Shahnaz Husain

Healthy hair is not really difficult toachieve. What one needs is awareness ofthe kind of treatment it requires, accordingto individual type and characteristics. Interms of nourishment, the first thing toremember is that the body must be in astate of good health. A diet that is low innutritional value, lack of sleep, a sedentarylifestyle, stress and illness, will all bereflected by the hair. Hair is fed by the bloodflowing to the follicles, which means thatdiet and good blood circulation areextremely vital to healthy hair.

The hair also needs external nourishment. In thisrespect natural ingredients are ideal and some of theseare easily available at home, like yoghurt, lemon juice,honey, vegetable oils and so on. The nature and textureof the hair will determine the products that should be used.For instance, greasy hair would benefit by lemon juiceand egg white. Both help to cleanse and cut down on oili-ness. Honey can be diluted with water and used as a hairrinse, for dry hair.

The application of oils also provides nourishment tothe hair. The oil should be warmed and massaged gen-tly into the scalp, at bedtime, using the fingers to actual-

ly move the scalp. This helps to stimulate blood circula-tion. Pure coconut oil or olive oil can be used. Herbalisedhair oils containing ingredients like amla, bael, brahmi,arnica, hibiscus, are also available. Dry, rough, brittle hairalso improves with regular oil applications. Leave the oilon overnight. If there is dandruff, apply the juice of a lemonabout half-an-hour before your shampoo.

Many kitchen ingredients are wonderful haircleansers, like egg white, lemon juice, yoghurt. Any ofthese can be applied on the hair for half-an-hour, beforeshampoo. They not only cleanse the hair, but also helpto maintain the normal balances. They also have thera-peutic values, nourishing the hair, keeping it healthy andconditioned.

When you select a shampoo, keep your individualneeds in mind. Henna-based shampoos are good for oilyhair, while amla shampoos benefit dry hair. Many herbalshampoos contain arnica, which helps to restore healthto damaged hair. After washing, let your hair dry natural-ly as far as possible. Excessive heat from dryers can real-

ly weaken the hair. If you must use a dry-er, hold it ten inches away from the hairand stop when the hair is still slightly damp.

Here are some tips on hair care:

* If you have oily hair, do not brush

your hair too much. It only increas-

es the production of more oil. The

old adage of brushing the hair 100

times does not hold good any

more.

* If you have dry hair, avoid apply-

ing shampoo twice when you wash

your hair.

* Avoid rubbing the hair vigorous-

ly while drying it. It can cause knots

and also hair breakage.

* Remove metal necklaces and

chains while using a hair dryer, as

they conduct heat rapidly.

* Wash your combs and brushes

in hot soapy water once a week.

* Daily shampoo is not harmful,

provided you use a mild shampoo.

Use very little shampoo and rinse

the hair thoroughly with water.

* For dry hair, massage warm

almond oil on the scalp. Wrap your

head in a hot moist towel for half an hour.

Do this once a week.

* Never brush your hair when it is wet. Use a

comb. Wet hair is less elastic.

* For dry unmanageable hair in winter, apply a

rich conditioner after the shampoo.

* Always test permanent dyes and hair

colourants on a small area of the skin for 24

hours before applying them.

How was your equation with your father AmitabhBachchan as a child/teenager?

I started wearing my father's shoes when I was abouteleven. Since then he has been my buddy. His idea of

parenting was amazing. He told me when I was veryyoung that he won't hide anything from me, will alwayscooperate with my decisions and will always ask for myopinion. He said: "Your job is to make sure your opinionis something that I can listen to." He always treated meas an equal although we knew we were not his equals.But his behaviour towards my sister (Shweta) and Iremained the same … it still is, even today.

Who was his favourite - you or your sister?Everybody knows that fathers and daughters share a

very special bond, while mothers and sons share a spe-cial bond. So obviously, my sister has alwaysbeen the apple of my father's eyes. But I wasalways his friend. That is something I hope toincorporate with Aaradhya (his and Aish-warya Rai Bachchan's daughter). It has manybenefits, the main one being there is lessroom for secrecy. For example, my niece(Shweta's daughter Navya Naveli) is like mydaughter. She is 16 and my elder sister andshe are friends.

You said your opinion was sought as ateenager. Were they accepted?

Things were not that easy. They had to beearned. It's not that I would say this is what Ithink or feel and it would be done. I had toconvince him. A healthy debate was alwaysencouraged in our house. So whether it wasvery small matters or something of greatimportance, the whole family has always satdown and discussed things at an open forum.We, as children, were always given the feel-ing that our opinions matter as anybodyelse's.

How will you describe your childhood?I had a very carefree childhood. I was in

boarding school. So my life revolved arounddramatics and sports and a little around goingto classes as well; although we could not cutclasses in boarding school.

Did you have arguments with your par-ents?

Thankfully, I never ever had moments ofdisagreements with my parents (Amitabh andJaya Bachchan). And the entire credit goesto them.

How will you define your life as a par-ent?

At the end of the day it is the children whoteach the parents and they should be theteachers. I witness it every day with mydaughter … how she teaches both Aishwaryaand I to be parents. And I would like to believethat my sister and I had set some sort ofexample to our parents as well on how theywould conduct themselves around us.

Tell us one thing that Aaradhya hastaught you in these two years.

I think unconditional love is the first thing that any par-ent should learn. There is nothing more precious than anewborn life in your lives. It is a gift and something thatshould be treasured and loved. (TWF)

Dr. Jitendra Singh

On 14 November, the entire fraternity of Diabetologistsand Diabetes researchers observes what is officially desig-nated as “World Diabetes Day.” It was in the month of Novem-ber over 90 years ago, that the discovery of Insulin was for-mally announced. 14 November also marks the birth anniver-sary of Dr Banting, one of the co-discoverers of Insulin.

“World Diabetes Day” on 14 November is a grim reminderof the unflattering fact that India today happens to be thecountry with the second highest diabetic population in theworld next only to China. Are we doing enough to get rid ofthis dubious distinction? That is the question.

Home for world’s 80% DiabeticsIndia’s No 2 position in Diabetic population with China at

No.1 and USA at No. 3 may, according to projected statis-tics, again go up to occupy No. 1 position leaving Chinabehind. Moreover, the official figure of total diabetic popula-tion in India is estimated to be over 100 million by 2030though the unofficial figure may be manifold higher.

Even as the world as a whole would register an over-all rise of 120% in its diabetic population during the firstquarter of 21st century, India along with some otherdeveloping countries would emerge as home for morethan 80% of the world’s diabetic population.

RISING PREVALENCE AMONG THEYOUNG

A major challenge facing India in thenew century is not only that of rising preva-lence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus in gener-al but more so that of rapidly rising preva-lence of Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus amongthe younger age groups which earlierremained relatively spared of this disorder.Furthermore, even the adolescents andchildren are increasingly falling in the trap.The lifestyle factors, stress, physical inac-tivity, obesity and erratic dietary habitshave begun to take the toll much earlier inlife.

Another notable feature is the large scaleDiabetes affliction of hitherto unaffected com-munities like, for example, the Kashmiri com-munity and hitherto unaffected sections ofsociety like, for example, the rural populace.

Diabetes is thus going to be a formidableproblem for the 21st century India and beinga foundational issue, it is far more crucial thanany political issue. Indeed, Diabetes is tooserious a challenge to be left to Diabetologistalone and calls for actice cooperation fromGovernment authorities as well as from everyother social or voluntary agency which is gen-uinely concerned about the health of 21st cen-tury India.

Yajin Bhatt

In the folds of Kashmiri Mountains prevails a solemnityof Gods. In the swirls of its breezes plays the music of thisuniverse. Undoubtedly, Kashmir's nature and surroundingsis awesomely inspiring. Season form an integral part of itsserenity, ranging from its mystic winters to charming sum-mers with autumn having its special place in the hearts ofone and all that belong to this valley.

Harud, as the autumn is called in the Kashmiri language,hold certain conspicuous features which are surely not vis-ible in any other part of the country. The nostalgic memoriesof this season particularly, bring tears in the eyes of thosewho have spent major portion of their lives living in the lapof their motherland, collecting its bounties and then abrupt-ly thrown out like an orphan. Each day of this season remindsme of my home land and other belongings I have been bornand brought up with. The golden brown rice fields, streamsof river waters and crimson leaves of trees like willows, wal-nut, Chinar etc reminds me of the breath taking beauty andgrandeur of the autumn in Kashmir.

Farmers are the busy lot in this season as they prepareto harvest Paddy and Maze crops. The walnut trees eager-ly wait to lighten up with the nuts. Most of farmers havingorchids get engaged with picking up of apples, grapes andother seasonal fruits and later transporting them to therequired destination. The hustle and bustle of the villages isworth seeing in this season and the happiest one is thefarmer, because of the mere fascination of the reaping thefruits of their hard work. The entire world and all the pleas-ures get shrunk around his fields. In villages every work bethat collecting of walnuts, carrying the paddy and maize fromfields to home, picking up apples and other fruits, werealways accompanied with the thrill of any competition andfun of any game. Men, women, young and old used to getinvolved in any work in their own capacity and with full teamspirit.

The part of the globe where I live today, Autumn as suchbears no importance but this season of Harud as a childalways used to fascinate me. While looking back panoramaof images passes before my mind's eye like an old film rollunspoiled and unscathed. The entire childhood gets repeat-ed and every event is rehearsed. Like all other villagers ourfamily also used to remain most busy in this season. Theday will start at 6 am or before and will end late nights around11 pm or overnight in harvesting and collecting. These daysattending Schools, Colleges, Offices and even social gath-

erings used to take back seat in the list of the priorities. Kidswere having their major chunk of fun and pleasure out in thefields, farms and orchids. For me as a kid every autumn daywas a picnic because those working in the fields used to gettheir meals and refreshment there only, which we all usedto enjoy. Although, school and college exams used to beround the corner in the month of November but children werekept busy with collecting woods, storing grass for cattle andother big and small chores as November onwards the fieldswould wear deserted look due to the massive snowfall tillMarch. The bonfire of Chinar and walnut leaves was yetanother fun-filled task for the children and the coal so pro-duced was used in the firepot, the famous KANGRI duringthe biting cold of the winters.

Talking about autumn and giving the majestic Chinar amiss would amount to insulting the beauty of Kashmir.Towards the end of November the spell binding charm ofChinar trees is worth observing. Its leaves change their col-or from green to crimson red and while it bade good bye toits parent trees it turns pale yellow. One would cherish therustling sound of the leaves as they get trampled under ourfeet, as if protesting for this uncouth human behavior. Anoth-er striking feature of autumn is the crystal clear water ofrivers, springs and streams coming directly from the Shiva-lik Mountains, bringing with it the whiff of cool air, indicatingthe onset of winter season.

With so much of spirituality and serenity around, it seemsthat some places are destined to remain sorrowful in spiteof even the efforts of even the Gods to make them otherwiseand Kashmir being one of them. One wonders what prompt-ed a simple, innocent and hardworking villager to wield thegun instead of his sickle and spade.

The confined villager being innocent was lured into thedream of independent Kashmir by the selfish politicians andwho suffered more in terms of humanly loss is the poor vil-lager. The dream of Independent nation of Kashmir was thegreatest self-inflicting wound for Kashmiris'. Its shadows stillhaunt the people no matter what community they belong to.Unfortunately, as destiny has its way, Kashmir's have leftitself drifted aimlessly by falling into the trap of Pak's ISI andfundamentalist forces of the state. Imagine how much hap-piness is lost. People have been exile from their homes, Chil-dren have become orphans, mothers have lost their sonsand this land is left bleeding due to fanaticism practiced bysome selfish hands.

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 10, 2013 (PAGE-4)

'Amitabh Bachchan is my buddy'

Are we doing enough to prevent Diabetes?

HEALTHLINES

BOLLYWOOD BUZZ

Autumn in KashmirNATURE

BEAUTY TIPS

Natural nourishment for the hair

Amitabh Bachchan is not just a

superstarbut also a super dad, claims

his son Abhishek Bachchan.

Sreya Basu in conversation with the

actor in Mumbai as he goes down the

memories of his teenage days

“World Diabetes Day” on 14 November is a grim reminder of

the unflattering fact that India today happens to be the coun-

try with the second highest diabetic population in the world

next only to China. Are we doing enough to get rid of this dubi-

ous distinction? That is the question.