VOL 01 ISS 02
Deepavali
- enlightening the soul
Bhanu Mehra The Sexy Angel Nature’s Monuments of Beauty ROCKS of HYD COURSE EXPERT DJing
Retail HOSPITALITY
ENTERTAINMENT
HEALTH
PROPERTY
EDUCATION
Rs. 25
NOV2010
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Executive Editor’s Note Welcome to the second issue of Hyderabad Life! It feels good now that we have taken our first step! We’ve had the most fantastic start to the magazine. Our clobbering enthusiasm seems to be growing into a strong passion and we can’t wait to start working on our new ideas & give them shape. Our second issue is filled with many an entertaining read & appealing features. For those who missed out on our rocking launch party, we have the exclusive pics for you inside. Being the festive season, we bring you a very distinct Diwali story highlighting the various ways it is celebrated across the country. We have some sizzling eye candy in the form of the gorgeously sexy Bhanu Mehra who is our celebrity of the month. I recommend our special story on rock formation by acclaimed photojournalist Mr. Ramchander Pentuker. We have also featured insightful health & lifestyle articles along with some light hearted reading for your pleasure. We hope you will enjoy them as much as we enjoyed compiling them. Last but not the least, I would like to thank Hon’ble Minister Sri Ponnala Lakshmaiah for launching our magazine, Sri B Chandra Shekhar Reddy, Smt. Shivaranjini Reddy & Sri G Jagannatham for their wonderful guidance. Their industry insights & views are invaluable for our young team.
Managing Director Shivaranjani Reddy Managing Editor B Chandra Shekhar Reddy Executive Editor Anand Rayapudi Feature Writers Ramchander Pentuker Aditya Guha Roy Mea Dr. Naveen Sake Dr. Nishita Malik Sanjana Sharan Soumya Mukherjee Ridhi M Ritika Samtaney Art & Picture Desk: Prudvi Advertising Senior Designers – Harmindar Singh S, Rakesh G Asst Designers – Vikramraj Savati
I say never miss an issue of Hyderabad Life, so subscribe today to be entertained & informed.
Events & Page 3 Images: www.cluburb.com
Feast through these pages and enjoy this issue exclusively for you.
Director – Marketing Kishore Kumar Advisor Prudhvidhar Reddy Pasnoor
Anand Rayapudi Executive Editor
Publisher B Chandra Shekhar Reddy Nymisha Castle, Flat no.101, plot 290, Road 10C, Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad Ph: 040-23540048 For Advertising Enquiries, 92462 12666
info@hyderabadlife.in
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Printed at Millenium Publications & Printers Plot No-2, Sri Lakshmi Nagar, Bowenpally, Hyd – 500011
10/30/2010 10:43:00 PM
Managing Editor’s Note Last month, when we launched the first issue of Hyderabad Life, little were we expecting such a huge response! People are still calling up & congratulating us on our success. It still feels a little surreal that we have garnered such enthusiasm! That is why in the midst of bringing out the second issue, I decided to go ahead with this letter mainly to thank all the readers who have taken their valuable time in sending their regards, comments and feedbacks. Some complementing the efforts but more importantly, most suggesting us as to what they would like to see more in the upcoming issues! We know you like the magazine but now what? I promise you will find more riveting content, insights, interviews & photo shoots. I would like to thank the entire team for bringing out such a beautiful issue and exceeding all expectations. Of course this does not mean we are satisfied already. Hyderabad Life magazine is only poised to grow and we promise we will only get better with each passing issue. When I first set up the magazine, there was one tag line of a famous car that struck my mind – ‘more car per car’. Now I can say that Hyderabad Life can carry off a tag line in similar terms like ‘more mag per mag’. If you would please pardon me for the plagiarism, we hope to get better in the coming issues. Keep posting us to how we are doing. With this, I end my note leaving you to check our latest issue for yourself. B Chandra Shekhar Reddy Managing Editor
Managing Director’s Note Seeing our issue out on stands gives me great pleasure & immense pride. Now as we are coming out with our second issue, questions keep popping up. What do our readers want? How do we find the reader’s pulse? How can we make people sit up & take notice? It’s all very exciting! I wish sometimes that the hands of my clock wouldn’t move so quickly, because there’s so much to do. And, here I am, caught between them, work and joy, doubts & happiness, between vagueness and confidence. This is all a long way of saying – this is life! Hyderabad Life! And it feels wonderful to be in the midst of something so exciting. I welcome you to be part of it too. Shivaranjani Reddy Managing Director
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In NOVEMBER
06
What’s happening? Calendar of Events
08 14 18
This time Last Month
20
Festive Feature
26 30
Fashion
City Events
Gossip Catch up on what your fave celebs are upto
Hotspot the Hangout
Deepavali, Enlightening the Soul Card Games
Celeb
BHANU MEHRA The Sexy Angel
34
Box Office
37
Showtunes
38
Reviews
Reviews & Previews
Music Top 10
Books – Best Children’s Classic Literature Gizmo corner Gaming – Evolution of Games
36 DVD REVIEW
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Vroom
44
Health
46
Tata Aria
Interview – Aesthetic Dentistry Cervical Cancer Nutrition – Indulge without a bulge
Food Guide Kairali Festive Recipes
Special Feature Rocks
Education
Course Expert Digital DJing
Weekend Travel Amaravati
Hyd the State of the City
Special Feature Travails of a true Hyderabadi – Pollution
Page 3 The city’s social scene
Funnies Horoscope Jokes Cashing in on 2012!
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50 56 62 64 66 67 72 76
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WHAT’S HAPPENING?
Famdent Show Hyderabad 2010 26 – 28Nov Advertise , Health , Wellness
Qadir Ali Baig Theatre Festival
and Fitness , Exhibition
29th Oct to 10th Nov, 2010 A Celebration Of World Class Theatre
The event will showcase the latest innovation and equipments technology for dental industry. The expo will be taking place between 26-28 November 2010 at the Hyderabad International Convention Centre (HICC).
Venue: Taj Banjara, Taramati Baradari, The Park Hotel & Shilpa Kala Vedika, Hyderabad Tickets: Rs.100, 200 & 500
Nasscom > Animation & Gaming conclave 2010
12 – 13Nov HICC, Hotel Novotel, Hyderbad. NASSCOM Animation and Gaming Summit 2010
NOV 28
Hyderabad 10K run
Media Expo 2010
November 28th at peoples plaza
HITEX is holding a Media Expo 2010
12 - 14 Nov It is a trade exhibition completely dedicated to indoor & outdoor advertising and signage solutions. Venue: HITEX, Izzat Nagar, Madhapur
Visit www.cluburb.com for the latest & best in Food, Fashion, Nightlife, Culture, Events and beyond. life_nov_cs5.indd 6
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NOVEMBER 2010
Andhra Pradesh Dog Show
NOV 14 14 Nov, 2010 (Sunday to Sunday) 8 AM to 8 PM Secunderabad Venue: Uppal G.H.M.C Stadium, Hyderabad
TEDX CYBERABAD 2010 @ Hyderabad
NOV 27 on November 27, 2010 Time : 9:30 am-6:30 pm TEDX CYBERABAD is being hosted in Hyderabad, India on the 27th of November [Saturday] at Hotel Taj Banjara.
ISB iDiya – A National Social Ideas Challenge
27Nov – 4Dec Indian School of Business (ISB), Hyderabad
OTHEREVENTS Yapa Band Live @ The Park Hyderabad 12-Nov-10 7:00pm
German-Indian Jamming Session:
Junkyard Groove Live @ Hard Rock Cafe On Thursday, 4th November
Prashanth & Andreas Otto Concert
CYANIDE SERENITY “Consuming India Tour” November 2010
9-10NOV
Shaa’ir & fUNC lIVE HYDERABAD
Venue:Liquids
14th November 2010 -The Park Hotel
at 8:00 PM NASSCOM
Solarcon 2010 @ Hyderabad Nov 15-17, 2010, Solarcon 2009
Hyderabad Dog Show 27 to 28 Nov, 2010 (Saturday to Sunday) 8 AM to 7 PM
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10/30/2010 10:43:17 PM
LAUNCH OF HYD LIFE Elegance, fashion & style was the atmosphere for the launch party of Hyderabad Life, held on September 27th at Syn. Earlier in the evening, the magazine was launched by Hon’ble State Minister of Major & Minor Irrigation, Sri Ponnala Lakshmaiah. The Monday night’s toast saw a sterling guest list of celebrities & socialistas live it up the entire night. The stellar soiree was spectacular with food, fun & partying. Check out the pictorial evidence of fun.
Sri Ponnala Lakshmaiah launching the first issue of Hyd Life at the press conference. Also seen are the MD of Hyd Life Mrs Shivaranjani Reddy & Managing Editor Mr Chandra Shekhar Reddy.
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visit www.cluburb.com for the latest & best in food. fashion, nightlife, culture, events and beyond.
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Jeep Thrills @ Airport This off-road challenge organized by Jeep Thrills India saw a host of motor lovers thronging the event near the RGIA to both witness & participate in this thrilling competition. The motor sport event featured competition in two different categories namely, the 4x4 & 4x2 off-road challenges. The obstacles included water channels, slush bog, steep hills & dives. The event also showcased vintage cars with their original engines.
Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange In the journey to decide India’s best nightlife, The Smirnoff Nightlife Exchange Project hosted a pre-party at BnC. Crates were placed at nightclubs across the country symbolizing the concept of an exchange. The best nightlife ideas from India were ‘packed’ off in crates and exchanged with those of another. Interesting ideas like a techno dandia, after-party hunger cravings at Bade Miyan were swapped via these crates! Hyderabadis geared up in style for this ambitious social experiment that covered six continents & 14 countries.
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visit www.cluburb.com for the latest & best in food. fashion, nightlife, culture, events and beyond.
God of Guitar Michael Angelo Batio, considered to be one of the fastest guitarists in the world, gave a mind blowing performance over the weekend at Aqua that left all the head-bangers asking for more. He even performed with his famous invention – the double guitar. This legendary musician, who was once voted the #1 Shredder of all time, is on his first visit to India as part of the VHI Gods of Guitar Event.
Hard Rock Café 1st Anniversary To mark its first anniversary in the city, Hard Rock Café Hyderabad had a special celebration with an evening of great music & greater fun. The rock n roll atmosphere saw a special live performance by local band Gnarl. Together with the traditional guitar smashing topped with a celebratory cake cutting, the night was rocked away!
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visit www.cluburb.com for the latest & best in food. fashion, nightlife, culture, events and beyond.
Major Brands Fashion Show A newly opened retail chain, Major Brands that has a vast array of international brands, the likes of Mango, Aldo, Promod, Nine Wesr, La Senza, Charles & Keith, Inglot make-up etc organized a fashion show to present the iconic looks of the Autumn-Winter season. The entire Hyderabadi fashion brigade was spotted checking out this exclusive collection that showcased an avant-garde look, with the models setting the ramp on fire. As the evening presented looks from naughty to nice, demure to come-hither, it was delectable fashion at its best.
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GOSSIP
Kiera Knightley to Play a Lesbian!
Steven Spielberg to do ‘Robopocalypse’ After War Horse & Adventures of Tintin, Steven Spielberg has taken on the expensive science fiction movie Robopocalypse. This movie is an adaptation of Daniel H. Wilson’s epic novel about the human race’s attempt to survive an apocalyptic robot uprising. Even though he has already toyed with that sort of story with Transformers, the industry is kicked about the heavy-duty stuff that he intends to do with this movie.
Rebel at age 5!
In a rather surprising move by the actress, Kiera Knightley will be playing a lesbian. Not in a movie, but in a play! Though she is most known for her part in the Pirates of the Caribbean franchise, she regularly balances that out with several demanding roles in dramatic period pieces. This time, she is making her debut on British Broadway where she plays a lesbian teacher in a relationship with a student of hers. This play was banned in Boston, but has found a more tolerant audience in Europe.
Apparently bombshell Jessica Alba learned at a very early age what she wanted to be & figured out what she believed in. This led to a rebellious streak in her that continued through her childhood. She admits that though she was raised in a Catholic household, she broke away from her parents’ belief early on! She considers herself the world’s youngest feminist at age five! However, while she still feels that way, she fully respects her folks’ beliefs no matter the differences.
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Rahman Brand Ambassador for Toyota Toyota has signed up Oscar winner AR Rahman as brand ambassador for its new car Etios, scheduled to launch in December. As every brand should have a strong connect between its product & the brand ambassador, Rahman will portray & reflect the car’s global, innovative, reliable & high-class image. Rahman will be part of the various marketing campaigns surrounding it. This sure will be one ad campaign to watch out for.
Uma in Bollywood?
Kill Bill star Uma Thurman, who spent time in India during her childhood, says the country is like a second home to her and that she would love to star in a Bollywood movie. The actress, who turned 40 recently, says she is looking for new challenges and that could include a potential role in a Bollywood movie. Interestingly, she was named Uma by her father who was a Sanskrit scholar & Tibetologist.
Deepika replaces Piggy Chops in Race 2 Race 2, one of the most awaited sequels of Bollywood is speeding its way up the shoot floor. The movie, which has been in the news ever since its announcement, is all set to thrill. While the cast has been a hot topic in the media, it has now turned out that Deepika Padukone has replaced Priyanka Chopra as the female lead. They are two other actresses who will be in the film, apart from Anil Kapoor, Saif Ali Khan & John Abraham.
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GOSSIP Leander & Amisha Patel pair up!
What made Sonam blush?
If fashion models can become actors and even cricketers can give it a try, then can tennis stars stay far behind from Bollywood? Tennis star Leander Paes is now going to romance Amisha Patel in his debut movie “Rajdhani Express”, to be directed by Ashok Kohli. What’s interesting to note is that Paes was being offered films for the past 15 years, but it’s only now that he has relented. He has already enrolled himself in Anupam Kher’s acting academy for a 3-month long course!
On a recent guest appearance on a TV show, the pretty Sonam Kapoor was seen blushing away to glory. The culprit was none other than Shaan – the versatile singer, who apparently is a long-time crush of Sonam’s. She admitted her crush in public and confessed to going weak-kneed just sitting next to her favorite singer & judging the show. She turned up in a gorgeous sari for the show, surprisingly considering how she is endorsing so many international brands these days.
Anjaana Anjaani Comic Box-office collections notwithstanding, Anjaana Anjaani is certainly on a roll. The two suicidal protagonists in the rom-com who meet when they are on the verge of suicide are about to take a plunge in another direction. Ranbir Kapoor & Priyanka Chopra will now feature in a series of comic-books describing the adventures of their respective characters Akash and Kiara. The first graphics have already been prepared and if all goes well, the inaugural comic will hit the stands next month.
Mukta Arts turns 32! Subhash Ghai’s Mukta Arts, one of the most prolific production houses in Bollywood recently celebrated its 32nd anniversary. This production house has given us evergreen hits like Karz, Ram Lakhan, Khalnayak, Taal, Pardes and others. In true Mukta Arts tradition, 3 new films were announced on this joyous occasion to be directed by bigwigs such as Abbas Mustan, Priyadarshan and Ghai himself. Cast and credits are being finalised and all the films will begin shooting in early 2011.
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Chiru set for film comeback!
It’s official now! After all the rumors & unofficial statements, we have the news straight from the horse’s mouth! Actorturned-politician Chiranjeevi himself has announced that he is all set to become an actor again with the release of his new movie next year. Speaking to mediamen, Chiranjeevi said that he couldn’t resist the pressure from his fans & audiences, and that his new movie would release in October next year. The details of the cast & crew are yet to be revealed.
Trisha’s Facebook account hacked Actress Trisha is really upset! The reason? Her Facebook account was hacked by an unknown person. This is not the first time a celebrity is facing this problem. Recently, Tamil star Simbu’s Twitter account was also hacked. Trisha’s friends & fans were in for a rude awakening when they found her Facebook account blocked. Trisha couldn’t wait for her old account to be restored and immediately opened another account & started networking again. Talk about FB addiction! Patience, Trish!
If sources are to be believed, Vidya Balan would be the lead opposite Rajinikanth in his next movie ‘Hara’. This 3D computer animated historical drama film featuring Rajinikanth as the animated character is being written, designed, directed and produced by Rajinikanth’s daughter Soundarya. But the beautiful homely actress says that she hasn’t received any formal communication from the filmmakers in this regard. She says that if at all she gets such an offer, she wouldn’t miss it for the world.
Vidya in Rajni’s next? 17
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HOT SPOT A cloudy November eve with a cuppa tea and chit chat with friends is an ideal evening for every Hyderabadi. So check out these yum low-budget eateries at the White House Building, Begumpet. Soumya Mukherjee
Roll Call: ‘Roll Call’, a knick-knack joint offers the perfect hang out place for all the age groups in the city. From moghlai to variety of veg and non veg chunkies wrapped up in Indian bread, one has a wide range of options to choose from. A fast food joint right out of the streets of Kolkata that goes hand in hand with the Hyderabadi lifestyle. The perfect ‘Adda’ with an average Rs 50 a meal makes it a very affordable deal and a must try out place.
Price range: Rs 50 avg
Paratha Ghar: If you see a lot of office crowd bustling around the building premises, do not be confused. The cosmopolitan culture of Hyderabad keeps getting a boost the hyderabadi way, “FOOD”. A small glimpse of the famous paratha galli in our midst, PARATHA GHAR gives a nice ‘dhaba’ feel. The specialties include the pizza paratha, with an array of toppings and the chocolate paratha which is a must for every sweet tooth. Combined with the various dosas and affordable prices, paratha ghar gets a big thumbs up.
Variety: parathas dosas. Price range: Rs 25-70
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Fresh Cuts: Fresh cuts is the place to be if you are from the health conscious strata of the society, and if you are not, then it has the perfect tag line for you ‘Refresh your Lifestyle’! First look inside is appealing as cleanliness is notably on top of their priority list. The house specialities include flavored lassis, diet juices and of course as the name suggests, some seasonal fresh cuts. A good to go place when you are on a wait, or casually need a refreshing gulp to cheer your thirst buds. A very good value for your bucks.
Must Check – Oreo, kit kat, Ferrero Rocher milk shakes Price Range – Rs 30 onwards (Few stores in the city get better)
Paapi Pet: Think about crazy Italian or continental food on the go, and Paapi Pet will definitely feature at the top of your list. Do not expect any hi-funda interiors as it is not meant to be a restaurant. A boon for the veggies, as Jain pizzas are also available. The 100% vegetarian sign might worry some but rest assured its worth every penny. Just pick up a tangy red pasta or a creamy white with a soft drink and you are good to go. Be it breakfast, lunch, dinner, or just a casual in-between snack you can dine here anytime you feel hungry.
Variety – Pizzas, Burgers, Pastas, Rolls, Wraps (Enough! I say) Price Range – Rs 40 to 100
Gelato Italiano: First word which comes to my mind – “Awesome”. Our favorite gelato just got better with a whole lot of new exciting flavors. Whether you are hanging out as a group or bringing your date along, ‘ Gelato Italiano’ caters to one and all. Walk around, sit aside or just yak away, your gelato gives you fabulous company. You can try out different flavors from bubblegum, to strawberry cheese, to whiskey crème. Surprise your mom today with a gelato treat delivered free at the doorstep.
Variety – Too many to list Price Range – Rs 30 – Rs 60 (Single Scoop) 19
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festive FEATURE
It is the day of sharing, giving and reaching out to the hearts of your loved ones. Diwali on the whole has always been the festival with both social & religious connotations. It is a personal, people-oriented festival when families and friends meet, enjoy and establish a world of closeness. It is a joyful celebration of the victory of good over evil, of our spiritual qualities dominating our basic instincts, intellect and ego. Bringing more light into our homes & thus into our lives symbolizes each of us becoming a better person. This is the quintessentially the Diwali spirit. But there are so many different ways in which one expresses this essence. Of course, we burst crackers & gorge on sweets. But there’s much more. Hyderabad Life takes you through the real spirit of the festival – five days of Diwali & their importance for each of the myriad cultures of our country.
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Dhanteras - Day 1
Throughout India, the first day of Diwali is widely known as Dhanteras. This day is celebrated to revere Dhanavantri, the physician of the gods, and Goddess Laxmi. Dhanteras is also known by various other names such as: Dhanatrayodashi: A special ritual called Deepdaan is carried out where lamps are lit for every individual in the family & its ancestors. These are then let afloat in a river or pond. Yamadeepdaan: This name has mythological roots to it. The sixteen-year old son of King Hima was doomed to die, but the dedication & offering of his young mother made Yama, the God of Death, return empty-handed. People observe a fast and the worship is done by lighting an earthen lamp on the main entrance of the house, offering water, vermilion, rice, jaggery and flowers to Yamaraj. Asweyuja Bahula Thrayodasi / Dhantheran: This is the South Indian version of Dhanteras and the day is marked by buying new utensils and silver/gold items.
Choti Diwali - Day 2
In every household, the second day is celebrated with the lighting of 5-7 diyas on the door and corners. It is Diwali on a smaller scale, with fewer lights lit and fewer crackers burst. Hence it is also known as Choti Diwali. The various regional names associated with the second day are: Divvela Panduga: This is one of the most significant days in Telugu culture. This is the day Lord Krishna slayed the demon Narakasura. Houses are beautifully decorated with Rangolis and oil lamps on this day. Narkachaturdashi: Celebrated in South India, God Yama is worshiped on this day to get over the fear of demon Narakasura. People make an effigy of Narakasura, and burn it. Later, they burst crackers. Roop Chaturdashi: In North India, the second day of Diwali is also known as Roop Chaturdashi. On this day, Hindus takes a ritual bath and perform Sadhana (Meditation) to possess physical beauty and a magnetic personality. Kali Chaudas: The day before Diwali is called Kali Chaudas and on this day, a head wash and application of kajal in the eyes is believed to keep away the kali nazar (evil eye). Mahanisha / Kali Puja: In West Bengal, Diwali is better known as Mahanisha. It is believed that Maha Kali appeared on this day, accompanied by 64,000 yoginis.
Lakshmi Puja - Day 3
Accompanied by the exchange of sweets and the explosion osion ortant of fireworks, the third day of Diwali as the most important and significant day. This is the day of the Lakshmi Puja.. Chopda Pujan: Diwali also represents the start of a new business year so all businesses close their accountss and present them to Lakshmi & Ganesh during the Chopda Pujan. Deva Divali: Among Jains, Diwali is known as Deva Divali. It is on this day that Lord Mahavira is worshiped, iped, sacred scriptures are recited and homes and templess are illuminated. Sukhsuptika: Among the Kashmiri Pandits, the festival val of lights is known as Sukhsuptika, which literally means sleep with happiness. Kaumudi Mahostavam: In some parts of our state, this day is known as Kaumudi Mahotsavam. Karthigai Deepam: In Tamil Nadu, people clean their houses ouses and draw ‘Kolams’ (Rangoli) in front of the house and also o place some lamps on it.
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Padva - Day 4
The fourth day of Diwali falls on the first day of the lunar New Year. At this time, it is the New Year for the Hindus, while for some others, old business accounts are settled and new books are opened on this day. The various forms of the fourth day include Goverdhan Puja: An occasion to worship Lord Krishna and Govardhan Parbat or Mount Govardhan, near Mathura Gudi Padva: The harvest festival for the Maharashtrians Pratipad Padwa: The fourth day is also called Varsha Pratipada or Pratipad Padwa that marks the coronation of King Vikramaditya. Annakoot: In North India, this is celebrated in observance of the episode in Sri Krishna’s childhood, in which He protects the cowherd clan of Brindavan from the wrath of Indra by lifting a mountain with his little finger. Bali Padyam / Bali Pratipada: In Karnataka and other states, the fourth day is celebrated as Bali Paadyami, commemorating the annual visit of demon king Bali to his subjects on Earth. Muharat Puja: All business establishments and families perform muharat pujan or veneration of their books on this day.
Bhai Dooj -Day 5
The fifth day of Diwali is widely known as Bhai dooj and is dedicated to the sacred bond shared between brothers and sisters. As the legend goes, Yama the God of Death visited his sister Yamuna on this particular day. That is why this day is also known by the name of Yama-Dwitiya or Bhathru Dwithiya. It is a big family day and it is celebrated in different forms across the country. Bhai Phota: The Bengalis celebrate ‘Bhai Phota’ two days after Kali puja. On this day, sisters keep a fast and invite their brothers for the customary rituals. Bhaubeej: The Maharashtrian community also celebrates this day as a special day for the special bond between brother & sister. Gorehabba: A unique festival celebrated by a remote village of Karnataka, Gorehabba fills joy and enthusiasm in people’s life. On this day the villagers start playing with the cow dung and there are also a few interesting rituals that are done.
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festive feature
Diwali Card Games TRADITION OF PLAYING CARDS
One of the most popular Diwali traditions is gambling by playing cards. According to a popular legend says that, the Hindu goddess Parvati and her husband, Lord Shiva, were playing dice on the day of Diwali. Happy about her success in the game, she ordered that gambling on the night of Diwali would bring prosperity to the players throughout the following year. Now, ancient dice games have been replaced by playing cards. Diwali is also associated with Lakshmi, the Hindu goddess of wealth and prosperity, and it is believed that she brings good fortune and wealth to those who gamble on Diwali. There is even an old saying that promises rebirth as a donkey for those who do not gamble during Diwali.
Sanjana Sharan
RUMMY Rules:
or more cards bearing the same suit and in consecutive order such as 3 4 5
Players & Deck – Rummy can be played by 2 to 6 players. A single deck of 52 cards is used (54 if jokers are included) and each player takes turns dealing the cards. If there are 4 or more players, two decks are used.
A Set is formed of three or four cards that are identical rank and of different suits, such as 3 3 3
The Deal – The player next to the dealer, pulls out a random card from the deck, which is the wild card and can be used to complete any set / run. The dealer then deals each player 13 cards face down. The next card from the deck is turned face up which indicates that it is the start of the discard pile. The rest of the deck is positioned face down and becomes the stock pile.
One crucial element of Rummy is that your hand must contain at least two Runs and if jokers are in play, at least one of those should be a “natural” or “pure” sequence (i.e. containing no joker or wild card). A joker may be used anywhere, either in a Run or a Set.
Object of the Game – The purpose of the game is to complete a hand with all 13 cards formed into Sets and/or Runs. A Run (sequence) is comprised of three
A card cannot be shared by two sets and / or runs
Drawing – The first player must take just one card either from the discard pile or the stock and add this card to the 13 cards of his hand. Discarding – After drawing, you must examine your cards and decide which one is the card you need least. It will be a card that is probably not in sequence
with the rest or is the only one of its kind making it impossible to form either a Set or a Run. You then take this card and place it on the discard pile, face up. How & When to go out: There is no knocking in Indian Rummy. If the player manages to meld all his cards and has a zero deadwood count, and his hand meets the requirement of containing at least two sequences (one of which is pure, with no wild cards), only then may he go out. He does this by placing his melds on the table and discarding the final card (traditionally face down) to signal victory. At this point, other players display their melds and deadwood is counted up and scored accordingly. Scoring: Face cards (Jack, Queen and King) score 10 points. Aces score 10 points. Jokers & wild cards are worth 0 points. The rest of the cards 2 – 10 are worth their face value.
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TEEN PATTI
The betting process:
Rules:
At the start of the betting the current stake is one unit (i.e. the amount that each player put in the pot as an ante).
Players & Stake – Teen Patti or Flush is best played between 4 to 7 players. Before playing it is necessary to agree the value of the minimum stake (which we will call one unit). Everyone places this minimum stake in the pot - a collection of money in the centre of the table, which will be won by one of the players. The Deal – The dealer deals out the cards one at a time until everyone has three cards. The players then bet on who has the best three card hand. Each has the option to look at their three-card hand before betting (playing seen) or to leave their cards face down on the table (playing blind). Object of the Game – The purpose of the game is to have the best three card hand at the table, by eliminating all other players. Each player in turn can either put an additional bet into the pot to stay in, or pay nothing further and fold.
• If you are a blind player (you have not looked at your cards), you must put in at least the current stake and not more than twice the current stake. The current stake for the next player is then the amount that you put in. You may choose to look at your cards when your turn comes to bet. You then become a seen player and from that turn onwards you must bet at least twice the current stake (or fold).
1.All except one player have folded. In that case the last surviving player wins all the money in the pot, irrespective of the cards held.
The ranking of hands:
•A show cannot occur until all but two players have dropped out.
2. Straight run - three consecutive cards of the same suit. Ace can be used in the run A-2-3, which is the highest straight run. 3. Normal run - three consecutive cards, not all of the same suit.
It is important to note that the betting process in this game is quite different from Poker betting. There is no concept of equalizing the bets, and a showdown is not possible with more than two players.
The betting continues in this way until one of the following things happens:
2.All except two players have folded and one of these players at their turn pays for a show. In that case the cards of both players are exposed and compared.
1. Trio - three cards of the same rank.
• In a show, both players’ cards are exposed, and the player whose hand is higher ranking wins the pot. If the hands are equal, the player who did not pay for the show wins the pot.
• If you are a seen player you must bet at least twice the current stake and not more than four times the current stake. The current stake for the next player becomes half the amount that you bet.
The amount that has to put in at your turn in order to stay in the game depends on the “current stake”, and whether you are playing blind or seen seen players have to bet twice as much as blind players to stay in.
The ranking of the possible hands, from high to low, is as follows.
• If both players are seen, either player in turn may pay twice the current stake for a show.
The rules for a show are as follows:
• If you are a blind player, the cost of a show is the current stake, paid into the pot. You do not look at your own cards until after you have paid for the show. • If you are a seen player and the other player is blind, you are not allowed to demand a show. The seen player can only continue betting or drop out.
4. Color - any three cards of the same suit. 5. Pair - two cards of the same rank. Between two such hands, compare the pair first, then the odd card if these are equal. 6. High card - three cards that do not belong to any of the above types.
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10/30/2010 10:45:29 PM
FASHION
Men,Get your Fashion Act Right! With autumn behind us, and winter just around the corner, it’s time to flaunt your style in sleek jackets & layered clothing. Having a few basic essential items to pair with everyday can make all the difference in creating a simple but versatile wardrobe. Thankfully men’s fashion styles don’t change as often as women’s. By paying attention to a few details, one can put together a very good look. Here are some must-haves for men for the coming winter.
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Cardigans Cardigans are warm, comfortable and look good with almost any outfit. Cardigans have been popular for a few seasons, but imagine a retro style cardigan over a tee te or button down shirt. It’s a seasonal must have. Pair this with geek chic glasses and skinny jeans and you have a very current look. Blacks, greys, deep purples, mixed olives, pale blues are very in this season but however, camel (a sort of a light beige colour) is a must-have this season.
Simple White Shirt A crisp white shirt is a definite must-have for every guy’s wardrobe irrespective of the season. However, for that stylish winter outfit, one can wear it under a solid colored V-neck sweater with just the collar and cuffs showing.
Blazer A cool fitted blazer is another necessity, and the styless available really give blazers a life of their own. You cann find some with patch pockets and/or elbow patches, others with big lapels and double-sided vents, but they ey are all a revival of retro looks.
Jeans Need we say anything, actually? There are a variety of shades es in jeans from dark to light washes but one thing is for certainn – the washed-out, worn-in look is here to stay. Since there is so much variety there is no excuse not to pick up a pair thatt enhances your best features. Most importantly, they can be paired with just about anything.
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10/30/2010 10:45:32 PM
FASHION
Plaid Shirts Plaid or checkered shirts are huge this season. One can never go wrong with a well fitted plaid shirt & a pair of denims. This look is simple yet very classy. You can pump it up with a pair of colorful sneakers for a playful look or a pair of flipp flops for a more casual look.
Shoes No look is ever complete without a good pair of footwear. Invest in some good converse shoes. They are fun, look cool and go with most outfits.
Scarves Scarves are absolute essentials in winter. They are stylish, comfortable and instantly up the style quotient tient of any outfit. Scarves come in a variety of colors, patterns, textures and can be worn in many ways too suit your personality, comfort and style. It can be worn loosely around the neck, secured in a loop orr intricately tied for a more creative look.
Ram Jeebu is one of Tollywood’s premier fashion stylists & a leading fashion designer in Hyderabad. This young gun is known for his bold cuts & expressive contemporary clothing styles.
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10/30/2010 10:45:35 PM
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10/30/2010 10:45:43 PM
CELEB
BHANU MEHRA THE SEXY ANGEL She is an angel in more ways than one – wholesome, naturally pretty, it’s understandable why men tend to gloss over Bhanu Mehra’s delicate features. Her eyes are every bit as beautiful as her mouth-watering curves. While her innate sensuality stands on its own, there’s something else about Bhanu. Some beauties become known for a slight flaw. Her mole is her signature trait & she wears it like a beauty mark, adding a jolt of asymmetry to her perfect face. Her bridal look from her movie ‘Varudu’ could make any man create a new goddess in her liking to worship on a daily basis. But there’s more to this mysteriously sensual lass. Ritika Samtaney brings you more…
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Welcome to Tollywood. How was the experience working for Varudu? Varudu as my first film has been an excellent experience. I got the chance to work with such big names like Allu Arjun, Gunashekhar, Suhasini and many others from the industry. I consider a great opportunity. They were all very helpful and friendly. Earlier, I knew nothing about film making but now I can say that I certainly know a lot about how a film is made. The team of Varudu was like a nice, big, happy family and we used to even have our 3 meals of the day together. That’s why I shall always cherish working with them. How was it like being paired with a reputed actor like Allu Arjun? He is a wonderful person and doesn’t behave like a big star at all. He is a great actor & dancer and one can learn a lot from him. He has been very friendly and comfortable to work with. In fact, he used to always help me out with my dialogues and we used to hang out a lot after the shoot as well. Could you tell us something about your childhood and schooling? I was born and brought up in Amritsar. I studied there till my 5th standard after which I was sent to a boarding school in Dehradun. Later on I came to Mumbai for college and it was in my first year that modelling came my way. Who has been your greatest support all throughout? My dad has always been there for me and is my biggest strength. For any problem I have, or any suggestion I need, it is always him that I go to. What made you choose acting as a career? Ever since I was a kid I always dreamt of being an actor. I always used to stand in front of the mirror and give out speeches. I even used to wear my mom’s saree and walk around. I always knew that this is what I wanted to be when I grew up and I am glad my family has been very supportive about it.
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If not acting then what would it be? I don’t really know. I have never seen myself doing anything else apart from acting. It has been my passion throughout life. What is the one thing you would want to change about yourself and why? I am very impatient and I get very hyper easily so I would certainly want to calm myself down and be more patient. Coming from the city of Bollywood, Mumbai, what made you choose Tollywood? Honestly, I never thought I would do a South Indian film but one fine day my coordinator called me saying that there was a very big Telugu film and I was called for the audition. I gave the audition and got selected but I was a little apprehensive about not knowing the language. I spoke to a few people about it and then decided to give it a try. How did you manage to cope with the language? It was a little bit of a problem initially but I could memorise my lines very easily. I was given a transcript and a translation too so I knew what I was saying. In fact, my dialogues were always given to me a week in advance so it wasn’t that difficult at all.
A role that you wish you played… Rani Mukherjee’s role in Black. How do you like Hyderabad so far? The best part about Hyderabad is the people. I love the food and places in Hyderabad and also that it’s a very clean and well maintained city. I have visited Charminar and almost every other place in the city. These days film stars are using the means of social networking sites like twitter and facebook to reach out to the public. Are you also into it? I use both twitter and facebook frequently and it feels good to see so many new people following me on twitter every day. What is the one thing about Hyd that you love the most? There isn’t just one but so many things about Hyderabad that I love. I love the weather, the people and the food a lot. I love the area of Banjara Hills as I used to stay there.
Your future plans… I am working on a Hindi film right now called ‘Boys toh Boys Hain’. It’s a romantic comedy full of new comers including the director. The shooting will begin in Delhi next month. I am really looking forward to this movie. Any particular kind of roles that you are looking for… I believe in versatility and I wouldn’t want to do the same kind of roles again and again. I played a bride in Varudu, so I wouldn’t want to play the same role for at least my next 5 films. Different kinds of roles are what I am looking for but I certainly wouldn’t do a movie without substance where I am asked to run around trees aimlessly.
10/30/2010 11:27:22 PM
FAVORITES Actor – Ranbir Kapoor for his looks and Siddharth for his acting Actress – Kareena Kapoor Director – Gautam Menon Movie – 3 Idiots Cuisine – Indian Hangout place – N-Grill Holiday destination – Manali Colour – Black
Fashion statement – My comfort is my fashion! Dream date – Cheese & red wine on a remote island with the man I love Single or Taken? Taken(blushes)
Is he from the film fraternity? – No, he is not!
Sexiest man – John Abraham & George Clooney
Hyderabad or Mumbai? – Hyderabad for work and Mumbai to live in
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A message for your fans‌ I would like to thank them for a warm welcome and for accepting me and appreciating my work. I still get messages on facebook for my film. Some even tell me that they have seen my movie thrice. This always brings a smile on my face, a big thank you to all!
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10/30/2010 11:27:37 PM
BOXOFFICE
REVIEW
ROBOT Cast: Rajinikanth, Aishwarya Rai, Danny Denzongpa Director: S. Shankar Producer: Kalanidhi Maran Written by: Sujatha & S. Shankar Music: AR Rehman On the face of it, Robo seems like it is inspired by a mish-mash of Bi-Centennial Man, Artificial Intelligence & iRobot, but this movie has something that no other sci-fi movie has ever had - Rajnikanth! He plays the dual role of a scientist and a robot. The scientist creates Chitti, the robot with artificial intelligence. The robot eventually falls in love with Aishwarya Rai. The movie is about how Chitti grapples with its emotions. It’s an out-n-out Rajnikant film and showcases all his stylish actions and feats. He can glide on the railway tracks, run horizontally on a moving train, transform into an Anaconda, can swallow helicopters and even fire at people with his fingers, without using a pistol. These are truly clap-trap moments & for a change, those actions can be scientifically explained! The last 25 minutes are insanely mind-blowing, and showcase Indian cinema’s leap into a new dimension. All in all, this is a once-in-a-lifetime movie & not to be missed.
RAKTACHARITRA Cast: Surya, Viveik Oberoi, Shatrughan Sinha, Priyamani, Sudeep
Director: Ram Gopal Varma Producer: Madhu Mantena, Sheetal V Talwar Music: Mani Sharma Quoting RGV himself, Raktacharitra is a movie that makes Company seem like a wedding sequence from a Karan Johar movie. This trilingual in Telugu, Tamil & Hindi is the story of a man’s phenomenal rise to power and of the most intense blood curdling conflict ever heard of between 2 individuals. It is also the ultimate statement on the often heard disastrous consequences of a fatal mixture of caste, crime, family feuds and politics. The story in itself is nothing more than a regular revenge drama but what makes you connect compellingly with the chronicle is the fact that it’s a biographical adaptation of Paritala Ravi’s story. All the actors are brilliant in their roles especially Vivek Oberoi & Abhimanyu Singh. Surya ends up only as a teaser as he comes to the forefront only in the second part. Brutality, gore & violence are essential characteristics of Rakta Charitra, thus it is not for the queasy-stomached.
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PREVIEW
GUZAARISH Cast: Hrithik Roshan, Aishwarya Rai Bachchan Director: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Producer: Ronnie Screwvala & Sanjay Leela Bhansali Music: Sanjay Leela Bhansali Sanjay Leela Bhansali’s Guzaarish revolves around the relationship between a married nurse and a quadriplegic, wheelchair-using patient who’s suffering from impairments of the motor and sensory functions of limbs. Starring Hrithik & Aishwarya, the story is set in the verdant green landscape, the magnetic blue waters and the warm bright sunshine of beautiful Goa. After being confined to the wheelchair for 14 years, he begins to fight tooth-and-nail to demand the most basic right that every human being is entitled to - the right to his own life. The ethics, the morality, the kindness and cruelty of this mission creates a storm in all the lives that it envelops and its resolution forms the startling conclusion of this remarkable journey.
HARRY POTTER & THE DEATHLY HALLOWS PART 1 Cast: Daniel Radcliffe, Rupert Grint, Emma Watson, Bill Nighy
Director: David Yates Producer: David Barron , David Heyman Music: Alexandre Desplat Harry Potter’s growing up fast, isn’t he? No longer the kid he once was ten years ago, everyone’s favourite wizard prodigy is now a teenager dealing with conspiracies, murderers and fantastical beasts. The boundaries will have to be pushed further for Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows Part 1 so as not to bore the now-grown up target audience. But as a family-friendly franchise, there’s an obligation to not go too far ahead and alienate a new generation of kids getting into the books. The final book is being made in two parts, with the story following Harry, Ron, and Hermione leaving Hogwarts behind to find and destroy the Horcruxes, the secret to Voldemort’s power and immortality. This is one of the most eagerly awaited movies of the franchise & the season.
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10/30/2010 11:27:45 PM
DVD REVIEW
The Children’s Classics Special
Dr. Naveen Sake
As Children’s Day draws near, we hope to remind you of the joy of being a kid. It’s the way our eyes lit up with a chocolate in our hands, a bucket of popcorn in our lap, and that magical movie experience that changed our boring evening into a night of fantasy & unforgettable adventures. Movie making has always had a large sector of enthusiasts who not only dreamt such marvellous tales & fantasies but also had the genius to bring alive such unseen, unheard wonders to the screen. These classics were made to be golden, the sort where kids would have to put up a week’s good behaviour for their parents to take them to the movies, the sort which one would end up raving about for days and remember for a lifetime. I’ve had the opportunity to watch some cinema that has been a great set of movies for me to watch as a child. This month I give you the five greatest children’s classics that each of you would want to watch again & again, bringing home some classic storytelling and adventure. Let’s celebrate this month reliving the classics.
Never Ending *5 The Story Never will the mind of a kid be so drawn as by this. A school kid steals a book against the warning of the librarian, reading about the magical land of fantasia which is in deep peril from the ever consuming ‘darkness’ and his imagination soars high as he brings to life the never ending story...
Chitty Bang *3 Chitty Bang Written by Ian Fleming & scripted by Roald Dahl, the story of this movie is really fun and the adventure, an experience. The movie is all about an inventor who creates a car that flies, and aptly this contraption is named “Chitty Chitty Bang Bang” after the noise its engine makes. The carmaker, along with his kids & girlfriend are literally taken on the ride of their lives by the car that transforms their lives.
*4 Chota chetan The memory of our schools not only giving us the half day off, but also taking us to the movie theatre to watch this masterpiece that was the first 3D movie made in India. This movie depicted the adventures and magical powers of a kid named Chetan and how he brings the lives of his friends to light.
*2 Mary Poppins This is one movie that would take the edge off a brat at least for a while. A magical nanny changes the lives of two kids with her absolutely lovely songs and the message she conveys through them.
*1 Wizard Of Oz Everybody knows this great story. Dorothy of Kansas who lands in the magical land of Oz, seeks the wizard so she can return back home. Along the way, she meets a tin man, a scarecrow and a cowardly lion, who join her to seek what they find missing in themselves, a heart, a brain and courage respectively. It’s what we all need to have within ourselves.
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TELUGU
1
Song: Sada Siva
2 3
Song: Kilimanjaro
4
Song: Jai Jai Ram
Movie: Khaleja Music: Manisharma Singers: Ramesh Vinayagam, Karunya
Movie: Robo Music: A.R. Rahman Singers: Javed Ali, Chinmayi
Song: Pannendella Praayam Movie:Bava Music: Chakri Singers: M.M. Keeravani
Movie: Kathi Music: Manisharma Singers: Vijay Yesudas
Song: Theme Of Hero
5 6 7 8 9 10
Movie: Brindaavanam Music:Thaman S Singers: Geetha Madhuri, Rita, Ramya
t
HINDI
1 2 3 4 5
Song: Katthulatoh Movie: Raktha Charitra Music: Bapi - Tuttul Singers:Ram Gopal Varma
Song: Nee Yadalo Naaku Movie:Aawara Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja Singers: Yuvan Shankar Raja, Tanvi
Song: Nee Navvule Movie:Yemandi Eevela Music: Chakri Singers:Chakri, Pavani Pande
Song: Endukamma Prema Prema Movie: Gamyam 2 Music: Ilayaraja Singer: Sriram Parthasarathy, Geetha Madhuri
Song: Telugammayi Movie:Maryada Ramanna Music:M.M. Keeravani Singers:M.M. Keeravani, Geetha Madhuri
6 7 8 9 10
Song: Tujhe Bhula Diya Movie:Mohit Chauhan, Shekhar Ravjiani, Shruti Pathak Singers: Bhosle
ENGLISH
1
Song: Zor Ka Jhatka Movie: Action Replayy Music: Pritam Singers: Daler Mehndi, Richa Sharma
Song:Golmaal Movie: Golmaal3 Music: Pritamanchanda, Monali
Song:Do Nishaaniyan Movie: Jhootha Hi Sahi Music: A R Rahman Singer:Sonu Nigam
Song:Anjaana Anjaani Movie:Anjaana Anjaani Music: Vishal-Shekhar SingersVishal Dadlani, Shilpa Rao
Song:Hairat Movie: Anjaana Anjaani Music: Vishal-Shekhar Singer: Lucky Ali
Song: Cry Cry Movie: Jhootha Hi Sahi Music: A R Rahman Singers: Rashid Ali, Shreya Ghoshal
Song:Hello Hello Movie:Jhootha Hi Sahi Music: Vishal-Shekhar Singers: Karthik
Song:Call Me Dil Movie:Jhootha Hi Sahi Music: A R Rahman Singers:Rashid Ali
Song:Munni Badnaam Movie:Dabangg Music:Lalit Pandit Singer: Mamta Sharma, Aishwarya
Song: Just The Way You Are Album: Just The Way You Are Singer:Bruno Mars
2 3 4 5
Song:Like A G6
6
Song:Only Girl (In The World)
7 8 9
Song:Dynamite
10
Album:Like A G6 SingerFar*East Movement Featuring Cataracs & Dev
Song:Just A Dream Album: Just A Dream Singer: Nelly
Song:Teenage Dream Album:Teenage Dream Singer: Katy Perry
Song:DJ Got Us Fallin’ In Love Album: Versus Singer: Usher Featuring Pitbull
Album: Only Girl (In The World) Singer: Rihanna
Album: Rokstarr Singer: Taio Cruz
Song:Speak Now Album: Speak Now Singer:Taylor Swift
Song:Club Can’t Handle Me Album: Step Up 3D Singer: Flo Rida Featuring David Guetta
Song:Love The Way You Lie Album:Recovery Singer: Eminem Featuring Rihanna
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10/30/2010 11:27:55 PM
BOOK REVIEW
Sanjana Sharan As Children’s Day approaches, Hyderabad Life takes you through the classic English literature authors who have shaped our childhood reading habits, leaving indelible happy memories of lazy holidays & worlds of adventure!
Enid Blyton (1897–1968)
Roald Dahl (1916 –1990)
Daniel Handler (born February 28, 1970)
Enid Blyton was one of the most successful children’s storytellers of the twentieth century. One of Blyton’s most widely known characters is Noddy, intended for early years readers. However, her main forte is the young readers’ novels, especially her detective series, where children have their own adventures with minimal adult help like The Famous Five, The Five Find-Outers and Dog, as well as The Secret Seven.
Roald Dahl was a British novelist, short story writer and screenwriter who created some of the best-loved children’s stories of the 20th century, such as The Gremlins, Charlie and the Chocolate Factory, Matilda and George’s Marvelous Medicine. Dahl’s children’s works are usually told from the point of view of a child. They typically involve adult villains who hate and mistreat children, and feature at least one “good” adult to counteract the villains.
Better known as Lemony Snicket, Daniel Handler is the author of several children’s books, serving as the narrator of a 15 books series A Series of Unfortunate Events (his best known work) and appearing as a character within the series which follows the tumultuous lives of Violet, Klaus, and Sunny Baudelaire after their parents’ death in an arsonous house fire. The children are placed in the custody of their distant cousin Count Olaf, who begins to abuse them and openly plots to embezzle their inheritance. After the Baudelaires are removed from his care by their parents’ estate executor, Olaf begins to doggedly hunt the children down, bringing about the serial slaughter of a multitude of characters.
Her most famous series out of these was The Famous Five which followed various adventures of Julian, Dick, Anne, Georgina (George) & Timmy the dog that usually took place in the children’s school holidays when they returned from their respective boarding schools.
His first children’s book was The Gremlins, about mischievous little creatures that were part of RAF folklore, who start destroying the Royal Air Force airplanes as their forest home was flattened to make way for an aircraft factory.
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R.L.Stine (born October 8, 1943)
C.S. Lewis (1898–1963)
Dr. Seuss (1904–1991)
RL Stine, often called the Stephen King of children’s literature began writing at age 9. He has received numerous awards of recognition, including several Nickelodeon Kids’ Choice Awards and “Disney Adventures” Kids’ Choice Awards. He is the author of hundreds of horror fiction novels, including Goosebumps, Rotten School, Mostly Ghostly, The Nightmare Room, and Fear Street.
C.S. Lewis was a leading figure in the English faculty at Oxford University. He was a close friend of J. R. R. Tolkien, & both were primary forces driving the informal Oxford literary group known as the “Inklings”. He wrote a number of popular novels, including The Space Trilogy, The Chronicle of Narnia & The Pilgrim’s Regress. Most of his works deal utterly with Christian themes such as sin, humanity’s fall from grace, & redemption.
Dr. Seuss was an American writer and cartoonist most widely known for his children’s books, which were often characterized by imaginative characters & rhyme. His most celebrated books include the bestselling Green Eggs and Ham, The Cat in the Hat, One Fish Two Fish Red Fish Blue Fish, Horton Hears a Who!, and How the Grinch Stole Christmas!
The Goosebumps series deals with characters (usually kids) who either recently moved to a new neighborhood or are on vacation with friends or relatives and are involved in scary situations which usually end with a twist.
The Chronicles of Narnia, considered as a classic of children’s literature, presents the adventures of children from our world who are magically transported to Narnia, a place where animals talk, magic is common & good battles evil. The seven book series find the children being called upon to help the Lion Aslan save Narnia.
Charles Perrault (1628 – 1703)
How the Grinch Stole Christmas! is a children’s story written in rhymed verse, about the Grinch, a bitter, cave-dwelling, catlike creature with a heart “two sizes too small,” who makes plans to descend on Whoville and, by means of burglary, deprive the town of their Christmas presents, holiday ham and decorations and thus “prevent Christmas from coming”. The book criticizes the commercialization of Christmas and satirizes those who profit from exploiting the holiday.
Charles Perrault was a French author who laid foundations for a new literary genre, the fairy tale in the late 17th Century. His works were derived from pre-existing folk tales & include Little Red Riding Hood, Sleeping Beauty, Puss in Boots, Cinderella, Bluebeard & Diamonds & Toads. Perrault’s most famous stories are still in print today & have been made into operas, ballets, plays, musicals, & films, both live-action & animation.
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10/30/2010 11:28:01 PM
GIzmo corner
Hyderabad Life brings to you the latest technology & reviews in the tech world covering a range of emerging equipment & products. Let the geek in you rise to glory!
New Motorola BackFlip The Android-based Motorola BackFlip is a unique flip phone with a full QWERTY keyboard, an innovative Backtrack touch navigation feature, and a 5 megapixel camera with 4X zoom. The BackFlip has a very interesting design, and in some ways it succeeds. It’s not a standard clamshell - the screen flips around from behind the keyboard, which is always exposed. The 3.1” inch screen, uniquely folding full Qwerty keyboard, the Backtrack touchpad and the capacitive touch-screen are all there to put you in control. It’s an unusual phone to interact with but in a good way. On the inside, premium connectivity options are standard here, but the earliest Android version does sound underwhelming. It has the social-networking-centric Motoblur on top and that makes sense in a Qwerty-enabled midrange smart phone. More importantly, the promised Android upgradeability makes this phone likely to stick around the market.
Price: Rs. 19,000/-
Blackberry Playbook RIM has finally revealed the tablet from its abode – the Blackberry Playbook. It is the first tablet device to be announced with a Cortex A9-based dual-core 1GHz CPU (the company calls it the ‘fastest tablet ever’). The slate described as the first professional tablet comes with amazing specifications. It sports a 7-inch, 1024 x 600, capacitive multi-touch display, 1GB RAM, and a 3 megapixel frontfacing camera along with a 5 megapixel rear lens (and yes, there will be video conferencing).The PlayBook will be capable of 1080p HD video, and comes equipped with an HDMI port as well as a micro USB jack, WiFi and Bluetooth 2.1. The device clocks in at a svelte 5.1- by 7.6-inches, at only 0.4-inches thick, weighs just 400g. There will apparently be variants of 16GB & 32GB. In terms of interface, the OS looks like a mash-up of web OS and the BlackBerry OS, even allowing for multitasking. It boasts of multimedia and gaming functions making it an amplified view of what’s already on your BlackBerry. Price: N/A
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10/30/2010 11:28:03 PM
Viewsonic 3-D Projector If the new lineup of 3-D TVs is snarling at your wallet yet you want that experience, then here’s something you might be interested in. The ViewSonic PJD6531w 3-D-ready DLP projector might be the ticket with its short-throw lens and compatible ViewSonic PGD-150 active shutter 3-D glasses (sold separately). Why stare at a screen with dorky glasses on while you can stare at a wall? We like the PJD6531w’s 27- to 300-inch screen size capabilities, allowing you to host a neighbourhood movie night on the front of your garage. With WXGA resolution at a native 1280 x 800, image quality is crisp and defined. With a throw distance of 3.9 feet to 32.8 feet, the ViewSonic can be configured for a multitude of applications. It has a basic circular menu interface located on top and an adjustable kickstand for height variability. But most importantly, this bad boy is 3-D-ready.
Price: Rs. 35,000/-
New XPERIA mini pro The Xperia X10 mini is a stylish full touch screen, most compact Android smart phone with no physical keyboard. Sony Ericsson has done an impressive job in terms of design: it’s miniscule size and slightly curved design is an attention drawer. It can easily be palmed in your hand or slipped in your pocket. To make it more exciting, the phone comes with five different interchangeable covers (silver, pink, red, yellow and white). The front is covered by the 2.55-inch, QVGA (320x240 pixels) capacitive touch-screen with 16 million colors support & with just three physical keys at the front (home, menu and back). Supported by a volume rocker and camera capture button on the right, one button for power or hold on top, there is also a micro USB port & a 3.5mm headphones jack on the bottom. It is powered by Qualcomm 600Mhz processor, 128MB of internal memory upgradable via its micro SD slot (we should thank Sony for giving up its proprietary memory card). A decent 5MP camera with autofocus and LED flash basic settings includes Auto, Macro, Sports and Twilight shooting modes. This stylish ultra-compact offers a simple touch interface with rich list of features under its hood. It has a unique yet functional design which makes it a must buy.
Price: Rs. 15,000/-
LG Watch Phone GD910 The LG Watch phone looks like just another wrist watch in the first glance, but in reality can make calls and has 3G capabilities for Video Calling. This miniature gadget allows convenient communication coupled with a classy Bluetooth headset which brings along with it the luxury of wearing a stunning piece of jewellery. It uses materials and stylistic elements found in watches from top manufacturers to ensure that people will be comfortable wearing it for any occasion & has a curved tempered glass face, high quality metal casing and is a mere 13.9mm thick. The Watch Phone is as technologically advanced as it is stylish. It is the first touch watch phone in the world to feature 7.2 Mbps 3G HSDPA compatibility, enabling high-speed data transmission and video phone calls using the built-in camera.
Price: Rs. 49,900 /-
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10/30/2010 11:28:04 PM
GAMING REVIEW
The DOOM Series
REVIEW
Mea
I chose to review DOOM for a reason even though this game isn’t as old as the others. This game really defined what a First Person Shooter is, even if it is not exactly the first game of that genre (there were Wolfenstein and Hovertank before this). DOOM’s most distinguishing feature was a first of its kind: 3D Graphics. For the first time, angles other than 90 degrees were possible in-game. There was also detailed texture mapping in this game and more than anything else, the way light was used in DOOM was phenomenal - The use of darkness to frighten or confuse the player was nearly unheard of in games released prior to DOOM.
DOOM II was not as path breaking as compared to its predecessor – there were no significant technological developments and no major graphical improvements.
The main character’s role was to protect Earth by fighting out an entire onslaught of enemies on Mars. In DOOM II: Hell on Earth, our character fought all the demons on Phobos, Deimos and Hell and returns home only to find that Earth is also under attack. DOOM also introduced multiplayer gaming to the masses.
Ten years later in the summer of 2004, DOOM III hit the stores with a bang. It was extremely impressive from the technical aspect yet behind the times from a first-person-shooter design point of view. DOOM III was the best-looking game ever, thanks to the new 3D graphics engine used to generate the lifelike, magnanimous environments. At
Mortal Kombat:
If we tread back in time, there was a period when a common Indian household could not afford an advanced PC for gaming or a console. It was a time when kids like me would drag their parents to the mall only to experience the latest computer graphics and entertainment at the arcade. Classic Arcade games like Time Traveler, Street Fighter and X-Men were among the most original and fun in those times. But that was only until 1992. In 1992, the ultimate arcade game came out – Mortal Kombat.
Through an hourglass This game was all about blood and gore. After this game came out, life of a character became as disposable as the coins you pumped into the machine. I don’t think MK would be nearly as BIG as it was without all the violence. The first game was a classic -the murky graphics lured the player to unveil all the hidden secrets of this daunting game. Mortal Kombat featured and bone-crunching sound, which immersed you into its surroundings. MK’s basic, yet complex, style of game play made it enjoyable for newbies and rewarding for seasoned gamers. In MK II there were more moves, more characters and more blood. It did complete justice to the original game by introducing unique characters like the Reptile, Jax, Kitana, and Shang Tsung. All this game did was make its fans ask for more. And out came the MKIII in 1995 – with a diverse cast of characters, crisp graphics and an intricate combo system. The
the same time, when you looked past the pretty looks, you found a conventional, imitative shooter. However, at this point, we have to agree that the Doom Series of games is what started the gaming revolution in first person shooters. From Id Software, it spawned hundreds of games. With three titles and one soon to be released, Doom still remains one of the most popular computer games series in history.
REVIEW game play was more complex than its predecessors and some players didn’t take this too well. Seasoned veterans had to memorize the five- to six-hit “diala-combos,” leaving the casual player standing there helpless while he got the crap kicked out of him. Even though I haven’t played all the games, I know I’ve played enough to say that this series never made a good transition to 3D. The downfall began with part 4 when Midway started rendering things in polygons on the Zeus arcade board. The nice thing about part 4 was that the fighting engine was still intact though. All the air juggles and tactics still worked. After part 4 the whole fighting system was revamped and focused less on air juggles and arial combat. And the “Style” system was implemented. The series has never been the same after part 4 IMO.
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10/30/2010 11:28:08 PM
Prince of Persia: I’m sure that every child must’ve travelled through the side-scrolling pixelated dungeons of the original adventure game called Prince of Persia. I remember how I used to sit in front of my black and white, 16 bit, single processor computer screen for hours to save my princess from the hands of an evil Vazir while dodging a glut of traps. It was pretty addictive. This prince was invented by John Mechner for the Apple II in 1989. His major breakthrough was the integration of a fluid, lifelike animation to his main character. Combined with some neat level design and fiendish traps, it was a huge success, selling a ton of copies and being ported to many different platforms, including PC. The sequel, POP 2: The Shadows and the Flame (1993) was released with most of the level design intact. The only major update on this game was improved graphics and a longer, richer gameplay. This was probably the least remembered
A journey through Time
REVIEW
POP game because there was not too much to it apart from better technology. When Prince of Persia went 3D in 1999, the game spiralled down the stairway of failure. What was worse was that this bad game had the potential of being quite good. There was some really good level design and graphics for the time. The controls and the camera work were very clunky and the final product was buggy. It was after this that Ubisoft picked up the rights to the franchise, kick starting it with a serious dose of adrenaline. Thus the Prince of Persia as you now know him was reborn. The next two POP Games (POP ’08 and POP: Sands of Time) redefined Prince of Persia by reintroducing players to game mechanics like time manipulation, innovative puzzle solving and the most important one of them all – platforming. With POP: Forgotten Sands (2010), out went group combat and the time
Final Fantasy:
rewinding sand, replaced by new character Elika, a mystical magician who accompanies you on your journey and facilitates the greatest and most controversial change of all - you can’t die. Literally, every time you die she’ll save you. With this, I end my journey with the Prince through the times – He went through turbulent times but ultimately sprung back because of the sheer revolutionary nature of the game. Can’t wait to see what is next in line on these series!
Part 1 (FF 1 to FF VI)
REVIEW
When I first played this game, I didn’t even know what an RPG was. I was in school then and I was looking for a game to buy & Final Fantasy had a sword AND an axe on the cover. “Wow!” I thought while looking at the back. “This must be like Zelda, but with FOUR people!” Then I actually played it. I simply couldn’t figure out why my character wouldn’t immediately attack when I pressed the attack command. My little school-kid mind took a long time to grasp the concept of taking turns with the enemy. For many like me, it was the first time they ever played such an expansive, deep, and involved game. You never forget your first RPG, and that loyalty would take Square a long way. Rather than just expanding the game with bigger quests, in their sequel Final Fantasy II, they set the tone for future games in the series by releasing a game that had little connection to its predecessor. While rival game, Dragon Quest would later become notorious for its adherence to convention, Final Fantasy would constantly strive to be the Next Big Thing. I was also pleasantly surprised at how much they decided to focus on storyline this time around.
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In Final Fantasy III the game play was an eye opener for me. This title brought back the job classes from the original, but instead of being locked into the ones you chose at the beginning of the game, you can swap between them as the situation calls for it. But Square wouldn’t stop there. Final Fantasy IV & V were very good instalments to the FF series. Just when I thought it couldn’t get any better with FFV, playing the Final Fantasy VI really had that “wow” factor. The storyline was amazing to me and every character in it had an incredible
amount of development to them. The amount of freedom given to the player in terms of story progression was unrivalled to me at the time. With several of VI‘s predecessors I had said that there was no way that Final Fantasy could get any better as a franchise. Well, this game proved me wrong again. Six incredible games & that’s only covering half of the main series. There are also a ton of sequels and spinoffs released over the course of this franchise’s history which were equally good. Join me next time as I cover Final Fantasy VII through XII.
10/30/2010 11:28:12 PM
Vroom
A New Breed of Car!
Tata Aria
The much awaited four-wheel drive crossover from the house of Tata Motors is finally here. The Aria, the flagship model of Tata Motors is one stunner of an MPV. It is a luxurious creation with the finesse of a sedan & the muscle of an SUV all blended in one car.
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The design is right and the proportions even more so. It looks very attractive, impressively upmarket and is unmistakably a Tata. The Aria is incredibly spacious on the inside too but then you would expect that from a big crossover. What you won’t expect is the smart, functional and modern looking dashboard. The fit and finish is a cut above the Safari. The three-row theatre style flexible seating ensures ample space for passengers. Both the second row and third row seats can be fully collapsed to make the car even roomier. The height-adjustable driver’s seat and the tilt-adjustable steering help configure the most comfortable driving position.
The top-end version of the car is fully loaded. It’s got satellite navigation and the usual bells & whistles like a CD changer, blue-tooth connectivity, USB/aux-in port, a reverse camera with parking sensors, eight airbags, full leather upholstery, climate control, cruise control and for the first time in a Tata, an Electronic Stability Program, Traction Control system, rain sensing wipers, light sending headlights. As for functionality, the Tatas have left no stone unturned, some of these features are available only in 30+lacs cars in India. The Aria uses the same 2.2-litre DiCOR engine as the Safari making
an identical 140bhp. But the engine is a lot more refined. It’s barely audible when you are cruising and impressively quiet and smooth when you’re revving it too. With its 4 variants, the Aria has multiple segments in its cross-hair. Its base model aims to take on the top spec Toyota Innova while the high-end model is competition to the Honda CRV, Chevrolet Captiva, Toyota Fortuner and the Skoda Yeti.
Tata Aria SPECIFICATIONS Engine: 2179cc, DiCOR, 16 valve, 4X4 Maximum Power: 140 Bhp @ 4000 rpm Maximum Torque: 320 Nm @ 1700 rpm Car Body Type: Crossover Segment: D Segment Fuel Type: Diesel Transmission: 5 Speed, Manual Seating Capacity: 7
Tata Aria Prices (ex-showroom Delhi) i) Pleasure: Rs 12.91 lakh (Fabric upholstery) Prestige: Rs 14.13 lakh (Fabric upholstery) Prestige: Rs 14.5 lakh (Leather upholstery) Pride: Rs 15.5 lakh (Leather upholstery)
DIMENSIONS Length: 4780 mm Width: 1895 mm Height: 1780 mm
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10/30/2010 11:28:16 PM
health
SMILE MAKEOVERS! Sometimes your joy is the source of your smile & sometimes your smile is the source of your joy. Making the latter possible is Dr. Kavita Kulkarni of the Boston Dental Clinic. This cosmetic dentistry expert chats up with Hyderabad Life on the various aspects of her profession. What exactly is cosmetic dentistry? Cosmetic/Aesthetic dentistry is that branch of dentistry which involves correction of teeth irregularities. We provide what’s known as a Smile makeover. This is a very precise, artistic & dedicated work.
Why did you choose this particular field? Cosmetic/ aesthetic and restorative work has always been my passion. I have 15+ years of experience in this field and having been educated in India & USA as well, I have gained more exposure and growth in this field. Having practiced in USA for a while, I am well acquainted with all the new materials and procedures which have been coming up now in India.
What exactly is your field of work? I specialize in all the basic & latest dental procedures for smile correction & smile designing with procedures including teeth whitening, porcelain veneers, tooth colored bondings, gap closures, fixed teeth, braces, gummy smile correction, metal free crowns/bridges, ceramic inlays to replace ugly metal fillings etc.
Tell us something about your Clinic. Boston Dental Clinic functions on the concept of providing expertise in various specialties of dental surgery. We provide the best dental care in Hyderabad. We have all the materials and equipments that are at par with international standards, all procedures are performed in strict sterilized and under mandatory infectious control regime.
What are the services that you provide? Apart from cosmetic dentistry, we provide all other dental procedures like regular cleanings, deep scaling, flap surgery, bone graft surgery, fillings, root canals, extractions, impactions, dentures, orthodontic treatments, crowns and bridges, implants etc. We have a topnotch experienced panel of specialists on board with us.
What are some of the common cosmetic dental treatment options? Whitening, or “tooth bleaching”, is the most common cosmetic dental procedure. While many whitening options are now available, including over the counter products, dentist-supervised treatments remain the recommended procedures for lightening discoloured teeth.
Enamel shaping removes parts of the contouring enamel to improve the appearance of the tooth. It may be used to correct a very small chip. The removed enamel is irreplaceable, and may sometimes expose dentin. Contouring, also known as tooth reshaping, is one of the few instant treatments now available in cosmetic dentistry. Dental reshaping and contouring is a procedure to correct crooked teeth, chipped teeth, cracked teeth or even overlapping teeth in just one session. The dental contouring procedure can even be a substitute for braces under certain circumstances. It is also a procedure of subtle changes.
Most people don’t like dentists. But do you enjoy your line of profession? My dream has always been to see that my work puts a beautiful smile on every patient’s face and make them feel more confident before they leave my clinic. Every patient is treated as a family member and hence my practice is built up mostly on mouth to mouth promotions and referrals from doctors. And my patients love me[smiles].
Any tips in dental care for our readers... I cannot but emphasise on a regular halfyearly visit which involves check up and cleaning. Oral hygiene and maintenance is of utmost importance to increase the longevity & essence of your smile.
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10/30/2010 10:47:56 PM
health
CERVICAL CANCER VACCINE
CERVARIX Dr. Nishitha Malik
Today’s generation is very conscious and well informed as far as their health is concerned. Among the female population there is a new query whether the cervical cancer vaccine is indeed beneficial and required. We all know how scared we are of needles! Hence is the terror of the needle worth the benefits?? Well let’s see if we can help. To start off, what is cervical cancer and what exactly is the risk? Cervical cancer is one of the leading cancers of the female genital tract in India and is transmitted by a virus known as the Human Papilloma Virus(HPV) through sexual contact. India has a higher burden with 130000 new cases and 75000 deaths each year due to cervical cancer. Now for those who wish to be more informed, there are 2 strains or types that cause cancer and that is 16 and 18. There is also a disease known as genital warts caused by the same virus and caused by types 6 and 11. The risk for both diseases is in sexually active females. The disadvantage of the vaccine is that like most vaccines it can only prevent the disease and not cure it if you are already affected. And sadly like most medicines of our time there are certain failures. But we must remember the age old precept “Prevention is better than cure”. Now there are 2 vaccines available in the market – Cervarix and Gardasil. The advantage of Cervarix is that it produces a higher level of antibodies (the tiny little substances in your body that are the warriors against all the ugly diseases) than Gardasil. However Gardasil offers the advantage of protection against not just cervical cancer, but also warts (because it protects against types 6 and 11 ) that Cervarix
cannot. Hence you must consult your local practitioner for the choice of vaccine for you. Though the vaccine may offer you protection, it is strongly advised for sexually active females to go through a screening test called a “pap smear” that will be available at any gynaecologist’s office. It is strongly recommended to have this test once a year as it can catch any signs of cancer developing and can save you from serious consequences in the future. Remember it is in your hands to take care of your body or to neglect it
minimal side effects of body pains, pain and redness at injection site or gastrointestinal upset (observed in few cases). In conclusion, it is advised to have the vaccine and regular screening in all sexually active females so that we can protect ourselves against a horrible and debilitating illness. I hope that you have found this informative and clears some of the confusion.
Finally, the unpleasant task of how the vaccine is administered. It is an intramuscular injection and 3 doses taken as - first dose, whenever you visit your practitioner; second dose- a month later; third dose – 6 months from first dose. It may have some
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10/30/2010 10:47:57 PM
NUTRITION
During the holidays it is really easy to eat more than we wawnt to. I am pretty disciplined about my diet, yet at holiday parties and dinners, like everyone else, I find myself reaching for the laddoos and bhajjis. After all it’s the holidays, the time of the year to eat, drink, and be cheerful.
How to indulge during the Holidays
Knowing that you are going to indulge yourself during this time, it makes sense to eat a little more mindfully in the weeks before.
• If you are at someone’s home, try to serve yourself instead of allowing others to heap your plate full.
Focus on weight management and not weight loss during the holidays. This is not the time to lose weight. You can make healthy eating choices your goal so when it is time to lose weight it won’t be so difficult. Here are a few tips to help you make the most of the festival season without worrying about piling on the kilos.
• Eat something before the big meal. If you don’t eat all day, you may arrive at holiday meals & parties starving thus easily losing control. Have a low calorie snack beforehand: an apple, a fistful of nuts, a small bowl of soup, or whole grain cereal. • If you have a choice, use a smaller plate. A study found that people ate more popcorn when it was in a large container than when in a medium sized one.
• Refrain from eating straight from a multi-serve packet or container. The tendency to keep reaching to the food is reduced if it is served in a separate plate or bowl. Serve yourself a plate of the amount you intend to eat. Stop when the plate is empty. • If you go to a restaurant, ask your server not to put bread/papads on the table before hand. If it is there, you will probably eat it. Better to save more room for your favorite festive foods instead. • Pace yourself and be conscious of what you eat and drink. Savor the flavor by eating slowly and choosing your food carefully. The faster we eat, the more we eat. • Share your dessert or have just a few bites of it. The first and last bites are always the best, anyway. • Take a walk after dinner. Walking not only burns calories, it also helps relieve bloating and prevent heartburn. • Plan for a detox diet containing lots of fruits and fresh vegetables. This will help the stomach rest and rejuvenate, and also you will have a warm festive glow to your face. Considering all these alternatives, there is no reason why you cannot have a wonderful festive season and still feel fantastic when you get to your weighing machine after the holidays. I am off to my laddus, what about you?
Richa Chandra is a leading Hyderabad-based nutritionist specializing in therapeutic nutrition and weight management. She advocates a proactive approach to preventing & curing diseases and staying fit through healthy eating habits. She works as a consultant with several hospitals in the city and provides counselling on diet and lifestyle management. She can be reached at richa.nutrition@gmail.com
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10/30/2010 10:48:14 PM
Re-invent your SMILE Yes you can! Let us show you!! We lay out a plan for a beautiful smile and stick to it. Put the sparkle back in you smile!
Boston Dental Clinic Aesthetic & Restorative Dentistry Timings: Monday-Saturday: 9 AM - 2 PM 5 PM - 9 PM Sunday: 9 AM - 2 PM
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10/30/2010 10:48:21 PM
FOOD GUIDE
The ‘Kairali’ Expedition
Ridhi M
While most of us are familiar with Kerala Ayurveda and its physiotherapy, the art forms such as Mohini Attam and Kathakali, how many of us have really explored the extravagance of Kerala cuisine? To most of us, indulging in the variety of food is not a luxury but a way of living and celebrating life itself which clearly speaks about our varied culture. One such celebration is ‘Kairali’.
Not very far away from Gachibowli main road, amidst several massive IT offices lies an almost unnoticed tiny eat out called ‘Kairali’. The place, a namesake of the unanglicized title of Kerala, truly pays an ode to Kerala’s overgenerous cuisine. As you enter the place, an exceptional whiff of aroma hits you & that is the best welcome you will ever have experienced in a food joint!
The waiters may be really simple and may not understand the concept of “guest experience” but do not underestimate their cooking skills. Starters like crispy Prawn fry, Crab fry and Squid fry let the cuisine speak for itself. Their unique blend of freshly-ground spices when marinated with fish and crab oozes a delicate flavor and makes for ideal appetizers. You can find the most original Mathai Meen curry right here at Kairali. Pomfret, Mackarel, Sardine fish are also on the top of their daily specials. The soft textured Appam (pan spread made of rice) with chicken curry makes a very tasty meal. Rice lovers must try the fish and prawn Biryani. For vegetarians, you must try the traditional Avial (mixed vegetable curry) with Appam, Pulisseri (yogurt curry), Murunga (drumstick curry) and Sambar with steamed rice. Coming to the desserts you will be spoilt for choice while choosing between the Ada Pradhaman, Pal Payasam, Ethakka Payasam and so much more from the traditional Kerala kitchens. All in all, if you’re looking for a slightly different cuisine, we highly recommend ‘Kairali’ for a fulfilling meal experience. We guarantee that all your food cravings will be taken care at an affordable price!
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recipe
Check out these easy recipes for some scrumptious festive treats that you can indulge yourself & your loved ones in.
Besan Ke Laddoo INGREDIENTS: 4 cups Gram Flour 1 cup Pure Ghee 2 cups sugar 1 tsp Powdered Cardamom Method: Heat the ghee in a pan. Add the gram flour and fry it on a low flame stirring continuously till brown. Once it is browned, let it cool. Add powdered cardamom and sugar. Mix well. Shape into laddoos and serve.
Bobattlu
Method:
INGREDIENTS:
For the stuffing – Cook channa dal in a cup of water in a pressure cooker till it becomes soft and mushy. Cool & Grind to a fine paste. Heat a pan and add the dal paste and sugar / jaggery and cook till they blend and form a lump such that you can prepare small balls for stuffing. Keep stirring on low fire so that it doesn’t burn. Add cardamom powder and pinch of salt and mix well. Turn off heat and cool. Prepare small lemon sized balls with this lentil mixture and keep aside. For the Dough – Mix refined flour, pinch of salt, 2 tbsps oil and enough water to make a very soft and sticky dough. Knead well.
1 cup channa dal (split Bengal gram lentil) soaked in water for 2 hours and drained 1 cup jaggery or sugar (you can adjust the sugar or jaggery according to your choice) 1 1/4 cups Maida (refined flour) Enough water to prepare dough 3-4 tbsps oil 1/2 tsp cardamom powder 1 tbsp clarified butter/ghee Pinch of salt
Assembling – Grease your hands with oil, take a small portion of dough and flatten it into a disc of the size of your palm. Place a ball of the stuffing in the centre of the dough and draw the edges of the dough from all sides to cover the stuffing completely. Take a sheet of transparent plastic wrap or a plantain leaf and gently flatten each ball carefully with your fingers to form a 6” to 8” diameter flat circular bobattu/poli (grease your hands while flattening). Fry it on low flame on a hot griddle or tawa. Roast both sides till brown spots appear. Smear with ghee on both sides when done. Serve warm with clarified butter/ghee. Note: You can store the ‘bobattlu’ for a few days in an air tight container or in the refrigerator.
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10/30/2010 10:48:39 PM
Andhra Rice Payasam INGREDIENTS: 1/2 cup raw rice washed and drained 1/2 cup grated jaggery 1 cup water 1/2 ltr low fat milk Pinch of salt 1/4 tsp cardamom pwd 1 tbsp ghee 10-12 cashew nuts 1 tbsp raisins
Method: Heat a pan, add a tbsp of ghee and toast the cashew nuts and raisins till golden brown. Remove from pan, keep aside. Heat a vessel, add grated jaggery. Let the jaggery melt over slow flame till it is sticky to touch. Don’t overcook it; it should basically, completely melt. Strain the jaggery and cool. In a separate vessel, bring milk and water to a boil. Lower heat and add the rice to the milk. Cook until the rice is soft and the mixture turns thick. Remove from heat and cool. Once cool, add the jaggery syrup to the cooled cooked milk and combine well. Add the cardamom pwd, salt and toasted cashews and raisins. Serve warm or refrigerate until chilled.
Pulihora INGREDIENTS: 2 cups of rice (cooked and cooled to room temp) Lemon sized tamarind (soak in a cup of hot water and extract pulp) 5 Red Chillies 3 tbsp oil 5 Green Chillies slit length wise 2 Curry leaf stalks Salt to Taste 2 pinches Asoefvhvvvtida 1 pinch of Fenugreek powder 1 tsp Mustard seeds 1 tsp Cumin seed 3 tbsp Groundnuts 2 tbsp Cashews 1 tsp Turmeric
Directions1.Soak the tamarind in hot water and extract the juice free of all the pulp and seeds 2.Shift the tamarind juice to a cooking vessel, add 2 red chillies, 3 tbsp of oil, a stalk of curry leaves, a pinch of asoeftida, a pinch of turmeric, a pinch of fenugreek powder (optional), little salt and put it to boil until the tamarind becomes a thick consistent paste, all the water evaporates and it separates some oil. This can be stored in a refrigerator if you keep it in a moist-free and tightly closed container for a few days or nearly a month. 3.Cook rice separately and spread it out in a wide bowl/ dish to cool.
4.Mix the rice evenly with one tbsp of oil, salt to taste and turmeric. Take care not to mash the rice grains. You can use a spoon here but I do not mind using my hand (world’s best tool) to mix thoroughly without having to mash the rice grains. 5.Mix the rice with the tamarind paste without having to mash the rice grains. Keep aside. 6.Heat the remaining oil in a pan and fry the groundnuts (peanuts), cashews drain them and add to the rice. 7.In a small pan, add 3 tbsp oil and add mustard seeds, when they start to crack, add cumin seeds, curry leaves any left over green chilies and asafetida. 8.Add this tempering to the rice and mix it gentle and thoroughly. 9.Best tasted when served after 4-6 hrs. The sourness of tamarind needs a bit of time to creep into the rice granules and delights the person to crave some more. TIP : Cook rice with little bit of channa dal (around 2 tbsp) it gives very good flavor to the whole dish. Green chilies boiled together with the tamarind pulp gives a very nice flavor. One can enjoy biting into these tamarind boiled chilies and enjoy their hot and sour taste.
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10/30/2010 10:48:41 PM
: mom’s eyes :- dad’s nose :-( their HIV
issued in public interest for world aids day by
Every day 1,000 children are born HIV+,more than 2/3rds die as a result of AIDS. Spread the word on AIDS. Let’s be sensible. Let’s be safe.
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Advertorial
Drink Nature’s
Very Own Elixir! Honey – this wonderfully rich golden liquid is the miraculous product of honey bees and a naturally delicious alternative to white sugar. In addition to its reputation as Nature’s nutritive sweetener, research also indicates that honey’s unique composition makes it useful as an antimicrobial agent and antioxidant. The health benefits of honey depend on the quality of the honey itself. Launched in July 2010, STPL’s Madhura Honey has acquired the attention of the world. It is India’s first & natural flora honey. Its unique taste, unmatched quality has impressed many users across India and other countries. Approved by National Honey Board, USA, under MMS Khadi Village Industries Board (Ministry of Industries, Govt. of AP), STPL’s Madhura Honey is 100% pure, natural and unprocessed, free from chemical adulteration and antibiotics. It is the only form of honey whose unmatched purity is the best match to the USA-NHB standards of worldwide quality. Discover the enormous benefits of STPL’s Madhura Honey; its myriad varieties and host of health benefits. Its versatility and the goodness it can bring into your everyday practical life is wow!
Benefits of Flora Honey: • Its various flavinoids and phenolic acids act as good anti-oxidants • It is beneficial as a natural energy booster • It can be used as a throat soother • It acts as a beauty ingredient • It is an all time natural sweetener
The different types of Madhura Honey & their benefits Cleansing Season Honey:
Cleansing & Balancing Season Honey:
Replenishing Season Honey:
STPL’s Madhura Honey from Neem flora is best cleansing form of honey available in highest levels of purity.
STPL’s Madhura Honey from Aloe Vera flora can be used all round the year for balancing as well as cleansing.
STPL’s Madhura Honey from various flowers, called Multi-flora is the best replenishing season honey.
Benefits: Blood purifier, Increases immunity, improves nerve strength, helps in reducing the block in the heart, helps reduce diabetes
Benefits: Helps in reduction and removal of dandruff, acts as a blood purifier, improves skin glow, reduces all types of skin allergies.
Benefits: Blood Purifier, helps in free digestion, used in weight reduction programs & fat loss, acts as laxative.
Replenishing & Balancing Season Honey:
Strengthen Season Honey:
STPL’s Madhura Honey from Rose flora is one of the best trademarks of STPL. Its high value of properties make Rose flora Honey one of the best.
STPL’s Madhura Honey from Sunflower flora is 100% pure & unprocessed honey used for strengthening the body.
Benefits: Blood purifier, improves skin glow & moisture, helps in reduction of acne on face, helps in fetal hair growth during pregnancy, helps in reduction of lower stomach fat after pregnancy
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Benefits: Acts as blood purifier, helps in child’s growth and maturity, helps in reducing cholesterol, its high glucose content is the best natural substitute for glyci patients, helps in reduction of overall body weight
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Nature’s Monuments of Beauty Hyderabad’s Rock formations. Text and photos: Ramchander Pentuker
A reclining rock beauty on the grounds of Boulder Hills Golf Course 56
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The Deccan plateau is formed of the Precambrian genesis. Its topography is generally characterized by rocky hills and rolling plains, one of the striking features of the land. The churning forces of nature within the globe created these rocks in the beginning of the geologic time, millions of years ago. 57
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piled delicately one on top of another and loom ominously over the visitor as one nears, and no fear, for these boulders have been balancing thus for millions of years, not even earthquakes could topple them, so far.
Under the floating monsoon clouds a titanic boulder balances.
Our own city Hyderabad, on the strength of its geographical location on the central plateau of peninsular India, presents an unrivalled view in to the Earth’s geologic history of nearly two billion years. Along with volcanism, the tectonics of the Earth’s crust shaped the face of its topography, bestowing up on it an abundance of stunning rock formations of scenic magnificence and geologic significance. Not only are they an important part of the landscape of the city, but infact each has its own significance- from being important landmarks, providing shelter from the sun to serving the decorative value at landscaping.
do not find them very often in the world”, says Dr. Narender Luther, the president of Hyderabad’s “ Society to save rocks”- the first to come up in the country, to protect the rare kind of rock formations. As one sees, some of the rocks look so precariously balanced, that it seems as if they will topple over any moment with the slightest gust of wind. They look like giant’s marbles,
Rocks in these areas generally compose of granite and a great variety of metamorphosed igneous and sedimentary rocks. Some of them probably represent the first formed crust of the earth consisting of gneisse, schists, marbles and quartzites, and that they are practically unfossiliferous. Although it is difficult to classify these rocks, their radiometric dating however has shown that some of them are older than 3000 million years- a period much before there were men or even dinosaurs on earth. In this terrain, vast sheets of granite lie underfoot, while the other less resistant rock deposits lying above the ground have been eroded in the course of the millennia due to weathering and constant exposure to winds, heat and rain. Erosion has not spared even the huge cathedral rocks, rendering their more resistant areas to become rounded and thus creating forms known as inselbergs or tors. Some of the hills we see
Nature lavished her palette on this beautiful landscape
People visiting the highland areas of Hyderabad like, Banjara hills, Jubilee hills, and Rayadurgam, are immediately struck by an abundance of awesome rockscape, dotted with blocks of ancient Precambrian rocks and balancing boulders of rare beauty. These, like the rest of the region, are the areas that are formed of a stable earth’s crust, characteristic of the Deccan peninsular physiography and hence considered to be less prone to earthquakes, except for some occasional epirogenic movements. Away from Hyderabad, there are several other places around the city, especially on the eastern side where one can see numerous grey granite boulders, delicately poised on low rocky ridges and knobs. “These are such stunning rocks that we
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around the city, like at Moulali, Keesara, Bhongir and Yadagirigutta have been formed this way. Many of these castle-like monoliths (hills) have become famous hill-shrines and hill-forts.
Giant’s pebbles stacked on top of one another.
The unique rocky topography and other metamorphosed rock formations that one finds in and around Hyderabad have their own charm, which very few places on this earth can match. Some of the protected rocks have even been given names based on their shape, size and contours, such as: Mushroom Rock, Monster Rock, Bear’s Nose, Cliff Rock, Tortoise Rock etc, all lying within a few square miles of Rayadurg and Banjara hills. Eventually, saving of these nature’s “secular monuments” has of late become a major concern of rock lovers and ecologists. As we know, these days the state government is trying hard to get its name on the world heritage map. But it is certainly not clear how this can be possible when the greed of the man for land is taking on monstrous proportions, destroying not only its historical heritage, but also its rich natural heritage nature has lavished on this land.
MF Hussain, in front of his favourite rock formation
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In the recent past, there have been several instances of rampant destruction of some of the rare and beautiful rock formations in the city peripherals for construction purpose. The hectic building activity that is going on in some areas north of the city has already led to loss of huge chunks of scenic hills and balancing boulders. And that is pathetic, because the loss is irreversible, bemoan the rock lovers. “The city may have lost a sizeable chunk of rocky terrain, but still there is one saving grace, as this is the only city in the country where now there is a society which is trying its best to protect what is remaining of its natural wealth. Recently, I visited the sprawling estate of the controversial Emaar properties and the Golf Club situated at Gachibowli. I was stunned by its gorgeous rockscape spread over acres of its folded green fields. A truly balmy and bewitching bouldered heaven for rock lovers, it transports you back far in time. The best time to savour the beauty of this place is either under the twilight dawn or in the late afternoon sun. The formations here in their myriad forms and contours lend an awesome natural beauty to the undulating landscape around.
Poised atop a hillock in all its glory
But as one may ask finally, Why save the rocks, are they more important than the human needs? “Yes they are: both for scientific and as well as aesthetic reasons” says Mr. Narendra Luther, who set an example for others by building his own house around natural boulders without disturbing them. “They are as important as any other in nature for maintaining ecological balance. Man can not re-create them; and once they are lost, they are lost forever”, he adds emphatically. Metamorphosing of rocks is something that nature has taken hundreds of millions of years to carve out, and it is everyone’s responsibility to protect them for the benefit of mankind.
An ethereally enchanting creation by Mother Nature
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NURTURING YOUR POTENTIAL Infant Jesus Junior College is a nurturing ground for an individual’s holistic development to make effective contributions to the society in a dynamic environment.
MOST REV. M. JOJI REV. FR. AROGYA REDDY ARCHBISHOP OF DIRECTOR HYDERABAD CHAIRMAN OF H.A.E.S
INFANT JESUS
JESUS JUNIOR COLLEGE
Mamidipally Road, Velankanni Nagar, Shamshabad. Ph: 08413-200162 Cell: 94419 80290, 94902 92615 www.infantjesusinstitutions.org
OPEN YOUR MIND
& GROW! Confidence | Courteousness | Loyalty Punctuality | Initiative Empathy | Self control Discipline Team Spirit | Enthusiasm | Creativity
| Sensitivity
Talent & Skill Development
INFANT JESUS
INTERNATIONAL SCHOOL
State Syllabus – Nursery to 10th CBSE Syllabus – Nursery to 6th Day-cum Residential, Co-education Velankanni Nagar, Shamshabad – 501218 Ph: 08413 225108, 225162 www.infantjesusinstitutions.org
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COURSE EXPERT
Careers in DJing! The Indian entertainment industry is on the threshold of emerging as a large market globally. The future growth of the industry is expected to be led by rising spends on entertainment. The Music & Entertainment Industry is expected to grow 18 % annually to reach around INR 588 billion by 2010 end. Live performance and music constitutes 12% of this revenue with the industry seeing a 25% growth in live performance segment compared to 2009. The artists driving this forward are live performers including DJs. Disc Jockeys have been around for quite some time now, many pursuing it as a part-time opportunity to earn some extra money. But DJing has now become a serious career option with women too joining the scene as aspiring DJs. With an increasing number of people going out to party and scores of clubs opening, the profession has gained a lot of potential. Catering to this demand, Panache School of Creative Careers is offering specialized Digital DJ courses for the passionate wannabe music professional. Panache School of Creative Careers is recognized & listed internationally by the Audio Engineering Society. Panache is the only school that offers such in-depth industry-specific courses in Andhra Pradesh for the music & entertainment industry. The programs are well-equipped to the growing demands of the industry and to produce such candidates who can take up challenging roles in showbiz. All courses at Panache are of short duration leading into certification award and also diplomas. Panache offers certified & intensive career courses in the field of Music & Audio technology ranging from •
DJing
•
Digital DJing
•
Visual Jockeying
•
Music Production
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Audio Engineering
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Recording Arts & Live Sound Reinforcement
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Courses Offered A Professionally certified DJ Course would take between 4 months to over a year depending upon the level and progress an aspirant wishes to obtain. While Dance Music Production Courses can be finished between 2-4 months, technical courses such as Records Arts & Live Sound that are diploma level have a study period of 9-12 months. Study & training are available in both full time & part time mode. Panache offers •
Personalised tailor made course modules
•
Live Performance Access
•
Truly world-class infrastructure
All courses include field and practical training onsite at parties, shows, events, clubs & private dos. These courses are skill & talent developing courses imparting strong presentation skills of both academic and practical knowledge. This gives strong credibility to the student’s work & leads to contracts with event managers, club owners, music labels, corporates etc.
Campus Their state-of-the-art school at Banjara Hills has been rated India’s largest Pro DJ School in terms of campus size and studio equipment featuring Pioneer ProDj range of equipment. Their training equipment also includes the latest Digital Pro range from Ableton, Native Instruments, Serato, Novation & Kam – UK. With acoustically vibrant studios for DJing, and their own Recording Studio, Panache stands out among the best institutions to pursue an academic career in DJing & Music Technology.
Faculty Panache boasts of a strong internationally qualified faculty with members having experience of Professional DJing of over 10 years in countries like UK & Australia. The teachers are leaders in their fields with extensive industry experience and a passion for teaching others. Some of the biggest names in Hyderabad like DJ Piyush, DJ RVN, DJ Kanna, DJ Sidhu, DJ Asif, DJ Hemanth, DJ Knittin, DJ Manish, DJ Uttam & Nitesh impart their knowledge at Panache. Not just that, they regularly conduct special guest lectures by eminent DJs like DJ Akbar Sami, DJ Ivan, DJ Nyk and others.
Career Prospects Students at Panache consistently win awards and recognition, and a high percentage of them go on to rewarding careers in industry, community and the arts. A lot of them have moved onto the national & international entertainment industries and are well-known DJs & music professionals in their fields.
Eligibility Age, gender and background are no barriers. All you need is passion, and Panache will show you the way.
PANACHE school of creative careers 103B, Mayfair gardens, Rd No 12, Banjara Hills [Adj to Ohris] Hyd - 34 040 6462 8188 panacheindia@gmail.com FB & Orkut: panache india
So if you want to transform your passion into your profession, Panache gives you the skills, experience and the creative muscle that the industry demands!
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WEEKEND TRAVEL
Amaravati A mirage from the past
Once a grand city, now a humble town, this land was once the epicentre of Buddhism and trade in South India. Welcome to Amaravati, where the chanting of Buddhist priests, the bells of Hindu temples, and the hustle & bustle of foreign traders take an altavistic shape in the mind’s eye.
- Minhaj Khan
Also known as Dhanyakataka and Dharnaikota, this town was once the site of a great Buddhist stupa built during Mauryan times. Indeed, it is believed that the Buddha himself preached in this area. Later on, Amaravati would become the capital of the first Telugu dynasty, the Satvahanas. The Satvahanas practiced religious harmony, worshipping the Buddha, Vishnu, and various celestial bodies. Hence, Amaravati became a major centre of Buddhism in South India. During this period,
it also emerged as a major trade centre. Various coins have been excavated, including Greek and Roman, due to the close proximity of Alexander the Great’s successor state (the Indo-Greek Kingdom) along the Indus. Way past its hey day, this humble town is now a popular tourist zone as well as the most famous Buddhist pilgrimage centre in South India. A truly remarkable place for historians and tourists alike, Hyderabad Life recommends a visit before you hang your shoes.
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What to see ?
What is nearby?
Ruined Buddhist stupa King Ashoka’s policy of peaceful Buddhist proselytism led to the construction of this once magnificent stupa, the largest in South India. Standing tall until the 14th century, this stupa was eventually vandalised and forgotten, apart from vague references in Sri Lankan Buddhist literature. The remains of the stupa were excavated by a British archeological team that is displayed around the foundations of the stupa as well as the museum adjacent to it. They betray a Greco-Roman design merging harmoniously with South Indian art.
Uppalapadu Nature Conservation
Amaravati Museum The museum is a fantastic repository of ancient artifacts, containing many parts of the ruined stupa as well as various other objects. One can find neolithic stone axes, ancient eye liners for women, and ancient coins from various countries including the Indo-Greek kingdom & Rome. There are also various Hindu artifacts, such a well preserved Nandi statue. Amareswara temple The Amareswara temple was built two centuries ago. According to local sources, the King of Amaravati killed 600 - 1000 rebel tribals, and built this temple in order to repent for the slaughter. Stone slabs with Buddhist inscriptions have been discovered at the foundation of this temple, leading to the belief that the temple was constructed on the ruins of a Buddhist shrine. The main attraction of this temple is a 15 ft high Shivalingam, made entirely of marble.
Situated near Guntur, various birds from as far as Siberia and Australia migrate to this sanctuary. Painted Storks and Spot-billed Pelicans are some of the most important endangered birds to nest around this lake. Although the bird population has dipped from 12,000 to 7,000 over the years, awareness amongst the villagers and proper planning has led to the preservation of this important conservation zone. Prakasham barrage The largest barrage in the Asian continent, the barrage stretches to 1223.5 meters along the river Krishna at Vijayawada. Serving as a road bridge, it spans over a panoramic lake. The Prakasham barrage is an important tourist location as the three canals give the city a Venetian look. Bhavani Island Perhaps the largest island on a river in India, AP tourism is currently undergoing a massive operation to convert this 144 acre island into an attractive tourist spot and river front resort. Attractive cottages are available for lodging at the resort, and one can also take part in various adventure sports.
HOW TO GET THERE: By road If you wish to save an hour, take a bus to Guntur from where you can catch another bus to Amaravati. If you’re looking forward to maximum comfort, you can take a Volvo bus to Vijayawada, from where you can take a bus to Amaravati. The total journey via Vijayawada takes around eight to nine hours. Driving by car is not recommended as the journey is tedious.
By rail Take a train to Guntur, from where you can take a bus to Amaravati.
Food and lodging The food is typical South Indian, nothing special to boast of. You can lodge at AP Tourism’s Haritha hotel. You can also find other smaller options.
TOURIST OFFICES FOR INFORMATION APTDC, Yatri Nivas Complex, Sardar Patel Road, Secundrabad Tel: 843931, 816375, 843932
How much does it cost? At Amaravati, Normal room – Rs 500 A/C room – Rs 700
QUICK CHECK When to go Anytime throughout the year, the weather is quite similar to Hyderabad. However, if you plan to go to Vijayawada as well, bear in mind that humidity there is equal to that of Middle Eastern cities such as Dubai.
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PROPERTY
Aditya Guha Roy With the all-important deadline of December 31st approaching, the Telangana Committee, headed by Justice BN Srikrishna, is sitting down to pen its report for submission. Incidentally, going by the demands and suggestions before the panel — made over the last eight months in 3,000 detailed memorandums received by the panel and during hundreds of interactions with political party representatives, NGOs, social groups, lawyers and student bodies across the state — the options on the table are not only limited to keeping Andhra Pradesh united or the formation of a separate state of Telangana, with Hyderabad as its capital, even as a new capital is named for Andhra. A third option before the panel is to make Hyderabad a Union territory while retaining it as a capital both for Andhra and Telangana states. It is indicated that the panel may present the Government with a range of reasoned options with pros & cons – be it the formation of a new state, a united Andhra Pradesh, making Hyderabad a union territory or anything else. The committee would leave it to the government to pick the bestpossible solution. Put simply, even if the Commission recommends a split or a unified state, the UPA government is under no compulsion to heed it. So what is the point of it all, you might ask?
Let’s leave the political pundits to their discussions and think about what this means to us. What does this mean for our city of Hyderabad? We explore the future of the city when the following scenarios would occur. Andhra Pradesh remains united Things would remain as they are. Status quo would be maintained. Although there would be outcries from proTelangana groups, the development would still progress unhindered. The city wouldn’t face as many protests as the interior Telangana. Land value will be steady for a couple of months and pick up pace again. Infra development would be back on track and the situation overall would be positive. UT Status for Hyderabad There is also a plausible scenario that Hyderabad may be given Union Territory status, thus letting it serve as a common capital for both the states. However, this is slightly tricky as Hyderabad is not a contiguous area to Seemandhra. Interestingly, there have been suggestions that it be made contiguous by stretching the boundaries of the Hyderabad UT right up to the border of the proposed state for Telangana.
IT, Biotech, Pharma and other emerging technologies. Moreover the demographic profile of the city has changed tremendously over the years and today the native inhabitants constitute a modest percentage with those from the other two regions, different states of India and abroad forming the majority. Think about it – lesser fuel prices, lesser taxes imply better living standards & comforts. Separate State of Telangana Contrary to popular belief, in case Telangana forms and retains Hyderabad as its capital, the development of the city won’t be hindered. In fact, the new Government would aggressively push for better growth. It is known that smaller states are more easily administered leading to greater development all around. Moreover, industries can demand better sops from a smaller government. Already there is so much development in Hyderabad, especially with big projects in the real estate & pharma sector. There is no reason why the new government wouldn’t continue to sustain the progress. All said & done, whatever the situation, we hope Hyderabad remains on the fast track to progress and soon becomes the best metropolitan city in the country.
There are definite advantages to the city becoming a UT, its growth will be accelerated as a hub of
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SPECIAL FEATURE
Travails of a True Hyderabadi Throughout history from Ancient Greece to China to our India, from the Vedic ages to the Renaissance until today, philosophers wrote about the pollution of the body as well as the mind and soul. Fortunately for them, and unfortunately for us, during their time they didn’t have to deal with the pollution of the other kind – the one that plagues every urban being in this world, irrespective of caste, creed and religion. Therefore, I take it upon myself to elucidate upon the pollution of the city of Hyderabad and under that pretext, some other nonsense. When I was in second grade, I learnt that there are 6 types of pollution namely Air, Water, Land, Noise, Radioactive & Thermal Pollution and they destroy Mother Earth, as we know it. As a second grader, I couldn’t care less. Then I learnt in my ninth standard that pollution destroys masculinity, a concept that I was just learning about & getting used to. It was a danger which I couldn’t afford to ignore. Very soon, I was to learn more about this hazardous peril in my life. I remember my physics teacher teaching us about this scientist who stored a lump of Uranium inside his drawer (tee hee) and forgot about it completely. And then one day when he opened his drawer, he found strong nuclear emissions coming from it. Currently I seem to be undergoing
n o i t u l l Po
a similar experience. No I don’t have uranium in my drawer, but I can feel the radiation. After an intense study, I have located the spot of emission. And it is right in my locality, this place called the Municipal Toilet. And I’m told that there are hundreds of places like these across the city. If the Americans ever tilt those satellites over to Hyderabad, I warn you, they will either attack us for possessing WMDs or the amount of radiation will scare the jeebies out of them. The last time somebody actually sent H2O inside those loos was maybe during the last millennium. Believe me, that place has not seen water, pure water I mean, ever since. Naively, I went to commune with nature once inside one of these places, and my life has never been the same again.
and stretching etc, they compel their intestines to void themselves out and thus, you have a roomful of early morning yoga-doers breaking wind in the flatulence-anayam poses. Yoga may cleanse your spirit and inner body, but what about the aura you leave ‘behind’? Public-spirited citizens like you have to agree that flatulence is pollution. And so is Air-conditioning. Nothing could be more polluting. Except Flatulence in Air-conditioning! Anyway, I have learnt my lessons. There’s lots of pollution in this world, including this polluted article. Henceforth, I shall lead my life like a lotus – the symbol of purity. Its roots are in the mud, but the flower remains above dirty water. Live a lotus life. Be in the world, but unaffected by impurities. That’s why I just stay home and sleep.
To cleanse myself of my transgressions, I started attending Yoga classes. Well, Yoga has taught me a lot of useful things like Pranayam and Surya Namaskars. Most importantly, Yoga has taught me to stay away from yoga classes. Now don’t get me wrong, Yoga’s all cool. But early mornings, when people start doing all those Yoga moves and tricks like bending over,
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General Listings Designer wear Also Road no.8, Banjara hills, ph:23351608 Anonym Road no.92, jubilee hills, ph:23558001 Da Milano Ground floor, GVK one mall, Banjara hills, ph:44767808 Envy Road no.10, Banjara hills ph.23354506 Mango Level-1, GVK One mall, Banjara Hills, ph:44767698 Neelam Ashley Alabaster studio, Secunderabad ph.9849043165 Anand Kabra Punjagutta, ph:23326393 Darzi Road no.19, Jubilee Hills, ph: 9985503333 Sonali Dhalwani Crimzon accessories, Ph: 02223685013 Creative Bee Road no.19, Banjara hills. Ph: 23357887 Madame Himayatnagar, Liberty road, The platinum. Ph: 6631315 Orange feathers Road no.14, Banjara hills, ph: 66101237 Promod GVK One mall, Banjara Hills, ph: 44767821
Persona Road no.8, banjara hills, ph:23354411 Adaa Boutique Shanti nagar, Masab Tank, ph. 23396678 Alcott GVK One, Banjara Hills, ph: 30767600 Sisley GVK one mall, Banjara Hills, ph: 23551582 Sagar Tenali Road no.4, banjara hills. ph.66772840 Satya palu Road no.10, banjara hills. Ph: 66565158 Kheya Road no.36, jublee hills. Ph:64510510 Wundershop Road no. 4, banjara hills. ph: 9948043724 Zubin vakil M.G. Road, Secunderabad. Ph: 9246357451
Fashion Jack and Jones, Road #36, jubilee hills, ph: 32589220 Mustard (plus size) GVK one mall, banjara hills, ph:44767696| Cover up Kondapur madhapur road, ph: 23119707 Anagha Road no.1, banjara hills. Ph: 64607711 Anokhi road no.10, Banjara Hills ph: 23350271
Brisah Road no.7, Banjara Hills. Ph: 23423443 Fabindia Road no.10, Banjara Hills. Ph:23353946 Fragrance Road no.7, Banjara Hills. ph:67114844 Louis phillippe Road no.7, banjara hills. Ph:23554881 Adam’s & Eve’s The lingerie lounge Opp. Universal bakers, himayath nagar ph: 30281999 Falak Road no.1, banjara hills. Ph:64544467
Sarees
Debnath Concern Kallapa market tobacco bazaar, near mahankali temple, Secunderabad. Ph:66323488,66628446 Rajesh Silks House Banjara hills: 8-2-577, 3rd floor #8, Above syndicate bank Banjara Hills, Hyderabad - 34 ph: 23354303. Lad Bazar Badar Complex Lad Bazar, Hyderabad -500002 Ph: 2354 4302, 6454 4302 Sri Gadwal Weavers Ameerpet . ph: 66756469 Sai Kanchi Saree House Ameerpet ph: 66628963
Zari material Khandelwal’s dealers in beads, sequins, laces stone & embroidery Begum bazaar Ph:9533367007 Archana Exclusive Banjara Hills, Hyderabad-34 ph:64575335
Kid’s wear Kid’s Dream Lounge Himayath nagar . ph:30281999 Born & Beyond Opp. Universal bakers Himayathnagar ph: 30281999 Mothercare City Centre Mall ph: 66131236
Footwear Charles & Keith Level-1, GVK one mall, Banjara Hills, ph: 44767746 Catwalk GVK one mall, banjara hills, ph:44767879 Inc.5 Nagarjuna circle, Banjara Hills, ph: 66732865 Mochi Begumpet Ph: 27766754 Soles Road no.3, Banjara Hills ph:66103535 Centro Banjara Hills, ph:66933777 Zedds road no.10, jublee hills ph:40020050
Jewellery Krsala Banjara Hills ph: 32400231 Mangatrai Punjagutta ph: 23000181
Khazana jewellery Sanali mall, Abids ph: 66829900 Tanishq Opp Chermas, Abids ph:66513581 TBZ Punjagutta Ph: 23400231 Meena jewellers GVK One mall, Banjara hills Ph: 44767758 Sri bhavani jewels Himayatnager: Pavani estates 3-6-365/C/UG -3&3A Himayatnager, Hyderabad-29 TEL:23226645, Banjara hills: 8-2-577,2nd floor, road #8,banjarahills, Hyderabad-34 Meena jewellers Babukhan estate, basheerbagh ph: 23384555 Tibarumal jewellery Road no.10, banjara hills ph:23384555 Tibarumal gems& jewels road no.2, Banjara hills ph: 40329900 Nysa Inorbit mall, madhapur Ph: 65357221 GRT Jewellers Somagiguda , ph:23414999 Krishna jewellers Valabhdas building, Beside dharmakanta, Tansal, charkaman Ph: 66147105
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Watches
Kamal Watches Abids Ph: 66782818 Titan Basheerbagh Ph:23226043
Home décor Bathous (A unit of Doshi brothers) Road no.92, Jubilee hills Ph:30487777 Villeroy & Boch B-1, Punjagutta road, Ph:23400230 Fortune Arts Road no.10, banjara hills ph:66996699 Finesse Road 36 Jubilee Hills Ph:65265236 D Cube Road no. 92, Jubilee hills Ph:23543323 Inhabit road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:23358223 Roseby’s road no.1, banjara hills ph:23311366 Tesori road no.36. Jubilee hills ph:23553201
Florists Capital Florists punjagutta ph:23736752 Flowers 2.0 Sai plaza, KPHB colony Ph:64602345
Orchids Secunderabad Ph:27808047
Music Music World road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:24146728 Planet M Hyderabad central ph:66842284 Sangeet sagar Secunderabad ph:27816816
Electronics & Computers Computer centre CTC, Parklane ph:66908680 Croma road no.36, Jubilee hills ph:44778999 Reliance digital road no.12, banjara hills ph:44722200
Automobiles Dobro Toyota Doshi chambers 3-6-327&328, Basheerbagh ph:44779999 Volkswagen road no.92, Jubilee hills ph:23556364 Kun Automobiles Marriott hotel lane, Kawadiguda road ph:27671190 Mahavir Motors road no.36, Jubilee hills ph:64509004 Varun Motors road no.2, banjara hills ph:23607676
Grocery stores Bharatha stores Basheerbagh & Shanti nagar, ph:23211571, 23310770 More Begumpet ph:32400929 Ratnadeep Vikrampuri colony ph:66327938 Reliance fresh Ameerpet ph:23750281 Spencers daily Rajbhavan road ph:66464357 Qmart Road no.3, Banjara Hills ph: 23553348
Pubs & Bars Ahala Taj Krishna ph:66293361 10 Downing Street Begumpet Ph:671120387 Bottles& Chimneys Begumpet Ph:27762368 Hard Rock Cafe GVK One mall. road no.1, banjara hills ph:30767900 Spoil Siaa road no.1, Jubilee hills ph:64513333 Torque Green park hotel Ameerpet ph:66515151 Excess novotel, madhapur ph:66824422 Extreme Sports Bar road no.1, banjara hills ph:64586166 Levitate kharkhana ph:42020011 Firangipani City Centre ph:66570000
Liquids Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:66259907 Touch road no.2, Banjara Hills ph:23542422
Lifestyle Health & Fitness Zareer Patell Silhouette Aerobics ph:09246520614 Dinaz Banjara Hills ph:23314607 Fitbuzz Begumpet ph:66266665 Latitudes pro Road no 36, Jubilee hills ph:23554800 Talwalkars Secunderabad ph:66495812 Taasha begumpet ph:66848888
Spas Opium Salon lounge Massage facials & salon City center mall Ground Floor, Banjara Hills Mobile:9959555444 Inorbit mall, 2nd floor, Madhapur Mobile: 903046666
Tarot reading Suhasini Tarot care reader (Western astrology) Alcazar plaza, road no.1, banjara hills ph: 9393026634, Future Predictions ph:9394844999 Astrology consultations: Mrs. R Sudha cell: 9849040847 Intuitive tarot Vidha jain ph:9849012010 Shabia’s Tarot Reading ph:9989244316
Yoga Manoyoga somajiguda ph:31022965 Apoorva Gupta banjara hills ph:9866773900 Sharmila Yoga Zone Banjara Hills ph:23316562 Yogajyothi Jubilee hills ph:9393002396
contactus@opiumspa.com
Perfect Ten Express Spa, Cinemax ph:65248135 Ayur care Begumpet ph:27763628 lotus spa banjara hills ph:234000132 Reflections spa Somajiguda ph:23407370
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Beauty Parlours Laa banjaras Supriya Nivas, Sagar society, road no.2, Banjara Hills ph:42101379 www.laabanjaras. com Kiran Varma’s beauty salon for women # 112, Ganesh Nilayam, Image Hospital Road, Beside Abridge, Vittalrao Nagar, Madhapur Ph:040 23123 666 Kondapur 404, Bhaskar Empire, Silicon Towers, Kondapur, Landline : 040 -23 119 666 Hair kraft, Himayat nagar, Platinum hotel, Ph:929908476 Anoos Somajiguda ph:23225002 Beyond Beauty Somajiguda ph:23392325 Juice road no.1 banjara hills ph:66460008 Jawed habib Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:23316559 Mirrors road no.1, Jubilee Hills ph:23540003 Nirvana kondapur ph:32998992
Toppers white house,begumpet ph:23402357
Beauty Products Kathiawar stores Main road, Abids ph:24758172 Forest essentials GVK one, Banjara Hills ph:44767669 Choreography Steps dance Studio road no.13, Banjara Hills ph:67118300 amit Dynamic dance zone, barkatpura ph:9346905669 Shiamak Davar dance studio, Shangrila plaza, road no.2 banjara hills ph:9885347259
Multi-cuisine Restaurants Deccan Pavilion ITC Kakatiya ph:40081801 Encounters Taj Krishna ph:66293326 Circle9 SVM@Rd.NO.36 Jubilee hills ph:66229999 Fusion9 road no.1, banjara hills ph:65577722 The square NHCC, Madhapur Ph:66824422
South Indian Spice junxion road no.1, banjara hills ph:23393939 Chutneys Himayathnagar
ph:30488484 Kuchipudi somajiguda ph:23325678 Southern Mirchi punjagutta ph:66664747 The Spicy Venue Jubilee hills Ph:65595225
North Indian Kebabs and Kurries ITC Kakatiya Ph:400081859 Angeethi Dhaba road no.1, banjara hills ph:66252941 Deori gachibowli ph:44508888 Gufaa Basheerbagh ph:23298811 Haldi Novotel airport ph:66503000 Punjabi by Nature road no.12, banjara hills ph:23317284 The great Kebab Factory road no.12, banjara hills ph:23302244
Oriental Golden Dragon Taj Krishna Ph:23392323 Far East Ohri’s banjara, road no.12, Banjara Hills ph: 23302200 Syn Taj Deccan Ph:66663939 Nanking Parklane, Sec’bad Ph:27843634 Shanghai Dice Somajiguda Ph:65151188
Continental La cantina
Novotel Hyderabad Ph:66824422 Indijoe City centre mall Ph:66683333 Laguna road no.2, banjara hills ph:64511988 Little italy road no.92, Jubilee hills ph:67110162 Zaitoon mehdipatnam ph:9866778047
Vegetarian Basil Banjara Hills ph: 64536465 Ohri’s Jeeva Somajiguda ph:9866778047
Coffee shops Barista banjara hills ph:66101802 Café coffee day begumpet ph:65181341 Oxford Café road no.1, banjara hills ph:53533335 Chocolate room Kavuri hills Jubilee hills Ph:40161108 Sweet Nirvana plot no.105, Kavuri Hills ph: Madhapur ph:42414343
Fast food Domino’s pizza Ph:66518585 KFC Madhapur Ph:40364455 Mc Donald’s Abids Ph:66000666 Pizza Hut ph:3988 3988 Texas chicken Himayathnagar ph:40025050
Bakers Karachi bakery Mozamjahi market Ph:24732786 Pat-A-Cake Prakashnagar, Begumpet Ph:27763900 Ofen bakery road no.10, banjara hills ph:23372205 Vacs pastries opp mcdonald’s Karkhana ph:27740233
Luxury hotels Hyderabad Marriott Tankbund Ph:27522888 Ista Gachibowli Ph: 44508888 ITC Kakatiya Begumpet Ph:23400132 Novotel Airport Shamshabad Ph:66250000 Novotel Hyderabad Madhapur Ph;66824422 Taj Krishna Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:66662323 Taj Banjara Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:66669999 Taj Deccan Road no.1, Banjara Hills ph:66663939 The Park Hotel 22, Rajbhavan road Ph: 23456789 Westin Hitech city, Madhapur Ph:67676351
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Semi luxury The Golkonda Masab tank Ph:9848930084 Fortune Katriya Raj bhavan road , Somajiguda Ph:23325678 Green park Greenlands, Begumpet Ph:66515151
Budget hotels Hotel Peppermint Lakdikapul Ph: 4451234 Hotel Pearl Regency Lakdikapul Ph:66666555 Platinum Hotel Himayathnagar, Ph:66045757
Service apartments Native Boutique Apartments Madhapur Ph: 9440801350 Nirvana Service Apartments road no.3, Banjara Hills ph: 23558081 Swan suites Madhapur ph:40101933 Six Seventy Five Road no.13, Banjara Hills ph: 23308989
Resorts Alankrita Shamirpet Ph:27709106 Leonia holistic Resorts Shamirpet Ph:66400000 Lahari Resorts Shankerpally Ph:23432349 Papyrus Port Shamshabad Ph:67113320 Placida Kondapur Ph:23352321
Pragati Green Meadows Jubilee Hills ph: 23744594
Clubs Chiran Fort Begumpet ph:27900900 Country Club Begumpet ph: 23402000 Nizam Club Public Garden road ph:23237097 Secunderabad Club Ph: 27804840
Libraries British Library Secretariat Ph: 23240848 The library@ kaleidoscope Umanagar Ph:40180825
Hospitals Gandhi hospital Musheerabad, Ph: 40-27505566 Nims hospital Punjagutta Ph:23320102 Apollo Hospitals Jubilee Hills, ph: 23607777 Rainbow Hospitals Vikrampuri clolony Ph:27896060 AP Super Speciality Dental Hospitals Banjara Hills ph:23548781 Asian Institute of Gastroenterology Somajiguda ph:23378888 Care hospital Banjara Hills ph:30418888 Indo American cancer institute Banjara Hills ph:23551235 Lotus Shildren’s Hospital Lakdikapul ph:40404400
Medwin Hospitals Abids ph:23206666 Sri Shakara Nethralyam Miyapur ph: 64545457
Tours & Travels Isha Tours &Travels Bhavana Towers, secunderabad . Ph:66202033 Cox & Kings Pavani Plaza Khairatabad ph:23306491 GSK Tours & Travels Bapunagar, SR nagar, Ph:67117262 Kesineni Travels Dwaraka complex, Lakdikapul Ph:23230045
Real Estate Aparna Constructions Road No.1, Banjara Hills Ph:23352068 PBEL Kavuri hills, Madhapur Ph:39151500 Ramky Estate & Farms Ltd Road No.1, Banjara Hills Ph:66667878 Giridhari Construction Journalist Colony, Jubilee Hills, Ph: 9703624666 Training Classes: Chocofantasy Chocolate making Institute ph: 98490408470
BOOKS & STATIONERY A Hussain & Co Abids ph:2320-3724 Akshara Banjara Hills ph: 23554096 Kavuri Hills ph: 23114379
Marredpally ph: 27804626
Jubilee Hills ph: 65987360
Central Book Store Happy Trade Centre, SD Road ph: 6649 7656 Crossword Begumpet ph: 27763242 Banjara Hills ph: 66131207
Best Buy Road 12, Banjara Hills ph: 2339 0088
Himalaya Book World Panjagutta ph: 2335 5598 Odyssey Somajiguda/J Hills ph: 23414801/03 Walden Begumpet ph: 23413434 Banjara Hills ph: 23551613 Saptaparni Banjara Hills ph: 66667707,
D Cube Road No. 92, Jubilee Hills ph: 23543323
FURNITURE & FURNISHINGS Colonial Collections Chikoti Gardens Begumpet ph: 2776 1883, Inner Space Road No.12, Banjara Hills ph: 23324546 Master Pieces Road No-12, Banjara Hills ph: 2331 8846, Monarch Ergonomics Kimtee Square, Road# 12, Banjara Hills ph: 9701116999
Darpan Furnishings Tilak Road, Abids ph: 24760136
Jaya Durga Furnishings Lalbungalow, Ameerpet ph: 2375 3123 Master Pieces Road No 12, Banjara Hills ph: 23318846 Rugs Galore Gulmohar Avenue, Villa Marie Lane, Rajbhavan Road ph: 32954205 South Bay Rd.No.12,Banjara Hills ph: 2338 6151
GAME CENTERS The Fun Factory Prasads Multiplex ph: 2344 8888 Time Zone City Center, Banjara Hills ph: 6677 8777
Seating World Extension Road No 12 Banjara Hills ph: 66461888 Seating World Maheshwari Complex, Somajiguda ph: 55667642 Atmosphere Road No. 36,
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visit www.cluburb.com for the latest & best in food. fashion, nightlife, culture, events and beyond.
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COMPREHENSIVE INFRA DEVELOPMENT SOLUTIONS Project Concept Feasibility Studies Research and Analysis Procurement of Technology & equipment Implementation Project management through the project life.
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HOROSCOPE Scorpio
Capricorn
Sagittarius
23 Oct – 21 Nov It’s time for introspection. If you’re ugly, better get a makeover else nobody will accept your friend request on fb! If you’re emotional, wipe the snot tears off your face & watch the Baba Ramdev show! Rejoice, you will have many wet dreams this month.
22 Nov – 21 Dec
22 Dec – 19 Jan
You will realize that you are less endowed than others. But don’t frezzht, you can always ‘buy’ love. You may even try out swinger stuff. But you will leave without having breakfast.
People will take advantage of your ass-lickery & dump lots of work on you. However, the goat that you are, you will screw up their work on purpose & improve your chances of promotion.
Pisces
Aquarius
19 Feb – 20 Mar This month, you will want to inspire the entrepreneurial spirit within yourself. This is because you realize that you are most likely to get fired from work. You are bordering broke & will get into a serious relationship with a bookie.
The perceived wisdom of freaks will begin to all-of-a-sudden make a great deal of sense. If you’re ignorant, are you blessed? Only with ignorance, my stupid friend. Don’t fret if you can’t understand this horoscope.
20 Jan – 18 Feb A new love affair will have you all misty-eyed. Either that, or it’s the onset of glaucoma, in which case you should seek immediate medical attention.
Aries 21 Mar – 19 Apr
Taurus
Gemini
Cancer
20 Apr – 20 May
21 May – 20 Jun
21 Jun – 22 Jul
You will hone your PJ skills at work this month, but will fail at your comedy mission. You will wonder about how the most desirable trait that every girl ‘wants’ in a man never manages to work for you.
Dance like a mad-man, win the respect of colleagues and foes. Keep a coat with you at all times as you’ll need it if it rains or becomes slightly colder than usual or if you happen to be caught out whilst jogging naked around KBR Park.
You will pretend to work hard in office & slack off at home. But your family members insist that you get the grocery. As you shop in the aisle holding the melons, you will have doubts about your heterosexuality.
Leo
Virgo
23 Jul – 22 Aug
23 Aug – 23 Sept
24 Sept – 22 Oct
Avoid serious questions wherever possible and remember to tie your shoelaces! All the advice we could share with you would blow your mind and leave nothing to the imagination. Test yourself, know your limits!
You will have a feeling of warmth while sleeping. Then you will realize your partner has wet the bed. Nevertheless, remember the good times you’ve had together & that the force is in your pants too.
Show a loved one how much you care. Get them a cheap gift. You’re generally hopeless with money, so it should come as no shock to you that you’re going to get your sorry broke ass dumped soon!
Libra
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SUBSCRIBE NOW! Yes, I would like to become a friend for just 1 YEAR SUBSCRIPTION 12 ISSUES For Rs. 240/- Only 2 YEARS SUBSCRIPTION 24 ISSUES For Rs. 480/- Only
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Publisher
B Chandra Shekhar Reddy Nymisha Castle, Flat no.101 plot 290, Road 10C Jubilee Hills, Hyderabad Ph: 040-23540048
10/30/2010 10:50:04 PM
TEACHER: Pappu, TAMSO MA JYOTIR GAMYA” shloka ka kya arth hai? PAPPU: Tum so jayo maa, me in Jyoti ke pass ja raha hoon. TEACHER : What is the chem ical formula for water? PAPPU : “HIJKLMNO! “!! TEACHER : What are you tal king about? PAPPU : Yesterday you said it’s H to O ! TEACHER : PAPPU, go to the map and find North America. PAPPU : Here it is! TEACHER : Correct. Now, cla ss, who discovered America? CLASS : PAPPU! TEACHER : PAPPU, how do you spell “crocodile”? PAPPU : “K-R-O-K-O-D-A-I-L” TEACHER : No, that’s wrong PAPPU : Maybe it’s wrong, bu t you asked me how I spell it! TEACHER : PAPPU, give me a sentence starting with “I”. PAPPU : I is... TEACHER : No, PAPPU. Always
say, “I am.” PAPPU : All right... “I am the ninth letter of the alphabet.”
NATKHAT PAPPU TEACHER : “Can anybody give an example of “COINCIDENCE?” PAPPU : “Sir, my Mother and Father got married on the same day, same time.” TEACHER : “George Washington not only chopped down his father’s Cherry tree, but also admitted doing it. Now do you know why his father didn’t punish him?” PAPPU : “Because George still had the axe in his hand?” PAPPU : Daddy, have you ever been to Egypt? FATHER : No. Why do you ask that? PAPPU: Well, where did you get THIS mummy then? TEACHER : What a pair of strange socks you are wearing, one is green and one is blue with red spots ! PAPPU: Yes it’s really strange. I’ve got another pair just like that at home. TEACHER : Now, PAPPU, tell me frankly do you say prayers before eating ? PAPPU: No sir, I don’t have to, my mom is a good cook. TEACHER : PAPPU, your composition on “My Dog” is exactly the same as your brother’s. Did you copy his ? PAPPU: No, teacher, it’s the same dog ! TEACHER : What do you call a person who keeps on talking when people are no longer interested? PAPPU: A teacher
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SPECIAL FEATURE This issue, Shareef Miyan & Narsing Anna talk about one of the trendiest topics in recent times – the impending 2012 disaster. How would one survive the apocalypse? By the way, Shareef & Narsing are still shhy to reveal themselves publicly, but they will definitely make their much-awaited appearance next issue onwards. MDP! Just hold onto your breaths a little longer! Not that you really would, obviously!
Cashing in on & f e e r a h S , 2 1 20 ! e l y t s g n i s r a N Shareef: Arey, Tonti-ttol nahi dekha? Naye saal ku logaan paani mein dubke mar jaate katey... Narsing: Houuu??
THE SCENE: Shareef Miyan is taking a ‘ laang drive’ in his friend Narsing Anna’s brand-naya auto to Tankbund. The weather’s extremely awesome and a surprise rain is about to hit the city. Shareef Miyan whips out his yellow raincoat bought in ‘Tawakkal Fashions’ at Sultan bazar for 125 Rs. and a black cap that is actually a plastic packet to carry his mutton, and immediately puts them on. Narsing: Kya hua, miyan? Shareef: Baarish hoti shayad, aur apan tankbund ku jaare. Narsing: Toh? mera naya auto waterproof hai yaaro. kyku fikar karre?
Shareef: Hou, main to bolru, new year ki daawat Khairunnisa boat pe manayenge! 2010, tonti-ttol, tsunami sulemani jo bhi aaye, apan safe rehte tankbund pe. Narsing: Abba, kya pilanning banaye yaaro! Acha, new year ke din theek hai. Sulemani woh din nahi aake, baad mein kabhi aaya to? Shareef: Arey, poora plan tereku bataya ich nahi. Tankbund kyku leke jaaru sochra? Main Khairunnisa pe paan-dabba kholne ka planning daalru.
Narsing [pareshan pareshan]: Khairunnisa pe Paan-dabbaa?? Shareef: Hou!! Jab tsunami aati, aur loga dub jaate, to jab mera EK ICH paan-dabba reh jaata duniya mein. Duniya ke poore goldflake, manikchand, chabaza ka ishtock mere kane ich rehta. Jab Survivoraa kiskaney aako jaate? [Shouting] Jab Duniya ka King kaun? Mohammed Shareef Nazakhat! [Surprisingly, instead of doing it Bhiku-style, he flails his arms more like Leo & Kate] Narsing [with a look of admiration in his face]: Maan gaye Ustad! Shareef: Kisku? Narsing: Tumhareku aur Khairunnisa ku! Shareef: Jaanedo ab, zara paan-dabba dikha to roko!
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