HEALTH, BEAUTY & SEX SPECIAL MARCH (FIRST) 2009 ● Rs 30

WOMAN’S ERA

PLAYING THE
SUBTLE GAME
OF ISOLATION
WISELY
RECOGNISING
CERVIX CANCER
WHY NOT
ADD TO YOUR
HUSBAND’S
LONGEVITY
MEASURE YOUR
IGNORANCE
ABOUT
SKIN AILMENT
HOW TO
WALK HEALTHY
MARCH (FIRST) 2009

READ
STEPS RELEVANT
ABOUT YOUR
LOVE-LIFE
MAKING
HOT MOVES
LIKE MEN DO!

3 GREAT
SHORT STORIES
 MARCH (FIRST) 2009
Vol 36, Issue No. 846
CONTENTS
BUILDS HAPPY HOMES
Founder: Vishwa Nath

HEALTH, BEAUTY & SEX SPECIAL

(1917-2002)
womansera.com

72

84
BOMBAY FILMDOM

8
ARE YOU KILLING
22
BODY POWER – WE
SEXCITING TIPS TO
MAKE HIM GO CRAZY
Amit Wadhwa

YOUR HUSBAND?
Dr S. N. Khosla
ARE WHAT WE EAT
Aruna Anand 76
32 REMOVING FACIAL
WRINKLES
Anil Merani

41 DISRUPTED BRAIN
CIRCUITS IN DEPRESSED
PEOPLE SMART TIPS TO WORK
Dr Kiran Bala WONDERS WITH
YOUR BREASTS
75 ICE YOUR FACE
Vikas Kumar Jain 26 Dr Parveen Parkash

82 HEALTH BENEFITS WITHIN

THE MENACE
OF CERVIX CANCER 90
WALKING DISTANCE Dr S. N. Khosla
Sakina Maniar

PROBLEMS OF PELVIC DISEASES THAT AREN’T

INFECTION SKIN- DEEP
S. N. Khosla Gayatri T. Rao

ARTICLES REJUVENATE
YOUR SEX LIFE
Aruna Anand
12 WOMEN WILL RULE 98 THE MAESTRO OF
THE WORLD
Suman Bajpai
MOUNTAINSCAPES
Puja Sharma
COOKERY
92 ABSOLUTE 48 SWEET RELISH
NARRATIVE THROUGH AN ARTIST OF 50 FOOD FOR FESTIVITY
FACELESS DIMENSIONS PASSION ● Corn Kish each of

in this way
or serve
Prepare
dates
the stuffed all the dates
silver warq.and serve as a
as part
with

starter
of the many

festivity
for Holi.
desserts
R
● Stuffed Dates FOOD FO DEEP FRIE
D
CAKES
WHEATS:

THE AMALGAMATION
INGREDIENTlour – atta

Deep Fried Wheat

al of

95 CATCHING AIR WITH ● The festiv 2 cups wheatfseeds

is a 1 tsp ajwain into a
colours, Holi 1 cup ghee for deep frying and coconut
milk and pour
off the heat a small pan heat
ration. ghee or
oil Fish in Mustard g Put dish. In
time for celebyou Keep stirrin add the
salt to taste a time. serving ghee and
little at the water the remaining and
so that green chillies

Cakes
We bring For the
dal:
dal contin uously atta without forming ajwain seeds, r. Add
to the
h 1 cup thuvar mixes into
the is thick to splutte serve with the
recipes whic

A BRUSH OF PEN PAINTBRUSH

the batter d allow dal and
2 tbsp ghee powder lumps. Once a rimme d grease a prepared
ks, it in it on
include snac
1/ tsp haldi as per cakes.
2 or jeera spread ately place ing wheat
1/ tsp ajwain thali. Altern used for prepar pin
se and 2
main cour your taste into halves rolling board a rolling

Fish in Mustard and

chillies slit roll out with in thickness.

● FISH IN
pamper 2 green rotis and
desserts to during AND
half inch for 10-12
salt to taste to at least
MUSTARD T
a this aside a cutter
ts METHOD tbsp of ghee
in Leave Then with
your gues fry minutes to set. round portions
.

COCONU
on. Heat 1 lour and for
e seas the wheatf light cut it into small round katorie
the festiv Corn kish
DATES kadhai. Addlow fire till it turns use a Heat
STUFFED MILK
on Add a You can r cakes.
colour .

Coconut Milk
Ghosh. the atta cut circula fry
By Roma low heat brown in e to stir this too to for deep frying and a
and on S:
golden
oil and continu up oil or ghee a few at DIENTS: any other fish
in the spices the corn, and use on low fire
to cook a INGREDIENTseedless dates little more
on low fire a little at a these cakes on top on
low INGRE rahu or
contin ue back of 6-8 pieces
H whole and cook Fry till brown
r

CORN KIS
with the continue to 12-15 adding in cakes with 1 tsp haldi powde the
mashi ng you at For the stuffin
g: all the gheeatta is a nice golden5-6 time. these wheat is deep frying
spoon as heat for fire. Serve preparation d mustard oil for
S: wooden over low a 1 cup sugar syrup time till the r pan heat dal. The
In anothe the lukewarm thuvar ki be enjoye
INGREDIENT cook. Cook adding ghee colour.

Coffee Walnut Pastry

io nuts but can fish
minutes

●
niblets 2 tsp pistach nuts water. Add fried atta
a rather heavy . to taste
3 cups corn least 8-10 cups of the festiva l season
dal in salt :
1/ cup ghee powder little at a
time. paranthans 2 tbsp
cashew
water slowly
into during the dal: Soak the the gravy
2 masala cut the of : wheat cakes For the minutes. Drain out For mustard
1 tsp garam dana powder To serve: Place a portion To serve for decoration Deep fried English
s. water for
15 of ghee 2 tbsp green chillies

FICTION
annar triangle on these warq 1 tbsp
1/ tsp into red corn as silver Heat and 2-3 slit
2 powder the prepa and serve all the water. pressure cooker chilli sauce t milk
1/ tsp jeera and
2
chilli powde
r triangles METHOD the cashe ws in a pan
or a . Add 2 2 tsp coconu
paranthan . for one minuteand salt 3 tbsp thick

Decorated
1/ tsp red small pieces

●
. Break the dal :
2
a starter nuts into and add the fry
cups of
water
the For garnishing
salt to taste pistachio and a half and cook pistachio
nuts
Stuffed dates
sugar syrup nut pieces. powder . You cherries and
To serve
: or jeera Heat the and haldi
r paranthans and cashewkeep stirring but not mushy want
pistachio dal till tender water if you METHOD fish and sprinkl
e salt
2 Malaba low fire and begins to
paranthans Cook on can add
more . If you are Clean the t of the
the syrup fruits get ency thinner the the amoun
add so that dry the consist water then bring to and half aside
METHOD ml of water and is and the r and keep

Strawberries
thicke n syrup. Once adding more allow it ic powde
Boil 350 Once the water the sugar room boil and s. turmer
coated in is dry cool it to
53
into dal to a a further 2 minute
salt to taste.the corn niblets mixture as a filling for
corn the to use it
place a simmer
boiling dropwater and allow temperature 2009
s. Carefully March (First)
the boiling in it for 2-3 minute for the dates. filling in the centre Woman’s
Era ●
r water. this the
to simme portion of
all the excess ck from whereWrap

Sweet Rajasthani
Drain out of ghee in a non-sti of the dates

●
d.
Heat 2 tbsp Fry the corn niblets been remove
seeds have
pan or a
tava. doing so
s and while that
for 2 minute g the corn so
Mix (First) 2009
keep mashin coarsely.
crushed Era ● March

TUG OF
these get Woman’s

Kachorie 52

36 CORPORATE MOTHERS WAR ● Egyptian Pulao ● Sabudana Khichidi

Amandeep ● Mushroom and Spinach ● Omali
Savita Shetty
Cake ● Spinach Pie
44 A SLICE OF HOPE ● Tri Decker Pastry ● Balushai
Supriya Saraswati
● Corn Kachorie ● Mawa Ladoos
● Sabudana Pakora ● Yam Fry
 24
FASHION NEWS IN
PICTURES

30 MUSINGS/MEMORIES A DEPICTION
OF SENSITIVITY
BABY CLUB
CROSSWORD
AS YOU SAY

80
NATURALLY BEAUTIFUL!
MY FAMILY,
MY FRIENDS AND ME...
MONEY MATTERS
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62
FEMININE, URBANE & 46 READERS’
CLASSY! BEJEWELLED BEAUTY
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71 CHILD CHALLENGES A CLASS
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SKIN SO SOFT!
How can I remove hair from
inside skin without getting any
pain?
Facial skin is very sensitive. If the
degree of pain is the clinching factor
in your choice of a hair removal
method then bleaching is the most
suitable option for lightening facial
hair and works best on short, fine and
dark hair.
I have dark skin and dark
hair on my face. I have tried
bleaching but it contrasts with my
dark skin and gives a very ugly
appearance?
Read the instructions on the
package carefully. Mix in the powder
and cream in right proportion and
apply on the hair for 10 to 15 minutes
only.
Remedies to beat your bleach problems...
I have brown pigmentation
marks on my cheeks and nose.
Please suggest a quick and easy
remedy to solve my problem.
You can apply lime to the affected
area at night once in a while and
wash off in the morning. Bleaching
the affected area once a month will
lighten it too.
Which bleach is the best one
without much side effects? Is
there a different bleach for arms
and neck or the face bleach can be
used for the same?
Mild cream bleach with natural
extract is certainly the best. Jolen is
an international brand and contains
natural extracts, so no worries of side
effects! Yes, you can use the face
bleach for arms and neck as well.
When I apply bleach on my
face, my eyes would start watering
after a couple of minutes and turn
red. Also, irritation and rashes
develop on my skin?
You should have gone for a patch
test on a small part of your hand
before you apply on your whole body.
Wait for 24 hours to see if you have
no irritation or rashes. If the same
develop, you should stay away from
that bleach cream.
How often should I bleach my
face?
You should bleach once a month,
otherwise the chemicals in the bleach
can roughen our skin over the period
of time. Always apply a moisturiser
after bleaching and never go out
without applying sunscreen.
 EDITORIAL
WOMEN VICTIMISING WOMEN
N P
ews of arrest of a notorious lady named Sonu
Punjaban has been hitting the headlines for
quite some months now. Media, especially the
newspapers, are publishing the developments
regarding her case after adding much spice to the real
matter. Arrested last November from a posh south
Delhi locality, the lady in question originally hails from
Punjab and had been charge-sheeted for luring young
innocent girls into the much despised trade.
According to the police sources, Sonu had illicit
connection with a number of men and, surprisingly,
whichever men established intimacy with her had fallen
to police bullets some months later. How Sonu herself
got sucked in crime world is another story. But she has
won undisputed title of ‘the Queen of Call girls’ and
presently she is under judicial arrest.
Since long, law enforcement agencies have
been expressing concern on the increasing
incidents of human trafficking, especially the
cases involving disappearance of young girls
and women from comparatively poorer states
of India. Recently, the United Nations has
released a Global Report on human trafficking.
The report is based on the data collected
from 155 countries including India. It reveals a
startling fact, which is so far unheard of, that
now even the womenfolk are running the
human trafficking rackets. Their networks have
spread to international levels. Being women is
a plus point for such woman, as everybody believes a
woman easily.
What is more stunning is that most of the women
indulged in this crime, were once themselves victims of
some kind of atrocities. In fact, they are being misused
by influential men, who remain in the background and
operate the entire ‘business’.
It is a well-known fact that sex is the main motive
behind human trafficking. Incidents exposed so far
reveal that women gangs are active in the country,
which lure a large number of young girls and poor
women from Bihar, Jharkhand, Orissa, Chhattisgarh and
Northeastern states and bring them in the capital for
supplying to rich men for satiating their hunger for sex.
A detailed statistics reveals a large-scale failure of
law-enforcing and justice-delivering machineries so far.
Everyday, news of raping and molestation appear in
newspapers prominently. But how many of the culprits
are booked and convicted by the courts is a subject of
concern. In the final analysis, it is the male-dominated
society which is responsible for this sorry state of
affairs.
6 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
CHEERS FOR INDIAN EMPLOYEES
resently, the entire world is reeling under
widespread recession and something called
financial meltdown in economic jargon. Almost
everyday, news of some company winding up its
business or laying off jobs in its drive to downsizing is
hitting the headlines. Nobody in the market is sure that
his/her job will be safe tomorrow. So everybody is
happy with what he or she has in hand and, for the time
being, wants to retain it at any cost.
Amid such disappointing and gloomy scenario,
market experts predict that the employees in India
would enjoy maximum hike in their salaries – up to 8.2
per cent – in the year 2009. Their prediction is based on
the report of a survey conducted by Hewitt, an
international consultancy firm on human resources
development.
Although this incremental percentage
is slightly less than the previous year
level of 13.3 per cent, yet it will be much
higher in comparison to salary hikes at
global level including Asia-Pacific region.
The survey is based on the responses
received from 480 companies active in
different sectors and it also reveals that
the rate of salary increment may fall
during few months to come. But then it
will correct itself.
Experts maintain that the widespread
recession has hit the global economy
hard; especially the nations dependent on the US are
feeling the brunt more than other countries. But even
then, economies like India and China are growing with
more than seven per cent rate. Recently, in the interim
budget also, caretaker finance minister Pranab
Mukherjee has talked about achieving around seven per
cent growth rate.
Last year, the Central Government had implemented
6th Pay Commission report and increased the salaries
of its employees exuberantly. Government’s decision
was followed by an unprecedented price rise and rate of
inflation broke all previous records. But all the hue and
cry of the commoners fell on deaf ears, as the
government got busy with manipulating data.
During the winter, when prices of vegetables fell,
inflation rate also dived to record low, thereby, giving
the government an opportunity to pat its own back.
Now, when general elections are round the corner,
report of maximum salary hike has come like a breather
for the public, which may once again put its faith in the
government. After all, it is the hope that keeps
everything running. write to: letters@womansera.com We
 arriage is made in heaven
M
and it is primarily a matter
of mutual destiny.
Marriage is a sacred union
between a man and a
woman and it entails in
both the partners to look
after the welfare of each
other. The sanctity of
marriage and the home
has to be upheld by both life
partners. John Gay wrote:
If the heart of a man is depressed
with care.
The mist is dispelled when a
woman appears.
This aptly summarises the whole
philosophy of a man-woman relation-
ship. But if man is the provider of the
family, then it is the lady of the house
who plays a major part in maintaining
the health of the family and the bread
winner.
ARE YOU
KILLING YOUR
HUSBAND
How to help your
husband live longer.
By Dr S. N. Khosla
But what are the statistical
observations about the lifeline
amongst men and women?
According to Dr David Patts, “The
male seems to be less fitted to deal
with survival under adverse circum-
stances.” In the USA, women
outnumber men at all ages and in an
elderly age group, for every 1,000
men there are 1,276 women. The
result – widows outnumber widowers
3 to 1. So what is all this about?
In a majority of living species, the
female (despite all notions) is the
stronger sex and outlives the male.
Is it that nature has endowed
females with some natural resistance
or are there some other factors which
play an important role? Traditionally,
males were indoctrinated to protect
females. But this is different
presently, now women have to play a
different role and act as protectors of
the family. Women, in their younger
age and prime of life because of their
hormonal influences, are more
resistant to heart disease and this
immunity confers on them a definite
advantage over the males.
Women differ in a number of
ways, because of chromosomal
differences, lowered body metabo -
lism and bodily functions (like
menstruation, pregnancy, lactation)
and these influence to a great extent
their whole attitude towards life. As
compared to men, women are
supposed to have a more living
attitude, compassion and sympa -
thetic outlook while men are always
under great pressure to climb up the
ladder and most of the time are under
stress and so are often fretful and
restless. Women can express their
emotions while men have to
suppress them most of the time since
it is not manly to cry.
Treat your husband with an
attitude of understanding. Do not
become complacent. Be attentive to
each other’s emotional needs. Be a
part of his worries and emotional ups
and downs. When you have argu -
ments, the wife can make her point
without hurting the husband’s
feelings. Forget the fact that you
have to be a winner. All problems
and fights can be solved amicably in
a family, nobody is the winner. All
have to live and love each other, the
wife should try to boost her man’s
ego. And it does not cost much, does
it?
All this implies a great
responsibility on the young brides,
wives and mothers. Small fights,
pinpricks in daily life, can lead to
nothing but strain on the body, with
fatal results. Have you, madam, at
any time, asked yourself this
question, “Am I killing my man in my
life?”
Some may laugh it off. No woman
in her senses can kill the most
precious person in her life – the man
(husband, father, son). Let us look at
this paradox:
Heart trouble: A majority of men
die at the prime of their lives because
of heart attacks, the deadliest enemy
of life. Most of the heart attacks can
be prevented if the wife takes full
precautions in this regard.

TREAT YOUR
HUSBAND WITH AN
ATTITUDE OF
UNDERSTANDING. DO
NOT BECOME
COMPLACENT.
BE ATTENTIVE TO EACH
OTHER’S EMOTIONAL
NEEDS.
Many men overeat and often this
habit is being perpetuated by the
young bride who naturally is pleased
if her cooking is liked. The same
holds true at other phases of life
since most of the women always
make efforts to reach the hearts of
their man through their stomachs,
hardly realising how much harm they
are doing to their life partners.
The risk of a heart attack in an
overweight individual is twice as
much as to a person with normal
weight. Obesity and overweight are
enemies of a healthy heart. So do not
let your man get overweight. Keep a
check on his weight by balancing the
caloric intake and energy
expenditure.
It is for the wives to see that the
family is provided with the right food
– i.e., well-balanced nutritious food
containing less fats and less rich
foods which should preferably be
avoided. Plan a diet which consists
of proteins, fresh vegetables, fruits
with drastic cut in fats.
Preservation instinct: Women
have a natural urge for preservation.
They want to look smart, trim and
attractive. As a result, they eat
somewhat less or avoid rich foods.
Moreover, women lead an active
physical life. On the other hand, men
take less care of their food habits and
are lazy by nature.
It is the duty of the wife to ensure
that the man takes regular exercise.
It need not be a strenuous one but if
the timings of the family can be
adjusted, the man must be prevailed
upon to take exercises or walks daily
in the morning, since physical activity
has got a great role to improve
cardiac efficiency. Similarly, never
burden him with any strenuous job,
howsoever important when he
returns from his job in the evening,
since it could precipitate a heart
attack.
Avoid undue demands: Many
women have the pernicious habit
of making undue demands
on their husbands. The
result? Tension on the
mind of the husband and
emotional conflicts. In fact,
constant conflicts and unhappy home
situations are major causes of
shortening the lives of the husbands.
Stress is part of every job. Men who
are happy with their work and in their
homes, always live longer than those
who are unhappy in these situations.
The best contribution towards the
longevity of her husband a woman
can make is to create a congenial
atmosphere in the house, not to nag
and see that there is a relaxed
atmosphere. The day in any couple’s
life should start with pleasant
thoughts and actions. It has been
rightly said, “ Do not start your day
with a bang and end with a whimper.”
Shun addiction: Do not let your
husband become an addict to
smoking or alcohol. More deaths are
now being caused by heavy smoking
than by any other addiction. A way of
persuasion should be adopted. The
same applies to alcohol. An occasional
drink taken as social drinking may
become a habit, so avoid it.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
Stop nagging: Do not nag your
husband. Even if the husband is late
and has not been able to maintain an
important social commitment, do not
flare up without really ascertaining
the reasons.
One must understand that many
men are carrying some inner conflicts
that are suppressing them to reach
their goals. Encourage your man to
unload himself. Be understanding
and sympathetic.
Restrain your impulses: Do not
be impulsive. Many young women
become angry and impulsive on
trifles and this spoils the peaceful
atmosphere of home, putting extra
strain on the family.
Make your home congenial:
Develop a way of life by which the
atmosphere at home is congenial.
The house should not have an
atmosphere charged with electrifying
tension. Tension either at work or
home is a big killer.
You may not be able to relieve
tension at the place of work but a
wife must at least contribute her mite
by removing minor irritations in one’s
daily life.
In fact, in the West a majority of
industrial empires are now insisting
that a high executive should have a
sympathetic wife as a prerequisite for
employment since they rightly believe
that a congenial atmosphere at home
and an ever-helpful wife are the
backbones of being a successful
executive.
Make mutual adjustments:
Married life means a period of mutual
adjustment to give and take. It is
essential that the wife must
encourage the husband to lead a
healthy and sane sex life since it is
nature’s tranquilliser in reducing
stress and creating a general feeling
of relaxation and well-being.
One sexologist has rightly
summarised that “in day-to-day living,
the man who is diminished by a world
that forces him to compromise or
accept defeat, finds total acceptance
in the arms of the woman who loves
him. We
9
 The world is
changing at a fast
pace and at faster
pace is changing
the status of
women. So much
so that very soon
women will rule the
world, taking along
the men with them.
By Suman Bajpai
WOMEN WILL
RULE THE WORLD enuka Chowdhury, Union
R
Minister of State (Independent
Charge), Women & Child
Development, belongs to
Indian National Congress
Party and is one of the most
renowned politicians in India
today. A postgraduate in
industrial psychology, she
took up politics and social
work as her profession and began
her active political career in 1980s.
She has been the Rajya Sabha
member twice. She was elected to
13th Lok Sabha in 1999 and held a
number of significant positions like:
Member, Rajya Sabha (two terms)
Chief Whip, Telugu Desam
Parliamentary Party, Rajya Sabha
(1986-98); Union Minister of State,
Health and Family Welfare (1997-98);
Member, Committee on Finance
(1999-2000) and Member,
Committee on the Empowerment of
Women (2000-2001).
Apart from being politically active
12 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
and duly acclaimed as “firebrand” for
her candid nature, she is a versatile
conversationalist, and has a number
of literary, artistic and scientific
accomplishments to her credit. She
has enthusiastically associated
herself with various social and
cultural organisations and has been
contributing zealously to the field of
women and child development and
welfare.
Renuka Chowdhury has special
interests in art collection. Reading,
gardening and music are her
favourite pastimes. She has visited a
number of countries like Canada,
China, Denmark, France, Germany,
Switzerland, UAE, UK, USA and
former USSR. She loves reading
Woman’s Era. She feels it is a best
gift to give.
When she first entered Parliament
as a young Rajya Sabha MP, she
was hailed as the real-life Rajni, after
a popular TV character who took up
cudgels for the underdog. With
characteristic candour, the feisty
minister demystifies the latest issues
in an exclusive interview.
What are the steps that are
necessary for the development of
children?
As, first step historically we have
set up is National Commission for the
Protection of child Rights. It is on the
level of National Commission for
Women and National Commission for
SC/ST rights. This is to promote that
child is an individual and they are
entitled to rights. We have amended
the laws on Juvenile Justice Act, we
have streamlined adoption, so that it
is easier for all communities,
including single mothers or single
women who are not married but want
to adopt the child. We have brought
about legislations such as Prohibition
which has replaced the earlier Act for
the prevention of child marriages. In
short, we have created a wonderful
safety net to protect the child and
also to help integrate the child into
mainstream life.
You give stress on the
importance of gender gap, what
are you doing to bridge that gap?
I would say that gender gap and
gender divide is historical, defined by
historic reasons and legislation which
were prejudiced, so we have a
gender divide which put woman in a
stereotypical role-play. What I am
16
trying to achieve now is to gender
mainstream. I believe it is not about
replacing each other, but it is about
working with each other. That is how
perspective has to change. So we
are bridging it, we are putting bridges
across not just to talk about the
gender divide anymore, that is little
passé. But that we gender
mainstream, we gender integrate.
That is the new keyword.
What steps have you taken in
this regard?
Gender budgeting is our
programme in this regard which has
been a quantum leap in gender
perceptions. We have 56 Ministries
contributing to gender budgeting in
the government of India and more will
be conducting gender budgeting. As
well as we are pressurising State
governments to come forward for
gender budgeting and with this is one Will the law on domestic
stroke cuts across on all economic violence eradicate domestic
disparity. It also changes the violence?
orientation of men towards women. It will. Men who grow up believing
that it is part of their role play to slap
Does mental status of the men a woman around, laws have
need to be changed? empowered them to say that I can
Actually, this is a real problem. kick you out in the midnight, I have
Women have gone ahead, but it economic identity and hence you are
takes the men a longer time to accept helpless, you are a liability and I am
that, they do subconsciously, but they an asset. The kind of structure which
are handicapped as to how to is structured by society has to be
translate that into the male behaviour deconstructed now. So we
without it threatening their own deconstruct and help men change.
sexuality or their own individuality. Laws may not give you instant
overnight reactions, but it is also
preparing the next generation. The
youngsters are growing under this
visual impact that I can’t slap women.
We are setting up parameters,
frameworks, to change the male
orientation towards women. Laws are
not made for now or yesterday, they
are also made for tomorrow.
What steps are you taking on
child protection, especially after
Nithari incident?
It is horrible that it took Nithari, it
took Arushi, and it took the
Mangalore pub incident for us to
wake up to say that children need to
be protected. Other than beyond
parental control, that as a society, as
a civilisation, we should recognise
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
that we have concrete frameworks,
so amendments of the Juvenile
Justice Act and establishment of the
ICPS (integrated child protection
scheme).
We are taking huge steps towards
more democratic structures of
protecting children. We have set up
helpline for child, working on an on-
line consultation service. It has a
major impact. I believe that it is going
to create ripple impact. We throw the
stone into the murky water and it
should now carry a momentum.
You are in favour of sex
education, how are you pursuing
it?
We have to deal with the word sex
from having sexual intercourse to
approach it in its academic interest
of what sex education is. Maybe the
term sex education is not the right
term because people are so
conditioned to think of term sex as
an act where it is not, it is basically a
definition of the biological awareness
of what happens in a reproductive
stage.
Today in an era of IT and an
Internet when there is so much
information upload, where there is so
much unprotective pornographic
exposures to children, a lot of them
don’t know how to handle it.
Sex education is an empowerment
tool that empowers the children to
protect themselves, to be
accountable and take responsibility
18
and to prevent. If they don’t want to
call it sex education then they can
call it something else.
What you have to say about
female foeticides and dowry
cases?
These are the biggest challenges
before us because dowry cases and
female foeticides don’t take place
only among illiterates; in fact it is
much less comparative to literates.
To stop this we have to look into the
root cause of this.
How can we empower women,
especially through micro-finance
and self-help groups?
Micro-finance is the greatest
instrument of the silent revolution that
is taking place across the country. It
is not just about giving credit to a
woman, but it is to empower her, to
get economic identity, which was not
there in our early markets. Micro-
finance restores her ability to have
credit identity and to raise money in
the market and she is restoring her
self-confidence also.
All of this goes towards enhancing
her self-image, hence her self-
esteem and then encourages her
participation in decision-making. She
gets power to say that I will not go
for sex determination; I want to
access immunisation for my existing
children. I want to work for family
planning after my second child. My
children will go to school and not for
labour. It is awareness
about malnutrition and
micro-nutrition. If
anyone asks me what
is single success story
I will say it is micro-
finance. It raises her
status and life in family
and the society. We
have formed the SHGs
that outstripped men in
terms of good credit in
terms of economy
markets because we
return the credit we
get. These groups
save and invest and
help each other and
make sure that the
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
money is returned which is
tremendous.
What do you have to say
regarding the present scenario,
culture or society?
I would say it has a tornado effect.
It is very wrong to say that nothing is
working that women are still dying,
still have dowry deaths. Yes on the
one hand we have that, but on the
other we have a whole society that
is in the transition, transition where
a daughter will go to school, she
does not have to marry before she is
18. My child will not go to labour and
it is okay to have two daughters and
men are not leaving women because
they give birth to daughters. Because
the men have realised that
genetically they are responsible for
the birth of a daughter.
We have women achievers like
Kiran Majumdar Shah, Indira Nooyi,
etc., women who have broken the
glass ceilings and in spite of that two
extremes are going on. There are
wonderful women at grass-roots
level, winning Panchayti Raaj. The
men, who subjugated them, today
bring the wife forward, without
realising that they have crossed the
lakshman rekha.
Such a pity that media’s attention
or any attention does not go into
these achievements. 60 lakhs women
across the country every 5 years are
sitting up and say that I can also be
the part of the show and I am the
boss. We have lot of criticism but I
see men as facilitators. We are not
trying to define men; we are trying
about defying ourselves that men
must learn to accept our new defini-
tion. We are accepting ourselves.
You can’t hold back change.
Change is inexorable. We are 5000
years evolved society and every
generation has always witnessed
change. Our culture is not so fragile
that we change completely. There
are hundreds and thousands women
like us who balance both worlds. We
are the cradle of civilisation. That is
why we are Shakti , that is why we
are strength of this nation. It is certain
that women will rule the world with
taking men along with them. We

5 Eggs:
● The Nutrients: Both portions of
egg contain different elements. Egg
yolk has fat protein, Vitamins A, B,
D, E and K, iron. While egg-white
contains protein and some minerals.
● What are they good for:
Maintain overall a healthy body.
● How much: 3 eggs per week.
6 Fish and Poultry:
● What are they good for: For
non-vegetarians fish and poultry help
you to maintain good health.
● The nutrients: Minerals,
proteins and B vitamin and some oily
fish have vitamin D and vitamin B.
● How much: 4 times a week is
ideal, while fish serving can be 175
gr. cooked oily fish serving, cooked
125 gr. Chicken and turkey can be
175 gr. cooked.
● The fitness factor: While fish
does not have any fat, so it should
not be added while cooking but after
the masala is ready just at the final
stage.
● Oily fish such as mackerel,
salmon, tuna, sardines, etc. contain
polyunsaturated fatty acids which
lower the bad cholesterol.
● Chicken: Has less fat, so it can
be digested easily and its liver is
good for blood and vitality. Chicken –
liver can provide 40 per cent of iron
requirement to the body per day.
● Turkey: Turkey has no fat and
is easily digestible.
7 Mutton:
● The nutrients: Mutton contains
proteins vitamins and iron.
● How much: Not more than
three times a week.
8 Citrus Fruits:
● What are they good for:
Vitamin C safeguards body from
infection and helps in repairing skin if
there is any cut or a bruise and
wounds.
● The nutrients: Citrus fruits like
lemon, orange, sweet lemon, etc.
Contain plenty of Vitamin C which is
an essential component for having
healthy body.
● How much: Daily one citrus
fruits or 150 ml. juice.
9 Other Fruits:
● How much: At least one fruit
everyday approximately 1 kilo. per
week.
● The nutrients: All fruits contain
fibre minerals and some have vitamin
C. Apples, bananas, melons,
strawberry and other berries have
plenty of vitamins and soluble fibre.
10 Chapatties, Breads and Cereals:
● The
Wholegrain
nutritional
flour made
value:
into
chapatties or breads provide
carbohydrates, protein, fibre, calcium,
iron and vitamin B.
● What is the benefit: Create
good health.
● How much: Three to four
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
servings a day are required. It can
be 125 grams of cooked rice or forty
grams of brown bread.
11 Oils and Fats:
● The Nutrition value: Oils and
fats provide vitamin A to save body
from various infections and keep our
eyes healthy. Vitamin D helps in
keeping the bones strong, it works
with calcium and phosphorus and
vitamin E, protects cells of the body.
● How much: Body needs only
thirty grams of polyunsaturated butter
and 125 grams of polyunsaturated
oils per week.
● Don’t forget: Coconut, palm
and groundnut oils are rich in
saturated fats. Soya, Corn, Safflower
and sunflower oils contain
polyunsaturated fats.
Treat Vegetables as Fast Food
Put freshly cut vegetables in a
pan, pour hot-boiled water on top,
cover and cook for minimum time.
Eat them fresh with little salt and
pepper and dash of lemon juice.
Read labels and ingredients and
date of packing and expiry: While
buying ready-to-eat food items. This
habit will raise your awareness of the
food you are eating.
Right Eating style:
1. Eat when you are really hungry.
2. Stop eating when you are less
than full.
3. Eat slow because brain takes
about 10 minutes to realise that body
is being fed. We
29
 Lifestyle – Sweden – Arctic Marriage
A couple poses for pictures in an ice hotel in Jukkasjaervi,
shivering more from excitement than cold, bride clad in white
silk and fur all melts into the snowy background as she and
her groom become one of around 150 couples to tie the knot
at Sweden’s Ice Church this year.
Global beauty pageant

US Nikkitasha
Marwaha (C) is
crowned Queen
during the 18th Miss
India Worldwide
2009 Beauty
Pageant in Durban.
25 girls from all over
the world
participated in the
annual event. She
was crowned by
2008 winner
Shagun Sarabhai
from India.

Models display
Changing style

outfits in the Barbie

Runway Show
during the 2009
Mercedes Benz
Fashion Week in
New York on 14
February.
 Love despite protests
A labourer in Amritsar on Valentine’s Day attaches
Marvels of the age

balloons to form the symbol of heart on a

billboard, though Shiv Sena, strongly opposed
Valentine Day celebrations. A Mexical couple
(inset) seen kissing.
In Tokyo a set of true gold “hina” dolls for the girl’s
Festival Day is on display. The 10 cm tall dolls represent
ancient Japanese monarchs. They will go on sale for
$1,10,000. The next displays Cyber-shot mobile phone,
produced by Sony Ericsson, the other too is Hitachi’s
“Wooo mobile phone”, showing 3D images with all the
latest additions. The last photograph shows toy giant
Tomy’s robot toy called “Transformers Disney Label”. It
changes shape from a trailer truck to Mickey Mouse –
shaped robot.
 A helpful look at
the biggest killer after
breast cancer.
By Dr S. N. Khosla

THE MENACE OF

ut of all the cancers in

O
females, cervix cancer has
assumed menacing
proportions and it is said
to be the commonest form
of cancer of the genitalia
in females. More and more
new cases of the disease
are being seen now. An
WHO estimate puts about
75,000 deaths in women annually
from the disease. Worldwide, cervix
cancer is the second most common
form of cancer in women next to
cancer of the breast.
What is cervix cancer? It is a
malady which arises from the lining
over the lip of the neck (cervix) of the
womb (uterus) and may remain
confined to that part most of the time.
The changes that the diseases
causes may not be noticed for a long
time, the sufferer being not aware of
it. And this is the most dangerous
part as the disease lies dormant for a
long time and by the time the disease
is noticed it may be too late.
When the disease causes

26 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009

changes in the cervix, these are
noticed even on naked eye
examination. It may be the invasive
or pre-invasive type. The pre-invasive
type does not show its presence.
Sometimes, there may be erosion in
the cervix which might have been
ignored. In the invasive type, the
spread may be by continuity. The
disease spreads to the vagina,
urinary bladder and the rectum.
Lymphatic spread to distant lymph
nodes in the body is also more than
possible.
It may invade the muscular wall of
the cervix, ultimately eroding it, and
form an ulcerating lesion or a
proliferating tumour that grows out of
the cervix. There are mainly two
types of cancers of the cervix –
squamous carcinoma and adeno
carcinoma.
The sufferer who is generally
between the ages of 40 and 55
presents with intermenstrual bleeding
which is a very common feature and
may follow sexual intercourse or after
heavy exertion. In some women of
this age group, the menstrual period
may be prolonged while there may
be bleeding in the post-menopause
period or spotting between periods.
There may be unusual vaginal
discharge for several months, often
ignored as simple leucorrhoea till this
discharge becomes blood stained
and draws attention.
THE PAIN
Pain is not often complained of. It
is in the form of low back pain
radiating to the front or to the groin.
In some women there are features of
increased frequency of micturition or
difficulty in the passage of urine.
Surprisingly, most of the symptoms
may be unrelated to the female
genitalia and that is how the
detection of the disease is delayed.
It is estimated that eight women
die every hour of cervix cancer in
India which is a very alarming figure.
What are the factors which account
for this malady? Certain regions of
the world and races present different
pictures of the disease. South-east
Asian and South African countries
28
along with India present a dismal
picture of the disease.
As per WHO records about 5.1
lakh cases of cervix cancer are
reported each year and out of these
about 80 per cent are from
developing countries. The socio-
economic status, poverty, poor
hygiene, and lack of education
account for the major factors
responsible for the disease. The
factor of early sexual relationships in
young girls in poorer sections of
society cannot be ignored. But in the
present-day society this holds true for
other girls belonging to the middle
and upper strata of society as well.
The factors of early marriage and
the indulgence in sex at a younger
age and in extramarital affairs also
has an important role to play in the
causation of the disease. Promiscuity
and sex with too many partners is
equally dangerous.
Single or unmarried women are
less likely to suffer from it. It is
probably due to less trauma to the
cervix and fewer chances of infection
which act as protective factors.
Elimination of cervix infections at the
earliest will act as a safeguard in
protecting the cervix.Hormonal
influences also have a role to play.
While oral pills have been
incriminated as a factor which
predisposes to the development of
cervix cancer, the barrier method of
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
contraception like the use of
condoms may afford protection
against the development of cervix
cancer since there is less trauma to
the cervix.
There are certain communities in
the world where marriages are held
late and sex before marriage is
strictly taboo. Such women are
comparatively safe and the incidence
of cervix cancer in them is very low.
Black women in the USA have twice
the incidence of the disease as
compared to white women. Similarly,
Jewish women are infrequently
affected since communities in which
there is a practice of circumcision,
the incidence of the disease is low. It
is not, however, proved that the
human smegma acts as a
carcinogenic or not, but women of
such men have comparative
immunity from the diseases.
The role of viruses in the
causation of cervix cancer is equally

important. Earlier, the genital herpes
virus (HSV-II) was considered to be
the culprit but now it has been proved
that the human papilloma virus types
16 and 18 cause more than 70 per
cent of cervix cancers.
The saving grace is that this is
one carcinoma where early detection,
diagnosis and treatment carries good
prognosis.
Every woman after reaching the
age of 50, should have a complete
gynaecological examination. Any
Clothes merchant
In the eighties there was dearth of
maids at Mettur Dam. So we had
been forced to shake our heads for
everything that our maid Akkamma
asked for, so that she may not move
to other homes. Once, she asked my
wife, “Madam, many of your used
saris are lying idle in your almirahs.
Why don’t you give those faded ones
to me?”
Pitying her, my wife gave all her
faded saris to Akkamma for her use.
Akkamma requested for my used
pants and shirts too for use by her
husband. Retaining a few new ones
my wife gave all mine to her.
Three days later, when my wife
and I went to the temple, we saw a
man in my clothes. His wife too wore
my wife’s sari. Shocked, we asked
30
unusual bleeding or discharge must
be looked into.
A PAP test is most important. It is
a standard way of detecting cervix
cancer where lab analysis of cells
scraped from the cervix is carried out.
The American Cancer Society
recommends that all women who are
or who have been sexually active or
who have a major risk factor for
cervix cancer need a PAP text once a
year. But if the woman is at low risk
and the last three annual PAP tests
are normal, then the tests may be
done less frequently.
PAP test is an important screening
test, is simple to perform and a useful
aid in detecting the disease. When in
doubt, the cervix is examined by the
instrument called a colposcope and a
biopsy is taken to confirm the
diagnosis.
Once the disease is confirmed,
treatment is either by radiation or
surgery depending on the stage at
which the disease presents.
Can we prevent cervix cancer?
There are certain broad guidelines
which can be helpful.
them where they got them. The man
said that they had bought them from
Akkamma of their lane. He also
added that there were many dresses
for sale and the poor people like them
were pouring into her hut. My wife
looked at my face and I looked at hers.
Remembering the good lesson taught
by Akkamma, nowadays we give used
clothes to needy people only.
– S. Palanisamy, Madurai
Coolie for extra work
In the eighties there was a heavy
shortage of maids at Mettur Dam. So,
in order to keep their maids at their
homes all feared to give extra work to
their maids. But unfortunately my wife
gave an additional job to our maid
Akkamma.
One day my wife felt a severe leg
pain. So she asked Akkamma to go to
the market and get some vegetables.
She gave her Rs 50. But Akkamma
said it was not enough and demanded
Rs 100. Without argument my wife
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
● Lead an active healthy life. Eat
plenty of fresh fruits and green
vegetables. Avoid excess fats in your
diet.
● A healthy sex life should be
led. Do not indulge in extramarital
affairs. If unmarried, avoid multiple
partners or too many sexual partners
as these are not good for cervix
health. Do not lead a promiscuous
life.
● Any infection of the genitalia
must be treated at the earliest.
● Keep meticulous hygiene of
your private parts.
● A vaccine Gardasil, known to
be effective in protecting against
cervix cancer, has been approved by
the US FDA. It is a recombinant
vaccine that is given as three
injections over a six-month period
and is said to be very effective. It is
on a trial stage in India.
● Have regular medical check-
ups. Any unusual vaginal
bleed/discharge must be reported to
your doctor at the earliest. An early
diagnosis shall be the passport to
your future health. We
gave Rs 100 thinking that the balance
money would come back.
Akkamma went to the market and
came back with two bags full of
vegetables. She kept one bag near the
door and gave the other to my wife.
My wife set her eyes on the bag at
the door. Akkamma smiled and said,
“It is for me, madam. Your vegetable
cost Rs 50 and mine Rs 50. The
whole money you gave has been
spent.”
My wife’s face reddened. She said
sharply, “Akkamma, if you want
vegetables for your home you would
have bought it with your own money
but not with mine.”
Akkamma coolly said, “Yes,
madam, I bought them with my
money only. The coolie charges for
my today’s market work is Rs 50,
madam.” My wife and myself were
stunned. From that day onwards
whenever we see vegetables we
remember Akkamma.
– S. Palanisamy, Madurai.
 REMOVING
Facial
Every ageing
woman wants to
look younger.
Here’s how to go
about it...
wrinkles
ost women over the age of injecting chemical fillers like Botox

M
By Anil Merani 30 are worried about the
growing wrinkles and
frown marks on their
faces. This is a normal
ageing process, as years
pass by the skin's natural
elasticity starts to go
away. This results in the
facial muscles getting
loose. Earlier, the only solution was
and Restylane. But many people
have questioned the safety of
artificial injections. Also, you have to
keep taking fresh doses since the
effects start to wear away once the
chemical gets absorbed in the blood-
stream. Another common problem
with chemical fillers is that the skin
starts to look plastic after repeated
intakes.

32 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2008

 But now a new international
surgical skin rejuvenation technique
called autologous fat transfer is
beginning to become the rage here.
According to Dr Purnima Mhatre, this
minimalist invasive technique takes
10-12 years of your face in a matter
of hours.
Skin rejuvenation takes place at
2 levels, one at the skin level and the
second at the deep-tissue level,
which is below the skin. Medical
cosmetologists deal with the latter
where the real rejuvenation takes
place. Until and unless blood vessels
get dilated or the tissues move, our
skin can’t get healthy. One common
example of one skin rejuvenation
would be how to fill acne
depressions. We push the depressed
skin upwards and fresh skin is born.
Here, there are also 2 branches –
i.e – skin treatment and skin
wellness. The former deals with
treating problems like acne, etc, while
the latter is concerned with keeping
good skin healthy for a longer time.
Autologous fat transfer and Botox are
components of the latter.
Autolougous fat transfer
transformation at lunch break.
It’s a simple procedure which
Before
entails extracting fat in a micro-
syringe from your inner thigh and
injecting it into your face after treating
it . As you are putting in your own
body fat, there are no chances of any
reactions or side effects, which Botox
can entail. Secondly, the fat does not
move and get absorbed in the body,
hence its effects last much longer.
34
Millions of Aspirated
Adipose Tissue
Fragments
Skin-tightening and
skin- polishing
However, if you have minor
wrinkle problems and are in the 25-
30 age bracket you don't need Botox
autologous fat transfer. You can go
for non-invasive treatments such as
skin-tightening and skin-polishing.
These are done using the latest laser
machines. Similarly, if you have post-
pregnancy marks modern technology
After
can get rid of those marks as well.
Removal of pigmentation is also a
pretty common procedure these
days.
Surgical facelift
You can even opt for surgical
methods – i.e., a facelift – to make
your skin tight. It's a pretty simple
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2008
Defined Population of
Regenerative Cells
● Adull Stem Cells
● Blood Vessel Producing Cells
● Growth Factor Secreting Cells
procedure. A thread is entered
below your skin which pulls up
muscles. This makes the face skin
tight and taut.
Since these modern surgical
methods don't leave scars and have
minimum recovery periods it's a good
option as well.
Tip to make your skin look
young and healthy.
Always use skin block.
Get a facial done every other
month as that will help to remove
dead cells.
Take lots of fluid – lack of which
causes wrinkes to appear.
Consume certain vitamins the skin
needs.
Do certain facial expression
exercises
But always remember to go to a
proper cosmetologist for such beauty
practice (facials).
Normal parlour hands are not
trained – for example they use
gylogical acid at safe concentration
limits as they are not sure how much
to use for different skin types, but that
will not do your skin good. On the
other hand, if you go to a trained
doctor he or she will only use those
products (herbal and natural)
which really suit your individual skin
type. We
STORY
SHORT

Corporate Mothers
A high-salaried pro’s chat with a self-made housewife
is an eye-opener. By Amandeep

I
feel really scared at the thought of quitting my as educated as Satish and earning equally well.
highly paid corporate job. To quit the job Then why should I be the one chosen for this job?
would mean staying at home, minding the Why can’t we share this too, just like we share our
house and looking after my son. I don’t household expenses? It’s so unfair.
particularly like that format. Also, notice that My employers are already throwing hints about
my offspring is in singular. It’s because I find my rapidly depleting earned leave. I am the only
managing one possible and two, unthinkable. one at work who does not have a mother or a
Rohan, my son, goes to a school-cum-day care mother-in-law staying with me. Really, life is so much
centre in the vicinity. He leaves at 8 with my easier for a working mother with some support
husband and I pick him up on my way back from system. But I am determined to make the best of my
work about 7. Now, I say about seven because the situation and so what if all my leave gets spent
day care timings are until 7.30, but invariably I am taking care of Rohan. I will apply for unpaid leave,
late, and keep getting calls from the next. The only problem is that it reflects
supervisor there. In fact, I can visualise her badly on me, as if I am not serious about
right now, arms akimbo, brows raised, This only my work.
herding my son out of the door, strengthens my I did take Rohan to the specialist to find
exasperation written all over her face. argument that out the cause of his frequent bad spells. It
I do believe that day care is a much children are seems that children who go to childcares
better arrangement than leaving a child much better off centres often suffer from multiple infections.
alone with a maid, at home. Just last at day care Now that is the only downside of a
week, our neighbour’s maid absconded centres as childcare centre, as far as I can think.
and no one showed up to pick up their 5- regards their My mother is horrified by the way I am
year-old at the bus stop in the afternoon. safety, as I bringing up Rohan. According to her, she
The child went over to a friend’s house have repeatedly should never have sent me to ‘that MBA
and spent the remainder of the day there. course’ as I seem to have changed
pointed out to completely after that. She never thought I
Late in the evening when his friend’s
mother requested him to leave, did it come my husband, would ever send Rohan to a childcare
to light that the maid was missing and the Satish. centre and continue working.
house, locked. After that, there were

A
frantic phone calls to his parents, the police, etc.
Our neighbours have been quick to put this
incident behind them and they have brought in a
new maid. Life goes on just as usual for them, I
suppose.
This only strengthens my argument that children
are much better off at day care centres as regards
their safety, as I have repeatedly pointed out to my
husband, Satish.
I hate the days when Rohan falls ill. It’s as if his
well-being is entirely my responsibility. After all, I am
ren’t all mothers just the same? What about my
happiness? No one seems to care about that.
Why should I sacrifice my life and become a
housewife just like her? I have seen the look in
women’s eyes when they discover that I hold a high-
profile job. Of course, my mother just doesn’t get it.
The thrill of getting ready in the morning, the clothes
and once at office — the work, the meetings, closing
deals worth billions of dollars — it makes me feel so
important and useful.
One winter morning, as I was returning from a

36 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009

morning walk, I met Sandhya. I have often seen her
at the yoga class conducted early in the morning on
our housing society lawns.
I met her in the elevator and got talking.
Somehow, she didn’t appear impressed by my high-
flying corporate career. Nor did she look ashamed
when she said, “I stay at home,” unlike so many
other women that I had encountered.
Something prompted me to ask, “Don’t you feel
bored at home? I feel very worthless whenever I
have needed to stay at home. I just don’t know what
to do, how to pass time. Household chores are so
meaningless and have no value addition. I feel
totally wasted.”
The elevator stopped. This conversation needed
time. “Why don’t you come over to my place and
we’ll continue over tea?” Sandhya invited.
Somehow, I was completely drawn to her. “Sure,” I
replied.
“So, did you get back to work after the baby?” I
was trying to draw up similarities between our lives.
“I tried,” Sandhya sighed. “But since I wanted to
work from home, no one was willing to bend the
rules for me. You see, I didn’t want to leave my little
one alone with a maid. So I became another
frustrated housewife, like the ones you keep meeting
from time to time.”
“Then how come this change?” I was terribly
curious. “You don’t look like a trapped housewife
any more.”
“Well, it’s taken me a decade to get here and I
must say this is the most peaceful phase of my life.
The transition was not easy. At first I was upset with
my parents and husband for pressurising me to have
a baby. Even today I wish that the decision had
been mine, not theirs. I was just not ready to be a
mother and handle all the responsibilities that come
along with it. In fact, that is one of the things I
needed to learn — to take my own decisions and

I
couldn’t help marvelling at the serene interiors of not put others in charge of my life.”
her house. Creamy whites and neutrals accented
with lush green plants instantly soothed my mind. Herding my son out
With my feet curled under my thighs, I settled down of the door,
on the sofa. exasperation written
all over her face. I do
Sandhya smiled at me. “Let’s talk first and then I’ll
believe that day care
make the tea. If that’s okay with you.” is a much better
“Yes, of course.” I really needed to hear arrangement than
Sandhya’s perspective on life, work, etc. “You leaving a child alone
know, you are the only person I’ve met so far who is with a maid, at home.
peaceful about staying at home. Generally, the
others look to be a pretty unhappy lot.”
“You’re right,” Sandhya wore a serious look on
her face. “I too have been in the same
place as them. Now I am comfortable
being anywhere, doing anything. I
have really stopped planning my days,
my life. I take each day, at a time. I
don’t know where I will be 5 years from
now but I am comfortable with that
knowledge. Does this sound really vague
to you?”
“Not at all. I think the older
generation like our mothers and
grandmothers lived like that too,” I
said.
“I quit work when I heard that I was
pregnant. We were in Mumbai and it
was a new experience to be at home,
alone, until my husband returned in
the evening. It was very hard. I
didn’t have any friends too, but in a
few months I managed to find my
rhythm. I mostly spent time reading
and walking,” Sandhya had a
faraway look in her eyes.
 “And you have been home ever since?” I asked.
“Oh no. I tried all sorts of things. Teaching,
holding tuition classes at home and what not. But
none of these was as appealing as the job that I had so hard and worked for so many years. I don’t think
quit — that of a financial analyst. Somehow, that
overshadowed everything else. Finally, I gave up all
efforts to ‘work’. Needless to say, I had spent
considerable time and energy pursuing all these
various options and I was quite tired.”
“And then...?” Sandhya’s story held me
spellbound.
“I could no longer run away from the
thought of being a housewife, I was one.
Believe it or not, that is when I began to
transform.”
“How? I mean how did you change?
Did you decide to sacrifice your dreams
and just accept whatever came your way?
Became passive?” I was using strong
words.
“First of all, I decided to relax. You
know what that means. It means to stop
chasing. It means just living for the
moment. As if nothing in the past or future
matters. It means taking responsibility for
your happiness. You know, I changed
because I was affected by inner turmoil.
With calmness came a realisation that the need to
utilise my capabilities, my potential, remained
unfulfilled. That was causing me distress. Once I
understood that, my problem was half-solved. Now,
“You know,, you are the only person I’ve met so for who
is peaceful about staying at home. Generally, the others
look to be a pretty unhappy lot.”
I just need to find something that interests me and
allows me to channelise my energy.”
“But don’t you feel cheated? After having studied
I can ever do what you did. There’s no way I am
going to sacrifice my life, pull my child out of the
day care centre and sit at home. No way!” I said
emphatically.
“Wait. Who said anything about sacrifice. I have
not sacrificed anything. To give personal attention to
my child and house is also my need, just
“I quit work like the need to use my potential, my
when I heard talent. I am going to address both of them.
So what if I have had to quit the job I
that I was
loved. It involved a lot of travel, something
pregnant. We that I can no longer do. So, I am going to
were in find something else equally good that I can
Mumbai and it do out of my home.”
was a new “You certainly seem to have worked
experience to be things out according to your
at home, alone, requirements,” I complimented Sandhya.
until my “I have learnt a lot from your experience.”
husband “Oh! I totally forgot about the tea,”
returned in the Sandhya stood up.
evening. “Let’s do that another time.” I had to get
ready for office.
I remember that, as I rode the elevator
to our penthouse, I felt somewhat disturbed.
Sandhya had stirred up some best-buried-not-to-be-
examined feelings that surfaced within me from time
to time.
L
ike at the school picnic when only my kid took
packaged food bought from the supersmart. Or
in the evenings when I pick him up and he is the
last one out. Or even during weekends, with no
friends to play with, Rohan, sitting in his room, all by
himself, chattering away with his imaginary friends.
Yes, since that day with Sandhya, my life has
changed. I am looking at Rohan with different
eyes now and I am concerned. He cries every
morning to go to school and, for the first
time ever, his cries are reaching my heart.
The packaged juice and a jam sandwich
in his lunch-box are making me
wonder. Is this even good for his
health?
I know that my moment of truth has
arrived. I have begun to ask myself
some difficult questions about how
well I am taking care of Rohan. I
don’t know what my decision will
be, but it will be a unique solution
to my unique needs.
Sandhya, the housewife, has
shown me the way. We

CIRCUITS IN DEPRESSED PEOPLES
eople with severe depression
P
respond to negative stimuli
differently. Studying the
response of depressed people
to negative stimuli, researchers
found that they have disrupted
circuits involved in controlling
emotions. People with clinical
depression may be unable to “snap
out of it” because of faulty wiring in
the brain according to a new study
released by Johnstone a images of things such as car-
neuroscientist at the University of
Wisconsin – Madison’s school of
medicine and public health.
DISRUPTED BRAIN
One of the hallmarks of depression
is that people with the condition seem
to be unable to pull themselves out
of a funk or black mood. In order to
figure out what goes awry in these
situations, Johnstone and his
colleagues conducted an experiment
on a group of 21 depressed people
and 18 healthy controls.
Researchers tried to manipulate
them into a negative state of mind
and then watched how well they
could bounce back. A series of
accidents or threatening-looking
animals was presented to the
subjects and their response noted. In
Dr Kiran Bala
depressed individuals conscious
effort to recalibrate their emotions
was thwarted by dysfunctional brain
circuits.
The researchers speculated that
signals from the prefrontal cortical
area of the brain are not getting
through to the amygdala in the
depressed individuals for reasons still
unknown.
The findings suggest that
cognitive behavioural therapies that
hold that individuals can change the
way they feel about a situation by
changing the way they think about it
may be counterproductive for some
people. We
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 A Slice of Hope
Five months after Keya’s birth, her mother discovers the miracle
of motherhood. By Supriya Saraswati
What is life, one wonders and called her name “Keya,” but she did not
Power? Glamour? Wealth? Nope ! respond. Neither did she look at me nor did she stop
Life is just a slice of hope. crying. Maybe she did not recognise the unfamiliar
The sun, the breeze, the rain, the thunders sound or maybe the maid called her by some other
Create together that driving force name – I did not care. I just wanted her to shut up.
Life springs up from this single source.

I
rritated, I came up to my room and closed the

T
he universality of our dreams and emotions door. I diverted my attention towards the meeting
leads me into believing that perhaps my story scheduled that evening. I had little reasons to
isn't very different from yours and that the fear. My strategies, my staff, my company, never
same dream, the same emotion must have failed. In the rat race of business, victory almost
touched you at some phase of your life; that always kissed my feet, rendering my competitors
you too must have craved for that one reason mere also-rans. The glamour, the power associated
for your existence, one reason to smile, one with a company branded with an international status
ray of hope for warmth, a breeze to break free from did not permit me to get disturbed by a five month-
the smokes of suffocation, the tides to push you old and deviate thus.
ahead, not letting you stagnate, the colours that But what was wrong today? Why couldn't the maid
paint your life with exuberance. handle the baby today? Keya's screams grew louder
When was it that thoughts ceased to penetrate my and I made several unsuccessful attempts of ignoring
mind, emotions stopped touching me – is not in my her but, as I dressed up, she became quiet and the
memory but life lost its appeal, its charm, its magic.
The sun shone on me and the breeze aided the tides
to push me ahead, so what? What was I but a dead
leaf?
And then one day rain fell in torrents. Completely
drenched and on the verge of drowning and getting
lost in the depths of the ocean, I felt black, nothing
but black. Blackness engulfing me, choking me. I
looked up, perhaps for the last time before black
became me – slowly but surely black ceased to flow
in. It was a spectacular sight, blending into a single
gigantic force that radiated truth, peace, love, hope,
energy, faith and purity. That magnificent piece was
full of life, full of magic, full of colours and there was
no place for black in it.
I felt liberated at long last. Finally, my
rainbow had arrived and I breathed.
19 March 2005, at 5 months of age, all
Keya did was to cry out. It wasn't any
different that morning. She coughed, sniffled
and wheezed, but her wailing did not cease,
it was only broken by her hiccups. I wondered
what took the maid so long to sterilise her
bottles. Fed up with the noise I went to her room
sudden silence in the house steered my thoughts back
to Keya. She must have fallen asleep, I thought, as I
prepared to leave. I saw the clock ticking and
her up; it was magic.
Her tear-filled eyes
shone, there was a glint
SHORT

STORY
frantically searched for my car keys -–in my purse, on in them that held my gaze. She seemed to
the rack, in the cane basket. But the keys were radiate energy, radiate colours, radiate life –
nowhere to be found. In the silence that filled my my rainbow was born and it now emerged
house I heard a rattling sound – as I whirled around. I from its birthplace, my daughter's eyes.
found myself witnessing a spectacular sight. Keya was As I brought her closer to me, she
struggling to sit upright. She did manage that for a clutched my hair and let her gums dig into my
moment or two but then she nobbled and fell back, chin. A toothless smile was never so beautiful.
only to try again. She sat up, her hands Her small, chubby hands were
outstretched, my car keys dangling from her slapping my cheeks and as I held
As I brought her tight, she kicked me, her legs
right hand.
her closer to barely reaching my belly. As she
me, she

I
couldn't remember the last time
something had intrigued me to this
extent, something that captivated me, in
spite of myself. I was getting late. I walked
to her and gently disentangling the bunch of
keys from her hands I headed for the door.
What made me turn back and look at her is
something I haven't yet been able to fathom.
I saw tears trickling down her cheeks. I
rushed to her. For the first time I touched her
– she was so delicate, so fragile. I picked
continued kicking, I was taken back in time
clutched my when Keya was still within me and I
hair and let declared unceremoniously that I had felt the
her gums dig first kick. Today, it was nothing less than a
miracle. A feeling seeped inside, an
into my chin. emotion filled my cold soul with warmth, a
A toothless dream came to life, colours hustled out of
smile was blackness from me. Keya wasn't a reason
never so for me to live, she was life itself.
beautiful. Finally, I felt I was a mother, finally I felt
I was alive and, I breathed. We
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SWEET
RELISH
Here are some desserts to complete
your dinner. By Roma
CHIKKU KHEER
INGREDIENTS:
3 chikkus
1 litre of milk
4-5 tsp of sweetener – you could
increase or decrease this
amount as per your taste
METHOD
Peel the chikku, remove the
seeds and mash the pulp with a
fork. Keep aside. Place the milk
in a thick-bottomed pan and bring
the milk to boil. Continue to boil
till till has been reduced to less
than half its quantity. Mix in the
sweetener and stir gently. Add the
fruit pulp and boil 3-4 minutes
more. Remove the thickened
kheer and serve cold or at room
temperature.
RASPBERRY
SOUFFLE
INGREDIENTS:
200-250 gm of raspberries
200 gm of hung curd
150 gm of grated paneer
5-6 tsp of sweetener
21/2 tsp of gelatine
48
For garnishing:
a few pieces of
raspberries
METHOD
Soak the gelatine in
half cup of lukewarm water
and leave aside for 3-4
minutes. In the meantime - wash
the raspberries, cut into halves
and then place in a mixer and
churn to obtain a puree. In the
same mixture, add the hung curd,
grated paneer, the sweetener
together with the fruit pulp and
churn the whole mixture gently.
Pour into serving bowls and allow
to set. Before serving garnish with
the berries or any other fruit and
serve.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
PINEAPPLE
UPSIDE DOWN
CAKE
INGREDIENTS:
200 gm of flour
180 gm of oil
4 slices of tinned pineapple
1 tsp of baking powder
1/ tsp of sodi bi carb
2
3 eggs
1 cup of thick hung curd
8-9 tsp of sweetener
METHOD
Sift together the flour, the
baking powder and soda, and the
sweetener. Beat the eggs in a
mixer. Mix in the oil and also mix
in the hung curd. Blend the
mixture to obtain a smooth
mixture.
Place the sifted flour into a
mixing bowl. Slowly add the egg,
curd and oil mixture and blend
well to obtain a smooth batter.
Place the pineapple pieces on the
bottom of a baking tray.
You could cut the pineapple
into halves or leave the slices
whole. Pour the batter over the
pineapples.
Place this tin in a preheated
oven and bake at 180 degree for
40 minutes or until a needle
comes out clean when inserted in
the centre of the cake. We
 FOOD FOR
The festival of
festivity
colours, Holi is a
time for celebration.
We bring you
recipes which
include snacks,
main course and
desserts to pamper
your guests during
the festive season.
Corn kish
By Roma Ghosh.

CORN KISH coarsely. Mix in the spices and on

INGREDIENTS:
3 cups corn niblets
1/ cup ghee
2
1 tsp garam masala powder
1/ tsp annar dana powder
2 2 tsp pistachio nuts
1/ tsp jeera powder
2
1/ tsp red chilli powder
2 the prepared corn on these
salt to taste
To serve:
2 Malabar paranthans or jeera
paranthans
METHOD
Boil 350 ml of water and add
salt to taste. Once the water is
boiling drop the corn niblets into
the boiling water and allow corn
to simmer in it for 2-3 minutes.
Drain out all the excess water.
Heat 2 tbsp of ghee in a non-
stick pan or a tava. Fry the corn
niblets for 2 minutes and while
doing so keep mashing the corn
so that these get crushed
low heat continue to cook the
corn, mashing with the back of a
wooden spoon as you continue to
cook. Cook over low heat for at
least 8-10 minutes adding ghee a
little at a time.
To serve: cut the paranthans
into triangles. Place a portion of
paranthan triangles and serve as
a starter.
Stuffed dates
STUFFED DATES
INGREDIENTS:
12-15 whole seedless dates
For the stuffing:
1 cup sugar syrup
2 tbsp cashew nuts
To serve:
silver warq for decoration
METHOD
Break the cashews and
pistachio nuts into small pieces.
Heat the sugar syrup and add the
pistachio and cashew nut pieces.
Cook on low fire and keep stirring
so that the syrup begins to
thicken and the dry fruits get
coated in the sugar syrup. Once
the mixture is dry cool it to room
temperature to use it as a filling
for the dates. Carefully place a
portion of this filling in the centre
of the dates from where the
seeds have been removed. Wrap

50 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009

each of the stuffed dates with
silver warq. Prepare all the dates
in this way and serve as a starter
or serve as part of the many
desserts for Holi.
DEEP FRIED
WHEAT CAKES
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups wheatflour – atta
1 tsp ajwain seeds
1 cup ghee
ghee or oil for deep frying
salt to taste
For the dal:
1 cup thuvar dal
2 tbsp ghee
1/ tsp haldi powder
2 rolling board used for preparing
1/ tsp ajwain or jeera as per
2 rotis and roll out with a rolling pin
your taste
2 green chillies slit into halves
salt to taste
METHOD
Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in a
kadhai. Add the wheatflour and fry
the atta on low fire till it turns light
golden brown in colour. Add a
little more oil and continue to stir
and cook on low fire and use up
all the ghee adding a little at a
time till the atta is a nice golden in
colour. In another pan heat 5-6
cups of water. Add the lukewarm
water slowly into the fried atta a
Deep fried wheat cakes
allow to splutter. Add to the
prepared dal and serve with the
wheat cakes.
FISH IN
MUSTARD AND
COCONUT MILK
INGREDIENTS:
6-8 pieces rahu or any other fish
Fish in Mustard and coconut milk 1 tsp haldi powder
mustard oil for deep frying the fish
little at a time. Keep stirring salt to taste
continuously so that the water
For the gravy:
mixes into the atta without forming
2 tbsp English mustard
lumps. Once the batter is thick
2-3 slit green chillies
spread it in a rimmed greased
2 tsp chilli sauce
thali. Alternately place it on a
3 tbsp thick coconut milk
to at least half inch in thickness.
Leave this aside for 10-12
minutes to set. Then with a cutter
cut it into small round portions .
You can use a round katorie for
this too to cut circular cakes. Heat
oil or ghee for deep frying and fry
these cakes on low fire a few at a
time. Fry till brown on top on low
fire. Serve these wheat cakes with
thuvar ki dal. The preparation is
rather heavy but can be enjoyed
Cleanse your face twice a day with a
during the festival season.
gentle soap free cleanser. Give head-
For the dal: Soak the dal in to-toe moisture treatment to your skin.
Nutrition is the basic building block to
water for 15 minutes. Drain out all
any skincare system. Spring time is
the water. Heat 1 tbsp of ghee in the time to take advantage of fresh,
a pan or a pressure cooker and green vegetables and fruits.
If using the foundation, then opt for a
fry the dal for one minute. Add 2 light weight one with SPF protection
and a half cups of water and salt of minimum 15.
and haldi powder and cook the Spring season triggers off many
allergies which can flare up and cause
dal till tender but not mushy. You puff eyes, swelling, redness, etc. A cool
can add more water if you want compress before applying cosmetics
can help prevent minor allergies.
the consistency thinner. If you are Use Vitamin E oil before you sleep,
adding more water then bring the this will refreshen the skin, which has
grown dull after winter.
dal to a boil and allow it to
simmer for a further 2 minutes.
Put off the heat and pour into a
serving dish. In a small pan heat
the remaining ghee and add the
ajwain seeds, green chillies and
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009 51
For garnishing: To prepare the icing: Mix the
cherries and pistachio nuts coffee in 2 cups of water and
allow the mixture to simmer over
METHOD
low fire. Mix the cornflour in 3 tsp
Clean the fish and sprinkle salt
of lukewarm water and add to the
and half the amount of the
coffee mixture. Continue to
turmeric powder and keep aside
simmer and keep stirring till the
for 10 minutes. Heat enough oil
mixture begins to thicken. Put off
for deep frying the fish . Fry 2-3
the heat and mix in the brown
pieces of the fish in hot oil ,
colour. Cool to room temperature.
turning once so that both the
Cut the cake into pastry sizes.
sides are fried crispy and brown.
Use a butter knife to lace the top
Remove and keep aside.
of each pastry cake with the
Remove most of the oil leaving Coffee walnut pastry coffee icing and garnish with
only 2 tsp in the pan. Mix
pieces of walnuts. Keep in the
together the mustard with 2 tbsp Place in a mixing bowl and keep fridge for the icing to set
of lukewarm water in a mixing aside. Grind the sugar in a mixer. completely. Take out from the
bowl to get a smooth paste. Also, Mix in the eggs and beat well in a fridge just before serving.
add the chilli sauce to this paste. mixer or with a hand blender. Add
Now mix this paste into the oil in the butter and blend again.
the pan and place on low fire. Add Continue to blend and mix till the
2 cups of water and bring to a
boil. Now add the fried fish pieces
mixture is smooth and fluffy. Add DECORATED
and allow the fish to simmer in the
this mixture to the sifted flour
mixing continuously as you do so.
STRAWBERRIES
sauce for 3-4 minutes. Allow the This is a colourful dessert to go
Mix the sifted flour and the egg
sauce to thicken and then add the with the colourful mood of Holi.
mixture together, ensuring no
green chillies and the coconut Easy to prepare, it adds colour to
lumps form. Grease a cake tin.
milk. Stir gently and remove from the Holi special meal
Pour the cake mixture into the
fire. Garnish with cherries and cake tin and bake in a preheated INGREDIENTS:
pistachio and serve with steamed oven for 40-45 minutes or until a 24 pieces fresh strawberries
rice or puris or paranthas. knitting needle comes out clean For the chocolate sauce:
when inserted in the centre of the 3 tbsp drinking chocolate powder
cake. Put off the oven and allow 2 tsp sugar
COFFEE the cake to cool 1 tsp cornflour – optional
WALNUT PASTRY Decorated strawberries
INGREDIENTS:
250 gm maida
225 gm sugar
200 gm white butter
11/2 tsp baking powder
11/2 tbsp instant coffee powder
3 eggs
For the coffee icing:
11/2 tbsp coffee
2 tsp cornflour
2 drops brown colour
For decoration:
walnuts
METHOD
Sift together the maida, baking
powder and the coffee powder.

52 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009

METHOD
To prepare the chocolate
sauce: Boil 200 ml of water and
add sugar to taste. Stir till the
sugar melts, Lower the heat and
mix in chocolate powder. It will be
advisable to mix the chocolate
powder in half cup of lukewarm
water and then add it to the
boiling water which has sugar
dissolved in it. Pour the chocolate
mix and continue to stir and cook
on low fire till the chocolate sauce
begins to thicken. At this stage
you may mix the cornflour with 2
tbsp of lukewarm water and add
to the sauce. Continue to stir and
thicken. Once the sauce thickens,
remove from fire and cool at room
temperature.
Wash the strawberries and dip
the tip of a few of the strawberries
into the prepared chocolate
sauce. Dip each of the
strawberries one at a time. Place
on a serving plate. You could
even dip the entire strawberry into
chocolate and then roll it in
chocolate decorations or roll it in
tiny pieces of cashews. Place all
the strawberries on a serving
plate and keep in the fridge for the
chocolate sauce to coat the
Sweet Rajasthani Kachorie
54
strawberries well. Remove from Dampen the edge of the roti with
the fridge just at the time of water and hold at 4-5 points at its
serving. rim, bringing close at the centre.
Press the points tightly so that the
filling is sealed inside. Press this
SWEET ball with your palm gently. Repeat
with other balls. Bake or deep-fry
RAJASTHANI all the balls and keep aside to
cool.
KACHORIE Prepare a chasni syrup of 2
threads by dissolving 1 cup sugar
INGREDIENTS:
in 1 cup water.
For the dough: Make a hole of size 1 cm at the
11/2 cups maida top centre of each kachorie and
2 tbsp ghee pour approximately 2 tsp of the
a pinch of salt chasni into it. Pour some chasni
For the filling: outside on the kachorie also.
1 cup khoya – crumbled
1 tbsp almonds – blanched and
crushed into small pieces
1 tbsp pistachio – broken into
small pieces
1/ tsp cinnamon powder
2
1/ tsp elaichi powder –
2
cardamom powder
For the syrup:
1 cup sugar
1 cup water for syrup
METHOD
Roll one ball to a size of about Egyptian pulao
3 inch diameter roti. Place 2 tsp
of filling stuff at its centre.
EGYPTIAN
PULAO
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup basmati rice
1/ cup or 3-4 tbsp sabot mung
4
dal
1/ tsp or rosemary – dried or
2
fresh leaves
1 cup macaroni – any size or
shape – can be of two or three
varieties too
2 tbsp butter
salt to taste
METHOD
Soak the rice and the dal
separately in water for 1 hour.
Drain out all the excess water.
Heat the butter in a pan and fry
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
the rice and the dal for 2 minutes.
Lower the heat and add 2 cups of
water, salt to taste and the
rosemary powder. Stir and bring
the water to boil. Lower the heat
and cover with a lid so that the
rice and the dal are cooked and
all the water is evaporated.
In the meantime boil the
different variety of macaroni till
tender. Drain out all the excess
water. Mix the macaroni into the
prepared pulao and serve hot.
MUSHROOM
AND SPINACH
CAKE
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup spinach puree
100 gm button mushrooms
100 gm hung curd
125 gm refined oil
3 tbsp grated parmesan cheese
200 gm flour
11/4 tsp baking powder
1 tsp mixed herbs
1 small size red bell pepper -
optional
2-3 pinches of salt
METHOD
In a mixer, blend together the
hung curd, cheese and oil. Run
the mixer well so that the
ingredients blend into a smooth
Mushroom and spinach cake
56
Tri decker pastry
mixture. Pour this mixture into the
spinach puree and mix well in a
mixing bowl.
Sift together the flour, baking
powder, herbs and the salt. Add
these dry ingredients a little at a
time into the wet mixture. Mix
continuously so that the
ingredients blend well without
forming lumps. All the ingredients
should get mixed properly.
Grease a small oven proof tart
dishes. Cut circles of the button
mushrooms and place one or two
at the bottom of the tart dish.
Balance the other slices of
mushrooms all around the tart,
making the slices of mushrooms
to stand straight against the
raised rim of the tart dish. Pour
the prepared cakes mixture over
the mushrooms. Place the tart
dish in an oven at 160 degree C
for 15-18 minutes or until the
tarts rise and begin to turn light
golden brown on top. Insert a
knitting needle in the centre
which should come out clean
when the cake is baked. Put off
the oven and remove the tarts
and overturn these so that
mushrooms are seen on top.
Variation: You could cut slices
of red bell pepper without
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
removing the seeds and place it
on top of the tart dish. Bake in the
same way and you need not over-
turn the tart in this case if you
want the red bell pepper to show
on top.
TRI DECKER
PASTRY
To make one pastry you will
need:
INGREDIENTS:
2 slices sponge cake
1 slice chocolate cake
For the layering:
3-4 tbsp whipped sweetened
cream
2-3 tbsp mixed fruit jam
2-3 tbsp plum sauce
For decoration:
raspberries
METHOD
To assemble the pastry:
Place one slice of the sponge
cake on a plate. Cover the top of
this slice with the sweetened
whipped cream. Place a piece of
the chocolate cake on this. Mix
the strawberry jam with 1 tsp of
lukewarm water so that it
becomes easy to spread over the 1 tbsp lemon juice Sabudana pakora
cake. Spread this jam over the 1/ -1/ tsp cumin/coriander
4 2
slice of chocolate cake. Now powder
place the second slice of the 1/ teaspoon turmeric
4
sponge cake. Spread the plum oil for deep frying the kachuri
sauce over it (if it is too thick then salt to taste
add half tsp of lukewarm water to METHOD
the plum sauce). Top with the Grind the corn kernels in a
raspberries and enjoy the tri mixer coarsely. Heat the oil and
decker cake. add the whole spices and allow
to splutter.
Add the corn and fry for 2-3
CORN minutes. Mix in the rest of the
ingredients for the filling and
KACHORIE continue to fry on low fire for a
INGREDIENTS: further 2 minutes. Remove and
keep aside.
SABUDANA
For the dough:
2 cups flour - maida
Mix the maida, butter, oil and PAKORA
salt and add water to knead into a
1 tbsp butter INGREDIENTS:
firm dough. Divide the dough into
1 tbsp vegetable oil 250 gm Sabudana - sago
portions.
about 3/4 cup warm water 500 gm rice flour
Roll out each portion into a 3
(enough for a firm dough) 250 gm maida
inch round chapatti. Place a
salt to taste 200 ml curd
portion of the corn filling in the
4 onions
For the filling: centre and of each ‘chapatti’ and
2-3 green chillies
1 cup corn niblets/kernels fold to form a round ball.
1 inch piece ginger
1 tbsp fresh coriander leaves Flatten slightly with your palms.
1 tsp red chilli powder
chopped Heat enough oil for deep frying
coriander
1 tsp cumin seeds and fry the kachories on very low
curry leaves
2 tbsp oil fire.
salt to taste
pinch hing Fry 3-4 at a time till the
1/ tsp cumin/mustard/sesame
2 kachories are crispy and golden METHOD
seed mixture brown. Soak the Sabudana in curd for
around 5 to 6 hours. In a mixing
bowl, place the soaked sabudana
Corn kachorie and curd and mix riceflour, flour,
chilli powder, salt, chopped
onions, chopped green chillies,
finely chopped ginger, chopped
coriander, curry leaves. Add
sufficient water to this and mix
well. Prepare into a batter and
keep beating with your fingers so
that the batter is well mixed and
smooth. Heat enough oil for deep
frying. Use a spoon or even your
fingers and drop small portions of
the prepared batter into hot oil.
Fry on low fire a few pakodas at a
time. Fry till light golden brown.
Serve hot with chutney or ketchup
or pickle.

58 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009

SABUDANA
KHICHIDI
Simple recipe but tastes good
when there is too much fried food
or too much sweets. A small
helping of this tastes good with
the rich food
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup sabudana(sago)
50 gm peanuts
3-4 tsp oil
1/ tsp sugar
2 2
1 boiled potato peeled and cut
into pieces
2 green chillies - chopped finely
1/ tsp mustard seeds
4 11/4 cups white sugar, divided
1 pinch hing (asafoetida)
few curry leaves
salt to taste
For garnishing:
50 gm or 2 tbsp bhujia, or mixed
hot gram - optional
wash and soak sabudana in
water for 2-3 hours.
METHOD
Heat the oil/ghee in a pan and
add mustard seeds. When the
mustard seed crackle add cumin
seeds, green chillies and curry
leaves.
Add potatoes and stir well. Mix
Sabudana khichidi
in the sugar and now also mix in
the soaked sabudana mixture and
gently fry for 1-2 minutes, taking
care that the sabudana does not
become pulpy. Add the lime juice
and toss gently and serve.
OMALI
INGREDIENTS:
12-14 frozen puff pastry sheets,
thawed
1/ cup chopped walnuts Omali
1 cup chopped pecan nuts
1 cup raisins pieces and stir into nut mixture.
1 cup dried coconut Spread mixture evenly in oven
dish.
4 cups milk Bring milk and 1/2 cup sugar to
1/ cup heavy cream a boil in a medium saucepan over
2
medium heat. Pour over nut
METHOD
O mixture.
Preheat oven to 180 C. Grease
Beat the heavy cream with the
a baking dish.
remaining 1/2 cup sugar until stiff
Place the pastry sheets in the
peaks form. Spread evenly over
baking dish and place the dish in
nut mixture in dish.
the oven. When the top layer
Place dessert under oven
turns crunchy and golden, remove
broiler until top is golden brown,
it from the oven. Continue until all
about 10 minutes. Serve hot.
the sheets are cooked.
Preheat the oven broiler.
In a bowl, mix together the
nuts, raisins, coconut and 1/4 cup SPINACH PIE
sugar. Break cooked pastry into INGREDIENTS:
For the crust:
11/2 cups flour
4 tbsp melted butter
salt to taste
For the filling:
2 cups chopped fresh spinach
2 cups parmesan cheese
1 cup milk
1 beaten egg
3 tbsp olive oil
3 pods chopped garlic
METHOD
To prepare the crust: Sift
together the flour and the salt. Mix
in the butter with your fingers.
Now add just enough water to
knead to form a smooth dough.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009 59

Spinach pie
Balushai
Place in a bowl, cover, and
refrigerate for 30 minutes.
To prepare the filling:
Heat oil in a pan and add
the garlic, and the spinach.
Sauté until soft and remove
from the heat. Keep aside.
Divide the dough into
two portions.
Roll out both the
portions into circular
chapatti a little larger than
the size of the pie dish you
are going to use. Place
one of the chapatti on the base of
a greased pie dish.
In a mixing bowl, whisk the
milk and the eggs and also add
the drained spinach.
Pour this mixture over the
prepared pie crust and cover with
the other rolled out chapatti. Bake
in the oven at 180 degree C for
about 25-30 minutes.
Place on a serving platter, slice
into pieces and serve warm.
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of
Friendship
Quiz
Contest - 70
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13-MIG, Near Tripathi Chauraha, golden brown, remove
Allahabad, Pin: 211 002
60
BALUSHAI
INGREDIENTS:
1 cup maida
2-3 tbsp ghee
1 tbsp dahi - yogurt
1/ tsp baking powder
2
For the syrup:
11/2 cups sugar
11/2 cups water
METHOD
Sift the flour and baking
powder. Add ghee and mix with
your fingers. Mix in the dahi and
just enough water to knead into a
smooth pliable dough. .Divide the
dough into 6-8 portions and shape
each portion into a ball. Flatten
each of the balls.
Then with your thumb and
index finger press in the centre
such that the centre part is thinner
than the edges. Keep the
prepared patties aside
Heat enough oil for deep
frying. Fry the prepared
patties on low fire, a few at
a time. The patties must be
fried on very low fire and
the patties should take
around 12-14 minutes to
rise and become golden
brown. Once they are
them with a slotted spoon
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
and put it in a sugar syrup and
immediately remove it and place it
on a separate dish.
To prepare the sugar syrup:
Bring the water to boil and add
the sugar. Stir till the sugar melts
and continue to simmer on low
fire for around 10-12 minutes.. Stir
from time to time till the syrup is
semi-thick in consistency. To test
if the syrup is ready take a spoon
of syrup and put it in a glass of
water. If the syrup settles at the
bottom, then it is ready.
MAWA
LADOOS
INGREDIENTS:
2 cups wheat flour
1 cup mawa
1 cup ghee
2-3 tbsp sugar or as per taste
1/ cup blanched and chopped
2
almonds
METHOD
Heat a kadhai and dry-roast
the wheatflour over low heat till it
turns light golden brown, stirring
all the time. Break the mava into
small pieces – in fact crush it into
fine grains.
Add this mawa into the wheat
flour and allow the mawa to melt.
Add the sugar and keep stirring
over low fire till the mixture begins
to thicken.
Continue to fry, add the
remaining ghee a little at a time.
Once the mixture is almost dry,
put off the heat and add the
almonds.
While still hot, shape into
ladoos with greased palms. The
colour of the ladoos will vary on
how much you dry-roast the
wheatflour.
If you make it a dark golden
brown then the ladoos will be of a
darker shade. We
 QA &
Q&
In summer I use curd as a base for
my hair mask. However, it seems too
cold in winter to use that. What is the
alternative for this?
I presume your hair is more dry
than oily. You can use egg yolk as a
base, mix a teaspoon of oil if your
hair is dry and if you have oily hair
you can mash up a fruit and add to it
A
(papaya and pineapple work best).
Leave for half an hour before
washing off with tepid water.
I do not have much hair on my arms
and legs and tend to shave it when I
am wearing something sleeveless. Is
it harmful to shave too often?
You say that you do not have
much hair on arms and legs – then
why do you need to shave it at all? It
is a much better option to wax these
hair as that gives you smoothness for
up to three weeks.
If you are shaving your hair,
remember to use a gel afterwards
that is moisturising and smoothens
the skin.
I recently got married and have to
often work in the kitchen. For some
reason my cuticles keep getting
cracked and sometimes it is painful.
What can I do to fight this problem
as I already have short nails?
Mash an overripe papaya and add
glycerin to it. Apply on cuticles area
every day and leave for 15 minutes
before washing off. Before going to
bed massage some warmed almond
oil or olive oil on the area and wear
gloves to protect your hands from the
harsh and hurting detergents.
I was told that honey can be used as
a leave in hair conditioner. But I am
sure it will be too sticky really. How to
use honey as a conditioner?
Honey is a good moisturiser and if
you have dry scalp or any dandruff, it
is very good. It is best to mix a
teaspoon of honey in about 250 ml
of water. After shampooing your hair,
use this as a last rinse. It will not feel
sticky. However, if you feel
uncomfortable you may leave it for
about 10 minutes and then rinse
once again.
I am a working woman and when I
am in a hurry I tend to always use a
hairdryer. Can this harm my hair?
You should take certain care
when using a hairdryer regularly.
Don’t use it on very hot setting and
use a nourishing conditioner for
healthier hair.
Also, towel-dry your hair as much
as possible before using the dryer.
Stop using the hair dryer before the
hair turns totally dry. Leave it slightly
damp to minimise the harm. If your
hair is fine and long then you could
also think of using a leave in
conditioner instead of the one that is
washed off.
My beautician says I need at least
three sessions of facial peel to get
the desired result. I am about to be
married in a few months time and
money is not an issue but I do not
want to harm my skin by too many
procedures. Is she being honest?
You need to be more trustful
towards your beautician. Yes,
treatments like chemical peels,
micro-derma-brasion or even laser
procedures need more than one
session to give total effective results.
Ask a qualified dermatologist if you
want reassurance about how
effective the treatments would be
(especially if the recommendation is
more than two of the same treatment)
and ask for the correct time lapse
between treatments.
My friend recently got married and
swore that home treatments worked
wonders for her skin tone (they did)
and she said she used a lot of haldi
in her regime. Won’t that make me
look yellow?
No, haldi or turmeric, if used
correctly will give the benefits of its
antiseptic qualities without leaving
the yellow colour. If your skin is
normal to dry the combination of
malai with besan (gramflour) and half
a teaspoon of haldi used alternate
days on face like an exfoliator would
give great result.
You can also add it to your body
scrub. Avoid using it for leave on face
masks as that may leave a yellowish
hue.
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 QA &
Q&
My son is four years old. He is very
short tempered and naughty. When
he gets angry he starts throwing
things around and screams loudly.
He does not come around with
words. Please tell me how to manage
him. He is our only child and we have
lessened our pampering.
You have indeed pampered him
and in the process made him the
indisciplined brat he is today but all is
not lost. You have to regain control
over him so that he grows up to be a
responsible human being. You could
begin by being firm and not relenting
whatever means he adopts to make
A
you come around.
The next time he throws a
tantrum, just ignore him. Let him
throw things around (keep valuables
safe from him) and scream to his
hearts content. Do not pay any
attention and do not betray by word
or deed that his acts of defiance are
having any effect on you and do not
give in to unreasonable demands.
Tantrums are an attention-
seeking device and if you react in any
way, it will have the effect he desires
and he will continue to do so. On the
other hand, if you pretend that
nothing is amiss, he will give up the
habit by and by. Later, when he is in
a calmer frame of mind, you can talk
matters over with him. You could also
hug and kiss him to let him know that
you love him but not that particular
act of his.
I have a five-year-old daughter. She
is in the habit of scratching the wall
and eating the plaster. Please tell me
how to make her stop this habit. I am
afraid that it may cause harm to her
body.
Your daughter has a condition
called pica which means a desire to
eat non-edible things. Though the
cause is not known, it is often
associated with neglect, deprivation
or insecurity and even child abuse.
I have a seven-
years-old son. He
does not like to
go out and play
with friends. The
whole day he
watches CDs on
the computer.
Due to this, he
does not even complete his
homework quite often. Please tell
me what to do.
You will have to firmly restrict
his time in front of the computer
no matter what it takes; even if it
means keeping it under lock and
key. Let him rave and rant but do
not give in. Make him understand
that you will allow him time with
the computer provided he finishes
his homework and goes out to
play for at least an hour.
When he finally does come
around, keep the computer in the
living room so that you can keep
an eye on what he is watching, for
children as young as him get
hooked onto sites not meant for
children.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
Are you a working woman who has
to leave her alone for prolonged
periods? Has she suffered from a
recent emotional trauma like
displacement in your attention and
affections due to the appearance
of a sibling or recent separation on
account of school?
Is there a family history of pica
and the child is merely following
the example set? As for
management of the situation, try
distracting her whenever she starts
scratching the wall, instead of
scolding and beating her. Give her
a lot of love and attention. Try
substituting the plaster with chewable
calcium tablets. Get her haemoglobin
tested since pica can be associated
with iron deficiency anaemia. Intake
of dirt can lead to worm infestation
which has to be looked into.
My elder son, aged 13, has started
behaving very strangely with his
father. He gets frustrated with
whatever his father says. On his part,
my husband too keeps nagging him
and later says he said it for fun but no
one thinks it funny.
My son has begun to shun us and
generally behave in an arrogant
manner. Kindly tell us how to manage
him as we are at a loss about what to
do with him.
Your son is going through a
confusing phase of life –
adolescence. The hormonal surge is
creating havoc with his psyche and
a nagging father in such a situation is
certainly not what he needs. Saying it
was all in fun will only worsen
matters. You will have to handle him
with love and care and give him a bit
of space.
If he is arrogant and back-answers
do not turn it into a shouting match.
Talk with him when he is in a calmer
frame of mind and ask if anything
specific is troubling him.
If he is not close enough to you
both and does not open his heart to
you, you could take the help of a
psychologist. Most schools have
teachers/sociologist who take care of
such issues.
– Dr Amrinder Bajaj, MD.
71
 t is a proven fact that seduction is

I
an art. Hot babe Nikita always
does something different to
attract her guy, turn him on, and
let him explore his wilder side to
its best when it comes to taking a
leap on the bed. On the other
hand, Tanya who is physically
more attractive than Nikita,
always finds herself in big trouble
in a situation like this. She runs out of
new ideas and struggles to explore
the naughty side of her guy. She
finally ends up losing the sex battle.
This is not the story of Tanya
alone. Many females like her in this
whole wide world fall prey to such a
situation. “What to do?” is the
question that arises here. Does a
Nikita kind of babe is having a magic
stick in her hand? The answer is NO.
You can also be full of witty, whacky
and wild ideas that can make your
man go down on his knees.
So, to make your sexual relation-
ship a healthier one, here are some
of the coolest ideas:
Dress to kill: An attractive, sexy
outfit plays a major role in winning
the heart of the one you love. Your
guy would love to see you in a
transparent attire. So keep this in
mind and wear a see-through night
gown late evening to seduce him. Also
remember, do not put on any lingerie
to add a ‘little more’ to his excitement.
The touch game: They say
everything starts with a touch. You
can also play the touching game with
your guy to add more zing to your
relationship. Try to identify his
sensitive body parts like his neck,

SEXCITING
ears, tummy and areas below the
belt. Now touch and lick him there to
turn the heat on. Also, try moving
your hand on his chest and then

TO GO CRAZY
slowly coming down. It can be truly

TIPS sensational! Running your fingers

from head to toe can really put the
oil in the burning flames.
Go the ‘reel’ way: Movies, or the
Don’t let him make reel life, can act as your best

MAKE all the hot moves.

Start making them
companion when the two of you are
under the same bedsheet, sharing

HIM
the same bed, of course. So, get into
yourself. the bed having some naughty DVDs
to watch with him. Tell him that you
By Amit Wadhwa want to enact a naughty scene
playing in the movie with him. He is
going to love this for sure.
A piece of advice: Pure porn/ -
hardcore/XXX should be avoided in
such a situation.
Try love bites: Ever tried biting
on your partner’s body? If not, then
let me tell you it is a REAL turn-on.
So try it at least once. To start with,
run your fingers between his upper
and lower lip so that he takes your
finger in his mouth and starts sucking
it. Now move forward slowly and let
your breasts get closer to his chest.
It’s the right time now to give him love
bites on his ears, shoulder and neck.
This will surely have a crazy effect
on him.
Dirty dancing: Dance is not by
chance, it’s always a part of fun-
loving romance. Dance with him in
your room to a very romantic musical
number. Try ballroom dancing to a
soft number while the two of you are
wearing almost nothing. It will be
great fun for sure. Also, when you
two are at home alone, slowly start
undressing each other and shake a
leg together. This will turn out to be a
hot dancing affair that you will
remember for life.
Act slowly: Always act as a slow
poison. Do not give him everything
all at once. Make him wait; reveal
your assets like cleavage, in bits, but
not completely. Give him a
passionate look; speak with your
sexy eyes, to have the time of your
life. Always remember the fact that
slow and steady always wins the race.
Lick, lick, lick: To seduce him in
a sexy and stylish manner, get some
ice cream or liquid chocolate. Of
course, it is meant to be eaten – but
in a more passionate way. All you
need to do now is, take a scoopful of
the ice cream or chocolate and put a
few melting drops of it on his body
parts. The areas to be attacked on a
priority basis are the lips, neck and
cheeks. Now start the licking game.
Lick all that you have dropped on
him. You will relish – it and he will
cherish it! We

Q&
I am 30 years old and a teacher by
profession. Of late, my voice has
become husky. I have taken many
treatments but had no help. Please
advise.
Huskiness of the voice occurs in
people who have to speak, much like
you. There is swelling of the vocal
cord which settles down after giving
rest to them. But if this persists, firstly
you should consult your ENT
specialist who after examining you
A
will be able to plan the line of
treatment. For your information
huskiness of voice is common in
smokers and people with frequent
throat infections. Polyps in the vocal
cords areas, poor functioning of the
thyroid gland and, lastly, persistent
huskiness may be early sign of throat
cancer.
I am 30 years old and married. My
problem is that my periods are quite
irregular. Sometimes, I skip a month
and then there is heavy bleeding and
two periods are back to back. Please
advise.
Your irregular periods point
hormonal imbalances. Besides this
factor of stress, increase in weight
and excessive exercise in addition to
factors like the presence of fibroids
in the uterus and diseases like
endometriosis, etc. may be responsi-
ble. It would be better if you see your
doctor who after examining you will
be able to decide the cause and treat
you accordingly.
Q
I am 32 years and have been having
menstrual problems. My doctor has
diagnosed it to be due to
endometriosis. I am worried. Please
help.
I hope your doctor has really done
tests to confirm it. It is a condition in
which the inlands of tissue from the
lining inside the uterus invade the
surrounding structures and become
embedded in them. Trouble begins
when the monthly bleeding irritates
surrounding tissues.
A woman who suffers from it may
have pain during sexual relation -
ships. Some women suffer from
sterility. Your doctor will be the right
person to advise you on the course of
treatment.
Q
I am a college girl of 18. Recently, I
read about a disease called ‘kissing
disease’ what is it?
Kissing disease is so called
because it spreads by the act of
kissing. It is caused by the Epstein-
barr virus and the disease is called
infectious mononucleosis. Generally,
there are symptoms of sore throat,
headache, fever and enlarged glands
in the neck. It is a self-limiting
disease and the person recovers
after a few days of bed rest in an
uncomplicated case.
Q
I am 35 years old. Recently, I have
noticed that clumps of hair come out
when I brush. At this rate I am afraid I
may become bald. Please help.
Before we talk of your problem let
us understand the problem Normally,
you lose about 60-70 hair per day.
These are being replaced by new
growth.
When the new hair start growing
these push the old hair out. So it
means your hair loss is probably due
to the problem of hair turnover. But
excessive loss of hair is generally
due to nutritional deficiencies,
following fever like typhoid, crash
dieting and local diseases of scalp.
Too-tight knotting or hair curling and
use of dyes may be other factors. It
would be better if you see a specialist
in haircare who will be able to solve
your problem.
Q
I am 40 years, overweight and have
recently developed dilated veins in
my legs. My doctor says these are
varicose veins. Please advise.
Varicose veins are as a result of
the defective functioning of the valves
in the veins with the result that blood
which travels in the veins upwards
towards the heart does not do so
properly. Due to of its sluggish flow,
blood accumulates in the dilated
veins and the circulation becomes
poor.
Due to poor circulation there is
hypoxia. If this process is allowed to
continue varicose ulcers may form.
Sufferers from varicose veins
generally complain of aching and
swelling of the legs after prolonged
standing. Women who are over -
weight are more likely to suffer from
varicose veins.
There are two ways of treating it –
the use of support stockings, and
keeping your feet up after standing.
Long-standing cases of varicose
veins may have to opt for surgery.
Q
My problem is that when my 12-year-
old son takes bananas, eggs,
chocolates, etc. he starts having a
pain in the abdomen. Our doctor says
that he is allergic to these food items.
Please advise.
Allergy to certain foods is quite
common and many people are not
aware about it. Your son, unfor -
tunately, is allergic to the foods you
have mentioned. The only solution
for him is to avoid these foods.
Beyond that nothing much can be
done. Many people advise desensiti-
sation procedures. But these are very
time-consuming and generally not
recommended.
— Dr S. N. Khosla, MD.
 ICE YOUR
FACE
A hot idea to bring back
the lost glow. By Vikas Kumar Jain
ave you ever tried icing to
H
bring a glow to your face?
Icing not only brings a glow,
but also removes black
patches from your face. So
icing is one of the best
home-made remedies to get
a healthy, mark and spot-
free face. But how to do it
remains a question. The
answer is: the method is as simple
as it is effective. So get ready.
Freeze water. Get a steel bowl, fill
it with water, and put it into the
freezer. The reason for opting for a
bowl, and not for ice-cubes, is that
cubes melt too quickly, and returning
to the refrigerator every two minutes
can be a irritating. Moreover, ice
cubes are smaller.
Empty the bowl and break the ice.
Once the water in the bowl has
frozen, take out the ice. Hold the
bowl upside-down over a dish or pan
in a sink, and open the tap. The tap
water will cause the ice in the bowl to
gently slide into the dish or pan
underneath. Now smash this mass of
ice into smaller pieces. Make sure
that the pieces are not too small –
you do not want them to melt within
minutes because it has got to be
rubbed over a fixed period of time.
Wrap a piece of the ice in cotton
cloth. Always use a soft cloth,
otherwise it may cause injury to your
skin. Once the ice has been wrapped
up, wait for half a minute. The piece
of cloth will become cold and wet.
You can now use it to ice your face.
DE-STRESS THERAPY
Begin icing by dabbing at your
cheeks. Dab at your cheeks with the
cloth containing ice. Then travel up
your cheeks, moving the cloth in a
gentle, circular motion.
Continue this motion all around
your face. If you have pimples, pause
over them and softly press the cloth
into your skin. This may cause your
pimples to subside. Ice your forehead
and chin.
Rest ice over your eyes. Ice and
eyes are good for each other. Close
your eyes and press the cloth over
them for a few minutes. If you feel
too cold, stop doing it after half a
minute and turn back to your cheeks,
returning to your eyes a few
moments later. Apart from making
your eyelids glow, it will also freshen
up your mood. Nature therapists
often use ice on the eyelids to de-
stress their patients.
Now, it’s time to stop. Like excess
of anything is bad, excess of icing is
bad, too. Stop after 15 minutes. By
that time, your piece of ice will
probably have melted entirely. If it
melts too early, get another – two-
minute icings are of no great help.
After going through the icing, dry
your wet face with a soft and clean
towel. While using the towel, never
rub your face. Instead, dab at your
face with it until you feel that your
face is dry enough.
Icing your face once will be not be
good enough. Once you start icing,
stick to it if you want to see results.
Repeat it once or twice every day,
especially at night before going to
bed or after you have worked or been
outside in very hot, dry or rough
weather. And remember – when
icing, ''gentle'' is the keyword. After
all, you do not want to end up with a
red face! We
SMART TIPS TO WORK

WONDERS WITH reasts are not just bags of

B
fluid fat. They are beautiful
works of art and symbols of
desire for men. For most
women, breast size is an
important part of feeling
good, desirable and normal.
Understand that a ‘normal,
healthy breast’ comes in
many different shapes and
sizes. In fact, ‘normal’ covers a wide
range of things. Normal for you may
be quite different from what it is for
other women. Furthermore, ‘normal’
also changes through the life stages.
For instance, before you reach
puberty and begin menstruating, your
breasts tend to be quite smooth.
Later, hormone changes tend to bring
on more texture and size. Through
pregnancy and feeding, your breast
size increases four to five times. Most
women never go back to their original
size after a baby. The bottom line
really is that big breasts can be
healthy and normal and loose,
sagging breasts can be healthy and
normal and firm, perky breasts can
be healthy and normal. Let us learn
to appreciate nature.
In fact, most pairs aren’t of the
same size. Asymmetry in a pair is
more common and more normal than
not. So don’t fall for the idea that
Baywatch breasts — usually hard as
rocks and almost pointing to the
ceiling, with lots of cleavage and a
perfect tan — are normal. Indeed,
they are desirable, attractive and can
be had for a price, but they are not
normal.
Usually, the difference in a pair is
so small, a woman only notices when
she examines herself closely. In
some cases, the discrepancy is much
more obvious — up to a full cup size.
The easiest way to correct the
difference is by placing a pad on one
YOUR BREASTS
Here’s how a woman can
make her natural assets more appealing.
By Dr Parveen Parkash
side of your bra. But if one breast is
at least half a cup size larger, breast-
reduction surgery in the bigger
breast, or an implant in the smaller
one is the option. Talk to your gyno
about risks, which in some cases
include permanent scarring and loss
of breast sensitivity. Your nipples
may not match either. This is normal,
so don’t worry about it. The only time
you should worry is if one or both
nipples suddenly change direction.
This may indicate a breast tumour. If
this happens get it checked by the
doctor. Asymmetry probably isn’t a
health danger. Most doctors don’t
Finding the right bra to keep your
pair in tip-top shape
A bad bra is aggressive and
harsh. Get a bra that fits you
perfectly. For a smooth look and an
excellent fit, there are micro-fibre
bras, which are the ultimate in
comfort.
You can go sexy in satin, wild
in racy animal prints and feminine
in pretty floral prints.
Here are tips to calm the storm
in your bra cup:
● Holding your bust up with
proper support via a good
bra can make you look
a lot slimmer.
Women can look
least one size
smaller when they
wear the right-size
bra.
believe non-matching breasts are a
risk.
Guidelines for the little girl who
is growing into a young woman for
selecting the perfect accessory:
● There is no one ‘right’ age for
young girls to start wearing bras.
Depending on breast development, a
girl can start as early as 8 or as late
as in her teens.
● To get the right bra, go into the
changing room and try on a number
of different bras. Once you find a
suitable one, you should check for
proper support by jumping a little.
● A bra that fits you perfectly
not only prevents back pain and
provides much-needed support, it
also shapes your bust to look
fabulous.
● A bra with supporting
underwire is the best thing for a
large bust.
● Your bust should be
contained in the bra and not spill
out from the sides or below. This
gives the illusion of extra fat.
● A bra that’s too tight can
restrict blood flow causing mastitis
during lactation.
● A too-loose top can cause
‘Cooper’s ligament’ and fibrous
tissue in your twins to stretch,
resulting in an aching and even
premature sagging.
Lean forward in the mirror to see that
the cups hold the breasts properly.
● A new bra should be fastened
to the last hook as it will stretch with
wear, and tear.
● Start with training bras or
sports bras and then gradually shift to
soft demi or full-cup bras.
The seductive bra that instantly
makes you a glamorous woman
There is a Millennium Bra spun in
24-carat gold thread and studded
with a 15-carat diamond, costing $1.9
million. It’s been developed by the
well-known lingerie-maker Triumph
International, Japan. It weighs 421
gm, about 8 times the weight of a
regular bra.
Healthy eating keeps
your boobs hot
Breasts are mostly
made up of fat, and
any excess kilos
78
practically go straight to your chest.
With the current trend of looking slim,
breast size becomes the casualty as,
in the process of losing weight, fat is
also lost from the breasts giving them
a smaller, sagging appearance.
Repeatedly gaining and losing kilos
forces the delicate skin of your
breasts to expand and contract over
and over again. The result: harmless
but unwanted red or white streaks.
So think again before you skip
lunch. Studies suggest that over -
weight women increase their odds of
developing breast cancer fivefold.
The reason: Fat cells produce
oestrogen, a known breast-cancer
trigger. The more fat cells you have,
the greater the amount of oestrogen
circulating in your blood -
stream. Several other
studies have pointed to
the association of
high-fat diet and
obesity and the risk
of breast cancer.
Besides fat,
caffeine can also
disturb fragile
breasts. It causes
water retention, exacer-
bating the hormone-
induced breast tenderness
that occurs just before your periods.
So cut down on caffeinated coffees,
teas and soft drinks until your flow
arrives to ease the PMS-induced
pain.
Further, couple your healthy diet
with exercises such as push-ups, or
use the chest-press exercise
machine. It works to firm up the
pectoral (chest) muscles beneath
your breasts. This causes breasts to
look firmer.
Breasts hurt after a bedroom
session
Firm, tight and non-saggy boobs
are sexy and the first object of desire
for men. Breast tenderness after a
bedroom session probably means
your man was a bit too rough.
Because breasts are sensitive, it may
not take much to leave them tender
or bruised. Caress them and
appreciate their form. Cup them in
both hands and softly embrace them.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
Your guy complains of lumpiness
Some women have lumpier
breasts than others, so it could just
be the way your boobs are. But if
he’s touching them the week before
your period, the lumpiness is most
likely a side effect of PMS when
hormone changes swell breasts.
Extra blood flows to the breasts tissue
can leave your pair swollen with fluid
making them feel heavier and more
sensitive. This bump is totally benign
and usually goes away post-period,
so don’t worry yourself sick.
Your guy wants you to linger on
his nipples
A man’s nipples are loaded with
just as many nerves as a woman’s
are, and they, too, deserve some
love. According to a study published
in the Journal of Sexual Medicine ,
more than half of the men aged 17
to 29 surveyed reported that nipple
stimulation not only enhanced their
arousal but sparked it. That’s
because, when they’re stroked, the
muscles surrounding the headlights
stiffen and blood vessels swell,
creating a ripple effect that takes over
the entire body. Don’t just wait for
him to request hot-nip action. Take
matters into your own hands.
Show concern about the health
of your precious pair
Take good care of your pair.
Protect them from steadily rising
mercury levels and dry days. In most
cases, problems are not only
treatable but also entirely
preventable. Remember, healthy
breasts are an ideal investment for a
newborn baby. Here are some tips:
Daily soap them up in water
Washing once a day and always
after a workout with a gentle mois-
turising soap helps prevent break-
outs which are caused by bacteria
breeds in the sweat on your skin.
Keep in mind, frequent application of
soap has the opposite effect and can
make the skin excessively dry and
conducive to further damage. In
addition to this, prevent the skin on
and above your twins from becoming
itchy and irritated. Keep them
hydrated with a fragrance-free, oil-
free moisturi sing lotion after your
morning shower and again before
going to bed.
Look and feel them over
Make sure that you set aside time
once a month after your bath or
shower to give your pair a thorough
once-over in a well-lit, full-length
mirror. During the week after your
period, when breast tissue is at its
least dense, slowly glide your fingers
over each breast and up into each
armpit. Scan the skin on, under and
between your boobs for new or
different-looking moles, an unsightly
mark or red patches that may be a
precursor to infection or, in rare
cases, skin cancer.
Get them checked by your gyno
yearly
Don’t ever miss a yearly breast
examination by your gyno.
Give them some air
Steadily rising mercury levels
during summer mean that the area
around your boobs will trap sweat
and trigger growth of zit-producing
bacteria and yeast. Banish blemishes
by wearing thin, breathable tops
made from natural fibres, such as
100-per-cent cotton.
Inspect your bra collection after
6 months
After wearing a bra at least a few
times a week for several months, it
loses elasticity, setting you up for
breast pain and, or backaches.
Never run without a sports bra
Just a few minutes of excessive
breast movement — brought on by
running without a bra can irreversibly
stretch your Cooper’s ligament. Once
they’re stretched, your breast will sag
and nothing can lift them, apart from
surgery.
Maintain your nipples dry
It is imperative to keep the nipples
dry. For nursing mothers, this can be
done by gently patting the nipples dry
with a clean cloth after nursing or by
letting them air-dry for 15-20 minutes.
Knock out nipple upheavals
during nursing
Mild nipple discomfort at the
beginning of feeding during the first
few days of breastfeeding usually
needs no treatment. When the baby’s
mouth opens wide, the baby should
be quickly pulled towards the breast
so that the nipple and as much of the
surrounding areola as possible is
grasped by the baby. The best
position is the one that is comfortable
to the mother. Dry, sore and cracked
nipples are important obstacles to the
establishment of a smooth transition
from the initiation of breastfeeding to
the development of a confident and
beaming mother-infant breastfeeding
relationship.
The availability of an emollient in
the form of a lanolin USP is a boon in
the field of lactation management
since mothers and health
professionals are comfortable with
the use of such a safe and effective
formulation. It helps soothe sore or
cracked nipples by using the concept
of ‘moist wound’ healing.
A coloured discharge comes
out of the nipples
A yellow, greenish or white
discharge is nothing to worry about.
One likely cause: a harmless cyst
that may drain out when you pinch
your peak. Breast cysts are generally
benign fluid collections in the breast
tissue and are usually symptom-free
unless very large and painful. If they
are very large, bigger than 3 cm, they
may be aspirated and the fluid sent
for cytological examination. Another
culprit could be a clogged milk duct,
which usually goes away on its own.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
Your breasts ache
Aching twins are a sign
of ovulatory cycles and
not a cause of concern. It
is caused by prosta -
glandins, hormone-like
substances your system
produces just before your
period. Reduce prosta -
glandin levels by taking
400 IU of vitamin E per
day. An over-the-counter
painkiller can also help banish breast
tenderness.
You have a reddish bump on
your boob
If the bump hasn’t changed size
or colour since it appeared, chalk it
up as a harmless skin change, like
dilated blood vessels. But if it’s the
size of a pencil eraser, contains two
or more shades of red, or has a
raised, jagged border, have it
checked out by a dermatologist.
Breast pain is not always
cancerous
Pre-menopausal and post-
menopausal women experience a
sensation of burning or stabbing
frequently in the sub-areolar or medial
area of the breast. This condition is
called costochondritis. Breast pain is
also common in pregnancy.
Breast sagging makes you shy
away from breastfeeding
A new study indicates breast -
feeding won’t make a new mom’s
breasts sag, but more babies might.
The main factors that did affect
sagging were age, smoking and the
number of pregnancies. We
79
 Beautiful!
naturally

Subtle make-up strokes

to make you look lovely and
radiant just naturally.

After
cleansing and
moisturising
apply Face
and Body
Model without make-up Illuminator
(FB-1) on face
for highlighting
Use concealer from Cream and glowing
Make-up Palette to conceal problematic areas effect.
and to give evenly tone to the skin.

Apply Coloressence loose powder and

pancake to set the make-up.

Sweep mauve pink from Coloressence

pearl eyeshades palette EP on the
socket eyes and electric blue on outer
corner. Highlight the brow bone with
pearl white and inner corner with pearl
white. Sweep electric blue eyeshade on
the lower rim just like a liner. In order to
fill up the gaps, sweep black eyeliner
also very close to the eyelashes.
 Contour the
cheekbones with
amber peach
blusher.
Highlight the
Colour in the lips jawline with
with maroon satin beige
colour from blusher from
Coloressence lip Coloressence
palette. Trio blusher set.

Use shimmer powder on face and neck for

shimmering effect.

Wow, put your best face forward!

Use silver white with tints of mauve pink from

Coloressence for the eye make-up. Highlight the
inner corner with silver shimmer for a glam look.

She is just a stunning

sensation! Make-up: Nature’s Essence, Suneeti Soni,
L-17A, Malviya Nagar, New Delhi.
Ph: 011-26673045/65, Mob: 9899801623
HEALTH
BENEFITS
WITHIN
WALKING
DISTANCE
You can walk your way
to health.
By Sakina Maniar

alking, the easiest

W
exercise, can be done in
any open space, at a
suitably convenient time
and at any age. It’s a
wise investment for a
healthier life, and
requires no special
equipment except a
proper pair of light,
comfortable, well-cushioned shoes.
To keep fit and feel good, a
20-minute walk about four times a
week can be easily incorporated in
one’s normal schedule. Try to walk
on a clear, even surface like an
asphalt road instead of concrete
pavement and take firm, even strides
and swing your arms leaning slightly
forwards from the ankles.
Muscles of the legs are the largest
and strongest of all muscles. They
support body weight, maintain the
posture and help the blood
circulation.
As legs move, the muscles
squeeze the surrounding veins which
force blood back effectively to the
heart making it work better. Also, the
dormant capillaries are roused that
nourish the leg muscles. So a brisk
walk stimulates development of blood
vessels in the muscle tissue and
makes legs shapely and strong.
For a well-toned, agile body
regular use of legs is essential. Make
walking to nearby places a habit.
Walk to the market, movies, mall,
library and, if your workplace is not
too far, then go on foot instead of
waiting for the bus. Even if you have
your own conveyance park it at some
distance and walk up. Avoid the lift
and take the stairs ascending and
descending.
Men have more muscle than fat
on their bodies than women and as
muscles burn more energy than do
fat, they have a much lower tendency
to put on weight. Most women have
fat immediately under the skin and
plump arms and heavy hips are
stubborn trouble spots for a few of
them. Due to poor blood circulation
fat deposits occur in certain areas of
the body. Putting movement in
routine chores makes leg muscles
flex easily and the pelvic saddle to
swivel effortlessly. Wrong eating
habits and a sedentary lifestyle slows
down body metabolism. Exercise
plays a prominent part in fat loss and
in intensifying metabolic activity of
the body leading to effective burning
of calories and maintaining a well-
proportioned figures.
A brisk walk for 15 minutes burns
about 50 calories
Moving rapidly up and down the
stairs burns 60 calories
Walking at a stretch for three
miles burns 300 calories
Lack of this easy exercise can add
up to a kilogramme of weight in a
month. Not just cutting calories but
regular physical activity aids in weight
reduction.
MAINSTAY ACTIVITY
For most elderly, walking
becomes a mainstay activity to enjoy
the fresh open air and take in
sunshine. It plays a crucial role in
strengthening and toning most cells
of the body and also does make
many feel rejuvenated. The eyes
become brighter, skin gets clearer
and spirits soar higher.
Try some bending and stretching
movements before setting off for your
walk. Increase distance and speed
gradually but never go out late in the
evening and in remote areas. While
walking in the park or neighbourhood
be certain that people known to you
are around.
Diabetics whose general
circulation is poor are advised to walk
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
FOR A WELL-
TONED, AGILE
BODY REGULAR
USE OF LEGS IS
ESSENTIAL. MAKE
WALKING TO
NEARBY PLACES A
HABIT. WALK TO
THE MARKET,
MOVIES, MALL
AND LIBRARY.
as much as they can to reduce their
problems. Those who suffer from
arthritis find walking gives them relief
from knee and ankle pain.
Alzheimer’s disease can be staved
off as one stays mentally alert. The
brain releases ‘endorphin’, a
chemical that makes the mind strong
and sharp, preventing the onset of
dementia.
After the age of 50, high blood
pressure (hypertension) is much
more in women than in men and
tends to increase further as years
pass by. This psychological situation
is often caused by mental stress,
financial and family problems, fear,
loneliness and also negative
emotions. But a brisk walk boosts
stamina, enhances confidence,
ensures better sleep, augments a
cheerful disposition and within a few
weeks, makes you feel a new person.
In fact, nothing can be equated
with fitness and even if the weather is
wet, windy or cold, don’t cut back on
this pleasant outdoor pursuit. For, by
not finding time to exercise, you’ll
have time for some illness.
It was over 2,000 years ago that
Hippocrates, father of medicine
advocated: “All parts of the body
which have a function, if used in
moderation and exercised in labours
in which each is accustomed,
become thereby healthy, well-
developed and age more slowly; but
if unused they become liable to
disease, get defective in growth and
age quickly.” We
83

riyanka Chopra who has bagged
P the best actor (female) Award for
her performance in Fashion has
come a long way in the last few
years. A grateful young girl, she says
“I owe this award to director Madhur
Bhandarkar who was very persistent
about his wanting me to do the film.”
erhaps Sanjay Dutt was in a
P confused state of mind when he
took the crucial decision of taking a
plunge into politics. While one
English daily quoted him saying that
he will not contest against stalwart
Atal Behari Vajpayee from Lucknow
as he respects him as a father-figure,
mother daily carried his photos
84
high-profile lyricist today that late
Sahir’s song in Hum Dono (abhi na
jaao chhodke) was a tender duet; in
the opinion of this writer, Javed’s own
song (ik ladki ko dekha to aisa laga)
in the film 1942 – A Love Story was
equally tender and popular. Javed
gave almost a dozen smiles to
describe a girl’s beauty, a feat
unlikely to be surpassed. What do
you say, Javed Sahib?
elieve it or not Salman Khan has
B been credited with the story of
Veer set in another era. Did he get
some help or inputs from father Salim
of Salim-Javed duo? Salman will also
have a chance to flaunt his six pack
abs of which he is so proud.
kshay Kumar has taken a big
A leap forward both on the
professional and personal fronts: in
addition to being in the top league as
B O M B AY F I L M D O M
rubbing shoulders with Ch.
Amar Singh of Samajwadi
Party. How and where the
Sanjay Dutt with wife.
screenplay took a turn, as it
happens in film scripts, only
Sanjay knows? To make full
use of his stardom,
Samajwadi Party has decided
to hold free shows of not only
Sanjay Dutt starrers but also
those of his father Sunil Dutt
and mother, Nargis Dutt in
some of the cinema halls of
Lucknow. BJP’s response to
this will be worth watching.
hereas one agrees with
W Javed Akhtar himself a
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
an actor, on the personal fronts he
organises Special Olympics every
year for children suffering from one
disability or the other. He’s running
an organisation which looks after 5
lakh children! Laudable. He has also
bagged the Most Popular Actor
Award for his performance in Singh
is Kinng.
usic maestro A. R. Rahman has
M created history by becoming the
first ever Indian composer to bag the
golden Globe Award for his music in
Slumdog Millionaire directed by
Briton Danny Boyle. The film
revolves around Dharavi (Mumbai),
Asia’s biggest slum. Now that the
film has been nominated for an
Oscar in different categories
including music, Rahman’s chances
of bagging on Oscar have also
improved. Good luck, Rahman.
t is indeed amazing that a low-
Ibudget film titled A Wednesday
(cost Rs 3.5 crore) gave a tough
competition to lavishly mounted film
Jodhaa Akbar (cost Rs 37 crore) not
Music maestro A. R. Rahman.
only in nominations but also bagged
the same Best film Award in the just
concluded Nokia 15th Annual Star
Screen Awards. But the moot point
is, can there be two bests in any
competition?
hen both the hero and the
W heroine of the film, yes, Jodhaa
Akshay Kumar has a
golden heart. He is looking
after 5 lakh disabled
children.
Akbar have bagged the best actor
awards, how could the captain of the
team Ashutosh Gowarikar be left out
in the cold? He bagged the Best
Director Award. And rightly so.
veteran by now, Anil Kapoor has
A taken a global leap forward with
his performance in Slumdog
Millionaire as a TV host. After
reaping rich harvest of praise in the
USA. he visited a school in a remote
hamlet in Bharatpur, Rajasthan,
since he is the brand ambassador for
the NGO supporting the cause of
female children.
trendsetter! A style icon! And an
A ace actress! A perfect combo of
talent and style! Is Kareena Kapoor
the queen of Bollywood! Besides
back-to-back films that are keeping
her busy and in the news, Kareena
is the only actress that top
companies are vying for their brand
endorsements. The A-list companies
want Kareena as their brand
ambassador. Brand Bebo endorses
as much as 12 brands at a time
which itself speaks for her success.
She has had a string of hits like
Chameli, Dev, Omkara and finally
she managed to win everyone's heart
by performing great in Jab We Met
sweeping away all the awards. The
Rotary Club recently honoured
Kareena with the Vocational
Excellence Award for being the
youngest achiever of the film industry
by Bansi Dhurandhar Dist. Governor
RI Dist. 3140.
Bebo has already started the new
year with a bang. She will receive the
India Today Woman Award, 2009 for
her contribution to the world of art
and cinema..And guess who is she
gonna receive the award from? Well,
none other than Erin Brokovich! Erin
Bro is an American legal clerk and
environmental activist.
Bebo is not only the highest paid
but also the most in demand actress
with her line -up of prestigious
movies coming up like Raju Hirani's 3
Idiots, Rensil D' Silva's next
(produced by Karan Johar),
Kambakkht Ishq (the most awaited
film of 2009), Main Aur Mrs Khanna
and Agent Vinod . Name it and
Kareena has it in her kitty, whether it
is a list of A-grade projects under big
banners, huge endorsements or
modelling assignments, the actress
is making hay while the sun shines!!!
hile Hrithik Roshan has bagged
W the Best Actor Award for
essaying the role of Akbar in Jodhaa
Akbar, Aishwarya Rai bagged the
most popular actor (Female) Award
for her performance in the same film.
anna know how film-maker
W Rakesh Roshan may have hit
upon the title Kites (making brisk
progress) for his son’s starrer.
Rakesh has a fixation for titles
beginning with the letter ‘K’. Proof?
A few of his earlier films are:
Khudgarz, Kaho Na Pyar Hai and
Krrish. Kites also stars American
beauty Barbara Mori and Kangana
Ranut.
aima Sen, the granddaughter of
R legendary Bengali beauty and
actress Suchitra Sen will soon be
seen sharing space with Amitabh
Bachchan in Teen Patti being made
by Leena Yadav.
Abhishek with wife Aishwarya Rai – winning laurels.
86
Hrithik Roshan bagged Best Actor Award
in Jodha Akbar.
hile on Amitabh, one cannot
W help wondering how he has
been left out in the Nokia Screen
awards. His daughter-in-law Ash has
bagged the Most Popular Actor
(female) award and son Abhishek
shares the award with John Abraham
for their performance in Dostana.
Couldn’t he be considered for a
Lifetime Achievement award, or does
he think he’s rather young for that
award?
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
ollywood's charming and dimpled
B beauty Preity Zinta celebrated
her birthday recently…but in a unique
way. Preity has always been known
to lend a helping hand to social
matters. This time around too she
had a list of priorities ----she will
support a campaign called Light a
Billion Lights where one can sponsor
electricity to a whole village in India.
This electricity will be generated by
using solar energy. This campaign is
the India's first 24 -hour Greenathon
where one can sponsor electricity
through solar energy. She also feels
that we as citizens of India should
stop thinking about social matters
and start implementing them in our
own way rather than depending on
others. One major problem she feels,
is that as citizens of Mumbai, we
need to confront the problem of
illegal immigrants especially after
Slumdog Millionaire, Mumbai or
rather India will be portrayed as a
slum altogether. She also wants to
sponsor education to underprivileged
children.
ne can well imagine how thrilled
O Dharmendra must have been
when he inter-acted with the
Rotarians during his recent visit to
Jaipur. When he was talking to them,
a few young Rotarians started
dancing and singing his song from
Pratigya: Jat Yamla Pagla Deewana.
t’s indeed good news that Tabu, the
I winner of a National award, will be
back to Mumbai, albeit temporarily,
to work in Tips’ Toh Baat Pakki. The
film is a romantic comedy to be
directed by Marathi director Kedar
Shinde.
t is the need of the hour today to
Ifight back terrorism by spreading
the message of peace and non-
violence to one and all. With this in
mind and also in honour of Gandhi’s
death anniversary, Shemaroo
Entertainment added to its History
Series a DVD titled ‘The Path of Non-
Violence – with Mahatma Gandhi and
Nelson Mandela.
This title features documentaries
on Gandhi and Mandela, who have
been the unanimous messangers of
peace and non -violence. Shemaroo
has exclusively licensed this content,
from American Institute of Education,
for release on the home video format.
eil Nitin Mukesh (the grandson of
N singer Mukesh, of Awaara Hoon
fame) who made quite an impression
in Johnny Gaddar is surely forging
ahead. He’s working in many films
including Yash Raj’s film New York.
He recently shot for the film in New
York with Katrina Kaif.
jay Devgan has moved
A home…..Well, no
permanently…but the actor has
not
shifted base to his farmhouse in
Karjat for a brief period of time. Ajay
who is shooting for Vipul Shah's
London Dreams at the ND Studio in
Karjat, thought it better to remain
closer to the location. We wonder if
Salman Khan also plans to do
somewhat the same considering his
little abode is not too far away in
Panvel.
Hrithik Roshan probably wished
he himself owned a farmhouse in
Karjat, which would have spared him
all the hectic (and expensive)
chopper tours during his shooting of
Jodha Akbar.
ove thy neighbour… that is
L the new mantra for the year
from NDTV Imagine.--- from
Friday to Sunday every week
at 9:30 p.m. as NDTV Imagine
and Shah Rukh Khan’s Red
Chillies Idiot Box presents
Ghar Ki Baat Hai, an irreverent,
roller-coaster ride of humour,
fun and interesting takes on
everyday life. Ghar Ki Baat Hai
marks the debut of Red Chillies
Idiot Box on to the small
screen.
ill now one had only heard
T about cat fights between
two actors especially when it
came to the lesser species. But
there's some maha female
bonding happening between
Nandana Sen and Amrita Arora
on the sets of Seasons
Greetings. In fact, Amrita reminded
Nandana of Goldie
Hawn. "Amrita's oomph brought
Goldie Hawn's earlier roles to my
mind. Amu is totally chilled out and
fun to work with--and not at all like
the imperious diva she plays in the
film! As for me, I play this simple girl
–next- door whose nose is buried in a
book, but she has an open heart and
an uncontrollably wild side," said
Nandana Sen.
o work professionally as a
T composer and singer may be
easy in words but not many could do
it as well as Mithoon Sharma, the
power behind *'Maula Mere Maula'*
from *Anwar* and *'Aadat'* from
*Kalyug*. The wiz kid started
composing and arranging at the ripe
age of sixteen and today, at twenty
two he is almost on the threshold of
releasing his first non-filmy music
album--- Tu Hi Mere Rab Ki Tarah
Hai with T Series' Gulshan Kumar.
Mithoon says, "Tu Hi Mere Rab
Ki Tarah Hai is my first full-
fledged non-film album as a
composer and singer. Mithoon
has always been crossing
boundaries in quest of good
music; he now has gone all the way
Neil Nitin Mukesh is making waves
in the film industry.
Ajay Devgan
shifted closer
to the location
for the
shooting of
‘London
Dreams’.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009 87

Mugdha Godse is in filmy ‘Jail’.
to the United Kingdom to rope in
musicians! Mithoon has worked with
musicians of the famous
Philharmonic Orchestra.
ugdha Godse is completely
M focused on her next film 'Jail'
opposite Neil Nitin Mukesh directed
by mentor Madhur Bhandarkar.
The leggy lass' effortless debut
performance impressed everyone
including the director so much so
that he cast her again in his
forthcoming film Jail.
hahid is an enthusiastic bike
S lover…..recently he got himself
a new bike. Not many know that the
younger icon of India got this bike
only after his parents allowed him to
do so. And for that he had to assure
them that he would ride safely!
"Shahid loves biking. When he
was shooting with Ahmed Khan for
Ishq Vishk Pyar Vyar, Shahid would
go with him for long bike rides along
the Western Express highway. And
now, he has gifted himself a new bike
but only after his parent’s approval.
Shahid's new bike is a midnight
black, air cooled, sportsbike with high
torque speed and 1670cc machine,
costing around Rs. 15 lakh..He chose
black as he doesn't like anything
bright, flashy and over the top but
rather classy, understated and subtle
88
Shahid loves sports bike.
stuff. He is very possessive about it
and insists on cleaning it himself,” a
close friend revealed.
Recently, he was in the capital to
announce his association with one of
the biggest brands-- Pioneer. Says
Shahid, "I have always felt the need
to attach myself to brands that
exemplify the core values that I try to
live up to in everyday life - growth,
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
innovation, professionalism and
touching people's heart."
ctors never like being asked what
A their dream role is because it's
so hard for them to choose just one.
But ask Sophie right now and pat
comes the reply. She is dying to play
the role of Noor Inayat Khan .Sophie
says she is incredibly inspired and
moved by this story .Considering
Sophie has lived and studied in Paris,
has even done a thesis on women in
the French resistance and is very
passionate about this role, which she
has studied in depth, we think she
would be fantastic for the part
…..Quite frankly we couldn't think of
a more perfect lady to play the spy
princess. (We hear Shyam Benegal
is planning to make a documentary
and seriously thinks he needs to
look no further than Sophie to play
Noor).
ikram Bhatt rang in his 40th
V birthday (Jan 27) with his
daughter Krishna. A source close to
the director said, "It was Krishna's
surprise treat for her father. She had
organised it out of her pocket
money. The two had a private dinner
at Sun N Sand." Krishna had lovingly
arranged for Vikram's favourite
dishes. On his birthday, the gifts that
Vikram has been flooded with are
Ganpati idols and the Bhagvad Gita.
"I am on spiritual journey and all my
friends have gifted me an idol of
Ganesh and the Bhagvad Gita. They
want me to take sanyas," he laughs.
hemaroo Entertainment
S launched ‘Rhyme Time in
Toyland’ DVD at the Toddlers
Activity Centre (TAC), recently. Raell
Padamsee, veteran theatre
personality and actress Perizaad
Zorabian unveiled the DVD, along
with Ananya Vij, the child actress of
the film.
Children and parents from the
Toddlers Activity Centre were present
at the launch and enjoyed the
screening of the film, followed by a
unique Musical Minis workshop
conducted by TAC.
– Deepak Puri & Sudha Hariharan.

FLAUNT
IT WHEN YOU HAVE IT
inally a website that attempts
F
to break age old adage ‘You
have it. You flaunt it.’ to
widen it to ‘You have it more.
You flaunt it better’ Bringing
this thinking to life
is a revolutionary portal,
www.overweightshaadi.com.
Brainchild of two sisters, Aditi
Gupta and Megha Singhal,
overweightshaadi.com is a humble
attempt to help the plus sized find
their life partners.
Obesity previously seen essen -
tially as a western phenomenon has
caught up with India as well.
Go to any typical Indian household
with a girl of marriageable age and
you will find that all her aunts and
family members would be pestering
her to ‘lose’ her weight if she wants to
get a good match for herself.
So is it impossible for the
overweight to find their ‘happily ever
after?’
“Not any more!” Says Aditi Gupta,
founder of overweightshaadi.com a
matrimonial portal that promises to
deliver king-size romance to the
overweight men and women.
With this belief emerged
overweightshaadi.com, targeting
thousands of plus size
people who are hard
pressed to find their life
partners. Launched in
October 2008, this
website has brought 500
people all across the
globe in touch with each
other leading to two
pairings.
The response has been
overwhelming. From Delhi to
Mumbai, UK to USA and from UAE to
Brazil, overweight people from all
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
The concept
of beauty
is no longer
weighed down in
our country,
despite your
being stout and
sturdy.
across the globe are warming up to
the idea of finding romance online.
Registration is free for everyone.
Using this basic membership,
members can create their
overweightshaadi.com profile and
upload their photographs. They can
be online in minutes and can search
for suitable profiles and express
interest in them. For more facilities,
premium membership options are
available. Premium members can
send personal
messages to other
members and view
their validated contact
numbers as well. “Veri-
fication of members is
very important,” says
The site has equal
number of registered
men and women. “If
not all women are size
zero then not all men
have eight pack abs
either. The problem is
the same across both
genders. When they register on our
website, their weight is no longer a
stigma. That's why people ranging
from plump to obese register with
us,” says Aditi. We
89
 f your flame of passion has
I
decreased to a few burning
embers: don’t get discouraged
because even a little spark can
REJUVENATE become a bushfire. The truth is
however much you love your
1
husband, wife, the long-time
monogamous couples fall into a
situation where lovemaking can
become stale. But being in
twenty-first century with lots of stress
and so many temptations and
titillations around you have to jerk
yourself to keep the sexuality of your
relationship alive.
The spirit of adventure and
experimental attitude could make a
person look around to fantasise or...
(lose him/her). Before you face such
a situation you must understand that
intimacy being together overtime
makes lovemaking satisfying but
takes away the mystery unknown and
you slip into lazy cosy comfort zone.
Lovemaking becomes a routine: a
Saturday night special are a quickie
now and then the same bed, same
music, the same song and dance.
Thus, the excitement of making love
withers away.
You have to devise new ways of
making love and bring mystery of
unknown of the initial time of
YOUR
SEX LIFE
A seven-step
makeover to perk
up your intimate
love-life.
By Aruna Anand
lovemaking in your relationship
(when just got married) when both of
you had expectation, eagerness and
excitement. So to revive the same,
we suggest seven-step makeover to
perk up your intimate love-life.
To keep the love and relationship
alive between two people Kahlil
Gibran says, “Let there be spaces in
your togetherness and let the winds
of heavens dance between you”. So
very right by the deliberated space
created between couples makes the
hearts grow fonder – the conscious
decision is to deny sex for a certain
period (decide mutually), otherwise
no is a very strong word – so make
sure no one of you feels rejected,
cold – shouldered or unappreciated.
Otherwise you will be heading in
different directions. Instead of just
saying no you can offer sensual
alternative to intercourse. i.e. “No, but
I would like to kiss you.” “No, but I
would really love lying with you and
talking.” The idea is to say no with
love.
There is a huge difference
between when you don’t have sex by
choice and when you face the sexual
denial. In the first incident it will go
unnoticed, so it doesn’t matter but
when it is denied it has the power to
enhance the sexual excitement and
feeling of desire and love. When you
are longing for your partner it is a
very emotional state of mind.
Abstaining from sex for some time
augments passion and by the time
denial period is over the excitement
and anticipation reaches its peak to
light up your sexual fire with fresh
verve and enthusiasm.
Sex is supposed to be romantic and
sensuous. Concentrate on your
sensations, feel the pleasure of
touching each other all over.
Caressing, kissing are some of the
ways to excitement. And explore the
areas which have maximum
passionate possibilities. Even if you
feel it is funny don’t bother but make
sure you don’t laugh at each other.
Rather laugh with each other. It
good initiators and stimulators during
the sexual sessions but some of oils
can create holes in the condoms.
Check or replace the condom before
final insertion.
If imported sex-toys are being
used always soap-wash and clean
them before your passion-play to
protect yourself from the seminal and
vaginal fluid left on the toys during
your previous session.

2
would be fun because sex in fun you The lubrication gels and creams
In long-term relationship, sex needs should enjoy it, love it. used during the act can cause

extra effort to keep it new, so use
your imagination. Don’t assume that
since you have partner you can stop
grooming yourself. Exercise to keep
yourself in shape and dress nicely.
Your feel-good hormones will keep
you healthy and happy. For special
nights with your partner think what’s
your attire tonight: sexy lingerie, dirty
talk, moans and groans. Purpose is
to tease and please each other.
French knickers, G strings, lacy
garments are some of the things to
5
Teasing your partner while
touching can really boost the desire
to have more and more You can
tantalise at every step of the sexual
session, savour each sensation of
your body to get optimum pleasure.
Titillation could be oral or manual, the
aim is to stimulate. Don’t hurry up in
the frenzy of your desire to move on
fast. Take time, go slow, very slow.
While teasing each other you will
come to know your pleasure points
allergies to your internal body parts if
the chemicals don’t suit the skin.
Have a patch test, apply little
lubricant on the forearm or inside of
your elbow. Leave it on for an hour, if
there is any adverse effect i.e.
itching, redness or brightening of the
skin avoid the use of this cream. Go
ahead and enjoy if it agrees with your
skin.
It is always better to play safe
rather than facing any discomfort
after having great sex.

7
put you in mood. One idea could be and moan zones which would give
to wear any beautiful dress on top of you the monogamy advantage for Now comes the time to
your sexy inner garments. Start your better sex life. interconnect and enter. An American

foreplay with clothes on as the
passion fever rises, peel off your
clothes or remove each other’s dress
to reveal the natural you. You could
devise new ways to make your
sexual pleasure a delight to keep the
feeling of ecstasy pulsating.
6
sex researcher says, “Mostly couples
No doubt everyone is getting more close their eyes which blocks out the
and more conscious of the final sensations but the enjoyment
temptations and flirtation available all gets manifold stirred if the partners
around and ready to explore and get blindfold each other turn by turn.”
adventurous in bed. India has given Kama Sutra to the
Whatever type may world. The erotic sculptures

3
be your relationship long
Create an ambience to heighten and steady or the
your sexual urge. Soothing atmos - shorter one. Hold on a
phere to erase stress can be moment and find out the
developed with satin sheets, candles, do’s and don’t about
aroma potpourri perfumes, flowers using different props
feathers to tickle, chocolates, ice during you sexual
creams, honey, erotic movies are session.
some of the things which can pump Ice creams, choco-
up the libido. Perfumed massage oils, lates and honey, etc.
vibrator are said to be great soothers offer great fun and
and exciters. Soft music playing in stimulation during the
the background and candle-light foreplay of your passion
dinner could be your beginning point – session. Sprinkle – lick
so just don’t despair anymore, or smear-lick off or just
experiment with all these props and tease-eating provide
get started with your passion play with exciting sensation.
lots of imagination and sexual dreams. But be careful, never
of our Ajanta Ellora and
Khajuraho caves are still
relevant in the world of
YOU HAVE TO pleasure. Skills of
DEVISE NEW seduction reveal the
forbidden desires.
WAYS OF And what you desire
MAKING LOVE you cannot resist. Once
your sexual desire is
AND BRING reawakened your fantasies
MYSTERY OF come true to pleasing
UNKNOWN satisfaction. You don’t have to be
OF THE INITIAL fully guided by the Kama
Sutra postures. Follow your
TIME OF heart and mutual
LOVEMAKING comfortable position.
Don’t get hooked to one
IN YOUR

4
Don’t get into wham-bam-over
routine of sex. Intercourse should not
be the only goal between couples.
stuff anything eatable in posture of making love,
the vaginal tissue and RELATIONSHIP. experiment and play
cause bacterial infection. with different styles and
Massage oils are the angles. We

Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009 91

 About the artist
Name: Biplab Biswas
Born: 12 July, 1957 (Kolkata)
Education: Diploma in fine arts in
1980 from Indian College of Art and
Draftsmanship under Rabindra
Bharati University.
Teacher’s training of art in 1981 from
Calcutta University.
Solo shows
2006: An exhibition of paintings at
Lokakat Art Gallery, Delhi.
1997: Technology, Pilani, Rajasthan.
1987: Britania Engineering Company,
Kolkata, in 1987, Academy of Fine
Arts, Kolkata.
1982: Exhibition of paintings at
Academy of Fine Arts, Kolkata.

Group shows
2007 at Shanta Art Gallery, Delhi. ABSOLUTE NARRATIVE
through faceless dimensions
2006-07 at Krishna Collection Art
Gallery, Delhi.
2002 at Lalit Kala Academy,
New Delhi.
1979-80-82, at Academy of Fine
The artist believes that
Arts, Kolkata. “art and time are synonyms with each other”.
1979-82-84, at Birla Academy of
Fine Arts, Kolkata.
By Our Correspondent
India Habitat Centre, Lodhi Road, ine-drawn lines, graphic The ‘women without a face’

New Delhi
Awards
1978 : Annual exhibition in Indian
College of Arts & Draftsmanship,
Kolkata.
Workshop: Painting woodcut etching
linocut organised by Birla Academy,
Kolkata.
Lokakat Art Gallery, Delhi.
Participation
1980-90 : All India Fine Arts Annual
Exhibition, Kolkata.
1980- 90 : Birla Academy of Fine
Arts, Kolkata.
Experience
15 Years illustrations work, lots of
magazines, papers, calendars, etc.
Collections
Indian Oil Petroleum Corporation
Jeevan Beema Nigam Office, Kolkata.
P.D. Advertisement Agency, Kolkata.
Monar Hotel LImited, Kolkata.
Bangalore, Haryana, Vadodara, Ujjain,
France, Delhi, Kolkata, Mumbai
F
linearity, realistic touches
etched by the lines, give the
art works of Biplab Biswas a
resplendent outlay, couched
at times, in an arousal of
curiosity. After all, what is it
that these images of men and
women, so close and yet so
severely demarcated by
dividing lines, are trying to convey?
The answer lies in a voyage of
discovery, about the portrayal of
femininity, under the guidance of
Biplab Biswas.
What is the essence of thought
that lies behind your
varied portrayals of
feminine forms, since they
range from front-face
depictions to faceless
creations?
I am drawn towards
womanly forms in art, but I
portray them with incomplete
facial features, or even
totally faceless forms.
depictions evoke mythical goddesses
of matchless beauty who today
become epitomes of the contemporary
Indian woman. The more angular and
direct portrayals are pictorial and
relate to a rural construct.
What about the woman of
today, living in our cities and are
mothers, daughters, sisters and
wives?
These are symbols of domesticity
and become powerful metaphors,
sometimes tweaked to create
mirages of bliss and satisfaction,
whose actual plight is hidden in the
folds of the mind’s eye,
and which can be
unearthed only through a
tryst with romanticism.
What do you actually
want to portray by
making the woman
figure in your art an
emblem of romanticism?
Without being romantic
Femininity relating to a rural construct.

Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009 93

himself, no artist can draw heart-
touching, soul searching, natural
paintings. An artist must have a
strong visualisation, as well as a soft,
sensitive heart. To bring in all these
diverse elements on the canvas is
what is meant by romanticism,
according to my understanding.
In more conventional terms,
nature is regarded as the cradle of
romanticism. Does this view relate
to your concept of womanly
romanticism?
Of course: nature is itself a great
artist. In the manner of a great artist,
nature has been drawing great
sketches on the canvas of this earth
and filling it with marvelous colours.
Just see the composition of the
clouds; the shape of trees; the peaks
of mountains and the curves made
by the wind on unending sand dunes.
Finally, come to the woman in this
surrounding and you will realise that
she is a symbol of matchless
craftsmanship divine. She is blessed
with a number of virtues, like
tolerance, creativity, passion,
innocence, beauty and a sense of
humour, too.
You seem to be transfixed to a
time of mythical belief about the
creation of our earth. How do you
depict the fast pace of our world
of today, when you are transfixed
with notions of romanticism,
womanly virtues and so on?
For me, art has no time limits. In
fact, art and time are synonymous
with each other. An artistic creation
tells you about the moment of its
creation. A deft artist captures and
visualises the exact moment of
creativity on his canvas and if one
sees the work very carefully, one can
imbibe that inner feeling captured
momentarily, through one’s own
feelings, moods and sensibility.
Tell us something about your
works in the context of your
philosophy.
Painting is a divine experience
and through it I portray my strong
imagination. I have not chosen a
specific medium. My works are in
realistic, semi-realistic and non-
realistic figurative styles. I have not
limited myself to paintings. I do
sculpting also. I am inspired by the
feminism very much. In almost all my
paintings you can almost witness a
little touch of feminism.
When did you first discover
your artistic talent?
Sorry, I am unable to recall it.
How do you choose a subject?
I draw my subjects from real life
and events happening around me.
Sometimes, I get ideas in my dreams
also.
Tell us something about your
struggle.
I don’t know what it means and
how to do it. I think there must be one
definition of struggle. Look, you do
your work with your best effort and
leave the rest to viewers. If you are
an artist, you struggle till the end of
your life.
How do you see yourself
progressing in this field?
I pour my creative thoughts out on
canvas. My fans come and buy it at
my price. I am happy with that. I do
not aspire to be a great artist, but I
want to leave a mark on the
enchanting world of art. I feel I have
lived well if I have touched your soul
with my creations and that alone is
the driving force and goal of my
artisticity.
Who is your inspiration?
Anything or any work well crafted
or attractive is my inspiration. It can
be the marks left on the shore of the
sea by its swirling water. We
 n a first look, Bhaskar Singha’s
CATCHING

I
canvases wear a soft, gossamer-

AIR
like imagery, that transform visual
structures into relationships
between nature and woman. For
him, the woman in his art works is
the symbol of nature and nature in
the works is a way of depicting the
many manifestations of the air WITH A
BRUSH
around us. In his personal
contention, the air that influences our
lives, is not ‘seen’ by the naked eye.
But each one of us feels the air,
particularly its power, when it
manifests itself as a violent storm, a
cyclone or even a gentle breeze. In An artist who
all these forms it mirrors the feelings
of a woman, he feels, the feelings
depicts characters
that range from fear, violence, or
sheer joy, evident in the form of
from films of a films of Satyajit Ray’s classics, as the
basis of his art. Productions like
breeziness. Adding to the air of world-renowned Charulata and Apu’s Sansar hold
mystique that envelope his canvases special meaning as Apu grows from
is Singha’s use of colour. The light movie-maker. boyhood to manhood in a series of
blue merging with vermilion, the his canvases. These aspects of
sinuous forms, the emblematic lotus By Our Correspondent vibrant imagery and translucent
and the ascetic garb of the monks, colour applications have made his
enhance this overlay. Life seems to works acquire a sensibility that few
emerge from behind a tracery of others can achieve on their
dragonfly wings, where texture and canvases.
colour applications cease to be Excerpts from an interview:
technique and become a way of You chose Satyajit Ray’s
expressing the narrative behind the movies as you subject. Are’nt you
painting. scared of critics?
In yet another metamorphosis, Everyone takes inspiration from
Bhaskar Singha has used somewhere like landscape,
contemporary cinema, particularly the construction, feelings and other
 Resisting a violent storm to save himself from any harm coming his way.

96 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009


sources. If one mulls over
an excellent film-maker’s
movies and works on the
characters from the
movie, then what’s wrong.
I don’t think my work is
criticised in a wrong way,
and I don’t fear the critics.
Critics are essential, but
must be fair as well.
Excerpts from an interview:
How were you
attracted to art?
I got art naturally in
inheritance. My father was an
amateur artist. In tiny
childhood days I would do
carvings on wood after
returning from school.
While most of my friends
used to play on ground I
played with wood and wall.
Later, I started drawing
and putting exact
dimensions of the things
that I liked to put on paper
with the help of pencil and
sketch pen. As my aged
relatives say I was master
in depicting anyone with
feelings on paper. Later, I
received art education
profe ssionally from
Rabindra Bharti University
in Kolkata.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
Your works you say, are
energised by air. How do you
personify air in your work?
Air is life. It is power and much
more powerful. It gives life and can
also ruin existence. I took air as the
theme of my works. In my paintings
you can clearly see how man resists
violent air in order to save himself
and go ahead. My paintings also
imbibe fire and rays. These are all
forms of energy. When they are
normal life flourishes. But
massiveness of air, fire, rays creates
a calamity and destroys life. It has a
great message for society.
Another set of works is on
characters in Satyajit Ray’s movies.
What angle in these inovies
inspires you to work on them?
Mr Ray’s movies and the actors
of those movies are excellent. The
world knows it and has seen it. But
only a few people work on them.
Artists take inspiration from some-
where. Some take it from a woman
running down the street, and some
from a child playing in mud.
I took my inspiration from
Charulata and Apu, who runs away
from her home to see the train
passing by the very first time in his
life. The expression is distinct
uncommon. So I portrayed Apu
with my brush.
Besides painting what else do
you do?
I am a teacher, a father and a
husband. And these all are important
as well. I teach fine art in DAV School
in Delhi and many subjects to my
children at home.
What is on the easel taking
shape for the future?
I have a plan to do an enthusiastic
work on Gurudev Rabindranath
Tagore’s short stories. I am fond of
Gurudev’s literature and willing to
give visuals to them. It is my dream.
But the coming days are for my ray
based works to be released. The
Exhibition of my paintings is
scheduled at Studio Vasant, Hauz
Khas Village in Delhi, from 23 to 29
March, 2009. We
97
 About the Artist
Name: Harish Srivastava
Phone: 9811560442
Qualification: Graduated from
Meerut University, National
Diploma in applied art from
College of Art, New Delhi, 1970;
art master’s training from College
of Art & Crafts, Lucknow, 1960.
Solo Shows
Sridharni Gallery New Delhi-1973;
Taj Gallery Bombay 1990; Juneja
Art Gallery, Jaipur in 2001;
Krishna’s Collection & Art Gallery,
New Delhi in 2000; Jehangir Art
Gallery Mumbai-1985, 86, 87;
Dhoomimal Gallery, New Delhi-
1989; Aurobindo Gallery, New Delhi.
Indo-Russian at Russian Centre
THE MAESTRO OF
New Delhi-1999. Bajaj Gallery,
Mumbai-2003, LKA, New Delhi-
2003; Nehru Centre, Mumbai-2003,
P.S.K. New Delhi-2005, Greenwood
Art Gallery, New Delhi-2006, Indo-
MOUNTAINSCAPES
Korean Artists Exhibition at An artist’s tryst with nature. By Puja Sharma
AIFACS-2006 and many shows...
All India Sr Artists Camps at f you’ve never had a chance to sense of joy and pleasure to the

Patna, Port Blair, Patnitop,
Hyderabad, Maharani Bagh,
S.K.Parishad, Dhoomimal City
Gallery, Art Mall Orissa National
Camp 2008
Awards
National Awards of LKA in 1980;
AIFACS, New Delhi, 1983; All India
Exhibition of Shilpa Kala Parishad,
Patna, 1981; All India Exhibition of
Orissa LKA in 1980, Annual
Exhibition of Sahitya Kala Parishad,
Delhi, 1986; Sr Fellowship by Deptt.
of Culture – Government of India.
He is ex-deputy sec. (prog.) of
LKA, ND., ex-asstt. Sec. of S.K.
Parishad, ND., ex-vice president,
India – Soviet Nikolai Art Club, New
Delhi.
I
visit the lofty mountains, then just
make it a point to visit a showing
of the works of artist Harish
Srivastava. This eminent artist
has perfected the art of making
mountains in such a spectacular
manner, that the original
Himalayas, after which they are
fashioned, begin to pay a
thumping salute to his creativity. For
decades now, this leading master of
Indian art, has been having an ‘affair’
with the Himalayas. His everlasting
romance with the mountains is as
much as 35 years, starting off with
his first exhibition in Jaipur, which set
critics on the roll and which made him
an instant favourite with the art-loving
public.
The magic he creates amongst
the ranges is worth appreciating. The
oil painting of Harish Srivastava
conforms to his special feelings and
attachment for the mountains, as
they vibrate with bright shades. Both
as a painter and as a human being,
he seems to be fascinated by the
majestic beauty of the mountains.
The beauty of the panoramic
views are enchanting and create a
eyes, with their juxtaposition of
colours like greys and blacks, with
reds and yellows, and also greens
and lemon. His palette is clean. He
does not use a wide pallete, as most
of the colours are repeated on
different canvases. Such a controlled
palette allows him to have a unified
experience. There is controlled
energy at work since each stroke
finds its rightful place in the overall
appearance. Despite this rigour
executed during the work, there is no
hint of a limited ambience in the
mountainscapes.
The forms that appear in the
paintings convey the movement in
the art works to the viewer. It can be
seen in the snow as grey and white,
or the rippling waves of the sea in
light and darker blue shades, the
deep shades of brown for the land.
His strokes overlap in a particular
movement and sometimes,
interruptions in the motion are also
visible. He uses fresh colours spread
over large areas resulting in the
forming of sweeping lines of
mountain peaks. The red at the
bottom areas of the landscapes is a
Woman’s Era
●
March (First) 2009
99
Magic in Mountains – The range by Harish Srivastava.
 altogether.” He further says, “I visit
hill stations to draw a sketch of the
mountains and ambience around
them and then return home.”
Even at this age he devotes at
least four to five hours daily in the
very dramatic contrast to it. early mornings to his work. He says
The water colour technique of his the more he works the younger he
earlier years is unique in the sense feels as it gives him new energy and
that he maintained the transparency satisfaction in life. He has guided
of the colour and managed his many upcoming artists in all respects
texture variation with deft handling of and included them in camps, shows
the wash technique. and exhibitions co-ordinated by him,
Harish Srivastava’s love for the providing them with a platform in the
mountain is so deep that one can field of art.
fathom a mountain view even in an His advice is to keep working to
ordinary conversation with him. He get along in this field. Some day, he
says: “The mountain with the yellow assures, a day of perfection will be
hue looks different at noon, while the felt by the pursuer of art. Presently
same mountains with the sun setting he is working as a co-ordinator of Art
behind them give a different view Mall in Delhi. We

100 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009


I am a married, 30-year-old woman
with two children. My husband is
34 years old. I am a full-time home-
maker.
We have a big house and some
months ago, I got the idea of letting
out the front portion to a tenant. I
then found a woman who wanted a
portion such as we had to offer.
The woman was attractive, warm
and friendly and frankly told me that
she had left her husband because he
beat her. She said that she was a
fashion designer and that she would
open a boutique in the hall opening
onto the street.
I let her have the portion and she
promptly paid me a year’s rent in
advance. But I am now regretting
what I did because my husband has
fallen head over heels in love with
our tenant.
He often went to visit her in her
boutique and even started helping
her in transporting materials, etc.
Finally, he told me that he loved her
and that he was going to try and get
her as his mistress.
When I created a scene and
reminded him about his children, he
gave in and told me that he would
never talk to her again. He also told
me to tell the woman to leave.
I am heartbroken and am not sure
whether I can ever trust my husband
Q
I am 30 years old and I had an
arranged marriage six years ago.
My husband is a good man and we
get along well.
Last year a man of about my
own age was transferred to the
branch where I work. We became
friends and soon I realised that he
had fallen head over heels in love
with me.
Now I find myself being drawn
to him. No, I am not in love with him
and I know that my husband is a
better man in every way.
But I like the feeling of being
loved! I have no children. Should I
divorce my husband and marry this
man?
again. But I feel that it is unfair to ask
the woman to leave when she has
paid me in advance and has spent a
lot of money setting up her boutique.
What should I do?
Your anguish is understandable,
but you have to get on with your life.
You may take a long time to learn to
trust your husband again, but you
have to give him a chance for the
sake of your children and because
you are not financially independent.
Again, though your husband might
have the best of intentions as far as
forgetting the woman and being true
to his family is concerned, it is better
that he doesn’t face temptation. So
speak to the woman and tell her the
truth. She may then herself think that
it is better to leave. However, she
may also refuse to leave on the
grounds that she has paid you in
advance and spent money setting up
her boutique. You can then do
nothing except keep an eye on your
husband. You should also provide
him with a loving family atmosphere
so that he is not tempted to stray. Be
friendly with the woman if she stays
so that she stays loyal to you.
I am a Muslim girl aged 22. In our
community it is common for cousins
to marry and since I was a child I was
told that I would marry a cousin who
is five years older than I am and who
lives next door to my family. As a
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
QA &
Since you had an arranged
marriage, you didn’t enjoy the thrill
of falling in love, realising that the
man you loved, loved you, being
courted, receiving a proposal and
dreaming of married bliss with the
man you loved. This is why you are
being carried away by the love this
colleague has for you.
You say that you don’t love this
man and that your husband is a
better man in every way. Will you
then give up a better man for a man
you don’t love and cause an
upheaval in two families, just for the
high that being loved romantically
gives you? Think it over and take a
mature decision.
result, I fell in love with him as I grew
up. I declared my love for him to him
four years ago. At that time, he told
me that he loved me too and that he
would marry me when he was settled
in life. But since then, he has had
many girlfriends and written them
passionate e-mails and met them. I
know this because I know his
password and access his e-mail
account when he is not at home.
When I confront him he always
apologises and says that he will not
have any more girlfriends, but when I
go into his email account, I invariably
see sexy and passion-filled mails.
My cousin continues to say that
he will marry me. But I am not sure.
Should I tell his mother (my aunt)
about his affairs and ask her to get us
married right away?
Parents make a very serious
mistake when they put ideas about
love and marriage into young and
impressionable minds. It is probable
that you and your cousin “fell in love”
only because you were told that you
would be getting married. In your
case the love was deeper, perhaps
because you were younger than your
cousin, but in his case, the “love” was
brought about by a sense of duty
rather than by true attraction.
This is why your cousin is
behaving like any man of his age
would and has girlfriends whom he
is attracted to. There is really nothing
wrong in his behaviour.
101
 QA &
You must accept that your cousin
is not really in love with you, at least
at present. He only says that he will
marry you because of a sense of
family duty. You should not complain
about him and force him into a
marriage because it may then not be
a happy one.
Instead, stop nagging him and go
on with your life. Study, pursue your
interests and work if you want to.
Leave marriage for the future –
whether it is marriage to your cousin
or to someone else.
I am 25 years old and am in love with
a man slightly younger than I am. We
plan to get married. My problem is
that this man is very lazy. He has a
fairly good job and though he claims
to be ambitious, I do not see him
working harder than is necessary or
planning how to achieve his
ambitions.
I myself am hard-working and
ambitious and I don’t think that I can
be happy with an indolent man who
does not try to achieve anything in
life. What should I do? Can I change
this man?
People can and do change, but it
is usually because they want to – not
because someone tries to make them
change. So do not pin your hopes on
changing this man and making him a
dynamic achiever. You are more
likely to make him angry and
resentful.
This means that you should not
continue your relationship unless you
can accept him as he is. Only then
can you both be happy. Of course,
this does not mean that the man will
not wake up and change – perhaps
that will be when he has the
responsibility of a wife and child.
Click
Yo u r P e r s o n a l A g o n y A u n t O n l i n e
102
My seven-year-old son has great
difficulty with writing and spelling,
though he seems to understand
things all right. He also has a very
short attention span. His teachers are
fast getting fed up with him. Should I
change his school? The attitude of
his teachers is having a negative
impact on him.
Unless your son’s problems with
writing, spelling and concentration
are dealt with, changing schools will
not help. Your son may be dyslexic
because dyslexics have the kind of
problems he is having. So get him
assessed by an educator who has
specialised in this area. All our
metros and big cities have centres
for dyslexics and your paediatrician
will be able to help you find a
specialist. If he is diagnosed as
dyslexic, your son will need special
help either part-time (before or after
school) or full-time (leaving school for
some time) to sort out his problem.
He can then proceed with his
education. Many great and
successful people were or are
dyslexics. These include Einstein and
Tom Cruise. So don’t worry.
I am 23 years old and I tend to get
obsessed with whatever I become
interested or involved in, whether this
is cleaning the house or playing
computer games. I feel that I am
wasting my time. What can I do to
get over this habit of mine?
People who become obsessed
with things generally have a
psychological reason for doing so.
So, do some introspection and see if
there is anything which is causing
you pain or fear, making you feel
inadequate and incomplete or giving
you a sense of loss. This could be
Powered by
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
something that happened in your
childhood. If you understand what
this is and come to terms with it, you
will stop obsessing about things.
If you are not able to do this on
your own or you feel that your
obsessions are growing stronger, you
need to see a counsellor or
psychiatrist.
My father is very domineering and I
have always had a problem with this.
When I was a child and teenager I
got angry but kept my feelings to
myself out of respect for him. But
now I am 27 and have a good job
and I am rebelling much more. As a
result we have huge fights.
I am engaged to get married (it is
a love marriage) and my mother tells
me that since I am a woman, I must
learn to control my tongue. Now I
have suddenly become scared. What
if my husband turns out to be like my
father?
Since yours is a love marriage,
surely you have got to know your
future husband well? Or have you
been seeing him through rose-
coloured spectacles because of your
love for him?
If the second is the case, take a
deep breath and try to see your
fiancé as he really is. See how he
deals with disagreement and whether
he always likes to have his own way
whether it is choosing which movie
to see or which cuisine to have on a
date. If you decide that he is
domineering, talk to him and then
take a decision on whether you want
to go ahead with the marriage.
Remember that it is a proven fact
that girls tend to choose men very
like their fathers while men tend to
choose wives like their mothers.
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 CAPITAL
Ch i t - C h a t
A CULTURAL OFFERING Giuliano Modarelli is an eclectic
guitarist unique in his style. Giuliano
with and comfortable with each other.
Quite different to this performance
FROM ITALY is a guitarist of modern times who was the solo dance performed by Dr
The world of music and perfor - went through many different types of Ileana Chitaristi. She is a classical
ming arts does not acknowledge music: from Western Classical to Indian dancer and did an Odissi
boundaries. When the India Inter - Rock. Having studied Jazz at performance at the Epicentre in
national Centre and Italian embassy university, he went on to develop Gurgaon. Ileana is a Padmashree
cultural centre got together for a through the Indian classical tradition and a doctorate in Eastern Mythology
fusion of Eastern and Western music studying under the renowned sitarist and Psychoanalysis.
it was expected to deliver some great in UK, Dharambir Singh, Indian She has been living in Orissa
result. The Giuliano Modarelli concert classical maestro Buddhadev since 1979 and is a disciple of
saw four musicians come together. Dasgupta and Pratyush Bannerjee. Kelucharan Mohapatra. In the past
Guitarist Giuliano explored a new His unique style is a subtle blend of few years Ileana has performed
dimension with collabor ation of World Folk, Arabic, Flamenco, Latin almost at all major festivals in India
santoor maestro Sandip Chatterjee, and Eastern European. His breadth and also in Italy, Argentina, Poland,
the renowned mridangam artist, Sri of knowledge and soulful improvis - France, Germany, Holland, Denmark,
N Shankar and the highly ation make him a musician well worth Malaysia, Hong Kong, Japan, USA,
accomplished tabla player, Soumen listening to. The hall was full of music Australia, Israel, Canada and South
Sarkar (disciple of Pandit Anand lovers showed their appreciation and Korea. In Bhubaneswar Ileana is
Bodas). The evening was full of for once the Western musician was imparting training in Odissi and
sounds of Jazz, Mediterr anean prepared for the in between Chhau dances to local as well as
flavours mixed with sounds from appreciation of ‘wah…wah...’ rather visiting students in her own institution
North and South India. then waiting for the official end before ‘Art Vision’.
Lleana Chitaristi performing Odissi dance.
breaking into a round of applause. Her commitment and
Incidentally, Giuliano Modarelli understanding of Indian classical
has collaborated for music for famous dance is praiseworthy and she has
films including the latest of James her own dedicated fan following.
Bond’s Quantum of Solace and Mira It is easy to find Indians promoting
Nair’s film Little Zizou. Ghosh is also Indian art in its pure traditional form
composing for a mystery thriller in but when one sees a foreigner doing
Hindi based on a Sherlock Holmes it with commitment and panache it is
story – so these people are familiar indeed a proud moment.

104 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009

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Valentine Mania.
VALENTINE FEVER
Even as political goons beat up
young girls who are in the pub and
threaten to disrupt the events of
Valentine by harassing young lovers,
the fever of Valentine is not to be
ignored. Though not so old in the
Indian cities, this celebration of young
love has really taken off.
Literally every restaurant and
every hotel has been offering special
deals, musical events and other ways
to entice the business of youngsters
and mature revellers alike. Shopping
malls have had their foyers decorated
with red and white balloons and other
festivities like loud live bands are
there to take money out of your
pockets.
Probably in the end it becomes
less about celebration or love and
more about consumerism as one is
expected to give expensive gifts and
declare one’s love. People forget that
Valentine is not just about love
between a boy and a girl but
also love and respect to your
teachers or others where the notion
of sex does not even enter the
equation.
Film stars like Kareena Kapoor
and Saif Ali Khan whose love story
is more public than private have been
on record to say that in their busy
lifestyle the Valentine Day is just
106
another day and they do not
plan anything specific or special, but
for the common public the pressure is
on to impress their ‘love’ with
expensive goodies.
An innovative idea came from F
Bar & Lounge in Ashok hotel where
they began the celebrations on 13th
night, just before midnight and for the
Valentine day special cover was
declared for young lovers who could
not get away in the evenings due to
curfew or choice and could enjoy an
afternoon with their special friend
while the DJ belted out the love
songs and dance numbers of
Bollywood. Anything for earning that
extra buck!
AVOCADO OIL
LAUNCHED
IFOWS is an annual show for food
and beverage lovers in Delhi, and of
course trade people to decide what to
import in India. In the last few years it
has been beverages and food items
like olives, olive oil and many other
delicacies that have now become
available in India. In the past they
have had gala dinners and gourmet
safaris that have provided immense
pleasure to food lovers of Delhi. This
year the show, held in January, was
smaller due to many cancellations
following the Mumbai terror attacks.
However, it is not often that one
finds a brand new product. This year
Launch of Avocado oil in India on
IFOWS platform.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
they had the first ever presence of
Avocado Oil from South Africa.
Avocado is technically a fruit but is
considered a vegetable when it
comes to enjoying it in salads or
sauces. The production of edible
avocado oil is not that old even in
South Africa.
The company Westfalia in South
Africa has mango and avocado
orchards. They have been exporting
the oil to cosmetic companies in
Europe and America for the last few
years – almost 80% of their
production. However, the edible oil is
not only delicious when enjoyed with
crispy bread it is healthier than many
other edible oils, almost at par with
olive oil. Except it has one advantage
over the olive oil too. As its burning
point is a lot higher than olive oil, it is
more suited for Indian style spice
tempering and deep frying without
breaking the oil.
Apart from cooking in it, the oil is
being infused with other essential oils
making it perfect for salads and
other uses on boiled and
braised food – meats and
vegetables alike. Currently they
are infusing it with basic oils
like garlic, chillies, basil,
Mediterranean herbs and
lemon. As a gourmet cook you
can even combine any two to
make your own cocktail.
Technically, the avocado oil is
cholesterol free and is a natural
source of Beta-Sitasterols
which have a lowering effect on
LDL cholesterol and effectively
reduces the risk of heart
disease. When delicious taste
is combined with health
benefits, any product is bound
to be popular among health
conscious housewives.
Currently, the oil availability
is restricted but Indian
importers are negotiating terms with
the company and it might soon be
available off the ordinary stores’
shelves, just as olive oil has become
so popular.
Interestingly, the company also
has sundried mango strips which was
very like the home made ‘aampapad’
except it had no added sugar and
that made it a healthier option.
Hopefully, some importer will show
interest in these two as they make
delicious snacks with low sugar and
can be added to salads as well.
FREEDOM AT MIDNIGHT
– RE LAUNCHED
When a book, non-fiction and
covering an important subject like the
freedom of India and subsequent
partition is a complete sell-out it is
time to relaunch it with pomp and
show. This is easily achieved when
the author of the book is as erudite
and vocal as Dominique Lapierre. He
was present in Delhi for this re-
launch, accompanied by his
charming wife. Not only did he
sportingly sign all the copies bought
that evening, he shared his memories
with the select august crowd. And
what memories they are!
Imagine meeting people who
created history, not just the Indian
Author Dominique Lapierre with wife in
Delhi on the re-launch of his book
‘Freedom at Midnight’.
political figures like Gandhiji or
Nehruji, or even Indira Gandhi and
others but people like Mountbatten.
Apparently just before he undertook
writing of the book Dominique had
the chance of talking in detail with
Mountbatten who invited him over to
his place and Dominique got to see
all the paperwork that Lord
Mountbatten had kept. It seems that
every official and unofficial event that
Mountbatten attended he kept the
official menu of the event. The first
one was of his own baptism which he
could not probably have remembered
but there it was with all the others.
Lapierre then recounted the lunch
he had with Sir Cyril Ratcliff who was
the man responsible for drawing the
line of partition between India and
Pakistan and how after lunch they
went into the kitchen and Sir Ratcliff
washed the lunch plates. Definitely a
change from his life in India,
when he would have been like a
royalty, waited upon by dozens of
servants.
Many years after partition,
Dominique Lapierre also met the
brother of Nathuram Godse, the
assassin of Mahatma Gandhi. He
wanted to re-enact the day and
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
activities of the day the
assassination of the father of
India. Lapierre said he did not
know how the keeper of the
Gandhi memorial would react but
was amazed how the Godse clan
considers Nathuram as the real
hero and still keep the shirt he
wore when he was executed.
There is a sense of surrealism in
narration like these. Personally, I
just wish there were more
photographs in a book such as
this. But, it must have been
difficult to select even the ones
that are there – the first official
pictures of independent India and
Pakistan and of the famous one
of 1931 Round Table Conference
where Gandhiji arrived in his
dhoti and cotton shawl to later
comment on the ostentatious
dress of King George V to say,
‘The King was wearing enough for
both of us.’
The sense of humour when one
finds it is macabre but it is real, these
are the days when India was torn
apart. Before the birth of Pakistan
and in the following weeks the
mayhem both countries faced has
been described in a somewhat non
emotional but real way by this French
writer.
Often one can feel the urge to
stifle a sob, wipe a tear or just feel
angry at how cruel the politics and
petty desires of individuals killed the
spirit of people and paved the way
for legacy that continues till date
between India and its neighbour
Pakistan. Talking with Dominique
Lapierre is like talking to a library of
events, his memory is crystal clear
and he does not fumble for words
either when speaking face to face or
when he is at the mike. Even this
evening, everybody hung on to his
every word and few would have
complained or desired food or drinks
while he talked. As for the book
published by Vikas and priced at
barely Rs.425/- it is surely worth its
weight and 750 odd pages. Prices of
books in India make it easy for us to
not only read these books but
possess these gems of literature.
– Sona Sharma.
107
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 A lot of
questions
can be asked
about the past
performance
of Sheila
SHEILA’S FIVE YEAR
PLAN IN
NEW INCARNATION
3
his period is very crucial for
rd

Assembly on 28.11.08 gave a

T
Delhi. Sheila Dixit’s 3rd term
Government? shall be very eventful as the
Common Wealth games will
What about her be held in 2010 and their
success shall depend upon
third term? Sheila Dixit’s astute planning
in reshaping Delhi for the
By K. M. Sharma games. Metro shall be
entering in its 3rd phase of
implementation. Delhiites may
witness extensive reconstruction
programme wherein it is quite
possible that trees will be denuded,
useful marshland may be encroached
upon, nature’s gift greenery may
vanish. So any environmentalist will
have an hawkish eye on such
developments. There shall be lot of
exhilarating activities in the times to
come.
The election results of Delhi
surprise mandate to Sheila Dixit to
rule over Delhi for 3rd consecutive
term for 5 years. Such results in
favour of Congress inspite of the
preceding unusual and anarchic
prevailing circumstances before
elections like Mumbai terrorist attack,
skyrocketing prices and disturbed law
and order problem, etc., exposing the
total failure of the government, came
as a bolt from the blue. Everybody
expected a non-Congress
Government as a natural corollary of
people’s complete disenchantment
with the Congress’ questionable
governance. But the fact is that
Sheila Dixit’s government being in
power could manipulate the purchase
of the slipping victory by doling out
various populist measures one after
the other, just before elections.

110 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009

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 It is nothing but bribing the voters. east Delhi has been given compete
Why the Government preferred to facelift (her son’s constituency)
remain silent all the 41/2 years? Has popular scheme etc., etc. It is her
the government thoughtfully own assessment no doubt, but many THE ELECTION
calculated the financial implications
of these fanciful schemes which will
people don’t accept it and I am one of
them. I have however touched here
RESULTS OF DELHI
be requiring a huge financial outlay. some critical aspects of her rule in ASSEMBLY ON
From where this huge amount
resulting in several hundred crores of
10 years affecting the life of the
common man quite adversely.
28.11.08 GAVE
rupees shall be arranged as the Transport policy: As such there A SURPRISE
population of such beneficiaries MANDATE TO
are in lakhs? Whereas the
government feels reluctant to SHEILA DIXIT TO
increase the pension on amount RULE OVER DELHI
of ex-army men who have
sacrificed their lives for the sake FOR 3RD
of the country. These ex- CONSECUTIVE
armymen were on hunger-strike
at Jantar Mantar Delhi to press TERM FOR 5 YEARS.
the government for the increase
in their meagre pension. Does it
not appear shameful for a
democratic government to
become so insensitive to the cause of
the armymen? Simply because their
vote percentage seems to be
insignificant to the overwhelming
number of jhuggi dwellers.
If we recount and recapitulate the
unpraiseworthy days of Sheila Dixit
government during 1st and 2nd term
we can easily conclude that she has
immensely contributed to the
destruction of the peace, tranquillity,
grandeur, culture and heritage of this
beautiful city. Once a peaceful and
manageable city has now been
transformed into a mega city badly
As such, there is no transport policy of Delhi Government.
governed, shockingly stinking,
dangerously polluted, lamentably is no transport policy of Delhi comparatively higher. These buses
unsafe for ladies, where influx of Government. Everything looks are plying on selected routes with
population remains unchecked, hotchpotch. As usual, blue line buses irregular time table and are in league
where people cry for far from the have claimed their 10th victim. In with blue line buses.
maddening crowd”. Everywhere in 2008 the figure was 200, in 2007 it From the nodal points, these
the city we find a jostling crowd was 298, so on and so forth. Even in buses in the group of three start
consisting of interstate migrants from the face of the public outcry Sheila simultaneously and consequentially
Bihar, UP, southern states, illegal Government did not phase out these run half-full. The report about these
migrants from Bangladesh, Pak, buses on one pretext or the other. In low-floor buses is very adverse
Nepal & various other countries. This a span of 10 years she could not including my report. They are not as
city is vunerable to all sorts of manage any alternative and viable spacious as DTC buses. The
terrorist activities and shadow of proposal for their phasing out standing capacity in these buses is
terrorism always looms large over programme. Somehow the killer only for a line and there the
this city. She, however, fought this buses are on the roads and shall passengers can’t cross without their
election with full emphasis on the remain so. Now the government in a clothes being torn or buttons
development work done by her. She hastily formulated policy ordered low- dislocated and dress spoiled. They
asserted, “I have transformed the floor buses of green colour non-air carry lesser number of passengers.
face of this city by making lots of conditioned with the ordinary fare and As the engine is on the back side so
flyovers, giving red light-free travel, red colour A/c buses but their tariff is the temperature in the bus increases

112 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009

 FACELIFT AND
Dr. Vijay Kakkar
M.S, M.ch, F.I.C.S
NECK-LIFT
How does the face age?
As we age, our skin loses its
elasticity and gives in to gravity. This
causes sagging of the neck and jaw
line as well as loose folds of skin
around the mouth. Some people may
also develop fatty collections under
the chin, and others get thick cords
under the skin of the neck. Today,
men and women in their 50s and 60s
are healthier, more active, and more
productive than ever before.
What can a facelift achieve?
A facelift can reverse many
features of the ageing face and neck.
The most dramatic improvement is
seen in the jawline and the neck. A
facelift may be combined with other
procedures to help maintain facial
balance and harmony.
Before After
Before After
After adequate tightening of the
deeper layers, the skin is redraped
and excess skin is carefully trimmed
and meticulously sutured along the
incision lines. This results in
improvement of the laxity of the
jawline and contour of the neck.
Where exactly are the facelift
incisions made and how visible
are they?
Facelift incisions are carefully
placed within the natural creases in
front, within, and behind the ear. After
adequate tightening of the deeper
structures, excess skin is removed
from both sides and the incisions are
carefully repaired. The finest sutures
is used for closure of incisions, which
in most individuals will usually fade
to a barely visible thin line.
Before After
What is the best age to have a
facelift?
One of the biggest questions our
patients ask is about timing of this
procedure. Some worry that if they
have the procedure too soon they
may want to repeat it again later in
life, while others worry that if they
wait too long they may be beyond
help. Most of our patients coming in
for face and neck-lift procedures are
in their late 40s to late 50s. They
have started to show early sagging
of the face and neck and are trying to
be proactive about maintaining their
youthful appearance. Typically, face
and neck-lift procedures can set back
the clock by about 8-10 years.
Although aging will continue, you will
always look better for your age than if
you had not had the surgery. Face
and neck-lift procedures can be
safely repeated in 8-10 year intervals.
What is a deep-plane facelift?
It is ideal for most individuals in
their late 40s or older who wish to
have a long-lasting improvement of
their ageing face and neck. The
procedure involves a thorough
tightening of the sagging muscles of
the lower face and neck, and can be
custom tailored to the specific needs
of each person. The recovery time for
a deep-plane facelift is the same as a
mini-lift or S-lift, and bruising is often
less, since the work is being
performed at a deeper level. This
type of facelift may also be combined
with other facial procedures such as
blepharoplasty, brow lift, or laser
resurfacing.
What is a mini-lift or s-lift?
An S-lift or mini-lift is a technique
of lifting the face with limited incisions
and minimal skin removal. Patients
with relatively minimal laxity (typically
early to mid 40s) may be good
candidates for this procedure.
However, because of the limited
incisions and more conservative
tightening and skin removal, this
technique is not as effective as a
deep-plane facelift for rejuvenation of
more advanced sagging of the lower
face, jaws, and neck. Most
individuals in their 50s and 60s with
more advanced laxity are therefore
not good candidates for this
procedure as they will not receive the
lasting benefits of a facelift. Because
of its relative technical ease and
minimally invasive nature, the S-lift
or mini-lift is popular among many
non-surgeons who perform plastic
surgery.
What is a ‘weekend lift’?
This procedure allows the sagging
neck tissues to be tightened through
a very small incision under the chin.
Excess fat can be removed and
neckbands can be improved.
Because no skin is removed, there is
no need for incisions around the
ears.
Dr. Vijay Kakkar
M.B.B.S, M.S, M.ch, F.I.C.S
Is a Senior Consultant plastic and
cosmetic surgery with
Max hospital and Mata Chanan Devi
hospital, New delhi.
Email: kakarclinic@hotmail.com
Mobile:0-9811079483
in summer beyond tolerable limits
which is most uncomfortable feature
of such buses. These buses are run
by DTC staff and they have not shed
the dirty DTC mentality i.e. allowing
the passengers to board from the exit
door and allow them to stand there
creating hurdles for outgoing
passengers. Driver’s seat is just near
the exit door but still he does not
check the passengers. They stop the
bus on request at a spot away from
the designated bus stop. In Singapore
and other advanced countries buses
run in proper discipline giving
passengers a joyful ride. But Delhi
has yet to develop such a civilised
culture for a bus journey.
But the irony of fate is that, Delhi
Government has ordered for 2000
such buses. As far as passengers
convenience is concerned, these
BRT corridor proved to be killer of the commuters and the pedestrians.
buses shall prove to be a nightmare.
It is advisable for Delhi Government
to get the correction in their design
with body as large as DTC buses.
Sheila Government would be taking a
wise decision if the huge orders for
further buses is cancelled outrightly.
Three wheeler menace: Three
wheelers in the city are an important
mode of transport to ferry people to
different destinations far and near in
the metropolis. Sorry to say that this
vital sector is most indisciplined,
114
exploitative and abusive of all
regulations and rules and also the
terms of their contract agreement. In
a way they are not out of control of
the government’s controlling
authority, be it transport authority or
traffic police. They don’t fear any
The public at large is most fed up
with autowalas.
complaint against them by
passengers either for overcharging,
refusing to go, tampering with the
electronic meters. Either no action is
taken on such complaints by the
authorities or any action if at all taken
is so diluted with light punishment or
mere a reprimand which has no
salutary effect on these autorickshaw
owners. The public at large is most
fed up and they are nothing sort of
menace in the city. It is generally
seen that passengers normally settle
the fare to be charged before hiring
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
the auto, because everybody knows
that they deliberately will not charge
by meters or else the tampered
meters generally show the inflated
fares. Mrs Sheila Dixit‘s government
in her last two terms obliged these
recalcitrant and errant autorickshaw
owners by revising their tariff
schedules more than threefold. As a
result, they have become
expensive and out of reach of an
average citizen. She has miserably
failed to discipline them and protect
the interest of the public. This is a
sad commentary on the part of the
government.
BRT corridor: This BRT
corridor is the concept of Sheila
Dixit’s government. It has become
controversial and is proving to be a
curse for Delhiites. It has proved to
be another killer of the commuters
and the pedestrians. This has also
proved to be a nightmare for the
people who happen to pass through
this corridor and who happen to
negotiate the failure of this system
and the experts have already
questioned its wrong designing of
space thrust on the road because
such a corridor is unsuitable to Delhi
commuters with a different mindset.
Crores of rupees have already
been pumped into this hastily baked
scheme but she is adamant to
continue the project. The confusion
on the BRT issue is not just confined
to the roads but also the minds of its
planners. Now there is a news that it
would be remodelled by a London-
based agency. We await with bated
breath the next plan to get the BRT
up and running. The irony is that
VIPs and government officials don’t
like to obey BRT corridor rules and
their vehicles have a free run in the
lane meant exclusively for buses and
this lane can only be used by public
service vehicle on emergency duty
such as ambulances, firebrigade and
police vans on duty. It is not
understood as to why she does not
abandon this nasty corridor and
maintain the status quo.
Yamuna cleaning: Day in and
day out the residents of Delhi are
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reading about the dangerously
polluted Yamuna river and lamenting
their fate as Yamuna river is the
helpline of Delhi, being its sole water
supplier. It is no more a sacred river
but a “ganda nallah” wherein most
polluted water flows which is a
source of many diseases for those
who take bath in it or use it in
different ways. No doubt, various
schemes have been launched with
fanfare to clean Yamuna with
budgetary allocations of hundreds of
crores. A period of 10 years for a
government is not a small period to
clean Yamuna River. What is the
result? Yamuna is as polluted as it
was and the entire budgetary funds
have gone down the drain. After all,
where this huge allocation has gone?
Can anybody clarify it and enlighten
the public with some statistics?
Instead of cleaning Yamuna,
government departments are guilty of
polluting Yamuna river deliberately.
Huge clusters of Jhuggis of Bangla
Deshis at Yamuna Pushta was the
major source of pollution of Yamuna.
Even now while going to Noida one
notices thousands of Jhuggis right
from Ring Road – point up to the red
light of Mayur Vihar on the river bed
on the river side. Are the government
authorities behind this perennial
problem of Yamuna pollution?
Amazingly, Mrs Dixit has not made
any promise or given any assurance
in her election manifesto to carry on
vigorously Yamuna cleaning
programme. So it can’t be predicted
whether she would be able to clean
Yamuna in the next five years which
are at her disposal.
City’s condition: There is
Most polluted water flows in Yamuna!
116
absolutely no doubt that the condition
of Delhi has deteriorated so fast and
so much that it has reached a
suffocating point. I was born in this
city in 1932 and since then I am
witnessing the changing phases of
this city which is most cruelly
trampled upon with lopsided
development and unmanageably
increasing population. In the late
evening one can see the layers of
pollution engulfing the entire city.
Even visibility becomes poor. Delhi
being a very dirty city does not
deserve to be the capital of India.
Foreign dignitaries and tourists treat
this city with much disdain and feel
frightened even to drink its not-so-
clean water. Everyone in Delhi has
installed Aqua Guard or any other
water-purifying device. Lesser
privileged people drink direct from tap
water which is heavily and injuriously
polluted.
This unfortunate city has been
developed and expanded by people
themselves. Encroachers are never
punished, on the contrary they are
rewarded for encroaching on
government’s precious land.
Indiscipline has been injected into the
veins of general public. Has Mrs Dixit
or her son (MP) ever taken a round of
this city and seen for herself/himself
how much mess has already been
created? Wherein ladies are not safe
at all and gents are killed due to any
reason. Road rage kills people, blue
line kills the people and adulteration
kills the people as if killing spree is
going on unchecked. Delhi Master
Plan 2021 and various notifications
hastily worded issued by the
government to circumscribe the
court’s order for sealing and
demolition of unauthorised construc-
tion and encroachment, etc. have
played havoc with the city and
emboldened them to engage in
unauthorised activities.
Safety of women and elderly:
The daily increasing incidence of
rape, molestation and killing of the
ladies in Delhi has proved beyond
doubt that Delhi is most unsafe city
inspite of the fact that C. M. of Delhi
is a lady herself. Her lament always
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
DAY IN AND DAY OUT
THE RESIDENTS OF DELHI
ARE READING ABOUT
THE DANGEROUSLY
POLLUTED YAMUNA RIVER
AND LAMENTING THEIR
FATE AS YAMUNA RIVER
IS THE HELPLINE OF
DELHI, BEING ITS SOLE
WATER SUPPLIER.
Safety of women always a question
mark in Delhi.
is that police deptt is not under her
control, so she can’t do anything to
control the law and order problem
affecting the ladies. It is a lame
excuse and an alibi to cover up her
administrative ineffectiveness.
Madam, what about those
departments which are already under
your control? Even foreign lady
tourists who travel to Delhi alone are
not at all safe. There have been
numerous cases when such tourists
have been raped, looted and killed.
The reason may be anything but it is
C.M. who is to be blamed. C.M. can
exercise her influence over Police
Department and carry out a joint
regulated programme ensuring the
safety of the womenfolk. But nothing
concrete has been done and the
danger is looming large on ladies all
the 24 hours. They are molested in
overcrowded buses, in the busy
markets and in localities. Their
chains, earrings and mobiles are
snatched daily in every nook and
corner of the city and they can’t
defend themselves. They are afraid
of coming out of their houses in the
late evening and at night. It is an
irony that ladies have cast their votes
for her.
Similarly, elderly couples (single
as well as with spouses) are soft
targets and are murdered
mercilessly. They are made to die
before the natural death comes. Can
Sheila Dixit explain as to who is
responsible for their safety? Has she
opened reasonably good old-age
homes where old people can live
safely and comfortably without any
hassles, no matter if they are
charged tolerably boarding and
lodging expenses. Such old homes
are urgently needed to rehabilitate
the lonely and home-troubled elderly
people. She can very well tie up with
corporate houses as a joint venture
to establish old-age homes. She will
be getting good wishes from such
elderly people. In fact, she would be
doing a great humanitarian job.
She has a full-fledged Minister of
Social Welfare and under him runs a
THERE IS
ABSOLUTELY NO
DOUBT THAT THE
CONDITION OF
DELHI HAS
DETERIORATED SO
FAST AND SO
MUCH THAT IT HAS
REACHED A
SUFFOCATING
POINT.
118
big social welfare department with
huge financial allocations. This
department runs various social
schemes like “ran basera” “Juvenile
homes, Nari Niketan”, etc. In fact, the
working of these schemes are a
blatant waste of money. There is lot
of corruption in such projects, their
maintenance is pathetic. It is much
better that such schemes are
discontinued as early as possible.
Their allocated funds can be utilised
in other fruitful welfare and
development programmes.
Forever social welfare Minister Mr
Yoga Nand Shastri asked the general
public to lift samples of food stuffs of
suspected adulteration and get them
tested at designated laboratories.
Alive magazine dated November - 08
with a full-fledged article denounced
such a move of Mr Yoga Nand
Shastri and advised the minister to
tighten the indifferent working of his
“Inspectors” who are solely
responsible for the large-scale
adulteration in food stuffs rather
exposing the public to lot of risks.
The result is that adulteration is so
rampant that you can’t get even
poison unadulterated. Is the removal
of adulteration on war footing
somewhere on the agenda of Mrs
Sheila Dixit in her 3rd term?
Health services: Health services
conducted by Delhi Government are
woefully inadequate. The condition of
government hospitals and
dispensaries are far from satisfactory.
Generally, medicines are not
available in the hospitals. Patients
are supposed to purchase medicines
from the open market which are very
costly because government has
imposed 12.5 per cent vat on
medicines, even on life-saving drugs.
Even medicines sold over the counter
like digene, disprin, etc. have also
become costly. In other words, if you
become victim of any serious ailment
and if you have no money to afford
costly treatment you are destined to
die an untimely death. Is this our
welfare state? It is alleged that milk,
fruits and food supplementaries
Health services conducted by Delhi
government need to improve.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
meant for free distribution amongst
the patients in good hospitals are
rarely distributed to the patients as it
is distributed (looted) by hospital staff
among themselves including Drs and
nursing staff: Xray machines and
other testing machines are usually
found out of order creating problems
for the patients.
The conditions of the hospitals in
the capital are so appalling that
people prefer to go to private nursing
homes where they are also fleeced.
But the level of treatment is decidedly
better. I can hardly give
3 out of 10 to such health services.
As she is very fond of going abroad
on one pretext or the other she must
visit Cuba and see for herself what a
really good health service is practised
in Cuba for all its citizens and then
implement the same in Delhi.
Pollution, both noise and air in
Delhi, is taking its toll on the health of
citizens, which has increased beyond
tolerable limits. Even CNG
introduction has not brought any
relief to the city. Govt’s pollution
control department can be charged
with the dereliction of its assigned
duties. The author of this article is a
victim of this pollution as in Model
Town a full-scale pollution creating
trading and industrial activities of
unauthorised auto mechanics are
going on unabated. All reports to
remove such illegal auto mechanics
to police or MCD has fallen on deaf
ears of concerned authorities. Will
Sheilaji investigate these illegal
activities of auto mechanics who are
working on roads and footpaths and
don’t obey even court orders?
Illegal Bangladeshi migrants: As
per latest estimates, there are more
than 12 lakh illegal Bangla Deshis
residing in Delhi. Does Sheila
Government not know the presence
of such a large population of Bangla
origin in the capital? If yes, then what
drastic measures has she taken to
dislodge these dangerous Bangla
migrants. Before this she is also
answerable to the public as to how
these Bangla migrants got ration
cards, identity cards, entry into voters
list? Some of them even have pan
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cards and passport as Indian
citizens. Can she deny a complete
collusion of her govt’s departments
in facilitating these illegal Bangla
Deshis for their stay in Delhi and
enable them to cast their votes which
contributed substantially to her
present victory.
Their settlements in Jehangir Puri,
Madan Gir, Okhla, Seema Puri, etc.
are always an eye sore to the local
bona fide citizens. They have beaten
the police teams as and when police
entered their settlements to catch a
criminal or any wanted person. But
government would not retaliate to
teach them a lesson and round them
up for deportation or take any
criminal proceedings against them.
They indulge in all sorts of organised
crimes and government could not
check their menace by religiously
following vote-bank politics. They are
threat to the security of the country
as they tend to act as the local
modules for the terrorists across the
border, either Pakistan or Bangla
Desh. In such a scenario can India
ever be able to control effectively
terrorism with so many “Chhipay
Huae Gaddar” in the country?
Educational policy: The situation
on educational sector is far from
satisfactory. The condition of schools
is the clear index of any govt’s
educational policy. Her Govt has also
failed in this important sphere. The
condition of most of the schools is
irritatingly bad. Many schools are still
being run in tents with no proper
facilities. The schools which have
their buildings are in no better
position. Many buildings need
repairs, water coolers, working fans,
good furniture and proper sanitation.
It is well known that most of the male
teachers run their private business
and somehow manage to remain
absent from school and their allotted
periods are taught by proxy.
Adverse reports are daily pouring
in that there is lot of corruption in the
midday meal scheme. Stale food is
usually provided to the tender
students resulting in food-poisoning
cases, ill-health and lot of other
physical complications. Ingredients
120
used in the preparation of meals are
very sub-standard and of defective
and expired quality. Educational
authorities are very insensitive to the
health and growth of these students
and they not only deserve full
condemnation but should be
punished exemplarily. Is Madam
listening? Lady teachers are
thoughtlessly put on election duty in
remote areas. School students are
made to stand in scorching summer
or chilled winter for any or every
government-sponsored function. A
cruel practice indeed! Selection
grade (APC) has not been given to
many teachers (especially ladies)
even after the completion of 24 years
of service on one pretext or the other.
In other words, the educational deptt
lacks transparency in its working and
suffers from bureaucratic snobbery.
In fact, education directorate should
have a personnel department to
handle staff-related matters on more
scientific lines instead of being run
on personal whims of officers.
Multiple enactments: Delhi
Government under Mrs Sheila Dixit
shows lot of enthusiasm to enact
various laws to prove that her
government policies are very
progressive and keeping pace with
the times, if not moving ahead of
time. But their implementation is far
from satisfactory. Anti Smoking Act
in public is such an act which the
people don’t bother to obey. You can
find people smoking everywhere
including Sheila’s own office and the
rate of punishing the violators is
negligible. Similarly, recently an order
prohibiting the use of plastic bags
under Environment Protection Act
1986 has been issued by Delhi
Government. It is a good sign that
Delhi Government has banned plastic
bags. The ban follows Delhi High
Court order based on justice R. C.
Chopra Committee report.
The problem with plastic is that
they are durable and degrade very
slowly. The ones above 40 micron
are better. To make it effective
legislative measures would not be of
much help because in our country the
compliance law is not only lax but
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
THE CONDITIONS
OF THE HOSPITALS IN
THE CAPITAL ARE SO
APPALLING THAT
PEOPLE PREFER TO
GO TO PRIVATE
NURSING HOMES
WHERE THEY ARE
ALSO FLEECED.
deliberately avoided and the result is
that there is no noticeable change in
the situation.
Some years ago a law was
passed to ban throwing of litter on
road, footpath, near homes or
commercial places as they constitute
an offence punishable by a simple
imprisonment or a fine or both. But
what is the result? Zero. Delhi is a
stinking city with litters all around on
roads, near houses, near shops and
other places. Government authorities
are not bothered about the
implementation of this important law.
They have not even learnt from Delhi
Metro Management as to how such
an act can be implemented in all its
essentials. It is really creditable on
the part of Delhi Metro that its
stations and adjacent environment
remains spick and span which shows
that hygiene and sanitation are high
on the agenda of D.M.R.C. which is
totally missing with Delhi
Government. Will Mrs Sheila Dixit
constitute a committee to review the
implementation of the laws passed
by its government to make due
corrections? We
 5
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4. Make-up is highlighted with golden shimmer on eyes
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5. The make-up artist styling the hair.
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9. Right strokes of make up with luscious lipcolour add
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16. Fresh looks with soft make-up.
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 PROBLEMS OF
PELVIC
INFECTION
Often, it’s not just a backache that
affects a woman but much more.
By Dr S. N. Khosla
elvic inflammatory diseases
P
are the commonest cause of
morbidity and poor health in
young women of child-
bearing age. A great
percentage of women
coming to the clinics with
poor health and vague
abdominal pain suffer from it.
Often, these unfortunate
women are treated for vague
abdominal symptoms and pain in the
back. It is a frustrating experience for
any woman when she finds that
despite extensive medication there is
no relief and in many women the
symptoms get exacerbated.
Pelvic inflammatory diseases
assume significance because of not
only producing immediate suffering
124 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
but also long-term complications like
sterility in a young woman. These
may be defined as inflammation of
the genitalia due to infection either
introduced from outside or by
infection ascending upwards from the
cervix and vagina.
Of the various causes responsible
for producing pelvic infection, the
commonest is injury to the genital
organs during delivery when this
becomes infected. Though this
incidence has been considerably
reduced due to the use of better
aseptic techniques at the time of
delivery, in a great number of women
who are delivered by local untrained
dais in villages, the incidence of tears
to the cervix with resultant infection is
very high.
 Another cause of severe pelvic
infections is the instrumentation and
unnecessary handling while inducing
abortions. Many times, the abortions
are induced by devious methods like
the introduction of sticks and
medicated tampons with the result
that infection of pelvic tissues results
in inflammation of the vagina, uterus
and fallopian tubes.
One estimate is that morbidity
following such abortions is at least
20-25 times that of legal abortions
and that incidence of pelvic infection
even with legal abortion varies from
one to 10 per cent depending on the
stage of the pregnancy and the
method employed for inducing
abortion. It cannot be denied that the
incidence of trauma and pelvic
infection goes side by side with the
stage at which the abortion is
induced, the longer the stage of
pregnancy, the greater is severity of
infection.
THE INFECTION RATE
Even when pregnancy has been
terminated in the first three months
of pregnancy with a vacuum
aspirator, the infection rate is one to
five per cent, while with D and C it
ranges from five to 10 per cent.
Though surgery is expected to be
done under proper aseptic
techniques, even in the best centres,
infection occurs while operating on
the pelvic organs. In this regard,
improper sterilisation of the operation
theatre and instruments, and
extensive surgery relaxation of
ordinary aseptic and antiseptic
techniques play an important role.
Of the various contraceptive
methods employed, intrauterine
devices act as an important source
of chronic infection of the female
genitalia, the IUCD helps the
organism in the vagina to travel along
it, causing a ready infection of the
organs.
It has been rightly pointed out that
the three P’s – the pill,
permissiveness and promiscuity –
are the root causes of pelvic infection
in women. Young girls who lead a
promiscuous life are more prone to
126
suffer from this condition. These girls
have a highest risk of developing
pelvic infections. A number of
organisms ranging from N.
gonorrhoea to trichomonos and
candida, etc. are known to be the
causative agents.
This risk is also higher in women
who use oral contraceptive pills,
especially those containing high
levels of female hormones
(oestrogens). Other predisposing
factors for pelvic infections are a
young age at first intercourse,
intercourse more than four times a
month and indulging in oral sex.
Sex during or soon after
menstruation is another important tubes and the peritoneum. Many
cause as in this case the natural times the female sufferer may remain
protective mechanism is already unaware of her infection till a long
broken and blood will provide a time passes and it is probably the
suitable medium for the organisms to resultant complications, which drive
grow. the woman to seek medical advice.
Unprotected sex and sex with Very often, the symptoms are non-
multiple partners puts a woman at specific. Pain in the lower abdomen
risk of acquiring sexually transmitted is by far the most frequent complaint
diseases and along with it, other along with low-grade fever there is
infections often. There is complaint diffused. Pain in the abdomen and is
of a foul- smelling discharge. When present generally in the lower part.
treating such women, men who act There is a vaginal discharge and
as vectors must also be investigated, there is itching in the region of the
examined and treated as these may genitalia and the adjacent skin of the
be the originators and perpetuators thighs. There is pain while passing
of chronic infection in the woman. urine. Frequency of urination is
Pelvic infections result due to increased and often there is urgency.
ascending infection from the vagina Low backache is one of the
lining of the uterus, spreading to the commonest distressing symptoms
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
 AN EQUALLY
IMPORTANT CAUSE
OF PELVIC INFECTION
IN WOMEN IS
GENITAL
TUBERCULOSIS
WHICH IS A VERY
IMPORTANT CAUSE
OF STERILITY IN SUCH
WOMEN.
besides referring to complaints of
vaginal discharge.
When genococcol and other
infections like trichomonos become
chronic, the patient besides having
low backache and vaginal discharge
(purulent) has not only low-grade
fever but also poor health and often
remains ill.
An equally important cause of
pelvic infection in women is genital
tuberculosis which is a very important
cause of sterility in such women.
Patients are mostly young in the age-
group of 25-30 years and the order of
involvement includes her tubes,
cervix, ovaries, vagina and vulva.
The tubercule bacilli cause infection
either via the blood stream or
lymphatics or by ascending and
descending infection from the
neighbouring structures where the
disease is present. These women
128
complain of persistent abnormal
vaginal discharge, menstrual
irregularities and abdominal pain.
Very often, it is sterility in a woman of
the reproductive age-group which
draws attention to the condition.
Vulvovaginal candidiasis
another common form of infection.
is
Candida is a normal inhabitant of the
vagina and its growth is kept under
check by the normal vaginal flora. But
it produces symptoms when a
woman takes antibiotics or is
immunocompromised as in diabetes,
HIV infections/AIDS. Pregnancy
exacerbates the condition.
THE SYMPTOMS
Symptoms are of a thick white
vaginal discharge with irritation,
frequently worse at night and before
menstruation. Candidiasis is further
worsened by bubble baths, light-
fitting clothes like jeans, vaginal
sprays and deodorants, and the use
of contraceptive devices like
diaphragms, spermicides and
IUCDS. Sufferers from candida
generally have pruritis and a thick.
White vaginal discharge that
resembles cottage cheese but is
generally odourless. There is often
soreness of the private parts and a
burning sensation when the urine
comes in contact with the vulva skin.
There is pain during sexual contact.
Most of the symptoms of candida
begin just before menses.
Another source of chronic pelvic
infection is the frequent use of jellies
and tablets for contraception.
Antiseptic solutions used for
douching are also responsible for
causing irritation and infection.
An important factor to be
considered in a woman with pelvic
infection is the organism,
trichomonas vaginalis which involves
women in all age-groups, more so in
adult women irrespective of their
social status. Many times, the
infection is introduced by the male
partner who may be harbouring the
organism in his prostrate or posterior
urethra. A woman who suffers from it
generally has a frothy, greenish-
yellow discharge and this is
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
responsible for severe itching in her
private parts.
In sum total, pelvic infection in
women are contributed by several
factors. Infection is generally caused
by a number of organism and many
often coexist in the same person.
Women who have been subjected to
surgical procedures with inadequate
sterilisation, abortions, medical
termination of pregnancy or use of
contraceptive devices and those who
indulge in permissive living, are the
ones who are likely to fall prey to
chronic pelvic infections with
resultant morbidity.
Most of the sufferers come with
low-grade fever, backache,
abdominal pain, difficulty in passing
urine, vaginal discharge and poor
health. Diagnosis is not difficult if
these complaints in any woman are
kept in mind. It should be made on
the history the sufferer gives and
further tests like urine plus culture
and ultrasound of the abdomen. The
treatment part is best left in the
hands of your treating doctor. Main
aim is to alleviate the symptoms and
prevent long-term sequlae.
But the important part is how to
prevent the symptoms. Certain
guidelines in this respect can be laid.
● One should avoid promiscuous
behaviour. Avoid sex during
menstruation. Preferably no oral sex.
● Avoid bubble baths and use of
feminine hygiene products like sprays
and deodorants.
● When using IUCD’s for
contraception have a regular check-
up since these are important causes
of acting as sources of chronic pelvic
infection.
● Vaginal infections thrive in
moisture. So dry your part carefully
after bathing. Wear cotton underwear
and do not sleep in underwear. Avoid
tight-fitting clothes.
● Once you suffer from pelvic
infection, get it treated properly and
do not leave treatment midway.
Simultaneous treatment of your male
partner must be done to prevent
reinfection. And lastly, if you are
young, live within limits of society lest
permissiveness takes a toll on the
beautiful years of your life. We
 Anoop Srivastava
Born: 31 March 1964 in Kanpur
Education:
Graduate in Military Sciences
A DEPICTION OF
SENSITIVITY
Diploma in Fine Arts, Allahabad
University
Active in the art field since 1992
Taught art at Yuva Shakti Model
School, Rohini, Delhi
Contact:
M: - 9810690230 An artist’s endeavour to take art to the
Email: anoopsafal@gmail.com
masses. By Our Correspondent
rtist Anoop Srivastava has
A
grown up amidst a variety
of human sentiments. All
these sentiments have
played a crucial role in
moulding his artistic talent.
The son of a medico father,
who was in the INA, and
later on, when the INA was
dismantled, joined the
Army Medical Corp of the Indian
Army, Anoop has seen different
130 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
facets of life very closely in his
formative years. His experiences as a
child still leave an imprint on his
artworks.
Excerpts from an interview:
When did you realise that you
should be an artist?
I am the only person in my family
to take up art as a profession. My
father was a medico in the INA and
later on, in the Army Medical Corp.
His job was transferable and as such
we never had a settled life. I have
had my schooling and higher
education in Allahabad, where we
were living in the compound of the
Swarup Rani Hospital. I had a strong
inclination towards art since early
childhood and used to draw on the
last pages of virtually all my
textbooks.
Who and what inspired you
most when you were learning art?
I had an Anglo-Indian friend,
Franky. He was a good artist and
would draw impeccable figures of
lotus flowers. His drawings inspired
me to try my hand at art. Those days,
there used to be a
magazine The
Illustrated Weekly of
India, in which the
Goanese cartoonist
Mario Miranda’s cari -
catures would appear in
the form of a woman in
western outfits sup -
porting a big dot on her
forehead. That appeared
quite remarkable to me
though I did not
understand its full
connotation then. I
The epicentre of entire creation.

Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009 131

related that big dot to my mother,
who also used to sport a similar dot
on her forehead. I would draw mainly
female figures just to satisfy my
hobby. Imprints of those childhood
years still continue to dominate my
artworks.
What has played a crucial role
in moulding the artist in you?
I have always been a keen
observer. I still cannot forget those
heart-rending scenes in the hospital
compound that I had witnessed
during my formative years. It would
suffice to say that I witnessed all
types of human sentiments in the
hospital compound. Imagine a
number of dead bodies lying all
around in the compound and their
relatives moving around between
them, trying to identify their near and
dear ones. The expression on their
faces spoke volumes about what was
going on in their hearts. I feel those
human sentiments have played a
crucial role in moulding the artist in
me.
What are the subjects that you
take up, in your paintings?
I like to take up contemporary
subjects. I believe that an artist
should not become typecast;
otherwise his work would appear
monotonous. An artist is the mirror of
society, but this mirror should not
show the same images again and
again.
What theme would you strongly
yearn to depict?
It is very painful for me to see that
family bonds are breaking up in
modern society. We are blindly
following the west. The media is also
playing a decisive role in glamorising
western culture. I have depicted this
agonising development in my
paintings. Secondly, I believe that
woman is the epicentre of entire
creation. Our first acquaintance in
this world is with a woman. So I like
to depict the womenfolk in different
moods. Finally, it is spirituality that
has a far greater influence on me. I
have closely seen this aspect at
confluence of the Ganges and
132
Yamuna in Allahabad and on the
bathing jetties in Varanasi. There is
Sufism in my paintings, which shows
the transcendental trance –like
experiences of the devotees.
What are the mediums you work
in?
Earlier, I used to work in oil paints.
Now I mostly work in acrylic colours.
Oil colours take long to dry, but they
are superb in creating realistic
artworks, as they mix well.
Like many other artists, do you
also keep on experimenting with art?
I do experiment, but not on a wide
scale. Of course, some artists are
doing appreciable experiments with
their art, like they are experimenting
with fusion, creating new textures etc.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
But I feel that when you do that then
shade becomes the major concern
and subjects become minor.
Personally, I am experimenting with
my subjects. Earlier, women
appeared in three-fourths of my
paintings, but now only about one-
fourth of my subjects are women.
What is your opinion about the
commercialisation of art?
Commercialisation of art has three
aspects. First, most of the people in
India don’t have an evolved art
sense. Even between the two metros
– Mumbai and Delhi – much
difference is seen in people’s art
sense, which is much evolved in the
former and still immature in the latter.
Secondly, big art galleries have
begun to confine good art within their
warehouses.
In a way, these art galleries are
acting like hoarders and promoting
already established artists. This
action on the part of art galleries is
also the greatest obstacle in
developing an art sense among the
people, as it scares the common
people away from art and artists.
Finally, every effort should be made
to popularise art and bring it to the
masses. Art zones should be created
in the country in the tune of cultural
zones and greater interaction should
be ensured between the artists and
the public. For this, space can be
reserved for the artists in marts like
the Delhi Haat, where they can
display their works on a weekly basis.
How do you see the future of
art?
There is no dearth of artistic
talents and art lovers in the country. A
number of talented artists are obliged
to sell their art on roadsides, while big
names are enjoying every comfort
and being hung in cosy villas. A bright
future for art can be ensured only
when art is freed from the clutches of
big galleries and brought among the
masses. Secondly, an artist should
be allowed to retain his or her
originality. For this, art critics should
give a studied and impartial opinion
in their columns and do minimum
meddling with the artworks. We
 QUIZ
Tear this page along the perforated line and send it to the under mentioned address. Winner will be announced in the April issue.

Q1 When you are in a fight with him, he...

a. Acts calm and responsible, caring,
loving, and considerately.
b. Gets angry and leaves.
c. Hits me.

Q
2
When you’re around him, he makes
you feel...
a. Truly beautiful, inside and out, genuinely
happy.
b. Generally unhappy, he treats me like dirt.
c. Somewhat excluded; like I not really there
with him.

Answer
&
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GETTING MARRIED
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Although a quiz can’t answer everything;

S
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Q
3
You both have differences, you
resolve them by...
a. Usually agreeing to disagree.
Q
7
You both spend time together...
a. Hardly ever, he never seems to have
time for you.
b. Always hearing each other out and b. Sometimes, when it’s convenient.
appreciating what the other has to say. c. Whenever we can, although friends
c. I pretend that everything’s always perfect and family are also important to me.
and there are no differences between There is a balance.
both of us.

Q4 When you both hug...

a. It scares me.
Q8 You both can have fun together...
a. Usually we can’t have fun because we’re
always being so serious about everything.
b. Don’t have fun with him at all.
b. We both feel somewhat awkward
whenever the time comes. c. Just by being together, watching movies,
c. It feels right! cuddling...

Q5 Even when you’re not around him,

are you loyal to him?
a. Yes, he is my one and only
Q9 Small talk is...
a. Not important, it’s really the deeper content
that matters the most.
b. Very important to us both; I make sure to
b. Usually, but sometimes I get distracted. always ask how his day was.
c. It’s okay to see other guys, we both aren’t c. Somewhat important, every now and then
that serious about our relationship. I ask what’s up.

Q
6
You took this quiz because...
a. I am serious about the relationship and
I really think it will work out.
b. I am hesitant, will this really work or are
Q
10
If he popped the question,
you would
a. Say, yes, because it feels like the only thing
we simply too different? I can say to a proposal.
c. Just for fun really, I don’t care. If it works b. Say no, I don’t want it to get that serious
out, it works out. c. Say yes, in a hearbeat.

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 QA &
Q&
I work in a multinational company
and have a great family life too. After
five years of marriage I am expecting
my first baby and want to work for as
long as possible. Can I decline travel
assignments now, and what do I tell
my company? Also what kind of
clothes should I wear to work where
most colleagues are men?
It is good that you have a good
job. You have to tell the truth to your
company about why you are
declining travel jobs. They will know
soon enough. If you behave profess-
ionally they have the chance to find a
replacement for your travel while you
are indisposed. Remember, though,
A
that you might not be able to travel
for quite a while even after the baby
arrives and if travel is imperative to
your job, it might be a good idea to
think of a job change though you can
join again after your maternity leave
and then look for alternatives. Wear
clothes that are loose-fitting made
with natural fabrics, cut to camou -
flage the bump and something that
you are comfortable in.
I am as qualified as my husband and
help him in his business. However, I
feel that of late he is constantly
putting me down and, while he takes
a lot more money than I, he does not
increase my allowance when he
increases everybody else’s. Why he
does this?
There could be a variety of
reasons. Maybe he does not want to
be seen to other workers to be
favouring his wife. Maybe he feels
that he is working more or maybe he
is just not doing it because you have
not asked him to!
It depends on what your role in the
business is – talk to him and define
your duties and remuneration, tell
him that you need that the company
respects your input and that you want
to get your market value. But be
careful, at some point you have to be
ready to hear his point of view as
I was a career
woman who got
married and now
had my first baby. I
would like an other
child before going
back to working life.
What is the right age difference
between children and how to
ensure that I can fit back into
working life?
Doctors and social support
people suggest a three-year age
difference but siblings with less
age difference can also grow up
well together. It depends on how
well you are coping with the baby
and how supportive your husband
is with home duties. Going back
to a career after a long break is
never easy.
See if you can do something
that gives you sufficient time with
the kids at home or something
part time; or you can opt for
working from home. However,
remember that children do need
the mother – that has not changed
and, while a career is rewarding,
so is bringing up your children.
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
well. When you treat yourself like an
employee you also stand to be
treated like one.
My problem is almost petty. I come
from a family of film lovers and my
husband and his family are book
worms who look down upon films
calling them silly and all that. I feel
as though they are insulting my
intelligence when they say that
because I am a qualified person I
happen to like films. How should I
handle this?
You should not attempt to change
their opinion. It is a matter of
personal likes and dislikes. You
cannot make them like films if they
do not want to. Yes, they should not
make you feel small about it and you
have to be patient for a while but tell
them that they need to respect your
personal choices.
It is always a done thing to make
fun of a new bride, so maybe you just
need to give them some time.
However, do voice your views on
their inability to accept your choices
and tell them that maybe, just maybe,
you are more tolerant as a person
despite being qualified professional
because you see films!
I am the only child of an
army family. As we kept
moving and shifting with
dad’s posting, I never had
lasting friendships and now
I am married and my
husband has friends whom
he has known all his life. I feel so left
out and jealous. What do I do?
Make up for lost time and make
beginning of lasting friendships now.
Yes, it will be difficult but when you
get married you have a new set of
family and often inherit a new set of
your husband’s friends.
Make a gesture to be accepted by
them. After all the wives of his friends
are also new in the circle, maybe you
can begin with them. If you make
genuine efforts people will warm up to
you in the same way that they are
close to your husband. Yes, it will take
time but it will be worth your while.
135
 Tug of war
Sanjee’s proposed adoption by the couple who had brought her up caused
friction with her natural parents — until Sanjee found a more mature answer.
By Savita Shetty

S
anjukta was startled. She looked up at Nihal, On the way home, Sanjee was lost in whirl of
wondering whether she had heard right? Or thoughts. She had not even realised that Nihal was
maybe the signs and symptoms were already interested in her. But then, maybe, she hardly ever
there since long ago, only she had failed to noticed anything since her work was everything. She
notice? Nihal was good in all respects, no didn’t realise it when she reached home.
doubt. But she never... “What happened?” “Maasi! How come you are here?” Rushing
Nihal laughed. “You are looking as if I’ve said towards Mala, Sanjee sat near her and
something unspeakable...? Was it wrong to ask...?” affectionately pulled her by the arm, “Haan, I’ve
“Oh, sorry. No... I didn’t mean to be rude,” finished painting all the motifs and was going to
Sanjee said hastily, “but... but I never expected... bring your sari in the evening. You couldn’t wait till
anticipated this.” That was true, for her Nihal was then, ummm?”
just a friendly colleague. “I’ve not given marriage a “No, no... nothing of that sort,” Mala smiled. And
thought. I... you see, I’m so involved in my work... I then Sanjee’s father said in an excited voice, “Listen
hope you understand if I say that I’m not ready for to what your maasi has planned for you.” Was that
marriage...” a day of marriage proposals? Sanjee grimaced
“Your work, your research, is no problem. I’m in inwardly. Yes, last week, maasi had said somewhat
the same field and I know you are gifted. I respect mysteriously, “A surprise in store for you.” What
your talent. So I never intend to stop you from doing else, but an eligible boy?
what you love to do and tie you to the home,” Nihal “You know, Mala wants to officially adopt you,”
said. “I’m not saying this just to make you agree. I Sanjee’s mother explained, “As such, you were
mean every word. You just have to say yes...” more her daughter than mine. You almost grew up in
She was pretty confused. “This all is so sudden.” her home. Now, she just wants to complete the
She had never thought of marriage and surely not to official formalities...”
Nihal. How to say ‘no’ without hurting him? “I don’t Adopt? That was totally unexpected. And why
think that would be a good idea. I would be doing now, after all these years? What her mother said
injustice to you...” was true. When Sanjee’s younger brother and then
“No, you wouldn’t. Why do you worry when I am the sister were born in quick succession after her,
myself assuring you?” But she still seemed to be lost Sanjee’s mother was unable to pay attention to her
in doubts, so he said, “Okay, you take your time...” firstborn. Then close friend and neighbour Mala
stepped in and happily took care of
little Sanjee. At that time Mala maasi
Statement of ownership and other particulars about and Jeetu maasa lived next door in a
WOMAN’S ERA small two-room house similar to
FORM IV, See Rule 8 theirs. But Maasaji was good at work
and business, and he soon made so
1. Place of publication: New Delhi. 2. Periodicity of publication:
much progress that the couple moved
Fortnightly. 3, 4, & 5 Printer’s, Publisher’s, and Editor’s Name: Paresh
to their own bungalow. Of course,
Nath. Nationality: Indian, Address: E-3, Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-55.
that wasn’t too far, just in the lane
6. Names and addresses of individuals who own the newspaper and partners
behind theirs. So, by only going to
or shareholders holding more than one per cent of the total capital: Delhi
the next building and passing
Press Patra Prakashan Pte. Ltd., E-3, Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-55.
through its back gate, Sanjee would
I, Paresh Nath, hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to
be in front of maasi’s bungalow.
the best of my knowledge and belief.
The financial differences had
Sd. Paresh Nath, Publisher.
made no difference to the emotional

138 Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009

bond between the families, especially between Mala
and Sanjee. Even in that big house, a room was
kept separate for Sanjee, and Mala had decorated
always pranced in and
out of maasi’s house
without a second
SHORT

it lovingly with all of Sanjee’s favourite things.
Sanjee would stay there whenever she wished. For
her, there was no difference between the two houses
or the people in those two houses. She always
thought she had two sets of parents and she loved
them all equally.
So then why this sudden talk of adoption? Where
was the need? She was Mala maasi’s daughter.
Maasi had looked after her, pampered her, scolded
her while supervising her studies, sat by her bedside
the entire night whenever she was sick. When, after
years of waiting, she didn’t bear a child of her own,
Mala had showered even more love on Sanjee. All
was fine, but then why this?
STORY
thought. Even the transition from two rooms
in a chawl to a spacious bungalow had not
made any difference to her. She plonked
herself on the new upholstered sofa just as
she always had on the old, wrought-iron
cot. Even this change had been quite some
years ago. But now... The same house,
same people and still she was a bit ill at
ease. Now she would be the daughter of
that house –!
“Sit with me, Sanjee,” Mala maasi’s
words broke into her thoughts. “You must be
wondering why I ... we decided on
adoption now after all these years? Well, yes, I
guess we should have done it long back. But, better

S
he had nothing against adoption, but... Leaving
parents, changing everything including
surname? And where was the necessity for it?
She was theirs anyway. Sanjee looked at her
parents and realised that they were quite happy,
eager and excited with the thought. Naturally,
because although Mala and Jeetu always helped
them as much as they could, but now it would be
more than friendship, almost like a relationship or
the same family. That would help them as well as
late than never... I don’t want to miss anything of
your life. We would like to get you married, I want
to do the kanyadaan... all the pampering through
your pregnancy, and want to hold your hand during
your delivery. Your small babies would call me nani
and they would be my grandchildren... I don’t wish
to miss any of these things, so at least now.”
Sanjee didn’t know what to say, so she just
pressed her maasi’s hand.

B
their younger children. oth the families were happily looking forward
On the other hand, when Mala maasi had done to that occasion. Jeetu maasaji had started the
so much for her, she almost owed her life to maasi, paperwork necessary for adoption. As soon as
so how could she refuse her wish? Maybe at this the formal sanction came through, Mala maasi had
age, maasi had realised that she would never have planned to give a big party to make the
a child of her own and so now she wanted Sanjee announcement. She was busy preparing the guest
as only hers?
When everybody
looked so happy about it,
then how could Sanjee say
‘no’? Although she had
some apprehensions, she
successfully tried to hide
them and appeared as
happy as the rest of them.
There was no question of
her permission, everyone
had taken it for granted
that she would be glad to
hear the news. How and
why would she say no?
After two-three days
when Sanjee went to see
maasi, Mala made her
sit... she wanted to talk so
much. Sanjee felt a bit
awkward... that was quite
odd, actually. She had

Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009 139

list, menu, special dresses and delicate ornaments
for Sanjee... the work was endless. For every small
detail she waited for Sanjee to come and give her
approval. Sanjee sometimes felt guilty that when
maasi was so excited and was making so much
effort, she couldn’t give all that much time to maasi’s
preparations. But her work...
And then Sanjee’s name was announced as the
recipient of the national award for the young
scientist. Sanjee couldn’t believe it at first. Yes, she
loved her work and was very sincere to it, but a
national award? It was unbelievable. She had
developed a small instrument which could prove
very valuable in laboratory work. Big multinational
companies could use it in their research and
development departments.
S
uddenly she was in the limelight. Naturally,
Sanjee was invited by various magazines,
newspapers and other media people for
interviews. She was also invited to the TV channels
for participating in the youth or science-oriented
programmes. This was just the part of her
achievement. On the business and money front,
many big companies were approaching her. They
were interested in buying her invention and the
amounts they quoted were pretty impressive.
This was all so sudden and so new to her...
everyone around her was very happy that her work
had got recognition. Both the families were so
thrilled that their own little Sanjee was a national
figure now... so proud of her.
“Oh my little girl” Mala maasi hugged her
affectionately. “We never realised that you had
grown so much. Not only in years but also as a
great scientist.” She had bought huge boxes of
sweets and asked her driver to distribute it in the
entire locality. “You’ll be going to Delhi to receive
that award? Oh my!” She gushed excitedly. “Yes, I
guess the adoption formalities would be complete by
then. So you would be
accepting that award as my
daughter. Oh, you see, just
as this adoption work
started, you got this
great honour. So how
lucky this adoption is
for you,” she
beamed proudly.
But as soon as Mala left, Sanjee’s mother burst
out, “What nonsense! You got the award just
because now you are going to be her daughter! Ever
heard of such rubbish? Nothing doing, you’ll accept
that award as our child. And also the award money.”
And that was just the beginning of bitter
underlying currents. Outwardly, everything was very
sweet and nice. But behind each other’s back, the
bickering continued to grow louder and more
resentful. Mala maasi suggested why couldn’t
Sanjee move to her house now itself — why wait till
the sanction of the adoption papers? As such, she
was taking maasaji’s help to deal with approaching
companies. When media people asked for her
interview, it was mostly done in Mala Maasi’s
house, so then why not move totally?
On the other hand, her parents disliked it and
tried to coax her into doing everything from their
home. “Why do you ask your Jeetu maasa
everything?” her father would say, “He may be
good at his work, but for this help we can appoint
some professional manager.”
A
s these cold vibes continued to grow, Sanjee
grew more and more sad. What was wrong
with her families? All were hers and she
belonged to them, then why these uncalled for fights?
At first, she thought that it was just the initial reaction
due to the sudden shock. Soon, both the families
would forget this silly rivalry and become one as
before. But there were no such signs of changes.
“Now, the party would be on an even more
grand scale,” Mala maasi got busy with her new
plans, “This bungalow wouldn’t be sufficient... a
five-star hotel, may be? We’d play the video
recording of you receiving the award. You know,
Sanjee, your family needs the money, so you give
them all your award cash, and whatever you get for
your invention. Who needs the money here? You are
our precious possession.”
“Stuffing our mouths with money? What do they
think? How can anyone forget that she is our
daughter, after all?” her family would go on ranting.
Both the families had gathered in Sanjee’s small,
two-room house. They were no more at ease with
each other. They were getting restless with each
passing minute. “Why has she called us here?”
Mala maasi murmured. “And then why hasn’t she
turned up?”
Just then Sanjee entered the house with a
handsome young man by her side. Everyone was
about to start talking at once, but looking at the
stranger with her, they were all a bit subdued.
When no one said anything, Sanjee cleared her
throat and spoke, “I have called someone with me
and I want to introduce him to you all. He is Nihal
Kumar, my senior at the institute. He... well, we
would like to get your blessings as we’ve decided to
get married. Our simple marriage ceremony would
take place on the morning of the award function.
And I would receive the award as Mrs Nihal
Kumar.”
Shocked by this revelation, nobody could say a
word, and then suddenly all started talking at once,
“What is this?” “How could you.” “No, this can’t be
true!”
Sanjee tried to stop them and then spoke in a soft
voice, “I know it’s a shock. I’m sorry, but I had no
other go... oh... I know I’m too young and have no
right to talk to all my elders who have always given
me so much love. But that same love has given me laughed and said, “I guess it serves us right. We
the strength to speak today. Please, try to understand were all behaving... er... not in a right way and
me. I don’t know why all these differences have come beti, even being younger, you showed us elders how
up all of a sudden. Was it because of my adoption wrong we were. Now, my only request is, no need
or because of my award? But, whatever the reason, it to get married so hastily. You receive your award in
really pained me a lot to see my families, my people, whichever way you wish. And then we’ll... we all
drifting apart like this. It really made me very sad and together... will celebrate your marriage. Is that
so I had to take this step. I hope at least now there okay with you? Now please smile or else this young
won’t be any fights over anything. I hope I would get man would have a terrible first impression of his
my loving families back.” double in-laws...” Sanjee flopped down, totally
Nobody spoke as everybody was stunned. Then relieved of all tensions, as everyone laughed and
Mala maasi broke the uneasy silence as she greeted Nihal. We

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hospital set-up. Here, we do not see
these diseases very commonly, but
they are there. In a big government
hospital set-up, we see patients with
these diseases every third or fourth
day. These are blistering disorders
like pemphigus. Other than these,
there is a whole range of connective
tissue disorders or auto-immune
disorders like lupus erythematoses
and scleroderma.
Then there is a whole range of
disorders because of leprosy. It can
be anything from a mild initial stage
to involving many areas. Then there
is a whole range of sexually
transmitted diseases like syphilis,
herpes and many manifestations
associated with HIV. Also, there are
some pigmentation diseases for
which patients come for consultation.
Then there are also vitamin
deficiencies, which show up on the
skin. Each disease has its own site,
but we try to reach a diagnosis
depending on various factors of
which location also plays a major
role. For example, a drug eruption
can be very generalised, it can be on
the entire body or just the mucosal
area, the oral, ophthalmic or the
genital areas.
What are the signs and
symptoms of these diseases?
What is the right time to go to the
doctor?
Ideally, any skin rash which is not
responding to over-the-counter
drugs, beyond a week, it is advisable
to visit a dermatologist, because this
is a very vast branch. There are so
many diseases that mimic other
diseases. They may look the same
but they may not be the same. And
the sad part is there are so many
medications that combine everything
– an anti-bacterial, an anti-fungal and
a steroid.
The other thing you have to take
care of is when a lesion starts oozing,
there is excessive itching, there is
any mucosal lesion with a rash-like
oral ulcer for a long time, if there are
systemic complaints like a rash with
fever, rash with joint pain, a rash
which is tender. These symptoms
should not be neglected because
146
there is systemic involvement, which
is something more than skin
involvement. Also, one should look
out for sudden changes in a mole
which may have been there for a long
time – if it starts showing changes,
especially in the middle age, like
increase in size or change in shape
or texture or ulceration on the mole,
then this should be taken seriously.
What exactly is an ulcer in
terms of skin?
An ulcer appears when the
superficial surface gives away – i.e.,
when there is a wound there. The
overlying skin goes off and we see
the underlying tissues. If it is very
superficial, we call it an erosion. If it
is deeper – i.e., there is caving in –
then it is an ulcer.
If a mole starts showing these
changes, then it has to be treated.
These can be early signs of
melanoma, which could become very
aggressive if taken lightly.
Any new appearance or growth,
in ages above 12 years, especially in
people who are exposed to too much
sun or chemicals, needs to be
attended to. The appearance of these
growing lesions means you cannot
afford to wait, visit a dermatologist
since this could be the beginning of
skin carcinoma.
Why do these diseases occur?
Each of these disorders have
different causes:
● Infections: It depends on the
hygiene levels. Fungal and bacterial
infections most commonly are
because of unhygienic conditions,
sweating or moisture accumulation or
patients are exposed to people
having these diseases, especially in
the case of children. A viral infection
like herpes zoster is because of
altered immunity. The common name
is nagin or shingles because blisters
appear along one nerve. There are
several other types of herpes – for
example one can get herpes around
the mouth called herpes labialis.
● Pigmentation and acne may be
due to hormonal changes.
● Stress may play a major role in
disorders like alopecia, pigmentary
Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009
disorders and psoriasis.
● Eczemas can be due to
something which has been applied or
something they have come into
contact with or again an altered
immunity, like childhood eczema is
more immune-based rather than
anything they come into contact with.
● Drug eruptions are due to any
drugs the patient is sensitive to.
● Scleroderma and systemic
lupus erythematoses are due to
altered immunity.
Why is immunity affected?
No cause has been discovered till
now. Genetically, these people have
more predilection or they have a
greater tendency to get these
diseases. A particular HLA type may
have a greater tendency.
What kind of treatment is
recommended in the case of these
diseases?
Mostly oral and topical treatment
is recommended. Usually, injections
are not given. But there are disorders
where one may have to be given
injections. If it is an excessively
severe infection, then injections come
into the picture. Or in diseases like
pemphigus, lupus erythematoses,
scleroderma, severe drug eruptions
like Stevens Johnson syndrome. that
is when the patient is admitted and
goes through the treatment.
What is pulse therapy?
For example, in pemphigus, the
major line of treatment is steroids.
You can give the patient steroids
every day. Associated with steroids
are side effects. This has to go on for
months. By the end of it, pemphigus
is healed but the patient bears the
brunt of the side effects of steroids.
Of course, some of these side effects
are not irreversible. In the past few
years, we have tried to reduce the
side effects of steroids by pulse
therapy.
Injectable steroids or injectable
immuno-suppressants are given to
the patients over a period of three
days. After that, we try to keep the
patient off steroids or give them
milder immuno-suppressants to save
them from too many side effects of steroids. Of course,
there will be some, but not as severe as when a daily
dose of steroids is given.
This is to get better control over the disease. Studies
are still being carried out on this therapy. Some people
agree with it, others don’t. The patient has to be admitted
for three days and then let go for a few days. In some
places, they are doing it in day-care centres, where the
patient can return home after the day’s therapy.

Is surgery necessary in any disease? When? In

which disease?
Right now dermato-surgery is done other than for
cosmetic requirements, in case of:
● Loss of pigmentation like vitiligo. We do grafting in
stable vitiligo, when the patient has a patch which is not
responding to medicines. A newer technique is to harvest
pigment giving cells called melanocytes from the patient in
the laboratory and put it back into the skin of the patient
and stimulate their growth.
● Dermato-surgery may also involve electro-
cautering i.e., cauterisation or radiofrequency. It is used
to treat warts or molluscum, a viral infection common in
children.
● Then you have nail surgery, especially of ingrown
nails or if a nail is destroyed by fungal infection. For Men Only
● Hair implantation is another type of surgery.
● Surgery for acne scars are also done. We try to
raise the underlying fibrous tissue by needling.
● We also remove tattoos by grafting or by derma-
abrasion.
● Laser surgery is used in the case of excessive hair
growth on the face, etc.
● When there is nerve involvement like in leprosy, a
plastic surgeon does the surgery. We

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 About the artist
Name: Bini Roy
Birth: Kothamagalam, Kerala
Education: BFA in painting from
College of Fine Arts, Trivendrum
Solo Shows
AIFACS, New Delhi,
Triveni Kala Sangam, New Delhi, 2008
ISKA, Cochin, Kerala, 2008
Lalit Kala Akademy,
New Delhi, 2007
Lalit Kala Akademy, Kochi, 2006
Lalit Kala Akademy, Trivendrum, 2005
Le Royale, Phnom Penh,
Cambodia, 2001
Awards
State award for painting from Lalit
Kala Akademy 2003 for Three
Widows
Collections
B
Bini’s works are with private
collectors and corporate houses in
India and abroad.
it is particularly feminine and
positively spirited.
Her voyages during the past
AN ARTIST OF
PASSION
An artist from ‘God’s Own Country’
reviews her dedication to the creations
of nature. By Our Correspondent
ini Roy’s restrained but
powerful strokes of
aesthetic articulations have
firm roots in nature and
social realism. The figures
in her works summon hope,
despite the surrounding
gloom. Her personal vision
seems to be successfully
emulated in her works. And
decade, particularly to South East
Asia, have had much say in the
evolution of her work and style. Bini
is simple and straightforward in the
natural selection of very feminine
imageries.
An onlooker compulsively falls into
conversation with the lines, colours
and forms of Bini’s paintings. This is
the power of her art. There is an
ever-deepening experience and a
poetic contemplation to be
experienced when viewing her works.
Excerpts from an interview:
When did you realise that you
should be an artist?
I think I am born for art. Since my
early childhood I had a passion for
painting. At an age when most of the
kids would be involved in normal
activities, I found myself fascinated
by colourful nature around
me. The blue sky, white,
cotton-like clouds, a heavy
downpour, green expanses
of countryside in Kerala, the
seashore, with innumerable
coconut trees, flowers,
butterflies, bumble bees,
etc. – all fascinated me
beyond imagination. Since
those days, I found myself
a high engrossed in drawing
sketches on whatever piece
of paper I could get, and
even on my palms. So to
say, I realised quite early
that I should be an artist.
A woman shoulders in centrality, multi-layered responsibilities – be in the form of a mother, wife or daughter,
remains vulnerable, endures all sufferings heaped on her.

Woman’s Era ● March (First) 2009 149