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One day at a time
Dejected,, ill, unfortunate — you’ve referred to them using such words for long, and now, perhaps, it’s time you update your vocabulary. We met a few city People Living With HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) and came back with a completely different set of words — brave, strong, determined and more.
Most of these people were more than willing to disclose their identities through this paper. “If our coming out in the open can bring a ray of hope for even a single person, we’ll get our pictures clicked,” they said sportingly. But, it was us who developed cold feet, wondering if we, the educated and aware, post-reading this piece would still buy veggies from that vendor or let that labourer work at our place. We backed out, for a chance of educating ourselves at the cost of ‘their’ living definitely didn’t seem right. So, here goes our heart-to-heart with the bravehearts, minus their names. No regrets He loves to gorge on chicken and mutton. His favourite holiday destination is Dharampur — heaven on earth, as he calls it. An avid reader, his weekdays are reserved for various national and international magazines. As for weekends, his wife and eight-year-old son plan them. This 37-year-old PLWHA counsellor met with an accident in 1991 and underwent blood transfusion at PGI. Ten years later, his tests revealed he was HIV+. His optimism scores above his anger. He has just one regret in life, “If I had known this before getting marriage, I would saved my wife.” He wants to own a scooter, even a second-hand would do. As for her, she wants a TV with a remote that functions only on her command. Their son dreams of living in a flat. And the dreams of this family don’t end here. The father, a labourer, mother, a counsellor for PLWHA, and their son, all tested HIV+ last year. Shocked and scared, they called up their folks in the village to bid goodbye to them and life. Today, they ensure than none of them misses their daily dose of medicine. And yes, as for making a trip back home, it too is on their wish list. Optimism personified She is busy burning the midnight oil these days. Next year, she sits for her class X exam. Mother of a 16-year-old, this PLWHA field worker hopes her son too takes the exams with her. Her son works at a shop. “This is the problem with children who start earning at a rather early age. See, all these kids working in call centres too don’t want to study further,” she says. The mother and son live together as friends. Neither of them blame the man who caused it all. He tested HIV+ in 1994, left them three years ago and is now dead. His family blamed it all on her. “Had my husband admitted his mistake earlier, I could have helped him live a little longer,” is the one thing she wants to change from her past. Life goes on He asks his customers to explain him what are the khaas sabzis? He wants to know all about organic vegetables. A vegetable vendor, he works tirelessly to fulfill a dream — “I want to marry off my daughter from my own house, not a rented place.” He knows it’s not easy, but then it’s not impossible, he says. He tested HIV+ five years ago. Life looked ugly, but then came in the good news that their daughter could be protected. The parents fear the day they will have to explain it all to their little princess. Till then, they say, “We are not foolish enough to spend our lives waiting for our last breath.”
purva@tribunemail.com
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Are we ready?
IT began as a story idea and a go-ahead from the boss. What followed was a test of my patience, convincing powers and ended with sneering looks and this story.
The task was to pen a woman’s perspective on the country’s first condom bar and to run a reality check on how the city has taken to this novel concept. The tough part was finding someone to accompany me, but the toughest was to overlook the men who couldn’t stop staring, for the 30 minutes that I was there. And before beginning my tale, I want to list my woes and say my thank-yous. One, I, too, was brought up in a city where channels are swapped each time lips lock. Two, kudos to all spreading awareness. Three, I feel more flicks like Phir Milenge should be made. Four, I do read and know the difference between HIV+ and AIDS. Ok, now here it goes. My best friend who lives by the principle – A friend in need is a friend indeed - flatly refused to come along. A married female colleague agreed but viral fever and domesticity played spoilsport. Finally, after a week’s persuasion, an ex-classmate — a guy — agreed but on account of secrecy. The moment we started driving, he fired a volley of questions, which I calmly answered:
It’s part of my job.
I hope so. (Over 2,200 condoms have been picked. Women take female condoms. The initial apprehension has vanished.)
And, we arrive. Interiors done up with real condoms welcomed us — Beer mugs, napkin holders, crockery and T-shirts and caps of the staff with condom motifs, a wall dedicated to souvenirs — T-shirts, mugs, caps – again, with condoms on it, chic framed paintings of a dancing man-woman and a work of modern art that I couldn’t comprehend... A bunch of young professionals, none from the city, I presume, exchanged faint smiles on seeing us. Two middle-aged men, who gulped their beer and peanuts in seven minutes flat, didn’t appreciate my presence. Their looks and speed were enough to push me out. Another duo, probably my father’s age, discussed in whispers the importance of parenting. A plate of paneer tikka, canned juice and chilled beer was brought to our table and placed on mats that read, “Don’t just get one! Get it on. Protect yourself, protect others.” The food is good and the drinks cheap, my friend pointed out. And, it wasn’t very repulsive to eat and drink in condom-shaped crockery, one of my earliest apprehensions. The bar’s simplicity — pamphlets on AIDS and a donation box — emphasised the noble motive behind it. As we were walking out, one of the out-of-towners picked up some free condoms and distributed these among his friends. It reminded me when as kids we distributed toffees in school on birthdays. “Oh yaar, tere liye bhi laya hoon!” he shouted almost into my ear. They smirked and left. And, so did we. And, now it was my turn to turn quizmaster:
Of course, but not with you, I mean with a girl.
Why would one come all the way here? And, they don’t have the brands.
Will you? Well, I had managed to get all my answers and also my story. |
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Saree, saree lady
The question-answers began with questions related to, of course, cricket, but our lady in noodle straps made it clear that she would only speak about the collection. But wait, sporting jeans and a white silken top, she wasn’t exactly in a Satya Paul! Well, that’s because she did not want to keep the Press waiting. And what does she think about the collection? “It’s great. My interest in sarees has increased with Satya Paul and I love the colours, themes and patterns.” And she does have a big collection. For, she thinks sarees can be worn at all functions. Ok, what is her signature style? “Well I like both sarees and jeans.” The talk about the World Cup and the tattoo on her back, which she doesn’t want to show, makes us ask about the numerous controversies about her. “I’m a soft target. But I don’t want to hurt anyone’s sentiments or disrespect somebody’s religious beliefs. That is why I apologise immediately.” And cricket is not the only thing going on in her life. She is doing a show called Funjabi Chak De with Navjot Singh Sidhu, where you can see them laughing out aloud. Mandira admits candidly “Sidhu’s laughter is contagious.” Other than this show, she is busy judging ESPN’s talent hunt show, Dream Job. “I’m a kind judge as I know how it is to be judged. ” Any soaps? “No saas-bahu soaps for me, please. But if something like Shanti comes up, I’ll do it.” Ok, soaps are out but what about films? Her role of a love-smitten girl in DDLJ and then Shaadi Ka Laddoo are now almost history! Well, she is working for a project called Meera Bai Not Out in which Anil Kumble plays a cameo. Nothing other than that as of now. Last but not the least, what is her message on World Aids Day? “People live with the feel that it can’t happen to them. Spreading awareness is most important. I would only say be safe and protect yourself and your family.” aman@tribunemail.com |
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STEP OUT
In 1979, as a 24-year-old mother of two and army wife in Agra, Rachel met a Mrs Shamsher – a French skydiver married to an Indian Army officer – at a dinner. The Shamshers had set up a club (the present Skydiving Federation of India) and were starting its first skydiving course the next day. “Mrs Shamsher complained there were no women; so three of us said we’d report at 5.30 a.m.,” remembers Rachel. “The course ran 15-20 days. During the ground training, we rolled onto the ground from a bench to learn how to land safely. Skydivers used round canopies then and the landing would be very fast. So she taught us how to roll to spread the impact over the body and to tuck our chins in tightly so the head wouldn’t hit the ground. We practised by rolling with a hankie between chin and chest. You couldn’t let the hankie drop.” Then came the time for the first jump in the sky. To prepare, the students jumped through a mock door onto a slanting nawar bed. “Of the 45 students, I was the only one who never did the mock jump. So when it came to the actual jump, I couldn’t do it,” recalls Rachel. To top it, the first jump had to be a freefall jump rather than the customary Static Line Jump. An SLJ involves jumping with a two-metre tape attached to your parachute container. The other end of the tape is clipped to a rod inside the aircraft. Once you jump out, the tape unfolds to its full length and then detaches from the container – after pulling the pin that releases the parachute. Learners usually begin with an SLJ. “We had a civilian pilot flying a Beaver. He was horrified when the doors were removed. He’d never flown a plane minus its doors before. Then he heard that people would be jumping out and still be attached to the plane. He flatly refused to allow it. So the students did freefall jumps with Mrs Shamsher pulling the pin to release the parachute as she shouted, ‘Go!’.” Standing at the door, Rachel was petrified. “Usually, you come out of the plane, hold the strut (the wing prop) and then jump. But the pilot was too nervous to allow it; so we were supposed to jump straight out of the door. As I left the door, my body flew ahead and I was able to grab the strut. And I just hung there for dear life. But I was so frightened that my hands were sweating and they slipped after a second. That was my first jump. The second jump was a repeat. On the third, I got a better grip because now the pilot was allowing people to stand on the step and hold the strut. But the pin of my chute had already been pulled so it would have opened and got entangled with the plane. The plane would have crashed.” Risking her life, Mrs Shamsher leaned out of the door and pushed Rachel off the strut. Back on the ground, Rachel cried, apologised and asked for one more chance. “She agreed, but on condition I jump facing the tail of the aircraft. That meant I would face a dive, going head down. She told me what to do to correct it. That fourth jump was okay. But it was the next one that I enjoyed, that was the one on which I lost my fear totally. And after that I became addicted,” laughs Rachel, over a quarter of a century later. (This column appears
fortnightly) The writer has authored India’s first handbook of adventure sports and is available at
y.bey@excite.com |
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Telly Tales
Hardselling on TV Our dear silver screen stars exactly know where to go and when to go. John and Bips arrived on Nach Baliye to promote Goal in the episode where men and women had swapped roles. Suits them and they don’t even need any swapping! From telling Aamir “tere andar ek aurat chupi hui hai” to hitting on Alex, they won over the public hands down. Not for a moment did the performances distract them from their “mission” and the show ended with the duo dancing to a number from the movie. Next in line were Kunal and Konkona, who were judging the show on an energy meter and if the energy of the show was ‘good enough’ only then would Mrs. Madhuri Dixit dhak dhak Nene arrive. So much for her come back as all this while she was busy playing good mom and ideal wifey! (Ektaa Kapoor will be very impressed!). Seen on all channels promoting Aaja Nach Le, that was the invitation Nach Baliye extended, she definitely wants to get her moves right. And our loving Madhuri gladly obliged. Arriving at the fag end of the show, she set many a pulse racing and lit up everyone’s heart with her trademark smile and those moves that are so her’s! Accepting praises and allowing awestruck participants to confess, “I’ve had the longest crush on you”, she came, performed, judged, got flattered and most importantly, promoted her film. That was Madhuri sans her own baliye. But one place where she did manage to bring him was at the Star Voice Of India grand finale. Happily sitting with her Ram, she didn’t even mind playing second fiddle to Lata didi. The lady with the 1,000-volt smile doesn’t mind all that till the moolah is coming in. Well she can be seen everywhere as almost all news channels including NDTV 24X7 and CNN-IBN are running contests to popularise the ex-reigning queen of Bollywood. End of saga While on Lata didi and Mrs Nene, it would be criminal not to talk about Star Voice of India. Their mission was loud and clear – if Indian Idol declared its results at midnight, we will do so at 12:15 a.m. It was an evening of drama, performances and judgments by Madhuri, Lata and Usha and Shaan declaring the results in bits and pieces. Innocent-looker Ishmeet even put Guru Nanak at work on his birthday. But what was Dr Nene doing there? Playing the patnivrata pati and giving company to his wife, who sat on a chair while Lata didi was comfy on a sofa. And as if to make Madhuri feel wanted, she was made to open the envelope but Lata ji announced the winners. But negative marking to the channel and the show for they could not even keep the secret. While declaring the results of the east zone (Harshit was leading till then) Shaan said if there was any change in the result, it would have been caused by the north zone. So the cat was out of the bag. Even at the end when the nightingale was shown the results, her gestures completely gave away the secret. And in a desperate attempt to prolong the suspense, clippings of the show were shown. Too late, we say. (This column appears weekly) |
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Simpson regrets break up with Nick
Pop Singer Jessica Simpson is reportedly regretting her decision to split from ex hubby Nick Lachey. Two years of leaving the former 98 Degrees singer, Simpson has been through a number of high-profile but short relationships with men including John Mayer to Adam Levine to Orlando Bloom. Now, a pal reveals that the heartache of such failed relationships has led Simpson to miss her Newlyweds days with Nick.
“There are definitely parts of her that regret breaking up with Nick now,” news reports said. The singer spent October 26 (what would have been her fifth wedding anniversary on Nov 23) looking through old photo albums that she made when she was with Nick,” said a source. —
ANI
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beauty studio
It is the season of Strawberries. Did you know the red, juicy fruit with bright appealing appearance is not just a pretty sight for your eyes but is packed with immense health and beauty benefits? For a youthful and attractive glow strawberries carry Vitamin K, A, C, B6, B5, copper, magnesium and omega-3 fatty acids. Packed with anti-ageing antioxidants, it is also known as nature’s alternative to Botox, as it protects your skin from sun damage (one of the main culprits for premature ageing). In short, eating berries is a must for great skin as they are loaded with beauty benefits. Studies in US have shown that regular in take of strawberries can improve skin and hair conditions.
It is believed to be the super food of the century. Packed with essential nutrients; berries are by far the best fruit to include in your diet for 100% health, for promoting weight-loss and for youthful, glowing skin. Of all the fruits, berries have the highest percentage of zinc. At this time of the year when everybody is fighting cold, a cup full of strawberries a day can serve as a powerhouse, fulfilling the body’s need of Vitamin C. Vitamin A, a must for healthy hair and skin, is found in the luscious fruit that can be used in beauty recipes to exude magic. Forget miracle jars while strawberries are in season! For glowing skin
Overnight mask: For radiant skin, mash one or two strawberries with water to make a smooth paste. Apply and leave on the face for the entire night, rinse in the morning. Quickfix: Take two ripe strawberries, mix with two teaspoon finely grounded oats and a drop of lemon essential oil to form a paste. Apply the paste on the face and neck area. Leave it on for 20 minutes; rub it lightly in circular motion for a smooth, radiant look. Finish with a toner and moisturiser. Place a slice of strawberry on your eyes to reduce puffiness. With all these handy tips, strawberries should become a part of your beauty routine. Go back to nature for a tasty approach to health and youthful skin!
— Akanksha Yadav via e-mail Yes, strawberries are known to be great skincare additives for oily skin, especially due to its mild astringent properties. Strawberry flesh and juice is recommended mainly for oily skin to improve texture, minimise greasiness and encourage a healthy and radiant complexion. It is packed with salicylic acid that helps remove dead cells and cleans pores. The fruit juice of strawberries is also used to treat sunburn and skin blemishes common after acne. The nutrients like silica, calcium, zinc and iron found in strawberries help reduce hair loss and ensure the formation of healthy hair. Eat a balanced diet rich in strawberries. (This column appears fortnightly) |
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Animate your world
With projects like Gali Gali Sim Sim (Pogo) and other educative animation series on Cartoon Network in his kitty, Pradeep is an established name in his field. What you get to see here are these beautifully crafted clay figures, papers, wire frames, beads, pieces of jewellery and various other materials — all transformed into characters and then made into a movie with a special software. And the end result is a video clip with music or verses playing in the background. Learning it requires skill, imagination and of course hard work. Plus there is a significant amount of filming and editing to be done too. But then, with so many avenues in the animation world opening up, the hard work is worth it. Says Pradeep, “There is a wide scope in animation, especially in the field of advertising. People these days do not remember the celebrity endorsing a product, but they do remember the animated figures. “For instance, people remember the character in Duracell ad. Whereas they won’t remember a product endorsed by Sachin Tendulkar just for the fact that he endorses so many other products too. This is why an animated film promoting a product lasts longer in people’s memory,” adds Pradeep. The two-day clay animation workshop which begins today will cover various topics like creating characters using various materials, designing of sets, methodology and working of clay animation, capturing and importing images in the digital form and the final compiling. So here is your opportunity to let your imagination run riot and come out with something new. |
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Bengal once more
Expectation definitely runs high, but once again we were not disappointed. Overriding the freshness of watercolour is the theme that the artists have selected to paint — a totally green and fresh Bengal, minus the aura of poverty and sadness that seem to find their ways in so many landscapes and cityscapes based on the City of Joy. So it is different shades of green that dominate the walls of Art Folio-9. Nine artists altogether — Dipankar Bhowmik, Tiyasa Das, Partho Roy, Prasenjit Mondal, Bipul Roy, Ganesh Das, Robin Paul, Pratim Talukdar and Ajay Kumar Sharma — and all, except for Ajay, who has executed some Ajanta-Ellora figurines, have chosen nature as their theme. If Tyasa’s works speaks on depth, then Partho’s paintings are all about freshness. Green dominates and he infuses plenty of movements in his paintings by playing with different shades of the same colour. The interplay of light and shade in Dipankar Bhowmik’s works is delightful. The paintings are priced between Rs 2,500-10,000. On till December 12 Colour palette
If watercolour is not your thing, then there is this exhibition called Rhythms of Illuminations — a show of contemporary art at Episode-9, which has been brought to city by Nitanjali, a Delhi-based art gallery. On display are 49 frames by artists like Amiya Bhattacharya, Balu Sadalge, Dipankar Dasgupta, Gurjeet Singh, Kishore Roy, Puja Bahri, Saurabh Bhattacharya, Sujata Dere, Amiya Bhattacharya, Shyamal Mukherjee, Vrindawan Solanki and Madhuri Bhahaduri among many others. To quote Manju Khara, Nitin Bhalla and Saloni Luthra of Nitanjali, “Since this is the first time we have ventured into the city’s artscape, we have brought a huge range not just in terms of theme and technique but also in the price range.” Prices start at Rs 3,500 and goes up to Rs 3.5 lakh. Like Solanki’s monochromatic abstract, which the artist has executed in oil on canvas or Bhahaduri’s colourful figures are some of the higher-end paintings that dominate the show. An exhibition worth visiting, even if it is just to see the wide genre of work. On till December 2
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It’s fashionable to be there
As the name suggests it has everything that a woman may need or want— apparels, jewellery, cosmetics, toiletries, beauty products,purses and bags. This one is the result of an in-depth study which was carried out by Showbizz India by monitoring the latest trends in fashion. A major attraction of the three-day expo will be the designer Pashmina shawls by Al Basheer and Kashmir Kani shawls by Adil. However, these master pieces by these two experts, who have been in this field for the past 50 years, come for a price — that goes well over Rs 5 lakh (yes you read that right). But do not lose heart. There are ones which are available for Rs 10,000 too. The pashmina shawls embroidered with kanji, kalan, paper machie works speak volumes of the traditional art that has withstood the test of time. Their multi-colour combinations make it easy to go with western outfits. Leather bags by Jane Shilton from London, ethnic wear by Pakistan’s design house Out Looks and Barlas Creations, Fashion Jewellery by Candy from Thailand are some of the highlights. The free skin analysis by Kaya Skin Clinic and free gifts by Strands make it a must visit expo. On till December 3 aneesha@tribunemail.com |
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Himachal etc...
Decorative pieces made of brass that speaks of tribal crafts greet you at the first stall. Idols of Buddha and Ganesha in brass are available along with statues of tribesmen. Decorative pieces in wood too are on display.Tibetan masks, bells and saxophone are the added attractions. Showpieces made of waste materials are a big draw with the customers, besides toys, statues, wall hangings, flower pots made from pine cones, driftwood and mud. Woollen jackets and coats, jewellery, metal craft from Chamba and Kinnaur, Indo-Himalyan woollen floor coverings and traditional Kangra paintings are adding to the fair’s attraction. Caps from Bushair and Kullu plus organic foodstuffs are also available. On till December 9 — Aneesha Sareen |
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A relished delicacy
What is it that brings the North Eastern states and the Southern belt of the country together? First clue: A common delicacy. No idea? Here is another hint. It is a root that was once called the poor man’s food. Yes, you’re right. It’s the tapioca or cassava (manihot esculenta crantz). This native of South America continues to be a relished delicacy in several homes.
While in Kerala and Arunachal Pradesh, tapioca is mostly used for food, people in Tamil Nadu mainly process it into starch. As the root contains more calories than other crops, it is the best crop for nourishment purposes in developing countries. A typical breakfast consists of big slices of boiled tapioca served by itself or with chutney or curds. Called kappa or kolly or maracheeni in Malayalam, it a main course when boiled and sautéed with coconut and spices. Puzhuku, as this dish is called, is served with spicy fish curry or chutney. It is also fried with meat to make kappa kozhachathu. Tapioca chips is another relished snack. Thin slices of the root are fried in oil with salt and chilly powder. These are a must in Kerala homes and are a good substitute for potato wafers. In Arunachal Pradesh, although the most common tapioca dish is its boiled form teamed with fish, the root is also roasted on fire, similar to that of corn. This is a slightly sweet dish and an evening delicacy. Tapioca is also used to make sabudana. Sago, also called seeme akki in Kannada, is commonly eaten after fasting. It is also used to make snacks. A payasam (pudding) is also prepared in South India, which is a source of high nutrition for school children. Consuming tapioca daily is not very advisable, though. With high starch content and a large number of calories, this is definitely a no-no for those with diabetes, obesity or related problems. It is also the cheapest source for carbohydrates. So, for those who love tapioca or even those who are curious to try it out, check out New Singla General and Provision Store-47 where you can buy a few roots and tempt your taste buds. — TNS lifestyletribune@gmail.com |
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BON APPETIT At first glance you’d think it’s sweet potato. On enquiring, you stumble upon several names — Cassava, Tapioca, Kappa, Poolakizhangu, Kollikizhangu... For the last two, I needed all my brain cells to spell them right! The North Indian doesn’t use this root vegetable much but it’s a hot favourite with the Malayalis. Though deficient in proteins and vitamins, tapioca is rich in carbs, its starchy consistency lending itself very amiably to frying, steaming and being converted to the most delicious tikkiyas.
Kappa Vada ½ kg tapioca 1 tsp Garlic paste 1 medium onion, minced 2 dry red chilles 1 green chilly, chopped ½ tsp mustard seeds 1 sprig curry patta 1 tbsp kasoori methi, soaked in water Chilli powder, turmeric & salt to taste 1 tbsp oil, and some more for frying ¾ cup boiled rice Method Make shallow cut at the tip of the tuber, then peel off the whole strip of skin by hand, being careful to remove both the brown and the inner pink layer. Cut into slices, removing the thick fiber running through the middle. Boil in plenty of water and drain, then cook again in fresh water till tender. Mash and keep aside. Heat the oil and add mustard seeds and dry red chillies. When the mustard sputters, add onion, green chilli, methi, garlic and curry patta. Sautee till the onion is translucent. Cool and combine with the mash, boiled rice and salt. Make lemon sized balls of the mixture, flatten into tikkiyas and shallow fry in hot oil. Tapioca Pancakes 300 gm tapioca, skinned 150 gm maida 3 tbsp milk powder ½ tsp baking powder ½ tsp salt 2 eggs 50 gm melted butter 125 gm powdered sugar ½ -¾ cup milk Oil for frying Method Sieve the baking powder and salt into the maida. Parboil tapioca until just cooked. Grate coarsely and combine with eggs, sugar, milk powder and melted butter. Thin the mixture down with milk to a runny consistency. At this point you may add, if you wish, a pinch of ground cinnamon or cardamom for flavour. Ladle out small portions of batter into a lightly greased non-stick pan and fry covered till golden. Serve on their own or with a drizzling of sweetened coconut milk.
Tapioca chips 750 gm tapioca, peeled 3 slices ginger 3 cloves garlic 1 tsp turmeric 1 tbsp salt Dash of pepper Oil for frying Method Using a vegetable slicer, cut the tapioca into thin chips. Make a marinade of pounded ginger, garlic, salt, turmeric and pepper. Combine with the slices and set aside to marinate for 20 minutes. Heat sufficient oil and deep-fry chips in small batches till crispy and golden. Drain on paper towels and store cooled, in an airtight container. |
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Feast for the eyes
Rural Bliss Artistic terracotta-plastered village scenes on the facade and on the walls that lead you to this first floor eatery are enough to transport you to the pind. The one and a half year old eatery — Baithak, on the first floor of the Kalagram complex is the perfect place to unwind in after a hectic day. Once up there, place yourself on the charpoys and rustic tables and watch the fresh air vanish your tiredness. Glance at Kalagram in totality or simply watch the city as it moves. The bustling traffic on the National Highway looks quite peaceful from up there. The dimly lit lantern look alike lamps, terracotta toys, windows adorned with coloured stones and walls painted with figurines lend a rustic charm to the place. And the menu written on the slates complete the rugged look. The dining area inside too is done up in a similar fashion with furniture in raw wood. On offer is Punjabi and Mughlai cuisine. And the must eat is makii ki roti and sarson ka saag. And well if it’s a still higher food high you want, then you can enjoy your meal on the machan. View: Kalagram and the city on move Must eats: Badam Shorba, Mutton Rogan Josh, Dal Makhani Meal for two: Rs 180-200 Window Dressing Enthralling foodies for almost two decades now is Yangste. Nestled on the fifth floor, also called the Purple Floor, of Shivalik-17, the joint gets its name from one of the China’s most famous river. Dining here is a tricky business, for if you don’t happen to make it on time there then you might miss on the window seat. Yes, that’s where the foodies love to sit and gorge on the Chinese cuisine. A panoramic view of the city and Shivalik ranges is what the window lets you peep at. The eatery renovated last year boasts of walls painted with artistic dragons. A live band adds to the experience. A delicious eat for the non-vegetarians here is chicken in the nest, cooked in sweet and chilli sauce. View: The city and the Shivalik ranges Must eats: Vegetarian Pepper Salt Meal for two: Rs 400 Magic at work The dining area inside is draped in hues of red and a live band performs here six days a week. The chefs here have been flown in from some of the best eateries of the capital. A fulsome fillet of chicken in sesame sauce rules the chart here. View: Shivalik ranges and Secretariat Meal for two: Rs 800-1000 Must eats: Prawns in hot garlic and Eggplant in hot garlic sauce |
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Tip of the week
Tapioca skin contains glucosides, which could be harmful. Always remove enough surface-skin and cook the pieces thoroughly.
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LAST week was big and busy. Stars shone on TV much to the viewers’ delight. Viewers got not just the usual glimpses and by the end of it, few of us even got bored seeing the same faces every day on every channel and listening to the same old “please go watch my movie” speech. Promoting their shows on TV is not such a bad idea after all! And doing it on popular shows running high on TRPs — very clever. Coinciding with the culmination of a talent hunt, even better. With a cricket match? It ignites controversy and it hurts. Say Madhuri, John Abraham, Bipasha Basu, Konkona Sen Sharma, Kunal Kapoor or the lady with a golden voice, Lata Mangeshkar, have all learnt the art!
Among them stand out Tiyasa, a new name for us city art lovers, for her harmonious blend of colour. Green is her favourite colour but she touches it up with brown for depth. 
To brave the chill this winter, there is a wide range of pashmina shawls. Those weaved by craftsmen from Chamba are priced at Rs. 5,000. There are also Kinnauri shawls with lace work from Palampur. Woven with beautiful borders, it takes about 45 days to complete a Kinnauri shawl, says D.K. Gupta, general manager, Himachal Pradesh State Handicrafts and Handloom Corporation. You can also have your pick from the exquisite pure wool kullu and rabit wool angoora shawls to enrich your wardrobe. Warm slippers or grass Pullan with value added features are worth a look. The colourful slippers are just perfect for the winter.
If it is the company of Shivalik Hills that you wish for, then head to The Magic Wok at Mount View-10. The roof-top restaurant on the fifth floor promises you just that. Absorb in the scenic beauty of the hills on the terrace area of the restaurant as you sip in a cup of Jasmine tea, served on the house here. The place can slip in over 40 people and serves authentic Szechwan cuisine. Open for dining as well as private parties, you can shake a leg to a personalised DJ here. Or if you like basking in the winter sun then enjoy a lunch and a glimpse of the Secretariat here.