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Vol: 5 No: 153 South India’s Lifestyle Fornightly October 16-31, 2009 Rs. 15.00 16 Pages

The Beauty THE TRADITIONAL For Your Eyes Jus’

Jus’ask
ask Deepavali
Bistro GANGA SNANAM Only Simbu Brinda
Brinda Sweets
Page 4 Page 6 Page 9 Page1111 Page 12
Page

uquet for the Teacher

 Page 2 October 16-31, 2009

C anara Bank, is opening

55 branches across the
country on Thursday, the 8th
of October 2009. The 2860th
branch is being opened at
Thaltej, Ahmedabad by the
Chairman and Managing
Director of the Bank, Sri
A.C. Mahajan. Addition
of 55 branches will take
its global network to 2861.
With a significant Branch
Expansion Plan to reach
out to the masses, the bank
aims to take its branch
network to over 3000 by
March 2010. Also, the Bank
has more than 2000 ATMs
to provide service to its
large clientele.
The bank has also launched
a mega “Savings Utsav”
Campaign to expand its
clientele base and improve
CASA deposit. It has also
offered a reduced interest
rate of 8% on home loans
and 8.5% on vehicle loans
during this festive season.
In its Chennai Circle, two new
branches are being opened at
Kavanur and Kelambakkam.
The Extension Counters at Dr
MGR University Maduravoyal
Chennai, Islamiah College
Vaniambadi, Vellore,
Thiruvannamalai District
Co-op Milk Producers Union
Ltd, Om Sakthi Narayani
Siddar Peedam Sripuram,
Thirumalaikodi, Vellore will
also be upgraded as full
fledged branches, taking the
total to 143.

Tenpin Bowling Team Championships 2009

I n the third National
Tenpin Bowling Team
Championships held at
Star City, Bangalore, the
Tamil Nadu Trio of Sabeena
Saleem, Bharath Nahar and
Shabbir Dhankot won the
first Gold medal for their state
with a win in the Mixed Trios
event, defeating another team
from Tamil Nadu comprising
of Sana Saleem, Raml Jain
and Surendra Babu by 152
pins. In an exciting day 4 of
the championships played
on Short oil condition both
the Tamil Nadu teams
were trailing the team from
Kamataka. But both the
teams from Tamil Nadu had
a field day in the final three
games and snared victory
from the Karnataka team.

The other team from Tamil

Nadu comprising of Sana
Saleem, Rahul Jain and
Surendra Babu also shot
very high scores and secured the Silver medal. The Kamataka team won the
Bronze medal.
 October 16-31, 2009
Doodles
Deepavali Enlightenment
Hi Friends
W
hile the stage is all
set for the grandiose
festival of lights, we can
look forward to some respite
from the spate of societal
disturbances and untoward
happenings on many fronts
and indulge in the true spirit
of Deepavali. Let us renew
our hopes for a bright future,
our family and friendship
ties and dispel all misgivings
and pessimistic tendencies.
There’s a lot to look forward
to in the future. The stage has
been set by global Indians
such as A.R. Rahman,
Venkatraman Ramakrishnan
who won the 2009 Nobel
prize for his path breaking
work in chemistry and others
which goes to prove that we
Indians have the capabilities
to achieve globally.
So we have one more reason
to celebrate. On the occasion
of the festival of lights let us
remove the darkness from
our minds and light the lamp
of illumination. Women have
been proving their mettle
globally too, setting trends
in the hitherto uncharted
male bastions. With such
a low percentage of girls
being permitted to acquire
education, if young Indian
women can achieve globally
in varied fields imagine what
intellectual wealth our country
would possess if all our girls
were sent to school!
During this Deepavali, let
us make up our minds to
encourage the education of
the girl child and in our own
way try to do our bit toward
this noble cause. Let us set
apart some money for the
daughter of our domestic
help, driver, watchman or
any other indigent girl in
the neighbourhood… a stomachs. By depriving the
percentage of the total
amount spent on crackers,
new dresses and sweets.
Let it become a way of life
T Index, which has unraveled
n
for us to make every happy
occasion, one of complete
fulfillment even as we create
a culture of investing in the
intellectual advancement of
the unfortunate and the needy
girl populace. Most young girls
are saddled with the burden
of running the house, cooking
and taking care of the younger
siblings. Many a girl child
has never seen the portals
of educational institutions,
while their brothers are sent
to school. To ensure that the
men in the family get their
fair share of meals, little girls
go to bed with grumbling
education of these girls, we
are snatching away their
entire future, and that of the
future generations.
Page 3
As long as the women of
our houses are shunned by
the society and families, we
can never hope to rise to
higher rungs in the Human
Resource Development
the dismal, but true nature
of our society. It reflects
the stark reality that only a
few people are amassing
the benefits of all global
advancements whereas
the plight of millions of
Indians is pathetic. How
can anybody hope to live
in happiness when our
neighbours go to bed hungry clothes, stationery and study that this could be the girl
after backbreaking hours of materials, etc. who needs your help and
arduous toil? guidance. A toast to the
The next time you see a
I know of some women from success of young Indian
young girl in rags on the road,
the middle class who spend women! Happy Deepavali!
balancing a pot of water on
their leisure time giving free
tuitions to unfortunate girls
her fragile shoulders and
Ciao!
from BPL families
traipsing along, remember,
Swati Amar
(Below Poverty
Line) who have
had no opportunity
to go to school
or need help to
understand what
is being taught in
their schools. This
is yet another way
of offering our
help and imparting
knowledge. We
can also do small
things like donate
old school books,
True Deepavali
Sentiments
T he moonless Deepavali night signifies dispelling
darkness and ignorance and spreading light. Let us
illuminate our minds by looking at environmental issues
that arise out of the consequence of celebrating Deepavali.
Globally environmental concerns are taking centrestage
and impact the lives of every one of us. While we are
celebrating a grandiose global festival, it is imperative we
contemplate about bringing a major overhaul in the mode
of celebrations by including Mother Nature too as a part of
our Deepavali Sentiments.
Continued on page 16
 Page 4
D
uring Diwali we wear
festive Indian outfits.
Our makeover should
also be appropriate to
the festive season.
You can make
your eyes
m o r e
E ve’s Times is happy to
Beauty’ S Peak
carry out a column on
beauty care by cosmetologist
and aesthetician Vasundhra,
Chennai’s renowned woman
of beauty and influence.
Vasundhra’s tips will help
the busy women of today
to maintain their health and
appearance without much
ado.
A Soothing Bath
Y ou can take recourse
to nature to enhance
the nature of your skin,
strengthening it and making
it more radiant and smooth.
Neem is very effective in
removing body odour . Add
For the Special DEEPAVALI Glow
attractive. You can try smoky
eyes which you can create
by smudging the kajal.
You can also apply extended
eye-liner to get the traditional
festive look.
For eye shadow, shimmer
with bronze, deep brown
or copper colours. They
suit Indian skin and outfit of
almost any colour
Foundation is very
important. Using
the wrong
foundation
c a n
make
you
neem leaves in your bath
tub and soak for some time
before you take your bath.
Neem extract has antiseptic
properties and is very good
for the skin. Remove the
leaves after some time and
take your bath.
You can also add camphor
to your bath water, which
helps remove body odour.
Fruit masks are very good
for maintaining the health
and luster of your skin
during summer. You can
use apples, banana, melon,
tomato, cucumber and
coconut milk to make your
fruit face mask. People who
look like a frying pan! Avoid
cracked and flaky skin by
rubbing on either mineral
based or water based
foundation corresponding to
your skin type. Same goes
for blush – use oil or powder
based blush-on according to
your skin type.
It’s a personal choice what lip
colour you will use. Of course,
it should match your overall
make up and outfit. However,
depending on what you like,
either wear gloss or matte
lipstick but do carry your
lipsticks and gloss with you so
that you can refill your lips.
Finally, give your body the
perfect glaze by mixing some
shimmer with your body
cream and applying it evenly
all over.
have sinus problem should
avoid this.
Try to take a lot of fluids during
summer, especially if you are
a person who needs to be
on your toes at home and at
work. Try to take fresh juices
of oranges, lemon or coconut
milk as often as possible. To
avoid a sun stroke, keep an
onion in your bag.
Winter Care
While you can keep yourself
warm by using woolen
clothes, you still need to take
extra care of your skin during
winters. Cold climate wreaks
havoc on your skin. Even
October 16-31, 2009
Safe Beauty tips
No matter how expensively
or elegantly you dress
up, nothing will fetch you
complements if you don’t
feel fresh and happy inside.
Deepavali inevitably means
gorging on sweets but
maintaining a balanced diet
is of utmost importance. Keep
track of what you are eating.
You can dig into sweets but
don’t forget your vegetables
and fruits. If you have any
health problem, avoid foods
rich in fat and refined sugar.
With all the firecrackers
bursting and burning, do
wash your hands every time
you eat so that no residue
of gunpowder is left on your
hands. This will keep your
stomach clean.
Washing hands with antiseptic
soaps or a handwash during
Deepavali is very important.
Removing makeup is also a
priority. A lot of people end
up with eruptions on their
skin and loss of hair. So it’s
for your own good that you
tie up your hair and shampoo
and condition it properly on
the day after the festival.
though the climate may be
cold, the moisture content
of your skin will however be
less during winters. Sweating
will be less. Hence body heat
will be high which will result
in dryness of the skin.
Since the moisture of the skin
depletes, there is a tendency
for the outermost layer of the
skin to peel off and make your
palms, feet and hands look
dry and scaly. Your lips may
develop cracks and so would
your heels. Cracked feet will
result in constant pain in the
feet. Hence it is important to
take extra care of your skin
during winter season.
To be continued…..
 October 16-31, 2009
Business Etiquette
T imes are difficult now.
Organizations
afford to lose valuable
cannot
employees, especially
those who contribute to
the company’s growth and
profits. There are many
ways organizations can
show their employees how
much they are valued. One
of the most important ways
is to offer food, favours and
appreciation.
You can tell your colleagues,
coworkers and employees
how much you value them
and their contribution any
day of the year. No occasion
is necessary. In fact, small
surprises and tokens of
your appreciation spread
throughout the year help the
people in your work life feel
valued all year long.
Start by creating a gracious,
polite workplace by resorting
to social niceties such as
please and thank you,
Page 5
especially if an employee or is critical, post a calendar different department people is a spring well of innovation represent your organization
coworker has done his task so people can balance their to come together and spend and creativity. at civic and philanthropic
well. Praise something your time off with that of their fun time with one another. events. There are hundreds
coworker has done well. coworkers. There are also opportunities Last, but not least, provide
of other employee and
Identify the specific actions for employees to show off opportunity. People want
that you found admirable. If you can afford to, give coworker appreciation ideas
their talents and skill, which chances for training and
staff money. End of the just waiting to be found.
Getting to know your year bonuses, attendance is a great morale booster. cross-training. They want
to participate on a special They’ll bring you success
coworkers will buy you their bonuses, quarterly bonuses Combined with delectable
loyalty and respect. Ask your
coworkers about their family,
and gift certificates are good
ways to say “thank you.” .
food, fun times infuse new
energy to staff members,
committee where their
talents are noticed. They
in employee motivation,
employee recognition and in
their hobbies, their weekend who get back to work with like to attend professional building a positive, productive
Everyone appreciates food.
or special events in their renewed enthusiasm, which association meetings and workplace.
Take coworkers or staff to
life. Ensure that you don’t
lunch for a birthday, a special
give the impression of being
occasion or for no reason
nosey. Your genuine interest
at all. Let your guest pick
causes people to feel valued
the restaurant. I know of
and cared about.
organizations where people
Know your coworker’s decide to get take-ways
interests well enough during lunch time or go for
to present a small gift a picnic once or twice a year
occasionally. An appreciated or during special occasions.
gift, and the gesture of This creates a sense of
providing it, will light up your belongingness to the
coworker’s day. organization and its people.
Another way
ay In the case of
of showing organizations,
employee especially
appreciation those from
is by offering the IT industry
staff members many have
f l e x i b l e fun traditions
scheduling forr fo
for seasonal
the holidays,
s, hol
holidays or holiday
if feasible. If part
parties. There are
work coverage e oppo
opportunities for
 Page 6
The Health and Fitness Clinic
D
eepavali festival
begins with the ‘Ganga
Snanam.’ Our grandmothers
used the ‘boilers’ for getting
the warm water ready for
the traditional bath. On the
eve of Deepavali, this boiler
was scrubbed, cleaned and
purified using ‘sunnambu’
and sanctified using the
sandal paste and vermilion.
In the wee hours of the
morning, the boiler used to
start working, getting the
warm water ready for the oil
bath.
Meanwhile the oil was
prepared for the ritual.
Sesame oil was taken in an
iron container. To this oil,
omam seeds, pepper corns,
turmeric powder and one or
two red chillies were added
and the oil was warmed.
This oil was rubbed on to the
scalp of the family members
by the women of the house.
The ingredients added to
the oil helped in developing
immunity against colds and
coughs. This oil mixture also
helped reduce body heat.
Sesame seed oil has been an
inherent part of the lives of the
people of Tamil Nadu since
time immemorial. Though
the daily ritual of the sesame
seed oil bath has come down
drastically, even today in
traditional households, oil
bath is taken on Tuesdays
and Fridays. Sesame seed
oil bath grants immense
benefits. The hot and humid
climate of Tamilnadu causes
increased body heat, fatigue
of the brain and nerves,
tiredness of the limbs etc.
Sesame seed oil helps retain
body heat at desirable levels.
A regular routine of sesame
seed oil massage in the
head and body, followed by
retaining the oil for about half
an hour and a warm bath
helps in rejuvenating the
mind and the body.
Lifestyle changes and
environmental pollution are
the prime causes for the
rise of incidences of myriad
disorders in recent times.
Thanks to the environmental
pollution, we are constantly
inhaling and ingesting toxins
everyday.
Sesame seed oil massage is
a natural technique to detoxify
our body. In Ayurveda, it
is known as ‘Abhyanga’.
Charaka Samhita, the
medical treatise, delineates
the benefits of sesame
seed oil massage in great
detail. Sesame oil massage
promotes softness and luster
of the skin, lubricates the
muscles, tissues and joints
and increases flexibility.
A regular routine of this
massage is believed to make
one strong, and diminish
the effects of aging. It helps
increase the body’s capacity
to handle strenuous work
and healing after injury.
Research studies on
the healing properties
of sesame oil massage
have documented that it
decreases stress hormones
and strengthens the immune
system. It reduces anxiety,
depression and pain. The
National Cancer Institute
recommends this massage
for alleviating the pain of
cancer patients.
The linoleic acid in sesame
seed has antibacterial and
anti-inflammatory properties.
Therefore, the oil massage
decreases the bacteria on
the skin.
Certain procedures have to
be followed to derive true
benefits of sesame seed oil
massage. Curing the oil by
heating it to 212 degrees
F is important. For this, the
oil is heated gradually on a
low flame. A drop of water
is placed in the oil, which is
removed from fire as soon
as the water pops. The oil is
then allowed to cool. The oil
should be warmed before use
to enhance the antioxidant
properties. But curing is done
only once.
For applying oil, the palms of
the hands are used instead
of fingertips, in vigorous
circular motions. It is ideal
to begin the massage on the
scalp, followed by the face,
ears, front and back neck,
and then the arms. Circular
motions over the joints and
straight motion over the
muscles are effective for the
arms and legs. The chest
and abdomen are massaged
in large clockwise motions.
The massage on the back is
done vigorously. The ritual is
concluded with a rub on the
legs and feet.
Traditionally the massage
used to be done before
meditating and showering.
The oil is kept for about 20
minutes and then a shower
is taken.
The body’s self purification
mechanisms have been
rendered inadequate by the
impurities surrounding us.
To contend with our daily
encounters with varying types
of toxins everyday, eliminating
them on a regular basis makes
sense. Our ancestors have
provided us with an excellent
habit that not only helps us to
get rid of body toxins but also
bestows immense benefits to
our general health. A gentle
rub that soothes is all you
need to keep you rejuvenated,
energized and radiant!
Get Your Special
Paste Ready
After the oil massage, the oil
is washed away from the hair
by the Shikakai powder. For
the body, people generally
use green gram powder. You
can get the shikakai powder
THE
TRADITIONAL
GANGA
SNANAM
Steps to a More
Youthful Smile
F
estive times are great as
long as we can enjoy the
eats . But they also place a
great strain on your teeth and
oral hygiene. It is therefore
important to take extra care
of your mouth during these
times. Stop your teeth from
growing old before their
time! Take your oral hygiene
seriously. Regular periodontal
evaluation from your dentist
and some basic habits will
retain your youthful smile for
years to come.
Tips for good
dental health
Eat food with a lot of fibre
content, e.g., fruits and fresh
vegetables, cereals.
Consuming too many
oranges, too much grapefruit
juice or other highly acidic
foods and beverages can
erode the enamel, leaving
tiny pits or grooves that
accumulate deposits.
Hairline fractures can occur by
chewing ice or hard candy.
Avoid artificial junk food, e.g.,
confectionary, chocolates
and sticky sweets.
Brush preferably twice daily,
but definitely before going to
bed.
Recommended brushing
technique:
The right way of brushing
your teeth recommended
by dentists, that will enable
them to gleam and sparkle:
For cheek and tongue
surface of the tooth:
Start by placing the
bristles of your tooth
brush at 45 deg at the
gum margin and sweep
down for upper teeth
and sweep up for lower
teeth in a slow motion.
Repeat a few strokes at
each place.
For grinding surface
of the tooth: Use small
circular motions or back
and forth motion.
To reach behind the last
molar: Use a long and
slender necked toothbrush.
Shed those
injurious habits!
Beware! Clen-
ching or grinding
your teeth is
mighty harmful to
your teeth. They
accelerate natural
wear and tear and
prematurely age
your smile!
October 16-31, 2009
from the market or get the
ingredients from a Dabba
Chetti Kadai and dry them
under the sun, powder them
and keep.
You can prepare your own
special body paste. Dry
lemon rinds and rose petals
under the sun. Also dry
kasturi manjal under the sun.
Or you may choose to use
the turmeric powder available
in the dabba chetti kadais.
Either way, mix the dried
rind and rose petals with
green gram and get them
ground to a fine powder. On
the day of Deepavali, after
the oil massage, take a little
of this powder, mix kasturi
manjal powder if you have
not already mixed and add
curds and rub vigorously
over your body. You will
emerge with a soft, glowing
skin and a good feeling. The
scrubbing improves your
blood circulation too. ✤
Replace worn down crowns
or bridges. Also replace
fillings whenever necessary.
Do not wait for your cavities
to enlarge!
Have any discolored teeth
corrected. Staining gives you
an older appearance.
Don’t hesitate to replace any
missing teeth as soon as
possible because missing
teeth can cause your bite to
collapse and tissues to sag.
If you have a bad bite, attempt
to correct it soon.
Prevent bone and gum loss
by adhering to your dentist’s
counsel.
Scrubbing too aggressively
can wear down the enamel,
which can expose the dentin
or cementum underneath
and jeopardize the health of
the teeth.
Don’t forget! The dentist
is your best friend and will
help you keep flashing your
dazzling smile everlastingly.
 October 16-31, 2009
Quizzeria?
W ith the Deepavali fever
raging in the milieu
let’s unearth your knowledge
about Deepavali. After all, it
is important to know about
our culture , right? Then
again , Deepavali is one of
the most popular festivals
globally. So go right ahead
and try to emerge a winner!
1. Who is supposed to be
the husband of Goddess
Lakshmi?
a. Lord Shiva
b. Lord Vishnu
c. Lord Indra
d. Lord Brahma
2. Who killed Narakasura?
a. Lord Narayana
b. Lord Shiva
c. Lord Krishna
d. Lord Rama
3. Which deity is Goddess
Kali said to have emerged
from?
a. Lakshmi
b. Durga
c. Saraswati
d. Tara
4. What do the Sikhs
commonly call Diwali?
a. Deepavali
b. Bandi Chhorh Diwas
c. Bhaubeej
d. Naraka Chaturdasi
Brain Teaser
T easing and tickling your gray cells is said to improve your brain power. So go ahead and
play with the numbers and check for yourself if you have it in you to vanquish number
puzzles with ease! Happy Sudokuing!
5 2
7 6
8 1
2 7
4 3
5. Which Hindu month is 9. What is the first day of
Diwali observed on?
a. Ashvin b. Karthik
c. Sravana d. Chaitra
6. What does the word
Diwali actually mean?
a. Row of lights 10. Playing cards during Diwali
b. Festival of lights
c. Celebration of dance
d. Celebration of family
7. Deepavali celebrates
the return of two people.
Who are they?
a. Rama and Sita
b. Raj and Meera
c. Krishna and Radha
d. Bharat and Shatrugnan
8. How many days does
Diwali festivals last?
a. One b. Three
c. Five d. Two
8 don a snazzy spaghetti-
3 4
1 5
6 5
9 are going out with your
1 3
5 8
teen mag
GRAFFITI MARRIAGE – THEY
SAID IT!
Before I got married I had
six Theories about brining
up children. Now I have six
children and no theories.
Diwali season called?
a. Dhanteras
b. Diwali
c. Lakshmi puja
d. Naraka Chaturdasi
is part of celebrations in
which Indian metropolis?
a. Mumbai b. Bangalore
c. Chennai d. Delhi
Answers on page 10
GRANNY’S DARLING
A re you Granny’s little Chammathukutty, or the angel with the horns, or the riotous devil?
Have you been a good granddaughter? The only way to find out is to take this quiz!
Q1. You are going to hangout
with your friends, and you
top over a pair of skinny
jeans. Your grandma eyes
you disapprovingly and
comments on your outfit.
You:
a. Roll your eyes and tell
her that this is the 21st
century, where people
no longer wear paavadai,
7 and then walk out.
b. Go to your room and
wear a jacket or change
into something she would
approve of, before you
leave.
c. Explain to her that you
friends, and that you can
carry off the outfit well
with dignity.
6 everything she says, but
Answers on page 10
Page 7
Lord Rochester
Before marriage
a man yearns
for a woman,
afterwards, the ‘y’ is
silent.
Every woman waits for the
perfect man to come along-
but in the meantime, she
gets married.
If men know how women
pass the time when they are
alone, they’d never marry.
Marriage is the only field
where experience is a
disqualification.
After forty, men have married
their habits and wives are
only an item in the list and
not the most important.
George Meredith
Q2. You are watching your Q4. You are going out with
favorite soap of Friends on your friend, and your Grandma
TV, and your Grandma wants
to watch Kolangal. You:
asks you to accompany her
to the temple. You:
a. Tell her that you just a. Tell her to go alone, or
cannot sacrifice your
Friends, for some boring
find someone else to go
with.
Tamil drama family serial.
b. You try your best to cancel
b. Hand her the remote
control with a smile. Well,
you can watch Friends
on your friend, to spend
time with your Grandma.
As they say, family first
anytime.
and then friends.
c. You grit your teeth, but
hand the remote to her,
c. Explain to her that you’ve
already made plans and
wondering what she
you can’t cancel out.
could possibly find so
fascinating in a sob Q5. You go shopping with your
serial. Grandma, and she insists you
should buy a really hideous
Q3. You are bored one
afternoon, and your Grandma
launches into one of her
salwar kameez, which you
know you will never wear.
mythological days. You: You:
a. Invent some work and
leave the place pronto.
a. Tell her to take a hike,
and you walk away to the
section of western-wear.
b. Listen eagerly. She
certainly knows how to
perk up your interest.
b. You actually buy the
dress, and wear it just to
please her!
c. You nod your head to
allow your mind to travel
to another country.
c. You tell her that you feel
the dress is not very
becoming on you.
Answers on page 10
 Page 8 teen mag October 16-31, 2009

Teen Fitness

Y ou cannot not eat

Deepavali sweets and
savouries, especially if they
two to three minutes, but you
will be surprised how quickly
your body adapts.
, earn your pocket money
and burn off extra calories..
Washing and waxing the

W ith Diwali at our

doorstep, the usual
pandemonium of crackers
seems to have flickered
down, compared to the
previous years. In fact, even
the fire-cracker markets
aren’t swarming with excited
masses shelling out from their
pockets, to keep up with the
cracker-bursting mania that
has ceased to exist today.
Even last year, I remember,
the cracker-craze was
booming, and I was left with
a severe migraine weeks
before Diwali. Comparatively,
the obsession of bursting
crackers has receded to a
major extent.
We’re still trying to figure out
why most people have lost
interest in bursting crackers.
Maybe it’s because they are
finally becoming environment-
THE ASCENT OF 21 WOMEN LEADERS
OF INDIA INC.
“The Voyage to Excellence has documented the
success stories of women in our country. Such books
build up our confidence and courage. Every girl,
woman and the parents of every girl should read the
book and understand that we too can ascend the ladder
of success-”Hon’ble Union Minister of State for Women
& Child Development Renuka Chowdhury.
conscious (kudos to you!).
Or because they are just too
busy all-year-around and
want to spend some quality
time with their family and
friends. Or maybe they’ve
finally attained enlightenment
and have realized that
money cannot all be spent
to produce lots of noise and
puffs of smoke.
However, don’t forget that
Diwali is a once-a-year festival
that should be celebrated
grandly, and we must keep up
with the tradition of bursting
at least a few crackers.
Don gorgeous ethnic clothes,
light up your house with fancy,
earthen diyas, and watch the
rockets skirting through the
night sky.
In the meantime don’t forget
to light up the lives of the
unfortunate, especially
children. Those BPL children
too deserve some fun and
frolic in their lives. Your Diwali
will be most enjoyable if you
can gift them new clothes,
crackers and a few goodies
to munch.
And , of course, be careful
not to hurt yourself or others
while bursting crackers.
Finally, for people like us who
are far away from our homes
and spending Diwali poring
over huge books , with a
strong yearning to be a part
of the celebrations, wish us
well!
Wishing you all a Happy
Diwali!
Until next fortnight
Namrata
Editor, Teen Mag
are homemade. I am sure
your tongue must be missing
all the traditional eats, having
indulged in hordes of junk
and instant food. So now, you
are worried that the fruits of
all your hard work in the gym
or practicing sports or doing
other fitness exercises may
have gone down the drain.
But here is help at hand.
Check out these quick and
easy ways to burn an extra
100 calories for a week or
two before, during or after
Deepavali and stay fit!
Cycling (10 minutes) - If
you have a bicycle, just ten
minutes of steady cycling will
burn off 100 calories. It’s a
great excuse to go out into
the fresh air too. Cycling will
strengthening your legs and
heart.
Video workout (10 to 15
minutes) - Find yourself a
fitness video you enjoy and
give yourself a 10- to 15-
minute workout four or five
times a week. It will help
burn some extra calories and
refresh your mind.
Walking (15 minutes)- It’s the
easiest and simplest exercise
known to man. Fifteen
minutes’ brisk walking will
burn at least 100 calories.
Skipping (15 minutes)-
Skipping ropes are cheap
and lightweight, and they
can be used pretty much
anywhere. Make sure you
have a good pair of cross
trainers and that you stretch
your leg muscles, especially
your calves, before and after
each session. Not only does
skipping work the heart and
lungs, your legs and upper
body get a great workout too.
Fifteen minutes’ exercise will
burn 100 calories or more. You
may have to start in bursts of
Jogging (15 minutes)- If brisk
walking uses 100 calories in
car will exercise your upper
body. Reaching over the roof
and bonnet will increase your
15 minutes, you can expend flexibility.
even more calories by adding
one or two minutes of jogging. Gardening (25 to 30
If you did this twice a day, you minutes)- If you are a nature
would probably be burning at lover, apart from earning the
least 300 calories each day. respect of your family as well
as some pocket money and
Stairs (15 to 20 minutes). If losing calories, you can revel
you have them, use them. in your creativity being one
They are brilliant for toning with nature. Your garden will
up your bottom and legs,
end up looking great! It’s not
and they burn calories very
just the physical effort that
efficiently. By using stairs
makes gardening beneficial:
as often as possible, your
the release of stress and the
calorie consumption is enjoyment it provides are
greatly increased - obviously also important. Remember
greater the effort, the more to engage your abs when
calories you will burn. You gardening, especially when
can burn approximately 100 bending or lifting objects. A
calories in 15 to 20 minutes’ good cool-down and stretch
stair climbing. for the back and hamstrings
Dancing (20 minutes)- at the end is a good idea.
Nothing improves leg muscle
It’s not always easy to find the
tone, cardiovascular fitness
time to do any of these things.
and your mood more than
In fact it’s a lot easier to find
good old dance. Dance
excuses not to do them. But
around your bedroom, if you make the effort to try a
kitchen or living room. Just couple of these, you will be
put on some music and cut amazed at how much better
up that carpet. you will feel - and how much
better you will look.
Housework (20 minutes)-
You can bargain with your
parents and take up power
cleaning. You get to make
pocket money,
keep your home
sparkling and in
the process shed o f f
excess calories. Beneficial
in many ways! And to top
everything you will be
considered an angel if you
lend a helping hand during
Deepavali. Power cleaning
is a great way to raise your
heart rate and tone your
muscles. Power cleaning -
depending on intensity - can
burn 100 calories every 20
minutes.
Washing the car (20 to 30
minutes)- Impress your father

“The book is first-class and a must-read for all as it Choose the Star Teenager of the fortnight …
brings to light the respect that women command in Write about a teenager who is simply out of the world…… according to you … well, you have to
today’s era. Nischinta and Debashish have brought us justify… why does he or she deserve to be the star? If you feel you can be that star… go ahead
to an era of command-the era when women command and propose your name… Send in a list of the star teenager's achievements…
respect, an era when women seek a place for
themselves by their hard work” Dr.Kiran Bedi IPS
(Formar UN Civilian Police Advisor to the Secretary
General)
Authors: Eve’sTHOUGHT
EVE’S ThoughtFOR
for THE
the FORNIGHT
Fornight
Do you want to be successful? Get your copy of the Nischinta Amarnath Thelooks
One happiest
back withof people todon’t
appreciation necessarily
the brilliant have
teachers, but the best
with gratitude of
to those
most sought after book today by women all over the
country. Available in all bookstores in Chennai or call Debashish Ghosh who touched our human feelings. The curriculum is so much necessary raw material,
everything; they just make the most of everything that comes
but warmth is the vital element for the growing plant and for the soul of the child.
24526739 to book your copy at a discount! along their way. - Carl Jung
 October 16-31, 2009 teen mag Page
g 9

For Your Eyes Only

Simbu
T his is a fun column, a friendly exchange between you and your favourite stars. If
you feel like opening out your heart to someone, suave and smart Simbu, a role
model of a determined achiever who is on the way to become a one-man industry is
willing to lend you a helping hand. You can ask anything under the sun… but this column
is meant only for the teens…ADULT ALERT!!!!

I am a sixteen-year-old girl studying

in school. All my friends have
boyfriends, but I don’t. I feel very left out.
I am very tomboyish and rather rough
and even though I am good-looking, I
don’t really give importance to my looks.
My friends say that guys dig only pretty,
glamorous-looking girls, and that I am too
un-feminine and an intimidating figure. Is
that true? Do guys only go for girls who
are pretty and glamorous? What is it that
a guy really looks for in a girl?
Firstly, I should tell you, be happy
that you have escaped the clutches
of a relationship and you don’t have a
boyfriend. It is not that guys only dig
glamorous girls. It’s true—looks do
matter to a general extent, but after that,
it’s the character that counts. Moreover,
it’s the compatibility and synchronicity
between the two, that matters. Guys have
different tastes, but they generally go for
girls of their wavelength in maturity and
intelligence. When you’re looking at such
a broad spectrum, looks hardly matter.
On the other hand, it is the charm you
exude and the way you carry yourself,
which actually matters. As for you, I feel
that you shouldn’t change yourself for
any guy. You will soon find a guy who is
attracted to you the way you are. After
all, you are just sixteen, and you have
a long way to go. But I must correct this
misconception most girls have—guys
don’t dig only beautiful or glamorous
girls. There is more to it than that.
 Page 10 teen mag October 16-31, 2009

Jest For Laughs

6. There is a ‘Find’ button
but it is not working
properly. My wife lost the
door key and we tried a was alive when you began
for an account in the request you to check this lot to trace the key using autopsy?
Hotmail in the password as we ourselves do not this ‘ find’ button, but we
column, only ******
appears, but in the rest
know what the password
is.
were unable to trace. Is it
a bug?? T rue incidents
court!
in the WITNESS : No.

ATTORNEY : How can you

Dear Mr. Bill Gates,
T his letter is from Mandu
Mohan from Chennai.
We have bought a computer
for our home and we found
problems, which I want to
bring to your notice.
1. After connecting to the
Internet we planned to
open an e-mail account.
Whenever we fill the form
of the fields whatever 2. We are unable to enter
we type appears. We anything after we click
face this problem only the ‘shut down ‘ button.
in the password field.
3. There is a button ‘start’
We checked with the
but there is no “stop”
hardware vendor and
button. We request you
he said that there is no
to check this.
problem in the keyboard.
4. We find there is ‘Run’
Because of this we now
in the menu. One of my
open the e-mail account
with password *****. I friend clicked ‘run ‘ and
ran up to Madurai! So, we
request you to change
that to “sit”, so that we
can click that by sitting.
5. One doubt is that any ‘re-
scooter’ available in the
system? As I find only ‘re-
cycle’, but I own a scooter
at my home.
7. Every night I am not
sleeping as I have to
protect my ‘mouse’ from
CAT, So I request you to
provide a DOG to kill that
cat.
8. Please confirm when
you are going to give
me money for winning
‘HEARTS’ (playing cards
in games) and when are
you coming to my home
to collect your money.
9. My child learnt ‘Microsoft
word’ now he wants to
learn ‘Microsoft sentence’,
so when u will provide
that?
Desperately Yours,
Mandu Mohan
ATTORNEY : Are you qualified be so sure, Doctor?
to give a urine sample?
WITNESS : Because his
WITNESS : Huh? brain was sitting on my desk
in a jar.
ATTORNEY : Doctor, before
you performed the autopsy, ATTORNEY : But could the
did you check for a pulse? patient have still been alive,
nevertheless?
WITNESS : No.
WITNESS : Yes, it is possible
ATTORNEY : Did you check
that he could have been alive
for blood pressure?
and practicing law!
WITNESS : No.
ATTORNEY : Did you check
for breathing?
WITNESS : No.
ATTORNEY : So, then it
is possible that the patient

So Much Sense
MOSTLY Bs: You’re the a bit more kindness to your
Quizzeria? GRANNY’S DARLING model granddaughter, grandma. She’s after all, a
Answers to this Grandma’s darling, and gazillion times more important
fortnight’s questions
M OSTLY As: You are the chammathukutty. However, than your million friends. Try
cruel granddaughter I find it incredibly hard to to love her a little more, and
Find a boy who calls u cute 1 b. Lord Vishnu
Instead of hot. who is too modern for words, believe that you harbor no you will be surprised to see
2. c. Lord Krishna
Who calls u back and lives in the urban world feelings of impatience, when how much love she returns!
3. b. Durga
When u hang up. of gadgets, friends, clothes your Granny tends to get a
4. b. Bandi Chhorh Diwas
Who will stay around just to watch u and party. You’ve put down little picky. If you’ve been true
5. a. Ashvin
Sleep family only after your friends to yourself, you can bet your
Wait for the 1 who first kissers ur forehead 6.a. Row of lights
and social-life. If you need life’s earnings, your Grandma
Than ur lips. Who wants to show the world 7. a. Ram and Sita
people for you, you’ll have looovves you!
What u mean to him. 8. c. Five
to change your attitude! But
Who holds ur hand in front of his friends and not your 9.a. Dhanteras
hey, there is always time for MOSTLY Cs: You’re human,
waist. 10. d. Delhi Answer
change. but could certainly do with
Wait for 1 who is constantly reminding u of
How much he cares about you, Answers to last
And how lucky he is to have you. fortnight’s questions
Wait for d 1 who turns to his frndz 1. A Shadow
And says “That’s my life.” 2. Eat or Ate
Terrorists have captured our principal 3. A Sponge
And they demand Rs.5,00,000 4. Dozens
Or they will burn him wit kerosene. 5. A River
Pls contribute. 6. A keyboard
I have donated 15 litrs! 7. A Ring Answer

Brain Teaser Answer

5 2 4 9 6 8 3 7 1
1 9 8 3 5 7 2 6 4
3 7 6 4 2 1 8 9 5
9 3 2 6 8 4 5 1 7
6 4 7 1 3 5 9 2 8
8 5 1 2 7 9 6 4 3
2 8 5 7 4 6 1 3 9
4 6 9 8 1 3 7 5 2
7 1 3 5 9 2 4 8 6
 October 16-31, 2009
E
YOU’VE GOT
ve’s Times will bring
to you heart-rending
stories, anecdotes , jokes
and any meaningful piece
of writing that are floating
around in the cyber world.
Of course, you too are
invited to send in your mail
to editorevestimes@gmail.
com. The present article
from the cyber world is to be
enjoyed as a piece of humor
and is not meant to hurt the
sentiments of anyone or any
particular group of people.
AMBI MAMA
Ambi Mama is the leading
Brahmin relative” – Survey
A survey has revealed
that ‘Ambi Mama’ is the
E ve’s Times is happy to announce that Family therapist and Parent-
Teacher Educator Brinda Jayaraman will answer any query you
want to ask relating to interpersonal interactions. Send in your questions
to askbrinda@evestimesonline.com or to our office directly.
I am a middle-aged
married woman, with two
children and working in a
bank. My husband works in
a private company and we
are reasonably well off. I
too earn a good salary. My
problem is that my mother
has been diagnosed as a
schizophrenic several years
back. She is living with my
younger brother’s family.
Though his wife is not very
happy about this, she has
managed to take care of
my mother so far. Now my
brother has got a good job in
the Gulf and he wants to go.
I offered to keep my mother
with me. My husband, who
has been so far very nice
to my children and me,
has suddenly become very
difficult. He does not want
to take the responsibility of
keeping my mother with us.
My father died when we were
young and I remember that
my mother worked very hard
to get us both educated. I do
not want to leave her in any
institution. Also I feel terribly
let down by my husband. I
thought that he was a kind
and compassionate person.
He appears very selfish
now. As a result of this, we
are fighting every day and
my children are disturbed.
leading relative among Tamil
Brahmin families worldwide,
with six in ten families having
one of their own (a 60%
representation). Apparently,
Ambi Mama held off stiff
competition from Mani Mama
My son’s marks are dipping. I
am tense and nervous. When
I earn a good salary, don’t I
have the right to look care of
my mother, who needs to be
taken care of? My husband
is very adamant about not
keeping her. What do I do?
It is very unfortunate that in
the Indian milieu, women,
after marriage are expected to
‘de-link’ themselves from their
parental families. Demands
are more than this- they have
to adopt their in-laws as their
parents; whereas men do
not owe any responsibilities
towards wives’ parents! There
is no code of justice at all in
such a social norm. Many
women are no more tolerant
towards this attitude and
exhibit insolence as a ‘tit-for-
tat’ towards husbands and their
families. This is no solution of
course.
(with 55% representation)
and Baby Chitti (39%)for a
well-deserved win.
“It’s a great day for all Ambi
Mamas. All the years of
hard work - drinking coffee,
criticizing the Indian team
selection and complaining
about blood pressure - have
finally paid off. Yay!”, said
Ambi Mama, a spokesman
for the Ambi Mamas
Association of Dear Old
Rambams (AMBASSADOR),
a division of the Hardcore
Brahmin Organisation (HBO).
[Editor’s note - The previous
sentence has been roundly
condemned by the Society for
Prevention of abbreviations
that are Needless, Dumb
and Execrable (SPANDEX)]
Some of the stalwarts of the
Ambi Mama team pose for a
photographer, after blading
him with outdated advice on
the best cameras, film, and
lighting.
Mani Mamas all over the world
watched in anguish as the
final results were announced,
plunging them into gloom.
“It’s no fun being a Mani
Mama anymore”, said Mani
Mama. “ Maybe if I change
my name to ‘Ramesh Anna’,
In your
case,
you are left
with no option
except keep
your mother with you. At
any point of time, has your
husband expressed that
you care more for your
family than his? If so, his
non-cooperation maybe
mainly because of this
grievance against you.
Please do something about
redressing this complaint
though you may feel that
he is not justified. Be
diplomatic and politically
right (not contradicting him).
Accept the fact that you
cannot expect any support
from him regarding this
issue. If you complain, he
would also come up with
many against you. Part of
it maybe a fact too. No one
is perfect. In case nothing
works, improve your stress
tolerance and manage your
time very effectively. There
is no need to argue with
him, but let your actions
show that you Will take care
of your mother.
MAIL!
I will have a brighter future,”
he pondered pointlessly.
The survey also said that
a respectable number of
families (or a number of
respectable families, as the
case may be), have a Vaidhi
Thatha, Bangalore Anna,
and at least one random guy
named ‘Chandroo’ who is at
all functions, but no one can
really place him (and may not
be related at all).
Predictably, bringing up the
rear were non-entities like
Driscoll Periappa, Jessica
Alba Anni and Darth Vader
Mama, which had zero
representation.
“Brahmins are way too
conservative, dude!”,
complained Cleveland
Shankar, one of the
more modern Iyer boys
(or boyz, if you prefer.
We offer multiple-choice
reading. You’re welcome.)
“When are they going
to drop old dudes like
Venkatakrishnan, Suresh
and Balaji, and start using
hipper names like Jason,
Beyonce and The Human
Torch?” he asked, to a wide
applause from a group of
A lot of information
on health and heart
appeared in your last
fortnight issue, which is
very useful. Human interest
stories that appear in Eve’s
Times are very good.
Mangalam, Chennai
E
ve’s Times provides a
variety of articles on
different topics. You should
try to increase the number
of pages and make some of
them regular, such as those
dealing with investments,
real estate etc. The range
of articles are good. Keep
up the good show!
R. Vaithiyanathan,
Chennai
I
t is a matter of great
concern that the
incidence of heart diseases
among women is on the
rise. While we should not
take that as a warning
signal to confine women
to their traditional roles,
we must definitely try to
lessen their burden, as a
society. Men should come
Page 11
people watching cricket on
a nearby television.
Not all are happy with the
progress, however. “These
youngsters are ruining
everything by naming their
children
and
Archish,
Plaha,”
Dhruv
thundered
Yeah Write!
Badri Athimber. “Can you Optimist Vs
Pessimist
imagine how it will sound?
Dhruv Mama, Anamika
B
Athai, Archish Chittappa - oth optimists and
Ugh! Phooey! That is so not
pessimists contribute to
cool!!”, he growled, using
society. The optimist invents
expressions of disgust picked
up from his states-based co- the aeroplane, the pessimist
brother. the parachute.
When asked for their An optimist is a man who
response, several Brahmins waits in his car with the
living in Adyar merely arched
engine running while his wife
their eyebrows, pursed their
lips, and continued waiting goes shopping.
for the December music
An optimist is an ninety-
season.
year old man who is getting
married and wants to buy a
home near a school.
Always borrow money from
pessimist, he never excepts
to get it back.
Contributed by Archana,
Chennai
forward to take on more
responsibilities at home. The
attitude that predominantly
prevails in most families
skews towards encouraging
the male members in all
every year it is the same.
their efforts while permitting
the women to educate Politicians make the same
themselves and take up speeches, visit Raj Ghat
responsible jobs being and do the same things
every year. Remembering
considered as a privilege
Gandhi has become more
must be changed. The media
must play a major role in of a ritual than a duty
creating attitudinal change toward our country and
among women….. yes… in fellow beings. Hey Ram!
many families it is the woman
Mohanashankaran,
who instills discriminatory
Chennai
attitudes and gender bias
among the members.
R.Gomati, Chennai
M allika Badrinath’s
kitchen queries have
become more interesting,
L
ooks like the other focusing on health foods
countries of the world more than other foods. All
the recipes last fortnight
genuinely remember
Gandhiji more than our own were good and very useful
country fellows. So you have for making Deepavali
Obama’s special message, sweets at home. If we
can have the recipe for
auctioning of Gandhiji’s
Deepavali marundu, it will
personal belongings in
be a mighty help.
various parts of the world ,
the World Peace March etc.
Revathy Madhavan,
As for Gandhi Jayanthi being
Chennai
celebrated in our country,
 Page 12 October 16-31, 2009

F or Deepavali Marundu, can we use Palm Sugar

(Panam Kalkandu) or Nattu Sarkkarai to make
the legiyam, instead of Jagiri, because this contains
T ry out innovative sweets this Deepavali. They are not
only tasty, but easy to make too. What’s more, you even
have special sweets for diabetics in your family. So go ahead
more vitamins and minerals? Since the sweetness and make this Deepavali a creative and memorable festival!
differs for Palm Sugar, in what proportion can we add
the sugar to ginger and other ingredients? QUICK WHEAT PEDAS
Rajalakshmi Manoharan, Chennai
Ingredients
Legiyam needs a certain consistency which is why Wheat flour 2 cups
jaggery is normally used. This consistency cannot
Ghee 1 cup
be replicated by using either Palm Sugar or Nattu
Sarkkarai. Kova 1/4 cup

I am a cookery enthusiast. I would like to make Condensed Milk 1/2 cup

a different sweet during this Deepavali. I was looking at making Dumroot halwa powdered sugar 2 to 3 T sp
or white pumpkin halwa. I am wondering whether we can make halwa using yellow Almonds a few nos. (10 to 12)
pumpkin instead of gourd or white pumpkin. I surfed the net to find a recipe to make a
halwa using yellow pumpkin, but I didn’t get any. If we can make such a halwa in what Elaichi powder 1/4 tsp.
proportion should we add sugar since yellow pumpkin already has some sweetness,
when compared to white pumpkin? Sumati, Chennai Method
Yellow pumpkin tastes better than white, and has less moisture as well. To make pumpkin Heat the ghee and fry the wheat flour till
halwa, remove the outer skin and the pips, and grate the pumpkin. Add one and a quarter the fresh smell goes away. Cool it and than
cups of sugar to one cup grated pumpkin, along with fifty grams of khova [sugarless milk],
add the kova and sugar powder and mix it
two tablespoons of ghee, one and a half tablespoons of chiroti rawa and sliced nuts like
badam, chironji etc. Mix all the ingredients well, place the mixture on a greased baking tray well. Than add the elaichi powder and the
and bake in an oven for 30-40 minutes till the halwa turns golden brown. condensed milk and mix well. Then make
small balls. Meanwhile slit the almond into
For those who do not have an oven, pumpkin halwa can be made in a non stick pan as
well. Take a banana leaf and place it in the pan. Pour a layer of the halwa mixture onto 2 halves for decoration. Put each half of the
it till it is about one and a half inches thick. Cover with a lid, reduce the heat and cook on almond in the center of the ball and flatten it like a peda. In case you want to decorate it more
the gas for about 10-15 minutes till the ghee oozes out, and a wonderful aroma fills the you can make designs with a fork on the top of the peda .
kitchen. When done, slide the halwa onto a plate and serve. To make pumpkin halwa
more delicious, you could add saffron or cardamom shreds to the mixture as well.
* Congrats Ms. Sumati! Your question has won a special gift hamper for Deepavali from
PINEAPPLE ATHIRASAM
Eve’s Times! Interview by Deepti Menon
Ingredients
The Best Query of the month will win a masala hamper from Mallika Home Product Rice flour 1 cup
Pvt. Ltd. Cooking has never been a Spicier Experience!
Jaggery 1/2 cup
Eve’s Times readers have exciting news! Watch out for competitions on cookery Tinned Pineapple
tips and recipes. Dig out exotic recipes and innovative tips and win prizes! pieces 1/4 cup
Send your recipes/tips with your colour pix to Eve’s Times #18/1 Second Cross Ghee 1/4 cup
St Dr.Radhakrishnan Nagar, Tiruvanmiyur, Chennai 600 041 or by e-mail to
Elaichi pd 1/2 tsp
editor@evestimesonline.com
Oil as required for frying

Method
CRISPY MYSORE PAK Grind the pineapple into a
Ingredients fine paste in a mixie. Boil the
jaggery, remove the impurities
Gram flour(Kadalamavu) - 1 cup
and add the pineapple paste,
Sugar - 2 1/2 cups
elaichi powder and cook it till
Water - 1 cup
you get a soft ball consistency.
Ghee - 2 1/2 cups
Add the rice flour and mix
Baking soda - 1 pinch
well. Remove from fire and

Method in medium heat itself make

small balls and flatten it on a
Mix together gram flour, sugar and water banana leaf or butter paper
smoothly.
and deep fry it in oil.
Pour this into a pan and cook on a low heat.

Heat ghee in another vessel kept on a low heat and add this ghee to the gram flour stirring
continuously. Do this until the mixture turns into a non-sticky paste.
C ollect
leftover
pieces of bath
tiny
soap. When
Add the soda when it is about to get over and stir. sufficient quantity
Grease the inside of a large bowl with ghee and pour the cooked mixture on this large bowl. is collected, boil in a
When it is still hot, cut into cubical pieces by drawing parallel lines on its surface. little water. Stir often, allowing
all the bits to melt and form
Handy Household Tips
a thick solution. Cool bottle
and use as cleaning liquid.
(the brown ones). Place
them in the refrigerator for
30-60 minutes. This would
A tsp each of ginger juice and
honey when warmed and
taken just before sleeping,
separate the shell easily. brings relief from severe
cough. Repeat every night
Banumathi Chandrasekar,
Vellore for a week.
A clove and a cardamom kept
Granny’s Alcove
in the mouth while traveling,
M ake a decoction of
tea leaves mint, a bit
brings relief to those suffering
from motion sickness.

C lean door and window
screens with kerosene
dipped cloth, to remove rust
and even keep mosquitoes
from sitting on them.
For a painful scald, try this
home-made remedy. Place a
crushed onion on the affected
part, with a bandage over it. It
really works and brings relief.
Another good remedy for
burns and scalds, is to smear
the parts immediately with
the white of an egg. In half
an hour there will be no sign
of the burn, and no soreness.
Works like magic!
Janaki Ramachandran,
Chennai
While cutting onions, soak
them in cold water for half
hour and then cut. Your eyes
will not water. Better still if you
keep it in the fridge overnight
before cutting, eyes will not
water.
To break open
coconuts easily
of ginger. Mix in a dash of
honey; sip hot to give relief
from chest congestion.
Dissolve ½ tsp.of turmeric
powder in half a cup of hot
sweetened milk and drink for
relief from cough and cold.
Repeat morning and night for
a week.
 October 16-31, 2009
H
ey there! Heard of a
dainty little home for
your mobile? Such as ornate
cell phone cases / pouches?
Trrrrrrrrrrng. Trrrrrrrrring……
my cell phone jingled.
Bombay Jayashree’s Paartha
mudhal naaley sang aloud
as the speaker of my mobile
was turned on. Ma-in- law
took a look at it and said,
‘What is that lil’ case that’s
screeching?’
I laughed and said, ‘err... Ma,
it’s my cell phone’………..
in a beautiful bamboo case
bordered with black lining and
embellished with cowries.
‘Tut tut,’ Amma exclaimed,
‘Never seen such
R ecession cannot affect
the common man. Do
I see aghast expressions
and hear snarling sounds
of disagreement at such a
statement? Well, I am not
making the statement but
the present scenario is. The
term ‘common man’ here
has not been borrowed from
‘A Wednesday’ or ‘Unnaipol
Oruvan’. It holds more
weight when termed with its
synonym, ‘middle class man’.
Of course the upper class is
taxed too, but the difference
is hardly felt or not at all.
Thus the brunt gets borne by
the middle class.
With the insurgence of
recession, prices hiked like
nobody’s except the middle
classes’ business. Milk
vendors started a strike
demanding a rise in the price
of milk. Their demands were
met but how? By the grace of
the middle class! Teachers
‘salaries were declared
insufficient and so, a salary
hike was announced. Who
meets that hike? The steep
increase in students’ fees is
EXTRAVAGANCE!
In our days we used
to have lovely surukku
pais jingling with coins. The
same can be used as cell
phone pouches too!’
‘No Amma, this one is very
compact. We can put into our
hand bags too, but this will
occupy more space.’
‘You have a separate flap /
compartment in the hand bag
itself for this, is it not?’ Ma in
law queried.’ But Amma,
it gets mixed up and if I put
my cell in the bag, most of
the times I don’t hear it ring.
It’s better to put in a separate
pouch with a beautiful string
and hang around the neck!
Oh Amma, look at that!’
‘Yes, I guess it’s easier to
make than surrukku pais,’
borne by the middle class!
Prices of commodities
AND THE COMMON MAN
are sky rocketing and the
middle class is challenged
with a strict ultimatum of
‘either pay up or give up!’
When you can hardly give
up every day requirements
of rice and dhal, you are
left with no choice but to
pay up. Venture out to
restaurants and after a quick
summation of the prices
on the menu, you arrive at
the total amount. But the
carpet is pulled off your feet
when the bill arrives. You
are slapped with another
hefty amount on the total
bill in the name of VAT or
value added taxes. That,
such taxes add value only
to the bill and never to the
services is your misfortune.
Remember you belong to
the ‘middle class’.
‘Middle class’- a class
which neither enjoys the
privileges of the upper
class nor the benefits of the
poor class. Poor? How is
‘poor’ defined? According
to the Oxford dictionary,
poor means ‘not abundant’.
Looks like, the definition
has to change. Ever since
televisions (colour ones at
that!) are being distributed
to the poor, the term ‘poor’
Trrrrrrrrrrrrrring……… Trrrrrrrrrrrrr
.Amma finally approved.
Amma is adept at hand work
and has made beautiful
surukku pais.
A frequenter of cultural
festivals and craft exhibitions
anywhere in the city of
Chennai, it was during these
delightful explorations that I
discovered the designer cell
phone cases and pouches
and surmised that it could
be a remarkable part of
accessories and grooming.
Ethnic mobile pouches are a
specialty line inspired by age-
old techniques with a modern
look and feel.
Exquisite crafting techniques
give a stylish look to cell phone
cases. The good thing about
this little fashion accessory is
a fusion of traditional Indian
handicraft with the modern
western style. This has
given the Indian accessory
a unique identity and helped
the nascent Handicraft
industry boom
needs to be re-defined. My
maid came late to work one
day. She told me she had to
spend the morning getting
a TV as televisions were
being distributed free in her
area. I asked her, ‘Don’t you
have a TV?’ She replied
indignantly, ‘Who doesn’t
have one these days?’ ‘So
why do you need a new
one?’ I asked confused.
‘Oh we will also have this
one,’ she replied coolly. Talk
about being not abundant,
here it is being in great
Give me a Song
Fashion today is not just
limited to looking good or
wearing a designer outfit.
Equal emphasis is given to
the right shoes, bags, jewelry,
head gears, belts and of
course, the ubiquitous cell
phone cases. Worldwide,
designers are increasingly
focusing on the extremely
lucrative accessories market.
Choosing the right accessory
is as important while deciding
your look, as the garment
itself. A simple long black
dress teamed with a nice belt,
shoes or earrings can make
heads turn. Whether you are
stepping out for a party or you
are dressing for an important
corporate meeting, something
as simple as the earrings and
well, an attractive cell phone
pouch dangling round your
neck can accentuate your
look from sexy to serious,
empowered women.
Get ready to herald a Tarun
Tahliani or a Rohit Bal era
abundance. Tell me, how
many of us middle class
people, have two TVs in our
homes?
Again, some time back, the
authorities had a vision of the
‘poor’ class being endowed
with the same means of
cooking gas as all the other
classes. So a supply of LPG
was sanctioned instead of
the usual kerosene. A gas
stove was also given free
of cost. The source for the
provision of all these benefits
Page 13
ring
by dabbling not only in
are those with front patent
designer garments but also
leather flap, muted colors
in products like lingerie,
with contrast lining, some
perfumes and accessories.
with fashionable details like
From being a simple store
studs and buckles. There
selling garments, all garment
are also sequined ones, and
shops and boutiques have
transformed into multi- those with kaleidoscopic
product stores and among patch work. Decide your
the multitudes of things they personality, your outfit,
peddle, this small and eye- the occasion, your fashion
catching pouch is a valuable accessories and footwear
and fashionable accessory and finally, the diminutive little
that can add a special touch
pouch to place your precious
to your exclusive personality.
little communication gadget,
Mobile pouches are made in that can add a touch of class
vivid designs, shapes, colors and style to your personality.
and textures. They come in Voila! The world is yours to
a wide range of styles and conquor!
materials from high quality
soft Napa leather, to ethnic
ones made in Gurjari styles,
bamboo or the regular
polythene ones, the designer
ones, funky types and then
some. There are pouches that
are just perfect to store your
mobile or even your iPod.
Some come in patent leather
with detachable straps; there Malini Shankar
is no secret. The tax payers’ shock did not end there. She
money of course! Well, shocked me further when
coming back to the LPG she said she wanted a whole
supply, it is being done with
such promptness that we the
‘middle class’, whose first
month’s salary as that is the
rule. Who sets these rules
anyway? Do all employees
chore on waking up every get a whole month’s pay to
morning is to switch on the celebrate festivals? We slog
gas and start cooking, literally
for more than 8 hours a day,
have to go up in flames with
work on holidays too but are
envy. Here, we spend weeks
left with the same amount we
in tension with one empty
always get at the end of the
and another nearly empty
month. They work anywhere
cylinder, waiting. Still the
between 30 to 45 minutes a
booked cylinder fails to arrive
day in a house, take leave
even after umpteen follow-up
of absence at their wish and
calls. And there, the cylinder
get paid anyway even for
is delivered the very next day
those days and still make
of booking it! My friend was
demands!
seriously contemplating on
booking a cylinder through Common man or middle
her maid! Things being what class man? I will stick to
they are, such a day is not the more appropriate term
too far away. ‘civilian’. That’s what we are,
aren’t we? We do not react.
The onset of festival months
We do not show displeasure.
is another example. I gave
We are civil even when there
a saree to my maid for the
festival expecting a radiant are price hikes, VATs, less
smile and a thank you. employment facilities, less
Imagine my shock when she benefits, no privileges and
stamped her foot and said higher taxes. Yes sir, we are
that she didn’t want a saree civilians.
but wanted money. It made
me think, are you obliged
to give anything in the first
place at all? Out of affection,
you buy her clothes when
you buy for yourself and the
family and in return you get
a greater demand. Finally I
gave her money but without
the joy of giving that is felt in
your heart. I gave it, but with a
feeling of compulsion. But my Kanchana. Rao
 Page 14
D eepavali has a
fashion fad of its
own. Given
its ethos
of victory of
good over evil and
the spiritual ambience of
Lakshmi puja, now is the time
when contemporary trends
meet the ethnic. For women
the season encourages
embellished tulle saris, jazzy
tunics, solid gowns, and
paneled and sequined kurtas.
Give bling a break and opt
for statement jewellery with
kundan, silver, stone studded
and gold trinkets adding
an alluring glitter to the
illuminated ambience around
you. Although the salwar
kameez and the sari remain
BREAKING NEWS………THE LIGHTER SIDE
WATER FIND SPARKLES
A MAD RUSH FOR LUNAR
PROPERTY
A US-
company,
Embassy,
headquartered
has
Lunar
been
registering property on
the Moon for the past 29
years. Its website explains
everything about the process
including the information that
this venture is not a fraud.
All you lucky girls out there,
who have been promised the
moon by your sweethearts
that promise to you, can be
now kept. And all you boys
who have made that promise,
rush to keep it as real estate
prices are touching the sky;
well in this case, the prices
are touching the moon!
UP JUDGES DIFFER OVER
DECLARING ASSETS
The Judiciary in UP is divided
over the issue of declaration
of their assets.
Now wouldn’t it be interesting
if, technically, the judges were
October 16-31, 2009
classics
for Indian
w o m e n ,
designers
y o u
are creating
During he real slim
the
fashions that
gatherings, bring out the effect. Hot colours
are more western, more
Diwali sparkle in velvet, gold ali season are
this Diwali
glamorous, and more
antique work, and resham ange, purple,
rusty orange,
feminine in deep, rich hues,
embroidered fabric. The trend beige, blue, and
fitting festive seasons.
is to avoid silver this season. een.
bottle green.
Deepavali is an out-and-out Go for bright colours and bold
combinations. To stand out, Men are re doing
Indian festival so the focus is
you can try western drapes. more than an just
definitely on ethnic wear, like
One thing that everyone can the standard
andard
saris and salwar-kameez.
try is straight skirt with a side kurta pajama
However, you can give Indian
slit worn with churidars and and sherwanis.
rwanis.
wear a western silhouette by
embroidered top or kurta. What’s new for
either incorporating western
You can also experiment Diwali iss there
cuts in your ethnic wear or
with your cholis as much as are shiny ny suits,
by going for a fusion wear.
you want to add more festive jackets, with metallic
Try wearing a blouse or top
charm. fabrics and asymmetrical
embellished with stones,
collars. Inn the chic sense,
beads, zaris and chamkis.
Women on the heavier side it’s very clean lines, but a
For a Diwali night out,
need not despair. They can quirky look.
ok.
accessorize your dress with
wear darker shades, avoiding
brooches or a heavy long Indians are becoming
too much embellishment on
dupatta. more andd more exposed
the garment itself and wearing
toned down necklines. Try to ety of fashions
to a variety
If you belong to a family that
avoid a single colour piece. that are sophisticated,
revels not only in traditional
Multiple yolks and colours in d unique, fitting
chic, and
pujas at home, but follows it
your dress will give a slimmer grandiosee festival like
up with cocktail parties and
look. You can try simple ali.
Deepavali.
poker then you can go for
draping, which is the fad today. accessories that can give
to fight their case? Who would innovative mineral make-up
be the judge? Who would range.
defend the case? As numerous
such curious questions Just when you think
unfurl, describing the case as
interesting, would be putting it
beauticians couldn’t possibly
come up with another new
component for their make-up
mildly. Calling it a media thriller
will be more like it! products, they produce one,
more innovative than the rest.
WITH THE MUSIC OF HIS After fruit, vegetable, herbal,
FILM ‘RADIO’ ALREADY gold, pearl and many more
A HIT, HERE’S HIMESH such varied components, it
RESHAMMIYA WITH A NEW is now mineral. With ladies
VOICE AND A NEW LOOK going to any lengths to
pamper their skins, this is
Come ‘Radio’ and you will one industry that has to keep
see a totally different Himesh innovations flowing. Now
Reshammiya. The music
after minerals, it is back to
director-singer-actor has
wondering what could hit the
not only gone into an image
ladies… oops market next.
make-over, but he has also
undergone surgery to get a
middle voice while singing.
He went under the knife in
order to improve his voice
quality he said. Exit MJ enter
HR?
NOW ‘MINERALISE’ YOUR
MAKE-UP!
Oriflame India, the wholly
owned subsidiary of Swedish
direct selling company
Oriflame, launched an Kanchana.Rao
 October 16-31, 2009
W
hen we use the word
human in terms of our
language, it’s synonymous
with love, compassion,
gentleness; but the most
inhuman acts on the planet
are not committed by some
other creatures. They’re
always committed by human
beings.
So why it seems to be so
difficult for a human being
just to be a human being? If I
ask you to be a tiger, it should
be difficult. If I ask you to
be an elephant, it should be
difficult. If I ask you to be
a grasshopper, it should be
difficult. Why is it so difficult
for a human being just to be a
human being…not something
else?
If only in this world whatever
is beating in the human
heart, whatever the core
A Bouquet for
the Teacher
Being Human
that beats within him, if
that quality could be made
into every cell of his body
and his mind, it wouldn’t be
difficult for a human being
to be a human being. It’s
not natural that a human
being should struggle and
strive to be a human being.
Whichever way he is, he
must be human. There
should be no difficulty in
expressing our own nature.
If we are required to be like
some other creation which
we are not, then there is
difficulty. If you were to ask
an ant to be a human being,
it must be very difficult for
him; but he has no problem
being an ant. He’s a perfect
ant, but human beings are
having problems in being
human.
So the whole effort of Yoga
is just that - a human being
can just be naturally human.
He doesn’t have to struggle
to be human. He doesn’t
have to work hard to become
a human being—the way
he breathes is like a human
being. The way he exists is
like a human being.
If this fundamental nature of
what it means to be human
finds a natural expression
in one’s life, one need not
go in search of the divine.
The divine will come behind
you. Wherever you go, the
divine will follow you like
your servant. Generally,
most people have been
taught to look up to the
divine, to plead and to beg
the divine, to pray to the
divine. I think you must
keep the divine as your
servant, not as your master.
You must live in such a way
that the divine should be a
willing servant in your life.
Only then this life is really
worth it.
If you live in such a way, if you
transform yourself into such
a beautiful being, the divine
should crawl behind you all
the time. ‘Where can he find
a man like you?’ That’s how
it should be! He must have
been waiting for a long time
to find one good company!
I want people to live in such a
way that the divine will crawl
behind them. They will not
crawl behind the divine. This
is not out of ego. It is just that
when the flower blossoms,
the flower does not go in
search of the bee, though
the flower’s existence and
flower’s future depends on
the bee, the flower does not
go to the bee. It exudes such
fragrance that the bee has
5
Page 15
to come. Even though the
very existence of the flower
is dependent on the bee, still
it is the bee that comes to the
flower.
If only if you had the
fragrance - if you don’t have
the fragrance, you have to
take the flower to the bee.
S adhguru is a Realised
Master,
profound
Yogi
Mystic
and
of
our times. A visionary,
Sadhguru asserts that
peace and happiness are
not the ultimate goal of
life, but the most basic
needs in every human
being. He developed
Isha Yoga as a powerful
method for individual
transformation leading
to human emancipation.
A glimpse of his life and
work can be found in the
books of Encounter the
Enlightened and Mystic’s
Musings.
For more details
www.ishafoundation.
org and chennai@
ishafoundation.org
 Registrar of Newspapers for India
Registration No TNENG/2005/16719
Page 16
continued on page 3
W hile fitness is taking a
predominant place in
the young Indian’s psyche,
it is not just about being
personally fit as a fiddle.
Unless the environment
around you is good, how
can you stay fit? The onus
is on us youngsters to keep
our environment fit and fine
too . So I think we should
seriously think about making
Deepavali more fun-based
and interesting and at the
same time safe for us and the
environment.
Environment
Friendly Deepavali
When we celebrate
Deepavali the traditional way
we are causing air pollution
by bursting firecrackers,
encouraging excessive
consumerism and there is
high energy consumption due
to excessive use of electric
lights.
Bursting firecrackers not only
causes air pollution, but many
young lives are lost or marred
due to accidents. Socially
thinking, our joy comes by
bursting crackers made by
very young children who toil
in distant lands, hurting their
lungs, eyes, digestive system
and health as a whole . Many
Published by Smt. Kamala Balachandran on behalf of Eve’s Times Group from 18/1, Second Cross Street, Dr. Radhakrishnan Nagar, Thiruvanmiyur, Chennai - 600 041. Ph- 2452 6739. Printed by K. Elumalai at Sakthi Scanners (P) Ltd.,
True Deepavali Sentiments
of them do not even live to
see the joy of youth due to
chronic ailments arising out of
the harsh working conditions.
Many young lives are lost due
to fires in firecracker factory.
But little do people realize
that in our increasingly
populated and polluted cities,
the temporary joy of watching
the firecrackers is transient.
The toxic substances used in
the firecrackers release toxic
gases that are harmful to the
health of all living beings.
The high level of noise
generated by the crackers
causes immense suffering
to infants, the sick and the
ailing, not to mention the
birds and animals.
Chemicals present in the
crackers such as copper,
cadmium, lead, magnesium,
sodium, zinc, nitrate, nitrite
etc., are extremely harmful
to our health. They cause
irritation of the respiratory
tract, lead to anemia and
damage of the kidney. Some
of them affect the nervous
system, irritate the skin,
cause nausea and vomiting
and even lead to mental
impairment and coma in
some cases.
Do you know that crackers
that make a noise of more
than 125 decibels at four
metres distance from the
point of bursting are banned
by the law? But nobody
seems to follow the rules.
Excessive noise pollution
causes hearing loss, high
blood pressure, heart attack
and sleeping disturbances.
Sudden exposure to loud
noise could cause temporary
deafness or permanent
relative deafness.
Deepavali promotes
consumerism universally.
Since the festival is a
celebration of prosperity, many
people believe it is auspicious
to make purchases on the
festive day. Many of us go out
and buy products we don’t
really need. The retail market
exploits these sentiments of
the consumers and resorts to
aggressive advertisements
offering freebies, bargains and
discounts, encouraging us to
No 7, Dams Road, Chindadripet, Chennai - 600 002. Editor: Lata Amarnath
buy more and more, if not with
cash, by borrowing at least.
Digging deeper into the
long-term negative impact of
excessive consumerism, we
can understand that depletion
of non renewable natural
resources is one of the worst
impacts of consumerism
since all products are made
from raw materials that come
from nature.
Most of us make it a point to
buy gold ornaments during
Deepavali as it is considered
to be auspicious. However,
the gold that you buy comes
from a gold mine and constant
mining depletes the gold
resources of the earth. But the
process of mining itself ruins
the balance of ecosystems.
Most environment related
problems as well as health
ailments we are afflicted with
today are due to the harmful
impact of our actions on
the beautiful balance that
nature has bestowed on our
ecosystems.
Solid waste created by
human beings which is non
biodegradable has to be
filled into holes dug up in the
ground. These ‘landfills’ as
they are called may exist for
Regn No: TN/ CC (S) Dn 354 /08-10
centuries without completely
getting integrated into the soil.
Pay Obeisance to
Mother Nature
this Deepavali
We can offer our obeisance
to Mother Nature by taking a
few proactive steps. You can
seriously consider reducing
the amount of products you
use, analyzing those that
are essential and those that
we can do without. At every
point in time, we should try
to reuse the things we have
and recycle those that are
no longer functional but can
be useful if their character
is changed. Also seriously
rethink about your choices
when you want to make a
purchase and bluntly refuse
things that you don’t need at
all. Let all your festival plans
be based on these principles
such that we enjoy the true
spirit of the festival.
For energy conservation we
can re-introduce the beautiful
tradition of lighting earthen
lamps as it not only adds to
the aura of the festival and
enhances the aesthetics
but also helps in reducing
the heavy load on electricity
October 16-31, 2009
consumption during Deepavali.
The use of electric lights
to adorn homes, business
establishments, monuments
and roads requires a huge
amount of electricity.
Finally, the character of
Deepavali celebrations is
transforming into a more and
more eco sensitive one as
the environment-conscious
younger generation has started
recognizing the impact of
Deepavali celebrations. While
in some quarters, endeavours
are being made to transform
it to a community celebration,
socially conscious groups
have commenced efforts
to celebrate Deepavali by
Giving- to the underprivileged
and the unfortunate. Let us
all join hands to celebrate the
true spirit of Deepavali- by
igniting not only our homes,
but our minds too.