July 2007 Free Copy CityMasala · July 2007 Free Copy ... on Swimming for Fitness by Sanjay while Horoscope has what the stars hold for us in the month of ... Arul Karunanidhi Email:

A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s South Asian

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July 2007July 2007July 2007 Free CopyFree CopyFree Copy

A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s Sough Asian

CityMasala 6 July 2007

CityMasala A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s South Asian

IN THIS ISSUE July 2007

On The Cover

12 Chandani Desai-A Star in the Making

8 Achievers’ Club: Indian Student Associations 14 Beauty with Shahnaz: Sun Protection 16 The Legal Corner: Naturalization Process - Part II 20 Bollywood: Team Bachchan 22 Short Story: A Feeling of Joy 30 Spotted Around Town: The Significance of the 4th of July to desis 36 Tech Talk: The Lowdown on iPhones

Also In this Issue 18 Cricket : A Time of Uncertainty 18 Top Ten Desi Countdown 26 Reel Talk: Movie Reviews 28 Health Talk: Ear Infections 28 The Parents’ Chat Room 30 Comic Strip: Small Hands 32 Auntyji Ko Pucho 34 Daru Ka Nasha: The Summer Edition 34 Dining: Restaurant Review 38 In The Kitchen: Recipe - Muruku 38 CityMasala Book Club: Book Review - Father Tongue 40 Body Talk: Swimming for Fitness 42 Star Lite Star Brite: This Month’s Horoscope

CityMasala is published by CityMasala LLC. The opinions and viewpoints of our contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of CityMasala’s. CityMasala disclaims any liability with respect to the use of our reliance on any such information and further disclaims any liability to any party for loss or damage caused by errors or omissions, negligence, accident or any other cause. CityMasala reserves the right to reject any advertisement they deem unac-ceptable or inappropriate for publication in CityMasala. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and originality of content. Copyright © 2005 CityMa-sala LLC. All rights reserved. Reprinting of any material without prior permission from CityMasala is prohibited.

From Our Desk to Yours The heat is oppressive and all over Florida, the greenery is pining for more rainfall. After having recently returned from India though, one of the editors is not com-plaining! Central air conditioning definitely has its advantages. Having said that, there is also a lot to be said about returning to one’s own country. The smells, the air and the people - all conspire to make you feel very much at home and very much a part of what you left behind so many years ago. The effortlessness in getting back to your roots is an aspect of human nature that is truly re-markable.

This month, we have Chandani Desai on the cover. Chandani took part in the ZEE Cinestar Competition which was held in Mumbai, India, and was offered an opportunity to work with the famed Pooja Bhatt. We found Chandani a pleasure to interview and wish her all the very best for her undoubtedly bright future.

Fall semester is not that far away. We have featured a few Indian Student Associations from some of the universities in Florida. Contact information for these associations is also provided in the write-ups and this information would be helpful for desi freshmen as well as their families.

Ms. Husain has provided some great tips on protecting your skin from the Sun and has taken the time to answer questions from readers in her column on Beauty. Attorney Dilip Patel wraps up his article on the Naturalization process and has given some valuable information on why it is important to get this proc-ess completed. Bollywood is full of the latest gossip from desh’s tinsel town and the story written by Ajay Sanyal for the CityMasala Short Story Competition, A Feeling of Joy, will touch you to the very core. In Spotted Around Town, we bring you the views of people from our community on what the 4th of July means to them. TechTalk unveils the iPhone - the totally swanky new technology from Apple. It is a must have, but should you go for it right now?

Javid brings you his views on some of the issues facing the Indian Cricket team in his article which is accompanied by DJ Jafar’s latest Top Ten Desi Countdown. Surabhi brings you Reel Talk for this issue and talks about some of the latest releases to look forward to or avoid! Dr. Adarsh Jain talks about ear infections and some ways to avoid them in Health Talk and Dr. Maulik Trivedi answers some more questions from our readers in The Parents’ Chat Room. We have a brand new comic strip for you called Small Hands which is brought to you by Nidhi Chanani while Auntyji brings you her signature brand of advice in her column. Daru Ka Nasha has Ashish in the summer mood with some thirst quenching drinks to get some relief from the heat and in Dining, Surabhi reviews Shalimar Classic Indian Cuisine in Orlando. We have a recipe for Muruku from Anita in In The Kitchen along with some Tips & Tricks for cooking and Sheniz brings us a review on the book, Father Tongue. Body Talk brings you an article on Swimming for Fitness by Sanjay while Horoscope has what the stars hold for us in the month of July. We hope you enjoy this issue.

Please keep writing in to us at [email protected] or [email protected]. Your feedback is im-portant to us.

Remember to talk about CityMasala, rave about CityMasala, make your friends read CityMasala and ask for your copy of CityMasala by its name!

Chhaya Sanghavi and Shaphali Jain

Published By: CityMasala LLC

Marketing 813-476-5415 813-642-3313

Email [email protected]

On the Web www.citymasala.com

Editor and Publisher

Chhaya Sanghavi Shaphali Jain

Junior Editor Surabhi Jain

Content Contributors Anita Singh Ashish Jain

DJ Jafar Javid Lateef

Kavita Trivedi Dr. Maulik Trivedi

Nandini Chakraborty Nidhi Chanani

Content Contributors Sanjay Puranik Shahnaz Husain

Sheniz Janmohamed Vish Viswanathan

Guest Contributors Dr. Adarsh Jain

Dilip Patel, Attorney at Law


Q: When was this association formed? A: I believe it was formed in the early 1980s.

Q: How many students are a part of this associa-tion? A: Over 500.

Q: How is the executive committee chosen for your association? A: The committee is chosen mainly through an electoral process. However, if there is only one candidate for a specific position, there is obviously no election and, based on the decision of the exist-ing committee, that candidate is assigned the posi-tion. About half of our members are in the Masters program and the rest are in the undergraduate pro-gram. When choosing our President or Vice Presi-dent, we exercise more caution as both have to have some experience. We prefer that both these positions be taken by people who have been a part of the association for some time so they know how to deal with funding issues as well as other issues.

We are funded through USF.

Q: How does the association provide help to for-eign students? A: We help them by arranging to have them picked up from the airport, in finding suitable accommodations and we also provide some basic academic guidance.

Q: How can new students contact your associa-tion? A: We can be contacted via our website, www.siausf.org or through ORKUT. We keep in touch with all our members through regular news-letters in which our contact information is listed and these are shared with new students.

Q: How does one become a member of your asso-ciation? A: If someone is a registered student at USF, they can gain membership through the USF website. Each registered student is given a personal account through OASIS where a student can join any asso-ciation on campus. They can also become mem-bers through an existing member.

Q: What are some of the main activities per-formed by your association? A: First of all, we organize a welcome party for our freshmen every year. This is in addition to the one hosted by USF which also gives freshmen an opportunity to join various student associations. Our most important event is Diwali. We have dances and delicious food during this event and it is a great time for students to showcase their tal-ents. In 2006, we were able to arrange for fire-works as well. We also show movies at various halls in USF every month. Cricket is another main event. We organize matches with either university teams or leagues from outside of USF such as Orlando, Lakeland or Miami. We try to arrange at least one match per semester. We also do a lot of volunteer work.

Q: What is the goal of such an association? A: We want to help each other as much as we can. We also want people to get to know what makes us different from others. We want to make our culture more popular and we want to celebrate our diversity.

USF: UNIVERSITY OF SOUTH FLORIDA, TAMPA President: Reginald George

Website: www.siausf.org

With the fall semester coming up, we thought it would be helpful to feature Indian Student Associations from some universities in Florida. These asso-ciations are formed by students who have come across the dearth of certain options and have tried to make these available for new students. They strive to keep the diversity of India alive through programs that promote Indian

culture, values and sports. If you have children or any other family members who are entering any of these universities, you will find this information useful and very valuable. Also, most universities have similar associations. Do your research to ensure that your freshman doesn’t feel alone or isolated in their new academic environment.

Q: When was this association formed? A: Sangam has been at UCF for about 6 years now and is going into its 7th.

Q: How many students are a part of this associa-tion? A: About 200 members.

Q: How is the executive committee chosen for your association? A: The executive board is chosen through an elec-tion process that all members participate in.

Q: How does the association provide help to for-eign students? A: We do a lot for incoming international students,

including hosting a yahoo group where prospective students can talk with graduate and undergraduate UCF students about topics such as coming to UCF, life here, finding roommates, apartments, funding, courses, airport pickup and initial accommodation arrangements. The yahoo group can is http://groups.yahoo.com/group/newucfindianstudents/. We also provide a plethora of information for for-eign students on our website http://sangam.ucf.edu/newstudent.html.

Q: How can new students contact your associa-tion? A: Through our website www.sangam.ucf.edu,

through email [email protected] and through our contact number 407-823-0402.

Q: How does one become a member of your asso-ciation? A: Membership is limited to those who have either paid membership fees, those who are enrolled at UCF, faculty members, or those who are UCF alumni. We’re pretty lax though, coming to the events and having fun is our main priority.

Q: What are some of the main activities per-formed by your association?

Contd. On Page 10

SANGAM

The Indian Student Association at University of Central Florida

UCF: UNIVERSITY OF CENTRAL FLORIDA, ORLANDO President: Arul Karunanidhi

Email: [email protected] Website: www.sangam.ucf.edu Phone: 407-823-0402


Contd. From Page 8 A: Our Welcome Social at the beginning of the fall semester is a huge cultural bash with Indian performers from UCF and the greater Orlando area. The event is usually heavily attended and we end the night with a huge dance party! This year the event will be held on September 29th at 7:00PM in the Pegasus Grand Ballroom at the

UCF Student Union.

Other events this year include an Independence Day Celebration, a volleyball tournament, Gandhi Day of Service, movie nights, and other events that Sangam puts together with the help of the Orlando Indian Community.

Q: What is the goal of such an association? A: Our mission is to cultivate social well being of Indian, American and International Student com-munities. Sangam also aims at maintaining and spreading the rich traditional and cultural heritage of India.

Q: When was this association formed? A: This association is now more than 20 years old.

Q: How many students are a part of this associa-tion? A: We have roughly about 600-700 students.

Q: How is the executive committee chosen for your association? A: There is an election held for choosing the ex-ecutive committee. All the active members who are a part of the association get to vote and select the next set of representatives.

Q: How does the association provide help to for-eign students? A: We provide them with any information they may need or request, help with accommodations, organize events, opportunities, and activities for

them to meet other students and make friends. We basically help them transition into the university and the American student way of life.

Q: How can new students contact your associa-tion? A: Just write to us at our email address or contact one of our existing members and they will help you.

Q: How does one become a member of your asso-ciation? A: By attending a meeting or event and letting an officer know that you are interested in becoming a member. This can also be done via e-mail or through our website.

Q: What are some of the main activities per-formed by your association?

A: We hold several different events and activities throughout the year. Our major events include a Diwali Show, Garba and Raas Celebrations, Holi Celebration, Spring Concert, and an end of the year banquet.

Q: What is the goal of such an association? A: Our goal at ISA is to give Indian students a way to communicate with each other and promote events and activities related to their culture and interests. The objectives of ISA are to maximize the potential of the organization through its vast membership, to increase the awareness of Indian and Indian American students on campus and in the community, to preserve the rich cultural heri-tage of India, and to unite Indians and people of other races by celebrating and learning from diversity.

UF: UNIVERSITY OF FLORIDA, GAINESVILLE President: Dipesh Patel

Email: [email protected] Website: http://grove.ufl.edu/~gisa


By: Shaphali Jain

CM: Chandani, tell us what got you interested in show business? Chandani: Ever since I was 2, I would stand in front of the television and try to copy Madhuri Dixit. I have always been a performer and would get up and start dancing for my family at a mo-ment’s notice! I feel that performing is in my blood. When I was 4, I took part in a community event and performed a dance on stage that my mom taught me - she is a very good dancer. That was the start of my performances in public.

CM: Have you received any formal training in dance or acting? Chandani: No I haven’t - whatever I have learned is from my mom. Other than that, I have a very keen desire to perform. In 2005, I saw a commercial for Bollywood Star Hunt in Canada in which the judges were Harry Baweja and Shravanji. I won first place for best actress and was given a special recommendation by them.

CM: How did you have to prepare in order to participate in the ZEE Cinestar competition? Chandani: When I first saw the commer-cial about this competition, I was a little hesitant but my parents really urged me to send in my audition. I had to send in a clip with a small dance and an acting sample through the internet along with some port-folio pictures. The next thing I knew was that I was one of the 60 selected out of 10,000 applicants. All the rounds were held in India and I was told to be in Mumbai within 15 hours for a period of 6 months! My parents did hesitate at this point as my studies would be interrupted but Dr. Spector, Dean at USF

medical school, insisted that I participate in the competi-tion, saying that it would be an experience of a lifetime for me - which it was! At that point, my mother and I just picked up and left.

CM: You have been brought up here in the US. How was it to live in India for 6 months without your parents? Chandani: I love everything that is Indian, the food, the clothes, everything. All the same, it was really hard in the beginning. When my mom first saw the hotel we were put up at, she was shocked. The rooms were horrible but I didn’t care for any comforts - my dream was more impor-tant. At first, I got sick a lot because the food was not cooked in the most hygienic of ways and there was no air-conditioning. Eventually, I got used to it. I had so much fun doing what we were

doing. In the beginning, the other contest-ants felt a little cautious around me - I was the American girl – but, when they got to know me – they realized that I was just like them.

My mom came to India with me and stayed for one month, my dad came for the finals. I really didn’t get to see them much but I do have other family there like my masis and my grandmother whom I got to see a little of. We were on such an intense schedule, all we wanted to do during our free time was sleep.

CM: Tell us what actually happens behind the scenes in such a competi-tion? Is everything staged or is it really a true viewer’s choice competi-tion? Chandani: There are various thoughts on this. I would say that it is defi-nitely not 100% viewer’s choice or 100% politics. If you have connections, it does helps you – you get treated better. However, at the end of the day, I do think that the deserving candidate wins.

CM: The Bollywood industry is famed for its ruthless and unsavory attitude towards women in particular. How would you de-scribe it? Chandani: I was never treated badly. I can’t even think of one bad experience. I think it depends on who you are as a per-son. If you are able to convey clearly that

you are not going to tolerate any nonsense, then you’ll be treated the right way. It’s based on who you are.

CM: How well did you get to know the three judges - Anu-pam Kher, Pooja Bhatt and Madhur Bhandarkar? Tell us who became your favorite and why? Chandani: We got to know all of them pretty well – especially Pooja and Anupam Kherji. I liked Pooja the best – her criticism was always constructive – I im-proved because of her. She would come and have one and one meetings with us and tell us what we needed to improve on including hair and costumes. She was really into the show.

CM: Tell us about the one thing that you will carry with you from this competition. Chandani: I think the one thing that I learned was

Chandani is a medical student at the University of Florida who participated in the ZEE Cinestar competition that took place in Mumbai in March of 2007. We wanted, in our inimitable style, to get behind the scenes with her and find out more about her, about her hopes and dreams, and what it took to partici-pate in such a competition as well as where she hopes to go from here.

Chandani is undoubtedly a star in the making and as you read this interview and get to know her a little better, it will make you proud that she is amongst that generation of children raised in the US who are grounded and truly appreciate the importance of a good education despite the draw of Bollywood. Chandani was born in Mumbai and moved to the US at age 4 with her parents. She attended the IB program in St. Petersburg High school.

Contd. On Page 39


It is essential to use sun-block products, not only on the face, but on all exposed areas. Sunscreen should be applied about 20 minutes before expo-sure to the Sun. If you happen to be in the Sun for more than half an hour, you should re-apply the sunscreen. If your skin is more sensitive and tends to burn easily, you should use a sunscreen with higher SPF. Remember to apply sunscreen while swimming, holidaying by the sea or in the hills.

HOME REMEDIES FOR SKIN CARE

To remove tan, you can use a facial scrub after washing or cleansing the skin. However, if there is a rash, redness or sunburn, scrubs should not be used. For oily skin, scrubs may be used more often. For dry skin, use a scrub only once a week and then apply milk to soothe the skin.

Scrub Mix 3 tbsp almond meal (ground almonds) with half cup yogurt and apply on the face and neck. Rub gently and wash off.

Masks Mix 2 tsp oatmeal with half-cup ripe papaya and one tsp honey. Apply and wash off after 20 min-utes.

Mix one tsp honey with two tsp lemon juice, apply and wash off after 20 minutes. Use daily.

Add a pinch of turmeric (haldi) to yogurt and apply on face, neck and arms daily for 30 min-utes. This mask may also be used to get rid of dark spots.

Mix half cup dried lemon peel with cold milk or yogurt and apply on face for 20 minutes. Can be used daily.

Mix lemon juice and cucumber juice in equal quantities and apply. Leave on for 20 minutes and then wash off. Cucumber pulp can also be mixed with yogurt and applied on the face daily. Wash off after 20 minutes.

Cleansing and skin lightening mask Mix cucumber and papaya pulp, add one tsp yogurt, one tsp honey, 3 tsp oatmeal and one tsp lemon juice.

For sunburn Cold milk applied daily, using cotton wool, not only helps to soothe the skin but also keeps it soft and makes skin color lighter over a period of time.

Take a handful of sesame seeds, crush them and add half a cup of water. Let it stand for two hours. Strain the liquid and use it to wash your face.

For dark spots Mix together a big pinch of coarse salt with cream or even plain white petroleum jelly. Apply only on the areas with the dark spots and rub gently. Wash off and then apply cold milk and wash after 15 minutes.

For hands Take coarse sugar and lemon juice and mix it just before use. Apply on the hands and keep rubbing until the sugar dissolves. Leave on for 15 minutes and rinse. Alternatively, take 2 tbsp sunflower oil and 3 tbsp coarse sugar. Mix together till it be-comes a paste. Apply and rub into hands. Rinse off after 15 minutes.

For feet Add lemon juice to water and soak feet in it. This cools, cleans and removes tan and odor. Rubbing lemon on the feet also helps.

It is summertime and no matter how hard we try, we cannot escape the harsh Sun. Exposure to the Sun increases the production of melanin, which is the skin’s pigment that protects it from the Sun’s radiation. Since melanin is dark in color, the skin also becomes dark, or tanned. In this issue, I will provide some easy tips to get rid of a tan and protect your skin from getting tortured by the Sun.

By: Shahnaz Husain

Contd. On Page 39


Basic Eligibility Require-ments for Naturalization The first requirement relates to continuous residence after

becoming a permanent resident (getting the “Green Card” status). You need to show that you main-tained your residence in the U.S. for the correct amount of time since the date you became a per-manent resident. The usual time is 5 years. How-ever, it is only 3 years if you are married to a U.S. citizen and have lived with that U.S. citizen for at least 3 years after becoming a permanent resident. Your residency is automatically broken for any absence from the U.S. of more than 1 year. If you are out of the country for any period of more than 6 months but less than 1 year, then the continuous residence is presumed to be broken unless you can show that you continued to maintain your continu-ous residence despite the absence by, for example, showing that you did not terminate your employ-ment in the U.S., your immediate family remained in the U.S., you retained full access to your U.S. home and that you did not work while abroad. This provision, which applies to people with absence of more than 6 months but less than a year, often leads to a denial of the Application for Naturaliza-tion. Finally, it should be noted that the adverse consequences of failing to maintain continuous residence cannot always be avoided by simply returning to the U.S. once every 6 months.

Another eligibility requirement is that you must have been physically present in the United States for at least half of the time required for continuous residence. The fact that the person may have a re-entry document will not have any impact on the requirements for continuous residence or physical presence as stated above.

You must show that you can speak, read and write English unless you qualify for an exemption. The exemption is available if you are over 55-years-old but only if you have been a permanent resident for at least 15 years. It is also available if you are over 50-years-old but only if you have been a perma-

nent resident for at least 20 years.

Every naturalization applicant has to show (via an interview) a basic understanding of U.S. govern-ment and history. If you are exempt from the Eng-lish requirement because of the 50/20 or 55/15 rules mentioned above, you can take an independ-ent translator with you to your interview. Both the English requirement as well as the civics knowl-edge requirement can be waived for medical rea-sons (often called the Disability Exception). The disability exception is only available if a licensed medical professional certifies that the applicant is not able to meet either the language requirements or the knowledge requirements or both due to a medical disability which interferes with the appli-cant’s capacity to learn. A large number of disabil-ity exception applications are denied because peo-ple who are not really eligible for it continue to try to obtain that exemption.

There is another rule, the 65/20 rule, which pro-vides that applicants who are older than 65 and who have had their permanent resident status for 20 years are administered a simplified test with regard to the knowledge requirement. This provi-sion is particularly useful to people who, although exempted from the English requirement, have dif-ficulty in learning the required information about U.S. government and history.

Another important requirement for naturalization is that the applicant must show that he/she is a person of good moral character. If you have had any prob-lems with the law, especially criminal violations, you should seek the advice of an experienced im-migration attorney to evaluate first, whether you can satisfy the good moral character requirement, and second, whether it is even advisable for you to apply.

Another requirement is that the applicant must be at least 18-years-old. Children under 18, who are permanent residents, in general automatically be-come U.S. citizens if their parents naturalize while the children are still under the age of 18. Such

children would apply for a U.S. passport at the same time as the parents. They can subsequently apply for a Certificate of Citizenship but that is optional.

Procedure: The application for citizenship is made on Form N-400 by mail to the appropriate USCIS Service Center. The current government filing fees are $330.00 for the application and $70.00 for the fingerprint fee (applicants 75 years or older do not have to pay the $70 fingerprint fee). Florida resi-dents may submit application to USCIS, Texas Service Center, P.O. Box 851204, Mesquite, TX 75185-1204. You will then be scheduled to attend a designated place for digital photographs and fingerprints to be captured. You would then attend a naturalization interview at a USCIS office local to your place of residence. At the interview, the form is reviewed for completeness and accuracy. The examiner determines at the interview whether you can speak, read and write English. The test of English consists of being able to write a simple sentence. The knowledge of U.S. government and history is tested through a series of questions. Usu-ally, about 10 questions are asked and at least 6 must be answered correctly. The USCIS provides the sample questions and answers on its website at www.uscis.gov. Assuming all eligibility require-ments are met, you would then be scheduled for an oath ceremony at which the oath of allegiance to the United States is administered and a Certificate of Naturalization would be issued. If you need a passport to travel in and out of the United States, you must use your US passport. If travel is un-avoidable and a required passport cannot be ob-tained in time, it may be better to defer taking the oath until after the trip.

Please note that all the above facts are general in nature and that all cases are unique. Before mak-ing a decision on any immigration matters on your own, please consult with an immigration attorney.

Please send your questions to [email protected].

Q: I will be becoming a US citizen shortly. How soon can I sponsor my fam-ily after my citizenship and how long would it take to bring them here? Do I need to hire an attorney for this?

A: You can file petitions for (or as you say, spon-sor) your family on the day you become a citizen. The amount of time it will take for them to join you here depends on the actual relationship. First, it is important to note that as a citizen, you will be able to petition for (or sponsor), only your close relatives meaning: spouse, parents, children (if

unmarried and under 21) and brothers and sisters who are classified as “Immediate Relation”. Sons and daughters (over 21 or married) and siblings are subject to long delays because of the quota sys-tem. Please also note that there are proposals being discussed in Congress which would significantly change the family based immigration system. It may take a few months for the proposals to be finalized so keep up with the news.

You are not required to hire an attorney for this process, but we strongly recommend that you re-tain a qualified, experienced attorney to assist

you. There is a lot if misinformation out there and the procedures are constantly changing with many traps which can cause unnecessary delays. An attorney can also review your documentation and advise you on how to deal with missing birth re-cords, name variances etc.

Please note that all the above facts are general in nature and that all cases are unique. Before mak-ing a decision on any immigration matters on your own, please consult with an immigration attorney. Please send your questions to [email protected].

The Legal Corner continues to receive an excellent response from our readers and we have received all of your ques-tions. Due to space constraints, we have picked one question that has been answered by Attorney Dilip Patel.

Questions for this issue answered by Attorney Dilip Patel


NUMBER 10 MAULA MAULA Album: Awarapan NUMBER 9 YA RABBA Album: Salam-E-Ishq NUMBER 8 MAULA MERE MAULA Album: Anwar NUMBER 7 SALAM-E-ISHQ Album: Salam-E-Ishq NUMBER 6 TO PHIR AAO (Lounge Remix) Album: Awarapan

NUMBER 5 BARSO RE Album: Guru

NUMBER 4 BOLO NA HALKE HALKE Album: Jhoom Barabar Jhoom

NUMBER 3 LEJA LEJA (Remix) Album: Ustad and the Divas

NUMBER 2 APNE Album: Apne NUMBER ONE JAVEDA ZINDAGI Album: Anwar

By: Javid Lateef

The team for India’s tour of England and Ireland ( yes…that is not a typo..!!) has been announced. A few familiar faces are missing. Sehwag and Harbhajan have fallen out of favor with the selectors and have been dropped. We head into a tough series under trying conditions with an un-proven bowling attack and batsmen who are woefully short in confidence.

Ireland will be hosting 2 ODIs be-tween India and South Africa. The host nation will also be playing a game each with the two visitors. The popularity of cricket has increased in the Emerald Isle ever since the Irish lads made a lasting impression at the recently concluded World Cup.

India will field some new blood in this series. Rohit Sharma finds a place in the squad and so does Piyush Chawla. Zaheer Khan and Ajit Agarkar will spear-head the bowling attack. Dhoni has been named vice-captain for this series. He has been in good form and scored heavily in the Afro-Asia series that just concluded.

South Africa is probably the 2nd best ODI team in the world. Their bowling attack is explosive and the fielding is extraordinary. South Africa’s batting depth will also be a source of concern to the Indians. They bat deep and they are a team of heavy hitters. The Indians have their work cut out for them.

Moving on to the English part of the tour; playing cricket in England during

the summer months is nothing short of pure ecstasy. The grounds are all well-manicured and green and there is light enough to play well into the evening. There is always a sense of nostalgia whenever India tours the UK. Three Indians have played cricket for England. Ranjitsinghji was the first and he played 15 test matches for England. The Nawab of Pataudi, Sr. played for England and later on, after independence, played for India against England.

The present British public has a new cult hero on the cricket field and his name is Monty Panesar. This left handed spinner of Sikh origin has taken the country by storm. From his spectacularly clumsy attempts at fielding to his celebratory jump after he

claims yet another victim, he is a throwback to a different era of cricket. He is a spinner in the clas-sical Bishan Bedi mold, who just happens to be

playing cricket for a different nation. He will be coming off a very successful series against the Windies and will be a handful for the Indians. The English seam attack is solid and Harmison is always a threat in the UK. All in all, it promises to be a barn burner of a series. I am looking forward to it.

The Indian team will be traveling without a coach for this trip. Chandu Borde will be the manager and, I suspect, will be involved with coaching activities too. India needs a coach, and after the disappointing refusal of Graham Ford, the search continues, and on that note, I am signing off. Till next time … cheers!

I want to begin by congratulating my younger brother on his recent graduation from the University of South Florida. Is music a way to bridge cultures together? I think so! Last week, a friend of mine asked me to DJ his wedding on the beach. My friend happens to be Puerto Rican. The music was a blend of reggaeton (Latin reggae), salsa, merengue, and hip hop. It just goes to show that a DJ who is unfamiliar with the words of the music is not limited in what he or she can play. It is all about the passion for music and the connection you have with the crowd. Remember, music is the key to heal the world! Now, I’m off to Windy City (Chicago). While I am gone, check out this month’s TOP 10 and remember to party hearty!

The Indian team will be traveling without a coach for the tour of England and Ireland


Hollywood calling? John Abraham is all set to take part in Deepa Mehta’s latest film, Luna, opposite Rachel Weisz. He’ll be playing a “culture unspecific” environ-mentalist. In the meantime, Salman Khan’s al-most forgotten Hollywood flick, Marigold, co-starring Ali Larter (from NBC’s Heroes), is fi-nally ready to be released in August. In case any-one remembers the storyline, she’s a small-time actress who was sent to work in a Kama Sutra film that gets shelved, so she ends up in a Bolly-wood flick with Salman Khan as the dance direc-tor. I’m waiting with bated breath. No, really. The thought of hearing Salman’s garbled, fake accent sends shivers down my back.

Hawaldaar – BR Chopra ko pakad laao Daler Mehendi has guts. He’s taken YashRaj studios to court over breach of contract. Appar-ently the title track for Jhoom Barabar Jhoom was supposed to be sung by him. It was. And then it was re-recorded with Shankar Ma-hadevan’s voice instead. FYI, Shankar-Ehsaan-Loy are the music directors for this film. Appar-ently Daler wasn’t told of the “change” and found out after the music release. The musical trio claims that Big B asked for the change be-cause he didn’t want to jinx the string of hits he’s had with Shankar’s voice. Daler, on the other hand, refutes the claim, saying that there is no way that a demi-god like Big B

would ever stoop to that level.

Aaj ki Raat

There were whispers that Priyanka Chopra had been dumped from Don 2, which by the way, is also supposed to star Aby Baby, along with SRK. And rumor had it that Sushmita Sen would be taking her place. But no, that’s all bunkum. The original cast is still in place (except, of course, those who were killed off) and the stunts are sup-posed to beat Krrish. Speaking of which

… did you know that there’s a Krrish 2 in the works? Yup! All I know is that Hrithik and Rekha are in this sequel of a sequel (so would it be a triquel?) and Little B is supposed to play the villain. Ooooooooooh.

Team Bachchan I wouldn’t be surprised if a brand name along those lines were to be launched. People would stampede to be a part of Team Bachchan! The globetrotting Mr. and Mrs. Newly-wed B were snapped at Cannes, Mrs. New B was at the French

Open, and her hubby and FIL were seen there as well. Then Team Bachchan headed to the UK for the IIFA awards where they announced a new

world tour in 2008, called “Unforgettable.” Also riding the Team Bachchan bandwagon for the tour will be Bipasha Basu, Lara Dutta and Ritesh Deshmukh. If my husband doesn’t find a way to get me to one of the North American venues, his life is going to be pretty darn miserable!!

Zara tasveer se tu nikal ke saamne aa ... Mahima Choudhury has been off

the radar for some time now, and she was re-cently seen at a product launch with a visibly swollen belly. After much media speculation, she

laid all rumors to rest. She apparently got married last March to well-known Bombay architect,

Bobby Mukherjee, and the two are now expecting their first child … well, her first, his third. He’s a divorcee. And why wasn’t the media apprised of the situa-tion? Because she chose to keep her private life private. Bravo!

By: Nandini Chakraborty

B O L L Y W O O D

www.erosentertainment.com





I moved to the US when I was 9 years old - with my mother, my younger sister, my grandmother and I. My dad passed away after suffering a mas-sive stroke and my uncle, my mother’s brother, arranged for us to move to Chicago. I still remem-ber arriving at O’Hare airport and feeling my mother’s anxiety and sense of complete loss. I don’t think I really understood the loss we had suffered. I was a young boy who was extremely excited at the thought of living in the United States of America and I couldn’t wait to start school.

Suffice it to say that it was a huge struggle. My mother is a highly educated lady but had never worked a day in her life in India. Here in the US, not only did she have to find a job, she also had to manage the house and take care of her family’s every little need. My grandmother was more of a body whom my sister and I could be left with after we got home from school. She was a frail lady who died a few years after we moved here.

I grew up in a modest suburb near Chi-cago where there were a lot of families like us – single moms raising their kids on their own. The difference was that we were not the same color as most of them and didn’t speak English the same way. My uncle was a very important part of our lives but his wife didn’t want to be saddled with us so he would try to steal whatever time he could to be with us. I remember feeling that my mother felt extremely obligated to him and so I drifted into the same sense of obligation.

Looking back at this time, I feel that it was rela-tively simple. Sure, we were poor compared to most Indian families and my sister and I knew that the only way we could get a good education was if we excelled in every way, but overall, our lives were simple and straightforward. I only wanted to wipe out the permanent look of exhaus-tion that my mother wore. That became an under-lying passion that drove me to achieve what maybe, normally, I wouldn’t have.

Enter my wife, a girl whom I first met at a cousin’s wedding, and whom I was instantly drawn to. She seemed to understand me and my feelings without my having to put them into so many words. “Shekhar, I really want to be with you. I want to share each moment of my life with you – the good, the bad, the joys and the sor-rows.” What more could a man want? We tied the knot soon after my sister got married and it was understood that my mother would live with us.

Enter my son, two years after my wife and I got

married. By this time, much of the struggle I had faced in establishing my career had settled down into a dull blaze from a roaring one and I felt that putting in a 10 hour day and bringing about 8 hours of work home on the weekends was enough to keep me ahead. My wife was not particularly ambitious and was a special education teacher at a nearby public school. I knew we would eventually have kids but when she whispered mysteriously into my ear that she was pregnant, I was surprised at the feeling of overwhelming joy and pride cou-pled with a completely crippling sense of fear that swept over me.

The pregnancy was not out of the ordinary. We got a couple of scares when she was about 4 months pregnant and then things seem to settle down again. My mother was still working at a nearby child care center and life seemed to be going well. She pampered my wife whenever possible and despite the fact that she really didn’t need to work any more, it seemed to

make her happy to have something to do and so we didn’t push her. She promised to re-think her work situation once the baby came.

November 2, 2005 at 12:30 PM, my son came into this world after having subjected his mother to more than 25 hours of labor. She was ex-hausted and I couldn’t stop looking at him in the nursery. To a great extent, his existence became a reality to me only after he was born and the feel-ings now were of overwhelming joy – the fear had completely disappeared. I knew I could provide for him and give him a good life and I wanted to give him only the very best.

Enter the doctor into my wife’s hospital room 10 hours after our son was born. Our son hadn’t been brought to us yet and the nurses told us that this was normal – after the somewhat long labor, they were running some tests and wanted to make sure his body temperature came up a bit before they brought him in.

Long story short, we were told by the doctor that our son was born with a birth defect. He would never be normal. One of out of every 33 babies born in the United States has a birth defect. Some are treatable and some are not. Our son’s is not. The doctor also explained why we had been cau-tioned earlier on during my wife’s pregnancy but the defect was not as apparent at that time and

was overlooked. Hopes of new proce-dures that constantly emerge in medical science were also mentioned by the doc-tor. The doctor spoke and we listened. He suggested that we meet with a team of specialists when our son turned about 6 months old. Then he talked some more and asked us if we had any questions. We shook our heads while we looked at each other in complete disbelief and shock.

My son is a little over one year old now. Interesting how my wife is a teacher who specializes in special education and how I referred to her as ‘not particularly ambi-

tious’. She has now thrown herself into taking care of our son and so have I. We have made it our life’s mission to make each day that he lives a happy and complete one. We have resolved not to compare him with other children and find him falling short. We have promised one another that we will not place blame on the medical system but will instead pool our resources to help them come up with answers. We have also enlisted the unfailing support of my mother who takes our son to the child care center with her for one hour every day. That is the time when she says that he seems his liveliest.

Funny how I wasn’t scared when I saw him in the nursery. I was overjoyed. I hold on to that feeling every day when I feel fear gnawing at me. I now work 4 hours a day and couldn’t care less about staying ahead of the game. My son comes first and so does the feeling of joy every time my eyes rest on him.

We received so many great stories from our readers that it was a difficult decision to pick the winners. Congratulations to Ajay, the winner for the short story competition conducted by CityMasala. Congratulations to Jolly Jacob who won the second prize and and Ruchira Bhargava who won the third prize.



R By: Surabhi Jain

A story of handpicked cops, a clash between those who are on the wrong side of the law and those who dare to engage them. Based on the real life shootout in Lokhhandwala in 1991, the film opens with disturbing shots of brooms and dust-pans cleaning dried blood and bullet casings.

It shows five criminals including Maya (Vivek Oberoi) and Dilip Bhua (Tusshar Kapoor) being countered by more than 250 policemen headed by ACP Khan. Shootout At Lokhandwala is the story of a seasoned cop, Khan, who chased Khalistani extremists and later faces charges of human rights violation from his own department. Dhingra (Amitabh Bachchan), former chief justice turned private prosecutor, interviews 3 leading members of the Mumbai Police ATS - Additional Inspector Shamsher Khan (Sanjay Dutt), Senior Inspector Kaviraj Patil (Suniel Shetty) and Head Constable

Javed Shaikh (Arbaaz Khan). The film goes into a flashback as the interviews progress and chalks

out the incidents leading to the shootout.

The film weaves the Operation Bluestar of 1984 when several Sikh terrorists came into Mumbai to establish a base for violence. The flashback has

inspector Abhishek Mhatre (Abhishek Bachchan) who was shot by the Sikh terrorists. With special permission, Khan conducts encounters and kills the terrorists who shot inspector Mhatre. Maya is identified by Khan as the focal point of criminal activities in Mumbai. A cat-and- mouse game ensues between Khan’s men and Maya and Bhua. Amidst all this, the film portrays personal lives of the characters and how their family lives get dis-turbed and thrown into negligence.

The film with a huge star cast has music by multi-ple names like Strings, Euphoria, Mika, Biddu and Anand Raj Anand. “Ganpat” is a typical ta-pori rap with interesting lyrics while the soulful Aakhri Alvida by Strings runs in the final credit roll.

A powerful film - must watch.

The film starts off with the robbery of India’s biggest diamond. Mumbai ka chor Rocky (Chunkey Pandey) is advised by Dubai ka bhai Chowksi (Gulshan Grover) to sell the diamond to his brother Lalwani (Asrani).

Riding the rollercoaster of the film are Moscow Chikna (Arbaaz Khan) chasing Choubey (Paresh Rawal) for a loan. Moscow Chikna asks Choubey to get the diamond for him instead of repaying his loan. Raja (Shahid Kapoor), Tina (Ayesha Takia) and Pattu (Jhonny Lever) team up with Choubey to steal the diamond.

Lucky (Vivek Oberoi) and Bob (Suresh Menon) promote illegal boxing matches in Dubai to earn a few extra bucks and underworld don J.D (Zakir Hussain) is involved in boxing fights and illegal

trafficking of girls from India to Dubai. Enter Payal (Sameera Reddy), a girl who manages to escape from the clutches of J.D.

While the multiple chases are on, Bhabhi

(Sharmila Tagore) and Bhaiya (Om Puri) pull in Munna (Sunny Deol) to rescue Payal when she is again taken away by J.D’s men. Our jat puttar does exactly what he is known for - a lot of bone breaking.

Another string in the plot is that Raja turns out to be the look alike of Bhabhi’s dead son. While Munna prepares for the dhishum dhishum, he hires Raja to play Bhabhi’s son. Finally, all the stories cross paths.

Himesh Reshamiya tries hard, but fails to give a single chartbuster in the film. After Lakeer, Fool and Final is choreographer turned filmmaker Ahmed Khan’s second directorial venture. And if you enjoy a film with no logic, this one will come across as– a complete knock out comedy.

The film begins in 1977 in Multan (Pakistan), six years after India and Pakistan fought the 1971 war. Six Indian prisoners of war -- Major Suraj Singh (Manoj Bajpai), Captain Jacob (Ravi Kis-sen), Subedar Ahmed (Chitaranjan Giri), Captain Kabir (Kumud Mishra), Flight Lt. Ram (Manav Kaul) and Flight Lt. Gurtu (Deepak Dobriyal of Omkara fame) are held in Pakistan in an un-known secret location. In a very calculated move, the Pakistani Army is ordered to assemble all the Indian POWs in various Pakistani jails and trans-fer them to a secret location somewhere in the mountainous terrain of Pakistan.

With no sign of being let free by the government and military, the six decide to make the most daring escape from the Pakistani camp to the Indian border. Here begins a chase where the six men brave the weather, a Pakistani convoy, hun-ger and thirst - all with the hope of making it to

the Indian border. The escape shows how diffi-cult it was to breach security.

After war films like LOC-Kargil, Lakshya, Dee-war, Ab Tumhare Hawale Watan Sathiyon and more, 1971 is less about the Pak-bashing attitude often seen in patriotic films. The focus is on real humans who do not lose hope despite all odds.

The plot skillfully weaves issues of identity loss, torture and international diplomacy and success-fully conveys the sense of frustration, disgust and helplessness of those times.

The music by Akash Sagar fits well with the mood and the pace of the film. The song Bhagra Pauna and the qawwali, Saajna Saajna, weave in the theme of homecoming.

After power packed performances in films like Satya, Shool, Aks, Zubeida and Pinjar amongst many, Manoj Bajpai excels in the role of Major Suraj Singh.

Ramanand Sagar’s grandson Amrit Sagar makes a powerful debut as a director. Shot entirely in Kullu-Manali, the film is a gripping and powerful commentary about hope and sacrifice.

Not to be missed.

SHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALASHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALASHOOTOUT AT LOKHANDWALA Dir: Apoorva Lakhia Cast: Sanjay Dutt, Amitabh Bachchan, Abhishek Bachchan, Suniel Shetty, Vivek Oberoi, Tusshar Kapoor and Neha Dhupia

FOOL AND FINALFOOL AND FINALFOOL AND FINAL Dir: Jag Mundhra Cast: Sunny Deol, Shahid Kapoor, Ayesha Takia, Vivek Oberoi, Sameera Reddy, Chunkey Pandey and Jackie Shroff

197119711971 Dir: Amrit Sagar Cast: Manoj Bajpai, Ravi Kissen, Chataranjan Giri, Kumud Mishra, Manav Kaul and Deepak Dobriyal

E E L T A L K





By: Dr. Adarsh Jain

SYMPTOMS Uncontrollable crying and fussing, pulling and rubbing of the ears, a cold, runny nose and fever. CAUSES • Infection of the secretions in the throat and the

nose which enter the middle ear, blocking the Eustachian tube.

• Feeding babies in a prone or lying position which leads to milk entering the middle ear through the Eustachian tube.

• A boil, infection or an injury in the outer ear. • Pressure differences on the two sides of the

eardrum such as those created in airplanes during take-offs and landings or in infections.

CURE • Severe earache needs a painkiller (medical

consultation). • Give local heat by putting a warm wash cloth

or heat pad over the ear. • Relieve congestion and blockage of the nose

and throat to allow air to enter the middle ear. • Keep nose clean and open. • Frequent drinking of mildly aromatic fluids in

the sitting position to keep the Eustachian tube open. Use infusions of mint, basil, clove or cinnamon in water.

• Garlic oil – Put two drops in the ear. Garlic has an active healing ingredient Allicin which has antibacterial and antiviral properties and is an effective oxidizer and disinfectant.

• In case of fever or flu accompanied by colds - garlic oil can be given orally (five drops in 50 ml of lukewarm water twice daily) and rubbed on throat, chest, and aching parts as well. Alternatively, fresh cloves of garlic can be crushed and rubbed on the chest and areas around the neck and ear. Keep that part of body warm.

• Aromatic oils like eucalyptus, winter green, camphor, lavender, chamomile and aniseed can be used for inhalations or rubbed in di-luted quantities. These have the effect of opening up the blocked pathways. Fresh basil

or mint leaves and cardamoms can also be used. • Burst eardrums with a pus discharge need cleaning and medical treatment. • On flights, nurse or feed infants during take-offs and landings. Older children can be instructed to gulp or swallow their saliva. If

the tubes are still blocked, vasalva can be tried. Close the mouth and nose and try to blow hard into the closed mouth.

PREVENTION • A balanced natural diet, rich in nutrients and

vitamins, especially vitamin A, B Complex and vitamin C.

• Increase resistance to cold with daily mas-sages, physical activity in sunshine and open fresh air.

• Keep nose and throat clear. • Breathing exercises. • Chewing Gum with Xylitol (wood sugar) can

help prevent ear infections.

Please write to Dr. Jain with questions or feed-back at [email protected].

Ear infections are a common illness amongst infants and toddlers. The ear has an outer ear, a middle ear behind the eardrum and an inner ear for hearing and equilibrium. The middle ear has air in it and is connected to the upper part of the throat by Eustachian tube. In babies, this is where the nose opens in the throat and this area tends to get infected along with the throat. Earaches are caused by change in pressure in the middle ear. When the Eusta-chian tube is blocked, air gets trapped in the middle ear. Oxygen in the ear is absorbed by the body, causing partial vacuum and pressure differences. When secretions or milk enter the middle ear, it increases pressure and causes excessive pain. It may burst the drum to release the pressure.

By: Dr. Maulik Trivedi Q. Dr. Trivedi, I have two children, a girl, 13 and a boy, 9. I am a working mother who gets to spend very little time with them and my concern is that my children are not growing up with the right values. My daughter is easily influenced by her American friends and feels she should be allowed to date, wear revealing clothes and use make-up. My husband and I have lovingly ex-plained that our culture doesn't allow a lot of these things and that she can have friends but not boyfriends. She gets very upset with us and blames us for all that is wrong in her life. Could you please help us? Name withheld upon request.

A: Balancing practical life needs with the emo-tional needs of children is a constant struggle for many working parents. Children are like sponges; they absorb whatever they are surrounded by. One way to manage a situation like this is by focusing on long-term gain for short-term sacri-fices. Reflect upon your question, keeping the future in mind, and make some positive changes for the family.

Start by keeping in mind that the parental logic of ‘adhering to traditions’ is likely to repel the pre-adolescent way of thinking. Pre-teens and teens are rebellious by nature. You will need to cater to their intelligence and be subtle in your approach to win them over. Work with them by illustrating and demonstrating the subtle but substantial val-ues of your culture to them (i.e. patience and persistence). Show them how the culture you are referring to can provide them with a stable, happy and successful future. Be sure not to compare or

put down your daughter’s current identification with the ‘pop’ culture.

Furthermore, by being role-models of how you want your children to turn out, you are securing their adherence to your cultural value system. Make the time to work through your present di-lemma in a concerned but loving manner. Allow them the opportunity to grow independently with-out feeling distant or out-of-touch with your way of life. Doing just this will allow your children to feel more respect for you and you will see them wanting to be more like you.

A word of caution is necessary for your daughter feeling upset and blaming you for all that is wrong. This type of behavior can indicate adjust-ment issues at the least but can also be tell-tale signs of underlying depression. Please seek help of a professional, if necessary.

Q. Dr. Trivedi, I was divorced from my husband about 2 years ago and have one daughter. I want to start dating. I was married for 14 years and am afraid that I haven’t taken care of myself physically. I had lost interest in my appearance and gained weight. Recently, I have started go-ing to the gym and working out but it is very hard to look the way I used to. My self confi-dence has also diminished greatly but I do want to date again. What can I do to boost my self-confidence and not be afraid to go out again? Lonely Single Mom from Longwood, FL

A. It sounds like you already know the answer to your own question, and have started taking some steps towards it. The only challenge is having the

ability to consistently work at it. Here are my suggestions to help you stay focused.

1. Make a SPECIFIC list of your goals. Define what you want exactly by lbs. or inches or a dress size and set a timeline. Be realistic but also chal-lenge yourself. Read this list every day.

2. Make a daily activity schedule for yourself that includes at least one planned activity everyday that will move you closer to achieving your goals. This, for example, can be cutting down calories, going for a swim, or going dancing.

3. Find a ‘buddy’ who will keep you motivated. This can be someone who is working on similar goals or someone whom you keep in touch with closely. It must be someone who can get you motivated when you feel like you want to stop.

4. Balance your physical improvements with men-tal, psychological or spiritual well-being by read-ing motivational books, attending seminars or practicing yoga.

The first step is always difficult because the task at hand may seem very challenging. Rest assured that by focusing on what you want and working on it daily, you are sure to get to your desired place in life very soon.

Dr. Trivedi is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist with a private office in Tampa. He treats children, adolescents and adults. Please visit www.MINDvantage.com for more information.

Please send your questions to: [email protected].

http://www.mindvantage.com/�


Dan Verghese: It’s a day to celebrate and to enjoy. I feel lucky to be living in a free na-tion. Of course, for our genera-tion, it would be difficult to imagine what it was like before any nation was declared inde-pendent, but I do feel it is a lot better to be free and independ-ent. And since this country is where I am studying and hope to have a career and life, it does mean a lot to me. I never skip the celebrations.

Emil Alex - It means celebrat-ing the birth of a new country. I think about the soldiers who are guarding the nation’s independ-ence so that people like us can live in peace. The day brings mixed feelings of joy at the inde-pendent status and sorrow at the numerous soldiers and their fami-lies protecting this status. It’s a holiday which allows all to just enjoy and be happy to be able to live freely.

Jayan Joseph - Personally and no offense meant, it just means a day off to me. As Indians, I feel we didn’t lose or gain anything on this day and so it comes with no feelings as such. We never went to school here, nor were we affected by American independence. Maybe my kids who are born and brought up here will appreciate this day. But to me personally, it’s just another holiday.

Solomon Shaji -4th of July means fireworks and a chance to celebrate. I do think about all that the country would have gone through to reach this status. Since I was born and brought up here, I don’t think about the Indian Inde-pendence day as much as I think and feel about the US Independence Day. It means freedom, opportunity and celebration to me. It is an amazing feeling to say that you live in an independent nation.

Julia Jose - I feel lucky to be free. This day makes me think of how safe we are and how many opportunities we have as a free nation. In fact, I feel safer and freer here than I did back in India. It’s a day that forces you to think about the times when there was a con-stant struggle for power among nations. Although we as youngsters would never be able to fully empa-thize with those times, Independ-ence Day sure makes us aware of it and I do appreciate it.

The month of July means celebration and fireworks all over the US of A. July 4th is Independence Day and does mean something more than a long weekend break! What does this day mean to desis in the US? Does it really bring about a celebration related to independence or is it just another holi-day? We wanted to know what YOUR thoughts were and here are some of them ...


Q: Auntyji, I am an American ( a native Florid-ian, no less ) getting married to an Indian guy. We will be having a church wedding, and of course, I will be wearing a white dress. I am thinking of having my bridesmaids wear tur-quoise and emerald green dresses ( picture a white swan amid peacocks). I work with fashion merchandising, so can visualize this image of western beauty and purity enhanced by the exot-icness of the east as the theme for my wedding. I know that Indians wear red for the wedding … so I was thinking of changing into a red outfit like a ghagra (not a sari which seems too compli-cated to dance in) after the wedding, for the re-ception. This way I could acknowledge the In-dian part of the wedding. Any suggestions on a ghagra that is not too gaudy like some Indian outfits (you know what I mean). Tiffany from Naples (btw, this is so cute … my fiancé went to Tiffany to get me my engagement ring because of my name ).

A: Oh my dear clueless airhead—are you for real ? The tiny brain inside your head is so full of “you”, that any advice Auntyji offers will be wasted and will go right over your head. Nonethe-less, Auntyji believes in dishing it out to those who deserve it, so you are going to experience the full brunt of her infinite wisdom.

Auntyji could tell that you are a native Floridian - that became quite apparent with your opening sentence. Hopefully, getting married to an Indian will lead to some exposure and will help to dilute your nativity. Of course you want a church wed-ding, (what is a temple and what would the fiancé have preferred ?), but those are the choices you seem to have made. Auntyji can just question if there was any thought behind them. Wearing white is a wise choice, it stand for purity. Auntyji understands that for you, like for many brides to be, your wedding day is probably all about you …

and that’s all you care about. That is still no rea-son to make your bridesmaids (people close to you) feel miserable and to ruin their day. If you force them to wear those colors, they will feel more like ugly ducklings rather than peacocks. If you are going to make them dress in ridiculous outfits that they will never use again, the least you can do is pay for them. The only way these dresses will ever be worn again is if they are needed as a Halloween costume.

Auntyji shudders to think what kind of creations you come up with at work. Sometimes simplicity and subtlety are more effective than grandeur. Rather than coming up with over-the-board outfits for yourself as well, and in order to cut down on creating an ensemble of accessories, jewelry and make-up, how about thinking of an outfit that may work for both occasions? A white outfit with red embellishments, or maybe something in pink ? Being in fashion merchandising, you should be able to think of something!

This is what Auntyji suggests as a very elegant solution to your dress quandary. Get a simple white wedding dress. For the ceremony in the church, accentuate it with white lace and a beaded blouse and skirt. For the reception, switch the white blouse and skirt with a red and gold one-fashioned out of a duppata or chunni. Wear sim-ple pearl and gold jewelry … it will go with both outfits. And for your bridesmaids, do show some concern. Get them nice pale pink dresses. This way they will still like you after your “BIG” day. Q: Auntyji I am 16 years old and my parents are out to ruin my summer vacations. They want me to learn a classical Indian dance form or an Indian instrument for the summer, while I would rather go on a trip with my friends. I don’t mind learning an instrument which my friends from school un-derstand and appreciate. I don’t know how to explain this to my parents and it’s driving me

nuts. Please help! Wasting precious summers in Springhill.

A: Dear Wasting Precious Summers, Auntyji cannot see why there is so much fretting and sulk-ing going on. I can see that both you and your parents are considering using the vacations wisely and productively. At least we have a consensus there. It’s just a matter of choosing between ‘this or that’. If you are up for learning an instrument, it does not have to be a life or death choice between a Sitar or a Guitar.

Talk to your parents when you are open to listen-ing and explaining without getting into a fight or an argument. Tell them that you really want to do something useful and creative. Do not make it a battle of cultures or India vs. America. Instead, talk in terms of instruments and activities that you prefer and not in terms of learning an Indian or an American instrument. Explain how you want to learn an instrument that you appreciate. After all, music is music whether is comes out from a tabla or a drum. Please do not justify your reasoning by saying that you want to do something that your friends will appreciate. If you play an instrument well, it will sound good no matter what it is. And similarly, if you choose an instrument that your friends like and you end up playing it not too well, it would only mean a waste of time and energy, right? As for taking a trip with your friends, first start your lessons for learning to play an instru-ment. Play a tune or two for your parents and make them feel proud. Then bring up the trip is-sue. Tell them that you want to learn as well as enjoy the summer. Auntyji is certain that your folks will see reason and allow you to do what you want.

On this note, Auntyji bids her readers alvida and waits to hear from you at [email protected]. Don’t forget, life is short - live it to the fullest with attitude!

By: Auntyji Auntyji has finally fulfilled one of the requirements of living in Florida - she went to Disney World. And what a magical trip it was! It made her feel like a fairy princess (most people would be calling her a big old queen), look-ing in the magic mirror asking herself who the fairest of them all is. Being in that fantasy land, Auntyji felt like a giddy school girl reliving her memories of Mickey Mouse and Donald Duck.

It was a beautiful day and the park was very festive. Auntyji had never seen so many people wearing red anywhere (except at a desi wedding). People were friendly and hugging each other as if they had been transported to a fara-way land of love and laughter. Some of the young men over there were ever so courteous … offering to hold her place in line while she had to go powder her nose. One of these lads even offered to hold her hand during the scary ride through Space Mountain.

Of course there was the usual crowd of desis Disney Land as well. One thing which Auntyji fails to understand is -why all desis stare at each other in public places? You would think that with over a billion people looking like them, they would be used to seeing others from their country. All they do is stare … no hello … nothing ! If spot-ting another desi is such an event, go over and hug them, say hello, make a friend.

Speaking of desis making friends, Auntyji finds it pathetic how fragmented our sense of nationalism is. For a Ben-gali, it is more important to be a Bengali rather than an Indian, and the chances of him helping out a Punjabi or a Madrasi are not too good and vice versa.

Auntyji is aware that August 15th is still some time away, but after visiting Cinderella’s castle, she is feeling more like the good witch of the East (rather than the wicked witch of the West, which is her usual nature) and would like to sprinkle some fairy dust and do some wishful thinking … to lead us to a new independence. Next time you see another desi, don’t stare … smile instead. Go and say hello. Do not ask them if they are a Gujarati, or if they are a doctor, or if they drive a Mercedes. Instead indulge in some small talk about the weather, sports, a restaurant, a local event. Go ahead make another friend … let not their background, upbringing, religion or status hold you from embracing your brothers and sisters.


By: Ashish Jain

With summer just around the corner ,we have to start focusing on the exciting world of summer drinks. However, before we do, I want to share with you yet another story about the dog days of summer.

Growing up in desh, we used to go to our farm in the outskirts of the capital and soak in the pool (read haudi). What goes best in a pool, with friends and summer? ... Yup, beer! Ice cold beer. Since we did not have a reliable source of electricity, we would make the mali (gardener for the angrez) run/bike 2 km into town to get us some cold ones and obviously, by the time he returned with one batch it was time to run for the next one. All said and done, the poor guy must have lost at least 5 pounds at that time while we gained a couple of inches around our waists.

Now, on to the business of summer drinks. Some of my favorites are Mirchi Vodka, Margaritas, Mojitos, and Sierra Mist drinks which have all

been covered in past issues of CityMasala. Check out the CityMasala web site for those recipes.

In this issue, we will cover a few more summer drinks.

The easiest is Jack and coke for those who do not like fruity drinks, and some other favorites would be daiquiris which can be made with different fruit flavors (available commercially) as well as with fresh fruit. To make daiquiris, mix together an ounce of rum with one tsp of sugar, blend with ice. Serve in a stem glass.

Tom Collins (the drink, not the singer) is made by putting together 1 ounce of lemon juice, ½ ounce of sugar/sugar syrup, and an ounce of gin. Pour lemon juice, syrup, and gin into a highball glass filled with ice cubes. Squeeze in lime juice and fill with soda. Stir well. Decorate with lime and a fruit stick .

One of the favorite drinks for our desi ladies is

Pina Colada which is made with 2 ounces of good rum (try Puerto Rican rum) and 3 ounces of un-sweetened pineapple juice. The blended-with-ice version of Pina Colada is always better than the one served over rocks.

Tequila Sunrise is made by squeezing lime juice into an old fashioned glass filled with ice cubes. Drop in the lime, add tequila, (1 ½ ounce), grena-dine (1 tsp), and crème de cassis (1/3 tsp). Stir. Fill glass with soda and serve.

To make Sea Breeze, pour vodka (1 ½ ounce) over ice into a highball. Add mixers (4 ounce Cranberry juice, 1 ounce Grapefruit juice) and garnish with a lime wedge.

So with enough summer liquor in your systems, go out there and get a tan (kidding - we were born with one). Have a balle balle summer.

Please send questions or feedback to [email protected].

Restaurant Review: Shalimar Classic Indian Cuisine By: Surabhi Jain

“Indian cuisine has an inherent influence of the Mogul emperors’ lavish dining styles’” says Perveiz Shaikh, aka Gerry, owner of Shali-mar Classic Indian Cuisine in Orlando. Located in the heart of International Drive, the restaurant boasts of tastes from the Mogul era. “Shalimar Classic Indian Cuisine serves some of the most exotic dishes from Pakistan that are simply unique”, says Perveiz.

This restaurant has been around for more than 10 years. With a degree in Hotel Management from New York, Perveiz

came to Florida and saw Orlando as the hub of tourism. It was here that he decided to serve the recipes of the lavish dining traditions of the past. “I saw so many cultures visiting Orlando and felt that this is the right place to make people aware of the great tastes and recipes from my home.”

The décor of the restaurant makes an impressive statement before one even gets to the food. You can enjoy a romantic setting with special booths modeled for an intimate dining experience or you can book special tables for larger groups. Wherever you may choose to sit, the owner claims,

"We are all about taste”.

Apart from the samosas and bhaji, the interesting item that catches the eye is Lahori Fish which is mari-nated in a spicy batter and pan fried. The Seekh Kabab and Chicken Tikka Tandoori are also especially appetizing.

There is a special section for House and Balti specials. “Balti is a dish that is very specific to Pakistani cuisine. The masalas added and the method of cooking make the dish a hit or a miss. You have to know the exact amount and method” reveals Perveiz.The Chicken and Lamb Balti are cooked from that secret recipe.

Another specialty served is the Nihari Curry. This is also an authentic recipe from Paki-stan and is a big hit amongst the patrons of the restaurant.

Then there is Chicken Ma-dras (boneless chicken in a spicy sauce), Lamb Vin-daloo (marinated in hot vinegar sauce), Chicken Korma, Chicken Jalfrezi, Fish Masala Curry and the Lamb Masala

Curry along with the Chicken Tikka Boti Tandoori and the Shrimp Tandoori from the Tandoori sec-tion.

For vege-tarians, Bombay Aloo Gobi, Malai Kofta, Tarka Dal, Stuffed Paneer Kofta and Paneer Masala are some of the delicious choices.

The bread selection offers Tandoori Nan, Garlic Nan, Peshawari Nan or Delhi Rumali Chapati. There is also the Paratha Bundu Khan Style which is made from a specially prepared dough and pan fried till golden brown. If you prefer rice, you may want to try Lamb, Chicken, Vegetable and Shrimp Biryani, all slow cooked Basmati rice with fresh herbs and spices.

For people with a sweet tooth, and for those who have the capacity to eat ‘just a little bit more’, don’t forget to try the specialty desserts like Kulfi, Kheer, Mango Mousse and Gulab Jamun.

The restaurant offers a choice of wines as well as imported and domestic beers.

Shalimar has a seating capacity for a 100 people and also offers cater-ing services for corporate parties, special events and other parties. It also accommodates overseas

groups with special religious and dietary needs from the Indian subcontinent.

Shalimar Classic Indian Cuisine is located at 7342 International Drive, Orlando, FL 32819 and can be reached at 407-226-9797.

5600 Mariner Street Suite 120, Tampa FL 33609

C. 813 298 6317 T. 813 282 9882

Toll Free 800 499 5758 [email protected]

Registered Representative 5600 Mariner Street

Suite 120, Tampa FL 33609 T. 813 281 0100

*Member NASD/SIPC

By: Vish Viswanathan

By the time you read this article, Apple iPhone would have made it’s exciting debut into the consumer world (as of writing this article it was supposed to be released on June 29th ). Apple iPhone is the most anticipated phone since Alexander Graham Bell’s first phone way back when! Despite it’s daunting price of $499 for a 4GB model and $599 for a 8GB model, the iPhone is expected to capture about 6% of the market upon it’s release. So, should you get an iPhone? Is it worth the hype?

iPhone combines three products — a revolu-tionary mobile phone, a widescreen iPod with touch controls, and a breakthrough Internet communica-tions device with desk-top-class email, web browsing, maps, and searching - into one small and lightweight handheld de-vice. iPhone also intro-duces an entirely new user interface based on a large multi-touch display and pioneering new software, letting you control everything with just your fingers. So it ushers in an era of software power and sophistication never before seen in a mobile device, completely redefining what you can do on a mobile phone.

DESIGN With only one hardware control (a "home" key), iPhone's real estate is dominated by a huge 3.5 inch display. From what I call tell, the device looks beautiful with a resolution of 320x480x160 pixels per inch (the highest iPod resolution yet, according to Steve Jobs). The videos and photos look great, and I love that the "smart" screen shifts automatically to landscape orientation when you start to play a video. One giant touch screen controls the phone, and no stylus is needed ("Yuck," Jobs said). Use your fingers to type messages and e-mails on an onscreen keyboard. Jobs promises onscreen typing will be faster than on a standard smart-phone keypad, but I'll believe that theory when I actually get a device in my hands. (And speaking of yuck, what about all that finger grease?) But I should admit the scrolling feature looks especially promising as Jobs had only to slide his finger across the display.

Of course, such a large display makes for a large phone: the iPhone measures 4.5x2.4x0.46 inches. No, it won't slide into smaller pockets, but it joins the similarly sized Palm Treo 750, and its weight (4.8 ounces) is mostly standard for a handset of this size. Of course, the slim profile is noteworthy as well. I’m a bit surprised that Apple has jumped on the thin phone bandwagon, but trim design, after all, is the cell phone trend of the day. As Jobs made clear, iPhone is thinner than both the Motorola Q and the Samsung BlackJack.

AVAILABILITY

Because AT&T/Cingular has a lock on the iPhone for five years, consumers can’t follow the general wisdom of selecting service before picking a phone. The 4GB model will cost $499 with a two-

year contract and $599 for the 8GB version (also with a two-year contract). Again, that's a bit high when com-pared to other carrier-supported music phones such as the Sony Ericsson W810i, particularly since you're locked into a contract with one carrier.

This doesn't mean you shouldn't do due diligence. If AT&T/Cingular doesn't work well in your area, you've just

spent $500-plus for nothing, so before purchasing, check your area for coverage. After you buy, take steps to avoid buyer's remorse. Take that phone everywhere and test everything. By law, carriers have to give you 15 to 30 days to try a phone and return it without penalty. AT&T/Cingular falls on the more lenient end of the spectrum, allowing penalty-free phone returns and service cancella-tion within 30 days.

FEATURES Though I’m glad that Apple made it a quad-band (GSM 850/900/1800/1900) world phone, I’m disappointed that the iPhone's data support tops out at 2.5G EDGE networks. Considering the multimedia-friendly feature set, the omission of any 3G compatibility is a bit bizarre, particularly since AT&T/Cingular now offers UMTS and HSDPA.

Apple has pulled a new trick out of its hat with Visual Voicemail. Rather than forcing you to call your voice mail and waiting to browse through multiple messages to hear the one you want, Vis-ual Voicemail displays all the messages you have in a list, similar to an e-mail in-box. All you have to do is select the message you want and listen away.

Beyond the music player, the iPhone runs on Mac OS X and promises a 2-megapixel camera, a photo-management tool that rotates the display for landscape photos (like with videos), support for Google Maps, conference calling, a speakerphone,

and text and multimedia messaging. Connectivity options also look prom-ising with stereo Bluetooth (thankfully), Wi-Fi (a huge plus), POP3 and IMAP4 e-mail, and a Safari Web browser. The free push Yahoo e-mail application looks especially cool since you won't have to wait for sync-ing with a PC.

The iPhone also comes with some unique sensors that detect how you're using the phone and change the dis-play accordingly. A proximity sensor knows when you bring the phone to

your ear and then dims the screen and shuts off the touch screen. The ambient light sensor adjusts brightness and saves power, and the accelerometer knows when to switch between landscape and portrait orientation.

FINALLY After months of iPhone speculation (since its announcement in Jan 2007), I was sick of the device even before it came out. But now, well, I have to admit it's quite cool. The vivid display is especially attractive, and I like the sleek, mini-malist design. The touch-screen may involve a learning curve, but I’m really excited about try-ing it out. The iPod functionality will no doubt draw many, and in particular, I’m glad to see world phone support, the Yahoo e-mail app, stereo Bluetooth, and Wi-Fi.

On the downside, I was hoping for wireless iTunes music downloads. It’s not a true smart-phone for power business users. Also, I was hoping that Apple would introduce a standalone

touch-screen iPod without the phone element as not everyone will want a convergence device. And here's the biggest caveat - phones are only as good as the calls they make, so we'll have to wait for our final assessment once we get a review prod-uct. As for battery life, Apple is promising five hours of talk time or video and 16 hours in music mode.

Overall, however, and despite the high price, I think the iPhone will be a success. Personally, I would not rush out to buy it on June 29th. I’ll wait for a few months for all the initial bugs to be fixed and also the price to come down a bit, although Apple is notoriously averse to discounts. The iPhone will garner interest simply because it ex-ists and, as such, has great potential to move mu-sic phones into the mainstream. Nokia's Xpress music phones and Sony Ericsson's Walkman handsets present a strong challenge on some level, but Samsung's new Ultra Music probably stands to take the biggest hit if the two devices go head to head.

Comments? Write to [email protected].


Danielle Lagah’s debut poetry collection, Fa-ther Tongue is a triumph. Reading the collection was like opening a door to a village in Punjab, complete with the stench of manure and the blinding heat of the sun. The first poem in Fa-ther Tongue cracks like a prayer and provides an offering to Ganesh. By beginning the book with this ritual, the reader is drawn into the lives of Lagah’s ancestors. Lagah’s narrative approach is fascinating - she tells stories of her family members through their voices, indicating their relations in the index of the book. This effect allows for a fluidity of rich and haunting histori-cal narratives. Father Tongue pivots around the mystery of a family death, paralleling Lagah’s own struggle to unearth her roots.

Brimming with disturbing details, village super-stitions creep their way into the voices of the poetic stories. One of the most vivid poems in Father Tongue is “untitled (a father saw Piari)”, “He/described her face, her throat swollen with poison, peeking out from around a mango tree. Her eyes beckoning./She curls on my chest in the night, he howled, I wake up/ and I cannot get a breath./It is like so many stones.” In other

poems, Lagah slips into the voice of her seven year old aunt (who died at this age), adapting an eerie innocence that only a child can possess.

Lagah also traces her own journey to rediscover her past and to solve the puzzle of her aunt Piari and other family secrets. In “Second Lesson”, she speaks of visiting her grandfather’s child-hood house, “Don’t turn away. I’ve seen the room/where you were born/know what you saw/when you opened your tiny eyes:”

“I Tried to Find India in its Poets” is a symbol of Lagah’s search for a reconciled family his-tory. Despite her efforts, she cannot remember the way her family remembers, she cannot recall all the moments in between, “I’ve never seen her/my grandmother…. I looked for a poet to tell me/how she looked then/when her cheeks were smooth like warm sugar syrup/lips red as mangos/how did she look/”

Lagah’s images are raw and nuanced, as if she scattered a handful of dust from her village over each page. If there is one book of new Canadian poetry to read this summer, it is certainly Dan-ielle Lagah’s Father Tongue.

To buy Father Tongue, visit www.oolichan.com.

BOOK REVIEW Father Tongue: By: Danielle Lagah

By: Sheniz Janmohamed

INGREDIENTS • 1 1/2 cup urad daal • 4 cups rice flour • 1/4 cup melted butter • 2 tsp jeera • 1 tsp ajwain (Carom Seeds) • 2 tsp red chilly powder • Salt to taste • Oil for deep frying

METHOD

• Dry roast urad daal until it gets fragrant and turns light brown.

• Grind it into a fine powder in a coffee grinder. • In a flat vessel, take 4 cups rice flour. • Add the urad daal to it along with red chilly

powder, jeera, ajwain, salt and melted butter. • Make soft dough with lukewarm water. • Make murukus with a chakli (a muruku mak-

ing device).

• Deep fry in oil until golden brown.

• Enjoy as a snack or side dish at lunch or dinner time.

Important Note: Murukus can be stored in an airtight container for a few days.

Bhindi - Okra will not stick to the pan or turn black if you add a spoonful of yogurt to it while cooking.

To remove excess oil from fried vegetables - Sprinkle a little gram flour over the vegetables. This absorbs the

excess oil and makes the vegetable tastier.

In a hurry to cook 'daal'? Add a little oil and turmeric powder to the daal before placing it in the cooker. It will get done in 10 minutes flat.

Boil potatoes faster - Peel and cut

potatoes and boil them in water after adding a little vinegar to it. Potatoes will get boiled quicker and will retain their texture as well.

Retain the green color in vegetables - Green vegeta-bles lose color if subjected to continuous heat. Don’t overcook them.

Avoid serving sticky noodles – If you serve noodles after having boiled them earlier, they tend to stick. Refresh them by running

cold water over them and then draining. They will not stick to each other.

Instant Lemonade - Pour lemon juice mixed with sugar and a little

salt into ice trays and freeze. These can later be used to make instant lemonade.

TIPS & TRICKS IN THE KITCHEN


how to toughen up. I had a lot of good experiences and some bad ones and you learn from all of them. People would push each other down and try to use me. I learned to be helpful but not too helpful as I realized that I was being used by some people.

CM: You received a film offer from Pooja Bhatt but you turned it down. What made you participate in this competition only to turn this offer down? Chandani: When I auditioned, I really didn’t know what I was getting into. Even though I haven’t accepted Pooja’s offer, I believe that it can help me in the future. I’ve learned so much about acting, dancing and stage presence and have gained a lot of industry savvy – that in my mind is my true victory. When I got in, nothing was guaranteed. I wanted to test myself. I now know that I can do it. I’ve made contacts and I can build on those. If I got into Bollywood now, I wouldn’t be able to get out to finish my education. I would be in an unstable career without a sound education.

CM: A prospective career as a doctor or as a Bolly-wood artist? What’s the ultimate goal? Chandani: My plan is to graduate and take my MCATs by the end of this year and then return to India. My dean has said that he will reserve my seat for me. If things go in the direction that I want them to in India, I will stay. If not, I’ll return to finish my medical career.

CM: Message to our readers who aspire to get into Bollywood? Chandani: Don’t ever give up – no matter what anyone tells you. Just make sure you have your education to back you up. If you have the will, God will

make the way for you. If you would like to contact me with any questions, write to [email protected].

CityMasala’s Rapid Fire Round

One actor and actress you would like to work with: Hrithik Roshan and Madhuri Dixit. Favorite movie: Dil To Pagal Hai.

A role you would like to play if given the opportunity:

Aishwarya Rai in Hum Dil De Chuke Sanam. The most important person in your life:

Mom & Dad Ultimate beauty is ...

someone who is humble and honest and externally beautiful as well.

Ideal age to get married: 28. You feel passionate about:

everything that I do especially my Bollywood career and my education.

You relax with… my parents and close friends. My parents are my best

friends. A song that makes you dance:

Dola Re Dola Re - Devdas An ideal boyfriend is …

someone you can trust blindly and who is always there to support you. Arranged marriage or love: LOVE!

Chandani is currently available for modeling assignments for jewelry stores and boutiques for print or TV. Contact her at [email protected].

Contd. From Page 12

Q: Dear Shahnaz, I always read your column and I have a question. I have short hair and would like some ideas on how to keep it looking healthy and the right color. Right now it is brown and I would like a golden tint to it. How do I get that? I have tried a couple of colors to get that but nothing has worked. Nasema Gafur

A: For coloring the hair from a darker to a lighter shade, you should go to a salon. You will need what is called a “double process.” First, the hair will be stripped of the natural color. Then the second procedure will follow in which the new color will be added.

A professional stylist will know how to attain an attractive golden color, otherwise you may end up with a color you don’t like, most likely, a color you don’t want. The stylist will also examine the texture of your hair and see its condition. Personally, I do not advocate the use of chemical treatments on the hair, because of the damage it can cause.

Colored hair will need regular care to make it look healthy, by way of hot oil therapy and deep conditioning treatments. Once or twice a week, heat pure coconut oil, almond oil or olive oil and apply on the scalp and hair. Then dip a towel in hot water, squeeze out the water and wrap the towel around the head, like a turban. Keep it on for 5 minutes. Repeat the hot towel wrap 3 or 4 times. This helps the hair and scalp absorb the oil better. Condition your hair after every shampoo. You can also apply a pre-shampoo hair mask. Mix one egg and one tbsp each of mayonnaise and olive oil. Apply and massage it lightly into the hair. Wrap the hair with a hot towel and leave it on for 15 to 20 min-utes. Rinse, shampoo and condition as usual.

Please send your questions to [email protected].

Contd. From Page 14


By: Sanjay Puranik

Benefits of Swimming A nearly perfect exercise, swimming offers multi-ple benefits.

• A stronger cardiovascular (heart, lungs, blood vessels) system. Swimming helps the lungs increase in capacity and efficiency. The blood vessels become more flexible, reduc-ing the risk of arteriosclerosis (thickening of the vessels).

• Stronger, firmer muscles. Swimming helps tone arms, shoulders, waist, hips and legs.

• Increased flexibility. Long, sinuous motions and increased flexibility in the water result in longer and more supple muscles.

• Easy on muscles and bones. It also offers the benefits of exercising without the painful side effects associated with other sports. Often, swimming is the exercise recom-mended for those injured by other sports.

• Weight management. Vigorous swimming is associated with a diminished desire to eat. (Idea! Control your appetite by scheduling a swim before the biggest meal of the day!). Swimming helps raise metabolism (rate at which body burns calories) and helps with weight loss /management long after you leave the pool.

The Fantastic Four There are four basic strokes in swimming.

• Freestyle • Backstroke • Breaststroke • Butterfly

A swimming fitness program incorporates all of these styles with variations such as pulling (using only arms), kicking (using only the legs) or swimming (using arms and legs).

The program is usually broken down into three main phases - warm-up, main set, and fi-nally, cool down. The degree of difficulty is estimated by classifica-tion in one of the three classes: beginner, inter-mediate and advanced.

A typical schedule for a beginner may include the following:

• Swimming three to four days a week to gradually increasing the length of the work-out to 30 minutes or more (including breaks between sets).

• Incorporate different strokes into your swim-ming ritual.

• Practice flexibility daily and strength training one to two days a week to maintain overall fitness and muscular balance.

An intermediate to an advanced swimming pro-gram may require swimming for up to 60 minutes or more, incorporating different strokes and other

land based activities including strength, power and flexibility training in a gym.

Swimming Resources If you do not know how to swim, there is a lot of help available to overcome the water barrier. Insti-tutions such as the YMCA have long-established and successful swimming courses. Some cities and counties may also maintain and manage swimming pools where one can learn how to swim. There are many books available on the subject ranging from beginners to how to be a champion swimmer. The best way is to take a few beginners’ lessons to get the basics right.

The references listed here are excellent sources for information on swimming for fitness, including step-by-step descriptions of each stroke, breath-ing, and a variety of work-outs for all levels of swimmers.

As usual, it is a good idea to check with your doc-tor before starting any exercise program. This is especially true if you have led a sedentary lifestyle and are new to physical fitness.

References

Swimming for Total Fitness, Dr. Jane Katz, Nancy P. Bruning

For further information, please visit:

• www.fitlinxx.com

• http://tms.ecol.net/fitness/swim pros.htm

• www.aquasphereswim.com/fitness.html

• www.sportsmedicine.upmc.com/MySportsSwimmingPlunge.htm

• www.usms.org/fitness/content/startingaroutine

Please send questions or feedback and comments to [email protected].

If there is one sport that comes close to perfection, it is probably swimming. Swimming exercises most of the muscle groups, without the pounding and jarring associated with dry-land exercises. As people age, activities such as running or playing tennis may become difficult (shin splits, tennis elbow, knee problems, what have you!). The poor feet, leg muscles and hip joints simply cannot stand the constant pounding.

Swimming is a great fitness alternative without the harmful effects of land-based sports and fitness routines. It is a fun, social activity that can be enjoyed almost throughout one’s lifetime.


Zodiac of the Month

Cancer: Jun 21st - Jul 22nd Ruled by the Moon; Gemstone: Pearl; Lucky Day: Monday Like the crab, you are hard on the exterior and a little distant at first, yet when the shell is removed, you are a caring and

sensitive person inside. Deeply emotional, you are swayed by the lunar rhythms making you very moody and temperamental at times. Pos-sessing a deep concern for those around, you love to nurture and care for those close to you. As a lover, you like to caress and touch be-tween the sheets, gentle yet passionate you’ll want to please your partner’s every need. Very protective, you will do anything for your be-loved - just remember not to suffocate them. Your Horoscope: Broadening your horizons is on the cards as your mind wishes to break out of its current mold to evolve into something more refined. Adult education classes or even reading up on your interests can prove to be a great source of inspiration and mental stimulation that opens new avenues for you.

Star Lite Star Brite

Aries: Mar 20th - Apr 19th Ruled by Mars Gemstone: Red Coral Lucky Day: Tuesday An active time for you when your energy and drive reach the zenith. However, this newly found enthusiasm needs to be correctly channeled otherwise you can be left feeling rather restless and unfulfilled. Channel yourself by taking up a new sporting/fitness activity and by pushing yourself further up the career ladder.

Taurus: Apr 20th - May 20th Ruled by Venus Gemstone: Diamond Lucky Day: Friday Fed up and drained by the stresses piling up around you; time out is what you need most. So pamper and indulge your every whim with a few wardrobe additions, relaxing facials and a well-deserved massage. The world can wait for once so switch off your phone and avoid those who unnecessarily bother you.

Gemini: May 21st - Jun 20th Ruled by Mercury Gemstone: Emerald Lucky Day: Wednesday Relationships can certainly be challenging where arguments and strife create confusion and a feeling of dissatisfaction. You need to figure out if you want to continue with this charade or clean up the act so that you may both live in peace. This is a time for emotional evaluation and self worth.

Leo: Jul 23rd - Aug 22nd Ruled by the Sun Gemstone: Ruby Lucky Day: Sunday A new beginning heralds where you clear out the old and eagerly await the new which can see you saying a few goodbyes to people you no longer con-nect with, a change in job or even home. Moving on is never easy but take life with all its zest as new opportunities and people are just around the corner.

Virgo: Aug 23rd - Sep 22nd Ruled by Mercury Gemstone: Emerald Lucky Day: Wednesday Lending a helping hand to someone in need can prove to be satisfying as you feel the pleasure in helping others. Your own house could also benefit from a lending hand as DIY and gardening tasks can make you feel more at home with those extra improvements and minor changes.

Libra: Sep 23rd - Oct 22nd Ruled by Venus Gemstone: Diamond Lucky Day: Friday Cooking, cleaning, ironing and a hoard of other house-hold chores can certainly bog you down. Maybe it’s time to start delegating tasks to those around you and if on your own, then a little hired help could lessen the burden. This will give you that extra time to do what you want and enjoy life’s little pleasures.

Scorpio: Oct 23rd - Nov 21st Ruled by Mars and Pluto Gemstone: Red Coral Lucky Day: Tuesday Have you ever thought of acting on stage? Well maybe you should as you certainly are in the mood to command respect, throw your weight around and be dramatic. Rather than upsetting others with your enthusiasm it’s time to push yourself forward career-wise as you can make significant gains and persuade others to fall in with your plans.

Sagittarius: Nov 22nd - Dec 21st Ruled by Jupiter Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire Lucky Day: Thursday Your head can be in the clouds where laziness and day dreaming can play strongly on your mind, fantasizing about what could be. Not your usual responsible self, avoid being forgetful as you could end up neglecting your daily mundane tasks, which may leave you with some unpaid bills and an untidy home.

Capricorn: Dec 22nd - Jan 19th Ruled by Saturn Gemstone: Blue Sapphire Lucky Day: Saturday You can feel rather bored and unsatisfied in your cur-rent work where restrictions can easily plague your scope of work. It’s time to refine yourself professionally through extra training or even a job change, which opens the doors to better pay and a more enjoyable work-ing experience.

Aquarius: Jan 20th - Feb 18th Ruled by Saturn and Uranus Gemstone: Blue Sapphire Lucky Day: Saturday Like an adventurer, you are eager to explore the world within and the world at large where expanding your horizons and outlook in life is key to your personal evolution. Meditation and self-development practices can be enlightening as well as worldly travel where seeing different cultures enrich your life experience.

Pisces: Feb 19th - Mar 19th Ruled by Jupiter and Neptune Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire Lucky Day: Thursday Optimistic and benevolent, you are generous to those around you, giving freely of your time and money to see the smiles on their faces. Just don’t forget yourself. So shower yourself with a few little treats. A night out in town can boost your confidence as like a honey pot, you are spoiled for choice by many ardent admirers.

Nicolas Aujula is a certified astrologer with the New Age Foundation and an accredited LCFS fashion designer. He is a qualified Hypnothera-pist and Past Life Therapist accredited in emo-tional and psychological health. He is a Coun-seling Code of Conduct Registered Counselor and Registered with the United Fellowship of Hypnotherapists. Visit Nicolas at www.inspired-artisan.com.

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July 2007 Free Copy CityMasala · July 2007 Free Copy ... on Swimming for Fitness by Sanjay while Horoscope has what the stars hold for us in the month of ... Arul Karunanidhi Email: