Future Woman July 2015

KERENG/2012/44529

How the Presidency Made Me a Better Father BARACK OBAMA

July 2015

Ayurveda

Monsoon treatments for Women divine Mother

Special Story

Malformed in the womb

Woman @ Civil Service

Bold and Beautiful

Priestess of Mannarasala 10 safest places for women to travel alone Sexual Health

The ‘Pill’ Peril Price - `30

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Volume 4 | Issue 7 | July 2015 Founder & editor Ravi Deecee Executive Editor Ratheema Ravi DC MEDIA - OPERATIONS

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DC Media Publication 4 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

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EDITOR’S NOTE Women empowerment & independence

W

omen’s social, economic and political independence and their empowerment in our society are a cause for serious concern today, so every issue concerning women’s life needs to be addressed earnestly. In addition, there should be a genuine attempt to reach out to women of today who may be entrepreneurs, artistes, administrators, students, sportspersons and leaders in socio-political spheres around the world. Their experience in different fields is a valuable asset and their contributions are remarkable for overall development of a society.

It is true that unless women progress socially and economically, and become independent, the development of any society remains unrealistic and unsustainable.

Women’s health, knowledge, mental strength etc, are enabling a society to march towards a balanced growth.

Obviously, the world in the 21st Century is fast becoming women-centric where more and more women seem prepared to take leadership even in traditionally male-dominated professions. However, this trend has been limited to certain pockets despite efforts by governments and non-government organisations to spread it across the world. Constraints are many and varied in the women’s world but women should be kept informed about even small achievements of their counterparts in different parts of the world. They need to know what is happening in their world because unlike in the past, women of today make headlines in the world of business, entertainment, fashion, sports and education not for the wrong reasons but with remarkable feats.

Apart from usual health stories, Future Medicine/ Woman is indeed a kind of manual that contains important information on all aspects of women’s world.

It analyses possibilities and opportunities before young women of today and tomorrow on a regular basis, which may broaden their world and also can encourage them to take up challenging jobs, turning them into role models for millions of others. Stories based on professional and personal experiences of exceptional women are of course inspirational to all. It is our social responsibility to make women, irrespective of their race and class, bold and competitive in the 21st Century world.

6 FUTURE MEDICINE WOMAN I July I September 2015 2014

cONTENTS

Bold & Beautiful

Health Beat

Merin Joseph IPS

30

14 Yoga - Yoga for longevity 16 Beauty beat - Skin glow 18 Weight loss - Healthy habits for weight loss 20 Nutrition - The right bite 22 Sex - Excessive sexual desire 24 Fitness - Home fitness tips 50 Fruit for you 51 Home remedies 54 Beauty tips 60 Sexual health 62 Child safety 64 Disease Special

- 10 amazing benifits of Avocado - Diabetes - Shahnaz Husain - 10 birth control side effects - Safe home for your baby - Birth Defects

Doctors speak

56 Carpel tunnels syndrome 57 Thalassemia 58 Gynaecology

10

Ayurveda

Monsoon treatments for Women

The World’s Powerful Celebrities

52 42

Geeta Menon, NYU Stern School of Business

66

10 safest places for women to travel alone

Divine Mother Mannarasala Valia Amma

Regulars Barack Obama - Relationships 12 Indira Gandhi - Woman + History 28 Sapna Koshy - Mompreneur 32 Kalamandalam Kshemavathy - Woman + Art 34 Designer’s collection, IFTK - Fashion & Glamour 36 Diwia Thomas - Woman Entrepreneur 38 Yummy Kitchens - Woman-Startup 40 8 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

30

Soudha, Dezika Traveller

26 Knowledge Power

Dr Arun Oommen Dr Ritu Nair Dr N P Vijayalakshmy

Special Recipe Naushad, The Big Chef

48

Entertainment world Powerful Celebrities

The rich and

famous Taylor Swift

Age Profession Earning Residence

It’s not necessary that all the rich are famous or all the famous are rich in any field. The global entertainment industry has a few extra-ordinary women who made to the top in wealth and fame through their talent and efforts. The following is a list of some of the greats in their chosen field

: 25 : Musician : $80mn : New York

Taylor Swift is singer-songwriter and actress. The release of Swift’s self-titled debut album in 2006 established her as a country music star. Swift’s fifth album 1989, released in 2014, sold more than three million copies. She received a Best New Artist nomination at the 2008 Grammy Awards. In 2015, Swift became the youngest woman ever to be included on Forbes most powerful women list.

Beyonce Knowles Age Profession Earning Residence

: 33 : Musician : $54.5mn : New York

Beyonce Knowles is singer, songwriter, and actress. She rose to fame in the late 1990s as lead singer of R&B girl-group Destiny’s Child. Dangerously in Love (2003), established her as a solo artiste worldwide. She has won 20 Grammy Awards and is the most nominated woman in the history of awards.

10 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

Lady Gaga

Age Profession Earning Residence

: 29 : Musician : $59mn : New York

Lady Gaga is singer, songwriter, and actress. Gaga rose to prominence with her debut album The Fame (2008), a critical and commercial success. With global album and single sales of 28 million and 140 million respectively, as of April 2015, she is one of the best-selling musicians of all time. Her achievements include 13 Guinness World Records, 6 Grammy Awards, and a Songwriters Hall of Fame’s Contemporary Icon Award—first artiste ever to win—for “attaining an iconic status in pop culture”.

Katy Perry

Age Profession Earning Residence

: 30 : Musician : $135mn : Los Angeles

Katy Perry is an American singer, lyricist and actress. Perry rose to fame in 2008 with the singles “I Kissed a Girl” – which had attention-grabbing and somewhat controversial lyrics. She has received many awards, including three Guinness World Records, and been included in the Forbes list of “Top-Earning Women In Music” for 2011, 2012, and 2013. Throughout her career, she has sold 11 million albums and 81 million singles worldwide, making her one of the best-selling artistes of all time.

Relationships US President Barack Obama

Togetherness is bliss The role of the wife and children in making a man’s life successful is undeniable. The US President Barack Obama knows it very well. He writes in the More magazine, “ How the Presidency Made Me a Better Father.”

P

resident Obama writes in the More magazine about his wife Michelle Obama and his daughters Malia and Sasha and how the White House life brought his family closer together.

The president writes: “People often ask me whether being President has made it more difficult to spend time with Michelle and our girls. But the surprising truth is that being in the White House has made our family life more “normal” than it’s ever been.

Even with our jam-packed days, Michelle and I work hard to carve out certain blocks of family

12 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

time that are sacrosanct. For example, at 6:30 p.m, no matter how busy I am, I leave work to go upstairs and have dinner with my family. That’s inviolable. My staff knows that it pretty much takes a national emergency to keep me away from that dinner table. As a night owl, I’d rather stay up late reading briefings and working on speeches after everybody has gone to bed anyway.

So for an hour or so at dinner, my focus is not on my day, but on theirs. I ask Sasha and Malia the usual annoying parental questions: How was school? What are your friends up to? Have you done your homework? What are you thinking

about? In return, they spend a lot of time teasing me about my big ears or stodgy suits - and Michelle is always happy to join them.

Now they’re at an age when they’re well-informed, so they often ask me questions about issues. Like a lot of young people, for instance, they’re deeply interested in the environment.

The highlight of my day is just listening to their thoughts about the world and seeing what smart, funny, kind young women they’ve become. That hour recharges me and gives me perspective. And those moments where I can just be Dad - even if it’s “Daaaaaaad”-well, there’s nothing better.”

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Yoga Beat

Yoga for longevity

Yoga for longevity is getting increasingly popular. This is a basic way out to leading quality life. Women who have adopted it are being able to feel a change in their lives.

Try and experience the change in your health as well

Y

oga helps to bring a proper discipline that you require, in order to maintain balance in your work and family life.

Feel a change in

lifestyle

Yoga improves your lifestyle. It makes you strong, both mentally and physically. You no longer feel helpless. Everything in life gets easy for you. Stress and anxiety due to pressure from work place, family and your own health issues can be easily overcome.

Asanas that provide physical and mental strength • • • •

Yoga stretches Matsyasana Marjarasana All pranayamas, particularly Kapalabhatti, AnulomaViloma and Ujjayi are excellent for women

Achieve fitness and healthy weight

Practising yoga provides you with both fitness and healthy weight.

Women who practise yoga tend to have lower body mass indexes and better control over their weight than those who do not.

Yoga poses strengthens

14 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

your bones and muscles, enhances your balance, and promotes flexibility.

• Balasana • Paripurna Navasana • Ardha Matsyendrasana • Bandha Saravanasana

Say goodbye to obesity

A great health does not mean a good weight.

Obesity is what many are suffering in these days, because of junk eating.

Dieting is not the only way out since extremes of it can make you fall sick. But physical exercise and asana don’t have any such adverse effects.

• Paschimottanasana • Bhujangasana • Dhanurasana • Sarvangasana Wellness of mind is most vital since it regulates your body. In spite of a busy schedule, you have to remain stress-free. How is that possible? It surely is, through doing yoga for longevity. The nerves get to breathe properly in the process.

Proper functioning of all the body muscles is necessary for your health and wellness. This is one such reason for you to practise yoga for longevity.

Beauty Beat This party season, don’t spend your evenings envying someone else’s glowing skin. Here are five easy homemade tips that will give you an instant glow. So go on and hog the limelight

Make your

skin glow Honey and lemon mask Treat tanned skin with this homemade mask.

Mix one tablespoon of honey with one tablespoon of fresh lemon juice and apply it evenly on your face and neck. Lemon is natural bleach and brightens the skin instantly whereas honey moisturises it. Wash it off after 10 to 15 minutes.

Sandalwood and turmeric mask Go traditional with a good old haldi-chandan remedy! Mix one tablespoon of freshly ground turmeric or turmeric powder, a tablespoon of sandalwood powder and rose water. Apply it on your face and neck, and keep it for 15-20 minutes. Both turmeric and sandalwood improve complexion and give a natural glow.

Ice cube remedy Open pores attract grime and make the skin look dull. Clean your face, apply a light moisturiser and then rub an ice cube all over it.

This will close the pores and give your face a fresh, glowing look. Your makeup will last longer too.

Oats scrub Make a natural scrub, using half cup of oats and warm water and scrub your face, arms and feet with it. It will clear away dead skin cells, impurities and blackheads, leaving you with a dewy glow.

Cucumber and potato juice Dark circles or puffiness under the eyes can ruin your look. Mix a teaspoon each of cucumber juice and potato juice and apply it under your eye. Keep it for 15-20 minutes. You can also apply it to your face. This will make your skin and eyes look brighter.

16 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

Weight Loss Beat r o f s t i b a h y Health

s s o l t weigh Set up your kitchen The family kitchen can trigger unhealthy eating habits if your shelves are lined with sugary snacks. Rearrange the kitchen to make diet-boosting foods the most natural choice.

Keep healthy food in sight. Keep a bowl of fruit on the counter and pre-chopped vegetables in the refrigerator. When you feel hungry, you'll have a healthy snack close at hand.

Reduce temptation. If you know you

can't control yourself around cookies, keep them and other diet-busting foods out of reach, or even better, out of the house.

Always eat off dishes. Eating straight out of a container or a bag promotes overeating.

Use smaller plates. If you start a meal

with less food in front of you, you'll likely eat less by the time it's over.

Practise healthy eating Life gets busy and a lot of people end up eating without thinking about the food they're putting in their mouths. The following habits can help you avoid this mindless eating.

Eat breakfast. An empty stomach is

an invitation to overeat. Start your day with whole-grain bread or cereal, lowfat milk or yogurt, and a piece of fruit.

Plan ahead. Don't wait until you're hungry to decide what to eat. Plan your meals and go shopping when you feel full. Unhealthy options will be easier to pass by.

Power down your screen.

Eating with your eyes on the TV, computer, or any other distracting screen takes your mind

18 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

People who succeed at weight loss, turn healthy eating into a habit. +These healthy eating habits can help one lose weight and keep it off. off what you're eating. Not only do you miss out on tasting your food, you're more likely to overeat.

Eat healthy food first.

Start with soup or salad and you'll be less hungry when you turn to the main course.

Just steer clear of cream-based soups and salad dressings.

Eat small snacks often.

Rather than 2 or 3 large meals, you can eat smaller meals and healthy snacks to keep yourself going throughout the day.

Weigh yourself.

The information on the scale will help you see how your weight goes up or down depending on how you eat.

Keep your house cool.

Feeling slightly chilly in winter may help you burn more calories than if you keep your home on the warmer side.

Nutrition Beat

When you go to a fast food restaurant

Tea, citrus fruits can lower ovarian cancer risk A few cups of black tea and citrus fruits and juices every day could have an impact on reducing the risk of ovarian cancer Tea and citrus fruits and juices are associated with a lower risk of developing ovarian cancer, according to new research. The research reveals that women who consume foods containing flavonols and flavanones (both subclasses of dietary flavonoids) significantly decrease their risk of developing epithelial ovarian cancer, the fifth-leading cause of cancer death among women.

The research team studied the dietary habits of 171,940 women aged between 25 and 55 for more than three decades. The team found that those who consumed food and drinks high in flavonols (found in tea, red wine, apples and grapes) and flavanones (found in citrus fruit and juices) were less likely to develop the disease.

Drumsticks: A warehouse of minerals The drumstick tree, very common in India, is a warehouse of minerals and vitamins. The root, bark, stem, leaves and fruit are all useful Cooked drumsticks and its leaves are given to pregnant women to avoid complications during deliveries. n Inhaling steam of boiling drumsticks eases congestion and asthma. n The juice of drumstick leaves can arrest hiccups. n Lime juice mixed with drumstick leaves juice can give a glowing complexion. n

20 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

K

nowing the amount of calories, fat, and salt in fast foods can help you eat healthier. Many restaurants now offer information about their food. This information is much like the nutrition labels on the food that you buy. If it is not posted in the restaurant, ask an employee for a copy.

In general, eat at places that offer salads, soups, and vegetables. In your salads, avoid high-fat items. Dressing, bacon bits, and shredded cheese, all add fat and calories. Choose lettuce and assorted vegetables. Select low-fat or fat-free salad dressings, vinegar, or lemon juice. Ask for salad dressing on the side.

Healthier sandwiches include regular or junior size lean meats.

Adding bacon or cheese will increase the fat and calories.

Ask

for vegetables instead. Select wholegrain breads or bagels. Croissants and biscuits have a lot of fat.

If you want a hamburger, get a single meat patty without cheese and sauce. Ask for extra lettuce, tomatoes, and onions. Limit how many French fries you eat. Ketchup has a lot of calories from sugar.

Look for meats, chicken, and fish that are roasted, grilled, baked, or broiled. Avoid meats that are breaded or fried.

Also pick low-fat toppings, such as vegetables. You can dab the pizza with a paper napkin to get rid of a lot of the fat from the cheese. Eat low-fat desserts. A rich dessert can add fun to a well-balanced diet. But eat them only on special occasions.

Order smaller servings when you can. Split some fast-food items to reduce calories and fat. You can also leave the extra food on your plate.

Your food choices can teach your children how to eat healthy, too.

Choosing a variety of healthy foods and limiting portion size are key to a healthy diet for anyone.

PASSIO

SEX Beat The sex addict may initially be involved in a healthy and enjoyable sexual situation which eventually develops into an obsession.

Fantasies and sometimes actual acts may be well outside the radar of most people’s idea of what is sexually acceptable behaviour.

There is effective treatment available for individuals with sexual addiction.

The World Health Organization in the International Classification of Diseases (ICD) includes “excessive sexual drive” as a diagnosis of sexual addiction.

Is sexual addiction really a disorder?

Researchers from UCLA wrote inSocioaffective Neuroscience & Psychology that “sexual addiction” may be nothing more than strong sexual desire. The scientists measured brain responses of hypersexual participants who had difficulties regulating their reactions to sexual images. The team found that individual brain responses were related to sexual desire rather than levels of hypersexuality.

Excessive sexual desire

Sexual impulses, not weak selfcontrol make men cheat:

S

What are the signs and symptoms of sexual addiction?

The number of people with excessive sexual drive (compulsive sexual behaviour) is increasing. A look at what is sexual addiction and what causes it

exual addiction, which is also called sexual dependency, hypersexuality, nymphomania (females), satyriasis (males), compulsive sexual behaviour and sexual compulsivity, refers to the phenomenon in which people cannot manage their sexual behaviour.

The individual is obsessed with sexual thoughts - thoughts which interfere with their ability to work properly, have relationships, and go about their daily activities. Many say that sexual addiction is a form of obsessive compulsive behaviour.

A person with sexual addiction obsessed with sex, or has an abnormally intense sex drive. Their lives are dominated with sex and the thought of sex; so much so that other activities and interactions become seriously affected.

It is not uncommon for the patient with sexual addiction to rationalise and justify their behaviour and thought patterns. People with a sex addiction may deny there is a 22 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

problem.

Experts say there is a strong link between sexual addiction and risk-taking. Even though the risk of danger is clear, they may take risks regardless of the potential consequences, even if this means possible health problems (sexually transmitted diseases), physical risks or emotional consequences.

A study carried out at the University of Texas at Austin and Texas A&M University and published in Personality and Social Psychology Bulletin suggests that human males are more likely to be unfaithful than females because they have stronger sexual impulses, rather than weaker self control.

A symptom is something the patient senses and describes, while a sign is something other people, such as the doctor notice. For example, drowsiness may be a symptom while dilated pupils may be a sign.

Fitness Beat

Home fitness tips Don’t you have spare time to join a gym for fitness? No need to worry at all, as you can do many exercises at home to gain complete fitness and wellness. By just being consistent, your home fitness tips can give you a perfect, strong and flexible body. Here are a few exercises that can be done at home by anyone Push-ups Push-ups are great for overall fitness as it strengthens knees and legs. It can easily be done while being stood up against a wall.

Jumping

Walking You can walk outside in the park or walk up the stairs. With walking exercise, your leg muscles would be stronger, thus giving you complete fitness.

Jumping is another important exercise which can easily be done at home.

Besides adding to your health, it also proves to be a great cardio exercise and a wonderful warm-up tool.

Squats Squats bring a great deal of benefits to legs and buttocks to keep you fit and fine.

Light weight lifting Even without going to the gym, you can try out light weight lifting by using things used in the house. You can start with light weights and go on for more weighty items for health benefits.

Dancing and step exercises If dancing brings loads of fun besides giving heart benefits, then step exercises can tone the leg muscles. Both these exercises can be repeated many times a day for health and wellness.

Jogging Leg lifts Leg lifts also feature among wonderful home fitness tips to benefit butt, hips and thighs. They are considered great to build up strength and muscles for the legs.

24 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

Crunches Crunches are among the best exercises to strengthen and build up abdominal muscles. They are done a lot by the people who want abs in the quickest possible times.

Jogging is considered a wonderful exercise for heart as it brings many benefits to the organ. Put on a good pair of shoes to eliminate stress to the legs so as to enjoy this exercise.

KNOWLEDGE POWER Education

The woman power of

knowledge

Geeta Menon, considered one of the 20 most influential global Indian women in business and the arts, is a renowned scholar and Dean of the Undergraduate College and Abraham Krasnoff Professor of Global Business & Marketing, NYU Stern School of Business.

Geeta Menon shares her memories of Kerala, her achievements and about the defining characteristic, openmindedness, that led to her progress

Geeta Menon 26 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

K

erala to me is characterised by strong women, intermingling cultures, and an infallible dedication to education.

Strong women

I grew up surrounded by women who were strong, independent and determined, each in her own way! This was something instilled in me as stories were shared at family gatherings of the various women freedom fighters in my family, many of whom chose prison over repression in the fight for independence.

This strength is perpetuated in Kerala from the generations of women who came before me, who helped to shape the state’s future trajectory through their strength in the face of adversity or their dedication to their family and their home.

Intermingling cultures

With the confluence of religions and their resultant beliefs, I found in Kerala more than any other place that I lived in India, a level of not just acceptance, but a celebration of ideas and cultures as they converged in one place. Whether it is the Kozhikode chicken biryani, or the Kochi fish fry, or the Appams and stew, these are all embraced by anyone who lives in Kerala regardless of their background.

Near my home in Kerala is a temple, a mosque and a church, all within a couple of blocks of each other. This cultural

melting pot in so many ways reflects New York City with inhabitants who carry this same appreciation for cultures and diversity.

Dedication to education

With the literacy rate in Kerala the highest of the Indian states, it is clear that education is revered by Keralites. But it does not stop there. There is a thirst for knowledge that is palpable. And there is a thirst to promote education, which is also evident. I witnessed this in my family growing up. Academia is in my blood.

My grandfather, father and uncle have all been educators in law, defense and business respectively at different points in their lives. At the end of the day, I am indebted to both Kerala and my family for inspiring me to pursue a career as a researcher and scholar.

I have been at NYU Stern for almost 25 years. I found at NYU Stern an environment with similar ideals and culture as Kerala – progressive and dynamic, embracing of a variety of cultures and viewpoints (there is even a dosa cart two blocks from my office!), and located in the best part of the best city in the world! Today, as Dean of the Undergraduate College, I am passing on the ideals of education that I learned as I work with the faculty to educate tomorrow’s business leaders. My wish for our students is to be intellectually curious,

ethically sensitive, and global in thought.

It was from my background that I learned the importance of education and how it impacts society. I am proud to be helping today’s young people– from all around the world– embrace education as a life long endeavour.

Perhaps one day, through all of our collective efforts, as we will all pass along this fundamental ideal of education, we will see 100 per cent literacy not only in our home state of Kerala, but across India, and indeed, the world.

My“openmindedness”led to my progress

I don’t believe that any one particular achievement equals success. Instead, I embrace and even look forward to the unexpected opportunities that are inevitable in life. In fact, I’ve found that being open to the unknown is what led to my progress.

I learned this early on growing up in India, where my father was an officer in the Indian Navy. My family

moved often, and each time we relocated there was uncertainty: What would my school be like? Who would my friends be? Would I like our new community? This formative experience taught me not to fear the unknown.

Instead, being open to new perspectives, I found, is a way to experience new often thrilling opportunities.

As I grew older, I continued to apply this way of thinking to milestones along the way.

While I had a basic blueprint for my life – college, followed by graduate school, working in a field I enjoyed, having a family – I never laid out the precise details. Instead, I’ve always had faith that everything would eventually fall into place. It has and more.

I’ve had many experiences during my career that have helped me grow both professionally and personally.

For example, I have had the good fortune of working for leading business schools in the United States and India, including NYU Stern, Wharton and Indian School of Business, Hyderabad. I did not identify

any of these experiences as goals – I did not even target being in academia. Instead I remained open to circumstances that led me to them. While I have been working on research papers, educating students, and involved in the professional community, I’ve also embraced the many other opportunities that have presented themselves.

Today, as Dean of the NYU Stern Undergraduate College, I hear about new ideas and encounter unexpected opportunities every single day.

One of the biggest challenges of holding a leadership position is the constant challenge of adapting to an always evolving environment. But with an open mind, this dynamic workplace is also one of untold opportunity.

The advice I give my students at Stern is to find the right balance between focus and open-mindedness: Never be too focused that you don’t hear opportunity knocking on your door!

I conclude with this thought, as Mahatma Gandhi said, “Live as if you were to die tomorrow. Learn as if you were to live forever.”

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 27

Women + HISTORY

India’s awe-inspiring

‘Iron Lady’

“My grandfather once told me that there were two kinds of people: those who do the work and those who take the credit. He told me to try to be in the first group; there was much less competition.” ― Indira Gandhi

J

Indira Gandhi, India’s third and only woman prime minister, who weathered many storms in her political and private life, is a symbol of woman power and courage. Considered one of the great leaders of the world, she is a role model for Indian women

By Jeena Jacob

ust a mention of her name is still awe-inspiring even for her hardcore political rivals.

Born on November19,1917 in Allahabad to an illustrious father, this illustrious daughter of India was actively involved in the Indian independence struggle from a young age of 12. A highly intelligent girl, she studied in Swiss schools and at Oxford.

After her mother Kamala Nehru’s death in 1936, she was completely under the tutelage of her father Jawaharlal Nehru, imbibing lessons from him on world history and handling complex diplomatic issues, which helped shape her up as one of the great leaders of the world. She was also the first woman president of the Indian National Congress in Independent India.

She joined the central cabinet of Lal Bahadur Shastri who became Prime Minister following the death of her father. When Shastri died abruptilly during a summit in Tashkent, Indira Gandhi was the natural choice to succeed him as prime minister, purely because of her leadership qualities.

She was the second-longestserving Prime Minister serving the country from 1966 to1977 and from 1980 until her assassination in 1984.

An extraordinary leader of courage, she made many bold decisions during her prime ministership which laid out a strong path towards the country’s progress, enabling successive governments ride smooth taking the country forward. Her powerful presence with strong convictions at international forums discussing world affairs

made her opponents awestruck.

However, it was not an easy sailing for her as prime minister. Before her were a hungry and unemployed millions. Her Gareebi Hatao project to alleviate poverty earned her praise even from her political rivals.

Her initiative made a significant decrease in the rate of poverty from 65 per cent to 45 per cent and also made a 30 per cent increase in literacy. The country made tremendous progress in agriculture, education and employment.

There is no doubt, the advance the country made today in different sectors are the results of her vision and strategy.

Her major accomplishments include the nationalisation of 14 leading banks making them accessible to common people. The decision literally revolutionised the business and economic

sector.

In 1971, when Pakistan unleashed terror on the people of East Pakistan, which made an estimated 10 million people flee to India, she intervened and in the ensuing India- Pakistan war, she led the country to victory. It also resulted in the creation of an independent Bangladesh.

But there was one area where she could not succeed-in containing corruption spreading fast across the country. She was deeply worried about that.

In 1975, the country erupted in protests, calling for her resignation after the Allahabad High Court found her guilty in an election related issue. She declared a state of Emergency in the country when she found things were growing beyond her control. Her so-called supporters in the states and at the centre misused the extraordinary power came into their

hands unexpectedly.

They made life hellish for many. Emergency was really a black mark on Indian democracy, which she regretted later.

She withdrew the state of Emergency in 1977 and called for a general election.

She and her party failed miserably.

A coalition formed by parties of different ideologies won the election and formed a new government at the centre which unfortunately could not deliver, because of intraparty squabbles.

Mrs Gandhi came back to power in 1980 with a thumbing majority in the elections followed.

In June 1984, she ordered the army to clear out Sikh extremists holed up in the Golden Temple, the foremost holy place of the Sikh community, after finding the separatists posed great threat to the unity of the country. She

won the war against the extremists but had to pay for it with her own life later.

She was assassinated by her Sikh bodyguards on October 31st 1984.

Despite all her failures, Indira Gandhi is still regarded as the most loved woman leader who loved her country and the people. She still remains as a role model to the Indian women, even after over three decades of her death. She sacrificed her life for her country as she said in her last speech in Bhuvaneswar, a day before her assassination: “I do not care whether I live or die. I have lived a long life and I am proud that. I spent the whole of my life in the service of my people. I am only proud of this and nothing else. I shall continue to serve until my last breath and when I die, I can say, that every drop of my blood will invigorate India and strengthen it.�

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 29

Woman @ CIVIL SERVICE Merin Joseph

Bold &

beautiful No officer in the state police force was so famous before assuming her assigned position. Merin Joseph, the Assistant Superintendent of Police under training in Ernakulam Rural District, Chengamanadu Station, is a class apart. She made a stormy entry into her professional life through Facebook. It kicked up a little controversy, however Merin takes it in her stride and believes it worked in her favour. In fact, it made her dealing with the public easy. Excerpts from an interview

By Jeena Jacob

I

was at the Aluva SP office at 2.45 pm, 15 minutes earlier and at sharp 3, the time given to me for an interview with ASP Merin Joseph, an official came to the reception and guided me towards her room.

The pretty woman in uniform sitting behind the table welcomes me with a warm smile. While taking my seat, I said to myself “no wonder if this face launched a thousand comments”. She is indeed very beautiful, a beauty with brain, as they say.

Her words betray her look. They are full of enthusiasm, confidence, determination and boldness to take on the challenges her job poses. While listening to her, you can be sure that she is a tough police material.

Merin was a topper in her Plus Two board exam and a university gold medalist. An alumna of the prestigious St. Stephen’s College Delhi, she cleared the civil service examination in the 30 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

first chance itself, with high marks, which enabled her to get a home state posting. She is the third Malayalee woman IPS officer in the home cadre after R. Srilekha and B Sandhya, two brilliant predecessors.

“It was my mother who was keen to see me in the uniform as an IPS officer. My father was a civil service officer and I also wanted to be a civil servant from my childhood days itself.

I was sure that at some point of time, I should give the civil service exam as I was looking forward to a dynamic job. For me, I just wanted to be in one of the top three sectors. I was able to clear the exam in my first attempt. IPS was my second preference. But after getting selected to IPS, I was very happy to take it,” Merin says.

Merin says her hobby is reading . “ I have a great passion towards books and the best thing I love about my hobby is that I can pursue it anywhere.

Mine is a job which calls me to move around a lot,” she said without hiding her passion for fiction.

The 11-month training period at Sardar Vallabhai Patel National Police Academy in Hyderabad is still the most memorable days for Merin Joseph, “there we had a jungle house attachment for one week in the jungles of Andhra Pradesh. That was part of our anti-Maoist training. We went to the jungle with minimum supply of food and water. We were walking with heavy load on our shoulders for some 20 kilometres. That camp really helped me to discover myself,” Merin said. She remembers, “I was slightly hydrophobic, but after my training I not only learned to swim but was also able to clear my 10-metrre diving test.”

“Challenges actually arise from the fact that people think it is a male dominated profession. So to some extent, I feel that I have to be

slightly more assertive to make my presence felt and prove I’m also equally capable as that of a male officer. Apart from that, I feel my female identity has many times worked to my favour. People believe women are more sincere in doing their job so to that extent they have been more receptive to me. My subordinates have accepted my leadership and I have not seen any reluctance from their part to obey my instructions”, she smiles in satisfaction.

Merin finds Kerala is still a patriarchal society even though the state asserts 100 per cent literacy.

“The state is far better than other states in the country but still we tend to think women should not do certain kind of jobs. IPS is not seen as a woman-friendly job. Parents hesitate to send their daughters for IPS. I think we are yet to break away from our patriarchal mind-set and try to emancipate and empower our women,” she emphasises.

She likes to tell all women to have confidence in themselves. “We should realise we are not inferior to men. We certainly have certain roles in the society that cannot be played by men. In that way, women are unique. Don’t get confined to any single identity. We can balance our traditional roles along with other roles. Each woman should try to contribute something to the betterment of the society,” she said.

This 25-year-old pretty young cop got married to Dr. Chris Abraham early this year. She is happy with the way her parents-inlaw are supporting her.

“My vision is to be remembered as an officer who brought a noticeable change and as a people -friendly person. I make use of maximum opportunities to interact with people. Whenever I’m invited to attend functions in schools and colleges I’m happy to be there,” she said.

She tells the youth to explore all the possibilities that today’s world provide them. “Widen your horizon and set high goals. Be socially committed and don’t get into bad habits and ruin your life.”

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 31

Mompreneur Sapna Koshy

Gifting happiness & cheer New in the city of Coimbatore, Sapna Koshy, mother of young Mellisa Angel, was not at all ready to leave her baby in a day care for a job.

Neither was she ready to simply sit at home and do the daily chores.

Creativity being her forte, she spent her leisure time making wonderful flowers and decorations. Emboldened with the support of her motherin-law, Sapna opened The Golden Wrap. Sapna Koshy is today a successful business woman, making customised gift hampers filled with assorted gifts, homemade chocolates and handmade decorations for all occasions.

She recalls her journey of success, and shares the joy of being a happy Mompreneur with Future Woman

By Remya Nair

How did you come up with an idea like Golden Wrap? What was the inspiration behind this somewhat unique idea?

Sapna and her daughter Melissa

32 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

Three years ago, when we decided to move to a new city, I only knew that I had to do something to keep myself occupied. I did my research on what kind of a small scale business I could do from home as my baby was hardly a year old at that time, and I needed to be at home with her.

As a child I used to have many creative hobbies like crafting, painting, making scrap books etc.

I realized that there weren’t many people doing gift hampers, and a gift is something you need for every occasion... and thus formed The Golden Wrap

What are your products?

Can you please explain your work strategy?

I cater to a wide range of products like customised gift hampers, return gifts for birthdays,

weddings and other functions, surprise gifts, chocolate bouquets, homemade chocolates, party hampers etc.

I want to make unique gifts to spread happiness and cheer to both the sender and receiver of the gifts on their special occasion, so I try my best to work around the clients’ budget, thus making it affordable to everyone.

I speak to all my clients and learn what their expectations are and then tailor make the gifts for them most of my products are custom made, I only make them as per the order.

What were the challenges you faced in establishing yourself as a successful entrepreneur?

Like I mentioned earlier, when I started this venture, I was in a new city with absolutely nobody I knew to help me out with my taking care of the baby, the regular chores at home or even locating the right shops or suppliers for my raw materials.

Thanks to internet and social media groups, it took me only few weeks to identify the right places in and around Coimbatore to source the materials and establish contact with vendors.

I joined up many groups to market my ideas, and since it was something different from what you get over the counter in most shops, people liked my work.

Everyday I deal with new kind of requests, new clients, and I keep learning from such experiences each day

How well did your family

support your endeavour?

I must say, this venture would not have been successful if it weren’t for the complete support of my husband.

He helps with the marketing of products and procuring raw materials.

He is also my biggest critic, which helps me to improve my work.

My daughter has seen me doing this at a very young age and now she helps me with small errands like cutting ribbons, looping them in the hole on the tags, sticking logo stickers, wrapping and counting chocolates.

What are your future plans?

We have plans for e-commerce at this point of time. We would have specific gift products, which would be marketed across various e-commerce portals shortly, and is in talks with various portals. In the long run, we will focus on expanding the business model, without compromising on quality .

If we ask you to make a review of your life as a housewife and entrepreneur, how will you explain that?

and daughter Melissa Angel Reuben, studying in kindergarten.

Your advice to aspiring young woman entrepreneurs

I wouldn’t say it is an easy ride, but nothing is unachievable or impossible.

Follow your dream, Aspire to be the best, aim for the stars, plan well, research the market on the areas you want to start you business in, implement your plans, review and never procrastinate. A captain is not judged by how he fares, when the ship is at port , but by how he handles the ship during a storm. So if you are planning to be an entrepreneur, let today be your first day at work. Keep working towards your goals, and never settle for anything less.

In one word, it’s a roller- coaster ride, which I enjoy to the fullest.

Working from home, at my timings, helps me to manage house, earn income, and am able to spend times with my family

Your family.

Husband, Reuben Varghese working in the Human Resources area July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 33

Woman + Art Kalamandalam Kshemavathy

Enchanting

performer The life of renowned Mohiniyattam artiste Kalamandalam Kshemavathy is full of struggles and achievements. She underwent rigorous training to become a dance performer and the result was overwhelming, tell the honours and awards smiling at you from the shelf at home. The nation has honoured her with the coveted civilian award, Padmashree. She cheerfully takes you down her memory lane

By Jeena Jacob

I

t is easy to find out her house in Harinagar in Thrissur as the place is always reverberated with the rhythmic sound of ankle bells accompanied with pleasing keertanas.

Kshemavathy, the world renowned Mohiniyattam artiste was at the door with a broad smile to welcome me in.

She, at her late 60s looked very young and cheerful. She sat down with me and started unwinding the wonderful story of an ordinary village girl, who, because of her passion for dance and training under masters, became the Mohiniyattam artiste, whom the world adores.

Kshemavathy started learning dance at a very young age, taking lessons from masters in the village.

One day her guru Kochukuttanasan told her that he could not teach her anymore and she went home crying.

An old lady came out from a house on the roadside and asked for the reason. The child told her that her guru refused to teach her dance and 34 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

that’s why she was crying. The old lady took pity on her and told her that her daughter was a qualified dancer and she would ask her to teach her from next day onwards. The little girl went home happy and started her classes under her new teacher.

At the age of 11, she joined Kalamandalam, famous for Kathakali and the place where all art forms are taught in its authentic form. She remembers, Sree Vallathol Narayana Menon, the great poet and founder of Kalamadalam was in the selection board. She performed Kaliyamardanam before him and he admired her talent and gave her admission. It was a turning point in her life. It was the training in different dance forms, under great gurus that made her a good performer. “It was a ‘gurukulam’ where the teachers treated their disciples with care and love. It is the blessings of the gurus that make each dancer comes out of the institution a great performer,” she said closing her

eyes half remembering them with great reverence. Then there were no degrees or diplomas. One completes the course.

It may run through five years. That was it,”she said.

“After my course I started teaching students and also performing. I have taught thousands of student,” she said pointing to the dance room on the first floor. She learnt Bharatanatyam, Mohiniyattam, Kathakali and Kuchipudi. Later, she moved to Madras to learn more. She studied under the greats, Muthuswami Plillai, Chitra Visweswaran, Adayar K Lakshmanan and Vempatti Chinna Sathyam. Madras was wonderful, where she could associate with many masters. There were lots of performances. She visited many foreign countries and performed solo and in a group before different nationalities to full applause. She had performed all over India.

It was her husband, the award winning film maker the late Pavithran who encouraged her to introduce

gazals in Mohiniyattam. It was a great success as the slow and graceful body movements suited well with Gazals. She said she set Mohiniyattam steps for acclaimed play back singer Hariharan’s famous gazal starting, Jab rat ki tanhai… “It was a great success. The audience accepted it wholeheartedly,” she said.

She has also choreographed many poems. She says, “it is when we discover something new by ourselves then only there will be value for all our learning. We should start think out of the box about new ways to express our ability I always tell my students to compose their own version of dance after learning the basic lessons. I always inspire them to discover and think about new ideas.

All will have to go through many struggles to achieve something in life. If you are determined and ready to work hard, you will surely win the race.

In my whole career I have not

asked for anything. All recognitions came through my way as a natural outcome of my efforts. That gives me more happiness”.

“More than all awards and recognition I am happier because of the opportunities that I got to showcase my talents. I feel proud when I see my name along with some of the legends in this field, she said.

She is also very happy to speak about budding stars in the dance field, “Today I can see many talented students from Kerala performing different styles of dance. She has also said that efforts to present Mohiniyattam in new ways without losing its credentials should be encouraged. Then only the greatness of the art form will reach across the world. The only area where I feel unhappy is the way in which performers are treated differently when it comes to remuneration. Everybody, if he or she perform well, should be treated well,” she concluded.

Fashion & Glamour Campus

The designers’ collection The Fashionova, the designers’ collection, is the work of the final year Diploma in Fashion Design students of the Institute of Fashion Technology, Kerala (IFTK). The collections are part of their syllabus which requires each student to design an individual collection reflecting originality, creative flair with in-depth conceptualisation and quality. The focus is on global design with an Indian flavour. Here we feature some of the outstanding designs by the students matching international collections

Designer: Jasmi, student, IFTK The collection: Mao – Mandrin This collection is traditional Chinese wear It is inspired by “Geishas,” a community of high class escorts serving kings and nobles, a tradition practiced in China and Japan.

Designer: Kiran Raj, student, IFTK The collection: Chamayam The collection was inspired by Kathakali, Kerala’s traditional classical dance form and its face makeup. Each item in the collection is designed on the appearance of different characters, such as Kathi, Paccha, Kari, Krishna and Minukku.

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 37

Woman Entrepreneur Diwia Thomas

A trailblazer,

indeed!

Diwia Thomas is a different person altogether. She thinks out of the box and does things others call crazy, which help the needy earn a livelihood. Her Papertrail, which makes paperbags, is a model project that empowers women

By Jeena Jacob

T

he story took place in Bangalore15 years ago.

Diwia Thomas from Kochi was holidaying in the city, wandering the crowded streets, as a footloose, scanning the shopping malls, eateries and the holiday spots. She was literally enjoying her Bangalore days. One fine morning, she came across an interesting advertisement in a local daily. The ad was about a paper bag workshop, which was going to be held in the city. She decided to attend the workshop just for fun as there was nothing serious to attend to that day. Of course, she was curious too. The workshop was interesting

38 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

and a thought flashed across her mind, “Why I should not start a business?” And that was the beginning of a trailblazing business project— the Papertrail.

That was the time of a global recession. The media were full of news about business downturns and retrenchments across the world, which affected some of her own friends. It made her thinking of being financially independent and empowering economically weak women around her. Profit making was not in her thoughts. She shared her idea with some of them and the response was lukewarm. Some of them came forward to involve

Diwia Thomas

themselves in the project.

The first thing Diwia did was collecting old newspapers in her native Thevara in Kochi.

She and her friends made a huge collection of newspapers in a short period and started teaching women, drawn from needy families who were in trying times the art of making paper bags.

“I did not intentionally start a business, it happened by chance.

I started out as a nonprofit venture, to help a few friends who fell on bad times. I saw their difficulties and began with making newspaper bags. Today, we have progressed into a social enterprise and make a range of products from newspaper bags to premium bags and other products”, says Diwia Thomas.

Papertrail is now a full-fledged organisation with seven branches situated in different parts of the city where women make bags and a lot more individuals work from home. Her strength, she says is the enthusiastic and dedicated women working with her.

Realising that the first priority of the venture is to empower women, Diwia believed that if anyone wants to empower a woman, the initial step should be empowering her financially.

Papertrail still maintains this as the core objective and many of the bags brought out through the organisation are made by women who are physically unable to leave their homes.

“As a woman I found it

miserable when I saw women going through tough times. I came across women who were brutally abused, thrown out of their homes even with little babies. I thought about their difficulties to put their lives back on the right track when their financial status did not help the situation. So I thought of this revenue model for them,where they need not worry about material, capital investment, marketing etc. All they need to do is to make a bag and we will buy it back from them” says Diwia with contentment.

Diwia is very much satisfied and delighted with the support she gets from her family and friends. She says that at times her mother used to wonder looking at the hard work and dedication she put for Papertrail. Her friends used to call her crazy, but help out wherever they could, she says.

Diwia goes on talking passionately about Papertrail.

When asked about the challenges she just smiled and says, “there were no challenges that we could not surmount. I believe if you walk closely with God, He will help you climb every mountain. He brings the easiest solutions and in a timely manner.

Sometimes we face a lack of quality materials, so we began importing it. Sometimes some of the women working with us are depressed, suicidal, then I go down to wherever they are (some are in jail, police shelter, convents, homes etc) and bolster

their spirit with lots of love and encouragement.”

Diwia’s marketing strategy is to make great looking, unique products that the market wants.

So the customers will beat a track to their door. Papertrail now supplies its products to some of India’s best corporates, and exports to countries like Switzerland, Germany, the US, Greece etc. As a step to further flourish Papertrail is going to make its products available online with its own e-commerce platform.

The ladies engaged with Papertrail will get a piece wage for the bags they make. Some of them make from 4000 to 10,000 a month, depending on their skill and productivity.

Diwia strongly believes that Kerala needs more social entrepreneurs to be a helping hand to many people in need of help but don’t have the exposure or platform to make it.

She says to the young generation: even when you go through the most hazardous time in your life don’t ever give up. Walk closely with God, He will never fail though the road may look devastated. Believe God is the only one who can make everything new. Always practise prayer, perseverance, love, innovation and discipline.

Be compassionate of heart, sharp of mind and loving in character.

Then success will definitely come your way.”

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 39

Woman StratUP Yummy Kitchens

Talk of the town

Who does not like good food made at home by mother? The answer is simple, nobody. “yummy Kitchen” is an innovative enterprise by a bored housewife for those who love home-made good food in Kochi.

Nandini Das Kammath talks about her venture and how it became talk of the town

By Reshma KS

“W

hat you get is fresh food made to your order. Give our moms time to plan and cook food for you”, it’s appeared on the site of a homemade food serving venture in Kochi and it’s none other than ‘Yummy Kitchen’ which was launched in November, 2014 by Nandini Das Kammath. She is not just a boss or one of the cooks, she co-ordinates and takes the orders and inform the

40 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

respective chefs.

What people like at Yummy Kitchen is that the food is homecooked. The rates are reasonable.

There is also an added advantage of getting the food that suits your taste. If we want a particular dish to be spicy, Yummy kitchen will cook it that way as it is cooked in our house.

When Nandini thought of homemade food and making it available on order, the success

stories of IT professionals were on her mind. She loved to read such stories and got inspired by them.

She loved cooking and she chose it to realize her dream to be a successful entrepreneur.

“A lady can come up with some ideas, but alone she can’t translate it into action. She needs strong support. Fortunately, I had a great support from my husband Regil Das and children”, says Nandini.

There was nothing special to do after the marriage of her daughter, Krishna. Mind was empty and she just thought that there were several ladies like this with a passion for cooking. Nandini’s aim was to escape from the boredom at home, and decided to do something good for the public and also to earn an extra income. She grew up in a business family and so business was in her blood.

When the matter came up for discussion at home, her husband Regil asked her to write down her plans first. Her son Achuth Govind named the project ‘Yummy Kitchen’.

Regil’s staff designed a site for “Yummy Kitchen”.

Her only condition while selecting chefs was that they should have passion for cooking. Now there are 10 lady chefs from around Fort Kochi, Kadavanthra, Kakkanad,

the minimum order is 4 plates for any dish. In the starting period, Yummy kitchen have served one plate also.

Yummy Kitchen gives priority to family orders. The customers are very different.

Payment is mostly on cash-on-delivery system, there are also plans to introduce online payment. Yummies will soon open branches at Aluva, Edappally and Kakkanad, Nandini says.

One can book his/her favourite dish at 9497464889.Orders can be placed through calls, on the website or through mail.The website, www.yummykitchens.in.

Edappally, Thevara and so on.

They proved they are all good cooks. She just selected some items they can cook well on a regular basis.

Yummy Kitchen offers breakfast, lunch and dinner.

It is not so simple to be a part of Yummy Kitchen. If one informed her interest to be a part of it Nandini visits her home one day and ensure the quality of the food she prepared neatness of the kitchen.

One of the major obstacles was prompt delivery. It w as then that she noticed a firm launched by two students who provided delivery boys.

They would collect the cooked food and deliver it at the destination. “They were very helpful and we are very thankful to both,� she says.

Nandini says the highlight of Yummy Kitchen is that it will never empty your pockets.

The price starts from Rs 7 and ends with Rs 600. “Most of our dishes cost even less than that of hotels. Yummy Kitchens charges minimum Rs 35 for delivery and it varies depending on the destination.

There are about 110 food items. It offers a variety of dishes, including apart from Kerala, North Indian, Gujarati and Jain dishes. Kerala breakfast includes puttu , appam and idiyappam with vegetable or chicken curry, lunch (biriyani, pulao or pothichoru). She is so happy and proud to say that they serve healthy and homely foods and a Jain food will come only from a Jain family and Panjabi foods from a Panjabi family. Yummies never serves instant food.

The delivery areas at present are around Kochi city and Kakkanad area.

Minimum plates are 4 to Kaloor, Palarivattom, Edappally and Kakkanad.

Yummies are not ready for any compromise and the orders should place for a fixed time. Yummy kitchens accept telephonic orders from 8.30 AM to 7 PM. Encourage customers to place orders through the web site which runs 24 hours. Customers have to inform dishes and its quantities, delivery address from 7PM to 8.30 AM. Now,

Nandini Das Kammath

DIVINE Mother Mannarasala Valia Amma

The Great Mother

Priestess of Mannarasala

Perhaps, no woman in the world is worshipped so reverently like the Valia Amma, the supreme priestess of the legendary Mannarasala Snake Temple, in Alappuzha district in Kerala. The long queue of devotees for a glimpse of the divine face of the Mother tells how venerable the Mother is, and how deeprooted is the faith the devotees have in her and the snake deities in the temple. An embodiment of love and simplicity, the Valia Amma hardly leaves her home and interacts with others.

She lives in a four-chamber house called Illam (dwelling place of Brahmins) as a symbol of divinity and sacredness

By R G Gireesh

Mannarasala Valia Amma

M

annarasala Nagaraja Temple, the foremost centre of snake worship, is a shrine with a difference.

As you enter the temple premises, the cool atmosphere inside will definitely refresh your mind and body. Myriad stone images of snakes guard the path leading to the shrine. Don’t get scared, as the intertwining serpentine vines hanging from huge trees on both sides of the path appear to be snakes if you see it from a distance. The reluctant sunrays seeping through the thick green leaves of the trees, playing light and shade over the vines in the gentle winds making different patterns on earth may at times amuse you. The most striking thing here, however, is the holy communion of nature and man.

The beliefs and rituals associated with the temple are different from most other temples in the state.

The absence of a male priest in the Mannarasala temple is most conspicuous. Instead, a priestess, Mannarasala Valia Amma (Great Mother), performs the rites in the temple.

Uma Devi Antharjanam, wife of the late M.G.Narayanan Namboothiri, is the Valia Amma of Mannarasala today. She became Valia Amma on 24th October 1993, when she was 64 years old. She was headmistress of a school before becoming the supreme priestess.

Uma Devi Antharjanam took over the position when the then Valia Amma Savitri Antharjanam attained Samadhi on 24th October 1993.

Savitri Antharjanam assumed the

sacred position at a very young age of 14. She had 77 years of experience in Nagapooja and led a very saintly life.

The Valia Amma is the soul of Mannarasala Temple. Amma has a special way of offering poojas (rites), and she herself must perform the poojas in the sanctum sanctorum.

Only the women married into the family become eligible for priesthood.

Once a person is chosen as Amma, she has to lead an ascetic life and do penance. A year of learning follows and then only she can conduct poojas.

The norm is such that in case the Amma falls sick, no pooja is conducted during that period.

The story of Mannarasala dates back to the time of Parashurama, the axe-wielding sage who reclaimed the land from Gokarnam to Kanyakumari from the sea by throwing the axe in the length of the land he required, with the permission of the Lord of the Oceans, Lord Varuna, to give away to the Brahmins as part of his penance. The Brahmin families, who were rehabilitated at Mannarasala in the reclaimed land, found the place infested with poisonous snakes, the water undrinkable and the land unfertile and they left the place. A sad Parashurama sought the help of Lord Varuna again, who told him to pray to Lord Shiva. Shiva advised Parashurama, his dear disciple, to pray to Vasuki, the king of snakes.

Vasuki (Nagaraja), pleased with the prayers, told Parashurama that there would not be any problem from the snakes, provided they were given a place near the Illam ( the dwelling place of Brahmins) and offered

prayers. Thus small forests, known as ‘Sarpa kavu’ in Malayalam, came up near the Illams and the snakes lived happily there. But one day, a wildfire broke out and engulfed the forests.

Many reptiles were burned to death in the fire. A few that could flee the fire were dying due to severe burns. As the men were away from home at that time, the women seeing the snakes writhing in pain and struggling for life came out to help them, pouring water over them and applying herbal medicines on the burn wounds. The cured snakes were so pleased and the king of snakes Vasuki appeared himself before the family and blessed them. The head of the family, Vasudevan Namboothiri, had no children, even though he had married for a long time. Vasuki blessed Namboothiri and his wife Sridevi

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 43

DIVINE Mother Mannarasala Valia Amma

Antharjanam with all prosperities and gave a boon that they would soon become parents and also the childless couples who pray at the place would also be blessed with children. Sridevi Antharjanam got pregnant not any later and gave birth to two children in due course. But one child was a snake with a divine appearance, believed to be the incarnation of the king of snakes. Both of them grew up together. The human child took care of the family and the divine child gradually retired to its vault in the Illam and later entered the state of samadhi. The present family members are successors of Vasudevan Namboothiri and Sridevi Antharjanam.

The vault in which Nagaraja (Vasuki) is believed to be living is seen with utmost reverence by the members of the household. They

44 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

admire him with great respect and acknowledge him with the name ‘Muthassan’ and ‘Appooppan’ (grandfather).

It is believed that before entering the vault, the divine serpent talked to his mother, “Oh, Mother, it’s time for me to leave you, but I will live in the underground vault of the Illam and nobody except you should come there and that also only for offering poojas. After you, the eldest woman in the family should do the poojas.

After the time of mother Sridevi, the senior most Brahmin lady in the family takes over as the supreme priestess and she is given the title ‘Valiya Amma’.

The temple premises reverberate with ‘pulluvan pattu’ (songs rendered in praise of Nagaraja by members of the Pulluva community). The childless couples do a special

offering, ‘Uruli Kamazhthal’, keeping a traditional bronze vessel upside down in the temple.

It is said that the ‘Uruli Kamazhthal’ offering with devotion and prayers has helped numerous couples to have children. This temple also has a special turmeric paste which is supposed to have healing properties.

The main festival of the temple is Mannarasala Aayilyam, observed on the day of Aayilyam star in the months of Kanni and Thulam (September and October). All the serpent idols in the grove and the temple are taken in a procession to the Illam where special offerings of ‘Nurum Palum’ (made of rice flour and milk), ‘Kuruthi’ (a red liquid made of turmeric and lime) and cooked rice are made. Mannarasala Amma carries the idol of the Nagaraja and the procession is conducted with great reverence and pomp.

The temple administration is entrusted to a trust of family members, which provides all possible facilities to the multitude of devotees.

The trust also runs an upper primary school.

The Mannarasala temple is located about three kilometres to the south-east of the bus station on N.H.47 at Harippad in Alappuzha district, Kerala.

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sPECIAL rECIPES Naushad The Big Chef

a k uk

S n ke

c i h C

Preparation: Ingredients Boneless chicken -1/2 kg (Cut into square pieces) Pearl Onion - ½ Cup Garlic – 1 Table spoon Ginger paste – 1 Table spoon Green Chilly – 2 Finley chopped Grated Coconut Cumin Seeds -1 Teaspoon Curry Leaves – few Salt to taste Kashmiri Chili Powder - 1 Tea spoon Turmeric Powder - ½ Table spoon Coriander Powder - ½ Table spoon Coriander leaves – Chopped Oil – As required 48 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

•

Heat cooking oil in a pan, add ginger and garlic and fry it for 2-3 mins.

•

Mix finely chopped Pearl Onions and chicken pieces.

•

Cover the pan and cook it over a medium heat

•

After 2-3 minutes add salt, Kashmiri Chilli powder, turmeric powder, coriander powder and cook it until the water evaporates.

•

Blend grated coconut with cumin seeds and curry leaves and mix well

•

Garnish with coriander leaves

Naushad The Big Chef

li ly Che n c i ns Sau w y a Pr one H Ingredients

Preparation:

Medium Sized prawn (Cooked and deveined) – 10 nos Chili Powder Salt to taste Turmeric powder Lemon Juice – 1 Tea spoon Whole dry red chilies (grated) – 2 Table spoon Vinegar - 1 Table spoon Oil - as required Egg – 1 nos Corn flour -3 Table spoon Maida - 2 Table spoon Butter - 1 Table spoon

•

Marinate prawns with salt, turmeric powder, chili powder and lemon juice for 30 minutes

•

In a bowl stir together beaten egg, corn flour, Maida, salt in to a batter form

•

Dip marinated prawns evenly in to the batter and shallow fry it until golden brown.

•

Heat butter and little oil in a frying pan on a medium- high heat and stir whole dry red chilies, lemon juice and honey.

•

Add prawns and cook until it is dry.

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 49

Fruit for you Avocado

amazing benefits of

avocado

Avocado, also known as alligator pear, is rich with incredible amount of nutrients. Avocados are used in many health and beauty products including hair conditioners, face creams and bath oils.

Future Woman brings in 10 wonderful benefits of avocado for all pretty women out there

Gorgeous skin naturally at home 1.Stay young forever

We all try to look young as long as we can. Anti-aging is a benefit an avocado can provide you with. Avocado treatment helps to lessen wrinkles. An avocado will help fight aging process from within when you eat it. You can apply the pulp of avocado flesh to your skin as a facial mask.

How to make •

Mix one ripe avocado with a tablespoon of avocado oil or olive oil • Apply it on your skin while in the shower • Leave for 5mins, wash and feel the difference.

Concentrate on the rough, troublesome and dry areas like your heels and elbows It will make your skin soft.

2. Healthy skin for you

5. Avocado + cucumber = face mask

How to make avocado juice

•

For a healthy and glowing skin tone, drink a cup of avocado juice a day.

•

Mix one ripe avocado with a cup of milk .

• Add some honey if you like it sweet.

Have fantastic refreshing drink full of healthy nutrients.

3. Natural Sunscreen

Avocado serves you as a natural sunscreen and soothing ointment. UVA and UVB rays will not be a matter of concern for you. Damage caused due to excess exposure towards sunrays will be restored.

4. Body lotion from nature 50 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

•

Mix avocado and cucumber in equal proportions Apply on your face and neck (atleast 3 times a week).

6. Strong & healthy nail

A routine massage with avocado oil for your nails and cuticles will keep it strong and healthier.

7. Vitamin for you and your baby As Avocado is an amazing source of folic acid, it will help the formation of your baby’s nervous system. It also helps you to prevent conditions like depression and lethargy during pregnancy period. The fruit is rich

with potassium, folate, fiber along with vitamin C, K and B6.

Avocado for your hair

8. Avocado for your scalp

Avocados can be used to treat a dry and itchy scalp. Amino acids and proteins will penetrate your scalp. It helps to improve the overall condition of your scalp and hair

How to use •

Massage your scalp with the pulp of avocado.

9. The seeds of the fruit can be used for dandruff treatment.

10. Have an avocado for shiny hair How to use • • • • • •

Mash one ripe avocado Mix it with one egg yolk Add one tablespoon of coconut oil Massage the mixture into your hair and scalp Leave in for 15-20 minutes Then shampoo and condition.

This hair mask will soften brittle and dry hair, will add luster and shine.

Diabetes Home Remedies

Home remedies for

diabetes What is Diabetes?

Diabetes is a disorder characterised by excess amount of blood glucose or blood sugar. This occurs due to lack of the hormone insulin in the body or because the insulin that is present in the body is not absorbed by the body.

Diabetes is hard for women, especially pregnant women, because diabetes at the time of pregnancy can affect both mother and the baby. Child born to a woman with diabetes at the time of pregnancy will have birth defects.

Cardiac problems in women with diabetes are also very high.

Common Causes • High blood pressure • Heredity • Insulin deficiency • High cholesterol • Insulin resistance • Rarely due to pancreatitis 1: Boil 15 fresh Mango leaves in 1 glass of water. Leave overnight.

Filter this water and drink first thing in the morning. Tender mango leaves are very effective to treat diabetes by regulating insulin levels in the blood.

2: Basil leaves (tulsi) are

packed with antioxidants that relieve oxidative stress and have essential oils that help in lowering blood sugar levels in the body. Take 2 tablespoons of juice extracted from basil leaves and drink on an empty stomach in the morning.

3: Indian blackberry (Jambul) is considered to be

an effective medicine for treating diabetes. The leaves, berries and seeds of the Indian blackberry (Jambul) plant help in balancing the glucose level in blood and prevent insulin spikes.

Powder the dried seeds or leaves of

the plant and drink it with water twice a day.

4: Drink a cup of green tea

on an empty stomach daily in the morning before your breakfast; is good for overall health. Green tea has polyphenol content, a strong antioxidant compound that is helpful in reducing the blood sugar insulin level in the body.

5: The Vitamin C present in Indian gooseberry (Amla)

promotes proper functioning of the pancreas. Extract the juice from the fruit and take 2 teaspoons of the juice mixed with a glass of water. Consume this drink daily in the morning on an empty stomach to keep your blood sugar level in control.

6: Eating a healthy diet that contains vitamins and minerals like fruits such as apples, apricots, and berries, and vegetables like carrots, beet and bitter gourd is essential for keeping your body healthy and in balancing blood sugar levels.

7: Drumstick (Moringa) leaves are high in fiber content

best known for their ability to boost one’s energy. The leaf increases satiety and helps in slowing the breakdown of food and also in lowering blood pressure.

8: Fenugreek seeds are a rich

source of fiber useful for controlling diabetes. The fenugreek seeds can be soaked in water overnight and should be taken early in the morning before your breakfast. The seeds can also be powdered and mixed with milk. This can enhance the secretion of glucosedependent insulin. Repeat this remedy daily for few months to control blood sugar levels--FW

Readers are requested to seek a doctor’s advice before attempting self medication

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 51

Ayurveda Monsoon treatments for women

Monsoon woes Decreased resistance power especially during seasonal changes makes people sick. A look at the general diseases affecting women during the monsoon season and the remedies in Ayurveda

A

yurveda is a health care system with a difference. What makes the difference is primarily its congruency with Mother Nature in the concept of health, disease, treatment and allied domains.

Ayurveda strongly believes that the changes occurring in the environment in terms of geography, climate, culture etc reflect on the bio-physiopsycho make ups of human and other fellow beings.

It could be observed that all earthly beings develop adaptive capabilities to get tuned to the changing environment so as to overcome the adversities successfully. In the case of human beings, the adaptive skills are far advanced due to the sequential events of evolution. Additionally, medical knowledge acquired and progressively updated helped human beings to improve the adaptive skill

52 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

By Dr Sunitha V S resorting to appropriate measures. Being a centuries old medical practice, Ayurvedic contribution in this regard is a time tested one.

Health care of women has received due attention by proponents of Ayurveda since the very beginning because of its Indian philosophical and cultural moorings. Specially designed protocols for post natal care and menstruating women are well known examples. The very same principles are to be applied in the acclimatization schedule also when it comes to women health care during monsoon.

Owing to certain intrinsic and extrinsic factors, bio enzymatic complex (Jaivagni) weakens during monsoon .As a result; the natural defense mechanism of the

body to prevent diseases becomes rather low. In other words, the immunity declines. Systems prone to get afflicted with these seasonal changes are gastrointestinal, respiratory, musculo-skeletal and neurological.

The contaminated food and low digestive fire leads to vomiting, diarrhea, dysentery, abdominal colic etc. Exposure to humid atmosphere coupled with decreased resistance power cause frequent cold, fever, headache, sinusitis, bronchitis etc. Similarly, joints pain, heaviness of limbs, generalised or partial numbness, stiffness of back and muscle cramps develop during rainy season. Senior citizen is found prone to develop the aforesaid musculo skeletal and neurological diseases.

The cloudy sky with

diminished sunlight and cold waves induce a kind of unexplained depression in women.

Treatments

Naturally, one has to resort to the disease specific treatment under medical advice. At the same time, one can modify the lifestyle so as to improve the inherent immunity and also to maintain the digestive power undisturbed. Keeping this in view, Ayurvedic physicians have developed a unique system of treatment to overcome the vagaries of weather.

It starts with some homemade medicaments such as mukkudi. Puliyarila (Oxalis corniculata), Kurunthitty veru (Sida cordifolia roots), Cheruvazhutina veru (Solanam melongena), dried ginger, pepper and cumin

seeds taken in parts of 12 grams each, may be ground well to make a thick paste form. This may be dissolved in one glass of buttermilk and boiled well. Two grams of turmeric powder and common salt may be added to it. It is recommended to be taken during monsoon early in the morning on empty stomach. Similar preparation using cumin seeds, Ayamodakam (Trachispermium roxburghianum), pepper, puliyarila.

(Oxalis corniculata) kutakappala (Holarrhena antidysentrica) can be also be used. It is supposed to cleanse the intestine, removing the foreign bodies likely to be lodged therein. The medicament also helps to produce good quality digestive enzymes.

Medicated gruel (marunnu kanhi) is another preparation recommended to be taken as diet. They are locally known as uzhinja kanhi (Cardiospermum halicacabum), navadhanyakanhi (Navadhanya are rice, black gram, horse gram, black channa, green gram, fenugreek, millet, mustard and wheat), dasapushpakanhi, (Dasapushpa are Mukkutti-Biophytum sensitivum, Poovamkurunnila窶天ernonia cinerea, Muyal cheviyan-Emilia sonchifolia, Karuka-Cynodon dactylon, Nilappana-Curculigo orchioides, Kaiyonni-Eclipta prostrata, Vishnukranti-Evolvulus alsinoides, Cherula-Aerva lanata, Tirutali-Ipomoea sepiaria, UzhinhaCardiospermum halicacabum), pathilakanhi (Pathila are leaves of chembu (Colocasia esculenta), payaru(Vigna unguiculata), chena (Amorphophalus campanulatus), kumbalam (Benincasa hispida), mathan (Cucurbita maxima), tazhutama (Boerhavia diffusa), thaal (colacasia stem), takara(cassia tora), kodithuva(Tragia involucrata), cheera(Amaranthus gangeticus) etc. Obviously, it is named after the ingredients used. Prepare kanhi using unpolished rice, navarayari (Oryza sativa variety of rice) or fenugreek, either singularly or combined. When the kanhi is well cooked, add equal quantity of fresh juice of the herbs to it. Boil it well again and add coconut milk equal to the herbal juice added. Flavor

the kanhi by adding appropriate quantities of powdered cumin seeds, ghee and salt. Similarly, nonvegetarian soups also can be prepared. Special recipe containing rice bran, jaggery, coconut, cumin seeds, dried ginger and cardamom is also recommended diet, which is popularly known as tavidappam. It is to be remembered that rice bran contains vitamin B complex in its natural form.

Those who have practical difficulties in preparing the aforesaid recipes may take ayurvedic preparations such as Ashtachoornam or Vaiswanarachoornam mixed with boiled buttermilk.

Similarly, Chyavanaprasham, Brahmarasayanam, Ajaswagandhadi leham can be used taking advice from an experienced physician.

Oil bath is customary in Kerala, which helps to improve immune system and also to prevent diseases especially of neurological and musculo-skeletal origin. Dhanwantaram kuzhampu and Prabhanjanavimardanam kuzhampu are specially recommended for this purpose.

Guided by their experience, Ayurvedic physicians of Kerala have designed certain specialized therapies such as Pizhichil, Sirodhara and Navarakizhi which have obtained wide acceptance now as rejuvenative therapies Good personal hygiene and clean surroundings are also of importance. Take care to stay dry and warm clothing may be worn.

Wetness can lead to fungal or bacterial infections resulting in itching and skin rashes. Fumigating house and surroundings using herbs s would be ideal.

Dr Sunitha V S, Deputy Physician, Kottakkal Arya Vaidya Sala July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 53

Beauty Tips Shahnaz Husain

Look beautiful with

Shahnaz Husain

World renowned beauty and cosmetology expert Shahnaz Husain answers queries on beauty and skincare.

Apart from being an authority on beauty and skincare and a well respected columnist for many reputed magazines, she is chairperson and managing director of the Shahnaz Husain Group of companies, manufacturers of brand herbal and Ayurvedic beauty products 54 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

I have dark circles near my eyes.

Suggest a home remedy.

Hereditary factors, nutritional deficiencies, stress, inadequate sleep, sun-sensitivity, etc., are some of the aspects that can lead to dark circles under eyes. So, along with external care, you should check these aspects. As a home remedy, daily apply pure almond oil sparingly around eyes and massage it lightly on the skin, using only the ring finger, for one minute under each eye. Massage in one direction only. Leave on for 15 minutes and wipe off gently with moist cotton

wool. You can also mix cucumber juice and potato juice in equal quantities. Apply under eyes daily for 20 minutes. Wash off with water.

I have hair on arms and legs. How can I remove them without using hair removing cream?

Waxing is the best option for the removal of hair on arms and legs. You can have the waxing done at a beauty parlour. Or, you can try using an epilator for arms and legs. It is a small gadget for hair removal. The hair must be at a particular

length before removal.

Please read the directions given with the gadget. There may be some initial pain while removing hair with an epilator. Both waxing and epilation remove hair by the roots. If you wish, you can make a paste with turmeric and milk and rub it on the arms and legs with circular movements. This does not remove hair, but is said to lessen hair growth over a period of time. It may leave a yellowish tinge on the skin. Use whole turmeric to make the paste, in order to get pure turmeric.

I have oily skin.

What is the remedy for that?

For oily skin, after washing the face, apply an astringent lotion. It will be available at a cosmetic store or, you can mix rose water and cucumber juice in equal quantities and apply on the face.

Wash off after 15 minutes. This also helps to reduce oiliness and close the pores. Mix multani mitti with rose water into a paste and apply on the face.

Wash it off when it is dry. Avoid creams.

If the skin feels dry, mix 100 ml rose water with one teaspoon pure glycerin.

Keep in an airtight bottle in the fridge.

Apply a little of this lotion to relieve dryness.

I have small eyes and chubby cheeks. How to make eyes look bigger and cheeks less chubby?

You can make the eyes look bigger and the cheeks look less plump with the help of make-up.

On the lids, use a slightly off-white eye shadow on the inner part of the lid and add a pure white shadow in the inner most part to create a light effect. Pay attention to the lash line to add definition to the eye area. Apply eye pencil close to the lash line on the upper lid. Dot the pencil along the lower lashes and smudge carefully with swab to enlarge the eye area. When applying mascara, pay attention to the lashes at the outer corner. Apply darker colour foundation along the cheeks, at the fullest part. Use your blusher under the cheekbone, starting from under the centre of the eye and going

outwards and slightly upwards. Apply highlighter or translucent powder on the cheekbones, to lift them.

What should I do to grow my nails faster and stronger? Suggest home remedies.

Include adequate protein and calcium in your diet. Take skimmed milk, yogurt, cottage cheese, eggs, fish and sprouts. If you suffer from any health problem or disease, consult your doctor before making changes in your diet. Follow a ten-day programme of taking gelatine. Dissolve one teaspoon gelatin in a little boiling water. Cool the water and add it to fruit juice OR cold milk. Have this daily for ten days.

This helps to strengthen nails and encourages growth.

My elbows and knees are dark. Please tell me some home remedies

Take lemon halves and rub them daily on the elbows and knees. Wash it off and then apply sesame seed (til) oil and massage it into the skin. Make a paste of gram flour (besan), curd, lemon juice and a little turmeric (haldi). Apply the paste on these areas at least three times a week. Wash it off after half an hour. You can also apply a cream containing lemon and turmeric daily.

Please tell me how to make and apply a henna pack

Shahnaz Husain To the henna powder add 4 teaspoons each of lemon juice and coffee, 2 raw eggs and enough curd to mix into a thick paste. If you want to avoid eggs, add more curd. It should be of toothpaste-like consistency. Divide the hair in sections and apply the henna on both sides of the section, so that it is totally covered with henna paste.

Wrap the section around the head. Now repeat this with each section, till the hair is totally covered with the henna paste. Keep it on for at least one hour and wash off. Wash it off with water.

You can use shampoo the next day, if you wish. If your hair is dry, also add 2 teaspoons hair oil to the henna.

ADVICES /Carpal

Tunnel Syndrome

Dr Arun Oommen Consultant Neurosurgeon, Lakeshore Hospital and Research Centre Kochi, India

Dear Doctor, I am a 42-year-old lady living in Chennai. I have been suffering from recurrent numbness and tingling of the middle, index and thumb of my right hand. It gets aggravated especially when I use computers for a long period. I have consulted doctors and have done nerve tests and taken medicines. They gave only temporary relief. Recently my doctor adviced surgery to relieve the problem. I am not comfortable with the idea of a surgery. Is surgery really required?

--Sruthi Karunakaran, Kollam Dear Sruthi, You seem to be having Carpal tunnel syndrome which is a very common problem faced. The carpal tunnel is an anatomical compartment located at the base of the palm. Tendons and a nerve called the median nerve pass through the carpal. The median nerve provides feeling or sensation to the thumb, index finger, long finger, and half of the ring finger. The median nerve can be compressed by a decrease in the size of the canal, an increase in the size of the contents (such as the swelling of lubrication tissue around the flexor tendons), or both.

Patients experience numbness, tingling, or burning sensations in the thumb, the index, middle fingers, and radial half of the ring fingers (median nerve distribution) which is the hallmark neuropathic symptoms (NS) of carpal tunnel entrapment syndrome. Weakness and atrophy of the thenar muscles may occur if the condition remains untreated.

Most cases of CTS are of unknown causes (idiopathic).

Carpal Tunnel Syndrome can be associated with any condition that causes pressure on the median nerve at the wrist which include obesity, oral contraceptives, hypothyroidism, arthritis, diabetes,), and trauma..

Occupational risk factors of repetitive tasks (continuous use of computer), force, posture, and vibration have been cited.

If history and physical examination suggest CTS, patients can be tested electrodiagnostically with nerve conduction studies and electromyography.

Electrodiagnostic testing is to compare the speed of conduction in the median nerve with conduction in other nerves supplying the hand. When the median nerve is compressed, as in CTS, it will conduct more slowly than normal and more slowly than other nerves.

56 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

Generally accepted treatments include: steroids either orally or injected locally, splinting, and surgical release of the transverse carpal ligament. Predisposing illness like diabetes mellitus, coexistent cervical radiculopathy, hypothyroidism, polyneuropathy, pregnancy, rheumatoid arthritis, has to be tackled.

Surgery is recommended that when there is static (constant, not just intermittent) numbness, muscle weakness, or atrophy, and when night-splinting no longer controls intermittent symptoms. Release of the transverse carpal ligament is known as “carpal tunnel release� surgery.

Suggested healthy habits such as avoiding repetitive stress, work modification through use of ergonomic equipment (wrist rest, mouse pad), taking proper breaks, using keyboard alternatives (digital pen, voice recognition, and dictation), and drugs like omega-3 fatty acids, and B vitamins have been proposed as methods to help prevent carpal tunnel syndrome.

Thalassemia

/ ADVICES

Dr Ritu Nair Department of Medical Genetics, CRAFT Hospital, Kodungallur

Dear doctor, We have been married for 12 years and have a child affected with a blood disorder, Thalassemia. Our child undergoes frequent blood transfusions. We want to have a second child free from this genetic disorder and also want this child to be a savior sibling for the affected one. It’s a pity that none of the genetic diseases have treatment as of date. Is there any centre in INDIA offering savior baby?

--Meera Arjun, Chennai Dear Meera, CRAFT is the only centre in India offering PGD technology for blood related disorders and other chromosomal and single gene disorders. Savior sibling can also be very well offered in conjunction to PGD and HLA matching. First and foremost, parents and the affected child’s DNA will be tested to find out the nature of genetic mutation,

then HLA linked markers will be studied on them. This would then help us to select normal and HLA matched embryos, created by IVF/ ICSI. This completes the process of savior sibling. The savior sibling’s bone marrow transplantation can help save the affected child. So we test the HLA genes relevant to the proximity of genetics of bone marrow.

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 57

ADVICES / Irregular periods

Dr N P Vijayalakshmy Chief Medical Officer, Vijaya Institute of Medical Sciences, Kochi

Dear doctor, I am a 25-year-old having very irregular periods. My marriage date is fast approaching. I am concerned about this problem. What are the reasons and the remedies? Will it affect my fertility?

--Neelanjana Das Gupta, New Delhi Dear Neelanjana, I understand your concern. There are many reasons for irregular periods. Some women have hair growth in the face, hands, legs and in the abdomen along with irregular period. There are a few others who suddenly gain weight and start having irregular periods.

Some have discharge from nipple and have irregular period. All these conditions are associated with endocrine problem.

The easy method is to undergo blood hormone profile like thyroid function, serum prolactin level, level of follicular stimulating hormone and luteinizing hormone level in the blood. If any of the hormone is found abnormal, correcting it with medication, should set your periods normal.

Another condition is PCOD. Do it under the supervision of a gynaecologist.

58 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

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Sexual health

The Pill Peril Ten common birth control side effects The oral contraceptive pill, commonly referred to as “the pill,” is a form of hormonal contraception taken by women to prevent pregnancy. Here is a list of the most common side effects of the “pill”

T

he pill is a highly effective method of birth control when taken correctly, There are two types of contraceptive pills, both of which contain synthetic hormones, estrogen and progesterone, Combination pills contain both hormones estrogen and progesterone whereas the “mini pill” known as the progestin-only pill contains only the hormone progestin. The pill can also be taken for non-contraceptive protection to treat medical conditions such as:

• • • • • • •

Regulation of menstrual periods Irregular periods Menorrhagia (heavy periods) Dysmenorrhea (painful periods) Endometriosis Premenstrual syndrome (PMS) and premenstrual dysphoric disorder (PMDD) Acne, hirsutism (excess hair

60 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

•

growth) and alopecia (hair loss) Decreasing the risk of breast cysts, ovarian cysts, pelvic inflammatory disease (PID) and pregnancies in the fallopian tubes.

Oral contraceptives are also used as a method to prevent ovarian and endometrial cancers. Birth control pills do not prevent sexually transmitted diseases.1-3

Common birth control side effects

Intermenstrual spotting: vaginal bleeding between your expected periods is experienced by approximately 50% of women using the pill, most commonly within the first 3 months of initiating the pill.

Generally, this resolves in over 90% of women by their third pill pack.

During this time of spotting, the pill

is still effective as long as the pill has been taken correctly and none were missed. It is recommended that you contact your medical provider if you experience 5 or more days of bleeding while on your active pills or heavy bleeding for 3 or more days.3 Nausea: mild nausea when initially starting the pill can occur.

However, nausea symptoms usually resolve over a short period of time.

One solution is to try taking your pill with food or at bedtime. Seek medical help if the nausea is severe or persistent.3 Breast tenderness: birth control pills may cause your breasts to enlarge or become tender, which tends to improve after the first few weeks of starting the pill. However, if there is a presence of a lump or the pain is not going away, seek medical help. Reducing caffeine and salt intake

can decrease breast tenderness, as can wearing a supportive bra.3 Headaches: the onset of new headaches should be brought to the attention of your medical provider.3 Weight gain: despite the failure of clinical studies to reveal that birth control pills cause weight fluctuations, some women do experience some fluid retention, especially in the breast and hip areas.3

Mood changes:

if you are someone who has a history ofdepression, it is important that this is discussed with your medical provider - some women do experience depression or other emotional changes while taking the pill. It is important to contact your medical provider if you are experiencing mood changes during pill use.3

Missed periods:

there are times when despite proper pill use, a period may be skipped or missed. Several factors can influence this such as outside stress, illness, travel or at times hormonal and or thyroid abnormalities.

If a period is missed or is very light while on the pill, take a pregnancy test prior to taking your next pack of pills and call your medical provider if this continues.3

Decreased libido:

the pill can affect your sex drive because of the hormones found in them. However, other outside factors may also cause a

decrease in your libido.

If this is persistent or bothersome, inform your medical provider.3

Vaginal discharge:

some women may notice changes in vaginal discharge ranging from an overall increase to a decrease in vaginal lubrication with intercourse. Speak with your medical provider if you are concerned that there is the presence of an infection.

Visual changes with contact lenses:

you should see your ophthalmologist if you are a contact lens wearer and notice some changes in vision or with lens tolerance during pill use.3

Precautions and risks while taking the pill

Combination pills do come with a particular risk for cardiovascular side effects such as heart attack, stroke and blood clots - which at times can be fatal. While blood clots are rare, they can occur. For women with a history of blood clots, heart attacks or stroke, it is advised that they do not take the combination birth control pill and speak with their medical provider about using an alternative method.1 The US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) advises against the use of combination pills in women aged 35 years or older that smoke. Additional factors that increase your risk

of blood clots include obesity or a family history of heart disease.1 It is not recommended to take hormonal contraceptives if you have a personal history of liver or heart disease, uterine or breast cancer, uncontrolled blood pressure or migraines with an aura.4

It is important to note that combination pills with the form of synthetic progesterone called drospirenonone may have a higher risk of blood clots including deep vein thrombosis and pulmonary embolism.

You should speak with your medical provider to see what type of birth control option is best for you--MNT

If you experience the side effects with the acronym “ACHES” (see below), contact your medical provider or visit an emergency room immediately as they may signify a serious condition.3,4 • A: Abdominal/ stomach pain • C: Chest pain (as well as shortness of breath) • H: Headaches, which are severe • E: Eye problems such as blurred vision/loss of vision • S: Swelling/ aching in the legs and thighs (also redness, swelling or pain in the calf or thighs).

Birth control pills have also been associated with an increase in blood pressure, benign liver tumors, and a slight increase in the risk of developing cervical cancer.3 July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 61

Mother & Child Child Safety

Keep your home safe for your baby Children are our most precious things on earth. How far we go for their safety is immeasurable. As parents, we want to keep our children safe from harm. The following is a few steps to keep our children safe

How can I make my baby’s crib safe?

Choose a crib with bars no more than 2 3/8 inches apart. If the space between the bars is too wide, your baby could slip through and strangle between the bars.

Use a ruler to check the width of the space between the bars. Weave a cloth between the bars if they are too far apart.

The crib should not have corner posts that stick up. Corner posts can be catchpoints for items placed around a child's neck or clothing worn by the child.

Unscrew the corner posts or saw them off.

The mattress should fit snugly against the sides of the crib. An infant can suffocate if its head or body becomes wedged between the mattress and the sides of the crib. No more than 2 fingers should fit between the mattress and the side of the crib. Place rolled towels between the mattress and the crib if the mattress is too small.

When your baby can push up, you should remove bumpers, pillows and toys from the crib including toys that are strung across the crib or a playpen.

Your baby can step on these things or use them to climb out of the crib and fall.

What else can I do to keep the bedroom safe?

Remove any cords that could get around the baby's neck.

Keep the crib away from electric cords, drapes and curtain cords, or tie up the cords so they are less than 6 inches long and out of your child's reach. Mobiles and hanging crib toys should also be kept out of your baby's reach.

Remove strings on crib toys and pacifiers.

How can I make the kitchen safe?

Turn pot handles toward the back of the stove.

Use the back burners on the stove for cooking.

Keep hot foods and drinks out of reach – away from the edge of a counter or table. Keep knives and other sharp objects out of reach or in locked or "childproof " drawers or cabinets. Wind up

62 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

appliance cords and keep them out of reach.

How can I keep medicines and poisons out of reach?

Keep medicines, vitamins, cleaning supplies and other poisons in locked cabinets. Children can't tell the difference between medicine and candy.

If your child swallows something he or she shouldn't, call a poison control center right away. Keep the telephone number by your phone.

How can I make bath time safe?

Because children can drown in very little water, you should always stay with your child when he or she is in the bathtub. NEVER leave your child alone or with an older child in the bathroom or tub – not even for a minute. If you have to answer the phone or doorbell, take your child with you.

Always test the water before putting your child in the tub. Young children have tender skin and are easily burned if the water in the sink or bathtub is too hot.

Set your water heater to 120 F or less. To check the temperature of the hot water from the faucet,

run the water over a meat or candy thermometer for 3 minutes.

Keep electrical items such as hair dryers away from the water. Unplug them when you aren't using them. They can cause an electric shock if they fall into the sink or bathtub while they're plugged in.

How can I be sure toys are safe?

•

• • •

•

Choose carefully when shopping for toys. Look for toys that are well made and appropriate for your child’s age.

Watch out for toys that have sharp edges, small parts or sharp points.

Young children pull, prod and twist toys. Look for toys with tightly secured parts.

Look for safety information on the toy or label such as "Not recommended for children under 3 years of age," or "non-toxic" on toys likely to end up in little mouths.

Look for "washable/hygienic materials" on stuffed toys and dolls.

Avoid marbles, balls, games with balls and other toys that have parts smaller than 1 3/4 inches in diameter or smaller than 2 inches

•

long. These products can choke young children if swallowed.

Keep toys meant for older children away from babies and toddlers.

What about houseplants?

Plants should be placed out of your child's reach. Some houseplants are poisonous. Call your local poison control center to find out if your plants are poisonous.

How can I make stairs safe?

Use toddler gates at the top and bottom of stairs. Do not use gates with big spaces between the slats – children can get trapped in the openings.

How can I make windows safe?

Keep children away from windows to prevent falls. Screens are made to keep bugs out – not to keep children in. Use window guards to keep children from falling. Keep chairs and other furniture away from windows so children can't climb up. If possible, open windows from the top, not the bottom.

Safety tips 1

deflated or burst Keep plastic bags and ng children. you m fro balloons away s to cover electric outlet • Use plastic insert being used. openings that are not ttes out of reach. are cig • Keep alcohol and er firearms out of the • Keep guns and oth house, unload them, house. If guns are in the ce and keep the keys put them in a locked pla ch. Store the gun in a out of your child's rea bullets. separate place from the on anything above ced pla is • When your baby nging table, always the ground, like a cha hand on your baby. stand close with your t is lighters in a cabinet tha • Lock matches and ers. higher than your should

•

Tips 2

safety seat in your car Install the right child cross the street safely to Teach children how the right gear and Make sure they wear equipment for sports oke alarms • Install and test sm aners and other cle • Store medicines, s in locked cabinets nce sta sub dangerous me • Babyproof your ho children unattended all sm ve lea n't Do •

• • •

July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 63

Disease Special Birth Defects

Malformed

in the womb Birth defects are a widespread health issue. The defects happen while a baby is developing in the mother’s womb. Congenital anomalies change the shape or function of one or more parts of the body. They also can affect the overall health of a child. According to “March of Dimes Global Report on Birth Defects, every year an estimated 8 million children (6 per cent of total births worldwide) are born with a serious birth defect of genetic or partially genetic origin. At least 3.3 million children below 5 years old die annually because of serious birth defects and the majority of those who survive may be mentally and physically disabled for life.

Eminent fertility specialist and gynaecologist Dr. N. P. Vijayalakshmy looks at the reasons behind birth disorders and possible remedies

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here are three reasons to assess foetal health in utero. The first is to prevent the loss of a normal child and second, to prevent the birth of a severely malformed baby. The third reason is to correct preventable disorders. Obstetric care takers focus on maternal medical problem like diabetes and hypertension-connected foetal risk as in intra uterine growth retardation.

Birth defects are structural or functional abnormalities present at birth that cause physical or mental disability.

Incidence: Congenital anomalies affect

64 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

an estimated 8 million children worldwide and at least 3.3 million children less than 5 years of age die annually because of serious birth defects and the majority of those who survive may be mentally and physically disabled for life, says a report in March of Dimes Global Report on Birth Defects.

Common defects: Birth defects

are of different types. Some examples are orofacial defects, muscular skeletal malformations, central nervous system defects, heart defects, cardiovascular malformations, genitourinary

malformations, limb defects etc. Birth defects of the central nervous system are called neural tube defects. This includes conditions called anencephaly, hydrocephalus, macrocephaly and spina bifida.

Anencephaly happens if a baby is being born without forebrain and cerebrum. Almost all babies born with anencephaly will die shortly after birth. Spina bifida is a fault in the development of the spine and spinal cord which leaves a gap in the spine. Spina bifida might cause physical and intellectual disabilities that range from mild to severe form.

Cerebral palsy results from brain injury during a baby’s development in the womb.

Infections, birth injuries and poor oxygen supply to the brain before, during and immediately after birth, are common factors that can affect a baby’s normal development. Cleft lip and palate is an orofacial defect where baby’s lip or mouth does not form properly during pregnancy. Surgery to repair this usually occurs in the first few months of life and is recommended within the first 18 months of life. Congenital heart defects are conditions that are present at birth and can affect the structure of a baby’s heart and the way it works.

They are the most common type of birth defect. Pulmonary atresia is a birth defect of the

heart where the valve that controls blood flow from the heart to the lungs doesn’t form at all. An atrial septal defect is a birth defect of the heart in which there is a hole in the septum that divides the upper chambers of the atria. Down syndrome is a genetic disorder caused by extra copy of 21st chromosome ie Trisomy 21. It includes a combination of birth defects, including mental retardation, characteristic facial features, and often a range of health issues, such as impaired hearing, impaired vision, and heart defects.

There are a large number of different musculoskeletal abnormalities affecting one or a combination of bone and muscle development in the skull, trunk and limbs.

Causes: Congenital

anomalies are a diverse group of disorders of prenatal origin which can be caused by single gene defects, chromosomal disorders, multifactorial inheritance, environmental teratogens and micronutrient deficiencies.

Socioeconomic factors like maternal nutrional status, genetic factors, infections during pregnancy, and environmental factors like exposure to pesticides, medications, alcohol etc. are the causes and risk factors. Chromosome anomaly can be structural or numerical. Some of the numerical anomalies are detected after the baby is born since these babies can otherwise survive. For example 45XO Turner’s syndrome, baby is born as a girl, her ovaries are

streak and will not be able to function as normal female. Some of the anomalies are recurrent, will not progress beyond 12th week of intrauterine life and results in recurrent abortion. These are conditions where aneuploidy is responsible in which chromosome number is abnormal.

Aneuploidy originates during cell division when the chromosomes do not separate properly between the two cells.

anomalies. Newborn screening tests look for developmental, genetic, and metabolic d-+isorders in the newborn baby.

Screening for deafness and heart defects as well as early detection of birth defects can facilitate life-saving treatments and prevent the progression towards some physical, intellectual, visual or auditory disabilities.

To build up a healthy, intelligent next generation, preconceptional counseling, good antenatal care and good intra and post-partum care of the baby will help the baby, parents and society.

(Dr. N. P. Vijayalakshmy M.D.., D.G.O. is chief medical officer of Vijaya Institute of Medical Sciences, Cochin, Kerala)

Prevention:

Preconception counseling to the would-be mother especially if she is coming from a family history of diabetes will help her to plan her pregnancy and maintain normal glycemic level which may prevent abnormalities due to diabetes. Antenatal screening includes screening for maternal age, RH blood group incompatibility, carrier screening for genetic disorders, and advise not to use alcohol or tobacco.

During late pregnancy, teaching the mother about foetal movement count and to watch out for any abnormal vaginal discharge will help in early detection of premature rupture of membrane and any other complications. In early pregnancy, there is double marker test, PAPPA test (pregnancyassociated plasma protein A) ultrasound evaluation of intrauterine gestational sac and yolk sac ratio. As the woman crosses the first trimester there are various blood tests like triple marker test and ultrasonography to rule out some of the congenital July 2015 I FUTURE WOMAN 65

shejourney

Go footloose and fearless 10 safest places for women to travel alone

There was a time when women were asked not to go out of the house alone. They should be accompanied by a family member. Hence, they used to be confined to their houses and the surroundings. Time has changed. Women have now proved equal to men or above them in various fields because of their higher education and occupations. They are on the move 24 hours, most of the time alone, as their jobs or education demand. Yet they are not safe in some places, especially when it comes to holidaying. A look at some of the holiday safe spots for them to enjoy without an ‘extra baggage.’

By Soudha

66 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

W

omen travelling alone is not that risky provided they take some safety measures. When I say safety measures, it doesnot mean you carry a revolver or a sharp knife with you. Safety while travelling means to learn about the place and chart your travel plans in advance, before you set out on a journey. The first and foremost you should remember is: Don’t make any compromise on privacy, safety and the quality of the place you choose to stay in order to balance your budget.

Prefer government registered hotels. Avoid reaching your destination in the night and looking for a place to stay. Avoid strange-looking people offering help.

When you ask me to pick

up some of the safe and beautiful places in and around Kerala where a woman alone can spend her holidays fearlessly, I will surely include

Kumarakom. Reaching

the place by air, train or road is easy. The best attraction there, ofcourse, is the tranquil backwaters.

There are many quality resorts on the banks of the lake, giving a panoramic view of the backwaters.

No need to have any kind of tension for a woman, even if she is holidaying alone. People there are very friendly, helpful and they do have a broader approach to the visitors.

Travelling to Kumarakom during offseason (AprilSeptember) will be more cheaper as the place is a favorite destination of foreigners and it will be crowded and expensive

during the season time.

Fort Kochi is yet another place a woman should visit, I feel.

People have a lot of misconceptions about the place, that it is a centre where pick-pocketing and physical assaults are common. But these things happen anywhere, if you are not careful about yourself, especially in an unfamiliar place.You can take care of yourself by avoiding dark alleys and pocket roads at odd times. In fact Fort Kochi is a beautiful holiday destination. You will definitely enjoy the cosmopolitan crowd, Cafeterias offering all types of food items of various countries are common place.

Season: October-March is the best time to visit.

Munnar is my

favourite. The brilliant sights of picture perfect green valleys, tea gardens,the undulating mountain ranges, all that we see here are just amasing.

It’s actually a heaven on earth. Reaching the place may make you a little tired but once you are there, I’m sure, you would love the place. You will get all sorts of resorts, budget to high luxury, and plenty of homestays, but don’t forget to check whether they are government-registered.

Varkala is another place where a woman can go alone and stay back for days without any risk.

The place is a nice beach destination and safe for women. Varkala is more or less like Goa. People here are friendly and used to see visitors from various parts of the world. They have a very positive mindset.

Kumarakom

Poovar, 15kilometers away from Kovalam, is a good holiday destination in Kerala for women. It is easy to reach by flight, train, bus or car. Poovar offers good resorts to stay and a very good beach experience. The best time to visit the place is August-March, when the climate is moderate.

For women who love waterfalls and a little adventure, I suggest Athirapally. Ladies can go alone or can go as a group even for a day out.

Athirapally is a perfect place for a day escape and relaxation, away from your work pressures.

Some of the other places in South India for a safe holiday for women are Mahabalipuram,

Munnar

shejourney

Mysore Palace

Pondicherry and Coorg.

Rock-cut monuments, panoramic view of sculptures and an awesome beach will make you fall in love instantly

with Mahabalipuram.

When you visit the place, avoid choosing the peak summer season. Pack good cotton clothes in your travel kit as it is the ideal cloth for the climate here.

Abbey falls, Coorg

Pondicherry, this place will take you to a different feel, as if you are somewhere in France.

French type buildings, French culture,all will provide you a feel of holidaying in a European country.

Coorg is a very safe place as the people here are very courteous to the visitors. Coorgians are known for their hospitality.

The Tibetian Monastery, Dubare Elephant Camp, Tadiiandamol Peak etc., are some of the must see places in Coorg .

Chamundi hills and lot many. October–February is the ideal time to visit Mysore as the weather at that time is very cool.

During October Mysore will be completely engaged in Dasara celebrations. It will not be safe for women to go to Mysore to witness Dasara celebrations alone as the place will be crowded with lakhs of people.

Wherever and whenever you travel, be self-reliant and well prepared. Always carry necessary amount of cash, a map, a guide book and a phrase book with you.

Try to know more about the place you are going to visit, which will make you more safer and happier.

Don’t think reserved and sit stressed, go out and see the world

Mysore an easily

Pondicherry 68 FUTURE WOMAN I July 2015

accessable and an incredible place to visit.

Once you reach Mysore the place will provide you with a lot of attractive places like Mysore Palace, Brindavan Gardens,

Soudha Managing Director, Dezika Traveller

women in news

Her father’s daughter

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he double-Oscar winning Hollywood actress Hilary Swank is taking a break from her career, to look after her elderly father Stephen Swank, who underwent a lung transplant recently. “My dad is living with me. I’m his sole caretaker right now,” the star of Million Dollar Baby and Boys don’t cry told Huff post Live.

“There is nothing I want to do more other than being with my

dad in this time of need. And if it wasn’t me taking care of him, I think I would always look back and regret that opportunity to be able to take care of him and help him through this extraordinary time. It’s a certain amount of time, but in a lifespan it’s a blink of an eye. There‘s been job opportunities I’ve passed on and things that I said ‘I can’t, but really what we’re here for is our family,” she said.

Country comes first

T

he reigning Miss Universe Paulina Vega has refused to give up her Miss Universe Crown over a remark by the Miss Universe pageant owner Donald Trump on Mexican immigrants. Trump in his presidential campaign said that some Mexican immigrants to the US “bring drugs, crime and some are rapists.” He has also called Vega a hypocrite for keeping the crown. The Colombian beauty said she would continue doing the organisation’s social work as Miss Universe. “As a Colombian and as Miss Universe, I want to show my support and validate the sentiments of the Latin community,” she said on her Integra account.

Training hard

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lympic medallist Mary Kom is training hard for the Rio Olympics next year and is determined to win another medal before she hangs up her boxing gloves for good. “The Rio Olympics will be my last. So I would definitely like to finish on a high,” she told the Huffington Post.

The five-time World Amateur Boxing

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champion is the only woman boxer to have won a medal in each of the six world championships. In 2012, she became the only Indian woman boxer to qualify for the Summer Olympics, and won the bronze medal. She has won an Arjuna Award for boxing. The diminutive boxer’s brand value is believed to be to be in the `100 core bracket.

Future Woman Monthly, Published on 8th July 2015 `30 ‘registered’ Regn No:KL/KTM/136/2014-16 RNI No: KERENG/2012/44529