“Different strokes of nature beguiles and inspires me. I like observing minutely the different peculiarities of nature like a tiny caterpillar in all it's colourful splendour, the sun's radiance on my face and how nature glows luminously before the sun sets. These various nuances excites me, and prompts me to pick up the brush,” reveals Neha Asher, whose 25 paintings are presently being exhibited at Malaka Spice, Lane 5, Koregaon Park, from 11 am to 11.30 pm till July 15.
A teacher by profession, Asher's favourite themes are nature and women. Her collection of paintings in oil, watercolour and dry pastels are drawn from simple themes and shades of nature and women in different avatars. “I focused on small details capturing women in their everyday life like cooking, doing household chores and so on. These details usually go unnoticed,” she says.
In most of her paintings, she uses different colours and textures to give expression to her moods and feelings. “I don't follow a set style, texture and colours. I usually mix and match shades, which is visually and texturally appealing to the eye. Mostly, it depends on the particular subject and the ambience. For instance, if I am painting a tribal scene, I use contrasting earthen shades,” Asher shares. The amazingly wide spectrum of colours in her works catches your eye. Among the most arresting images are the paintings on women depicting her various moods and the paintings of nature in subtle hues.
Wednesday, June 30, 2010
Monday, June 28, 2010
Should corporal punishmnet be banned in schools?
With the beginning of the new academic year, parental anxieties over how their little ones will fare in schools are renewed. The recurring incidents of harsh punishment in schools leading to traumas can certainly not be ignored by parents. The government must crack down on schools that still use corporal punishment. There should be a system that keeps a tab on such erring schools.
Spare the rod and spoil the child was the adage we grew up with. But then, punishment was governed by an unwritten code of fairness that applied to teachers and students. Mild caning, a clip behind the ear, standing outside the classroom, writing a poem 1000 times were the usual forms of punishment. They were accepted by students and parents as the unwritten law. The Kolkata school incident, which recently led to the tragic suicide of a 13-year old boy devastated by humiliating punishment, was not possible in those days. That the school still allows caning and even now fails to see the essential barbarity of the practice is a sad commentary on our educational system.
The question is: do we allow our dear children to be caned for whatever reasons? Should corporal punishment be allowed at all? Are we ready to let a stranger assault our child? In today's schools, hardly any teacher knows the students well. The teachers normally have neither the time nor the inclination to get to know the students. We admit our children to a reputed school and leave them to the mercy of the teachers. If corporal punishment is allowed, we are authorising them to beat our children. Parents don't know the teachers. They can't meet them personally. They hear about the teachers only from the children. They have no idea what kind of people the teachers are. They have no way of knowing whether the punishment the teachers award will be fair.
The parents are in a dilemma. Even if they come to know from their child about some needless punishments, they can't do much because the school will keep justifying its methods. And the parents can't shift a child to a new school sometime in the middle of a session, even if they are ready to forsake the huge fees paid to the first school. This is because there won't be any seats vacant in other good schools. And, of course, there is no guarantee that the new school will be any better. More good schools for the expanding middle class may ease the problem slightly. But the problem can be solved if corporal punishment is banned by law.
Spare the rod and spoil the child was the adage we grew up with. But then, punishment was governed by an unwritten code of fairness that applied to teachers and students. Mild caning, a clip behind the ear, standing outside the classroom, writing a poem 1000 times were the usual forms of punishment. They were accepted by students and parents as the unwritten law. The Kolkata school incident, which recently led to the tragic suicide of a 13-year old boy devastated by humiliating punishment, was not possible in those days. That the school still allows caning and even now fails to see the essential barbarity of the practice is a sad commentary on our educational system.
The question is: do we allow our dear children to be caned for whatever reasons? Should corporal punishment be allowed at all? Are we ready to let a stranger assault our child? In today's schools, hardly any teacher knows the students well. The teachers normally have neither the time nor the inclination to get to know the students. We admit our children to a reputed school and leave them to the mercy of the teachers. If corporal punishment is allowed, we are authorising them to beat our children. Parents don't know the teachers. They can't meet them personally. They hear about the teachers only from the children. They have no idea what kind of people the teachers are. They have no way of knowing whether the punishment the teachers award will be fair.
The parents are in a dilemma. Even if they come to know from their child about some needless punishments, they can't do much because the school will keep justifying its methods. And the parents can't shift a child to a new school sometime in the middle of a session, even if they are ready to forsake the huge fees paid to the first school. This is because there won't be any seats vacant in other good schools. And, of course, there is no guarantee that the new school will be any better. More good schools for the expanding middle class may ease the problem slightly. But the problem can be solved if corporal punishment is banned by law.
Saturday, June 26, 2010
Be a stylish mom!
Morph maternity offers trendy, comfortable and leak-proof clothing for expectant mothers, says Barnalee Handique
Good news for would be mothers! Morph maternity, a brand under Yashram lifestyle, founded by Deepa Kumar designs clothes for pregnant women, which are not only stylish and trendy but also have a leak proof layer.
Kumar explains the concept behind the brand, “There isn’t a single place where one can pick up some exclusive and stylish outfits under one roof. It was then that we started toying with the idea of creating a specialty space where expectant mothers can shop to their heart's content. We did some research, conducted surveys and Morph was born. Today, the brand offers a wide range in ethnic wear and western wear for moms-to-be.”
In a market swamped by maternity brands, Morph Maternity has got a positive feedback and popularity. What we liked about the brand were the drapes and the cuts, the mix of fabrics, prints, colours and the wide range. Kumar says, “ Pregnant women should feel comfortable with what they wear. The collection offered by most maternity brands is inadequate. Normally, the focus is on the western wear. But our collection has a mix of both. Moreover, the clothes are bright and colourful and tailored from a variety of materials. Our ethnic range has nursing kameezes, kurtis, cholis, maternity salwars, churidars while the western wear section has trousers, capris, tops, dresses and evening wears.”
All the tops have a concealed opening which helps in easy nursing. Besides that, all the garments have a leak proof layer. These clothes are designed to fit during and after pregnancy, and are priced from Rs 399 onwards. Sounds unbelievable? But it's true!
Even as we speak of this, the brand has come up with other innovative concepts. It has designed visual stimulus patterns that help infants develop vision. The patterns have been tested and verified by a paediatrician, claims Kumar. Another discovery of the brand is the anti-electromagnetic radiation belt that can be worn by pregnant women inside or outside their garments. A special fabric is used to make these belts that claim to protect the unborn child from the harmful EM rays emitted by laptops, cell phones, TVs, microwaves and so on.
“I think what distinguishes us from the other maternity brands are the most updated and innovative products that Morph has launched in the market,” Kumar informs proudly.
As for the future plans, Kumar plans to innovate and invent the ethnic maternity wear category and spread their wings across the country as well as internationally.
Good news for would be mothers! Morph maternity, a brand under Yashram lifestyle, founded by Deepa Kumar designs clothes for pregnant women, which are not only stylish and trendy but also have a leak proof layer.
Kumar explains the concept behind the brand, “There isn’t a single place where one can pick up some exclusive and stylish outfits under one roof. It was then that we started toying with the idea of creating a specialty space where expectant mothers can shop to their heart's content. We did some research, conducted surveys and Morph was born. Today, the brand offers a wide range in ethnic wear and western wear for moms-to-be.”
In a market swamped by maternity brands, Morph Maternity has got a positive feedback and popularity. What we liked about the brand were the drapes and the cuts, the mix of fabrics, prints, colours and the wide range. Kumar says, “ Pregnant women should feel comfortable with what they wear. The collection offered by most maternity brands is inadequate. Normally, the focus is on the western wear. But our collection has a mix of both. Moreover, the clothes are bright and colourful and tailored from a variety of materials. Our ethnic range has nursing kameezes, kurtis, cholis, maternity salwars, churidars while the western wear section has trousers, capris, tops, dresses and evening wears.”
All the tops have a concealed opening which helps in easy nursing. Besides that, all the garments have a leak proof layer. These clothes are designed to fit during and after pregnancy, and are priced from Rs 399 onwards. Sounds unbelievable? But it's true!
Even as we speak of this, the brand has come up with other innovative concepts. It has designed visual stimulus patterns that help infants develop vision. The patterns have been tested and verified by a paediatrician, claims Kumar. Another discovery of the brand is the anti-electromagnetic radiation belt that can be worn by pregnant women inside or outside their garments. A special fabric is used to make these belts that claim to protect the unborn child from the harmful EM rays emitted by laptops, cell phones, TVs, microwaves and so on.
“I think what distinguishes us from the other maternity brands are the most updated and innovative products that Morph has launched in the market,” Kumar informs proudly.
As for the future plans, Kumar plans to innovate and invent the ethnic maternity wear category and spread their wings across the country as well as internationally.
For a younger looking skin
Caviar facial can work wonders on wrinkles and as an anti-ageing beauty treatment, discovers Barnalee Handique
We live in a world where our appearance matters. And in our quest to look good, we explore a variety of beauty products. The latest to enter the beauty market is the caviar facial mask. This mask is prepared from the eggs of sturgeon fish and helps to counter ageing problems of the skin. It resembles a thick green gunk which contains sevruga extracts and spirulina algae, which give the mask its colour.
In our city, Westin Spa, Koregoan park, offers caviar facial. It makes use of an innovative mask, made from the eggs of a bottom feeding fish. Caviar, which is rich in amino acids, glutamic acid, glycine, arginine, leuchine, serine and oligo. These ingredients are rich in iron, magnesium, and phospholipids. Marine collagen helps to smoothen wrinkles, while Marine Elastin helps to improve tonicity, and alpha lipolic acid helps to fight free-radicals and re energise skin. The caviar facial is an unsurpassed formula to smooth, firm and powerfully repair the skin. Though the caviar treatment is usually recommended for mature skin, it is becoming the spa treatment of choice for all age groups.
The reason? It is very smooth and gentle and it can applied hours before any event. The after effects usually show the next day. And then you can luxuriate in the glow. Explains Sweta Tyagi, Spa Manager, Westin, Pune, “Caviar actually has a cell structure that is very familiar to human collagen. So every time you apply it on the face, you'll be amazed by the results. It is an ideal mask to use before an event because there is no picking or extraction which will look red.”
She continues, “There are three gentle exfoliations. You can go for this treatment 24 hours to 48 hours before an event, unlike a traditional facial, which you can 4 to 5 days before an event.”
Once you step in for the therapy, the first step involves straightforward cleansing. It removes the dirt and grime that have deposited in the skin. It is followed by a balm cleanser, followed by a repair lotion. Then comes the enzyme peeling cream and phyto gel cleanser. After this procedure, a thin gauze is put over the face, and the dark green mushy caviar mask is applied on the face. Tyagi says, “We usually do this as the many of our clients have sensitive skin. Many of them are vegetarians, they don't like the fish eggs to be applied on their face. Moreover,the strong pungent smell is a deterrent.”
And refrain from asking for a champagne to snack on with what's left is the jar. When the green stuff comes off, it is time for marine matrix sheet. As the name goes, it is a while gauzy sheet which contains shrimp extract saturated with more caviar.
Avoid going for caviar mask if you are suffering from skin diseases,allergic to seaweed or caviar or if you suffering from thyroid, rosacea, or have cuts, bruises or swelling on the face.
A caviar facial, then, makes perfect sense, except for the fact that a 90 minute session can cost you Rs 5000 and upwards. And you can go for the a repeat performance after 15 days or once a month, as recommended by the therapist. So, are you interested?
We live in a world where our appearance matters. And in our quest to look good, we explore a variety of beauty products. The latest to enter the beauty market is the caviar facial mask. This mask is prepared from the eggs of sturgeon fish and helps to counter ageing problems of the skin. It resembles a thick green gunk which contains sevruga extracts and spirulina algae, which give the mask its colour.
In our city, Westin Spa, Koregoan park, offers caviar facial. It makes use of an innovative mask, made from the eggs of a bottom feeding fish. Caviar, which is rich in amino acids, glutamic acid, glycine, arginine, leuchine, serine and oligo. These ingredients are rich in iron, magnesium, and phospholipids. Marine collagen helps to smoothen wrinkles, while Marine Elastin helps to improve tonicity, and alpha lipolic acid helps to fight free-radicals and re energise skin. The caviar facial is an unsurpassed formula to smooth, firm and powerfully repair the skin. Though the caviar treatment is usually recommended for mature skin, it is becoming the spa treatment of choice for all age groups.
The reason? It is very smooth and gentle and it can applied hours before any event. The after effects usually show the next day. And then you can luxuriate in the glow. Explains Sweta Tyagi, Spa Manager, Westin, Pune, “Caviar actually has a cell structure that is very familiar to human collagen. So every time you apply it on the face, you'll be amazed by the results. It is an ideal mask to use before an event because there is no picking or extraction which will look red.”
She continues, “There are three gentle exfoliations. You can go for this treatment 24 hours to 48 hours before an event, unlike a traditional facial, which you can 4 to 5 days before an event.”
Once you step in for the therapy, the first step involves straightforward cleansing. It removes the dirt and grime that have deposited in the skin. It is followed by a balm cleanser, followed by a repair lotion. Then comes the enzyme peeling cream and phyto gel cleanser. After this procedure, a thin gauze is put over the face, and the dark green mushy caviar mask is applied on the face. Tyagi says, “We usually do this as the many of our clients have sensitive skin. Many of them are vegetarians, they don't like the fish eggs to be applied on their face. Moreover,the strong pungent smell is a deterrent.”
And refrain from asking for a champagne to snack on with what's left is the jar. When the green stuff comes off, it is time for marine matrix sheet. As the name goes, it is a while gauzy sheet which contains shrimp extract saturated with more caviar.
Avoid going for caviar mask if you are suffering from skin diseases,allergic to seaweed or caviar or if you suffering from thyroid, rosacea, or have cuts, bruises or swelling on the face.
A caviar facial, then, makes perfect sense, except for the fact that a 90 minute session can cost you Rs 5000 and upwards. And you can go for the a repeat performance after 15 days or once a month, as recommended by the therapist. So, are you interested?
Tuesday, June 22, 2010
Jolly good!
Terttulia not only has a pleasant and enjoyable environment to chill out with friends but also offers a delectable fast food variety, says Barnalee Handique
Located in the bellybutton of Koregoan Park, towards the end of lane 5, Terttulia offers a delectable food spread and a beguiling ambience. A Spanish word, Terttulia means a pleasant conversation with friends at a café. Imrun Sethi, owner of the place, says, "As the tagline goes, the concept behind this joint is that it is a meeting point for friends where, they can 'eat, drink and love'." The joint, which forms a quaint and cosy dining space, is a big hit among collegians, young couples and expats.
"The informal ambience is a big hit with my colleagues and me. It is a great place to meet and catch up with friends. I frequent it four to five times a week," says 23-year-old Ashutosh Nema. Shamit Biswas, a student, continues, "My friends and I usually drop in here after our classes get over. We usually spend the whole day chilling and leave for home in the evening. I love the food, ambience and music here. The pizzas are yum!"
Terttulia occupies a seating area outside with a very rustic feel and a fine dining area. We squeezed our way in to see what's on offer and also to sample some of it. The items listed on the menu were assorted and the wait staff guided us to make the right choice. The food served here is something which is not served in other hangout joints in the city. There are more then 15 types of snacks, around 18 main dishes and 12 desserts. You can choose from quiches, sandwiches, salads, crunch wraps, each has atleast one vegetarian and non vegetarian option respectively. And what more? Everything on the menu can be customised according to your taste.
A huge draw is the Terttulia's day special menu, which is changed every three days. The menu has quiches, soups, salads, pizza and the main course. And naturally, this menu attracts a good number of people. Another highlight of this place is it's elaborate breakfast menu. So if you have woken up early for a lecture and are in no mood to attend it, drop by at Terttulia for a wholesome breakfast with classmates. You can have a complete meal without burning a hole in your pocket.
Located in the bellybutton of Koregoan Park, towards the end of lane 5, Terttulia offers a delectable food spread and a beguiling ambience. A Spanish word, Terttulia means a pleasant conversation with friends at a café. Imrun Sethi, owner of the place, says, "As the tagline goes, the concept behind this joint is that it is a meeting point for friends where, they can 'eat, drink and love'." The joint, which forms a quaint and cosy dining space, is a big hit among collegians, young couples and expats.
"The informal ambience is a big hit with my colleagues and me. It is a great place to meet and catch up with friends. I frequent it four to five times a week," says 23-year-old Ashutosh Nema. Shamit Biswas, a student, continues, "My friends and I usually drop in here after our classes get over. We usually spend the whole day chilling and leave for home in the evening. I love the food, ambience and music here. The pizzas are yum!"
Terttulia occupies a seating area outside with a very rustic feel and a fine dining area. We squeezed our way in to see what's on offer and also to sample some of it. The items listed on the menu were assorted and the wait staff guided us to make the right choice. The food served here is something which is not served in other hangout joints in the city. There are more then 15 types of snacks, around 18 main dishes and 12 desserts. You can choose from quiches, sandwiches, salads, crunch wraps, each has atleast one vegetarian and non vegetarian option respectively. And what more? Everything on the menu can be customised according to your taste.
A huge draw is the Terttulia's day special menu, which is changed every three days. The menu has quiches, soups, salads, pizza and the main course. And naturally, this menu attracts a good number of people. Another highlight of this place is it's elaborate breakfast menu. So if you have woken up early for a lecture and are in no mood to attend it, drop by at Terttulia for a wholesome breakfast with classmates. You can have a complete meal without burning a hole in your pocket.
The mane story
Dabur India Ltd, India's leading Health and Beauty Care company organised a special discussion session, “ Discover the Mystique of Amla For giving women rich, black hair” and shared the results of an independent consumer research conducted to evaluate the superiority of Dabur Amla Hair oil in comparison to ordinary coconut oil. The oil which has amla as the key ingredient makes hair visibly stronger with regular use.
The event saw a panel of experts extolling the goodness of amla. Dr S K Luthra, Deputy Head, R & Dabur India Ltd says, “The hectic life style we lead, lack of sound sleep and proper nutrients in our diet all leads to hair problems. The harsh rays of the sun plays havoc with our hair. There is a loss of sheen and makes hair dry and brittle. Keeping in mind all the everyday problems we have come out with our own formula-Dabur Amla Hair oil. It an answer to all your hair problems. The oil is an concoction of amla, mixed with vegetable oil, natural herbs and other essential ingredients necessary for hair growth.It can be used by everyone.”
He continues, “We have used Amla as the key ingredient, as it has been identified for its properties that give black and lustrous hair. Besides amla, all necessary ingredients have been incorporated for hair growth and strengthening .”
Did you know that an amla a day can tackle other health issues as well?The rich antioxidant properties makes you look younger and rejuvenates you.
Dr Patwardhan, dermatologist says, “ The antioxidant properties of amla helps to prevent scalp infection, prevents hair loss, dandruff and premature gr eying of hair. It also strengthens the roots of the hair, but also acts as a good rejuvenator.”
So, have you converted already?
The event saw a panel of experts extolling the goodness of amla. Dr S K Luthra, Deputy Head, R & Dabur India Ltd says, “The hectic life style we lead, lack of sound sleep and proper nutrients in our diet all leads to hair problems. The harsh rays of the sun plays havoc with our hair. There is a loss of sheen and makes hair dry and brittle. Keeping in mind all the everyday problems we have come out with our own formula-Dabur Amla Hair oil. It an answer to all your hair problems. The oil is an concoction of amla, mixed with vegetable oil, natural herbs and other essential ingredients necessary for hair growth.It can be used by everyone.”
He continues, “We have used Amla as the key ingredient, as it has been identified for its properties that give black and lustrous hair. Besides amla, all necessary ingredients have been incorporated for hair growth and strengthening .”
Did you know that an amla a day can tackle other health issues as well?The rich antioxidant properties makes you look younger and rejuvenates you.
Dr Patwardhan, dermatologist says, “ The antioxidant properties of amla helps to prevent scalp infection, prevents hair loss, dandruff and premature gr eying of hair. It also strengthens the roots of the hair, but also acts as a good rejuvenator.”
So, have you converted already?
Ultrasonography - a must once a year
Dr Sudarshan Rawat, Consultant Radiologist, Ruby Hall Clinic
Are you suffering from numbness in the hand? Or pain in your joints? Or uneasiness in your chest? Then you should consult your nearest radiologist. Dr Sudarshan Rawat, Consultant Radiologist, Ruby Hall Clinic, says, “Ultrasonography, commonly known as sonography, uses high frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues and organs. This method is usually used to assess internal organs and their functions in the human body. It is also used to assess the flow of blood in the body.” Did you know that sonography is used to check the development of the foetus during pregnancy? It can also predict any abnormalities in the brain, heart, spine, abdomen, breasts, pelvic, chest, thyroid, parathyroid, joints and extremities.
Importance of sonography in:
Pregnancy: Women usually have doubts whether they should go for ultrasound during pregnancy. Ultrasound is safe during pregnancy. It helps to check the growth of the baby inside the womb. The sonography test should usually be done when the foetus is 5-6 weeks, 11-14 weeks and in 20 weeks' time. Later, the test can be done just before delivery, in 35 to 37 weeks. The sonography test helps to ascertain the baby's growth and development, translucency, thickening of the issues and so on. In fact, you can also the measure the baby’s weight and height.
There is a Doppler mode built inside the ultrasound machine, which helps to detect the flow of blood in the baby, and to check the uterus and placenta. It is generally useful in high risk pregnancies, where the baby's health is of concern. It reduces the risk of the baby dying and other complications during child birth. However, its value as a screening tool in pregnancies is limited by complications being rare, and greater possibility of unnecessary intervention and adverse effects. If any complication is detected in the foetus, then the patient may have to go in for a couple of more sonographies.
Breast: The primary use of breast ultrasound is to detect any abnormalities in the breast such as lump or bloody or clear discharge from the nipple. With the help of ultrasound, one can determine whether the lump is a ball of tissues, a cyst or cancerous. Ultrasound can also show additional features of the affected area.
If an abnormality is detected during the ultra sonography, then the radiologist may go in for an ultra biopsy. One can also go in for clinical tests to confirm the results.
Chest: If any fluid is detected in the chest during a clinical check-up or when there is free air in the chest due to an injury, then the patient is recommended to go for ultra sonography. Chest sonography is an established procedure in the stepwise imaging diagnosis of pulmonary and pleural diseases. Once the sonography is done, it helps the doctor to make an unequivocal diagnosis without exposing the patient to costly and stressful procedures.
Heart: Echogram or echocardiography is undertaken when abnormalities are detected in the heart during a regular check-up, or when the patient is suffering from chest pain. This test also helps to predict the risk of heart attack and stroke in persons with no cardiovascular symptoms.
Extremities: One can go for ultrsonography to check the normal supply of blood in the body, any kind of injury, fractures, pain in the joints and in other parts of the body, or when one feels coldness or numbness in the hand.
Ultra songraphy is also recommended when one is suffering from pain in abdomen , pelvis and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Ultrasonography is a must for everyone at least once a year.
- As told to Barnalee Handique
Are you suffering from numbness in the hand? Or pain in your joints? Or uneasiness in your chest? Then you should consult your nearest radiologist. Dr Sudarshan Rawat, Consultant Radiologist, Ruby Hall Clinic, says, “Ultrasonography, commonly known as sonography, uses high frequency sound waves and a computer to create images of blood vessels, tissues and organs. This method is usually used to assess internal organs and their functions in the human body. It is also used to assess the flow of blood in the body.” Did you know that sonography is used to check the development of the foetus during pregnancy? It can also predict any abnormalities in the brain, heart, spine, abdomen, breasts, pelvic, chest, thyroid, parathyroid, joints and extremities.
Importance of sonography in:
Pregnancy: Women usually have doubts whether they should go for ultrasound during pregnancy. Ultrasound is safe during pregnancy. It helps to check the growth of the baby inside the womb. The sonography test should usually be done when the foetus is 5-6 weeks, 11-14 weeks and in 20 weeks' time. Later, the test can be done just before delivery, in 35 to 37 weeks. The sonography test helps to ascertain the baby's growth and development, translucency, thickening of the issues and so on. In fact, you can also the measure the baby’s weight and height.
There is a Doppler mode built inside the ultrasound machine, which helps to detect the flow of blood in the baby, and to check the uterus and placenta. It is generally useful in high risk pregnancies, where the baby's health is of concern. It reduces the risk of the baby dying and other complications during child birth. However, its value as a screening tool in pregnancies is limited by complications being rare, and greater possibility of unnecessary intervention and adverse effects. If any complication is detected in the foetus, then the patient may have to go in for a couple of more sonographies.
Breast: The primary use of breast ultrasound is to detect any abnormalities in the breast such as lump or bloody or clear discharge from the nipple. With the help of ultrasound, one can determine whether the lump is a ball of tissues, a cyst or cancerous. Ultrasound can also show additional features of the affected area.
If an abnormality is detected during the ultra sonography, then the radiologist may go in for an ultra biopsy. One can also go in for clinical tests to confirm the results.
Chest: If any fluid is detected in the chest during a clinical check-up or when there is free air in the chest due to an injury, then the patient is recommended to go for ultra sonography. Chest sonography is an established procedure in the stepwise imaging diagnosis of pulmonary and pleural diseases. Once the sonography is done, it helps the doctor to make an unequivocal diagnosis without exposing the patient to costly and stressful procedures.
Heart: Echogram or echocardiography is undertaken when abnormalities are detected in the heart during a regular check-up, or when the patient is suffering from chest pain. This test also helps to predict the risk of heart attack and stroke in persons with no cardiovascular symptoms.
Extremities: One can go for ultrsonography to check the normal supply of blood in the body, any kind of injury, fractures, pain in the joints and in other parts of the body, or when one feels coldness or numbness in the hand.
Ultra songraphy is also recommended when one is suffering from pain in abdomen , pelvis and Urinary Tract Infection (UTI). Ultrasonography is a must for everyone at least once a year.
- As told to Barnalee Handique
Thursday, June 10, 2010
Back to the roots
Phool ase phuli, kadam ase hali... fills the air as the women sing biya naam (nupital songs) and busies themselves with cutting betel nuts and paan(betel leaves). Some are busy decorating the maral (rangoli), in the courtyard where the wedding will be held. Strings of mango leaves with vermilion tika hanging on the doorways. The dunori(brass stands) and sarai been polished to a dull gold. It’s ‘marriage time’ in the family, and I am back in Assam.
Two banana trees adorn the entrance. Green coconuts on the mud pitchers are placed at the feet of these trees. In the centre of the courtyard, where the guests are trickling in, a huge sarai been placed with a huge bunch of betel nut, covered with a gamucha, cloth. Betel nuts have been brought in bunches from our ancestral home.
“Today,the bride and the groom are considered to be the epitomes of goddess Sita and Lord Rama. For their union, these items are significant to the ceremony,” my grandmother explains. “They are a must. Banana leaves, betel nut, coconut and bananas represents male fertility. While mango leaves, betel leaves and fish denotes female fertility”.
Earlier in the day, my grandmother had opened the big wooden chanduk (wooden box) kept in the corner of her room to take out the bell metal utensils to be used during the ceremony. Out came the huge tous (vessels), ladles, baan bati(bowls), baan kahi(dishes with stands) and thali. The cooks have already arrived from the nearby villages and are busy cooking the delicacies. No Assamese wedding is complete without dishes like labra(mixed vegetables), bilahir tok(tomato chutney), chana dal (lentils), muri ghonto (fish head’s curry) and mangsho (mutton curry), served with hot lucys (puri) and rice. It will be followed by a general helping of jalpan, chira, doi, gur and banana, served in baan bati. Add to that, the mihi-dana (a sweet), cream and lalmohans (a sweet) are delectable. The entire families from the bride’s and groom’s side will sit down for the feast.
The day began with bride’s father performing the nau purushor shraddha. It is a special ceremony, where the long-gone ancestors are honoured and invited to come and bless the auspicious occasion. Then the family and relatives sought the blessings to proceed with the wedding preparations. But what always fascinates me the most is the paani tula ceremony where sacred water is collected for the ceremonial bath of the bride. So, I join the ladies who have gathered for this ritual. They proceeded to the nearby river. My aunt carries the dunori. It contains a heap of rice, an earthen lamp, betel nut and leaves, a coin and a knife. On way to the river the ladies sing the biya naam extolling the beauty and virtues of the bride.
At the river’s bank, my aunt seeks the river’s permission to collect sacred water. A woman, posing as the river, questions my aunt as to why the water is needed and what did she see on her way to the river. My aunt replies: “I have come to collect water for my daughter’s wedding. On my way, I saw Lord Shiva and Parvati getting married”.
She then gestures to cut the water thrice with the knife and fills up five earthen pots. The group returns home without glancing at the river. As the custom goes, we are not supposed to look back. Meanwhile, the bride is made to sit on an asana (seat) made of trunk of the trees. The ladies take turns to smear her with a paste of turmeric and urad dal(lentils). The water from the pitchers are then used to bathe the bride.
It is evening now and I am at the wedding venue. The brideis dressed in the traditional mekhela-chaddar and riha. She looks resplendent in her joon biri, thuka suna and gum kharu --- all shinning jewellery that reflect the hopes and happiness of the new life she is about to enter. As I watch her and soak in the sounds, sights and smells, I realise that urbanisation and technology have not muted the verdant ethos of an Assamese wedding. It feels good.
Two banana trees adorn the entrance. Green coconuts on the mud pitchers are placed at the feet of these trees. In the centre of the courtyard, where the guests are trickling in, a huge sarai been placed with a huge bunch of betel nut, covered with a gamucha, cloth. Betel nuts have been brought in bunches from our ancestral home.
“Today,the bride and the groom are considered to be the epitomes of goddess Sita and Lord Rama. For their union, these items are significant to the ceremony,” my grandmother explains. “They are a must. Banana leaves, betel nut, coconut and bananas represents male fertility. While mango leaves, betel leaves and fish denotes female fertility”.
Earlier in the day, my grandmother had opened the big wooden chanduk (wooden box) kept in the corner of her room to take out the bell metal utensils to be used during the ceremony. Out came the huge tous (vessels), ladles, baan bati(bowls), baan kahi(dishes with stands) and thali. The cooks have already arrived from the nearby villages and are busy cooking the delicacies. No Assamese wedding is complete without dishes like labra(mixed vegetables), bilahir tok(tomato chutney), chana dal (lentils), muri ghonto (fish head’s curry) and mangsho (mutton curry), served with hot lucys (puri) and rice. It will be followed by a general helping of jalpan, chira, doi, gur and banana, served in baan bati. Add to that, the mihi-dana (a sweet), cream and lalmohans (a sweet) are delectable. The entire families from the bride’s and groom’s side will sit down for the feast.
The day began with bride’s father performing the nau purushor shraddha. It is a special ceremony, where the long-gone ancestors are honoured and invited to come and bless the auspicious occasion. Then the family and relatives sought the blessings to proceed with the wedding preparations. But what always fascinates me the most is the paani tula ceremony where sacred water is collected for the ceremonial bath of the bride. So, I join the ladies who have gathered for this ritual. They proceeded to the nearby river. My aunt carries the dunori. It contains a heap of rice, an earthen lamp, betel nut and leaves, a coin and a knife. On way to the river the ladies sing the biya naam extolling the beauty and virtues of the bride.
At the river’s bank, my aunt seeks the river’s permission to collect sacred water. A woman, posing as the river, questions my aunt as to why the water is needed and what did she see on her way to the river. My aunt replies: “I have come to collect water for my daughter’s wedding. On my way, I saw Lord Shiva and Parvati getting married”.
She then gestures to cut the water thrice with the knife and fills up five earthen pots. The group returns home without glancing at the river. As the custom goes, we are not supposed to look back. Meanwhile, the bride is made to sit on an asana (seat) made of trunk of the trees. The ladies take turns to smear her with a paste of turmeric and urad dal(lentils). The water from the pitchers are then used to bathe the bride.
It is evening now and I am at the wedding venue. The brideis dressed in the traditional mekhela-chaddar and riha. She looks resplendent in her joon biri, thuka suna and gum kharu --- all shinning jewellery that reflect the hopes and happiness of the new life she is about to enter. As I watch her and soak in the sounds, sights and smells, I realise that urbanisation and technology have not muted the verdant ethos of an Assamese wedding. It feels good.
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