and has undertaken projects and client orders for many five star hotels and corporate offices in the city.
To top it all, once you select the fabric, the store ensures that it reaches your residence within three days. The brand does free delivery all over the country. So, you not only save on delivery expense but also do not have to worry about piling reams of expensive fabric in your car boot.
Saturday, March 6, 2010
Saves you time, money & energy
With more than 450 brands and 1000+ products, the virtual mall HomeShop18 is not just growing in size but is also planning to offer its clients innovative bargains like holiday packages and real estate deals, says Barnalee Handique
It all started with an idea of setting up a virtual mall. Sundeep Malhotra, who had a vast experience in conglomerates such as PepsiCo India, Benetton, Bata, TAG media etc, decided to roll this idea and HomeShop 18, a trustworthy virtual retail platform from Network18 Group, came into existence. Operating in a multimedia environment, including television, web and catalogue, it offered buyers across the country branded products, which they could purchase from their home at their own convenience.
The CEO of HomeShop18 confesses (laughingly), “This idea of setting up a shopping channel kept burping up on my mind and I wanted to put it into use. I realised very early in my trade that home shopping had a great potential in our country. The retail segment was booming in the last couple of years and the distribution system was poor and untapped. Moreover, the visibility of the products were only seen in big cities. To purchase something of their liking, a customer had to come all the way to a bigger city to buy.”
Malhotra also wanted to change the mind of the Indian customer. “Earlier, our knowledge of teleshopping was limited to a particular product, which was repeatedly shown on TV throughout the day. But the concept of homeshopping is an antithesis to teleshopping. It is a virtual mall where you can buy anything under the sun.”
It's always tough to prove your detractors wrong. “There were initial hiccups and it took a while to establish the credibility of the 'homeshopping' domain. Besides, the recession was a bad time for any venture. But I was determined to take a shot. We went crazy trying to get the venture in place, but it was worth it. Then came the crucial task of finding a venue. We needed enough space where the studio, the call centre, the administrative staff could be all under one roof,” recalls Malhotra.
The office HomeShop18 in Noida sprawls over three floors and has different departments like finance, administration, troubleshooting, information desk, a studio and a call centre to handle the day-to-day tasks. Then there's the conference hall with the organisation's key projects displayed on the wall. From 2007 to 2010, the virtual mall has come a long way. Today, it is the country's first 24-hour homeshopping channel and its inventory is stacked with more than 450 brands and 1000+ products. The anchors help you choose the right product by giving you information and recommendation on which merchandise will suit your lifestyle needs. To top it all, you can get your favourite television, washing machine or ornament set with a 20 per cent discount on the actual price! HomeShop18 has a robust logistical reach and delivers all goods free of cost across 2,000 cities in India. And if you want to exchange a product or want a refund, you can do it without any hassle. Malhotra believes that more Indians will start shopping online or do teleshopping in the coming days. He says, “The timing is right, and it saves time, money and energy. And you get your favourite item delivered right at your doorstep!” Can there be a greater incentive?
But it doesn't stop there. Still bigger plans are in store. Malhotra is planning to incorporate holiday packages and real estate deals in the inventory.
It all started with an idea of setting up a virtual mall. Sundeep Malhotra, who had a vast experience in conglomerates such as PepsiCo India, Benetton, Bata, TAG media etc, decided to roll this idea and HomeShop 18, a trustworthy virtual retail platform from Network18 Group, came into existence. Operating in a multimedia environment, including television, web and catalogue, it offered buyers across the country branded products, which they could purchase from their home at their own convenience.
The CEO of HomeShop18 confesses (laughingly), “This idea of setting up a shopping channel kept burping up on my mind and I wanted to put it into use. I realised very early in my trade that home shopping had a great potential in our country. The retail segment was booming in the last couple of years and the distribution system was poor and untapped. Moreover, the visibility of the products were only seen in big cities. To purchase something of their liking, a customer had to come all the way to a bigger city to buy.”
Malhotra also wanted to change the mind of the Indian customer. “Earlier, our knowledge of teleshopping was limited to a particular product, which was repeatedly shown on TV throughout the day. But the concept of homeshopping is an antithesis to teleshopping. It is a virtual mall where you can buy anything under the sun.”
It's always tough to prove your detractors wrong. “There were initial hiccups and it took a while to establish the credibility of the 'homeshopping' domain. Besides, the recession was a bad time for any venture. But I was determined to take a shot. We went crazy trying to get the venture in place, but it was worth it. Then came the crucial task of finding a venue. We needed enough space where the studio, the call centre, the administrative staff could be all under one roof,” recalls Malhotra.
The office HomeShop18 in Noida sprawls over three floors and has different departments like finance, administration, troubleshooting, information desk, a studio and a call centre to handle the day-to-day tasks. Then there's the conference hall with the organisation's key projects displayed on the wall. From 2007 to 2010, the virtual mall has come a long way. Today, it is the country's first 24-hour homeshopping channel and its inventory is stacked with more than 450 brands and 1000+ products. The anchors help you choose the right product by giving you information and recommendation on which merchandise will suit your lifestyle needs. To top it all, you can get your favourite television, washing machine or ornament set with a 20 per cent discount on the actual price! HomeShop18 has a robust logistical reach and delivers all goods free of cost across 2,000 cities in India. And if you want to exchange a product or want a refund, you can do it without any hassle. Malhotra believes that more Indians will start shopping online or do teleshopping in the coming days. He says, “The timing is right, and it saves time, money and energy. And you get your favourite item delivered right at your doorstep!” Can there be a greater incentive?
But it doesn't stop there. Still bigger plans are in store. Malhotra is planning to incorporate holiday packages and real estate deals in the inventory.
Monday, March 1, 2010
Enjoy this simmering steamed fare!
If you want to try the exotic flavours of the East, you know where to head. Oh! Calcutta is the destination for authentic Bengali cuisine. But if you want an extra 'sizzling' experience, drop by the place now to savour the delectably simmering Bhapa (steamed) Festival!
Filling us in on the details, Subrata Chakraborty, restaurant manager, says, “This is strictly Bengali food, and all the dishes here are cooked in mustard oil. The fare is mostly about steamed fish,chicken and mutton coated with ginger and spiced up with green chillies, coriander, mustard paste and mustard oil. Mustard seeds and ground khuskhus are indispensable ingredients in the dishes.”
Serving buffet lunch along with live counters every weekend, the Bhapa Festival menu (which continues till March 18) adds variety to the already elaborate fare at Oh! Calcutta. So, now there's more reason to visit the place and enjoy the flavours of the East. As you settle in and soak in the surroundings, traditional folksongs suffuse the air already laden with the the aroma of bhapa bhetki.
But those of you who are not fish eaters, here's some variety --- the Bhapa Festival also has chicken, mutton and assorted vegetables marinated in white mustard seeds, mustard oil, ginger and coriander leaves. The steamed mutton pieces marinated with white mustards seeds and ginger are awesome. The fresh meatballs with pickled green chillies in mustard sauce wrapped in banana leaves make for a succulent dish. The meat preparation is notably appetising --- tender and the perfect blend of spices further enhancing its smoky flavour.
Cholar dal (chana dal) cooked with coconut and jaggery and served with hot luchis (puris made of maida) was not part of the bhapa fare, but we couldn't resist this delectable combo. Every dish was accompanied by kasundi and tomato chutney.
A Bengali meal is never complete without mishti (sweets). So though we were stuffed, we ordered for a helping of desserts like nalengurer mousse, kheer, pineapple malpua and the all-time favourite rosogullas. The experience was simply out of this world!
Filling us in on the details, Subrata Chakraborty, restaurant manager, says, “This is strictly Bengali food, and all the dishes here are cooked in mustard oil. The fare is mostly about steamed fish,chicken and mutton coated with ginger and spiced up with green chillies, coriander, mustard paste and mustard oil. Mustard seeds and ground khuskhus are indispensable ingredients in the dishes.”
Serving buffet lunch along with live counters every weekend, the Bhapa Festival menu (which continues till March 18) adds variety to the already elaborate fare at Oh! Calcutta. So, now there's more reason to visit the place and enjoy the flavours of the East. As you settle in and soak in the surroundings, traditional folksongs suffuse the air already laden with the the aroma of bhapa bhetki.
But those of you who are not fish eaters, here's some variety --- the Bhapa Festival also has chicken, mutton and assorted vegetables marinated in white mustard seeds, mustard oil, ginger and coriander leaves. The steamed mutton pieces marinated with white mustards seeds and ginger are awesome. The fresh meatballs with pickled green chillies in mustard sauce wrapped in banana leaves make for a succulent dish. The meat preparation is notably appetising --- tender and the perfect blend of spices further enhancing its smoky flavour.
Cholar dal (chana dal) cooked with coconut and jaggery and served with hot luchis (puris made of maida) was not part of the bhapa fare, but we couldn't resist this delectable combo. Every dish was accompanied by kasundi and tomato chutney.
A Bengali meal is never complete without mishti (sweets). So though we were stuffed, we ordered for a helping of desserts like nalengurer mousse, kheer, pineapple malpua and the all-time favourite rosogullas. The experience was simply out of this world!
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