September 2011

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_FOCUS FEATURE

Volume 1 Issue 3 September 2011

you t h incorporated www.youthincmag.com

Editorial

Editor's

note

Editor-in-Chief NITISH SHAH Executive Editor SHRADDHA KAMDAR Managing Editor MINAL PATODIA

Correspondents BEVERLY PEREIRA

Design Art Consultant DONUT DESIGN Graphic Designers NIKITA MONISH RAO BIPIN P B

Marketing NAHIDA COELHO NIKHAT ALI RESHMA POOJARI NIHAL ADVANI

Circulation SARFARAJ SHAIKH SAMEER LONDHE

Fashion Contributors SONU BOHRA JASLEEN KAUR Printed and Published by Nitish Shah on behalf of Splash Publication Pvt Ltd Published at 9 Forjett Hill, British Express Bldg, 2nd floor, Mumbai 400036.

Editor: Nitish Shah Printed at: Repro India Ltd Plot No 50/2, TTC MIDC Industrial Area, Mahape Navi Mumbai 400 710. District Thane

For Advertising, Subscriptions and Circulations contact mail@youthincmag.com call (91 22) 23516622/6609 All content in print and online is owned by Splash Publication Pvt Ltd under international copyright laws. No part of the content can be reproduced in any form without the prior written permission of the publishers. Publishers will not be held responsible for the content of the magazine including accuracy and effects. All disputes subject to the jurisdiction of competant courts in Mumbai only.

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our letters, emails and phone calls have made it clear to me that there is a strong need for students to know even more about the issues and subjects that we brought to the fore, from social entrepreneurship to chartered accountancy careers. I assure you that we will strive to continue to guide you towards achieving your dreams.

Youth today are striding into the future and we hope to step up and lead India as we enter a challenging growth era. The leaders of yesteryears may be our inspiring idols; but most of today are self-serving and small-minded fools who often disgrace the ideals they supposedly protect. But for our leaders of tomorrow, we had to ask a pressing question – can leadership be taught or does it arise as an innate quality of a particular individual owing to the circumstances and experiences he goes through? Possibly, it may be a combination of both.

A fearless leader who we admire is our cover girl, the fabulous Shilpa Shetty. She won our admiration and became an icon against racial discrimination in the UK, thanks to her deft handling of derogatory racial comments thrown at her on Celebrity Big Brother by Jade Goody and other contestants. The versatile star has come out with a Yoga DVD, headed the IPL team Rajasthan Royals and started the Iosis medispa chain for those aspiring to look as sizzling as her. We could all learn a little something about multitasking from her!

I have long admired our prodigy this month, the artist Rouble Nagi, for her work with underprivileged and handicapped children as well as her fantastic sculptures that make Mumbai seem less like the concrete jungle it is and more of a space to let your imagination roam free. She unravels the secrets behind her artistic inspiration, which show a certain joie de vivre, an all-encompassing love of life.

A story that is particularly close to my heart this issue is our feature on the spiritual quotient in our fast-paced, modern lives. We all need to take some time out to get in touch with our inner selves. Today, more and more youth are being alienated by the rigidity and dogma of religion but are nonetheless attracted to spiritual leaders such as Sri Ravi Shankar. There is a void left by religion, which needs to be filled by a philosophical outlook on life for Indian youth.

On that note, I will sign off and let you work towards becoming a leader of tomorrow.

Nitish Shah

SEPTEMBER 2011 â•‘ Youth Incorporated 1

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contents SEPTEMBER 2011

YOGEN SHAH

Cover Story

The Multitasking Miss Shilpa From multiple Bollywood box office hits, to a reality show controversy, to opening restaurants, right up to owning a stake in an Indian premier cricket team, Shilpa Shetty has managed to remain the sexy siren that she was always known as. Youth Inc looks at her latest venture into the wellness industry with the launch of her brand of medi-spas. Check out the career options in the spa industry, if you want to give your career a face lift.

(Educate) SPECIAL FEATURE Take the Lead

8

EXCELLENCE IN VAIN Are exams ruining us?

20

CRACKING THE SAT A step-by-step skinny on the SAT

54

A SPIRITUAL QUEST Why the world is turning to spiritual leaders

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TECH CHEATS Can technology make or break a relationship?

PAGE

62

30

A BRIDGE FROM EAST TO WEST Travel to the Turkey, uniquely situated at the confluence of cultures

Is leadership an inborn or acquired trait?

76

NO FLAB, JUST SIZZLING ABS Your guide to getting fab abs

The perks of studying commerce

WALK OF LIFE Bag that Job – Make the perfect application

COVER PHOTO TIMES Content

15

Must-do steps to secure a good job

FOREIGN SHORES Es‘say’ it right!

23

Your how-to guide to university application essays

AWARENESS Making ‘Sem’blance

24 25 2

COVER

18

FOCUS FEATURE Commercial Gain

11

Also on the

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Click to Connect Online education is finally taking off in India

OUT OF THE BOX Up in the Air

38

INSIDE DOPE The Ramnarain Ruia College of Arts & Science

46

An inside look at the popular campus

Is a career in the airline industry a good option?

Will the semester system work for Indian universities

For the Average Joes Is My Life is Average just another anecdotal website?

CAREER WATCH A Time to Heal

42

Physiotherapy as a fruitful career

Youth Incorporated ║ SEPTEMBER 2011

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PRODIGY

48

My Muse is Life

66

Orange Alert Add this hot trend to your wardrobe

The Budget Shop Sho

SPORTS Game, Set, Knocked Out

72

Great looks under `3,000 `3,

The season’s upsets in Grand Slam tournaments

YOUNG ACHIEVER ROUBLE NAGI TALKS ABOUT THE INSPIRATION FOR HER ART

STUDENT SPEAK The 30-year-old Undergrad rad

50

Suchita Parikh proves that it’s never ever too late to learn

HEALTH Anger and its Effects

(Entertain)

74

The ill-effects of this raging emotion

YOUTH ISSUES Shopaholics Anonymouss

60

Are you a compulsive shopper?

ECO WATCH Ray of Light

61

How solar energy can save our planet

BEAUTY Metallic lic Makeup Make Box

67

FASHION

STAPLEdiet

64

EDITOR’S NOTE…1

The Other Side of Glamour

EDITORIAL CONNECT…4 AROUND THE WORLD…6

Tête-à-tête with Rahul Mishra

65

It’s Time to Brunch

AWARENESS…28

67

Celeb Secrets

COUNSELLOR Q&A…36 WORD ZONE …52

SKIN SUTRA Dr Good Skin

69

MODEL WATCH…68 GAME OR LAME…71 DROOL OF THE MONTH…78

THREE SIMPLE WAYS TO GET THE ‘BRUNCH’ LOOK

IMHO…80 Our expert's tips on skin and hair care

MAKEOVER Refresh

70

Two students go from tame to zesty

RESTOMETER…82 CELEB TADKA…83 HANGOVER…84 KISS & TELL…85 STAR STRUCK ...86 GRAFFITI ... 88 SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 3

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editorial connect SALMAN KHAN: MAN WITH A HEART

PROSPECTUS PUZZLE

THINK BEFORE YOU SPEAK

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor, I really enjoyed reading the cover story on Salman Khan. I absolutely love the actor, and so do a million other people. But few really know about the charitable side of Salman Khan. Thank you for writing about this side of the actor and not just about his status in Bollywood.

Youth Incorporated should continue to feature more personalities like him, because I for one was instantly hooked to the magazine on reading this story!

Sandhya Nair Copywriter, Delhi

THE OTHER ENTREPRENEURS

4

I plan to study abroad and have been browsing a large number of colleges in England and the US. I would like you to know that ‘Prospectus Puzzle’ helped me greatly in finding the right college. After going through the steps listed to find the ideal college, I was less confused about the same. I was looking at the overall picture and I was reminded about these small but helpful things to ensure that I find the right college.

Needless to say, I was lost in a heap of different colleges and had no idea how to narrow down a single one. Thanks!

Meghna Thakkar Student, Kolkata

I can’t tell you how many times I’ve seen people in class or at work speaking too openly and being too ‘friendly’ with their co-workers or teachers. Calling someone ‘dude’ in a corporate office is just not acceptable; neither is calling your teacher or professor by their first names. In fact, in so many cases co-workers cross the line when poking jokes at each other.

There should be a certain level of etiquette and respect in these types of environments. ‘Think before you speak’ offerered some great tips that I hope my co-workers will follow.

Melissa D’mello HR Professional, Mumbai

THE NATURE DOCTOR

LIAR LIAR

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

Dear Editor,

The article ‘The Other Entrepreneurs’ was a real pleasure to read. I’m glad someone finally took a stand and discussed the true problems facing our country instead of hiding behind a façade of lies. The fact is that the rapid development of India is causing large disparities between the lower and upper class. These entrepreneurs are really trying to make a difference in the way our country is run and for that, I applaud them.

I am a mother of two college-going children, and I couldn’t be happier to know that magazines such as this are within easy reach of the youth today.

Besides educational topics, I especially think that the story on natural therapy as well as the one which dealt with weight issues was outstanding.

Youngsters today are easily influenced by the media, and I’m happy that there exists a youth magazine such as yours.

The truth is, I’ve never told a lie.

No, I’m kidding. The article ‘Liar Liar’ was a great read. It was funny, insightful and put the reality of lies into perspective. The one thing I didn’t like was that it made men seem like the only ones who were liars. Women lie too and not just “to make the other person feel better”! If you think about it, women actually are the biggest liars of all. It’s not a big elaborate lie either, two simple words: “I do.”

Nirav Vasa Lawyer, Mumbai

Janice Pinto Admin Professional, Mumbai

Kunal Vora Software Engineer, Pune

Youth Incorporated ║ SEPTEMBER 2011

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Write to us at mail@youthincmag.com

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yi

educate Fly to different destinations by choosing to become a cabin crew member

K E E PI N S I D E яГо

Pg08 Pg26 Pg38 Pg48 TAKE THE LEAD YOUTH INC QUESTIONS WHETHER LEADERSHIP IS AN INBORN OR ACQUIRED TRAIT

CLICK TO CONNECT ARE ONLINE COURSES FAST GAINING POPULARITY IN INDIA?

UP IN THE AIR FLYING HIGH AS A CABIN CREW MEMBER IN THE AIRLINE INDUSTRY, A SOUGHT AFTER CAREER OPTION

MY MUSE IS LIFE THE YOUNG ARTIST IS TRANSFORMING THE SPACES OF MUMBAI WITH HER MURALS AND SCULPTURES

News sNewsNe News N sNe _EDU NEWS

Around the World

Opening soon: Campuses abroad for Indian universities



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nly private universities such as Symbiosis and Bits Pilani have so far been successful in opening campuses abroad.

But soon, government and public universities like IIM and IIT may also set up campuses abroad. This step will cross-subsidise higher education for vulnerable sections of society. Pune University, a government-run institute, is one of the first universities to open its campus in the UAE. The proposal was earlier rejected on the grounds that there were no legal guidelines on establishing universities overseas.

But the plan got approved at the Prime Minister’s Office (PMO) after it was able to convince the PMO that it would earn `1 crore in the first year without much investment. The Ministry of Human Resource Development (HRD) had earlier rejected the proposal put forward by IIM, Bangalore to open its campus in Singapore, stating that the IIM should invest in education in its home country rather than overseas.

Also, the government is expected to consider new guidelines to allow Indian universities to set up campuses on foreign shores to help Indian universities earn from these initiatives.



RECORD HIGH APPLICATIONS FOR UK UNIVERSITIES

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niversities and College Admissions Services (UCAS) has seen an increase in the number of applicants applying to UK universities this year.

Around 5,83,000 students have already applied this year, an increase of more than 5 per cent. The reason for an increase is also due to the number of students reapplying after receiving rejections in the previous year. Though the number of applications has increased, the number of seats has not.

So there will be many more candidates who will be applying for the same number of seats. There has been an increase in demand for courses such as pathology, nursing and radiography.

INDIA - THE DESTINATION FOR FOREIGN STUDENTS

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few years ago, foreign universities had a lot of charm for MBA aspirants who wished to study at the top MBA colleges abroad. Now, there is an appreciable change to the contrary. Today, students from abroad are looking to pursue their MBA in India for a variety of reasons.

1. Low cost: This is a principal factor which has made India a very lucrative destination for students seeking an MBA in India.

2. Quality: The quality of education delivered by MBA schools in India is among the best in the world. Indian universities have acquired top ranks on parameters such as course content, faculty, resources and many other factors such as infrastructure and scholarships.

3. Language: Since English is the most widely spoken language in India, the medium of instruction at Indian universities is English, making India the most favoured destination among foreign students.

4. Democratic government: Conducive to being a stable economy, India is one of the fastest growing economies in the world. India’s diversified economic base and growth potential make it an attractive destination for companies to conduct business here.

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News N sNNews

News New ews sNews

TOP IT COMPANIES ON A HIRING SPREE 

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ncreased ventures and revenues have led to an increase in demand for new hires by the top IT companies in India. Tata Consultancy Services (TCS) has planned to recruit 60,000 employees this year. Wipro and Infosys Technologies have also planned to hire more employees.

Infosys will be hiring 12,000 candidates by this quarter and 45,000 candidates by the end of this year.

TCS reported a rise in revenue for the fiscal year 2010-11 at 24.3 per cent.

It has anticipated an increase in its annual sales by 20 per cent in the near future. To slow down its attrition rate, TCS will offer a raise of 12-14 per cent in salary. Infosys, too, will increase remunerations by 10-12 per cent.

This is a simple reflection of the bullish employment market, following which, companies in India plan to recruit new personnel at a fast pace.

STUDENTS IN OVERSEAS BUSINESS SCHOOLS LOOK FOR PLACEMENTS IN INDIA 

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n increasing number of Indian graduates from business schools abroad are now seeking placement opportunities in their home country. Given the long-term growth prospects in India and the ongoing financial crisis in the US, Indian students studying abroad are now keen to return to India after graduation. However, this influx will add to the already existing competition from the Indian alumni as it has been predicted that this year onwards, fewer companies will visit campuses for placement opportunities. In the past, investment banks comprised a large portion of recruiters on campuses.

But today, most of them either no longer exist or are not in the same financial position they once were.

News

Increase in salary throughout industries elly Services Inc, a fortune K 500 company, has come out with its yearly report, the

Employment Outlook and Salary Guide 2011-12. As per the report, there will be a rise in salary by 10-13 per cent across industries in 2011. The report also mentions that companies are trying to come up with new methods to retain employees.

Offering spot bonuses as well as increased travel and fuel reimbursement are part of the lucrative offers for retention.

Sectors that have witnessed increase in salaries include banking, financial services and insurance (BFSI), oil and gas, pharmaceuticals and healthcare and IT. The report mentions that there has been a phenomenal rise in lateral hiring due to the demand of niche skills. Middle-order management people too have witnessed a rise in pay packages. Raise in salary is marked to prevent the workforce from being wooed by the top companies or by other companies offering a better and bigger pay package.

IDDCR’s global programmes in India I

nternational Drug Discovery and Clinical Research (IDDCR) and Temple University’s School of Pharmacy have collaborated to offer global certificate programmes that will help meet the demand for high-quality resources in big pharmaceutical, biotechnology and clinical research organisations in India. The one-year, globally recognised Quality Assurance/ Regulatory Affairs (QA/ RA) postgraduate programmes, starting in late August, aim to cover key concepts in the pharmaceutical industry and to train about 80-100 select students in clinical trial management and global pharmaceutical company vigilance each year.

The certificate programme comprises of five concentrated courses and offers students the option of pursuing an MSc at TUSP in the US. The programme will also help bridge the technological gap that the Indian pharmaceutical industry is currently facing.

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_SPECIAL _SPE _S P CI PE CIAL FEATURE

Take the

LEAD The question is simple – can leadership be taught or is one born with it? The answer, not quite. Youth Inc finds out more

E

veryone is talking about them and resting the future of the country on them.

Young leaders in India are not only pressured to handle their own professions but also to make it big and lead the nation in their own right. The foremost example that crosses one’s mind is Rahul Gandhi.

Born with a legacy in politics (five generations after all), young and dynamic, he is now paving his way to Prime Ministership. The question floating around is – is he ready to lead one of the largest democracies of the world yet? We’re guessing you already know the mixed opinions that exist on the topic and won’t bore you with the details.

What we intend to find out is that can leadership be taught? Or is one inherently born with the quality? It is often said that this is the oldest (and

8

perhaps the most meaningless) debate on the topic – ‘are leaders born or are they made?’ It is meaningless because the truth lies somewhere in between.

The answer, however, according to many, is simple. Yes, leadership like all skills can be taught. The extensive material available on the topic is clear, and there are a variety of training materials and programmes in the market. Also, if we assume that leadership can be taught, we have to assume that there are teachers who have the quality of leadership, understand it and can impart it to others. The Hindu scriptures are a rich source of material on leaders and leadership. Chanakya’s Arthashashtra, which dates back approximately to 300 BC, is great proof of the leadership teachings that were imparted in early India.

Even global literature has extensive

THE SE ES NTIALS TAUGHT

The essential components of leadership have remained more or less constant: • Intelligence • Insight • Instinct • Vision • Communication • Discipline • Courage • Constancy

Youth Incorporated ║ SEPTEMBER 2011

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PROGRAMMES IN LEADERSHIP The School of Leadership, Bangalore • • • • •

Strategic Leadership Program (SLP) Leadership Enhancement Program (LEP) New Managers Excellence Program Creative Leadership Program Young Leadership Program (YLP)

Common Purpose, Bangalore, Mumbai, Chennai

• Common Purpose runs courses which give people the skills, connections and inspiration to become better leaders, both at work and in society.

Pragati Leadership, Pune

• Eight different programmes targetted at different audiences depending on needs and purpose • Executive coaching • Leading through emotional intelligence

examples of leadership early on.

Confucius wanted to set a proper law and channel of communication between leaders and followers. Plato talks about an ideal republic with kings offering wise and cautious leadership to the public. He also set up The Academy – a school for leadership in ancient Greece in 387 BC. Currently, leadership is a much taught and researched discipline in colleges, especially in b-schools. A huge chunk of leadership education is dedicated to teaching styles and techniques. A lot that is taught under this topic is in fact not leadership but management. There is no denying the possibility that a person who learns and even implements what is taught still fails at being a good leader. But that is a risk that one ought to take.

“Every year we send our staff for development programmes – in both leadership and team building. We count is as an investment, since ours is a very hierarchical profession,” says Solicitor Purvi Asher, who is a

partner in her law firm. “You will be amazed at the lack of skills that we observe in some law school graduates, but they can reach high positions due to their experience and knowledge.

For such personnel, there is no other option but to teach ‘leadership’, and it does help. They can be pushed in to a direction they may never have thought of. And even if they do not become leaders overnight, they are able to lead their subordinates much better after such sessions,” she adds.

Professors across fields cannot agree more. “In every sphere of life, skill-building has become necessary.

So also leadership development,” says Rajeshwar Upadhaya, a visiting faculty at Thunderbird, The American Graduate School of International Management, USA, and at the Indian School of Busienss, Hyderabad (ISB), where he teaches the well-received Leadership Development Programme and a specialised elective titled ‘Leadership Insights from World Literature’.

Upadhaya also believes that world history and Indian mythology are full of examples of those who displayed leadership qualities without being explicitly taught. “These heroes had no choice, sine their lineage and position demanded it,” he says talking about kings and princes. However, he adds that in modern times, there is no such thing as kings and princes.

Thus, leadership cannot merely be a function of position, it has to be developed early on. Upadhaya is also of the opinion that many people do have a natural flair for leading.

Their energy matches the basic leadership qualities and hence, may turn out to be much better leaders than others.

Presently, many b-schools across the country impart leadership training in some form or the other to the incoming and outgoing students. At ISB, all students of the Post Graduate Programme (PGP) go through the Leadership Development Programme (LDP) at the start of the course. It is a different concept since the programme is based on 360-degree feedback and introspection. The objective is to develop a spirit of teamwork and leadership. This is done via lectures, discussions, workshops and group sessions. Essential skills for leadership such as effective listening and communication, team building and problem solving are inculcated.

For those out there who are keen on becoming leaders, is there a leadership school that teaches this stuff? Of course there is. Not one, but many. So, if you don’t want to wait for your institute or your work place to offer you a session in leadership, you can enroll in one yourself. But can you learn all of it from a school?

We’re not sure. In the final analysis, the vast majority would rather study the life of leaders than learn the lessons of leadership in the world. Which is why leadership is often taught, but so rarely learned. yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 9

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_SPECIAL FEATURE

Lessons from some of the

greatest leaders

Even before you finish typing ‘leaders of the world’ in Google, the search throws up the usual suspects – Nelson Mandela, Martin Luther King, Winston Churchill, and even Oprah Winfrey. The reason Indians should be proud is that the person who leads all of them is the father of the nation, Mahatma Gandhi. Here’s a glimpse of the thoughts of these great leaders from their speeches.

Mahatma Gandhi Political and ideological leader of India during the Indian independence movement The history of the world is full of men who rose to leadership, by sheer force of self-confidence, bravery and tenacity.

Franklin D Roosevelt 32nd President of the United States A good leader can't get too far ahead of his followers.

It is a terrible thing to look over your shoulder when you are trying to lead and find no one there.

Eleanor Roosevelt Former First Lady of the United States and Social Reformer A good leader inspires people to have confidence in the leader, a great leader inspires people to have confidence in themselves.

Martin Luther King, Jr Minister and Leader of the American Civil Rights Movement

Bill Gates Founder and Non-Executive Chairman, Microsoft

The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.

As we look ahead into the next century, leaders will be those who empower others.

Adolf Hitler Leader of the National Socialist German Workers Party

N R Narayana Murthy Founder and Chief Mentor, Infosys Technologies Ltd

The art of leadership consists in consolidating the attention of the people against a single adversary and taking care that nothing will split up that attention.

As long as the engines of innovation are alive, and they attract the best talent, the leadership will continue to be with them.

Nelson Mandela Political Prisoner-Turned-South African President

Steve Jobs Co-founder and CEO, Apple Inc

A leader is like a shepherd. He stays behind the flock, letting the most nimble go out ahead, while others follow, not realising that all along they are being directed from behind.

Innovation distinguishes between a leader and a follower.

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_FOCUS FEATURE

Commercial Are you one of those who think you can make a career only if you choose science? Think again!

The commerce stream has a variety of interesting, challenging and well-paying options to offer

C

irca May 2001 – Pratik Shah’s class 10 board exam mark sheet reads an aggregate of 91.7 per cent. He is super excited to get into a college that he has looked forward to attending for a while. He’s already dreaming of making new friends and having a hectic social life in junior college since he’s going to have a lot of free time after his classes. In his mind, he’s opting for commerce.

His mother, Swati, however, is not agreeable. She believes that the only well-paying careers are available in the field of science. She tries every method possible to coax her son to switch his choice to science – emotional blackmail, threatening, yelling.

Finally, the statement that does the trick is made by a far-off uncle, “Dear boy, you are so intelligent, and you must opt for science! Why are you wasting your brains by going

gain

for commerce?” Pratik then went to do science and opted to train as an engineer, since that statement hit him right on the head.

If this was happening to a kid today, the reply would be, “Uncle, I don’t want to be rude, but you have no idea about my intelligence. I am going to put my brains to much better use if I study commerce. Do you even have an inkling what it takes to clear any of the certification exams in commerce? Please stay out of my career decisions!” And then, he could have gone right ahead to tell his mother the scope that commerce has on offer today.

Though commerce is one of the three major streams of choices available to students who opt for degree college, in the past, it had received a raw deal from students and parents as compared to science. Not anymore. When a student chooses to pursue commerce, he is able to battle the world well equipped with

knowledge of several areas including accountancy, business, fluctuations in market, economics, financial and industrial policies and so on. The modern world has made it possible to include a range of interdisciplinary topics like e-commerce, taxation, marketing and insurance under the purview of commerce.

Post 1991, India has been one of the fastest growing economies among the developing ones, the need for trained personnel is witnessing an upsurge like never before. To cater to this demand, institutes are trying to keep up with the times and offer specialised programmes to commerce aspirants. After graduation, students can find employment in organisations that work in the above mentioned areas. Lucky for you guys, we at Youth Inc are providing you with a comprehensive list of options.

Read on.

SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 11

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_FOCUS FEATURE

W

ho does not know what a chartered accountant (CA) does? He’s the guy who does your taxes! But who knew he does much more? We do know that CAs handle taxation and auditing, but they also work as finance managers, controllers and advisors. Also, the scope of their work can cover investigation and consultancy. In fact, the CA course is open to any graduate, but one can only spot commerce graduates around the institute. What’s better, the student has the flexibility – he can pursue the course along with BCom or after graduation.

Companies that have been registered under the Companies Act, 1956 have to mandatorily have their accounts audited by practicing CAs. The responsibility of a CA is to make certain that the monetary dealings and transactions are done and kept according to the prescribed law. CAs are also required to manage tax matters and be well informed of costing. The preparation and analyses of the financial reports and papers of an organisation are done by its accounting department that is headed by a chartered accountant. Auditing is the term used for ascertaining the accuracy of the documents, and making sure that the accounts are drawn up on perfect accounting principles.

The Institute of Chartered Accountants of India (www.icai. org) is the parent body for study in India.

COST ACCOUNTANCY

A cost accounting degree helps you gain an understanding on how to efficiently handle finances and make certain that the orgranisational decisions are such that they suit the available resources. The functions of a cost accountant include:  Collection, compilation and analysis of financial information/ reports  Assessing the feasibility of projects vis-à-vis funds available  Designing and implementing effective cost control and cost management system  Carrying out audit work  Guiding the management on risks involved and suggesting effective cost cutting measures

CHARTERED ACCOUNTANCY

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career in cost accounting has tremendous scope. One of the most important factors for a company’s well-being is cost management and accounting. Most orgranisations require efficiency in this area to improve profits. This is also an essential way of avoiding unnecessary expenses. With the global economy becoming so competitive and demanding, an organisation’s survival and success depends on this.

If you choose not to work for a company, you could set up a consultancy. The opportunity is huge; the need of the hour is to grab this opportunity by getting a professional degree in cost accounting.

The basic skills an aspiring cost accountant should develop/ possess are  Good numerical ability  Analytical mind to interpret facts and figures  Logical and methodical approach in work  Attention to detail as any misses would mean financial loss  Ability to interact and express clearly The minimum qualification to pursue cost accountancy is a pass in class 12 or graduation (preferably in commerce).

The Institute of Costs and Works Accountants of India (ICWA - www.icwai.org) conducts the cost accounting course in India. You can join the Foundation Course after class 12; the eligibility for admission is that you have to be 17 years of age and passed 10+2 from a recognised board.

Or you can appear straight for the Intermediate exam after BCom.

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COMPANY SECRETARY

A

company secretary (CS) has the responsibility of ensuring that a company complies with the relevant legal matters, administration of meetings, handling shareholder issues, advising the board of directors on company laws and procedures and maintaining company records. The company secretary’s course has a greater thrust on the legal aspect of things, ensuring that a registered company adheres to all the laws that governs its operating.

The primary responsibility of the CS is to be an essential link between the company and all its stakeholders like the Board of Directors and shareholders. The CS also has to liaise with the government and regulatory authorities. S/ he has to make sure that the procedures mentioned in the books of the company are followed and are updated and

reviewed at regular intervals. The CS provides guidance to the chairman and the directors on their responsibilities under various laws.

Here again, you can join the Foundation Course while pursuing graduation. It would be ideal if you pursue a BCom. After passing the Foundation exam, you could proceed with the Intermediate Course and then to the Final exam as well as related examinations and practical training. Career prospects of a CS are good if one has performed well in the examinations. To add value to the qualification and enhance career prospects, you could also pursue the three-year LLB or the Post Membership Qualification Courses offered by the Institute of Company Secretaries of India (www.icsi.edu) for its members.

CAPITAL MARKET STUDIES

T

he liberalisation of the Indian economy has opened up opportunities in the capital markets for domestic and foreign investors. Owing to the huge influx of capital in the sector and its steady growth, there are many employment opportunities in this sector. In addition, the arrival of private players and many financial institutions into the capital markets has further widened the scope.

Capital markets consist of stock exchanges and mutual funds. The mutual fund industry is playing an active role in the capital markets today, and is one of the fastest growing areas in the country. This profession is apt for professionals with a background of commerce and economics. However, anyone from any stream of study can enter this field. Those interested can opt for the National Stock Exchange’s Certification in Financial Markets (NCFM). The National Stock Exchange (NSE) has many other certifications available and is the only one of its kind today in the country. Log on to www.nseindia. com for more details.

In addition, the Bombay Stock Exchange Training Institute (BTI) has a list of courses available to interested students. These include full-time and part-time basic and advanced programmes on an extensive variety of topics including, but not limited to derivatives, wealth management, financial modelling and planning, debt markets and investment products. Log on to www. bseindia.com/training for further details.

Graduates having any of these certifications can find work in the financial markets at any level, even as business development and relationship managers. Many go on to become advisors for the marketing of mutual fund schemes. Those who have succesfully compeleted the NCFM certification can work with stock brokers initially and then go on to work independently.

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_FOCUS FEATURE

BANKING AND INSURANCE

T

his may be the world’s oldest profession and covers not only the traditional high-street banks and building societies but also insurance companies. Corporate and investment banking is about acting as advisors to organisations on financial strategies and other aspects like mergers and acquisitions. Those interested can find employment in areas such as analysis, customer service and liaison. Entry at the graduate level has many opportunities for qualified personnel. The Banking and Insurance (BBI) specialisation was introduced by many universities in the country as a specialisation at the undergrad level itself.

Further, many postgraduate diploma programmes are offered by institutes across India. These are not exclusive to those who opted for banking and insurance at the undergrad level, they are open to any graduates.

As for the scope in the field, the sector is constantly expanding with Indians becoming more and more aware of future savings. Mergers and takeovers are bringing an international level of dealing. Those specialised in the field can also opt for actuarial studies, customer services, broking and underwriting. Nationalised banks hire those with a commerce background on the basis of All India Level examination. Several institutes offer courses for banking and insurance.

MANAGEMENT

I

t is the mother of all courses. Anyone who has studied anything needs a degree in management. Rightly so, there is management involved in each sphere of professional life. Heck, there is management involved in personal life as well!

So take it away, there is a great scope for commerce graduates to go into a management programme, whether it is an MBA, financial management, retail management, risk management or any other field! Other options include MBA in e-Business, entrepreneurship, general management, global management, hospitality and tourism human resources, you name it. Phew!

Several modules in management are based on what students have already learnt at the BCom level, such as accounting, marketing, business studies, advertising (for those who opt for advertising) and economics. It makes things much easier for commerce graduates. So if you are interested in taking the direct route to management, take the right entrance exam like the CAT or the CET, crack it and you’ll be on your way to a great career!

F

or many years, the obvious next step after BCom was to opt for MCom, since not many other options were available. Today, even though many students still go for an MCom to get a 16th year of education to apply to universities abroad, many still plan to pursue the course to become lecturers. For a job as a lecturer, one has to qualify in the State Eligibility Test (SET) or the National Eligibility Test (NET) conducted by the University Grants Commission (UGC). Once you are done with your MCom (specialisations available are in accountancy and management), you could write the NET/SET exams to become a lecturer. The eligibility criteria are that the candidate must finish the master’s degree from a recognised university with 55 per cent aggregate; and the candidate must appear with the postgraduation subjects only.

MCOM/ TEACHING

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_WALK OF LIFE

While there is a vast number of interesting job openings these days, the competition is getting fiercer by the day. Taylor Jacobsen shows you how to stand apart from the crowd

Bag that

Job

Get serious

The first mistake most applicants make is that they don’t approach the application process seriously enough.

Just how competitive is it out there?

According to Ruchi Mathur, AVP of HR at Zensar technologies, an IT firm with about 6,000 employees, the company receives 1,000 applications every week from freshers or applicants with less than two years of work experience. “We receive 20-25 CVs a

MAKE THE PERFECT APPLICATION

day and maybe read just one of them,” says Anuja Kishore, HR Manager, Teach For India, a leading educational non-profit group. Thus, you should figure out why you really want the job, and what are the reasons that make you eligible for this job.

Do the research Every job posting calls for a unique set of skills and qualifications, and a candidate needs to be intimately

familiar with these in order to write a good application. First, suggests Kishore, conduct online research about interesting opportunities.

Second, speak to as many people as possible; cousins, friends, brothers and sisters. But don’t approach them to get a job; approach them to learn what it is to do a job in those companies, the day-to-day functioning. Understand different job roles in the market, understand what would excite you.

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_WALK OF LIFE

Call HR and ask Once you’ve done all the independent research you can, don’t be afraid to ring the companies themselves to answer your lingering questions.

“Applicants think it’s a bad thing to bother HR before you apply, but actually, it shows initiative and commitment,” says Kishore. “Nobody minds answering your questions. It may take a while but just persevere.”

Then limit yourself

HOW TECHNOLOGY CAN HELP YOU BAG YOUR DREAM JOB:

• Thoroughly research the job market online • Read up about different job profiles • Search for a job on Naukri.com and other job portals • Remain up-to-date with the latest job openings using apps on your iPhone or any Android phone • Maintain a clean and professional online presence • In today’s tech-forward times, use creative multimedia to support your resume, if you want to stand out among the rest

Kishore comments, “We see candidates who respond to the competition by applying to a hundred jobs. This doesn’t increase their chances. We recognise these applications immediately and discard them.”

Once you’ve done your research and have a strong understanding of what each job would be like on a day-to-day basis, it’s time for a thorough introspection. Understand your strengths and development areas, and honestly ask whether you have what the company is looking for. Try not to get obsessed with the idea of working at a firm because of its name, and focus on what the job would be like – is it all writing? Coding? Sales calls? Picture yourself in the job. Apply to the ones that you can see yourself in. Ten is a better number than one hundred.

Build your experience in the meanwhile A career isn’t a race, and you neither can nor should expect to reach your goal quickly. If you’re not yet a competitive candidate, then take steps to build your experience. Kishore suggests, “Join a start-up or a smaller company initially. You’ll get a more diverse experience in different areas, which will help build your CV.”

Illustrate your skills Today, it’s remarkably easy to show rather than tell what you can do. If you’re a programmer, then do a few side projects to show your skills. If you are a strong writer, keep a blog. This

shows HR managers that you are a self-motivated person too. Also, odds are that hiring managers will search for your online footprint. A LinkedIn search might throw up six people who have the same name as you. Proactively producing online content will ensure that your online footprint stands out rather than blending in. Try and maintain a clean online presence if you happen to be a Facebook or Twitter user. In fact, if used correctly, these social media networks can also be used to your advantage. For instance, daily posts on Twitter have almost become the norm for most companies who wish to be in touch with their customers, and more importantly, to showcase their latest offerings. You too can market yourself as a brand.

Keep your application short, sweet and error-free Your application should include a one-page CV (or two at the most, if you have over five years of experience).

Include a “short cover letter explaining your interest in the role and why you see a match between your skills and the job,” says Mathur.

Kishore adds, “You have about 30 seconds to impress me; if I don’t find anything exciting it goes into my trash bin. Yesterday, I saw one [fresher application] that had mentioned skills in blue, experiences in red, and very humbly mentioned how he could contribute. Even though we wanted two years of experience, I couldn’t stop

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myself from calling him.”

Using colours is not the important lesson. The key is to know exactly what information is most critical to the person reading your application – preferably just a few essential sentences – and to make it as easy as possible for the reader to absorb that information. Wordiness, grammar problems and spelling errors are great ways to distract your reader – avoid them. If English is not your strong suit, then keep your language as simple as possible, and have a strong English speaker review your writing.

Demonstrate commitment through flexibility Even if you do everything right, the numbers are still stacked against you and you might not get the job. Demonstrate willingness to do an internship or trial period, if you are hell-bent on working for a particular company. Or in the case of a non-profit, offer to volunteer. This flexibility shows you’re committed to this job and also that you are confident enough in your skills to take the risk that they won’t ultimately hire you. You will also be able to garner a good deal of work experience during this time.

Be professional Most young candidates have grown up on Facebook, where the communication style is casual. People jump straight into a message with a cursory “hey man” or sometimes, without any introduction at all, go on to use modified word forms like “plz” (please), “thxx” (thank you) and “yaaa” (yes). Keep these words on Facebook and out of your application process.

If you do get a phone call, chances are that the HR manager you’re speaking to is a few years older and will expect a level of formality in your communications, so don’t talk to him or her like one of your buddies. It’s always better to err on the formal side. yi

THE FIRST JOB: WHAT TO LOOK FOR There are a few characteristics that are critical to a first job. These concepts apply to many but not all college graduates. Those pursuing medical or law degrees are excluded as they have a more prescribed path than the rest of us. These guidelines may also not apply to the exceptionally gifted - such as those who would impress the likes of Simon Cowell, or those who could create a search engine better than Google. Without much ado – the five criteria, in order of importance are: COLLEAGUES Surround yourself with intelligent, competent and experienced professionals. Your co-workers are your primary source of enrichment, professionally and personally, and will dictate the quality of your experience. To be precise, we’re talking about the people whom you work with everyday. The head of your business unit may be the best in the company, but your boss and immediate team are the ones who will matter most.

CHALLENGE Find an organisation that is ready to give you responsibility for important deliverables and hold you accountable for the results. In many cases, the leanest (ie most resource-efficient) organisations are the best at pushing responsibilities down the hierarchy to junior employees.

What and how much you learn will be a direct function of what is asked and required of you.

STRUCTURE Work in an organisation geared

to transfer knowledge and skills to young employees. It’s no coincidence that consulting firms and investment banks are a perennial force in undergraduate recruitment. They know the potential of entry-level talent and their business models hinge on their ability to bring it out, which they do in a deliberate manner.

BRAND A strong brand on your CV can vouch for the skills listed underneath it. When you say, “Conducted a market sizing for a new detergent product” – that means something very different at Proctor & Gamble than it does at ABC Laundry Business.

Once you’re at an interview, you’ll have the chance to explain in great detail how rigorous your assessment was, but first, your CV has to get you into the interview. (The other way to get an interview is your network.

See no 1: Colleagues).

HEART Without this, the guidelines would be incomplete, and this is by no means the least important criteria. Your early 20s are your prime opportunity to pursue your dreams. Some of the most interesting, intelligent and happy people there are have done things such as dropping out of a Physics PhD and moving to South America to pursue their passion for mountaineering and travel.

If you can incorporate the above into following your dreams, great.

If not, chase them anyway – you won’t have a better chance.

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_EXAM FEVER

Excellence in

Vain A

lmost every student who appeared for a board exam or an entrance test this season did it right.

No movies, no masti. No hanging out with friends or even visiting family. In fact, in most cases, the life of the entire family came to a standstill for that one year. The only words one heard were ‘preparation’, ‘scores’, ‘classes’, ‘exams’, ‘admission’ and ‘career’. And yet, even students who scored over 90 per cent were left high and dry due to the stratospherically high marks in the cut-off lists. This has left most

students trapped in a dilemma. The first cut-off list at Shri Ram College of Commerce (SRCC) in Delhi read 96.75 per cent. Other colleges were not far behind. It is a nationwide phenomenon.

Roughly, the number of students who scored an aggregate of 90 per cent and above in the class 12 board examinations has almost tripled from the same figure in 2008. The jump in number of students who scored above 95 per cent is even sharper. Does this mean that the graduating class of 2011 is just much brighter than their peers three years earlier? Certainly not.

What then seems to be the reason? “It is not a usual, case, what we are going through is an astonishing degree of grade inflation,” informs a senior senate member at the University of Mumbai, “and it's not helping. It is simply leading to serious distortions. At the top end of the range, the lines between the exceptionally intelligent students and those just one step below are fast blurring. On the lower end of range, it deludes students with limited abilities,” he adds.

This admission season, the confusion, chaos and disappointments are all attributed to this confusion

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In recent degree college admissions, students with scores as high as 99 per cent had no hope of getting into some of the most prestigious institutes in the country.

Youth Inc looks into how exams have made a mockery of our education system

associated with grades. The policy makers had no respite to offer.

All Union Human Resource Development Minister Kapil Sibal could do was to call the cut-off irrational. There are no other measures to keep a check on the marks that have been generously distributed by the paper correctors. “The scores have definitely been inflated, and of course, the standards of correction have been very low,” says a disgruntled parent whose son cannot get into a college of his choice despite scoring 93.2 per cent. “How else can it be justified that a number of students scored 100 per

cent at the class 10 SSC board exams in Mumbai,” he adds.

A number of parents and students are of the opinion that with the idea of distributing marks freely, errors have been overlooked or ignored. That is the only way, they feel, that students can score full marks in subjective papers like literature and the social sciences. And that too, in the purview of the strictness applied for paper correction in India. “What is the point of questioning now, when the scores are already out? The alarm should have gone off in our heads a long time ago,” says Dr Shubhada Joglekar, a retired faculty member from SNDT University, Mumbai who now teaches action research at many management institutes. However, this cannot be expected from an elitist education system like ours, where all the students want to rush only to the top few colleges of a long list of existing ones.

Many students do not even want to consider any other option, regardless of their scores. “I know of this girl who scored 59 per cent and wanted to study Bachelor’s of Mass Media only at Jai Hind College in Mumbai,” says 18-year-old Dhruv Patel, who was prepared to study at any decent college where he secured admission.

Educationists and experts hold the system of education and examination

responsible for literally pushing students very hard and compelling them to adapt to a system which is clearly faulty. They only have one shot at higher education - their class 12 marks or their entrance examination scores. Obviously students and their parents are going to treat the board exams as a do-or-die situation.

“Everyone talks, but no one takes into account the uneven quality of schools across the nation. There are 41 state boards and then the central and international boards. Is there even a possibility that everyone gets a uniform education?” asks Dr Joglekar. Heads of institutions, parents, students and officials, everyone is worried, but no one has solutions. The chairman of the Scientific Advisory Council to the Prime Minister, CNR Rao, wrote to Dr Manmohan Singh that there is a strong need for a common exam nationwide instead of the existing system.

A nationwide exam is beginning to make more sense since board exams stress more on scores than knowledge.

But the issue is getting murkier by the day since the increase in the number of seats available for degree college in no way match the increase in the number of students. It is clearly an irresolvable issue until our education system ceases to be just an exam system. yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 19

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cracking _FOREIGN SHORES

the

SAT

YOUTH INC GIVES YOU THE LOWDOWN ON THE SAT, ALONG WITH A WEEKLY STUDY PLAN

T

he SAT is used as a predictor to determine how well students will perform in college.

Almost all top US universities need the SAT for admissions to a bachelor’s degree programme.

The SAT Subject Tests, on the other hand, are required to be taken by a few very competitive universities in the US. While the SAT is a general test of English and math, the SAT subject tests, as the name suggests, are subject specific.

Hence, a student can take the SAT subject tests in physics, chemistry, biology, math, English literature, languages and so on. Previously, one could refer to the SAT as SAT I and the SAT Subject Tests as SAT II. However, College Board, the body conducting these exams, has dropped the ‘I’ and ‘II’ and now the exams are just referred to as SAT and SAT Subject Tests. “The SAT measures what you have learnt in school and how well you can apply that knowledge. It assesses how well you analyse and solve problems. SAT scores are used for the purpose of college admission because the test predicts college success. The SAT Subject Tests are primarily multiple-choice tests in specific subjects, and take an hour to finish. SAT Subject Tests measure knowledge or skills in a particular subject and your ability to apply that knowledge,” states the College Board website.

The universities which require SAT Subject Test results generally ask students to take the two subject test papers.

The SAT and SAT Subject Tests have the same test dates.

Hence, a student has to choose between the two exams and cannot do both on the same test date. If you decide to take the SAT Subject Tests, you can do a maximum of three subject tests in one sitting.

CONTENT The SAT comprises three sections – math, writing and critical reading.

Math: Topics include functions, data analysis and other college math topics.

Critical Reading: Includes sentence completion and reading comprehension questions.

Writing: Is about writing a reasoning essay and improving sentences and paragraphs.

Duration: 3 hours 45 minutes.

Cost: $102 (approximately `4,557) Maximum Score: 2400 and an essay score of 12.

The SAT Subject Tests are subject-specific (chemistry, physics, math, literature and so on).

Duration: Generally one hour for each Subject Test.

Cost: $108 (approximately `4,825) for three tests (not including any language tests).

Maximum Score : 800 in each Subject Test.

Students can get free practice material on the SAT and SAT Subject Tests on www.collegeboard.com

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If you plan to adopt a self-study programme, this sample study format is a good way to proceed: Week 1

Week 7

Go through the Barron’s SAT book and start with improving your vocabulary. Don’t just memorise words, instead, make associations with words, in order to help you remember.

Practice mixed math problems in all topics. Identify your weak areas and focus more on functions, probability and permutations; work on your speed.

Week 2

Week 8

Start penning down your views by practicing the essay Revise your math concepts. Dig out your class 10 and class 11 section. Refer to the ETS Official Guide. books to brush up on your basics.

Week 3 Dedicate this entire week to grammar concepts. Refer to the ETS Official Guide along with the Kaplan SAT Writing Workbook.

Week 9

Go ahead and appear for the section tests under time constraints.

Week 10

Now you are ready to practice an entire SAT exam from the Official Guide to SAT at one stretch. Make sure that there Now that your vocabulary is stronger, start with the sentence are no distractions around you and time yourself. Try to completion section of the verbal portion of the test. Practice finish one test per day. Use your free time to work on your using the Official Guide to the SAT. weak areas.

Week 4

Week 5

Week 11

Start practicing math problems topic by topic and identify the areas where you need more practice. You can consider using a book such as the Barron’s Math Workbook for the New SAT.

Even though the SAT is a paper-based test, you can practice the exam online on various websites such as www.takesat.com.

Week 6 Progress to the critical reading section. Again, you can practice using the Official Guide to the SAT.

Week 12 Continue taking full-length SAT tests. Don’t forget to revise your word lists and grammar rules. Now that you are ready you can confidently appear for the SAT. All the best!

BOOKS

to

BUY Barron’s SAT Book ETS Official Guide Kaplan SAT Writing Workbook Barron’s Math Workbook for the new SAT

Official Guide to the SAT

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Es‘say’ it

right!

“W

rite about your world and your experiences.

Seventeen-year-olds inhabit a foreign country, and adults who work in colleges and universities are curious about what it’s like to live within its borders. Essays about a friendship that was forged or one that failed, buying a pair of sneakers, an afternoon working at Dunkin’ Donuts, the first trip to the museum

without mom or dad, or getting robbed on the subway can provide glimpses of your ideas, values and passions,” advises Glenn C Altschuler, the Thomas and Dorothy Litwin Professor of American Studies and Dean of the School of Continuing Education and Summer Sessions at Cornell University.

If you are applying to foreign universities, chances are high that

Looking at applying to a university abroad?

Don’t get paranoid thinking about your application essays.

Youth Inc helps you breeze through the essay-writing process

you will need a statement of purpose (SOP) or essays to complete your application. Most universities require international students to submit essays along with their applications.

Don’t forget, the SOP is the place where you can get the admissions committee to know you, outside of your academic qualifications and professional pursuits. These essays help the admissions committee to get to

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_FOREIGN SHORES

CUT TO THE CHASE

Look at this example that has been reviewed by experts, and you’ll know what to avoid.

Student wrote: During the course of my work at IIAE, I have come across several scientists. Most of them work in different areas of communications.

Interactions with them have made me realise the vastness and the scope of communications. My discussions with them convinced me that specialising in communications will suit me very well.

The subject of research, which interests me very much, is spread spectrum communication systems.

Coding theory and combinations is another research subject which arouses my curiosity. The subject

know you better. It tells the admission officers what is important to you and what your values and career goals are.

It is imperative that you put your best foot forward and write an essay or SOP that clearly talks about who you are, what your career goals are and why you are applying to that particular university.

Most students tend to be frightened about writing essays. Admission officers are not looking for flowery language and ‘big’ or ‘impressive’ words. The admissions committee prefers essays that are well thought of and reflect what’s important to you.

Be honest and straightforward when writing your admission essays.

Admission officers are well-trained professionals and can spot a fake easily. Don’t try and bluff your way and exaggerate your achievements.

Similarly, don’t guess what the university is looking for and tailor your essay accordingly. Admission

Communication Theory, which I am studying at present introduces these topics in theory. I am eager to find out more about the applications of coding theory to spread spectrum communication systems.

Review: The essay is considerably strengthened by his being able to convincingly convey his strong grounding in electronics. The two paragraphs mesh in ideas and content, but the essay loses continuity because the project has been spread over two paragraphs.

A project is generally a golden opportunity to convey personal growth, an issue whose importance cannot be understated. An applicant could do well to focus on how she grew as a result of her experiences. A project is perfect in this sense because it can be used to convey both personal and technical growth.

Review courtesy: www.statementofpurpose.com officers have several years of experience and can easily tell if you are trying to make them hear what they want to hear.

It is not a wise idea to copy material from the Internet or books. Also, beware of people who claim to write your essays for you. If a university suspects that your essay or SOP is not your work, you can be certain that your admission will be denied. Universities have your GRE and GMAT AWA (Analytical Writing Assessment) score and will know your true writing potential. Therefore, if you submit essays that are not your true writing style, you are jeopardising your chances of admission. Similarly, the new SAT will also have a writing component and hence, the admission committee will know your writing capability.

Applicants for MBA programmes should be sure to include all relevant work experience, teamwork and leadership experiences and post-MBA

dos& don’ts

of SOPs and essays • Be honest in what you write.

• Check and recheck your essays and SOP, and avoid obvious grammar and spelling mistakes.

• Follow a logical flow in your essays.

• Analyse information rather than just stating it.

• Use words that you normally use. Don’t try and be someone you are not.

• Don’t sound too pessimistic in your essay.

• Don’t ever plagiarise information from the Internet or or any other source. career goals in their essays. B-schools rely heavily on essays and even if you have excellent GMAT scores and topnotch work experience, badly written essays can certainly be the cause of denial of your application.

Writing your SOP or essays for your university applications may seem like a daunting task. But, if you use this opportunity to do some soul searching and understand your reasons to study further, it can be an enriching process, if you want it to be. yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 23

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_AWARENESS

Making

‘Sem’blance

CAN INDIAN UNIVERSITIES REALLY GO THE SEMESTER WAY? YOUTH INC DOES A REALITY CHECK

I

t is ironic that we thrash the education system for not keeping up to global standards, and yet when it aims to bring in a scheme that is inspired from the developed world, we waste no time in opposing it or to run to the courts to stay that decision. So is the case with the semester and credit-based system that universities across the country want to establish.

The decision to introduce the semester system and choice-based credit system in all central, state and deemed universities came in early 2008 from the University Grants Commission under the Eleventh Five-Year Plan. It basically involved breaking down the curriculum into measurable units that can be combined later to get a degree or a diploma. A ‘credit’ would be a value used to measure a student’s workload in terms of learning time.

Though it was introduced at many universities, the step did not come without its share of problems.

After being introduced across 13 undergraduate science programmes, with great difficulty, the semester system was back to haunt Delhi University. It had to postpone the implementation of the system to the second phase of 2011-12 session due

to opposition from the teachers, even though the curriculum was ready.

For many other universities, getting the syllabus ready on time was a problem. Sources say that revision of the syllabus to cater to the semester system was proving to be cumbersome for many teachers who were still very rooted in the old system and who don’t see the point in changing anything.

However, not all news is bad news. From June 2011, Mumbai University has gone global. This move, academicians feel, will facilitate easy mobility of students, and will also make the curriculum flexible. A credit-based structure demands more accountability and rigorous training.

It also standardises the exam system, say experts.

On the upside h It is a very proactive system as it engages both the faculty and the students throughout the year. h It reduces the end-semester examination burden, since there is continuous and comprehensive evaluation. h Since the year is broken down, it is much less overwhelming for students. h Continuous assessments reduce cramming burden. h Learners will find themselves better equipped with desired abilities.

On the flipside h Many feel that since colleges will have autonomy in setting exams, there will be no external governance. h Teachers will be burdened further to conduct exams twice a year (once every semester) as compared to once a year. h Many long-term experiments that are carried out in the annual system, would have to be dropped from the new system. h Even before implementation, teachers feel that in the semester system, project work and its evaluation will be done only for namesake. h Teachers sometimes can take advantage of teaching much less than that in annual mode and the assessment load is also reduced.

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for the

_AWARENESS

average joes!

You think your life is strictly average and going nowhere? Well, according to the number of hits received on a popular website (www.mylifeisaverage.com) visited by youth across the globe, you are not the only one. There are plenty like you who will empathise with you and might even make your life look better.

The question then is – is the site really great? We let the youth debate it out!

TASNEEM POCKETWALA

Second Year YBA student at St Xavier’s College, Mumbai

L

et’s face it - we don’t have cool new clothes to wear to college each day; we crib about our assignments and swear it’s a personal attack from our teacher because she hates us; we talk to ourselves when no one’s watching us; we feel stupidly ecstatic when a professor doesn’t turn up for a lecture; trains/ busses NEVER come on time when we are late - this is so usual that we’ve ceased to think much about them anymore. We are average people.

My Life Is Average (or just MLIA) is a website where average people get to post average, mundane happenings in their lives. And, since I happen to belong to this hugely mediocre group of average people, I love this website.

When you go through the site, you realise that there are people around the world whose lives tend to get as unnervingly normal as yours does. And sometimes, (heck, most of the time once you’re an avid MLIAer) it’s rather sort of cool to be just ‘average’ and not all that awesome.

MLIAers are Harry Potter fanatics, still love childhood cartoon shows and games and, plainly, love being average.

Although MLIA is overwhelmingly American, the beauty of the site lies in the fact that barring some of the stories that reek of the American culture, you are able to ignore that because the stories posted are so relatable!

Here is (finally!) a website to give a voice to the thousands of normal people lurking on the horizons of triviality, waiting for someone to shake them up and tell them that it’s ok to be normal. Or, it’s just a website for average people. Average? Join the club.

NIHAL ADVANI

Final year International Business and Economics Student at Collge of Brockport, New York

W

hen something is successful, in this case a website, there are bound to be other people who try and take advantage of the popularity and benefits that can be achieved through such a site. A prime example is the website, My Life Is Average (MLIA). The site claims it is “a place to share your everyday mediocrity. It is a place to post the mundane things in your life, and read about what makes life normal for other people.” Who cares? I’ve been on the site. After reading about three or four of the posts, I turned off my computer and sighed as I realised that I had wasted a good minute of my life.

The start of anecdotal websites such as F**k My Life (FML) and Texts From Last Night (TFLN) changed the way people view everyday stories: by putting them on the internet. These sites allow virtually anyone to submit a story or a text message that they found amusing or experienced firsthand and share their corky stories with the rest of the world. MLIA is just a bunch of boring posts from people complaining about how dull and ‘normal’ their lives are.

People don’t want to read about average life; they want to read about exciting stories and real-life scandals. They go to these sites to be entertained, not bored to death.

If you’re looking for something entertaining, then don’t go to this site. It’s boring, dull and poorly moderated. FML and TFLN are far better. Don’t believe me? Go to all three, compare and contrast and decide for yourself. If you have even a slight sense of humour, you’ll probably agree with me.

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_AWARENESS

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he Indian online education market is finally booming and throwing off its sluggish start compared to developed countries. Distance learning has been transformed these past few years as online classes, interactive assignments, classroom chats, and round-the-clock course material and support has pushed online education to a platform where it had not existed previously. A key difference in online

classes conducted abroad and in India is that in the past, our Internet connections have not supported live student-teacher video interaction.

Hence, most online classes have had an in-person component to them. As our technological capacities advance and hi-speed Internet lines connect a larger demographic, this trend is slowly fading.

Tata Interactive Systems has been a pioneer in India in the field of

interactive education. For the past twenty years, most of this company’s clients have been in Western, developed countries. Today, however, teams of writers, designers, testers and coders work on creating online classrooms in India. One team is working on an online series of yogic asanas for Baba Ramdev while another is building an interactive CBSE module for students. For the sake of time-pressure, convenience and

Click to Connect

Minal Patodia finds out why online education is becoming popular in India

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even cost, these learning methods are ideal for working professionals and for slow or disinterested learners to grab their attention in the classroom.

Watching a set of designers build an interactive flash animation timeline on World War II, one realises that the possibilities for our future education are endless.

This trend is even recognised by the development sector. Chandita Mukherjee, Director of NGO Comet Media, in Mumbai has been working for the past few years to find a way to bridge the ‘digital divide’ between rich and poor. She feels that anyone today with access to a computer has the means to become a computer engineer. The team is aspiring to provide free video lessons in Hindi online, working towards teaching disadvantaged sections of society the basics of technology.

Even corporates are jumping on the online-learning bandwagon.

Advanced learning games allow new employees to learn about the company’s human resource policies and compliance information and to answer questions on them.

Simulations make dull lessons on any aspect of the company more interesting and interactive.

All this may be well and good, but what about options for the mainstream learner? Students can qualify with international institutions online and study at online classrooms domestically. The Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU) has virtual classrooms where students can qualify in subjects such as law, social sciences, health, information technology and more. The university provides postgraduate certificates and diplomas, and even Master’s degrees in Library and Information Science (MLIS) and Intellectual Property Law (MIPL) that are delivered entirely online. One can register for the MLIS anytime for only `8,000 and complete it within four years. The MIPL on the other hand costs a heft y `36,000 and goes on for two years.

The online features developed by

Popular Virtual Classrooms

• Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIMA)

www.iimahd.ernet.in • Indian Institute of Management, Bangalore (IIMB)

www.iimb.ernet.in • XLRI, Jamshedpur

www.xlri.ac.in • SP Jain Institute of Management & Research (SPJIMR)

www.spjimr.org • Indira Gandhi National Open University (IGNOU)

www.ignou.ac.in • Indian Institute of Technology (IIT) , Delhi

www.iitd.ac.in • Indian Institute of Foreign Trade (IIFT)

www.iift.edu/new

IGNOU include multimedia course material, online counselling through webcasts and web chats, round-theclock learner support, group seminars through blogs, chat rooms, discussion forums and web conferencing, online project evaluation and examination.

IIM Ahmedabad, IIT Delhi and the Indian Institute of Foreign Trade are institutes in India that are pioneering online MBAs. However, the cost of these online MBAs does not differ significantly from attending classes in person but offer the student the flexibility and convenience of studying from their own homes.

International qualifications, be it bachelor’s, master’s or MBAs are also available from reputed universities such as the University of Liverpool and University of Phoenix.

So where are future directions headed? Not towards a fully automated learning process, but one that is a balance of human interaction and online interaction. As we move towards becoming a knowledge-based economy, online education will need to increasingly become relevant. yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 27

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_AWARENESS

GLOBAL CONNECTIVITY OF STUDENTS > By Sahil Dewan, President, AIESEC India

I

think we don’t have ample opportunities in India because students are so competitive, be it at college or otherwise. The only connection to people and cultures abroad is via the ever-so-popular social networks like Facebook, Twitter and so on. However, there is no take-back value from platforms like these. The USP of AISEC, a global studentdriven organisation that focuses on the empowerment of youth to develop leadership traits, is that it offers students a glabal platform to learn about their industry first-hand, along with international standards of work ethics and experiences. For students who have chosen to work abroad via organisations like AISEC, the experiences they gain are diverse.

They get a chance to learn so much on a practical level.

I feel the global connectivity of abroad is very necessary, and by taking advantage of the various internships at AISEC, they are sure to gain irreplaceable experience in different parts of the world. Using such student orgranisations as platforms, greater understanding between cultures can be developed.

If you look at India, we are very limited; we don’t go out too much, and we are very bound by tradition and family values. Thus, travelling and working abroad would help students understand different cultures.

Youth are the future. If a country itself is not united, then globalisation, which is also the future of the world,

cannot really happen. Besides, India is predicted to be on the forefront in many areas the next 10 to 15 years. It is thus very important for us to develop a global mindset.

AISEC offers students an amazing opportunity to meet different people abroad, to learn about their ways of life and to take back a wholesome experience. The students’ maturity and understanding levels definitely increase through a wide spectrum of experiences.

The Indian job market is opening up, with greta employment opportunities in different fields.

AISEC provides students with a fantastic platform in this area too, offering an easier way to secure a lucrative job, be it in India or abroad.

you t h incorporated EDUCATE + ENTERTAIN

www.youthincmag.com y g

h t n o this m ► Hair care tips for the retreating monsoons ► The international outlook factor at US university courses

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_FOCUS FEATURE _COVER STORY

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THE MULTiTASKiNG

MiSS

SHILPA “My life is a never-ending stream of one meeting after another,” she says. Well, Shilpa Shetty just has so many streams to swim in. Youth Inc explores the strength it takes for her to swim in her newest stream – being a spa owner

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he was first introduced to cinema lovers 18 years ago, way back in 1993 in the Shah Rukh Khan-Kajol starrer Baazigar.

She did her best to play the sister who was brutally thrown off the terrace by her lover. She went on to get nominated for her performance but missed it by a few points. Shilpa Shetty has come a long way since then. Many awards adorn her mantle, including those for her performances in the HIV-positive fighter in the sensitive Phir Milenge, and the neglected housewife who falls for an artist in the realistic Life In A Metro.

Success, however, hasn’t come easy to the sultry siren.

She has fought hard and earned it in the truest possible manner. Consider the Celebrity Big Brother racial discrimination controversy in the UK. The debate was

woven around comments made by contestant Jade Goody, model Danielle Lloyd and singer Jo O'Meara, towards our dear Shilpa. The strong person that she is, she stuck it out, trying hard not to retaliate, but also putting her point forward in an affirmative manner. No wonder the airing of these comments on television resulted in national and international media coverage. It also compelled both countries’ governments to respond to the situation. The tightest slap, however, on the faces of those who were against her, came with her winning the reality television show.

Shipa’s always been termed as a beauty but has kept her balance – “The credit has to be given to our parents. The kind of upbringing we’ve had, keeps us very rooted despite all the success. The support system in my family makes sure that I’m not flying too high,” says the actress who won the 'Diva of the Year' award in 2005. Not one to miss SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 31

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YOGEN SHAH

_COVER STORY

an opportunity, she invested close to six million pounds in the British restaurant chain, V8 Gourmet, that runs popular outlets like Bombay Bicycle Club, Vama and Tiffinbites.

She was the director of the group until late 2010 when she stepped down.

Cut to buying a stake in the IPL team Rajasthan Royals, she says, “It was a strategic business investment.

I always supported the underdogs as I myself am one. Rajasthan Royals were the underdogs in the IPL before they succeeded (in winning the title).”

Does that have anything to do with her dancing in the promotional music video of the team? “Well, I was averse to dancing in the Rajasthan Royals music video, but then they said what is the point of having Shilpa Shetty if we can’t use her!” she jests. Fift y movies, a great career, national and international recognition, a cricket team and a happy marriage. You’d think that’d be enough for a person, right?

Well, not for Shilpa. Always one to believe in a healthy way of living, and being fit (man does it show!) she went right ahead and plunged in the business of feeling good and looking good, by launching a chain of spas.

So now, you can go to the sexy siren's spa to get a body like hers - all kinds of services are offered, from inch loss to salons & spa treatments. Well, it’s not entirely new to her, she has done a yoga DVD, that saw such tremendous success that it was made into a coffeetable book. “I just think the reason the DVD did well, the reason I took up the project, is because Yoga is the single most scientific and holistic way of keeping fit,” she says. Her own mantra for keeping fit and in such good shape is that she keeps a balanced diet throughout the week and satisfies her cravings on Sunday, whether it’s biryani, gulab jamun or kulfi.

Cut to her new role, of being an entrepreneur and launching Iosis, a medispa. “I have always endorsed everything that is healthy! My reason for opening Iosis medispa is that I don’t just want to target the outside, but the inside as well,

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I have always endorsed everything that is healthy! My reason for opening Iosis Medispa is that I don't just want to target the outside, but the inside as well

YOGEN SHAH

which is the distinguishing factor of our spa compared to other spas. I think when you go to a spa and get a massage, it works on your inside much more than the outside, and when you are peaceful from within, you automatically look beautiful. The true definition of a medi-spa is one which is run under the supervision of doctors, dermatologists, nutritionists and spa therapists who can give you Reiki therapies. Iosis is an amalgamation of it all. Persoanlly, I think it’s a lifestyle alteration, and it is a joint vision that my partner Kiran Bawa and I share to bring about awareness of wellness in our country.”

Shilpa is super-excited about the newly introduced inch-loss programme at Iosis. “All ladies want to look good, and they have a special requirement to look good on any occasion, be it a festival or a wedding.

The biggest problem we, as women, face is weight, so we have a wonderful inch-loss programme in which you use a wrap that helps you lose in inches,” she says in excitement. She adds that it’s about contouring the body with a bandage over a clay wrap.

The properties of the clay remove all the toxins from your body along with the retained water and have no side effects. That said, she believes that the inch-loss treatment is not exclusively for the ladies; men too can take advantage of the procedure, she adds, joking that she might get her husband to go for it as well.

(With women being more picky now, keep that in mind before your next date guys!)

The question is, does it really work? “When I discovered it on one of my trips abroad, I was pleasantly surprised to see that even Hollywood actors use this treatment, may be before they walk the red carpet or go on a beach holiday…basically when you want fast results. And yes, it does work! I think it is a matter of pride for me that Iosis is the first medispa to start this treatment.” In fact, she goes on to give examples of a client who lost 16 to 21 inches in one day, just after one session. It is so surprising, that we just keep staring at her… is that even possible? She explains that the loss is not only at one spot on the body, but all over, including the waist, thighs, shoulders and arms. “I think it’s fantastic! No other treatment can give you that!”

And what about the side effects?

“It has taken us long to research about the procedure and its effects.

And I can safely say that there are no side effects of any of the treatments that we offer at the spa,” she says, unwilling to disclose the name of the foreign place where she brought down the inch-loss programme from.

She clarifies time and again that it is not a weight-loss programme at all.

Your weight will stay constant during and after the procedure, but you will lose inches to fit into that little black number that you have been saving for Saturday night.

Her parting shot leaves one with some food for thought. “Not just as a spa owner, but also as a client, I would definitely go for something like this if I ever put on weight.”

Her track record would scream that it’s not possible. Shilpa Shetty cannot put on weight! We do, however, believe in her maxim that, “It is sometimes important to look good for others, but it is more important to look good for yourself.” Hope we can achieve that! yi If you want too want to foray into this 'healthy career option', turn to page 35 to see how you can pursue a career in the spa industry.► SEPT SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 33

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INVIGORATE YOUR CAREER

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otels have them to pamper their guests; every major metropolis has at least a dozen to cater to the needs of us stressed-out city folk; even cruise ships have one!

It’s true; the global spa market has grown by leaps and bounds in recent times thanks to consumers spending more time and resources on their physical appearance and wellbeing. In fact, exclusive spas once frequented by the cream of society have now become the norm in today’s fast-paced world, and more affordable options are mushrooming. Visiting a spa has become less of a luxury and more of a necessity today and hence, spas are

DAY SPAS ARE MUSHROOMING IN INDIA AND ABROAD. BEVERLY PEREIRA TELLS YOU HOW TO CASH IN ON A CAREER IN THE WELLNESS INDUSTRY

flourishing the world over. Rated as one of the fastest growing industries internationally, and with over 75,000 spas around the world, opting for a career in the spa industry is a lucrative move. Says Vrinda Seddon, Director, Svastii Wellness Academy, “The wellness industry is an almost recession-free industry. The industry has over 12,000 job vacancies waiting for skilled personnel. The industry in India is worth a few billion US dollars with almost 5,000 more upcoming projects in the next 18 months across the country.” Whether you are keen to run your own spa as an entrepreneur, or you wish to enter the lucrative market of spa therapies, one thing’s

for sure: the growing demand for all things spa is evident!

Joining the industry A spa, like a restaurant, is a part of the hospitality industry. If you lack the passion to serve others, this could be the wrong profession for you. If, however, you are inclined to help people achieve a holistic lifestyle centred around wellness that concentrates on the body, mind and spirit, the spa industry might just be the right match for you.

A certified training course is a must to get an edge in this industry.

Spa-operation courses for budding entrepreneurs require a minimum

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_COVER STORY

qualification of a class 12 certificate, while those who have passed class 10 are eligible to embark on spa therapy courses at most institutes. It helps if you have a pleasing personality, patience, a good pair of hands and the ability to control your strength.

Visiting wellness-related seminars and exhibitions is a great idea to keep abreast with new trends and practices in the spa industry.

Spa academies A number of recognised Indian and international courses offer opportunities to make a career in this industry, right from spa management to spa therapy. Short-term certificate courses as well as one-year diplomas with international certifications like ITEC, CIDESCO and/ or CIBTAC are the ones to look at. For instance, Svastii Wellness Academy in Mumbai offers courses affiliated to ITEC and CIBTAC through its School of Spa, Holistic, Eastern and Chinese Therapies. The 48-hour Spa Management course teaches students how to start up a spa, concentrating on SWOT analysis, problem solving, e-commerce, menu design and concept building, amongst a host of other key areas vital to a start-up. While the 100-hour Basic Spa Program teaches potential spa therapists different kinds of massages, wraps and scrubs, the 104hour Advanced Spa Program imparts detailed and hands-on knowledge of specialised lymphatic and Thai massages along with Balinese body therapies. Give yourself a progressive

edge by doing both these courses. “The price range of courses offered at Svastii Wellness Academy is from `10,000 for a workshop to `1 lakh for a full-time level 3 diploma course, depending on subject and level. These courses can be customised to suit the requirements of learners,” explains Seddon.

Ananda Spa Institute is one of the few Indian institutes to offer longterm training programmes covering therapies from all over the world.

Furthermore, the Hyderabad-based institute also takes care of student placements in well-known spas. The course fees start at `95,000 and go up to `2,20,600.

The Christine Valmy Day Spa provides an ITEC+CIBTAC diploma courses. A certificate from the Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics is recognised worldwide.

• Spa owner The Mumbai centre offers specialised • Spa manager spa courses.

• Massage therapist specialist Cashing in on the boom in this • Aesthetician industry, a new spa training institute • Holistic therapist was recently set up in Nagaland.

• Body treatment specialist The North East India Academy of Performing Arts (NIAPA) has tied up with the famous wellness company, JCKRC & Co, to offer a sevenmonth Spa Expert course. Akounuo, a former Miss India contestant and

Job roles

SPA ACADEMIES IN

INDIA

• Svastii Wellness Academy • Christine Valmy International School of Esthetics • Aithein • Ananda Spa Institute • NIAPA (Nagaland) • Sohum Spa proprietress of NIAPA explains, “Having studied market trends, I feel that with the proper training facilities offered at institutes and the subsequent placements in the industry, a career in this field will prove to be a lucrative one for many. There is scope for business expansion in this industry.”

What you can earn A career in this industry can bring in anything between `10,000 to `1,50,000 per month, depending on one’s knowledge, position, skills and experience. Good pay packages, lowstress environments, fast-paced career growth and potential opportunities to work all over the world make this career a boon. yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 35

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_COUNSELLOR CONNECT

JAYANTI GHOSE Jayanti Ghose is a career and education consultant. She holds an honours degree in economics and a degree in education. Her research in career counselling and guidance spans more than 25 years. She pioneered the concept of career counselling and career writing in the print media. She is actively involved in personal and group counselling.

For queries email studyindia@youthincmag.com

Avaiation issues I am in class 12 (science) and want to pursue engineering. Please clarify the difference between aerospace, aeronautics and avionics.

-Sudeep Kulkarni Avionics is the short form for aviation electronics, the field that involves the assembly and installation of electronic systems on all types of airborne and space related devices. Aerospace engineering involves design, construction and science of aircraft and spacecraft.

Aeronautical engineering covers knowledge of aircraft aerodynamics, structural design and analysis, aircraft maintenance, aircraft operations management, manufacture and maintenance, mechanical structural design and analysis and mechanical engineering.

MBA after engineering What is the scope of doing MBA after engineering?

Wouldn’t my engineering degree be wasted? Is it better to opt for MTech instead?

-Vishal Mehra Engineering graduates pursuing a full-time MBA are not likely work as engineers in the future. Organisations which hire MBAs who are engineering graduates usually focus on getting the brightest candidates from the best colleges but are not interested in their engineering knowledge. Of course, they are hiring good students for their intelligence and the way they can handle pressure. In that sense, engineers suit many hiring companies.

An engineering graduate who wishes to pursue a technological career path in the longterm would aim for MTech/ ME for specialisation and better his/ her advancement prospects, in addition to opportunities in teaching and consulting. Many engineering graduates who move towards MBA after graduation, train their eyes on the lucrative pay packets of MBAs of premier b-schools.

However, both MTech and MBA can be equally financially rewarding in the long term. Therefore, assess the kind of studies and work that suits your abilities and temperament.

Q

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A

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Nutritious path Please list some of the universities and colleges in India offering postgraduate courses in food, nutrition and dietetics.

-Parul Shah There are seveal types of postgraduate courses available, including MSc and diplomas. Some colleges offering these courses are: z MS University of Baroda, Vadodara (www.msubaroda.ac.in) z SNDT Women’s University Mumbai (www.sndtpgsrhsc.in) z Nirmala Niketan College of Home Science Mumbai (www.nirmalaniketan.com) z Institute of Home Economics, University of Delhi (www.ihe-du.co.in) z Banasthali University, Rajasthan (www.banasthali.org) z National Institute of Nutrition, Hyderabad (www.ninindia.org) z Avinashilingam University for Women, Coimbatore (www.avinashilingam.edu) z MOP Vaishnav College for Women, Chennai (www.mop-vaishnav.ac.in) z Lady Irwin College, New Delhi (www.ladyirwin.edu.in)

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Psychology options What are the job opportunities for a psychologist?

-Ashish Saraf Psychologists provide therapy and help people deal with their problems. Teaching, clinical practice, administration, basic research, market research, human resources development, psychological testing, industrial counselling or consulting (self-employment) are other options. They may work for businesses, career services, rehabilitation centres, consulting firms, correctional facilities and prisons, social welfare organisations, defence services, family and health services, government organisations, hospitals, market research organisations, mental health organisations, NGOs, private clinics, recruitment agencies, research institutions, substance abuse and de-addiction services, test development organisations, training and development services, universities and youth services.

Q

A

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PERVIN MALHOTRA & ZUBIN MALHOTRA Pervin Malhotra is a nationally renowned career columnist with columns in major national dailies and magazines. She has been featured in over a 1,000 programmes on TV. She is the Director of Career Guidance India, a New Delhi-based career and education guidance and counselling service.

Zubin Malhotra is a career coach at Career Guidance India.

He is a management graduate and journalist by training.

An alumnus of IIM Kozhikode, his professional experience spans MNCs, media houses and dot-com start-ups.

For queries email studyabroad@youthincmag.com International Baccalaureate Programme Could you please tell me something about the International Baccalaureate Programme? My daughter’s school offers this programme and several of our friends’ kids are attending IB programmes.

Does it have any value in India?

-Arvind Malhotra The International Baccalaureate Organisation (IBO) is a non-profit, educational foundation based in Geneva, Switzerland. IBO’s programmes are adopted by thousands of high schools in 140 countries around the world.

They consist of required courses, exams, and related areas designed to establish a common curriculum and university-entry credential for college-bound students moving from one country to another. The IB Diploma — a demanding pre-university course of study in the last two years of high school — qualifies students for ‘credits’ and advanced standing at several colleges around the world.

To participate in the IB programme, you must attend an IB-member high school.

Q

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The India Experience The rigorous IB curriculum is quite demanding. Moreover, the approach is dramatically different from our systems.

It is not an easy curriculum and demands great passion from teachers. They have to undergo special training to be IB-certified.

It is by no means an easy transition for students either.

Students, who up till then have been used to rote-learning, have to adapt to independent thinking and reasoning, analysis and critiquing, and research-based writing.

Students who have gone through the programme claim they have to put in significantly more effort to maintain decent grades. Also, so far, the academic achievement at majority of IB schools is by and large mediocre.

The IB Diploma is recognised by the Association of India Universities (you will have to get an equivalence certificate from them) and several universities. So it’s accepted for admission to univeristies across the country.

But since the results are out only in August, students are usually late for admission to Indian colleges. To further aggravate matters, the manner in which most Indian

universities calculate marks equivalent to IB grades leaves most students worse-off. If you’re looking to appear for competitive entrance exams for engineering or medicine, then the IB curriculum isn’t very helpful. You will still need to attend after-school coaching classes for the exams that are based on the CBSE/ CISCE syllabi.

The IB’s essential appeal and value continues to be for students looking to go abroad for undergraduate studies.

A good IB score will not only help in getting admission into good universities and colleges in the US and UK, it will also earn you credits that will exempt you from entrylevel courses – thereby saving you both time and money in completing your graduation!

Language barriers in France and Spain I am doing my BArch. I would like to pursue higher studies in a country like France or Spain to get exposure to their design approach and styles and for the cultural experience as well. One catch though – I can’t speak either French or Spanish. Will my ignorance of the local language be a problem? And what are the professional courses that are popular in these two countries? What about job prospects?

-Kanika Verma Being able to speak the local language is not a mandatory requirement in most of the well-known professional programmes in France or Spain as they are taught in English. Most universities in Western Europe are located in towns, where the ambience is cosmopolitan and a large number of natives speak a fair amount of English, though relatively few in France. Still, it is always better to have some knowledge of the regional language, not for the course, but to interact with the locals.

In addition to business management, among the popular professional courses are fashion studies and engineering in France, and tourism, hotel management and information technology in Spain.

While some students prefer to come back to India, some others do manage to find jobs there. France now offers a six-month window for foreign students to hunt for jobs. If you manage to get one, you qualify for a two-year workpermit which is renewable.

Q

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_OUT OF THE BOX

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hirty years ago, the top career of choice for Indian women was to be an air hostess. The emphasis on beauty, grooming and etiquette was close to our very own finishing school. Air India recruited women from an elite social pool. Today, with our booming economy, the game has changed entirely. Although cabin crew have to work hard for long hours, their long-term propects have changed. Earlier, these elite women would marry India’s elite businessmen – Maureen Wadia met her husband Nusli while flying for Air India.

Parmeshwar Godrej, Sameera Mallya, and many others also made their matches while flying the skies.

Today, airlines hire from a much wider middle-class segment who are in it for the money rather than the glamour. These men and women recognise that with our rapidly developing economy, there are many jobs that will require the skills of cabin crew members if they want to move into other professions. Sevice training academies have cropped up all over the country to facilitate entry into an airline’s cabin crew training. So what does it take to become a cabin crew member?

Cabin crew work on board flights to ensure the safety and comfort of each passenger. The work of air hostesses and stewards is both challenging and rewarding; they are required to have discipline, excellent customer-facing skills, good presentation, knowledge of emergency and safety protocols, and they get the opportunity to travel not only all over India but also internationally.

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Up

AIR

A career as a cabin b crew member b is no longer as esteemed as it once was, and the number of applicants is declining year-by-year. Yet, many aspire to travelling the skies as their profession.

Youth Inc investigates the high-fliers who are keeping it in the game WHAT ARE THE BASIC ENTRY QUALIFICATIONS? A certificate from a service training academy shows that you are better equipped to handle the challenges of the field. However, these academies focus on soft skills. Cabin crew recruiters look for people from all backgrounds and even if you have graduated out of an academy run by the airline, it will not guarantee you a job at the same airline.

Cabin crew recruiters take candidates through a thorough selection process.

The basic criteria they look for are the following:  Should have studied up to 10+2 standard, no graduate degree is required  Be over 18 years  Pleasing personality  Well spoken and well groomed  Fluent in English

TRAINING All airlines have their own training programmes. Once you pass the interview and are admitted into the programme, the training period varies from airline to airline. However, the basic regulations are always taught by airlines all over India. There are two parts to the training imparted by most airlines: 1. Service and Etiquette 2. Safety Standards and First Aid Each of these have written and oral exams, conducted internally and by the DGCA (Director General of Civil Aviation). There is no qualifying exam to join, but there are a number of exams that you have to clear after joining an airline.

If you fail your reattempt in the exam, then you will have to leave the training program. Murtuza Rai, a trainer with Kingfisher Airlines, says “There is a lot of training involved to get to this stage.

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_OUT OF THE BOX

Many people want to run away from the training academy, including me when I first joined!”

The length and the content of the service course varies from airline to airline. For example, Kingfisher does a 14-day, intensive service training program for new recruits; but certain low-cost carriers do not focus as much on service training. Service training typically consists of customer service, passenger handling, how to use equipment, how to serve food, use ovens, differences in economy and first class, grooming and presentation, etc.

For safety training, the DGCA has mandated that all airlines must train their crew for 35 days in safety for a particular aircraft. The DGCA certifies the trainers and the faculty, and appoints a nodal officer, a representative of the DGCA, who certifies the cabin crew. Safety training is divided into four parts: 1. Aviation security – a 6-day training on very severe threats on airlines such as hijack, arms and bombs, precautions, first aid, etc.

2. Dangerous goods regulation – teaches cabin crew about what is permitted and not permitted on board safely, for example, perfumes and deodorants.

3. Safety training – A 19-day technical course only about safety regulations when passengers board, take off, opening and closing doors, etc.

4. Crew resource management (CRM) – this 2- to 3-day course teaches the cabin crew that they are not the only resource on board a flight; passengers are also a resource. It also emphasises time management, stresss management, fatigue, delegation of duty, etc.

Rai gives this advice to aspiring cabin crew members on the essential aspects of the training required: “When we are out of school or college, we want to take a career with the least amount of studying involved. But all airlines have a lot of training and assessment involvement. Cabin crew perform a vital role for airlines and they are not acknowledged as doing so. At 35,000 feet, they are responsible

for everything, including giving emergency treatment for heart attacks.

They are not only service staff; they are qualified people who are able to save lives.”

INDUSTRY SCOPE The number of people applying to the service aviation industry today has dwindled. The airlines also have in the past let a large number of their cabin crew go, as the economy is not doing well. Nonetheless, people are joining airlines by the dozen. Kingfisher has recruited about 200 people in this quarter alone. The attrition rate for airlines is also very high because the Indian market cannot compete on an international rate to other airlines as international rates are much higher.

Moreover, if you are experienced as cabin crew, then some airlines may hire you in INR for an international salary with half the workload.

The cabin crew in India are trained more intensively than America, the Middle East and other countries.

The number of days and intensity of training for Indian crewmembers is much greater. Thus, Indian-trained cabin crew can join an international airline after only six months. The international airline benefits by getting qualified, English-speaking staff, which reduces the amount spent on their training.

The GLAMOUR QUOTIENT Air-hostesses in earlier days were some of the most beautiful women in the country; cosmopolitan, well-spoken and impeccably groomed. A number of them went on to make matches with India’s top businessmen. With the rise of low-cost carriers that are afforadble for the masses, the glamour quotient of air-hostesses has disappeared. Take a peek at our time capsule to see the who’s who of yesteryear’s skies!

MALLIKA SHERAWAT This hottie from Haryana is a graduate in Philosophy from Delhi University. She started working as an air hostess while still in her third year of college before joining movies. While flying the skies, she married and then divorced Karan Singh Gill, a Jet Airways pilot.

SALARIES Most of the airlines give you a salary breakup of 40 per cent basic and 60 per cent flying – you literally get paid on the number of days you fly. Also some airlines give you a percentage of any sales that are conducted on board.

As a fresher flying only 65-70 hours in a month, one can expect to earn about `25,000-30,000. These salaries are close to doubled when you travel internationally. There are additional sources of income when flying internationally as people tend to buy from duty free on long-haul flights.

Moreover, one gets allowances when on a trip, such as expenses and hotel stays in 5-star hotels.

PARMESHWAR GODREJ This lady is one of India’s most powerful social arbiters. She was amongst the first of Air India’s gorgeous hostesses to marry one of India’s powerful businessmen. She snagged the chief of Godrej Industries, Adi Godrej, and today, even at the age at 64, she is considered one of India’s most flamboyant and glamorous women.

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_CAREER WATCH

A time to

Heal

If you think you have healing hands or simply not interested in the pressures of "pure" medicine, a career in physiotherapy may be right for you

E

ven though the world considers it as the second choice for a career for medicine aspirants, Youth Inc does not as physiotherapy is fast growing as a field. Th is area for treatment of disability using medical knowledge combined with physical exercises is one of the most important rehabilitative services for a society. Physiotherapy provides essential support to medical treatment, especially in relation to any dysfunction of movement of any part of the body. Those working in the field endeavor to improve any such dysfunctions that patients suffer from.

Many functions are handled by the physiotherapist, including diagnosis of the problem, restoration

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_CAREER WATCH

Where to Study Degree Courses The following institutions have also been recognised for degree courses and some for diploma courses in physical therapy. Duration of course: Four and a half years including six months of training at the institution after graduation.

• Grant Medical College, Byculla, Mumbai • BJ Medical College, Ganesh Khind, Pune 411001

Educational qualifications: 10+2 with physics, chemistry and biology with 50 per cent and above.

• GS Seth Medical College & KEM Hospital, Mumbai

Admission procedure: Written competitive examination held along with the medical entrance examination in the respective state or merit criteria laid by the institution. (Indicative list only) • All India Institute of Physical Medicine & Rehabilitation Haji Ali, Mahalaxmi, Mumbai • Lokmanya Tilak Medical College, School of Physiotherapy, Sion, Mumbai • Topiwala National Medical College AL Niar Road, Mumbai

of movement and maintenance of strength and physical functions.

Patients with degenerative disorders and those physically challenged need regular physical therapy to keep on track. Even sportspersons and arthritic patients seek help from physiotherapists from time to time.

Despite what one may know or think, physiotherapists hold a very important position in the field of medicine, and they are as essential as doctors. They offer assistance in helping the patient to rehabilitate from a state of dependency on others to a state where they can be partially or fully independent. The incapacity may be may be caused by a defect at birth or may be the outcome of an accident, illness, injury or age.

Once in practice, physiotherapists

must have complete knowledge of the human body, inside out, and must know way the bones, muscles and nerves move. They are qualified to do a physical examination of the condition. Once they determine the cause of the problem, they can assess the damage and determine a rehabilitative process. After that, a suitable therapy procedure is charted out for treatment and its effectiveness is measured at regular intervals. Usually, the therapy procedure is a combination of various intervention techniques.

“Physiotherapy as a field has great potential for those who believe in giving therapy. In this day and age of high-stress lifestyles, physical disorders are often created as a result of mental pressure. Couple

• Sancheti Institute of Orthopaedic & Rehabilitation, Shivaji Nagar, Pune 411005

• Government Medical College, Physio & Occupational Therapy, Nagpur • Banarasidas Chandiwala Institute of Physiotherapy, Delhi • Institute of Rehabilitation Medicine & Allied Science, Delhi • St Joan’s College of Vocational Studies School of Physiotherapy, Delhi

Diploma course • Aligarh Muslim University, Jawaharlal Nehru Medical College, Department of Orthopaedic surgery, Aligarh

that with the fact that in the hectic lives that we lead, there is little time to maintain physical fitness. It results in the need for specialists to deal with problems, where trained physiotherapists can step in,” says Dr C Nanavati, a practicing physiotherapist.

In modern times, when going 'natural' is becoming an option even in this profession, practitioners have to give a thought to this aspect.

“Those aspiring to take physiotherapy as a profession must think about the fact that this is a science that aims to heal without popping unnecessary pills.

Currently, we have a large section of patients requesting that we do away with pain killers,” says consulting physiotherapist Dr Mahendra Nair.

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_CAREER WATCH

Personality counts You need to be extremely tolerant if you want to enter this profession, since physiotherapists have to deal with those in distress and use specialised equipment in many different settings. The nature of work is such that it demands a systematic approach. Working as per the directions of doctors, keeping a record of work done and technical precision are at the heart of the profession.

Dealing with patients on personal and professional levels needs patience, an understanding attitude as well as professionalism in patient care. Many patients require a great deal of attention, not to mention cooperation, at all times from their therapists.

You also need to coordinate with other paramedical staff. So you need an understanding of people and a sympathetic approach towards the patients; a true desire to help people live as normally as possible.

While pursuing the physiotherapy course and also while in practice, analytical and logical skills, scientific reasoning and problem solving abilities will help a lot. A capacity memorise facts and recall them when required is one of the biggest plus points. Not to mention manual dexterity and physical stamina to work long hours. If you are one who cannot be level headed while dealing with difficult situations, this profession may not be a good choice. Besides, you also need to sport qualities like mental strength and the ability to encourage your patients to be more confident.

“Hands play an important role. As in movement and mobilisation, we see the joint, feel the joint and then ask the patient to move the joint. With this movement, we determine why a patient feels pain and wherein lies the problem,” says Dr Neil Rajpal, a senior physiotherapist with a city hospital.

The future ahead As mentioned earlier, the need for well-trained physiotherapists

is on the rise. Then, of course, employment opportunities are great.

Opportunities exist in rehabilitation departments of hospitals and private bodies. These may include special clinics, service centres, nursing homes and healing centres. Look out for openings in orthopaedic departments, rehabilitation centres for the handicapped and schools for the physically disabled.

Physiotherapists can also opt for teaching, while those who can afford to put in some capital can set up private practices. Many times, practice does not even require a clinic; you can be a home-therapist who goes for sessions to the patient’s home. Physiotherapists are needed in the country as well as abroad, especially in the US, Canada and Australia. Once you add a few years of experience to your resume, you can opt for specialisation.

Earning issues The starting pay is decent; government hospital salaries range between `8,000 and `12,000.

Privately run hospitals defi nitely offer a higher pay packet, starting at `15,000 and going up to `20,000 per month for freshers. A few years down

The job responsibilities of a physiotherapist generally include: • Assessing a patient’s physical abilities and needs • Developing of a treatment plan according to the patient's individualised needs • Implementing programmes including therapeutic exercise, manipulations, massage, education and the use of electro-therapeutic and other mechanical equipment and hydrotherapy • Providing consultation on injury prevention and health promotion

The following are just a few of the areas physiotherapists workin: • Outpatients • Intensive care • Womens health • Care of the elderly • Stroke patients • Orthopaedics • Mental illness • Learning difficulties • Occupational health • Terminally ill • Paediatrics the line, maybe after five or six years of experience, a private practice can be set up. “A physiotherapist can earn good money nowadays. For instance, a reputed physiotherapist earns `200 to `400 per visit,” says Dr Nanavati.

In studies While studying to be a physiotherapist, subjects that are taught are anatomy, physiology, orthopaedics, neurology, medicine, surgery and physiotherapy. It cannot be a full course until the student has also undergone practical training in a hospital department. The duration of courses in physiotherapy go up to three to four years depending on whether you pursue a diploma or degree.

Many medical colleges conduct courses in physiotherapy and a practical internship is completed at the teaching hospitals attached to such colleges. A Rehabilitation Council has been set up by the government to train paramedical staff and to conduct rehabilitation related activities. Diploma courses are of two years’ duration while the degree courses are of four and a half years. There is a six-month practical internship so you can gain experience before you venture into the field. yi

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In Practice PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROHAN FERNANDES

Physiotherapists Bhani Chandok and Kunal Merchant talk to Shraddha Kamdar about their varied experiences in the field

“Y

ou need to have a strong desire to see people around you happier. Only then will you survive as a physiotherapist,” says Kunal Merchant, who has been a practising physiotherapist for over three years now. He goes on to narrate an excruciating experience of a young, middle-class patient whose family depended on him. A case of one-side paralysis, the patient had lost speech and movement. “He was in so much pain, I worked with him for a year. It is really emotionally and physically draining to see someone suffer so much.

Believe me, there sometimes is a feeling when you just want to drop it all. But then you persevere,” he narrates. Of course, he brought the patient to a state where he was mobile and didn’t need help from anyone else. Hopefully, he has also gone back to work.

With the agony, however, comes

the satisfaction as well. “When you help the patient to get back on his feet and you see a marked difference in six to eight weeks, it feels kind of good to know that you made that happen,” says physiotherapist Bhani Chandok.

She adds that people have such an emotional way of showing gratitude, it enhances the feeling of satisfaction manifold.

Business partners for four years now, Chandok and Merchant met when they were doing their master’s at Sheffield. Once they got back to the city, they opened a clinic but then found it much easier to offer home-care since walk-ins for physiotherapy are rare. “We treat the patient regardless of the condition. I must say that a positive vibe and an encouraging word go a long way with your patients. You have to know what to say and how to say it,” say the duo. The toughest part, according

to them is to tell the patient that there is no further scope of improvement in movement after a certain level. It is extremely depressing for the patients and distressing for the therapist as well.

Therapist is the appropriate word, since physiotherapists are partly psychologists as well for their patients.

They need to reinforce a fighting spirit and a strong desire to get better day in and day out for their patients.

“Since this field is only rehabilitative in nature, we have to think of prolonged treatment. Even after we’re out of the picture, we look at the future and give them a home fitness or exercise regime so that they don’t need us for the same problem at least for the next ten years of their life,” they say.

It is for the same purpose that Merchant started doing weight training and Chandok opted for acupuncture training. Accupuncture? Does it help?

“A lot,” says Chandok, “especially to help alleviate the pain.” One of her patients, suffering from slipped disc, had reached a plateau stage in his treatment after five years. She helped with using acupuncture and he got better much faster. “The combination is great, especially for shortening the treatment time,” Merchant chimes in, since he has sought Chandok’s help with his patients a few times.

No wonder one needs to have a strong human spirit to be in this profession. “Not only that, you need to be a good listener, and be very patient.

Over long periods of treatment, you connect personally with every patient and it is bound to affect you,” says Merchant.

So what does it take to succeed in this field? “Every year there are thousands of new physiotherapists entering the profession. If you are one of them, stick to your morals, believe in giving and be good at your job.

Earn your money, but for the right reasons. You have to love what you do,” Merchant says. After all, it entirely depends on your skill. “And yes, please don’t forget to clearly mention that physiotherapists are not massage therapists!” says Merchant in a teasing manner. We didn’t. yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 45

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_CAMPUS REVIEW

The Ramnarain Ruia Location: Matunga, Mumbai History: Established in 1937 by

COLLEGE OF A RTS & SCIE NC

E

the SP Mandali, Pune

Courses: Junior college: BA and BSc Degree college: BCom, BA, BSc, BMM, BLiSc Postgraduation courses: MSc, PhD (botany and history), and a host of diploma courses

Divya Naik TAKES YOU ON A WALK-THROUGH OF HER CAMPUS

W

hen one talks of Ruia College, what comes to mind instantly is the Katta. And naturally, one cannot deny that it is impossible to imagine Ruia without its famous Katta, which is a promenade built around a huge playground, where one can sit back and stare across at the campus and the bustling street. That apart, what is really appealing about Ruia is the interesting crowd, which comprises all sorts of people – right from the spoilt, rich brats to the funloving, lecture-bunking hippies to the studious and geeky teacher’s pets. One can never really feel lost here.

Academically speaking Ramnarain Ruia College offers courses in the arts and science streams.

The college doesn’t offer commerce courses as the famous Podar College is located adjacent to it. The junior college building is a separate one and is known as the ‘New Building’ or the Ramnivas Ruia Junior College – so freshers, straight out of class 10 have a reason to rejoice; they will have an entire building to themselves! The faculty is well qualified, with the college offering MSc courses related to various disciplines. Ruia is in fact renowned for its well-equipped laboratories and its library, which has some rare and excellently archived books. The Reading Hall has WiFi facilities and computers with Internet connections for research purposes. It remains open from early morning to late evening for all those who wish to stay back and study.

Extracurricular activities

The Natyavalaya or the Theatre Group of Ruia College is one of the best and most popular among the theatre and acting circles among Mumbai colleges. Most of the students who have taken part in its activities have made their way into television serials, while some have been featured in Marathi or Bollywood films. Another exciting and popular feature is the Shooting Range, which offers the best infrastructure for of shooting.

Other popular activities include Taekwondo, boxing and even a specialised gym which offers discounts for students of the college. The college also hosts festivals such as Rose Day, Utsav (intra-college annual festival) and Aarohan (inter-college annual festival). All the activities are hosted by the Vidyarthi Pratinidhi Mandal (VPM), which is the student body

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RUIA-ITES LEND A HELPING HAND Who: A group of five Ruia students have united for a good cause - to provide notebooks to under-privileged students in Thane. They teamed up with AURED, an NGO for people with hearing disabilities.

The Mission: To collect unused pages from their teachers, friends and families and distribute them to needy students.

Who: A group of four girls from Ruia College have set out to donate bicycles to needy students.

of the college. Apart from that, each department of the college has its own departmental festival, which allows the students to exercise their creativity.

The college also has its own e-Radio on the Internet named Ruia College Radio (www.ruiacollegeradio.com) wherein students record and upload their own radio shows. The college has its own film society, which holds screenings and discussions of films and activities related to filmmaking.

Popular hangouts There is no dearth of hangout joint and eateries for foodies studying at Ruia College. Right outside Matunga station, you will spot Ram Ashraya,

which offers amazing South Indian fare at a cheap rate - albeit with no ambience, it being a no-frills Udipi restaurant. As you go further, you will come across Snow Point, which has cakes, pastries, sandwiches and rolls at fairly reasonable prices with a café like seating arrangement. Meat lovers will love Café Gulshan, an Iranian restaurant that offers yummy non-vegetarian food at cheap rates.

Opposite this, is Monginis for those who wish to relish some pastries, and Hokey Pokey, which is 'ice-cream central' for most Ruia-ties. Right opposite Podar, you will find the famous Subhash Sandwich Wallah,

The Mission: To collect scrap bicycle parts and abandoned bicycles that can be repaired to donate them to the underprivileged. The group, who has a goal of 40 cycles, has already managed to collect 20 cycles.

which is almost always crowded with college kids whom Subhash effortlessly serves with a smile. Don’t forget to try out his famous chocolate sandwich, a rare treat not found in too many places.

Much further, but closer to the college itself, is the famous DP’s restaurant, the eternal favourite of all Ruia-ites. Check out the pav bhaji, masala pav, samosas as well as the wok hei, a Chinese dish with an Indian touch. For those who love Chinese food, Chinaman will be your best bet, while those looking for cheap rolls and quick bites should visit Sherry’s.

However, South Indian food lovers must not miss out on the amazing dosas and wada sambar at Mani’s – you will miss out on something huge if you don’t try the food here! And when you are really low on cash and incredibly hungry, the frankie at Gala’s comes to your rescue. And of course, the Juice Centre is another place that needs to be checked out for its famous lime juice and cold coffee. yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 47

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_PRODIGY

My Muse is

Life S

Rouble Nagi is a talented artist with passion and drive. Before reaching the age of 30, this young achiever has made a name for herself both nationally and internationally. Youth Inc caught up with this charismatic prodigy

he’s known for her pieces of art crafted from materials as versatile as stone, copper, glass, wood, terracotta and acrylic amongst a host of others. Her vibrant mosaic and fibre sculpture saw her give back to Mumbai, with the altruistic thought of adding to the city’s beauty. Her paintings grace the walls of Bollywood bigwigs like Salman Khan and Sajid Nadiawala. Nagi is known far and wide for her sense of aesthetics and for taking her love for the arts to the next level with an art foundation that supports and promotes the creativity of underprivileged children. With over 300 priceless murals spread over 33 different mediums, the artist, who draws inspiration from Jackson Pollock, has gained many fans in a short period of time. She has been commissioned for her installations by luxury brands like the Taj group of Hotels and the Hyatt.

Adding to her rather interesting life, generously doused with immense talent and popularity, is the fact that she shares her name with that of Russia’s currency! Nagi just finished working on a Sikh museum in India, and she is in the midst of creating a 15-foot marble sculpture for Mumbai. Youth Incorporated picks her creative brain in an exclusive interview.

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Yi You participated in the West Bengal State of Arts exhibition at the age of 19, even before you graduated in commerce. What were the challenges you faced as a young achiever?

RN “Perseverance is not a long race; it is many short races one after another.” Challenges are a part of life; whether young or old, we are always tested. Art is my passion and though I went to Slade School of Art (London), I now believe art cannot be taught. Teaching happens when knowledge and information – true, false or biased – is imparted intentionally to a student. When you paint to satisfy others, you are cheating yourself. Education is necessary, but it’s just a foundation for students. Art to me is about expressing yourself on canvas.

Yi You have represented India at international events. How were these experiences for you?

RN I have always been keen to exhibit my works as I like to see what people have to say about my creations. Just as a director wants to see what reaction the audience has after seeing the film he has created, an artist also wants to evoke the same feelings in the spectators that he or she felt during creating it. At any stage, national or international, I love to exhibit.

Yi What is the creation you are most proud of and what inspired it?

RN All my creations are close to me.

It’s difficult to say, but if I have to choose then it would be the ‘Save the Children’ project, which was made for handicapped children and their school. I love children and love to be surrounded by them at all times.

Yi You have experimented with many forms in your work; which one is your personal favourite and why? Which do you feel is most popular?

RN Over the years, I have worked with varied media but the regular ones are glass, tile, metal, fibre, stone, and frescos. I personally like cold ceramic, metal and mixed media.

The most popular one is cold ceramic and the tree of life; a lot of my clients insist on having it in their homes.

Yi In the initial stages, what prompted you to foray into charity work? How is the satisfaction derived from this work different from selling a work of art?

RN Art and poetry, because they deal with subjects independent of the rules and standards of the human community, play an essential and indispensable part in the existence of mankind. As an artist, I think I must give back to the people. I started working along with an NGO, Pratham, a very long time ago. I always wanted to start my own NGO and the Rouble Nagi Art Foundation took shape two years ago. It’s very satisfying to give rather than to receive.

Yi You organised an art workshop with 900 children in Mumbai with Pratham. How did you manage to channelise the vivacious energy of these kids?

RN It’s really simple. Children have a very fertile imagination; when you have their focus, it all falls into place. Basically, children love bright colours and an empty sheet can really attract their attention. Some of the paintings that they create are absolutely stunning. As Pablo Picasso said, “Every child is an artist.

The problem is how to remain an artist once he grows up.”

Yi If you had to choose one personality from the world to paint, who would it be and why?

RN I don’t paint people as I’m an

abstract artist. But if I had to, then it would be Indira Gandhi as I look up to her for what she did for our country and achieved. I still remember reading a quote, “The power to question is the basis of all human progress.”

It’s one of the few things I truly believe in.

Yi When going through a dry spell, how do you find your creative inspiration?

RN My inspiration is life, so I never go through a dry spell. Life is like a big rollercoaster ride and a mixed bag of emotions that we feel on the way.

I paint what I feel; my surroundings inspire me. I love the hustle bustle of my city, Mumbai. Mumbai for me is what New York is for Woody Allen.

My interaction with people and my relationships makes me realise that the only thing constant is change.

My paintings reflect this and, other than my husband, I am in love with a blank canvas.

Yi What would your advice be for aspiring artists and what steps would you recommend they take?

RN My idea of a true artist is someone who paints or creates for his or her own satisfaction and not for others. There’s no formula as such to make it big in the art line, young artists are all doing so well for themselves in India. All you have to do is just be at it, and not get competitive with your fellow artists as there is room for us all. yi

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_STUDENT SPEAK

(

(

SUCHITA PARIKH TAKES THE ROAD LESS TRAVELLED AS A MATURE STUDENT COMPLETING HER DEGREE AT SOPHIA’S COLLEGE

The

30

year-old UNDERGRAD N

ever in a million years had I thought that I would celebrate my thirtieth birthday in a college canteen. My college canteen.

With my eighteen-year-old classmates no less! But that’s what life is about – some wonderfully adventure-laden curve balls. A few years ago, I had what most would consider a great job, working for a luxury-lifestyle magazine. I got to rub elbows

with celebrities, go on paid-for spa weekends, and I had the freedom to write about things that interested me.

It was a great gig. But then one day someone asked me the question that stopped me in my tracks: “What is your passion in life?”

I didn’t have an answer. I loved writing, but I was beginning to feel burnt out. The glitz and hoopla were a by-product of my job profile and I could take it or leave it without much

of a hem and haw. And work left me with little time for any recreation, so those were pretty much the only aspects to scrutinise while looking for this absconding passion of mine.

Had I then, completely lost touch with myself? So much so that I’d forgotten what it was like to have a true passion?

Was I dissolving into the career paradigm? Apparently I was.

After some intense soul searching I came to a decision – I was going to

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“I was beginning to enjoy discovering myself again, learning new things and having different experiences. I even tried to complete my graduation via correspondence, but that idea didn’t really lift off the ground”

quit my cushy job and go in search for my raison d’ être. It was certainly not the easiest decision to make and was met with plenty of opposition from friends, colleagues and family.

But I stuck to my guns, took a big, steadying gulp and submitted my letter of resignation. The last month of my tenure was bitter-sweet, and more often than not, I would find myself submerged in a wave of panic.

I was going to be unemployed in a few days. I didn’t really have a plan for my life now. I was free-falling, lost and beginning to feel the terrific weight of my decision. I was terrified.

There were moments when I

thought I had made a huge blunder. I began to believe the words of people around me – “You’re being such a spoilt nilly! ‘Searching for yourself’, hah! You’re being a cliché. Enough of your nakhraas! Don’t be a quitter.”

This last bit struck me hard. You see, I had left college nearly a decade ago without having completed my BA degree, and as a result, was not a graduate. This had, thankfully, not affected my professional career. But when it came to dreaming about applying for a college course abroad, it made a distinctive hole in my erstwhile happy bubble.

The first few days of unemployment were surreal. I felt anchorless and floated about in a daze. But once the giddiness settled, I began to find my feet again. I began to indulge in things I hadn’t had time for. I made a week-long trip to Singapore and did the whole walking-about-witha-map-for-directions thing. I joined several classes of interest – psychology, Western and Indian art history, Spanish… I even enrolled in a Diploma course in Early Childhood Care and Education (ECCE) and worked with children for a year and a half. I

was beginning to enjoy discovering myself again, learning new things and having different experiences. I even tried to complete my graduation via correspondence, but that idea didn’t really lift off the ground.

So I began to mull over the next big step – full-time college. Was I up to it? It had been nearly a decade since I had truly hit the books. The ECCE Diploma course had been more about practical application than theory, although it had given me a taste of student life again. And then there was the age factor to consider. I was going to be considerably older than my teenage classmates. How would they react to that? How would I react to that? Would I fit in at all? There was only one way to find out. I took a deep breath and committed the next three years of my life to being an undergrad student.

There were a few hiccups. Like the day when I went to submit my FYBA enrollment form. The professor at the desk was an old junior college classmate of mine. She thought I had probably come to submit a younger sister’s form. The onus of explaining to her that I hadn’t completed my graduation and was back to cross it off my bucket list was on me. Then there was the day of the orientation, when the security guard stopped me from entering college asking, “Baby kahan hai?” (There’s a preschool on the college campus as well). Again, I explained how I was there for myself and not a supposed child!

So yes, I was a 30-year-old undergrad who brought in her birthday at the college canteen. I will be a 31-year-old undergrad soon.

And you know what? I’m loving every minute of it! The experience of being at college as a consciously made choice rather than an expected course of events is far sweeter. Getting the opportunity to learn on a daily basis is a gift. And righting the wrongs of the past is priceless. I’m still on the journey of discovery, and I’m thankful for it. I took the road less travelled, and that has made all the difference. yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 51

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_WISE UP P

- By Niloufer Gandhi Choose the option that is closest in meaning to the highlighted word and complete the sentence.

1. Pluvial (ploo-vee-uhl) 2. Petrichor (pet-ri-kuhr) The villagers heaved a sigh of relief when the first drops of rain touched the parched land and _______ arose from the ground. (a. fragrance b. malodour c. vapour)

3. Nimbus (nim-buhs) The children who were playing in the garden ran home when they spotted a giant ________ in the sky travelling their way. (a. gem b. cloud c. floret)

4. Verdant (vur-dnt) While driving through the beautiful countryside, the family enjoyed gazing at the ______ scenery. (a. barren b. sparse c. lush)

5. Inundated (in-uhn-deyt-ed) Heavy rains _______ the city’s major commuting networks, causing delays and disruptions in the schedules of many transport services. (a. flooded b. drained c. shrivelled)

6. Interminable (in-tur-muh-nuh-buhl) The _______ rains forced people to stay indoors for two days. (a. endless b. sporadic c. limited)

7. Torrent (tawr-uh-nt) A ________ washed away a number of villages leaving people stranded and at the mercy of rescue workers. (a. sprinkle b. drizzle c. downpour)

8. Tempestuous (tem-pes-choo-uhs) The midday news warned fishermen against venturing in their boats in the ________ weather. (a. sultry b. stormy c. frigid)

9. Quagmire (kwag-may-uhr) The two friends were enjoying a walk at the racecourse in the rain until they got stuck in a __________.(a. trench b. hedge c. swamp)

10. Overcast (oh-ver-kast) On a rainy day, the sky is ______ with clouds that block out the sun and give the city a sombre atmosphere. (a. bright b. dark c. dull)

The familiar sights of the monsoon – the mouth-watering aroma of roasted corn on the cob, the swishing of the wipers on the windscreens, the throngs of people running helter-skelter to avoid getting drenched, the children on the street playing in puddles – will remain for just a few more days.

Enjoy the rains and shower these words in your conversations!

Well, let’s start with a few basic words that you can use in your day-to-day conversation.

Answers: 1.C 2.A 3.B 4.C 5.A 6.A 7.C 8.B 9.C 10.B

To add to his woes, the ________ weather drenched Akash’s clothes and his science project. ( a. dry b. sunny c. rainy)

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yi

entertain Get the perfect six-pack abs to impress that someone special

K E E PI N S I D E яГо

Pg60 Pg62 Pg72 Pg74 SHOPAHOLICS ANONYMOUS

THE EAST TO WEST BRIDGE

GAME, SET, KNOCKED OUT!

ANGER AND ITS AFFECTS

YOUTH INC TAKES A LOOK AT SHOPPERS WHO GO OVERBOARD WITH RETAIL THERAPY

A TRIP TO TURKEY, MEDITERRANEAN COUNTRY OF CULTURE AND BEAUTY

TENNIS FANS ARE STILL DEJECTED

BY THE RECENT UPSETS IN THE GRAND SLAMS

YOUTH INC LETS YOU IN ON THE PITFALLS OF THIS UNDESIRABLE EMOTION

_FOCUS FEATURE

A Spiritu Sp Quest YOUTH TODAY ARE TURNING TO SPIRITUAL LEADERS TO DEAL WITH THE ANGST OF AMBITION, PRESSURE, TRADITION AND ASPIRATION. BEVERLY PEREIRA TAKES A LOOK AT THE SPIRITUAL QUOTIENT OF THEIR PSYCHE

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I

n troubled times like ours, young people all over the world are increasingly looking to find some inner peace and solace. In the past, organised religion offered the masses a method to the madness; a higher power to reinforce their faith.

Today, spiritual leaders transcending religious, linguistic, communal and national boundaries guide those dazed and confused with modern life to step on to the path of spirituality. Spiritual leaders the world over have developed mass appeal with their modern outlook and have attracted millions of devotees. After all, aren’t we all looking to connect with our inner selves?

Magnetic Appeal

ual

sense to people as opposed to outdated and rigid religious dogmas. Practicality aside, what really clicks with the youth is the relevance of their values, coupled with the inspiration and motivation to make the best of life in today’s times.

Actor Kelly Dorji opines, “The dogmas in religion have long been a

Art of Living

From Mumbai to Berlin and beyond, a spiritual revolution is brewing thanks to spiritual guru and humanitarian, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar. He is known to speak to his followers about life and inspire them through his talks and deeds to share his vision for a violence-free and stress-free world. Over a million people look to him as their spiritual leader. Forming a significant part of his efforts to achieve a peaceful outlook toward life is the fostering of interfaith

that the Art of Living courses continue to give her answers to the questions she seeks and offers her a feeling of depth and deep calmness.

While some like Pillai are regular practitioners of the Art of Living, there are others who have done the occasional course and reaped the benefits.

Says Candice D’Abreo, a Mumbaibased wedding planner, “In our busy schedules, I believe it is very important to take some 'time out', which I find very difficult to do. Hence I took up the course.”

Happiness: Life’s Purpose

His Holiness the Dalai Lama, a spiritual leader not just to the Tibetans but also to the world, is believed to be the PHOTOGRAPH BY RICHARD EDKINS

So what is it that makes these spiritual leaders or gurus a magnet to millions of people? And, why is the younger generation attracted to the practical ideals imparted by leaders like the Dalai Lama, Sri Sri Ravi Shankar and others? The youth are awakening from their spiritual slumber and are looking for guidance to peace and happiness.

It is evident that the words and actions of these outstanding leaders make

cause for a section of this generation to drift away. They collectively feel that religion has been twisted by man to a degree that is unbearably false and laden with rituals and superstitions as well as with blind faith without practical regard.”

harmony, bridging communal divides and the call for a multicultural education as the remedy for fanaticism.

Rhea Pillai, an Indian model, brand ambassador for several products and an Art of Living instructor says that meeting her guru Sri Sri Ravi Shankar for the first time was one of the biggest turning points in her life. Pillai feels

rebirth of a long line of tulkus or highranking lamas. They are considered to be the manifestations of the Bodhisattva of compassion known as Avalokiteswara. A large number of people follow Buddhist philosophies, which speak of the path to liberation based on teachings attributed to Siddhartha Gautama, commonly known as the Buddha. Dorji, a practising SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 55

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_FOCUS FEATURE

FAMOUS BUDDHISTS • • • • • •

Richard Gere Tina Turner Orlando Bloom Kelly Dorji Tisca Chopra Vinay Jain

attitude over night. I became more confident and happier, all because I learnt to accept responsibility for my actions”.

Today, a growing number of youth are taking up this philosophy and making positive changes in their life.

In India alone, there are more than a whopping 50,000 members who have embraced this philosophy and numbers are only growing by leaps and bounds. In fact, one has to go through a formal application process to join the BSG.

A Practical Approach Buddhist says, “In my life, I have met two beings who are perfect in all they say and do. One of them is the fourth king of Bhutan. Such beings have the presence of higher beings and are pure round the clock and tireless in their work. They permanently inspire.”

While there are some like Dorji who are born into Buddhist families, there are many people who adopt the Buddhist way in the course of their lives.

Non-violence, the law of cause and effect and the Noble Eightfold Path are some of the Buddhist values and truths amongst many others that people are known to connect with.

People buy books by the Dalai Lama in droves, and during the Nobel Peace Prize winner’s speeches, the crowd sits attentively taking in his message and methods of peace, life and happiness.

Interestingly, the spiritual and political figure has garnered over two million Twitter followers, which only goes to show his desire to reach out to the younger generation and spread his message on a wider platform.

A Buddhist Sect

Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism has taken the world by storm, and a number of celebrities swear by this eastern philosophy. Nichiren Daishonin’s Buddhism is a recognised Buddhist sect, which follows the teachings of a 13th century Japanese monk. This school of Buddhism believes in the transmission of Dharma through the scripts of the

Lotus Sutra. Practitioners chant “Nam Myoho Renge Kyo,” in a rhythmic manner.

Actor Ravi Dubey is known to chant the Lotus Sutra to strengthen his spiritual core. Bharat Soka Gakkai (BSG), the Indian chapter of the international movement, organises many activities to promote values like peace and respect. Says Karan, a member of the BSG, “Daishonin's Buddhism is not a religion but a way of life. By simply accepting responsibility for one's actions, one can change one's karma. Skeptical at first, I saw my life dramatically change for the better once I started chanting Nam Myoho Renge Kyo. Many doors that were closed for me, opened up. People who were creating problems in my life, changed their

He is not just a Jain guru to millions of devotees in India and abroad, but a highly educated person too. Pujyashri Rakeshbhai Jhaveri, fondly known as Bapaji, is known for his magnetism with the youth. His idea of spirituality is to make religion and ancient scriptures highly accessible as well as relevant to the modern world. He also devotes a major part of his time to education, rural health care and animal welfare projects. Group chanting, discources, hands-on exercises and meditation form just a part of Bapaji's workshops.

His devotees are drawn to his charisma and unconditional love. His sessions are not only informative and thought-provoking but also portray religion as a celebration of life. It’s no wonder then that Bapaji’s Satsang retreats are always packed to the hilt, be it in India or Africa! Bapaji’s special meetings and workshops for the youth see throngs of youngsters devour his techniques on how to imbibe spirituality and merge the practical values of Jainism in daily life.

While we continue to hear stories of religious god-men claiming to be avatars of deities and saints, there remain spiritual leaders who will always attract hordes of people because of the sheer simplicity in their ideals. As the Dalai Lama once said: “This is my simple religion. There is no need for temples; no need for complicated philosophy.

Our own brain, our own heart is our temple; the philosophy is kindness.” yi

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_RELATIONSHIP

Tech CHEATS Suchita Parikh asks if technology is making it easier for one to cheat and another to catch you in the act!

O

kay, so imagine Scenario A – Setting: The Stone Age. Hairy male Neanderthal goes hunting. His female is at home, rubbing flints because they sparked off the last time she’d accidentally brushed them together, and as a result, she discovered fire.

She is now preparing a bonfire, working on the next big invention – cooking. Neanderthal male, in the meanwhile, has come across the female of a neighbouring male and is communicating in grunts and gestures that he’s into her. The inevitable ensues. After the adulterous deed, our hairy male clubs a hog and brings it home for din-din. The affair he just had is left unspoken of. The female is glad to see her male come home with nyam-nyam (food in neander-speak!) and goes on to prepare a meal. Life

goes on as humdrum-ly as earlier.

Smooth, oblivious sailing.

Scenario B – Setting: The 21st century. A husband lies to his wife yet again about being called back to work and goes instead to a night club with his mistress. The mistress takes pictures of them on her cell phone and messages one of the pictures to him the next day with a sexually explicit message. The wife happens to see it. Explosive dialogue ensues and is then followed by a messy divorce.

So what lesson does this teach us? Cheating was easier in the Stone Age, and the modern era makes it trickier to cover your tracks? Oh yeah! Although technology is a boon and has brought the world closer together, opening new avenues and revolutionising communication, it has

also narrowed down and complicated certain things. Social networks and websites, chatting platforms, smart phones with cameras on hand, easy and constant connectivity every second of your day… all these make life easier for those who want the attention and eyeballs, and difficult for those who want to stay on the down-low.

Keeping things quiet is not as easy as it once may have been. “At first, I blamed technology for the increase in cases of cheating. But now I realise that the statistics are the same. It’s just that now, thanks to technology, cheaters are being caught out more easily!” exclaims Sanya Iyer, an SYBA student. “Technology per se is not to blame. It’s the mind-set,” adds Hersh Anandani, a lawyer in his twenties.

Newly married Shamin Vaz Saldanha

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agrees: “If one wants to stray, one will. Technology only catalyses the process.”

So what are the various methods frequented by cheater-cheaterpumpkin-eaters?! Well, you may have heard of ‘sexting’… the term is pretty self-explanatory. The nasty version of that is…ta-daa : ‘chexting’, ie an explicit/ adulterous text sent/ received by the cheater. This is the modus operandi for several cheating celebrities (and regular folk, of course). Bill Clinton famously got caught on security cameras getting his freak show on with Monica Lewinsky; caught by technology. Jesse James used the Internet in an arguably creative manner. While married to Sandra Bullock, he still continued to post personal ads online, looking for “biker chicks with big boobs”. How do we know this? It’s the Internet.

Nothing is private, and therefore, everything can be traced.

Then there are sites that offer tips on how to cheat and remain uncaught, such as AshleyMadison. com, which boasts of millions of married and happily cheating clients.

Thankfully, opposing sites that blacklist the morally decrepit ones abound as well, such as CheaterAlert. com, which offers a host of articles to help you catch your cheating fellows/ gals. All of this talk makes one wonder if lying and cheating is the currency of the Internet. It sure seems like it might be. Social forums like dating sites that require you to upload profi le information depend entirely on your word alone. How easy would it be to put up a facade online and pretend to be what you’re not! “Having a fake profi le is very easy, but being fake in real life? Not so much. Experienced users can spot a fake profi le right away. And finding out a fake in real life is just a matter of time,” says Seema Gulati, a secretary at a technical firm. Shamin concurs, adding, “The Internet certainly is a great avenue for meeting new people.

The only hitch is you don’t know if you should have met these people at

The mistress takes pictures of them on her cell phone and messages one of the pictures to him the next day, with a sexually-explicit message. The wife happens to see it.

Explosive dialogue ensues and is then followed by a messy divorce all, once you already have. Shocks and surprises are guaranteed!”

But the Internet does offer some happy news as well. “I’m in a threeyear-old relationship with someone I met online on Myspace,” smiles Seema. Shamin adds, “My first interaction with my husband was on Facebook.” So, technology certainly does offer a plethora of positive uses.

It is the sad truth though that as flawed human beings, we tend to create and indulge in the negative uses

as well. It’s a pity how cheating online has become such a thriving business.

One is reminded of the seemingly defunct adage, ‘cheaters never prosper’. In the age of technology, it would seem they sure do. They don’t just prosper, they thrive. They multiply twelve-fold. But, as is the way of the world, they also get caught.

So go forth, cheat and multiply.

But know that your electronic trail will lead us to you! Cheat at your own risk! yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 59

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_YOUTH ISSUES

Shopaholics

anonymous

While the tried-and-tested retail therapy does wonders to lift your mood, it could also mean that you have a disorder if you cannot resist the urge to buy. Beverly Pereira explores this trend

H

ave you ever found yourself walking through a mall, armed with excitement to hit the infinite stores and the desire to buy everything in sight?

Us too! But if you feel the need to shop on a daily basis, and you must buy at least one item that literally gives you an instant pick-me-up, then you are a compulsive shopper.

We’ve all seen onscreen shopaholics like Sex and the City’s Carrie Bradshaw with her incessant need to buy Manolo Blahnik stilettos. But not too far from the silver screen, real-life compulsive shoppers equipped with the all-evil credit card land up in debt hell.

Taking Shopping to the Extreme Everyone is a mall rat to some

extent, for lack of fun things to do.

Shopaholics, however, take their love for shopping to a whole new level.

With today’s easy access to low EMI schemes it’s no wonder that they go berserk. And banks with their tempting offers of ‘free credit cards’ don’t help either. With just a click of the mouse, online shopping with attractive discounts becomes a breeze.

Overbuying and debts are the price one has to pay for such comforts.

It has been proven that when shoppers spend compulsively, they initially experience a high, which is ironically later replaced with guilt.

Studies have shown that it is almost the same as alcohol or drug addiction.

Confessions of a Shopaholic “There came a time when I made excuses to meet my friends for coffee, and instead, went off to indulge in retail therapy. I was up-to-date with all the latest goodies available and simply had to have them,” admits Mumbai’s Ginelle D’sa, a self-confessed shopaholic. “I realised I had a problem when I figured I didn’t have much money left to buy this really cute pair of Aldos. I knew then that it was only shopping that had the ability to make me happy, and it was going to be a big problem,” she says. She decided to nip it in the bud by limiting her shopping sprees to just once a month. She also sold some of her barely worn clothes at



Signs of a compulsive

SHOPPER

• You experience a high when you buy something, no matter what the cost.

• You secretly go shopping and lie about the amount spent.

• All you can think about is shopping.

• You cannot decide between paying your phone bill and buying the latest GAS jeans.

• You sneak out from college or your workplace to shop.

• You feel the need to shop when you are upset.

• Your bank balance is almost non-existent.

• You still haven’t worn some of the clothes or shoes you bought 10 months ago.

a garage sale. “I feel a lot better now, knowing that there are other things in life that can truly make me happy,” she concludes.

Ways to Help Yourself

 Categorically list your clothes, shoes and accessories. You’ll realise that you don’t really need to add yet another pair of wedges to your everexpanding collection!  Stick to your budget. Also, make a list of things you really require.  Limit your visits to stores and online shopping sites.  Find a hobby so that you can replace the induced high of shopping with a real rush of excitement. yi

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Ray of Light

_ECOWATCH

These solar-powered products will have an impact on our future

O

SOLAR BIKE

This Solar Bajaj is a converted Bajaj Kawasaki KB 100cc motorcycle. The engine has been replaced with an Etec Lynch motor and Brusa controller. It is not powered by petrol but by two 85 ampere-hour lithium-ion batteries.

Used daily, it is recharged from a portable solar bike shed that keeps the bike cool whilst charging. This bike has covered over 1,000 miles with the sun as the sole power.

You can build your own electronic bike or scooter as Ayub Khan Pathan and nephew Imran Khan Pathan did earlier this year in Mumbai. Their solar powered scooter cost `27,000 to build and can cover a distance of approximately 60 km with a single full charge.

PHOTO CREDIT ISAID, NTU

ver 55 per cent of India’s energy needs are supplied by burning coal, a polluting fossil fuel. As our energy needs increase with our developing economy, we need to look for safer, cleaner and more economical ways of producing energy. As Sir George Porter said, “I have no doubt that we will be successful in harnessing the sun’s energy… If sunbeams were weapons of war, we would have had solar energy centuries ago.” For a densely populated, sunny country such as ours, harnessing the power of the sun is ideal.

Children test out i-slate prototype

TABLET COMPUTERS The i-slate is a cheap, solar-powered computer tablet that has been designed by a partnership between Rice University from the US, the Nanyang Technological University (NTU) from Singapore and an Indian NGO, the Villages for Development and Learning Foundation (ViDAL). This tablet is powered through solar panel chips that are similar to those in handheld calculators. It should be affordable enough for children in rural areas to use. The tablet has gone through two rounds of tests with millions of schoolchildren in India already. It is powered by a new class of superefficient green microchips. Rajeswari Pingali, ViDAL president, said, "The i-slate can help bring the marvels of technology into thousands of rural schools and contribute to an improved learning experience."

The Solar Bajaj motorcycle

AIR CONDITIONERS Keep cool and keep the earth cool with solar air conditioners. These novel air-conditioners by Arka do away with compressors altogether and, moreover, they are entirely free of harmful, ozonedepleting CFCs. They are based entirely on the use of solar panels, and therefore, do away with those expensive electricity bills! Free energy has never been quite so good. An added benefit is that you can get hot and cold water through heat exchangers. These are available in industrial applications at the moment, but there will be a household product releasing soon. We can hardly wait!

Watch out for this cool gadget on www.arkatechnologies.in SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 61

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Bridge

_FOCUS FEATURE

The

from east to west Minal Patodia goes on a trip through Turkey, a country that uniquely bridges Europe and Asia

G

iven the history of Turkey, first as part of the Greek and Roman empires, then the Byzantine empire, the Ottoman empire, and now finally a democratic republic, there are a range of awe-inspiring architectural marvels in the country. On a trip here, one must buy some gorgeous pottery, feel the mystical Sufi dervish dances, try flavoured hookahs in oriental splendour, lounge in a Roman natural bath and dine under the bridge connecting Asia to Europe over the Bosporus.

Goreme, Cappadoccia After spending a short night in Istanbul we flew out straight away to Cappadoccia to a lovely town called Goreme. This region is famous for its rock cave houses and deep tunnels, some over two millennia old and seven stories underground. Our ‘rock cave’ hotel made for an enjoyable experience and was fully equipped with modern amenities like a Jacuzzi.

The natural landscape is unique in the world and best enjoyed with an early morning hot air balloon ride. Take a jeep tour around the region to see these unique rock formations.

Another must-see is the Goreme National Park that has hundreds of churches that were built and painted by monks who found refuge in these natural caves. The depictions of Christ and the Virgin Mary are unique and representative of this period’s artistic style.

Selcuk and Ephesus From Keyseri Airport in Cappadoccia, we flew to Izmir and travelled to Selcuk, where the Virgin Mary is supposed to have spent her last days with St John. Mary’s Grotto at Selcuk has a calm peace that soaks through the area. St John’s Basilica hints at the magnificent church

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T

_OFF THE MAP

THE BLUE MOSQUE, ISTANBUL

HOT AIR BALOONS OVER GOREME

that must have once stood over it. The highlight of the region’s treasures is a visit to the archaeological remains of Ephesus, an ancient Greek city that later become one of the second largest cities after Rome in the Roman Empire. The library of Culsus, the giant amphitheatre capable of holding 25,000 spectators, the temple of Hadrian, the pillared high street and mosaic walkway, and even the public bathrooms will leave you marvelling at the history that is brought alive by the magnificent architecture and sculptures. A number of artefacts found in Ephesus have been moved to the museum at Selcuk to protect them from wear and tear.

Also consider a day trip to see the historical cities of Priene, Miletus and Didyma.

After some busy sightseeing, round off the day with a trip to the local Hamam, a traditional Turkish bath.

Pamakkule Another must-visit on the itinerary was a day trip to Pamakkule to see Heiriapolis, an ancient Roman city with gorgeous natural baths. Calcite-heavy waters have created an unreal landscape of petrified waterfalls and white terraced pools.

The landscape has inspired the name of Pamakkule, which literally means ‘cotton castle’. Moreover, it has been proven that the water from the natural baths has healing properties against many diseases.

Istanbul We spent five days in Istanbul, which was just about enough to see all the attractions in this bustling city, the only one in the world to span two continents. We stayed in Sultanahmet on the European side of the Bosporus, the olden part of Istanbul and the best base for sightseeing in the city. Famous sights in the city include the Byzantine-era Ayasofya or Hagia Sophia, the Blue Mosque, the opulent Topkapi palace and ornate Topkapi harem buildings, the over-the-top Dolmabahçe palace.

The Grand Bazaar in Istanbul is the world’s largest covered market and one of the oldest. Walking through the labyrinth of shops was a pleasure on its own, but some beautiful, blue, handpainted Turkish lights caught my eye.

The silver jewellery too is also of lovely craftsmanship.

Day or night, one can roam the popular Istiklal Caddesi street; a modern district full of cafes, cinemas, bars and shops. There is an old tramway car that clanks along the centre of the street every 20 minutes, which makes for a fun ride.

Club Reina is recommended for partygoers; it’s a huge complex with multiple restaurants and dance floors and a lovely view of the Bospororus. Rock the night away with the eclectic, young and beautiful crowd of Istanbul.

On our last evening in the city, we went across the river to the Asian side to eat at Ortakoy. We sat at the House Café on the banks of the river underneath the bridge that spans east and west and enjoyed the feeling of being in between two continents.

Flights: You will land at the Atatürk International Airport (IST). Airport transfers are expensive and will waste a precious day if you are flying to other parts of the country from the Sabiha Gökçen International Airport (SAW), which is on the Asian side of the Bosporus.

Hotels: Our experience with a range of hotels, from budget hostels to midrange hotels, was relatively good. They were all impeccably clean and modestly comfortable. Most hotel owners will try to set up tours for you but be sure to find out the local rates before you agree to anything.

Getting Around: The bus services in Turkey are comfortable, even for long journeys. There is usually a movie playing and some have free WiFi for passengers. yi

CAVE HOUSES, CAPPADOCCIA

TERRACED POOLS AT PAMAKKULE

TEMPLE OF APOLLO AT DIDYMA

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_FOCUS FEATURE _FASHION FEATURE

the

other side of

DESIGNER RAHUL MISHRA DISCUSSES HOW INDIAN SENSIBILITIES ARE MISREPRESENTED WITH GAUDY STYLES; DEEP-ROOTED IN OUR CULTURE, WE HAVE ELEGANT AND UNDERSTATED STYLES

R

ahul Mishra is not eccentric, as some may think, but humble and easy to talk to. He speaks of his craft as a professional would and relies on his personal sensibilities combined with market research to further his fashion business. He showcased his designs at the Lakme Fashion Week in 2006 while pursuing a Masters in Graphic Design from NID, Ahmedabad.

After the great response and many interviews he garnered, he decided to pursue a design course in Milan's Instituto Marangoni. With a background as solid as that, Rahul fuses only the best techniques, craftsmanship and deepest knowledge of textile in his work. In 2008, he started his design business venture with Apple Tree that has being growing with a 100 per cent profit every season.

Rahul's designs transcend the age barrier and he boasts of clientele that ages from 16 to 60 years.

Being in touch with global and Indian market trends helps him understand consumers and their constantly changing needs. “The Indian market is huge. Europe and America are still recovering from recession, while Japan has been seriously hit by recent disasters. That's why we're seeing so many western labels come into the market as well,” says Mishra.

Even the Indian consumer is changing steadily.

Till about five years ago, people wanted ready-made ensembles that could be worn as is, but now, he sees that the part of his collection comprised of separates like Chanderi coats sell more than the ensembles.

Rahul explains, “Thanks to so many fashion magazines, people now understand how to wear and combine their outfits for maximum effect. Irrespective of age, people are also fitter and are therefore discarding conservative dressing styles.”

As a designer, he has experimented with wearable reversible clothing, dresses without seams and crafts from the heart of the country. He believes in retaining the purity of the art but the interpretation is obviously high fashion. His Fall collection last year featured khadi in dark greys and blues moulded into very international designs. Even his weavers were excited about creating something so different and beautiful with their art. While he's keeping his upcoming collection a secret, he is letting us know that it will represent a pocket of India that wears a lot of colour.

He clarifies, “The Indian design essence is not about loud colours or bling. Inherently, Indian textile is very sophisticated – chanderi, unbleached whites from Kerala, maheshwaris, kanjeevarams – zari in gold is common but Indian design is not synonymous with colour. There are only some regions in the country that wear colour and somehow they have come to represent the whole of India.”

He does share what he thinks is going to be huge on the global platform – the use of geometric silhouettes in fabrics like organza, translucent fabrics in monochromes and textures and functionality with sharp tailoring.

With his head on his shoulders, Rahul is surefooted on his way to achieving great heights in the world of fashion.

“For me comfort comes first, style second and fashion third,” he says in all honesty.

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28/07/11 11:56 AM

BRUNCH IS A PERFECT GETAWAY FROM A LONG WEEK AND CALLS FOR SOME INNOVATIVE DRESSING. READ ON TO KNOW THREE SIMPLE WAYS TO GET A BRIGHT BRUNCH LOOK

SHORTS

Its time to

brunch!

CALVIN KLEIN

If ccomfort is your key to getting dressed, the inc incorporation of shorts in you your outfit is a great way to wo work the brunch look. Team you your frayed denims with a flooral tank top or opt for bri bright colors like fuchsia, lem lemons or turquoise to make a statement. st Wear a sling bag wit with this relaxed look. You can also team a long poncho or a kaftan top with colored sho shorts. The contrasting peeka-b a-boo will add a fun element to your outfit. Mix and ma match your footwear since you your legs are bare. Choose fro from wedges, embellished gla gladiators or brogues.

LWD

FCUK

The classic LBD is now w transformed into LWD – The Little White Dress. It makes a perfect brunch outfit. Thinkk lace, frills, bows and sheer to add romance to your look. Pair delicate jewelery to add finesse to your outfit. If wearingg a spaghetti or a tube, tie back your hair in a slick pony to emphasise your face and shoulders worked in natural colors.

Add some glamour with bumblebee sunglasses.

Team with an over-sized clutch or hobo bag in nude. Wear your strappyy tie ups or pumps to complete the look.

THE MAXI DRESS FCUK

Ma dresses aptly capture the simplicity and Maxi fres freshness of the misty noons and are an ideal pick for the brunch look. Choose from shades like blush, ma mauve and coral for an instant lift and team with fres fresh flowers in your hair to attain that unparalleled fem feminine grace. You can also opt for bolero jackets or blazers b to add a structure to your maxi dress.

Pea Pearls and colored jewellery will add sensuousness to you your outfit. Wear platform heels to add height and com complete with a dewy tint on your lips and cheeks.

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_FASHION SHOP

Orange Alert The orange bag:

MOSCHINO

An orange purse or neon satchel can be worn with Jodhpuris, pleated pants, denim shorts or a maxi dress.

Carry it in a cross-body fashion for a casual day or on your shoulder for a brunch or evening event.

Hot amber heels:

Tangerine blouse: Ta MANGO

A ssoft, delicate blouse in silk or satin fits the basic req requirement in every war wardrobe. Wear it with den denim pants, skirts, harem and pleated styles or a lovely flow owing skirt. Pick a blouse wit with ruffles and a high collar if yo you’re tall or puffed sleeves for a petite frame.

YVES SAINT LAURENT

TANGERINE TONES ARE WALKING THE RAMP ACROSS THE GLOBE. WE TELL YOU HOW TO INCORPORATE THE COLOUR IN VARIED DOSES.

Neon peep-toes or closed toe heels work perfectly on all kinds of silhouettes and hemlines.

It is also the best way to add height and a pop of colour with ultimate comfort. Pair with contrast colours like blue, green and purple for maximum effect.

Statement piece: An oversized cuff or neckpiece is the ideal way to dress up any ensemble instantly.

Try a choker style in beads, crochet or rhinestones or a long necklace to appear taller and slimmer. A thick cuff makes a great accompaniment for a maxi dress or a dressy shirt.

ALDO

The Budget Shop!

KAVYA D'SOUZA Style Quotient: Sultry and sexy, maxi dresses instantly add C to chic.

`100

PHOTOGRAPH BY NIKHIL NAIR

Colaba Causeway

`800 encer & Sp

Mark

s

Looking stylish doesn't mean you need to burn a hole in your pocket. Youth Inc shows off two readers in their brunch avatars

ADITYA BOHRA Style Quotient: A preppy coloured t-shirt with a cream blazer and a statement hairdo; what's not to love!

`1200

Local tailo

r

`25 Clothe 0 s Rack

`290

, Bandrag Li n k i n road

`800 Shescool, Bangkok

`600 Bandra, Hill road

666 Youth Incorp Incorporated rporated rp tte ed e d ║ SEPTEMBER SEPTEMB 2011

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metallic makeup box

1

2

METALLIC MAKEUP IS THE NEWEST RAGE THIS SEASON. HERE'S A LIST OF WHAT YOU'LL NEED TO WEAR THE LOOK.

Color Bar Intense Liquid Eye Liner `350

3

Stow w away the boring borin ng black to makee way for this purple purpl le sheen liquid liner.. Wear alone or with pink, nude or blackk eyeshadow.

Revlon metallic nailpaint in Copper Pennyy `130

5

Replace your old brown with this brilliant copper tone creamy eye pencil that will give you a glamorous makeover,, instantly.

4

M l this Melt hi bbronze metal onto your nails for the perfect jewel toned look. Replace your nude nail paint with this colour.

6

My regime:

Being part of the industry, one has to take care of their appearance; hair, face and body.

I follow a simple daily regime. I wash my face 5-6 times a day and apply a cleanser and some night cream to keep my face hydrated.

Magic make-up trick:

Before going to a party, meeting or an audition, I make sure I apply some compact powder to keep the face fresh.

Only three: 1. Drink water, 2. Drink water, 3. Drink water. I gulp down 3-4 litres in a day; your face will glow naturally.

5 Things in your beauty travel kit:

3Compact powder 3Ear buds 3Hair wax 3Cleanser/toner 3Cologne

This paint pot is available l bl in h high h shine h metallic colours ranging from greens and blues to coppers and golds. Grey-black is suitable as an eyeshadow to achieve smoky eyes. A pot of sheer metal magic.

M Metallic hued deep colours bberry and wine colour rs will complement the w sseason's ensembles.

Perfect for brunch or a P Saturday night party.

Celeb Secrets

Beauty tips:

MAC paint pot `1050

Avon Mega Impact Lipstick in Divine Wine, `375

64fashion.indd 67

Color Bar I-Define eye pencil in Desert Glow `250

Youth Inc gets to know more about actor Karanvir Bohra and his musthaves to look good

Favourite fragrance: Emporio Armani - Diamond (for men) Estee Lauder Fleur de Lys Shimmer Powder, `2250

This i magic powder pow wder than be w worn alone or aapplied on makeup mak keup to enhance enh hance radiance andd glow. Apply it too your neck andd collar bone to ssparkle.

Favourite brands: Clinique

1 beauty faux pas I take my hair for granted sometimes. At an event during the monsoons, I went without doing my hair. When I reached the party, thanks to the humidity, I looked like I had a wig on. Moral of the story: always have hair wax and cologne in you car glove box.

SEPTEMBER 2011 â•‘ Youth Incorporated 67

28/07/11 11:57 AM

Model H

watch PHOTOGRAPHS BY AMIT KHANNA

ey guys! This is a new platform for models and actors and for those who have always wanted a break in the glam world. Send your portfolio pictures to us and if you are selected by our team, we will send your images to leading production houses in the country.

Interests: Dancing (she is a ballet dancer), swimming and fashion

: Interestsg in n Liste , to music g in ll trave ing a nd play ton in ba d m

z hahnawa Farhad Sws and movie shoots ion sho Does fash

Natasha Sethi Doing a PG fashion course through NIFT, Delhi

s: Interest g, Readin g, da ncin t ou i ch lling ing ll e v a nd tra eaches to b

Ni Currentlykhil Sabharwal an actor sh ooting for movie a

68 Youth Incorporated â•‘ SEPTEMBER 2011

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Interests a pilot's li: Ha s a nd love cense A lso likes to fly. a nd traves music He ha s li lling. across In ved a ll dia

jee Mukher called a n n a z Su ovie ess in a m Lead actr utiya Dil T

[

Send your images to modelwatch@youthincmag.com No phone calls will be entertained.

Disclaimer: Youth Inc is only a platform to share your pictures. Youth Inc will not be responsible for any decision made by you or any sort of contract signed between you and the production house. Send your pictures at your own risk.

28/07/11 11:59 AM

DR MALAVIKA KOHLI A renowned dermatologist, she has made her mark in aesthetic dermatology in India for over 15 years. Send your query to skin@youthincmag.com

I’m a 20-year-old college girl. I have always had flawless skin. Of late, I have noticed that my skin has begun to develop pimples.

Since my college is located an hour away from my house, I travel by train every day. Could this be the reason for me developing bad skin?

What should I do?

Samira K, Mumbai Teenage acne can be a result of excessive oilyness of the skin. The clogging of the skin pores because of dirt and pollution adds to the problem. Sometimes, lifestyle changes cause hormonal imbalances in the body resulting in acne breakouts, hairfall and irregularity of the menstrual cycle. Wash your face with a facewash thrice a day. If you use a face wash containing glycolic or salicylic acid, it’ll work wonders.

You can apply adapalene gel, benzoyal peroxide gel, or clindamycin gel on the acne at night. If the acne has developed an infection (pustule) and this is a persistent problem, then take antibiotics like azithromycin or

hair right

W

Dr Good SKIN

_FOCUS FEATURE

minocyclin under your physician’s or dermatologist’s supervision.

Four years ago, I met with an accident, which left a big scar on my upper lip. Will cosmetic surgery help to make this scar lighter? I really need advice regarding this, I am 22 years old.

James R, Noida Cosmetic surgery will help the scar, but consult a good cosmetic surgeon and find out the treatment procedure, the dos and don’ts and the downtime of the treatment. In cosmetology, there are lasers like Erbiun glass (fraxel) and CO2 laser, which helps in scar remodelling. However, you should also have realistic expectations.

My arms are dotted with dark spots. I really want to get rid of these marks as I am just entering college and I don’t feel comfortable wearing sleeveless outfits. Please suggest an effective treatment.

Shanice D, Bangalore Always use a sunscreen of SPF 30-50

ith the retreating monsoon upon us this month, hair care is a problem more than ever. Bad hair days become a norm rather than an exception. Your hair looks frizzy, dull and flat; and your scalp gets itchy and sticky all the time. The reason for all these problems is the humidity. The excessive moisture makes the hair dull, flat and tangled. As a result, your hair looks limp and unattractive. Moreover, accumulation of dust and environmental changes affect the quality of hair. So it becomes imperative to keep the scalp clean and avoid too many treatments at this time of the year.

In the monsoon, dirt and germs accumulate easily on the scalp. Wash your hair regularly, at least three to four times a week with a mild shampoo. Harsh shampoos can damage

containing both UVA and UVB protection 15 to 20 minutes before you go out in the sun. Dark spots on the arms can be a result of multiple factors like post-inflammatory hyperpigmentation following a rash or photodamage. Consult a dermatologist to find out the cause and treat it accordingly. To lighten the marks, you can use creams containing hydroquinon, kojic acid, arbutin or glabridin after consulting your doctor.

I have been told time and again that I suffer from body odour. I am slightly embarrassed about this.

Please advise me how to deal with this problem.

Santosh P, Pune Body odour is because of bacterial contamination of sweat, which is odourless itself. Sometimes body odour is also because of drugs, spices or bacterial or fungal infections. Use deodrant after taking shower and after wiping your underarms dry. If you see a rash, consult a dermatologist and treat it accordingly.

your hair on frequent use. Choosing a right shampoo is ideal.

For normal hair - mild shampoos containing natural extracts like thyme and juniper will help add bounce and shine.

For dry hair - a shampoo with moisturising ingredients like magnolia blossoms and watercress, or even home treatments like curd or egg yolk will give the hair a glossy and healthy look.

Oily hair - requires shampooing at least four times a week (daily if you can manage it) to keep the scalp clean and non-greasy.

Shampoos containing natural extracts like rosemary and sage will make your hair look less limp.

To read the rest of this article log on to www.youthincmag.com SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 69

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refresh} _MAKEOVER

Two students are given a tame to zesty transformation by hair stylist Samantha D’souza with makeup artists Sana Khan and Sharmin Kuka at Asif – The Salon PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROHAN FERNANDES

PAYAL SAMPAT

“I love that my new look is so natural and easy to wear.

I especially love my haircut and highlights. It’s so stylish!”

( HAIR )

( MAKEUP )

• Her hair was given a voluminous effect with layers • Soft brown tones were used to highlight the crown of her head • Light bangs define her face structure • Blow dried her hair into a ‘soft curl’ look

• Applied a skin coloured foundation to face and neck • Defined her almond-shaped eyes with a dark brown eye liner and gold-brown eye shadow • Accentuated the soft look with a peachy blush and natural blush lip gloss

ZIYUS CONTRACTOR

“I’ve had Mohawks before, but I’m glad to have finally gone with a Fauxhawk. Even though I’ve had my fair share of colours, this time I’ve tagged it up a notch. Bold isn’t it!”

( MAKEUP )

( HAIR )

• Covered his dark circles with a concealer • Used a finishing powder for a matte appearance

• Buzzed his hair on the sides and used clipper #2 and #3 • Went shorter and gave him a spiky look in the front • Styled his new offset Mohawk (Fauxhawk) with dry hair wax

Send your photos to Youth Inc to get a makeover and transform your look! Email us at makeover@youthincmag.com

70 Youth Incorporated ║ SEPTEMBER 2011

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MX VS ATV ALIVE

PLATFORMS:

XBOX 360, PS3 Release Date: OUT NOW

OR

Lame?

GaMe:

_GAME REVIEW

In the face of stiff competition from 2K’s Top Spin 4, you might expect Sega to up their game for the latest instalment of Virtua Tennis, a series that has always been content with sticking to the tried and tested. If you did expect that, you’re in for disappointment because barring a few superficial changes and the inclusion of motion control features, this game is almost identical to Virtua Tennis 2009.

The new board-game style career layout might seem like a complete overhaul but is basically just a reskinned version of the system we’ve been used to for years.

Gameplay is still the pick-up-and-play arcade style that gamers have flocked to for years, but in light of what 2K’s been doing, it just feels dated. You do have a nice roster of the current tennis stars, and multiplayer is fun as always.

But for anyone who owns the previous game, there’s really no reason to go out and buy Virtua Tennis 4.

MX VS ATV ALIVE The MX vs ATV series of dirt bike and quad off-racing games has been in desperate need of a big shake-up. The last game, Reflex, tried something new with its twin-stick control system, but its implementation was abysmal. For MX vs ATV Alive, the developers have kept what worked from Reflex, such as the QTE-based wreck avoidance feature, but reverted to a more conventional control scheme for core gameplay while still requiring you to use both sticks in a way that feels natural.

Gameplay is a lot of fun, encouraging you to be aggressive and unafraid to trade paint with the opposition.

It’s also perfectly normal to use other bikes/ATVs as barriers and speed breakers as you hurtle around the mudfilled bumpy terrain. Proper use of features like clutch and seat bounce can be the difference between finishing first and second. But strangely, the game doesn’t explain how to use them and or provide a manual in the box or in-game.

There’s a reason for that; MX vs ATV Alive is the first in THQ’s new experimental price point of `1,499 (as opposed to the standard `2,499). Aside from missing a manual, this game also does away with any fringe features that don’t form part of the core game. All those additional features, however, are sold online separately. This would’ve worked

PLATFORMS:

PS3 Release Date: OUT NOW

fine if what’s on the disc wasn’t so poorly structured. You level up across the game’s race, free-roam, split-screen and online modes, but just playing solo will only get you so far. Most races are locked till you reach level 10 and single players will never get there. So the game literally forces you to play split-screen or head online, which should never be the case.

MX vs ATV Alive is, in some ways, a return to form for an ailing franchise, but everything that it achieves in the gameplay department is undone by a strange progression system and lack of content. You get what you pay for.

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_SPORTS

Game Set...

W

PETRA KVITOVA

hile we anxiously wait to see what happens at the US Open this month, t Grand Slam season has been a this s season of many upsets for fans. It’s n the first time there have been not u upsets and definitely not the last.

Y the sheer number of upsets Yet, t season has many fans crying this o for their sports heroes. out The first major upset of the W Wimbledon men’s tournament c came in the quarter-final match b between Jo-Wilfried Tsonga and R Roger Federer. The favourite by l leaps, Federer had fans across the w world glued to their television s to see what new shots the sets k king had to offer. Federer lovers a over the world wept when the all

16-time Grand Slam winner lost to Tsonga. The final then went on to be a sizzling competition between world number 1 Novak Djokovic and crowd favourite Rafael Nadal.

At the women’s end, Maria Sharapova, who had been on a roll since the first day of the Wimbledon tournament with impressive wins, lost her streak at the finals against Petra Kvitova.

This, while many-time champions, the Williams sisters (Serena and Venus), were knocked out in the fourth round and top seed Wozniacki was sent packing by number 24 Dominika Cibulkova.

On the clay court at the French Open, fans were treated to an action-packed final with Federer struggling it out with Nadal. The NOVAK DJOKOVIC

Busted Racquets SOMEE R MAJOR UPSETS AT D THE GRAND S SLAMS

FRENCH OPEN 2009

WIMBLEDON 2002

Rafael Nadal dumped out by Robin Soderling in the fourth round, after a record of 31 wins on the red of Roland Garros

George Bastl who made he field e as the n injury injuury an eplacement, replacement, eat seven seeven beat ime time hamppion champion S Pete Sampras

US OPEN 2009 U 20-year-old Juan Martin Del Potro gets a walk over from Nadal in the semi finals (due to Nadal being sick) and then goes on to Fede in the finals defeat Federer JUAN MARTIN DEL POTRO

RAFAEL NADAL PETE SAMPRAS

AUSTRALIAN OPEN 2002 he fi first Alberto Martin beat top seed Lleyton Hewitt in the rst round

72 Youth Incorporated por ora o rra ated tte ed ed ║ SEPTEMBER 2011

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In any sport, upsets are part and parcel of the game.

Yet, fans across the world are moping about ut a few major ones this grand slam season, finds Shraddha Kamdar amdar

VENUS WILLIAMS

king of clay, Nadal, called upon ev ergy to win every ounce of his energy th the title.

Earlier in the year, at the A ina’s Li Na Australian Open, China’s up upset world number 1 and top seed C Caroline Wozniacki and became th i the th O the first Asian player in Open E Era to reach a Grand Slam final in a si singles tournament and then win it.

This after she already upset Venus W Williams in the quarter finals.

For the men’s tournament, w while fans rightfully expected th the tour’s two most proven stars, to top seed Rafael Nadal and second se seed Roger Federer, to meet in the finals, neither player survived.

N Nadal lost to David Ferrer in th the quarters and the Nadal was de defeated by Novak Djokovic in the

ROGER FEDERER

WIMBLEDON 1996

WIMBLEDON 2001 Virginia Ruano Pascual scual ngis in beats Martina Hingis the first round

semi-finals. semi-finals.

When Andy Murray toppled Ferrer in the semis, the stage was set for two of the games next tier contenders to show their stuff.

Novak Djokovic turned in a thoroughly convincing triumph hi long-time l ti rival. i l Even E over his more impressive was Djokovic’s maturing. He played confidently with emotions in check throughout the tournament, and went on to become the World number 1 after beating Nadal to clinch the muchcoveted Wimbledon title.

Times will change and so will players, and with them the stars; these names and times will become history. And even then, the heartbroken fans will have them etched in their memories forever.

US OPEN 2000 T seed Andre dre Agassi Top k

by Arnaud knocked out by und two Clement in round

Richard Krajicek beats Pete Sampras in the quarter finals CONCHITA MARTINEZ

WIMBLEDON 1994 W 4 Lo McNeil beats defendingg Lori cha champion Steffi Graf in the first round. Conchita Ma Martinez beats ninetim champion Martina time Na Navratilova at the finals

US OPEN 1990

ARNAUD CLEMENT

World number 1 Stefan Edberg beaten by Alexander Volkov in the first round

WIMBLEDON 1999 W

US OP OPEN 1994

Nu Number 1 player Martina Hingis los to 16-year-old qualifier Jelena loses Do in the first round Dokic

Jaime Y Yzaga defeats defending champio champion Pete Sampras in round four SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 73

JELENA DOKIC

sports.indd 73

ANDRE AGASSI

28/07/11 12:10 PM

_ HEALTH

ANGER and its effects ANGER IS A NECESSARY PART OF LIFE BUT CAN LEAD TO PHYSICAL AND MENTAL ILLNESSES IF LEFT UNCHECKED. MINAL PATODIA INVESTIGATES

W

e have all dealt with anger in our lives in one way or another, in our relationships, at work, with families and occasionally to the odd telemarketing sales executive. Even your mom coming into your room unannounced can cause a virulent reaction for most!

In any typical day in any city, one can experience a gamut of emotions, including anger, before lunchtime.

You may have come across such people who always seem to have a displeased, resentful countenance with a belligerent disposition (just try the average autowallah in Mumbai).

Unless you deal with your latent anger in healthy ways, you might be headed there too! So avoid those nasty facewarts and make sure your temper is under control.

Why is it Important?

It’s not all about bursting a vein

though; anger is a necessary part of life that allows us to react to aggression and protect ourselves. It can motivate people and allow them to express their feelings. Important for survival in the dog-eat-dog world, anger is a basic response hard-wired into our system in order to respond to aggressive threats. When you get angry, a host of chemicals are released into your nervous system from your brain, sharpening responses and releasing adrenalin into your system so you are geared up to fight.

Importantly however, you must channel your anger in healthy directions and express your position in an assertive manner. You must control your anger before it gains control of you. Internalising anger can lead to numerous associated health problems and passive-aggressive behaviour.

Physical Problems

 Anger leads to high blood pressure

or hypertension, which has a host of associated physical problems. It can lead to poor cardiac health in the long-term.  Anger also leads to heart palpitations and rise of the heartbeat, causing flushes and heat waves.  Daily anger-related stress can lead to sleeplessness, headaches, and even back problems.

Mental Problems

 If left untreated, in the long-term, anger can lead to severe depression.  Severe restlessness and inability to concentrate arises from anger.  Anger can lead to paranoia and feelings of being out of control. It becomes difficult to multitask and find perspective in the tunnel vision that is created by anger.

If you think you have an anger problem, follow these tips to get rid of it!

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5

easy steps to anger management

Get physical: Playing sports is a great way to manage one’s aggressive tendencies. It will certainly make you feel calmer and more focused.

Kickboxing is great to get rid of excess energy. If you are not the sporty kind, sex works as well!

Therapy: Talking it out on the therapist’s couch can be helpful for those with long-term anger issues.

Nothing beats a professional’s input for anger management. Just try shooting a pillow ala Robert De Niro in Analyze This!

Socialise: It is always important to have a healthy social life where one can relax in the company of friends. Try talking about major issues to get their inputs.

Meditate: It has been proven by scientific studies that meditation and yoga help to calm the mind and improve one’s capacity to reason and function effectively. Meditation is a great exercise for those with hairtrigger tempers!

Laugh it off : Making jokes is a great way to defuse any situation and to get back on track. In tense environments, angry and harsh words can have a negative effect on a partner or a colleague. Make a joke to alleviate your own stress and to focus on solving the problem at hand. Try changing your environment to get a breather if you don’t feel up to making a joke. yi SEPTEMBER 2011 ║ Youth Incorporated 75

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_FITNESS

Abs

No Flab, just

SIZZLING

Are you on a mission to get enviable abs of steel?

Youth Inc gives you the inside information

Y

ou’ve seen and envied washboard abs on both lean and muscular guys as well as on toned, flatstomached women. A ripped six-pack set of abs is something most young people aim for. Perhaps you’re wondering what you might have to go through to get your abdominal muscles to ‘rock’ (pun intended)! It’s not so difficult to attain this rock-hard set of mid-section muscles; that is, only if you work wholeheartedly at it.

The secret to killer abs To burn excess stomach fat, you will need to burn fat from your whole body through a series of cardiovascular exercises like using the treadmill or aerobics. Crunches would probably be the first thing that come to mind when one thinks of hot abs. It’s true; crunches are very effective if you are set on getting toned abs. However, there are five abdominal muscles that need attention, out of which some are not even affected by crunches. Yasmin Karachiwala, fitness professional and Pilates expert at Body Image Gym says, “In order to achieve a flat midriff, one has to be under a good food plan and exercise regime.” Basic crunches, planks, reverse curls and oblique crunches are very effective

gym exercises that are needed to kick-start your ab muscle development. It is advisable to do 2-3 sets per exercise and 8-15 repetitions per set with extra resistance for a more challenging and effective workout. Weight training like dead lifts, squats, bench and bench/shoulder presses for three days a week is also vital to maintain the muscle that you have built.

Pilates is currently a hot form of exercise and many people swear by it. “The main focus of Pilates is your core, which comprises all the muscles in your abs and lower back.

Pilates is one of the best forms of exercise for anyone who wants to work on their abs,” says Karachiwala.

Girish Patil, a personal trainer at Body Image Gym believes that besides proper nutrition and your exercise regime, rest and recovery are important factors when it comes to making your abs pop. “You need at least eight hours of sleep to unveil your six-pack since lack of sleep may disrupt the hormones responsible for burning fat. However, while three nights of poor sleep may cause your muscle cells to become resistant to the body’s insulin hormone, oversleeping leads to fat storage around the belly. Consume nutritious, protein-rich food like chicken, egg whites,

{{ COMMON MYTH

If you do a million ab exercises, you will have fantastic abs in no time

Why? Going overboard on ab exercises and overtaxing your muscles doesn’t achieve results any faster than if you maintain a balanced, but goodquality, exercise routine

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fish and whey protein shakes to achieve good results. The amount of daily protein intake for males should be 1.52gms/kg of your body weight, while for females it should preferably be 1-1.5gm/kg,” advises Patil.

01 STEPS TO FAB ABS

Basic crunches

Superstar Stomachs Globally, most people in the entertainment industry strive for a great set of abs. In fact, the famed six-pack is all the rage in Bollywood. Shah Rukh Khan worked out daily so that he could flaunt his hard-earned, ripped abs in Om Shanti Om, while John Abraham flaunted his chiselled 6-pack in Dostana. Akshay Kumar credits his toned torso and six-pack to shadow boxing, kick boxing and his strict cardio routine.

Salman Khan, also known as the original six-pack man and one who enjoys his fitness regimes, has maintained his tough tummy for over 20 years! In fact, much hullabaloo was made when he was asked to lose his iconic six-pack for the movie Dabaang. Says Karachiwala, who has successfully trained many a star, “In my opinion Hrithik Roshan has the best looking abs in Bollywood.” Bollywood belles like Shilpa Shetty and Bipasha Basu are known for their flat abs.

“I trained Katrina Kaif for her famous song Sheila ki Jawani where the focus was solely on her abs. To obtain that look I had put her on a very strict food plan, consisting of egg whites, fish, vegetables, fruits and cereal for breakfast.

Her workout routine included functional training, Pilates and cardio,” explains Karachiwala.

“Losing belly flab is a boring process. It requires time, hard work and dedication. Take the right step every single day and you’ll ultimately carve your six-pack,” concludes Patil.

02

Reverse curls

03

Shoulder press

{{

04

CELEB

HOT

BODS Akshay Kumar Hrithik Roshan Katrina Kaif Salman Khan Lara Dutta John Abraham Emraan Hashmi Megan Fox Bradley Cooper Jessica Biel

TIP SHEET

Avoid working on your abs every day; your abs need rest too.  Follow your exercise regime.  Stick to a low-calorie diet.

Avoid junk food.  Be disciplined in your workout.

Dead lift

06

Bench press



76fitness.indd 77

05 Squats

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o Dr ol FOR TECH LOVERS 

of the MONTH

`15,749

 ACER ASPIRE One Happy 2 netbook Oh happy days! They are here to stay with Acer’s newest netbook offering. Available in yummy shades of Strawberry Yogurt, Papaya Milk, Banana Cream and Blueberry Shake, the Aspire One Happy 2 netbook is a great buy for students. The 10.1-inch LED backlit screen allows you to read with ease, while the 320GB HDD and 1GB RAM makes sharing and storing files convenient. The wide, multi-gesture touchpad allows users to scroll, rotate images and browse easily.

Bluetooth, eight hours of battery life and an in-built camera complete the features of this netbook.

 JABRA

Stone 2 Bluetooth Headset

`7,999

“Look ma, no hands!” could well be the tag line for this nift y little gadget.

Jabra’s new-age bluetooth headset does all the work for you, and all you have to do is simply use your voice. The Jabra Stone2 allows you to dial, answer, end, redial, ignore or reject a call using your voice. But its ability to send as well as read text messages and emails to you and even update your Facebook/ Twitter status makes this curvy wonder your personal tech genie!

 SAMSUNG PL20 14MP Digital Camera

`6,990

This slim and compact camera is a good buy if you love to carry your camera wherever you go. With 14-megapixel resolution, 5x zoom and a 27mm wideangle lens along with features like anti-blur and face/ blink detection, you’ll be able to capture fantastic photographs with ease. You can also shoot fun HD videos on this highly affordable camera.

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_TECHNOLOGY

 CREATIVE D80 Bluetooth speaker `2,699 Start a party anywhere you go using this funky Bluetooth speaker.

Able to wirelessly connect to all sorts of gadgets like Creative music players, Blackberry and Android-based phones, iPhones, as well as tablets like the iPad, the Creative D80 wireless speaker is perfect for those who cannot live without music. Affirming this as a drool-worthy gadget is the fact that it is highly compact and available in black as well as bright hues like green, blue and pink.

`3,500

 KYMERA Magic Wand Wouldn’t you all love to own a magic wand that could magically do things at your behest? The Kymera Magic Wand takes you one step closer to making magic magic. This This sleek wand is actually a universal remote control device that can be synced with any device. With just a swish of your wand, you’ll be able to control your TV, computer, mu player or any other infrared-controlled device. It’s music time to leave your friends spellbound!

YIKS

PIC

 GENIUS Wizard Stick Motion Sensing Joystick

`3,080

Do you dream of driving cars at unimaginable speeds but are nowhere close to actually owning a race car?

Now you can get a feel of this using the Genius Wizard Stick. Its motionsensing capabilities and built-in gravity sensor create a heightened PC gaming experience. This wireless joystick looks exactly like a remote and comes bundled with PC gaming soft ware that includes games like tennis, golf and racing. We bet that your virtual tennis strokes will be a ton of fun with this fantastic device.

Upping the fun factor is the fact that you can download the sensing technology on to your iPhone, iPod Touch or any Android device and use it as a motion device!

`4,599

 SPICE TRANSFORMERS

Mobile Phone

Haven’t had enough of Transformers?

Well, now you can carry a mobile phone that matches the sci-fi technology of the movie’s futuristic Autobots! This multi-SIM mobile phone is able to change its form from a bar to a touch phone when the detachable keypad is removed.

Features include a 2.4-inch touch screen, 1.3 megapixel camera, 8GB expandable memory, Bluetooth, GPRS, WAP, JAVA, MP3 and FM player. Goodies such as pre-loaded videos, wallpapers and games based on Transformers 3 – Dark of the Moon transform this one into a winner!

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iMHO {

SO MANY FUN THINGS, SO LITTLE TIME! HERE'S THE SCOOP

I N

M Y

H O N E S T

O P I N I O N

BREAKAWAY

Starring: Russell Peters,

Anupam Kher, Camilla Belle, Vinay Virmani Rajveer Singh (Virmani) is not sure how to deal with the clash between his dream to become a huge hockey player in Canada and his family’s traditional and slightly orthodox ways.

This cross-cultural drama sounds strangely similar movies to Bend It like Beckham.

Colours, humour, action and a brilliant fi lm score by Sandeep Chowta make this an enthralling movie. Upping the glam factor of this fi lm are the cameos from Akshay Kumar and rapper Ludacris.

MAUSAM Starring: Shahid Kapoor,

Sonam Kapoor This Pankaj Kapoor movie promises to be a visual treat.

Not only has the offbeat director cast his son Shahid Kapoor in the lead role as Harry, but he’s also stuck with his own sensibilities of delivering a fi lm that stands apart from mainstream cinema. This fi lm is about the transcending love story of air force pilot Harry (Shahid Kapoor) and Aayat (Sonam Kapoor). The fi lm has been shot on London’s bustling streets and in mystical Edinburgh and Switzerland.

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS Starring: Mila Kunis,

Justin Timberlake, Woody Harrelson What happens when two friends decide to go one step ahead and indulge in casual sex? Complicated disasters! In this seemingly clichéd romcom, a successful woman Jamie (Kunis) finds a friend in Dylan (Timberlake). They hook up to delight in the pleasures of the horizontal boogie but don’t enjoy the complications involved. The eye candy in Justin Timberlake and That 70's Show starrer Mila Kunis is probably the only reason to watch this flick.

{

Movies / Music / Books

3 DOORS DOWN – TIME OF MY LIFE

The album has the heart and soul that 3 Doors Down have almost always mastered in each of their albums. The no-frills rock band’s fi fth studio album is a treasure trove of musical gems, right from the self-titled ‘Time of My Life’ to the power-chorded ‘Round and Round’. ‘Race for the Sun’ music is clearly a winner. Interestingly, ‘When Your Young’, a song most people can identify with, was used on a WWE Smackdown episode. 3 Doors Down continues to reign as one of the top rock icons in recent times, spanning a long but fruitful journey from their ‘Kryptonite’ days all through their multiplatinum albums right up to their latest offering.

- BY PRAJAKTA MORE

311 – UNIVERSAL PULSE American reggae/rock band 311 has returned with yet another stellar album. In their tenth studio album, 311 has continued to treat their fans to reggae-influenced rock with a touch of ska. The album begins with ‘Time Bomb’, fi lled with dark guitar riffs and interspersed with rap sequences. ‘Sunset in July’ is quite a catchy track, but definitely not the best. If you’re waiting for the original 311 sound, then ‘Count Me In’ and ‘Rock On’ go the distorted guitar way. The album ends with a psychedelic touch, heard and felt strongly in ‘And A Ways to Go’. If you love 311’s jam band vibe, then check out their shortest-ever album.

- BY PRAJAKTA MORE

MERE BROTHER KI DULHAN Starring: Imran Khan, Katrina

Kaif, John Abraham This much-awaited flick is a musical romcom, which guarantees a mix of all the main ingredients of a fun movie – a good splattering of humour and a generous dose of mush. Katrina Kaif is romantically involved with Imran Khan, in spite of being engaged to his brother. We think this fi lm might be a good watch, in spite of having suffered allegations for being a rip off of an American fi lm.

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THE SECRET TO TEEN POWER

0

`50

books

Author: Paul Harrington The critically acclaimed 2006 fi lm, The Secret, and the subsequent book of the same name have been touted as teaching a powerful and inspiring self-help method by leading media personalities like Oprah and Ellen DeGeneres. Like The Secret, The Secret to Teen Power also speaks about utilizing the law of attraction to accomplish whatever your dreams may be.

Even though this book is targeted at teens, young adults will love the combined use of pop culture references, quotes by famous artists, musicians and leaders and the generous helping of real-life stories.

Harrington, also the producer of the fi lm The Secret, reveals the true secret of the universe, ways to discover it and how to harness it to your advantage in this book.

The book shows youngsters how to live their dreams, make a change and basically understand the immense power within them. This powerful handbook will guide young readers on how to awaken their dreams and make things happen. From relationships to college life, money and health, The Secret to Teen Power acts as a guide to realise one’s aspirations.

yi READING LIST

AMITAV GHOSH’S River of Smoke is the second instalment in the Ibis Trilogy after Sea of Poppies.

The historical thriller follows characters though the tumultuous Opium Wars.

I HAVE A DREAM Author: Rashmi Bansal I have a Dream is an inspiring book about twenty social entrepreneurs who are doing their bit to help disadvantaged sections of society with innovative business ideas. Each chapter has an interview that outlines how an innovative entrepreneur found a new way to solve an age old problem.

From Bindeshwar Pathak, a Brahmin boy who has been working with untouchables to make sure that they have a dignified place in society to Shaheen Mistri who has been inspiring youth to work with over 3,500 children all over India with Akanksha, each story is detailed and heart warming.

Bansal has authored two similar books before; Connect the Dots and Stay Hungry, Stay Foolish. She seems to have mastered the art of letting her interviewees speak and let their persona come through on the page.

It’s a must-read for young entrepreneurs for inspiration and the bits of advice offered by each interviewee.

T THINGS I TEN HATE ABOUT YOU H

yi

PICKS

S Starring: Heath L Ledger and Julia SStiles This romcom is a new-age take on the n SShakespearean classic, The Taming of the SShrew.

0

`15

JD SALINGER’S The Catcher in the Rye is an American cult classic, the book traces the adolescent feelings of social confusion, despair, alienation and rebellion and economic order.

MAIN HOON NA Starring: Shah Rukh Khan, Zayed Khan, Amrita Rao, Sushmita Sen and Sunil Shetty Three hours of non-stop action-packed fun in this comedy, fi lled with campus capers by the dozen.

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_CELEB TADKA

In a

Jiffy From his early experiences in the kitchens of the Taj Mahal Hotel to his international exposure at the prestigious Langham Hotel in London, he’s always been innovative and delightful with his food. Whether you dig into a delicacy at one of his café’s or cook from his recipes, you’re guaranteed to have a wonderful time. So wait no longer, just enjoy what Chef Moshe Shek whips up for you this month!

SOME POPULAR SHAPES OF PASTA

Well, you may know spaghetti and vermicelli, but how about some fettuccine? Here are some popular ones • Fusilli – Long coiled tubes • Soba – Thin cut Japanese noodles • Udon – Thick cut noodles • Fettuccine – Ribbon of pasta approximately 6.5mm in width • Penne – Short tubes with ridges, cut diagonally at both ends • Farfalle – Bow-tie shaped • Cannelloni – A roll of pasta with filling

CHEAT'S PENNE I call this dish the cheat's penne simply because you could get away with pinching and scrounging for bits and pieces of spices, cheese and vegetables and yet make something really tasty in no time.

INGREDIENTS Penne pasta (wholewheat preferable) Olive oil Garlic clove (borrowed from your non-Jain neighbour) Chilli flakes (leftover from the earlier night’s pizza delivery) Oregano seasoning (same as above) Vegetables cut into small cubes (use any two veggies: mushroom, bell peppers, brinjal, zucchini or broccoli) Fresh basil or parsley leaves (try and pick some from the bhajiwalla when he's haggling with someone else) Parmesan cheese (or use any leftover hard cheese such as Emmenthal or Grana Padano)

- 60g - 1½ tbsp - 1 large - ¼ tsp - ¼ tsp

PREPARATION N  Boil the penne for f about b seven minutes i andd drain. d i  Heat the olive oil, add in the chopped garlic, chilli

- 90g

flakes and then the vegetables.  Cover the pan and cook on medium heat till the

vegetables are nearly cooked.

- 3 to 4

 Season with salt and pepper.  Add in the oregano and penne. Sauté for a minute.  Turn off the heat. Add in the torn basil and grated

- 1 tsp

 Enjoy and feel good about this type of cheating!

cheese.

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_RESTAURANT REVIEW

Resto/Meter T H E B E S T N E W F O O D S P OT S I N T O W N //////// SUZETTE, MUMBAII

SPICE MARKET, DELHI S 400 `200 -ers n per p o

Suzette, a tiny crêperie in Nariman Point, is attracting a lot of attention in Mumbai for all good reasons. This French-style restaurant features a wide range of crêpes from the classic sweet and savoury Nutella, to the more unconventional chicken and almonds with honey (a popular favourite), right up to breakfast crêpes with eggs and ham. The restaurant has a quaint and rustic feel. While the seating space is small (about five wooden tables and three bar stools), the ambience makes you feel like you’re seated in a charming French café. An average meal for two costs approximately `500. Suzette is one of Mumbai's few authentic, must-visit crêperies.

- NIHAL ADVANI

Chinesev Vada Pa, Stand i Mumba `7

`500 - 700

per person This buffet-style restaurant offers a great variety of vegetarian and non-vegetarian dishes. Located in central Delhi, this place is a little hard to find, but the food makes it worth it. The kebabs are to die for. The place is well decorated with a stocked bar, cool and central air-conditioning and a 42” plasma TV to watch those intense cricket matches. With an average meal for two costing just `1,500, it’s worth the trip. Go down and check it out!

-MAYA DAS

CAFE PASCUCCI, BANGALORE Si, the Pascuccis have come to India! Their coffee shop in Bangalore serves authentic Italian coffee. Whether or not you are a coffee connoisseur, at Cafe Pascucci you will learn about a wide variety of coffees.

Aside from their coffee, salads, 300 pastas and Piadina (flat Italian `200p-ers on r e p bread) are must-try items. A hit favourite is the Bruschetta Chicken, a melt-in-the-mouth appetiser served on freshly cut bread. The ambience of Cafe Pascucci iss extremely warm and inviting. Red walls, comfortable couches and spacious tables make it the perfect hangout to spend a few hours with your friends.

Moreover, it offers free WiFi for those who want to work while sipping on some exquisite coffee.

- ARPAN DHANDHANIA Treat yourself to the ultimate fusion food - the Chinese vada pav! Nestled on a corner near the signal in the AC market Tardeo area in Mumbai, there is a snack place that has a number of vadas ready and stacked for passers-by to pick up quickly. The unsuspecting customer will mistake it for a regular batata-vada stuffed in the humble pav, but one bite and you’re up against a snazzy schezwan taste. What’s more, it’s served with a Chinese (read Indian-Chinese) sauce on the side, which adds oodles of flavour to the whole gastronomic ensemble.

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_AFTER DARK

  OVER THE WEEKEND HANGOUTS

Q’BA, DELHI

CLUB ESCAPE, MUMBAI A lot of mixed reviews have been going around regarding Club Escape. Naturally, the only thing left to do was to have a look at it for ourselves. The music was great and spanned genres like hip-hop, house and R&B, while the bar had a good variety of spirits. However, the pricing was a tad steep with cocktails priced at `600 each. The crowd had people of all ages, from teenagers to middle-aged men (who you wouldn’t expect to see at a club). The décor was apt for a fun night out on the town, but it also incorporated spacious, lounge-style seating. It’s no wonder then, that this Mumbai nightclub received a dozen or so mixed reviews! All in all, it’s a good place to visit if you have excess money to spend.

CITY BAR, BANGALORE

Finding the right place to take a girl on a first date is pretty hard.

Luckily, with lounge bars like Q’BA that offer the perfect mix of fine dining, lounge style décor and a warm ambience, it’s not such a task after all! Q’BA houses a big, beautiful and well-stocked bar. It has an open air rooftop, adding that much-needed romantic touch that goes well with a nice glass of red wine. It’s a good thing that this lounge bar offers a wide array of wines sourced from major wine-producing regions globally.

Food and drinks don’t come cheap here. But taking your date to Q’BA is definitely sure to leave a lasting impression. This place is well worth your money.

City Bar Karaoke & Grill will offer you a wholesome experience when you visit.

Well-placed in UB City, City Bar is more than just a bar. It offers you entertainment in the form private karaoke, gaming, and the chance to watch music, sports events and other exciting events on super-large flat screens.

Of course, you’ll be able to wine and dine too. The menu will leave you spoilt for choice with a wide range of drinks.

Choose from their all-day menu, comprising dishes like Humus Jamaa, Scampi Brioche and Bassa Reichade, or watch your food being cooked at the live counter. Its open design plan the calming breeze to flow in. The beautiful expansive views overlook the city. Three unique private rooms give you the feeling of luxury in your own personal space. You can connect your own iPod and play your own music for your group. City Bar is sure to delight you and your friends whenever you happen to visit.

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kiss&tell

_GOSSIP

Wedding W e Bells for Ronaldo?

Real Madrid stud, Christiano Ronaldo, famous for fathering a child with no wife, may finally tie the knot! Wondering who’s the lucky woman? Well, it’s none other than Russian model Irina Shayk, Ronaldo’s girl girlfriend of one year. The hot pair were photographed we wearing matching diamond bands on their right hands, fue fuelling speculation of a possible engagement. Recently tho though, it seemed like Ronaldo could not seem to make up his mind between reality star Kim Kardashian and his Ru Russian supermodel girlfriend. Ronaldo, who appeared in the very provocative Armani advertisements, was spotted wit he with Kardashian in Madrid a while ago. She even banned the me media from asking her questions about her sex video or her alle alleged relationship with the hot footballer.

eal?

D o N r o l a De The insecure Deepika Padukone wanted a song like 'Mora Piya' (song featured on Ranbir Kapoor and Katrina Kaif in Rajneeti) and apparently pres pressurized Director Prakash Jha to picturise such a song on her in his next film - Aarakshan. o In order to avoid any tantrums and delays, Jha has agreed to feature such a song on Padukone and Saif Ali Khan.

The song titled 'Seedhe Point pe Aaona' seems to hav made the demanding Padukone very happy. have You decide if the song is even a patch on the mel melodious 'Mora Piya'!

ARNIE BAGS A FILM A POST-SCANDAL The ex-California governor just can’t seem to make up his mind.

After categorically denying reports of him acting in The Last Stand, the muscleman has now announced his confirmation of acting in the movie. The actionthriller movie is about a drug lord who breaks out of a courthouse and tries to cross the Mexican border. It has been confirmed that Arnold will be playing the role of Sheriff Owens. Even though the movie will be out in 2013, Arnold is busy shooting for the movie. Recently, the Terminator star admitted to having a love child with his housekeeper, which led to a bitter divorce. We wish you all the best for the movie Arnold! And, here’s a word of advice: Stay away from Mexican nannies.

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_HOROSCOPE

AQUARIUS/JAN 21 - FEB 20 It is important that you make plans for the near future. This will help you work profitably towards moving on. Be wise to entertain AJAI RAI MADAN sound ideas, letting investments grow and Astrologer, yield fantastic results in the long term. You Numerologer will lift the spirits of people you meet and also exchange ideas with them. You would do well & Aura reader to avoid conflicts at work.

Lucky Numbers: 7, 9 Lucky colour: Green Love Dates: 16th, 24th

STAR

STRUCK

PIECES/FEB 19- MAR 20

CANCER/ JUN 22 - JUL 22

Frankness will be the key to your success and will go a long way in easing potential misunderstandings in your personal life.

With important engagements round the corner be prepared with viable alternatives.

You may feel the need to express your thoughts strongly but be careful not to take hasty decisions in the heat of the moment.

Lucky Numbers: 4, 9 Lucky colour: Golden Love Dates: 20th, 30th

A fair amount of keenness, not only to handle money matters, but also to explore new avenues of earning is likely to keep you on your toes. Being inventive is the key.

Work initiatives regarding new ventures or job offers will be received well. Do not neglect small issues. It would help you if you allowed your energy to take its course.

Lucky numbers: 5, 9 Lucky colour: Yellow Love Dates: 5th, 23rd

ARIES/ MAR 21 - APR 20

LEO/ JUL 23 - AUG 23

SCORPIO/OCT 24 - NOV 22

Several activities will get a jump-start and suddenly you will be busy but happily and gainfully so. Entertainment (basically mixing business and pleasure), will ensure that you are in focus. What is interesting is that special impetus is now there to thrust and power you right ahead. It is just a matter of paying close attention to what’s going on.

Lucky numbers: 2, 7 Lucky colour: White Love Dates: 7th, 21st

You will be at your charismatic best and it cannot be kept down. You will be passionate about bonds and acquiring new skills, knowledge and technology. Your negotiation skills will come to the fore and there will be an originality, sheer inventiveness, and ingenuity on display in your handling of people, which is praiseworthy.

Lucky numbers: 6, 9 Lucky colour: Black Love Dates: 6th, 11th

It is important that you get an overview of your plans as this will help you profitably work towards generating the necessary means for moving on. It is quite possible that you may find it difficult to make smart progress on some assignments. It would be prudent to go through relevant information.

Lucky numbers: 4, 8 Lucky colour: Grey Love Dates: 7th, 21st

TAURUS/ APR 21 - MAY 21

VIRGO/AUG 24 - SEP 22

SAGITTARIUS/NOV 23 - DEC 23

The month ahead is full of hard work. The meticulous, go-getting and dedicated side of you is going to be coming to the fore now.

You will be caring and sharing throughout.

There will be a greater intensity in all your relationships. Even if you don’t get along with someone, remember that discretion will always keep you in everybody’s good books.

Lucky numbers: 5, 8 Lucky colour: Mauve Love Dates: 14th, 23rd

The month to roll ahead is likely to be full of charm, pleasure and plenty of non-material achievements. You will be able to feel the confidence surging from hidden depths as you connect with friends, lovers or partners.

Good career opportunities will beckon you.

There will be lots of intimacy, and secrets will be shared.

Lucky numbers: 3, 7 Lucky colour: Ivory Love Dates: 22nd, 27th

Your spirits will be raised tremendously with the harmony you manage to achieve between the demands of career, family and your own spiritual inclinations. Don’t react radically to the smallest of things.

Choose the middle path. Consciously or subconsciously, you will find yourself moving towards a better you.

Lucky Numbers: 5, 9 Lucky colour: Violet Love Dates: 22nd, 26th

GEMINI/MAY 22 - JUN 21

LIBRA/ SEP23 - OCT 23

CAPRICON/DEC 24 - JAN 20

You could think of setting up something new but could be in two minds due to some setbacks regarding your mental well-being and physical stamina. It is reckless energy that you need to be careful of. You may have an opportunity to travel overseas. New strategies will come to the fore and will be a tremendous aid to problem solving.

Lucky numbers: 2, 7 Lucky colour: Red Love Dates: 1st, 19th

Unexpected confusion at work may compel you to take care of details. You may have a hard time recollecting your exact motivations but don’t worry, things will settle down. You will be in an upbeat mood with loads of enthusiasm and this could put you in the limelight. Kindness and compassion will come in handy.

Lucky numbers: 4, 6 Lucky colour: Crimson Love Dates: 12th, 17th

You will need to address mundane issues in a big way but not under compulsion. You are also likely to embark on a fresh round of dealing with finances. Foster understanding among colleagues. You may feel the need to express your thoughts strongly but be careful not to take hasty decisions. Spend time with near and dear ones.

Lucky Numbers: 3, 7 Lucky colour: Orange Love Dates: 8th, 17th

A popular Bollywood vedic astrologer takes you through your starry forecast this month

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_GRAFFITI

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www.studentzhelpline.info or call 9330331221 Emotional dilemma helpline: 011-2643336 Anti ragging: 09820566202 Foreign students’ assistance: 91-22-30965803 Student’s welfare: 91-22-30965821 De-stress during examinations: 9900421027

Send your contributions on mail@youthincmag.com No phone calls will be entertained. Disclaimer: Youth Inc is only a platform to share your products. Youth Inc will not be responsible for any ny decision made by you or any other dispute. di

TRIVIA The first word spoken on the moon was

‘RULE OF THUMB’ is

derived from an old English law which stated that you couldn't beat your wife with anything wider than your thumb

{

Okay

The phrase

Donald Duck's

middle name is Fauntleroy

Money cotton!

isn't made out of paper. It's made out of 88 Youth Incorporated ║ SEPTEMBER 2011

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28/07/11 12:30 PM

Back_cover.indd 1

28/07/11 12:29 PM