How does the city of umpteen number of single person households treat its solo diners? Not too well, as Purva Grover discovers

Half a dozen bananas last a week. The small loaf of bread catches fungi by the time you are about to bite into the tenth slice. The fridge is jam-packed with boxes of all sizes storing leftovers. Your grocery cart has cheese spread, a few packets of wafers, Maggi, half a dozen eggs and a sweet bun. If buying less, eating lesser and throwing more is the story of your life, then you are probably one of the many single persons living in the city. Student, working or unmarried, while the city invites all those with dreams, does it care if each day you either empty boxes into the bin or sleep after having a slice of bread with butter? Probably not. For, city eateries don’t seem to cater to the solitary diner.

Away from home, the simplest and easiest option is to order a dabba for all meals. But then, is it that simple? Four paranthas and egg bhurji for breakfast surely sounds like a king size breakfast. And then if you follow it up with four chappatis, rice, sabzi, daal and dahi for lunch, forget dinner there will be no space left for even salad! Starting from Rs 18 onwards, the economical dabbewaala doesn’t agree to half dabba or even two chappatis less. The result: Leftovers that have to go into the bin.

The next option is to avail of the free home delivery facility. As you scan through the mouth-watering dishes to order from, the text in bold ‘Minimum order Rs 150’ disappoints. The result: Unnecessary expenditure. So, either overstuff yourself or forcefully relish the ‘not-so-fresh’ dish several days in a row.

Since, home delivery is also out, you can go out. The trick is to decide from home what you want to eat, quickly place the order, gulp down the lassi and force down the food. For, even if you will be enjoying your company, the waiter will ask you ‘n’ number of times if there will be somebody joining you. The problem doesn’t end here. Half dishes are not on city menus! Since you might just get choked eating that fast, forget the embarrassment and get the rest of the dish packed.

Well, so what options does that leave one with? Either be on perpetual hunger strike or accustom your tastebuds to what’s available and not what you want or learn to overlook the zero bank balance and the overflowing bin. And, while neither of these sounds like good advice, one really doesn’t have a choice but wait for things to change. But, is anybody listening?

Technical error, theft or just a simple mistake... Worry no more over losing data stored on the mobiles

Took your handset for software upgradation and came back home with an empty phone book? Accidentally deleted the picture of your beloved? Lost your mobile at workplace? Aren’t these some of the problems that we all have faced at some time or the other. For, be it the most basic handset or the multi-feature expensive one, the data saved on one’s mobile is always exposed to risks.

But, now it’s time to stop worrying for a new value-based service is here to ensure that everything stored in your cell, from a Priyanka Chopra wallpaper to the huge contact list to Ya Ali ring tone or your home video, everything stays intact. The content up-loader service from Cellebrum will allow its users to take a complete back-up of the content on their phone, including contacts, calendar, ring tones, video and other data, and restore this data when required.

The service will reach the city and parts of Punjab in another week. The charges for the same have not been decided yet; but you will probably be paying a mere Rs 30 to Rs 49 a month to your telecom operator for it. “The data will be stored on a website and a username and password will let you access it as and when you wish to,” says Saket Aggarwal, chief operator officer, Cellebrum. The application is being provided on different platforms such as GPRS/WAP/WEB.

And what’s more, once your data is uploaded on the website, you have a choice of sharing it with other customers too. Says Saket, “The service comes with a new concept of earning royalty from the creative work on your mobile. If the subscriber has created a ring tone or a wallpaper or shot an exclusive photograph, he can share and earn royalty on each download.” So, all you mobile addicts, it’s time to create and earn. — TNS

Astrology, numerology, horary-prashan kundali, tarot cards, vastu-shastra... the list goes on. The city is buzzing with fortune-tellers, but do you want to know which techniques do these destiny seekers follow in their own life? Read on...

Dard-e-dil, pas-e-vafa, jazba-e-imaan hona
Aadmiyat yahi hai, aur yahi insaan hona

The essence of Chakbast’s couplet depicts the persona of 83-year- old Dr Jia Lal Handoo, an author and social worker. Striking a balance between his love for literature and enthusiasm to serve the humanity, the city-based scholar is the most revered Masiha for the poor patients at the PGI. Any one who needs help—medical or financial—is guided to the Room No. 20 at the PGI serai where Handoo and 40 other dedicated volunteers are ready to share their agony.

“With regular support from PGI and GMCH-32 staff, financial help from chemist shop owners and also from my engineer son and two daughters settled abroad, working for patients keeps me rejuvenated and inspired,” maintains Handoo while talking to Life Style.

But the recognition as a national-level literary luminary is the result of his lifetime contribution with 15 publications to his credit. The latest Sahitya Shiromani-2007 award bestowed on him by the Akhil Bhartiya Hindi Sevi Sansthan, Allahabad, besides the Sahitya Varidhi-2006 and the coveted Sauhard Samman-1997 presented by prestigious cultural organisations is a testimony of the intellectual and literary elegance of the devout scholar.

Born in 1927 in Srinagar, Handoo obtained a master degree in Sanskrit from Lahore and Hindi from Delhi, followed by a PhD. His ability to make acute observations on any subject accords a vitality and splendour to his literary creations. “With a view to depict the vortex of emotions of a life, I witnessed the hanging of criminals twice, before sculpting a novel Phansi, says Handoo.

“The success of any music performer lies in engendering an emotion or feeling where he is lost in his creative aesthetic expression and the audience is lost in the artist’s creation,” feels Upendra Bhatt of the Kirana gharana. “But there are very few artists blessed with the celestial vision, since such artists are born and not made,” he reiterates.

The foremost disciple of legendary Pandit Bhimsen Joshi, Bhatt is in town for a concert at the Pracheen Kala Kendra. Hailing from Mangalore, the maestro has performed in UK, USA and Middle East countries. In 1996, he was honoured by Shankar Dayal Sharma, the then President of India, for his creative excellence in Hindustani music. He has also been rightfully decorated as the ‘Musician of the year’ by Andhra Pradesh Association of North America in 2000. Not complacent with credible achievements he still claims to be learner.

After getting training from Pandit Madhav Guddi he moved to Pune way back in 1980 to be under the tutelage of his Guru Bhimsen Joshi. Gifted with a well-seasoned sonorous and pliant voice his versatility encompasses other musical genres like Thumris and bhajans, immaculately weaved into the classical tradition. He will be presenting his vocal recital at Pracheen Kala Kendra on Saturday. — S.D.S.

Shikakai, which literally means ‘fruit for the hair’ is something that our grandmothers insisted that we used for cleaning our hair. Godrej Shikakai converts shikakai powder into a water-soluble form and uses the extracts in making the soaps. It is a superior cleanser for lustrous long hair and promotes hair growth, and even prevents dandruff. You can call it an all-in-one shampoo. It has properties that cool the scalp. It is a remedy for nightmarish hair problems and strengthens hair from the roots. While others soaps may leave your hair dry, but Godrej Shikakai has conditioning properties that make hair smooth and silky.

For a nourished pink glow, pick on Pond’s White Beauty Detox. A product from its international stable of skin lightening products, it promises not just skin whitening but also a radiant healthy skin. It has detoxifying vitamins B3, B6, E, and C, which neutralises the effect of darkness causing impurities found in the environment and reduces accumulated melanin, thus giving a smooth, pure and bright skin. The range consists of a cleanser which cleans thoroughly, a toner which tightens the open pores, a lightening cream that nourish skin from within, and a lotion, which replenishes skin’s natural moisture level. So go ahead and fall in love with the nourished pink glow.

Sultry summers have given way to shimmering rains. To enhance this spirit of monsoon revelry, Pepe Jeans has bought in its Aqua Marine range. The fabrics are comfortable, crisp and soft, and dry up easily. The prints are pleasant and soothing with floral motifs, stripes and checks. The colour palette balances with different tones of blues such as marine, sky and spa with neutral tones of green, rosy, pink and aqua for women and blue and ecru for men. The range offers special fits, cuts and lengths. It is calf length shorts, 3/4ths and capris for men and skirts, capris and knee length shorts for women.

Stay cool this summer with Himani Sona Chandi Amritprash. It gives the body all the benefits of chyawanprash without generating excessive heat in the body. It helps to keep one’s body temperature low, especially during these hot summer days. The product acts as an internal cooling system and helps one fight off the ill effects of heat due to the ayurvedic coolants present in it. It contains cooling agents such as rose, sandal, pearl, bael, 31 herbs and minerals including gold and silver that helps one to avoid experiencing dehydration. It also takes care of other common summer disorders like loss of appetite, constipation, loss of energy, burning sensation in eyes and excessive tiredness.

Palate pleasing, easy on the stomach, Mirchi Kum promises delicious food minus the sting

Think chillies and what comes to mind is a spice that is devilish, sizzling hot and fiery. Though one of the finest elements of Indian cuisine, chillies, unfortunately, are not suitable for all to consume. Especially if you are looking for rich food that is light on the stomach.

However, those with a penchant for not-so-spicy food can now rejoice. The new restaurant, Mirchi Kum, next to Maya Palace, is the right choice for you. It sports a range of dishes that are delicately spiced with subtle flavours to tantalise your taste buds. Mirchi Kum’s strategy and management consultant Deepak Gupta says that they are famous for stomach-friendly food. “We have some spicy dishes too, but specialise in low-spice cuisine.”

Deepak claims their approach is very different than other restaurants as they stand by their core principles— ambience, affordability, taste, environment, cuisine, courtesy, hygiene and health. “Our team is well-prepared and formally trained to give our customers the ultimate dining experience. We want to exceed customer expectation,” he avers.

The new restaurant, with seating for 78 people, has just had its formal launch, but has been operating since June 13. The eatery has been artistically transformed and given a chiseled makeover. The interior designers have experimented with the latest trends and came up with a sophisticated look that is both classic and contemporary. “We have been busy since opening”, informs Deepak, adding, “We have even seen a greater rush during dinner on Tuesdays and Thursdays.”

Diners seem to love the service, setting, and cuisine, filling up the guest book with comments that are full of positive adjectives and enthusiasm. “Service is more important than the food. What is in the heart is more important than what is on the plate,” he smiles.

Dining at Mirchi Kum is divided into four slots— morning ladies’ kitty parties, lunch, executive meetings with snacks and coffee, and family dinner. Those who are price-conscious need not worry as this place is fairly reasonable for a fine-dining restaurant. While starters range from Rs 55 to 175, chicken dishes cost Rs 175, Lamb costs Rs 165, vegetarian dishes are available for Rs 125, and desserts range from Rs 30 to Rs 70. At the moment, the cuisine is only Indian and Oriental, but sizzlers and pasta are soon to be introduced onto the menu.

Favourite Indian dishes, which promise to leave your stomach settled as well as satisfied, are Paneer Makki Tawa Masala, Kota Gulnar, Sham Savera Aloo Chutneywale, Subz Lazakedar, Aampapad Murg, Taar Korma, and Tawa Champein. If snacks are all you are after, then Lucknavi Seekh, Neza Kebab, Bhutte Ke Kebab, Sompeta Kebab, or Chapli Kebab, should tickle your taste buds.

In the Oriental options, appetising salads like Calabrian salad and Marinated Chicken salad with warm dressing are worth savouring, along with exotic vegetables in black pepper sauce, pan fried lemon chicken, and shredded lamb in black pepper sauce.

lifestyletribune@gmail.com

Some call them gummy…others berate them as slimy, but if you are positive minded, ‘creamy’ describes them pretty well too, especially if you’re aware of the health benefits of oats! High in soluble fiber, oats can wave a magic wand to control cholesterol and blood pressure levels, also aiding better metabolic and gastro-intestinal health. Don’t just think of oats as a morning porridge. Be innovative and try some of my ‘favoroats’!

Choco-chip cookies

1 ½ cups rolled oats
½ cup each brown and white sugar
½ cup butter
1 egg
1 tsp vanilla
¾ cup maida
½ tsp salt
½ baking soda
150 gm chocolate chips

Method

Cream together the two sugars, butter and vanilla. Beat in the egg along with one tbsp of water. Sieve together the maida, salt and soda, then stir it lightly into the beaten mixture. Now add in the chocolate chips, mixing them in very briefly to avoid the dough becoming clumpy. Drop tablespoons full of the cookie mixture onto a baking sheet and bake at 375°F for 10-12 minutes, cool completely on a wire-rack and then see how long they last?!

High fiber pancakes

1 cup buttermilk

¾ cup rolled oats

½ cup wheat bran

1 egg

¼ cup wheat flour (atta)

A pinch of salt

¾ tsp baking soda

Oil for frying

Method

Combine butter milk with oats and bran in a large bowl. Let it stand until the oats soften. Sieve the flour salt and soda together and add to the above mixture along with the beaten egg. Pour in ¼ cup of the batter in a hot, greased frying pan and cook for 3 minutes until bubbles form on the top and the edges begin to look dry. Flip-over the pancake with a spatula and cook for another 1 or 2 minutes. Repeat with the remaining batter. Serve the pancakes hot, smeared with jam, honey or chocolate sauce.

Your hands and neck are the first to reveal your age. Come summer and you unveil them. And with that comes the mad scramble to scrub, smooth and moisturise. Making these places look younger and knocking back the years is not difficult. A bit of knowledge of the right products and the know-how can take you a long way. Believe me, if done religiously, it will be the most uncomplicated routine you will ever follow. My philosophy is, keep it simple but constant and it works.

My neck looks dry. I also have developed strong brown lines and it appears wrinkly. Please suggest.

Neha, via email

Your neck reveals more than your eyes or your hands and the cleavage area can give away your age. Reason being the skin is thinner and drier here than the rest of your body. Also there are few protective sebaceous glands to guard against your moisture loss, making it prone to wrinkles. Once this delicate area is lined, it is extremely difficult to reverse back the clock. Be generous with the usage of moisturiser and always apply it with strokes going upwards. Stay away from harsh soaps that leave your skin dry. Never put any perfume on your neck as in the sun, it will dehydrate and sensitise the delicate skin. Always wrap up well when out in the sun.

(This column appears fortnightly)

Pammy Kaul is a UK-based beauty therapist. E-mail your queries to lifestyletribune@gmail.com or write to The Tribune, Sector 29, Chandigarh

Evergreen rain songs coax you to boogie-woogie in the complete harmony of raindrops

You’ve been listening to the rhythmic pitter-patter of the rain falling on the rooftops. Now, you can also hear it in compact discs and cassettes displayed at your favourite music shop. As the Monsoon’s finally washing the hot summer away, cassettes and CDs, saturated with rain related songs, have flooded the city markets.

And the reason for the deluge is not hard to comprehend. Disc jockey with X-Over-26 AJ says, “People want to enjoy more than just the rain. Sitting in their houses watching raindrops slide down the French windows, they wish to savour music in the rumbling of thunder and the whisper of the falling raindrops.”

Cashing in on the craze are the music companies. They have come out with vocal and instrumental music that promises to take you to another level of pleasure. Smiles AJ, “There’s a good coordination between rain and music. In the bygone era, if there was no chance of rain, music was put to play. Then there are so many ragas related to the rains like Raga Malhar.

A tribute to nature’s gift of rain, it is one of the oldest and most melodious ragas in Hindustani classical musical history. Celebration of fertility or even the fear of lighting and thunder, Malhar defines it perfectly. Classical singer Shubha Mudgal has used Malhar raga in her song Ab ke saawan aise bare.

Well, the rainy music, flowing out of your high-tech system, is essentially soft and gels with the yielding Monsoon mood. Listening to it while driving, or in the house, will give you a sense of pleasure you have never experienced before.  

Avers DJ Varun, “Rain holds a certain romance and charm for creative minds of Bollywood directors who have brought the beauty of monsoon in their own unique styles. The Monsoon has, rather, been used for making heart throbbing sequences in Bollywood movies.”

Whether it is a Barsaat (1949) or Guru (2006), rain continues to be a reason to celebrate in Bollywood movies. Legendary music composers have composed memorable music for Bollywood movies. Remember Pyar Hua Iqraar Hua from Shri 420? Or Aishwarya Rai dancing on tunes of Barso re Megha in film Guru?

Romancing the Rain, Monsoon Magic and Baarish are some collections of rain songs, which are available in market. These songs are also available in MP3 collections. If you are good net surfer, you can also download these songs from music related websites.

So, all you have to do is to walk out of your house and pick the stuff of your choice.

Emotional relaxation can be achieved by listening to music, drink favourite beverages etc. — Dr Ravinder Chadha