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From the CEOs desk
Dearelitecustomer,
elitelife
At the onset of the New Year, I would like to wish you and your dear ones a
happy, peaceful and secure 2009.
I am pleased to share with you that our consistent efforts to service our
customer needs have recently gained international recognition. ICICI
Prudential Life has been awarded the Life Insurance Company of the Year at
the 12th Asia Insurance Industry Awards 2008.
In keeping with our customer centric philosophy, we have launched a Return
Guarantee Fund - a close ended debt fund with our Unit Linked Insurance
Plans (ULIP). The money invested in this fund will be ensured a minimum
guaranteed NAV at the end of 5 years. In todays volatile market scenario,
this offers our customer an excellent proposition by the way of a guarantee
over and above other benefits offered by the ULIP he chooses.
We have also taken a step ahead in our commitment towards meeting yourhealth needs with the launch of an innovative product. Health Saver is a
comprehensive health insurance plan which covers your current healthcare
expenses and also invests for future healthcare expenses. It is also the f irst
of its kind reimbursement-based hospitalization cover with the benefit of a
health savings fund. The product is designed to enable consumers to cope
wit h the ever-rising cost of healthcare.
As on December 31, 2008, we have crossed the 7.5 million policies mark and
manage over Rs 28,445 crores worth of funds, while our renewal premium
collections have increased to Rs 5,427 crores.
These accomplishments have become a reality through your support and I
thank you for the t rust you have reposed in us.
Sincerely,
Shikha SharmaManaging Director & CEO
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance Company Limited
Do w rite in to [email protected] w ith your feedback and suggestions.
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Young couples today live up to the challenge
of juggling w ork, family and social obligations.
Heres how you can participate in t he next
marathon.
You want a pad thats trendy and affordable;
heres how...
Updates from the w orld of health, fitness and
nutrition.
10 Food for ThoughtOpt for organic foods; they are a healthier
option.
14 InvigorateDance your way to fitness!
20 RetreatThis weekend, sneak off to one of these
romantic hideaways!
30 ArtefactA look at pan-Indian art forms
04
17
26
08
Cover Stor y
Unw ind
lan
Liv ing in Harmony
Haven
Healt h Capsul e
Sport s Connect
elitelifeWel lness
For Private and Privileged Communication Only.
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News you can use from ICICI Prudential Life
Insurance.
Marriages are made in heaven; or are they?
Your fortune foretold through tarot cards.
Exercise your mind with fun puzzles and
quizzes.
45 InspireMeet celebrity couple Sanjeev and
Alyona Kapoor...
48 BookmarkBook excerpts from Imagining Indiaand
Outliers
34
42
55
News &V iews
Tarot
Puzzles &Quizzes
Ensure
Empower
Soothsayer
M ind games
52
Succeed
A recap of the latest market movements and
an outlook for the next quarter.
41 Money Matters
ICICI Prudent ia l L i feInsurance Managing Edit or
Priya Nayak
ICICI Prudent ia l L i feInsurance Editor ia l BoardAgnel DsouzaDeep ChakravartySunita Dujari
Spenta Mu l t imed iaExecut ive Publ isherManeck Davar
EditorMadhavi Gokhlay
Ar t D i rec to r Rishita Chandra
GraphicDesigners
Yogesh JadhavPrachi Bhide
Printed and published byManeck Davar, SpentaMultimedia, on behalf of ICICIPrudential Life Insurance, EditorPriya Nayak.
Disc la imer : The views and opinionsexpressed or im plied in ELITE LIFEare those of the authors and do notnecessarily reflect those of SpentaMultimedia or ICICI Prudential LifeInsurance Company Limited. All adviceand suggestions given in the articlesare the authors own and are not theadvice of ICICI Prudential. The readermay follow the said advice at his/her own risk. It is suggested that theopinion of an expert be taken before
following any advice given in themagazine. ICICI Prudential shall not b eliable for any loss/harm caused dueto following any advice printed in thismagazine. Unsolicited material is sentin at the owners risk and the publisheraccepts no liability for loss or damage.Material in this publication may notbe reproduced, whether in part or inwhole, without the consent of SpentaMult imedia and ICICI Prudential LifeInsurance Company Limited.
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CoverSto ry
Tanyushka Hansotia
Today, you come across working couples wherein bothpartners are productively engaged in jobs/careers/businesses even as they go about fulf illing their marital,
parental and social obligations w ith practiced ease. While
men have been looked upon as breadwinners and caretakers
of the family, more and more women are now f inding
themselves in such similar roles.
Young w ork i ng coup les are m ore the norm ra ther
t han the except ion t oday. Wi t h 24x7 l i fes ty les ,
balanc ing w ork , fami ly and soc ia l ob l iga t i ons isindeed very chal l eng ing . Bu t i t s no t r ocket sc ience!
elitelifeFebruary 200904
Li v i ng inHarmonyLi v i ng inHarmony
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Whether theres a need to w ork
or its a matter of personal
choice, women today are
required to hold fort not only at
home but also in their respective
careers/businesses. Thus, new-
age couples must face the
challenge of juggling betweenthe demands placed upon them
by their careers/businesses and
their families. Needless to say,
you need to be as skilled as a
trapeze artist to achieve this
kind of delicate balance in your
relationship.
You might be busy working your
way up the corporate ladder
but it neednt come at the cost
of your married life. This trade-
off between career goals and
marriage is something each
partner needs to w ork out and
abide by. It is difficult but not
impossible. As is with everything
else, a little bit of planning can
go a long way in helping couples
achieve balance betw een work,
family and social life.
For instance, taking common days
off from work or meeting up for
lunch or travelling to and from
work together are some of the
ways couples can spend more
time with each other despite
hectic w ork schedules. They canleave early from work, meet up,
watch a movie or go shopping
together with a dinner date
thrown in. Just about anything
even an after dinner walk or a
cuppa togethercan add zing to
the relationship.
05
You can, with a little bit of planning andprioritization, effectively juggle betweenwork, family and societal obligations.
If you happen to be the more the
merrier kind, social gatherings/
outings w ith f riends and relatives
can do lots in terms of breaking
the monotony. You can make
these even more frequent as
opposed to restricting them to
weekends and holidays. Actually,
leisure activities tend to take a
back seat w hen both partners
are deeply involved in their work/
career; if ignored further, thesecould become even fewer and
far between. There are a whole
lot of leisure options available
nowadays that come in handy.
Weekends might be the perfect
opportunity for couples to catch
up on some together time;
whether it is a nature trek, a boat
ride, a long drive, a romantic
hideout or simply playing snooker
at your friendly neighbourhood
club. The simplest thing might
be to put on your jogging shoes
and go for a walk or jog together
or gym it out at the local gym.
Why only leisure? Even sharing
household responsibilities
enables both partners to spend
time w ith each other, apart from
reducing each others burden. The
good news is, men today, arentas averse to sharing household
chores as they were some
years ago. No doubt there are
exceptions. But largely speaking,
today, it is quite common to see
a man pottering about the kitchen
while his wife is busy working on
a presentation she needs to make
to a client the next day. Besides,
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Its for every couple to decide whatshould be the trade-off between theirwork and married life.
household responsibilities are not
so much of a burden thanks to the
umpteen household appliances
most people have easy access
to. In such a scenario, hiring help
around the house may also be an
option worth considering.
Again, a young couple is notgoing to remain a cosy twosome
forever. Sooner or later comes the
responsibility of looking after a
child and that adds a completely
new dimension to things. While
its gratifying to know that you
have successfully graduated to
parent status, parenthood comes
with its own set of responsibilities
which both partners/parents must
fulfill, and herein lies all their skill,
understanding and maturity.
Today, the joint family system has
been largely replaced by nuclear
families. However, a nuclear
family is not the answer to all
of the young parents problems.
While couples might have the
independence and flexibility to live
life on their own terms, they have
to face the possibility of having
to take care of their home and
child all by themselves without
any support from parents/elders.
Add to that the fact that they are
working parents. No self help
book is going to teach you how
to be able to do all of this. Youneed to experience it firsthand.
First and foremost, children need
love, care and attention in addition
to basic needs. Education is
supremely important for them to
be able to stand on their own two
feet. Values need to be inculcated
in them; they must understand
the importance of honesty and
integrity, independence and self
esteem, and so on.
This kind of dexterous balancing
between work, children and
the self is in itself an extremely
demanding, exacting and
exhausting task. Child care is
one of the biggest problems
facing young parents today. With
both parents working, there is a
shortage of day care centres andother such facilities for looking
after children while the parents
are at w ork. In the absence of
other alternatives, either parent
can opt for f lexi hours if it is
possible to do so. Else friends
or relatives (who are willing)
can pitch in to take care of the
child for a few hours. An ideal
situation would be one wherein
one partner has the flexibility of
working from home or have their
own business.
If the child is attending a nursery
or school, the least that parents
can do is spend time w ith him/
her after work. Encourage your
child to develop a hobby (enrol
him/her in a martial arts/singing/
dancing/painting class), t eachhim/her how to ride a cycle or
play cricket or badminton, etc
Indeed, young couples today
face a daunting task but with
a little bit of planning and
prioritization, its possible to rise
to the occasion.
elitelifeFebruary 200906 Images: Im agebazaar, Dreamstime.com
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D for DiabetesIn addition to shedding excess flab
and eating right ,
diabetics have
renewed hope of
preventing/curing
diabetesin the
form of vitamin
Daccording to anew study.
The study shows that a proper
dose of vitamin D is most likely to
help diabetics fight the disease or
better st illkeep it at bay.
Conducted under the supervision
of Professor Sue Penckofer
from Marcella Niehoff School of
Nursing, Loyola University, the
study reveals that vitamin D has
a very important role to play in
insulin sensitivity and secretion. As
part of the study, three thousand
people diagnosed with type 1
diabetes were evaluated. Therisk was found greatly reduced
in the case of patients who
supplemented their diet w ith
vitamin D. Even patients diagnosed
with type 2 diabetes were studied,
and it was found that taking
vitamin D supplements could help
in the prevention of the disease.
Updat es f r om t he w or ld o f heal t h , f i t ness andn u t r i t i o n .
Heal thCapsule
Sprouts are an extremely rich
source of vitamins (A, B, C and
E), minerals (Iron, Calcium,
Potassium, Magnesium, Zinc
and Selenium) and antioxidants.
Sprouts (lentils, soya beans,
peanutslegumes) are also rich
in proteins. Besides, they are
filling while being low in calories.
And they are rarely known to
cause allergies.
You can sprout a variety ofseeds, legumes, nuts and grains
including fenugreek seeds,
chickpeas, mung, kidney beans,
wheat, barley, rye, etc. Soak these
in water for around 8 hours, rinse
the sprouts thoroughly, and drain
well before storing in a cool place.
Sprouts, anyone?Did you know that amongst raw
foods, sprouts contain the largest
quantity of nutrients, including
food enzymes that are intrinsic
to every bio-chemical reaction
taking place in your body. When
you sprout a seed, you activate
enzymes, which in turn convert
starch into simple sugar; in asense, sprouts are a form of pre-
digested food and are naturally
bursting with nutrients.
Wellness
M o n i t o r
Wel lness
M o n i t o r
08
Calcium, naturally!The innumerable benefits of
calcium are well known; what is
less known is that calcium is best
consumed in natural form. Heres
looking at some common foods
that are a rich natural source of
calcium:
The best things in life usually
come free. For instance,
sunlight, which is abundantly
available all around us, is rich
in vitamin D which in turn helps
absorption of calcium
Fresh tomatoes contain vitamin
C which helps build collagen
which is good for your teeth
and bones. Other vegetables
rich in calcium include broccoli
and green peas
Popeye knew it all along:
spinach, coriander, fenugreek
and other green leafy vege-
tables contain calcium in
abundance
Nuts are a rich source of
calcium, e.g.
almonds (known
to have the highest
calcium content),
pine nuts, etc
Prunes, oranges,
soya, milk and milk
products are excellent
sources of calcium
Sprouts are very rich in vitaminswhile being low in calories
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Baisali Chatterjee Dutt
Food forthought
Whi le w e may no t be aw are o f i t , Organ ic i st he w ay M o the r Nat u re in tended fo r us to go .Organic f oods have alw ays been around. Buti t s now t hat t hey a re gain ing popu lar i t y as a
l i f es ty l e choice tow ards a heal t h ie r l i f e .
Back t o bas i csBack t o bas i cs
10 elitelifeFebruary 2009
The word organic has beenaround for quite a while now.Yes, we all know it equals health
but w hat does it really mean?
And what do organic foods really
do for us?
Eating the organically harvested
bounty of nature isnt just about
a lifestyle statement its about
a lifestyle choice; a recognition
of the fact that there are foodsout there that are better for us
and kinder to our bodies. Foods
that we can be positively sure,
wont slowly poison our blood
or corrode our systems. Foods
that have been grown the way
nature always intended for them
to grow.
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Bringing us back to the question:
What is organic food? It is food
grown using natural fertilizers
such as manure and compost,
rather than chemical-based
fertilizers. Herein lies the whole
difference the choice offertilizer used. Foods grown
using chemical-based fertilizers
tend to have traces of chemicals.
Thats not all. Crops are also
sprayed w ith harsh pesticides
and fumigants to prevent/control
damage by insects, bugs and
other pests. This becomes a
lethal combination not only for
those who consume the produce
but also for the crop itself.One might argue that a majority
of people across the globe are
eating non-organic foods and
still not f alling ill, which is t rue.
Eating non-organic foods may not
necessarily spell trouble in the
near future but it does rob you of
essential nutrients that are good
for you. These nutrients, that
are part and parcel of the natural
make up of most foods get
slowly and steadily depleted with
the use of external agents such
as fertilizers and pesticides.
As opposed to foods thus robbed
of their natural ingredients,
organic foods are grown in
harmony with nature; the
philosophy of organic farming
does not let crop rearing and
harvesting go against the grain of
nature, but rather along with it. In
organic farming, crops are grown
at their natural pace and using
natural resources, with just a
bit of human help in the form of
removing weeds, insects, frost,
rot and other such impediments.
Organic foods are rich in
nutrients and anti-oxidants;
this is their biggest health
benefit. Some people
argue that there is a
difference in taste as
well; t hat organic fruits
and vegetables taste
sweeter besides being
brighter in colour.
A common myth
associated w ith organic
foods is that theycomprise only fruits and
vegetables. Contrary
to popular perception,
milk can be organic
too when it comes
from cow s that graze
on pastures that arent
laced w ith chemicals
and other poisons.
Speaking of cows, even livestock
can be reared organically, for
the meat. Again, its all about
letting nature take its ow n course
and avoiding any kind of
externalities to accelerate thegrowth process; be it steroids,
growth hormones, etc. Thats
not all - organically reared
Organic foods are rich in nutrientsand anti-oxidants; this is theirbiggest health benefit.
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livestock must be fed a
healthy nutritious diet if they
are being bred for A-grade
milk or meat.
Incidentally, organic food
harvesting started of f as a small,
family-run enterprise in certain
countries, with wares being sold
in local markets. But, as is with
every other product, once theword about organic food started
to spread, production required
to be overhauled. The result:
organic farming, as an industry,
grew steadily over the years and
its scope expanded to cover other
regions around the world.
Yet, cost and availability always
remained limit ing factors that
restricted a wider uptake of the
organic way of life. However, what
is a couple of extra bucks when
your health is at stake? Viewed in
that manner, spending a little extra
shouldnt be a problem. Qualitydoes come at a premium. But
overall, its a matter of individual
choice (and budget ) whether or
not to favour consumption of
organic foods.
Again, skeptics might quest ion
the credibility of so-called
organic foods. What qualifies
as organic and how can you be
sure it is so? Typically, organic
foods are certified as being so. Incountries where organic farming
is common, there are standards
and guidelines that need to be
adhered to while producing and
harvesting organic foods. There
are organisations that set these
standards. For example, in the
USA, there is the National Organic
Program while in the UK, there is
the Department for Environment,
Food and Rural Affairs. In India,if you are buying something that
claims to be organic, be sure to
look out for genuine certification
that says so. Only certification
bodies accredited by the National
Program for Organic Production
(NPOP) are authorized to certify
whether foods are organic or
not . The NPOP, set up by the
Department of Commerce, is
responsible for setting guidelinesfor organic farming, harvesting,
import and export, and all
related matters.
So, it may not be such a bad idea
to switch over to organic foods.
After all, Mother Nature intended
for us to live that way!
References:
www.organicfoodinfo.net
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/
Organic_food
http://www.apeda.com/organic/
Incidentally, organic food harvestingstarted off as a small, family-runenterprise in certain countries, withwares being sold in local markets.
Images: Dreamstime.com
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09
BattlingDiabetesWith diabetes
taking its toll
on more andmore people
across the
globe, it might
well be worth
the trouble to
follow a home-grown checklist of
dos and donts as follows:
Avoid sugar and sugary
foods including cakes,
puddings, chocolates, biscuits,
sweets, aerated waters, etc
Avoid fatty foods, especially
saturated fats such as
ghee and butter
Opt for cottage cheese
(paneer) over cheddar cheese
Opt for lean meat and poultry
over red meat
Increase your f ibre intake
by incorporating more of fruits,
vegetables and whole meal
breads in your diet
Include soya nuggets, barley,
gelatin and tofu in your diet
Significantly, eat regularly and
dont miss meals as this
causes blood sugar levels to
fluctuate
kind to study the long-term
effects of walking on weight
gain/weight control.
Typically, growing older is
associated with an increase in
average body w eight and BMI or
body mass index a measure of
weight in relation to height. The
findings of the study suggest
that men and women who walk
more are less
likely to gainage-related
weight.
Meaty treatMushroom s are the perfect
replacement for meat even
as they shave off signif icant
calories from your favorite
foods, says a recent study.
The study used chopped
mushrooms in place of meat in
dishes including lasagnia and
even beef chilli. Mushroom s
tasted just as good as the meat
and left the subjects feeling
satisfied for as long, they
vouched. Besides, mushroom-eaters were found to consume
nearly 420 calories less than the
meat eaters.
A toast tohealthIts common
knowledge that
drinking winein
moderationis good
for health. How?
Research reveals that wine, when
consumed in moderate quantities,
boosts omega-3 levels in blood.
Omega-3 fatty acids are known to
be beneficial, especially for the
heart. Not only are they good for
your heart but they also help protect
your kidneys and improve your
memory. Wine contains antioxidants
called Polyphenols that are likely
responsible for boosting omega-3
levels in blood.
WALK that weight!New research reveals that the
more you walk, the less likely you
are to gain weight as you grow
older. A half-an-hour walk daily is
sufficient to keep you from gaining
those extra pounds as you grow
older.
Penny Gordon Larsen from the
School of Public Health, University
of North Carolina, along with
fellow researchers, studied around
5,000 men and women aged 18 to
30 years for a period spanning 15
years, and found that half an hour
of daily walking reduced the annual
weight gain by 1 poundamongst
women who qualified as the
heaviest at the start of the study.The study is documented in
the American Journal of Clinical
Nutrition, and is the f irst of its
Mushrooms taste just as good asmeat while shaving off excess calories
Images: Dreamstime.com
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Inv igora te
Put on y ourdanc i ng shoes!
Young working couplesare more the norm rather
than exception these days.
Add to that increasingly hectic,
24x7 lifestyles and you have
several new-age couples juggling
work, family and social life. Not
surprisingly, they are always
looking for fun w ays to add some
zing to their lives.
Dancing is one such activity. Not
only are young couples looking at
dance as a way to spend some
alone time together but also as
a way to burn extra calories. So
much so, they are
lending a new twist to the oldadage: it takes two to tango.
Says Venu Mehta, a Mumbai-
based dance and fitness instructor,
Dancing certainly helps to kill
the boredom in a regular exercise
routine by adding new zest to your
regime. And, couples always enjoy
an advantage. It makes learning
dance forms more fun and easy, as
you are already comfortable with
your partner. So, if youre not a
part of this growing tribe, its time
to put on your dancing shoes:
Foxtrot your way tofitnessThink Ballroom dance, and you
see a couple dancing to some
romantic song, right? Well, thats
the magic about this form of
dance. Its actually romance plus!
Couples who have taken these
classes, say, that in ballroom
dance, they feel muscles they
didnt know ever existed. In
ballroom dancing,
one often has
to move
backwards.
This helps
in working
the back of
Danc ing is a fun ac t iv i t y t hat can help
young coup les spend some a lone t im et oget her and s tay f i t at t he same t i me .
Meghana B.
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15
Ballroom dancing can help you burnup anything between 250 to 400calories in an hour.
your thighs, ankles and buttocks.
And experts say it is different
from other types of exercise.
For instance, if you are dancing
the Foxtrot, you are taking long,
sweeping steps backwards; this
is different from walking on a
treadmill. This means you stretchthe muscles much more than
you would in any other form of
exercise.
Once youve got your moves
right, stalwarts say your body
would move along automatically
to your partners touch and to the
right flow of music. The dance
floor of fers an exciting alternative
to the gym and its easier to
follow the routine, as a workout is
now fun, besides being healthy.
On the dance floor, I can be with
my husband and this adds more
thrill to the workout programme,
old Brazilian martial art form
that infuses dance and offers
an intense, physical and mental,
cardio-vascular work-out that
strengthens and tones core
muscles, improves flexibility,
agility, balance and burns off
excess weight.
To the pace set by a fast tempo of
drumbeats and music, deceptive
kicks, sweeps, trip-em-ups,
head butts, and elbow and kneemovements are played out in fluid
motion. Thus, the basic idea of the
class is: the faster the rhythm, the
more calories you burn!
Initially, Capoeria class saw
singles doing the routine, but as
the dance form gained popularity,
it found couples enrolling for
classes. Of course, for some
couples it does take some
amount of persuasion. But those
who have taken the class, would
assure you that there is no other
dance form that is as much fun
besides helping burn excess
calories.
Sway to the beatThese dance moves are best
done, when you have a partner.What we are talking about is Latin
American dances such as the
Cha-Cha, Salsa, Samba, Mambo
and Zumba. These dance forms
will certainly make you want to
give your treadmill a break, and
add zing to your life. The Latin
American style of dancing, which
as we are literally in step with
each other, says Sarita Nair, who
took up ballroom dancing with her
husband.
If ballroom dancing fascinates
you, heres something that will
make it even more irresistible.
Ballroom dancing can help you
burn up anything between 250
to 400 calories in an hour. This is
equivalent to half an hour of briskwalking on a treadmill.
Be a Capoeira champIts kicking its way into every
exercise programme and dance
class in the world. Its red-hot,
exciting and exhausting, yet
takes working out to a new
level. Capoeira is the 500-year-
Baba teaching students at centre for Capoeira India
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16
Kundalini is a dance form which derives itsorigins from Kundalini or the innate energythat resides in every human being.
has evolved from a variety of
routines, has now been widely
accepted in the US, Europe and
UK. The reason: Latin dance
offers fast-paced and enjoyable
movements and a means to a
healthier, happier life. Basically,
these dances combine fast andslow rhythms, resistance training
and aerobic exercise while
using Latin beats. If an exercise
programme guarantees some
togetherness and helps you burn
500 to 800 calories, then it s
worth trying out , isnt it? Here
are some popular Latin American
dance forms that promise to make
for a perfect couple dance routine:
SalsaThis popular dance form
follows a quick-quick-slow rhythm,
to the sound of a steady beat.
The combination ensures that
partner movement is involved in
Cha cha chaThis dance form
follows a slow, slow, quick-quick-
quick rhythm. A Cha cha move is
made up of two basic movements
forward basic and backward
basic. The Cha cha is best
performed to the tune of Latin
American beats.
MamboAs a dance form, the
Mambo offers great scope for
lower body (hip) movement. It
follows a quick-quick-slow rhythm
but your feet move only on the
second and fourth beats. The
dance, heavily influenced by jazz,
is set to saxophone tunes and
other brass melodies.
SambaThis Brazilian form of
dance, offers fun and energetic
movements. The Samba follows
the quick-quick-slow rhythm;
importantly, three steps are
performed in two beats.
Mind you, Samba is certainly not
meant for the weak hearted. It
makes you groove and shake the
whole body.
Zumba -The word Zumba comes
from a Columbian word, which
means to move fast and have
fun. It combines various Latin
American dances like the Cha-Cha, Merengue, Samba and
Rumba and even the Indian folk
dance Bhangra. Certainly, it s
tough not to find fun in doing the
Zumba.
Invoke your innateenergyThink cosmic and you have
the Kundalini Dance, a kind of
ecstatic dance developed and
taught worldwide by Leyolah
Antara Dekanic for over a decade
now. The dance is derived from
Kundalini or the innate energy
which resides in every human
being, which, if invoked, leads
to rejuvenation, clearing of old
stagnant emotional energy,
selfrealization and awakening of
the higher consciousness.
Through rhythmic breathing
and movement, Antara inspires
dancers to invoke their Kundalini
to purify the body and mind andmove into the sphere of higher
consciousness.
Whether youre dancing the
foxtrot, capoeira, salsa, cha cha,
mambo, samba, zumba or the
kundalini, dancing can be a lot
of fun. Dancing is also a way to
release pent up energy. It is a way
to relax. It exercises muscles in
different parts of the body and
sharpens rhythm, balance and
coordination. And it also keeps
the romance alive in a relationship.Theres more. Memorizing the
steps, kicking and twirling all
flexes the mind. So put on
your dancing shoes and get
ready to tango!
every step right from spot turns
to cross body leads. Now, that
sounds like something youd want
to try out, doesnt it?
Images: Monitor Baba, Dreamstime.com
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Spor tsConnect
Hi t t i ng t he RoadHi t t i ng t he Road
Runni ng seem s t o have caught t he nat ion s
im ag inat ion . I f you asp i re to be par t o f t h i sb r i gade, here are a few t ips t hat mi gh t help
you run t he long m i le .
Ajeya Row
India running! Why else wouldeverybodyfrom Anil Ambani tocelebrities to wannabes to senior citizens to
college students be running; whether it is
for a pet cause or to stay fit or just for fun.
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Just recently, the whole of
Mumbai converged at the
Standard Chartered Mumbai
Marathon, now in its sixth
consecutive year; some ran as
professional runners, others fortheir sixty seconds of fame, and
still others for a cause or simply
to showcase the undying spirit
of this cityespecially after it
was badly brutalized and bruised
by terrorist attacks on 26th Nov,
2008.
The marathon was f lagged
off from Azad Maidan; non-
professional runners starting of f at
6.40am and professional runners
an hour later at 7.40am. Themain event was broken up into a
series of smaller events, including
the wheelchair run (2.5kms) for
buddy, Sagar Joshi, said, Its
important to wear a good pair of
shoeswith ample cushion. Also,
avoid wearing cotton as sweat
tends to make cotton heavy and
that can tire you out faster. So if
youre a regular who likes his/her
morning run and if you aspire to
run in the next marathon, here are
some valuable tips that you may
want to use:
Build StrengthA time-tested formula for building
strength is weight training. Weight
training helps tone your body,
preparing it for larger pursuits.
Remember to work out both your
upper and lower body. On days
that you dont go out running,
the runners ran by; some even
offering the runners a fruit or a
glass of w ater or an energy drink
so as to help them keep up their
energies. After a gruelling year
with more than its fair share of
pitfalls, the marathon was the
perfect connect for the people
of Mumbai, who came together,
regardless of their social, political
and economic standing, and ran,
united in action and purpose, fora common cause. Mumbaikar and
graphics designer Dylan Lewis,
who ran the half marathon said, It
was fun but a lot of work as well.
I have been regularly hitting the
road for almost two weeks before
the marathon. I am confident I w ill
be able to run the whole marathon
next year. Fellow runner and
the disabled, senior citizen run
(4.3kms) for senior citizens, dream
run (6kms) for celebrities, half
marathon (21.097kms) mainly
for non-professional runners and
the marathon (42.195kms). A
cavalcade of two choppers, ten to
twelve bikes and five ambulances
followed the marathon from
beginning till the end; as
protection against probable
eventualities.
Typically, a test of skill, strength
and stamina for the professional
runners, the marathon also saw a
huge turnout of non-professional
runners who were there mainly
to support some cause by
running. Mumbai turned out in full
strength, applauding, cheering as
After a gruelling year with more than itsfair share of pitfalls, the marathon was theperfect connect for the people of Mumbai
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still remember to lift weights as
otherwise, you may find your
muscles tightening up, making
it difficult for you to run as you
would normally.
Build Endurance
Run consistently to buildendurance. Prepare yourself
(through a combination of walking
and running continuously) to
be able to run continuously for
at least 30 minutes. Once you
reach the 30-minutes mark, start
running an average of three times
a week and gradually increase
the distance you run every week.
Keep increasing the distance
you run and peak off around two
weeks before the marathon. After
that, taper off by running shorter
distances, giving your body an
opportunity to recover from the
rigorous training schedule.
sources of reserve energy, and
are essential for high endurance
workouts such as long distance
runs. The trick is to opt for
fibrous foods rich in complex
carbohydrates such as oats,
brown rice and whole wheat
breads as opposed to white
breads and crackers which are
rich in refined carbohydrates. Milk(low fat), curds, cheese, tofu, soy
products, beans, chicken, fish and
eggs are rich in protein. A regular
Gain SpeedDo interval running once every
week. Interval running means
alternating bursts of fast running
and slow jogging or brisk walking.
Start with 4-5 30-second fast runs
and a 30-second walk or a one-
minute jog in between, building
on f rom there. Interval running
improves the delivery of oxygen
to your muscles, enabling you torun faster and further.
Eat rightA low carbohydrate diet is good
for losing weight, but when it
comes to long distance running, it
isnt useful. Carbohydrates stored
in your liver and muscles act as
Marathon. Similarly, Reebok India
was the Official Training and
Sportswear Partner for the Hutch
Delhi Half Marathon.
Additionally, rememberto:
Drink sufficient w ater before,
after and during the long dista-
nce run as water helps avoid
dehydration.
Warm up before the run and
cool down after it.
Give your body the rest it
deserves, particularly after a long
run.
Running is the ultimate exercise,
its also a lot of fun, and when
you run for a cause, the effect is
ecstatic! So set foot and get with
the programme!
intake of calcium and iron is also
essential.
Enrol in a training campRegister in any one of the training
workshops that are frequently
conducted across the length and
breadth of the count ry. Typically,
prior to a marathon, workshops
are held to train aspirants in the
nuances of long distance running.
These go a long way in teachingenthusiasts the dos and donts
of long distance running and
help them better prepare for the
upcoming event. For instance,
Talwalkars, a leading name in
the area of health and fitness, is
the Official Training Partner for
the Standard Chartered Mumbai
You need to build strength and staminato be able to run a marathon
Images: Dreamstime.com
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Does t he rou t i ne get t o you at t im es? Here slook ing a t some great w eekend h ideaw ays w hereyou and your spouse can spend t i me t ogether.
Retreat
Far f r om t hem addi ng c row d !Far f r om t hem addi ng c row d !
Rishad Saam Mehta
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11
You are a committed and loyal
spouse, a good parent and
a conscientious worker. And
though you juggle work, marriage
and bringing up a child with the
ease and grace of a circus juggler,
it can get a little dull at times. You
need to reignite that spark in your
relationship, forget the office and
spend some quality time together.
Here are some lovely getaways you
can sneak off to during weekends.
And with the vast airline network
that covers the entire country, you
really neednt be restricted by
your location.
Sojha, Himachal Pradesh
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a Chital stag. Chances are youll
be spoilt rotten by the chef s
culinary skills and the staffs
unobtrusive service. Just to give
you an idea, youll be welcomed
with refreshing fresh lime water,
treated to a light lunch on the
shaded deck that surrounds the
swimming pool and overlooks
the nullah (dry river bed), which
is a favoured route of the Penchtigers. Alternately, you can have
lunch delivered to your suite if
you prefer a leisurely meal in the
privacy of your own bungalow.
Baghvan has an interactive
kitchen where guests are
encouraged to mingle w ith the
chefs and even learn to prepare
traditional dishes.
Place:Coorg
Getting there: Two hour drivefrom Bangalore
Romantic Hideaway: OrangeCounty Resort
Orange County is this vast
estate, bang in the m iddle of a
forest; there are coffee and spice
plantations all over. Cottages
are spacious, comfortable and
very private; they are protected
by high w alls and electric
fencing. Foodies can select
from a pick of delicious South
Indian fare and the service
couldnt have been warmer or
more courteous. The best part
is the Ayurvedic centre w hich
offers 12 different kinds of
traditional oil massages that are
known t o relieve stress, controlweight and even cure different
ailments. Added perks come
in the form of t he artificial lake
wit hin the resort where you can
go fishing!
For more information:
www.orangecounty.in
Place: Pench WildlifeSanctuary, Maharashtra /Madhya Pradesh
Getting there: Two hour drivefrom Nagpur airport
Romantic Hideaway:Baghvan Resort
Baghvan is an experience in self
indulgence. While the resort is
modeled on a jungle safari camp,
in terms of luxury, it is sheer
bliss. Inspired by game reserve
resorts in Africa, at Baghvan,
youll get to experience open
air showers and high machans
that can be used for a romantic
siesta-out at tree top level.
Sharing a boundary with the
Pench National Park means that
youll be serenaded by nightjarsand will stop mid-sentence when
you hear the sharp alarm call of
Coming to the safaris in Pench,
they yield fantastic experiences
like spotting animals in the w ild,
bird watching and tracking tigers
while riding on elephant back.
For more information go to:
www.tajsafaris.com/our_lodges/
baghvan/default.php
The Baghvan Resort is like a junglesafari camp on the outside but on theinside, its sheer luxury
Baghvan Resort
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refresh and rejuvenate yourself at
the Spa Vyana or go for a beach
buggy ride or catamaran ride.
Theres a choice of restaurants
and bars as well: Bay View Point,
an open-air restaurant that serves
sea food; Upper Deck that offers
al fresco dining and candlelight
dinners; Seagull, a coffee shop cum
multi-cuisine restaurant; the Anchor
Place: Covelong Beach,Mahabalipuram, Tamil Nadu
Getting there: One hour drivefrom Chennai
Romantic Hideaway:
Taj Fishermans Cove
Originally a magnificent Dutch fort,
Taj Fishermans Cove offers an array
of garden and sea-view cottages
and luxury villas to choose from.
The cottages are spacious andafford an uninterrupted view of the
sea and the palm-fringed Covelong
beach; they come with their very
own private sit-outs and gardens
not to mention a private Jacuzzi.
Theres a lot you can do at Taj
Fishermans Cove: enjoy a swim
in the fresh water swimming pool,
work out at the fitness centre,
Bar, with its tropical ambience; and
the Poolside Sunken Bar, the local
watering hole of choice which also
offers breathtaking views of the
beach.
Fringe benefits include tours to
Mahabalipuram, which is about
10km away and Pondicherry,
which takes around 2 hours to
reach (by road).
The cottages are spacious and afford anuninterrupted view of the sea and thepalm-fringed Covelong beach
Orange County Resort
Taj Fishermans cove
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Place: Sojha, Himachal Pradesh
Getting there:60 minute flightfrom Delhi to Kulus Bhuntar airport
and a 90 minute drive.
Romantic Hideaway:BanjaraCamps and Sojha Retreat
For the first hour or so after you
arrive here, youll be pinching
yourself to check if youre actually
awake. Because its dream like.
The previous evening, you were
amidst corporate urbanity and now
you are sitting and staring at the
magnificent Himalayas.
The beauty of this place is that
though it is secluded enough to
spark off a weekend romance, it
remains well connected to help you
out with your practical needs. Your
days could include soft treks to theJalori Pass and the Serolsar Lake
and evenings could be spent sitting
around a comforting bonfire along
with a sumptuous barbeque to
tantalize your taste buds. The lodge
is very comfortable and affords
astounding views of the mountain
peaks.
While Sojha is the perfect
weekend getaway, it might be best
experienced over an extended
weekend or one that has public
holidays attached on either/both
sides.
For more information:
www.banjaracamps.com
The beauty of this place is that itis secluded enough to spark off aweekend romance
Sojha Retreat
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Place: Khimsar, Rajasthan
Getting there:Flight to Jodhpurand a 2 hour drive spanning a 91
km stretch
Romantic Hideaway: KhimsarFort and Village
Khimsar looks like an ordinary
Rajasthani village, but it s got an
extraordinary fort with ancient
ramparts and high-ceiling dining
halls. The fort brings on the sense
of a royal romance as you are
served on by turbaned waiters
in sharply ironed liveries with
magnificent whiskers.
The bar by the pool is the ideal
hangout for chilled-out evenings
and the bartender, though a local,
appears impeccably trained in the
art of creating superb cocktails.Movie buffs w ill love the mini-
cinema hall set in a soundproof,
acoustically-designed room and
equipped with a Bose home theatre
system and a projector. They have a
mind-boggling collection of movies
over there, and the best part is that
guests can watch the flicks at no
extra cost.
The hotel also has a dunes
village 6km from the fort, which
is operational from October to
mid April. Its a cosy place to stayfor that rustic desert ambience,
to take in the gorgeous sunsets,
and simply relax by the artificial
waterhole that houses ducks. And
no, they are NOT on the menu.
For more information:
khimsar.com/khimsarFort.htm
The fort brings on the sense of a royalromance as you are served on byturbaned waiters in sharply ironed liveries
Khimsar Palace
Taj Fishermans cove
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Haven
Home is w here the hear t l i es. I t s a personals ta temen t . You wan t i t t o re f l ec t y ou r s ty l ew h i l e tak ing care o f your pocke t . Here s howyou can do i t . ..
Nivedita Churiwal
Creating the right abodecan be adaunting task and homing in on ahouse that suits your style as well as your
pocket can turn out to be an overwhelming
experience. Your home is a statement
of w ho you are, your likes and dislikes; it
defines you, at the same time you would
want it to appeal to your guests. Its no26 elitelifeFebruary 2009
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rocket science really! We all
want a beautiful home w ithout
wiping our bank accounts dry
but dont know how to go about it.
The cheapest w ay of refurbi-
shing a home is to apply a fresh
coat of paint. A good way to
start would be to highlight onewall of the room with a striking
color. Bright orange, sunny
yellow, purple or cherry red can
make your room look very perky.
Metallic shades and textures on
a wall make a bold statement.
While one wall is accentuated,
it is important to maintain a
balance by painting the other
walls in ivory, beige or other
lighter shades. For the moremellow; peach, pastel blues,
yellow and greens on all walls is
the perfect option.
Use larger patterns for larger
spaces unless you want to
give a small space an air of
largeness. A textured wall is
typically used to highlight any
one wall of your room. Not only
does it change the entire mood
of the room but of ten, becomes
the most eye-catching feature of
the room.
Textured paints, decorative wall
finishes are readily available in
the market and are substantially
cheaper as compared to
textured w allpapers. Unlike
traditional wall coatings,
textured wall coatings can be
applied on a variety of wallsurfaces including paneling,
wallpaper, concrete blocks,
cracking plaster, finished or
unfinished dry w alls, raw wood,
cement and particle boards. An
added advantage of textured wall
coverings is their superior heat-
insulating and sound-absorbing
properties. Additionally, they are
environmentally friendly as they
contain no toxins, fiber glass orasbestos. Significantly, textured
wall coverings are easy to
maintain as they can be c leaned
using soapy cold water solution
and a dry cloth.
Now, as cliched as it might
sound, old is gold. An old
chair or an ottoman can be
refurbished, re-colored and put
together in an all-new way. Orget that old chair and upholster
it w ith new f abric, remove the
extra carving, polish it in a new
If a plain Jane look is
not your style, you can
go in f or textured walls
which are quite the in
thing now. Theres a riot
of colors, patterns and
textures to choose from
and these go a long way
in giving your home that
unique, sophisticated
look and feel. If you
want a rustic look, opt
for rough textures as
against smooth, glossy
textures. For rooms
with low ceilings, go
with vertical stripes as
they create an illusion of
height.
Textured paints are readily available inthe market and are substantially cheaperas compared to textured wallpapers.
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i
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of them come adorned w ith jari,
lace or other such handiwork.
Using chocolate brown or
black with bright colors, or
complementary/supplementary
colors from the color palette
are some of the ways to ensure
aesthetic coordinates for yourbed/cushion settings. Coming
to curtains, these have always
formed an intrinsic part of
home dcor. Today, curtain
arrangements have morphed into
trendy, colorful combinations
that use a range of fabrics in a
variety of w arp and weft. Even
the style of curtains and curtain
stands have changed. You can
get beautiful yet affordablefabrics to m ix and match and
use as curtains in stores.
casual, funky and com fortable
seating, bean bags are available
in diff erent colors and shapes;
they are the perfect answer and
affordable too. Just snuggle up
with a book, lounge with friends
or channel surf in the comfort of
your easily movable bean bag.Many people dont realize that
bedding forms the focal point
of a room. Trendy bedspreads
wit h coordinated cushions and
pillow covers can transform
a room to an image right out
of a magazine. Cushions in
diff erent shapes and sizes,
dressed in diff erent covers, add
to the glamour quotient of the
bed setting. Nowadays, thereare cushion covers available
in various fabrics including
cotton and handlooms; some
Once your home is set w ith all
the basics, upholstery/tapestry
other furbishing, furniture,
paint, and so on, you can then
go about personalizing w ith
accessories and other element s.
A range of accessories are
availablelocal handicrafts
in flea markets and state
emporiums, decorative articles
in stores such as Westside,
Lifestyle and Nirmitee. You
can also opt for wooden
accessories that add an
element of warmthmagazine
racks, decorative stands, and
so on. For the techno look
and feel, go with steel and
glass accessories, including
dark oak polish, black or white.
You could also try and use a
combination of fabrics, maybe
two or t hree, in complementary
shades or patterns. As cheap as
it might sound, this reinvented
piece could well turn out to
be the most arresting pieceof f urniture in your home. You
could also use knock dow n
furniture available from various
South East Asian countries such
as Malaysia and China. Knock
down furniture is typically
available in a wide range of
modern st yles and finishes. Not
only is such furnit ure pleasing
to the eye but it also off ers the
flexibility of putting togetherin a number of permutations
and combinations that most of
all, optimally utilize space. For
Knock down furniture is an availableoption; it comes from various SouthEast Asian countries
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lamps, candle stands, trays and
jars. For the perky look, add
colorful ceramic accessories.
Also available are decorative
items in w icker, wrought iron
and clay. An in-door plant in an
earthen clay pot (blue pot tery is
another option) gives a finishing
touch to an already beautifully
decorated house. Do it yourself
techniques can be terrific too.
For instance, making a collage
of phot ographs on a wall or
using several diff erent frames
with photos both as memory
and as wall art is a great idea.
Using black and white photos or
treating them t o give a vintage
look, graphic methods used on
photographs, create a dramatic
yet personalized space.
One could also use graffiti,
mirror frames, w all hangings,
paintings, wind chimes, the list
is endless
Your home can be decorated
using one or all of these ways
but the most important thing
is to maintain parity in the
look. Using elements that are
representative of d ifferent
styles can create an altogether
disconnected look. It is impo-
rtant to know your theme before
you start; Rustic, Modern,
Techno, Victorian or any ot her.
The right planning wit h a
defined color scheme and
elements that look good yet dont
drill a hole in your pocket will
ensure that your home is indeed
budget a la mode.
Elements representative of differentstyles can be used but you need tomaintain parity in the look
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Ar te fac t
bejewelled f igurine, at Pompeii,
thus dating it back to pre 79 A.
D.! Over the centuries, art and
architecture, have been created
with exquisite detailing and form,
Since ancient t imes, India has
been famed for her art and craft,
as evidenced in the discovery of
a small, beautifully carved ivory
mirror handle, in the shape of a
Brinda Gill
I nd ia i s know n fo r her a r t and c ra f t , s inceanc ien t t im es. Here, w e take a look a t my r i adar t fo rm s t hat have f l ou r i shed in d i f f eren tpar t s o f the count ry .
Mithila Painting
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in different parts of the country,
reflective of the skill and creativity
of Indian artists and craftsmen.
From finely hand-knotted carpets
to detailed miniature paintings,
from ornamental Tanjore paintings
to the rustic Warli paintings,
from stunning South Indian
bronzes to endearing bell metal
figures, from traditional pottery
to studio pottery; each work
of art, holds in its fabric, our
centuries-old heritage. And placed
in homes, these objectsdrawn
from a classical, folk, tribal or
contemporary idiom- always add
interest, colour and character to
spaces even as they decorate
them.
Small is beautiful!Drawing from the courtly traditions
of erstwhile kingdoms in different
parts of India, are extraordinary
miniature paintings. As the name
suggests, they are small in size,
yet are rich in detail, colour,
symbolism and skill; elements
that meld together to present a
microcosm of the world of Gods,
humans and nature.
In each defined format, just 12 by
6 inches or less, artists create a
perfectly executed composition
that vividly portrays a theme, storyor event. As tradition goes, they
strive to create a work that would
` cleanse the soul, curb anxiety,
augment future good, cause
delight, kill the evil of bad dreams,
please the household deity and fill
the empty spaces in the house.
Miniature paintings come alive as
one slowly takes in the details.
Gods are painted with a halo;
a hint of romance is suggestedby a peacock, a symbol of love;
the progress of a hunt conveyed
through multiple images of a
tiger; the time of day or a season
by elements such as dark clouds
or distinct trees in blossom; the
status of a person through his
stance and attire.
Viewing these delightful creations
through a magnifying glass
multiplies their visual impact
manifold as it reveals the hundreds
of fine strokes that go into creating
each of these small gems of art.
And grouping a set of miniature
paintings on a wall brings home
the beauty of this legendary
heritage.
Ebullient expressionsAmongst the tribal art expressions
in India, are the charming Warli
wall paintings t raditionally created
by the Warli tribals who have long
been living in mountainous and
forested areas north of Mumbai.
Isolated in their environment, the
Warlis have retained their artistic
expression over centuries, and it is
the simple, ebullient charm of their
works that has instantly appealed
to art lovers the world over.
The Warlis respect for every
manifestation of nature, their
traditional dependence on forests
and fields, their beliefs, rhythms of
life and festivities spontaneously
offer subjects for their paintings.
Simple lines enclose space andcreate form in their paintings: the
human figure is formed by two
triangles that intersect at their
apex; while a deity is painted with
two triangles that do not intersect
at their apex.
Though traditionally created with
rice paste used on brown mud
walls, the Warlis now create
Amongst the tribal art expressions in India,
are the charming Warli wall paintings,
traditionally created by the Warli tribals
MiniaturePainting
MiniaturePainting
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paintings on paper and cloth
surfaced brown, and paint with
white pigment to simulate the
effect of their wall paintings. Theycreate scaled-down versions of
their traditional compositions for
the urban clientele, and these lively
compositions infuse homes with a
rustic charm.
Beautiful bronzesThough the legacy of Indian
bronzes can be traced back
over four thousand years to the
figurine of the dancing girl found
in Mohenjodaro, historically
speaking, the craft of the metal
sculptor reached its glory underthe patronage of the Cholas (850
to 1275 A.D). The deeply religious
Chola rulers built hundreds of
magnificent temples that still
stand erect in Tamil Nadu, gifted
beautiful metal statues to temples,
and performed elaborate temple
rituals. And their religiosity and
patronage encouraged metal
sculptors to create beautiful
bronze images that are the
treasures of Indias heritage.
Inspired by the Chola bronzes,master craftsmen even today
create solid bronze images in the
traditional lost wax technique,
adhering to specifications of
traditional iconometry and
detailing. Each statue is made
anew as the wax model melts
away and the mould is broken for
every cast. The result is unique
images with a distinct feel of
movement, a flowing silhouette,
full height, elongated limbs,
beautiful facial expressions, and
perfect proportions. A Chola-
style bronze, infused with life and
grace, is perfect for placing in a
contemporary living room along
with a small diya or a bowl of
flowers placed before it.
Allure of metalIndigenous to West Bengal and
Orissa is Dhokra or bell metal
craft; it is created using an alloy of
copper and tin or copper and zinc.
Inspired by mythology, nature and
creativity, craftsmen create a wide
spectrum of charming figures.
Bell metal figures, are made of a
clay core and are light in weight;
with their feature and form, theyadd an element of local customs
and traditions. Animals, especially
the elephant, are popular forms,
while deities like Lord Ganesh
and Goddess Durga as well as
kings, lamps in the form of trees,
are also popular. As they are
made from alloys, the bell metal
figures have a burnished, antique
appearance which enhances their
The patronage of the Cholas
encouraged metal sculptors to create
beautiful bronze images
WarliPainting
WarliP
ainting
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Pichwais originated around LordShrinathji or Lord Krishna, as he iscalled at Nathdwara near Udaipur
charm. Dhokra artefacts are now
being crafted for urban homes.
Sacred textilesIndian textiles - created by
different techniques such as hand-
weaving, resist-dyeing, printing
and embroidery- reflect centuriesof tradition, beliefs, creativity
and hereditary skills. Within the
fabulous spectrum of textiles,
are the revered Pichwais that
originated around Lord Shrinathji
or Lord Krishna, as he is called
at Nathdwara, near Udaipur in
Rajasthan.
Traditionally placed behind the
Shrinathji deity in the Nathdwara
temple, Pichwais depict scenes
from the life of Lord Krishna.Deeply religious in nature, Pichwais
are a labour of love for artists and
craftsmen, who spare no effort in
creating them with fine painting,
weaving, hand-bloc printing,
and embroidery. Some Pichwais
are even embellished with gold
for a decorative touch. These
revered textiles are treasured in
urban homes where typically,
they are hung on a wall befitting
their sanctity; viewing these
sacred textiles is believed to be
propitious.
A touch of goldTanjore paintings are perhaps
the most spectacular of all
traditional Indian art forms.
Rooted in mythology, tradition and
religion, most Tanjore paintings
feature deities. Created on a
base of wood, the paintings are
embellished with semi-precious
stones, glass, pearls and gold
leaf. Hung in prayer rooms that
are softly lit by the light from oil
lamps, the deep and vivid colours
and decoration of these paintings
appears rich yet muted.
Tanjore paintings generally feature
a central figure, beautifully attired
and adorned with jewellery, framed
by an arch with smaller figures
filling up space in the composition,
each of these figures with their
symbolism - recreating an entire
episode from Indian mythology.
Relief work brings out the detail
in some compositions, creating
a three-dimensional effect. With
its elaborate composition, details
and colours, a beautifully w orkedTanjore painting can be placed by
itself on a wall. A beautiful wooden
frame enhances its traditional
charm, while dif fused general and
accent lighting in the room brings
out the sanctity and muted beauty
of the gemstones, glass and the
gold work.
So a home adorned with Indian
art and artefacts creates warmth,
style and comfort. After a long
day at work, there is nothing as
soothing as stepping into your
home, tastefully decorated with
beauteous artefacts that radiatewarmth and happiness.
TanjorePainting
JewelleryBox
Lithograph
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jury included Clement Cheung-
Commissioner of Insurance,
Hong Kong, Sara Lamsam
Chairman, Asean Insurance
Council, Michael Huddart - Past
Chairman, The Hong Kong
Federation of Insurers,
Yogesh Lohiya Chairman
cum-MD, General
Insurance Corporation
of India, amongst other
industry representatives
from across the region.
Entries came in from
across Asia with a focus
on regional or specialised
activities. Each company
had to showcase their
achievements and present their
credentials to the judging panel.
These submissions were further
News y ou can use f rom ICICI Prudent ia l L i f eInsurance.
Ensure
ICICI Prudential Life was awarded the Life
Insurance Company of the Year at the
12th Asia Insurance Industry Awards 2008
Company
Showcase
Company
ShowcaseThe true test of a leader, they say,
is when the going gets tough.
Certainly, ICICI Prudential Life has
become adept at sailing through
challenges to emerge victorious,
winning accolades and awards
along the w ay. This year saw
us winning many prestigious
recognitions including the Best
Business Partnership at the
UK Trade & Investment Awardsand being felicitated at the
Outlook Money & NDTV Profit
Awards. Apart from this, we
have now received unsurpassed
international recognition that of
being the best Asian life insurer,
steaming ahead of competition
from not only India, but across Asia.
ICICI Prudential Life was awarded
theLife Insurance Company
of t he Yearat the 12th Asia
Insurance Industry Awards 2008,
held in Hong Kong recent ly. The
Asia Insurance Indust ry Awards
are hosted by Asia InsuranceReview, Asias most respected
publication dedicated to the
insurance industry in the region.
The Awards, an annual feature,
aim to capture the spirit of
innovation and professionalism
in the market; reward the best
practices and salute excellence
within the insurance industry in
all its forms. The Life Insurance
Company of the Year is awarded
to a company for its constructive
contribution to efficiency and
effectiveness in the financing of
insurable risk in Asia.
The elite jury & rigorousjudging processThe 25-member strong
internationally acclaimed jurysaw representation f rom industry
associations, regulators as well
as peers from across Asia. The
scrutinised thoroughly by an
independent auditor.
Three companies were short-
listed in this process. ICICI
Prudential Life was declared the
winner in the category after the
final jury discussion.
The award acknowledged our
customer responsiveness,
efficiency in assessing risksand handling claims, and our
sound financial management and
professional standards.
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ICICI Prudential recognizes your need
to channelise efforts and invest in a
sound life insurance policy
Up Cl oseSince the day you got married,
you have been dreaming,
planning and working towards
the perfect life. Even as you toil
away at w ork, the thought that
keeps you going is--its for thewellbeing of my family. Then
comes your first born, and like
every other parent, you dream
away and think of your child
graduating from one of the f inest
business schools.
You might have even started
saving for your familys future
but w hat if, due to unforeseen
circumstances, you are not
around for long for your family?
The solution is to channelise
your efforts and invest in a life
insurance policy.
Term lif e insurance is a cost
effective way to protect the ones
you care about. The proceed of
such a policy will help your family
pay off your outstanding home
loan, your childs education,and provide for your spouses
retirement apart f rom the normal
cost of living like paying utility
and grocery bills.
Even high net worth individuals
need life insurance because
houses, property, and other
investments cant be sold fast
enough to provide the required
assets. If your loved ones are
forced to quickly sell investments
such as houses, property, stocks,
or mutual funds, they possibly
will take a loss just to get the money.
It is true that your life is
invaluable. Your family members
love you too much to attach
any number or economic value
to your life. It is also true that
insurance can only compensatethe financial loss to your family
and can never compensate the
emotional loss suffered by them.
But, it is equally true that you
need to ensure their happiness
against any adversity because
adversity can strike at anytime.
Keeping this in m ind, ICICI
Prudential brings to you Pure
Protect Classic & Pure Protect
Elite, with which you can insure
your life and provide total
security to your family, at a very
affordable cost.
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Pr oduct Updat e I
Secure your familys future with
ICICI Pru Pure Protect Classic and
Pure Protect Elite.
At a Glance
ICICI Pru Pure Protect Classic
Min/Max Entry Age 18-65 years 18-65 years
Min/Max Terms 10-30 years 10-30 years
Max. Coverage Age 75 years 75 years
Min. Premium Rs. 2,400 p.a. Rs. 2,400 pa
Min. Sum Assured Subject to minimum premium as applicable Rs. 25,00,000
Max. Sum Assured Rs. 24,99,999 -
Tax Benefit Premium paid towards the policy will be eligible for tax benefit under Sec 80C.
ICICI Pru Pure Protect Elite
# Tax benefits under the policy are subject to condit ions under section 80C of the Incom e Tax Act, 1961. Death Benefit is tax free under Section10 (10D) of the Income Tax Act, 1961.Service tax and education cess will be charged extra, as per applicable rates. The tax laws are subject to
amendments from time to time.For further details, on risk factors and terms and condit ions please read the policy document and detailed benefit illustration before
concluding the sale 2008. ICICI Pru Pure Protect Classic: Form No T20. ICICI Pru Pure Protect Elite: Form No - T21 UIN 105N084V01. ADBRUIN105A018V01 WOPR UIN 105A019V01.
We customise your protection
plan keeping in mind the
insurance protection you need.
We bring you ICICI Prudential
Pure Protect Classic f or insurance
cover up to Rs. 24,99,999 andPure Protect Elite for insurance
cover of Rs. 25,00,000 and above.
Key features of ICICI PruPure Protect: Get insurance protection at
extremely affordable rates.
Avail of discounts on
premium for high sum
assured.
Enhance your policy with
the optional Waiver of
Premium Rider and Accidental
Death and Disability Benefit
Rider.
Avail of tax benefits as
applicable#
You will need to pay regular
premiums for the term chosen.
In case of death of the life
assured during the term, thesum assured w ill be paid to
the beneficiary.
There are no Maturity
benefits.
If you still feel the need to take
it a step further you can take a
look at the additional features we
provide at a nominal extra cost.
Additional features ofICICI Pru Pure Protect:
The death and disabilitybenefit rider allows the
beneficiary to receive the
additional sum assured.
In case of a total and
permanent disability due to
an accident, under the waiver
of premium rider, the
company will pay the
remaining premiums t illmaturity.
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The comprehensive whole life health
insurance plan for you and your family
Health care has become a
growing burden for Indian
families, as medical costs and
out-of-pocket expenses continue
to rise at alarming rates. This
has led to a demand for ahealth plan that covers not just
hospitalization expenses but
also provides for a means to
meet rising day to day healthcare
expenses of any kind - now and
in the future.
ICICI Prudential Life proudly
brin gs you ICICI Pru Health
Saver The com prehensive
w hole l i fe heal th insurance
plan for you and your f ami ly
wh ich :
Provides guaranteed
Hospitalisation Insurance
coverage upto 75 years of age.
Health Saver is our attempt to
provide you the most
comprehensive health plan. While
the Hospitalisation Insurance
Benefit ensures complete
coverage for expenses incurredin the event of hospitalisation,
the health fund created by
investing a part of your premium
in market linked funds under the
Health Savings Benefit assures
you of an adequate support
system:
To meet day to day medical
expenses that occur outside
the hospital.
To cover the steady outflow
of funds that occurs at the
onset of chronic ailments like
diabetes and hypertension.
Invests in a Health fund
to cover any other healthcare
expenses after 3 years, like
medicines, diagnostics, and
dental expenses.
Flexible premium payment
options; including the option
to continue cover even after
stopping premiums post 5
years of policy.
Free health check-up once
every two years.
Also get t ax benef i t
upt o Rs. 15,000 o n
premium paid u/s
Sect ion 80D!
Further, most of us realize that
once we retire, the need to
provide for your health care
expenses becomes even more
pronounced as the income
earning capacity erodesconsiderably. This is w hen you
can rely on your health fund built
over the years to meet health
costs and also to pay for your
future medical cover.
The benefits coupled with the
unique advantage of availing
tax benefits under section 80D
even on the part of the premium
invested in the health fund makes
it an ideal health plan to take care
of all your health needs today
and tomorrow.
Product Updat e II
For further details, on risk factors and terms and conditions please read the policy document anddetailed benefit illustration before concluding the sale.
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Tax Gurucracking the tax code
The hardest t hing to understand
in the world is income tax. Albert Einstein
Income tax. Two words that
can make even the bravest of
souls shift in their seats. And as
for the rest o f us it drives us
pretty close to a state of nervous
anxiety. How much to save?
What to invest in? How to file
tax? Questions. More questions.
Its almost as if, the end of year
annual examination of school
days is back to haunt us.
And this is one exam for which
most of us dont seem to have
any preparation.
A recent research conducted by
ICICI Prudential Life Insurance
with market research agency
IMRB International shows a
shocking lack of awareness
about even rudimentary tax
related information even amongst
educated Indians. The research
which covered 900 respondents
across Delhi, Mumbai and
Chennai showed that peoples
awareness on various tax related
sections, tax savings instruments
or how much they can invest
in such instruments was much
lower than what one would
have expected given the overall
interest in the topic of tax.
In order to bridge this knowledge
gap ICICI Prudential Life has
launched www.taxguru08-09.
com, a first of its kind initiative
for providing assistance to
consumers as they plan their tax
saving investments. The website
has been conceptualized withthe objective of empowering
consumers to take an informed
decision when it comes to saving
tax.
The website covers a range of
topics under the ambit of income
tax. Currently the site covers
Tax saving rules and relevant
sections of t he IT Act
Factors to be considered
while making tax related
investment decision
Comparison between various
tax saving tools
Insurance and the income tax
edge
Tax calculator to help calculate
the tax liability
Additionally www.taxguru08-09.
com also allows the consumers
to interact with experts in thetaxation field via a unique online
tax query resolution helpline.
Consumers can write in w ith their
tax related concerns which are
then answered by a dedicated
panel of expert. What more, it
also allows you to view questions
posted by others & the answers
provided to those questions.
So, this year make sure that the
tax season doesnt leave you with
more questions than answers.
With Tax Guru, you can get ready
to crack the tax code.
www.taxguru08-09.com provides
assistance to consumers as they plan
their tax saving investments.
Care t o Shar e I
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Health Active is a complete solution for managing
your health through a combination of adequate
insurance protection & preventive care
The NeedWe have seen a drastic
transformation in our lifestylesover the last few years. Growing
affluence and urbanization
have led to several changes
in our lifestyles. Technological
innovations such as PCs, mobile
phones, internet have made our
lives simpler and have brought
us closer. At the same time, a
growing economy and higher
disposable incomes have made
it possible for more and more
people to have access to theseconveniences. However, the
effects have not all been positive.
Stressful w ork environment, poor
ways in which one can tackle
these health risks. One being
preparing for future eventualities
(through adequate savings and
insurance) and the other being
taking adequate precautions to
avoid complications in future
(preventive care). Both areequally critical to ensure that one
is completely prepared.
The SolutionAt ICICI Prudential, we
understand how a holistic
solution is a combination of both
these elements and therefore,
we present to you our wellness
offering Health Active,
integrated w ith our insurance
products, available exclusively to
all our policy holders. With Health
Active, you get a complete
solution for managing your
health through a combination of
eating habits, longer working
hours and sedentary lifestyles
have contributed to an alarming
increase in the incidence of
lifestyle diseases such as
diabetes, obesity, hypertension,
coronary heart disease more
so, at a relatively younger age.
These may also result in a host
of complications that could
be fatal to life. To compound
the problem, escalating
medical costs have made
medical treatment for these
complications costlier.
This rising incidence of these
diseases along w ith grow ing
urbanization has led to increased
health awareness. There are tw o
adequate insurance protection
and preventive care.
How it helps?Aimed at helping you stay
healthier, Health Act ive is a
personalized wellness program,
designed not only t o encourage
users make health promises but
also provide them with tools to
keep them! It is a platform which
helps you assess current health
status, take corrective measures
and get rewarded for staying
healthy.
The entire program is a fun-filled
journey to health and well being.
It gets you started by assessing
your health through HealthCheck,
a comprehensive assessment
tool that evaluates you on all
relevant health parameters.
Zappy guides you through the
questions and once you are
done, you instantly get your
HealthCheck score and a detailed
report which is a complete roundup of your current heath status,
the health risks you are prone to
and detailed recommendations
on each area on how you can
avoid them.
After taking stock of where
you stand, the next step is to
know where you should reach.
Here, Zappy encourages you to
set health goals on parameters
such as weight, b lood pressure,
cholesterol and blood sugar to
ensure that you stay focused
towards well defined health
objectives.
Once youve set your goals,
Health Active
Car e t o Share I I
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Theres more: Health Active even
rewards users with HealthPoints
Zappy helps you channelise your
energies towards achieving the
desired target. Based on your
health goals, you get customized
diet and fitness plans to get
you started on the right note.
Thereafter, you are guided
through the rest of your journey
with the help of various tools and
services. The resource centre
acts as a ready repository of
health information. Health Active
Coach & Hotline are phone-based
services where expert counselors
and dieticians advice you. To
encourage you further, we
have even partnered with select
healthcare providers such as
fitness centres and diagnostic
centres to provide you withspecial offers on these services.
And theres more
In addition to ensuring a
healthy lifestyle for you, Health
Active also rewards users with
HealthPoints on the efforts they
make for staying healthy! These
points get you exciting rewards
as you accrue more and more of
them.
So what are you waiting for,
enroll yourself in the programmetoday and reap the benefits of
good health!
How to get started?
As an ICICI Prudential policyholder, you now get exclusive access
to Health Active. Start your journey towards good health today by
following these four simple steps:
1. V