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Politically correct
Do actors make good politicians, or are politicians good actors? Let's look at it through actor Raza Murad's eyes, who has drawn a clear demarcation between the two, which he explains with a touch of philosophy -- "Politicians need to gather crowd for their rallies, whereas the actors are themselves the crowd pullers." We buy this. Raza has a point to make, "Actors can make best politicians. Actors already have name, fame, money if they enter politics, as compared to some people from outside who are enticed into politics because of these," says the star campaigner of the Congress. Speaking on the topic 'Regional cinema losing audience--a matter of concern' at the second annual function of the North-Zone Film and TV Association at Punjab Kala Bhawan-16 on Sunday, Raza made it clear that he likes to believe in the truth of the moment. Memories to him, are a reminder to those good old times, but life has to move on. The actor says, "I have been part of some fabulous cinema, Prem Rog, Ram Teri Ganga Maili, Ram Lakhan, Tridev, Mohra and Gupt. And today, I am part of another fabulous innings, wherein in give diction, voice and speech lessons to the students of FTII, I am a brand ambassador of the AIDS awareness campagin for Wochart, an active Congress party campaigner," provides Raza. This doesn't stop him from sharing about the uniqueness of all characters. "Villains used to be 'purely' villans. It was a specialised job, which has now lost track. Leading ladies play villainous characters. It might sound like the case of sour grapes, honestly there is an overlapping of roles." The case of out from sight, out of mind does not bother this actor. He owes his 'visibility' to the television. "Thanks to the TV, youngsters can watch movies that were made 32 years earlier and attach face to the names of 'actors' they have heard. The other day, Ram Teri Ganga Maili was being shown on one of the channels, and I got a good feedback from youngsters who had heard about me, but they had never seen me. TV is one reason why Kishore Kumar is still popular with todays generation," chips in Raza Murad, the man with a rich baritone. "I knew I had the voice, but I didn't know how to modulate it. For those who think they can acquire baritone, I must tell you, it is not safe. An artifical modulation can damage the vocal chords," he adds. Back to what brings him to the city, the seminar on losing ground of regional cinema. Shares the actor, "The stature of Punjabi, Bhojpuri and Bengali cinema have improved manyfolds. Bhojpuri cinema has an established market in South America, Holland and Mauritius. So is the case with Punjabi cinema that has a wide international market." Raza attributes the growth of regional cinema to lacuna in the pattern of Hindi movies. "Hindi films sometimes lack those traditional values, which are evident in regional flicks, and that is what people like to watch," he signs off.
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Ringside view
The bone joints twitch a bit, the muscular opulence is overshadowed by loose hanging skin. What remains of Dara Singh at 82 is the zest for life, his conviction that the 'old time khuraak (diet) will pay back duly, and his faith that life is beautiful, still. "Yes, I have grown old," the champion wrestler shares. "Now, I follow a more or less simple routine. Yoga sessions in the morning, followed by light breakfast, a nap in the afternoon, and catching up with near and dear ones in the evening," he adds. Compared to those 'happening days' in Dara Singh which began after he had won the Indian Wrestling Championship in 1952, and shot to the limelight with his first Bollywood movie King Kong, this stage of life is rather measured. "I moved to Singapore when I was 18, and started wrestling. I came back to India in 1951 as a professional wrestler. It was on one of the wrestling tours, a producer noticed me and offered me the role in King Kong," says Dara Singh, who gave life to the character of Hanuman in Ramanand Sagar's Ramayan. "Those Ramayan days were magical. My Hindi diction improved considerably. I was 59 when I played Hanuman because Ramanand Sagar thought I was the fittest man around. I never knew the serial would go on to become such a hit," he recalls. As he opens the compartments of his life one after the other, we become privy to one most important aspect of his life, which shaped Dara Singh, his strict diet. He smiles, "Today, the products help in bodybuilding. I would live on a regular diet of almonds and pure ghee. It was impossible to drink desi ghee, so someone told me to mix it with curd every night and gulp down the mixture in the morning. Today, I have to think about the food my system will digest," he throws a hearty laugh. Time is finite; people who live with this fact are more at peace with themselves. "Jab We Met was the last movie I did. I prefer to do only light roles now. I am not game for television because it is a lot of work," he adds. Now, how can you sit with 'the' Dara Singh and not talk about wrestling? "Wrestling is more of a showbiz thing now," says Dara Singh adding that there are no defined rules in the ring now. "I watch WWE sometimes. The wrestlers are out to murder each other. We use to fight with a technique, with rules and regulations." Dara Singh shifts in his seat, a bit uncomfortably. The ‘memory sharing’ session should come to an end, we assume. Any advice from the man who compressed people to bits and pieces in the akhaaras? "Pursue sports, this is a great way to maintain health and to keep away from drugs.” He gets up to change into a formal shirt and trouser to pose for our lensman. Only this time, all pictures are sans the bulging muscles. jasmine@tribunemail.com |
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Green revolutionary
There are people who have an opinion about everything under the sun, whether it's the rising inflation or neighbourhood ladies club elections. And then, there are others who restrict their opinions only to kind of work they do. So, when in conversation with Sunita Narain, all things that matter are saving tigers to saving brinjal, conservation of Ganga Basin to making water everybody's business, greenhouse emissions to supporting green concepts of development.
Call her an environmentalist or political activist, her motive remains the same, awareness and green empowerment. The lady who figures amongst the world's 100 public intellectuals isn't game for frills in life. She caught everybody's attention with her campaign against Coca Cola and Pepsi for the use of pesticides. And, this time the issue catching her attention is BRAI i.e. Biotechnology Regulatory Authority of India Bill, which according to her, "Will bring unknown and unheard diseases and genetic mutations for those who consume it, if allowed to be passed." The director of CSE was in the city on Saturday to speak on the issue at the Lajpat Bhawan-15. "When talking about genetically modified food, there is a high degree of regulation needed to scrutinise and work towards earning public credibility. Any lapse in the amount of good research required and need for a credible authority will create a sense of insecurity in the public," she says. And with that piece of information, she threw her punch as well, coining the term Bio-stitues ( biotech-prostitutes) for those scientists who manipulate the research for the benefit of corporates. Well, Sunita Narain hits hard but that's what works for her. Being awarded the World Water Prize for her concepts of rainwater harvesting, Sunita has an advice for Punjab, "Punjab should be obsessing about their water resources. It's a land of farms and tanks, but what would we do with the land without water?" Any solution?"Recycling sewage water." Another serious issue on the activist's agenda is tiger conservation. "There is a powerful lobby that is trying to create a war inside our reserves thinking it will bring solutions. But that only complicates the matter.” nehawalia@tribunemail.com |
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Dev cool about girlfriend's 007 outing
Slumdog Millionaire star Freida Pinto has been roped in to play the next Bond girl and her boyfriend Dev Patel is cool with seeing her 'rolling around' with the super spy, says a report. The 24-year-old actor will be seen alongside Daniel Craig in the upcoming 007 movie, which is to be directed by Sam Mendes. It will be set in Afghanistan. "It will be a typically glamorous and raunchy role and Dev (Patel) has been joking to friends he is cool with seeing Freida rolling around with 007," said a source. Meanwhile, American actor Olivia Wilde is reportedly in talks to star as the second Bond girl in the 23rd outing of the spy franchise. "Sam (Mendes) has been talking about Bond for months now and is so excited about it. The project has been in the pipeline for months and Freida was always the dream Bond girl, but initially she was nervous about accepting it," said a source. "This is going to be the most ambitious 007 yet. Sam plans to reinvent the genre. Peter Morgan, who wrote 'The Queen', has penned the first draft of the script and it promises to be visually stunning." — IANS
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Hollywood actress Demi Moore saved a man's life when she responded to his suicide threat on the social networking site Twitter. The 47-year-old Ghost actress saw a follower's message saying, "I am about to go hang myself from a tree outside my house and end my life. I have no reason to live any more." He then wrote another message: "I am going to send a live feed of me hanging myself. No one cares if I die or not." Moore replied: "Are you really asking for help?" He wrote: "Yes." Then the actress called up police and the man was found unharmed and taken to hospital. — IANS
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Woman from Venus
Sri Lankan beauty Jacqueline Fernandez will be seen having special powers in her next Bollywood venture Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai. No, she doesn't play superwoman...she plays a woman from planet Venus!
Writer-director Milap Zaveri says his film is not a sci-fi action movie but a romantic comedy about Tara, a girl from Venus who comes to Earth in search of love. And that's why he didn't want his heroine to do daredevil stunts but she does have some super abilities - the Venus woman has the power to freeze time. Kahan Se Aayi Hai is a love story rather than a superwoman story. So there was no point indulging in anything that would have made Jackie (as Jacqueline is fondly called) appear to be overtly larger than life. Yes, she is different in a lot of senses and hence there had to be something special attached to her. However, we didn't want anything too gimmicky about her behaviour or persona," Zaveri told. "Also, we could use this character trait in different moods and situations in the film, whether a funny sequence, a romantic moment or an emotional encounter. Once we decided to go ahead with 'time freeze', it was a matter of improvising on the script while incorporating this trait," said Zaveri, who has written either the script or dialogues of films like Masti, Kaante, Jhankaar Beats and Heyy Babyy. Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai sees Jacqueline paired opposite Riteish Deshmukh, who had acted with the former Miss Sri Lanka in her debut film Aladin as well. Also starring Ruslaan Mumtaz, Sonal Sehgal and Vishal Malhotra in principal roles, 'Jaane Kahan Se Aayi Hai' boasts of a number of guest appearances - Farah Khan, Akshay Kumar, Sajid Khan, Amrita Rao, Deepika Padukone, Katrina Kaif, Priyanka Chopra, Anushka Sharma and Vidya Balan. With music by Sajid-Wajid, the film is set to release April 9.
— IANS
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Funny side up
After making gritty social dramas in the past, the multi National Award winning director Shyam Benegal feels that his style has changed and he now prefers the genre of satire.
"I have mellowed down and I look at the ironic side of the problems now. I feel that they can be explored in a different way with the medium of comedy," Benegal said. But the multiple National-Award winning director will always be telling the stories of soil through his work as he believes that they are appreciated. "I was very happy to notice that Welcome To Sajjanpur did really well. It was like by people in metropolitan cities, in first class cities, small towns. It had a single screen presence as well as in multiplexes which was very heartening," Benegal said. The filmmaker hopes that his Boman Irani, Minnisha Lamba starrer Well Done Abba which hits the theaters on Mar 26 will also be well received. "The film has done its rounds in International film festivals like New York, Dubai, Palm Spring and we got good reception. Although its an extremely Indian story, it has been liked by foreign audiences as well," he added. According to Benegal, Well Done Abba is a comedy which has two things at the centre of it - a political satire and a romantic comedy. Minnisha, who grabbed eyeballs as the 'bikini babe' in Kidnap, will be seen in a total de-glam avatar in the film. "She plays a young, feisty girl. I don't make my actor look like they will win Miss World title,” Benegal said.
— PTI |
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Picks & piques
Three films hit the theaters this week. Lahore, LSD- Love Sex aur Dhoka and Shaapit. Lahore a first time effort by Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan is about the sport of kickboxing with Indo-Pak relations in its foreground. Dibaker Banerjee's LSD uses about the contemporary thirst for voyeurism as it's prime focus and Shaapit is a 'c' for cheap-grade horror flick from the Bhatt factory directed by Vikram Bhatt. LSD is interesting at best, Lahore is well intentioned but Shaapit just sinks to retrograde Paisa vasool Film :LSD- Love Sex Aur Dhoka Cast: Anshuman Jha, Shruti, Neha Chauhan, Raj Kumar Yadav Direction: Dibaker Banerjee We have seen better from Dibaker Bannerjee. His earlier, Oye Lucky,Lucky Oye was definitely a masterpiece compared to this one. I have heard that success makes strange bedfellows and I guess the Dibaker Banerjee- Ekta Kapoor tie-up for this film, explains it all. This is a film that is different from the run-of-the-mill, all right, it's interesting and insightful too but it's also bit too voyeuristic to be close to high-art. Most of the film is shot on digicam, so it's not a steady visual that you are seeing. It's shaky, grainy and unsettling in the extreme. Three stories re being told here. The first one has two students of opposite sex, from a film institute, attempting a Dilwale Dulhaniyn Le Jayenge tribute. While at it they fall in love and start believing that they are the two lovers Raj and Simran reincarnated from celluloid. But the girl's conservative family does not think it's funny. The second one is about a boy who uses the closed circuit TV in a mall to make an MMS clip of a gullible girl and then sends it across to all and sundry for voyeuristic pleasure. The third one has the entertainment industry in it's scanner. A TV journo is sent on a sting operation by his TRP hungry employer. He is meant to unveil the inner workings of the casting couch in the film industry. All three are contemporary stories and we have seen them all before on television. They really have nothing new to offer in that sense. Granted, it's about sleaze and capitalism, how society's morals are beginning to crumble under the weight of globalisation and technology. But Dibaker Banerjee doesn't make a strong enough point. Considering the company he is keeping these days you also don't expect that from him anymore. The film is technically proficient but emotionally it's a vacuum. The best the film does is to show you how it's all done (if you did not know before) and the sleaze quotient is also quite high - enough to give the voyeurs among the regular audience a few paisa vasool moments. Sports star
Film: Lahore Cast: Farooque Shaikh, Aanabad, Sushant Singh, Shraddha Nigam, Shraddha Das Director: Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan Kickboxing is a sport that has had very little representation in Bollywood cinema and young Sanjay Puran Singh Chauhan hopes to make a small dent in that statistic. His film is about kick boxer (Sushant Singh) who gets killed by an illegal hit from his Pakistani opponent (Mukesh Rishi) after he had all but won his bout. His brother a former kick boxer turned successful cricketer wants to avenge his death and therefore returns to the sport to take the final plunge in the forthcoming goodwill games between the two countries. The sequences dealing with the sport and the political machinations that determine team selection are spelled out quite competently. The camerawork is also of high order but it's the unfocused narrative and the lackluster performances that weaken the overall enjoyment. The script is also quite manipulative. What are the chances that after one's brother's death, another would get a solid chance to seek revenge within a few years, after changing his sport, getting selected in the team, and then coming face-to-face against the same opponent that killed his brother? Almost nil if you ask me. So forget about realistic goals. There is no such thing in the commercial space that most Bollywood products pit themselves into. This film hopes to create an atmosphere of camaraderie between avowed enemies India and Pakistan. The characters involved manage to arrive at that goal through obvious manipulation by the script department and the director but the countries continue to be at sixes and sevens in real-time. That is not to say that the film doesn't have its share of thrilling moments. The kickboxing sequences are definitely the highlight of the film. They have the right energy, the hits carry great punch and the sport performances are well directed. The relationships that the director chose to highlight were the real weak links here. If only Chauhan had chosen to skip the Indo-Pak nonsense this film could have been much more satisfactory! Sleepy not scary
Film: Shaapit Cast: Aditya Narayan, Shweta Agarwal Director: Vikram Bhatt This film really embodies the word 'cheap'. It's been attempted as a horror-thriller but what's most horrifying about it is the fact that it managed to enter the mainstream theaters just on the weight of it's director's name. This is really a film that would have been better suited to TV or even still, straight-to-video. But the Bhatts decided to release it in the mainstream multiplexes hoping to make big bucks. This is by no means a Raaz, Raaz 2 or 1921. The ineptitude on show here is greater than what was seen in his very first feature Dastak. One wonders what prompted Vikram Bhatt to make this film. It's quite possible that Aditya Narayan and his illustrious singer-father paid big bucks to make it all happen. Aditya Narayan, who has been doing well on TV and his music shows, is definitely not suited for the big screen. He looks too young to carry off a lover-boy image and just too insipid to combat the spooks (ineffectual ones really) that Vikram kept throwing his way. He is no actor and neither does he have the looks to get him far in this department. He should have stuck to TV and playback singing which he is better suited for. The plot is excruciatingly convoluted. Two young lovers want to marry but an ancient curse on the girl's family stands in their way. It's hocus-pocus all the way from there. The camerawork is the kind you see in c-grade spook fests, the performances want to make you howl and the direction is so rudimentary and unyielding that you are more likely to be put to sleep, rather than be scared out of your wits. Ramu's attempt at spooky trills have already become a laughing stock now it's Vikram Bhatt's turn I guess! Johnsont307@gmil.com |
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Playful moments
The essence and spirit of poet Nida Fazli's couplet Ghar se masjid hai bahut duur, chlo yoon kar lein/Kissi rotte huye bachche ko hansyay jai…. always inspires ghazal king Jagjit Singh when it comes to the cause of innocent children. His love for the budding child prodigies at the Strawberry Fields School was apparently eloquent as he joined them to lead for a song Chanda tu bhi bol mere sang.. and the prodigious students impressed the great maestro singing in perfect lya and tal. This song on child - parent relationship will be a part of his new album. Earlier 25 students parented a musical soiree commencing with a classical based composition " Pyal ki jhankaar " before capturing the fervour of Nadia ka chaal in Hindi based on a song a song by Rabinder Nath Tagore. Later, students from St. Kabir and Strawberry Public School entered into a soccer match the Vivek Sports Complex in which the latter lost 3-1 but it kept the audience in good esteem. The chief guest Jagjit Singh who was an ardent football player playing in Right Half position too flaunted kick shots. He awarded the Vivek Trophy to the winners and prizes to runner-ups. Talking to the media persons Jagjit shared by many points of mutual interest on music. It looks inspiring when children exhibit their talent and aesthetic potential in a close context. Attending to each query by them he disclosed, "Setting up a training institute in Chandigarh is on my agenda. It takes more time find the talent and groom them in music. It is challenging as the future of the aspirants will be my responsibility or even liability."
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On display are saries from Orissa, batic print, Bagh print, Rajasthani block print, Banarasi silk materials, Bhagalpuri silk materials, Chanderi, Bengal, Lucknow, Gujarat cotton, Gujarati embroidery, khadi top, kurta and much more.
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TVS Motor Company has announced the launch of TVS Jive, India's first auto-clutch motorcycle, in Chandigarh. The new motorcycle is set to transform the definition of city commuter biking with ride convenience being the focal point. The bike will provide a sporty riding experience with an unparalleled combination of comfort, performance, ease of operation and fuel efficiency in its category. TVS Jive is propelled by a 110 cc engine which features innovative T-Matic technology* (patent applied for) with rotary gear technology coupled with an automatic clutch. The bike's four speed engine delivers a solid four stroke performance with 8.4 Bhp @ 7500 rpm and a torque of 8.3 Nm @ 5500 rpm. TVS Jive's lightweight at 105 Kgs makes it convenient to handle. Alloy wheels complement the bikes wheelbase of 1260 mm which makes cornering and maneuvering effortless. The bike has a fuel tank capacity of 15 liters with 2.7 liters as reserve. One of the major features of this motorcycle is the absence of the clutch lever, making riding on this motorcycle a hands free gearshift experience. The bike therefore can be ridden by almost anyone who has a sense of balance as there is no need for manual clutch-gear co-ordination while shifting. A unique feature of this motorcycle is its anti-knocking mechanism which makes smooth riding possible at low speeds even in high gears, without the engine shutting off. It is also the first motorcycle in the country to have an under seat storage space, large enough to hold a water bottle, vehicle documents and even a small umbrella. Each unique feature emphasises the overall objective - ease and convenience of use. TVS Jive will be available at Rs. 42,235/- ex-showroom and will come in blue, black and red colours. — TNS
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Hic hic hurrah!
Kotak Mahindra Bank's Privy League hosted a Nosing Room for its customers on Saturday at the Taj Chandigarh. The session was guided by Anish Trivedi, connoisseur. Anish has been writing on single malts for over 10 years now and is certified by a programme conducted in Scotland that entitles him to conduct such sessions. Through these sessions Kotak Mahindra Bank continues to fulfill its endeavour, of not only offering its customers best in class products, and impeccable service, but also hosting delightful events like the Nosing Room for its loyal and esteemed clients thus enriching their experience. Privy League is an exclusive offering for select clientele of Kotak Mahindra Bank. As a member of the Privy League, one can truly expect more, be it a requirement for a special investment product, the benefits of personal or business banking or a desire to experience the finer aspects of life. A member of the Privy League is assured of excellent customer support through a single point of contact, and complete financial planning solutions. Membership opens doors to many conveniences and privileges.
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Love Aaj Kal
This Net is an easy trap, all that's required is simple baits. Baits like, "I drive a BMW", "I holiday in Pattaya", "I am an MBA from IIM"…blah, blah, blah. No one's going to check the reality, say whatever and flaunt as much, to assure that somebody sitting on the other terminal in some far off place is smitten and swooned. And that marks the beginning of a 'heartfelt' friendship or even a relationship at times, depending on how naïve the target is. Love on(line) quite literally is love depending on the lines you write or say. In case you have become a little doubtful by now and want to test your love and friendship, result of hours of Net chatting then Love Net is at your rescue. A reality show by Channel V, Love Net, will arrange meetings between you and your online friend. Also, it will enquire everything you want to know about him or her, like, if he really drives a BMW or a Bajaj scooter, is an MBA or a just BA, if he has enough bank balance to holiday in Pattaya. "The idea is to know how much truth and lie is there in a relationship," says Vijay Chauhan, production head, Channel V who was in the city with the crew of the show for the auditions. Besides taking auditions, one can also become part of the show by registering online. "We need to know the details whatever a person has told about his family background, status, educational qualification, aims and future plans to ascertain how strong is the friendship. It will help us enquire how true the person is." The show will go on air from next week, featuring a young couple every week and doing reality check. For a change, a reality show is doing a reality check! — Ashima Sehajpal
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Genetic chaos
Though rare, Down syndrome, chromosomal abnormality, which can lead to the birth of impaired intellect is a reality that has no shortcut treatment, but there are ways to cope with, that ensure a healthy and near normal life for the affected children and parents. As the city observes the World Down Syndrome Day (WDDS) on Sunday, it is time to give a thought to those 30,000, not so lucky babies born with chromosomal abnormality every year in India. According to consultant in charge of the genetic and counseling centre of Government Medical College and Hospital, Sector 32, Dr Gurjit Kaur, five such cases have been reported in the city so far. Many deformities in children can be the result of lifestyle of the parents. But in Down syndrome, neither the parents nor the child can be blamed. “Also called, trisomy 21, down syndrome is a chromosomal disorder, caused by a defect in the chromosomes and is present from the moment of conception,” said Dr Kaur. Explaining the abnormality, she said, most people are born with 23 pairs of chromosomes that is 46 chromosomes. But in case of down syndrome, there is either an extra chromosome that is 47 chromosomes or a rearrangement (called translocation) at chromosome 21."Those extra chromosomes cannot be removed or treated. So counselling is required for parents and they have to accept it. Of all mental disorder cases, persons with down syndrome comprise 60 per cent," she explained. A diagnosis of down's syndrome is made at birth because of the characteristic features of a child with this disorder, but this diagnosis can be confirmed only after certain diagnostic tests, which are available at Genetic centre of GMCH-32. Distinctive facial features include a round face, upward slanting eyes, and a wide nose. They may have gut and heart defects. Developmental specialists can assess how much the child is affected. It takes plenty of patience and perseverance to help a child with Down's Syndrome to learn, but efforts give good results.
anujaj@tribunemail.com
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Spade work
Honey has numerous beneficial properties, whether it is taken internally, or used in external applications. It is easily and quickly absorbed into the blood stream when it is eaten. In other words, it is easily digestible and assimilated by the body.
Actually, honey can provide instant energy and contains valuable vitamins and minerals, like iron, calcium, potassium, sodium, as well as Vitamins B and C. It also contains enzymes and amino acids. Taking honey, therefore, can provide the body with these essential nutrients. However, honey should not be taken in excessive amounts, as it can lead to weight gain, although it contains fewer calories than sugar. Also, if there is any medical condition like diabetes, please consult your doctor before taking honey. Honey has medicinal values too and has been employed in home remedies for simple ailments for generations. As far as skin care is concerned, it has been used as a beauty aid and for its healing benefits in topical applications, for centuries. According to ancient records and texts, honey was applied on the skin to soothe and heal injuries and burns. It was also used to treat skin conditions like eczema and dermatitis. Honey is also an anti-irritant, which means that it can be applied even on sensitive skin and for conditions like dehydrated skin sensitivity. Honey can be externally applied for beauty purposes, as it is a powerful natural moisturizer. If the skin is dry and flaky, with rough patches, honey can be applied to improve the condition. In fact, it can be an ideal cosmetic ingredient because it suits all skin types. Barbara Cartland, the famous author, who was a great advocate of honey as a beauty aid, has written, "It is the purest and most healthy cosmetic you could put on your face." For one thing, it suits all skin types. Being a natural humectant, it draws moisture to the skin and even improves the skin's natural ability to retain moisture. It relieves dryness, even in extremely dry and dehydrated skins, making the skin soft and smooth. As it contains valuable vitamins, minerals and enzymes, it nourishes the skin when externally applied. It also stimulates, tones and tightens the skin, giving it a fresh and radiant glow. Tips on using Honey: w Take a glass of warm water and add one-tablespoon honey and the juice of one lemon. Have it first thing in the morning. This helps to flush the system and prevents constipation. It also provides energy and nutrition. w Instead of drinking hot tea, have a glass of cold tea, adding lime juice, honey and ice, instead of milk and sugar. It makes a refreshing drink in summer and has fewer calories. w Take a glass of warm milk and add one tablespoon honey. Have it before bedtime. Honey has a relaxing effect and helps to induce sleep. In fact, it is a natural sedative. w In case of nutritional deficiencies and anemia, take one to two tablespoons honey in a glass of water, as a tonic. w Extract the juice from ginger and take it with a teaspoon of honey, to soothe colds and sore throat. w If the skin feels dry, apply honey after cleansing. Keep it on for 15 to 20 minutes and wash off with plain water. w Mix honey with the white of an egg and apply on the face for 15 minutes. It helps to revive the skin. w Honey can be added to face masks, along with other ingredients. To one teaspoon kaolin powder, add one teaspoon honey, one teaspoon carrot juice OR one teaspoon curd and one egg white (optional). Apply on the face and leave it on for 15 to 20 minutes. Wash off with water. w Add two tablespoon honey and two tablespoons rose water to one litre of water. Shake it well and store it in the refrigerator. Use this after cleansing or washing the face. It can be used as a last rinse or applied generously with cotton wool. w One tablespoon honey can be added to a litre of water and used as a last rinse, after washing the hair. It helps to counteract dryness and adds shine to the hair.
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Body wise
The best way to burn fat, no matter where ever it is stored is to make the body burn it as fuel. Start with regular cardiovascular exercises like walking, jogging, cycling and stair climbing and by following a sensible diet plan. This will help you to thin out the fat layer. Then begin to target specific areas such as the quadriceps, thighs, calves and knees with basic, lower body exercises. Squats The squat, an ultimate lower body exercise, is designed to work on every muscle in your lower body, your hips, thighs and rear. It also tones calves, shins and lower back. w
To start, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart, either with your hands on your hips or two dumbbells at your side or with a barbell with little or no weight across your shoulders. Keep your eyes straight ahead, face front to help maintain your balance and tighten the muscles of your abdomen to help keep your body stable. w
Then lower your hips, bending at the knees until you look as if you are going to sit down in an imaginary chair. Keep your buttocks tense and squat until your thighs are parallel to the ground or go as far down as you can go without falling. w
Slowly return to the standing position, keeping your heels flat on the floor and your toes pointed slightly outward or at a comfortable position for you. Lunges
Doing lunges is a good way to get great legs. This exercise works the quadriceps, hamstrings, rear, hip flexors and calf muscles. w
To start, stand with your hands on your hips or two dumbbells at your side, feet almost shoulder width apart and your upper body erect. Then step forward with your right foot while keeping your left foot in place. Keep your back straight and abdominals tight and then lower your body until your left knee is about 3 to 4 inches off the ground. w
Next, push with your right foot into the floor in an upward and backward motion to return to the starting position. w
Repeat the movement until you have performed to desired number of repetitions and sets for your right leg. Then do the same for your left. Dead lifts
It is an exercise designed to build up the hamstrings and the lower back. Maintaining a proper form during this exercise is very important. w
To start, stand with feet hip-width apart, knees slightly bent. Bend at your knees keeping your back as straight as possible. Grab the barbell or the dumbbells with an alternating grip (one hand under and one hand underhand) a little wider than the shoulder width. Keep your back straight, knees slightly bent, head up and your butt thrusting out. w
Without bending your arms, lift the weight from the floor, until your body is completely upright. w
Place the weight down with a slow controlled motion and repeat the exercise. Care should be taken to keep the weight close to your legs throughout the movement and to lift with your legs and not your back. STEP- UPS
Step-ups are good leg strengthening exercises which can be done at home or at the gym. They work on your glutes and hamstrings. w
To start, find a sturdy step, bench or box that is just lower than your knee so that when you step up on it your thigh is parallel to the ground. If it is higher it will be hard on your knees and if it is lower it won't be effective enough. Have a support to hold on with one hand to balance yourself if required. w
Now stand in front of the step/bench and step up onto it with your right foot. Press your weight through the foot to lift your body; bend your left leg and bring it forward next to your right leg onto the bench. w
Hold on for a while and then reverse the motion, dropping your left foot to the floor behind you and bending your knee as you descend. Without taking your right foot off the bench, repeat for the desired number of reps, and then switch sides. Tips for a perfect lower body
w Always warm up before beginning this workout. Spend 8-10 minutes on the treadmill or stationary bike. w
Move deliberately and slowly through the fullest range of motion possible. Aim for quality. w
Execute each exercise with strictest of form and attention to body positioning. Check your form by watching yourself in the mirror whenever possible. w
To avoid risk of injury work out with appropriate amount of weight, this should reflect your current strength levels. For safety reasons, begin with light or no weight, establishing good technique first. Gradually increase the intensity of the workout. w
Go for quality sessions with ample rest between them; don't train sore muscles. w
Stretch after each workout to prevent soreness. w
Consult a doctor before beginning any exercise routine. It is recommended to do these exercises under the supervision of a trained physical consultant. kalrasachin@hotmail.com |
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Sometimes…. time moves with the speed of a jet craft, and sometimes, it slithers, finding impossible to catch up with the speed of life. But, no matter how it moves, every minute gone by leaves behind memories. This time we had an opportunity to share some 'sweet memories' with Dara Singh in his Sector 8 residence where he has come to meet up his elder son Amrik Randhawa and his family.
Rashtriya Sanskriti Samaj Avom Sabhayata, New Delhi is organising summer collection 2010 at Lajpat Rai Bhawan-15.om
Genetically women are predisposed to gain weight from the waist down. However, that is no excuse to not to have a super toned and sculpted lower body. Regardless of your genetic makeup or physical structure, you can improve the appearance and shape of your hips, butt and thighs. It simply takes dedication and consistency.