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Simply Sunil
So what if Dil Bole Haddipa was all about garish sets, costumes, Punjabi-touch ambience. Rani in her sexy avtaar minus the bulges, the mandatory romantic scenes. What if, the story about a Punjabi girl, passionate about cricket, disguised as a man to join a local cricket team, did not have a bang on 'stand up and notice affect' (unlike Chak De India and Iqbal, which were looked at as morale boosters for sports and non-sports people) at the box office and on the girls from the rural and metros wanting to play cricket for the country. So what? At least, we had something on women cricket. There is hope for more, indeed. We agree. But, there is more to women cricket, lack of exposure, and non-availability of funds that catches our fancy. And, then we meet this lady, Nutan Gavaskar, secretary, Women's Cricket Association of India, sitting coy in the hotel lobby, sipping hot tea. It's her second name that intrigues us. "I am Sunil Gavaskar's younger sister," she smiles. The conversation takes the obvious course, following the gullies of Mumbai, where passion for cricket with a shy and focused, bright schoolboy went down to make history. Three musketeers
Recalls Nutan, the middle sibling of the Gavaskar family, "No one in our family thought that Sunil would go on to play for India, even when he played at the school, college ands state level. Sunil was climbing the ladder of success, but we still didn't think he would play for the country. It was only after the West Indies stint in 1971, did it we realise Sunil had become a name." All the adulation, fan following did not change anything back home. "We come from a grounded family, so the family atmosphere was more or less the same. Our parents instructed my younger sister and me to do nothing to upset Sunil," adds Nutan. The simple boy
"Sunil hasn't changed till date. He was and is still a simple man, with simple eating and living habits. Even those days when he was a star, he would lead a undemanding life" shares Nutan. She smiles, "We never had those bad sibling fights. He was very protective towards us. And, we would travel with him (more or less) wherever he went to play. He was surprised when I told him about the women's cricket association we formed in 71." Good, better, best
"Women cricket has indeed come a long way, says Nutan. "We started in Mumbai with 20 odd girls playing cricket, graduating to travelling to places like Chennai, Pune and Lucknow to finally forming an association. Nonetheless, there is so much that needs to be done. Earlier, people would come to 'only' see what the women cricketers wore in the field, whether it was skirts or pants. Now, at least they know there is something like women playing cricket." All the same Nutan, feels that people do not throng the stadium to cheer the girls, like they do for our Men in Blue. "With the support of the public and media women cricket too can improve its standing," offers Nutan, who also wants Bollywood to lend a helping hand by making more movies on women who nurture a desire to play cricket. Lastly, she adds, "I wish my girls too get to do some endorsements!"
jasmine@tribunemail.com
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Going places
As we hear the news that he is introducing himself as the Madman from India to his hosts in Singapore, we know that's Sawan all right. Our very own Sawan, the student of College of Art, who is hated for his garishness and loved for his eccentricities by his fellow students in equal measures. But even then he was a star on the campus -- sporting a new look everyday, matching nail paints to go with his attire, colouring his hair accordingly, draw temporary tattoos or find the right shaped bindi and then ride on his BMX bike from Mohali to the Government College of Art-10. Now, he has given his starry status one light-year leap-by getting selected for HP Space which is being produced by Star Regional Sea PTE Ltd. Sawan happens to be one of the two finalists from India who have been selected out of more than 2,000 applicants. So what is he doing now? The show will give him an opportunity to be able to express his art, share his love for beauty and inspire people. And he if can beat the other 15 participants in the process, he will bag $50,000 and a fully paid job on the live action remake of cult anime Bubblegum Crisis in Australia. We wish you luck, Sawan! Catch Sawan in the HP Space Philippine premiere on November 11 on Star World at 9 pm.
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No part(y)ing pangs
A whole week of hard work and finally letting it all out in just few hours on a weekend. Not fair. A lot may be happening in city party circuit, but our appetite is just not satisfied. So, serve yourself a round of afterparty (we coin the terminology), to relax, rewind, and roar. If all the clubbing, lounging and dancing just gets you in the mood, then after party is where the real party starts. Stretching the weekend and fun, an afterparty makes sure you carry on with your weekend socialising. So, what do we have in mind? Long drives, eating out or midnight geris with the gang! "It's more like a house party. Our entire group gangs up at a friend's place and then there are jamming sessions, gossip sessions, wassup-with-life discussions and a whole lot," shares Roshni Singh, media professional from city. So, out of a frenetic atmosphere of a nightclub into the friend zone. "It's just 10-12 persons carrying on with the party. Play guitar, dance, catch up with the latest gossip, or just layback. Most times we go out to eat at places like Aroma, Sunbeam, coffee shops that are open. The idea is to hang around with friends since you are in no mood to go home, thanks to the prospects of a lazy Sunday morning," she adds. Another party animal Adamya Sharma, a final year student of MCMDAV-36, too relaxes at these after parties. "Usually house parties are the safest and best after party hangouts. After a heavy dose of chaos at a nightclub or a disc, you want to sit down, relax, and chat freely with your friends. Then sometimes, you just find yourself joining another party happening at some friend's farmhouse," she says. Now, after parties are not just high on spirit but high on emotions too. "Poeple are high on emotions after partying, so when we get together we talk sense. You can actually strike a conversation, be with people you want t be with," says Ankush Arora, another party regular and a engineering student from the city. Oh, all that comes with a condition though. "That is when we are not so drunk." If the original party was for the masses, the after party is for the classes. Read, only special guests. "Afterparty means doing your own thing. Going for a cup of coffee, or playing cards. Most of times, our weekend parties are house parties and some people stay back until late. There is no chaos or feverish atmosphere but a quiet converstaions over coffee," shares Payal Saboo, a city-based fashion stylist. Quiet doesn't necessarily have to be boring. The afterparty can provide a chance for the people to get away from the eyes of people who were overseeing the main party. There can be pizzas and cocktails, bonding over beer or brew an lots of stories to share the next weekend. Doesn't this make after party sound more fun? "Afterparty is like having a party backstage," says Ankush. Well, sure and who doesn't want to be invited. nehawalia@tribunemail.com
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From a non-Hindi speaking young, shy and uncertain lady of Boom, she has grown and grown to become one of the most desired actresses in our fraternity,” Amitabh posted on his blog. While Amitabh hosts the reality show, Ranbir and Katrina had appeared to promote their film Ajab Prem Ki Ghazab Kahani, which released Friday. “They (Ranbir and Katrina) were charming and involved and sweet. Ranbir as you all know is related to me. His cousin - Rishi Kapoor’s elder sister’s son is married to Shweta, my daughter. “I wished them happiness and success,” he said. In the meanwhile, Amitabh is himself busy charting the marketing plans of his forthcoming movie Paa, being touted as his best work so far. He plays a 13-year-old suffering from progeria, a rare disease that causes premature ageing. —IANS
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He was in the city along with director Kunal Deshmukh, co-star Soha and producer Mahesh Bhatt to promote the film, which is a love story set in the backdrop of 2005 Mumbai floods. "It's (serial kisser tag) something that I have been wanting to change for a long time. I think I'm inching towards it. I definitely want the audience to look beyond that image," Hashmi, often dubbed as Bollywood's Serial Kisser, said."And films like Tum Mile will definitely change that for me. The role in the film is something new for me as compared to other characters I have played before," he added. Speaking about the film, Emraan Hashmi, said, Tum Mile is a love story something that without boasting I think it would definitely change the redeem of how we see romance at least in Bollywood. It's not a traditional filmy kind of romance on screen, I think it's a very ace and honest script. It's something...that all youngsters, anyone who has been in love, anyone or who is about to fall in love can relate to. The great moments in love and the obstacles that come along with relationships, and of course the responsibility to take care of the woman you love and that is something that every man ultimately owns up to. That's also something with which the film deals with," he explained. Praising the role of Emraan in the film, noted Bollywood Director Mahesh Bhatt said, "Emraan has given one of his best performances. He makes a brilliant transition from being referred to as a Serial Kisser in this film." Tum Mile, Bhatt said is the best film coming from Vishesh Films camp, adding "It's about a love storm which talks about how easy it’s to fall in love and how difficult it is to stay in love." "Soha will really shock all of you with her performance in the film which will make you feel that why the hell you underestimated this pretty talented actor," he said. "The character is close to my heart and it's an opportunity for me to present myself to the audience and I'm passionate on it," Soha Ali Khan said. — PTI
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Slumdog Millionaire director Danny Boyle was amazed to learn that his film's co-stars Dev Patel and Freida Pinto are dating. The two actors met while filming the Oscar-winning picture, but kept denying rumours of a real-life romance before finally going public with their relationship over the summer of 2009. Boyle says he was surprised, as he didn't notice any sparks between the pair on the movie set. "I was a bit surprised at first, but then those things tend to pass me by! … I'm delighted for them, they seem to be real soul mates and I'm sure more than that," he was quoted as saying. "I'm very happy for them - it seems lovely," he added. —ANI
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Gimme just one
She may just be a film old but that is not stopping Luck By Chance director Zoya Akhtar from aiming for the stars as she aspires to bring home none other than the most coveted trophy in world cinema, the Oscar. Zoya, who portrayed a darker side of Bollywood in her directorial debut, is now being touted as one of the directors paving the way for the new wave in Hindi cinema. However, the filmmaker believes that she has a long way to go and many dreams to capture, one of which is to win the Oscar. "Oscar means a lot. It is the highest possible film award right now. As a filmmaker I do aim to win it one day. I do not think there is a single filmmaker who has not thought about it," Zoya said. However, many from the industry are of the view that the Oscars are not the ultimate recognition for Indian cinema. Bollywood superstar Amitabh Bachchan has opined that the Academy Awards should not be considered the "ultimate recognition" for artistes. Bachchan had added that Oscars are basically Hollywood awards and should be viewed that way. When referred to the same, Zoya said, "Of course we do make films for our audience but to say no one has ever thought about winning an Oscar, that is not possible. Everybody has thought about winning one including me," Zoya said. —PTI
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Half-a-century, half-a-decade old
Tamil superstar Kamal Hassan who recently celebrated his 50th year in the film industry, turned 55 on Saturday. The actor who had won his first National Award as a child artist for his screen debut in Kalathur Kannamma in 1959, spent a quiet day with his family away from the city, sources close to the superstar said. Hassan, known as the Universal Hero, had last year urged his fans to stay off any celebrations on his birthday, citing the plight of the Sri Lankan Tamils. The actor who has worked in up to 150 films in languages including Tamil, Telugu, Kannada and Hindi has played a myriad of roles in his five decade long career, including Dasavataram, the film where he played ten characters. Known for his penchant for taking up challenging roles, Kamal, as he is fondly called, is reputed to be a "perfectionist" and a tech-savvy professional who has never hesitated to experiment in his ventures. Kamal and controversies, more often than not, go together. The four time National Award winning actor is now engaged in a legal tangle with production house Pyramid Sai Mira, over his shelved project, Marmayogi. Some political groups had objected to the title of his film Sandiyar which had to be rechristened and released as Virumaandi. Kamal's Dasavatharam also had to pass the legal test before hitting the screen as some religious groups raised objections against the title as well as some scenes. According to reports, Kamal is planning his next venture with Tamil film director Mysskin, whose earlier films, Chithiram Pesuthadi and Anjadey had earned critical acclaim. The Filmfare Award wining actor also has Bollywood hits like Saagar, Ek Duje Ke Liye and Sadma to his credit. The actor's daughter Shruti Hassan has already taken to acting and music, debuting in Bollywood with the film Luck and giving the musical score for her father's latest project Unnai Pol Oruvan. —PTI
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Reward for revival
Even today, when I look at any stage and see girls performing, I can’t help thinking of the time when I was ridiculed for doing the same— ladki hokar stage par dance kar rahi hai. I have heard people say this to my father so often. I am glad time has changed, says Usha Sharma, director Haryana Kala Parishad, on receiving the Lifetime Achievement Award conferred to her for uplifting the stature of Haryanavi folk culture. “This award means a lot to me. I see it as a token of acceptance from society and the government, on ‘folk’ as an indispensable part of our heritage,” says Usha. “It also stands as a reimbursement for the destructive criticism I stood up for, a reminder of all those taboos that I successfully overcame, and lastly, a receipt of appreciation for the experiments I made to upgrade Haryanavi folk culture.” Usha Sharma took to dancing when she was 15, in 1969, a time when it was considered ‘shameful’ for any girl to sing or dance in public. “Our family faced a lot of resentment from the Brahmin samaaj. Friends, relatives and neighbours disapproved of my fathers’ decision to allow me to pursue my passion. Thankfully, my father had a mind of his own, and he wanted the same for his kids too,” shares Usha Sharma, who went on to play to the lead actress of first Haryanavi feature film Chandrawal (1985). “It became a box office hit. My husband and I had never expected this.” This marked a new beginning of her association with Haryanavi folk dance and songs. “I wanted to take our culture to the international level. I would often see Punjabi dances and songs make their way into Bollywood. Haryanavi culture had all the elements, which could make it popular.” However, she is glad that things have started moving. She was appointed as the director of the Haryana Kala Parishad in 2006, an event that gave her the much-need platform to bring about a change. “I wanted the youngsters to establish an association with their rich culture, which happened through various yearly competitions that we organised. I realised that they should also be awarded for the same, so, I increased the prize money for various competitions,” offers the director adding, “I also thought of tapping the rich culture that was literally present at every nook and corner of Haryana. I gathered nearly 40 roadside yogis who played sarangi and trained them for a performance at Delhi that was appreciated by all and sundry. I did the same with the beenwallas. The chief minister, Bhupinder Singh Hooda, has always appreciated my efforts, and I am hopeful of the same support.” jasmine@tribunemail.com
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A date with drama
Drama is a collective art form that attempts to represent the ethos of the people, their life and cultural milieu from time to time. Being a life size art in itself drama has been a potent instrument that can be stimulated to debate issues of politico-social relevance,” maintains the actor-composer Kamal Tewari, chairperson of the Chandigarh Sangeet Natak Akademi. Talking about the opening of the fourth five-day Annual Chandigarh theatre festival-2009 scheduled from November 11 to 15, he shares that it becomes increasingly obvious to promote the theatrical art and artists of the tricity in order to make this art form more vibrant and innovative for survival. The fourth edition of the fest is dedicated in the memory of the internationally acclaimed thespian Habib Tanvir, and it also aims at encouraging, promoting and providing a platform to the theatre artists of the tricity,” says Tewari. As an endeavour in this regard, the academy early this year had organised a festival of street theatre plays in villages adjoining Chandigarh, which got an overwhelming response. Both events have become annual rituals now. As many as five theatre groups from the city will showcase their aesthetic potential in the fest to be held at the Randhawa auditorium of Punjab Kala Bhavan from 6.15 pm onwards. It would be open to all the art lovers. Plays to be staged November 11: The festival opens with a Punjabi play Katha Rirde Parinde Di to be presented by Suchetak Rangmanch under the direction of Anita Shabdish. November 12: Young actor Chakresh Kumar will take the centre stage in many avatars as a playwright, set designer, music and play director in a Hindi play Thought. November 13: The Adakar Rang Manch Mohali to present a Punjabi play Rawaitan Toan Paar written, directed and enacted by Sahib Singh. November14: The Chandigarh Institute of Performing Arts ( CIPA) to stage a play Hatt Teri Kismat sculpted by playwright Vijay Tendulkar under the direction of veteran actor Shyam Juneja. November 15: The grand finale will see theatre couple of actor, director Devinder Daman and Jaswant Daman stage Udhari Hoi Guddi under their North Richards Rangmanch ensemble.
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Let’s meet the prince
Devoted to the noble cause of proliferation of performing arts and education the Durga Das Foundation has been over the years bringing a quality theatre and music concerts to the city. Yet another landmark theatrical bonanza Day I Met the Prince is all set to enthrall the children and elders on November 16 at Tagore theatre. The contemporary play that uses credible images and easily relatable situations and is treated in a manner that any growing child would find it appealing and memorable, says Atul Khanna, director of foundation. Atul maintained that the theatre should ideally initiate the child on a journey of honest introspection while creating a sense of awe and wonder. Kids are extremely intelligent and sensitive people, especially in this day and age of the information and media boom, and it is the theatre person who needs to keep abreast with their thoughts, ideas, challenges, emotions – not the other way around. The instant play written by Kuo Pao Kun, directed by Jaimini Pathak and adapted by Nayantara Roy has all the ingredients to supplement the above perception. This play was recently premiered in Mumbai’s Prithvi Theatre to a warm reception by parents and children alike. It is an adaptation of The Little Prince by Antoine de Saint. Divulging on the salient feature of their prestigious presentation says Atul Khanna that the incorporation of magic on stage, as well as live songs, music and dance add to the uniqueness of the play which is full of fun, laughter and enjoyment. The director is of the conviction children respond best to underlying issues in any play only when they have been thoroughly entertained in the performance and it is only when the actual stagecraft is memorable that the message is driven home. He observed that most children’s theatre in India tends to be either preachy or escapist. The children are either ‘talked down’ to or they are encouraged to explore a fantasy world that has little to do with the times that they are growing up in, and the issues they must be made aware of. The instant play is a positive step in this regard, he adds. The play offers a fantasy-filled, outrageously funny wink at the intense hurry that life seems to be in while gently creating an interactive space for children to find their own causes in. The play uses frequent direct interaction with the audience as an intrinsic part of the plot and progression of the story. Day I Met the Prince is scheduled for November 16 at Tagore Theatre is sponsored by The Tribune, City Emporio, First City and ARK Infratech. Entry is by invitation only. Passes are available from the sponsors and at the Nehru Bhavan in Sector 24, on a first come, first serve basis.
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Spice up
If you have been following a healthy diet and lifestyle, you have an advantage. Good health and fitness have many benefits. Regular exercise helps to delay aging changes and has a beneficial and rejuvenating effect on both body and mind. Walking is excellent, as it helps to exercise the entire body. Adopt a healthy eating pattern, with an emphasis on fresh fruits, unrefined cereals, salads, sprouts, lightly cooked vegetables, yogurt and skimmed milk, clear soups, fresh fruit
juices. It is never too late to start a regular skin care routine, selecting products according to the skin-type. The skin-care routine should include cleansing, toning, moisturising and nourishing. With age, the activity of the oil glands decreases and the skin becomes drier. If you have dry skin, step up your daily moisturisation after the age of forty. Pay special attention to the neck and the area around the eyes, which show age most of all. The application of outer-eye creams helps to maintain the elasticity of the skin and prevent early wrinkles. Take weekly facials at a good beauty salon. Make-up certainly helps to add a dimension to the face and personality. It can also be used to cover up flaws and blemishes. The effort should not be towards achieving a younger look, but rather one that suits your age and helps to project grace and elegance. Subtle make-up is what you should try for. Use moisturised and creamy foundation if the skin is dry. Use a moisturiser before applying foundation and also cover up blemishes with a lighter colour or a concealer. After applying foundation, use a damp sponge on the face, lightly blending and dabbing. Avoid pink tones and go for beige and more golden tones in foundation. You can avoid powder if your skin is dry and apply a blusher instead. This helps to add a glow to the face and brightens it up. Using a soft shade, apply it on the cheekbones, going outwards and slightly upwards. Just a hint of blusher on the chin also helps. Heavy eye make-up may not suitable, as it draws more attention to the eyes and telltale lines and wrinkles, if any. A soft look is more desirable. First redefine the brows with an eyebrow pencil. Use a brown or grey powdery eye shadow on the lids. Avoid eyeliners and use an eye pencil to line the upper lids, close to the lashes. Brown or grey eye pencils may be more suitable, instead of harsh black. It lends a softer look to the make-up. Mascara would help to brighten the eyes. Apply two coats. When it dries, use a brush to separate the lashes and give the eyes a Use a lip pencil to outline the lips and then fill in lipstick, using a lip brush. Avoid very dark or very light colours. Blue tones should also be avoided. Bronze, coral, copper, coffee, pinks, would go well. Keep an open mind. Try out something new. You never know, it may suit you. Be subtle with make-up and accessories. Learn something new. Cultivate your interests and hobbies. They give another dimension to the personality. Beauty, after all, is a total impact. |
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Dadima ke nuskhe
Dr Ashima Goel, city-based dermatologist doesn't support much of these ancient remedies. She reasons, "These nuskhe don't suit all skin types, especially people with acne prone skin are at a higher risk of having reactions or breakage of acne." People with oily skin shouldn't experiment much with home remedies like applying gram flour or milk on the face. "This can lead to blockage of pores, which lets the bacteria react with the oil and leads to more acne instead of treating it." Lemon as a home remedy suits oily skin the best but isn't recommended for the dry skin, it leaves the skin more dry and chapped and aggravates problem." Treatment of hair fall doesn't require a rocket science formula, all one need to do is do the usual simple things like apply multani mitti, egg yolk for conditioning. Zahid Khan of Profile, a saloon in sector 8 adds to the tested Dadima ka this nuskha, "After oiling, steam your hair well to open scalp pores which will make the oil seep to the roots." for colouring, as you grandmom must have done, apply only heena prepared after grinding heena leaves and not the one available in readymade packets. Dadima ke nuskhe rather stand true to the test of time when it comes to treating stomach problems. As Nancy Sahni dietician, PGI recommends, "In case of an upset stomach, boil carom seeds (ajwain) in half a glass of water till the water is reduced to just three tablespoons." She maintains that turmeric helps treating wounds faster and tulsi leaves are good for respiratory system. A popular nuskha that she refers to as a senseless myth is, "Pregnant women are made to believe that having a lot of ghee and fried products help in the easy delivery of baby as it helps the baby slip through the womb." Make sure you go in for the right remedies.
ashima@tribunemail.com
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Heel-ing touch
Take for instance, 21-year-old Amrita, who, in spite of constant backaches refuses to give up on heels. She continues to ignore pain and says, "At five feet, I am way too short. I have to wear heels to look taller and even to ride my scooter," says Amrita, adding that at parties, five-inch heels are normal. "I don't think flat footwear looks good with evening wear." "Extremely high heels are known to lead to curvature of the back causing backaches. Walking on uneven roads with heels leads to ankle injuries," director principal of GMCH-32 and Orthopediacian, Dr Raj Bahadur explains and adds, "Unlike abroad, Indian roads are uneven." Crammed toes under tight straps cause Halluxvalgus, which means crooked toes. He explains further, "In some cases, Halluxvalgus leads to acute pain and has to be operated upon." Heels are known to cause strain on the lower back, thereby causing the body to droop forward. Hard and flat surfacing of the soles obliterates the arches of the foot leading to pain. Knee pain due to heels is caused due to faulty alteration of the walking pattern and weight transmission. According to Dr Raj Bahadur, osteoarthritis of the knee is common in women of the 45-55 age groups. However, he says, "Now, with a large number of young girls wearing heels, such cases among them are rising." Ask 28-year-old Pallavi Natu who says, "I have been wearing heels since the age of eight. Then, it was occasionally, today I wear it every single day. I know that my backaches are caused due to heels , but I have become habituated to them and ignore the pain." Dr Raj Bahadur says, "Platforms are recommended to enhance height. They allow uniform enhancement of the height and lend less tendency to fall." Footing the bill
Osteoarthritis: High-heeled shoes cause the feet to loose the ability to absorb the shock of impact, which is transferred to the knee, a common site of osteoarthritis among women. Achilles tendonitis: Occurs when the large tendon that connects the calf muscles to the heel bone become shortened. It then becomes irritated and swells. Muscle tear: Lack of stability can lead to sprains and muscle tears. Callouses and corns are caused by pressure and friction when the foot presses against the inside of shoe or when toes are pressed together. This can lead to the formation of thick hard areas of skin called corns. Hammertoes: Occurs when the second toe buckles under itself relieve pressure. The toe buckle then rubs against the inside of the shoe. Overtime, this causes the toe to take on a claw like appearance, and a hard corn develops on top of the toe. Bunions: Occur when the big toe is forced inward, and the joint is forced outward, causing swelling, pain and eventually bony growth.
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Night-shift workers should avoid drinking coffee if they wish to improve their sleep, according to new research. A study led by Julie Carrier, a University of Montreal psychology professor has found the main byproduct of coffee, caffeine, interferes with sleep and this side-effect worsens as people age. "Caffeine is the most widely used stimulant to counteract sleepiness, yet it has detrimental effects on the sleep of night-shift workers who must slumber during the day, just as their biological clock sends a strong wake-up signal," says Carrier. "The older you get, the more affected your sleep will be by coffee." Twenty-four men and women participated in the study: one group was aged 20 to 30, while a second group was aged 45 to 60. Everyone spent two sleepless nights in lab rooms before being allowed to sleep. "We all know someone who claims to sleep like a baby after drinking an espresso. Although they may not notice it, their sleep will not be as deep and will likely be more perturbed," says Carrier. Both participant groups had to take a pill three hours before sleeping; either 200 milligrams of caffeine or a lactose-based placebo. All subjects who consumed caffeine pills had their sleep affected, especially older participants who slept 50 percent less than usual. In both age groups, caffeine decreased sleep efficiency, sleep duration, slow-wave sleep (SWS) and REM sleep. The combined influence of age and caffeine made the sleep of middle-aged subjects particularly vulnerable to the circadian waking signal. Carrier suggests that lower brain synchronisation -- caused by age and caffeine -- produces greater difficulty in overriding circadian waking signals during daytime and that leads to fragmented sleep. These results have implications for the high proportion of the population using caffeine to cope with night work and jetlag, particularly the middle-aged. Carrier recommends that everyone over 40 reduce their coffee consumption, especially if they work at night. Her study builds on recent findings that reducing coffee consumption is the best way to improve sleep for the middle-aged.— IANS
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Body Wise
The number of theories about cardio exercises are enough to make your head spin. Here are some common myths surrounding this topic. Don't fall for what many others before you have believed; it will only lead to disappointment.
Myth: Steady-state cardio is the best way to burn fat. Fact: Although you may be able to perform this "easier" type of cardio for a longer period of time, thus burning more calories while you are doing it, it is what happens afterward that is more significant. With high intensity interval training, which is cardio performed at a much more intense level, your body will expend a greater number of calories throughout the day in order to repair itself after the hard workout; this results in a greater number of overall calories burned. The more cardio you do, the more you can eat. Fact: Don't we all wish this were true? So many people are under the false notion that they can eat a double cheese chicken burger, and then just go and burn it off at the gym. First off, do you realize that it would take about 2 hours of running to burn that many calories? I bet that burger doesn't look so appetizing now. Second, if you go by this principle, you will likely spend way too much time doing cardio, which will result in over training and possible injury. Wearing weights while you do cardio helps you burn more fat. Fact: If you think those one-kg ankle straps are going to launch you into fat-burning mode, think again. Not only are they not heavy enough to significantly impact your calorie burn, they may also throw off your balance, which could lead to injury. Focusing on raising the intensity of your cardio rather than the amount of resistance is much better. If your goal is to get stronger, get off the cardio machine and into the weight room. You should do the same type of cardio every day if you want to see progress. Fact: Just as in weight training, if you perform the same movement day in and day out, your body will adapt and become more "efficient." You will end up burning fewer and fewer calories, and reaching the dreaded plateau. Instead, try to mix it up by running one day, cycling the next, and the elliptical machine on the third day. In addition to changing machines, don't forget to vary the intensity of your workout. This will force your body to alternate between periods of being pushed to its limits and resting, which will ensure that progress is made. If you only have 10 minutes to do cardio, you might as well skip it. Fact: 10 minutes is 10 minutes! When it comes to burning fat, every movement you make throughout the day counts; even the simple act of lifting your coffee cup burns calories. You're much better off just making what you can out of those 10 minutes. If you frequently find yourself lacking time to do cardio, try breaking your workout into segments: 10 minutes in the morning, 10 minutes at lunch and 10 minutes at night -- whatever works best for you. You shouldn't eat before cardio if you want to lose body fat. Fact: This is a much-debated topic, and it basically boils down to the type of cardio you are doing. If it is a steady-state, moderately paced workout, then you don't need to eat; working out on an empty stomach may even help you access your fat stores faster. If you plan on doing HIIT sprints, however, you must eat beforehand. This type of cardio requires glucose for fuel, so not eating will throw your body into a catabolic state (during which you burn muscle tissue) and you won't even be able to maintain the intensity this workout requires. You are best off eating a small meal that contains carbohydrates and protein about an hour beforehand. Cardio demands little concentration, so you can entertain yourself by reading or watching TV. Fact: If you are able to fully focus on a TV or a magazine while performing cardio, you are not working hard enough. Your pace should be fast enough that you are only able to focus on the task at hand. If it is "easy" day, you may be able to get away with watching some TV; however, a better option would be to pay attention to your movements to ensure that you are using proper form.
kalrasachin@hotmail.com
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In the fitness of things
We have heard and read a lot about size zero but do you think a layperson knows what size zero means? Please email the responses along with a photograph to lifestyletribune@gmail.com or mail on In the fitness of things, Lifestyle, The Tribune, Sec-29 Chandigarh. Only the best few responses will be published.
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Megastar Amitabh Bachchan, who caught up with actors Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif on the sets of reality show Bigg Boss 3 recently, is all praises for the latter and says she is a “modern day marvel”. “Katrina is a modern day marvel.
Bollywood actor Emraan Hashmi, whose next venture Tum Mile with Soha Ali Khan is set to hit the theaters this Friday, described his role in the film as one of the best in his acting career. "For me it's one of the best roles of my career. It's something that comes only once or probably couple of times in an actor's career. Acting in Tum Mile was an incentive for me," Hashmi said.
As we approach the age of forty, certain changes may show up on the skin, hair and figure, like lines and wrinkles, thinning or greying hair, or excess weight. What is needed is to come to terms with these changes in a positive way. Take an honest look at yourself and find out the areas that need improvement. For instance, losing weight can take the years off and make one feel younger and more attractive. It also has a renewing and refreshing effect.
Hair problems are common as one ages. Regular washing and proper hair care helps to a large extent. Along with this, one can have clinical treatments to check problems of hair loss. Women also find it difficult to cope with grey hair. This is another area where beauty salons provide advice and treatments. Hair colouring methods are available today, which give a far more natural look. Avoid a jet-black colour, as this looks unnatural and actually makes one look older. A softer colour, in dark brown, would help to impart a more attractive and natural look. A change of hairstyle can also make you feel like a new person. In fact, with thinning hair, you can go in for a shorter haircut and style, which can give the hair a fuller look and make you look younger. We are living at an age, when one can experiment with new looks without raising too many eyebrows. In fact, you will probably get appreciation and compliments as a result of these changes. 
A few drops of ginger added to a tablespoon of honey cures soar throat. To take care of stomach and respiratory problems, drink water with tulsi leaves boiled in it. Apply gram flour on the face for a glowing skin. And so many such home remedies account for the claim to fame of grand mothers since time immemorial, of course besides the dreaded mother in law and bedtime story teller image. Some of her nuskhe are still in as much in use as they were before when doctors weren't the first preference as consultants. Here we check how reliable are these convenient resorts to cure cold, treat acne and hairfall, stomach problems and other minor health problems.
You should only listen to your grandmom in case she suggests drinking lot of water for a healthy skin, eat fruits, use rose water to remove make up or put cucumber on the eyes for relaxation, "But that too should be done only if the skin barriers are intact, or else it can lead to skin irritation," she adds.
High heels may make you look tall, might improve your gait and may even enhance your personality. But when it comes to backache and foot pain, they are inarguably notorious. An increasing number of women are complaining about chronic backaches. But much like the desire for chocolates and cakes, that of wearing high heels seems sinful yet permissive.
Hair and there
Smooth on surface
Safe side