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Solitary reaper
In times, when we see politicians and people resort to violence to drive home their point, this lady still abides by the ideology of Gandhi with conviction. And, she need not proclaim it in public or on any podium, as her actions speak not just loud ly but virtually scream to substantiate her stand. So, today the whole country knows it—when a woman stages a dharna for farmers in Singur or for destitute people of the Narmada valley, it has to be none other than social activist Nafisa Ali. In town, we caught up with the ever-graceful and poised Nafisa at Punjab Kala Bhavan-16 doing what she likes best, interacting with slum children and distributing gifts. "It is important to give underprivileged people the right opportunities to make them rise and walk with shining India," says the lady. Working with NGOs and doing social work for the past 15 years, she feels that any individual, if he makes an effort honestly, can make a difference. "I firmly believe in the power of one. We have had leaders like Mahatma Gandhi, Mother Teresa and Rajiv Gandhi who single-handedly brought about tremendous changes." Needless to mention, Nafisa too has been following the same path. But what does she have to say about the general perception that an NGO is a tool to mint money? "There are some such organisations which don't have social causes on their priority list. In such a case, strict monitoring of their functions can solve the problem." She also feels that support from NGOs is indispensable these days, as the government alone cannot work at the grassroot level. "You cannot expect government employees to run around and interact with people living in slums and educating them about hygiene and diseases like AIDS. They have other responsibilities to take care of and in this case, the role played by NGOs becomes more vital." Talking about the same, she says that the NGOs’ work is not just limited to providing basic facilities and collecting funds for the needy, but also motivating them to lead a better life." Before signing off, she does not forget to talk her mind on the latest development in Singur, "All I fought for was the cause that productive land should not be acquired from farmers as that assures them two square meals. The SEZs should be encouraged to come up on barren lands instead." ashima@tribunemail.com
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In His Raza
Of course, we know who he is. And we don't have to scroll the repertoire to check his credentials. When the man with the trademark baritone is Raza Murad, the numerical data offered in the invite: 432 films, 28 Punjabi movies, honorable lecturer with the FTII, Pune, does not startle us. The actor is capable of all this and lot more. But, his absence from the limelight is something which makes us curious. No scaring pretty babes bathing on the gaon ka pond, no international calls for the delivery of guns. What's happened Raza Murad? And then we see him at Hotel Taj, Chandigarh, in a turban and a full-grown grey beard. "Don't I look like a sardarji? Even the gateman couldn't recognise me," says Raza Murad, comfortable in the new get-up. But whatever happened to those safari suits, those chains, and those villainous glances? "I had a strong point to prove," says Raza, who takes us back to an incident which got him thinking, 'I will show them'. "Neena Gupta approached me for Saans, and to my surprise, a day before the shoot, I get a call telling me that the channel didn't approve of me in the role, which was eventually given to Kanwaljit. They thought I had a villainous image, and I could only do those type of roles." Adds Raza, "Meet Mila Dey Rabba has given me a chance to prove to those who think I can't do softer roles. I know that I would have to devote a lot of time and energy to it. But I am ready for it." Coming from Raza Murad, the fighter, we know this is a new beginning. "Indeed," agrees our man, who is busy with regional cinema, namely, Bhojpuri and Punjabi. "This is a new innings for me and Inshallah, I will do my bit. "Hazaar khwaashain aisi ki har khwaaish par dum nikley," he smiles, not looking for any kind of approval from anyone. Nevertheless, why television? "TV is no longer a small screen. Actors like Amitabh Bachchan, Salman Khan, Shahrukh Khan and Karishma Kapoor have increased the size of the screen. Besides, an artiste is always hungry for more and I am no exception to it. TV is like my extra khuraak." What of movies, especially those where there is no clear divide between actors and villains? "The traditional villain has died a natural death," explains Raza, who feels his roles in Raam Tere Ganga Maili and Heena as the best in his career. "There was a time when eight villains ruled the industry, but actors like Shah Rukh Khan have broken the divide. Today is the age of the unconventional villain with a comic touch like that of Anupam Kher and Paresh Rawal." Before we wind up, it's time for the question we were itching to ask, his baritone, natural or improvised? Laughs Raza, "My mother couldn't believe that she was blessed with a son after three daughters. Only when I cried, did she know that it was a 'son'. I don't have any contribution in this. I just don't smoke or have cold drinks. Rest, I still have to work on the modulation and punctuation." jasmine@tribuenmail.com
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For your only eyes
Aishwarya Rai, known as the world's most beautiful woman, has now walked away with another coveted title of having the 'sexiest eyes' in US TV E!'s Sexiest Body Parts List. Aishwarya's dazzling eyes have been voted the most sultry, beating the likes of Hollywood superstars Angelina Jolie, Megan Fox and Scarlett Johansson. Brazilian supermodel Gisele Bundchen walked away with the title of sexiest legs award. Monster star Charlize Theron took away E!'s decolletage award with her sultry shoulders. Eva Mendes lovely locks were voted the sexiest and Taiwanese actress Shu Qi trounced Angelina Jolie for having the sexiest lips. Pearl Harbour star Jennifer Garner's sweet smile emerged victorious among Rachel McAdams and Sienna Miller. Scarlett Johansson has been voted the female celebrity with the best breasts. Actress Jessica Biel's butt has topped the list of E!'s sexiest bottom. And last but not the least Singer Fergie's flat stomach has been named as the hottest abs in the list.
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The state government of Malacca is seeing Shah Rukh Khan's acceptance of a Malaysian award as a door opening for more Bollywood movies to be shot in the city. King Khan recently agreed to come to Malacca next month, to receive his Darjah Mulia Seri Melaka Award, which carries the title 'Datuk'. Chief Minister Datuk Seri Mohd Ali Rustam said the Indian superstar would act as a 'bridge' for more movies to be shot at the historical city. He added: "Shahrukh could also help us get other actors and directors to come to the state for this purpose." Shahrukh was among 758 recipients of the Malacca state honours. However, Ali said the exact date of Shah Rukh's arrival in Malacca has not been confirmed yet. — IANS, ANI
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Eight-year-old Purav Bhandare swept the nation's critics and audiences off their feet with his endearing performance in Tahaan and now he has been offered the pivotal role in Irish director Steve Barron's next film. Of course, Tahaan director Santosh Sivan is raving about the child prodigy. "Steve came down looking for a boy of a particular age and personality. He knew about my work with kids in various films. I recommended another child from a film of mine. But Steve didn't like him. He immediately took to Purav when he met him," Sivan said. Purav's father, Rajiv Bhandare, a dentist by profession, says Tahaan has changed his son's life. "Tahaan has changed my son's life. I still remember how tough it was for us in the freezing climate of Kashmir. By the end of the film everyone associated with Tahaan knew my boy had done something special. And his rapport with the donkey was incredible.
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Sweet but not sugary
If you belong to the breed that wishes either there were no delicious goodies or weighing scales, you are not alone. Thankfully there are people who’ve realised that and are busy ensuring that you get to enjoy all that you’ve dreamt of, minus the guilt. Don’t believe? Read on. At Monica’s Puddings and Pies-8, one can gorge on low cal cakes. Passion fruit, which is made of mixed fruits and blueberry and apple walnut cake, are not just low calorie but also healthy. Monica Sood, the proprietor, says, “There’s gelato and other 99 per cent sugar-free ice-creams.” She further adds, “There’s been a remarkable increase in the sales of such products over the past few years.” And your treat need not stop at that. At Nik Baker-9, you can enjoy all that appeals to your eyes. Says, Nikhil Mittal, the owner, “We make anything on order and everything can be made sugar-free.” Apart from this, they make cookies and chocolate low-cal dry cakes. Here, this concept has been on for quite sometime now. Says Nikhil, “People are getting health conscious and the problem of diabetes is quite rampant in India. So, this was the natural progression in our services.” We extend this sugar treat beyond cupcakes and chocolates. For, traditional mithai lovers can take heart too. The city’s oldest sweet shop, Sindhi Sweets, too, has quite a few options in its platter. Says Abhijeet Bajaj, the proprietor, “We prepare kesar ras malai in which we use corns and is sugar-free and low-calorie and then there’s kancha kola, a Bengali sweet, made of milk and paneer.” Hard to imagine hard-core Indian sweet sans sugar! So, do they taste just as good? Assures, Abhijeet, “The change in ingredient doesn’t compromise on the taste. I myself like it.” Classic case of, have your cake and eat it too. Whether a foodie or not, enjoying delicacies is one of the essence of festival of lights. Let nothing come between you and this sheer, simple and pure pleasure of eating. manpriya@tribunemail.com |
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Bon Appetit
Divali is hovering close and that spells calorific doom coming hand-in-hand with terrific fun for the Blubber-Watchers’ brigade! What can you do when good friends arrive at your doorstep armed with even better chamcham? You can’t show them the door nor consign the sweet syrupy mithai to the dustbin, can you? Make moderation your mantra this Divali and try your hand at rustling up some of these low calorie sweets at home! Low-cal srikhand
1 kg yoghurt Method Place the yogurt in a muslin cloth. Hang it over a bowl (for 4 to 5 hrs) to drain off excess water. Beat the yogurt in a bowl until smooth. Add the crushed pineapple, cardamoms and pistachios. You may use any other seasonal, juicy fruit too. Add shakkar or sweetener, keeping in mind that the fruit has already imparted a degree of sweetness to the mixture. Chill thoroughly before serving. Italian truffle
200 gm Marie biscuits Method Soak raisins in the juice for a few hours till they plump up. Remove and keep aside. Pour the juice into a shallow dish for further use. Sweeten the custard with sugar or sweetener or a bit of both. Line a pretty glass bowl with a cupful of custard. One by one, briefly dip the biscuits in the juice and arrange them out over the custard, using only enough to make a single layer. Scatter half the fruit and raisins over them, followed by another cupful of custard. Repeat the procedure once again, ending off with a final layer of custard. Arrange some slices of fruit over the surface and refrigerate well. Gajar ka halwa 1 kg carrots, scraped and grated Method Pressure-cook the carrots with milk till tender. Transfer to a non-stick karhaai with the ghee and fry till the milk reduces almost completely and the carrots take a translucent sheen. Add the sugar or sweetener at this point, mixing thoroughly to dissolve. (If you are using pellets and not powdered sweetener, it would be wise to first dissolve them in a spoonful of water). You may even add a combination of both sugar and sweetener. Remove from heat, cool slightly and sprinkle over the milk powder and cardamom, once again giving it a good stir. Serve garnished with the almonds.
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The sight of a chocolate cake dripping with layers and layers of brown liquid, topped with cherries. One look. Another look in the opposite direction! It’s tempting. Shh…hey, you can control. Think of that mini dress. That size zero figure. There you go, rushing, at the supersonic speed. Before, the vows and the promises can be reminded, you’ve already bitten into a big chunk of the forbidden thing.
