Friday Gurgaon-5-11 October 2012 by Friday Gurgaon

5-11 October 2012

Vol. 2 No. 7  Pages 24  ` 7

Mhaari Philmi Nagri

{Inside}

ake a trip down the historical North Delhi lane(s). Mutinies to Coronations, bustling colonies steeped in history, and the mecca of education-you can find it all here. ...Pg 14 & 15

Virtual Visions

unique Art Show, blending the real with the virtual. A synergetic collection by emerging young artists from various regions of India. ...Pg17

Propriety In Property

hairman of Remax Group and prominent realtor, Sam Chopra, speaks candidly, and optimistically, about the Real Estate Industry. ...Pg 21

For Power Supply Failure, call 18001801615 toll-free. For Reporting Power Theft, call 0124 2384757 (9am to 5pm); or email to xen.enforcement. ggn@gmail.com. Rewards available and confidentiality promised, under ‘Theft Informer Scheme’. The Election Dept. has started an SMS based service for voter search. A voter has to write VOTEHRY<(space)<(voter card number)>, and SMS it to 9215156503 – to obtain voter details, including the name of the polling station. Addendum to ‘An Open Letter’ (Cover Story of Sep 21-27 issue), for queries/suggestions on the 2031 Gurgaon Manesar Plan. Has space been designated (in each Sector perhaps) for the dumping of ‘malba’ (dry waste)? Has there been an estimate prepared of the capacity required at the dumping site in Bandhwari – that takes care of the ‘malba’ from Gurgaon and Faridabad?

Protect your Family & Property from Pests like

Termites

Cockroaches

{ Shilpy Arora / FG }

who hardly make any money out of this profession. A famous producer from Bollywood, who has also produced a handful of Haryanvi movies says, “Haryana boasts of a good crop of actors who can, if offered good scripts and infrastructure, help make a turnaround in the fortunes of the industry. The issue is that the Haryana government is not supportive at all. When I produced my first movie, I had to sell my property and my wife’s gold jewellery to arrange the funds. I wanted to make a film for my people. I wanted to push the frontiers on production values and techniques in the region. I succeeded to a large extent, but no support came from my government.”

adoo Kaushik pulls up a heavy chair, keeps a mirror in the front, and gets ready for her make-up. Before that, she has ensured that everybody at the venue has been served snacks and water. She is the lead actress of a second regional Mewati movie – “Mewat Ka Tiger”. The actor playing villain, with his curly mane, piercing eyes, and scary demeanour, feeds the horse he will ride in the next scene. While the Director of the movie, Raman Gawd, guides young actors on the dialogues and screenplay, the actors take responsibilities for the small chores. They all work on a very low budget. Hiring service staff and a make-up artist is out of their reach. However, the spirit of the actors is enduring. “We work from 4 am to 6 pm all through the scorching sun, with no assistants. Sometimes, we have to even clean the floor,” smiles Ladoo. Speaking about the harsh realities of the regional Haryanvi film industry, the lead actor of the movie, Mali Rajora says, “Last week, we couldn’t shoot for a single day because of the rains.” Even though the shoot was indoors, the Director had to postpone the shoot, due to heavy leakage in the studio. Like in Mewat, the regional film industry in other parts of Haryana is also witnessing tough times. While the conditions are challenging, it is heartening to see the never-say-die attitude of these young actors,

The Evolution

The Haryanvi film industry has never been able to establish itself completely, with just 25 films being made in the past 45 years. The first Haryanvi movie, 'Dharti', was released in 1968. But, commercial success came to the film industry when Devi Shankar Prabhakar released 'Chandrawal' in 1984. Its producers recovered the entire cost of the film (Rs 5 lakh) from just one cinema hall, Gagan, in Faridabad. This movie is largely responsible for the continuing production of Haryanvi films. Then, in the year 2000 a Haryanvi Director won the Indira Gandhi Award for Best First Film of a Director, for his Haryanvi production, “Laddo”. He is Ashwini Chaudhary, known for producing many Bollywood hits, like Jodi Breakers. Other important regional movies that received critical acclaim are “Beera Shera”, “Phool Badan”, and “Chora Haryane Ka”. These could hardly meet with any commercial success though.

ASHA PANDEY

Historic Neglected North

RNI No. HARENG/2011/39319, Postal Regn. No. GRG/35/2012-2014

Contd on p 6 

Highway Hold-Ups { Maninder Dabas / FG } Case 1: On 27th September, near Dharuhera border, a few men came in a Mahindra Scorpio and looted a truck full of car tyres worth more than Rs. 20 lakhs. They not only took the truck with them, but also injured the driver and the helper severely. Later, the police managed to nab these criminals. Similar incidents of loot, involving a white Scorpio, have happened three times in the month of September – on 7th September, in Pachgaon near Manesar; on 8th September in Bilaspur Police Station area; and on 9th September at Rajiv Chowk – in the heart of Gurgaon City. In all cases, the trucks were looted, and their drivers and helpers severely beaten. This is apart from other incidents (not involving the white Scorpio).

truck in Delhi. The truck owner, Gurmej Singh, resident of Sirsa district, lodged a complaint with the Manesar police. The empty truck was recovered, but the police couldn't catch the culprits.

Case 2: On 29th July four robbers shot dead a truck driver in Manesar, and fled with the vehicle, that was full of iron rods. The robbers had intended to sell the iron rods and the

Case 3: On 13th August a case of abduction and robbery was registered against three unidentified persons, for fleeing with a truck, after taking the driver hostage from Sector 10.

The helper was thrown off the vehicle on the highway. The FIR was lodged four days after the (August 9th) incident. Case 4: In October last year, a BA first year student and his cousin murdered a truck driver, so that they could get money for liquor. The Gurgaon Police, after a lot of struggle, managed to nab the two culprits in May this year.

Usually truck drivers are people whom nobody wants to mess with – want no truck with. But the above incidents show that desperation can make some people take on even the truckers. The policemen claim that they have solved the cases, and the stolen vehicles have also been recovered from various distant places. But the nagging question remains: how can such untoward incidents happen on a busy road/ highway, and near a City? All the incidents in September have either happened within Gurgaon City or on NH-8 – where the traffic is constant 24x7, and the police too claim to be present 24x7. Two incidents have happened at Rajiv Chowk and Subhash Chowk (on September 9th and 5th respectively); in both the cases, the police, and a police station, were at a stone's throw. If the roads of Gurgaon are not safe even for the solid truckers, is a family safe in their car at night? In fact some people have already faced car snatchings. Contd on p 7 

5-11 October 2012

RNI No. HARENG/2011/39319 Postal Regn. No. GRG/35/2012-2014 VOL.–2 No.–7  5-11 October 2012

Editor:

Coming Up

WORKSHOP  NIGHTLIFE  EXHIBITION  MUSIC  ART  DANCE

et ready for an evening of ‘jazzy blues’, with the popular Blues Band performing live.

Atul Sobti

Sr. Correspondent: Abhishek Behl Correspondents:

Hritvick Sen Maninder Dabas

Sr. Photographers: Prakhar Pandey Jit Kumar Sr. Sub Editors:

Anita Bagchi Shilpy Arora

Sr. Designer:

Amit Singh

Designers:

Virender Kumar he Bacardi NH7 Weekender pre-parties have kicked off, as a build-up to the most happening music festival hitting the capital later this year. Gurgaon gets its share of electrona acts with Hashback Hashish, who promises an evening of pure techno. Contact: 4057977

Accts. & Admin Mgr: Deba Datta Pati Ankit Srivastava

Asst. Manager Media Marketing: Bhagwat Kaushik Sr. Exec Media Marketing:

Vikalp Panwar

Ad Sales Exec :

Amit Agarwal

Consulting Art Editor: Qazi M. Raghib Editorial Office 213, Tower A, Spazedge, Sector 47, Sohna Road, Gurgaon 122001, Haryana Phones: +91 124 421 9092/93 Emails:

editor@fridaygurgaon.com letters@fridaygurgaon.com contributions@fridaygurgaon.com subscription@fridaygurgaon.com circulation@fridaygurgaon.com adsales@fridaygurgaon.com events@fridaygurgaon.com marketing@fridaygurgaon.com Friday Gurgaon (Weekly) edited, published and printed by Atul Sobti on behalf of Arap Media Ventures Pvt. Ltd. from 213, Tower A, Spazedge, Sector 47, Sohna Road, Gurgaon 122018, Haryana.

Photo Exhibition

The Return of the Phantom Lady (Sinful City) @ Nature Morte, The Oberoi, 443, Udyog Vihar Phase V Date: Up to November 2 Time: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

rom 1996 to ’98, artist Pushpamala N. created Phantom Lady or ‘Kismet’, the artist’s first “photoperformance” work, that comprised 25 black-and-white prints. The work acquired a cult status and has been exhibited all over the world, prompting the artist to create its sequel – The Return of the Phantom Lady. This Exhibition features a set of 21 photographs shot in rich colours, of various cinematic sights of Mumbai. Contact: (+91) 124 23384531

Seminar Nightlife

Adnan Sami Live @Kingdom of Dreams, Sector 29 Date: October 6 Time: 8:00 pm onwards

Tasmai 2012 A Classical Dance @ Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44 Date: October 6 Time: 7:30 pm

The views expressed in the opinion pieces and/or the columns are those of the author and do not necessarily represent the views of, and should not be attributed to, Friday Gurgaon or Arap Media Ventures Pvt. Ltd.

s part of their 2nd Anniversary celebrations, Kingdom of Dreams presents the versatile Adnan Sami Live. Enjoy the evening with the musical maestro, as he plays a classic fusion of Asian and Western musical styles, and belts out his popular numbers. For more Info & Tickets Call :- 9540040844; 01146208701; 7503392864

Sur Suroor Sufiyana @ Fox World Cuisine, First India Place Complex, (GF), Sushant Lok, Phase 1 Date: October 10 Time: 8:00 pm onwards

Vol. 1 No. 28  Pages 24

`7

319

RNI No. HARENG/2011/39

For The Other Half

It lives in two urgaon is a paradox. the Naunequal halves, whereinthe Great as tional Highway-8 acts Wall. The core Divide – like the Berlin the new subbut of the City is rotting; – with malls, gated urbs shine like stars and clubs setting colonies, golf courses never before seen a standard of life

he third in our astrology series – featuring Libra, Scorpio and Saggitarius.

...Pg 16

Tantric Art

e feature Shobha Broota, a 68year old ‘young’ and energetic artist.

...Pg 17

Master Recipe

Prakhar PaNdey

Astrology

in India. forces that It is this flux of extreme balance – the is threatening to unraveland helpful for a balance that is natural and for civiliwith; great cities to evolve attain glory. sations to develop and urban core, the Gurgaon’s rotting within the City, concretised villages hinterland that and the vast rural is under once comprised Guru-gram, – under and 210 Panchayats threat of being submerged Nagar, Manesar); Millennium a of the new identity that cover 291 villages. a week with in ‘New GurgaFriday Gurgaon spent City, with its capital Meena, checkthe role of the State on’. It is here that Deputy Commissioner will is executed – ensure that the forces comes into play; to ing how the State’s that has known all the populace. of development touch in this historic area, since the Commissioner Gurgaon Deputy some form of governance of Being is the point man of Guru Dronacharya. power, P.C Meena, who in the Dis- time capital seat of the State Administration close to Delhi, the by Gurgaon is much has also been influenced trict, concurs that District the District and social developments The itself. City political more than the viz. Gurgaon the includes 3 sub-divisionsPataudi; 5 teh- taking place there. Contd on p 8  ,and (North and South) Pataudi, Farukh Sohna, sils (Gurgaon,

Please Visit Us At en Emergency Servicem www.fridaygurgaon.com Ask Your Newspaper Vendor For Friday Gurgaon. M

asterchef Top 5 Vijaylaxmi shares a Recipe exclusively for FG readers.

...Pg 18

little, for so long, with so We have done so much,do anything with nothing. to we are now qualified

Let’s Be Civil

avan Choudhary, Managing Director of Vygon, speaks on the need for residents to become responsible citizens. ...Pg 21

Regular Features Food Take

...Pg 6

Cinema Listings & Helplines ...Pg 7 eek That Was

{ Hritvick Sen / FG }

service worth its lmost every significant call-in. Whether it salt has a telephone information is food (or liquor) delivery, civic and reservations, services, bookings on cells... there is a line facilities, grievance call in. But when there which people can or a fire – there is an accident, a robbery that people dial is only one type of service Services. in a hurry. Emergency themselves count people Most haven’t had a fortunate that they for they had to ask which in situation who work in these help; but for the people people is helping distraught

celebration of the Classical Arts of India, by Aakriti Foundation, Tasmai 2012 will feature over 50 dancers in a dance and musical presentation – directed by eminent dance and music teachers of Delhi and Gurgaon. The choreography is by Jayashree Acharya, and the artistic direction is by Sushmita Ghosh. Contact: 9810059550, 2715000

Nightlife

{ Abhishek Behl / FG }

{Inside}

100 – Police Emergency main Police

Line

Control Location: The Mini-SecretarRoom (PCR) in Gurgaon’s lines chirping, phone iat. Wireless sets staff they’re set down, ringing as soon as papers – the very rushing about with air hums with activity. who is the Inspector Rishipal, the Operations, says senior in-charge of given day, we receive seriously, “On any a 3,000 calls.” In between 2,500 to from which he can closed glass cubicle he manages the day-tosurvey all activity, PCR. “We have stateday operations of the equipment, and I can of-the-art servers and has one of the safely say that Gurgaon the country.” in st advanced PCRs

Photography Workshop by ace photographer Kabeer Lal. Strengthen your foundations in photography – both in class, and on a guided outdoor shoot. Phone: 9910203026

Fund Raiser

An Affair to Remember @ Hotel Pullman, Central Park Date: October 11 Time: 8:30 pm

charity fund raiser by Savera Association. The Fusion evening features Fashion by Ritu Beri, Music by Minu Bakshi, Art by eminent artists, and delectable cuisines. The proceeds from the Event will go towards the upliftment of the underprivileged. Contact: 9953684474

Stand Up Comedy

Coffee Gehri Baatein @ Costa Coffee, DLF City, Phase IV Date : Oct 6 Time: 8:00 pm onwards

Workshop

Robotic Workshop @Vardhman International, 1032 Q, Sector 38 Date: Up to January 15, 2013 Time: 9:00 am onwards

comedy session with Sanjay Rajoura, one of the finest stand up comedians in India. Coffee Gehri Baatein (which translates to Pretty Deep Stuff in English), is a reverse take in Hindi, of some of Rajoura’s classic stuff – exposing the deep subconscious biases we carry.

Get Alive's Shoebox Full Of Smiles Date: September 18 to October 28

n Are you interested and concerned

2–8 March 2012

he 75-minutes long, ‘Distress to De-stress’ seminar aims at analyzing the cause of stress that engulfs the youth of today. It delves into what it takes to diagnose, reduce and eliminate stress. The talk will be presented by motivational speaker Jaya Row. Contact: 9810059550, 2715000

Nightlife

FG Invites Citizens

If yes, write to us at letters@fridaygurgaon.com, with a brief background of yourself, with contact number(s).

Distress to De-stress @Epicentre, Apparel House, sector 44 Date: October 9 Time: 7:30 pm

Dance

Printed at Indian Express Ltd. Plot No. A8, Sector 7, Gautam Budh Nagar, NOIDA – 201301, Uttar Pradesh

about civic and social happenings and issues around you? n Are you motivated to do something positive for society? n Are you interested to also write, and express what you see, hear, feel?

Photography Workshop @ The Galaxy Hotel, Sector 15 Date: October 6 Time: 3 sessions of 4 hours each Price: Rs. 6,000+taxes per individual (includes refreshments)

Pankaj Yadav Sunil Yadav Manish Yadav

Head – Sales & Marketing:

Robotic Workshop for children between the age groups 5 and 17. The Workshop includes learning of robotic science, with experiments and a lot of fun.Contact: (+91) 9818327437, (+91) 8750052475

Workshop

Sr. Circulation Execs.: Himanshu Vats Syed Mohd Komail Circulation Execs.:

Bacardi NH7 Weekender pre-party @ Media Cafe, South Point Mall, Golf Course Road, DLF Phase V Date: October 6 Time: 8:00 pm onwards

njoy a great evening with soulful Sufi music by various Sufi artists. Contact: 9910016335, 4688710

Nightlife

Big Bang Blues & Grey Area Live @Turquoise Cottage, Regent Square Mall, 1st Floor, MG Road, DLF Phase 2 Date: October 6 Time: 9:00 pm

Here is a chance to do something meaningful this Diwali. Join Get Alive’s Shoebox Full of Smiles 2012 Campaign. All you have to do is prepare a little Gift Box for an underprivileged child, and brighten up his/her Diwali. The Campaign hopes to gather gifts for at least 1,000 children in Gurgaon this Diwali. How It Works:  Fill up a form to pledge your Shoebox  Fill up your Shoebox (there is an 'Inspiration List' to guide you)  Drop the Box at the Collection Centre. Collection Centres Bagiya School, Aid Gurgaon, Gaurav Niketan, and Ashish Foundation Contact: Pooja Chadha 9871911010, Niriti Vaid 9310930808

5-11 October 2012

Mumbaistan Booked

ctress Chitrangada Singh was present at the book launch of “Mumbaistan, 3 Explosive Crime Thrillers”, at Ambience Mall. Famous journalist Neelesh Misra and Director Sudhir Mishra were also present at the occasion. During an interaction with the media, the author of the book, film maker Piyush Jha said, “Mumbai may be a City of dreams for many, but behind the facade of lustre and glamour churns a seething underbelly of squalor, corruption and crime – which I will show through my book."

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Honey Dreams

s a part of its Second Anniversary celebrations, the Kingdom of Dreams organised a live concert of the famous singer, Honey Singh. The power-packed performance by the rap sensation had the crowd grooving to the beats of his super hit numbers. Adding the extra punch to this

fun-filled evening were DJ Virus and Master Illusionist Tejas, who kept the audience spellbound with their electrifying performances. It was the perfect blend of hip-hop music, bewitching magic tricks, and food and beverages. The thrilled audience rocked the floor with popular tracks, such as Brown Girl, Angrezi Beat, and Main Sharaabi.

Now get your copy of Reading & Riting is the Rithmetic - a compilation of the Editorials and cover stories of Atul Sobti. Get your hard copy at Quill and Canvas, South Point Mall, DLF Phase V, or order it online at ebagsfull.com Cover Price-Rs. 350

London Kathak

uincy Kendell Charles, a popular Kathak dancer from London, performed in the City. Quincy, who believes that Indian classical dance is the most complete art form, was overwhelmed by the audience presence. The musical evening also included a Tabla recital by Pranat Kumar Joshi, and Pakhawaj recital by Pt. Dalchand Sharma.

BUDDHA Enlighten your spirit, bring peace at home and your work place.

Genesis Jazz

The Buddha awakened the world with message of peace 2000 years back. Millions invoke his blessings of love and peace. Be one of them, imbibe his message of spiritual path everyday.

enesis Foundation organised a musical fundraising event, “An Evening of Jazz”, at Buddha the Zorba. Sonam Kalra, along with her troupe, the Treble Makers, and Arati Rati Rao with The Kaya Quintet, enthralled the guests with Jazz, Punk, and Blues music. The aim of the Event was to bring cheer into the lives of critically ill children, who need financial support for medical treatment.

Crafts Home Decor Textiles Pashminas Accessories Furniture Jewellery Aroma Personal Care Books & Music Organic Tea Ayurveda

Galaxy Hotel

NH-8,Exit-8,Part-2.Gurgaon, Haryana T: +91 1244088900/901 F: +91 124 4107323 E: sales@craft-traditions.com W: www.craft-tradition.com

Also at: Airport New Delhi : T3 Domestic, IGI Airport. Mumbai : Domestic & International

Kingdom Of Dreams

5-11 October 2012

R eviews/L istings

BOOK

THEATRE

Still Using Code { Alka Gurha }

dent days at Cambridge, and at Rollins College in Southern US, Florida. ‘Decoding Rahul Gandhi’ is based on interet’s admit it. Most books on the first views with veteran politicians, members of Rafamily of Indian politics (living or dead) hul’s team in the Indian Youth Congress (IYC), have been rather reverential - bordering on N a - tional Students Union of India (NSUI), his sycophancy. In that sense, ‘Decoding Rahul friends and acquaintances. CouGandhi’, by Aarthi Ramachandran, stays pled with in-depth reportage of his away from deference, and electoral and political campaigns, yet demystifies the reticent the book analyses Rahul’s chaGandhi scion to a large otic political journey. Not many extent. Ramachandran is know that Rahul revamped the a political journalist, who Indian Youth Congress and the has tracked Rahul Gandhi’s NSUI, following the global manpolitical career closely – for agement principle, ‘The Toyota the past several years. Way’. The book chronicles Rahul’s The book opens with a initiatives to inculcate ‘internal dechapter titled, ‘Yesterday mocracy’ in the youth and student once more’, and presents wings of the Party. Finally, the book the reader with an interesttalks about the efforts Rahul made ing paradox. When Rahul to win back the Hindi heartland, and visited Purulia, in West the humiliation he faced during the Bengal, in 2009, he was UP elections. perhaps unaware that it One gets a feeling that sevwas a landmark moment eral efforts by Rahul were wellin personal history. His intentioned, but not well commugrandmother Indira Gandhi nicated. The writer presents the had received the news of facts but stays clear of judging Rahul Gandhi’s birth, in Pu- DECODING the persona. Ramachadran says rulia, in 1979. In the follow- RAHUL GANDHI her book is an attempt to ‘critically ing chapters, the reader is Author: Aarthi look at the person who could be presented with vignettes of Ramachandran the country’s Prime Minister’. “He Rahul Gandhi’s childhood – underlining the influence Publisher: Tranquebar Press does not want to put much of himself out. The book is neuof his grandmother in the Price: Rs. 350 tral; it sets out to examine what growing years. We also get Genre: Non-Fiction/Politics he adds up to,” she says. u a brief glimpse of his stu-

CINEMA

THIS WEEK PVR: Ambience Premier English Vinglish Time: 10.30 am, 1.25 pm, 4.20 pm, 7.15 pm,

10.10 pm Oh My God Time: 11.00 am, 1.55 pm, 4.50 pm, 7.45 pm, 10.40 pm Kismat Love Paisa Dilli Time: 11.00 am, 5.10 pm, 11.20 pm Barfi!

♦ The DC has had to again (3rd time) invoke Section 144 Cr PC, banning Hookah Bars in the District. It seems the owners have little respect for law and authority; and/or the authority is ineffective. ♦ The Haryana DG Police RS Dalal has asked for a special drive, based on good old policing. All police officers have been asked to go out and personally check on the activities of antisocial elements, as well as meet prominent persons and principals of women educational institutions, in their areas. Policemen in civil uniform would also be deployed, to prevent eve teasing. Regular and surprise checks would be undertaken, of farms, huts at tubewells, small grocery shops and dhabas, to unearth illicit liquor trade or consumption. ♦ The Labour Dept., under Addl. Labour Commissioner Naresh Narwal, has been able to reduce the court cases drastically in the last 6 months. Examples are at FCC, RICCO, Harsoria, Senior India Ltd., Parasha, Usha Amorphous, as well as many cases relating to demand notices under 2K. The Dept. is also play-

Time: 10.30 am, 1.35 pm, 4.40 pm, 7.45 pm, 10.50 pm Killing Them Softly Time: 2.50 pm, 5.00 pm, 7.10 pm, 11.30 pm The Possession Time: 12.40 pm, 9.20 pm Resident Evil - Retribution (3D) Time: 10.30 am Heroine Time: 2.05 pm Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal Time: 8.15 pm PVR: Ambience Gold English Vinglish Time: 11.20 am, 2.15 pm, 5.10 pm,

THE WEEK THAT WAS ing a very active role in the Eastern Medikit case. ♦ Rapid Metro Phase I trial is successful, and the foundation has been laid for Phase II (upto Sec 56 via Golf Course Road) - to be completed by July 2015. ♦ District Electoral Officer cum DC, PC Meena, has said that during the summary revision of Electoral rolls from October 1st to 31st, the provision of online submission of forms, and also online search facility (on name and EPIC number) will be provided on the website of the Chief Electoral Officer, Haryana. ♦ 2 are wounded in a shooting at the Sohna-Alwar toll plaza - lakhs are looted. ♦ A pub manager, bar operator and bouncers of a prominent bar on MG Road are booked, for assaulting some customers (men/women) who had come as a group; separately, 15 are arrested for creating a nuisance on MG Road. ♦ A Director and 3 others have been caught in a multi-crores scam, involving the false sale of a company. Reebok senior executives have

{ Ashok Sheoran }

he ability to laugh at oneself is a sign of confidence. To be able to take a dig at National ‘Holy Cows’— ranging from religion, caste, politics, North Indians, Delhi, Mumbai, and what have you—with total irreverence calls for a special kind of bravado. Tanmay Bhat very obviously has an ample stock of that. For a good 90 minutes he regaled a sparse, young and highly appreciative audience at Epicentre, on 29th Sept. Taking sarcastic digs at religion and politicians, he exposed the hypocrisy in the practice of the former, which the latter espouse. Punjabis (as usual) came in for special mention, with their crude and arrogant manners. Mumbai wasn’t spared either, with its ancient crumbling infrastructure. Contemporary and sharp-witted Tanmay had a take on almost every subject of relevance—or rather, irrelevance—to Generation Y. He was at his rapier best when combining subtle wit with the ridiculously mundane. He has a highly personalised style, interacting with members of the audience in a light provocative manner. This induced squeals of laughter from the

8.05 pm, 10.55 pm Oh My God Time: 10.20 am, 1.15 pm, 4.10 pm, 7.05 pm, 10.00 pm Address: 3rd Floor, Ambience Mall, NH-8 Website: www.pvrcinemas.com PVR MGF: MGF Mall English Vinglish Time: 10.40 am, 12.00 pm, 1.35 pm, 2.55 pm, 4.30 pm, 5.50 pm, 7.25 pm, 8.45 pm, 10.20 pm, 11.40 pm Killing Them Softly Time: 12.20 pm, 2.30 pm, 6.50 pm, 9.00 pm, 11.10 pm Kismat Love Paisa Dilli

been put in judicial custody for 14 days. ♦ Armed robbers steal a truck with Rs 20 lakhs worth of tyres; separately, a cab driver is held hostage, and his car stolen. ♦ A businessman is duped of Rs 10 lakhs plus, by a battery supplier. ♦ DLF has been asked to pay Rs 10 lakhs to a property allottee, for not refunding a Rs 5 lakhs booking amount for years. ♦ Flyovers at Subhash Chowk and Mahavir Chowk have been cleared. ♦ A Foot Over-Bridge (FOB) at Hero Honda Chowk is being finalized….hopefully. ♦ The Toll Plaza ‘happy hours’ free ride continues; the Ambience U turn has also been stopped during these peak hours. ♦ The new DCP Traffic has yet to join. ♦ HUDA to order sweeping machines – finally? ♦ Maruti cuts down on use of water, and achieves zero (effluent) discharge status. ♦ An almost 10 ft. long python is rescued near Faridabad Road.

Awesomesauce! intended targets. There were musical accompaniments of specifically composed ditties he performed as duets, along with Karunesh Talwar on the guitar. The range of vocals and accents Tanmay can muster are impressive – but with plagiarised and vulgar wordings the effect was somewhat neutralised. Good humour and comedy is also ‘brainiac’; it titillates your intelligence – challenging you to cut through innuendo, puns, ‘double entendre’, spoonerisms and mixed metaphors. Slapstick is a slightly dumber version, and crude dumbing down with street level cuss words is a ‘cop out’ – an easy way out. Unfortunately Tanmay is also guilty of this. With his vast talent and excellent sense of repartee, humour and timing, he has reduced a major part of his show to a crude, school level thrust and parry. Whilst this may get wolf whistles from a young college-going crowd, it would not pass muster in a wider audience. It was a thoroughly enjoyable evening – but we left with the regret that he could have done so much better. u

Time: 10.00 am, 4.15 pm, 10.05 pm Manjadikuru (Malayalam) Time: 7.20 pm PAIRON TALLE Time: 9.30 pm Thandavam (Tamil) Time: 1.05 pm Barfi! Time: 10.00 am, 1.05 pm, 4.10 pm, 7.15 pm, 10.20 pm The Possession Time: 10.10 am, 4.40 pm, 11.40 pm Oh My God Time: 10.00 am, 11.20 am, 2.15 pm, 3.45 pm, 5.10 pm, 8.05 pm, 10.55 pm Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal Time: 12.50 pm

Resident Evil - Retribution (3D) Time: 10.00 am Heroine (A) Time: 6.35 pm Address: 3rd floor, MGF Mall, MG Road Ph: 0124- 4530000 PVR Sahara: Sahara Mall English Vinglish Time: 11.00 am, 1.55 pm, 4.50 pm, 7.45 pm, 10.40 pm Oh My God Time: 10.30 am, 1.20 pm, 7.15 pm, 10.05 pm Barfi! Time: 4.10 pm

5-11 October 2012

C eleb W atch

Innovative Global Art Exhibition

outhfields Gallery of London organised an International Mixed-Media Group Show of successful and significant artists from more than 12 countries – across Europe and Africa. The Exhibition was inaugurated by noted painter, Krishen Khanna. Artists included - Richard Fuller, Faryal Ahmad and Rosie Casselden from UK; sculptor Andrew Fyvie from Scotland; Flamenco-painter Daphne Cazalet from Italy; the minimalist painter of African tribal life Pape Sarr from Senegal; Betty Aquah and Adjei from Ghana; Petra Kuzev from Germany; Darryn Eggleton and Dina Putter from South Africa; Gerrard (who is Vietnamese) from France, Igor Evsin from the Ukraine, Dennis Hope from Australia, Alex Owen and Sophie Jacobsen from Wales.

Belly Fit

Playing Saigal

ivafit, a women-only fitness centre in the City, invited talented dancer Meher Malik to conduct a "Belly Dance for Fitness" Workshop. The ladies present were offered free belly dance classes. Meher seemed excited at the prospect of combining her passion for dance with fitness, for the women of the City. The Vivafit members had a blast, and danced perfectly to her moves.

he first play based on the life and times of the legendary singer and actor K.L. Saigal, was screened at Epicentre. Directed by Dr. M. Sayeed Alam, the play’s lead cast included Tom Alter, Yashraj Malik, and Harish Chabbra. “The entertaining play is a recreation of the old years of Indian music and cinema,” said a viewer.

Rabbi Cafe

opular singer Rabbi Shergill performed to a packed house at a Cafe in Galleria. Rabbi enthralled the audience with numbers from his albums, and his popular song “Tere bin” from Delhi Heights. He also sang some songs from his latest album ‘III’, featuring the popular number Ganga. The show reached a crescendo with his evergreen hit, “Bulla ki Janna”, which left the audience enthralled.

06  Contd from p 1 The Downfall

Most of the Haryanvi producers face huge financial losses, as one or two movies out of a dozen witness a business of over Rs. 5 lakhs. In the 1990s, when the Haryanvi film industry was near extinction, many directors were forced to leave the State. Shockingly, one of the Directors committed suicide in Ambala, after four disastrous releases in Haryanvi. There are even rumours over the death of the Director of Chandrawal 1, Jayant Prabhakar. "He had incurred huge debts. After Chandrawal, his films didn't recover the investment, " says a close friend of Prabhakar. Many artists invested their hard earned money. Usha Sharma, the lead actress of 'Chandrawal-1' says, "It was a big loss for me and my family when our efforts to produce our first movie, 'Bahurani', turned sour. The government didn’t provide any help.” Similarly, Harish Kataria from Panipat, who produced the first Hindi movie from Haryana, "Sister", also faced a huge financial loss. According to Ashwini Chaudhary, a Director of Bollywood movies, the government must exempt Haryanvi movies from entertainment tax, besides providing subsidies for the production of regional movies. The Haryanvi film industry needs encouragement from the government as well as the people, to get back the established artists to their home state. He puts forth the example of Pt. Jasraj, who is from Pili Mandori village of Sirsa district

5-11 October 2012

C over S tory

Mhaari Philmi Nagri – but has now opened a music academy at Jaipur. Local films will also help promote Haryanvi culture.

A Ray of Hope

A sequel of the most successful Haryanvi movie ‘Chandrawal’ is expected to prove instrumental in reviving the whole Haryanvi film industry. Co-producer and Director of the movie, “Chandrawal’-2”, Nishant Prabhakar, says, “My mother (Usha Sharma, lead actress in Chandrawal-1 ) sold her ornaments to

Many feel the root cause is a lack of cultural awareness and pride. "We are not proud of being Haryanvi. There are hardly any cultural centres and newspapers/magazines in Haryana, except in cities like Gurgaon and Punchkula. Literature is important for films, because films come out of literature – but there are no literary resources in Haryanvi,” says a student, who is studying film making at the Film and Television Institute of Rohtak.

complete the film's shooting. She mortgaged a house in Panchkula, to get a loan from a bank. She even borrowed Rs. 5 lakhs from her sister. The total expenditure on the production of the movie now is more than Rs. 1 crore.” He plans to release the movie in Rajashtan and Mumbai as well. Also, a muti-crore budget film, “Muthbhed: Planned Encounter”, starring Mukesh Tewari and Poonam Jhaveri, is likely to attract a different league of audience, as the film is made with artistic and techni-

Now Bollywood will help spread awareness about Haryanavi culture. Imran Khan is playing a rustic Haryanvi in Vishal Bharadwaj's next film, Matru Ki Bijlee Ka Mandola. The actor is taking Haryanvi lessons. Director Satish Kaushik has announced a Bollywood movie, “Mahra Gaam Mahra Dhaam”, that has a heavy dose of Haryanvi tradition and folk songs. Haryanvi culture also proliferates on the small screen, in soaps such as “Na Aana Is Des Laado” and “FIR”.

cal support from Bollywood. The government has also decided to help. Financial Commissioner and Principal Secretary of Information and Public Relations Department of the State, Dr. K.K Khandelwal, who made an announcement to set up a Film Development Board in June 2012, says, “The process to establish a Board is in the final stages.” Besides this, a Haryanvi Film Institute is being set up in Rohtak, to promote the regional artists and the culture of the State. "At Film and Television Institute, Rohtak, we provide the best infrastructure and knowledge to students, for learning film-making and other related courses," says Anoop Lather, a faculty in the Institute. Lather played the lead in a popular Haryanavi film, Laado Basanti. The government is also planning to organise a mega Film Festival next year. Film Festivals in Yamunanagar, Kurukshetra, and Rohtak have already been huge successes. One of Mewat’s Haryanvi Directors, Kala, also suggests that the government make it mandatory for all cinema theatres in Haryana to screen Haryanvi movies. While many people seem positive about the revival of the Haryanvi Film industry, a social worker and promoter of Haryanvi art, Darshan Hooda, feels that there is a long way to go. The industry needs people who can experiment with story lines, and upgrade the years-old infrastructure. Will sporty Haryana also get Filmy – after all, sports and entertainment are a heady mix now.u

Radiating a Village { Abhishek Behl / FG }

he Right To Education has been made a fundamental right for the citizens of India; but it seems that the government has passed this Act only to send a message, rather than giving the desired education and facilities to the kids. Right next to the National Capital, and bang in the heart of 'New' Gurgaon, hundreds of underprivileged kids, particularly those belonging to the families of migrant labour, roam the streets, work illegally in shops, and are also on call to help in family chores – thus putting a question mark on their very future. The tragedy is that neither these kids nor their families know, or are aware of, any right – leave alone an Act. There is a large population of ragpickers, vegetable vendors, autodrivers, and other support staff that helps in running the back-offices of Gurgaon. Helping these kids is a difficult task indeed, but the State and civil society will have to act in tandem, to ensure that their lives are not wasted, says Arpana Singh, who has started the Radiant Kids initiative under the aegis of EcoLib Foundation. In the heart of Jharsa village, which has become more of an urbanised town, Singh has rented an old building to run a school for the underprivileged kids. There are 160 kids in the School, and they have been divided into three groups, based on their age and learning skills. Singh says that the Radiant Kids initiative was born when she visited the area with a friend, and found the appalling conditions in which children of poor families— particularly those belonging to families of ragpickers—lived in the area. “These kids did not have proper food, clothing, and sanitation. They were not going to school, and either worked in shops,

picked rags or helped their families with chores,” says Singh. A sense of hopelessness pervaded in the minds of these children. “What we found was that these people want to educate their kids, but neither had the resources nor support from government agencies,” she says. The kids are taught alphabet, maths, science and other skills – such as art and craft, music and dance, and even karate. There are three full time teachers. The School runs from 3 to 6 pm. At Radiant Kids School an attempt is made to make learning fun, and to foster a spirit of sharing, co-operation and team work. Singh says that the teachers in the School also try to identify the latent talent in the kids, as it helps in buffering these children from the negative influences of their impoverished environment. We distribute books, clothes, shoes and other material to the kids. An enabling and comfortable environment has been created, so that they can come and study without any fear,” says Singh. In her opinion, the lack of confidence in the kids, as well as their parents, is a major reason why they are not able to avail the facilities given by the government. There are some private schools in Gurgaon running evening batches, as they have been asked to provide 25 per cent admissions to underprivileged kids. Singh says that poor families are not able to approach the schools as they do not have even the minimum resources required for attending these classes. “They are scared even to enter the gates,” she says. Another major problem is the migratory nature of the workforce, that hampers the education of their children. “Most of the workers change jobs frequently, and thus the kids can not attend school regularly. I think the government should set up hostels for the children, where minimum facilities

can be given, so that children do not have to move from one place to another,” she asserts. Singh has a grouse against the community of migrant ragpickers (many allegedly 'Bangladeshis'). “They are totally against us educating their children, as they want their kids to work as ragpickers and earn money. We had to approach the police to ensure that our School runs, as some of the people were very hostile,” she says. The kids from the families of labourers are also targets of harassment, child trafficking, and violence at work. Many parents do not know what is happening with their children, as they are working day and night to earn their livelihood. “There have been incidents where kids have vanished without any trace,” says Singh, while adding that the government needs to intervene especially for migrant labour, as they help in running the City and its industry. She also cites the ‘Yuva’ programme started by the Delhi police, and how it could be replicated in Gurgaon, to

help the under-privileged children and youth transform their lives. “Most of the children in my School are eager to learn, and are very talented. Some of them are very good in art and craft, some show good promise in Karate. The need of the hour is to create an enabling environment,” asserts Singh. The Right to Education, she says, is implemented more on paper than on the ground. Even with the passing of the Act, there has been no change in the lot of underprivileged kids, who continue to loiter as ragpickers, helpers in shops – with some even working in factories. Despite putting in her best efforts, the lack of resources often hampers the work of her School, as the number of kids is on the rise. The School lacks a Creche facility, as many kids bring with them their younger siblings, says Singh. “We have approached corporates for help and many have come forward”, she says. She hopes that similar initiatives in Gurgaon will help in changing the lives of children – who are future of this country. u

5-11 October 2012

Highway Hold-Ups  Contd from p 1 “I know there have been a lot of such incidents in and around Gurgaon in the recent times, but all the cases have been solved by the police, and we have nabbed the culprits. We have also nabbed the culprits who looted a truck full of car tyres worth lakhs on September 27th. The police is trying its level best to provide the best possible security. However, night-time is challenging, and all such incidents can't be contained – despite our presence at various important points in the City at night,” said Maheshwar Dayal, DCP Crime, Gurgaon.

Who are these robbers?

“In most of the cases of truck loot, it has been found that the culprits are from Mewat district. These people are making trucks their target, as most of the trucks ply at night, and usually there are only two people in a vehicle. One such loot can give them enough money; and they remain in their hideouts until the case gets a bit cold. I don't think it's a gang, but I believe it's a nexus in Mewat that is functional in various parts of Gurgaon district. The main benefit of this crime is that they get instant money, as they sell the goods as well as the truck in the adjoining areas of Rajasthan. Most of the incidents have happened in and around NH-8 – in between Manesar and Dharuhera. But now we have tightened the noose on these people,” said Dayal. However, there have been cases where local Gurgaon residents have committed such crimes. In the month of July this year, the Badshahpur Police arrested three youngsters of Kadipur village, for alledgely looting a truck and injuring the driver severely. The accused were identified as Sanju, Laxman and Sunder. They were also wanted in several other robbery cases.

Easy money: the main reason

“There are actually two types of people involved in such crimes – the affluent and rich locals, as well as the poor unemployed youth. Mewat has rampant penury, and there is no employment other than agriculture. Those who do not wish to work hard in the fields have started looking for easy money. At the other extreme are family members of those who have sold their lands (in and around Gurgaon) at a high price, and now are habituated to a 'lavish life' – including nights at clubs and bars. Such living requires money, and since they can't ask for it daily from their parents, they have started committing such crimes. Last year a college going student murdered a truck driver, with the help of his cousin – to get cash for his liquor and for clubgoing, that his family refused to give. They also commit petty burglary. So, surprisingly maybe, both types of people have found that looting of trucks (and truck drivers) provides an easy bounty – of cash, goods, and a vehicle.

Fear among the drivers and the transporters

Repeated incidents of loot have instilled a sense of fear and insecurity among the transporters, and now most of them are scared of plying at night. They can't ignore the Gurgaon route, as it connects to Rajasthan, Gujarat and Maharastra – an extremely vital route for trade and commerce. “I have been plying on this route for the last two years, and till last year there were very limited incidents of loot; now such incidents have started taking place in large numbers. This is a matter of great concern for me too, as I go twice a week to Rajasthan and Gujarat, via Gurgaon and Mewat. Usually

our trucks travel in groups, and probably that's why we haven't faced any such problem. But the drivers who travel alone might face some problem some day,” said Dilbag Singh, a driver, while having his supper at a dhaba on Sohna Road. Drivers and transporters from other states are not the only people wary of such happenings. The local transporters of villages like Badshahpur and Bhondsi are also scared. “I have six big and small trucks, and in most of them we supply construction stone from Makrana, Rajasthan. There is good demand, as the construction in Gurgaon never stops. After the recent Bilaspur incident, where the truck was looted and the driver was beaten and thrown outside from a running Scorpio, I have instructed my drivers to move cautiously at night. I have told them not to ply the route alone, and drive in a queue along with other trucks. I don't know what the police is doing to prevent such loots, as almost all of these incidents have happened in the close vicinity of the police stations. The incident on Subhash Chowk took place just a stone's throw from the Sadar Police station,” said a transporter in Badshahpur village.

Steps taken by the police

The police too seems worried. They may have resolved some cases, but the sheer number, and audacity of the crime, is daunting. “Till now we have resolved most cases and the vehicles have been recovered. We are still after some of the culprits, and I believe we would be able to nab them soon,” assured Dayal. Are there preventive steps being taken? “We know that we have to be more vigilant, especially at night. We have increased the beat rounds, and our PCRs are continuously roaming in various main areas of the City,” said another senior official of a Police Station. The answer would have to be something better, as lootings and snatchings are becoming quite the norm in this Millennium City.u

As on October 04, 2012 All Prices in Rs/kg.

Food Take Area/ vegetables

Palam Vihar

Sector 54

South City 1

DLF City Phase 5

Sadar Bazar

Sector 23

Safal

Reliance Fresh

Potatoes (old/new)

Onions

15.90

13.50

Tomatoes

19.90

Cucumbers

17.90

Ridge Gourd

Bitter Gourd

Cauliflower

Ladies Finger

Mushroom

15/piece

C over S tory

PUBLIC NOTICE BLINDLOVE

Fabricators of Blinds and Window Dressings

Takes pleasure in announcing the relocation of their Gurgaon showroom from K -2/1, DLF City Phase –II, Gurgaon to their flagship store at

3 Nizamuddin East Market New Delhi - 110013 Telephone: + 91 11 41750492 and + 91 11 41750493 Cell: + 91 9871306658 Email: blindlove@hotmail.com Please note we have no representation in Gurgaon

BLINDLOVE The one and only

Haryanvi Made Easy

Get a taste of the local lingo

1. Come, let’s go watch a movie. Chal, philum dekhan chaalenge. 2. Where is the nearest cinema hall? Sab tey dhorre sik sanema

kith se?

3. I hope we get good seats. Maza aajya badiya si seat

mil jaa tey.

4. I have been waiting to see this movie for so long. Ghanne din tey baat dekhan

lagrya tha e philum ne dekhan tayin.

5. What time will the film finish? Arre, yo philum kadh se

khatam hogi?

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08 { Maninder Dabas / FG }

oday's Gurgaon is a beast that hungers for power, and this hunger is increasing at a breath-taking pace. An evolution, ignited by industry and later baptised by real estate, has given this City a new identity – it stands as a god among the mortals. Gurgaon is today a conglomeration of world class BPOs, MNCs, Industry, Commercial establishments, sky-touching Condominiums, and gated Colonies. But all these souvenirs of growth need to be backed by powerful infrastructure – and power tops the list. Power is essential for all the components, across the City. Soon, we may very well get the power generated, by the various power projects in the State, but the distribution set up in the City is weak. “Gurgaon is a scattered city, and the distribution of power is indeed a daunting task. The bigger the City gets, the more infrastructure we will need to distribute it. Distribution of power requires a well studied and tested mechanism. At present we have two 400 KV substations, five 220 KV sub-stations and thirty odd 66 KV sub-stations, all over the City,” said Sanjeev Chopra, the newly appointed SDO of DHBVN's Gurgaon division. Power demand in Gurgaon is increasing at a whopping rate, and this acceleration needs to be matched with a fast yet credible development in the distribution network. “We are aware of the future challenges, as the vacant land in Gurgaon is turning into habitation at an alarming rate, and we too have to develop the power infrastructure in order to provide electricity to the newly built establishments. For this, plans have already been set in motion, and we are building around 20 odd power sub stations of various capabilities. Some of them are in the last stages,” said another senior official.

5-11 October 2012

C ivic/Social

Local Disconnect

The future development

The State government has prepared a comprehensive plan of Rs. 437 crores for improving the power infrastructure in Gurgaon. (See Box)

Pune Model: a possibility or a hocum

Power Distribution

"The distribution infrastructure of DHBVN in Gurgaon has gone old, and we are working on its upgradation. At present we have two 400 KV sub-stations, which receive all the load we get from different power plants in the State. We divide this load to five 220 KV sub stations – situated in Badshapur, IMT Manesar, Daultabad, Sector-52 and 56 respectively; and then this load is further sent to smaller sub stations of 66 KV in various areas of the City. I admit that the present infrastructure has gone weak at some points, and that's why we are upgrading our transformers at sub stations and other areas at a rapid pace,” informed Chopra.

How is it being distributed?

“Let us take the Badshahpur sub station, which is of 220 KV. This station receives the power from the 400 KV sub-station in Samaypur, Faridabad, and tackles the power demand of a big part of eastern Gurgaon (about onefourth of new Gurgaon). It caters to the power demand of the big gated colonies like Malibu Towne, South City-II,

Power Infrastructure

In progress: Daultabad 400 KV, South City-II 66 KV, Sector 51 66 KV (GIS), and Sector 72 220 KV (GIS). New to be developed: 220 KV: Gas Insulated (GIS) – Sectors 20, 33, 57 66 KV: Gas-based _ Sector 4, Vipul Ltd. (Sector 72), Udyog Vihar, DLF Phase V, Ambience, Sector 24 Upgradations: 220 KV Daulatabad, 66 KVA Maruti Udyog, Sectors 23A, 28, 34, 15 (II)

Private builder colonies are believed to provide a better quality of life, but most of them still haven't up graded their infrastructure. Only DLF has done some substantial work in this regard, as it has replaced all its 62 transformers under an agreement with DHBVN, pushed by the Haryana Electricity Regulatory Committee (HERC). “The joint effort of DLF and DHBVN was worth Rs. 20 crores, of which DLF provided Rs. 15 crores whereas DHBVN assisted the with the power material worth Rs. 5 crores. Now we have an upgraded power infrastructure of 62 new transformers with new lines, and believe that this upgradation has enhanced our capability of taking electric load by 50 per cent,” said Sudhir Kapoor, the Secretary General, DLF City RWA. But in other private builders colonies the infrastructure has not been upgraded. In fact most of them don't have their own power substations, and they bank upon those situated in HUDA sectors to get the power. Ansals have recently been told by DTCP to establish a 66 KV power sub station in one of their colonies. Similarly Unitech hasn't upgraded its transformers, and that's why the residents in Unitech Colonies daily encounter power problems. However, it has one 66 KV sub-station in South City-II – but that too is not functional as of now. Developers of Malibu Towne have also been told by DTCP to establish a 33KV sub-station inside the Colony premises. In Mayfield Gardens, a gated colony, the power infrastructure is in a shambles, and people daily encounter power-tripping.

Pro-active DHBVN The new Chairman & MD of the Power Nigams, Devender Singh, seems to mean business. He has reached out to customers, has also demanded performance from his team, and promised them full material and manpower support. He is addressing both the technical and commercial aspects. While promising customers better service, he has also exhorted customers to declare actual loads, install meters, and pay on time. His focus is on ensuring a better supply, and a stoppage to low voltage, tripping, and break downs. He has emphasized on regular operational checks – of distribution lines, conductors, transformers, poles, loose wires, guardings, insulators. Most importantly, he is pro-actively setting up the distribution network now, to minimize customer problems during the next summer season, when hopefully power generation will be far better (with many projects in Haryana nearing completion). Nirvana etc., along with the commercial and other residential establishments in and around Sohna Road. It also caters to the power demand of rural areas like Badshapur, Bhondsi – till Sohna. Similarly, the power demand of old Gurgaon is tackled by the Daulatabad sub-station. Big commercial and residential areas, like DLF residential phases, Sushant Lok, South City-I, MG Road, and HUDA sectors in between, are taken care of by sub stations in Sector-52 and 56. IMT Manesar, which is the industrial backbone of Gurgaon, also has a 220 KV sub station, and the power is supplied from a 400 KV sub station situated at Daulatabad. At present we are providing around 20-hour power supply to the industry,” said Jogender Hooda, Senior Engineer, DHBVN.

Up-gradation of infrastructure

When it comes to upgradation of the existing infrastructure this City lags far behind. Be it roads, sewers or any other sort of infrastructure, the callous attitude of the various authorities have left the infrastructure crumbling. The power set-up too needs a beef-up, as we daily hear about the crash of transformers in various parts of the City. “Indeed, the up-gradation is needed for the uninterrupted supply of power, and we are working on the ungradation of our existing transformers in various areas of the City – including Udyog Vihar Phase-I, where most of these crash incidents have happened. We have put new transformers in various HUDA sectors, as also changed all the wiring in some of the places,” said Jogender Hooda.

Those who dream for an uninterrupted power supply (24x7) have got something to cheer. DHBVN has proposed a 'Pune Model' of Public-Private Partnership (PPP), to ensure 24x7 power to the Millennium City. DHBVN top brass believes that if this Model gets implemented the City will get uninterrupted power supply; but for this luxury, people will have to pay extra in the form of a 'reliability surcharge'. “Well, it is too early to take any call in this regard, and seriously I don't whether this model can be implemented in Gurgaon or not. But yes, if it is implemented, it will sort out the power issues of the City to a great extent,” said Sanjeev Chopra, the new SDO. Residents however seem to have a mixed response. “I believe this model can solve the power problem to a great extent. Today excessive subsidised diesel is being burnt in gensets, to keep the condos and other commercial establishments in the City 'alive'; once this model gets implemented there would be less diesel burning. I had met Sanjeev Chopra once, and I offered a trial of this model in DLF colonies. On rate/price, I don't think it would cost more than Re. 1 or Rs. 1.5 extra, over the existing rates per unit,” said Sudhir Kapoor. u

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5-11 October 2012

K id Corner

Kids Brainticklers

Ozzimals: Color this picture

Animal Crackers

Solutions

Fill in the grid so that every row, column and coloured box contains ALL the numbers from 1 to 6. Bonus clue: which number should go in the circle: 1 or 4?

Two Wise Men

Dogs of C-Kennel

K id C orner

5-11 October 2012

Young Indus at Old Matoshri

Green High

ith an aim to save ‘Mother Earth’, the students of Scottish High International School set up a ‘Green Corner’ in their classes and took care of the plants and saplings in that corner. Some ways adopted by the children to spread the ‘Green message’ were – use a newspaper to wrap gifts for birthday parties, and plant trees in your neighbourhood. The children understood the impact of their actions, and how it could lead to a better and safe environment.

tudents of Indus World School (IWS) spent a day at an Old Age Home–Matoshri– in New Delhi. The students interacted with the senior citizens, who shared their life experiences. The children got a guided tour of Matoshri, and were amazed by the ambience of the place. A small ‘Bhajan Sandhya’ was organised by the residents to welcome the children. The residents asked the students to participate in the ‘Sandhya’, by reciting shlokas and singing bhajans.

Kinder Military

n a special Class Assembly, the students of Kinder Care Pre-school were taught about the role of the Army. The children dressed up as army personnel, and set up an artificial mountain range. The teachers taught them the importance of the Army and its role of protecting the country. The children presented a few patriotic songs on the occasion.

The Transport Element

o make the children aware of traffic rules, the Sixth Element School celebrated “Transport Day”. The students were taken to a garage, and taught about the working of cars. They were also taught about traffic rules – such as walking in a queue on the pavement, traffic signals, and important signages.

Compiled by Shilpy Arora, email: shilpy.arora@fridaygurgaon.com

GEMS Investiture

EMS International School (GIS), celebrated its Investiture Ceremony. The Chief Guest for the occasion was Padamjeet Sehrawat, singer, and the Guest of Honour was John Mathai. The students of the senior grades rendered the School Song, ‘Our Gems International School’. The Ceremony also witnessed the pre-launch of Sehrawat’s music CD, comprising the School Anthem – sung by renowned singer, Shibani Kashyap, and Sehrawat. An inspirational song was sung by the students —multilingual, with stanzas in various different languages—representing the ethnic and cultural diversity of India. These foot tapping numbers were accompanied by a dance performance. After the performances, badges and sashes were presented to the appointees by the Chief Guest.

Kid Corner

5-11 October 2012

A Different Rachna

rs. Dhriti Malhotra, Principal of Manav Rachna International School (MRIS), Sectors 46 & 51 speaks to Friday Gurgaon on the aim, objective, and future of the School. How is MRIS different from other schools in Gurgaon? What is your vision behind the school? At MRIS, we focus on academic as well as extra-curriculum activities that students are interested in. We have an international chess champion; a young writer who received an appreciation certificate from one of the renowned institutes in India; and champions in horse riding. Besides, our cricket team is going for an international tournament in Dubai, and our swimming team is going to Pathankot for a competition. So we nurture not only the academic skills of children, but also encourage them to participate in various sports, art, and intellectual activities.

Grandparent’s Day @ Excelsior

Tell us about the background of MRIS. MRIS is a project of Manav Rachna Educational Institution, which was founded in 1997, and has grown to become one of the best educational entities in the country – with a reputation for excellence in professional education and research. It is the initiative of renowned educationist and philanthropist, Dr. O.P. Bhalla.

xcelsior American School celebrated Grandparents Day. Grandparents of the students’ were invited to the School, wherein they were greeted by their grandchildren. Little ones also presented songs and poems in the honour of their grandparents.

Literary Flourish

The Star and the Sun

Fancy Eureka

ureka School conducted a Fancy Dress Competition for tiny tots. The theme of the competition was “Animal Kingdom”. The kids dressed up as lions, rabbits, tigers, frogs, and butterflies. The aim of the Competition was to sensitise the children towards the needs of animals. The children were informed about various animals, the loss of their habitats, and ways to protect the environment.

Star, star star, you are so bright and clean. Take me to your home please! Sun, sun, sun, you are so hot and bright But plants and people need your light! Aryan Sinha 4 A, The Heritage School

MRIS Grandparent’s Day

n the occasion of Grandparent’s Day, the students of Manav Rachna International School (MRIS), Sector 51, came to school with their grandparents. The function started with prayers and special performances – presented by the kids in their classrooms. This was followed by an activity session, where the grandparents, along with the students, had to participate in craft work – such as finger painting, paper folding, and vegetable printing. The highlight of the day was a Fashion Show and a Cat Walk Competition. The winners were given prizes. At the end of the Show, the grandparents were called upon the stage to share their experiences.

Compiled by Shilpy Arora, email: shilpy.arora@fridaygurgaon.com

Do you have an IB curriculum? No, we have an International Primary Curriculum (IPC) for the primary section. After Grade 5, we follow the CBSE curriculum. IPC is majorly a research based programme. Thus, it inculcates the research skills at an early age, which helps students carry out research even with a CBSE curriculum. What are your future plans? First, we are planning to set up a Multidisciplinary Resource Centre for differently abled children. Second, we will have a massive library, which will serve as a learning hub for students and teachers. Third, we will come up with an activity centre, where a child can do any activity – from aeronautics to painting and stiching, under one roof.

K id C orner

5-11 October 2012

ADMISSION NOTICE

Pathways School, Gurgaon Features:

 An International day boarding school, centrally located with ease of access from Delhi, Faridabad, and Gurgaon.  Ranked amongst the top 5 International Schools in Delhi and NCR  Spread over an area of 10-acres  Equipped with Universal radio networking and the interactive whiteboards and projection screens  Special laboratories for science and design & technology  Studios for dance, music, and theatre  Provides access to training, both in India and abroad

Curriculum: Primary Years Programme

(PYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) of the International Baccalaureate Organisation of Geneva and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) of the University of Cambridge, England. Director: Mrs Paramjit K Narang

For more information:

Call: 9560121222 or Write to: admissions.gurgaon@pathways.in

 The first residential school in North India to follow the IB curriculum. Offers day, weekly, and term boarding.  Situated in 32 acres of land along the Aravali Hills  Ranked as the ‘Best International School’ in Delhi NCR and featured among the top 5 in the country.  The school was the recipient of the ‘Designshare Award’ from New York, USA in 2003 for its aesthetic and purposeful infrastructure design.  The ‘Best IT User Award” in the education category in the country’ from NASSCOM in 2004.  In 2010, the school became a global

 An American School, located centrally at Sushant Lok 1  Fully Air Conditioned Building  Enrichment Lab  Practical life Lab  Sensorial Lab  Performing Art Centre  Resource Room  IT Lab  Splash Pool  Outdoor Sports Activities  Trendsetting Playground  Air Conditioned Buses  Lawn Tennis  Nutritious Hot Food

Curriculum: International curriculum,

with accreditation from the University of Cambridge International Examination to offer CIPP, Cambridge International Primary Program and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education [IGCSE]. It proposes to offer the Diploma Program to XIth and XIIth from the International Baccalaureate Organisation of Geneva and Cardiff (UK) . The school also holds SAT examinations for Grade Kindergarten upwards. Director: Shalini Nambiar

For more information:

Call: 0124-4049342/4049343 or Write to: info@excelsioreducation.org

Features:

 Located in a quiet and serene corner of Madhya Marg, DLF Phase II  One of the oldest pre-schools in the City, with 10 years of experience  Delivers a high quality early-child educational programme in a warm, secure and a friendly environment, supported by qualified teachers, who care.  Spacious, well-lit airconditioned classrooms, well-stocked reading room, splash pool, Sandpit, and well-designed child-friendly playground  Regular workshops of dance, music, art & craft and playwork

Leading by examples

stablished in 2005, Scottish High International School set its roots firm in the ground of true learning and education, without negotiating its vision and principium with the hands of time. Students and staff cut across the nation and the globe, sharing a multicultural dayboarding experience. From handfuls to the strength of over 2,000, the School has grown by leaps and bounds, with its emphasis on quality, becoming one of the largest IB Schools in the world – with more than 1,500 students under a roof. “For the nation to prosper, its children should develop into wellbalanced individuals, who can shoulder the responsibility of the nation’s development,” says Mr. Kartikay Saini, Chairman Scottish High. Ignited with this zeal, and ‘alive and kicking’ with the academic year in full swing, the students combine studies with extracurricular activities in a peerless amalgam. Their spectacular performance in board examinations and flying colours in national and international sports competitions – be it golf, archery, skating, swimming, soccer or chess – speak volumes about their dominion over mind and body. Scottish High has the unique distinction of pioneering some innovative concepts and events, that have now become regular fixtures in the annual calendar. Indoor Golf Academy, Innovation Lab, and Autism Research Centre are some of the colossal establishments that have notched up incredible success and numerous breakthroughs. Principal Mrs. Sudha Goyal says “I strongly believe that the students are the nucleus of any educational institution; a spirited and resolute undertaking for their betterment hereafter knocks on the door of success.” The School has also relayed the torch of excellence, by securing 9th Rank amongst the International schools of India, and 2nd Rank in the Best International Schools in NCR, in a survey conducted by Education World 2012.u

For School Listings

Contact: 9999444818 vikalp.panwar@fridaygurgaon.com

Every Ryanite follows a set 12 golden Vision Points for their All Round Development:  Imbibed with the values of life.  Excellent performance in Academics. Winners of the National Cyber Olympiad, Macmillan, IIO, NSTSE…..  Eco friendly and Environment Conscious. The School won the “Best Green and Clean School Campus Award”.  Shining sport stars at the National and State level in Swimming, Skating and Karate.  Excellence in oratory skills .Won Inter School Debates.

 Personal grooming and health checkups -a dominant feature.  Artistic skills -Won a prestigious International Avantika Award for Art and the All India Camlin Colour Contest.  “Saving today for a better tomorrow.”Finance Management taught from Montessori onwards.  Visit to Old Age Homes, Orphanage, recognition by Help Age India.  Future Global leaders in the making. Curriculum: CBSE Head Mistress: Ms Peeya Sharma

For more information:

Call: 0124-2580096, 2383183 Write to: ryanggn@yahoo.com

Ajanta Public School Features:

 Audio Visual Room/ Activity Room  Toy Land  Auditorium for senior students  Bio, Chemistry, Physics, Maths and computer lab  Gymnasium  Career Guidance & Counselling Services  Special Workshops and Seminars for Students

Curriculum: CBSE

Director:

Ramesh Kapoor (MA.B.Ed)

For more information:

Call: 0124-2381823, 0124-2381824 Write to: info@ajantapublicschool.org

Features:

 One of the oldest schools, with 25 years of experience  Spacious and airy classrooms with smart classes  Two well-equipped, spacious libraries for students of different age groups  Computer Lab: Latest technology Computer Labs with internet facility, Four computer labs for students of all age groups  Science Labs: Well equipped spacious Physics, Chemistry and Biology Labs.  Maths Lab: Two Maths Labs for innovative teaching  SST & Humanities Lab: For better

Curriculum

Mrs. Dolly Kochhar

For more information:

How is Excelsior different?

Director:

Call: 9811013176 or Write to: astepahead.playschool@gmail.com

understanding of the subject  Art Room: Two huge Art theatres  Conference room and a multipurpose hall.  Sports facilities include Cricket Academy, Basket Ball court, Skating ring , Volley Ball Court, Swimming Pool, Badminton Court etc  Strength: More than 2,500 Curriculum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) of the IB Organisation of Geneva and IGCSE of the University of Cambridge, England. Director: Mrs Paramjit K Narang

For more information:

Call: 0124 4398600/615 Write to: anscbspv@yahoo.co.in

Scottish High International School Features:  Five acres of lush green facility  Centrally air conditioned  Longest hours Day Boarding in the region  State of the art 'Innovation Lab’ with hi-tech servers and computers  Indoor Golf Academy  1200 seating air conditioned dining hall &1100 seating air conditioned auditorium  More than 300 staff members  Exclusive 1:12 teacher student ratio  Wi-Fi computer systems and network  Modern medical infirmary with resident doctor and nurses  Integrated Department for special children  Maximum 25 children in one classroom

xcelsior American School is a part of the esteemed chain of private schools headquartered in Houston, USA. The School's mission is to educate students in a nurturing environment, to their highest level of achievement, to produce autonomous citizens with a lifelong respect for learning and democratic values, and to teach students to be sensitive to others and to have respect for human diversity. “We provide a high quality academic learning environment, which is at the same time caring and supportive of individual students. It is extremely important that we shouldn’t ask what a child needs to know or be able to do, in order to fit into the existing social order. Instead we should ask, “What lives in each human being, and can be developed in him or her?,” says Shalini Nambiar, Director of the School.

The Montessori Approach (18 Months to Kindergarten), Cambridge International Primary Program (Grades I to Grade V), the Excelsior Middle School Programme (Grades 6 to 8), the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (Grades 9 & 10), & follows International Baccalaureate Diploma (Grades 11 & 12).

 Follows Montessori programme to allow children to learn through active discovery

Chiranjiv Bharti School, Palam Vihar

Ryan International School Features:

member of Round Square and is also a member of the Council of International Schools (CIS).  Special laboratories for science and design & technology  Studios for dance, music, and theatre  Provides access to training, both in India and abroad Curriculum: Primary Years Programme (PYP) and Diploma Programme (DP) of the International Baccalaureate Organisation of Geneva and the International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) of the University of Cambridge, England. Director: Dr. Sarvesh Naidu For more information: Call: 9818666677 or Write to: admissions.aravali@pathways.in

A Step Ahead

Excelsior American School Features:

xcelsior American School

Pathways World School, Aravali Features:

 Open shelf library and research centre  Exposure to Art, Craft, Music, Dance, Horse riding, Archery, Gymnastics, Cricket, Soccer, Basket Ball, Tennis & Taekwondo, mentored by International level coaches  Half Olympic size swimming pool  Spanish, German & French tuitions  Autism Research Centre Curriculum: IB Primary Years Program for Pre-Nursery to Class V having 1500 PYP students under one roof. IB Diploma for XI & XII. Cambridge IGCSE for IX & X. ISC for XI & XII. The national curriculum (ICSE) for X. Head of School: Mrs Sudha Goyal For more information: Call: 124-4112781-90 Write to: principal@scottishigh.com

 It is child centered  Individualized learning is the key factor  All aspects of the child are developed (physical, emotional, moral, social and intellectual)  Learning is achieved through direct experience and active involvement  Students learn at their own pace  Self direction is encouraged  Small sized classrooms The Excelsior program ensure that each child develops at his or her own pace.u

Li t t l e M i l l e n ni um ittle Millennium is located at Sector 38, Gurgaon. The teaching learning methodology is child centric and brings out the inherent talent of every child. The School has been conceived by the visionary Dr. Anjlee Prakash, CEO of Learning Links Foundation. The aim is to provide children with a culturally sound environment, the right values, love and protection needed in the most critical phase of a child’s growing up years. The strength of Little Millennium is the fact that it is based on sound research propagated by the Research and Development wing of Educomp. Little Millennium is the synthesis of the kindergarten and formal methods of schooling. The teaching methodology is a mix of Play way and Montessori methods, wherein children learn not only by doing but also by interaction and initiation. Our proprietary ‘Seven Petal approach™’ uses sequential learning techniques for the holistic development of each child in seven skill areas.

Tender Care

It is a day care facility for those who desire a high quality, safe and nurturing environment for their children – between the ages of 1 year 6 months to 10 years, for all six days from Monday to Saturday, from 8:30 am to 6:30 pm. “THE TENDER CARE PROGRAM” lets your child experience love, laughter, curiosity, and fun, and cultivate self-esteem.  Established since: April 2012  Classes: Pre Nursery - Grade 5  Type of School: Day School, Early Learning Programme for 1 year 6 months and above, and extended day care programme till 6:30 pm  Transport Facility: Yes

Admission Details

 Age group: 2- 10 years  Seats available: Yes (but limited) For more information, call: 9971641212, 9971841212 Email: enquiry@littlemillenniumgurgaon.comu

K id C orner

5-11 October 2012

ADMISSION NOTICE

Pathways School, Gurgaon Features:

Curriculum: Primary Years Programme

For more information:

Call: 9560121222 or Write to: admissions.gurgaon@pathways.in

Curriculum: International curriculum,

For more information:

Call: 0124-4049342/4049343 or Write to: info@excelsioreducation.org

Features:

Leading by examples

For School Listings

Contact: 9999444818 vikalp.panwar@fridaygurgaon.com

For more information:

Call: 0124-2580096, 2383183 Write to: ryanggn@yahoo.com

Ajanta Public School Features:

Curriculum: CBSE

Director:

Ramesh Kapoor (MA.B.Ed)

For more information:

Call: 0124-2381823, 0124-2381824 Write to: info@ajantapublicschool.org

Features:

Curriculum

Mrs. Dolly Kochhar

For more information:

How is Excelsior different?

Director:

Call: 9811013176 or Write to: astepahead.playschool@gmail.com

For more information:

Call: 0124 4398600/615 Write to: anscbspv@yahoo.co.in

 Follows Montessori programme to allow children to learn through active discovery

Chiranjiv Bharti School, Palam Vihar

Ryan International School Features:

A Step Ahead

Excelsior American School Features:

xcelsior American School

Pathways World School, Aravali Features:

Tender Care

Admission Details

 Age group: 2- 10 years  Seats available: Yes (but limited) For more information, call: 9971641212, 9971841212 Email: enquiry@littlemillenniumgurgaon.comu

5-11 October 2012

Historic Neglected North

Kamala Nagar

{ Abhishek Behl / FG }

ou can love me, but not possess me. You can ravage me, but you can never annihilate me. I will always have someone to romance with, once you are gone. Such are my charms, and such is my mystique. For I am blessed. My name is ‘Dilli’, and my fame eternal. Delhi has been invaded, burnt and trashed; but the City, perhaps having been blessed by the Djinns, has risen like a phoenix every time history tried to consign it to oblivion. Friday Gurgaon takes you down history lane, from the North of the City. Know how Dilli came to be known as Delhi, in 1911. And how much this story is intertwined with the Northern parts of Delhi, where this entire drama unfolded – at the Coronation Memorial on December 12, 1911. Three days later, the King laid the foundation stone of the new capital at the Durbar Grounds in Kingsway Camp. However, much to the chagrin of the locals, Kingsway Camp and the Chandrawal stretch was found to be a low lying area, and too close to the river. Once the proposal to dam the Yamuna was rejected, the fate of this area was also sealed. Lutyens, on May 2, 2012 decided that the new capital of the British empire would be built south of Shahjanabad, at Malcha village. Raisina Hill, that provided ample scope for expansion, was finally chosen. In 1947, Kingsway Camp become one of the main refugee camps, with almost 3 lakhs displaced people coming from Pakistan. For months the people stayed in temporary barracks, and were slowly rehabilitated. The bustling Chanderwal Village

Mukherhee Nagar Market

colonies of Model Town, Guru Tegh Bahadur Nagar, Pitam Pura, Kamla Nagar, Malka Ganj, Jawahar Nagar, Ranibagh, Shalimar Bagh, Civil Lines house these enterprising refugees from Pakistan. “After having lost everything to the partition, the migrants had to build from scratch. This process has taken years, but the healing is yet to take place. Nothing is worse than being uprooted from your birth place,” says Hoshyiar Singh, whose family hailed from a village near Lahore. Vijay, a resident of Dacca village, says that the rulers of the City even now discriminate against the North residents. Another resident, Preetam Lal, whose family belonged to the Frontier Province in Pakistan, says that the government should have done more to develop this area. “Although the Metro has come, the urban infrastructure needs a massive overhaul, as this area has a huge population. It is a cheaper place to live, so a lot of people come here,” he says. Today the famous Coronation Memorial stands still in time; there is a massive overhaul of the place going on, with an attempt to give it an Indian character. A contractor says that a museum, canteen, restaurant, pavilion, playground and ampitheatre is coming up in the park. “Major work in stone is being done here, and stone ‘Chhattries’ will be installed Ashoka Pillar

in the Park. An artificial lake is also part of the project,” he says. The Park has the statue of King George, attired in coronation robe and surrounded by Lord Willingdon and Lord Hardinge – but these are covered with plastic, as development work is going on. It is located about 5 km from Majnu Ka Tila along the Ring Road. Another landmark is Majnuka-Tila Gurudwara, which commemorates the visit of Guru Nanak to New Delhi in the 15th

century. The area around the Gurudwara is now inhabited by Tibetan refugees. This area is also very popular with the Delhi University students, as it has a number of eateries serving Tibetan food. North Delhi also has some Mughal gardens—like the Roshanara Bagh and Shalimar Bagh—that were built by the royals. Aurangzeb’s younger sister Roshanara, built a pleasure garden and an enclosure of her own tomb, in 1650. In 1875 it was modified by the British, and it now also hosts the Roshanara Club, along with a good cricket ground. The Shalimar Bagh was built by Shahjahan in 1653, and the coronation of Aurangzeb took place here in 1658. It was also used by the British Residents as a summer retreat. It is seven kilometers from Majnu Ka Tila, and lies beyond the government housing colonies. Vijay Garg, a resident of nearby Pul Bangash, says that the Roshanara Bagh

serves as a green lung of this part of the City. “The greenery represents life, and we also go to the park often for walks. The maintenance should improve,” he asserts. An important place in North Delhi is the Mutiny Memorial, which has been ironically renamed Ajeet Garh. It overlooks the Ridge, the Bara Hindu Rao hospital, and is basically a Gothic memorial to British soldiers who were killed, wounded, or went missing during the revolt of 1857. The Ashoka Pillar nearby adds to the historical mystique of this area. It was erected by Firoz Shah Tuglaq in 1356, but was broken into five pieces in 1713. The Old Secretariat and the Metcalfe House are two important buildings of the Britsh era. The Delhi government uses them to house its offices. North Delhi has a rich history, and the population is also diverse – with

The Northern Ridge

What is known as the Northern Ridge in Delhi came into being after Firoz Shah Tuglaq got the area fenced in the 14th century. He planted several trees to improve the hunting potential in the area. The next attempt to improve the green cover was made in 1912, when the Municipality transplanted 3000 indigenous trees. It was given the status of a reserved forest, and together with the Yamuna river, is considered as part of the environmental heritage of the City. It is the combination of the Ridge and the River that has led to Delhi mothering several civilizations and kingdoms. It has also made Delhi the most bird-rich capital of the world, with 200 species being sighted in this part of the Capital.

5-11 October 2012

original Jat inhabitants, partition refugees, and people from Bihar, Bengal and Uttar Pradesh making it a melting pot on the flood plains of the Yamuna. It houses the prestigious Delhi University – which now has 16 faculties, 86 departments and 77 colleges, spread across the North and South Campus. Students dressed in the latest fashion strut though the Chatra Marg, as if they belong to this place. There are some strumming the guitar in the University Plaza, whereas the studious ones rush to the Library, overlooked by the statue of Swami Vivekanand. Rahul, a student of Hansraj College, says that the charm of Delhi University lies in the great exposure it offers to the students. “We have good facilities, an opportunity to interact with people from outside Delhi, and some quality teachers,” he adds. A reasonable cost of education, great environment, safety, and involvement in

Street Food

Das, a book shop that specialises in culture, art, religion and the heritage of India. Owner R.P Jain says that people from Gurgaon could get a rich glimpse of India if they come to buy books from their shop. “Foreigners, experts, and those interested in these subjects come to buy books from all parts of Delhi,” he says. But if books is not your forte, and you love to climb the mountains and trek the hills, then you should visit Stikage, a shop which has developed into an institution for those loving

adventure. Owner Surender Sonik says that they sell the best quality trekking gear, tents, alpine jackets, and sleeping bags at a price which is very reasonable. “In Gurgaon the prices are beyond the pocket of the middle class, but here we offer a great variety at a reasonable cost. We are also promoting adventure tourism,” he adds. North Delhi also houses Asia’s largest fruit and vegetable market, at Azadpur. It was set up in 1977 by the DDA, and covers more than 90 acres. It is a very significant market and serves as a national distribution centre for fruits and vegetables – and could be described as the food basket of the NCR. Azadpur Mandi is connected to the entire nation through the National High Way 1 (NH1), that enters Delhi at Singhu border and passes through North Delhi upto the Kashmiri Gate Inter-State Bus Terminal (ISBT), that is also a hub of bus transport for the northern region. The NH1 merges into the Ring Road, and then proceeds beyond as NH2, East upto the Bangladesh border. It is this connectivity and openness of North Delhi that has brought economic growth and prosperity to both the original inhabitants as well as the refugees and migrants from across North India. The flood plains of the Yamuna, that were once swampy marshlands, have now turned into urban powerhouses, assimilating people and giving them a hope of rebuilding their lives and carving a new future. u

Tips

by ShahnaZ

Delhi University

activism also adds to the charm, says a Tibetan student. Great food is another attraction. Apart from college canteens, Kamala Nagar has the famous Rawalpindi ke Chole Bhature, that are served till 3 pm. It is located at the Bada roundabout in Kamala Nagar. The Meerutwale in Mukherjee Nagar, and the Litti Chokha stalls alongside the road, are other major attractions. Sipping tea sitting on the Chatra Marg, and watching the other sex go by, is another pass-time that DU students indulge in routinely. The story of North Delhi would be incomplete without colonies like Model Town, Mukherjee Nagar, GTB Nagar, and Kingsway Camp. You can use the Gramin Sewa, to travel from Kingsway Camp right up to Burari. Mukherjee Nagar has become a synonym for quality education, availability of study materiBookshop at Mukherhee Nagar

al, cheap accommodation, and reasonably priced food. Shobit, a resident of Patna, says that he has come to Mukherjee Nagar because it has some of the best coaching institutes in the country. “I am taking tuitions at two institutes, as I want to clear the IAS mains,” he says, adding that good books, reading material, and help from peers is easily available here. Not only the IAS, but students also come to prepare for Judicial Services, State Civil Services, and exams for others government jobs as well, says Rahul. “Being close to Delhi University, it also saves us time and energy. The cost of living is less, though the prices are now rising,” he says. The government must do something to help the student community, as the average cost of living and education is coming close to Rs. 2 lakh per year, he adds. For those who love books, Kamala Nagar has the famous Motilal Banarsi

Herbal Cosmetic Queen Padma Shree Shahnaz Husain is the CEO of the Shahnaz Husain Group – India’s leading company in the field of natural beauty and anti-aging treatments.

Q. SH

Neelima Thakur Please tell me the treatment for lice and lice eggs. Apply vinegar on the hair and scalp. After an hour, comb with a fine lice comb and get the eggs (nits) taken out by hand. Vinegar loosens the nits and they are easier to remove. Then wash the hair with a mild herbal shampoo. After shampoo, add two tablespoons vinegar to a mug of water and use as a last rinse. Then comb again with the lice comb. Do this daily for one week. Have weekly henna treatments. Add 4 teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs, one teaspoon methi seed powder and enough “tea water” to the henna powder, mixing it into a thick paste. “Tea water” can be made by boiling used tea leaves again in enough water, cooling and straining the liquid. If the hair is dry, add two teaspoons oil. Apply the henna on the hair and wash off after an hour. Priya Sharma I am very thin. I eat foods, which are said to lead to weight gain, but nothing helps. What should I do? What you should consider is whether you are healthy or not. Even if the body is thin, it can be healthy and strong. Check with a doctor first. You should not keep eating high calorie, but non-nutritious foods. Like everybody else, you also need a balanced and nutritious diet. When you sit down for a meal, eat slowly and chew well. Appreciate every morsel you eat.

WINNER Neelima Thakur

Ask the beauty expert questions on skin, hair and beauty. The best question (picked by Shahnaz Husain) will receive a gift hamper from the Shahnaz Husain Group. Write to us at letters@fridaygurgaon.com

5-11 October 2012

EDITORIAL Atul Sobti

Serial Action

e have multiple bodies running this consumers do not have meters; though some Millennium City in parallel, but they prefer stealing – the power, of course. So we can think only singularly, and serially. will perhaps get enhanced power generation, but no delivery to consumer. Low voltage, On Water, the Administration is finally tripping and breakdown will be the norm. getting some raw water from the new NCR The accountability clearly lies with the Canal, but now has to wait for the much- developers (HUDA and private builders), delayed Water Treatment Plant (WTP) to be who have to set up the power sub-stations in ready. And then, last minute, when the older their respective colonies, by incurring 75% WTP is checked, it is found suspect - and now of the cost. The balance is to be borne by that is partly down for maintenance. There DHBVN, which will thereafter also maintain is also concern about the long 7km pipeline the sub-stations. linking the 2 WTPs; and even more (quality) concern for the (old) pipelines that will take It is therefore likely that, in a few months, the enhanced flow of water to the consumers. we will hear of more water and power There is a dark lining in every civic action. available at the Head, but will not see any real However, any investigation and corrective improvement in our houses, or establishments action will only start when we spring leaks – or factories. The weak distribution links will as is the case with all scams. Meanwhile, many hold up the entire system. consumers still await water connections, leave alone meters. Our Administration seems unable to think any way but serially – perhaps due to the It is the same for Power. On the one hand there parallel power centres. Apart from the issues is now brave talk by DHBVN of buying and of Water and Power: colonies are sanctioned providing 24x7 power, if you are willing to pay a without providing a link to a main sewage higher rate (higher than the weighted average system; new bus services are started without of current DHBVN and generator rates). setting up bus stops; and commercial However, the distribution link is sub-standard establishments are allowed to operate without and inadequate – so it may become a case of so having adequate parking facilities. near and yet so far; the dark lining once again. The real concern is that this is probably Many sub-divisions have not upgraded to the being repeated in the new Sectors, as there is required 66KV sub-stations (from 11KV)- DLF no specific plan put out for civic services in is probably the exception). And again, many the 2031 Master Plan. u

I The Union Ministry of Environments & Forests has put out an advice on the use of Mobile Towers, so as to minimize their impact on humans and wildlife (incl. birds and bees). As per this, Electro Magnetic Radiations (EMRs) need to be regularly measured and monitored, so as not to interfere with the biological systems. Dept. of Telecom has been asked to prevent overlap of high radiation fields, ensure no new tower within 1 km radius of an existing tower, ensure that sharing of passive infrastructure among service providers is made compulsory – and finally, work to refine the Indian standard on safe limits of exposure to EMR. They have also advised that the location and frequencies of cell phone towers (and all devices/towers emitting EMR) should be made available in the public domain.

Comment

ndia was known as the Golden Sparrow.It was because of its natural resources, rich culture and wise people. And then we allowed it to fall. One should learn from mistakes. But it seems that our present age leaders have forgotten the black chapters of our history. About 500 years ago our rulers allowed FDI in the form of the East India company. These people came to India in the disguise of traders, and captured our ports, our businesses, our cities, our villages – and ultimately became our rulers. Till date we are suffering from the aftermaths of ‘slavery’. We have lost our rich heritage, culture, our gold, our silver, our diamonds, our brave sons, our ancient languages – a lot. But instead of learning any lessons from history, we are going to repeat the mistakes. Our leaders say that FDI will bring investment in the form of foreign currency, which in turn will help in buying petroleum products. But at what cost? There will always be unwanted pressure from these nations in policy matters. The sword of de-rating our economy, by the foreign rating agencies, will always keep hanging. Today we are advised to abolish the subsidy on petroleum products, the next time we may be dictated to cut down on other

An FDI View national obligations like free and compulsory education, free mid-day meals in schools, ration for BPL families etc. – all in the name of reforms. There is a famous saying “nip the evil in the bud”. Once FDI enters India and takes control, it will be almost impossible to take any policy measures against their wishes. Remember, the GAAR introduced by the former finance minister Pranab Mukherjee. Nifty came down by more than 1000 points. Foreign money was withdrawn at a very high speed. Dollar touched a level of almost Rs. 60. The govt. was forced to go on the backfoot. Keep in mind that foreign companies come to India not for charity, but to make huge profits. India means nothing but a huge market for these companies. Outdated technologies and products will be thrown into our markets. Always remember that a big fish swallows a smaller one. If bigger economies like China, USA, France start FDI in India, our own economy will be subdued. Our businessmen, retailers, traders cannot compete with them in the present high interest regime. Companies from developed

nations get financing at almost 0% rate of interest. Our Government talks of controlling the fiscal deficit using FDI. In my opinion fiscal deficit can be easily controlled by eradicating corruption. At present corruption rules over India. Our Government has total control over all the natural resources. Coal, granite, graphite, bauxite, copper, gold, silver, diamond, manganese, 2G, 3G, CWG, petroleum products, air—and almost every thing—is in Govt. control. Every citizen of India should have a share in these natural resources. But today these are sold at throw away prices, using corrupt practices. I am sure if our natural resources are managed transparently, and black money is controlled, then there will be no need to tax anyone in this nation. We must learn to manage our nation using more of our own natural resources.We will have to leave our excessive dependence on imports. We are the no.1 producer of coal, milk, sugar in the world. Nature has always been kind to us.We receive more than enough solar and wind energy.We must develop such technologies which

may enable us to run many of our cars, metros, buses, trucks, ACs using solar and wind power. In a nutshell, it may be concluded that it is not FDI but independence from excessive imports that will make India a super power. u Alok Kumar Jain ( Author is a Mathematics teacher)

LETTER TO THE EDITOR

lived in Karol Bagh for 20 long years, yet didn’t know about such wonderful places. Beautiful writeup. I want to go back and visit all these places and first the herbal garden! Radhika Talwar on the article, Quintessential Delhi

hort, sweet, to the point, FREE-exactly as information should be. Prabu on a Global feature

earning a ton from these neat articles. Vikash on the article, Gurgaon Musings

5-11 October 2012

{ Srimati Lal }

‘@

RT VIRTUALLY REAL’, the first annual Show at ‘Art Alive Gallery’, of a new art portal for emerging artists— E m e r g i n g a r t i s t s . i n — a s s e m bl e s an unusual array of experimental art practices by 22 young Indian artists from varying regions. This synergetic collection includes works by Abir Patwardhan, Aditi Kulkarni, Anil Thambani, Debashish Datta, Gaurav Singh, Harekrishna Taulkdar, Kanika Sharma, Mahua Sen, Nakul Mondol, Nilanjana Nundy, P

Virtual Visions

Bujinga Rao, Padmaja, Parag Sonarghare, Prasun Roy, Pratap Morey, Rajesh Salgaoncar, Rajnish Chhanesh, Samir Tawde, Satadru Sovan, Siddharth Pansari, Sonatina Mendes, Sudipta Das, Suraj Kumar Kashi and Vijil Chooliyad. From paintings to ‘happenings’, ‘virtual’ expressions, digital art, videos, sculpture and installations, the show puts forth a range of tangential new visual forms of expression, in an attempt to reflect today’s ethos via a melange of media. The emerging artists, largely discovered online via the internet, which enabled them to stay in communication with each other, are exhibiting within an urban context together for the first time. A majority of these participants have recently emerged from remote small towns of India, struggling to achieve an authentic idiom of urban contemporary expression, and to ‘arrive’ as individual entities within the ‘urban dreamland’. This facet makes the show worth observing. For instance, Vijil and Suraj originate from very remote interior villages of Kerala and Bihar, and their arcane mythic and sociocultural roots are quite evident in the detailed canvasses that incorporate narrative storytelling disciplines with a certain quixotic ‘magic-realism’. In fact, this approach is like a skein binding most of the Show’s works. Further, a major inspiration behind these expressions is

the rapidly-expanding presence and impact of the internet -- opening-up a whole new cyber-dreamworld across the country. Cyberspace now provides contemporary images and information to those who were previously uninformed and ‘under-developed’, on the margins or peripheries of the ‘developed’ society. Within the artistic context, this proliferation of Cyber-imagery has now opened-up an entirely new imaginative world of expressive communication for aspiring artists. Via the internet, even Mofussiltown rickshaws and squalor express themselves in a valid cyber-art language via online posts and flash-formatted videos, as emblems of ‘local colour’ that can communicate internationally in real time. Gaming, social networking, flash art, random video clips, found footage, mall media and spontaneous online commentary-chronicles are now amorphously generating a massive new r e s o u r c e - a r ch ive of materials for an entirely new visual-linguistic set of devices, portending a new kind of ‘stylistic’. This Show comprises such scattered trajectories of semi-formed cyber-experiences. It must be noted, however, that these new visual modes may also hover on the brink of becoming ‘gallery-fads’, losing the clarity and skill of actual artistic accomplishment. “Slippage and disjuncture exists between the real and the virtual; it is from within the trenches of this ravine that one begins a dialogue. Is virtual reality now more real than reality itself ?” -- states the Show’s press release, curated by Georgina Maddox. However, the truth is that ‘Clarity is reality’ -- as a famous artist once said. The haze of the virtual world

cannot ever ‘replace’ the clarity of the real; it can, at best, be used as a new conduit to express reality. The ultimate success of any creative work depends upon its clarity of expression. And it is within this criterion that a certain clear point is missed in this Show. A majority of overly-amorphous works falter under a shaky umbrella of collective expression, despite a few individual works containing skill and clarity. Most of the fledgling works hover like half-utterances, initial experiments created ‘within the trenches’ – possibly by disoriented ‘art-guerillas’ trying to quickly find their way through a threatening urban minefield. In order for more cohesive Curation, a distinct Curatorial theme needed to have been applied, with the artistic renditions adhering to a clearlyarticulated theme. This body of works does not generate any clear, cohesive statement. A ‘happening’ with a ‘Retro’ feel, reminiscent of the 1960’s art scene, opened this Show. In what can be described as a ‘live installation’ at the Gallery’s lower level, a ‘performance’ was conducted in a set, recreating a barber’s shop with two chairs. The artist, Parag, was slowly wrapped-up in sheathes of plastic in the first chair, like an op-art mummification; while in the second chair, regular customers took haircuts and shaves. The intent of this ‘happening’ was, seemingly, to evoke the aspects of ‘self-reinvention,’ while trying to find a ‘skin to be comfortable in’. While the point was being stretched too far in lengths of plastic, one searched in vain for the actual aesthetic content of this piece of drama. Experimental attempts at ‘art’ are

A rt

welcome in a generalised sense -- but in this attempt, the multilayered anxieties of new entrants to the big city were not really evoked to much effect. Among the actual artworks, the detailed paintings of Suraj Kumar Kashi from Bihar stood out, with their intricacy and delicate yet confident application of a fullspectrum palette. A charming panoply of eccentric and quixotic Indian characters people these narrative canvasses, indicating considerable artistic discipline. Anil Thambani’s slightly Surreal depiction of the Taj Mahal, with a pair of Burqa-clad visitors in a corner, evoked painterly mystery. By contrast, the graphics, prints and video installations left one with a feeling of thematic emptiness. While one was bemused by Harekrishna’s peeing dog sculpture of a street dog wearing

a tie, one wondered whether it contained any aesthetic material higher than a titter of sheer amusement. Abir’s large metallic trees bear a tribal boldness of idiom, but they need greater contextual detailing. Regardless of its semi-formulated ideas, the positive synergy of this experimental exhibit lies in the fact that its young artists stem from a widelyauthentic range of Indian backgrounds -- from Baroda and the Ecole des Beaux Arts to Business Studies, Photojournalism and Feminism; from such diverse places as Benaras, Visakhapatnam, Goa, Mumbai, Delhi, Kolkata, mofussil small-towns and interior villages; with inspirations as varied as Tagore, Gandhi, Surrealism, and the current Mall-culture; and with eclectic exhibition-experiences from the Worldwide Web to New York and South Africa. The awkward outsider, the alienated loner, and the migrant searcher have found a new forum in creative self-expression via the Web – which is actually where the curator ‘met’ the artists and communicated with them in order to put together this Show. The Web has indeed narrowed down communication-barriers and broken certain walls. Outmoded artcoteries, and the boring social clubculture have broken down now, giving way to more democratic and independent communications. Therefore, increasingly, the human dynamics of the Web, as a major aspect of sociological and creative evolution, must find clearer ways to express its nuances in Indian Contemporary Art. u Artist, Writer, & Curator

5-11 October 2012

Health & Vitality... Naturally!

Super Nutrient { Jaspal Bajwa }

here is a gift from Nature which has a `three-in-one` role – as a potent antioxidant, an immune system booster, and a detoxifier. It is an ally which can help us fight off the ill-effects of stress, pollution, radiation, infection, drugs, aging, injury and trauma! Enter Glutathione(GSH), our body's very own 'master antioxidant', which is present in almost every cell. As an essential component of the immune response, GSH helps regulate and regenerate our immune cells. It helps us mitigate the effects of pollutants and carcinogens that we are exposed to every day. GSH deficiency leads to the proverbial breach in the fortress. It opens the doors wide for damage from free radicals (oxidative stress), inhibits DNA repair, destroys red blood cells (anaemia), and impairs lymphocytes – which are vital for an effective immune function. To make matters worse, there is a sharp drop in GSH levels as we age. There is mounting evidence of low GSH levels being associated with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome, hepatic and cardiac disease, cancer, premature aging and death. Not surprisingly, it is finding a place in the treatment of a whole host of chronic lifestyle diseases – from high blood pressure to Parkinson’s disease, Alzheimer’s and various cancers. Interestingly, although it is present in every cell, it cannot enter most cells directly. This vital nutrient is made inside the cell, from its three constituent amino acids: glycine, glutamate and cysteine. Of these, the limiting factor is cysteine, as it is relatively scarce in foods. Cysteine also bestows a sulphur-containing portion, which is critical for the full range of GSH ‘biochemical activity’ to materialise – especially activating other well-known

{ Alka Gurha }

ccording to the Indian Council of Medical Research hearing impartment is on the rise. In India, one out of every twelve people could be a victim of a hearing loss. While it is not possible to avoid noise pollution, due to the vehicles or construction work, minor changes in lifestyle can go a long way in preventing hearing impairment. People who use earphones to listen to loud music for long hours are most susceptible to hearing impairment. The human ear is a very sensitive organ, as it can hear even the softest of sounds. On the decibel scale, the smallest audible sound (near absolute silence) is around zero decibels. A sound ten times more powerful is ten decibels. While the traffic noise is usually around 60-80 decibels, most music players can reach up to 120 decibels. Noises louder than 110 decibels are known to cause hearing problems – such as temporary deafness and tinnitus (ringing in the ears). A recent study published in the ‘Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences’ reveals that earphones or headphones on personal music players can reach noise levels similar to those of

antioxidants such as Vitamin C and vitamin E. In its role as detox agent, GSH forms soluble compounds with toxins, thus enabling easy elimination. This is one reason why the liver, kidney and lungs have abundant supplies of glutathione. Like the conductor of an orchestra, GSH balances oxidation and antioxidation, regulating vital cell functions like DNA synthesis and repair, as well as the activation of enzymes. Furthermore, glutathione is required in many of the intricate steps needed to carry out an immune response,

tomatoes, bell peppers, carrots, onions, peaches and watermelon;  Certain spices, like cinnamon, cardamom and curcumin (found in turmeric);  The ‘liver-tonic’ herb milk thistle – an excellent source of the antioxidant compound silymarin;  Certain foods, such as raw milk products, goat-milk, raw eggs, and fresh, unprocessed meats (preferably rangefree and hormone-free). High quality cold-pressed whey protein, derived from free-range cows, is one of the most potent sources;  Walnuts and rice bran.

Tip of the week

Oral Glutathione supplements are virtually ineffective. Intravenous Glutathione is effective (though expensive), and can be relied upon only as a therapeutic intervention. The preference is for Glutathione precursors – foods which contain the amino acids the body needs to make glutathione. If supplementation is found necessary, Cysteine, in the form of N-Acetyl-L-Cysteine (NAC), may be moderately effective. Dosage should be under the guidance of a healthcare practitioner, to limit side effects such as headache, dizziness and blurred vision. The best dietary source of cysteine is bio-active, undenatured whey protein.

Nature’s Wonder Foods of the week : Avocado or ‘makhan phal’

to exterminate virally infected cells or cancer cells. The fact that GSH is neither present in foods nor can it enter our cells directly makes Glutathione an enigma. What can one do to get this elusive super nutrient? The answer lies in the following natural foods, which provide the important sulphurcontaining amino-acid precursors, which in turn help our body to make more Glutathione :  Fresh fruits and vegetables (preferably locally-grown and organic): especially broccoli, potatoes, spinach, asparagus, avocado, squash, okra, cabbage, cauliflower, garlic,

Native to Central and South America, Avocados are one of the most nutrient dense foods. In recent centuries the cultivation has spread to most Asian tropical regions. Besides being a veritable goldmine of phyto-nutrients, vitamins and minerals, Avocados have the highest energy value (245 cal/100 g) of any fruit. Avocados provide nearly 20 essential nutrients, including hearthealthy dietary fibre, muscle-healthy potassium, bone supportive Vitamin K, Vitamin E, B-vitamins and folic acid. The pulp is rich in proteins (4%) and fat (30%), but low in carbohydrates. Avocados’ unique combination of Vitamins C , E, A, carotenoids, selenium, zinc, phytosterols and omega-3 fatty acids helps guard against inflammation – the

Not Music To The Ears jet engines. The nerve cells that carry electrical signals from the ears to the brain have a coating called the myelin sheath. Researchers say that this sheath helps the electrical signals travel along the cell. Exposure to loud noises can strip the cells of this protective coating, leading to the disruption of signals. Any disruption in the electrical signals means that the nerves can no longer efficiently transmit information from the ears to the brain.The good news is that the coating surrounding the nerve cells can reform, letting the cells function again as normal. If detected early, hearing loss can be reversed, and full hearing can return. The early signs of hearing loss could be of hearing muffled and slurred sounds. Hearing in one ear could be worse than the other. Some people can hear others, but cannot make out what is being said. Some have to listen to radio and watch TV at a volume that others find unbearable. The least we can do is to

take some preventive measures to avoid hearing impairment. It is important to see a doctor if the symptoms persist.

Reduce the Volume, Limit the Time

The louder the volume of music, the shorter your duration of hearing it should be. At maximum volume you should listen for only about 5 minutes a day. It is advisable to listen to an iPod (or equivalent) at about 60-70 per cent of its maximum volume. Anything louder than that, over an extended period, is risky.

Sesame seeds (Til) and Neem leaves, roasted with Castor oil (Erand) and ground Turmeric, with a little Camphor, can be used daily as an ointment to heal wounds.

root cause of most degenerative diseases and cancer. Avocados also contain essential minerals, such as magnesium, manganese, copper and phosphorous. Avocados sometimes get an unfair rap due to the high fat content, which is about 20 times the average for other fruits. However, what is often overlooked is that 65-70% are health-promoting monounsaturated fats, especially heart-healthy Alphalinolenic acid (an omega-3 fatty acid) and oleic acid. These mono-unsaturated fatty acids, along with significant amounts of Vitamin B6 and Folic acid (which controls homocysteine), help lower the risk of heart disease. When it comes to anti-cancer properties, Avocado’s unusual mix of anti-inflammatory and antioxidant nutrients come into play. Showing an uncanny native intelligence, avocado works in healthy cells to mitigate inflammatory and oxidative stress levels; yet when it comes to cancer cells, avocado works to increase oxidative stress, literally pushing them over the cliff. u Registered Holistic Nutritionist (Canadian School of Natural Nutrition) For education purposes only; always consult a healthcare practitioner for medical conditions

Take Breaks

Since the combination of volume and length of exposure can cause hearing loss, researchers recommend that one should apply the 60/60 rule: listen to an iPod for 60 minutes at 60 per cent of max volume, and then take a break. Ears that get regular rest have time to recover, and are less likely to be damaged.

Use Good Quality Headphones

The background noise plays a big role in how we listen to an iPod. If there’s a lot of noise nearby, it’s likely that we’ll turn up the iPod’s volume. To reduce, or eliminate, ambient noise, use good quality headphones. They’re more expensive, but your hearing ability will remain normal for a long time.

Never Maximize the Volume

Though it’s easy to find yourself listening to your iPod at max volume, try to avoid this at all times. The effect of a single exposure to loud music is reversible, but regular exposures over long periods of time are undesirable. Hearing at high volume for longer durations can result in the use of hearing aids – instead of headphones. u

H ealth S pecial

5-11 October 2012

Arthritis And Sex Life

{ Dr. Ridwana Sanam }

How does Arthritis affect relationships? Arthritis affects ones ability to work – outside, or within the home. If a partner becomes financially or physically dependent on the other, it can lead to a loss of self-esteem. But, on the other hand, if the ‘healthy’ partner takes on the role of a carer, and a right balance is struck, many couples will find their relationship grow stronger – as a result of an increased sharing of activities. Does arthritis affect one’s sex life? Arthritis causes both physical and psychological difficulties. One can feel unattractive or undesirable because of swollen joints. Fear of pain also makes one apprehensive about sex; the partner may be scared of causing pain, which leads to couples avoiding physical contact. Sex can be physically demanding, and may cause discomfort in the movement of the joints. However, this can be overcome if couples can discuss what will make the act pleasurable. Taking painkillers

{ Dr. Maninder Shah Singh }

earing high heels and narrow shoes is trendy, but can sometimes lead to foot pain and deformity. One of the common problems is Hallux valgus, when the big toe turns outwards, and causes secondary deformity and pain in the little toes. This condition is more commonly seen in the West, but is now rapidly growing in India, due to the adoption of more fashionable shoes. The three common foot problems often associated with high heels and narrow shoes are: The Bunion: A common deformity of the big toe joint, a bunion occurs mostly among people who wear fitting shoes. Women are more frequently affected with bunions because of tight, pointed, confining or high-heeled shoes. Wearing high heels is especially stressful on the joints of the foot, because the body’s weight rests there. The foot is then forced into a narrow, pointed “toe box”, compounding the problem. Older

about an hour before sex may also help, but consult your doctor first. A hot bath, shower or a massage can help relax the joints and muscles. Does joint replacement affect sex life? If there is a hip or knee joint replacement, one needs to take extra care with certain movements, as there is a risk involved of dislocating the same. After the operation, doctors and physiotherapists should inform which movements to avoid. Make sure to ask them. Is it safe to have a baby? The doctor’s advice about the risks is necessary. There are risks involved if the mother is suffering from certain forms of ‘lupus’. Medicines taken for arthritis can temporarily reduce the ability to conceive a child. During pregnancy, women with arthritis often have more discomfort in the knees, hips and back, because of their increasing weight. Women with rheumatoid arthritis often find that their arthritis improves during pregnancy; while women with ‘lupus’ may experience

Foot Deformities people are also vulnerable to bunions, because of the higher incidence of arthritis affecting the big toe joint. This is prominent on the inside of the foot, at the big toe joint – and looks like a knob. A bunion forms when the big toe is pushed

towards the second toe. When surgery is indicated, it typically involves breaking and resetting the dislocated bone with a screw(s). The surgery involves six to eight weeks of recovery. A Hammer Toe: This is a condition where a toe becomes buckled or crooked. Thick calluses may form on

aggravation. Raising a child is physically very demanding, as it involves lifting, carrying and bending. These actions are painful, especially if there is arthritis of the back, knees or arms. It is advisable to plan this aspect of child care beforehand. Most forms of arthritis run in the family, but this risk is generally small. Most people with arthritis have perfectly healthy children. The risk of a child inheriting rheumatoid arthritis or psoriatic arthritis from a parent is around 1 in 30; but the risk of the child developing psoriasis in the latter case is higher. You should consult a doctor about the risks involved in your particular type of arthritis. What to eat? A healthy diet of fruits and vegetables, rich in nutrients, vitamins and minerals surely helps. Women planning a baby can take folic acid, as it will reduce the risk of having a child with spina bifida. It is wise to start the folic acid before conceiving a child. Smoking and alcohol have adverse effects on the unborn child, and therefore should be avoided. u KRV Healthcare Pvt Ltd 0999 999 8934, www.krv.co.in pressure spots. A common surgery involves removing the knuckle of the deformed toe. A wire holding the toe steady protrudes from the tip of the toe for several weeks. Tight Calf Muscle (Equinus): Long term use of high heels are thought to cause shortening of the Achilles Tendon joint, joining the calf muscles to the heel bone – resulting in more pressure being placed on the ball of the foot. Many foot surgeons consider this an underlying cause of foot problems – such as bunions, hammer toes, flat feet. Stretching may help counteract the problem. When surgeons believe this problem is pathologic, they may recommend lengthening of the Achilles tendon, or cutting a muscle in the calf. Corrective surgery not only leads to a cosmetic makeover of the foot but also relief from symptoms, including pain. u Consultant Orthopaedic Surgeon & Head of Foot & Ankle Unit at Indian Spinal Injuries Centre

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20 { Bhavana Sharma }

his is the time of the year which makes us high on festivity; a whole gamut of celebrations awaits us, to bring in the pious fragrance. Yes, this month we are celebrating three of the biggest Hindu festivals – namely Dussehra, Durga Puja and Navratri; while in the beginning of the next month we have Diwali. With these festivities around the corner, we need to think of simple yet effective ways to clear the negativity and cluster in our homes, and bring in positive chi or energy.

5-11 October 2012

Purifying Our Space negative energy can reduce your quality of life.

Yagnas

In ancient times vedic yagnas were very common, usually performed by the Rishis – in which ceremonies of thousands of sacred fires were lit, and expensive offerings made. Sometimes they took months to perform. It was believed that just one powerful yagna could clean up the atmosphere of an entire kingdom. The fire

Lighting Ghee Lamps

Fire is a great purifier, and a house in which a fire is lit regularly feels very different. After a bout of illness, or after a stressful period, the atmosphere in a house is often very tense and thick. If you light a lamp even for an hour, it lightens the vibrations and dissipates most of the negativity. If you are sensitive you will easily feel the difference. If you light a lamp every day, or even a few times a week, it will maintain a happier level of vibrations in your house. It needs to be a living flame, and not an electric light, which has no space cleansing effect. Pause for a moment before you light the lamp, and feel the difference as the flame comes into being. Also pause a moment after you put it out, and feel the change. This is how you get sensitive to energies.

Burning Incense

Negative Energy

Strong emotions make a strong impact. In historic places you can often feel the effects of violence centuries after the place has been deserted. Negative emotions like anger, fear, unhappiness tend to build up, if repeated over long periods. Anyone who comes into that area may get angry. Likewise, illness and depression also create very negative energy fields, leaving clouds of dark energy that psychics can see as black, brown or dirty colours around the aura. These energies are sticky and feel heavy. Also, if you have ever walked into a place and felt uneasy, you were probably reacting to the negative energies there. If you are sensitive to energies you may suddenly feel nauseous or get a headache. Many people are more sensitive than they realise. If you occasionally feel ill for no perceptible reason, and it passes away quickly, it may be a reaction to psychic energies. Negative energy is a part of everyday life, whether you’re subjected to it at home or at the office. Depending on the energy in your environment, you may feel happy and fulfilled, or depressed and upset. Although it doesn’t seem like a prime reason for concern, regularly surrounding yourself with

B on Vivant

ceremony was an inseparable part of daily life. Every house had a yagna kund, a vessel in which the sacred fires were lit everyday – at sunrise and sunset. Even today yagnas are still performed regularly, by many people in many Indian homes – like the Satyanarayan Puja ceremony.

Space Clearing

In the simplest of terms, space clearing is cleaning up the space in which we live. Just as physical dirt and dust collect and need to be cleaned out every day, non-physical dirt and energy also needs to be periodically cleaned up. This is called space clearing. Non-physical dirt is negative energy that collects from emotions and negative fields. For example, a quarrel can leave a lot of anger and frustration in a room, long after it is over. A psychic would feel the anger as soon as she walked into the room. Others may feel uncomfortable and not know why.

Bringing Positive Chi Even if you’re not experienced in removing negative energy from a living space, there are some very easy actions to eliminate anything that may be bogging your energy levels down.

Another way to cleanse a room is to burn agarbattis or dhoop or lobhan. Agarbattis clean up the atmosphere with perfume, and are a gentle and pleasant way of raising vibrations. They are made from natural materials like sandalwood, which is protective as well as cleansing. Sandalwood is the most common cleansing incense – it contains much high-quality green prana. If you prefer different fragrances, however, lavender incense contains blue-violet prana, and sage incense contains green, blue and violet prana.

burn a few cubes of camphor to dissipate the heavy energies.

The Sacred Bell Ringing

The sacred bell is the other component of the traditional way of celebrating the pujas. These loud noises break up the stuck energy patterns. We can also ring the bell around all the corners of the house, to remove unwanted energies.

Diwali Crackers

The reason behind the crackers at Diwali was also to create an atmosphere of destruction of negativity. But today, because of environmental concerns, crackers should be used only in a limited manner.

Crystal Clusters

We can place a cluster of amethyst crystal or white quartz crystal next to our computer and TV. The crystal will neutralize the energies. Remember to wash out the crystal clusters once in a while. Crystals in general raise energies, so you can keep them anywhere in the house – even in the puja room.

Sacred Objects

Another way to keep your personal space vibrant is to keep something sacred in your room. Sacred objects raise vibrations – so keep a statue,

thumb, or you think that you could use a cleansing, adding a few houseplants to your living space is a great way to reach your goals.

Chanting ‘Om’

Before the pujas we can chant the most powerful ‘Om’ mantra (or ‘Amen’ ) in the room, for half an hour daily. This powerful mantra disperses unwanted lower energy, which is why it is universally used as part of many meditation routines to clear the mind of thoughts. As an alternative, you can play the Grandmaster Choa Kok Sui OM CD or any other spiritual music or tunes.

Sunlight Energy

Everyday we should open all windows and curtains to let in fresh air and sunlight. An easy way to clean a house or room is to energetically open windows and curtains, and allow cleansing solar and air prana to flood a room or house. An hour or two a day should be sufficient for moderate residual contamination.

Salt Water Wonder

We can spray the puja area with salt water, from a sprayer. Mix a few tablespoons of salt with a cup of water, in a sprayer with a fine misting capability. Shake to dissolve the salt. One can walk through a room spraying the salt and water into the air, allowing the droplets to filter down to the floor. Just as salt water breaks down the dirty energy that you sweep from

Room-Fresheners

Today many people use spray room-fresheners in rooms that are never opened at all. If you never open the windows, the room collects much more negativity. Normally negative energy dissipates naturally, but in a house which has never been aired it can really bring down the atmosphere. Room fresheners are often made of chemicals and artificial fragrances, which further depress the atmosphere, instead of raising it. Some are even detrimental to your health. Agarbattis, or dhoop, are far better.

or a picture or anything that is sacred for you. Keep objects or paintings that you really love. Don’t keep something that you dislike, or which reminds you of an unpleasant time every time you look at it.

Magical Scented Candles

Using Herbs

Scented candles, provided they are naturally scented, are also gentle cleansers. To keep your house clean, light an agarbatti or a dhoop stick and take it all around the house – allowing the fragrance to permeate every corner. Don’t forget the bathrooms, they collect the most negativity. If your bathrooms feel heavy, put a flame in there for a while. Many households perform an evening aarti. There are great benefits to this. The camphor we light is a very powerful cleanser. It is the only natural substance that burns and leaves absolutely no residue. If there has been illness, severe depression, or many quarrels,

Sage is a herb that has been used for hundreds of years by those who want to rid their homes of spirits and negative energy. One way to make your home more habitable is to light a stick of sage and allow the smoke to filter through your living spaces. Open all of your windows, to give the energy a place to go, once you begin to remove it out of your home.

Bringing in Plants

Many people believe that using plants can help rid negative energy from a home. Because plants are living, they can act as filters, that remove bad energy from a space on a regular basis. Whether you have a green

your own aura, it also effectively cleans a room or building.

Clapping

We can indulge in loud clapping with purposeful intent, as this can break up and disperse dirty energy in a room. Go into a room, form a clear intent to dispel the dirty energy, and walk through the area clapping about 10 to 30 times – depending on the size of the room. You can even clap every second, to clear the energies. Remember the strongest influence on the energy of your house is you. If you are happy, the energy levels are bound to be good. Unhappiness creates dark and depressing energies. These ancient methods have been with us through centuries, and making small changes will fill our house with peace, light and happiness – thereby making so much difference to our lives. u Tarot Reader & Author

B usiness 21

5-11 October 2012

{ Abhishek Behl / FG }

he Real Estate industry in Gurgaon is passing through a critical phase, as there is huge oversupply at the moment; and it will continue to hurt sentiment, as more projects are being launched across the Millennium City. Prominent realtor and Chairman of Remax group, Sam Chopra, believes that to give a fillip, and bring middle income customers into the market, there is need for a slight price correction. The right price for affordable property on Dwarka Expressway should be something between Rs. 3,500 to 5,000 per square foot, and the price of HUDA plots also needs to come down, he believes. If the builders can somehow launch the new projects in this price range it will definitely help the end-users, as they are crucial for any market to remain sustainable, says Chopra. He also feels that though the investors have played an important role in building and boosting the Gurgaon market, the time has come to have a healthy mix of investors and real end-users in realty projects. It is pertinent to mention that in Gurgaon a ‘new’ property normally reaches the hands of an end-user in almost the third or fourth transaction. The majority of the buyers in the market right now are those who are looking to invest for a short term maximization of profits, say observers. In Chopra’s view, another important move could be to launch projects that make it feasible for builders to sell 1000 square feet flats for somewhere between Rs. 35 to 40 lakhs. “It is only at this rate that a person earning around Rs. 5 lakh per annum would be able to buy a flat. Right now a huge population in this group has been left out of the real estate market,” he asserts. When asked which areas in the City the end-user should look at for buying property, Chopra points to the Dwarka Expressway, as well as projects on the Gurgaon-Faridabad Road. Most other areas in Gurgaon are out of the reach of the average buyers/end users, he says. A major challenge will be posed in the near future when the Delhi government allows vertical expansion, as per the

Propriety In Property Prakhar Pandey

NAR India Convention in Gurgaon To bring about transparency, and to streamline the profession of Real Estate brokerage in the country, a convention of property professionals is being organized in Gurgaon, by the Association of Property Professionals (APP Delhi-NCR), under the auspices of National Association of Realtors India (NAR India). Giving details of the event, Samir Chopra, President of APP-NCR told Friday Gurgaon that a series of events will be held as part of this Convention – on October 5, 6, and 7. Real Estate portal 99 Acres and Remax will hold training programmes on Multiple Listing Service Certification, and Role of technology in Real Estate, to equip the new age brokers with the necessary skills. Sam says that the objective of this Convention is to promote transparency, accountability, fair dealing and ethical practices, for the overall good governance in the industry. Remax and Franchise India will also organise an Award Ceremony, along with a felicitation dinner, for members of NAR India as well as APP. Prominent members of the Real Estate community, including top builders, real estate professionals, and members of civil society and the Administration, are expected to attend the Awards, says Chopra. Chopra also revealed that NAR India organises four such meetings of the board members every year, to take stock of its activities. This organisation comprises 24 city-wide associations of Real Estate professionals (like the APP), that are trying to bring about an institutional system in the Real Estate brokerage industry. NAR India is also the official owner of ‘Realtor’ trademark in the country, and today only 2000 people can officially use it, he says.

{ Abhishek Behl / FG }

latest Master Plan, he predicts. There will be massive supply in the areas of North Delhi (around Kanjhawalla) and the area from Sultanpur to Chawla – that has a large number of farm houses. “Delhi beats Gurgaon as far as urban infrastructure, power, and municipal services are concerned. Once good supply at the right price comes in Delhi it can hurt Gurgaon,” he says. To avoid this situation the government will have to improve infrastructure in the City – particularly roads, power, connectivity, and transport services – including the extension of the Metro. Putting a question mark on the efficacy of the Dwarka Ex-

ressure is mounting on the accused in the alleged Rs. 870 crores Reebok fraud case, with a Gurgaon Court on Friday (September 28) extending the police remand of former Reebok MD Subhinder Singh Prem, and former COO Vishnu Bhagat, and three others accused, for six more days. The police is now planning to take the accused to Mumbai and Ahmedabad, for further investigation and corroboration of findings. Maheshwar Dayal, DCP Crime, told Friday Gurgaon that financial transactions carried out by the accused are being studied in detail, and the police is also conducting raids on the warehouses believed to be used for alleg-

The Multiple Listing Service Certification, which is being created for the first time by NAR India members, is a mix of what is being offered by Facebook, and sites like 99 acres. Thousands of members of NAR India will be able to access property listings that are genuine, listed by serious brokers. In Delhi NCR, APP has around 5000 brokers working with its member associations. Chopra says that the objective of NAR India is to provide meaningful Real Estate education to Real Estate professionals, particularly its members. Keeping this in mind an ‘Education Committee’ has been created, with members from different State Associations, to conduct Real Estate programmes, and certify Real Estate professionals based on standardised education programmes, he adds. When asked about the reason behind the efforts to promote education and networking among Real Estate professionals, Chopra says that the objective is to create a set of professionals who do not exaggerate, misrepresent or conceal pertinent facts related to a property or a transaction. “We want to create a set of professionals in the Real Estate industry who can do business ethically, and ensure that the interests of all the stakeholders, including buyers, is safeguarded,” he asserts. In his opinion the Real Estate industry right now is highly unorganised, and there is a need to streamline and scrutinise the participants. Right now any one and every one can become a broker, without any knowledge of the business, and this is what is harming the industry, he feels. Through these events NAR India, APP and similar organizations are trying to bring some order to the realty business, he states.

An Extensive Probe edly dumping of Reebok products. He informed that till now not much has been recovered by the police, but detailed questioning will certainly lead to concrete information soon. Dayal also said that as soon as they get more information a clear picture will emerge about the entire modus operandi of the alleged scam. Till date the investigating agencies have found four ‘illegal’ warehouses whose existence was not revealed to the company management and the auditors. Investigators have also found documentary evidence pointing to the culpability of the alleged accused. Transaction records of the last three years, forensics of laptops, and bank state-

ments are part of the incriminating evidence. Apart from the prime accused Singh and Bhagat, police had also arrested Surakshit Bhatt, Sanjay Mishra, and Prashant Bhatnagar, for abetting the alleged fraud of Rs. 870 crores. All the five were arrested on September 20, and were remanded to a 7-day police custody by a local court on September 21st. Meanwhile, sources reveal that the accused are co-operating with the police authorities, who are also being assisted by officials of the Serious Fraud Investigation Office (SFIO), Ministry of Corporate Affairs. The SFIO is likely to submit a report by the end of November. The

pressway, Chopra says it remains to be seen how it becomes an integral part of the Gurgaon ecosystem. “I do not know how a person from the Expressway will be able to come seamlessly to DLF Phase 3 or 1. There need to be internal roads that ensure access, but this is not happening,” he asserts. Instead of helping the cause of the Millennium City, Chopra predicts that the NPR, SPR, KMP and the Faridaboad road could create a greater threat for Gurgaon – as Manesar, Faridabad, Sohna, and Dharuhera may end up giving internal competition, and putting pressure on the City. The Gurgaon City managers need to understand that far from being a suburb of Delhi, Gurgaon has emerged as a metropolitan city in its own right, and needs to be managed like one. “The complacency of the administration and politicians needs to end. Unless steps are taken, only MG Road, National Highway, Expressway, and Sohna Road to some extent, may survive. If prices go down in neighbouring Chattarpur, Pushpanjli Enclave and areas near Dwarka, the investors will rush there,” he predicts. Another important step that the government could take to bring more transparency into this sector is to push for the Real Estate Regulatory Act. “This Act, in its present form, is adequate to ensure that builders with good credentials operate in the industry, and there is responsibility and accountability among the builders, brokers as well as buyers. Those who do not conform to the ethical standards will be weeded out,” he asserts. His own company, Remax, is creating a set of certified brokers in every part of the country, by imparting education, support and technical knowhow-so that they can serve the clients in the best possible manner. Right now no one is monitoring the real estate industry; while stock markets, commodities and insurance have got a regulator, there is no mechanism to regulate this business, which accounts for almost half of the income that an average person generates in his lifetime, he says. The Haryana government’s decision to go for compulsory licensing of brokers has no teeth as well, as any one with requisite fees can get a license, he quips. u

reason for a little delay is that Reebok is still finalising the accounts. The Ministry of Corporate Affairs had ordered an inquiry into the ‘scam’ on May 29th. The scam is also being probed by the Income Tax authorities, to investigate alleged financial irregularities at Reebok India. Earlier, the SFIO had investigated whether accounts had been falsified to wipe off crores from the company’s accounts. SFIO also investigated charges of over-invoicing, as also diversion of goods worth Rs. 150 crores to ‘secret’ warehouses. Further, genuine returned goods worth Rs. 60 crores were allegedly not shown in the books. Meanwhile, Reebok’s parent company, Adidas AG, is expected to take a hit of about Rs. 500 crores this year due to the alleged scam. u

22 ooksellers are hoping to achieve for their business what the internet has done for music – widespread sales online. But they are finding that, along with the hopedfor benefits of such a move, there are many hurdles. The arguments for switching to an electronic reader—which can read books downloaded from the web—are many. The readers weigh little, are easy to use, and are becoming ever more plugged into the net. But there are drawbacks. Unlike physical books, items downloaded cannot be resold, much less lent to a friend. While downloaded music made up 17 per cent of sales in the music industry for 2011, electronic books only accounted for 1 per cent of the publishing industry’s business - and that was twice as much as in 2010. Publishers hope to reach the music industry’s 2011 figures by 2015. Those hopes will be on full display at the Frankfurt Book Show, which runs October 10-14, when ebook innovations and the newest readers take centre stage. A lot of storytelling now comes with new multimedia and interactive features. There’s a lot of experimentation with apps in children’s books, or books in the EPUB-3 format – which can be enriched with audio or video features.

Ebooks To Break New Ground? Andrea Warnecke

{ Dirk Averesch / Frankfurt / DPA }

A Sony Reader e-book device with a German-language text tucked among volumes of the Encyclopaedia Britannica.

That could automatically turn every ebook into an audiobook. Other bonuses include – text searches, definition and translation services, digital notes and bookmarks. Thanks to their colour displays and loudspeakers, tablet computers are also drawing some of the electronic book

market. But many ebook fans swear by electronic paper technology, which provides strong contrast—even in direct sunlight—while holding a battery charge for weeks or months. But there are still comparatively high introductory costs to ebooks. And different markets vary, with physical

Roller-coaster in the sky

{ Sebastian Kunigkeit / Berlin / DPA }

t’s almost like a trip to space. The command centre counts down – “3, 2, 1, pull up.” Captain Stephane Pichene raises the nose of the Airbus airplane, and the passengers feel double their actual weight for about 20 seconds. Then comes the announcement – “Injection”. Within seconds, the passengers become weightless. There is no more up and down. Laughing, they hang from the ceiling, row with their arms, and bounce around like billiard balls against one another. Few people have the chance to experience this sensation – they’re either astronauts, or passengers of a parabolic flight, in which gravity is overcome for a short period of time, through a flight manoeuvre. The German Aerospace Centre (DLR), offers such flights to researchers. Usually, they take off from Bordeaux, France. But the DLR recently organised two flights from Berlin for scientists, journalists and other guests.

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In order to reach zero gravity, Captain Pichene must fly a parabola – imitating the flight path of a ball that is thrown straight in the air. “When you throw an object in the air, it’s weightless for a short period of time in free fall,” says Pichene. The manoeuvre starts at 6,000 metres, as two pilots pull the Airbus A300 up to a slope of 47 degrees – a normal takeoff has a maximum of 18 degrees. Then they dip the airplane forward, until it’s in a steep descent. After about 20 seconds, the pilots bring the plane back into a normal flying position. In addition to the 20 seconds of zero gravity, the passengers experience double the force of gravity – before and after the manoeuvre. It’s like a roller-coaster ride in the sky. The insides of the A300 Zero-G look mostly like a normal airplane, save for the middle section – having white foam mats on the floor, ceiling and wall with nets to break off the area. After air traffic control gives the go-ahead, the A300 is ready

for its first parabola over the Baltic Sea. “Don’t move your head,” calls out a crew member as the countdown nears. During the hyper-gravity stage, the hairs in the ears are pushed down, signalling to the brain that you are not moving. If you move your head, your eyes tell you differently. “And then the brain tells the stomach to vomit,” warns DLR head Johann-Dietrich Woerner. The first parabola is a Mars parabola, with the same force of gravity in the airplane as on the Red Planet – about 40 per cent of the gravitational force on Earth. The more experienced parabolic fliers, including Novespace boss and former ESA astronaut JeanFrancois Clervoy, start hopping around the cabin and doing long and high jumps while the beginners are more hesitant. That is followed by the moon parabola with one-sixth of the Earth’s gravity and then the complete parabola with weightlessness. The first-timers eventually begin to enjoy themselves in the free floating area, and find a certain routine. “Our bodies can find their way in an environment, where they have never been before. It’s fantastic how our brain can react,” says Friedrich. Later on during the trip the passengers’ mouths feel like they have marched through a desert for a day. The digital counter near the cockpit reads 15, meaning the 15th and final parabola. The passengers get to feel like astronauts one more time, before the warning comes – “pull out” – and everyone falls to the ground. Gravity once again has taken hold. u

and digital books priced almost the same in some countries. There is also the issue of what to do with an ebook once it has been read. Many enjoy lending out their old books, but that’s almost never an option with ebooks. About 61 per cent of publishing houses protect their wares with electronic watermarks (DRM), which make it almost impossible to pass on a book. DRM-protected books can only be opened on a maximum of six devices registered to a user. That policy also prevents resale of a book. However, ever since the European Court of Justice ruled in January that trade in downloaded software should be allowed, the industry has puzzled over whether that applies to downloaded music and books. German media expert Christian Solmecke says the owners should be able to sell on ebooks, just like they do with physical books. “Digital goods have to be treated just like material goods,” he says. But he notes future rulings will be required to create clarity. Such arguments might be minimized by other changes – like flat rates for ebook purchases or lending options. In its efforts to emulate the music business, the ebook industry might still break some new ground. u

Avoiding Child Burnout { Doreen Fiedler / Berlin / DPA }

hildren need time to relax. German Psychologist Hermann Scheuerer-Englisch, notes that time-tables at many schools pay little heed to the needs of children. “Some children have no time for themselves any more. They experience their lives as too structured and overloaded,” says Scheuerer-Englisch. School is a full-time occupation for many children – taking up almost 40 hours a week on an average, for lessons and homework. Scheuerer-Englisch does not see this as a problem, provided there is a balance between learning and relaxing at school. “The number of hours is not the deciding factor. What is more important is a schooling concept – that includes lessons with movement (with creative or musical aspects), alongside the core subjects,” he says. A recent study undertaken in Germany reveals that girls spend 40 hours a week on school work, and boys 37; while 18 hours are being spent with parents. “Chilling”—the term used for simply lazing, daydreaming, listening to music, reading or doing hobbies— was down in third place at 15 hours. Youngsters spent about the same amount of time watching television, or in front of the computer. Parental behaviour is often indicative. “Parents who read, play music or sport have a strong exemplary effect,” the Psychologist says. If the children take on something, they need assistance. “Parents should sit down and plan with their children as to when and in what order, they do their homework. The children should, however, do the work on their own,” says ScheuererEnglisch. However, basic routine is essential, including mealtimes together. “But children also need time to simply do nothing,” he says. u

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Cancer Victim Inspires { Christiane Oelrich / Suva, Fiji / DPA }

ae Kami’s symptoms started with nosebleeds, when she was 13 years old. Cancer of the sinuses was diagnosed in 2006, and a series of painful operations ensued. “Instead of putting on lipstick and make-up, I had to go to the hospital for my first operation,” she said, two years later. When it had become clear that the cancer was spreading, the girl decided to stop treatment, and begin preparing her funeral and legacy. Her calm determination to face her destiny, and to dream big about future help for children with cancer, has inspired thousands in the Pacific region. Tae Kami’s Foundation for children suffering from cancer managed to pull in the equivalent of 180,000 dollars in August, during a weekend donation campaign on the Fiji islands – where her family had settled after leaving their native Tonga. Since 2009, the Foundation has collected a total of more than 320,000 dollars, even though Fiji has a population of just 850,000. “We are speechless,” said Sina Kami, the girl’s 43-yearold mother. “Tae always said you simply have to believe firmly enough in a dream, and it will come true. She was right.” Tae Kami’s dream was a Centre for children with cancer in the Pacific, along with a proper children’s hospital. She laid the foundation for that to become

Joy Kami holds a photo of her late sister, Tae, who died in 2008 at the age of 15, leaving a cancer fund as her legacy.

reality, before her death in August 2008. Her internet blog and television interviews moved audiences from Fiji to New Zealand and beyond. Charity campaigns have been launched on Tonga, in New Zealand, and will soon begin in Samoa. There are few hospitals in the Pacific region, and basic health care provisions are lacking. Health insurance is rare. The Foundation seeks to provide accommodation for families that have to travel a long way for treatment. It seeks to buy books and toys for cancer sufferers and their siblings, and special equipment. Following her diagnosis in 2006, Tae Kami underwent

Lingering Online { Clemens Schoell / Frankfurt / DPA }

s computers become more popular, more senior citizens are discovering them. However, whereas older people tend to be very organized about planning the disposal of their physical estates, many have not made steps to provide for their digital presence in the event of their death. That means after a loved one’s death, survivors must not only manage the division of an estate, but also have to track down passwords for computers, and a variety of online accounts and services. One way to avoid this is for computer users to leave a record of their data with a trusted person, like a notary. Failing that, survivors will have some work to do. Facebook, for example, will review a person’s page upon receiving proof of death – usually a death certificate. Families can choose to have the page erased or keep the profile running as a kind of memorial. Google only allows family members access to a person’s

account “after careful review and lengthy processing work,” says spokesman Stefan Keuchel. Appropriate documents—including a certified translation of a death certificate if necessary—need to be sent to the company’s US headquarters. If the proper documents are provided, pages can be deleted. It’s important to remember that it’s generally not enough to just leave a last will and testament as a text document on one’s computer. In most cases, that is legally useless, says Helmut Redeker, a German lawyer, who focuses on information technology. There are firms that offer to store key passwords and documents in case of a person’s death. But German technology industry group Bitkom is sceptical of such offers. “Users should think long and hard about whether they want to hand over a collection of such sensitive data to any kind of service provider,” says Bitkom spokesman Maurice Shahd. Redeker agrees, noting there is no guarantee any such company will still be

a series of operations that resulted in her gums and cheekbones being removed. Her face was reconstructed with bone, ligament and skin from other parts of her body. There were repeated setbacks, but the girl remained stoical. “I have no regrets,” she told an interviewer four months before her death, her face covered in a bandage. “Cancer was a blessing in my life. It has made me a stronger person,” said Tae. She met schoolchildren to convey the message that appearance is not everything. She invited convicted criminals who were inspired by her story, to write their own song on her funeral. She asked her mother to buy fabric for her funeral dress, so that she could see herself in it before she died. “She tried it on in front of the mirror,” Sina Kami says. “’I look so pretty! she said.’” Tae never lost her sense of humour. When her father once told her that he wanted to die with her, she replied that would be too embarrassing. “While I am going to heaven, I’ll see you on a cannonball whizzing past me in the opposite direction,” she joked. Four years after Tae’s death, her parents, sisters Mia and Joy, 8, still talk about her often. And all are involved in the fundraising campaign. Speaking in a television interview before her death, Tae Kami asked to be remembered as a “happy girl.” In a note to her mother the day before she died, she wrote: “Please tell people that I have won my battle.” u in business by the time a customer dies. The case of Idivus, founded in 2009, highlights the danger. Founded to safeguard data, its website no longer works and its phone number is answered by a fax machine. “If you’re in doubt, it’s best to give the passwords to a confidante,” he says. There are groups that help the grieving sort out the online affairs of the deceased. “We check if a subscription has to be cancelled, or if there are items owned by the person up for auction that have just been purchased,” says Theologian Birgit Aurelia Janetzky, who provides such services with her company Semno, in Germany. “But when it comes to examining or evaluating whether to delete data, we need some verification from an heir.” There’s also always the possibility that a cybersearch will turn up something unpleasant, like pictures or mails that hint at a love affair. “I don’t want to shock anyone, but when I find something delicate, I seek a conversation with the survivors,” says Janetzky, who used to work in grief counselling. “The survivors have to cope with it one way or another.” u

“War Children” Still Search For Fathers { Miriam Bandar / Vienna / DPA }

arin Buettner was among the luckier children born to German mothers and Allied occupation soldiers after World War II. She was able to get to know her Russian father, Yevgeny, for the first two years of her life, before he disappeared forever. The day after Buettner’s sister was born, Yevgeny was hauled off by the Soviet Army – that condemned such relationships. Buettner, 62, was in Vienna, to attended the first historical Conference on the fate of the more than 400,000 war children, left behind in Germany and Austria by British, French, Russian and US soldiers. Many who share Buettner’s fate know much less about their fathers, and some were not the product of love, but of rape. “My father must have been a great person,” said Buettner, who works as a High School language teacher in her native city of Weimar, in Germany. Buettner has been looking for her father’s traces nearly all her adult life. In the 1970s, she learned that Yevgeny wrote letters to his German family, but they never arrived. He most likely died on the far-eastern island of Sakhalin, in the 1960s. Yevgeny was 19 when he met her 17-year-old mother Erika, at the Inn where she was working. He brought Erika books and read poems to her, and after Karin was born in 1945, he taught his baby Russian words. However, none of the Allied powers approved of such relationships and the children that resulted, even if they tolerated sexual relations between soldiers and German and Austrian women. Only a very small percentage of soldiers took their women back to their home countries. “The men always promised to come back, but they almost never did,” said Barbara Stelzl-Marx, an Austrian historian who organized the Conference. At one point Erika became so distraught that she attempted to take her and her children’s lives, by gassing themselves with the domestic oven. She was discovered before it was too late, but Buettner said her mother never recovered from the loss of her partner. “I really had neither a father nor a mother,” says Buettner. u

1. Please clean my room.- Qing, Dasao Wo De Fangjian

Qing – ching (ch as in chhatri, ‘umbrella’ in Hindi) De – sounds like ‘the’ in English Dasao – soft t, as in tara, ‘star’ in Hindi+sa+O (sound of the alphabet ‘O’) Fang Jian - as in taang, ‘leg’ in Hindi, with F+chee (sound as in chicken)+yen

2. Can you wake me up at 10 am? Ni Neng Rang Wo Qichuang Shi Dian Zhong

Rang - as in taang, ‘leg’ in Hindi, with R Qi – chi, as in chhilka, ‘peel’ in Hindi Chuang – chu, as in chhuti, ‘holiday’ in English+ang, as in taang, ‘leg’ in Hindi, without the T Shi – shir, the sound in Shiraz Dian – soft t, as in teen, number 3 in Hindi+ yen Zhong – as in Chong

3. Do you accept American dollars? - Ni Jie Mei Jin Ma?

Jie – as in chee (sound as in chicken)+ yay Mei – as in, the sound of the alphabet M in Hindi+the sound of the alphabet A, in English Jin – as in ‘chin’ in English

4. I want to check out. Wo Yao Tui Fang

Yao – as in Ya+O (sound of the alphabet ‘O’) Tui – thhu, as in thh, the sound in thhoda, ‘some’ in English+ue (as in oo+ay) Fang - as in taang, ‘leg’ in Hindi, with F By Gautam Arora For Chinese Classes, log on to: www.chinesedelhi.co.in

5-11 October 2012

G -scape

One Cheer, Chief Secretary Chaudhery Sahib Thank you for the Patch-Work Photo: Prakhar Pandey

Do come regularly The patches won't last long