Sunday times magazine 15 october 2017

October 15, 2017

Star Times Hollywood:

‘Game of Thrones’ will stop filming for Kit and Rose’s wedding Page 14 FREE DISTRIBUTION

The fight against a debilitating disease Page 4

Jungle Survival in Guyana

Page 5

The early period of road and railway transport Page 7

Apoteri: Where Culture and Nature Abound

Page 8

HSS- National Diya Light-up

Page 3

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Feature

The Guyana Annual

Celebrating over 100 years in existence

By Petamber Persaud

T

he longevity of The Guyana Annual magazine rest solely on the fact that the custodians of

this publication have never shied away from change and innovation; in fact, change and innovation were embraced with a passion. And

in the world of the arts, passion matters. Passion matters especially in a climate of little respect and little recompense for artists/writers.

Petamber Persaud recently handing over a copy of the magazine to a representative from the National Library

Without passion for the arts, without passion in the arts, many a good venture would die a swift death. So the magazine was always reinventing itself, meeting the needs of contemporary tastes.

Without embracing constant change the magazine could not have survive this long – 102 years and counting - outliving its main rivals like the “Caribia” and “The Christmas Tide”, two early publications with sound groundings. The “Christmas Tide” was produced by the Argosy Company and the “Caribia” by British Guiana Lithographic.

Some of those modifications started as in the early 1930s, only 15 years after its launch in December 1915. In the year 1932, the magazine was the first to add colour to such publications. That innovation has enhanced the image of and endeared the magazine to a wider readership.

Talking about a readership, in the initial stages when the production was in the hands of colonial administrators,

the magazine was distributed far and wide among countries under the same colonial domination. It can be inferred then that at that period, the popularity of the magazine was in high esteem.

On the local scene, the magazine was also held in high esteem. In some years, advertisements outnumbered pages – any business worth its salt wanted to be part of the magazine. And in other years, the magazine was sold out. Oh, for the return to such response.

On the subject of advertisements – it is a researcher’s delight to go through those commercial and person promotions. Those advertisements hold missing and essential parts of our history.

Even in its 102nd year of existence, The Guyana Annual magazine, previously named the “Chronicle Christmas Annual”, launched in December 1915, is admittedly fraught with challenges but is managing to stay viable with more changes and innovations.

The production of a 2018 issue is now been handled by a management committee.

Other modifications for the 2018 issue of The Guyana Annual include the reintroduction of photography and art competitions, and the introduction of competitions for journalism, cartoon, and drama. Of note, persons can win up to GYD$75,000 in cash in any of the competitions.

Of note also, the first prize for the Dr. Tulsi Dyal Singh Oil & Gas competition is GYD$250,000.

Competition rules are available on The Guyana Annual Facebook page or can be uplifted from Guyenterprise.

Entries can be submitted electronically via email address (theguyanaannual@gmail.com) or in hard copy format hand delivered to Guyenterprise, 234 Lance Gibbs & Irving Streets, Queenstown, Georgetown.

Responses to this author telephone (592) 226-0065 or email: oraltradition2002@yahoo.com

From the 1966 Christmas Annual - 'Young Mother' by Ecliffe Wharton, which gained Honourable Mention in the 'Open Photographic Competition', was used to headline the new Children's Section of the Magazine

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine

3

Times Focus

HSS- National Diya Light-up

T

aking the concept of Diwali into the public space with a focus on the message of this ‘Festival of Lights’ to our nation and not just a religious observance, the HSS (Hindu Swayamsevak Sangh) National Diya Light-up, in its third consecutive year, is being held today at Rahaman’s Park, Houston.

The idea of the diya light-up was conceptualised in 2015 by the HSS team to have a national diya where HSS shares the significance of Diwali and its message to the entire Guyana population and to show how the message of Hinduism is universal and their festivals are all encompassing, while still maintaining its sanctity and religious aspect(s).

“HSS is a social organisation and we believe that Guyana belongs to all of us. As such, we believe we have a right and duty to ensure our festivals and sacred observances should be given its rightful place in our society. Our team decided that we should also do our duty and play our role in ensuring that Diwali gets it rightful place and we do so in a grand way that will see it becoming a national symbol and annual feature in our calendar of events,” Vishal Seeraj, an HSS member, said in an interview with Sunday Times Magazine.

The event’s programme will feature prayers, skits, songs, and speeches by the head of HSS Guyana and also the global coordinator of HSS - Shri Saumitra Gokhale. Light Diya float at refreshments and tokens, a past HSS such as diyas, to all in atNational Diya tendance.

Light-up event Concerning dress code, Vishal said the event is in celebration of the Goddess Lakshmi. As such, out of respect, modest dress code is expected as such high de-

gree of reverence and emphasis on dignity is synonymous with the Goddess Lakshmi.

Explaining HSS’ theme this year, “Lighting the path to the future”, Vishal said: “Guyana is poised at a critical juncture at this time and we believe that we should invest in the youth of this nation. Our children are the future and we wish they emulate all the teachings and messages that are accorded with the observance of this sacred festival of Diwali, which speaks of removal of darkness from our lives with light, triumph of good over evil and as a nation these are pertinent to our future and the investments we make in our children and youths.”

Notably, the event was organised by youths to bring people together, so all religious, political and social groups are welcome to attend. The programme will start from 6:30pm; entrance to the event is free.

There is also a special song written for this event and the lyrics give us something to contemplate on: Let us go and light lamps where there is darkness still.

Unrestrained and directionless, youths are in a sorrowful condition. Individualism has taken over. ‘I’ and ‘mine’ are the words ruling the minds of people. Broken families are becoming common and family values are receding.

The beast within the humans has exploited the bountiful Mother Earth. ‘The Earth is our Mother and we are her children’this feeling is proving to be false. All these poisonous thoughts are looming large over the whole world under the name of ‘globalisation’.

But, we are not scared nor will we give up. We will forge ahead.

We will rest only when we bring about, like a storm, a noble mental revolution. Look! In our ‘organised strength’ we are already seeing the light.

A section of the crowd at a past HSS Diya Light-up

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Sunday Times Magazine

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Feature

The fight against a debilitating disease Lymphatic filariasis patients offer advice on coping and surviving the disease

Narine Murlie

By Indrawattie Natram

S

everal filariasis patients in Region Two (PomeroonSupenaam) are offering words of advice and encouragement to fellow infected individuals to remain positive despite having to live with this debilitating disease.

Vibert Munroe, 69, a rice farmer of Richmond Village said he “inherited” the disease from his mother at the age of 16. Munroe has severely suffered from the disease, which is also commonly known as elephantiasis. Despite painful and profound disfiguration, Munroe has managed to live a ‘normal’ life, providing for his family and also being an inspiration for others with filariasis.

Munroe, who attends the Anna Regina and Suddie Public Hospital High-Risk clinics, said he has received much support from these clinics as they serve as support groups as other patients meet, socialise and interact with each other. Those who are not suffering from the disease are also encouraged to take preventive measures, like using Albendazole tablets. Notably, Munroe also sensitises youths on filariasis.

He revealed that several of his siblings are infected. Sadly, one of his brothers died recently from the disease.

Narine Murlie, from Golden Fleece village on the Essequibo Coast, has been living with filariasis for over 40 years. He recalled developing a pain in his ankle which eventually spread causing his left foot to swell. With a few adjustments, however, he has been coping with the disease.

Murlie still enjoys riding his bicycle to the backdam and earning a living.

Murlie’s encouragement to others suffering from the disease is to “not give up, but be an inspiration to all those that are struggling”.

Both Munroe and Murlie receive medication from the Suddie Public Hospital, however they have expressed a need for more treatments, including medication for filariasis.

Efforts against filariasis in Guyana Mass Drug Administration (MDA) is promoted in Guyana as the only prevention and treatment method for filariasis. MDA aims to treat an entire population within a country through administering a curative dose of medication to vulnerable citizens without first testing for infections. The MDA exercise is annually spearheaded by all public health agencies worldwide. Individuals also have a personal mandate of keeping their surroundings clean and free of breeding sites for (culex) mosquitoes that carry the worm.

The use of treated bed nets is also recommended.

Vibert Munroe

The Neglected Diseases unit, through funding from the Government of Guyana, provides slippers, towels, buckets and basins to filariasis patients to properly wash their feet. Dressing and bandage are also given for covering and further treatment.

The Ministry of Public Health has been collaborating over the years with agencies such as the Pan American Health Organisation/World Health Organisation (PAHO/WHO), Centre for Disease Control (CDC), Georgetown Public Hospital Corporation (GPHC) and a number of non-governmental organisations for a number of years in reducing the number of filarial cases within the country.

The process of treatment at the unit of the Vector Control Services starts with evaluation.

The patients are evaluated then tested to confirm that there is indeed microscopic thread-like or roundworms in the system that would eventually cause filariasis. If the worm is detected, treatment begins with the administration of Albendazole or Diethylcarbamazine Citrate (DEC) at pre-specified doses. This medication will kill the worms that cause swelling of the groin or limbs, more specifically the leg.

According to coordinator of the Neglected Infectious Diseases Department within the Vector Control Services Unit, Dr. Fabu Moses, pointed out that at present more than 90 percent of the population is at risk of contracting filariasis.

“We did a study on primary school children in Regions One to Ten and this gave us some figures that showed our country or 90 percent of our population is at risk of contracting the small worms, micro-filariae, in adulthood,” she related in a recent interview.

The Vector Control Unit and Ministry of Public Health are now looking to ensure that everyone over the age of two, excluding those pregnant or considered to be very ill, is medicated.

“The Mass Drug Administration campaign has quite a few different facets, which include going house-to-house to disseminate information and medication to persons… We will be walking with the original containers the medication came in so that people will see where they were made, their expiry date.

This is done to alleviate concerns people have about what they are consuming, and rightfully so,” she declared.

For those persons who are not available when the teams visit their homes, filariasis medication will be available at health centres in Regions Three and Four since the medication is not available in pharmacies. The MDA campaign is expected to reach Region Two in 2018.

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 5

Feature

By Julia Dimon

W

ith jaguars, anacondas, black caiman and piranha, the jungle is home to a long list of creatures eager to eat, squeeze, bite or nibble on you if given the chance. With so many predator-free highend luxury resorts around the world, it’s a wonder why people would choose to spend their vacation time in the

for small animals, hand fish, sleep in jungle hammocks and make fire.

Part of an itinerary planned by Adventure Life (a tour operator offering multisport and adventure expeditions across Central and South America), this jungle survival course is an exercise in self-preservation and indigenous skills.

So there we were, in the middle of the jungle, try-

at. From hunting, we tried fishing for our dinner. Using plump white grubs as bait, we caught a few small piranhas, skewered the boney fish and grilled them over an open flame.

Post dinner, I retreated to my hammock to begin my going-to-bed ritual. As I reached for a toothbrush in my backpack, which was slung over a nearby tree branch, I saw something move. It was a

Learning how to hunt in the jungle from a local tour guide

thick of nature, (far from airconditioning, room service or cable) battling the elements.

Seems counter-intuitive, but learning to survive in the jungle is the exact reason why I, like the many other adventure-seekers before me, have found themselves in Guyana.

Nestled between Brazil and Venezuela, approximately 80 percent of this small South American country is primary tropical rainforest, making it the perfect locale for Bear Grylls wannabes on a quest to survive.

Deep in the Amazonian Basin, a few hours walk from the tiny Amerindian village of Surama, I followed a trio of Makushi guides into the jungle for a two-day survival adventure. This remote jungle experience teaches guests how to hunt using a traditional bow and arrow, set traps

ing to find a good place to camp. My guide signaled to a grassy patch of land that seemed suitable for a makeshift home. He handed me a machete and instructed me to clear away the vines that carpeted the jungle floor (so you can spot creepy crawlies who try to cuddle with you in the middle of the night). With the area clear, I strung my hammock between two trees, adjusted a tarp overtop, secured a mosquito net and voila. It was no [fancy hotel], but did serve as an effective shelter.

With camp set up, next task was to hunt for our dinner using a traditional bow and arrow. I’ve seen the movie “Hunger Games”, I know how it’s done. Turns out that real life archery requires a combination of strength, coordination and timing… a trifecta I pretty much sucked

Surviving in the jungle

massive wolf spider, double the size of my hand, crawling slowly up and territorially over my bag. I recoiled.

I’m not a fan of spiders, certainly not big hairy ones laying claim to my belongings.

My guide grabbed a stick and poked him until he scurried away. Then one of his wolf spiders buddies emerged from my bag. There were spiders everywhere! I’d set up camp smack in the middle of a wolf spider compound. Just great.

Unsettled, but unscathed, I slipped beneath my mosquito net and obsessively checked the innards of my hammock. No spiders there thank goodness!

Just as I was attempting to relax and settle in for the night, I spotted something big and black move inside my net. Bullet ant! Though

they’re only an inch long, bullet ants are nasty little guys with reputations as the world’s most painful stinging insect. On the Schmidt Sting index, bullet ants rate as the number one most painful bite among hymenoptera, one of the largest orders of insects. Schmidt himself described the bite of a bullet ant “like fire-walking over flaming charcoal with a 3-inch rusty nail grinding into your heel.” So when you find one crawling around your bed, it violates the perceived safety and sanctity of the gossamer mosquito net. My guide once again came to my rescue and “escorted” the ant out (“killed it dead dead” as they would say in Guyana).

Needless to say, after so much wolf spider/bullet ant excitement, it was a restless night’s sleep. I feared what

Fishing for her dinner

else might be in my hammock or lurking outside the net.

In the middle of the night, I heard an animal stomping around camp. I listened hard, held my breath and hoped the massive man-eater (which turned out to be a harmless armadillo) wasn’t hungry for blonde travel writers.

After my short time in the jungle, it became clear.

Beyond learning the tactical skills of survival, sleeping out in the jungle (exposed to the elements and plagued by an overactive imagination) tests your psychological strength.

Depriving oneself from all that is comfortable and familiar also makes returning to regular life all the more satisfying. Suddenly the simple comforts easily taken for granted (like running water, flushing toilets and walls), you now appreciate. Jungle

survival in Guyana was an incredible experience! It’s a way to test your boundaries, challenge yourself and acquire some new skills… just watch out for those bullet ants.

For more information on Julia’s travels, visit juliadimon.com Julia Dimon is a US family travel expert, on-camera travel TV host, travel influencer, blogger and hard-core travel junkie who has travelled around the world to over 80 countries, across all seven continents. She has eaten scorpions, trekked through jungles, slept with lions and battled malaria, but now for her biggest challenge - parenthood. Her mission is to empower adventurous likeminded mothers with tips and tricks when traveling with young children.

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Sunday Times Magazine 7

Feature

The early period of road and railway transport Continued from last week

I

n October 1845, a management committee was appointed to supervise the construction of the project. Eventually, a bill proposing the construction of the railway was passed by the Court of Policy in July 1846. Then in March 1847, Frederick Catherwood began his task of building the railway.

For the Georgetown's terminus, the Demerara Railway Company purchased an area at the junction of Main and Lamaha Streets in the city. Here, in August 1847 work commenced on the building of a large railway station with workshops, coal sheds and large water tanks.

Construction other stations along the route also started shortly after.

That same year three railway steam engines, purchased in London, arrived in Georgetown and they were, respectively, named "Mosquito", "Sandfly" and "Firefly".

At first, a shortage of labour and finances impeded the construction of the railway. As construction continued, the cost escalated and government intervention was necessary to assure the repayment of loans offered.

But despite such problems, after nearly 15 months the railway was opened as far as Plaisance on 3 November 1848 with two trains running daily between this village and Georgetown. This became the first railway system on the South American continent.

Further problems arose as the railway extended, since land was required by the company for the route through the various plantations and the proprietors were not willing to give up

Rockstone River Terminus of the DER on the Essequibo River

Remains of the railway bridge at Mahaicony (Photo by Amanda Richards)

any part of their property without obtaining a favourable price. But through the intervention of the government, an agreement was reached by which proprietors were paid a compensation of $40 per acre of land utilised for the railway.

By May 1849, the railway company became dissatisfied with the service provided by Catherwood and his contract was terminated and this led to a further delay in construction. Financial problems, however, was the main cause but this was remedied when the government in July 1849 approved a loan of 50,000 pounds to the company. Construction supervised by Mr. Manifold, Catherwood's assistant, then moved quickly and the railway line reached Buxton in March 1850, Enmore in October 1850 and Belfield in November 1850.

The following year the company was again plagued by financial problems with the result that worked almost grounded to a halt and there was little progress for almost two years.

The situation was so serious, the Demerara Railway Company's committee resigned and Manifold was left in charge of all affairs.

Again, the government intervened ease financial pres-

sure on the company through a special ordinance in 1853 which reduced the rate of interest on the 50,000-pound loan from 6 percent to 4 percent annually.

Work recommenced at a rapid pace and the line reached Two Friends in October 1854. There followed another slowing down of the project, again due to the shortage of funds. As before, the government had to come to the rescue. On 1 August 1863, the railway reached Clonbrook and, finally, the Mahaica terminus at Helena in August 1864.

On 31 August 1864, the Governor, Sir Francis Hincks, formally declared the railroad open. Its length was nearly twenty-two miles and the total cost of construction was estimated to be 313,890 pounds. Of this figure the Demerara Railway Company raised 249,023 pounds while the remaining sum of 64,867 pounds was acquired through government loans.

The railway was very popular among the people on the East Coast Demerara, and soon there were demands for it to be extended further to Rosignol on the west bank of the Berbice River, 62 "railway" miles east of Georgetown. But it was not until 1890 that

Demerara Essequibo Railway (DER) Terminus at Wismar c1924 (Photo - Armorel Clinton)

the government granted a contract to the Demerara Railway Company to build the line between Mahaica and Rosignol, and also another line between Vreeden-Hoop and Tuschen west of the Demerara River.

The extension to Rosignol was constructed from 1897 to 1900 and its terminus was the ferry stelling on the left bank of the

Berbice River, thus allowing for easy connection by ferry steamer across the river with New Amsterdam. This part of the project included the building of sturdy iron railway bridges across the Mahaica, Mahaicony and Abary Rivers.

The first section of the Demerara-Essequibo railway was laid down after 1900 between Vreed-enHoop and Greenwich Park, and later extended to Parika in 1914.

The Demerara Railway Company was later sold to the Colonial Transport Department of the government, which took over control of the railway services from January 1, 1922.

The railway not only helped in quick and easy movement of the travelling public, but it also trans-

ported large quantities of goods very efficiently. Bulk sugar from the estates was moved with relative ease to Georgetown for export. But despite the popularity of the railway, many sugar estate owners, at first, were wary of it for a particular reason.

They felt it would encourage their workers to abandon their jobs on the estates and settle on lands near the railway and become peasant farmers. The movement of people to live and farm in the vicinity of the railway did occur, but this did not pull away workers from the sugar estates as the estate owners feared. Text from “The Guyana Story - From Earliest Times to Independence� by veteran retired Guyanese diplomat, Dr Odeen Ishmael)

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Travel & Tourism

Apoteri seen from the river

A

poteri is located at the confluence of the Rupununi and Essequibo rivers, about two and a half hours, during high water season, from the administrative centre of Annai. The village is the most remote of the North Rupununi communities.

Apoteri is an old Carib village known since the days of Schomburgk and Im Thurn. It was a stopping point for travellers exploring Guyana’s hinterland in the early 1800s.

The name Apoteri comes from the Arawak name of a tree. The history and development of Apoteri village is closely tied to the balata industry. In the 1970s, Apoteri was formed as a base for the business firm - Booker Brothers, McConnell & Company, popularly known as Bookers.

Workers from all over the region came to work there mainly from villages in the South Rupununi like Shea, Sand Creek, Sawariwau and Kraudarnau.

In 1973, the village got its first paid teacher and other villages, namely Rewa, also came to attend the school. The community credits retired headmaster and long-time resident, Naidu (from Anna Regina) with the high standard of education and the progression of several students to secondary school in recent years.

In 1987, Guyana Stores started working in the area. The main activities in the community are mainly agricultural such as farming cash crops, planting peanut and fishing, which were then bought by Guyana Stores. In 1998, Guyana Stores handed over its activities to the community. The community still relies heavily on subsistence farming and hunting.

Today, the village has several indigenous nations including Patamona, Wapishana and Makushi.

The general culture of the people has changed from purely indigenous to a mixture of practices. Influences include music, food and fashion, brought back by those visiting other locations, especially Brazil. But these new influences do not affect community togetherness. The villagers still work together on community self-help projects and celebrating special occasions. They also organise sport events with other communities, helping the people to remain connected, and promote positive relations.

One of the most scenic locations near the village is the King William Falls, located along the Upper Essequibo River.

There you can enjoy a wilderness experience unlike any other in the world.

(Information from Ministry of Indigenous Peoples' Affairs, https://moipa.gov.gy)

Clearing in Apoteri where planes land (Photo by Casey Grenier)

King William IV falls

Site where the balata company once existed

Apoteri village hall

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 9

Health

K

idney stones (renal lithiasis, nephrolithiasis) are hard deposits made of minerals and salts that form inside your kidneys.

Types of kidney stones Knowing the type of kidney stone helps determine the cause and may give clues on how to reduce your risk of getting more kidney stones.

If possible, try to save your kidney stone if you pass one so that you can bring it to your doctor for analysis.

Types of kidney stones include: Calcium stones. Most kidney stones are calcium stones, usually in the form of calcium oxalate. Oxalate is a naturally occurring substance found in food and is also made daily by your liver. Some fruits and vegetables, as well as nuts

and chocolate, have high oxalate content.

Dietary factors, high doses of vitamin D, intestinal bypass surgery and several metabolic disorders can increase the concentration of calcium or oxalate in urine.

Calcium stones may also occur in the form of calcium phosphate. This type of stone is more common in metabolic conditions, such as renal tubular acidosis. It may also be associated with certain migraine headaches or with taking certain seizure medications, such as topiramate (Topamax).

Struvite stones. Struvite stones form in response to an infection, such as a urinary tract infection. These stones can grow quickly and become quite large, sometimes with few symptoms or little warn-

ing.

Uric acid stones.

Uric acid stones can form in people who don't drink enough fluids or who lose too much fluid, those who eat a high-protein diet, and those who have gout. Certain genetic factors also may increase your risk of uric acid

stones.

These Cystine stones. stones form in people with a hereditary disorder that causes the kidneys to excrete too much of certain amino acids (cystinuria).

Risk factors Factors that increase your risk of developing kid-

Healthy Beauty

T

he secret to thick, strong, shiny strands isn't an expensive shampoo or fancy salon treatment—it's all about your diet. Eating a variety of healthy foods will give you the mane you've always dreamed of. Fill up on these nutrients to begin growing your healthiest hair ever.

Omega-3 fatty acids for shiny hair

Fish like salmon, sardines, and mackerel are packed with healthy omega-3 fatty acids. Your body can't make these healthy fats, so you have to get them from food or supplements. They help protect you from disease, but your body also needs them to grow hair and keep it shiny and full.

Since it stops and older hairs fall out, you can have hair loss. To get protein from meat, pick lean options like chicken or turkey, which have less saturated fat than sources like beef and pork.

Also, your protein and iron bases are covered when you eat eggs. They're rich in a B vitamin called biotin that helps hair grow. Not having enough of this vitamin can

ney stones include: Family or personal history. If someone in your family has kidney stones, you're more likely to develop stones, too.

And if you've already had one or more kidney stones, you're at increased risk of developing another.

Dehydration. Not drinking enough water each day can increase your risk of kidney stones. People who live in warm climates and those who sweat a lot may be at higher risk than others.

Certain diets. Eating a diet that's high in protein, sodium (salt) and sugar may increase your risk of some types of kidney stones. This is especially true with a high-sodium diet.

Too much salt in your diet increases the amount of calcium your kidneys must filter and significantly increases your risk of kidney stones.

Being obese. High body mass index (BMI), large waist size and weight gain have been linked to an increased risk of kidney stones.

Digestive diseases and surgery. Gastric bypass surgery, inflammatory bowel disease or chronic diarrhea can cause changes in the digestive process that affect your absorption of calcium and water, increasing the levels of stoneforming substances in your urine.

Other medical conditions.

Diseases and conditions that may increase your risk of kidney stones include renal tubular acidosis, cystinuria, hyperparathyroidism, certain medications and some urinary tract infections.

Symptoms A kidney stone may not cause symptoms until it moves around within your kidney or passes into your ureter — the tube connecting the kidney and bladder.

At that point, you may experience these signs and symptoms: Severe pain in the side and back, below the ribs Pain that radiates to the lower abdomen and groin Pain that comes in waves and fluctuates in intensity Pain on urination Pink, red or brown urine Cloudy or foul-smelling urine Nausea and vomiting Persistent need to urinate Urinating more often than usual Fever and chills if an infection is present Urinating small amounts Pain caused by a kidney stone may change — for instance, shifting to a different location or increasing in intensity — as the stone moves through your urinary tract.

When to see a doctor Make an appointment with your doctor if you have any signs and symptoms that worry you.

Seek immediate medical attention if you experience: Pain so severe that you can't sit still or find a comfortable position Pain accompanied by nausea and vomiting Pain accompanied by fever and chills Blood in your urine Difficulty passing urine

Kids’ Health

lead to hair loss. Biotin also helps strengthen brittle fingernails.

Sweet potatoes to prevent dry hair

Guava to prevent breakage

Guava is a tropical fruit that brims with vitamin C. It protects your hair from breaking. One cup of guava has 377 milligrams of vitamin C. That's more than four times

Have dry hair that's lost its shine? Sweet potatoes are filled with a good-for-you antioxidant called beta carotene.

Your body turns beta carotene into vitamin A. That helps protect against dry, dull hair. It also encourages the glands in your scalp to make an oily fluid called sebum that keeps hair from drying out. You can also find beta carotene in other orange vegetables like carrots, pumpkin, cantaloupe, and mangoes.

the minimum daily recommended amount.

Iron to prevent loss

Getting too little iron can lead to hair loss. But you can find this important nutrient in fortified cereal, grains, and pastas, and in soybeans and lentils. Beef, especially organ meats like liver, have lots of it. Shellfish and dark leafy greens do too.

Protein for hair growth

When you don't get enough protein, hair growth “rests”.

Cinnamon for circulation

Sprinkle this spice on your oatmeal, toast, and in your coffee. It helps with blood flow, also called circulation.

That's what brings oxygen and nutrients to your hair follicles.

A

lmost everyone has dropped some food on the floor and still wanted to eat it. If someone saw you drop it, he or she might have yelled, "5-second rule!" This so-called rule says food is OK to eat if you pick it up in 5 seconds or less.

Believe it or not, scientists have tested the rule. We're sorry to report it's not necessarily true. Bacteria can attach itself to your food even if you pick it up super-fast. But will your dropped food contain enough bacteria to make you sick? It's possible — and that's why you shouldn't eat food that has hit the floor.

Here's what you need to know about the 5-second rule: A clean-looking floor isn't necessarily clean.

A floor that looks dirty is usually worse, but even dry floors that look clean can contain bacteria. Why? Some germs can survive on the floor for a long time. And unless you have a powerful microscope, you can't check to see how many germs are there. So chances are, some bacteria are probably living on your kitchen floor and the cafeteria floor at school.

Faster is better.

A piece of food will pick up more bacteria the longer it spends on the floor. So food left there for 5 seconds or less will probably collect fewer bacteria than food sitting there for a longer time.

Fast may not be fast enough.

Bacteria can attach to your food as soon as it hits the floor. That means food left on the floor for an instant can get contaminated if conditions are right. And foods with wet surfaces, like an apple slice, can pick up bacteria easily.

When in doubt, toss it out.

Some bacteria are not harmful. But others can give you awful stuff, like diarrhoea. You can't see the bacteria and, even if you could, it doesn't take much to make you sick. So what are you to do with that delicious piece of whatever that just slipped from your grip? The safest choice is to throw it out. (https://kidshealth.org)

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Sunday Times Magazine 11

Home & Cooking

T

Recipes of the week

he ‘Festival of Lights’, which will be celebrated on Oct. 18, is a time when family and friends gather to enjoy delicious sweetmeats while reflecting on the meaning of the holiday - the triumph of good over evil and light over darkness. Below are a few recipes to help make this year’s Diwali celebration a sweet one.

Essential Elements of Traditional Indian Interior Design

I

ndian style interior design is among the most exotic, interesting and complex decor styles to work with.

Here are a few elements that capture the essence of this enchanting style.

Ingredients: 1½ cups all-purpose flour ½ cup ghee or vegetable shortening 2 cups sugar 1/2 cup water 1 tsp vanilla essence 2-3 pinches apple green food colouring

Method: Grease a round plate or tray with ghee and keep aside.

Sieve the flour for lumps. Heat the ghee or shortening in a pan and, once it melts, add sieved flour. Roast for 3-4 mins until the raw flour smell disappears over low flame.

Place both sugar and water in a pan and let it cook until the sugar dissolves. Start cooking further over medium flame until the syrup forms a one-string consistency. Switch off flame.

Add vanilla essence and food colouring to the roasted flour and mix well. Pour the sugar syrup over the roasted flour and keep stirring briskly. No need to keep the pan with the flour on the stove. You can keep it on the counter and mix. A wooden spatula will be of great help to do this.

The hot sugar syrup will melt the ghee in the roasted flour and the entire mixture will become loose. Keep stirring briskly with the spatula in a circular motion. It will take about 2 minutes for the mixture to come together. Immediately pour this mixture on to the greased plate and tap it gently on the counter until it is levelled. You can also use parchment paper to level the top evenly.

While it is still warm, using a knife, draw lines according to the shape you prefer. Wait until it cools down considerably and then cut them into desired shape.

Ingredients: 4 cups full cream powdered milk 16 oz Nestlé cream 10 oz granulated white sugar

Method: Mix milk powder and cream just enough to combine. Let stand for 10 minutes. Rub the cream into the milk powder until it is the consistency of fine breadcrumbs.

In a heavy pot, bring sugar, ginger and water to a boil. Add the spices.

Since India has a large and exciting variety of handicrafts, there are a ton of decorative artefacts to choose from to decorate your home. Popular choices include masks, clay pottery, diyas, leather puppets, crockery, decorative boxes in sandalwood, metal or marble. Pieces such as brass lamps and pots can be used as functional metallic accents.

1 tsp finely minced ginger 1 pinch each of ground elaichi (cardamom), cinnamon and clove 1/3 cup water Candy sprinkles to your liking Add the milk mixture to the pot and stir. Keep stirring until the mixture comes together in one clump and leaves the side of the pot as you turn. (This may be a little hard on the arms at this point, but it is important that the mixture not be too soft and crumbly.)

Spread mixture into a greased cookie sheet and smooth the top. Add sprinkles.

Cut into squares before it is completely cool.

Solid wood furniture is an important element in Indian interior design. For an authentic look, make the most of stunning Indian craftsmanship and choose traditional pieces with curved armrests and legs, carvings and inlay work in metal. Get one or two ornate centrepieces and complement them with other more understated furniture.

Ingredients: 1 cup of long grain rice (soaked overnight in 4 cups of water) 2 tbsp ghee (clarified butter) 5 tins of low-fat carnation milk 3 tins of condensed milk 1 cup of white raisins 1 tsp almond extract ½ cup of white sugar 3 cinnamon sticks, broken into large pieces 12 whole cloves 1/2 tsp ground cardamom 1/8 tsp ground cinnamon 1/8 tsp ground nutmeg 1½ cups of low-fat milk

Method:

Add ghee in a deep stock pot on medium heat. Drain soaked rice and add to pot. Sauté until water is absorbed and rice is coated with ghee. Add cinnamon sticks, cloves, ground cinnamon and nutmeg and continue to turn. Turn constantly to avoid the rice from browning.

Soak raisins in hot water to plump and let this sit for 20 mins.

After 5-7 minutes of cooking rice mixture, add regular low fat milk and stir. Add the carnation and condensed milk.

Continue to stir, and add sugar. Simmer rice until melted and shows a thick consistency. Add raisins and cook for a few minutes.

Transfer to a serving bowl and cover until ready to serve.

Bright and varied colours are the hallmark of Indian interior design. While it’s hugely tempting to go crazy with such a vast palette, too much colour can create visual chaos. Opt for earthy tones – ochre yellows, rich browns and burnt oranges for your walls and floors. Yellows and pinks on the fluorescent side of the spectrum and startling blues and greens can be used for smaller elements such as pillowcases or chairs.

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Puzzles

Crossword

ACROSS 1 Unfeeling 5 Orange Bowl city 10 Large fleet

16 Persona non -- 21 -- -- unto itself 22 Gold brick 23 Scrapes the windshield 24 Young person 25 -- Hari (Garbo role) 26 Physical condition 27 Urbana eleven 28 Cope with change 29 Go too far 31 Daisy -- Yokum 33 Exorcist's quarry 35 Wahine's welcome 36 Laissez- -- 37 Mountain lion 40 Iron pumper's pride 41 Prod along 42 The rudiments 45 Agent's take 46 College degrees 48 Familiar vow (2 wds.)

50 Cruet filler 52 Band member, often

54 Back the wrong horse 55 Promises to pay 57 Just barely win 58 Ohio Indians 59 Brief swims 60 101 and I-95 62 Knocks against 66 Blyth and Jillian 67 Instant 69 Drives away 71 Brew, as coffee 72 Bullhorn 74 Skipper's okay 76 Textbook divisions 78 Mother rabbit 79 Weaving machine 80 Skunk 83 Lost in thought 85 Freighter hazards 88 Avoid cancellation 89 Disney site 90 Piled up 93 Nutritious legumes

95 Bartlett or Seckel 97 Apple rival 98 Get melodramatic 100 Hebrew T 101 Birdfeeder visitor 106 Deadlocked 108 Ranges 110 The Great Caruso 112 Warn loudly 113 Valuable violin 115 Stay afloat 116 Old masters 117 Kind of toast 118 Jarrett of NASCAR 120 Mermaids' domains 122 Timber wolf 123 Dry red wine 124 Rags 128 Bad-mouth 129 Luau strings 130 -- -de-sac 131 Blow away 132 Metal thread

133 Actress -- Hagen 135 Plumbing problem 137 Take a sip 139 Novelist -- Levin 140 Post of etiquette 142 Crumpet companion 144 Stubborn stains (2 wds.)

148 Kind of wave 150 Bit of broccoli 153 Concrete reinforcer 155 Was, to Ovid 156 Musical symbols 157 Hoity-toity (hyph.)

158 Saint Teresa's town 159 Cornell or Pound 160 Serpent Hercules fought 161 Charm 162 Beauty's companion 163 Ride the updrafts DOWN 1 Hunter's garb 2 Many a Norway king 3 Behind schedule 4 Kind of fruit tree 5 More hazy 6 Exist naturally 7 Open-mouthed 8 Cleaning implement 9 Part of a list 10 Word of parting 11 Shinto or Zen (abbr.)

12 A thousand G's 13 Etching fluid

14 Cygnus supergiant 15 Noted sci-fi writer 16 FBI agent (hyph.)

17 Unburdened 18 Not digital 19 Kansas capital 20 More Bohemian 30 Bank vaults 32 Nave neighbor 34 Norse Zeus 38 Twice DI 39 Light incense to 41 Invigorate (2 wds.)

42 Varsity (hyph.)

43 Transported 44 Prompting

46 Little -- -- 47 Part of PBA 49 Production

51 Ballpoint point 53 Swap-meet deals 54 Depict by drawing 56 Spotted 59 Destine for trouble 61 Take a spill 63 "M*A*S*H" extra 64 Utah ski locale 65 Trapshooting

67 Conductance ybut 68 Natural gifts 69 Grant audience 70 Sault -- Marie 73 Desperado's fear 75 Rumormonger 77 Skulk around 81 Bauxite or galena 82 Cobbler's tool 84 Atomizer 85 Trot and canter

86 Scope 87 Weaker, as an excuse 91 911 responder 92 Pixels 93 Imposed taxes 94 Book copier of old 95 Snapshots 96 Kind of system 99 Hauls off 102 Port near Kilauea 103 Perry's secretary 104 Jostle 105 Raise spirits 107 Florentine poet 109 PC note (hyph.)

111 Secluded corner 114 Billy -- Williams 117 Turns to slush 119 Storage container 121 Weathervane dir.

122 Leia Organa's sib 123 Riverbank burrower 124 Jerk 125 In a breezy way 126 Bought and sold 127 Repress 130 Dark lines on Mars 134 Adventurer -- Quatermain 136 Petal extract 137 Knee-to-ankle bone 138 "En garde" weapons

KATHLEEN SAXE

WORD GAME TODAY'S WORD -- DECIMATED (DECIMATED: DES-ih-mate-ed: Destroyed a great proportion of.)

Average mark 50 words Time limit 60 minutes Can you find 67 or more words in DECIMATED? dace dame date dead decade deceit decide dedicate deed deem

deet deice demit diadem dice didact died diet dime edema

edict edit emetic emit caddie cadet came cede cite iced

idea ideate item mace made maid mate mead meat media

mediate medic medicate meet mete mica mice mite aced acid

acme acted addict adit admit aide aided aimed amice amid

tame team teed teem tide tied time

RULES OF THE GAME: 1. Words must be of four or more letters. 2. Words that acquire four letters by the addition of "s," such as "bats" or "dies," are not allowed. 3. Additional words made by adding a "d" or an "s" may not be used. For example, if "bake" is used, "baked" or "bakes" are not allowed, but "bake" and "baking" are admissible. 4. Proper nouns, slang words, or vulgar or sexually explicit words are not allowed.

140 141 143 145 146

Joy Adamson's pet "Star Wars" guru Sheik, usually Ricelike pasta Rhett's hangout

147 149 151 152 154

Black hole, once Olduvai loc.

Wheel part Shoguns' capital Solution on Pg 13 Night before

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 13

Tech

Tech tips

Your Computer: Should It Stay or Should It Go?

Apple’s new emoji include ‘I love you’ in ASL

If you can still update your operating system and apps, running maintenance programs like Disk Cleanup for Windows can free up space on your hard drive. (Credit: The New York Times)

U

nusual behavior from hardware and software can provide clues. For example, grinding or clunking noises coming from the computer’s internal drive have traditionally been signs that your system was about to go south (or at least needed investigation) and that new equipment might be on the horizon. However, as hardware has gotten more reliable, the software that runs on it can become outdated before the machine’s physical parts give out.

If you are running an operating system released within the past five years or so — but the computer seems slow — try performing the standard maintenance routines for your platform. These tasks include running the built-in Disk Defragmenter and the Disk Cleanup utilities for Windows or making sure your Mac has enough available free space on its drive to work efficiently. Check the support site for your platform for more information.

Keeping your operating system up-to-date is important not only for the newest features, but to get the latest security patches. If your computer’s processor or other components are too old to receive these updates or the manufacturer has ceased official support, you may want to start thinking about getting a new computer.

You can usually get along for a few years with third-party security software, but the newest versions of your preferred programs and games may not work — or run at a snail’s pace on your outdated system. You may also find that adding new hardware peripherals to your computer becomes difficult if your machine lacks the proper connection ports or the manufacturer does not release driver software compatible with your older system.

Getting a new computer is often a considerable investment, not only in money, but in the time it takes to move your files, install any new updated software and adjust to the new operating system. Migration applications for both Windows and Mac computers are available to help ease the transition for upgrading to a newer version of the same system; the support sites for Microsoft and Apple have guides to making a crossplatform move.

When it does come time to leave your old computer, you can recycle it responsibly. Apple, ASUS, Dell and many other manufacturers have electronics take-back programs to recycle old equipment. Check your hardware company’s site for information. (The New York Times)

Crossword Solution

Love-You Gesture designed after the “I love you” hand sign in American Sign Language

H

(July 2017) like Woman with Headscarf, Bearded Person, Breastfeeding, Zombie, Person in Lotus Position and new food items such as Sandwich and Coconut. Also included in the update is the Love-You Gesture, designed after the “I love you” hand sign in American Sign Language (ASL).

The new emoji will debut in next week's developer and public beta previews of iOS 11.1, and will be available in upcoming software updates for iOS, macOS and watchOS. (Apple)

Apple recently released 69 new emoji

undreds of new emoji, including more emotive smiley faces, gender-neutral characters, clothing options, food types, animals, mythical creatures and more, are coming to iPhone and iPad with iOS 11.1.

Tech news

A I

Day

Amazon is letting teens create their own accounts

Jeff Bezos CEO of Amazon

mazon is making it easier for the family's youngest shoppers to click through to Checkout with new parental

Tech news

The new emoji are designed to reveal every detail and adapted from approved characters in Unicode 10. iOS 11.1 will also include characters announced on World Emoji

control settings announced Wednesday.

Teens between the ages of 13 and 17 can now create unique logins, linked to

a household account, and place orders through the Amazon App to be approved by mom or dad. Parents will receive a text or email with information about the order and the option to approve.

If the approval process gets tedious, parents can also set pre-approved spending limits. Teens get greater freedom, and parents still get itemized notifications of orders.

"As a parent of a teen, I know how they crave independence, but at the same time that has to be bal-

anced with the convenience and trust that parents need.

We've listened to families and have built a great experience for both teens and parents," Michael Carr, vice president of Amazon Households, said in a statement.

Teens will also be able to access Prime-specific features like Prime Video and Twitch if their parents are members.

Parents and teens can sign up at amazon.com/forteens. (CNBC)

Facebook: ‘We want a billion people in VR’

n its continued effort to take virtual reality mainstream, Facebook has announced Oculus Go - a standalone headset that will be released in 2018.

Mark Zuckerberg said the device, priced at US$199, would be the “most accessible VR experience ever”.

Sales of the company’s VR hardware have been slow since launching the first Oculus Rift headset in March 2016.

"If VR doesn't go mass market at this price point, I think we can conclude that it never will,” said John Delaney, an analyst with IDC. The existing budget way to get Facebook's VR is the Samsung Gear VR at US$129 - but that requires a high-end Samsung smartphone in order to work.

Speaking at Facebook’s yearly virtual reality developers conference in San Jose, Mr Zuckerberg acknowl-

edged the slow adoption of the technology to date. But he said his company’s goal was that one day, it would get one billion people into VR. To get there, the company needs to create a premium, standalone VR device that offers free movement. It hasn’t managed that yet - the new Oculus Go should still be regarded as a budget VR experience.

But the company’s new head of VR, Hugo Barra, also shared more details about Project Santa Cruz, Facebook’s prototype high-end device that will offer movement-tracking without the need for tethering to a computer, or the placing of sensors around a home.

Many had hoped Project Santa Cruz would get a public release date, having first been announced at this event last year. Facebook’s new head of VR, Hugo Barra, would only divulge that developers would be sent devices to work with within the next 12

months.

Until then, Oculus Go is Facebook’s biggest hope in stepping up the adoption of virtual reality among the general public.

The device will be sent to developers to start building with in November this year. It will offer better visuals than the current Gear VR, but drops well short of the premium VR experience offered by the Oculus Rift and Touch controllers.

“Some people say that VR is isolating and anti-social. I actually think it’s the opposite. We all have limits to our reality. Opening up more of those experiences to more of us - that’s not isolating, that’s freeing. Nothing is going to replace being with someone in person. But when we run up against the limits of reality, VR is going to make our reality that much better,” Mr Zuckerberg said.

14 Sunday Times Magazine

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Bollywood/Hollywood

‘Game of Thrones’ will stop filming for Kit and Rose's wedding

K

it Harington and Rose Leslie have asked “Game of Thrones” creators if they can stop production for their big day so that the cast and crew can all attend.

Harington, known as Jon Snow in “Game of Thrones”, explained on The Jonathan Ross Show, "I rang [the pro-

ducer] up and I said, ‘I’m getting married and it’s your fault actually.’ I think for the final season he is so stressed that he’s reached that peaceful level.”

The pair met on set of the HBO show in 2012 but only made their first public appearance as a couple last year. In January,

they bought a £1.75 million 15th century home in East Anglia which has eight acres, a moat, swimming pool, tennis court, stables and a banqueting hall.

“I've moved in with my other best friend Rose, so I'm very happy," Harington told James Corden in June.

He added: “I said to her, cause she's moved into my house, 'Look darling, it's important that this is our space. That it feels like our space. That you haven't just moved into mine. Move anything you want around, change anything, chuck anything out.'”

Not surprisingly, Jon Snow fans have been left distraught after the news that he's now properly off the market. (Glamour)

Tyrese’s daughter will testify in allegedly child abuse case

T

yrese’s 10-year-old daughter will allegedly testify in the forthcoming child abuse against the crooner.

According to TheBlast.com, a judge has given Norma Gibson, Tyrese’s ex-wife, the option of calling their daughter Shayla to the stand if she chooses.

Tyrese claims that allowing their young child will “have drastic, long-lasting implications for the child’s wellbeing and psychological welfare.”

Norma alleges the singer “went into a rage, pushed our daughter to the ground, pinned her face down, put his knees on her back, grabbed her hands with one arm and beat her with the other.” That he spanked their daughter so hard that she was unable to sit down.

He has flat out denied the accusations on social media. “All I wanna do is co/parent nothing else...... Please.... Stick and stones

T

aylor Swift definitely knows how to treat her fans in the best way possible! The "Look What You Made Me Do" songstress took an English superfan named Lara by surprise when she joined her live stream on Instagram last week, making the fan freak out. But the most shocking-and sweetest--thing Tay did for her was not joining in Lara's live stream.

"On Thursday, last week, Taylor Nation DM'd me. They said Taylor would be sending me a package. I'm so grateful for Taylor Alison Swift," she said in an Instagram post.

Unbeknownst to her, the Grammy winner

P

rime Minister Narendra Modi has penned a “short, crisp and sweet” foreword for “Beyond The Dreamgirl”, an authorised biography of actress and BJP MP Hema Malini.

The book, by former editor of Stardust and producer Ram Kamal Mukherjee, will be launched on October 16, when the “evergreen beauty” turns 69. Its launch also marks the celebration of Hema Malini’s glorious run of 50 years in Indian showbiz. “Our PM has written very briefly in the book about his feelings for Hemaji. It’s short, crisp and sweet, not rubble and bubble. It’s an honour for me as an author and for Hemaji also that it is perhaps the first time that an active Prime Minister has written a foreword for a

book on a Bollywood actor,” said Mukherjee.

Having started her film career in 1968 with Raj Kapoor-starrer “Sapno Ka Saudagar”, she regaled movie buffs with roles in films like “Seeta Aur Geeta”, “Sholay”, “Dream Girl” and “Satte Pe Satta”. An accomplished classical dancer, Hema Malini earned the epithet of Dreamgirl for her flawless beauty, and became a pioneering female superstar in an otherwise maleoriented film industry.

In 1999, Hema Malini campaigned for the Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) candidate in the Lok Sabha elections in Gurdaspur, Punjab. She is now a BJP MP from Mathura constituency. “I guess it’s all because of Hemaji’s credentials and contribution

to art and cinema that Mr Modi agreed to pen the foreword. When I was interacting with his office, they were very happy that Hemaji did not just limit her talk in the book to Bollywood,” said Mukherjee, who had in 2005 released a coffee table book called “Hema Malini Diva Unveiled”.

“Beyond The Dreamgirl”, published by HarperCollins India, will give readers an in-depth look into her life.

“It is divided into 23 chapters, covering her childhood, teens, Bollywood, rise as an actor, romance, colleagues, marriage, her second innings, launching Shah Rukh Khan in Dil Aashna Hai -- which she directed -- her ballet, her political journey and spiritual journey. There are two chapters dedicated to her daughters Esha and Ahana. She has also spoken about her Agra accident and her singing career. We have summed it all up with a chapter called Bliss. This book will also have Hemaji’s family tree, which has not been published earlier, and there will be a lot of exclusive unseen photographs from her personal, professional and political spheres,” Mukherjee said. (Hindustan Times)

Juhi Chawla hails Supreme Court for firecracker ban

A may break my bones but words will never hurt...... I've only prayed that your heart heals and we live our lives separately and peacefully on behalf of our daughter......,” he said on Twitter.

literally dropped by her house to personally deliver the package, full of tons of "Reputation" merch, herself.

Lara posted a slew of photos and videos of her and her idol, who donned a maroon velvet top. In one of the photos, Taylor and Lara were featured smiling from ear-to-ear, while another photo saw Taylor sporting a duck face as Lara had a big smile on her face. The 27-yearold global pop star also took a picture with presumably Lara's siblings.

Taylor has always wanted to keep fans close, and just recently the singer announced a new social app called The Swift Life through a new video released on Tuesday. The app, which was made in partnership with Glu, would allow fans to interact with the singer using text and a set of emoji stickers called Taymojis.

"We've worked closely with Taylor and her team to bring her creative vision to life," said Glu CEO Nick Earl in a statement.

"The result is a deeply social environment where Taylor and her fans are able to better connect with one another while expressing themselves in an interactive community. We look forward to its worldwide launch later this year." (AceShowbiz)

ctress Juhi Chawla’s latest tweet on the firecracker ban has cracked up the internet. It all began when she hailed ‘Delhi Supreme Court’ for the judgement.

On November 11 last year, the Supreme Court had ruled in favour of suspension of all licences “permitting sale of fireworks, wholesale and retail, within the territory of NCR”. On September 12 this year, the ban was temporarily relaxed, as the SC felt it would be an “extreme step” and a “graded approach” was needed to tackle pollution. The Supreme Court, last week, banned the sale of crackers in the Delhi-NCR until November 1.

Hailing the firecracker ban in the national capital, Juhi wrote on Twitter, “Brilliant move by Delhi supreme Court, firecrackers banned till November 1! Celebrate this Diwali with Diyas & love.”

In no time, Twitterati was all over Juhi’s case for her supposed error, which was suu-

pose to be just Supreme Court and not ‘Delhi Supreme Court’. “By the way Juhi whether the “ Mumbai Supreme Court “ banned the firecrackers or not,” wrote one user. Manjeet Bagga @Goldenthrust said: “I thought india had only one Supreme Court maam.”

(Hindustan Times)

Amitabh Bachchan did not celebrate his 75th birthday

A

mitabh Bachchan, who turned 75 on Wednesday, had tweeted early Monday that he would not celebrate his birthday this year. After thousands of online wishes and a quiet family holiday in Maldives, the actor explained in a long blog late Wednesday why he decided to skip the celebrations.

Meanwhile, a picture from the family time in Maldives -- where Bachchan is holidaying with wife Jaya, daughter Sweta Nanda, son Abhishek, daughter-in-law Aishwarya Rai and granddaughter Aaradhya -- came out on social media. In fact the photo was tweeted

by Abhishek but still took Big B by surprise.

In fact, after he saw the photo on Twitter, he asked his fan club how they got it.

His blog reflected his state of mind. “After

75 years, you run away from it all .. there is apprehension and embarrassment of celebration .. of what expression to be worn and where .. to what must there be celebration of gift .. and the list of guests to be in proper shades of etiquette .. the care and hospitality, the personal touch of host formality, the … Many objects and lists and meetings later .. it merely succumbs to the ultimate argument .. all this for getting a year closer to the final closure,” he wrote on his Tumblr blog.

“And today as I sit by myself in elated company of the near and the dear .. listen and read and get enveloped by the reams of praise and effects that my presence has supposedly created .. there is fear .. A fear of losing myself,” he added. (IANS)

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Sunday Times Magazine 15

16 Sunday Times Magazine

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OCTOBER 15, 2017

Fun Times

Archie

Refuse to get angry or be disillusioned by someone's (March 21- actions or the rules and regApril 19) ulations that you come up against. Using intelligence and following protocol will help you overcome whatever you encounter.

ARIES

Family, friends and reTAURUS unions will make your day. If (April 20you can't get together, catch May 20) up by sharing pictures and detailed accounts of what you've been up to.

GEMINI (May 28June 20)

CANCER (June 21July 22)

LEO (July 23Aug. 22)

Dilbert

Peanuts

Take the safe route when it comes to unnecessary expenditures. Don't feel you must please others if it means you would go into debt. Make social plans that are within your means.

Take a different approach to the way you handle home, family and partnerships. Opt to compromise and you will get the cooperation you require to finish what you start.

Experience could provide a helpful lesson. An intimate discussion will make a difference to your lifestyle.

Expand your interests and forge ahead.

VIRGO (Aug. 23Sept. 22)

Use what you have experienced in the past to gauge what you should do now. Making the right decision will help change the way the future unfolds.

LIBRA (Sept. 23Oct. 23)

A change will do you good.

Don't wait for someone else to make the first move. If you want something, do whatever it takes to make it yours. Share your feelings.

Check the job market for SCORPIO a position that will allow you (Oct. 24- to use your skills in a unique Nov. 22) way. Adapt your resume to reflect the direction you want to head in.

Emotional matters will esSAGITTARIUS calate.

Be careful when dealing (Nov. 23with siblings, friends or neighDec. 21)

bors. You'll end up in an argument if you refuse to see all sides of a situation.

Using an unusual tactic

CAPRICORN will pay off. Listen to others, (Dec. 22- but don't give in to manipuJan. 19) lative persuasion. Use the in-

Calvin and Hobbes

formation you receive to outmaneuver any opponent you encounter.

Emotional deception can AQUARIUS throw you off-guard. Listen (Jan. 20to your inner voice and share Feb. 19) your thoughts with someone you love and respect. A steady pace will get you where you want to go.

PISCES If you look over important (Feb. 20- papers, you'll find a loophole Mar. 20) that will help you settle a difference with someone who can influence your future. A fair and honest approach will be necessary.