Back to the roots
Kavi sammelan in Sanskrit? Sounds different indeed, in the times when people in general are obsessed with their love for cricket, TRP ratings of TV serials and celebration of the success of 3 Idiots.

A stitch in time...

With the Met department depicting foggy days ahead, it’s better to remain cosy with warm winter clothes. Kullu Fest, organised by Manu Weavers Co-operative Society, Manali, at Lajpat Rai Bhawan-15 provides numerous winter clothing options to choose from — Kullu and Pashmina shawls, Kullu caps, hand-woven gloves, socks and unstitched suits. The exhibition also has wooden furniture and silver jewellery on display.On till January 31Photo: Pradeep Tewari

Digest this!
If power yoga, intense gymming or crash dieting has not worked out for you, Bariatric surgery may be the option to reduce those unwanted inches
Finally the cat is out of the bag. Besides running, gymming, exercising, crash dieting, Adnan Sami did something else too to lose weight that he has never made a mention of. Losing 110 kilos got easier by undergoing a Bariatric surgery (did he ever speak the truth?). "The surgery lead to diminished appetite, which made him shed weight and attain better shape in a year's time," divulges Dr Randeep Wadhawan, an acclaimed surgeon, who announced the reliable way of losing weight, Bariatric surgery, at Fortis Hospital on Saturday.

Vocal woes
You might prefer steaming soup or that refreshing cuppa coffee to a glass of water these days to keep warm but that's exactly where you start harming your health. The same glass of water can save you from quite a few throat related problems.

Walk for health
When it comes to heart health, even a little bit of exercise can prove beneficial, suggests a new study. John Quindry, director of Auburn University's Cardioprotection Research Laboratory, said far too many people associate hour-long elliptical machine sessions as the most effective means of building a healthy heart."Just getting out and walking or jogging for the recommended 30 to 45 minutes most days is going to be enough to help," Quindry said. Through his animal-based laboratory research, Quindry and his collaborators have found that even a few days of exercise can provide a form of protection in the event of a heart attack.

Honour bound

Actor Sandra Bullock accepts the award for best female actor in a leading role forThe Blind Side at  the 16th annual Screen Actors Guild Awards in Los Angeles January 23. Reuters Photo: Mike Blake

All for fitness
Two sex sessions in a week can reduce risk of heart disease in men, says a new research. The study showed that men who indulged in regular lovemaking were up to 45 per cent less likely to develop life-threatening heart conditions than those who had sex once a month or less.

BODY wise
In troubled waters
Water retention is the buildup of excess fluid in the tissues. Water retention is typically first noticed by swelling of the extremities. Many healthy adults experience some water retention and the accompanying weight gain that occurs. The day-to-day body weight fluctuations are commonly caused by the loss and gain in body fluid. Water (fluid) retention can cause painful, swollen joints, bloating, breast tenderness, weight gain and many other problems.

Zip code
The winter chills is getting you down? Time to think of the sun, sand and a little adventure
Zipline touring – a relatively new adventure activity in India – is a fun sport combining an outdoor experience with a taste of thrill. India’s lone zipline tour, which has been open to tourists for just a year, is located at the medieval fort of Neemrana in Rajasthan. Neemrana, being a couple of hours’ drive from Delhi, is ideal for a daylong or weekend trip by car from Chandigarh. It is a good idea to set out early, 6 am or before. Carry along a picnic basket with breakfast and lunch, or sample the food at any of the roadside eateries.  

Spice up
Don’t lag behind
Flying has become such a part of modern life that we often overlook the effects it can have on our bodies. Of course, we know about the “jet lag” after long flights. Traveling at high speed and across time zones can play havoc with the body’s normal cycle. Apart from other effects, the skin also suffers. In fact, even during short flights, the airconditioned cabin and air pressure changes can cause dehydration of the body and the skin. Airport lounges, hotels and even the car you use to transport yourself, are all airconditioned that draws out the moisture from our bodies through the skin. And dehydration that causes lethargy, listlessness and fatigue after a flight.

Model moves
One of the leading automobile batteries manufacturers in the country, Taiwa Batteries Group has invited entries from young boys and girls to participate in the Taiwa Mega Model contest 2010.Encouraged by the response to it’s first mega model contest last year, the company has now announced to hold the semi finals of the contest on February 10. The grand finale of this glittering event will be held on February 27 at the Tagore Theatre. 

Grammy-tically speaking
Sarod maestro Amjad Ali Khan, whose latest album has been nominated for the Grammy awards this year, feels that the honour can popularise the stringed instrument on the world stage.“I will be happy if the sarod gets a place in the world mainstream music. I want sarod to be as popular as the guitar and violin. It should find an international place,” Khan said. “I don’t play sarod just to be popular. Unlike many others, my work is not a rat race where you struggle to stay at the number one spot.

On cloud nine
Bollywood beauty Priyanka Chopra, who is in New York shooting for her upcoming film Anjaana Anjaani, says she is ecstatic after winning the national award for Best Actress in Madhur Bhandarkar’s Fashion. “I am overwhelmed and on Cloud nine, I just can’t believe that this has actually happened to me. It feels simply fantastic to be conferred this prestigious honour.