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Opulent ties
Russian girls playing musical instruments, exotic cuisines, pre-wedding shoots, brides making grand entries, shopocations …the ‘big fat’ Punjabi wedding grows fatter by the day We
desperately need a replacement for the term that defines the extravagance of
Punjabi weddings — 'big fat'. For that doesn't sum up the lavishness of
weddings that boast of elaborate menus, comprising cuisines from Mediterranean
to Mexican, exquisite designer wedding sets, exotic destinations, bespoke
designer-wear and so much more that has conveniently added to the weight of
wedding bills! Who minds that as long as weddings are made an affair to
remember, even if that means flying in Katrina Kaif for a performance (it
happened last year by the way) or hiring choreographers or travelling for a
pre-wedding shoot. Shoot schedule Suhani Sahoonja and her husband Sahil
Mahajan travelled around Chandigarh for their pre-wedding shoot with
photographer Sunny Dhiman. Sunny informs that he has done pre-wedding shoots for
at least fifty couples this season, a trend, he says, that is picking up fast.
"Last year, I shot for ten couples before their D-day, this time the demand
has increased five times owing to the popularity of the pre-wedding
shoots." He has travelled with couples as far as Thailand and Goa for the
shoot. Says Suhani, "There are restrictions in a wedding shoot, where the
bride and the groom are made to sit and greet people. The pre-wedding shoot
reflects an individual's personality and the relationship a couple
enjoys." Musical note Industry insiders have a better idea about how
dramatically the wedding scene has changed. DJ Vishal, who has been here and
done everything in the wedding industry, says DJs and consoles are mere fillers
at a wedding now. "At a recent wedding functions hosted by an elite family
of the region, Arif Lohar was flown in to perform. Also a band of Russian girls
were playing instruments at the entrance, something that we associated with
shehnaiwallas." Vishal adds that a symphony band was also flown in from
Mumbai to play orchestra. "I have seen hosts spending as much amount on the
entries of grooms and brides as used to be the budget of the entire wedding
earlier. Interesting examples include that of a bride who made a grand entry in
a UFO! The hosts spent Rs 2-crore for that occasion alone." Platter
full The concept of multi-cuisine menus at weddings has been there for long,
but what recently happened at a wedding at Marriot in Chandigarh stands out.
Chef Pallav recounts, "We had clients who booked the hotel for four days
and gave us instructions that no dish should be repeated except for dal and
rice. Since the guests had all come from the interiors of Punjab, they didn't
want multi-cuisine menus; rather something very native." It meant that the
chefs had to delve into the traditional recipes and come up with 300 dishes. We
achieved the target and even baked an 80-kilo cake! Shopping spree Ambika
Sharma, before her wedding, wanted to go for a vacation with her mother and
sister. For a change, Delhi wasn't the preferred shopping destination, "As
all my friends had shopped from Delhi, I wanted to go somewhere else,"
Ambika says. Mumbai was decided, but the city wasn't apt for a vacation.
"We then took services from Broken Compass and travel curators, who
designed a travel itinerary for us." For their 'shopocation' (a term that
defines shopping and vacation together), they finally went to Mumbai and Goa.
Weddings surely are getting bigger and better! ashima@tribunemail.com |
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Berry special!
Actor Sudesh Berry has an interesting take on television and films. While he calls the former his wife, he considers the latter his girlfriend…
"My competition is against myself," says Sudesh who claims that the Mani-Malla episode doubled the TRP for Devon Ke Dev Mahadev and that he has the invite from the Prime Minister of Mauritius, as the character of Loha Singh has found a way into every home out there! Sudesh does work that he finds challenging. "In last fifteen years I have rejected close to 200 serials. Producers ask me, Apne aap ko Amitabh Bachchan samjhata hai kya and I reply, Main hoon. Even Amitabh Bachchan has said that if one actor can follow my timing, it's Sudesh Berry'." Sudesh is all for entertainment that comes with education and a message. "You can't serve double meaning dialogues and vulgarity in the name of demand." Sudesh has been active in television and films both, and regards them as his wife and girlfriend, respectively. "TV is my wife who will support me in at all times, keep my kitchen running; films are the girlfriend — companions in just good times." And how does the two-timing go? "I don't. I only take one project at a time or at the most two," says Berry, who is currently seen in Mahabharat on Star Plus.
His next is Bandhan, another soap. His lifelong dream is, "To have a platform that assists young boys and girls in getting that one chance they are looking for. A place that gives right guidance not only in India but across the world; kind of a gurukul that teaches all," says Sudesh who's also penning a script. It's guidance only that matters; talent has to be inherent. "Heera banaya nahi jata, vo to dharti se nikalta hai." It's not money, fame, status or brands that Sudesh is after, but only winning the appreciation of audiences as he believes he hasn't got enough yet. Ask him if he's game for Punjabi films? "Bring me the signing amount, I am on." mona@tribunemail.com
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Gripping it right
Jesse Grewal …The grip should match the swing There is a relationship between the swing and the grip. Most swing faults are a reaction to an incorrect grip and some golfers change their grip to their swings to achieve a straight shot. There are two ways to hit a perfectly straight shot, a perfect swing or a perfect compensation. If a golfer has a strong grip, more than two knuckles visible of the left hand are visible or the 'v' of either hand is pointing to the right of the right shoulder (for right handed golfers) the ball would tend to hook. As a reaction to this the golfer would either flatten the swing to come from an inside path to start the ball to the right or not release the club to fight the hook. Not releasing is called 'hold off'. The opposite would happen if the grip is weak. The ball would tend to slice and the golfer would create an out to in swing to make the ball start to the left or flip the hands over to fight the slice. An out to in swing is called 'coming over the top'. The grip should also match the type of swing. Golfers who have an upright swing should not have a strong grip. They should have a neutral two knuckle grip with the left hand and could do with a slightly weak grip. Upright swings are more accurate but less powerful. Golfers with a more around the body action and flatter swings create more power and would need a stronger three knuckle grip to fight the tendency of the ball to go to the right due to a late release caused by a fast body action. If the grip is too much in the palms there would be less wrist action in the backswing and less release through the downswing. If the grip is too much in the fingers the wrist action would be excessive and the golfer would tend to lose control of the club during the transition from the top of the backswing to the downswing. There would be too much initial lag at the start of the downswing with a tendency of the club getting 'late' at impact leading to low weak shots. To change a grip is as uncomfortable as changing the way you hold a pen or a fork and knife. But if the swing fault is caused by an incorrect grip the ball flight is not going to be consistent till the grip is corrected. (Grewal has coached several national champions and professionals apart from being coach of the Indian golf team for the Eisenhower Cup (World Cup) in 2008. He is currently the Director of National Golf Academy of India and CGA Hero Honda Golf Academy. If you have any queries get in touch with him at parexcellence@tribunemail.com)
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Astro turf
ARIES: This is an important day for any job that you can tackle away from public scrutiny. An unexpected guest can arrive. A romantic mood can colour even the toughest of situations.
Tarot message: Plan your life better to avoid delays. Lucky colour: Coffee-brown. Magic number: 41 TAURUS: You draw the 'Ace of Pentacles'; so you will begin the day full of energy and confidence. People are drawn to you; but do not trust them. New ventures that are launched have a better chance of succeeding. Tarot message: Bury an old quarrel. Lucky colour: Orange Magic number: 33 GEMINI: This is a great day to get your ideas down on paper and start planning your next project. Do not let people intrude into your space. It is a good day for dealing with accounts. Tarot message: Be careful not to go in too many directions at the same time. Lucky colour: Lemon. Magic number: 39 CANCER: Romance and creativity are highlighted. This is also
the perfect time for initiating a new personal project. Family matters can keep you busy in
the evening. Tarot message: Listen to your voice of wisdom. Lucky colour: Baby-pink. Magic number: 27 LEO: The 'Queen of Swords' suggests that the spotlight is on fashion, appearance and charm. Romance is on the cards. Do not allow feelings of frustration to overtake you. Tarot message: Learn a lesson from past mistakes and get on with your life. Lucky colour: Coral. Magic number: 60 VIRGO: Your card 'Five of Swords' reveals physical activity and pleasure. Do not start this day by being extravagant. You must cut down on spending. Loved ones will not be very helpful. Tarot message: Think before you open your mouth to avoid misunderstandings. Lucky colour: Indigo. Magic number: 42
LIBRA: It is the right time to begin new projects and sign contracts. Make important calls, write up a proposal and do anything that requires a starting point. Travel will prove futile. Tarot message: Take care of
your fitness. Lucky colour: Lime-green. Magic number: 54 SCORPIO: Business dealings can fall flat due to lack of details and information. Confusion over priorities can cause havoc at the work-place. Do not interfere in the affairs of others. Tarot message: Perseverance is the key to success. Lucky colour: Sky-blue. Magic number: 63 SAGITTARIUS: A career switch can mean having to move out of the state or overseas and upsetting the applecart at home. You can spend quite a lot of time on planning today. Tarot message: Beware of depleting your energy or resources on others. Lucky colour: Sea-green. Magic number: 55 CAPRICORN: Stick to the
beaten track today and look after yourself. At the end of the day, you will be proud of what
you have achieved and will be rewarded with a bonus. Tarot message: Be honest to
your desires. Lucky colour: Rust. Magic number: 38 AQUARIUS: A special romance in your life can remain aloof. Let them know you care and respect their space. Students: light reading will keep you busy today. Health problem can be satisfactorily treated. Tarot message: Arrogance will not be rewarded. Lucky colour: Peach. Magic number: 40 PISCES: Your card 'The Devils' boosts your enthusiasm and self-confidence. Take this time to expand your social circle, develop new talents learn new hobbies; or plan a vacation. Tarot message: Versatility and a quicksilver mind will bail you out of a situation. Lucky colour: Golden. Magic number: 28
The year ahead If your birthday is December 10... You'll be open to all ideas and make good investments, especially if you are self-employed. If you are still looking for a partner, you'll have an excellent opportunity to start a relationship, possibly with someone you considered a friend. You will be appreciated by colleagues and bosses for your hardwork and efficiency. Those born before 1970 will remain satisfied. Students will receive admission to institutions of their choice abroad. Business people should monitor finances carefully. You'll be prone to ear infections and bone disorders. Positive colours: Golden, Red, Brown, Cream, White. Select days: Sunday, Monday. Favourable numbers: 1,4,2,7. Gems recommended: Yellow Sapphire, Red Coral.
You share your birthday with Anjana Sukhani (December 10, 1978, Jaipur), who has acted in a Cadbury Dairy Milk advertisement with Amitabh Bachchan. She has also acted in Golmaal Returns, sequel to the 2006 hit Golmaal. Her stars do not support her present career. |
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Novel inspiration
While television serials are inspired by films and real-life instances, there are some producers who take ideas from literature. We take a look at some shows that are based on popular novels.
Taraak Mehta Ka Ooltah Chashmah
Running successfully for years, this show is based on columns written by Taraak Mehta in a Gujarati weekly magazine called Chitralekha. Producer Asit Kumar Modi has said time and again that the show works because it connects with the audiences.
Heart-to-heart Actor Ravi Dubey, who got married to actress Sargun Mehta this weekend, talks about his wife and his personal life just before his wedding in Zirakpur. How do you feel getting married to Sargun? Sargun is my soul-mate. We understand each other totally. She is the balancing factor in my life. I am excited about my wedding. I am looking forward to our reception in Delhi and Mumbai. I am blessed to have Sargun in my life. What is your take on Sargun getting big shows like Balika Vadhu? I'm extremely happy for her. Sargun is my life; anything that gives her happiness gives me joy. Balika Vadhu being one of the top shows is a great opportunity for her and she's enjoying it. I'm happy she's hosting Boogie Woogie too, as I thought I knew she would be a good host. I'm very proud of her and will always be ready to support as well as guide her. What is your nature like? I am an extremist by attitude. I am a very positive person. I do not indulge in things that I know will harm me. I like to maintain a low profile and love making friends. How did you get into acting? I started in 2005; I was into modelling initially, and then started working in advertisements as well as television serials. It was totally my choice, nobody ever told me to get into acting. Did you struggle in life? To be very honest, I have never struggled in my life. I have done a lot of hardwork, but honestly I never really had to struggle.
Saraswatichandra
Based on a Gujarati novel by Govardhanram Tripathi, this show was adapted by Sanjay Leela Bhansali. Initially the story progressed according to the novel, but soon it drifted away.
Bh Se Bhade
This new sitcom has been adapted from a short story by famous Marathi writer Va Pu Kale. Deven Bhojani feels the appeal of the show is in the simplicity of the characters.
Tumhari Pakhi
This new Life Ok show is based on Sarat Chandra Chattopadhya's Navvidhan. Starring Iqbal Khan and Shraadha Arya, this show's simple story is what attracted its makers Shashi and Sumeet Mittal. The story is about a young girl who waits for the guy she got married to as a child.
Lapataganj
This sitcom set in a fictional town called Lapataganj had a great season the first time and is currently into its second season. Inspired by the writings of Sharad Joshi, the show is a satire about the daily happenings in a small town.
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Pooja under pressure
Pooja Chopra, who was last seen in Vipul Shah's Commando, has been repeated again by the filmmaker in his next film Roop Nagar Ke Cheeteh. The actress says she is extremely happy but is under pressure to prove herself again.
"Yes, there is a lot of excitement and it also gives me a lot of encouragement that a filmmaker like Vipul Shah wants to repeat me. I will not lie but I am under pressure which comes with lot of happiness. He has given me a second opportunity and I will not let him down," Pooja said. The film is directed by Vihaan Suryavanshi and produced by Shah. Unlike her role in Commando, Roop Nagar Ke Cheeteh will see Pooja in a different avataar. "The film is going on floors January 4. This film is different from Commando and it revolves around friendship. It's a very relatable, youthful story," said the actress. "My look in the film is also different. I am playing a very modern girl from Delhi. So, I am thrilled and excited and can't wait to start working on the film," she added. — IANS
Won’t take Salman’s proposal seriously: Elli
Newcomer Elli Avram says she will not take Bollywood star Salman Khan's marriage proposal seriously.
Salman, who is known for his witty side, was seen flirting with Elli a number of times during her stint on reality TV show Bigg Boss, which the Dabangg star hosts. "I will not take his
(Salman's) proposal seriously," Elii joked. The 23-year-old actress, who recently made her Bollywood debut opposite Manish Paul in Mickey Virus, said she does not know Salman well enough to think about a relationship with him. "On a serious note relationship and marriage is something huge in life which is between two people, who know and respect each other and have values," Elli said. The Swedish-born actress has listed Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan as her favourite and said she loves his 2002 film
Devdas. "I like Devdas the most because the love that is shown in the movie is so deep and beautiful, it is amazing. I have a crush on that movie," said Elli, who was in the capital to attend designer Nitya Bajaj's fashion show. When asked about her experience in Bigg Boss, Elli said she is supporting wrestler Sangram Singh and hopes that he wins the show.
"Sangram is a very humble and nice man. My relationship with Kamya Panjabi was cold from the beginning, but I do not have any grudge against her," she said. Elli said that she is enjoying her stay in India. "My experience in India has been very nice, actually I really want to show Europeans that India is a very beautiful country and we can learn so much from this country," Elli said. The actress also said that she has been reading film scripts but is yet to decide her next move in Bollywood. "I have lot of offers from Bollywood. But I am taking it slow," she said.
— PTI
Family planning
Oh Teri trailer to be released with Salman’s film Jai Ho: Atul
Atul Agnihotri, who considers Salman Khan his lucky charm, will release the trailer of his forthcoming production venture Oh Teri with the latter's Jai Ho. Actor-turned-director Atul has directed two films so far—Dil Ne Jise Apna Kaha and Hello and both had Salman, but none could entice the box office. However, when Atul teamed up with the superstar for his production venture Bodyguard, it reaped gold at the box office. "We will be starting the promotions soon, but the first promotion starts with Salman's Jai Ho," Atul, who has roped in his brother-in-law for a guest appearance in the film, said. "The trailer of Oh Teri is attached to Jai Ho and I am excited to see the audience's reaction for the trailer. The film is slated for a March 7 release," added the filmmaker who is married to Salman's sister Alvira. Featuring Anupam Kher, Vijay Raaj, Manoj Pahwa, Mandira Bedi, Sarah Jane Dias and Bilal Amrohi, Oh Teri, is a political satire, is being directed by Umesh Bhisht. The team has yet to shoot Salman's cameo for Oh Teri. Atul says they have enough time. "Yes, we need his support and we will shoot with him soon. We have lot of time for the release," he said.
— IANS
Street smart Soha
Bollywood actress Soha Ali Khan has revealed that despite coming from a royal family, she would choose street fashion any day over runway fashion. When the Rang De Basanti actress was asked by L'officiel Magazine whether her choice as a princess is runway fashion, she said that runway style is meant for seven-foot tall models, whereas street fashion is more fun and offers a broader canvas to play with. Besides, the title of a princess sounds very flattering, but it really has no meaning in today's day and age, the 35-year-old beauty added. — ANI
Daniel Radcliffe in love with New York
British actor Daniel Radcliffe enjoys living in the New York because of its energy and positivity. The 24-year-old Harry Potter star enjoys the vibrancy and energy of the city, where he spends most of his time. "It has an incredible energy and it is very positive. I think in England we sometimes make fun of Americans for being so positive, but I am actually all about that. I love enthusiasm," Radcliffe said.
— IANS Emotional
drama
Actress Alia Bhatt is emotional after wrapping up the filming of 2 States. Father-filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt tried to comfort her with his encouraging words. "Last day of 2 States! It's been beautiful and exciting. Will miss playing the Ananya Swaminathan. Too emotional today," Alia tweeted Sunday. Dad Mahesh Bhatt encouraged her by replying to her post: "My experience says that when the principal actor 'weeps' when a film is over, the maker smiles. This means your film is a hit." Alia, who will be seen as a Tamil Iyengar girl in the movie, based on Chetan Bhagat's novel 2 States: The Story of My Marriage, hopes to weep for sure. "Well I hope I weep today then like I always do. Love you," posted the actress. Directed by Abhishek Verman, the story is about a Punjabi boy who falls in love with a Tamil girl, and the ensuing cultural clashes between them and their families. Alia will also be seen in Imtiaz Ali's Highway.
—
IANS
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Theme for a dream
Vipul Mittra, a civil servant-cum-author, draws inspiration from the real world to connect better with his readers The
Dream Chasers is a story that borrows from Chandigarh. A tale of six friends
pursuing MBA, their changing dreams and acts, is the latest offering by Vipul
Mittra, an IAS officer, whose debut work Pyramid of Virgin Dreams was set
in a world of democracy. Any work cannot be created in vacuum, believes Mittra
who admits that a good deal of The Dream Chasers comes from his
experiences and those of others he has observed in life. The novel is aimed at
youth who are impressed by The Alchemist and 3 Idiots and are
trying to find their calling but getting lost in the maze of information
overload, peer pressure and too many options. "We had it easy that
way," says the civil servant who at the age of twenty two and half was a
probation officer. "Youth is not happy today taking guidelines from their
parents. My work isn't prescriptive either." Having spent a larger part of
growing years in Chandigarh, Sukhna Lake is close to his heart as is the city.
"I have spent a considerable time abroad. But trust me there is no city as
awesome as Chandigarh. Even this morning I enjoyed a jog at the lake," he
says. An MBA from Panjab University, he is all for his alma mater being
adjudged the best in country, "The commitment for teachers has been
phenomenal. I owe everything to Chandigarh." The Dream Chasers, in
its two months of launch, has already undergone two reprints. One can attribute
bit of its credit to Amitabh Bachchan who launched the book in Mumbai and
praised it on the blog. Mittra, Principal Secretary, Tourism, Government of
Gujarat, has been instrumental in roping Amitabh Bachchan for Khushboo
Gujarat Ki campaign and is all praise for the veteran's humility that he
observed first hand. About the sudden rush of authors in English in India, he
says, "I am not for any creative pursuit that's done with commercial
perspective." For Mittra, writing comes from the heart, not out of
compulsion. With a job, taking out time for writing doesn't come easy. He took
ten years to write his first one, Pyramid of Virgin Dreams, that went on
to become a bestseller. The Dream Chasers took three years. The plot for
his third one is already in place, centering around godmen, "But it will
take a few years to come," says Mittra! |
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Stir-fried suppers
Kandla Nijhowne Nature is an artist, that loves a colourful palette. We have fruits and vegetables in a rainbow of hues, each appealing to the eye. What we often forget is that Mother Nature has placed a different set of nutrients in every offering for us to partake. Seek out all possible colours of vegetables and fruits to consume; there's a good chance you will have an extremely balanced intake of vitamins, minerals and trace elements. Another mantra to keep in mind is that the less we cook the vegetables the better. The more heat we apply, the more goodness we lose. If your veggie dish looks a dull grey, the chances are it will make you just that. Dull and grey! Stir frying is a method of quick cooking, usually of bite sized veggies. Let the colours shine through and let the crunch be in tact! This way you will derive optimum benefits from your bowlful. Method
Ingredients
1 medium sized onion 1 cup peeled, chopped pumpkin 1 red bell pepper 1 yellow bell pepper 1 small head broccoli 1 cup brinjal cubes 1 cup carrots, diced 4 cloves garlic 1˝ tbsp refined oil salt and pepper to taste 1 tsp sesame oil (optional) 1 tsp toasted sesame seeds (optional) 2 cups sliced bok choy 1 cup fresh mung bean sprouts 1/4 teaspoon freshly ground black pepper 1/4 teaspoon kosher salt 1/2 cup snow peas
Note: Feel free to make additions or subtractions to the list of veggies. You may add bok choy, sprouts, tofu, paneer, baby corn or mushrooms too. Add green chillies if you like heat, or a dash of Tabasco. Serve after soup with some buttered dinner rolls. (Nijhowne is a Chandigarh-based culinary expert)
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Hair comes a new one
They say there are no ugly people in this world, only lazy ones. However, each time you visit your favourite salon for any kind of hair service, are you sure about the abilities of your stylist? That they would enhance your beauty?
Indola, an international hair and tress specialists, opened the first of its kind Academy in India in collaboration with the unisex salon Tressed Up in Manimajra and while they provide salon services, they also train the professionals who are working at the salons. "The idea behind initiating this venture is to explore the creative potential of the city-based hairstylists and equipping them with the knowledge and skill to create exactly the look that the customer demands and what suits them the best," says Nitin Manchanda, technical head, Indola. While talking about hairstyling as a profession, he shares that the scope for growth in this field is immense, provided that one is good at what he or she does. "Indola is one of the ventures of Henkel, the other one being Schwachkopf. I have been working as a stylist with Henkel for over 10 years now and am now the technical head of Indola. So, that speaks volumes about the growth that there is in this industry," he says. The fee structure for the course vary from Rs 5000 to Rs 60,000. What's in
Nitin, who has been trained by some of the pioneers of the hairdressing, including Antony Whitekar, Tyler Johnston, Lesley Lawson, Tom Kroboth and Leonardo Rizzo, shares the latest trends as he says, "Well, the idea is to look neat. You could go for pure simplicity, the look that is well suited for the office chic and it features immaculate short bob. Also, the volumised curls are really in, but for fringes, go for the straight fringe. It looks amazing." Nitin swears by clean barbed look for men and short crops for men, rather than the long hair. "While going for a party, go for a textured look. Nothing serves one better than a textured do," he adds. Colour me wild
Tippy tippy tap, what colour you want? If you go by Nitin's advice, he says, "While colouring your hair, keep two things in mind, the colour of your skin and the colour of your eyes. If the colour of your eyes is too light, do not go for dark hair colour, it will generate a striking contrast and may look too sharp for you to handle. Also, Browns, especially mahogany brown is really in this season and reds and violets are in too," he signs off.
amarjot@tribunemail.com
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Well under control!
Are you in the mood to blow your speakers up with a song that will even make the cops dance to its tunes? Here's your pick this week. Holding No 1 rank on UK top 40 is a brand new single, Under Control, recorded by Scottish DJ Calvin Harris and Swedish DJ Alesso, featuring vocals from English duo Hurts. Under Control debuted at number one on the UK Singles Chart with first-week sales of 74,704 copies, becoming Harris's fifth number-one single, and the first for Alesso and Hurts. Right beat
This sounds amazing. Calvin Harris is anyway brilliant. I love the song as much as I like its video. It's got the right beats and an exceptional blend of music and lyrics. It's amazing! Nakul Anand, student On a high
I really like the song. It's the perfect EDM pop mix and each time I listen to it, it gives me a high. It's been playing in my car for almost a week now. Akash Deep Singh, student It's different
For those who fancy electro pop, this is an interesting song and it is quite
different from the ones that we have heard before. It's refreshing, it's new and it's different. Perhaps that is the reason why
it is topping the charts. I love the song. Dilpreet Singh, student — As told to Amarjot Kaur
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Doc Talk Vitamin D is an essential cofactor in the prevention of a host of conditions ranging from cancer to diabetes, dementia and cardiovascular disease. It can also effectively shield us from the common cold and influenza during winter months. Many current guidelines for vitamin D levels were inadequate because they only take into account what is needed for bone health, and will leave us susceptible to cancer and many other chronic diseases. The blood levels of vitamin D below 20 ng/ml will be outright deficient, 21-29 ng/ml is insufficient, and 30-100 ng/ml is sufficient for achieving optimal health. But unfortunately, the latest research confirms that 33 per cent of Indians are outright deficient. Interestingly during the winter, the levels can drop as much as 50 per cent, plunging one deep into deficiency territory. But this can be avoided with correct supplementation and where possible with sunlight exposure. To raise vitamin D levels to optimum range the daily intake levels of Vitamin D required are as-children under 1-yr: 400-1,000 IU/day , children 1 -18 yrs: 600-1,000 IU/day and adults: 1500-2000 IU/day. It's next to impossible to get these amounts through food alone. Only oily fish, fortified foods, mushrooms, and eggs contain significant amounts. The recent studies have estimated that, from food alone, women get fewer than 210 IU/day, men get fewer than 320 IU/day and children between one and eight years old get fewer than 250 IU/day of vitamin D. Correcting these gaps through supplementation is quite safe, as the current upper limits for most children and adults is well around 4000 IU. Beyond supplements, sensible sun exposure can also be safely used to further increase vitamin D levels for optimal health. Exposure to at least arms and face 30 minutes daily is optimal. Any levels below 20 ng/ml are considered deficiency states and will increase your risk of breast and prostate cancer and autoimmune diseases like MS and rheumatoid arthritis. The sunshine vitamin is also a critical part of our evolution as it has been circulating in our ancestral blood for countless generations due to plentiful sun exposure. (Dr Batth is a Chandigarh-based orthopedic surgeon)
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Havells India Limited has organised Havells Galaxy Carnival in SELZ Business House, NAC Manimajra, Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh. During the carnival, the company presented exclusive, limited period offers for its valued customers. Havells lighting consultants also offered free advice on how to light up your home and office. Talking about the event, Prabhjit Singh Ahuja, Chandigarh branch manager, Havells India Limited, says, "Havells is organising this carnival across six Havells Galaxies in Chandigarh and Himachal Pradesh and each Havells Galaxy has one lucky draw contest where participants can win from a wide range of Havells' decorative fans and irons. To add to this, there is an assured gift on every purchase. Havells is also offering free installation facility with the purchase of geysers and also with under light decorative fans. With every domestic appliance purchased, complementary recipe CD is also being provided. There are several more special schemes and attractive gifts to be won as well. — TNS On till December 13.
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Three decades into the
field, Sudesh Berry is a household name. His rich baritone in Agle
Janam Mohe Bitiya Hi Kijo as Loha Singh or Mani-Malla in Devon Ke
Dev Mahadev has equally garnered praise for the actor who doesn't shy
from claiming what he has gained.
Charity on birthday: Donate red or orange sweets or fruits to the needy or at a religious place today.
Now when the winter is gradually nearing its peak and foggy weather conditions are round the corner, it is time to maintain your vitamin D level. The level can drop just when you need it the most. In fact, on an average, vitamin D level can drop well into the deficiency zone thus increasing the risk of illness, cancer, and a host of other health problems. 