Desi Express Magazine April 2016

APRIL 2016

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Shraddha Kapoor the “Common Man’s Heroine” ... 14

Imtiaz Ali Speaks on “Difference bet Style & Fashion” ... 16

Emraan Hashmi Pens his Son’s Struggle in “Kiss of Life” … 24

Kangana Ranaut on “Modern Woman & her Identity” … 62

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DESIGN / LAYOUT Rozina Gadhiya

CONTRIBUTING WRITERS Akbar Kassam Rashmi Hemrajani Ruwa Shah Shamsha Issani Indo-Asian News Service

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DESI EXPRESS MAGAZINE For Advertising in Desi Express (404) 246‐3256 | (404) 644‐5893 Fax: (866) 635‐5804 Email : desiexpress@ymail.com Website: www.desiexpressusa.com P.O. Box 930531, Norcross, GA 30093 06

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contents BEAUTY SECRETS: Raid the Kitchen … 18

THE TRAVELER: Vibrant, Lahore … 22

THE FOODIE: Cauliflower Veg. Benefits… 28

PARENTING: Mindfulness & Well Being … 32

MONEYWISE: Avoid College Debt … 36

AROUND TOWN: BAPS Women’s Forum … 44

ADVERTISE WITH US ASK FOR MATCH / BEAT PRICE BUSINESS INSIGHTS: Your Inventory … 48

CHAI LOUNGE: Indian American Big Win … 52

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MOVIE BUZZ: Upcoming Bollywood Movies … 60

BOLLYWOOD BUZZ: Cinema Gupshup ... 62

DID YOU KNOW: Latest News And Gossip … 64

WHAT’S YOUR RASHI: YOUR FORCASTS … 68

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ONE ON ONE

Mumbai, (IANS) Actress Shraddha Kapoor is humbled to find a spot in the Forbes 30 Under 30 Asia list, and says it comes as a motivating factor for her to push the envelope. “It has not been easy to reach this level in order to feature in this prestigious list of achievers. I am humbled and motivated to keep pushing myself," Shraddha said in a statement.

Shraddha is said to be the only name from Bollywood in the list, which also features names like cricketer Virat Kohli and international actor Liam Hemsworth.

The 26-year-old star features in the 2016 magazine issue, and the list features other 3 00 of the top promising young leaders from 10 different sectors.

The “Ek Villain” star is listed under the entertainment and sports sector. Back home, the daughter of actor Shakti Kapoor is known for her acting, dancing as well as singing skills.

This would mark her second time on a Forbes list. Shraddha has earlier ranked 57th on the 2015 Forbes Indian Celebrity 100 with annual earnings of $1.3 million.

Shraddha Kapoor says “Probably it has a big hand to play in it. In all my films, I have played the common woman. Now coming to think of it, I feel it is the biggest reason why audiences have connected with the past three films I have done. In ABCD 2, I come from Nallasopara, so I am a middle-class woman.

I am the common man’s heroine (laughs).

Maybe that identification factor makes people come to the theatre to watch my films.

On the film front, she is now prepping for “Rock On 2” and “Baaghi”.

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FASHION TRENDS

Mumbai Mumbai (IANS) "Tamasha" director Imtiaz Ali feels there is a difference between style and fashion, which people should understand. Imtiaz said he was excited to be present at HT Mumbai's Most Stylish Awards.

Asked what style tips he would like to give youngsters, he said: "I don't know if I am the right guy to give tips on that, but I think style is different than fashion, and people should understand the difference."

Imtiaz has a simple yet distinct style of fashion sense, and is usually spotted in a simple shirt and jeans, and hardly ever in heavy tuxedos or outfits that industry celebrities usually wear.

About the most stylish actor and actress in the industry, he said, "I think Jackie Shroff is the most stylish man in Bollywood. But there are too many stylish actresses, it's hard to name one but I think Smita Patil was very stylish."

Jackie was one of the top actors in the industry in the 1980s and 90s, not just for his performances, but also for his fashion sense, and especially for his dialogue delivery in films and his 'Mumbaiyaa' style of talking where he regularly uses words like 'bhidu'.

And the late Smita Patil was known for her strong performances in non-commercial films of the 1970s the 80s, where she was largely seen in simple outfits.

Imtiaz's last film "Tamasha" starring Ranbir Kapoor and Deepika Padukone released last year. He is currently in talks with Shah Rukh Khan for his upcoming untitled project.

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BEAUTY SECRETS

This season to be beautiful, it’s a great idea to start with things at home. We suggest these ingredients for glowing skin…

Argan oil: Women from Morroco swear by this, as it treats wrinkles, burns, acne and even Psoriasis.

Aloe Vera: From drinking aloe vera juice to applying the gel on the face, this plant has medical values. Its calming and restorative properties can heal damaged skin 72 hours faster, say experts.

Baking Soda: Yes, you might think it is harsh, but baking soda can wash your sink, and also whiten your teeth, banish your bad breath & get rid of bad smells.

Coconut Oil: As children, we were all forced to apply coconut oil on our locks. While we cringed over it, now we understand its worth. Coconut oil penetrates in the skin and prevents water loss and replaces lipids that deplete with aging, it’s a double winner.

Green Tea: Several studies have shown that green tea reduces the effects of UV damage, enhances wound healing, and treats acne.

Honey: Before we had creams and gels, there was honey. Years ago, it was used in wound dressing to accelerate healing. It’s no surprise then that science says it helps. Its topical application also demonstrates antibacterial action, and helps prevent scarring.

Olive oil: Already proven to be a powerful antioxidant in food, olive oil may play an exciting role in reducing DNA damage in skin, too.

Vitamin C: Soak your face in orange juice to get the topical benefits of this powerful antioxidant.

Tea Tree Oil: A study found tea tree oil effective in treating pimples, acne and more.

— By Rashmi Hemrajani

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THE TRAVELER

Lahore (IANS) My fear was palpable as I entered this graceful and cultured Pakistani city that was quite high on my "I cannot ever go there" list because of its projection as a home to violent Islamist fundamentalism. But the moment I stepped in, a lot of misconceptions driven mostly by the media about this country of 200 million people.

The city of monuments, which has a history that stretches even to the times of the epic Ramayana (11th century), is high on food, fashion and fiesta.

And as the world goes to sleep, Lahore wakes up with its nightlife. Across the border, approximately a kilometre from the last Indian point, a wide canal guides your way to the capital of Pakistan's Punjab province. On entering the city in the afternoon, after travelling for about an hour from the Wagah border between India and Pakistan, the hustle and bustle starts and never ends.

The markets and roads remain crowded throughout the night. Men and women hang out, and eat out, until late into the night. Locals say this is quite normal. And fear is nowhere to be seen. "Hamara shehar 24 ghantey chamakta hai jee (This city is alive round the clock)," a cabby tells me, bragging about Lahore's nightlife, sensing that I had come from across the border with pre-conceived notions.

There are coffee shops elegantly set up that offer spaces to read, discuss and hang out. There were boys and girls chatting, laughing and hi-fiving 22

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without appearing gender conscious. The Hollywood and Bollywood presence at such places is widespread.

The place I was sitting constantly played "Gerua" from the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer "Dilwale".

There were black and white posters of some vintage Hollywood actors adorning the walls.

Of course, there were women in veils. But there were those in western style attire too. There were fashionistas wearing long dresses and draped in wide chadors. Apart from the Hindi and the Western cinemas, Pakistani popular film industry, called Lollywood and based in Lahore, also has been instrumental in driving the fashion industry. Women could be seen every where, including in businesses. Women drivers are not rare. Evidently, a good number of women are also in administrative jobs. "For women, it is safe to walk around in the markets during the night, as well," Khan said, rather teasing me if I could say the same about "your Delhi".

Lahore looks glorious because it has retained its past in Mughal architecture, engulfing its peripheries.

Lahore fort, Badshahi mosque, and Shalimar Gardens bring the city more charm. A visit to Minar-ePakistan, the historic tower on which the Lahore resolution is engraved, completed the trip. The city also has an enchanting orchard along its canal. The heavenly flora mesmerize one and offer a sight which is surely a treat for the eyes and the heart.

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SPOTLIGHT Emraan Hashmi turns author with The Kiss Of Life — How A Superhero & My Son Defeated Cancer, a book he has co-authored with Bilal Siddiqi. When it came to writing the foreword, he turned to Akshay Kumar. Akshay agreed and penned the note. Says Emraan, “Approaching Akshay was something I had in my mind since January last year when I was working on the book. Hussain Zaidi, too, suggested that Akshay would be a great person to write the foreword. That just confirmed my opinion. Also, Akshay had reached out to me in the my time of need. After the book was completed, I met Akshay and asked him whether he would write the foreword. He agreed immediately and wrote it in two days.”

New Delhi, (IANS) Actor Emraan Hashmi, who has penned his struggle around his son Ayan's cancer treatment in a book titled “The Kiss of Life: How A Superhero and My Son Defeated Cancer”, will launch the cover.

The cover image will be picked on the basis of votes received from his fans online. Currently filming the fourth installment of "Raaz", Emraan shared a video on Facebook urging his fans to vote for the best cover image.

Actor Emraan Hashmi, who has penned his struggle and hardship around his son Ayan's cancer treatment in a book, has now added a superhero touch to it by titling it “The Kiss of Life: How A Superhero and My Son Defeated Cancer”.

The actor announced the title via Twitter, and thanked the publisher of the book, which is co-authored by Bilal Siddiqi. “So happy to announce the title of my book... 'The Kiss of Life: How A Superhero and My Son Defeated Cancer'. Emraan tweeted.

The book will be published by Penguin Books India in three languages. He added: “Book will release in English, Hindi and Marathi... Will update you all on the release dates soon”. The actor, known for films like “Murder” and “The Dirty Picture”, had last year shared that with his son battling cancer, “the last two years have been the most trying phase of my life. Through it I have found two of my greatest teachers. Cancer and my son”.

Excerpt: Akshay’s Foreword “When I heard of Ayaan’s diagnosis, I felt as if I had been punched in the stomach.

I remember I was driving at that time.

I pulled over, found Emraan’s number and called him immediately because I know what it’s like to have someone you love deeply fall prey to this disease.”

Few people know that Akshay’s father too battled cancer. Emraan too was unaware about it. “I didn’t know that. For me, this phase has obviously had a huge impact on my family. As for Akshay, he is among the healthiest people in the industry. Through the book, we wanted to focus on various issues like why it happened in the first place and aspects like genetic predisposition and what we can do to be aware and take all necessary precautions.”

Reliving the time from Ayaan’s diagnosis to treatment to leading a cancer-free life, has been a learning experience for Emraan. “Before I started writing I knew it was hellish for me to relive those 10 months. But at the same time it proved to be so therapeutic. I had to bring out details, so often I would write about something then think about it deeply and come back with more details after a few days. Sometimes you don’t talk about certain things that you go though, but reliving it can give you a closure. I think that’s what happened with me.”

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THE FOODIE

You'll want to include cauliflower as one of the cruciferous vegetables you eat on a regular basis if you want to receive the fantastic health benefits provided by the cruciferous vegetable family.

At a minimum, include cruciferous vegetables as part of your diet 2-3 times per week, and make the serving size at least 1-1/2 cups. Even better from a health standpoint, enjoy cauliflower and other vegetables from the cruciferous vegetable group 4-5 times per week, and increase your serving size to 2 cups. As with all vegetables be sure not to overcook cauliflower.

Health Benefits: While cauliflower is not a well-studied cruciferous vegetable from a health standpoint, you will find several dozen studies linking cauliflower-containing diets to cancer prevention.

Detox Support Provided by Cauliflower: The detox support provided by cauliflower includes antioxidant nutrients to boost detoxification activities.

Cauliflower's Antioxidant: As an excellent source of vitamin C, and a very good source of manganese, cauliflower provides us with two core conventional antioxidants.

Cauliflower's Anti-inflammatory: As an excellent source of vitamin K, cauliflower provides us with one of the hallmark anti-inflammatory nutrients. Vitamin K acts as a direct regulator of our inflammatory response.

Cauliflower and Digestive Support: The fiber content of cauliflower over 9 grams in every 100 calories makes this vegetable a great choice for digestive system support.

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Other Health Benefits from Cauliflower: The anti-inflammatory nature of glucosinolates/ isothiocyanates and other nutrients found in cauliflower has been the basis for new research on inflammation-related health problems and the potential role of cauliflower in their prevention.

INGREDIENTS: − 1 large onion chopped finely − 1 tsp ginger, minced − 1 tsp minced garlic − 2 green chillies slit lengthwise − 1 bell pepper, finely chopped − 3 tomatoes, finely chopped − 1 cup vegetables (boiled: green beans, carrots, cauliflower) − 1 cup boiled and peeled potatoes − 1/2 cup boiled green peas − 3 tsp Pav Bhaji Masala − 1 tsp red chili powder − 1/4 tsp turmeric powder − Salt to taste − 1/2 tsp lemon juice − 2 buns (called Pavs)

PREPARATION 1. Heat oil in a pan. Add onions, ginger, garlic, and green chilies and sauté till golden brown.

2. Add boiled vegetables and stir.

3. Stir in the Pav Bhaji Masala, turmeric, tomatoes, capsicum and salt. Add slit green chilies and water and mix it well.

Cook for 4‐5 minutes.

4. Mash the vegetables till they are little pulpy.

5. Add lemon juice and serve with toasted buns or other bread.

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HEALTH & FITNESS

London, (IANS) If you have been diagnosed with diabetes for 10 years or even longer than that, don't give up hope as major improvement in blood sugar control is possible!

According to a new study, individuals who suffer from diabetes and successfully lose weight through a very low calorie diet, can reverse their condition and remain free of diabetes for the long term.

In addition, even patients who had type 2 diabetes for up to 10 years can also reverse their condition.

The findings showed that the fat, which accumulated in their pancreas, gets removed as a result of a low calorie diet and thus leads to the normal production of insulin.

"What we have shown is that it is possible to reverse your diabetes, even if you have had the condition for a long time, up to around 10 years," said lead researcher Roy Taylor, professor at Newcastle University in Britain.

Overall 12 patients, who were having diabetes for less than 10 years, reversed their condition.

Six months later they remained diabetes free.

Though the volunteers lost weight they remained overweight or obese but they had lost enough weight to remove the fat out of the pancreas and allow normal insulin production, the researchers pointed out.

The team was also able to identify in advance participants who would not respond to adequate weight loss by reversing their diabetes as at the start they had almost absent insulin production from the pancreas.

"This is good news for people who are very motivated to get rid of their diabetes. But it is too early to regard this as suitable for everyone," Taylor concluded.

Individuals vary in how much weight they can carry without it seeming to affect their metabolism.

If a person gains more weight than what he or she personally can tolerate, then diabetes is triggered, but if they then lose that amount of weight then they go back to normal.

"The bottom line is that if a person really wants to get rid of their type 2 diabetes, they can lose weight, keep it off and return to normal," Taylor maintained.

For the research, published in the journal Diabetes Care, 30 volunteers having type 2 diabetes for between six months and 23 years embarked on a diet of 600 to 700 calories a day. Participants lost on average 14 kg. Over the next six months they did not regain any weight.

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PARENTING

6:00 am - Wake Up | 6:05 am - Workout | 6:35 am - Get Dressed | 6:45 am - Wake up the Kids 6:50 am Prepare breakfast | Handle morning tantrums, reminders to take important materials and books to school, reminders about evening activities and so on. 7:30 am Leave for school drop-off 8:00 am Drop off done! And a big sigh of relief!

The afternoon routines include activities ranging from piano lessons, Tae Kwon Do lessons, Soccer, Kumon, early childhood education classes, visit to the library, assisting with homework assignments and everything in between. Cooking, cleaning and laundry are on-going tasks in the midst of these busy days. Other activities such as academic and sports camps, and organizing play dates are always on the horizon, hence on the To-Do list.

The above schedule tells it all. This is a typical day in my life as a mother of two young boys. This could be a typical day for any parent in today’s fast-paced, highly competitive world. There is a growing concern amongst professionals in the field of education and psychology that the children of today have no space for free, unstructured play time in their day. I am as guilty of not providing this to my children.

Research also shows that the most creative ideas and learning takes place in such unstructured moments in our day. And yet we fail to incorporate quiet and calm relaxing moments in our daily lives. Being busy is becoming a ‘distinctive characteristic’ to have in present times. Every free moment I get, I am planning the next item on my schedule or trying to squeeze in responding to text messages, emails while keeping up with the current news and peeking into the social media sites. Even as we walk into the home, kids are observing their parents are on the phone talking or texting. What message are we conveying to the children?

From the perspective of the child, he feels he now has to compete with this device which is stealing his parents away from him.

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It is time to slow down. It is time to re-connect and be in-sync with our own mind and bodies; in-sync with our children and their enormous sponge-like minds and tiny bodies. In the race to check off the tasks on our lists we are losing touch with Reality. Reality with an uppercase “R”. This term can be interpreted in a variety of ways.

In my opinion, a simple explanation for this term is the reality of our body, mind and spirit.

At a personal level, recognizing and reprioritizing life goals and values took up half of my lifetime. It is ironical, that there was a time in my life when as an idealistic adolescent I was more aligned with my spirit. The realization to re-adjust the moral and spiritual compass is just the beginning. Re-centering and aligning my mind, body and soul has been an uphill challenge. I can say I am still at the bottom of the mountain summoning up inner resources to undertake the climb. The Eastern world, where we come from, has been the cradle of millennia-old tradition of meditation and mindfulness. A seamless connection between the mind, body and soul has been foundational to many faith traditions. It is only a matter of re-centering ourselves to connect with our deeper inner being.

Jon Kabat-Zinn, a biologist coined the term “mindfulness” in the ’70s and brought it into a medical setting. He “defines it as a state of mind: the act of “paying attention on purpose” to the present moment, with a “nonjudgmental” attitude.” Research on mindfulness has been growing and its practice shows improvements in well-being and positive impact on mental and behavioral health.

Mindfulness practice improves attention, reduces stress, and results in better emotional regulation and an improved capacity for compassion and empathy. I would like to leave you, the reader, with this question, what resources can we tap within ourselves and in our traditions to restore our mental and behavioral health and those of our loved ones?

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MONEYWISE

With current economic conditions, the student loan burden may grow even more quickly in the years ahead.

Even as enrollment at state colleges and universities has increased, many states facing budget shortfalls have either cut spending or failed to allocate enough resources to keep pace with the growing student body. Tuition costs have more than doubled, far outpacing the rate of inflation.

At least statistically, a college degree is still a good lifetime investment. But what is the tipping point for students when it comes to taking on debt? The high unemployment rate and competitive job market are compounding the problem. When graduates earn a starting salary of $30,000 on the average, a heavy loan burden forces many to make tough decisions.

Being saddled with such a significant debt burden right out of school may limit the choices for the next generation of students. Achieving such life goals as buying a home, starting a family, or launching a new business, may be postponed until much later in life.

And some young adults may struggle to attain the standard of living they enjoyed growing up.

As parents and grandparents, we certainly want to give our children the best start possible. But meeting our own financial obligations and challenges sometimes means balancing and prioritizing our goals and resources. The best strategy is always to start saving early, albeit circumstances do not always permit us to set aside as much money as we would like. So how do we send our kids to college with-out either selling off their future or compromising our retirement? College financing experts say, involve students in the college planning process, learn as much as you can about how the system works, and develop strategies and compromises (if necessary) to help them reach their goals. Here are some options to consider that may help your student avoid the college debt conundrum.

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Ways to Reduce: Cost of College ● Encourage your child to take Advanced Placement courses in high school, earning college credits at no cost to you! If she also takes a class or two at your community college over the summer, your student could graduate from high school with a full year’s worth of college credits that can be transferred to the university of choice. ● Take advantage of any student interest and aptitude testing or research on in-demand career opportunities available at your child’s high school or elsewhere in the community. With a clear path in mind, your child will be more likely to stay on course and finish her degree in four years. ● Discuss with your child the option to spend the first two years at a local community college before transferring to a four-year university. ● Room and board makes up about a third of college expenses. Talk to your child about living at home and commuting to school to save on costs now, so he can af-ford to move out and live independently after graduation. ● Apply strategically to colleges. State universities are not the least expensive option in all cases. Many private colleges offer generous merit aid for students with strong grades and standardized test scores who pursue specific courses.

Sources: 1) Peter Coy, “Student Loans: Debt for Life,” Business Week, September 6, 2012. 2) “The Next Debt Bubble: College Loans,” New York Post, August 23, 2011. 3) “The Economic Case for Higher Education,” U.S. Department of Treasury and U.S. Department of Education, June 21, 2012. 4) Blake Ellis, “Kids: Live at Home, Get a Job,” CNN Money,

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LOVE PRESCRIPTION

New York (IANS) Bouncing back when someone goes through a rough period in life say a divorce or losing a job, people can struggle considerably and take much longer time to recover back to previous levels of functioning, says a new study. The new research finds that natural resilience may not be as common as once thought and that when confronted with a major life-altering event many people can struggle considerably and for longer periods of time.

"Give the person time to heal" has been the common mantra. This often meant that when these people struggled, they would be left to deal with their situation largely on their own. "We show that contrary to an extensive body of research, when individuals are confronted with major life stressors, such as spousal loss, divorce or unemployment, they are likely to show substantial declines in well-being and these declines can linger for several years," said co-author of the new study Frank Infurna from Arizona State University in the US. "Whereas when we test these assumptions more thoroughly, we find that most individuals are deeply affected and it can take several years for them to recover and get back to previous levels of functioning," Infurna added in the paper published in the journal of Perspectives on Psychological Science. Most psychological studies have supported the idea of a person's innate resilience to the struggles of life. The new research questions prior claims that resilience is the "usual" response to major life stressors by looking at longitudinal data in a more nuanced way and making less generalization about the human response to such dramatic events.

The team used existing longitudinal data from Germany (the German socioeconomic panel study), which is an on going survey that began in 1984 and annually assesses participants over a wide range of measures. The outcome that they focused on was life satisfaction, which assesses how satisfied individuals are with their lives, all things considered, as they pass through years of their lives. The previous research postulated that most people, anywhere from 50 to 70 percent, would show a trajectory characterized by no change.

"We found that it usually took people much longer, several years, to return to their previous levels of functioning," Infurna said. A finding that means giving a person time alone to deal with the stressor might not be the best approach to getting them back to full functionality, Infurna said.

"It provides some evidence that if most people are affected then interventions certainly should be utilized in terms of helping these individuals in response to these events."

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COVER STORY

Deepika Padukone opens up about her personal

experience, having suffered from anxiety and depression, and why is it important to take up the cause of mental health.

Deepika will spread awareness about depression through her NGO The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF)

Most of us think that celebrities have it easy. But what we fail to see behind all the glitz and glamour is that they go through probably the same stress and depression as a common person does. And showing us this side of the coin is Bollywood's top actress Deepika Padukone.

In an interview Deepika talks about her period of depression and how she got through it. And with this interview she also shows that it isn't shameful to accept that you are under depression and seek professional help.

Deepika says that while she was earning accolades in the beginning of 2014, one fine day she woke up feeling different and empty. She refused to communicate this problem to her parents until one day when she couldn't bear it and broke down in front of her mother, Ujjwala Padukone. Her mother referred her to a psychiatrist and after a few sessions and medications, Deepika was back to her happier self.

Deepika said that she was shooting for Happy new Year, one of the biggest blockbusters of 2014, while she was going through this phase in her life. 'Every morning, it was a struggle to wake up, and shoot for Happy New Year's climax', she said. Her mother's psychiatrist friend, Anna Chandy, spoke to her and concluded that she was

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going through anxiety and depression.

She took a two month break after shooting for Happy New Year and gave herself time to recover.

Once she felt better, she came back to Mumbai, only to hear the news of a close friend committing suicide due to depression. This incident encouraged her to speak about depression in public.

She emphasized on the fact that in our society, depression is considered shameful which ceases a lot of people to not discuss their problems with anyone.

There is shame and stigma attached to talking about depression. In fact, one in every four people suffer from anxiety and depression', she said. Deepika said that it was difficult people to believe that she is going through depression. Most people could not see beyond her unparalleled career, her beautiful house, cars, lifestyle. But she presses on the fact that life is not limited to these factors. It’s not about what you have or don’t have. People talk about physical fitness, but mental health is equally important. I see people suffering, and their families feel a sense of shame about it, which doesn’t help. One needs support and understanding.

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COVER STORY Towards the end of the interview, Deepika Padukone talked about her plans to extend support to others who are going through depression.

"I am now working on an initiative to create awareness about anxiety and depression, and help people. My team is working with me to formulate a plan, which will be unveiled soon." Since the interview was published, Deepika has been receiving enormous support from her friends.

After talking about herself openly, Deepika Padukone, plans to launch an awareness campaign that will take her fight against the condition forward. Deepika will spread awareness about depression through her NGO The Live Love Laugh Foundation (TLLLF).

The program titled 'You Are Not Alone' will be launched March 2016. It will focus on educating high school students and teachers on stress, anxiety and depression, while also aiming to reduce the stigma that surrounds mental health.

"Last year, I spoke about my own fight with depression as I felt I could not just sit by and watch as people who were going through what I had gone through.

So, we decided to launch 'You Are Not Alone' with an idea to raise awareness and to enable students

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and teachers to identify signs of anxiety and depression," Deepika said in a statement. Starting with Deepika's own alma mater Sophia's High School in Bengaluru, the awareness campaign will cover over 500 schools in the year.

"We believe that schools can be the first line of defence for emotional and mental health disorders in our youth. We could also help connect the schoolsto counseling organizations and independent counselors if they need such help," Deepika said.

"Our aim is to bring the issue of mental health from theshadows and include this discussion in drawing room conversations from being spoken of in hushed tones,"

added the "Tamasha" actress, who launched her NGO in June 2015 after she cameout about her personal fight against depression.

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AROUND TOWN

Sunday, March 13th, 2016 - In physics, resonance is defined by a phenomenon that follows when a powerful, vibrating system causes another system to oscillate with greater amplitude at a specific frequency. In life, resonance is defined by the innate beliefs and timeless principles that drive an individual’s actions as well as his/her physical and mental state of mind. Harmony within mind and body resonate harmony within our surroundings.

This year, the tenth annual BAPS Women’s Conference at BAPS Shri Swaminarayan Mandir in Lilburn, Georgia provided a renewed approach to more than 600 attendees on balancing three major aspects of one’s life through the theme of “Life in Resonance”: cultural identity, work-life balance, and emotional health. In today’s world, everyone is constantly striving for balance, whether it be at school, work, or at home. While self-help books and online forums can be great sources of inspiration for those seeking this type of balance; open discussions among peers can often have a greater impact in making this a more achievable goal.

Dr. Angelina Mehta, a Doctor of Naturopathic Medicine and Staff Sergeant in the United States Marine Corps Reserve, and Mrs. Kirna Parikh, a retired mother of three, were two of the selected speakers who delivered insightful messages on building pride in one’s identity through confidence in one’s intrinsic beliefs and practices. Dr. Mehta shared, “Embracing who I am as a culture and an individual with pride allows me to more openly accept and appreciate everyone else I encounter. By maintaining our culture, and appreciating others' cultures, we are an artistically tasteful society. ” Circling the ever-debatable topic of maintaining a work-life balance, a panel discussion moderated by Mrs. Sweeney Patel, explored various practical methods and solutions, including self-introspection, for our chaotic lives.

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seeking clarity and filtering out purposeful priorities from The panelists also pressed on the importance of family harmony for one to realize themselves as a part of ‘we’ and ‘ours’ versus ‘I’ and ‘mine’. In order for us to truly be able to entertain any sense of progress, we must take care of our body. Dr. Heena Bhatt, a Doctor of Ayurvedic Medicine, discussed if our health fails it can overshadow everything else we do. She explored how diet and exercise influence the body, and in turn the mind. Lastly, the delegates were reminded of the immense power that spirituality holds in practicing the above-mentioned principles of self-awareness and introspection by Mrs. Avani Patel, a Registered Nurse.

In the end, we leave everything behind in this temporary world, allows us to remain grounded and unperturbed through the wavering highs and lows in our life. This knowledge is quintessential for a content mind and a healthy self.

The conference was then addressed by the keynote speaker, Mrs. Pragya Singh, wife of Consul General of India, Mr. Nagesh Singh. Having traveled and lived in different countries in various parts of the world, Mrs. Singh shared, “One thing that I have learned through my experiences is that no matter where you live or where you come from, each culture provides you something novel and valuable.”

Spreading this message of science, practicality and spirituality across the nation, the conference was held in 12 cities with attendees from various personal and professional backgrounds. Panel discussions and Q&A sessions enabled the speakers to effectively communicate their experiences and thus, enrich the audience with practical applications to bring balance into their lives. The conference delegates were reminded not only of the necessity for maintaining stability, but also of their inherent strengths which allow them to pursue this very goal.

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FINANCIAL NEWS

Though many Americans give generously to charity, the majority donate through “checkbook philanthropy,” writing checks or giving small cash donations to a variety of charities - often in response to solicitations. While every contributor makes a difference, regardless of the size of gift that is given, taking such a spontaneous approach is often not in the best interest of the donor or the charity. Through planned giving, donors take a more deliberate approach to giving that considers their personal values, select the non-profits and gift-giving methods that best honor those values, and maximize the financial and tax benefits of their gifts. Whether your gift is in the hundreds of dollars or the thousands of dollars, a planned approach to charitable giving can help your donations go farther and make a greater impact.

Evaluating Charitable Causes Before you donate, take some time to be proactive and intentional about your giving. To create a charitable giving plan, give some thought to these questions: • What causes are important to you and your family?

• How much involvement do you want to have with the charity?

• What are your specific goals for giving?

• What changes would you like to affect?

• How much do you want to give?

• Is maximizing tax benefits an imp consideration?

• Would you like to make charitable provisions in your estate?

Online tools at CharityNavigator.org and GuideStar.org can help you begin the vetting process by searching charities that meet your criteria and support your goals. Once you create a short list of potential charities, contact them and ask each for a copy of last year’s audit findings. The report may be more detail than you need; but it goes to show that the 46

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Agency performs yearly audits, and they are willing to share financial information. The most efficient charities are able to grow their revenue at or above the rate of inflation, continue investing in their programs and save some funds for lean times.

Also request results of a few independent evaluations of the charity’s work; look for evidence that the organization is actively reviewing and improving its practices. Rather than blindly earmarking your donation for a specific purpose, ask for the charity’s needs assessment to help determine where your donation is most needed.

Reducing Income Taxes If you itemize deductions, your cash gift to a qualified non-profit may entitle you to a charitable contribution deduction on your income taxes.

If you’re in the 33% tax bracket, the actual cost of a $100 donation is $67 ($100 less the $33 in tax savings). The real cost of a charitable contribution decreases as the income tax bracket increases, providing the wealthy with the most incentive to donate. There are limits to how much you can deduct, but the limits are very high. If you contribute to a public charity, your deduction maximum is 50% of your adjusted gross income.

Making a Difference Charities need monetary donations to do their good work, but they also need willing volunteers.

Plus, volunteering with an organization is a great way to familiarize yourself with an organization’s programs.

As we approach the season of gratitude, consider giving your time or resources to help your community or a cause that’s close to your heart.

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BUSINESS INSIGHTS

Proper management of your inventory is key to your bottom line. To get a handle on what's in your shop, you need to either choose the right inventory software program or decide where to outsource inventory management.

Your inventory is the lifeline of your retail business, and it's vitally important to monitor that lifeline consistently. Your goal is to be well stocked on inventory items that are moving, be on top of hot-selling items that need to be re-ordered, and stay aware of the dead wood, that is, inventory items that are not selling but merely taking up space on your shelves. While a wide range of excellent point of sale (POS) inventory management software products are on the market, the bottom line is that you, as a retailer, need to be on top of your inventory situation. Computer programs cannot, and should not, make your decisions for you.

produce purchase orders and keep send track of orders.

There's an art to inventory management that comes with experience and observation.

Remember, software programs are simply tools of the trade. A good retailer analyzes the data from the software and plans ahead. Looking at an inventory spreadsheet, you should be able to track ongoing sales of each item, find the profit margins, and know how much of an item remains in stock. While the printout may tell you it’s time to re-order, only you can determine if the item is out of favor with clientele, out of season, or out of date.

In-house or outsourcing

Choosing the right software

Conversely, some retailers prefer to pay for expertise.

After all, professionals in inventory management have a background in the field and can use their knowledge and training to make quick and sound decisions based on sales data. An expert can more accurately forecast future trends, find vendors or product lines that will increase your sales profits, and weed out failing product lines. Outsourcing can be a timesaver and ultimately a cost saver if you do not have enough time to handle it.

Obviously, comparison shopping and recommendations from other retailers are advantages when shopping for inventory management software. Most software today can provide data in many configurations, such as best-selling items, most overstocked or under stocked items, etc. Additionally, many software applications can 48

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There are other things to consider in a good POS inventory system.

1. Does the software track inventory by classification and department? Note: This feature can be very helpful to determine where to best display merchandise for optimal sales possibilities.

2. Can the software track seasonal products?

3. Is there a manner of tracking of special orders?

4. Purchases ordered electronically from vendors?

5. How are returns integrated into the system when items are re-stocked?

The bottom line is to ensure that the software suits your needs and is user-friendly.

A few factors can help you to determine which is best for you. First, the size and diversity of inventory items will affect your decision. If you are not closely familiar with all of the inventory that you carry, then you may have a more difficult time passing that intimate knowledge on to someone else.

Next, time will be a factor. Do you have time to analyze the data in order to make all of your numerous inventory decisions knowledgeably? Are you comfortable with such inventory management? Many retailers learn by trial and error and see huge profits in the end.

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CHAI LOUNGE BUDGET 2016: NRIS WITHOUT PAN NOT TO BE SUBJECTED TO HIGHER RATE OF TDS NEW DELHI: Finance Minister Arun Jaitley in his Budget 2016 speech said that Non-resident Indians (NRIs) without PAN will not be subjected to higher rate of TDS. "Non-residents without PAN are currently subjected to a higher rate of TDS. Budget 2016 proposes to amend section 206AA of the Income-tax Act so as to provide that TDS shall not be deducted at a higher rate in case of non-residents not having PAN, subject to prescribed condition," said FM Arun Jaitley.

"It is proposed to amend the relevant provision to provide that on furnishing of alternative documents, the higher rate will not apply," the Budget says. FM Jaitley in his Budget speech outlined the nine pillars on the basis of which he hopes to enhance India's economic growth. From focus on agriculture to tax and financial sector reforms, Jaitley said that Indian economy is resilient amidst the current global economic turmoil. "Global economy is in a serious crisis. Financial markets have been battered but Indian economy has held its ground firmly."

INDIAN-AMERICAN REGISTERS BIG WIN IN CONGRESSIONAL PRIMARY WASHINGTON: Indian-American Raja Krishnamoorthi, who was an adviser in President Barack Obama's 2008 poll campaign, has registered a big win in the Democratic Congressional primary in the US state of Illinois by defeating the state Senator.

Krishnamoorthi's win brightens the chance of yet another person of Indian-origin to be elected to the US House of Representatives in the November general elections.

Born in New Delhi, 42-year-old Krishnamoorthi, an attorney and entrepreneur, polled 57 per cent of the votes in the eighth Congressional District of Illinois as against his two other rivals State Senator Mike Noland (29 per cent) and Deb Bullwinkel (13 per cent). In the November 8 general elections, Krishnamoorthi now faces Peter DiCianni of Republican party who ran unopposed during the primary.

If elected, Krishnamoorthi would join Ami Bera, 51, the only Indian-American lawmaker in the current US House of Representatives in the next Congress beginning January next year. Bera is seeking his third-term in the November general elections.

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CHAI LOUNGE INDIAN RESIDENTIAL PROPERTY TO ATTRACT $1 BILLION INVESTMENT: MILESTONE CAPITAL ADVISORS SINGAPORE: Residential property in India is expected to receive USD 1 billion investment this year, given its attractive rate of returns averaging at a high of 20-22 per cent per annum, an industry expert said here today. "Private Equity funds in Indian real estate sector has already raised USD 420 million in the first two months of this year, compared to USD 520 million for the whole of last year," said Rubi Arya, executive vice chairman of the Mumbaibased Milestone Capital Advisors Ltd. "Investors can look forward to far higher transparency and ease of doing business with developers with the recently passed real estate bill. This has led to a lot of warming up of Non Resident Indians (NRIs) and Foreign Direct Investments towards Indian real estate," she noted. The availability of foreign capital will naturally increase with the government permitting NRI investments into domestic Alternate Investment Funds.

TWO INDIAN-AMERICANS WIN FIRST PLACE IN SCIENCE CONTEST New York (IANS) Breaking a three-year dry spell for IndianAmericans, two 17-year-old high school students have won the top prize of $150,000 with their medical-related projects in the prestigious Intel Science Talent Search contest, the society for Science and Public (SSP).

Although Indian-Americans have formed one of the largest ethnic contingents year after year at the contest and won several prizes, none had won the top prize since 2012 when Nithin Reddy Tumma received it for cancer research.

Two of the $75,000 second prizes, and two of the $35,000 third place prizes this year were also bagged by Indian Diaspora teenagers. Amol Punjabi won the First Place Medal of Distinction for basic research for developing a software that could help drug makers develop new therapies for cancer and heart disease. He is from Marlborough in Massachusetts.

Maya Varma's smartphone-based lung function analyzer won her the First Place Medal of Distinction for innovation. Maya Verma used $35 worth of hobbyist electronics and free computer-aided design tools to create the low-cost device that diagnoses lung disease as accurately as expensive devices currently used in medical laboratories, the SSP said. She is from Cupertino in California.

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CHAI LOUNGE AMAL CLOONEY TO DISCUSS FREEDOM OF EXPRESSION IN INDIA New Delhi, March 15 (IANS) British human rights lawyer Amal Clooney, who is married to Hollywood icon George Clooney, says she is looking forward to her trip to India and is eager to initiate a dialogue on human rights and freedom of expression in the country. Amal, who specializes in international law and human rights, is coming to India to be a part of India Today Conclave 2016 here later this week. “I am thrilled to be returning to India, and to be participating in the Conclave with such a distinguished group of professionals. I look forward to a fruitful and timely discussion on human rights and freedom of expression in India today,” Amal said in a statement. The discussion comes at a time when India is seeing a debate on intolerance and freedom of speech and expression.

ASIF KAPADIA WINS OSCAR FOR ‘AMY’ Los Angeles, (IANS) British filmmaker of Indian origin Asif Kapadia bagged the Best Documentary Feature Oscar for “Amy”, based on the life of late singer Amy Winehouse, here on Sunday.

Actress Daisy Ridley and British actor of Indian descent Dev Patel handed over the trophy to the film’s producer James Gay-Rees and director Kapadia, who won a Grammy Award for “Amy” earlier this month. The documentary uses archive footage to tell the story of the “Rehab” hitmaker’s life and premature death. She died at the age of 27. These are the first Academy Award nominations and win for Kapadia and Gay-Rees. The film also won a British Academy of Film and Television Arts (BAFTA) honor.

PAKISTANI FILMMAKER WINS OSCAR FOR BEST DOCUMENTARY Los Angeles, (IANS) Pakistani filmmaker Sharmeen Obaid-Chinoy won the Oscar for Best Documentary-Short Subject for her project based on honor killing titled “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness” at the 88th Academy Award ceremony. She has previously won the Oscar for her 2012 documentary “Saving Face” where she brought forth the plight of Pakistan’s acid attack victims. Her film, “A Girl in the River: The Price of Forgiveness”, is about Saba Maqsood, whose only “fault was falling in love”. It follows her journey for justice after she survives being shot and thrown in a canal by her family members for marrying a man of her choice.

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MOVIE BUZZ

Fan RELEASE DATE: APRIL 15, 2016 STARRING: SHAH RUKH KHAN, WALUSCHA DE SOUSA, SHRIYA PILGAONKAR Mumbai (IANS) From panning the camera to the life of a celebrity to splashing shades of darkness with a focus on a fan's obsession the trailer of Shah Rukh Khan's “Fan” didn't just turn out to be a treat for the superstar's real life fans, but also left stars of the tinsel town spellbound. From Salman Khan, Karan Johar to Varun Dhawan, members of the film fraternity raved about the film, calling it 'FAN'tastic, and saying that they can't wait for the film to hit the screens. The film will bring forward a story about a fan's obsession towards a star, and how the admiration turns into a negative thing when the star dispels his love for him. The catch in the film is that the fan is star's lookalike, and how he uses it for his advantage when he turns his 'biggest enemy'.

Jungle Book RELEASE DATE: APRIL 15, 2016 STARRING: NEEL SETHI, BILL MURRAY, BEN KINGSLEY, IDRIS ELBA, LUPITA NYONG'O, SCARLETT JOHANSSON, GIANCARLO ESPOSITO, CHRISTOPHER WALKEN Mowgli is a human boy raised by the Indian wolves Raksha and Akela ever since he was a baby and brought to them by Bagheera the black panther. When the fearsome Bengal tiger Shere Khan threatens his life since man isn't allowed in the jungle, Mowgli leaves his jungle home. Guided by Bagheera and Baloo the bear, he sets out on a journey of self discovery while evading the man-hunting Shere Khan. Along the way, Mowgli encounters jungle creatures who do not exactly have his best interests at heart, who trY to coerce Mowgli into giving up the secret to the elusive and deadly "red flower".

Baaghi

Love Games

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 29, 2016 STARRING: TIGER SHROFF, SHRADDHA KAPOOR, SUDHEER BABU Mumbai (IANS) Actors Shraddha Kapoor and Tiger Shroff sport a grunge rebel look as they exude a fierce attitude in a poster of upcoming film "Baaghi". Tiger, who is seen flaunting his toned abs in the poster, captioned the image on Twitter: "Abhi toh humne start kiya hai! (We have just started!) Presenting the 'Baaghi' poster."

Sporting a rugged attitude, Shraddha, who can be seen sitting on a chair wearing a pair of grey jeans and an orange ganji, shared the same caption for the poster. Baaghi" marks the second film for Tiger, who is the son of actor Jackie Shroff.

RELEASE DATE: APRIL 01, 2016 PATRALEKHA, TARA ALISHA BERRY, GAURAV ARORA, RUKHSAR REHMAN Mumbai (IANS) Actress Patralekha, who debuted in Bollywood as a devoted wife and doting mother in "CityLights", was appreciated for her performance in the film. However, she says many offers that came her way post its release, weren't to her liking. The actress will now feature in Vikram Bhatt's "Love Games". she will be seen in a bold avatar, something different from what she played in her debut film. "As an actor, what I am doing now is exactly opposite to what I did in 'CityLights', so it was very challenging for me. My character in 'Love Games' is very different and not relatable, so I had to work a lot on it," she said.

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BOLLYWOOD BUZZ

MODERN WOMEN HAVE STRONG SENSE OF IDENTITY New Delhi (IANS) National Award-winning actress Kangana Ranaut, known for her outspoken and honest views, feels that the modern woman is smart, confident and has a "strong sense of identity". "The modern woman is smart, confident and independent. She has her own opinions and a strong sense of identity. Today's women know how to express themselves and carry their attitude with unmatched style!" Kangana told reporters. "Women are no longer allowing anything to define them, apart from their own selfexpression," she added. "There are no hard and fast rules that I play by. My sensibility is all about boho chic," Kangana said, while adding that modern Indian women are "way more fashion forward and confident in the way they dress. They're experimenting, they're moving forward with styles.”

MY FANS DESERVE TO KNOW WHAT HAPPENED TO ME: HONEY SINGH Dubai (IANS) Popular rapper Yo Yo Honey Singh, who has opened up about his struggle with bipolar disorder and alcoholism, says he disclosed his issues to his fans and well-wishers because they deserve to know the reason behind his absence from showbiz. Asked how he gained courage to speak about his problems to the world, Singh said : “As an artiste, I believe that I am not my own property. I am the property of my fans.

So I thought that they deserve to know about what exactly happened to me.”

I’LL MEET YOU AGAIN ON THE OTHER SIDE MAA: RAJKUMMAR RAO’S TRIBUTE TO MOTHER Mumbai (IANS) Actor Rajkummar Rao, whose mother breathed her last on March 11, has penned an emotional tribute to her, saying “I’ll meet you again on the other side”. Rajkummar, Bollywood’s critically acclaimed actor, wrote on his Facebook page on Saturday: “You are the best mother in this whole world.

Thank you for being my mom, my strength, my inspiration and my pride. Thank you for always being there. Thank you for teaching me everything in life and for always supporting me in everything.

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SEVEN SINGERS CELEBRATE UNITY FOR HOLI Mumbai (IANS) A music video titled 'Deewaren- #IndiaUnites', featuring singers Sukhwinder Singh, Shaan, Kunal Ganjawala, Javed Ali, Suraj Jagan, Ash King and Jonita Gandhi, has been launched with the motive to celebrate unity for the festival of Holi. "The power of music is ubiquitous. There is something about music that can heal you, shape you, and change the way you are feeling.

We fused music and a strong story to drive home the message that we need to stand together and unite in the face of adversity,” said Vinay Jaiswal, partner at The Moody Nation.

PREITY ZINTA SHARES 'CHOORA' SELFIE POST MARRIAGE Los Angeles (IANS) Bollywood actress Preity Zinta, who married American beau Gene Goodenough last month, shared an image of herself in a 'choora' (red and white bangles, denoting a newly married woman in Hinduism in North India) on social media. The dimpled beauty, who made the announcement on her official social media pages just days after news of her secret wedding here surfaced, held a chat with the twitterati on the micro-blogging website on Sunday where her fans asked her about the new things which are part and parcel of marriage. The “Salaam Namaste” actress posted a selfie of herself, flashing the "choora" with a smile on her face

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DID YOU KNOW ?

LOS ANGELES, CA – The Indian Film Festival of Los Angeles (IFFLA) announced its 2016 lineup of narrative and documentary features, short films, and galas for its 14th annual festival. Opening the festival on April 6th is the U.S. premiere of the ensemble powerhouse ANGRY INDIAN GODDESSES, from filmmaker and four-time IFFLA alum Pan Nalin.

Anu Menon’s poignant WAITING, starring Naseeruddin Shah and Kalki Koechlin, closes the festival with its North American premiere on April 10th.

Gala tickets and passes are now available at www.indianfilmfestival.org.

Tickets for individual films will go on sale on March 18, 2016.

The festival is widely recognized as the premiere showcase of groundbreaking Indian cinema globally. IFFLA will run April 6-10 at Arc Light Hollywood in Los Angeles, the festival’s home since its inception. “India’s independent filmmakers are taking bold risks, defying convention, and responding to injustice in each of these visionary films, and the results are breathtaking,” said Mike Dougherty, Director of Programming.

“I’m extremely excited for our Los Angeles audience to experience these films, which have garnered raves from around the world, or are making their world premiere with us.” This year the festival will feature three world premieres, including IFFLA alum Kranti Kanade’s CRD, two North American premieres, and ten U.S. premieres.

PARENTHOOD EXPOSES YOUR FAILINGS: SRK Mumbai (IANS) Bollywood superstar Shah Rukh Khan, who has three children sons Aryan and AbRam and daughter Suhana says parenthood is a journey that exposes one's “failings” and “fears”. “Parenthood is a journey through someone else’s life into your own.

It exposes your failings, fears, ability to love, hold on and most importantly, to let go,” Shah Rukh posted on Twitter.

DEPRESSED? BLAME IT ON SOCIAL MEDIA New York (IANS) Are you the one who is always clicking new selfies to be posted on Instagram or who updates the tiniest details of life on Facebook? Chances are that you are probably depressed! According to a new study, the more time young adults spend on social media, the more likely they are to be depressed.

Engaging in activities of little meaning may give a feeling of "time wasted" that negatively influences mood.

EACH FILM A GREAT LEARNING EXPERIENCE: SIDHARTH Mumbai (IANS), Actor Sidharth Malhotra, who is basking in all the positive response coming his way for “Kapoor & Sons”, says he is still a ‘student’ in showbiz as “each and every film has been a great learning experience” for him. “I have been fortunate enough that different kind of roles are coming my way. Each and every film has been a great learning experience for me as an actor,” Sidharth said in a statement.

Sidharth entered Bollywood with “Student of the Year” in 2012, and since then he has explored various roles like a lover out for vengeance in “Ek Villain”, guy-next-door in “Hasee Toh Phasee” and a boxer in “Brothers”. The latest is family drama “Kapoor & Sons”. Sidharth will be seen next in “Baar Baar Dekho” opposite Katrina Kaif in a love story which spans over 60 years.

ANUJA SATHE TO PRESENT AWARD AT INDIA-BANGLADESH MATCH Mumbai (IANS) Actress Anuja Sathe, who is currently playing the role of an aspiring cricketer Dharaa in TV show “Tamanna”, will be part of the post-match presentation ceremony of the India-Bangladesh World Twenty-20 match in Bangalore on Wednesday and will give away the Man of the Match award. “Tamanna”, aired on Star Plus, tells the story of a small town girl, Dharaa Solanki who aspires to make it big in the field of cricket.

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WHAT’S YOUR RASHI ?

Aries ( 21 March – 19 April ) - It is a particularly energized time for collective awakenings, political uprisings, personal discoveries of amazing innovation and of radical and seemingly overnight lifestyle changes. Potentials, whether they have been building for awhile or whether they show up fresh, can be especially vibrant now. Whatever is created is ultimately up to you, so know this is an exceptional time for you to take a test drive on a new course of action. You can make good progress with health regimes too. The period fires up fresh impetuous.

Favorable Dates : April 1, 8, 10, 19, 17, 28 Favorable Colors : Green & White

Libra ( 23 September – 22 October) – This month helps you to refine ambitions, wants, regimes and strategies and get better use out of your time too. It will make you more practical, regimented, or humbled. It’s a good placement for those looking for a new job or those working hard at studies, savings or health regimes. This month should help you to gain a better feel for what’s sitting on the horizon and perhaps for what can be coming down the pipe too. There will be no stopping you.

Favorable Dates : April 2, 3, 11, 12, 20, 29 Favorable Colors : Blue & White

Taurus ( 20 April – 20 May ) - This month puts the spotlight on family and home concerns, career security, material ambitions and needs, Watch for significant unearthing, surfacing and revelations to create a deep impact. You could become clued in to something that completely alters your perspective or decisions.

There can be break-through or break-ups, startling news, information leaks etc. There can be a re-visitation or resurfacing of something from your past. It can force an official or legal stand, a significant re-prioritizing, or some other difficult step forward.

Favorable Dates : April 2, 7, 11, 16, 25, 29 Favorable Colors : Yellow & Red

Scorpio ( 23 October – 21 November ) - A consideration, ambition, personal slight, injustice, or cause can send you into over-drive. You’ll attack everything with great enthusiasm or great fight. You may find yourself on the offense or the defense, but you certainly will not be playing middle of the road.

It’s time for you to create a better degree of separation from relationships, self-sabotage, financial folly and from crisis consciousness too. You are at the helm of your own life and it’s up to you to create it better. This can be a pinnacle time for realization and actualization.

Favorable Dates : April 2, 5, 14, 20, 23, 28 Favorable Colors : White & Brown

Gemini ( 21 May – 20 June) - It is not the time to focus on long-range plans, but to give your absolute all to the existing setup. This month can signal your break-out or break-fee time.

Once something launches, look for it to take-off with lightening speed. Work, health, physical appearance and your social life are likely to be on the betterment roster. Pay attention to those intuitive or inspirational flashes as they could lead to something quite significant. Test the waters on a new way of living within yourself and concentrate on freeing yourself from selfundermining or other bad habits.

Favorable Dates : April 2, 5, 11, 14, 20, 23 29 Favorable Colors : Yellow & Red

Sagittarius ( 22 November -21 December ) - You can surpass a personal or professional milestone and achieve something of great significance to you. A previous goal or someone influential or important to you can factor into the equation. A contract, certified status, official position, or stand could mark the dividing between your past and your future. You may be forced to exert your authority more or take on a more responsible role regarding career, finances, or family matters. Don’t back down from a professional challenge, stretch your ambitions, let it fuel you to new heights.

Favorable Dates : April 3, 5, 16, 19, 22, 29 Favorable Colors : White & Brown

Cancer ( 21 June – 22 July) -. A new romance or creative project could fire up quite significantly for you. The period could put you on the move, professionally or personally. There can be an important, perhaps official event to attend, legal matters or contract negotiations to deal with. An influential person could make a significant appearance too. You could hear longawaited news or find yourself back in touch with someone you have not heard from in a very long time. Educational, marketing or publishing ventures can be advanced or revamped this time.

Favorable Dates : April 5, 14, 19, 23, 25, 29 Favorable Colors : Blue & Red

Capricorn ( 22 December – 19 January ) - Watch for clues and flashes of inspiration and let synchronicity light the way.

You are about to discover new resources and capacities that have lived within you unrealized until now. A hot new source of income could be your new green initiative. Expectant parents can look forward to an especially smooth go of things. It’s also a terrific getaway month, especially for lovers and performers. When you meet someone new, you’ll feel like you have known them for lifetimes. Travel, romance, social opportunity, promotional activities, and contract deals are favored.

Favorable Dates : April 2, 5, 11, 14, 23, 29 Favorable Colors : White & Brown

Leo ( 23 July – 22 August ) - The stars write a new journal entry now. All you have to do is to keep yourself in motion, synchronicity will do the rest. You should find that you instantly gravitate to specific people or potentials and that you’ll know right away whether the fit is a good one for you or not. It’s wise to pull back expectations and to simply concentrate on doing your best with what you have to work in this particular moment.

Watch for something unexpected to surface and be prepared to revamp your plans, strategies, or budget.

Favorable Dates : April 2, 9, 11, 18, 20, 27 Favorable Colors : Yellow & Red Virgo ( 23 August – 22 September) - It’s time for new might and new fight. Don’t hold back, stay ambitious, and give it your all. You could find yourself facing new options, challenges, or responsibilities, or suddenly find the need to scramble faster in order to bring things up to proper speed. It’s a great time to sign a contract, to make a large investment, or to seek attention and favour from the new person in charge. You should be better able to put focus to specifics and essentials, and find yourself to be less wasteful with resources, money, or time.

Favorable Dates : April 3, 8, 12, 17, 26, 30 Favorable Colors : Yellow & Red

Manish Kumar Arora K.P. Astrologer, Numerologist, Tarot Card Reader & Vastu Consultant Phone: +91-9871062000 E-mail: manishastrologer@rediffmail.com Facebook: www.facebook.com/manishastroconsultant

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APRIL 2016

DESI EXPRESS MAGAZINE

Aquarius ( 20 January – 18 February) - You will want to make the most of this upcoming new cycle and it is important to set the stage now. Looking to your short-range goals, the facilitating month can bring significant achievement and results.

Whether your ambitions center on romance, creative endeavors, issues with children, or vocational or educational aspirations, the planets are set to help you to improve the odds and to make a good thing better yet. There can be a sudden pulling of the plug, but ultimately you stand to gain.

Favorable Dates : April 2, 11, 18, 20, 27, 29 Favorable Colors : Yellow & Green Pisces ( 19 February – 20 March) - Your work, business, or health regimes will benefit from a fresh infusion, so aim to create a freer schedule, scout for new product lines or investments, get more sports minded and try a new approach to your fitness programs. Keep an eye on the horizon, a new stream of prospects, considerations, or avenues are sure to appear as the month advances. Take the stage or podium, implement new marketing strategies get out there to enjoy a busier social life. If your current circumstance offers a newly found freedom.

Favorable Dates ; April 1, 5, 10, 14, 19, 22, 28 Favorable Colors : Blue & Brown All astrological predictions are to be considered friendly advice based on the author’s personal opinions and used for entertainment purposes only.

These are not to be considered as promises, guarantees, or psychic predictions.

They are simply potentials to be used at the reader’s own discretion.

For important decisions, consult your personal intuition, doctor, accountant, lawyer, educator, or clergy as needed. It is best to be informed on all levels.

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1707 Church Street, Dectur, GA 30033 - Inside Mirage Sarees (Private Office)

DESI YELLOW PAGES RESTAURANTS AGHA RESTAURANT 4790 Peachtree Indl. Blvd.

Berkeley Lake, GA 30071 (678) 368‐4186 www.agharestaurant.com

ASHIANA RESTAURANT Global Mall, 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvrd #101, Norcross, GA 30071 (770) 446‐8081 www.theashiana.com

BANDU KHAN 6010 Singleton Rd, Ste 202 Norcross, GA 30093 (770) 557‐0969

BAWARCHI BIRYANI POINT Location 1.

6627 Roswell Road NE, suite A, Abernathy Square Atlanta, GA ‐ 30328 (404) 255‐5052 Location 2.

2500 North Point Ct. Alpharetta, GA 30022 www.atlanta.bawarchibiryanipoint.com

BOMBAY GRILL 2165 Savoy Drive, Chamblee, GA 30341

CAFE BOMBAY 1622 Woodcliff Dr Atlanta, GA 30350 (404) 320‐0229 www.cafebombayatlanta.com

CHAAT KA CHASKA 375 Rockbridge rd NW. Ste # 129 Lilburn GA 30047

CHOPAATI 1707 Church St Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 296‐2965 www.chopaati.com

GEORGIA HALAL MEAT 1707 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 254‐4651

GOKUL SWEETS ‐ RESTAURANT Location 1.

Patel Plaza 1709 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30033 Location 2.

763 Dekalb Industrial Way, Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 299‐2062, (678) 974 5656 www.gokulsweets.com

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LAZEEZ TAVA FRY 4650 Jimmy Carter Blvd Norcross, GA 30093 770‐939‐1221 www.lazeeztavausa.com

LUQMA RESTAURANT 1706 Church Street Decatur, GA 30030 (404) 477‐1400 www.luqma.com

MINT RESTAURANT 2340 Atlanta Hwy, Cumming, GA 30040 404‐406‐9700 / 470‐253‐8722 www.mint‐indianbistro.com

PARADISE BIRYANI POINTE 5310 Windward parkway, Alpharetta,GA 30004 (678) 339‐0068 www.gabiryani.com

PAKWAN 3099 Breckinridge Blvd., Duluth, GA 30096 (678) 878‐4066

ROYAL INDIAN CUISINE 4315 Abbotts Bridge Road, Duluth, GA 30097 678‐473‐0300 www.royalindianatlanta.com

ROYAL SWEETS ATLANTA 1685 Church Street #106, Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 464‐5427 www.royalsweetsatlanta.com

SABRI KABAB HOUSE 6075 Singleton Road, Norcross, GA 30093 770‐263‐6004 www.sabrikababhouse.com

TAVA INDIAN BISTRO Patel Plaza 1711 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30033

THE MUGHALS 5345 Jimmy Carter Blvd. Ste J1 Norcross, GA 30071 (770) 446‐6941

TASTY TAVA GRILL 1850 Lawrenceville Hwy, Decatur, GA 30033 404‐633‐4444

786 KEBAB & CURRY 1905‐B Mall of Georgia Blvd, Buford, GA 30519 678‐546‐0085

AMMA KITCHEN 390 Cumming Street, Alpharetta, GA 30004 770‐475‐7776

CURRYLICIOUS 2400 Satellite Boulevard Duluth, GA 30096 678‐878‐3410 www.curryliciousatl.com

ASMA’S CUISINE 3099 Breckinridge Blvd #114b, Duluth, GA 30096 (678) 380‐9548 www.asmascuisine.com

BHOJANIC Location 1.

3400 Around Lenox Drive, Atlanta, GA 30326 Location 2.

1363 Clairmont Road, Decatur, GA 30033 404‐841‐8472, 404‐633‐9233 www.bhojanic.com

ISTANBUL CAFE 1850 Lawrenceville Hwy #100 Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 320‐0054

KABAB HUT 880 Indian Trail, Lilburn, GA 30047 770‐925‐4440 www.kbhut.com

KARACHI BROAST & GRILL 5775 Jimmy Carter Blvd Ste‐180, Norcross,GA 30071 (678) 291‐0101 www.karachibroastandgrill.com

LAHORE GRILL 1869 Cobb Parkway S. Ste 150 Marietta, GA 30060 (678) 398‐9868 www.lahoregrill.com

BUKHARAA RESTAURANT 3651 F Peachtree Pkwy Suwanee, GA 30024 (770) 817‐1371 www.bukharaa.com

CHAI PANI 406 West Ponce de Leon, Decatur GA, 30030 404.378.4030 www.chaipanidecatur.com

CHAT PATTI Patel Plaza 1709 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 633‐5595 www.chatpattiatl.com

CHINESE DHABA Location 1 ‐ Patel Plaza 1713 Church Street Suite A2, Decatur, Georgia 30033 Location 2 ‐ Global Mall 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Ste 770, Norcross, Georgia 30071 Location 3 ‐ Duluth 3083 Breckinridge Blvd, Ste 130, Duluth, GA 30096 404‐736‐6453 www.chinesedhaba.com

INCHIN’S BAMBOO GARDEN 11105 StateBridge Rd, Ste 200, Alpharetta , GA 30022 770 622 1445 www.bamboo‐gardens.com (678) 515‐8203

NAAN ‘N’ CURRY 3083 Breckenridge Boulevard, Duluth, GA 30096 770‐807‐7270

MASALA INDIAN CUISINE Patel Plaza 1713 Church Street Decatur, GA 30033 404‐296‐9999 www.masaladecatur.com

NAANSTOP 64 Broad Street NW, Atlanta, GA 30303 404‐522‐6226 www.naanstop.com

NILGIRI’S BAKERY & CAFE 2569 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming, GA 30041 404‐917‐0106 www.niramish.com

PALACE RESTAURANT 6131 Peachtree Parkway, Norcross GA. 30092 (770) 840‐7770 www.thepalaceatl.com

SHAHI GRILL 851 Oak Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30044 678‐205‐5819 www.shahigrillatl.com

SHALIMAR KABAB & GRILL Killian Hill Crossing, 4760 Lawrenceville Highway, Lilburn, GA 30047 (770) 674‐4395 www.shalimarkababatl.com

DESI EXPRESS MAGAZINE

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DESI YELLOW PAGES HAVEN LOUNGE 375 Rockbridge Road, Lilburn, GA 30047 404‐889‐2321 www.havenfusion.com

PATEL BROTHERS 1711 Church Street Decatur, GA 30033 404‐296‐2696 www.patelbros.com

SRI KRISHNA VILAS Location 1.

5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Ste #765 Norcross, GA‐30071 (770) 447‐0049 Location 2.

5815 Windward Pkwy, Ste 100 Alpharetta, GA 30005 (770) 475‐9195, (770) 807‐8945 Location 3.

2255 Callaway ct Cumming, GA 30040 (470) 239‐8804, (770) 333‐9899 www.skvilas.com

SHIVAM GROCERIES 1812 Lower Roswell Road, Marietta, GA 30068 770‐971‐7448

TABLA 77 12th Street, Atlanta, GA 30309 404‐464‐8571

UDIPI CAFE 3300 Peachtree Industrial Blvd, Duluth,GA 30096 (678) 584‐5840 www.udipicafegeorgia.com

URBAN SPICE 4120 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005 678‐566‐0169 www.urbanspiceatlanta.com

ZYKA RESTAURANT 1677 Scott Blvd Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 728‐4444 www.zyka.com

GROCERY STORES GEORGIA HALAL MEAT 1707 Church Street, Decatur, GA 30033 (404) 254‐4651

CHERIANS INTERNATIONAL Location 1.

2255 Peachtree Parkway, Cumming, GA 30041 Location 2.

751 Dekalb Industrial Way, Decatur, GA 30033 • (770) 888‐4141, (404) 299‐0842 www.cherians.com

AKSHAR 475 Rockbridge Road, Lilburn, GA 30047 770‐717‐9882

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SHREEJI CASH ‘N’ CARRY 5675 Jimmy Carter Blvd, Norcross, GA 30071 470‐395‐5279 www.shreejicashncarry.com

BISMILLAH IGROCERIES 279 Powers Ferry Road, Marietta, GA 30067 770‐565‐8859 AL HAMRAH 895 Indian Trail Road, Lilburn, GA 30047 770‐381‐2006

APNA BAZAAR 3083 Breckinridge Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096 770‐807‐7776

INDIA PLAZA 2905 Jordan Court, Alpharetta, GA 30004 678‐867‐0388 www.indiaplazallc.com

NEW DELHI IMPORTS 4025 Satellite Blvd, Duluth, GA 30096 770‐623‐9560 www.newdelhiimports.net

SHAHI BAZAAR 851 Oak Road, Lawrenceville, GA 30044 770‐972‐5878 www.shahibazaar.com

SPICES HUT 4150 Old Milton Parkway, Alpharetta, GA 30005 770‐410‐9477 www.spiceshut.com

SUVIDHA Location 1.

425 Ernest Barrett Parkway, Kennesaw, GA 30144 Location 2.

3495 Peachtree Parkway, Suwanee, GA 30024 (770) 419‐7112 / (770) 292‐1992 www.suvidhaonline.com

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