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Different strokes
Anjolie Ela Menon paints a rosy picture of the Indian art scene on the global canvas.The colours of pride creep into our conversation, as the Padmashri awardee says Indian artists are now being recognized, worldwide. In Chandigarh for a brief visit, the globally acclaimed painter says with a wave of her hand, “Gone are the days when the international community would brush aside the works of Indian artists. It is now acknowledged across the world; is talked about; and is much sought after”. As Anjolie goes on to say the Indian art scene has witnessed a boom with more and more international auction houses and galleries giving credence to their work, you realise she has the experience to back her assertions. Anjolie is the only artist given a solo show for six months at the Asian Art Museum in San Francisco. Just in case you do not know, the paintings of the country’s most prolific woman artist are known for their pathos and vibrancy. She is actually the first Indian artist to experiment with “junk, computer graphics and glass sculpture, apart from huge murals in public places.” Her work hangs in major museums in India, and across the world, including the Chandigarh museum. Anjolie believes just one thing spoils the picture perfect scenario is art piracy! Reproducing a work of art is acceptable, if carried out with due permission from the artist. But faking it is a smudge that needs to be wiped clean from the art scene by the law-enforcing agencies. “We need to act against them, lest they get away with it,” Anjolie asserts. “Acting on my complaint, the economic offences wing caught some culprits faking my work, and even signing it,” she adds. “Well, they were a poor imitation. The only thing that looked good was the signatures! They are now facing prosecution for the offence”. Not the one to be dispirited, Anjolie has come out with a solution. “I am actually thumb-printing my paintings now,” she says. Anjolie has other plans as well. She hopes to come up with an art centre near Gurgaon for giving an opportunity to young artists to work with her, and showcase their paintings. “We are already holding informal workshops in painting and sculpture. But, we are working out the modalities for making it a regular feature”, the artist avows. Even now, she is running a non-government organisation. They are supporting a young widow in her endeavor to run a school in Ghata village, where the art complex is proposed to be set up. Another centre is imparting tuitions and computer training to children in Nizamuddin Basti. Funds? She needs none from the government. “Home Minister P. Chidambaram once asked if we required funds,” she says. “Much to his astonishment, I turned down the offer”. Anjolie says celebrities need to play a greater role in painting bright the social fabric, and she is trying to do her bit.
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Verdict goes to . . .
And it came forth through a Mini General Election to elect a political style icon at INIFD-8, where the milieu was equally jacked up as a scene right out of a political booth. With students voting for their political style icon and raising slogans, the voting process was not on the basis of manifestos, performances or promises but on the basis of their looks, both in their private and political lives. Students had to choose from Rahul Gandhi, Omar Obdullah, Sachin Pilot, Jyotiraditya Scindia and Navjot Singh Sidhu in the male category, and Sonia Gandhi, Jayapradha, Hema Malini, Jayalalitha and Vasundhara Raje Scindia in the female category. Not to forget, the poll was conducted not only in the city but was carried out at 180 institute centres across the country. Says Aditi Srivastava, vice-president, INIFD, “With this unique concept we are trying to propagate amongst students the importance to vote. Right now students are unable to relate to the political leaders and look up to Bollywood stars for role models. Here, we have tried to bring forth the youth icon behind a political leader.” What an idea Sirjee! Talk of the ambience and it was a plush election booth with smart ballot boxes and a colourful ballot paper that had the images of male and female style icons. And for the youngsters it was definitely a moment of careful selection. “Through this mini election we wanted to voice our preference. And it’s not only about good looks, but it’s about a cultured personality. We want a leader who can represent the youth and the country, who can speak at the world forum and take the country ahead,” says Rakesh, B.Sc final year student of Textile Designing at INIFD-8. For first time voter Radhika, this election at the institute was a prelude to the real day. “As a youngster I would vote for a young leader as it is the youth who can make a change.” Ask her who did she vote for and she doesn’t shy away to say, “Rahul Gandhi. He is the best we have. Young, stylish and educated, he is the face of young India.” Ditto for her friend Garima Gandhi, who too believes in the charisma of Rahul Gandhi, “The Congress is our answer to this year’s election. They have the maximum youth leaders and we, as youngsters, definitely believe in the power of youth.” Anyone listening?
They’ve got the looks
l Looks and style do matter, that’s the verdict of youngistaan. In the election for Political Style Icon (male category) Rahul Gandhi defeated his nearest rival former cricketer and TV star Navjot Singh Sidhu by over 33 per cent votes. For the youngsters, they say, Rahul Gandhi like his father Rajiv Gandhi looks ‘cool’ in his simple Kurta
Payjama. l But Rahul Gandhi’s mother Sonia Gandhi was not lucky enough to find favour with the same young INIFD designers. In a close contest for female Political Style Icon, the dark coloured Kanjivaram saris and glowing skin of never ageing Hema Malini
(BJP star campaigner) attracted youth to defeat Sonia Gandhi by over 16 per cent votes.
The final count
Rahul Gandhi polled 50 per cent votes, Navjot Singh Sidhu 20 per cent, Omar Abdullah 12 per cent, Sachin Pilot 9 per cent and Jyotiraditya Scindia 9 per cent
Hema Malini was polled 47 percent votes while Sonia Gandhi was polled 31 per cent, Jayapradha 10 per cent votes, Vasundhara Raje Scindia 7 percent and Jayalalitha bagged 5 per cent votes. |
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Once in a lifetime
Indian film industry remembered the invaluable contribution of stars and filmmakers of yesteryears. The Dada Saheb Phalke Academy in Mumbai gave away lifetime achievement awards to the artistes who were
legends of their times.
Veteran Bollywood actor Manoj Kumar was among those honoured with the prestigious cine award last evening. "I am feeling very happy. It feels very nice when the film fraternity appreciates and supports you," said Kumar. Bollywood director Ashutosh Gowariker was also presented the award for his epic film Jodhaa Akbar. "One of the main factors for this award is that it really respects all technicians. All those crew members who have not got recognition. When we get an award, I think it's
triumph for the entire team. Because from the exterior you can see that only director makes the movie or actor and actress make it. There are many more people who make the film. I think the academy appreciates that aspect," said Gowariker. Veteran Bollywood producer Surinder Kapoor was also conferred with the award in the presence of his sons -- Bollywood actor Sanjay Kapoor, director Boney Kapoor and daughter-in-law Sridevi. Veteran singer Shamshad Begum and famous Gujarati producer Vipin Reshammiya were also conferred with the award. The event coincided with the 140th birth anniversary of Phalke. — ANI |
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Rocket signs
Rocket Singh... is a comedy about the current economic scenario and Ranbir plays a salesman. The film marks the coming together of director Shimit Amin and writer Jaideep Sahni, who churned out blockbuster Chak De! India, which had Shah Rukh Khan in the lead role. The movie is set to release in December this year. —
IANS |
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Remembering Feroze
A week after his death, family, friends and colleagues of actor-filmmaker Feroz Khan paid rich tributes to him at a memorial service organised by his children Fardeen and Laila.
Best remembered for his films like Qurbani, Aadmi aur Insaan, Mela and Oonche Log, 70-year-old Khan died of cancer in Bangalore recently. Dharmendra, Waheeda Rahman, Mumtaz, Zeenat Aman, Amitabh Bachchan, Sanjay Dutt and Shah Rukh Khan were prominent among those from the film fraternity who participated in the memorial service along with family members, which included actor Hrithik Roshan, who is the husband of Feroz Khan's niece Suzzane. The late actor's younger brother Sanjay Khan conducted the proceedings.The memorial service was held at a suburban five star hotel last night. An emotional Dharmendra recalled his close friendship with Feroz since 1959, Mumtaz spoke of the late actor's magnanimity and said Mumbai without Feroz Khan is like a Safari without a lion. Sanjay Dutt recalled how he was influenced with Feroz's flamboyance and generosity. Sanjay Khan said that his brother had read the entire Quran at the age of 13. — PTI
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Merchant's dream
"I am very excited to see it being staged here in Malaysia. Perhaps I can try pulling Shah Rukh from his busy schedule to come and see the show in Kuala Lumpur," said Vaibhavi, who is here to promote the musical. The 90-minute musical will feature 48 songs, including smash hits from Bollywood movies. The cast of 53 will go through 1,200 costume changes and wear 2,500 pieces of Indian jewellery. The musical showcases the artistry of classical Indian dance moves fused with modern dance genres, funk, disco and hip-hop. Vaibhavi said despite discouragement from her family that wanted her to stay away from dancing and cinema, she was carrying on the legacy of her grandfather, the late Hiralal, a top choreographer of the 1960s. She said Merchants of Bollywood was close to her heart as 95 per cent of the storyline reflected her life story. "This is not just another project, it is not fictional. This is a part of me, a story that says dreams do come true," she said. Kuala Lumpur would be the first Asian stop for the musical that has enthralled audiences in Britain, Spain, Italy and Germany in the past five years. — IANS |
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She Can(nes)
Indian actor Sharmila Tagore has been named as one of the members of the international jury of the Cannes Film Festival.Tagore follows India's Arundhati Roy, Aishwarya Rai and Nandita Das, who served on the Cannes jury in recent years, perhaps making up for the country's no-show in the Festival's official sections since 2002.
This year's festival jury will be headed by French actor Isabelle Huppert. The other members of the jury are Asia Argento (Italy), Nuri Bilge Ceylan (Turkey), Lee Chang-Dong (South Korea), James Gray (US), Hanif Kureishi (UK), Shu Qi (Taiwan) and Robin Wright Penn (US). Tagore, 52, who currently heads the Central Board of Film Certification came into public limelight in 1959 when Satyajit Ray cast her as Apu's ill-fated bride in Apur Sansar (The World of Apu) while she was still a teenager. However, it was in commercial cinema that Tagore found her stardom in the 1960s, when movies such as Kashmir Ki Kali, Waqt, Anupama, An Evening in Paris and Aradhana got the box-office ringing. Tagore was the first Indian actor to appear in a bikini on-screen in An Evening in Paris, which was considered a The Cannes Film Festival is from May 13 to 24. —
PTI |
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Mumbai memories
The local radio stations wouldn't play their audios, parents wouldn't support their acoustic venture financially and they shot their video in an under construction house while sneaking in from the backdoor. Nevertheless! F-luxx, the "first hip-hop crew from the city" came into being, is booming and blooming.
Doesn't mean they are doing what everybody does. He adds, "We don't do stuff on drugs, alcohol, violence, sex," while listing the causes they've taken through their videos and words. "We shot a video Jo Desh Ke Khilaf Hai and it is based on the infamous Mumbai blasts, the lyrics for which were done within two days after the Mumbai attacks." Well, the track too was shot in short ten days. "The track saw 500 downloads within three days." From spelling hip-hop for people, to telling them what rap is, it wasn't a smooth sail to ensure uninterrupted and continuous supply (Yeah, that's what F-luxx means). Add to it, the balancing act with studies to juggle. "When you have a passion for something, you somehow manage," chips in Deepanshu Goyal, MBBS student, specialising in Punjabi rap from the crew. Ditto for Sorabh Sharma, engineering student, beat producer. "We take up social issues, sometime we do videos just for fun," like their first video Scary Movie. Laughs Puneet, "It's a funny song on scary movies,' as is Sabse Behtar, another upload on you tube. "In Sabse Behtar we got some friends for shooting, changed locations in various parts of Chandigarh and we are telling how we are the best." The trio is currently on at a project with city based Dr. Gaurav Chhabra, "We are working on a track for his documentary on the open hand," nods Puneet. — Manpriya Khurana |
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In D-Company
They never talk about themselves but listen to you while you talk about yourself and keep an appearance of being interested in the conversation. Which is why most of us would want them as companions, especially those who come back to a lonely house, with no one to share their sob stories and happy moments (my colleague smiled at me today!!!). There is no better friend than a dog, waiting back home, who looks up to you with those innocent eyes, as if asking, 'where have you been. Tell me what happened in the office today. You don't look good. All well.' We share stories of people who stay alone with one and only companion, their dog.
Security, what about keeping the strangers at bay…Rupali Shah, a teacher at YPS, stays with her Labrador, Bensy, whom she finds is extremely sensible when it comes to 'security'. "I stay in sector-45, surrounded by all kinds of people, and Bensy is always on his guard." The hassles of handling a pet, given the fact that they 'demand' attention? "It is vice a versa," smiles Rupali. "Sometimes I handle him, and there are times when he handles me. It is a great feeling to come back to him. He asks for very little, and yet gives he all the love. Don't ask me about guilt of leaving her alone. But, I make up for it by taking her for walks in the evening, and also weekends," offers Rupali. Be it security or coming back to someone who doesn't ask for much, except for few pats and doggy hugs, people who stay alone, don't mind keeping a pet, as long as they can take care of them. However, people staying at PG's cannot enjoy this privilege (save for some exceptions). So, if you are alone and need a pet as a company, you need to rent an accommodation. "This is no big deal," says Samarth Sharma, an event coordinator. "I was staying at a PG, which didn't allow pets. I hired an accommodation in 23. Now, it's Simba, my Labrador and I. You must have heard it time and again, yet, I wish to say it again, pets are a great companion. Simba knows all my secrets. I come back and tell her everything and she responds too. Unlike my other friends, I am not scared to return home." jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Paws & Effect
Living in harmony with your pets and your upholstery can be a challenge. If your cat uses your sofa as a scratching post or your dog leaves a coating of hair each time he sits in your club chair, you might want to bone up on the best fabric selections for pet owning households.
Here are a few insights from Szabo:
n If you keep your pet well bathed (in the case of dogs) and well brushed (in the case of dogs and cats) hair shedding on your furniture will diminish. n Tight weave fabrics are the best choices for pet-friendly upholstery. Avoid boucle, tweed or chenille, especially if you have cats; they adore sticking their claws into chunky textures. And hair will be hard to remove out of all the nooks and crannies. Szabo says the pet friendliest fabric she has ever found is Crypton, which is resistant to stains, moisture, odor and bacteria. n Although white slipcovers sound like a nightmare to keep clean, they can be washed as needed. And, white actually doesn't show drool stains as badly as black or dark colors, so if you have a Saint Bernard or a Great Dane it might be your best bet. n Keeping your home clean when you have a pet presents extra challenges. At the recent International Home & Housewares trade show in Chicago, Bissell launched a whole new line of innovative products with pets in mind. Most of these items will be available in June. Get more information on Bissell's pet care products by going to www.bissell.com. Here is a preview: n A new Pet Hair Broom ($25) has a patent-pending design incorporating strong rubber bristles that work like a magnet to attract pet hair. It can reach into corners with its angled design and is good on bare floors as well as rugs. n The Shed Away ($25) pet grooming attachment fits onto your vacuum and helps gently remove the loose hair from your dog's coat before it lands on your sofas and carpeting. It fits most major brands of vacuum cleaners. Jura Koncius LA TIMES-WASHINGTON POST
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Nothing is black & white
The assumption that a dog wagging its tail shows that it is happy is not necessarily true, revealed the research. The charity has compiled a list of some of the most common urban myths about pets, thinking that owners may be unintentionally harming them because of misinformation.The list was drawn on a series of research projects to challenge deeply held misconceptions about pets. The idea that goldfish have a memory span of only a few seconds was challenged by a study, which found that the they remember to avoid an area of their tank associated with tiny electronic shocks for at least 24 hours. Meanwhile, tests involving food rewards have shown that dogs can distinguish blue, grey and yellow objects and do not just see only black and white. —ANI |
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You're what your mom didn't eat during pregnancy
Pregnancy is easily the most precious moment in a woman's life. While nature has instinctively prepared the females to give birth, yet a lot of thought, efforts and emotions are required to bring a new one into this world. Here are some tips from experts that might come in handy if you have baby on your mind. Getting ready
First and foremost is getting mentally prepared. The very decision to be parents, if it comes straight from to be mom and dad's heart is the first positive step towards a healthy child. However, if the pregnancy is unplanned, or forced as the case may be due to family or social pressures, it may lead to negativity, which, in turn, will have a negative impact on the baby. Health wise
Doctors suggest that one should start folic acid as soon as you start planning a baby. Whether taken as supplement or having food rich in it goes long way in making sure that your kid is healthy. A research in University of Toronto has shown that the risk of neural tube defects can be reduced by nearly 50 per cent with folic acid supplements taken just before and soon after conception. Eating well
Well, we all know that smoking and alcohol is not good while you are carrying, but then whatever a mom-to-be eats or doesn't eat during pregnancy has its impact on the kid. Experts maintain 'nature is changed by nurture'. The expectant moms really are eating for two. The key is to eat foods from the different food groups in approximately the recommended proportions, opine dieticians. It's more than simply increasing the diet. The expectant mothers should see what they are eating, as the quality of food directly contributes to baby's growth and development, they add. Being positive
The value of being positive is never as important as when you are pregnant. "Whatever you think is directly going to affect your unborn. The mother and the baby are wired together. So, your every thought and feeling right from the conception gets transmitted to the baby," says Dr Shruti K Chawla of sector 38. "Everytime the mother or the father strokes the baby in the womb, it causes physiological changes that leads to positive outlook in the kid. This gets especially important by the second trimester, when the baby develops senses," she adds. Some people even like to give a name to the baby to address by this time. Right exercise
Pregnant women can remarkably strengthen their baby's lungs and nervous system by exercising. A daily 40-minute walk coupled with some stretching and bending is ideal. But any exercise should be strictly under guidance of experts, warn doctors. mona@tribunemail.com |
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Life is short, have an affair
While the world is suffering from the ongoing recession, it has proved to be a boon for adultery business. Ashley Madison agency, which revels in the motto, "Life is short. Have an affair," is booming as its membership has soared from one million to 3.6 million in just 12 months.
Noel Biderman, the company's founder and chief executive said that many couples who would otherwise have divorced were seeking affairs at the moment because of the cost of hiring lawyers and the difficulty of selling the marital home. The company has recently launched a new promotional campaign, targeting potential adulterers with TV ads placed on peak-viewing daytime slots. He hopes his business will flourish even more with the launch of a service allowing members to access the site from their mobile phones. "We're not just recession-proof, we're booming," said Biderman, 37, a happily married father-of-two who set up the business in his home city of Toronto in 2001. The advertisement features an attractive woman enduring a dreadful dinner date with a boorish man. "Have you ever found yourself on a really bad blind date?" asks the voice-over. "Now imagine that date lasting the rest of your life." Although it is free to register with Ashley Madison, but members pay with purchased credits to send messages to other users. It charges 49 dollars for 100 credits or 249 dollars for 1,000 credits and 50 credits buys 60 minutes of instant messaging time or 10 emails to different users. Biderman is planning a full launch later this year of the business in Britain and Ireland, where it already has 25,000 registered users. However, Brent Bozell, president of the Media Research Centre, a conservative monitoring group the commercials has criticised the commercials for promoting "Home Wreckers Inc". —
ANI |
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Daddy's effect
Fathers' mental health problems could be harmful for their kids, a new research has warned. Researchers at University of Oxford said that such kids are more likely to have psychiatric or behavioural disorders. They also said that boys in particular could be affected if their father had depression or was
an alcoholic.
The peak age for men to be affected by psychiatric disorders is the same as the peak age for becoming a father - between 18 and 35.Paternal depression during the postnatal period, measured at eight weeks after birth, has been linked to increasing the chance o f the child subsequently developing behavioural and emotional problems from 10 percent to 20 percent. During the study, researchers found that teenage offspring of depressed fathers also have an increased risk of various psychological problems. Researchers said that around 2 percent of men are affected by generalised anxiety disorder, their childrenhave a two-fold increased risk of developing such disorders themselves, Paternal alcoholism is also linked to an increased risk of mood disorders, depressive symptoms, poor performance at school, low self-esteem and relationship problems. "Men's roles in bringing up children have changed significantly with many dads now taking on an active 'nurturing role' so it's important that there is more research into the relationship," said Emily Wooster, policy and campaign manager for the mental health charity Mind. - ANI |
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Falling furniture injures many kids
Is your child really safe when he is sitting in front of the TV watching his favourite programme? A recent study found that from 1990 to 2007 an average of nearly 15,000 children, younger than 18 years, received injuries from furniture tip-overs.
Despite warnings from the US Consumer Product Safety Commission, the number of such injuries involving TV sets and other furniture has increased in the US since the early 1990s.The study said most furniture tip-over-related injuries occurred among children younger than seven and resulted from TV sets tipping over. Parents can minimise risks to children by placing TV s close to the ground and near the back of their stands and strapping TV sets and furniture to the wall. Purchasing furniture with wide legs or with solid bases, installing drawer stops on chests of drawers and placing heavy items close to the floor on shelves will also help prevent tip-overs. - IANS
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In an effort to get a handle on the 2009 elections, political analysts are looking at many pre-poll indicators. Whereas some are looking at their fund-raising prowess, others at endorsements. And last but surely not the least is the fashion conscious young brigade of the INIFD, who has taken style as a parameter. Yes, you read it right, 2009 elections are also about style, besides substance of a leader.
After Bollywood star Akshay Kumar flaunted a beard and a turban in blockbuster Singh Is Kinng, Ranbir Kapoor is set to don a similar look for a Yash Raj Film titled Rocket Singh - Salesman of the Year.
Leading Indian choreographer Vaibhavi Merchant's semi-autobiographical musical The Merchants of Bollywood is set to be staged here in July and she hopes to get superstar Shah Rukh Khan to attend the gala.
The three member hip-hop crew, came into existence pretty much the regular way; three high school classmates, love for music, lyrics etc etc. "We would listen to hip-hop, write lyrics, see rock bands holding concerts, we had the talent so just thought why not?" apprises Puneet Tandon, II Year BCA student, DAV college, crew member. 
Sushma Chaturvedi, 30, works with Kotak Life Insurance has a Cocker Spaniel Chiru to give her company, when she returns from a tiring day at the office. "There can't be anything better than a dog wag its tail when it sees you open the gate of your house," says Sushma, who does acknowledge the difficulties of keeping pets, when you stay 'absolutely alone'. Nevertheless, this vibrant girl manages to chalk her timetable in a manner, which leaves her with good time for her pets. "I finish my work fast, on time to be with Chiru. Sometimes, I do have to cancel dinner with friends to be with them, but this is hardly anything for the love and affection they give," she adds.
A new book Pretty Pet-Friendly by Julia Szabo, explores many ideas on living gracefully with dogs and cats. She spends a long time in the book discussing how to make your pets feel comfortable at home and giving her opinions on upholstery choices that are attractive and easy to clean and hopefully won't encourage furniture destruction.
Do you also believe that goldfish have a memory span of only three seconds, and that dogs fail to recognise colours other than white and black? Well, then you are certainly on the wrong side of the facts, for these ideas are just some of the myths recently exposed by an animal charity called People's Dispensary for Sick Animals (PDSA). The group has said the widely held idea that purring means that a cat is content is also a misconception.
As they say, this too shall paas, these testing times would be over too. Till then help yourself, your friends and family to steer clear of extravagance, cut down all avoidable expenses. Help them gain some extra skills at work by encouraging to join short-term courses. Be ready to listen, those around you will feel much better if they can share their anxieties. Become part of their hobbies to help them destress.
In this current economic climate of crunched credit and rising unemployment, worry and stress levels are on the increase. Worrying does not change things and can build up anxiety, leading to stress. The emotional effects of ongoing stress on a person can result in mental health issues, burnout and relationship difficulties with family and colleagues. One can help our friends and families to cope up with this stress in a big way. Positive thinking can ban the 'stress' word and talking to friends can help them to change their thinking from negative to positive. Relaxation and meditation is another excellent way to fight stress. Physical activity and exercise is also help as it changes the focus from the mind to the body and relieves tension. Complementary therapies that can help include yoga, massage, acupuncture, reflexology and aromatherapy. One can steer their loved ones undergoing a hard time towards these activities and help them maintain poise in life.
The economic slowdown has its affect world over and our country is no exception. Anyone holding a job today is certainly lucky. But then those who have been unfortunate and lost their jobs, its time for the friends and family to stand up by them. Help them face the situation, encourage to take up some work even if its part time or as good as they are used to. Something is better than nothing. Lets be real, things are not looking up sometime soon, so grab what you can get. There would be options for those who look for them. Like one can always resort to teaching at home, who knows you enjoy it so much that it turns out to be your new full time career. The point is not to lose hope, unleash your creativity and take up the alternatives available.