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Womans Day

Despite so called progress, Women’s health continues to be an area of concern both physical and mental.

Irrespective of whether she has a full time career or not, a woman is expected to perform her ‘duties’ at home – of course she may employ an army of servants but the onus is on her to see that the home functions with clockwork precision- the fridge is well stocked, daily menus are varied and nutritious, kids continue to score top results at school or college, social obligations at weddings, poojas etc are met …. She may of course pursue her own hobbies within whatever time she can spare from all this…

Most of my friends in this positions manage all hats wonderfully but most are already victims of backache, acidity, anxiety disorders. With such a busy schedule obviously her own health gets last priority always making do with temporary measures. A recent Assocham study published in the ET dated 07 March 2009, confirmed that 68% of working women in the age group 21-52 years had lifestyle disorders.
These are serious numbers and should not be taken lightly.

I firmly oppose this ‘Day’ mania – But this is one day that certainly warrants its presence. Each woman must remind herself that wealth, a soaring career graph, health and well being of family members/ subordinates is all very good and noble but not at the cost of her own health and well being. Pepsi CEO Indra Nooyi’s thoughts on her challenges as a mother and working woman are mentioned in this article.

Remember it is possible to attain our goals only if are fit to do so. Having achieved the pinnacle, it is also important to be healthy enough to enjoy the lofty heights!

So all you workaholic super mom’s out there, slow down.
Devote time and attention to your own health.
Take up power yoga.
Book that spa package.
Join a bellydancing class.
Switch off your phone.
Walk barefoot on the lawn.

Try it. For a better you. For a better world.
Corporate success is not the only kind of success. Each one of us is successful even if we don’t occupy the corner office.
Happy Healthy women will make a Happy Healthy society!!

Cheers!

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White Lily and Night Rider

A common feeling among family members, friends is that despite talking all the time we actually do not communicate. With misunderstandings galore there is obviously something missing. Within a home, it can cause a family to break up. 
‘White Lily and Night Rider‘ is an one act ‘experimental’ play that deals with communication  issues prevalent today. Often trust that is the basic premise of all social transactions is lacking. Two individuals may speak, write/mail/message each other but do they really convey what they want to say? Does the other person understand?
Milind Phatak and Rasika Joshi who have also written, directed the play and coordinated the sets and lights have explored such facets.


A couple in their late 30’s chat anonymously on the Internet and decide to meet with the option of marriage. What transpires is both hilarious and poignant. Has the Internet made us afraid of real life issues?  Along with the protagonists we too may question the foundations of relationships… Are we living our real self or is it hidden away inside us waiting for a virtual release? 

Though the play is in Marathi, me thinks this topic is valid for all. 
Make it a point to watch White Lily and Night Rider. 
Best!
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Jai Ho!

The expected has happened finally. Slumdog Millionaire has cast its spell on the Academy awards winning eight golden statuettes. Jai Ho!

Labelled as poverty porn the movie was not as popular in India as elsewhere probably but certainly sparked off several debates about how and why poverty should be depicted and that too by non-Indians.
Danny Boyle has done well in bringing out hope, innovation and a never say die attitude.
An attitude there for everyone to see yet we simply turn our minds away, close our eyes and wish them away except ofcourse for getting our jobs done….
Congratulations!
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Love is..

14 Feb came and as is wont over past few years created a furrow about its Indian context, moral police, definition of liberty, women’s rights etc…

Rather than add to this debate, I would like to highlight some aspects of love as you cross the forties threshold:
Love is:
Sharing your near distance spectacles with your spouse
Making sure to buy figs or soft fruits along with any apples/pears that you may like
Giving up sugar/salt in your diet
Going for a walk each morning with your spouse even if you would rather spend the hour doing a step class/play a round of golf
Using headphones to listen to your favourite radio/TV program instead of turning up the volume
The ad world too eggs seniors on to demonstrate their affection.
I am sure there would be hundreds more examples of what love means to each one of us…
Happiness always..
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A Dream Come True

They say a person’s age should be judged by how long he lives on in people’s memory rather than how many years he/she spend on earth. In that case, Dr Nitu Mandke continues to live today via thousands of people he had operated upon. An excellent cardiac surgeon, it was indeed a cruel turn of fate due to which he succumbed to a heart attack in 2003. It was his dream to build a cardiac hospital in Mumbai. His untimely death only delayed this effort. The hospital was inaugurated on 26 January 2009 in Mumbai, much bigger than originally planned and inclusive of other specialities as well.

Dr Nitu Mandke completed his school and medical education at Pune. His family and friends organise a program on 31 January each year to commemorate his birthday. The simple program yesterday devoid of undue emotionalism was highly motivating. A fitting tribute to a great human being.
Key take aways:
Like its important to get a good teacher, a teacher too looks out for a good student
Dream big and then stay focussed on your goal
Work towards your target one step at a time
14 Feb is round the corner. It is the Congenital Heart Defects Day. Spend a few minutes learning about this condition. Some congenital heart defects are completely curable and children go on to live meaningful happy lives.
Best!
Archana
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Republic Day

This 26 January was marked by many of the highest peace time gallantry awards being awarded posthumously to Armed Forces or Police personnel. Their sole aim to defend the nation even at the cost of their lives. 

Their wives carried themselves with tremendous calm as the citations were read out. It spoke volumes about their personalities and strength as they adjust to this difficult change.
Every lady who marries into the armed forces or police or other defence forces is aware of and accepts the risks her husband faces. Far from stopping him, she is the source of his strength. It is her unquestioned taking charge of all domestic  management and issues that lets the soldier go forth with full concentration on the task on hand. That is how it should be.
Our salute to those who laid down their lives to keep us safe and the ladies who stand by them!
Jai Hind!
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Steamy Affairs


Jangli Maharaj Road is easily the street food leader in Pune. They say that if one eats dinner out each day on this road then one can easily spend a year and not repeat a food outlet. While this may be an exaggeration, family restaurants stand cheek by jowl with roadside thelas, fast food outlets and more.

For foodies in Pune every new entrant is a subject of study!
‘Steamy Affair’ thus came under our scanner. There are no prizes for guessing what is on offer….
A simple standup outlet, idlees are the USP. Ranging from the normal fluffy white to more exotic sounding Kancheepuram, shevai and corn idlees, Steamy Affairs even offers special ‘varai’ idlis for those on a fast. Of course these are restricted to Thursday and Saturday.
Each serving is accompanied by sambhar and chutney and it doesn’t take long to demolish it. While the sambhar could do with more vegetables, it does have a typical ‘Puneri’ taste. Chutney passes muster. 
Besides idlees there is not much else on the menu except few beverages.
Priced between Rs 12 and 20, the pinch to the pocket is bearable.
Certainly worth a visit when in the area.
Yenjoy!!
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Divine music

Pt Rajshekhar Mansoor of the Jaipur gharana presented a wonderful recital in Pune recently. Despite not understanding fine nuances of classic Hindustani fare,   I was totally mesmerised by Panditji’s rendition of uncommon ragas. Compositions in Bhimpalas, Barari, Gouri and Basanti Kedar had us enthralled. A report cited Panditji as saying, ” the only thing a musician can do is to humbly and with dedication request the ragas to come to him. The ragas then decide whether they will come to the musician or not… No one can master them, we are learners and will remain so forever.”

Though Spic Macay works to introduce traditional Indian culture to our youth, majority of the audience was over 50! 

Panditji’s devotion to the art shone through as he did not let poor organisation by Spic Macay and FTII bother him. I hope the organisers take note of their blunders. 
Take care all!
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For couch potatoes and others

All of us do devote some time each day in front of the TV be it for the ‘K’ serials or news or other entertainment/knowledge programs.

These are some of my favourites. Do pause a moment if you come across them while surfing and judge for yourself:
No Reservations by  Anthony Bourdain and 
Samantha  Brown’s Passport to Europe, Great Weekends etc. Both these are aired on Discovery Travel and Living and worth every minute not only for the places they describe but also for the wit and expertise with which the hosts take us along in their journey.
Newsnet 2.0 on NDTV Profit hosted by Rajiv Makhni. A hilarious collection of videos that is sure to send your stress packing! 
Hard Talk on BBC World. Certainly not a new program but its new avtaar in no way takes away from some hard hitting Q and A session.
All About Ads on NDTV profit. An informative program even for those not into an advertising career.  CNBC TV 18 airs a similar program called Story Board but to my mind AAA takes the cake.
For those inclined to experimenting in the kitchen: Nigella Lawson’s series  on Travel and Living (Nigella Feasts or Nigella Express) is unbeatable. The recipes turn out just as they are supposed to be- yummy! 
The list can go on but then it would hardly leave time for your own selection. 
Go on! Yenjoy!
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2008: Rewind

I see that papers and TV channels are flooded with everything that 2008 had to offer and what it did not. The highs and lows as it were. The  faces that made or broke the year.

Besides all these, here are some more changes in the year gone by:
Tru Mart stores all over have gradually gone to seed and finally shut down. A pity really considering that they had a good thing going. I guess the great minds at Indiabulls must surely have a sound business plan but then its surely taking a long long time in crystallising at least as far as this particular store chain goes. By the looks of it, others are innovating to stay afloat and the public is surely not complaining if from the crowds I had to jostle at Big Bazaar are an indicator!
The number of RJs on Spin channel (the one we hear in India) on World Space has gradually been declining all through the year. That has not affected music quality but I must add that friendly chatter does make all the difference. I hope this article has nothing to do with these changes!!
The agitation against non Marathi Indians in the state has deeply affected each one of us. We find that there is a dirth of experts required to do jobs like exterior painting of homes/buildings (you see some contractors still require workers to dangle precariously from the roof on a rope – not something for the Marathi manoos to do!), skilled carpenters, gol gappa (pani puri) puri makers just to name a few. Surely all Indians have a right to work in all parts of India?
A staple reading diet of all teen aged girls and of many mothers too, Mills and Boon now plans to call Indian writers. Now that’s certainly something to stir the imagination!
The Pune Police seem to be making some headway in getting vehicle drivers to realise that red signals mean stop else it invites penalties. But then majority Puneites have travelled the world, follow traffic rules to a T in USA (Pune is top supplier of students to the country I am told) but revel and take pride in not following them in India. 
I could go on and on but lets leave somethings unsaid!
In the 365 days ahead (make that 362 considering its January 3 today!) , let us work to become more alert citizens, take active interest in maintaining civic amenities, ask questions about new faces loitering about or activities in the neighbourhood. We demand good governance but should also remember to be responsible citizens. 
Hope 2009 has lots of wonderful things in store for all of us. Good health, good stamina to put in that extra bit, the creative spark to add the special zing to our projects. Success and prosperity has to follow.
Ciao!
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