Friday Gurgaon-Sept 28-Oct 4 by Friday Gurgaon

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Vol. 2 No. 6  Pages 24  ` 7

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

Gaige, from China A resident of Aralias What do you like about the City?

{Inside}

The Good Middlemen

he District Mediation Centre in Gurgaon also offers arbitration and counselling to estranged married couples. They have helped many avoid a messy divorce. ...Pg 6

MCG Moving: Slow & Steady

CG Commissioner Sudhir Rajpal talks about MCG initiatives, and the development of the

It is one of the best cities for children to live in, as they are exposed to many things – cosmopolitan culture, years’-old traditions, and poverty.

Global Gurgaon

What do you not like about the City?

Of course pollution and traffic. Besides, I think Gurgaon doesn’t have any embassy school in the City. If you want your kid to learn Chinese, you will have to send him/her to an embassy school situated 20 Km far, in Delhi. Best Chinese Restaurant: Hao Shi Nian Nian Best Hang-Out Place: For Chinese, there is hardly any hang-out place, except a few restaurants where our community conducts parties once a month. Favourite Pastime: Playing games. Thankfully, the City is abuzz with gaming cafes. My favourite is Gamerz, MG Road.

Shopping Destination: DT Mega Mall

Nicolas, from Belgium A resident of DLF Phase V What do you like about the City?

Here, people are very hard-working. They work for more than eight hours a day. I think my family and I are learning a lot from Gurgaonites. Plus, everybody seems to be very satisfied and happy – even the poor street kids (smiles).

What do you not like about the City?

‘new’ Sectors – especially of the villages within. Has there been any learning from the current mess? ...Pg 7

The Centre of the NCR...Too

ow do you pull a Gurgaonite away from the routine of Mall crawls? Come take a trip to Connaught Place-the FG way! ...Pg 14

The City is still developing. I have been living here for the past 6 years. Condition of roads and traffic is still the same. Nothing has changed. Best Belgian Restaurant: To my knowledge, there is no Belgian restaurant in the City. However, German cuisine is very much like Belgian food, and the City has a lot of German restaurants. My favourites are 7 Degree Brauhaus and Rockman’s Beer Island. Thus it is not difficult for a Belgian to settle down in the City. And yes, I like Rich Belgian chocolate served by Gelato Vinto. Best Hang-Out Place: Kingdom of Dreams, DT Mega Mall, and Rockman’s Beer Island. Favourite Pastime: Watching Bollywood movies (smiles). I wish these were available with German sub-titles (in Gurgaon). As of now, there are just two shops in Connaught Place selling DVDs of Bollywood movies with German sub-titles. Shopping Destination: Delhi. I find Gurgaon very expensive in comparison to Delhi.

Chung Ae, from Korea A resident of Sector 56 What do you like about the City?

Protect your Family & Property from Pests like

Termites

Cockroaches

Infrastructure.

What do you not like about the City?

I think it is hard for a foreign girl to settle down in the City. Here people are not very friendly and forthcoming to foreigners, especially to those coming from Asian countries. On the first day of my visit to college I came across some rowdy guys on the street. It doesn’t happen in my country. It is therefore important for a foreign girl to keep all the safety measures in place. Learning self-defence is a great way to protect yourself. Best Korean Restaurant: Gung, The Palace, Sector 29 and Tomato, JMD Regent Arcade. Finding authentic Korean taste is difficult though. Best Hang-Out Place: I mostly go out with my Korean friends. Parties organised by Internations are always good, as the

crowd is very decent. Favourite Pastime: Writing and Bird Watching (laughs). I was jumping with joy when I saw a blue peacock at my friend’s terrace. A visit to Sultanpur National Park is on the cards. Shopping Destination: Connaught Place, Delhi

Ivanna, from Russia A resident of Palam Vihar

What do you like about the City?

I love Indian festivals. I suggest Gurgaonites to have their own festival – Gurgaon Festival.

What do you not like about the City?

I think people are not very sensitized towards the needs of the poor. Every weekend I go to a nearby slum to teach the poor kids. A lot of foreigners are joining me. But support from Indian families, specially Indian women, is minimal. Best Russian Restaurant: There is no Russian restaurant in the City. And now, after spending 10 years in the City, I like Indian food more than Russian cuisine. My favourite restaurants in the City are Dana Choga and The Great Kabab Factory at Park Plaza. For authentic Russian taste, I go to “August Moon” in Greater Kailash. Best Hang-Out Place: Epicentre and Kingdom of Dreams Favourite Pastime: Love watching Bollywood movies. That is why I learnt Hindi. Shopping Destination: Ansal Plaza and Ambience Mall

Ethan, from Australia A resident of Beverly Park What do you like about the City?

I love the spirit of its people. They cruise through heavy traffic day and night. Most of them work six days a week. It is commendable.

What do you not like about the City?

I have spent nearly seven years in Pune. It is a buzzing city with modern infrastructure, yet traditional. Gurgaon, on the other hand, is not a traditional city at all. Here everybody is busy earning money (laughs). Best Austrailian Restaurant: Well, Australians love continental food. However, I love Indian food too. My favourite restaurant in the City is Pind Balluchi, Sector 29. Best Hang-Out Place: I am a born beer guzzler. I love going to Striker, Rockman’s Beer Island, Vapour, and Howzatt. Favourite Pastime: Spending time with my son. Shopping Destination: Ambience Mall. Here all foreign brands are available under one roof.

Isidro, From Spain A resident of DLF Phase I What do you like about the City?

The hustle and bustle of the city and the business opportunities this City gives and the new friends you can make every day.

What you don’t like about the City?

The heat and dust can be really bad in the City. I miss the good Spanish food and the clean air. Best Spanish Restaurant: I like Cuisino and Bar Zen at Courtyard of Marriott. But, the knowledge of Spanish food is very low in Indian. They hardly know anything beyond Paella and Tortillas. Best Hang-Out Place: Kingdom of Dreams Favourite Pastime: Spending time at Spanish Cultural Centre in Delhi. Hope to have one like that in Gurgaon too. Shopping Destination: Usually, I go to malls, as there is no choice.

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

RNI No. HARENG/2011/39319 Postal Regn. No. GRG/35/2012-2014 VOL.–2 No.–6  28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Editor:

WORKSHOP  NIGHTLIFE  EXHIBITION  MUSIC  ART  DANCE

day that promises healthier, greener and livelier alternatives to living. The objective of the mela is to disseminate information about a greener lifestye. On offer are Workshops, food, interactive sessions, and even shopping – all the healthier way!

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

I Love India series....Colours of India @Art Alive, Sector 44 Date: September 26 to October 31 Time: 4:30 pm to 6:00 pm

Theatre

Pankaj Yadav Sunil Yadav Manish Yadav

Accts. & Admin Mgr: Deba Datta Pati Head – Sales & Marketing:

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

special concert featuring Yo Yo Honey Singh with Mafia Mundeer Live. Enjoy a power packed evening as the popular Punjabi Rapper bets out favourite numbers and keeps the audience on their feet!

Workshops

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

Coming Up

USP Evenings – Play Reading @Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44 Date: September 30 Time: 6:00 pm onwards Registration Fees: Rs. 500

dramatised play reading of Neil Simon’s ‘The Good Doctor’. Directed by Sunil Gupta, the cast includes Amar Raj Singh, Rohit Ohri, Ramesh Thakur, Vanessa Ohri, Ruby Kapoor, Gagan Singh, Geetu Verma, Vikas Verma, Ravi Kapoor, Farah Singh, Siddharth Vohra and Arati Singh. Enjoy an evening of incredible wit and humour.

The proceeds from the fund-raiser will go towards the saving the lives of 6 children that need immediate medical attention. For donor cards contact: dolly.malvai@genesis-foundation.net. Cell +919811268189

Music

Thumri, Dadra, Kajri & Sufi Recital @Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44 Date: September 28 Time: 7:30 pm

Yo Yo Honey Singh & Mafia Mundeer Live @ Kingdom of Dreams, Sector 29 Date: September 30 Time: 8:30 pm onwards

5 Looks of Ganesha @ Studio Anmol, C 55 A, South City I Date: Up to September 30 Time: 11:00 am to 7:00 pm

rtist Anju Kumar unveils 5 different looks of Lord Ganesha in her latest collection – a tribute to Lord Ganesha. Contact: 32226926

Date: September 18 to October 28

Awesomesauce @Epicentre, Apparel House, Sector 44 Date: September 29 Time: 7:30 pm to 9:00 pm Tickets: Rs. 150 to Rs. 350

Thumri, Dadra, Kajri & Sufi recital, by Meenakshi Prasad, disciple of Savita Devi. The perfromance will be followed by ‘Glimpse Of Varanasi’, a duo kathak recital by Nalini-Kamalini, disciples of Jitendra Maharaj.

Fair n evening of laughter with Tanmay Bhat, as he takes to the stage with music, stand up and sketch.

Concert

Art

Get Alive's Shoebox Full Of Smiles

Theatre

rt Alive, in collaboration with Flow India, presents Colours of India. Get your child (between 8 and 14 years) to participate in a magical journey that explores the great artists of the 20th century. Rooted in art history, the Workshop combines recognising an artist’s style and the vocabulary of art appreciation, by using a range of innovative techniques.

Hara Bhara Mela @Shiv Nadar School, DLF City, Phase I, Block E, Pahari Road Date: September 30 Time: 11:00 am to 7:30 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

Music

An Evening Of Jazz @Zorba, Mehrauli Gurgaon Road Date: September 28 Time: 7:00 pm onwards

FG Invites Citizens n Are you interested and concerned

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? If yes, write to us at letters@fridaygurgaon.com, with a brief background of yourself, with contact number(s). 2–8 March 2012

Vol. 1 No. 28  Pages 24

`7

319

RNI No. HARENG/2011/39

For The Other Half

{ Abhishek Behl / FG }

{Inside}

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

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

enesis Foundation presents an evening of Jazz with Sonam Kalra and the Treble Makers, along with Arati Rao and the Kaya Quintet. Kalra, a vocalist trained in Indian classical music, will perform with the Treble Makers – Alex Fernandes – piano, Brennon Denfer – upright bass, Anthony Quadros – saxophone, and Joshua – drums. Bangalore-based Rao will be performing with her band – The Kaya Quintet.

An affordable London Gallery is hosting an Art Expo, wherein participating artists from Europe and Africa will be flying in to Gurgaon, to support an outreach programme for the prevention of Cancer. Date: September 27 to 30 Time: 11:00 am to 8:30 pm Venue: Epicentre, Apparel House, Sec 44 For details, contact:

Kuldip Rihal-+919899017759

C eleb W atch

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Rang Rasiya @ Art Mart

irector Ketan Mehta showcased his movie Rang Rasiya, based on the life of the 19th century Indian painter, Raja Ravi Varma. A selection of works―inspired by Bollywood, Hollywood, and other genres of popular and experimental cinema― were also showcased.

Flavor of Mughals

izwaan Ali Khan and Muazzam Ali Khan, nephews of Sufi legend Ustad Nusrat Fatheh Ali Khan, walked into the Mughal world recreated by Flavor of Mughals to relish the cuisine of the Nawabs. They gave their fans a chance to pose with them. Rizwaan Ali Khan, while savouring Kebabs said, “We both love Mughlai food. The cuisine connects us with our roots, our family and our culture. Flavor of Mughals is one of those places that serve authentic Mughlai food, the kind we cherish. All thanks to Chef Bishan who cooks like a true Mughlai khansama.”

Playing 100 Years of Indian Cinema

Pakistani Folk Night

akistani folk sensation Arif Lohar rocked the floor at a newly opened Club in the City. The evening was full of glitz and glamour, and the guests danced into the wee hours. Arif's folk music is representative of the traditional folk heritage of Pakistan and Punjab.

Princess of ‘Miniatures’ unveils Mini Cooper

he trendy mini car, Mini Cooper, was launched in the City by Bird Automotive. The miniature art rendition of the Mini Cooper by Studio Kishangarh was unveiled by Princess Vaishnavi Kumari of Kishangarh. Painting, as an art form in Kishangarh, has been a very old tradition, dating back nearly 350 years. Housed in Phool Mahal Palace, at the foot of the Kishangarh fort, Studio Kishangarh was founded in 2010, by Princess Vaishnavi Kumari. “I preserved the traditional form of Kishangarh miniature painting by introducing the Mini to Indian mythology, with influences of ‘Radha Krishna’. I hope the connoisseurs will appreciate the rendition of the fabled Mini Cooper,” said Princess Vaishnavi Kumari of Kishangarh

Dhrupad Treat

ne of India’s leading exponents of the Dhrupad style of music, Umakant and Ramakant Gundecha, aka Gundecha Brothers, performed at The Heritage School. They mesmerised the audience with raga Darbari Kanada, with a detailed alaap and Dhrupad in Chautal. They concluded with short renditions of Shiddha Kauns and Sohini, which were highly appreciated by the audience.

ndia's youngest Piano artist, Abhay Goyle, performed at the Epicentre – to celebrate ‘100 Glorious Years of Indian Cinema’. Abhay, known for his captivating piano skills, enthralled the audience. He played Hindi film melodies from the 1950s to the current Bollywood numbers. The crowd cheered when he played songs such as ‘Mere Sapno Ki Rani’, ‘Pal Pal Dil Ke Paas’, and ‘Abhi Na Jao Chhod Kar’. It was a treat to watch the young pianist celebrate the magnificent hundred years of Bollywood in his own special way.

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

BOOK

cinema

Inspire Yourself { Alka Gurha }

{ Vijaya Kumar }

positivity, Madhavi talks about focusing on all the good in our lives. She goes on to elus the title suggests, ‘What Life cidate steps to believe in the power of posiTaught Me’, by Madhavi Advani, is a tive thought – that drives away stress and motivational book – that underlines the depression. The inspiring book provides a step-by-step approach importance of cultivating our to live life to its highest minds. Most inspirational potential. The chapter books promise their readers on etiquette, manners the potential of realising the and values is insighttrue magnificence of life, ful, as it motivates the and the power of positive reader to embrace thinking. There is plenty courtesy, kindness in ‘What Life Taught Me’, and gratitude. that motivates the reader Written in simple to incorporate a simple, yet appealing prose, yet powerful, philosophy this slim volume is inof living. terspersed with some According to the author, inspirational quotes “The book is an attempt and stories. However, to share with my readers there are parts where self-motivating articles that the book adopts a I have written, based on preachy tone, and the my personal experiences, reader yearns to relate and which I have grown more to real life expeto passionately believe riences than historical in. I have seen incidents anecdotes. around me that have led We live in stressto positivity and peace ful times ,where disilin life. Above all, this is lusioned youngsters to induce faith and belief WHAT LIFE TAUGHT ME are increasingly falling in my readers about life: Author: Madhavi Advani prey to depression and make them believe in their Publisher: Serene Woods anxiety. This is where a own selves, follow their Price: Rs. 200 motivational book like passion, have faith and Genre: Self-help ‘What Life Taught Me’ stay positive.” becomes significant. u In the first chapter on

CINEMA

THIS WEEK

PVR: Ambience Premier Oh My God Time: 10.30 am, 1.20 pm, 4.10 pm, 7.00 pm, 9.50 pm Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal Time: 10.40 am, 1.45 pm, 4.50 pm, 7.55 pm, 10.55 pm Resident Evil - Retribution (3D) Time: 11.00 am, 1.15 pm, 3.30 pm, 5.45 pm, 8.00 pm, 10.15 pm Rebel (Telegu) Time: 1.05 pm Thandavam (Tamil) Time: 4.20 pm Pinky Mogewali (Punjabi) Time: 7.35 pm Barfi! Time: 10.30 am, 1.35 pm, 4.40 pm, 7.45 pm, 10.50 pm Heroine (A) Time: 10.00 am, 10.30 pm PVR: Ambience Gold Oh My God Time: 11.30 am, 2.20 pm, 5.10 pm, 8.00 pm, 10.50 pm Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal Time: 11.00 am, 7.25 pm Resident Evil - Retribution (3D) Time: 2.05 pm, 10.30 pm Heroine (A) Time: 4.20 pm Address: 3rd Floor, Ambience Mall,

NH-8 Website: www.pvrcinemas.com PVR MGF: MGF Mall Oh My God Time: 10.00 am, 11.00 am, 12.50 pm, 1.50 pm, 3.40 pm, 4.40 pm, 6.30 pm, 7.30 pm, 10.20 pm, 11.15 pm Resident Evil - Retribution (3D) Time: 10.00 am, 12.15 pm, 2.30 pm, 4.45 pm, 7.00 pm, 9.15 pm, 11.30 pm Heroine (A) Time: 10.20 am, 1.25 pm, 4.30 pm, 7.35 pm, 10.40 pm Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal Time: 10.40 am, 1.45 pm, 4.50 pm, 7.55 pm, 10.55 pm Barfi! Time: 10.00 am, 1.05 pm, 4.10 pm, 7.15 pm, 10.20 pm, Rebel (Telegu) Time: 10.15 am, 4.45 pm Thandavam (Tamil) Time: 1.30 pm, 8.00 pm Pinky Mogewali (Punjabi) Time: 9.20 pm Address: 3rd floor, MGF Mall, MG Road Ph: 0124- 4530000 PVR Sahara: Sahara Mall Oh My God Time: 10.30 am, 1.20 pm, 4.25 pm, 7.15 pm, 10.05 pm Resident Evil - Retribution (3D) Time:10.00 am, 3.20 pm, 8.40 pm Kamaal Dhamaal Malamaal Time: 12.15 pm, 10.55 pm Barfi! Time: 5.35 pm

QU I Z The 4 Prize-winning entries of the ‘talkingalcohol. com’ Quiz, that appeared in the September 7 issue, are: 1) Kuldeep Kumar 2) Anjay Kumar Congratulations! 3) Shipra Roy Please contact: 7838003874 4) Sumit Kumar

R eviews/L istings

he first word that is spoken in Madhur Bhandarkar’s 'Heroine' is ‘Bastard!’. Not a very pleasant beginning, one may say, but the opening scene isn’t pleasant either. Kareena Kapoor, who essays the title role, gets thrown out of a car, mutters the B word, and stutters to a police station. Kareena plays Mahi Arora, a top film actress, who finds it difficult to come to terms with what she construes as failure; and helplessly watches herself drawn into a whirlpool of emotions – love, jealousy, anger, possessiveness, arrogance and helplessness. Kareena’s performance is outstanding; her presentation of imperfections in her character are perfect. The final scene—in which she finds the clue to happiness— is impactful. Madhur Bhandarkar, who has written the script (assisted ably by Niranjan Iyengar), has provided a story line and scenarios that provide ample opportunities for Kareena to emote. In fact, the best moments are those where Madhur poignantly brings out the frailties of Mahi. It is easily Madhur’s best directorial effort. However, he has unnecessarily 'exposed' Kareena. The song and dance sequences could have been done away with. The rest of the star cast—Arjun Rampal, Randeep Hooda, Ranveer Sheorey—also deliver superbly, in this heroine-oriented film. Even the stalwart Govind Namdeo, who plays the role of the heroine’s loyal secretary, makes his presence felt in a

♦ The Magisterial Enquiry into the ‘Mahi borewell death’ of June 20th. has been completed by ADC KM Pandurang, and handed over to DC Meena. 6 persons have been held responsible – the building owner, the caretaker, sarpanch, gram sachiv, panch of the Ward, and the owner of the boring machine. ♦ The Administration has created a Rs 1 lakh fixed deposit in the name of the sibling of Mahi, who will receive interest on this annually. ♦ Gurgaon Circle has the second highest theft of electricity in Haryana. ♦ DHBVN has revived the ‘Theft Informer Scheme’, and has been informed of 715 cases so far, under this scheme. The informer receives 20% of the realized amount, and 10% is distributed among the DHBVN officials. Informers can call 01662-221527 or 18001801011 (too free) during office hours, or email at hookacrook4dhbvn@yahoo.co.in, or hookacrook4dhbvn@gmail. com. The system would work on code words, and the identity of the informer would be protected. Separately, plans are being finalized for the bifurcation or augmentation of all the overloaded feeders of 11KV level, having more than 200 ampere load. ♦ Food Safety Officer Surender Poonia and his team have been conducting ‘raids’ at various outlets in the City, to check for misbranded or unsafe food items, by taking samples. With the festival season approaching, checking of sweets has been taken up specially. Some food products have already been found

Kareened

Heroine directed by: Madhur Bhandarkar cast: Kareena Kapoor, Arjun Rampal, Randeep Hooda genre: Drama distinguished manner. Amongst the female supporting artistes, Helen is the only one who is impressive. A serious problem with Heroine is its length. Despite that, Heroine is a must-watch. u

THE WEEK THAT WAS misbranded or unsafe. Penalties can be a fine up to Rs 2 lakhs for selling misbranded food items; and a fine up to Rs 5 lakhs, plus imprisonment of up to 3 years for selling unsafe food items, under the Food Safety & Standards Act. Any one can file a complaint about adulteration at dcgrg@nic.in and dcgrg@hry.nic.in. ♦ Ranjiv Dalal, DG Police, Haryana, took the salute at the Passing Out Parade of 638 male police recruits at Recruit Training Centre, Bhondsi. 400 out of these recruits will be deployed in Gurgaon. The recruits of this 6th Batch have been especially trained on computer knowledge and photography DGP also confirmed that the outdoor surveillance system, with high-tech cameras on the main roads of Gurgoan, would be in place in the next 6 months. ♦ The Haryana Veer and Shaheedi Divas was observed on Sep 23rd., at the War Memorial at John Hall, Civil Lines. ♦ The Bandh called by opposition parties on Sep 19th evoked a mixed response, with the maximum impact at Sadar Bazaar. The State has taken action to prevent misuse of shamlat – common land –in villages. In 9 MCG colonies, no NOC would now be needed for registering any sale deed for land less than 1000 sq m. ♦ A school bus driver is held for running over and killing a 7 year old student; A truck driver is stabbed to death, and robbed of Rs 20,000; A retired policeman dies in police custody – SHO and others booked;

A priest kills a man by pushing him over a hill, allegedly to avoid repayment of a Rs 10,000 loan. ♦ Relatives vandalise a private hospital, after a patient dies, allegedly due to poor treatment. ♦ An ASI (Police) in Sec 14 shoots self accidently. ♦ 3 car-theft masterminds caught in an encounter. ♦ A Delhi customer for a used Mercedes, owned by a Gurgaon resident, is duped of Rs 17 lakhs by middlemen. ♦ A bank Manager and 2 property agents are booked for duping a customer of Rs 32 lakhs; a company executive on a motorcycle is hit, and he is robbed of Rs 3 lakhs. The Indiabulls executive, who had gone missing, was found in an unconscious state on Meerut Road. Illicit liquor worth Rs 35 lakhs is seized – was on way to Gujarat, as part of a growing ‘mafia’ operation. ♦ Reebok MD, COO and 3 others are in 7-day police detention, over alleged fraud of hundreds of crores. ♦ A HUDA Exec Engineer was charge sheeted, and 3 JEs suspended, for not undertaking repair of Southern Peripheral Road as directed. ♦ MCG slaps fine on 59 high-rise buildings for violating fire safety norms; fire NOC is mandatory for buildings over 45m height. ♦ Haryana signs MOU for 5 Biomass Power Projects of 51MW, at an investment of Rs 230 crores. ♦ One more private fire station, of DLF, comes up in DLF Phase V. ♦ An ex-Judge inspected the toll plaza as an Observer, and has submitted his report to the High Court.

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Swarthma Rocks

ith their unique Indie-rock style, Swarthma rocked the floor at a microbrewery in the City. The Bangalore-based Indian Rock Band featured popular singer Vasu Dixit – on vocals and the rhythm guitar. The band was featured on the Soundpad compilation of IndieIndian music.

Kathak Nayak

n accomplished Kathak performer of the Jaipur Gharana, Monisa Nayak, enthralled the guests with her perfect moves and brilliant expressions. Her performance has always been marked by the command of rhythm, and she possesses a natural flair for profound expression. She has been honoured with Sangeet Natak Academy's National award – the 'Ustad Bismillah Khan Yuva Puraskar'.

Haryanvi Made Easy

Get a taste of the local lingo

1. I think the winter season is approaching. Manne laage seke jadde aa gaye 2. The mornings are getting very cold . Tadki tadak ghannaye jadda reh se. 3. I should take my winter clothes out. Manne apne jadde ke latte Kaad

Dene Chaiye

4. You be careful, you might catch a cold. Dhyaan rakhiye na te jadda laag

jaayegi taney

5. Why doesn't it snow here? Yaade baraf kya tayin na padhti?

C eleb W atch

Lorraine Thinkers’ Forum

ne of the important tasks of a thoughtful civil society is to create and sustain as many areas as possible of informed discussion and debate. In a country of this size and talent, that space has remained surprisingly small. An inclination towards passivity, a wide latitude for compromise even if it involves the abandonment of important values, a fragile and misguided sense of nationalism which prevents us from facing things squarely, a desire to get on with one’s own existence at the expense of wider societal implications are some of the usually touted culprits. In addition, we harbour a misplaced notion of critique, viewing it in the light of a criticism rather than an essential prerequisite for growth in the fullest sense, as individuals, as society and as a nation. LAMP Trust is taking the initiative to facilitate such a space for dialogue. We are organising “The Thinkers’ Forum” to be held in the City on Saturday 6th October and Sunday 7th October, 2012. This Forum will facilitate an exploration on the issue of leadership, an issue that we all debate in some form or the other and that impacts our lives in myriad ways, some direct and others rather more subtle. In the Indian context, the “quality of leadership" issue has long been an abiding staple of political and social discourse. In keeping with these concerns, this year’s theme is “The Application of

Principles in an Age of Opportunism: Principle Centred Leadership”. “The Thinkers’ Forum” is open to thinking leaders – professionals and entrepreneurs, who are concerned not only about the ethical foundations of their own professional and businesses practices but also of society at large. We trust this forum will represent a refreshing challenge, an opportunity to think and dialogue with others

who have and express their views on ethical and philosophical matters, where a carefully selected package of readings supports the dialogue and where excellent moderation engages every participant through the time we spend together. The session would span three hours. We have the privilege of having Managing Director of Turbocam India Pvt. Ltd., Mr. Duncan Watkinson with us who will moderate the sessions. There are a couple of seats available for the session on Sunday 7th October. Those interested to participate , call: Aubrey Aloysius – 99101-43344 for the invite.

06 { Abhishek Behl / FG }

ven if your marriage is on the rocks don’t rush to the courts to get a divorce. Conciliation and Arbitration, through Mediation Centres, is worth a try. The Indian government and the judiciary, after having realised that the massive legal pendency could lead to delayed justice, are increasingly embracing the concept of Mediation, that goes back centuries. Take the case of a Gurgaon couple who wants to get separated after spending 30 springs together, and raising their daughters successfully. Or a young Double Income No Kids (DINK) couple, that has filed a case for divorce in the Gurgaon Family Court just a couple of months after tying the knot. These two examples are on the extreme, but there has been a substantial increase in the number of divorce petitions in the Millennium City. The institution of marriage is coming under pressure, with a western lifestyle and consumerism starting to overwhelm Indian family values. The District Mediation Centre gets almost 100 cases every month, and almost half of these are resolved to the satisfaction of the petitioners, says Nutan Yadav, a senior lawyer and Mediator. There are seven such Mediators in Gurgaon, who are trained specifically for this purpose by the Punjab and Haryana High Court. All the Mediators are experienced, and need to have minimum of 10 years practice, before being appointed on this post. Not only matrimonial disputes, but suits for injunction, specific performance, recovery, labour management disputes, and Motor Accident Claims have met with a positive result during mediation, says Nutan Yadav. The main objective of the mediation process is to discuss the issues openly, let the people find solutions themselves, and try and ensure that families do not break up, says Yadav. It is clear that matrimonial cases are the most difficult to handle, as they involve social compulsions, sentiments, and motivations, along with views of the couple and the family towards life, future security, and the role of an extended family. In the case of many couples, Yadav says, often very irrational and emotional factors lead to the disputes; the role of the children, who have their own selfish motives, especially over property issues, also plays an important role. In such cases the role of the Mediator is very crucial, as they need to find an answer that does minimum damage to the parties. Yadav says their role is to guide the parties to look for solutions, rather than venting their anger on each other. “As a Mediator, we give suggestions and advice to the two parties, and sometimes also push them towards seeing reason. We try to bridge the gap between the parties, and arrive at a consensus. We listen, try to become friends, and make them understand each others’ point of view,” says Yadav. Referring to the complexity of the matrimonial disputes, Justice Manju Goel of the Delhi High Court, in an article on ‘Successful Mediation of Matrimonial Disputes’ writes: “The Mediator, therefore, has to be fully equipped to meet the situations. The inputs that a Matrimonial Counsellor is required to have include the knowledge of social customs, knowledge of religious sentiments, an insight into the psychology of the estranged people, the rights and liabilities of the parties in the socio– economic context, so on and so forth. The Counsellor, therefore, has to have knowledge as well as sensitivity. It

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

C ivic/S ocial

The Good Middlemen may well be debated as to whether a true marriage Counsellor is born or made. Undoubtedly one who has traits of maturity, wit, humour, creative intelligence and diffusibility (ability to diffuse tension) can be more successful than others, in matrimonial mediation.” Citing one of the many cases where mediation has worked wonders, Yadav tells about a couple that had filed a divorce petition, and the case was referred to them for conciliation. “Before the mediation the couple were bitter with each other; but after they sat and discussed the matter amicably, with us guiding them, the issues were resolved. The husband bought a flat for the wife, pays maintenance, and is paying for the education of the two kids. They have separated, but now act as friends rather than enemies,” she reveals. If the case had gone to the family courts it would have taken years to come to any settlement. When couples are told about the impossible situations that they could find themselves in after a divorce,

Mediation in progress

they prefer to climb down from extreme stands. A lawyer says that many times the couples undergo an emotional catharsis during the process. Another positive element in the mediation process is that the settlement, if stamped by the Court, is full and final. “There can be no review petition or appeal before the higher courts, once the parties have accepted the settlement by the Mediation Centre,” says lawyer Harish Bhardwaj, who is also a trained Mediator. Bhardwaj says that the concept of mediation is gaining acceptance because it helps in resolving disputes in a very short period of time, as compared to regular courts. “It is cost effective, as people can save paying heavy fees to lawyers, and even the court fees. If a settlement is arrived at in the Mediation Centre, there is even a provision that their court fees can be refunded,” he adds. He also says that parties involved in litigation could request the judge to refer the case to the Mediation Centre. This is because the mediation process takes place through a referral order. Even after the mediation, the referral judge plays an important role; if a settlement takes place, it is his job to examine whether the agreement is lawful and enforceable. He can also modify and amend the terms of settlement, with the consent of the parties. Mediation is also a private process, and ensures that lurid details of a family dispute are not made public. The statements made during the mediation can not be disclosed without the written consent of all parties. Vandana Agarwal, a Mediator, says that mediation can be both

court referred as well as a private mediation – where people approach the Centre prior to filing a case in the court. In her opinion, the mediation process would best serve the purpose of society if people approach the Centre for dispute resolution prior to going to the courts. Agarwal says that this process is participative, gives control to the parties, is voluntary, simple and flexible – and is also confidential. Legal experts say that mediation is not new to India; before the arrival of the British, the country had a very strong and robust dispute resolution mechanism in the form of Panchayats. Village elders and respected members of the society were asked to mediate in family and business cases. It was after the imposition of the British Adversarial System of litigation that traditional methods of dispute resolution went for a toss, and the Indian Courts, particularly after freedom, were unable to handle the increased litigation. Experts say that the concept of mediation and arbitration now being promoted in India draws from old traditions and customs, with the only differ-

Advocate Harish Bhardwaj

ence that Mediators—unlike Panchs of the past—can’t pass orders that are binding.

The Process of Mediation

Let us see how guided discussion and communication can lead to the resolution of a problem. Here is a part of the discussion of the elderly couple looking for divorce and a Mediator. It is the wife who has petitioned for separation, as she does not want to live with her husband of thirty years. Both the husband and wife are government employees, well educated, and live in a three-storied bungalow in a posh area of Gurgaon. Tempers are lost, allegations made, questions about finances are raised, the future of the kids and even the loyalty of the kids comes into question. Both the sides make valid points. Mediator: If you want to resolve your differences, you should talk them out. This is a matter of great concern. You have been a husband and wife for 30 years and raised a family together. Husband: My wife alleges that I am a drunkard. But I have never refrained from taking care of the family. I am educated, and have never used bad language. I have worked as a conductor. I want to ensure that my daughters get to live a good life, and our responsibility is to get our youngest daughter married. She (my wife) has not shared the family expenses, not spent on the daughters’ education. Whatever has been spent on the construction of the house and the education of kids has been done by me. Wife: I do not have much to say except that this man has never loved, has not shared responsibilities, and does not

love the family. This is the reason why I want separation. Mediator: Would you like to separate, or prefer to live together in a house and look for solutions? You will need each other in the twilight of your life, when the kids have left the nest. Husband: I have no problems living together with my wife, but she should at least respect me, and not instigate the kids and other members of the family against me. Wife: I have never done so, but it is this man who has been belittling our honour and respect. I will not stay with him as a wife, but we can stay together provided he allows me to collect the rent of the top two stories of the house, and also gives me one room on the ground floor. Mediator: Are you ready to share the house and give the rent to your wife? Will you share a room with her on the ground floor? Husband: Dear Madam, I have constructed the house and got it registered in the name of my wife, because I share a deep concern for the family and her future. I do not have any objection, provided that the tenants are well behaved and do not create problems for the neighbours. Wife: This will always remain the problem – that is why I want a separation. There is no point speaking to him. Mediator: Don’t you both agree that you have spent a long time together, and must try to create a window for reconciliation? Get rid of the bad vibes and try to have a common future, as you both will need each other more now than in the past. Husband: I agree with this. But I must say that most of the problems have been caused by the intransigence of my wife. She has kept away from me, ensured that the family remains aloof from me, the kids do not respect me. What should I do? Mediator: The problems that you are discussing now, have you spoken to each other of them in the past? Have you tried to discuss the matter before asking for a divorce? Wife: I am tired of this fighting and want a separation; but if he agrees to share the house rent, and is ready not to disturb the family, I am ready to have a settlement that would be binding. Husband: I would like to resolve the issue as well, but my needs should be taken care of – and these include my peace of mind, my right to interact with the family, the sharing of marriage expenses. I even bought a car for my daughter, because I love her. But she (my wife) has ensured that there is no emotional touch between the family members. Mediator: Let’s forget the past. Are you ready to make a fresh beginning? Let the past be the past, and whatever has happened can not be undone. Let us agree on a fresh settlement that respects the rights of both of you. Do you agree with me? If you agree you can come on the next date and also bring your families, so we can come to an amicable settlement. Husband: I am ready for this. Wife: If it works, we can go for it. It is ultimately agreed that the institution of marriage and family should remain sacrosanct, and both are asked to come on a future date for the final settlement – that would most probably mean living in a single house, sharing the rent, and also taking care of the family. The Mediator wraps up the day, and lists the case for the next hearing. She is satisfied that at least the the couple has agreed to resolve their dispute and come to a settlement, which will give them a chance in future to come closer – and take care of each other in the twilight of their lives.u

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

{ Hritvick Sen / FG }

or a City which grows like Jack’s magic bean stalk (trying to touch the heavens), Gurgaon also has its share of growing problems. There is no residential or commercial area in the City which does not have water, power and sanitation issues. The villages of yore have turned into half-developed pockets of humanity, where MCG officials or elected representatives have not been able to make much of a dent. And the new Sectors coming up have their own brand of problems, to begin with. One would expect the officials not to make the mistakes (say, of a Jharsa or Sikanderpur) while developing the ‘new’ villages, that would also live in the shadows of high-rise condominiums. FG caught up with Sudhir Rajpal, Commissioner MCG.

To start with, which body is in charge of the villages in the new Sectors? And will this change once the area is developed? “There will be no change, even when the new Sectors are fully developed. The villages outside the municipal limits will be managed under the Panchayati Raj, and the ones inside the City borders will be the Municipality’s (MCG’s) responsibility.

Will the villages again become cesspools of filth, disconnected from the facilities and amenities of the high-rises? In the Master Plan 2031, various agencies (like HUDA, PWD and MCG) have been given developmental roles, but there are no specific plans concerning the villages as such. So, even after officials have seen what has happened to the villages in current Gurgaon, there seems to have been no learning – FG.

What will happen to the development of the villages in that case? Monthly Meeting Presided by Chief Parliamentary Secretary Prahlad Singh Gillakhera. Grievances of the Public 1. Demarcation of a villager’s land not done, despite repeated requests. Action : Revenue official issued suspension orders by DC Meena, and disciplinary proceedings also initiated against him. 2. Possession of house in Nirvana Country delayed by Unitech – promised in 2007. Also, houses were being constructed with more number of floors than as per approved building plans of the housing society. Action: Senior Town Planner directed to ensure that the builders honour their commitment. Town & Country Planning, Chandigarh to be also intimated, for taking appropriate decision.

Under the existing system, the Councillors of the villages will put forward plans for their development, the House will take a call on the feasibility, and a Plan will then be put in motion. We already have a system for development of the villages in place.

What will be done for the villages with respect to connectivity, water, power, and sanitation? Again, it is up to the Councillors and the engineers responsible for the villages to suggest improvements, and put them in place. As a learning, the developers building the high-rises in the new Sectors should have shared the responsibility of developing the villages too.

What about disputes which might crop up between the builders and the villages? What if an unscrupulous builder

C ivic/S ocial

hither and thither.” But what good is collecting such hundreds of crores when Gurgaonites cry out for a semblance of civilised living? “The monies collected will be used for the City’s development, as has been intended,” he says. Earlier, the MCG had unveiled a grand plan of constructing flyovers in the Old City area to decongest the traffic mess. Since the move to hire a survey team, there has been no news of progress in this matter. “The survey team has finished the initial phase of work. As of now, it is drawing up plans of how the fly-overs will be constructed in places like New Railway Road, Old MCG, and other places. The only hitch was in going around the

MCG Moving: Slow & Steady encroaches upon village land – who will the the mediator? It will depend on where the village lies. If it is outside the city limits, it will be under the Panchayati Raj. If it is inside, the sarpanch will have to make an appeal to the MCG. Then of course, the Municipality will check out the village’s claim, and take a stand.

Coming Back Home...

What is being done about the City itself ? There have been so many promises made that the people themselves have forgotten if any have come true. The biggest complaint is, that though the MCG earns millions, the agency does not spend even a fifth of the amount. Rajpal cracks a small smile, “The people should actually be happy that we are taking measured steps instead of immediate, rash projects

HUDA market in the Old MCG area, and we had to sit down with the agency to rework the flyover according to the land available to us.” So when will Old Gurgaon residents see fly-over constructions finally happening? “In another month and a half, the drawing will be complete. Then, the ground work will start,” he promises. “These projects take time because of the complexities involved, and no updates does not mean that officials are not working on it. MCG is pumping in Rs. 200 crores in the flyover project itself,” Rajpal says, The villages in Gurgaon have just been given a Rs. 90 crores grant for improvement of amenities, he adds. All the improvements suggested by the respective Councillors have been taken in, and each village in Gurgaon will be seeing MCG work being done

District Grievances Committee 3. Violation of the layout plan, and nominating more members illegally into the BSF Co-operative Group Housing Society. Action: Enquiry to be conducted by the SDM Gurgaon (South), Capt. Manoj, regarding the violation. The Assistant Registrar of Cooperative Societies, Satish Rohila, informed that elections had been held in the Society on Sep 21, for electing a new body, and the names of about 1,000 members have been deleted. 4. Numerous irregularities in The Peach Jasmine Co-operative Group Housing Society of Sector 31. Action: No comment, as the case is subjudice. 5. Running of guesthouses in HEWO Apartments of Sector 56.

Action: SDM Gurgaon (North), Dr Satender Duhan, to visit the Society, and present the factual position in the next meeting. 6. Running of guesthouses in residential houses in Sector 39. Action: HUDA and Assistant Registrar Co-operative Societies to find an amicable solution within a month. 7. Selling of plots on fake GPA. Action: Enquiry incomplete. ACP KM Pandurang is in charge. 8. Overcharging of Maintenance dues by builder of Palm Springs, Golf Course Road, Sector 54. Action: ADC to enquire, and ensure that the charges are as per norms of the Society.

with regards to roads, water and sewage infrastructure soon. So what is being done about the unauthorised villages which have not been so lucky? When will the list of regularisation be actually used to grant recognition to the inhabitants of these pockets? “As MCG has already stated, the list has been sent from our side and the regularisation will take place after due process,” he says. There has been consternation amongst the people when MCG has asked people living in HUDA sectors to start paying house tax. With different agencies building and maintaining Gurgaon, people living in private and HUDA colonies have often questioned MCG’s claim to collect house tax. “There is no doubt or difference of opinion in this matter,” Rajpal says. “In the municipal limits of Gurgaon, the MCG is empowered to collect house tax. Irrespective of whether a person lives in an MCG area, a HUDA colony or a private developer’s condominium society, if it is in Gurgaon, he is supposed to pay house tax to the MCG.”

Of Cleaner, Greener Matters...

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Sanitation in the MCG areas has always been a problem for the residents and the officials alike. Despite having one of the most advanced tracking systems and presence-logging, people are still saying that sanitation and cleaning looks good only on the website, not in reality. One of MCG’s prized projects, it has not exactly won laurels in the people’s hearts. The system is good, insists Rajpal. The sanitation contractor will only get paid when there is a confirmation from the people that cleaning has been performed. On the other hand, the residents of almost all MCG areas say that there are far lesser staff than what has been sanctioned. “Then the contractor will be paid for the staff that are working, and no more,” he says. “It also depends on how big the area is, and the amount of trash generated there.” If there is a complaint on our helpline, Rajpal says, the matter is taken up by the official of that area on a priority basis. Also, citizens are invited to help in the process. “There are Citizen Working Committees (CWCs) which help the MCG monitor the sanitation process. If any citizen has the will and the time, he or she can approach the Councillor of the Ward and ask to be part of the CWC. Every little assistance helps go a long way in helping to make this City clean,” Rajpal says. What about MCG’s efforts to increase the green cover of Gurgaon? The Bio-Diversity Park is obviously the jewel in MCG’s green crown, but one massive green patch alone will not help the overall situation. Rajpal says, “We have increased the number of water-harvesting pits in the City, and I have asked the engineers to make sure each of them is functional. Besides that, plantation of central verges on the roads on Old Gurgaon is taking place.” Is MCG planning a green education campaign to educate the masses as well, to bolster its efforts? There are NGOs and organisations which come forward to work with MCG in efforts to increase the green cover of the City, he says. But the citizens also will have to come forward and show that they want to help to maintain and beautify this City. This is not a one man or a one agency job. Rajpal says, “Everyone has to chip in”. u

08 { Abhishek Behl / FG }

C ivic/Social

Opposition See Opportunity PRAKHAR PANDEY

fter remaining out of power for almost eight years, the spring seems to have come back in the strides of both Indian National Lok Dal (INLD) workers as well as the party leadership, which is hoping to wrest power from the Congress on the twin issues of corruption and rising prices in the State. The Party plans to harness the anger of the urban voters, as well as the large peasantry, that have been hit by rising inflation, a poor power situation, and an administration where bureaucrats dominate the governance. In 2005, the Congress dislodged the INLD in a fair fight; but in 2009, the Congress had to outmanoeuvre the Opposition by winning over some of the independents. This is a major grouse of the INLD leaders, who allege that the Congress managed to form the government by horse trading. They now believe that there is a wave in favour of INLD. Political analysts however say that the wave could be more against the Congress government, and Hooda’s leadership. Senior INLD leader Anant Ram Tanwar, National Vice President of the Party, says that the time has come for the State to get rid of Congress rule, as that party represents corruption, scams and mis-rule, at the Centre and the State. “Our workers and supporters are confident that the Congress led by Hooda would be wiped out in the ensuing Lok Sabha and assembly polls,” asserts Tanwar. He has been a party functionary since 1977. He is also a close associate of Chaudhary Om Prakash Chautala. Tanwar says that the Congress government is only working for the development of Rohtak, at the cost of the entire state. “Gurgaon is angry today because the State government is treating it as a milch cow, while keeping it hungry. We generate 50 per cent revenue, but not even 10 per cent of that is spent here,” alleges Tanwar. His accusations have some merit, as many major developments in Gurgaon – the construction of the Mini-secretariat, Tau Devi Lal Stadium, a major hospital, the third Government College, and several other projects, took place under INLD rule. Tanwar alleges that in the last eight years there has been a political conspiracy to ‘downgrade’ Gurgaon. Gurgaon today does not have adequate power, the roads are in poor shape, MCG and HUDA are almost non-functional, the water situation is precarious, and the bureaucracy is busy making money, alleges Tanwar. “While hundreds of licenses have been issued to influential builders, why has the government not asked HUDA to develop new sectors,” asks Tanwar. Coming down heavily on the land acquisition policy of the state government, Tanwar says that most of the licenses have been grabbed by people close to the government. “I will say that this is a government

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Anil Rao

Anant Ram Tanwar

of property dealers and brokers. Nothing is being done to improve the lot of the common people,” he says. When asked about the steps that INLD will take when it comes to power, Tanwar promises that all those involved in corrupt practices will be brought to book, and infrastructure across the State, particularly in Gurgaon, will be improved. “INLD will also ensure that labour unrest in Gurgaon, which is prevailing for the last several years, is brought to an end,” he says. INLD is also making a list of corrupt officials who have amassed wealth, and they will be booked as well,

Gaje Singh Kablana

he warns. Echoing the sentiments of the senior party leaders, Anil Rao, General Secretary of Gurgaon, INLD, says that the Hooda government has not fulfilled its promises, and the populace is fed up with its public posturing. “The government had promised that BPL cards will be given to the poor, and the Public Distribution System will be enhanced. Instead the government has supported FDI in retail, which will harm the interests of the common man,” says Rao. Not only in Gurgaon but in the important Jat belts of Rohtak, Jind, Bhiwani and Sirsa, the sentiments of the people have turned against the government, claims INLD State spokesperson Raj Kumar Ridhau. “This is a government of the bureaucrats, by the bureaucrats, and for the bureaucrats. Only property deals are happening under this government,” he alleges. Pointing to the corruption by the government, INLD leaders allege that it is for the first time

that 1983 PTI teachers recruited by the Hooda government have been removed by the order of the High Court, as the list was fixed by politicians. “This is a clear example of massive corruption pervading in the government under the Congress,” alleges Tanwar. When asked about similar allegations against the Chautalas, the INLD leaders go on a backfoot, but state that all such cases are a result of political conspiracy. While the leadership is banking on issues like corruption to unseat the Congress, political analysts point to some recent developments that could upset the INLD’s political calculations. The CBI’s recommendation to the Supreme Court, for registering corruption cases against INLD supremo Om Parkash Chautala, former Transport Minister Ashok Arora, and senior bureaucrats, in connection with nomination of candidates to State Civil Services Executive Branch in 2003-2004, could come to haunt them. Although the party has termed the CBI move as inspired by political reasons, analysts say a court case would certainly make the case of the INLD weaker, when it takes on Hooda on the issue of corruption. The fickle nature of Haryana voters, who are known to be more aligned with political

Kablana also refers to the major land scam that is being perpetrated in the garb of ever changing Master Plans of Gurgaon. “First the government created Master Plan 2021, then 2025, and now it has come up with 2031. Why it is so? This is happening because politcians and leaders of the ruling party have bought land cheaply, and later on sectors are created accordingly in the Master Plans,” he alleges.

leaders and factions rather than parties, could also play a decisive role in the final outcome, they warn. Despite some reservations shown by analysts, they admit that the anti-corruption movement by Anna Hazare and Arvind Kejriwal, the numerous scams of the UPA government, and uncontrolled inflation, are creating conditions in favour of an anti-incumbency vote in Haryana. Gaje Singh Kablana, a young turk of the INLD, who is also the District Youth President, says that the antipeople policies of Congress, and

Raj Kumar Ridhau

certain decisions to enrich the political wheeler dealers, have brought the Congress in conflict with the common man. “The decision to bring in 100 per cent FDI is a sham, because it is only another means to route the black money from Swiss Banks back into India,” says Kablana. Kablana also refers to the failure of the Congress led government in ensuring that an elected MCG delivers the goods in Gurgaon, that HUDA functions properly and improves the infrastructure in the City, and that the Administration becomes more responsive. “Nothing has happened. I am a representative of 1 lakh residents, but no one listens to me,” says the youth leader. While he is worried about development issues, another young leader of INLD, Rishi Raj Rana, warns of the movement to support regularisation of the unauthorised colonies, that form almost 70 per cent of the area that comes under MCG Gurgaon.

During the recent Parivartan Rally, Rana had also submitted a memorandum to the top INLD leadership, as almost 22 wards out of 35 in MCG are irregular. “If we are not given our rights then we will launch a fight to secure our share from the government,” asserts Rana. INLD knows that they have not been able to form a government in the State without the support of the BJP, that has a strong base in urban areas, and particularly along the towns from Ambala to Delhi. Experts opine that INLD will have to somehow bring BJP in its fold, although presently it has a tie-up with Janhit Congress of Kuldeep Bishnoi. INLD will also need to find a solution to the dominance of Hooda in the Jat heartland of Rohtak, and to neutralise the concept of ‘Rohtak ki Chaudhar’ (Rohtak's dominance) in Haryana. INLD spokesperson Ridhau asserts that the mood in the public is such that even the CM would not be able to retain his seat in the Killoi Assembly constituency. “The voters in Killoi are very pragmatic and opportunistic, and they will not vote for Hooda once this wave spreads across Haryana,” he asserts. Political watchers say Hooda has been successful because he portrays himself to be a well-intentioned politician—like Chaudhary Devi Lal—while being committed to the development of the State – like Bansi Lal. They also credit Hooda for the Congress’ ascendance in a State which has traditionally not been a stronghold of the party. INLD will need to get rid of its parochial image, and ensure that it is not perceived to patronize lawless elements in the government (like in 1999-2005), which alienated the urban masses to a large extent. Haryana is the fastest urbanising state in the country, and if the Chautalas want to rule it once again they will have to come up with an all around agenda for the holistic development of the State, aver political watchers. u

B usiness

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Cyber Next { Abhishek Behl / FG }

o overcome the scarcity of local talent, and to make the local youth employable, a major project is being launched by NASSCOM Haryana in collaboration with the State government. The Project aims to plug the skill gap in the State, by first assessing the skills of the youth studying in various technical and non-technical institutions, says Subinder Khurana, Chairman of the Haryana Chapter of Nasscom. Khurana is a veteran of the IT industry, having incubated several IT startups, and till recently he was a Vice President at IT major Cognizant. The government has sanctioned an amount of Rs. 1.3 crore for this Project, which should be launched by the end of this month. “The Chief Minister has given his assent, and as soon as an MoU is signed, this Project will be officially launched in 20 institutions across the State,” says Khurana. A Taskforce, led by the Chief Secretary, Haryana, and including eminent educationists and top professionals from the IT industry, has formulated this Project, and will oversee it. To implement this partnership project, a number of interventions have been identified: Skill Gap Analysis, faculty and select students' training programmes, industry visits, internships, in-house training programs, participation in job fairs organised by colleges, and campus interviews. These interventions will be delivered as per a Plan and process, and outcomes will be measured. Khurana says that individual companies can customise these interventions within the overall objectives. As per the Plan, a hundred students from twenty chosen colleges will be identified, and engaged for a period of one year – during which a collaborating IT company will provide different soft skills and training. Khurana says that this will help to resolve the major problems being faced by the IT and IT Enabled Services (ITES) industry, of a lack of local talent, and a failure of the academic institutions to impart employable skills to the students. The Project will help identify talent on an on-going basis. The main objective of NasscomHaryana is to develop the State as a leading destination for the IT and

PRAKHAR PANDEY

BPO industry. “We want Haryana to compete successfully for investments with national and international destinations. IT should also help in the social and inclusive economic growth of the State, and help in the growth of infrastructure – both in Gurgaon and across Haryana,” says Khurana. There is also a need to upgrade the civic infrastructure – in terms of roads, sanitation, power, water, and several other issues that directly impact the lives of citizens. “Right now Brand Gurgaon is losing its sheen, because of the inability of the City managers to provide a good quality of service and life to residents,” he says. One solution for this problem is to expand Gurgaon, by developing Manesar into a world class destination. The concept of Greater Gurgaon has to evolve, as the locational teams of IT companies choose new locations after a very microscopic investigation. There is need to ensure that connectivity is improved between different parts of the State, especially Gurgaon and Manesar. “Better roads, better transport network and communication facilities need to be created,” he says. Khurana believes that since Manesar also has the locational advantage, and a lesser cost of realty space, its growth will help reduce the pressure on Gurgaon. “Gurgaon has now to establish itself as a destination for a specific IT domain. Bangalore is known for high-end IT development, and Pune for smaller leaner start-ups. Gurgaon is known for BPOs, but this is an industry of the past – we have to look towards the future,” he asserts. Khurana wants the Indian IT and ITES companies to graduate towards high-end work – developing new IT products, entering Business Analytics, and mining Big Data. One of the IT companies that he has mentored has developed a high-end back-up product called Dhruva, which has gone on to win global acceptability. “How we promote new ideas is critical. Promoting start-ups is very important to make India a technology leader,” he says. The real idea now is to play on the value side, and offer services that impact the client’s topline. The service should be less about cutting cost, and more about adding to the revenues of

From being a hub of the outsourcing industry, Gurgaon now faces the challenges of poor infrastructure, high cost of real estate, higher rents, higher cost of living, and poor transport facilities. All this has created a situation where companies are now looking at other (low cost) destinations, he says.

the clients, believes Khurana. “There is also need to invest in schools and colleges, to meet the industry requirements, by imparting soft skills training, language training and vocational skills,” says Khurana. When asked whether IT companies could go to smaller towns/rural areas, the response is negative. “For an IT company to set base, there is need for local talent, management, power, infrastructure, and strong IT services. Right now the rural areas do not have the right infrastructure, but slowly the things will change,” he says. Having an entrepreneurial streak, Khurana has mentored several companies, that include Just My Neighbourhood and SmartRide bus service. While Just my Neighbourhood helps communities to connect online and share services and experiences, the Bus ride is helping Cyber City employees travel with ease across the City. Being an active member of the The Indus Entreprenuers (TIE), Khurana has had experience of incubating several startups, and interacting with young talent. In his view, Indian youth have the talent and experience,

As on September 27, 2012 All Prices in Rs/kg.

Food Take

but they lack basic skills of business – such as Marketing, HR, Sales. “At TIE we have created a mini-MBA Programme that trains students for 2 hours in various business functions. We invite an entrepreneur and an industry expert, and help the youth to understand business in a practical manner,” he says. In addition to his work with NASSCOM, and in the IT space, Khurana has been an active and responsible citizen of Gurgaon. He has been participating in various civil society initiatives to help the Millennium City become a better place to live in. “Gurgaon is our home and we should all work together to make it a world class place to live in,” he says. Khurana says that the ‘Third Eye’ project is one of the most important projects that he has worked on, to bring sanity on Gurgaon roads. “At one point of time the policemen were clicking 2,000 pictures daily, and it helped greatly in bringing discipline on the road. This Project was conceived and planned by us, we created the software, and brought in Nokia as well,” says Khurana, while recounting that once the brother of then Commissioner Deswal was challaned for violating a traffic rule. He is also on the Committee of the Bio-diversity Park, and helping it become more green, to act as a green lung of the City. He was also behind the successful move of diverting the traffic in Cyber-City, to make the road one-way. While asking the citizens of Gurgaon to consider the City as their own, Khurana believes that Gurgaon has what it takes to become a Millennium City. What is needed is a sense of responsibility and unity of purpose among the various stakeholders. u

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28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Be Inspired to Read

Baby Rachna Show

anav Rachna International School (MRIS), Sector -51, organised a day long “Baby Show”, to put the babies in the spotlight, and showcase their most appealing qualities. The day was fun filled and informative for all the parents present. Nearly 450 parents and tiny tots attended the Show, that included an exclusive talk show, and a rapid Q&A session with the parents. The focus was on ‘Nutrition Awareness & Health Check Up” for the children – by expert doctors from Fortis Memorial Research Institute, Gurgaon. Mariella Zanoletti, renowned Psychotherapist, addressed the parents. “The Baby Show proved to be a great source of information and guidance for all the parents. The event was judged by Ms. Mahima Bakhi - Semi Finalist of Pantaloons Femina Miss India 2011, and Mr. Rajesh Kalra, Chairman, MRIS-51. The Principal Dhriti Malhotra, and Mr. Gaurav Rai, Executive Director MRIS-51, also presided over the function. We are overwhelmed with such a great response from parents,” said Seema Malhotra, Headmistress MRIS-51.

MRIS Hindi Diwas

Special Assembly was organised to celebrate ‘Hindi Diwas’ at Manav Rachna International School, Sector 46. The function was presided over by the Principal, Dhriti Malhotra. The students from Grade I to Grade V participated in the Assembly. The Assembly began with a beautiful Ganesh Vandana dance, presented by students of Grades II and III. The little ones from Grade I recited beautiful poems in Hindi. A hilarious skit performed by Grades II and III kept the audience in splits. The students of Grade V had also organised a debate on “Usage of Hindi in Schools”. The students―who spoke for and against the topic―showcased their thoughts with extreme confidence, in Hindi.

DPS Investiture Ceremony

elhi Public School (MK) Sector-28, held their Investiture Ceremony for the academic session 2012-2013, at the School premises. The Event was presided over by the Principal Rachna Pandit, and the Vice Principal Ritu Malik. Taking the oath, the Head Boy-Rohan Panickar, and Head Girl-

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

ach of us is inspired by different things or people. Being inspired is essential to life. Without inspiration, there would be no movement, no action and no desire to better our lives. Inspiration has taken man to the depths of the oceans and into the limitless space. I’m happy to see that so many of you are inspired to write. To continue doing so, it is important that we read. The more we read, the better we can write! Reading is not just anything, it’s the thing.  Nowadays people don’t even turn their heads towards books, forget about reading them! Adults claim they don’t have enough time, teens are too busy ‘hanging out’ with their friends and kids are too busy playing outdoors or playing on gaming consoles.  My friends, reading unfurls a wonderful universe full of things ranging from Human-Bird Hybrids to the US Capitol! It has amazing things to share with us… shouldn’t we make an effort to listen? Have you ever thought about why books have survived millennia? They are a treasure trove of nourishment for our brain! Here is a wonderful quote by Confucius: “No matter how busy you may think you are, you must find time for reading, or surrender yourself to self-chosen ignorance.”  It means exactly what it says. Books give you knowledge – whether they are fiction or nonfiction. When I read, I am lost in the mystical world of books. I only ask that you do the same; if you make an effort to read, read with your heart and not with your mind. Keep Reading and Remain Inspired!   Tushar Kaistha The Close South, Nirvana Country

Fancy Excelsior

Fancy Dress Competition was organised for students of Classes I and II at Excelsior School. It was a delight to watch the children – who were dressed in colourful costumes – as soldiers, astronauts, paper bags, Mother Earth, and puppeteers, to name a few. They also spoke about the characters they were dressed as. Navmi Vishwakarma, pledged their commitment to uphold the School’s motto ‘Service before Self’. The function began with an enthralling Jazz Dance performed by the students. This was followed by an inspiring ‘Save the Environment’ dance, and melodious instrumental music. The Ceremony ended with the School Choir’s rendition of “Path Ka Antim Lakshya Nahi Hai, Singhasan Chadte Jana”, and the National Anthem.

Kid Corner

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

High On Pets

Meenakshi’s Pitara

et Show’ cottish High P ‘S a d se ni ga staff ool or (children and ternational Sch proud owners e cottish High In shared d Th an 1. e de ag ra st ts of G ―came on gs do tricks s, for the studen rd bi so fish, strated me various pets― gs also demon tand do rs t de pe un w members) of fe to A n the childre t their pets. d ou le ab ab n en io nt at s. inform This Eve wards animal the students. empathetic to be that fascinated ld ou sh e on why and how

eenakshi World School organised Meenakshi’s Pitara-2012 for children and parents. A number of schools across Gurgaon participated in this Show. Young kids, dressed in colourful attires, participated in various activities like Fancy Land and Show and Tell. The most popular activity was the Chocolate Race. There were also a number of activities for parents – like Solo Dance for mothers and Family Quiz for fathers. The teachers, parents and children appreciated and enjoyed the fun-filled day. Senior Co-ordinator Praveen Malhotra summed up the Event with her vote of thanks.

Heritage Day @ RWS

abindranath World School welcomed the Convener of Indian National Trust of Art Cultural Heritage (INTACH), Atul Dev, and Executive Members of the organisation, at their School Assembly. The Group distributed awards and certificates to students who had participated in the Tagore@150 Painting and Essay Competitions - that were held across the country. Ravisha Rathore won a trophy in the Regional Painting category, while other participants were awarded certificates. The theme of the Assembly was, “Books are our best friends”. The students displayed colourful banners on the heritage of our country, and spoke about the importance of books. The Principal, Dr. Kiran R. Banerji thanked the INTACH members for encouraging the students, and spreading awareness amongst them.

Literary Flourish

My Beautiful Pond

Money Tujhe Shalom

halom Hills International School, with the objective of acquainting the students of Class X with the various forms/ denominations of money, told the children to collect as many denominations of currency notes/coins, and paste them safely in a scrapbook. The students showed great interest in the activity, and collected various types of coins – even coins of 5p and 20p values, which have become a rare sight these days. The children learnt about ‘cheques’ and ‘plastic money’, and how deposits in banks are considered as a form of money.

Pond, pond, my beautiful pond! With so many fish of whom I’m fond! There are yellow ones and red ones but green are so few, They make a pretty picture, oh what a lovely view! A little girl is rowing a boat and singing a song It’s so lovely, the fish swim along! The girl is so happy she says aloud, I wish I could swim and float like the cloud!” Mili Sharma Class: 4, Matrikiran, Sohna Road

Artistic Strokes

Tanya Jain, Grade V C, DPS, Sector 45

Krish, Grade V B, Delhi Public School, Vasant Vihar

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

Anjana Dey, Grade VI A, St P.B.N. Public School

Saloni Dhingra, Grade V E, Delhi Public School, Sec 45

K id Corner

Kids Brainticklers

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

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

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Y oung A dult 13 The Big Thaw A no man’s land so nice Where would one find? Last of it is tucked under the ice

Like...Envy { Alka Gurha }

hen novelist Gore Vidal passed away recently he was more in the news for his acerbic quote, “Every time a friend succeeds, I die a little,” than his contribution to the literary world for over six decades. Ahh…envy. Envy is an emotion people are normally wary of admitting. But people have always envied other members of their tribe: as more famous, more paid, more successful, more intelligent and more endowed. Like competition... as long as envy inspires, I don’t mind it at all. But add extra dollops and the risk is entirely yours. I wasn’t surprised when a newspaper reported that “Facebook is gradually emerging as a platform that is stoking the fire of envy in adolescents.” A friend recently confessed that her daughter was troubled after pressing the ‘like’ button on all the pictures of her friend vacationing in Mauritius. The girl felt she was missing out on opportunities. I know of boys who resent their single status, more so because their friends are regularly uploading cozy pictures with girlfriends. The thought, “Why should friends have all the fun?”, can be distressing, especially if one has kept up with friends from

Neha, KIIT The best thing about education in Gurgaon is that you have exposure to a corporate culture during the course of your education. I think the City has everything. The only thing lacking is people’s will bring about change. Nobody here raises a voice against the growing crime and lack of basic facilities.

school. Viewing happy, boasting status updates, and photos of peers having a gala time, holds the possibility of making one feel worse about one’s own life. The phenomenon is not restricted to impressionable teens. From what I hear from my son, the bonhomie between batch-mates was under duress when companies started visiting his college for placements. Who got what, and how much, was playing on the status bar. And on most minds! Psychologists say that “Boasting on social media triggers the same sensation of pleasure as food, money, or even sex.” Since selfdisclosure is extra rewarding, what better place to exult than your own page – your personal billboard? Correct me if I am wrong, but apart from being pleasurable, boasting is infectious too. It can spur some kind of competition to highlight fun moments and achievements. This is not to say that all Facebook users intentionally indulge in a boasting spree. It is the nature of the medium. And also a matter of personal choice! Some do it inadvertently, some subtly, and some blatantly. Bragging may or may not be

th u o Y ak Spe My friends joke that Gurgaon is a city of fakes. There is no security, no rules and regulations. People have ‘chalta hai’ attitude for even henious crimes like murder and rapes. I think more than the authorities, people need to think about the City.

Kamal, DSD

playing on the mind of a friend who decides to post, “Gosh… There is a long queue for the I Phone 5;” or, when a friend innocuously enquires “Anyone in Switzerland this weekend?” The question that begs to be asked is: How real is the virtual world? Peel the layers, and most are going through some sort of challenging life experience - stressful job, strained relationship, financial crisis, failed marriage, family feud, exam phobia, or health scare. Yet, how many wish to admit and discuss their personal challenges on a public platform? Have you come across a status message which reads, “Fired, Divorced, Abused, Failed or Depressed?” Perhaps one needs to keep in mind that the challenging personal experiences of most friends are behind the veil of feel good updates, vacation pictures, marriage videos and cozy captures. For those who are moping and yet pressing ‘likes’ on the achievements of their peers, the story of two tear drops can act as a mild balm on the gnashes of envy. “Once, two tear drops were floating down the river of life. One teardrop asked, ‘Who are you?’ The first one replied, ‘I was shed by a girl who loved a man but lost him. And who are you?’ The other tear drop replied, ‘I was shed by the girl who got him’.” u

For long the greedy man won’t be blind In 29 years, before change comes It’s the time to raise our green thumbs To keep the earth green and Antarctica white Let’s do everything in our might Keep the ice fresh and off the dirt track Like juice in a tetra pak. Vidisha Aggarwal 16 years Sushant Lok 1

Half Full Life has its way of amusing us Of blessing and bruising us Today is a beautiful day Tomorrow could be one that’s grey Tonight I have a lamp, a guide Tomorrow I might be lost from sight Tomorrow you may not know As you know life to be today However it may turn out to be To each lock, there will be a key After each rain, there will be a clear sky After each rough landing, another chance to fly However dark the clouds may be They’ll always have a bright sheen Vrinda Nagpal Nirvana, South City II

Ali, Government College, Sector 14 I think corporates have changed the face of the City. Today the City is what Bangalore used to be for India 10 years back – a favourite place for IT companies to set up their operations. It will be truly the Millennium City in the near future.

TO SUBSCRIBE You would have sampled Friday Gurgaon during the year. Here is your chance to get FG at your doorstep every Friday, at a very attractive rate. 52 issues (1 Year), for Rs 200 (Two Hundred) Only – a Saving of Rs 164 on cover price. To Subscribe SMS FGYES to 08447355801 Send an email to subscription@fridaygurgaon.com Pay Online at www.fridaygurgaon.com Delivery will be through your newspaper vendor. Circulated only in Gurgaon.

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

PRAKHAR PANDEY / JIT KUMAR

The Centre Of The NCR... Too

{ Hritvick Sen / FG } What makes a place, or a market, worth spending time in? If the place happens to be New Delhi’s Connaught Place (CP), the world-weary, traffic hardened Gurgaonite will have even lesser reasons to go all the way on a precious week-end. And truthfully, there are hardly any branded outlets in CP that MG Road doesn’t now have. But... if there were places unique to CP, and which could not be found by turning Gurgaon upside down, one might just be tempted. And there are, if there is the will to walk. Besides the brands splashed all over the Inner Circle, there are little nooks and crannies where one can find gems of stores – places which will break a smile even on the most been-there, shoppedthat visage.

The Trip

The recommended mode of transport will always be the Metro. It is, without a doubt, the fastest, cheapest, and the most comfortable ride from Gurgaon to the heart of New Delhi – with no runners-up. Seats are guaranteed from the HUDA City Centre Metro Station; and by the time Rajeev Chowk Station in CP arrives, you will be alternately blessing DMRC for the air-conditioned ride, and smirking at having got a seat. No need for your car – definitely. Besides being dropped right in the middle of CP, this is one place with such excellent public transportation that an auto will screech to a stop even when you raise your hand to take off the cap. The travel time one way is around 50 minutes, and you will reach Rajeev Chowk without breaking into a sweat.

Starting Off

Bengalis (actually all of India) believe that a trip is so much the better if there are frequent food stops, and CP does not disappoint. Gate number 7/8 takes one right up to one of CP’s oldest shops for snacks and sweetmeats. For celebrating the fact that one has made a 33-kilometre journey from Gurgaon comfortably, Wengers is the perfect flag-off. Take a fresh loaf of french baguette to

munch along, or their signature patties, or a slice of their scrumptious chocolate truffle cake. Life has already become that much sweeter. Manager K. Singh, who has spent the better part of his life behind the Wengers counter, proudly states that the Delhi University crowd empties their patties’ stock by the afternoon itself. “We have a daily footfall numbering in the thousands,” he says. Started by a Swiss couple in 1926, it is the third generation of the Tandon family that are the owners of Wengers now. From a start of four varieties of pastries and breads, the shop today has an astounding offering of 35 varieties of cakes and 70 of pastries, not to mention the speciality breads and snacks. For the Gurgaonite, whose shopping alternatives coincide with indoor a i r- c o n d i t i o n ing, Connaught Place is a step away from that ordinary. The branded outlets hold little attraction (Gurgaon will almost always have better discounts), so take a 20-minute walk across

Palika Bazaar, until you reach Janpath. Rather than dealing with glass doors and wellmannered attendants, indulge in an hour of hearing the raucous bellowing of shopkeepers as they convince you that they have the shirt or skirt you have been searching for all your life. Do exercise the long-lost art of haggling, and feel the heady rush after reducing Rs. 100 off the shopkeeper’s price. Just beyond Janpath is the Tibetan Market – a narrow lane which brings a shopper/tourist to Mini-Tibet. For those who are planning to stock up on woollens, this lane will be nothing lesser than a God-send. From jackets (woollen or leather) to shawls or anything for warmth, everything

is available in the brightest of colours. Some hawkers will try to entice you with carved chillums (they now use the American slang- ‘bongs’; entrepreneurship at its best!). This market has the best of unbranded winter-wear, at prices that will water up the eyes of a mall-goer. Remember: Haggle!

Obscurity In Plain Sight

Take a break from the Tibetan market and sample some of their traditional dumplings from the make-shift shops. The more adventurous can try the

Industries with musty khadi kurtas and leggings. This megastore has items ranging from clothing to home décor, art and collectibles, wood crafts, and edibles – all top-notch. This establishment is highly recommended if one has a hankering for exotic silks and rare collectibles. The ground floor has a section of carpets and statues (some of which are labelled ‘price on request’ – in a governmentsponsored shop, no less!) which can easily best any offering from New Delhi’s poshest shops of arts and crafts. A simple tour of the place would take an hour. You can shop for a day. There is even a Barista thoughtfully hidden away on the first floor.

For Bookworms

Now take a break, by catching a film at any one of Connaught Place’s four cineplexes (Plaza, Rivoli, Odeon, Regal). A two-hour of rest will give you enough spirit for the rest of the CP saga. Right next to Wengers is heaven, for those who still remember the milk-shakes fondly. For all the others bred

thupka – pork dumplings in a thick stew, sprinkled with herbs. After that, sample some of the antique shops in the area. There are massive bronze plates, paintings (they are called tunghkhas), and various knick knacks to brighten up the living room. At the opposite end of the Tibetan Market is a red building which people often mistake for a government establishment. This place is in fact the Central Cottage Industries Emporium, the biggest outlet in India – and probably the biggest shop in Connaught Place itself. Spanning three huge floors, with mezzanines, it is probably the most underrated shopping experience, just because people equate Cottage

on fizzy pleasures, this is Keventers, the small chain of outlets who pride themselves on churning out the creamiest of milkshakes in gigantic milk bottles of yore. They offer around twenty flavours, with not one of them touching the Rs. 100 mark. Keventers is run by the Pahuja family, which still maintains the taste that is loved by the milkshake aficionados, who come to the shop even after 30-odd years. For those who wish to carry back to Gurgaon something more intellectually stimulating than threads, CP offers a virtual paradise in terms of modern literature. There are the hundred-odd pavement shops

which offer ‘smuggled’ versions of best-sellers at Rs. 100 – Rs. 250. Littering the Inner Circle at every 50 yards or so, these booksellers have no idea what’s inside the cover, so there is a good chance you can pick up an expensive thriller at a throwaway price. Remember: Haggle! On the other end of the spectrum are the handful of bookshops which have been the cornerstones of Connaught Place – such as Jain Book Depot. This old shop has a veritable treasure trove of books of every imaginable genre and segment. Whether it is architecture, law, self-help, children’s, fiction, or plain general knowledge, there are more options here than what you had in mind. These shops also are one-up over their brethren in the NCR; if there is any book that you have been pining for but cannot find, they will locate it for you – at no charge.

Rounding Off

Where as Gurgaon markets and malls pride themselves on being open as late as possible, Connaught Place very primly begins shutting down by eight. The last stop of the day would be dinner at Kake Da Hotel on the Outer Circle. For vegetarians and meat-lovers alike, this shop has been a haven of good taste for generations. Just beyond the Minto Road turn-off, just stop where there is the longest queue – that is the marker of Kake. On a good day there will be a waiting line of four to five patrons. On a busy day (week-end), it’ll take more than a hour to get to your table. Book accordingly. And finally, a little ahead is New Delhi’s first Paan Parlour, where exotic paan is served up with pizzazz. Check out their signature condiments and traditional Indian after-meal mouth fresheners. A refreshed end to an alternative evening. There are of course, bigger and better places. CP’s Tao Zen, Sarvana Bhavan and other classy restaurants and clothing establishments are as good as any in the country. But they and their peers can always be found in ‘hip’ Gurgaon. The Metro will obligingly drop you back at HUDA City Centre; and for once, you will not have missed being in a ‘happening’ Gurgaon mall on a week-end. u

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Health & Vitality... Naturally!

Enzyme Boosting Foods Part II

W ellness

smaller particles. Amylase not only digests carbohydrates, but also dead white blood cells(pus).It is also involved in anti-inflammatory reactions. Lipase is an enzyme that our body uses to break down (burn) fats, so they can be absorbed in the intestines. Lipase is produced in the pancreas as also in the mouth and stomach. Lipase deficiency may lead to high cholesterol or triglyceride levels, and a tendency towards obesity and diabetes. Another downside could be low cell permeability, which lowers the cell`s efficiency to take in nutrients and eliminate waste matter. Lipase is readily available in good quality fats, such as Omega 3 fatty acids from Flax seeds and cold water fish. Lactase is made in the small intestine, and helps break down milk sugars(lactose). Lactose intolerance is usually caused by a deficiency of this enzyme.

Soak 1 tsp dried amla powder in one cup of water overnight. Add 1/8 tsp of black pepper powder and 2 tsp of lime juice. Dilute the mixture as required for consumption. This helps in curing anxiety.

Tip of the week

All digestive enzymes should preferably be plant based. This is very important, as plant based enzymes work under nearly all pH environments – including the acidic environment in the stomach. Animal based enzymes, on the other hand, work only in low pH conditions, and hence do not begin their action till the food crosses the stomach. This is particularly relevant for any one already suffering from digestive problems, like hypochlorhydria - a condition produced by the lack of hydrochloric acid in the gastric juices.

{ Jaspal Bajwa }

he proper breakdown of ingested foods into usable components is critical for the proper absorption of nutrients. A diet rich in enzymes increases energy and stamina, and supports overall good health. However, a heavy reliance on cooked foods, combined with our body’s reduced ability to produce enzymes as we age, prevents us from taking the maximum benefit from Nature’s gift of enzymatic catalysts. Over time, this pushes us over the edge into the abyss of chronic diseases. In ancient times man understood the enzymatic key to better nutrition intuitively, through closely observing nature, and direct experience. Reliance on raw, seasonal foods, as well as fermented foods (yoghurts, kefir, sauerkraut) and sprouted foods was the norm. Now there is mounting clinical evidence that supports the use of digestive enzymes for a wide

range of digestive insufficiency and gastro-intestinal disorders – like malabsorption, pancreatic insufficiency, celiac disease and lactose intolerance. Most digestive enzymes are produced in our body. As food begins its journey, salivary amylase is the first enzyme it encounters. Digestive Enzymes, however, are very specific; like a `lock and key`, each enzyme is equipped to work on a particular food. Having looked at Proteases (in Part 1), we focus in this write up on enzymes which help us break down carbohydrates, starches, and sugars. Amylase is secreted by the salivary glands in the mouth. The process of breaking down complex sugars and starches continues in the small intestine, where the bulk of digestion and absorption of nutrients takes place. As an example, pancreatic amylase converts starches into maltose and other simpler sugars (like glucose), and bile from the liver and gallbladder emulsifies fat into

y job is to save people from long-term lifestyle damages, by prescribing the right diet, says Madhu Tangri. She focuses on the concept of overall wellness, not just weight loss. She believes that diet plays a major role in the promotion of health and wellbeing of an individual. “A good and balanced diet improves the quality of life, while ‘low-carb’ diets may lead to morbidity and diseases. My role is to translate the theories of food science to the well-being of people,” says Madhu Tangi, Owner, Foods For Life. Putting forth the success stories of her clients, that range between the age group of 10 to 55, Madhu says, “I focus on internal nutrition as well as external nutrition. While our body needs good food, our skin and hair also need some external nutrition.” She suggests her clients to use homemade skin packs and hair packs. Foods For Life is also known for its effective range of skin packs and hair packs. As one of her client puts it, “I am thankful to Madhu

Nature’s Wonder Foods of the week : Raw and Sprouted Foods

Most seasonal fruits and vegetables are loaded with enzymes. Any form of heating (including steaming or microwaving) destroys most of the enzymes, making foods harder to digest. Eating raw fruits and vegetables improves overall digestion. The same holds true for most Nuts and Seeds, which are rich in lipase, amylase and protease. Common nuts and seeds include almonds, cashew nuts, chestnuts, barley, buckwheat, oats, peanuts, pumpkin seeds, sesame seeds and sunflower seeds. Ideally nuts and seeds too should be eaten raw. Sprouts are the germinated seeds of many different types of grains or beans. Germination requires soaking the seeds in water for 24-48 hours. Sprouting optimizes the life force and the nutrient content. Sprouts are super-charged with nutrients, and may contain more than 100 times more enzymes than

Tangri, who prescribed me the right diet. It helped me shed kilos. Now, I feel more energetic and refreshed. Madhu ma’am never suggested me to starve or eat less. She rather focused on eating right.” Due to increased working hours, a sedentary job profile, lack of exercise, and a polluted environment, the stress level in society is increasing. Therefore, it is important to consult a good nutritionist/ dietician. According to Madhu, the role of a dietician is not only to educate people on nutrition, and the kind of food they should eat, but also to guide them about the preparation of food. “My objective is to help society learn about right food, good eating habits, and the alternatives to keep fit, to put off degenerative diseases,” says Madhu. u Madhu Tangri works with Fitness Frenzy gym as a dietician. She also provides consultation as a freelance dietician, under her banner- Foods For Life. She can be reached at madhu.foodsforlife@gmail.com.

Foods For Life

fruits and vegetables. In addition, enzyme inhibitors are washed away. Freshly germinated sprouts are best, since that is when the enzymes are most concentrated. The most common sprouts include mung bean sprouts, barley sprouts, chickpeas and alfalfa sprouts. Fermented dairy products use substances like yeast, bacteria or other micro-organisms to partially break-down the lactose, making them easier to digest. Probiotic yoghurts which contain live bacteria, sour cream, cottage cheese, edam and cheddar cheeses are some examples. A lactase substitute manufactured from a fungus like Aspergillus niger is available in most health food stores as a nutritional supplement. When added to milk and milk products it brings the benefits of calcium rich dairy products within the reach of lactoseintolerant individuals. u Registered Holistic Nutritionist (Canadian School of Natural Nutrition) For education purposes only; always consult a healthcare practitioner for medical conditions

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28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Comment

The Party Is Over

s the Congress tries to get second wind, it should realize that The Party is over. It is time to separate the Church and the State. And to not treat the Church as hallowed. No, not because of what the PM has done with Diesel and LPG and FDI – those will soon be drowned by new populist measures, our versions of Quantitative Easing. But to put blame where it should also be. It is time to stop the PM bashing.

EDITORIAL Atul Sobti

Even the kudos being taken for the latest ‘brave’ steps have little to do with any positive alliance action (they were trying to the last with Mamata); the threat of a ‘junk status’ was a potent catalyst. In terms of polls and voting, UP was a near disaster, even with Rahul G. (the G. to be) taking personal interest – beyond Amethi that is. Further, the advisors of Sonia G. have a social first agenda, versus the economic first of the Cabinet; and they seem to directly influence The lost last couple of years have been the priorities (and therefore decisions attributed to the PM not to be taken). not doing anything – by A non-Executive Some unsolicited coalition advice his seeming paralysis President and her for 2014, for the Congress : of thought and action. team are allegedly The first coalition ally should be the Left. playing a shadow(y) It is clearer now that Yes, they will come back better (in MPs executive role. the issue was with action, not thought. anyway), unless Mamata learns from Sonia And the paralysis G. and gives up CMship. The Left should The party men, was both coalition and be preferred because they also prefer the esp. the seniors, do Party induced. Congress (not out of any love anymore, but Sonia G. injustice by The PM could the left can live without that); also, they may implying that she can not introduce his be a little muddled on history and economy but do no wrong. Why do policies, for fear of are fairly principled – and have integrity; and even senior ministers a coalition partner a focus on ‘inclusiveness’ (the new Congress either defend every (and sometimes the Party mantra) is manna for them. Accordingly, action of hers, or Party in that garb) they must be offered the Cabinet posts for credit all positives first backing out. the Education and Health Ministries, as also to her? She should be Panchayati Raj. With the social agenda in Whose job is it to hand, the Left would be accommodative on c r e d i t e d / h a n d e d bouquets for the manage coalitions? the economic policy front. They have also In the Congress, it success of MNREGA, tasted a big defeat in West Bengal, and so is of the head of the esp. as a vote bank will be a little more receptive. The work must Party – the President. tool. Accordingly she start now. Yes, Sonia G. should get the debits/ And what has been brickbats too. the performance? But who will bell the cat – when even The Left felt betrayed and left; the DMK the media hasn’t? scammed and left a hole in the Centre; and now Trinamool has walked right out. But not With the anointment of Rahul G. the roles, before delaying the economic measures that and the power centre, will anyway have to the PM and his Cabinet were excitedly waiting change (and therein, more than any Rahul to execute. G. reluctance, maybe lies the rub for his So much for alliance management. delayed inheritance).

FAMOUS QUOTES If a man does his best, what else is there? General George S. Patton You can avoid reality, but you cannot avoid the consequences of avoiding reality.” Ayn Rand People demand freedom of speech to make up for the freedom of thought which they avoid.” Soren Aabye Kierkegaard I do not feel obliged to believe that the same God who has endowed us with sense, reason, and intellect has intended us to forgo their use.” Galileo Galilei Give me a museum and I’ll fill it.” Pablo Picasso Whether you think that you can, or that you can’t, you are usually right.” Henry Ford Don’t stay in bed, unless you can make money in bed.” George Burns

The party almost got over prematurely for the Grand Old Party. It is time to stop partying, and perform. Inflation will only get worse in the next 3-4 months; and the deficit is still way out of control. The PM needs to remain fiscally very responsible, as many dole-outs will now start, and go on for a year at least - especially to equip Rahul G. for the Battle of Delhi, 2014. Public Sector family silver sell-off and FII money will now make a big comeback. These one-offs will fund the Battle – with the victor picking up the tab, amid a high deficit, high debt economy. That looks to be the legacy of The Party, after a 10 year rule. History, and many in the country, will of course (a little unkindly) blame the PM. u

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

B on V ivant

Married Blissitude

{ Anita Jaswal }

ifty years is a long time, for just about anything — particularly a marriage. And that too an arranged inter-caste marriage! 67 year old Raminder Kaur and Prof. Rattan Kumar—all of 78 years—are preparing for their golden anniversary. New relationships are always exciting. From the first meeting to the first time you set up your home, everything always feels sweet and new. But the “honeymoon phase” can only last so long, right? Wrong – this couple has definitely kept the flame alive. Meeting and listening to them is like experiencing a love story. Even after nearly five decades, reminiscences brought out a deep tenderness, and a visible expression of love that I enjoyed capturing in words.

When they got married, Rattanji was a Reader in Roorkee University, Department of Architecture. Having the proud distinction of graduating in the first batch of architects from Delhi University, he went on to do his M.Tech in Town and Country Planning from IIT, Kharagpur. It was there that he was enlisted in the Consultants’ team, for the planning of Durgapur- sub-region. Finally, after scaling enviable heights, he retired as the Head of Department of Architecture and Planning, University of Roorkee. He was also Vice President of the Indian Institute of Town Planners. When he looks back at his career of professional practice and teaching, he feels his biggest achievement has been his influence on some of his students, who have made an indelible mark in their professional career. And all these years, Raminder’s—or Kitty’s, as she is popularly known—main role was always to make her house a home, one that her husband

and family always loved to come back to. “My main goal is still to make my home the core of what makes my family happy, healthy and prosperous. Whatever our circumstances are, I will always live by the homemaker creed. Most of all, I have never minded being at their beck and call. Doing these things does not make me a servant or a second rate citizen. I think of this house as my office. It is my job to take care of this family, and I take pride in doing that job to the best of my ability. I am a woman who doesn’t get dressed up just to please my husband, but because it’s Fun For Me. I serve my family dinner not because I have to, but because I feel that I cooked a good meal and want to show off. I am a proud woman, and proud of what I do,”she asserts happily. Today their children are settled, and they have four

Magical Layers { Sarita Maheshwari Sharda }

ayering your clothes is a great way to look beautiful, keep up with the latest trends in fashion, and create a number of looks from a few pieces. The best thing is that you need not modify your entire wardrobe to create magical layers. There is a science to this art. Lets see how you can come up with some great looks with a few essentials in your wardrobe: Mix different fabrics: For a personal and stylish look, mix the different fabrics. Avoid using too many layers – 3 are enough. Colours: Neutral colours

{ Dr. Rajesh Bhola }

ne of the few foreign films to break through China’s bamboo curtain was Aamir Khan’s 3 Idiots. ‘All iss well’, the title song from the film, has the modern hamburger-chomping, traffic-snarled Chinese nation gyrating to it. The film did astoundingly well in many countries of the world, running houseful in cinemas for unusually long periods. ‘All is well’ does not only connote the jubilance and exuberance of life, but also reminds us of some great poets who used this phrase while writing epitaphs. This was the sermon delivered by Canon Henry Scott Holland while the body of King Edward VII was lying in state at Westminster: Death is nothing at all All is well. Nothing is past; nothing is lost One brief moment and all will be as it was before How we shall laugh at the trouble of parting when we meet again! ‘It is well’ ends the unsung words to the military bugle call known as “Taps” – a call that ends a soldier’s

are very good for layering, as they are not bright and intense. This helps give you a harmonious layering look. Pure, brilliant colours become too central, making the softer colours fade. Style: Do not wear two garments with the same style; for example, if you are layering a ruffled shirt with a sweater, avoid using a sweater which also has ruffles. Wearing a plain sweater over the ruffles will make your shirt stand out. Also, mix and match patterns with solids. The whole idea is to make each of your layers clearly visible, for a complete fashion statement. Accessories: Among accessories which can add to your layers are scarves and belts. These pieces work as enhancers. Layering the bottom: Layering is not only for the upper part of your body. Layer the bottom half with tights and leggings worn under a skirt; with knee-high boots, and over-theknee socks peeping out of the boots for a warm, fashionable look. u (Certified Image Consultant and Founder of Image Panorama)

JIT KUMAR

teenage grand children. The home retains a good, unrushed, loving and stable environment, where the kids constantly have someone to turn to. It was in 1999 that Kitty was detected with breast cancer. “The very thought was horrifying; but thank God for my loving family, their love, support and understanding really did keep me going. I also had a few trusted friends who supported me with love and prayers, and helped me realise that life was still worth living regardless,” sighs Kitty. “No, it was she who always tried to remain positive, and used humour a lot to help us get through the ordeal” contradicts her husband promptly. “She took all the pain and the endless visits to the doctors in her stride. Even today, though totally out of the woods, she sticks to her treatment plan, takes the full course of medications, and continues with regular tests and doctors’ visits.” Kitty brushes this aside and adds, “I was lucky I caught the symptoms early, and was able to recover fully. Problems are an inevitable part of life. To be happy you have to move on. You have to accept them, and have the affirmation that whatever happens is for the good, and that you know you can make the best of it. What was painful was the emotional toll I saw it take on my family. That was

Hope... All Is Well day, and echoes one last time over his grave: When peace, like a river, attendeth my way, When sorrows like sea billows roll; Whatever my lot, Thou has taught me to say, It is well, it is well, with my soul. In the movie 3 Idiots, the protagonist Rancho could manage to find an escape from the tribulations he confronted, by reassuring himself that ‘All iss well’. But by simply saying ‘All is well’ can we rid ourselves of troubles or failures in our real lives? We all confront failure, which becomes a source of shame in our lives. This shame goes deep, and affects us far worse than the hardships we try to escape from. We hide our feelings, and fear asking for help. We go about our lives in denial, pretending all is well. We keep up a front. But there is no need to be ashamed; there is no need to pile inner torment on top of

outer inadequacy. “I have come across parents who are facing great difficulties coping with disabled children, especially if the parents themselves are now failing in health. The parents confess that they have still not visited any psychologist or a psychotherapist for finding a solution to their problem. Nor have they ever visited any care giving organisation, to find a suitable arrangement for their disabled child in case anything happens to them. In fact, most of us feel ashamed to seek help. We experience uncomfortable emotions when we need to ask for something. ‘I don’t need anybody’s help,’ we assert defiantly. To ask for help, to admit that we have difficulties in our lives, provokes a sense of being a failure. Many people would rather suffer, than face that ‘embarrassment’. Parents of a grown up girl, Shivali, who was afflicted with cerebral palsy, visited our Society one day, for finding a way out of the frustration the girl was going through – having

the hardest thing for me!” Rattanji fondly leaks out that Kitty still loves singing. Sometimes she gets up with pains and cramps, but the day she’s going to sing we feel great. That’s what keeps us young.

So how did they do it?

The answer would have to be. . . they did it together. One step at a time, creating wonderful memories filled with plenty of laughter; and a love, trust and respect that is so endearing and deep that it has stood the test of time. “We’re always together. At home, we watch movies, or we argue, and go do our separate things – but we always come back together. We enjoy each other,” smiles Kitty. “And,” adds Rattanji, “we don’t do much to celebrate holidays, because for us every day is a New Year, and every day is a birthday! And when I wake up in the morning and I see her by my side, I think, ‘Thank God for another day together.’” Now that’s devotion for you... They both believe marriage is a partnership. She also believes there’s no point in trying to remake or change the man. “Having one another to share our lives with makes the journey through the adventure of life worth it all,” says Kitty. u

been confined to the bed or the CP chair for more than 34 years of her life! She thankfully now spreads cheer in the Society, and spends her day there with a mystical smile on her face. People who come into psychotherapy may have taken the most courageous step, when they finally admitted that they needed help. The enlightened are not ashamed of asking for/giving help, and so do not live their lives in flight or pretence. Thus they are able to live a more straight forward, honest existence. So often, I find that a person has got stuck in a position; he/she is either cast as the ‘dependent’ victim, or as the ‘self-reliant strong’ one who has no need for help. These two positions are fictions of the mind. To give help, and to receive it, is both natural and great – and in both these acts a spiritual path is enacted. u Dr. Rajesh Bhola is President of Spastic Society of Gurgaon and is working for the cause of children with autism, cerebral palsy, mental retardation and multiple disabilities for more than 20 years.

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

{ Srimati Lal }

he recent 3-day Art Mart held at Epicentre -- the fourth of an annual series – put together a very erratic collection of Indian Art, along with an overly-diversified range of crafts-oriented pieces. This 'eclectic' forum was, seemingly, our answer to Delhi's International Art Fair. However, evolved qualitycontrol is an absolute imperative in selecting works for any serious Art Fair -- a lack of which here resulted in a visually-insipid khichdi. Displaying random mediocrity as an option to exclusive aesthetic displays is not any kind of solution; it actually begets for us a cultural problem. Aside from a very average mixed-bag of Indian art -- which also included some overtly-aspiring as well as over-exposed repetitive artists -- Art Mart-4 was also a 'Mela', with 'corollary themes and distracting entertainment events'. A section, Art and Cinema, displayed peculiar and clichetic 'Bollywood-inspired art.' As a 'celebrity draw', art-film Director Ketan Mehta was present at a pre-release DVD screening of his film on the thespian Indian painter Raja Ravi Varma, and his muse, 'Rang Rasiya'. And then, a musical evening of vintage Bollywood melodies played on the piano by a young pianist Abhay, in the open-air theatre, also became a part of the Art Mart. Cinema and the Fine Arts are separate entities that cannot be so easily thrown-together, under a quick 'avant' label. Further, the advent of the Digital Print has, of late, evidently tossed-in too many breathless aspirants. This category includes eagerly-ambitious ingenues and artistic pretenders in a great hurry, who crave to be 'trendy' and 'cool', by jumping onto the current 'Arty' bandwagon. 'Art Appreciation courses' and 'Artists' Workshops' were also perfunctorily thrown into a 3-day time-frame. In this context, a separate section for disseminated discussions, readings, and serious interaction is vitally necessary. There was little cultural interaction at the Mart, with no designated space for methodical idea-sharing. Another practical drawback at this Mart was an absence of central seating arrangements, which is essential in all good galleries and museums. This caused further dissipation of concentrated viewing and appreciation. With around 20 small stalls for painters, sculptors and photographers, and a further 20 motley artists depicting 'Bollywood', the range of this Event was inherently limited. A rather peremp-

A rt

tory catalogue did not provide either a complete list of participants, sufficient texts or nuances. Among the stalls on offer, Paint Your World, showcasing the students of artist Kavita Jaiswal, who conducts workshops at Epicentre, was the only group-effort containing some nuanced, sensitive painterly creations. Chavi Rajpal's quirky, dry pastels on paper bear a whimsical contemporary originality. Sumedha Goel's personalised acrylics in honest impasto strokes, bearing metaphysical titles such as 'Hum sab kathputlian hain' and 'Eternal Search', communicated spontaneity. Nishi Bajaj's poetic oils, depicting urban commuters in a metro, evoked subtlety and pathos. Sharmila Bhasin's pastel portrait 'Lines of Time' bore sensitivity, representational skill and finesse. The Mart included some technical 'heritage and architectural' sepia-toned photos by Amit Pasricha, under the label Archiva – packaged with an obvious intent on the 'gift' market, and bearing a 'calendarish' feel. Other artists like Anjanna Kuthalia, Farhad Hussain, Sangeeta Singh and Rohit Sharma displayed average and repetitive works, where the spark of genuine self-expression remained notable in its absence. By contrast, the fledgling, relativelyimmature paintings and photographs of the teenage sisters, Madhulika and Tulika, contained more honest emotional content! Among the more 'craft-oriented' idioms, Meera Dutta's stall, Shanghai Strokes, of Chinese-inspired brush paintings, contained certain conventional watercolour skills. But such work does not convey any sort of contemporaneity. Neither did the laborious Tanjore and Pichwai-derived iconic paintings of Neena Chhabra; nor the folk-art remixes of Geetika Sangwan, in a disturbing variety of imitative renderings. The Gurgaon-based boutique, Ibex Interiors, presented some masterly Orissan wood carvings; but again, these cannot be considered contemporary artworks by any standards. In summation, the next Art Mart will need to introspect long and hard. Correctly maintaining India's aesthetic and intellectual quality, and responsibly conveying serious cultural ideas, is a basic necessity. There should not be the infliction of yet another motley assortment of art-masquerades. The consultation of reliable analysts -- and the engagement of more serious artists -- is imperative. It must be remembered that great art emerges from exalted, inspirational sadhana -- and it is not the stuff of facile, sales-oriented melas.u Artist, Writer, & Curator

Art Mela

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

B on V ivant

Psychological Acupressure { Bhavana Sharma }

he forerunner of Emotional Freedom Techniques (EFT) was a therapy called Thought Field Therapy (or TFT). This was formulated by a psychologist, Dr. Roger Callahan. The theory behind EFT is that all emotional upsets are caused by disturbances in the body’s energy system. Correct the disturbance, and the emotional upset dissipates. This doesn’t mean that we don’t feel any emotion; rather, that we have a tool that can neutralise excessive emotion. EFT is a form of psychological acupressure, that uses a gentle tapping technique— instead of needles—to stimulate traditional (Chinese) acupuncture points in the body. The tapping on the designated points on the face and body is combined with verbalising the identified problem, followed by a general affirmation phrase. EFT releases and balances the energy system, and allows the body and mind to resume their natural healing abilities. It is safe, easy and can bring wonderful results. Lets take a look at what EFT technique can do for us :-

Curing Some Eternal Rages Within Us:-

What if we were to apply EFT to the parent living within us? It could have been our father or mother, whose feelings and retorts have tormented us through our lives. If we could use EFT to heal this internal raging father, for example, then he will no longer rage at us from inside. This internal negative experi-

{ Amit Nagpal }

he direction of the Sun is an important consideration while constructing houses based on the principles of Vaastu Shastra. The Sun is indeed a life giver to our planet. When we design buildings and homes based on the Vaastu principles, it is extremely important to consider the sunlight exposure of such buildings, and the direction which is exposed. The science of Vaastu lays emphasis on the directions which receive the positive effects of the rays from the Sun. The rooms in the East and North directions need to be kept well-lit – what could be better than natural sunlight. A well-lit room in these directions not only aids in providing financial stability to the inhabitants, but also helps in improving the familial bonds and relations. The interiors of such rooms need to be bright in colour, with soft shades on the wall and thin curtains on the windows – to allow the cosmic energies of the sun rays to positively charge the surroundings. The North/ East regions in a commercial building can have a wall of

ence will come to an end. But is it possible to heal an internalised parent – because, after all, this internal parent is not a real person? The procedure for using EFT to heal an internal parent is a little strange, but fairly straightforward. You start by replaying a memory long enough to tune into the parent’s emotional energy. Once you have done this, you have actually tuned into your internal parent, rather than just your memory of your real parent. You then start tapping on yourself, while imagining that you are tapping on your internal parent at the same time. If you can visually see your parent while doing this, that’s great. Or if you can physically feel yourself tapping on your parent, that’s fine too. Otherwise, you can just imagine that you are tapping on this internal parent. While tapping, it’s important that you use wording as if you were the parent rather than yourself. For instance, if we use the raging father example, you would tap as if you were your raging father, and say something like: “Even though I am furious with my daughter, I deeply and profoundly accept myself.” You would then keep tapping, as your father, on the anger feelings and any other feelings and thoughts that come up. Continuing with the example, this might include things like: “I get so angry when I’m not in control of everything.” “I’m so stressed by all the responsibilities in my life.” “I’m scared that I won’t be able to keep it all together.” and so on. Just let your internal experience and intuition guide you,

EFT Tapping Therapy Is Helpful With the Following Emotional Challenges:

      

Stress and Distress Anxiety & Panic Attacks Trauma, Abuse & PTSD Depression Shame, Guilt, Low Self-Esteem Grief & Bereavement Love Pain

EFT Tapping Therapy Can Help With the Following Physical Problems:

    

 Anxiety Attacks SChronic Pain  Eating Disorders Allergies & Sensitivities  Fatigue Autoimmune Disorders  Insomnia Weight Loss Smoking Cessation/Addictions Of course many problems are linked.

as to what to tap on. Remember that this is not your real father, so you don’t have to know what your real father was thinking or feeling. You are tapping on the parent that lives within you; so whatever feelings and thoughts that you get in touch with are the ones that matter, and need to be healed within you. You keep tapping on the feelings that come up for your internal parent, until they have all been relieved. If you check in with your internal parent now, you will notice a calmness, and a greater

Catch The Sun

windows of huge glass panels, to allow the sun rays to seep inside the building and energise the environment. Abundant sunlight from the West direction would disturb the good Vaastu from this direction. Since this direction relates to the planet Saturn in astrology, excessive heat and light in this direction would affect the health of inhabitants of such a site. Today, most of the shopping malls are constructed with the roof open to the sky. The traditional houses of the past also had the central portion of the homes open to the sky. The rays of the Sun hitting such a central portion, or ‘Brahmast-

 Fear of Rejection  Fear of Public Speaking  Phobias: fear of flying, mice, snakes...  Addictions: alcohol, drugs, smoking, food, gambling...  Emotional overeating

hal’, of any home would energise the effect of cosmic rays in this portion. The ‘Brahmasthal’ is considered to be very sacred, and any negative element in its surrounding should be checked. Since our daily activities require more energy during the day, homes should have the rays of the morning Sun in the rooms where we are likely to be present during these times. Unfortunately, blocking the rays of the Sun seems to be one of the ‘trends’ in today’s modern lifestyle. We come across apartments with their Kitchens and Bedrooms and Bathrooms facing

degree of openness, that wasn’t there before.

Replacing the Negative Parental Energy with Loving Energy

Once you have completely neutralized the negative energy of the internal parent, you can take it a healing step further, by using EFT to bring loving feelings into the internal parent – to replace the negative energy. Go back to the original memory, and you’ll see that the negative energy, is no longer present. the Sun; but in order to avoid the glare of the morning Sun we cover the windows with either tinted glass, or put thick curtains to block these rays. Little do we realise that by doing so we are causing harm rather than protecting ourselves. Buildings and tall trees right outside the doors/windows tend to block the sun rays, and also affect the Vaastu of homes or offices. We also tend to use more artificial and electric lighting to illuminate our homes and offices. It’s time that we greet the Sun. The morning rays of the Sun falling on the beds help in disinfecting them of germs, and keeping the beds ‘crisp’. Some other ways we can benefit from the power of the Sun in our daily lives are: Worshipping the Sun God, by offering water to the rising Sun. This helps in receiving the beneficial cosmic rays into the site, as the energy from these rays blends with the flowing water as it drops to the ground. Doing the Surya Namaskar and positioning our bodies as the medium between the Earth and the Sun, thereby rejuvenating our bodies and minds. The Vaastu of any house/

While that’s a big relief, we don’t have to leave it there. We can now redo the memory, and replace the negative energy with an ideal parent’s loving energy. You do this by tapping on yourself, and imagining these loving feelings merging into your healed internal parent. You then play out a scenario in your imagination that expresses these loving feelings. For example, this might include your father expressing understanding, acceptance and appreciation (instead of anger) – and then playing a game with you. Let yourself enjoy the new version of the memory, and the good feelings for a good length of time. This will serve to change your internal history and experience. The loving energy and new “memory” will literally replace the original negative energy, and become part of your emotional history and foundation. It’s important to realise that this internalised parent has no relationship to our real external parent. Our real parent may have changed very much since our childhood. Our real parent may no longer be in our lives, or even have passed on. When we heal our internal parent, it has no bearing on our real external parent. It’s the parent that lives within us that we are primarily affecting, so that he or she won’t impact us negatively anymore. Also, it will likely take multiple EFT sessions to fully heal our internal parents. Just imagine what it would be like to no longer have the negative energy coming from internal parents. Imagine the depth of healing that comes from replacing the negative energy with a loving parent’s energy. u Tarot Card Reader, Author office gets enhanced with windows, balconies and doors in the East. Keeping them open in the mornings, and allowing the sun rays to enter the premises, reduces the negative energy in and around the place. While at work we should take care that we do not block the golden rays of the morning Sun with blinds. The washrooms/bathrooms in the East and North directions, while getting exposed to the golden Sun rays, give a charismatic effect. The Sun sets in the West, and though the rays are not visible to our eyes, yet the rays of the setting Sun entering the home/ office premises do not promote good Vaastu. For this very reason the washrooms and other water bodies—aquariums, small decorative fountains—are not recommended to be placed in this direction. Water has a property of absorbing the radiations and energies in its surroundings. The non-visible rays get absorbed in the water, and affect the good Vaastu of that particular site. u (Amit Nagpal is a Vaastu Consultant & Mentor based out of Gurgaon, and has been practicing the art of Vaastu Shastra for twelve years.)

B on Vivant

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

Tips

JIT KUMAR

Know Your Diamond ‘D’, which is considered the most superior. However, as soon as I opened my Kit, the jeweller realised that I am an aware customer. He changed the grade to ‘G’, and brought down the price to almost half.” Nidhi urges customers to call her to the jewellery store before they buy diamond jewellery. “I advise Gurgaonites to send me an email before they go out shopping for diamond jewellery,” says Nidhi. She claims to have no commercial interests, and basically wants to educate customers to spend their hard-earned money wisely.

How it helps

{ Shilpy Arora / FG }

ncounters with innocent customers caught in the rampant trade of fake diamonds – changed the course of this woman’s career. Nidhi Agarwal, a diamond grader, has turned consumer activist. A Gemological Institute of America (GIA) passout, Nidhi quit her high profile job with DTC, as she realised that the diamond grading certificates are not really helping customers. “First of all, more than 90 per cent of the customers are not aware of the terms used on the diamond certificates. Secondly, diamond graders often tie up with jewellers to provide fake certification for diamond jewellery. This is why I have started an initiative called ‘Know Your Diamond’,” she says. For the last four years she has been giving free consultation, and conducting workshops, for the diamond lovers in the City. Recounting an incident at a jewellery store in the City, she says “Last year when I went to buy a one carat Solitaire, I received a fake handwritten certificate from the jeweller. It was colour graded

Her classes have proven to be a boon for many women. Shradha, who spent around 1 lakh rupees on a pair of diamond earrings, found out the hard way. “During the workshop I put my earrings under a magnifying glass, and realised that all the stones were cheap American diamonds, which come at one-fourth the price. Also, when I weighed the jewellery, I came to know that the weight of the diamonds written in the certificate was more than the weight of the earring itself !” However, Shradha is glad that she is now an aware customer. “Nobody can cheat me now. I am no more an uneducated customer,” she asserts. Not only customers, but jewellers also come to Nidhi for consultation. Many times, the artisans mix cheaper stones (such as Moissanite and American diamonds) with the original diamond stones. A city-based jeweller informs us, “As grading is always done by a diamond certifying company, we jewellers are not aware of methods to detect the authenticity of diamonds. “Know Your Diamond” is a great initiative to educate customers as well as sellers.”

What needs to be done

Terminology in a Diamond Certificate Cuts

Meaning

Brilliant cut

A round cut. A cone-shaped stone. It gives the maximum light return through the top.

Princess cut

A square/rectangular cut. A stone shaped as an inverted-pyramid, with a square or a rectangle on the top

Marquise Cut

An elongated-oval shaped stone with pointed ends

Pear Cut

Looks like a teardrop. It is rounded at one end, with a tapering point on the other.

Oval Cut

A symmetrical lengthened-shape stone.

Heart Cut

A pear-shaped stone with clefts on the top.

Colour Grade

Meaning

Colourless

G, H and I

Near colourless

Slight tint

K , L and M

Obvious colour (faint yellow)

N to R

Obvious colour (very light yellow/brown/grey)

S to Z

Obvious colour (light yellow/brown/grey)

Z+

Fancy colour (pink, blue, brown)

Clarity Grade

Meaning

FL (Flawless)

No inclusions appear in FL diamond under 10x magnification

IF (Internally Flawless)

Very little inclusions appear under 10x magnification

VVSI (Very Very Slight Inclusions)

Very little inclusions, but not visible to the naked eye

SI (Slight Inclusions)

Inclusions, but not visible to the naked eye

I1, I2, and 13 (Visible Inclusions) Inclusions visible to the naked eye

Unlike other commodities, diamonds come at a high price. That is why awareness about its quality and authenticity is crucial. In India, buying diamond jewellery is pretty tricky, as there is no hallmark and no uniform price. Therefore, there is a lot that the authorities can do to protect the rights of customers. Nidhi feels that the credibility of the diamond grader is extremely important. “Most of the jewellers hire diamond graders from Karol Bagh – where they have set ups at every nook and corner. It seems anybody having a computer system and a scanner can open a diamond grading lab in India. The authorities should keep check on such practices,” says Nidhi. Rebekah, a US-based diamond trader, who supplies diamonds all across the world—including India— says, “In my 10 years of association with the Indian diamond market, I have never come across a single diamond grader who knows how to hold a magnifying kit properly.” According to Rebekah, some diamond brands in India have their own certification; not those of the authorised grading companies. Nidhi concurs, and informs that only three companies—DTC, GII, and CCI—are authorised to provide diamond certification. She suggests diamond lovers to get the jewellery verified by either an international grader, or a grader who has a Gemological Institute of India (GII) certification. However, she strongly feels that educating customers is the key. “If a customer can read the diamond certificate and understand the laser inscription on the stone, then 90 per cent of the job is done,” says Nidhi. u agarwalnidhi74@gmail.com

by ShahnaZ 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. My hair is becoming dry and rough from the bottom. I tried applying oil daily

Ruchi but it did not help. SH Twice a week heat olive oil and apply on the hair. Apply at the ends too. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water, and wrap the hot towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Use a mild herbal shampoo. Use less shampoo ,and rinse well with water. After shampoo, apply very little leave-on conditioner, or hair serum, only at the ends. Applying curd or egg half an hour before shampoo may help to soften the hair.

Q. My hair becomes curly. I prefer straight hair. Please tell me the remedies. Shaista

SH Use a hand-held hair dryer at home to straighten the hair. The effect will last till the next shampoo. After washing the hair, while the hair is still damp, divide it in sections. Hold the end of a section with a comb or brush. Holding it straight and slightly downwards, use the hand held dryer to dry the hair. Repeat this with each section. Hold the dryer at least 6 inches away from the hair. Please note that excessive use of the hair dryer can cause dryness of the hair.

Q. My skin is oily and brown. Please tell me the order and method of using

Taniya Sharma sunscreen, foundation, compact, etc. SH For oily skin, wash the face with soap two or three times a day, or use a face wash, or cleansing lotion for oily skin. After cleansing in the morning, wipe the face with an astringent lotion, using cotton wool. Then apply oil-free sunscreen, if you are going out in the sun. Wait for a few minutes and then apply compact powder. Look for compact powder with beige tones, rather than pink. Leave out foundation, especially during the day. Compact powder will provide a smooth texture. Two or three times a week, mix multani mitti with rose water and lemon juice into a paste, and apply on the face. Wash it off when it is dry.

WINNER Ruchi

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

Cookery tips by Vijaylaxmi Masterchef

detox diet For breakfast Banana porridge Porridge made with water – and topped with natural yoghurt, banana, raisins, and sweetened with honey. Fruit salad with yoghurt and oats Fresh fruit salad with natural yoghurt, and a sprinkling of oats. For lunch Mediterranean salad with rice cakes Rice cakes served with avocado, tomatoes, fresh basil and black pepper. Plus a handful of unsalted nuts. For snacks Plain popcorn Handful of unsalted nuts or seeds For dinner Potato mushroom and bean casserole Lightly fry a selection of typical casserole vegetables – such as onion, carrots and parsnip, in a little olive oil with garlic. When browned, add diced potato and fry for a few minutes. Add fresh vegetable stock, black pepper, your favourite beans and mushroom. Bring to a boil and simmer until the casserole thickens.

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Rapunzel’s Hair { Maria Fiedler / Berlin / DPA }

eautiful long hair is never out; but for women who want it, the long wait for a short haircut to grow out can be tedious. There comes a time when bangs hang in the eyes, but the hair isn’t long enough to tie back in a ponytail. But women and girls can use the tricks of hairdressers to make the wait for hair to grow out a little less aggravating. There are hair cuts to bridge the short-to-long growing phase, and comprehensive hair care products to make it less frustrating. The most important rule of thumb is to make regular appointments with the hairdresser. Hair grows 0.5 to 1.5 centimetres a month, says Jens Dagne, of the German Association of Hairdressers. Women who want long hair should have 0.5 cm cut every eight weeks, to prevent split ends. Dagne advises women not to try to cut their hair themselves. He also recommends combs made of horn or wood over metal combs, and a brush with natural bristles, when

{ Susanne Collins / Berlin / DPA }

ashion model Cindy Crawford is known for the beauty mark over her lip, and 50s sex symbol Marilyn Monroe had one too. Moles on a select few women are like a gift - a bonus on an already exceptionally beautiful face. But not every mole is considered a positive trait. They are just one of a host of flaws— from spider veins and scars to liver spots and blemishes—that women usually choose to conceal. Medically, they are undesirable and sometimes dangerous. Dermatologists distinguish between three types of moles: some are darker spots that are not raised from the skin; some are slightly raised, and contain more tissue; and

{ Daniel Schnettler / New York / DPA }

arely has the start of construction for a supermarket drawn so much attention as in Detroit recently, when the retailer Whole Foods, broke ground on the site of a new store. Whole Foods is a Texasbased grocery store chain, that specializes in fresh fruit and vegetables, and organic and natural foods. Like Trader Joe’s—another store that offers alternatives to the highly processed, high-fat and high-sugar foods that compound the population’s obesity problem—it has been expanding. Both chains have been opening stores in places that are known as

blow drying hair. Short hair can grow into long hair only if it stays healthy, says hairdresser Manfred Kraft. Wet hair should never be rubbed vigorously with a towel. The hair instead, should be pressed into the towel or carefully wrung out. There also are

products designed to protect the hair from the heat of a hair dryer. The cut should be one that is meant for growing hair. The hair at the neck and over the ears should be cut, while shorter hair at the top of the head is left to grow. When the top hair has reached the lower strands, then it can all grow together – until it reaches the length of a bob. “The bob is the best haircut for letting hair grow,” says

Kraft. “And to ensure that it doesn’t look too boring, the bob can have a few layers.” Layers help conceal differences in growing lengths, says Stefanie Koehn, a master hairdresser. But the cut shouldn’t be too frayed, because the thinned out ends can break easily. Hair that is especially fine can be made to look thicker and longer by hair extensions. “This is a way to reach the goal of long hair faster,” says Koehn. The extensions also protect some of the hair, so that it can grow to match the length of the extensions. The bangs are the most aggravating piece of hair in a growing-out phase, because they hang in the eyes. “You can change from straight bangs to slanted or half bangs – that can be pushed to the side and done up,” says Kraft. The bangs should be cut so that they blend in easily with the hair on the side. Hair also can be styled more conspicuously during a growing out phase. Gels, wax and spray keep the hair in check, while hair clips and head bands make sure the hairstyle has form.u

Hide That Spot some are a variation that is made of blood vessels and appears red. “As long as cancer is ruled out, all of these moles can be quickly removed by laser, without leaving a scar,” says Hans-Geerg Dauer, of the Professional Association for German Dermatologists. Liver spots and spider veins also don’t have to be a forever feature of one’s face. They should, however, be removed by a dermatologist, and not a cosmetician. When a laser procedure or other removal is poorly done, there is often burning or scarring left on the skin, says Dauer. It’s cheaper, of course,

Fresh Mart ‘food deserts’, because of their lack of choice when it comes to fresh food. Shoppers want more selection, said Felicia Patrick, owner of a boutique near the site of the future Whole Foods store. Debbie Stabenow, a Michigan Senator who attended the groundbreaking in Detroit, said the arrival of the store was a “statement for health.” About 13.5 million people in the US live in so-called ‘food deserts’, according to the US Department of Agriculture. These are places where people cannot buy quality fruit and vegetables beyond the basics.

to conceal the flaws, using waterproof creams in violet or green, says Birgit Huber, of the German Industry Association, representing personal care products and household detergents. After applying foundation, the spot should be touched up with a cover stick and tapped lightly with Grocery stores in these areas are full of processed foods and sugary drinks. In superstores such as Wal-Mart the amount of fresh fruits and vegetables on sale is small, as compared to the amount of packaged and processed foods. The expansion of Whole Foods, however, is an indication that Americans want something different. Wal-Mart also has recognized the signs that US consumers want a better selection of fresh and whole foods. The retail giant recently promised to offer more of such food for lower prices. In addition, WalMart plans to offer foods lower in sugar and salt by 2015, and ban the processed foods having dangerous fat levels. u

Cocktail King

{ Christine Engel / Ingolstadt, Germany / DPA }

bar owner in Ingolstadt—a Bavarian city known for its Audi auto factory—hopes to achieve fame for something that has nothing to do with automobiles. Hans Fell wants to get into the Guinness Book of World Records for having the biggest selection of cocktails at his bar, Hemingway – located in a building in the old district of the city, that is otherwise unremarkable. The drinks menu at his bar is 114-pages long, and has 1,555 different drinks, including classics – such as Long Island Iced Tea, Cosmopolitans and Mojitos. “No other bar has as many cocktails as my bar,” Fell claims. He mixes drinks from 400 ingredients, which are stored neatly behind the bar. “Everything has to be in the right place or else there is chaos.” It started with 63 cocktails, but at some point he realised he could make a lot more – maybe even 1,000. Then he realized the prob-

the finger. Edges should be carefully smoothed with a sponge. The colour green works as a concealer on blemishes that are red. The principles of the colour opposites apply, says Jenny Pohl, Spokeswoman for the Association of German Pharmaceuticals, Nutritional Supplements and Personal Care Products. While red shows through most beige tones, green neutralizes it. Pohl recommends a liquid concealer in a tone that matches the skin, or is one tone

lem would not be finding recipes, but learning them by heart. A good bartender should know 150 recipes, but knowing 1,000 would surely be impossible. So he came up with a database. Put in a number on a touch screen, and it spits out the recipe. When his database reached 1,000 recipes, Fell asked the Guinness Book of World Records whether there was already a record for the biggest selection of cocktails at one bar. The answer was yes, and it was held by a cocktail bar in Varna, Bulgaria – with 1,244 different drinks. Fell got busy and started writing more recipes and putting them in the database. He has to wait until December, to find out whether the 1,555 that he singled out for his bar beats that of the bar in Varna. Under Guinness Book of World Record rules, Fell must maintain the recipes for at least six months, and two independent witnesses must confirm the number. If he is successful, it is not certain that he will receive an entry in the book, as not all entries get published. He will, however, receive a certificate. u

lighter. More oily concealers, are better at covering, but are also more visible. Small spots, such as acne, can be hidden using makeup that covers well. Powder finishes the look, but it shouldn’t be applied too heavily, because it can cause a mask effect, says Pohl. One rule to follow is to never pluck hair from a mole, says Huber. Hair growing from a mole should only be cut because there is a danger of changes in the cells – and that can leave the mole looking really ugly. u

Spain’s “Mars on Earth”

{ Elena Box / Huelva, Spain / DPA }

here is a place on Earth that is very much like Mars. It possesses physical conditions and elements so similar to those on the Red Planet, that if life were to exist on Mars it might be what one finds in Rio Tinto, in Spain. That is why the U.S. National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) conducted tests in the Rio Tinto – to plan the manoeuvres the Curiosity rover is currently performing on Mars, after landing there on August 6. The Rio Tinto is a mining area dating back some 3,000 years. It was first inhabited by the Phoenicians and Tartars. The Romans later began mining the site with more modern techniques, to obtain iron and copper. The area flourished in the mid-19th century, when a British consortium, the Rio Tinto Company Limited, bought the mines. The arrival of the mining firm up-ended life in the small community of Rio Tinto. The firm built a railroad that reduced the cost of bringing out ore from the mines. The mines are no longer in

help to a group of acrobats and jugglers who teach children. “Dancing is forbidden there, so I juggled with the children,” explains Harding. “These images contradict what we see on the news. So much more is going on in those countries. Maybe I can inspire others, and create curiosity, to go on a trip and explore oneself,” says the hobby dancer. Harding became a filmmaker by chance. The former computer game designer quit his job in 2003, and went on a round-the-world trip. A friend encouraged him to dance in front of sights and landmarks. The video made its way from his blog to YouTube, and later a chewing gum manufacturer got interested. “Dancing Matt” travelled at the sponsor’s expense around the globe for a second time in 2006. He included locals in his dances on his third trip, two years later. There are more than enough fellow dancers. “If I was a

good dancer, maybe people would be reluctant to take part,” says Harding. “They instantly feel I don’t mind ridiculing myself.” For his fourth video, the American polished his dancing technique and learned local rhythms and traditional steps. During filming, Harding goes through the steps and dozens of people join in. Music is added later in the editing process. In order to choose his destinations freely, he paid for his last journey himself. Some countries are still on his wish list. “I really would like to travel to Iran, but it is complicated. I need a guarantee that it is safe for me and my fellow dancers.” There are no plans for another trip for now. Harding is looking for a new idea, but his partner Melissa, and his child, keep him home. The closing image of the video is his little son, Max, now 14 months old, on Harding’s shoulders in the garden. u

A scientist tests the “Eurobot” in the Rio Tinto basin. This vehicle could be used by astronauts on a future mission to Mars.

Micro-organisms live under the surface of the basin and oxidize sulphur and iron to feed – creating the strange hue of the river water. Except for the source, the Rio Tinto valley is almost entirely lacking in vegetation, and its banks are composed mostly of sand and rocks – that create a mixture of yellow, orange and copper tones.

{ Barbara Munker / San Francisco / DPA }

fans already. Harding has danced on Machu Picchu in Peru, in Antarctica, with natives of Papua New Guinea, with village kids in Rwanda, and even under water on the Australian Great Barrier Reef. This time he visited countries that most tourists don’t go to.

{ Thomas Geiger / Stuttgart / DPA }

The landscape is so similar to Mars that it attracted NASA and other US scientists in 2003. They launched the Mars Analogue Research and Technology Experiment (MARTE, its acronym, also means Mars in Spanish), to search for life in the subsurface of the Rio Tinto, as the scientific mission would later seek on Mars itself. According to the NASA web-

site, scientists in the MARTE project drilled into the Rio Tinto surface, took samples and analyzed them, to determine if they were inhabited by micro-organisms in a simulation of the Mars mission. The NASA scientists posit that “life in the Martian subsurface would need to obtain its metabolic needs from chemical energy – since there is no sunlight” on Mars. The aim was to search for life underground in the Rio Tinto valley—as the rover would do on Mars—because there might be (liquid) water in the subsurface of Mars. It might be possible that bacteria could exist on Mars that feed off minerals, just as lifeforms do in the Tinto valley. The European Space Agency also went to Rio Tinto last year to try out its Eurobot – a vehicle designed to transport an astronaut on a future mission to Mars. The Curiosity rover is using a measuring instrument designed by the Spanish Astrobiology Centre (CAB), and is taking samples and photographs of Mars. CAB scientists tried it out in the Rio Tinto riverbed, in search of life that can handle extreme conditions.u

ESA / ÖWF / P. Santek

operation, although a multinational firm, Emed Tartessus, is planning to re-open them. A mining park has become a tourist site, and is open to visitors. Tourists can visit the mining museum, admire a Victorian house, and walk through the ancient Pena de Hierro openpit mine. At the end of the tour, there is an open-pit mine that measures 330 metres across, and is 85 metres deep. Water that had once been drained from the basin has returned, and dyes the edges a red colour. “It used to be thought that these waters were lifeless, polluted by the mine, but the colour is natural – it has always been like that,” a guide says. “Women used the water as a remedy for skin conditions; but if it touches fabric it is like lye, its acidity discolours everything.” The Tinto (red in Spanish) river has very high acidity, with a pH of about two (a seven reading is neutral). The river flows through the Iberian Pyrite Belt, a large deposit of sulphide minerals.

Where The Hell Is Matt? raq, North Korea, Afghanistan – the visa stamps in Matt Harding’s passport are of the less usual kind. It is thanks to dancing that the 35-year-old American has made his way around the globe – stopping in exotic and rarely visited places. “I know that I’ve passed the figure of 100 countries. Since then, I stopped counting,” reveals the globetrotter, from his home in Seattle, in Washington State. This summer he uploaded his fourth global dancing video to his website www.wherethehellismatt.com. “Dancing 2012” shows Harding in over 40 countries – including Saudi Arabia, Rwanda, Russia, Bali, and even North Korea. The five-minute video has been clicked 5 million times by

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ans of Germany’s most opulent production limousine—the S-Class from Mercedes-Benz—will have to wait until early next year to see the revamped version. It is worth looking back at the genesis of this prestigious luxury car, that first arrived on the scene 40 years ago, in September 1972. It was officially introduced with the classification W116. The name “S” comes from the German word “Sonderklasse”, which means special class. The car elevated the Stuttgart maker into a rarified world of manufacturers, who produce cars for the rich and famous – such as Rolls-Royce, Bentley and Cadillac. The S-class could be found in the garages of crowned heads of state and captains of industries. Many opted for the ultimate S-class version – the high-performance 450SEL, with its 6.9-litre engine – which arrived in 1974. Although a little

“North Korea was easy,” Harding says. While there, he inspired a soldier to smile, and dozens of North Koreans to dance. No visa was needed for Iraq, and he entered Saudi Arabia with the help of a member of the country’s royal family. In Afghanistan, he turned for

40 yrs Of The S Class Merc austere compared to some of its rivals, the car offered a high level of luxury combined with race-track performance. The S-class was first displayed at the Paris Car Show, where it stole the thunder from new cars – such as the Jaguar XJ. The Merc cost at least 23,800 marks more, and was initially available only with fuelguzzling six-(160 horsepower) or eightcylinder (225 horsepower) motors. The specification went down well with the wealthy. The performance of the S-class was only one aspect which captivated buyers. The car was packed with safety features, and for the first time, the fuel tank was located not in the boot, but above the rear axle. This offered enhanced

crash protection. The interior featured a heavily-padded fascia, a set of low-profile knobs and switches, and a generously upholstered steering wheel. Mercedes-Benz claimed the passenger cell was one of the best-protected in the market. It was several years before the showstealing, top-of-the-range 450 SEL 6.9 broke cover in 1975. The ornate, chro-

mium-plated grille fronted an engine of superlatives, which propelled the car from zero to 100 km/h in 7.4 seconds. Top speed was 225 km/h. Other features such as central locking, air-conditioning, selflevelling hydropneumatic suspension, and headlamp washers were way ahead of their time. The car exuded elegance and luxury, and a total of 7,380 customers were prepared to pay a small fortune for the pleasure of owning one. The final model of the W 116 series S-class to leave the factory, carried the number 473 035. It rolled off the production line at Sindelfingen in autumn 1980. The production run of eight years was remarkable, considering that the world had been rocked by an oil crisis, and recession. The first edition of the S-class was expensive to run and maintain, although what was once regarded as the apex of luxury can be acquired fairly cheaply today. They represent a low-risk investment. “If they are well looked-after, they are made to last forever,” says the expert. u

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ntil now, when an author failed to find a publisher for his/her work, he/she was left with two choices – personally picking up the bill for printing; or, just giving up. Now, thanks to the internet, there is a third option—publishing it online— and a few authors have already become millionaires doing it this way. “Nothing else was working,” recalls Amanda Hocking, who decided to publish her work online. Hocking, 28, is, for many, the world’s most successful self-publishing author. As far as she can remember, she has been making up stories and telling them to anyone who cared to listen. At 17, she wrote her first novel. However, she could not find a willing publisher. So the girl from Austin, Minnesota—a town of 25,000— took up a course on elderly care, and she continued to write. Eventually she had close to 20 novels to her name, and opted to take charge of them directly. In April 2010, Hocking, for the first time, made her work— dominated by fantasy, science fiction, vampires and zombies— available on the Internet. “I heard about some people having success with it, so I thought I would give it a shot,” she recalls. A little over two years later, she has sold millions

Online Publishing – A Gold Rush of books, made millions of dollars, and is a leader in the field of self-publishing – a trend that, according to experts, could radically change the book industry. “I never expected for it to go this far; I was just trying it out to see what would happen,” Hocking says. She has since sold the movie rights to her work, and many of her books have appeared in print form in other countries. Hocking may be the best known, but she is far from being the only successful selfpublished author. In the United States, for example, thriller writer Michael Prescott has sold hundreds of thousands of his e-books in recent years. “It’s a gold rush out there,” Prescott says. “It’s the best time for an independent writer to get out there.” The turnover from the sale of e-books in the United States amounts to millions of dollars – it makes up about a fifth of the total market. In many other countries, the market share of e-books remains small, but it is growing quicker than the sale of printed books. “I do think that the e-book and the possibility of self-publishing are going to fundamentally change the sector,” says Jonas Winner, regarded as one of Germany’s leading self-

Self-publishing pioneer Amanda Hocking (undated handout photo supplied by her current publisher, Random House.)

Mariah Paaverud Chimera Studios

{ Christina Horsten / New York / DPA }

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publishing authors. The path to becoming a published author is simple for writers: they only have to give their manuscript a certain form, and then upload it onto the online platform of reading devices – such as Amazon’s Kindle, Apple’s iPad and Sony’s eReader. The online platform takes care of the book’s presentation, as well as of processing sales and preventing illegal copying, and it gets a portion of the usually very low market price for its services. Jonas Winner’s thriller Berlin Gothic, for example, is available on Amazon for 1.24 dollars, while Michael Prescott’s Riptide goes for 3.07 dollars. Traditional publishers are, for the first time,

being left out. However, not all books have what it takes to become online bestsellers, Hocking stresses. “Anyone can click ‘Upload’, and throw something on the Internet, but it’s a lot of work to create a finished product that people will actually want to buy, and to promote it once it’s available,” she says. Now, Hocking wants to change course and give the publishing industry a second chance. “I told my agent I would like to stop self-publishing and work with a publisher, to get my books in stores, and to also give myself more time to just write, and not stress over everything involved with self-publishing,”

she says. For her, the Internet was just a springboard. Indeed, publishers can benefit from the online phenomenon too. They no longer need to rely on gut feeling and a few test readers – when deciding whether to publish a book. They can actually obtain the views of many readers and steal the gems of the Internet book market. “It’s like the oldfashioned slush pile being road tested - with the cream rising to top,” says Andrew Martin, Hocking’s new publisher at St. Martin’s Press. “I’m not buying a book, I’m building a career with an author.”u

Germany’s ‘Gateway to the World’

{ Jean-Baptiste Piggin / Berlin / DPA }

ermany opened its first deep-water port—as part of a shift in the global container ship industry— to concentrate cargoes on new super-sized ships, to reduce the transport costs of world trade. The JadeWeserPort at Wilhelmshaven—a single quay where ships of up to 16.5 metres draught can dock—exploits a natural harbour on the North Sea, that had previously been used by the German navy. The first official caller in port, the 300-metre Maersk Laguna, operated by the

Denmark-based shipping line Maersk, was already unloading before the official opening ceremony. “This is a new gateway to the world,” says David McAllister, Premier of Lower Saxony state, that incorporates JadeWesserPort. The 1-billion-euro (1.3-billiondollar) quay was built just outside Wilhelmshaven, on a 1,725-metre-wide rectangle of reclaimed land – that juts out into the Jade, a coastal lagoon. Bigger ships carrying more than 10,000 standard containers are set to become the new standard, especially after current work to widen the Panama Canal is completed,

in 2014. Asian nations are scrambling to set up deep-water ports to accelerate trade. Bigger ships use fuel more efficiently, but when fully laden, they also ride deeper in the water. Germany’s current two main ocean ports—Hamburg and Bremerhaven—are both located up shallow rivers, and cannot receive the biggest ships at low tide. Hamburg’s current maximum legal draught—the height from a ship’s keel up to the waterline—is 12.5 metres. Until now, many deepdraught ships have delivered cargoes for Germany via Dutch ports – such as Rotterdam, Europe’s biggest seaport.u

Arctic Sea Ice At Record Low { Charlotte Mack / Washington / DPA }

he Arctic sea ice has shrunk to the smallest area in 33 years of record keeping, according to the National Snow and Ice Centre in Boulder, Colorado. The Arctic sea ice appeared to cover just 3.41 million kms on September 16, 700,000 square kms below the previous minimum of 4.17 square kms recorded on September 18, 2007, the Centre said. “We are now in uncharted territory,” said Mark Serreze, Director, National Snow and Ice Centre. “While we’ve long known that as the planet warms up, changes would be seen first—and be most pronounced—in the Arctic,

few of us were prepared for how rapidly the changes would actually occur.” The Arctic ice, which the Centre studies by analyzing photos taken by satellite, will begin reforming again as winter approaches; but because the existing ice covers the smallest area on record, scientists are concerned. Ocean physicist Peter Wadhams said that in no less than four years the Arctic sea ice could melt during the summer. “This collapse would occur in 2015-16 – at which time the summer Arctic would become ice free,” Wadhams said. Other scientists expect ice-free summers later. Lars-Otto Reiersen, Head of the Arctic Monitoring and

Assessment Programme, noted that there were models that “indicate 2015 as an extreme.” The Arctic sea ice cover has long been recognized as a sensitive climate indicator. It grows each winter as temperatures drop, and the amount of sunshine the continent receives declines. Each year, the Arctic sea ice reaches its minimum extent in September. Although the region’s sea ice extent varies from year to year, because of changeable weather conditions, the Centre said the ice extent has shown a dramatic overall decline over the past 30 years. This year’s minimum will be nearly 50 per cent lower than the 1979 to 2000 average. u

1. I need to go to a good hotel.- Wo Yao Qu Jiutian Wo - ‘that’ in Hindi Yao - ya+O (sound of the alphabet ‘O’) Jiu - chi (sound as in chicken) + O (sound of the alphabet ‘O’) tian – soft ti as in titli, ‘butterfly’ in English+ ane, as in Pane, without the P

2. Do you have any rooms available?- Ni You Fangjian Ma? Ni - pronounced as nee You – as in ‘Yo’ in English Fang- as in taang, ‘leg’ in Hindi, with F Jian – chee (sound as in chicken)+yen

3. Is there room service? Fangjian Fuwu You Ma?

Fang- as in taang, ‘leg’ in Hindi, with F Jian – chee (sound as in chicken)+yen Fuwu – Fu (the sound as in football)+ wu – sound of wu, as in wolf

4. How much is a double room for? - Liang Ge Fangjian, Duoshao Qian?,

liang – Li, as in little+ ang, as in taang, ‘leg’ in Hindi, without the T duo – Soft d(as in do-’Two’ in Hindi)+ O (sound of the alphabet ‘O’) shao – sha, the sound of sha,as in Shanti+O (sound of the alphabet ‘O’) qian – sound of chi, as in chhilka, ‘peel’ in Hindi+ane, as in Pane, without the P By Gautam Arora For Chinese Classes, log on to: www.chinesedelhi.co.in

24 Chaos Centre

28 Sept-4 Oct 2012

G -scape