PEOPLE, LIFE & MORE...
TIMES
JANUARY 2011 R 30
EAST NORTH BY HEART
The Pond’s White Beauty Eclectic Model Hunt 2010
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January 2011 │eclectic times │ 3
Veteran Filmmaker Jahnu Barua
Northeast Must-Visits for 2011
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January 2011 • Vol - I • Issue - 4
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UP CLOSE
A look back at the glamour and glitz of the Pond’s White Beauty Eclectic Model Hunt 2010!
NE TRAIL
Travel writer and photographer Kausiki Sarma stumbles upon the undiscovered beauty of Kokrajhar
COVER PHOTO BY: BIDYASAGAR BARUAH
38 ECO TALK 18 OPEN FORUM So what did you really think about President Obama’s visit to India? Readers respond
The Northeast has huge potential for growth in the colourful world of organic dyes, says Anupa Lahkar
40 WORLDLY WAYS Nurul Islam Laskar brings us this exclusive account on HAJ 2010
NEW YEAR SPECIAL 24 ET takes the pulse of the people on their interesting New Year resolutions
42 Zip around the Northeastern states for incredible ideas on what to do in 2011
30 PICTURE PERFECT Dive into the world of Naga culture with Esther Kemp’s gorgeous pictures of the Hornbill Festival
34 MY STORY-UNCENSORED Read the moving life story of cancersurvivor Madhureema Lahkar-Banikya
46 PALATE With Bhogali Bihu in mid-January, cookery author Jyoti Das brings us traditional Assamese fare
58 NE NRI “Determination and will, can get you anywhere,” says Dubai-based journalist David Lalzakham Tusing
60 CONCERNS Keeping yourself in the know when it comes to public policy is a tactful strategy. ET takes a look at why
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GLOBETROTTING
Leave your heart in San Francisco, with Nandini Hegde
69 VIEWPOINT “Whistleblowing can impose a sense of fear and help shackle the erring ones,” believes Ribhu Borphukon
70 BOOK MARK Converge your reading lens on this special report on ‘Confluence’ – The Asia International Literary Festival
NE PRIDE
Assam’s ace filmmaker, Padmashree Jahnu Barua, on Satyajit Ray, Gandhi and …Charlie Chaplin!
REGULARS 10 EVENT DIARY 17 ‘NE’WS SNIPPETS 37 THE ECLECTIC LADY
72 TECH KNOW Feeling blue? Debajit Kataki to the rescue with all you need to know about Bluetooth!
65 SHRINK YOUR HEAD 74 THE ECLECTIC MAN 75 THE REEL
LIVE IN STYLE
76 BOOK SHELF
ET unearths a new lifestyle store for your home décor needs
77 TAROT SCOPE
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79 DINE OUT 80 MODEL OF THE MONTH 82 UNTIL FEBRUARY
CHAIRMAN
Parama Hazarika
EDITORIAL managing editor Tanushree Hazarika tanu@eclectic.co.in
associate editor Loya Agarwala business editor Rajat Agarwal contributing editor Nazneen Hussain content supervisor Himakshi Goswami
CREATIVES senior layout artist Madhusmita Das art supervisor Dipankar Saikia
ADMINISTRATION director Bibha Hazarika administrative officer Prasanta Talukdar deputy admin officer Monjari Mahanta
AD SALES & MARKETING manager marketing Koushik Hazarika +91 99575-62510 ● ads@eclectic.co.in manager communications Pooja Barkataky bangalore +91 88925-05002 ● ads.bangalore@eclectic.co.in delhi – Ad Space Mart +91 98108-02411 ● ads.delhi@eclectic.co.in kolkata – Abhijit Sahu +91 98310-61511 ● ads.kolkata@eclectic.co.in mumbai – Mousumi Moitra +91 98195-79758 ● mousumi.m@eclectic.co.in chennai - Mr. S. Surianarayanan +91 91766 84818 ● ads.chennai@eclectic.co.in CONTACT US
head office Eclectic times • Saraswati Market • 2nd Floor • Above SBI • Six Mile Branch • G.S. Road • Guwahati • Assam • India • Pin: 781022 landline +91-361-222 94 44 • mobile +91-94355 44836 corporate office Eclectic times • C/O- Maverick • 10th Floor A-Wing Mittal Tower • MG Road Bangalore • India • PIN 560001 landline +91-80-425 60 000 emails info contact@eclectic.co.in editdesk editorial@eclectic.co.in website www.eclecticmag.com Besides the Northeast, we are now available in Bangalore too. Distributed By: IBH Books & Magazines Distributors Pvt.Ltd 5th Main Road, Gandhinagar, Bangalore-560009 Edited, printed and published by Tanushree Hazarika on behalf of Eclectic Media Enterprises Pvt. Ltd, Eclectic House; 34, PB Road, Rehabari, Guwahati - 781008. Printed at Swapna Printing Works Private Limited Doltala, Doharia, P.O.- Ganga Nagar, Dist- North 24 Paraganas, Kolkata- 700 132 Design © Tattva Creations Pvt. Ltd Copyright © 2010. All rights reserved throughout the world. Reproduction in whole or in part without written permission is strictly prohibited. Every effort has been made to contact copyright holders. The publishers apologise for any omissions, which they will be pleased to rectify at the earliest opportunity. The views expressed in this magazine are those of the authors and do not necessarily represent the views of the editor.
In Sync
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lipping through channels on TV, the image of a swarm of honeybees caught my eye. The bees formed an immensely magnificent sight swaying together with rhythmic patterns. I was amazed at this display of group conduct. As I paused for a couple of minutes on that channel, I observed a fleet of birds, and then a swarm of ants, followed by a school of fish beautifully carrying out synchronised movements; teamwork at its best! It is truly intriguing how hundreds of these organisms act together to execute such complex functions. Beauty, combined with efficiency, is the outcome of group cognition. This self-organisational instinct of a group of individual entities is popularly known as ‘Swarm Theory’. If we humans could even learn a little bit from swarm behaviour, we could benefit tremendously and avoid simple problems. How many times have you stood in a queue without getting pushed around or noticed a “smart individual” trying to break the order through self-created priority for himself? How often have you driven through heavy traffic without having some devious person add extra nuisance with his or her tactics. And most often these self-indulgent manners, resulting from a few of us, lead to chaos. In general, humans don’t like to comply much to collective behaviour, believing it might lower their individual significance; however, they fail to realise the overall efficiency and amity that group conformity can bring, thereby benefiting each person in turn. On the other hand, we are not completely devoid of the swarm phenomenon. We can demonstrate synergetic actions in our daily lives when the need arises. Sixty three years back, India displayed excellent group expressions and brought about national unity by forgetting all differences. Closer home, we had the National Games in Guwahati in 2007 when the state structured itself through good team strategy to produce a noteworthy show. Let me give you our own example. With the 3rd edition of the Eclectic Model Hunt this year on November 27, we - the Eclectic team along with our associates and partners - added significant ‘individual bits’ to create a beautiful symbiotic evening together. From training the pretty young girls to ensuring that we have the best judging panel, anchors, entertainment etc; from making sure that the stage and décor looked stunning to co-ordinating the flow chart to the last minute, each one of us aimed for one ultimate goal: perfection of the event in its entirety. In this issue, we present the event details to you as the Cover feature and we hope you enjoy reading about it as much as we did putting it together. With this thought, let’s welcome 2011 trying to develop self-organising behaviour for an aggregate purpose and bigger cause and bring in harmony starting at home, workplace, neighbourhood, and gradually spread our efforts to the city, state, region, country and the world. Wishing you a fabulous and peaceful year ahead!
Tanushree
WRITE TO US AT: ET MAILBOX, ECLECTIC TIMES, SARASWATI MARKET, 2ND FLOOR, ABOVE SBI, SIX MILE BRANCH, G.S. ROAD, GUWAHATI - 781022 OR MAIL US AT: editorial@eclectic.co.in, OR SMS US AT: +91 94355-44836
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’m very pleased to learn that my football star Baichung Bhutia is going to launch a new football academy in Delhi. As I love this game, I know most of our brothers and sisters adore this game as their dream sport. On behalf of ET, I would request the government to take a major step before it vanishes from our minds and hearts. I’ve seen many youths from the Northeast who dedicate their life to the game but, for the lack of opportunities and facilities, they just sit inside their home and play ludo with their children. I thank ET that at least the few words you guys wrote in the December issue can really open the eyes of the government, if they are reading ET! I, on behalf of ET, urge society to love and to learn football. There are many hidden stars who dream to be a star but due to the lack of good clubs and sponsors they just stay dead. I would like to urge ET to unleash those stars. And, by the way, MERRY CHRISTMAS and a VERY HAPPY NEW YEAR!!! Rupak Narzary, Mushalpur Rupak, it is such an honour that our snippet could touch you so deeply. We hope you will always remain with us.
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t’s the first week of every month when I anxiously wait for a surprise packet to knock on my door. And
everyone to spread awareness on AIDS and I would like to thank ET for bringing up such a heart-touching story. Gwshad Basumatary, via SMS from Diaj hijari, Kokrajhar We echo your thoughts, Gwshad, and hope it inspires others to be more aware about it.
December 2
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yes, it is none other than my favourite - ET! It is a splendid magazine providing info on various topics and advertisements around the globe. I really love it and desperately wait for a surprise arrival every month. Bikash Bhuyan, via email With readers like you, Bikash, expecting our work every month, the need to deliver quality work becomes a pleasure.
T
he story of Jahnabi Goswami really touched my heart. I think that her story will inspire all those who are HIV+ to come forward and fight against AIDS. As a student, I would like to appeal to each and
LETTER OF THE MONTH
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t came as a pleasant surprise when I picked the December issue after a gap of six months. As publications go by, one sees a trend of such monthly magazines to concentrate on issues related to a particular area only, with more pages dedicated to it. Not you. Eclectic Times has maintained the balanced presentation of articles. Your articles are inspiration to achieve more, be it as a crusader, a traveller, a food lover or a fashionista. Kudos to the editorial team and the writers and all contributors. I’m proud to subscribe to this magazine and to recommend it to others. Good luck to you to achieve more. Pallavi Barthakur, Guwahati Thank you, Pallavi for identifying the many facets of our editorial knit! Do keep reading us for more…
Pallavi Barthakur’s letter is adjudged the Letter of the Month and she will receive a Free 1-year subscription of eclectic times
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just go crazy for the ET magazine and wait impatiently for every issue. I can’t wait to go through Eclectic Model Hunt because the girls are really pretty in the next month’s issue. You guys are really great and doing great job. I pray for ET’s infinite success. Priyanka Narzary, via SMS from Kokrajhar Your wish is our command Priyanka. Check out this issue!
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t is very rare that one comes across a magazine that touches upon every aspect of life and genuine ‘eclectic’ issues. Eclectic Times is one of them. And your commitment to maintaining the quality of your content is absolute. I’m getting married in a couple of months time and until now I’m all flustered with my wedding planning. Then comes the bridal issue and makes my life all easy. Now I actually know where to shop, what to wear, where to get my make-up done... Thanks Eclectic for doing it again. Anandita, Guwahati Hi Anindita. We sincerely hope that you have a beautiful wedding, of course, with help from our special issue!
T
he 11th edition of the Salon of Photography by North Eastern Photographic Academy (NEPA) was held in the city recently at the State Art Gallery. This year’s Salon saw around 1500 entries of which 336 were chosen. But only 150 photos could be displayed due to space restriction. The judges this year were Jayanta Dutta (AIIPC, IIPC Platinum), Kushal Rabha and
Photo: Eastern Projections
Photo: Eastern Projections
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Tapan Das. The exhibition had photos from around the country, some of which were award-winning. The Salon is one of its only kind in the Northeast. Jayanta Dutta informed, “The event was initiated a decade ago in order to instill and exchange a love for photography amongst individuals. The region had very few photography enthusiasts and there was hardly any avenue to further any photographic interests. NEPA sought to fill that vacuum and this completion is now in the 11th year. I am happy we have come this far.”
T
he Darwin School of Business recently celebrated its 7th foundation day with much gaiety and fervour at the recently inaugurated civil park ‘Shraddhanjali Kanan’ in the city. The cultural and musical evening, which was attended by all students, teachers, family members, alumni and guests, began with the lighting of the lamp and an enthusiastic
welcome address by Shahnawaz Hussain. The event was aptly anchored by Rashmita Barua and the programme witnessed enthralling performances by the in-house cultural troupe of Haru and Co, The Vivanta. However, the highlight of the evening was the brilliant performance of 12-yearold singing sensation Shyamantan Das, the runners-up of the recently concluded popular music reality show on Star Plus - Amul Do Deshon Ki Ek Awaaz. The event concluded with musical extravaganza by Northeast’s most popular DJ Poijon, supported by DJ Apollo too.
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n a rather unique ‘triple’ book release, cookery expert and author Jyoti Das released the first three recipe books of her series entitled Aita, Ma Aru Mur Akhalor Pora at the Guwahati Press Club on November 27, 2010. The first, entitled Mithar Juti, was released by well known poet Nalinidhar Bhattacharya, the second - Kharor Juti - by the noted anthropologist and former VC of Rajiv Gandhi University, Arunachal Pradesh, Dr. Annadacharan Bhagawati, and the third - Manxor Juti - by the author’s mother, Bibha Saikia. Jyoti Das’s passion with food started when she was a child and has today become her life’s mission: to popularise authentic Assamese cuisine amongst the younger generation. The books not only include recipes but also highlight her childhood memories and interesting anecdotes of her grandmother and mother’s love of cooking. They also reflect the changing cuisine culture over the years and the cross-culinary influence.
Sharp Potential S
harp Business Systems (India) Limited, the Indian subsidiary for Sharp Corporation, the consumer electronics leader, recently announced its entry into the fast-growing Indian handset market with a special focus on the Northeastern states of India. At a glitzy launch event held in Guwahati, Sharp unveiled its new range of handsets for its customers here marking yet another business milestone as it brings forth a world-class range of hand-held products within the reach of consumers in the region. By building upon its core competency of providing high-quality visual technology coupled with cutting-edge innovations, the devices are designed to cater to the demands of trendy, yet priceconscious, handset users and signals the company’s ambition to break down the barrier between technology and people, thus making high quality mobiles affordable for all.
Cold Binding C
oldmix recently announced their success in the Northeast market vis-a-vis ushering in a more ecologically beneficial way of road construction. Increasing the normal coverage capacity from 150200 km to 500 km per month, the Coldmix system uses a unique ready liquid binder which needs no heating, unlike conventional systems. It is a recognised ‘green technology’ system in the global road construction sector. The Ministry of Rural Development has recently approved large-scale application of ‘cold mix’ works in Assam. This marks a big achievement for the Assam PWD Department in attaining high progress levels for completion of the projects in a time-bound manner, for better connectivity to far-flung areas, thus ensuring speedy development of rural Assam. 16
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Just Moved... T
he Eclectic has a brand new address! Yes, we have moved... Our boxes of idea sheets and drawing boards are all in a new place. Our new space of red and blue is right above the State Bank of India office at Six Mile and, apart from having snazzy work stations, we have our own spaces for graffiti and sketches too! Though it was a little sad leaving the old Eclectic House, where we had delivered some of our best, this new place is definitely pumping us all up. So watch out for some of our more inspired and more creative issues coming out every month, just for you. Eclectic Publications Saraswati Market, 2nd Floor, Above SBI, Six Mile Branch G.S. Road, Guwahati Assam, India Pin: 781022 Phone: +91 361-2229444
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Double Glitter License to Save
M
ukul Tamuli has won the Green Hero award at the NDTV-Toyota Green Awards in New Delhi. A ranger by profession at the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary, he has single-handedly made rhino poaching in the sanctuary history. He has also shown exemplary environmental leadership by bringing together reformed poachers to form a task force, and is also spearheading efforts at engaging local communities near the reserve to assist his environmental activism.
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ssam-born Somdev Devvarman and Jayanta Talukdar lived up to the spectacular show that Guangzhou Asian Games ’10 promised in its opening ceremony. Devvarman created history by becoming the first Indian to win a gold in the men’s singles tennis event and, what’s more, after routing the top seed in straight sets. This was, in fact, his second gold medal after having won in the men’s doubles with Sanam Singh. On the other hand, Jayanta Talukdar won the team’s bronze in the archery competition after beating the trio from Chinese Taipei.
At your Service
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he Fernando Speech and Hearing Centre, Meghalaya, was given the National Award by President Pratibha Singh Patil at the Rashtrapati Bhavan recently for their outstanding services. Four other institutions were also shortlisted for the National Awards for Child Welfare. This Catholic institution provides special care and services that help in the detection and reduction of preventable hearing impairment problems among young children. January 2011 │eclectic times │ 19
open forum
“Do you believe that Obama’s visit to India had a defining impact on both countries or was it an opportunity for America to deepen its stake in Asian power politics?"
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hen US President Barack Obama recently visited India, he had a lot on his wish list, apart from greater market access for US companies; Washington’s topmost priority was to ensure that India remains a strong ally. With China being the most obvious power on the rise and Pyongyang’s nuclear ambition taking on dangerous proportions, the US will have to ensure that it keeps India in good humour if it has to deepen its stake in Asian power politics. Not to talk of Pakistan, which is playing truant all the time, the US President’s statement on relations with India as “one of the most consequential and indispensable” best vouches for the importance he attaches to Indo-US bilateral ties. Talking of double digit growth, India and other Asian states now boast growth rates that could outstrip those of major Western countries for decades to come. And Obama, who cannot ignore these facts, will definitely try to make the most of his India visit. Rachna B, Sivasagar 20
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merican foreign policy towards India underwent defining changes since the Clinton presidency, where India was given the status of an emerging global player. Since then, through either Republican or Democratic regimes at Washington, India has been flattered with defence and nuclear packages. And this time round, when Obama was on his India visit, the recipe was the same, apart from the not-so-veiled references to Pakistan’s links to terror and a more confident sounding ‘yes’ to India’s permanent seat at the UNSC. But like all diplomatic power play across the world, Washington’s flattery to India has its own profitability for the US: in order to keep a check on China’s growing might, India can emerge as the fixer for the United States. But as long as everyone’s happy, every visit is a welcoming affair. Shivani Mazumdar, Silchar
U
ncle Sam is at it again. Threatened by the outsourcing of jobs to India, Obama decided to try his hand at turning the table on his Indian counterpart and thus, describing his visit to the country as a counter-measure to validate jobs for Americans here. That might just be the tip of the iceberg. With the Koreans squabbling over their respective nuclear deals, and with the Chinese dragon growing bigger day after day, America had to step in. Not to mention Pakistan’s slimy attitude. Obama, so far, has far from delivered. So his visit here does not specifically imply any solid role as such. Honestly, what excited me more was his sudden visit to Afghanistan!
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don’t believe at all that Obama’s visit to India had a defining impact on both countries. We’ve seen many leaders from the West - not only from America - who come to India, sign some files and fly back to their land. Only few are implemented among myriads. Before Obama, Bill Clinton and George W. Bush came, but nothing arose. The main issue in India is terrorism, and everyone knows that our neighbour country has an international hub of terror, but they just sit on a square table and call it a Round Table meet and wrap it up with nothing done. Yeah, both countries have some mutual bonding but it’ll not work until they take any action. Yes, America is deepening its stake in Asian politics but in simple language, we can say it is a rugby game. Asia has five nuclear powers, including Iran and North Korea, but if we look deeply, the U.S. is afraid of losing its superpower status and so are trying to insure that they are still in existence by tying up relationships with the Asian giants.
Aienla Jamir, Dimapur
Rupak Narzary, Mushalpur
NEXT MONTH’S TOPIC: “What do you think of the government’s failure in stalling the spiralling price rise of essential commodities? Send in your emails to: openforum@eclectic.co.in. The best responses will be published in the next issue.
World-travelled photographer Kausiki Sarma is overawed by the hues of the ‘golden hour light’ and wonders what took her so long to discover such spectacular beauty in her own homeland!
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n the hustle and bustle of our busy lives comprising 9 to 5 jobs, weekend gettogethers and meticulously planned annual holidays - mostly across the country and abroad - we often tend to miss out on the beauty of our own backyard. This realisation dawned upon me when I happened to be in the troubled periphery of Kokrajhar. My earliest memories of Kokrajhar go back to the 1990’s when my newly-married aunt bid a tearful goodbye to my uncle when he got posted to Kokrajhar, which was still a hotbed of two major insurgent outfits, as it is now. Since then, my knowledge about this disturbed region has been restricted to news about sporadic violence triggered by differences between factions and various other inter-tribe conflicts. However, it was more than a pleasant surprise when I first laid eyes on the lush green landscapes of Kokrajhar with the sun playing hide-and-seek amongst the clouds, creating magic upon the paddy fields, tantalising my senses to no end. But I had come with a 22
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KOKRAJHAR
“A new beginning”
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 23
specific objective in my mind: till now I had read about the ‘golden hour-light’ – which is a period of time falling an hour after dawn and an hour before dusk, considered to be the ideal light for photography. Indeed, witnessing how it creates such a riot of colours on earth and the sky was a different experience altogether and trying to capture it on camera was an absolute delight. “A bond”
“....and thus I
make a living”
“Turmoil” 24 │ eclectic times │ January 2011
With nature at her best, I couldn’t help an overwhelming feeling of wonder of her brilliance on the one side and yet, on the other side, there was a strange stirring inside my heart, at having witnessed such unexpected splendour in my very own homeland. A sense of guilt also crept its way in! Caught up in my busy life, whilst I ticked off unknown and enticing places on my ‘Places to Visit’ list, this visit made me wonder at the futility of my bygone sojourns: why did I go exploring other dwellings, without even being familiar with the contours of my own home? It is indeed very easy and natural for us to typecast our region as ‘unsafe’ or ‘forbidden territory’, due to the current state of dismal affairs. Maybe, that’s why we tend to seek out beautiful yet unfamiliar terrains elsewhere. But, in this pursuit, are we all missing out on something precious in the land of our birth? Ask yourself this question. Maybe you’ll find unexpected scenic treasures dwelling in the vicinities of your very own backyard! The author is a freelance photographer and researcher, based in Guwahati. All photos are by the author.
Turning over a new leaf ET takes a refreshing look at the less clichéd resolutions of hope and aspirations for 2011, from people around the Northeast
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f you turn on the television to watch New Year celebrations around the world, you’ll notice that the New Year kisses on Times Square in New York or the Sydney Harbour fireworks are televised live for us in India, when it is noon of either the preceding or the following day. For someone cradled in the quiet winters of the Northeast of India, during the thin hours between December and January, and between these two heavily televised and awed-at events, these calm scenes erupt in all forms of celebratory indulgence with equal colour and fun. The white mountains of Arunachal quiver, the wet streets of Shillong get warmed up, the serene waters of Brahmaputra leap up - all heralding into new dreams, new hopes and a New Year. Indeed, aside from all celebratory parlance, it is the dawn of a new beginning for everyone. A dawn where one looks towards 26
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an uncluttered closet, a new leaf in relationships-at-distraught, a legal pad with systematically bulleted and numbered things to do, an end to all things procrastinated. But this undeniable human condition of hope and aspiration is not just confined to its own singular self but also to peripheral conditions in the neighbourhood or the state. Human dynamics for hope and change is an interwoven complexity of the inner self and the outside world and how these two elements co-exist and complement each other for a better life, is what matters. The finely roasted pork with tribal spices and rice beer may bring gaudy and gastronomic flavours and textures to the table on that ushering-in night, but the concerns of salt and pepper are as seriously pondered as issues plaguing one’s self and the outside world. One may simply resolve to change to a better lotion for acne or to go to church every Sunday or
even to pay no more bribes to get things done. Everyone wants to fix oneself somehow, especially in the New Year. It is the constructive innate quality in human beings that again makes hope hopeful. This, in turn, makes the term ‘resolution’, especially taken for the New Year, not just any other myth, as popular notions go. As clichés are the repetitive truths - charity begins at home. For someone it’s all about family and friends. “I just hope that in this New Year there will be more reunions among family and friends. Amidst all that straining work, we’re hardly left with any time for dinners with family and friends. After all, family and friends provide you with that soothing balm that makes you come alive again,” says Chazat Lowang of Itanagar. Like her, with a safe assumption, almost everyone is dedicated to a workaholic life, a life where corporate compulsions dictate terms and there aren’t
enough hours left in the day for close family and friends reunions. But the New Year brings about the zeal to renew those lost friendships and family ties. There is a small thinker in all of us. Someone who hopes that the new days will bring forth more creative push and independent thought, where boundaries will be realigned and shackles will be broken. “I just hope that the youth in my state today will realise their potential inside and believe in that potential. They should try to be more enterprising and undertake more creative pursuits and not get bogged down by the usual,” says Alobo Naga, famed musician from Nagaland. Moving along the sociological scale, for someone it’s the hope for a renewed chance for peace to survive in the region. The thick and green jungles and the steep
rolling hills of the Northeast have long been transformed into a place where the sound of guns silence the birds and where boots trample virgin leaves on the ground. But considering the peace overtures that have been much publicised in recent days, one can only hope for lasting peace in the region. “Well for this New Year, I hope some momentum is achieved as far as the peace talks are concerned. The groups and government need to stop playing ego-boosting games and reach a consensus so that the common man need not live in fear anymore,” says Imliwabang Kubzar of Mokokchung, Nagaland. The New Year is always about creating and connecting new bridges between family members, friends, neighbours and on a more encompassing spirit, between different cultures. There is always a new avenue for more discovery,
leading to greater understanding and lesser animosity. Even though it’s a mosaic of cultures and people inhabiting and co-existing in the region, there is also the thread that’s keeping all together. “This New Year I’m undertaking an endeavour to explore the different forms of art and music of different indigenous cultures of the Northeast and I want to show how contemporary and relevant these forms can be around the world,” says Oinam Doren, visual artist from Manipur. Everyone dreams a different dream and the New Year provides the perfect pillow. There are always enough fireworks in the sky and enough platters on the table while ringing in the New Year, but hoping new hopes and acting on them to translate into reality is the real gift that one can promise. Ribhu Borphukon
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 27
In this exclusive conversation with award-winning filmmaker Jahnu Barua, we learn more about the man who chose to veer away from mainstream commercial cinema and embark upon his own journey in the world of film direction
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or generations to come, whenever we look back into the cinematic history of India, Padmashree Jahnu Barua will be a name that will inevitably stand out. This legendary filmmaker has brought glory, not only for Assam, but for the entire nation by winning several national and international awards till date. Despite the fame and adulation, Barua remains a very down- toearth man with an enchanting mien and a sharp intellect. He lives his life guided by his own ideals and as he says, “I have my own ideology in life and do not follow anyone.”
HIS LIFE Born in 1952 at Lakuwa near Sivasagar to Deveswar and Gunawati Baruah, Jahnu Barua has nine siblings. Though his parents
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are no more, he still considers them to be his ‘anchor in life’. However, as astounding as it may sound, filmmaking was never a conscious career choice. As he says, “While pursuing my BSc in Guwahati in the early 70s, I used to regularly go to the Gauhati Cine Club to watch foreign films. It was then that I realised that cinema as a medium was as strong as nuclear power. If utilised properly, it can do a lot of good to the society and if misused, it can destroy it. I got attracted to the medium and thought of making a career out of it.” In 1971, he enrolled himself in a three-year film direction course in the Film and Television Institute of India (FTII), Pune. Though his decision came as a shock to his parents, they never stopped him from realising his dreams.
Photo: Himangshu Lahkar
FALTERING FIRST STEPS Jahnu Barua passed out of FTII in 1974 and shifted to Mumbai. He assisted the husband-wife team of Aruna-Vikas for the movie Shaque in 1975. Soon after, he joined the Satellite Application Centre (SAC) of Indian Space Research Organisation (ISRO) in Ahmedabad and worked for a project called SITE (1975-76). “The project was all about making science programmes for rural children under 12 which was a very tough job. During that period, satellite television was introduced in India. Then I came back to Mumbai and started making short films and feature films,” informs Barua. However, making films has not been a cakewalk for him. “I faced many problems while making my maiden directorial venture Aparoopa in 1979. I learnt thousand and a one lessons. We were shooting in the tea gardens of Margherita and, from the very first day, the camera did not work. It seemed that luck was not on my side and just after the first shooting schedule of 10 days, the district administration asked us to pack up and leave due to the insurgency problems.” Barua had an agonising time and he was running from pillar to post to seek permission to resume shooting. “During those days it was mandatory to seek permission from the Central Government, which they refused to give. I even approached the Home Ministry but to no avail. I went hunting for locations - Darjeeling and Nilgiris - but could
not find anything suitable. Finally, everyone asked me to give up the idea and my producers – National Film Development Corporation (NFDC) – told me to forget about the project and start a fresh one, for which they were ready to finance me.” But Barua steadfastly refused to give up and finally his patience paid off; he started reshooting in Margherita on October 20, 1981. Aparoopa finally was released in April 1983. Those were the early days, and the rest (as they say) is history. Barua’s directorial journey has been a truly remarkable one, where he has been bold enough to veer away from the trodden path, touching those aspects of the conscience that directly affect humanity.
which provide cheap entertainment and act like drugs. But they give you a kick only at that point of time. You don’t gain anything out of it and it can destroy you.”
Medium of cinema According to Barua, “Cinema being a modern medium needs to be understood by the society and it is the job of the media to do that. Getting one’s money’s worth should not mean getting fed on a regular dose of cheap entertainment.” When asked if he was referring
to Bollywood potboilers, he shot back, “Our attitude should not be to criticise but to do a self-analysis of where we are lacking. When people start analysing Charlie Chaplin’s films they will realise what they are getting from the present crop of socalled Bollywood movies where you forget your worries for a moment, only to sink back into the world of reality.”
Indian cinema per se In a world where entertainment comes cheap and cinema is like a
HIS THOUGHTS Essence of cinema Barua is the first Assamese director to interpret on screen the connection between the political and social milieu so as to create an awareness amongst people. All his films have a characteristic humanistic touch to them, but many would say that Barua is only a serious filmmaker. To this he says, “It is not a question of serious cinema but it is the whole factor of the medium. In serious films too, there could be humour and entertainment but the audience should come out of the hall feeling enriched. Films should make people become aware of their existence, which is very difficult to do in 90 minutes.” Barua elaborates further, “Charlie Chaplin is arguably the greatest entertainer of all times, but his films are actually very serious: Gorilla, Gold Rush, The Modern Times and The Great Dictator are total entertainers but, they have proved to be an asset for the audience. I believe that my films should benefit the audience either with a message or enhance their sense of appreciation. There are many films
Photo: Dolphin Communications
Gaurav and Shobhana in Jahnu Barua’s “Halodhiya Choraye Baodhan Khai”
dose of temporary escapism, surely Indian cinema has blurred the true meaning of the medium? To this Barua retorts, “Indian cinema is surviving on the Indian audience. Indian cinegoers do not understand the medium and just think it to be a source of entertainment. One will hardly see people thronging the film festivals where the most meaningful films are screened. Smaller nations like Iran and Iraq are very aware of the power of cinema as a medium and hence welcome January 2011 │eclectic times │ 29
creative and hard-hitting films. India makes an assembly line of 8001,000 films per year lacking quality. Countries like Iran make 30-40 films a year but they are at the top of the heap.”
ASSAMESE FILM INDUSTRY Coming closer to home, what does Barua have to say about the Assamese film scenario? “The Assamese film industry is in a ‘comatose state’ as the Assamese community has no love and responsibility towards the industry. Just because you are getting to view technically-improved films doesn’t mean that you should hate your own films. This state has enough audience and they can easily make the industry survive and the key lies in their hands. Cinema not only is a business but it also represents the state, the society, the local culture, the language and the community. It is a matter of shame that my films have collected more money from abroad. In Assam, they flopped
totally. Do you feel nice about it?” an obviously upset Barua questions rhetorically.
THE RAY ANGLE When Satyajit Ray, one of the greatest filmmakers of all times, watched Halodhiya Choraye Baodhan Khai at the Nandan in Kolkata in 1988, Barua was thrilled. As he nostalgically says, “Ray was pretty impressed with the film and called me up as I was not present when he saw the film. Actually it was Chidananda Dasgupta (leading
PLUMES TO THE BERET National Awards 1983: Best Regional Film for Aparoopa
Locarno International Film Festival
1987: Best Film for Halodhiya Choraye Baodhan Khai
1988: Silver Leopard for Halodhiya Choraye Baodhan Khai
Brussels International Independent Film Festival
Chicago International Film Festival
1996: Best Director for Hkhagoroloi Bohu Door
2005: Getz World Peace Prize for Hkhagoroloi Bohu Door
Fribourg International Film Festival
Fukuoka International Film Festival
1996: Audience Award for Hkhagoroloi Bohu Door
2006: Kodak Vision Award for Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara
SOURCE: Dolphin Films Private Limited – a film company owned by noted director Jahnu Barua. The company has produced a number of notable films which have won numerous national and international awards. 30
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film critic and journalist) who recommended the film to Ray, as I do not have a habit of showing my films to others. After completing a particular film, I forget about it.”
GANDHI'S IDEALS Jahnu Barua won much critical acclaim for his Anupam Kherproduced film Maine Gandhi Ko Nahin Mara (2005) which is a metaphoric play on the concept called ‘Gandhi’ that holds little meaning for the common man today. Barua feels that “People who cherish violence and materialism will say that Gandhian values hold no relevance. Today, there is bloodshedding all around because we have forgotten this great person’s philosophies. “ Elaborating, he continues, “Gandhi talked about only two things – ahimsa (nonviolence) and swaraj (self-reliance). By ahimsa, Gandhiji meant that we should defend ourselves without aggression. But look at the Iraq war. If one of the countries would have resisted, the war would not have taken place. All these great people like Gandhi have gone through such hell in life that you just cannot discard their ideas. As for swaraj, Gandhiji launched the Swadeshi Movement and Salt Satyagraha Movement to make the Indians understand how important it is to be self-reliant. If Gandhiji would have been alive today, we would be manufacturing our own laptops.” So, it’s pretty obvious to see that Jahnu Barua lives by his own rules in life and is thoroughly versed on every relevant topic. Exfoliate his director face and the layers of his personality are clearly visible. Perhaps his philosophy in life is best summed up by his parting words: “It’s difficult to be the richest man on earth. But it is more difficult to be and remain a good human being, which I am trying to be.” And a good human being he is. Parinita Datta
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Exotic Hornbill
Let us whizz past the beauty of Naga culture and colourful way of life with Esther Kemp’s gorgeous shoots from the Hornbill Festival Sangtam-Naga woman smoking a traditional 32 │ eclectic times │ January 2011 pipe during the Hornbill Festival, Kisama
A tribal Naga man in traditional headgear looks on to perform on the first day of the Hornbill Festival at the Naga Heritage Village, Kisama, on the outskirts of the capital of Kohima
Angami-Naga folk singer holding his traditional string instrument made of bamboo - during the Hornbill Festival
he vibrant Naga heritage and cultural grandeur was out for the whole world to witness in the quaint, old Kisama Heritage Village, situated around 10 kilometers from Kohima, in the first week of December when the famed Hornbill Festival came around. The festival is named after the local hornbill bird, with which Nagaland shares a close cultural bond. Attended by all of Nagaland’s major tribes, Hornbill has their traditional art, dance, folk songs, and games on display amongst replicas of tribal hutments, replete with wood carvings and traditional drum instruments. There are also stalls selling handicrafts, local food stalls, and the stimulating rice beer for enthusiastic revelers! The festival also held a beauty pageant, a motor rally, a wrestling championship, an art show and India’s most definitive rock competition amongst other cultural discourses. Here we present you some special moments, frozen in time, from the festival .
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Ao-Nagas displaying their tribal warrior dance during the Hornbill Festival
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 33
Traditional Naga crafts on display at the Bamboo Pavillion during the Hornbill Festival at Kisama
The seven-day-long annual Hornbill Festival ended in merriment with 480 dancers │ January 34 │ to eclectic 2011 performing the ‘Hornbill Unity Dance’ belonging the 16times tribes of Nagaland amidst applause from the cheering crowd
Traditional Naga jewellery on display at the Bamboo Pavillion during the Festival
The lighting of the bonfire signifies the end of the week-long annual Hornbill Festival of Nagaland
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 35
THE ODDS
When Madhureema Lahkar-Banikya refers to her ordeal with malignant cancer as a ‘health challenge’, it’s not surprising she was able to come through it - not once, but twice - with her positive outlook
D
ue to a lot of unhappiness in my personal life, there was so much of resentment, disappointment, frustration and sadness within me. What was worse was that I could not open up to my family thinking that, by telling them, I’d be saddening them. So it was all pent up within me. I would feel very angry with myself and would blame myself for my sadness. I feel that my tumours were brought on by the manifestation of all those years that I had suffered. I am a second-degree reiki channel and so I believe that all the negative symptoms of health we get – be it a cold, fever, arthritic pain or whatever - is all due to the manifestation of negative things that have pent up within us…
“A real shock” It all started in the early 1990s when I developed slight gynaecological problems and so I did my rounds of many gynaecologists in Guwahati, but all they talked to me about was the menopause. It never even occurred to them that it might be a malignancy. I wasted so much time. So, during a shopping trip to Kolkata, I decided to get a health check-up done. It was then that my first tumour was detected and I was immediately admitted for a laparoscopic procedure to remove my ovary. So it was a real shock, as I was not mentally prepared, but there was worse to come. Within a month of that operation, I ended up in Chennai for a hysterectomy and removal of my other ovary because they found out that they were affected too, possibly due to ‘spillage’ from the earlier laparoscopic surgery.
“My constant support” After that, for the next 15 years or so, I was fine and led a normal, hectic life. I was running a school and a travel agency. My daughter was very young then but, even so, 36
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she was able to solve her own problems. She’d always seen me working so hard from morning to night so she never liked to ask me for anything, whether big or small. I remember one day, when she was in Class KG, she said to me, “Mama, can you give me a 5-Star chocolate?” Then immediately she realised that she shouldn’t have asked, so she added, “Mama, not just now, but when you have a lot of money…” I was in tears. Just imagine a small child being so perceptive. She knew it wasn’t right to trouble me because she’d seen me go through so much. Soon, things got so bad at home that I separated from my husband and thereafter brought up my daughter almost single-handedly. My daughter Prarthana is the best thing that has ever happened to me. She has been my constant support throughout and I feel bad that I used to shout at her sometimes due to my own frustrations so, now that she’s married, I tell her that whatever love I couldn’t give her, I’ll give to my future grandchildren!
“It was a malignancy again” Anyway, it was sometime at the end of March 2009, and one fine morning I got up with an excruciating stomach ache. It was intolerable. Since I was staying on my own (my daughter was grown up now and working in Bangalore), I called my brother Ratan da and my very good friend Neera who both came over and took me to the doctor. I am extremely thankful to Dr. Neelakshi Goswami because she immediately gauged that it was a malignancy again, though she didn’t directly tell me. She told them and they gently broke the news to me later in the evening.
“
”
For a moment, I was shocked because I was not at all prepared. But, on the whole, I think I took it well though, at that point of time, I did not know the seriousness of it. This time, there were three tumours and I was not aware of anything, as there were no symptoms whatsoever. Sometimes, I did get some stomach pain but because I was so busy and I didn’t always have my meals on time, I thought it could have been simply a gastric problem. I never took anything seriously. When I look back, I felt that I did neglect my health at this stage, especially knowing that I already had had a malignancy; I really took my health for granted.
“Treated in Guwahati”
Photo: Dipankar Saikia
I was referred to some very good doctors and immediately went through the initial tests. My elder sister suggested I be treated in Guwahati itself, at the B. Borooah Cancer Institute. Many people may feel that they would not want to be treated in Guwahati - even I thought the same - but I was proved wrong. I was amazed at the latest technologies they had. I feel that people from the Northeast should make use of the excellent medical facilities that prevail here. They also have teleconference so that they can consult with doctors in Mumbai. I am extremely thankful to all the doctors there. They were all so devoted. Mr. Kamal Kataki introduced me to his brother Dr. Amal Kataki, who incidentally is also the Director of the Institute, and knowing that he’s so very qualified (he was with the world-renowned Mayo Clinic, U.S.A. and Tata Memorial, Mumbai), I was greatly encouraged. I also met Dr. Debabrata Barman, the doctor who operated on me. Vibing well with them - in fact, the whole team - helped me to gain a lot of mental strength.
“Chemotherapy was so traumatic” Since my tumours were quite big, it was decided by the doctors that I should undergo chemotherapy before surgery could be done, so that the tumours could be controlled. Chemotherapy was so traumatic. The entire day I would be in day care and I would prepare myself January 2011 │eclectic times │ 37
mentally beforehand. There were strong chemicals going inside me doing so much harm; of course, they were killing off the cancer cells, but there were also good cells killed off too. It showed in my skin. At times I would bloat up or vomit, I couldn’t eat anything. I had lost a lot of weight, and although I felt good that I was slimmer, it made me very weak mentally and physically. During this time, I was staying with Ratan da and bou and the way she nursed me, I can never ever repay her kindness, not even in my next life. My father, my mother, all my friends were a source of great strength for me too. At times, it was like I went back to my childhood. I would want my mother next to me and I would put my head on her lap.
‘Bald is beautiful!’ Madhureema, with her family, after her surgery
a lot of streak marks and made me feel sick at times but I knew it was better to be on the safe side because there could always be a chance of a relapse.
“I lost all my hair” One day, when I was brushing my hair, I saw tufts of it coming off. I had nice long thick hair so it really scared me. In fact, I stopped looking into the mirror, even to brush my teeth. Within three to four days, I lost all my hair and yet, I never wore a wig. I just wanted to be what I was. My friends would tease me and call me Persis Khambatta! I even went around watching movies with my bald head! I am an Aquarian and Aquarians are supposed to have eccentric traits, so some of my friends thought that I shaved my head because of the heat! The doctors said my hair would take up to six months to grow back, but surprisingly, it grew back from the third month onwards. I felt on top of the world! I felt it was me again. It grew back even thicker and softer than it was earlier.
“Out of OT in one and a half hours” After my chemotherapy in midMay, I had my operation on June 25. I could gauge the seriousness of my case, but I tried not to read or understand too much. I left it to the doctors, who knew best. They said 38
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“Thank you, God”
‘The best thing that has ever happened to me.’ Madhureema with her daughter, Prarthana Banikya Borkakati, on her wedding day
I’d probably be in surgery for at least four hours, but I was out of the OT (operation theatre) in one and a half hours! My brother told me that the doctors came out beaming! They were amazed. On July 1, I walked out of the hospital smiling. The attendants were surprised. They said that most people who have a malignancy count their days and look so depressed. But I feel how we heal is all within us. I always told myself: I AM HEALED. However, there was still more treatment. I needed to undergo radiation therapy. So, in September, I underwent radiation. I have very sensitive skin and it left
Apart from my own positivity, I feel I owe my recovery to four other factors: firstly the doctors, the support of my family, a particular organic vitamin supplement and most of all, GOD. Everyday I would repeat, “Thank you God for healing me completely.” I would visualise myself as a normal, healthy person. I would not be part of anything negative – even negative people! The book The Secret by Rhonda Byrne became my Bible. From it, I learnt to be grateful to God. The attitude of gratitude is very important for every person and we should never take life for granted. All these years, I felt that I came through fire, be it in terms of emotional turmoil or physical challenges. Today, I am grateful to God for all the challenges that I have come across in my life. I believe challenges make us stronger, and we get happiness only when we overcome obstacles. After all, that’s what life is all about... As told to Loya Agarwala
If you are a smart and socially savvy young professional with a zest for life, then send your photo and details to: editorial@eclectic.co.in to be the eclectic lady of the month.
The world knows you as: Sanghamita Sarma Barua You dropped on earth on: April 18, 1986 You earn your bread as: Television anchor City you live in: Guwahati Three words that reflect your outlook towards life: Positivity, Confidence, Honesty Guilty life indulgences: Clubbing You idolise: My dad Mantra that keeps you rolling in life: Always follow what your heart says
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 39 Photo: Himangshu Lahkar
COLOURS
When it comes to the production of organic dyes, the Northeast seems to have grabbed the limelight at both the national and international level, says Anupa Lahkar
F
rom Canada-based brand MAIWA, US-based brand Big Jenny to other major boutiques and apparel brands in the country, organic colours from this region are in great demand. With not less than 100 products in the region producing fine colours, the Northeast – especially Assam - seems to be a major player in the ‘green apparel’ industry. Puberun Sarmah, an entrepreneur involved in the production of organic dye, claims that in the last three years the region has witnessed more than 200 per cent growth in this sector though a lot still remains to be done. Sarmah, who has been involved in providing training to a number of people for deriving natural colours from simple components, fruits, seeds and even tree barks, said, “Natural colours are now the ‘in thing’. Despite being more expensive than synthetic colours or garments, 40
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money does not seem to be a factor for those who know the relevance of organic colours.” He further stated that though the market for these products are comparatively smaller than the metros, the demand seems to be growing in a very positive manner. Chandan Keshav, another entrepreneur from Boko, in Kamrup rural district, has been involved in the production of natural dyes for the last one year. As he says, “People are unaware that many trees and their byproducts growing in the north-eastern region can be a major source of natural dye and organic food colour. This industry has tremendous potential and if it can be streamlined in the proper manner, the Northeast could be a major market in the global scenario,” claims Keshav. What is more significant is that many youths are now getting occupied with
producing organic colours. Currently, around 30 youths are involved in this organic colour production in Boko alone which finds a good market in countries like France and Canada. As Keshav observes, “The natural dye that we produce is in great demand and every month we produce tonnes of colour which find ready markets both in the local and international scene.” Though organic colours are known for their skin-friendly attributes, many natural byproducts are used to make special antiseptic garments too. In the recent past, because many synthetic colours have been banned in many parts of the country, natural colours simply rules the roost. “There are a variety of garments which we produce that retain an antiseptic element for a span of six months. These garments are either processed with marigold or neem, or sprayed with aloe vera, depending on the need, and bought by countries abroad where they are made into garments for babies or even expectant mothers,” informs Keshav. Despite the increasing demand for organic colours, the process of procuring natural colours is quite troublesome and lengthy. Reiterating this, Sarmah says, “In order to meet the growing demands of natural dye, we need to train a number of people in this field. So far the workforce is comparatively less, hence, imparting training to the people is extremely essential.” In the last few years, Sarmah has conducted a series of workshops on the production of natural dyes with the help of NEDFi. “Though we give training to people on procuring natural colours from basic commodities in these workshops, I still feel that this industry needs to be treated as a priority sector,” he adds.
Naturally dyed eri : Photo: Puberun Sarmah
What is interesting is that the global market has decided to set up workshops in different parts of the region in order to create awareness about the creation, production as well as the applicability of natural dye. Michel Garcia who hails from France, is the founder of Couleur Garance and of the Botanical Garden of Dye Plants set in the Château de Lauris and has a collection of more than 350 natural dye plants. He is planning on displaying his expertise in producing natural colour in the beginning of next year. Keshav explains, “Right now we are concentrating on the cultivation of annato, which is a derivative of the achiote tree, and is used as a food colour and also a flavour. Currently, the world is experiencing a shortage of 4000 tonnes in the world market. We have planted more than 1 lakh saplings and we plan to go for massive production within a few years.” With ambitious plans set for the future with massive production of reetha, annato and organic cotton, the entrepreneur is confident that the organic dye industry is definitely here to stay.
• • • • • • • •
The author is a freelance journalist and is currently working as an assistant project scientist in IIT, Guwahati.
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 41
HAJ 2010 Senior journalist Nurul Islam Laskar brings us some unusual glimpses of the world’s biggest congregation and it’s sidelights, as clicked through his own camera lens
H
aj is the fifth pillar of Islam, an obligation on every able-bodied Muslim who can afford to do it and a journey with rites that must be performed at a certain time, in a certain way. While the Haj has strong associations with the Prophet Muhammad, its rituals stretch back thousands of years to the time of Abraham and symbolise his trials with God and Satan. This year, over 30 lakh Muslims took part in the Haj, which was held in November 2010. About 4,000 pilgrims from north-east India were among the 2 lakh-odd Hajis that went to Makkah from India.
The new 485-metre-high Makkah Clock Tower bears a remarkable resemblance to Big Ben of London, were it not for the gold crescent and Arabic calligraphy adorning it, and represents a new era for Makkah, symbolising the dizzying vision and growth of the religious tourism industry in Saudi Arabia
The author and his wife seen performing Haj pilgrimage at the Grand Mosque in Makkah. Frenetic construction activities may be observed in the background. The Saudi Government intends to accommodate one crore pilgrims at the grand Mosque in the near future
India’s leading music director-singer Bappi Lahiri was in the same flight with a group of pilgrims travelling from Assam to Jeddah via Mumbai. Bappi said, “I am fortunate to travel with the pilgrims going on a holy voyage. I appeal to them to pray for me and for our country” 42
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A pilgrim recites from the Holy Quran during the Haj
Saudi people are seen buying seasoned vegetables and fruits at a stall in Jeddah, gateway to Makkah city
The pilgrims are required to spend at least three nights in the tent and one night under the open sky. Here, pilgrims are seen proceeding to their tents at a place called Mina, on the outskirts of Makkah
Flags of India, Pakistan, Afghanistan and Bangladesh fly side by side at the Mina tent city
A well-architectured mosque on the Red Sea waterfront in Jeddah
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 43
CHOICE
They say you only live once and so there’s no better time like the onset of a New Year to plan an unforgettable moment in the amazing Northeast. So, for those of you who are a bit on the wild side, pen this must-do list for 2011 into your diary and plan ahead. By the time you get to the end of the year (or even your life, for that matter!), you might just be grateful that you had explored an exotic locale of each state of the Northeast… with a little help from us, of course!
SIKKIM : Go yakking around Tsomgo lake Hardly 20 km away from the famous Nathula Pass and about 400 km from Lhasa, the Tsomgo lake is a sacred lake worshipped by the Sikkimese. With its cool, placid waters, which are in perfect harmony with the picturesque mountains around, get on a yak and plod around. With the pretty primula flowers and other alpine plantation growing all around, it will be a moment, ever cherished in your memory!
MANIPUR : Dance in the Yaoshang Festival
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Celebrated for five days commencing from the full moon day of phalguna (February/March), Yaoshang is the premier festival of Manipur. Characteristic of this lively festival is the Thabal Chongba, a kind of Manipuri folk dance, where boys and girls hold hands and sing and dance in a circle. Wallow in the vibrancy of the colours and energy of this most important festival to truly appreciate Manipur’s cultural splendour.
ARUNACHAL PRADESH : Zip away in soul-stirring adventures The Land of the Rising Sun is blessed with dense evergreen forests, gurgling streams, gorges and infinite species of flora and fauna. Explore them by indulging in a favourite pastime because there are plenty to choose from. Whether you’re into trekking, hiking, fishing, angling, river rafting or bird watching, it’s a paradise for adventure seekers and naturalists alike. So, pack your rucksack and get going!
MIZORAM : Check out the Cheraw dance With its tapping bamboo poles and nimble-footed maidens, it is the most vibrant and distinct dance form of the Mizos. Having made it to the Guinness Book of World Records for the world’s largest bamboo dance, you just have to see the Cheraw dance for yourself. The Cheraw is a very old and traditional dance of some tribes of the state. The Mizo people are very fond of dancing and so every event, festival, ritual or ceremony is incomplete without dance. See if you can jump between the bamboos too!
NAGALAND : Get dazzled by the Dzukou Valley Twenty-five kms from Kohima and lying 2,462 m above sea level, the drive to the valley itself is like a joyride to heaven! The hills, the cliffs, the landscape, the brooks, are awe-inspiring in themselves …until you see the valley resplendent with white, red, yellow and pink rhododendrons, yellow Caltha palustris and white anemones. Be sure to go between October-March when the flowers resemble an ornate natural carpet. January 2011 │eclectic times │ 45
TRIPURA : Awesome stone sculptures of Unakoti Situated on a hillock, Unakoti is 178 km drive from Agartala in the Kailashahar subdivision of North Tripura. Unakoti literally means one less than a crore (10 million) and the legend goes that Lord Shiva took a night halt at this location when he was going to Varanasi/Kashi along with one crore God and Goddesses. The next morning, when he asked them to wake up and proceed for Kashi, no one, except Lord Shiva himself, proceeded. Lord Shiva cursed them, thereby transforming them into one less than a crore stone images in a charming lush landscape. Go and see these ancient stone sculptures for yourself!
MEGHALAYA : Take a dip in the hot water springs of Jakrem Located along Shillong-Mawkyrwat Road, some 64 km away from Shillong is Jakrem which is famous for its hot water springs of sulphur water which are believed to have curative medicinal properties. Jakrem has now been developed as a potential health resort. So, if the winter chill is getting to your bones, go and wallow in the hot waters of Jakrem – you may well be cured!!
ASSAM : Get mesmerised by the magic of Majuli
Photo by: S.H. Patgiri 46
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Cradled by the Brahmaputra and renowned as the world’s largest river island, there is a very special reason you’ve just got to go there: the exquisite beauty, innocence and naivety of the land and its people make it a must-visit destination. With its numerous xatras, this landmass, with a population of 1.6 lakhs, has a very rich heritage and has been the abode of the Assamese Vaishnavite culture for centuries. So, if you want to explore heritage, don your cultural attire and head for that ferry! (ET Feature)
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 47
Author, columnist and veteran cookery expert Jyoti Das has published six books till date. Her passion lies in bringing the rich, yet simple, ethnic Assamese cuisine to the world palate. With Bhogali Bihu just around the corner, here she presents an entire menu plan for us to feast on. Photos: Jyoti Das
Bhapot Diya Maach (Steamed Fish) METHOD INGREDIENTS z z z z z
6 pieces fish 1 tbsp mustard seed 2 green chillies 3 medium-sized onions ½ tsp turmeric powder (optional) z Salt to taste z For garnish, 2 tbsp mustard oil, green chillies & coriander leaves
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z Wash, clean and drain the fish. z Make a fine paste of the mustard seed and green chillies with a little salt. z In a bowl, mix the fish with the mustard seed paste, chopped onions and salt. z Steam for 20 minutes or until done. z Garnish with mustard oil, green chillies and coriander leaves. z Serve hot with steamed rice.
If you like to don the chef’s hat and wish to share your recipes, do send them with your photo to – Eclectic Times, Saraswati Market, 2nd Floor, Above SBI, Six Mile Branch, G.S. Road, Guwahati - 781022 or email us at editorial@eclectic.co.in
Bora Chaulor Payas (Sticky Rice Payas)
Ingredients • • • • • •
2 ½ litres milk 50 gms sticky rice 3 tbsp ghee 2 bay leaves 4 cardamoms 100 gms jaggery
Method •
Soak the sticky rice for an hour. Wash well and drain. • Spread on a plate to dry. • In a saucepan, boil the milk. Simmer and reduce the milk till about 1 ½ litre. • In a pan, heat ghee, add bay leaves, cardamom and the soft rice. • Stir upon medium heat, till the rice changes colour. • Add milk and stir. Keep the fire low. • When the payas thickens, add jaggery. • Serve as the last course of a meal. Note: This payas can be made with red sticky rice too – in fact, it tastes better!
Kukurar Deukar Logot Koldil (Chicken Wings with Banana Flower)
Ingredients • • • • • • • • • • • • •
12 kukurar deuka (chicken wings) 1 small koldil (banana flower) ½ tsp turmeric powder 5 tbsp mustard oil 2 bay leaves 1 level tsp salt 2 broken dry red chillies 2 medium-sized onions, finely chopped 1 tsp cumin powder 1 tsp coriander powder 1 inch stick cinnamon, crushed 4 cardamoms, crushed 1 tbsp pure ghee
• •
•
• •
Method
•
• Wash the chicken wings and drain. • Remove the outer layers of the koldil till you get the soft whitish layers. • Take water in a large bowl. Rub mustard oil well to the hands before cutting the banana core. • Add salt and turmeric powder to
•
• • •
the water and chop the core of the koldil very finely. Remove threads while chopping. Mash the finely chopped koldil with finger tips and squeeze out water. Heat mustard oil in a karahi. Add bay leaves and the broken dry chillies. Add the onion and fry till lightly brown. Add the chicken wings and sprinkle on the turmeric, cumin and coriander powders. Stir fry for five minutes. Add the banana flower and sprinkle salt. Stir for about a minute. Reduce heat to minimum and cover. Stir occasionally. When almost done, add crushed cinnamon and cardamom. Add pure ghee, cover for half a minute. Serve hot with steamed rice or chapatis.
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 49
For those of you who missed one of the finest events in the Northeast - the Pond’s White Beauty Eclectic Model Hunt 2010 - ET brings you moments from the big day.
A
sudden silence hit the auditorium at ITA, Machkhowa. Everybody waited with bated breath as the eponymous moment to announce the winner had arrived. Many thumping hearts punched the silent air as the hosts for the evening, Gordon John Thabah and Pomi Baruah, finally announced in unison: “And the winner of the Pond’s White Beauty Eclectic Model Hunt 2010 is...” The Eclectic Model Hunt, in its third year now, has been a progressive journey since it started in
Our fabulous emcees – Pomi Baruah and Gordon John Thabah
His Excellency Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary being felicitated by Bibha Hazarika
2008. It is now a recognised platform for aspiring models to make it big. The model hunt ensures a big ticket to fame: the winner and the 1st runnersup get a direct entry to the country’s penultimate beauty pageant Femina Miss India’s East leg. More than a big ticket, the model hunt has helped groom a group of young and eager girls, so that they can walk out as even smarter, more confident women.
Loya Agarwala welcoming the gathering
The judges for the evening (L to R): Malaya Goswami, Dhruba Hazarika, Dipannita Sharma Atwal, Paljor Gyabak and Julie Kagti
The couple of weeks that preceded the event saw the entire team work as a closely-knit unit, putting in every iota of energy over long hours to ensure that the event was a trailblazer. Countless meetings were held, where teams pored over every last detail over endless cups of tea, easing out the apprehensions and last-minute confusions that lay deep within us, before the run-up to the show - these and much more, form the collective experience. For most of us, the model hunt became a learning process and, in turn, helped us further our confidence and the affirmation that a small but dedicated team could do wonders. Let us rush through the madness and the chaos once again, as we rewind the Pond’s White Beauty
Eclectic Model Hunt 2010 experience:
The Chosen Ones To select the best of the lot, we held auditions in Shillong and Guwahati. During the auditions, our judges picked the best amongst the girls. The judges were Sandeep Cherian, who is a known name in fashion choreography here, Agamonee Barbaruah who had earlier been part of the model hunt as a grooming mentor, and Monjari Mahanta who is also our Deputy Adminstrative Officer and has seen the model hunt since its inception. As she says, “I have been associated with it for three years and in this short span of time, the progression has been very fast. It feels like the baby is growing up.” The auditions in Shillong were conducted at Cloud
Dancers from Kalabhumi performing to Shiva Stuti
Guest-of-Honour, Kumar Sanjay Krishna, IAS, acknowledging the audience
9, Hotel Centre Point and then again, a few days later, in Guwahati at hotel Kiranshree Portico. “This year’s lot had promising girls but a few of them, because of their determination and hard work, outshone throughout,” she adds.
Mould Thy Beauty After the initial round of selections, the girls had to go through a grooming session for a couple of weeks. We had Loya Agarwala, Sandeep Cherian, Agamonee Barbaruah and Kooky Chaliha to hone the skills of the chosen girls and allow their beauty Tanushree Hazarika during the speech
The girls sashaying during the Sari round
and confidence to shine through. Loya Agarwala, Associate Editor, Eclectic Times, and an integral part of the grooming process tells us, “Though the grooming programme that we developed was aimed specifically for the pageant, it was in itself an intensive 12-day personality development package covering all aspects of soft skills. This year, the programme focused on practical, ‘hands on’ training where we monitored and tutored each contestant individually during the run-up to the pageant. All the girls were voracious learners and it was a pleasure to watch them grow into elegant, confident women.” The girls could not agree more. As one of our contestant Chandrashruti, a top 10 finalist, shares, “The experience has really helped me believe in myself. I feel more confident than before – in the way I walk or the way I now communicate. While the ma’ams have been working on our communication skills, Sandeep 52
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Behind the scenes, we had a whole team of people painstakingly, pulling the whole event together. The planning, the preparation, the stage, the performers, the judges, the security, the protocol – everything was put in place, piece by piece. Sir has really helped us with the choreography. My personality has been rejuvenated. I feel more glamorous now!” And truly, that confidence did show on stage when
the svelte contestants sashayed down the ramp. Agamonee Barbaruah sheds more light on the grooming classes: “I’ve been training the girls in Communication and it’s been a really interesting experience. I have been with them for the last 15-20 days and I could see each of them growing each day. We generally have a brief lecture and a more elaborate practical session which helps them to see their own flaws and rectify them. For what I can gather, you can’t even pinpoint who’s going to win. There are dark horses among them. They come from different backgrounds and lifestyles but when they’re together here, they all come down to one ground. I am glad they are trying to come out of their shells and open up.”
Putting the pieces together Behind the scenes, we had a whole team of people painstakingly pulling the whole event together.
The planning, the preparation, the stage, the performers, the judges, the security, the protocol – everything was put in place, piece by piece. Designers, logistics, aesthetics, PR strategy - and everything else that was needed for this event to be a success – were going full swing during the preparation. Koushik Hazarika, Executive Editor, Eclectic Vibes and our MarComm Chief, remains exhilarated with the experience. “With the third year, we wanted to take this to the next level. We ensured that everything went in on time – the fashion rounds, the performances, the anchors. The idea was to ensure that, in the end, the audience got a wholesome
PR and BD Manager, who flew in from Bangalore to be a part of the event, agrees: “It was an amazing experience being part of the model hunt. Even though I was associated with it for the first time, being trusted with working closely with such a high profile judging panel, gave me a boost of confidence. Of course, the cherry on the cake was meeting the five celebrated judges! More so, working closely with all the teams, from planning, execution, media, scripting to back stage, with such micro managed perfection, makes me beam with pride to be able to play a role in the model hunt. I am now eager for the next!”
Editor, Eclectic Times, greeted the gathering and introduced the Chief Guest and Guest-of-Honour, respectively. Our esteemed Chief Guest, His Excellency, Ranjit Shekhar Mooshahary, Governor of Meghalaya and Guest-ofHonour, Kumar Sanjay Krishna, (Principal Secretary, Planning and Development, Government of Assam), set off the evening by lighting the inaugural lamp, after the felicitation by Bibha Hazarika, Director, Eclectic Publications. The Chief Guest, who was visibly pleased with the event, remarked “The beauty pageant was a real confidence-building show and a true promotion of the human
The eventual 10 contestants
experience – one which was full of excitement and without any breaks. This year, we also went live on air, which is a first for any fashion event in the Northeast. So, we had to be doubly sure that there were no glitches. I am immensely satisfied that this went off well.” Invariably, the experience of working on the event had been an intensive one – one which let all of us learn and also use our skills in the best possible way.” Pooja Barkataky, our
The Final Countdown The final day whizzed past by in a flurry of activities. The stage had to be taken care of, the sound and TV crew had to be well accommodated and the guests and performers had to feel at home. The logistics team had to be prepared, so that right from the audience to the protocol, everything had to be running like clockwork. The curtains were raised with the national anthem and Loya Agarwala, Associate
Dhruba Hazarika - “The event is a class apart. The people here and the performances have been great. The organisers have done a commendable job. We need more of these events here in Guwahati.”
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 53
Prachi Garud with the hoola-hoop during her dazzling performance
personality. It was very good effort.” The curtains then opened and the first emcee for the evening, Pomi Baruah, came onto the stage and set the ball rolling. She called over our Managing Editor, Tanushree Hazarika, who welcomed the gathering and did the introductions and felicitations of the judges, one by one. Our judges were – Dhruba Hazarika (Joint Secretary General Administration, Government of Assam), famed designer Julie Kagti, National Award winning actor Malaya Goswami, supermodel-turned-actor Dipannita Sharma Atwal and former Gladrags winner, model Paljor Gyabak. A graceful dance recital by the students of Kalabhumi, the dancing academy of danseuse Indira P. P. Bora, to Shiva Stuti ensured a humble prelude to the evening. Then it was time to introduce the 19 girls to the audience as they walked down the ramp during the sari round. The gorgeous saris were from designer Julie Kagti. The subtitles winners, selected in confidence during the grooming sessions, were also given gift hampers by the different gift partners during this round.
Rudy and Tipriti crooning the blues away
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Finally it boils down to the final five…
The models’ introductions were further energised by the dazzling performance by fusion dance group Royal Dance Academy, who made the audience stand up and take notice, literally! Sanjeeb from the dance group was exhilarated with his group’s performance, “It is a great experience to be part of the model hunt, yet again. It is a prestigious event and makes us proud to be a part of it.” The girls walked in again, this time for the Casual round, where the ensembles were by Dhiraj Deka’s boutique Bibhusa. This round came after the initial elimination round when the girls were whittled down to the top ten contestants. Priti Saikia,a student from Cotton College who was in the audience, shared her thoughts: “The stage has been amazingly done. I just love the way the beauties have sashayed down the ramp – their deft movements and everything. Some of them have also been very good with their answers.” The next act we had was one for which many people in the audience had been eagerly waiting – the hoola-hoop dancer Prachi Garud! Her excellent moves and attractive looks had many missing a heartbeat.
The event would not have been possible without the support that our sponsor forwarded. The title sponsor of the Pond’s White Beauty Eclectic Model Hunt 2010 was Pond’s (Hindustan Unilever Limited). Associate sponsor was Manikchand & Sons (Jewellers) Private Limited. Supporting sponsor was Bhoruka Aluminium Limited. Our hospitality partner was hotel Kiranshree Portico. Our media partners were Big FM and Rang while our print partner was Bhabani Digitals. Gift sponsors were given by CAPs and Dish TV. Our design partners were Julie Kagti, Bibhusha, Gallery 2000 and JD Institute of Fashion Technology. VLCC was our grooming partner, while Sanzz Mobile was our mobile partner. Outreach was our outdoor partner and the whole event was managed by Tattva Creations. A student of architecture, Prachi said that “…the people in Guwahati were so welcoming. The organisers made me feel at home here. I am glad I was a part of this.” After the electrifying performance, it was a testing time for our girls: it was the Question and Answer round. Walking in Fusion wear provided by Gallery 2000, they had to pick a judge’s name from a bowl forwarded by the emcees Pomi Baruah and
Gordon John Thabah. After the pick, each girl had to answer a question forwarded by the judges and this, along with the Casual round, became the selection ground for the final five. It was time for a break now. RJ Hansie from Big FM and Pooja Jha, who incidentally was the first runners-up from last year’s model hunt, casually interacted with the judges. Dhruba Hazarika, on being asked how the event was, remarked, “The event is a class apart. The people here and the performances have been great. The organisers have done a commendable job. We need more of these events in Guwahati.” Malaya Goswami echoed similar thoughts, “The presentation is a very decent and graceful one and the girls are very good. Eventually, this is what we’d want to see.” Dipannita Sharma Atwal agrees, too, “It has been very well put together. We have seen some very stunning talent, something which we do not even see on the national level sometimes. This is an achievement.” Once the break was over, the final five girls, chosen on the basis of their answers, walked down the ramp again, this time in gowns January 2011 │eclectic times │ 55
1st runners up Rituparna Lahkar felicitated by Vinod Soni
2nd runners up Rajkanya Barua given a sash and bouquet by R K Agarwal
Rituparna crowned by Paljor Gyabak
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provided by designers of JD Institute of Fashion Technology, Guwahati. The twist this time was that they had to answer one final common question, put forward by the judges. The contestants knew that their answers would stamp their fate, would make them winners out of the night. The girls wrote down their answers, which were read out by the emcees.
Winner Preety Thapa given a sash by Priyanka Verma
Dipannita Sharma Atwal crowning the winner Preety Thapa
Before the final decision came, delivering one final dose of madness was the extremely talented duo – Rudy Wallang and Tipriti Kharbangar from the blues band Soulmate. Rudy’s mastery over his six string and Tipriti’s strong vocal melodies made even the last person in the audience scream for more – they eventually had to relent to an extra number, one more than what they had planned. As Wallang, quite modestly, puts it, “I was still nervous before I went on stage!” Ask Tipriti and pat comes the reply, “Nervous? No way! I was waiting to go on stage to let my blues out...” Now came the drum roll moment, one that had made us wait for so long. The emcees captured the anxiety and let the crescendo build up till they announced to the world, the winners of the Pond’s White Beauty Eclectic Model Hunt 2010 – “The second runners-up of Pond’s White Beauty Eclectic Model Hunt 2010 is Rajkanya Barua!”
She was given a sash and a bouquet by R K Agarwal, MD, Bhoruka Aluminium Limited. “The first runners-up of Pond’s White Beauty Eclectic Model Hunt 2010 is Rituparna Lahkar!” She was also given a sash and a bouquet by Vinod Soni, MD, Manikchand Jewellers and the crown by judges Paljor Gyabag and Malaya Goswami.
Finally… “And the winner of the Pond’s White Beauty Eclectic Model Hunt 2010 is… Preety Thapa.” Priyanka Verma, Area Sales Manager, Hindustan Unilever Limited and judge Dipannita Sharma Atwal, presented the winning crown to Preety. Jubilant and congratulatory screams rented the silence, while shutterbugs got busy in freezing that perfect moment. For the winners,the moment was theirs. Weeks of perseverance, dedication and hard work had made it happen
for them, but it was also the undeniable efforts and combined workforce of people, many from behind the curtains, who had painstakingly worked round the clock to get this event through successfully. Tanushree Hazarika, Managing Editor, Eclectic Times and Eclectic Vibes perhaps best summed up the event with her words: “We were glad the 3rd version was so successful – we went live, we had so many great personalities gracing the event, but we do not intend to stop here alone – I am looking at a bigger, better event for the coming year.” So, eventually, we’ve come full circle, haven’t we? But, as the cliché enlightens: Every good thing must come to an end. We would want to thank everybody for all the effort and energy that has gone into making our event so special. We hope to see you again, next year! Amrita Madhukalya
Winner Preety Thapa flanked by 1st runners-up Rituparna Lahkar and 2nd runners-up Rajkanya Barua
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 57
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│ eclectic
times │ January 2011 Do I look all right?
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January 2011 │eclectic times │ 59 Sharing last minute tips
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lmost two and a half thousand miles away from his hometown Manipur, David Lalzakham Tusing has made a mark for himself as a journalistpar-excellence in Dubai, working with the largest circulating English tabloid of the region. Ever since he won the award for Journalism in the 2004 Ibda’a Media Student Awards in Dubai, there has been no looking back for this young Northeasterner. Slowly he went on to climb the ladder of success with stints with software giant IBM, CNN, London (internship) and various other tabloids, before his present job as the deputy editor in Dubai’s Gulf News. In a tête-à-tête with ET, Tusing tells us more about his little-known success story. ET: Tell us about your academic journey? David: I did my schooling in the Nilgiris in Tamil Nadu and then moved to Mysore to do my BA in Journalism. After that, I moved to Bangalore for my Masters in Audio Visual Communication at Convergence Institute of Media 60
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Dubai-based award-winning journalist David Lalzakham Tusing firmly believes that we must go beyond, break moulds and excel, so we can be noticed and heard.
Management and Information Technology Studies (COMMITS). ET: How did you win the Ibda’a Media Student Awards in Journalism? David: Gosh! Ibda’a was so many years ago! At COMMITS, we had a monthly student-run newsletter called Your Opinion and I actively contributed to it. Once, I wrote a feature on ‘The Rise of the Metrosexual Male’ (remember, this was 2004) and when entries were thrown open for Ibda’a, my journalism lecturer thought it would be a good idea to send it. He helped me polish it and off it went. A few weeks later, I was told my entry had been nominated. I was overjoyed but quickly realised I didn’t have a passport to travel to the UAE. The Dean of COMMITS pulled a few strings and secured me a passport in record time. I made it to Dubai a day late. And I won. ET: Why do you think you won? David: ‘Metrosexuality’ – although I hate the word now – was a very new concept then and Indian men were just warming up to the idea. I think the feature had
a very unique peg to it and was an interesting reflection of that time when grooming became a rage among men, opening up a whole new world of opportunities for everyone. ET: Tell us about your internship with CNN? David: CNN was an interesting, learning experience. As interns, you are at the bottom of the food chain, so there were many times when we were made to do things we didn’t really want to. But it was fun watching first hand how an international news media operated on a daily basis. ET: Did winning Ibda’a help you in any ways in your career? David: Not directly. After Ibda’a, I came back to Bangalore to complete my studies and then went to London for my internship. I wallowed around for a few months as I was not really sure where I wanted to go. Then I remembered one of the few contacts I made while in Dubai – a journalist who interviewed me. I wrote to her to enquire if there were any job openings. She told me a new newspaper, Emirates Today,
was going to be launched soon and sent me the email of the then editor. I shot off my resume. They took a while to get back to me and when they did, asked me if I could freelance for them from Bangalore. I did. By the time my third feature was published, they knew they wanted me. That’s how my Dubai story began. ET: How’s life in Dubai? David: Dubai is an amazing city, a true world city where life is fast, luxurious and exciting. More than 180 nationalities live here and there are plenty of opportunities to learn and discover different cultures and people. It does get very hot in the summer, but once you’ve lived here a couple of years, one learns to live with it. ET: Tell us about your professional life so far? David: Before I moved to Dubai in 2006, I worked briefly with IBM in Bangalore as part of their knowledge factory team – a content outsourcing department - which involved a lot of writing. Then I moved to Dubai, working with Emirates Today as a features writer and slowly worked my way up. I worked with Emirates Business later as one of their lifestyle editors and moved to Gulf News six months ago. The website, GulfNews.com,
is the most popular English news website averaging 20 million unique visitors a month. ET: You seem to write a lot about fashion. Is that your forte? David: Forte is the right word. I’ve always been fascinated by the fashion world and so it was my innate desire to write about it. I believe fashion is a powerful medium to express one’s individuality and I appreciate people who go that extra mile to stand out amongst those that simply blend in. Same goes for entertainment and lifestyle. But, above all, I enjoy writing as an art, irrespective of the topic. If it is a subject that I know I can do justice to, I go for it. ET: Do you see any difference in print journalism between India and the Arab world? David: Journalism in India is in-your-face, extremely sensational and very aggressive. Comparatively, journalism in the Arab is more diffident due to cultural and political sensitivities. Also, the writing quality in the Arab world is much more contemporary because we have a huge population of native speakers running many news organisations, whereas IndianEnglish writing often tends to fall
David with his tabloid team at Cavalli Club in Dubai
into the textbook language trap. ET: Tell us about your life back in Manipur? David: I haven’t lived in Manipur for so many years; I barely know what life is there now. I do go back often to meet my family every few months. Manipur is a troubled state, and things don’t look like they’re getting any better. Every time I go, I’ve had to give myself a few days for travel so my plans don’t get disrupted by the many curfews called by every organisation possible. But still, it’s home and I will never forget where I came from. ET: How do you inspire the young generation back home? David: I come from a small town in Manipur called Churachandpur where a lot of people still don’t have the luxury to travel outside for studies. So, everytime I go home, I visit the schools. I want to inspire them and get them to dream big. I want to prove to them that I am not special and that with determination and will, they can get anywhere despite their backgrounds. ET: Any last words you would like to share with our readers? David: Move out of your comfort zone because there is a whole new world out there! In conversation with Himakshi Goswami
Photos: David Tusing
concerns
W
hat is the first news that greets you every morning as you open the newspaper? Strife? Protests? Discontentment? It doesn’t take a cynic or a socio-political analyst to understand that at least 90 per cent of the news published or discussed revolves around issues that concern the public. In other words, public policies which have far-reaching consequences are now being discussed from every possible angle. In recent times, more than one issue has snowballed into a major plank, not just for political parties in electoral terms, but has had a rippling effect in terms of creating more awareness in the minds of those whom these policies
affect: the public themselves. In post-independent India, the development process has been largely defined by the decisions that a single political party has taken. Although economists and policy makers did contribute their bit towards formulating the laws that have shaped the governance in various sectors of public life or civil society, very little attention, if at all, was given to a vital question: whether or not that particular policy would actually benefit the people. A young India emerging from the shackles of British rule was happy enough to have handed over the reins of power to one political party, entrusting an unshakeable faith in its ability to guide the country to a
RTI activist Akhil Gogoi along with ‘Narmada Bachao’ movement leader Medha Patkar at a rally in Guwahati demanding decommissioning big hydropower projects in the Northeast and │ eclectic times │ of 62 January 2011 supporting the micro dam projects. Photo: UB Photos
new growth and development graph but, as the successive decades have shown, development did indeed come - but at a price. Slowly but surely, the murkier side of growth became evident as the indigenous people began to lose their land for compensation that was a pittance. Issues such as water and farmers, which were closely linked to the agricultural sector, could no longer be suppressed. And whichever way you chose to look at it, every policy that the government formulated, had gaping loopholes. Whether it was education, environment, forests, public distribution system (PDS) or the most recent ongoing issue over the construction of mega dams in the Northeast, every conceivable policy showed a major disregard for the people for whom the policies were formulated in the first place. Little wonder then, that the disillusionment with the policy makers or the government has spawned public activism on a level that has had few precedents. In a way, the Right To Information Act (RTI) has become like the proverbial noose around the government’s neck. Although introduced to check corruption in public offices, it is now proving to be an embarrassment for a lot of people wielding influential positions as it is being used to expose corruption where the elected representatives are involved. As activist Akhil Gogoi explains, “Public activism is a tool to fight corruption at every level, and especially where the lives of a large number of people are being endangered to satisfy the whim of a rich and powerful lobby.” As more skeletons keep tumbling out of the government’s cupboard every day, it is imperative that more educated people become conscious of their rights, because, only when a civil society is conscious and vigilant, will the policies be effectively formulated and followed. And there will be less chances of being duped by a select few or face the problems
brought about by ineffectual policies that seek to perpetuate a problem rather than offer redressal. Lawrence W Reed of the Mackinac Center for Public Policy succinctly puts it in his paper Seven Principles of Sound Public Policy : “Public policy that dismisses liberty or doesn’t preserve or strengthen it, should be immediately suspect in the minds of a vigilant people. They should be asking, ‘What are we getting in return if we’re being asked to give up some of our freedom?’ ” Thankfully, in an effort to create and spread awareness about public policies and how they affect civil society, many individuals and organisations are coming up with projects and programmes that can disseminate effective information. One such organisation is the Centre for Civil Society (CCS), New Delhi, which spearheads a lot of programmes to highlight pertinent issues. According to CCS, a sound public policy should include 10 principles that would encompass important aspects of an individual’s life and the collective lives of a society. (See box) Since public policies or laws govern our lives to a great extent, it’s absolutely essential for a civil society to be aware of the tools that are available to enable public participation during the process of lawmaking. How is this possible? To quote from CPL in its PRS Legislative Research : The report entitled ‘Engaging with Policy Matters’, the Centre for Policy Research, New Delhi. Step 1. The role which can be played by citizen groups before and while the Bill is being drafted.
PRINCIPLES OF SOUND PUBLIC POLICY z The government should only do what people (individuals and associations) cannot do for themselves. z A sound policy focuses on measurable outcomes and not only on inputs and good intentions. z It would impose the same standards, norms and punishments for non-performance on government as are imposed on the non-state providers. z A sound policy would place incentives according to Friedman’s Law of Spending: a. Spend your money on yourself b. Spend your money on someone else c. Spend someone else’s money on you d. Spend someone else’s money on someone else z It will enhance choice, competition, freedom. z It would consider long-term consequences over all groups of people. z Enable governance (decisions about taxes and expenditures) closest to the people. z Not sacrifice the rights of an individual for the interest of many. z The premise of sound public policy should be that people are responsible, resilient and self-governing given the right set of incentives and framework of law. z A sound public policy should have an expiry date (sunset clause).
The RTI Act is an example of how citizen groups can significantly affect government policy. This primer explains the process by which a citizen group can participate and become actively involved in the process of lawmaking. A number of cases have been used to demonstrate the various ways in which civil society groups have been able to engage with the legislative process. Step 2. When the government asks for the feedback on the Bill. Even before the Bill has been drafted, the relevant ministry might choose to advertise and seek inputs from
experts and citizens. This, though, is a rare occurrence. In some cases, the concerned ministry drafts a new legislation and seeks public feedback before sending it for cabinet approval. Step 3. Includes engaging with the standing committee. As more policies are being formulated, public participation and vigilance assumes immense significance in order to enable a smooth transition into a developed society and nation. Entrusting vital decisions that impact our lives at the hands of only a select few could be disastrous in the long run. An understanding of public issues is no longer the domain of the experts. It is as much your concern as it is the activist’s. Are you conscious, willing to understand and change your world? Nazneen Hussain (Source: Centre for Civil Society, New Delhi) January 2011 │eclectic times │ 63
ET takes a leisurely stroll through Design N Decor, a complete home decor store, for all your furnishing needs!
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ored and tired of the same old look in your home furnishings? When was the last time that you wished there was a friendly neigbourhood store that would have an impressive collection on offer? Well, the wait may finally be over with the inauguration of Design N Decor, a store that claims to offer ‘intelligent furnishing solutions’ at an affordable price. What’s so great about that? Well, for one thing, the company is being run by Ritesh and Sawan Goel, who hail from Sivasagar. And their products have a clientele that stretches to the Western markets, besides big names in the domestic hospitality industry like ITC, Radisson, Taj, Prestige, Brigade and others. From upholstery, curtains, cushion covers, to throws, blinds and bed linen, there is an impressive collection to choose from. The USP of the products is the sheer quality that sets it apart from the usual material available in the market. The beautifully crafted silk curtains on display are quite appealing in both texture and design and come in a range of colours.
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If you have been searching for the embroidered look in your curtains, you can find them here. They’ll surely lend an elegant touch to your home, while the exquisite colour schemes and ‘feel’ of the upholstery fabrics will brighten up any home. Cushions in greys, maroons and blues, sequined, woven or just plain fabric painted will surely appeal to any homemaker who wants a makeover for her home. You’ll also find some material that has been exported to Western markets too, besides stuff that is on display at some of the
You’ll also find some material that has been exported to Western markets too, besides stuff that is on display at some of the leading hotels in India. With basic and embellished designs, the products stand out on their own.
leading hotels in India. With basic and embellished designs, the products stand out on their own. And besides enlivening your children’s rooms with colourful bedsheets and pillows, comforters, duvet covers and quilts, you can choose from a wide range of attractive wallpapers that are available at a highly competitive price. And the best news is that the store also has subsidised packages for customers opting for complete room and home solutions. They also have a section which offers the perfect gift for house warmings, marriage trousseaus and other such occasions. So, what are you waiting for? Go take a look, and usher the change this festive season! (ET Feature)
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SHRINK YOUR HEAD Avilasha Barooah is a neuropsychologist, a learning disability specialist and an NLP coach and consultant. She offers consultancy in Guwahati and is currently working in GNRC Hospitals Limited. You can contact Avilasha at syh@eclectic.co.in a 26-year-old-boy and had completed my masters IinamGeography a few years ago. However, I have not
boyfriend and I parted ways last summer. We My were together for 7 years and, while I have not got
been able to land myself a decent job, whereas some of my friends with grades similar to mine, have already got good jobs. All I have is a stint in a BPO to my credit. This has depressed me no end. Please help. Sumit, Guwahati AVILASHA: In Oprah Winfrey’s inspiring speech “You become what you believe”, she urges people to utilise the fullest extent of their possibilities to become more fully who they are, because otherwise people always want to be somebody else. Just like you! So live your life truthfully and you’ll survive everything. Turn your wounds into wisdom as you’ll be wounded many times in your life and make mistakes. But it’s just an experience, just like our everyday experiences. Also learn to be grateful and change your perspective on life. Learn to focus on what you have and not what you don’t have. Create the highest vision possible for your life because you become what you believe. Understand that there’s a power greater than yourself that rules your life and you need to connect to it to dream a bigger dream for yourself. ET QUACK: Everyday is a Sunday for you! So wallow in bed till lunch, check out the chicks in the afternoon and party all night! Change your outlook, man!
over him yet, my friends have told me that he is tying the knot at his mother’s behest. I am severely disappointed and desperately want to stop him, because I know he is not over with me yet. But, then again, I don’t want to be tagged a ‘marriage-breaker’. What do I do? Name withheld on request AVILASHA: This is classic. You break up, you’re through, but you want your partner back again. And you want my advice on how to get him back! Every relationship has its good/bad moments. Couples argue about the dumbest things ever, have attitude problems, have rough times, but deep down what one needs to know, be confident and secure about, is that both are madly in love with each other and make each other happy. This ensures that time spent together isn’t a pain and that silences are golden! So, if you’re clear about this then explain your feelings to him in a way that he can never question or doubt again. And, then let him make the decision of what he wants to do. If he’s your true love then I believe that God will have him make the right choice. ET QUACK: Tell him you want to meet him for the last time …and then seduce him in a way he’ll never forget! He’ll soon be able to decide who’s hotter!
going to school, there is absolutely nothing else she does. There are times when she sits for hours on end in front of the computer. Dissuading or scolding her has had no effect. I fear she will lose out on her studies and a physically active life. Suhasa, Nagaon AVILASHA: The Internet and social networking sites were not created to bring disharmony into our lives. They were created to allow communication amongst people and that’s a good thing. But unfortunately today, 8 to18-year-olds devote an average of 7 hours 38 minutes on entertainment media across a typical day (more than 53 hours a week!), leading to categorise an individual’s obsessive dependence with the Internet, as Internet Addiction Disorder (IAD). With teenagers, parents instinctively notice the changes but choose to simply ‘observe’, assuming it will ‘pass’ given enough time. Therefore, you need to take a proactive stance with your sister’s computer and Internet use and regulate it. Install monitoring software and set boundaries with her and stick to them, no matter what the outcome and also educate her about social networking and safety. Also, make sure she tells you about her online interactions regularly. ET QUACK: Create a mysterious new boyfriend id and send her a few pics of some hot-looking guy. When she sends hers, tell her that she’s way too fat and needs to go to the gym. That’ll get her off the computer in a jiff y!
an accident when I was on my bike. Although we both have coped well with the loss and I am still earning well, I am scared to start a family. I don’t know whether I will be able to take care of my wife during her pregnancy and whether I will be a successful dad. Without my hand, I feel incomplete. John Kro, Diphu AVILASHA: A physically challenged Indian woman athlete had lost muscle control from her torso downwards after a tumour surgery down her spine which left her paralysed. But, she was determined to lead a normal life. With some supervision and domestic help, she looked after her home, kids and dog when her husband was away in the army. She did physiotherapy regularly and grew up again with her kids. She says, “The girls and I would wash each other’s hair, I had learnt to change clothes and everything was from point zero for me.” She has participated in international sports events for javelin, shot put and swimming and won several medals. Recently, she also took part as a navigator in the Raid de Himalayas Car Rally, which is the toughest car rally in the world. So, if others can do it, so can you! ET QUACK: Watch Sholay and see how Thakur Baldev Singh fought Gabbar Singh with no arms! So, what’s the big deal, huh?
For heartaches, heartburns, multiple personality disorders, insomnia, anorexia, seeing dead people, sleepwalking and all other weird problems that you might have, Avilasha Barooah will try to suggest the best solutions possible. For alternate solutions you can always try ET Quack’s pointers. January 2011 eclectic times DISCLAIMER: Follow the suggestions of the ET Quack entirely at your own peril. │
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Illustration: Abhishek Kumar
am a 32-year-old man and am married to a very my 15-year-old sister has become so addicted to Ilovely Ofthelate, woman. Two years ago, I lost my left hand in social networking sites on the Internet that, apart from
Black Stallion Vinery
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ndians love the idea of going ‘abroad’ and ‘Amreeka’ wins over any other place almost every time! I visited the USA to meet my brother, but, at the same time, I was keen to see for myself what the whole fascination with America was about. So, during a long weekend, we made a trip to the west coast city of San Francisco because the crazily slanting roads and the charming picture postcard views of the city appealed to me more than the other places. First we decided to load our tummies as we had a long day 68
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ahead. We chose IHOP which is short for International House of Pancakes. Isn’t the name enough reason to try the place? The food was excellent too but it’s not just about pancakes! Whether you like waffles, eggs and bacon, fried fajita omelet (omelet with strips of meat), scrambled eggs with toast, or just simple pancakes, it’s all here. After the satisfying breakfast, we started out with a trip to the Golden Gate. People love cycling and those who don’t own bikes can hire one on the way. You can see the whole of San Francisco from here and
those curious about the Alcatraz Island (of The Rock movie fame) can have a closer look through the huge binoculars near the bridge. Some also come with boats attached to the rear end of their car and head straight to the Fisherman’s Wharf. The San Francisco cruise that starts at the Fisherman’s Wharf was very entertaining and informative. The commentary provided was made interesting with music and interviews rather the usual ‘did you know that?’ facts. They also offer you headphones if you wish to listen in your preferred language. If
history is not your cup of tea then you can watch some adventurous souls parasurfing. It seems thrilling but don’t try it if you are not trained. You can also hire a boat and just, well sail! You can view the famous Twin Peaks and also the hilly and steep roads that San Francisco is famous for. We went to San Francisco during the weekend on July 4 (which is the American Independence day) to be a part of the Fillmore Jazz Festival - the reputed music and food festival. We missed out on the music part (jazz puts me to sleep anyway!) but the food was great! It seemed like a small mela (carnival) with stalls selling relics, clothes, accessories, showpieces and various other things that made the place look colourful and vibrant. The food stalls had a huge variety- fish ‘n’ chips, grilled chicken, barbecued pork, corn on the cob and other
street food. The next day, we went on the 17-mile scenic drive at Monterey in California, which is a true delight for nature lovers. It starts from a gated community with enormous, beautiful mansions, then moves on to the awesome drive next to the coastline. Popular spots like The Lone Cypress are found here but the Pebble beach is the most popular attraction and the best time to visit is in summer. The magnificent rocks, white sand, blue sea, gorgeous
yellow and purple flowers on the hilly side of the beach and a huge golf course next to the hill – these are just some of beautiful visions that whizz past you on the drive. The wooden walkway is a great way to explore the beach area and makes you feel like you are in a movie! The location seems perfect to shoot a Hindi movie song as it’s really colourful and breezy. On the last day of our trip we went to the Napa Valley which is a must-see for wine lovers. To start, just grab a map and take off on your self-guided tour. Just as we set out, I spotted a shop – Rocky Mountain Chocolate Factory. So, even before we could start the tour, I took a detour! The place had everything that a chocolate lover could ask for. Candies of all colours, shapes and sizes; chocolates filled with rum, berry sauces and nuts. There were some unique ones like cherries on
The wooden walkway
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a stick dipped in 3 types of sauces - dark, milk and white chocolate, icecream bars and cheesecakes dipped in chocolate. After gobbling the chocolates and licking our fingers, we headed off to do what we had come for – wine tasting. There are a number of vineries to choose from. We chose the Black Stallion Vinery as it sounded attractive in one of the pamphlets we had picked up from the visitor’s centre. We could see the vineyards even before we arrived. They looked liked uniform stripes on the hills. Once we entered the gates of the vinery, we were welcomed by a 7-foot tall monolithic statue of a black stallion. This shook us up from our afternoon laziness and we were all eager to see what lay in store. We entered the large castle-like structure and found huge barrels filled with hay and wine bottles placed on them. Next to it was a counter where we could taste wine. The sommeliers (trained wine experts) were well aware of the palates of people from different countries and were very friendly
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too. We could try four types of wine out of the 12 types they had. I liked three of the wines – Syrah, Champagne and Rosé. Wine-tasting is a great experience and people at Napa Valley are serious about their wines – whether it’s about holding the glass the ‘right’ way or popping a palate cleanser between the wine tasting. In the absence of convenient public transport, the best way to see San Francisco is to hire a car
and get a GPS (Global Positioning System device). It’s convenient, you can discover more this way and it’s a great experience. Just observing things around you gives you a feel of the place – like families cycling together, a rock-crazy fan driving a car with two skeletons placed at the back of the car seat looking straight at you with a sticker of Black Sabbath on the rear windscreen, unusual street names like ‘El Camino’, ‘Holloway’ etc. But if you want to travel in a tourist bus and visit all the places possible, you can sign up for that too. San Francisco on the whole was a great experience and the picturesque view of the Pebble beach still lingers in my mind! Go there for the stunning scenery, long winding and steep, sloping roads (which make you wonder how people park cars there sideways!), the entertaining cruise and the ultimate wine-tasting experience. The author is a student of the Convergence Institute of Media Management and Information Technology Studies (COMMITS), Bangalore. All photos are by the author.
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n a world where transparency and secrecy are sworn paradoxes in this century, a new art of specialised, extremist whistle-blowing is making the most powerful governments of this civilised world tip-toe on a hot rod of revelations. Since the war on terror began and rogue governments began to vanish in apocalyptic smoke, and with threats and suspicion multiplying all over the world, the policies of the civilised alliance are fast becoming contents of a Pandora’s Box. Wikileaks has become the crusader for transparency and the enemy of the system. It thrives on a network of mostly unknown sources, be it in the Pentagon or the cabinet of the Kenyan government. Millions of diplomatic cables and classified intelligence reports are leaked on to the website everyday, and in the words of Julian Assange, the founder of Wikileaks, it is justified as “the sort of information that will actually do the world some good”. In India, where the visual media is waging a lone battle against corruption with leaked documents and tickers of flashing letters and colours, and prime time shows of hoarse blame-game, the clichéd and the quiet common man is entitled to feel outraged as to how millions of taxpayers’ money are ending up in the underground cellars of politicians and bureaucrats. The Right to Information Act was enacted to equip the citizens to pursue the hidden trail of how the government, the bureaucracy and the corporate works in anything that’s related to the common man. But only a slight fraction of them get enquired about, and are subsequently exposed, while the rest of the misdoings are beyond any revelations and are quietly reposed in the cold case cabinets. Thus, in the largest democracy where the system works in a muddled way, enough to shroud the common man with misinformation,
A specialised platform of ‘whistleblowing’ to expose corruption in India could well defend the common man from exploitation, says Ribhu Borphukon
a specialised platform of classic whistleblowing can bring about a revolution in this country. For the platform to be realised, a dedicated network of whistleblowers from all spheres of the system need to step up with their guts. Thus, a proposal for an almost Machiavellian whistleblower to counter and bring to light the dirty secrets and wrongdoings is a welcoming one. In a country where the country’s treasury and personal pockets form an unhindered route of one-way travel, the need for a specialised platform for almost roundthe-clock exposes can impose a sense of fear and help shackle the erring ones. There is always a whistle-blower
in every corner of a government building or in every aisle of a corporate office. And if provided with tools to verify the documents’ legitimacy and the promise of concealment of the whistleblower’s identity, there would be a beeline of such people with documents, till then unknown to the world due to accomplice-protectionism. Though admittedly, the way Wikileaks functions through Swedish and Belgian protective covers and the way Wikileaks defends itself from powerful governments and people, it is a tad difficult for a similar situation in this country. In spite of being branded a troublemaker and insensitive towards questions of high national security, Wikileaks still pursues its mission of exposing the bitter truth underneath that cosmetic brush of government goodness and official truth. Since there is a vibrant strata of wrongdoers in India, and a strong innate grip of corruptible elements on most people, it is again a difficult proposition. Moreover, the Indian judiciary, with the utmost honour, is still turtle-paced, the punishment and action would again be expedited at a retarded speed. Nevertheless, the percentage of exposes carried by the media gives a glimmer of hope and, fuelled by the disgust of the common man, furthers this cause for a specialised whistleblower. Once established, it will undoubtedly become a revolutionary machinery for checks and balances on the government and other establishments where the stakeholders are common citizens. It is only an approach of ‘threat of exposure’ which can counter-corruption operations be constructed as worthy.
If there’s anything happening around you that inspires you to speak up and let the world know, write to us at Eclectic Times, Saraswati Market, 2nd Floor, Above SBI, Six Mile Branch, G.S. Road, Guwahati - 781022 or email to viewpoint@eclectic.co.in January 2011 │eclectic times │ 71
ET takes you on a literary tour of Guwahati, which was recently buzzing with an intellectual exchange
We breathe, we think, we conceive of our lives as narratives. Christopher Lehman
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n the end, it really did live up to its name. Christened ‘Confluence’, the Asia International Literary Festival, the first of its kind in the Northeast region, held in Guwahati from December 3-5, 2010, witnessed the meeting of literary and creative minds from different parts of India and abroad. Twelve writers from countries like Malaysia, Indonesia, Nepal, Burma, Bangladesh and India converged in the city to exchange ideas with writers from the Mamoni Raisom Goswami lighting the inaugural lamp as Arup Kumar Dutta and Srutimala Duara, look on Photo: UB Photos.
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Northeast. Organised by the North East Writers’ Forum, the festival was inaugurated by noted writer and Jnanpith Award winner, Mamoni Raisom Goswami, at NEDFi House. With the presence of literary luminaries like Temsula Ao from Nagaland, and Bernice Chauly, representing the voice of dissent from Malaysia, besides award winning playwright Mahesh Dattani, the discussions threw up interesting questions, not just about the freedom of the Press, but also on literature as a mirror of societal violence. If there was any myth about such events being just an exercise in showcasing the glamorous rather than a
meaningful dialogue, then this particular festival dispelled all such doubts. Whether it was in the moving account by Bernice who spoke of the appalling conditions in Malaysia and the complete denial of freedom of speech, or a similar account by Linda Christanty from Indonesia, or by Narayan Wagle in his depiction of Maoist rebellion in neighbouring Nepal, the common feeling of displacement, disparity and alienation became the common ground in binding the audience and speakers alike. Although it was an event primarily aimed at discussing the literary scenario in all the countries that were participating, inevitably and not surprisingly,
Bernice Chauly and Narayan Wagle aboard the cruise.
much of the discussion on the first day as well as the second, focused on the freedom of the Fourth Estate. India, thankfully, presented a comparatively better picture where the question of expression is concerned. What emerged from the discussions and interactions that followed at the end of each session was that, as far as Asian literature was concerned, a good chunk of writers followed the Western rules or stereotypes while depicting Asians or their culture. As Subhro Shankar Raychoudhury elucidated in his deliberation, ‘Selling Orient to the Occident—Old and New’, “we in India often succumb to the standards laid down and left behind by the Raj”. Panellists at the discussion agreed that even Man Booker prize winner Aravind Adiga was far from honest in his portrayal of the Indian and life in India in his work, The White Tiger. The presence of noted writers Mark Tully and Gillian Wright added an interesting flavour to the meet, as Wright enthralled the audience with her impeccable rendition of Urdu couplets as part of her reading. Her work in translating Rahi Masoom Reza’s story A Village
Mark Tully
Divided and Shrilal Shukla’s Raag Darbari left the audience, especially those who were even a little knowledgeable about Urdu, in no doubt about her expertise. Tully emphasised the need for balance in every aspect of life. Explaining his feelings about writing, he said, “I always say that one should write what one strongly feels about. I took to writing because I wanted to say something, and I’m rooted to the polemical style of writing.” As topics ranging from translation to technological evolution, to the changing face of writing and publishing were discussed, it became increasingly clear that writers write because, as Temsula Ao, put it so succinctly, “We tear words, we mutilate words, we use words to describe what we feel.” And describing the difficulties of translation, noted translator and journalist D N Bezboruah said, “Fidelity to the original work has to
be retained by the translator, which was an arduous task. Translation requires an understanding of cultural and linguistic peculiarities of both the languages.” The literary meet helped in establishing a cross-cultural bond that hopefully would translate into a better understanding of the regions and the people. The discussions were held at the Don Bosco Institute, Kharguli, amidst moments interspersed with fun and laughter. Indeed, as an attempt to promote understanding through literature, the Asia International Literary Festival left behind memories signifying hope, that through the medium of language, north-east India would be able to show the way of peace and progress, not just to the country, but to the world as a whole. Nazneen Hussain Photos: Amrita M.
If you have a flair for fiction, send us your gripping short story (within 900 words) with your photo to Eclectic Times, Saraswati Market, 2nd Floor, Above SBI,
Six Mile Branch, G.S. Road, Guwahati - 781022 or email us at editorial@eclectic.co.in
Bunchar Bongpanich, Mark Tully, Mamang Dai, Mahesh Dattani and Sheela Reddy during a session on the first day
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If you have a mobile or a laptop and you connect to other devices with Bluetooth, have you ever wondered how it works? Here’s computer scientist Debajit Kataki to enlighten us on that flashing blue light!
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he very name – Bluetooth – may well sound like a fancy name for a pirate, but it is one of the most common networking devices used today in the modern age. Earlier, one of the biggest problems faced in offices was trying to get various devices to connect together easily, quickly and seamlessly. Indeed, at one time, cables became the bane of many office and home networks! Most of us have experienced the ‘joy’ of trying to figure out which cable will go where, and finally getting tangled up in the details - until Bluetooth came to the rescue! Bluetooth, being a cable-replacement technology, essentially fixed the cable problem and aided devices to communicate easily without any pre-built infrastructure. Wireless networking uses radio frequency links instead of wires and provides greater flexibility and mobility to the user because it does away with those tangled lengths of wires. It can also be integrated with wired systems as well, thereby acting just as an extension of existing networks. It’s funny but many experienced computer users never give a second thought to this easy and simple-touse technology. They know that it is built into their laptops but they never use it. On a purely technical note, Bluetooth networking sends/receives data by using low-power radio waves. Communication happens
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on a frequency range of around 2.45 gigahertz. So, in effect, Bluetooth works in much the same way as any radio transreceiver, as it operates through transmission and reception of electromagnetic waves between transreceivers installed in various electronic devices. The only unique thing about it is the ‘frequency hopping technique’ developed by its inventors. Many people associate Bluetooth with cell phone use, and while this is a common use, Bluetooth is suitable for various other data transfer applications as well. Bluetooth technology promises to connect all your different gadgets even if they are from different manufacturers. However, a word of caution: all technology brings security risks and with Bluetooth the most common security issue we hear about is ‘bluesnarfing’, ‘bluebugging’, ‘War Nibbling’, etc., which can create havoc with your gadgets. So, just as a precautionary measure, until otherwise required, keep the BT device in the disabled state (this also prevents quick draining of battery in your mobile) and do not accept unidentified Bluetooth applications or mms attachments. This includes phone-based malware that can be harmful to your phone. Also, unlike in other cases, the hacker would typically need to be within about 10 m (about 33 ft) of the
Toothy Trivia The word Bluetooth is taken from the 10th century Danish King Harald Bluetooth, who got his name because of his fondness for blueberries, which stained his teeth. King Bluetooth had been influential in uniting Scandinavian Europe during an era when the region was torn apart by wars and feuding clans. Bluetooth technology was first developed in Scandinavia (northern Europe) and Bluetooth technology is able to unite differing industries such as the cell phone, computing, and automotive markets, much in the same way as what King Harald did - uniting dissonant Danish tribes into a single kingdom! The Bluetooth logo combines the runic (bind rune) characters for H and B (from Harald Blatand). The B is easier to identify, but the H is more difficult to see because the modern runic H is similar to our asterisk. target phone. Each Bluetooth device has a unique 48-bit device address. The authentication scheme is challenge-response, using symmetric keys, and encryption is done as well. Initially touted as the technology that would finally free us from the nightmare of multiple tangled cables and cords, Bluetooth didn’t catch on as quickly as expected. Whether Bluetooth stands the test of time remains to be seen, but wireless technology for audio transmission will undoubtedly continue to expand. The author has a Masters in Computer Science and has been working in the IT industry for over seven years.
If you are a smart and socially savvy young professional with a zest for life, then send your photo and details to: editorial@eclectic.co.in to be the eclectic man of the month.
The world knows you as: Chandan Talukdar You dropped on earth on: Nov 16, 1983 You earn your bread as: Web content writer City you live in: Delhi Three words that reflect your outlook towards life: Simple, Broad-minded, Down to earth Guilty life indulgences: White lies You idolise: Che Guevara Mantras that keep you rolling in life: Simple living, simple thinking 76
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THE SOCIAL NETWORK Directed by: David Fincher Distributed by: Columbia Pictures Cast: Jesse Eisenberg, Andrew Garfield, Justin Timberlake, Brenda Song
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hat sculpts a generation’s psyche, or rather, our generation’s psyche? Is it the urge to reduce the world to a global village or, is it the need to be there, to be visible for the world at large to see? Trying his hand at unravelling the making of arguably the most defining social tool of our age, David Fincher documents the story behind the making of Facebook and its stubbornly-arrogant founder Mark Zuckerberg (Jesse Eisenberg). Following an ugly moment with his girlfriend while in Harvard, a nerdy and unlikeable Zuckerberg sits down on his computer with his beer to create a database wherein anybody could compare the girls on
campus. Within a short span of time, the university’s network crashes and Zuckerberg is taken to task. But it gets him the much-needed visibility amongst the Harvard power elite. He is approached by the Winklevoss twins (Arnie Hammer and Josh Pence), rowers in the Harvard team, and their business partner Divya Narendra (Max Minghella) to start a network where people communicate within the campus. Zuckerberg agrees initially but steals the idea to make one of his own – Facebook. His best friend Eduardo (Andrew Garfield) becomes his partner. Facebook goes viral and becomes a definitive communication bridge. He is momentarily assisted by Sean “Napster” Parker (Justin Timberlake), whose ingenuity he hero-worships. Eventually, he is sued by the Winklevoss twins and Narendra, who accuse him of stealing their idea after Facebook makes him a billionaire at 23, and by Eduardo, who is swindled of his share. The movie is set on a sordid drama that chronicles the life of a very intelligent young man, who is unwilling to lose and whose constant endeavour has been to be in, to be accepted. The script is very tight and is the best thing about the movie. Even though at times the movie becomes monotonous, the well-chosen cast pulls it off nicely. The Social Network deserves a watch, not because it is a brilliant movie, but because it is a commentary of a communication revolution unfolding right in front of us.
Amrita Madhukalya
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 77
AUTHOR: SALMAN RUSHDIE PUBLISHER: RANDOM HOUSE GROUP PRICE: ` 499
AUTHOR: SAMIT BASU PUBLISHER: HACHETTE INDIA PRICE: ` 250
Salman Rushdie has returned to children’s fiction after 20 years - this time to gift his 12-year old Milan a story. He had written the invigorating Haroun and the Sea of Stories for his elder son, a book that captivated the imagination of adults and children alike. But Luka and the Fire of Life fails to recreate that charm. In this novel, Luka’s father’s life force has been taken away by a character called Nobodaddy, who belongs to the world of magic which Rashid had created himself. To bring his father back to life from this deep sleep, Luka has to bring the ‘Fire of Life’. But before doing so, he has to undergo many tasks and he has a dog called Bear and a bear called Dog, which can sing and dance, to accompany him. The book is a basically about a father-son relationship. This aspect of the book, and young Luka’s arduous journey where he has to undergo several missions such as The Trillion and One Forking Paths, The Mists of Time, The Inescapable Whirlpool, and so on, to save his father, is the most appealing part of the story. But Rusdhie must be trying too hard to create humour and irony through the unnecessary wordplay. Like a game going viral on Facebook, the wordplay goes out of control and annoys, confuses, hinders in the pace of the story. After writing Midnight’s Children, Rushdie has written at length about the Indian storytelling tradition in his book, Imaginary Homelands – a tradition that allows for stories to spiral, divert and go in circular motion and return in a vicious circle, but the distracting word play and attempts to create humour through irony in Luka and the Fire of Life, is far from that tradition. But is it supposed to adhere to the same theory he had propounded, in order to put his and Indian English literatures’ most important book in context, in a tradition? May be not, but what I fear most is whether his subsequent works would also be exercises in esoteric attempts at humour, at the cost of storytelling. The reference to Facebook wasn’t out of context: most of the time, this novel gives you the feeling that you are seeing the unfolding of a video game, not reading a novel.
In Basu’s novel of urban super-heroes, people fly, they multiply, manipulate the Internet, and they have seductive powers. Mundane existences suddenly acquire superhuman powers abroad a flight between Delhi and London that crashes. We have an Internet geek, a Pakistani starlet, an Assamese housewife, an IAF pilot amongst others, all of whom become superheroes after the crash, echoing deep-set wants and aspirations. The bad news arrives when some of these superheroes plan to take over the earth. And our protagonist Aman, the Internet geek, forms a desi Justice League of sorts to set it all right. His entourage has a very assorted ensemble of characters. But the setting and the characters are special in their Indianness. What makes Turbulence exciting is that it has Indian superheroes. For many readers, the novelty that it carried became the initial hook. And science fiction being a largely unexplored literary territory in our country makes this a brave and fresh attempt. Basu shies away from depicting a dystopian world and everything is as mundane as it can be. His writing is beautiful, and carries the charm of the GameWorld trilogy. It has his amusing wit and his gifted humour intact. All in all, a much recommended book.
Amrita Madhukalya
BEST SELLERS OF THE MONTH S.NO.
NAME OF THE BOOK
AUTHOR
GENRE
1
The Power
Rhonda Byrne
Mind,Body, Spirit
2
Men Are From Mars, Women Are From Venus
John Gray
Non-fiction
3
The Monk Who Sold His Ferrari
Robin Sharma
Self-Help
4
Superfreakonomics: Global Cooling, Patriotic Prostitutes & why Suicide Bombers should buy Life Insurance
Steven D. Levitt & Steven J. Dubner
Non-fiction / Business
5
The Positive Way to Change Your Life
Norman Vincent Peale
Personal Development
6
Turbulence
Samit Basu
Fiction
7
The God of Small Things
Arundhati Roy
Fiction
8
Fall of Giants
Ken Follet
Fiction
9
Eclipse
Stephenie Meyer
Fiction
10
The Glass Palace
Amitabh Ghosh
Fiction
Aruni Kashyap Courtesy: Sohum Shoppe, Guwahati
78
│ eclectic
times │ January 2011
January 2010
Mayuri Sharrma is a Mumbai-based professional Tarot Card Reader, Columnist and Freelance Writer
ARIES ( March 21- April 20) Work: You need to get out there and make the most of all this great energy! It’s all about action for you right now, so see if you can stoke up some ideas with colleagues. Love: You incorrigible flirt, you! Everybody loves your attention and smiles, and the world’s a brighter place with you in it. Health/Style: Give yourself some time to simply wallow in whatever mood you’re experiencing. Enjoy a lingering bath, leave the cell phone at home and take a brisk walk or use your spa-splurge money. Make it all about you, for once! The Aries Friend: An Aries friend provides the spark plug that gets great friendships off the ground. Always ready with ideas for things to do and the brave spirit to initiate them, an Aries friend will never be boring. When you need to try something new or get out of your funky mood, call an Aries friend. Watch out for their temper, though. Aries’ best friendship asset: courage.
TAURUS ( April 21- May 21) Work: You’ve got big ideas, but you know that they’re worthless without action. The opportunity for you to get moving on something you’ve been thinking about for quite some time comes along now. Love: Your love life will probably be more fickle and unpredictable than you would prefer. However, practice a little patience as romance may simply be hiding, waiting for the best moment to sneak up on you. Health/Style: You can’t spend your way out of your bad mood or weird situation, so leave your wallet where it belongs, no impulsive retail therapy please! The Taurus Friend: When you want it simple and sweet, call a Taurus friend for a good meal or a reassuring visit to a favourite place in nature. Contact them after a crisis or when you just want to relax for a few hours. To bring out this sign’s best, don’t talk too much, just be together. Taurus’ best friendship asset: stability.
GEMINI ( May 22- Jun 21) Work: Listen carefully when people try to give you advice, even if you’re sure you’ve got it all taken care of. It’s too easy to ignore wisdom, but you’ll soon need a little extra. Love: Romance will put you on the defensive. Flirting can be fun, but you might be preoccupied with the consequences of going too far. Health/Style: Observation is the key to success. If you have a hair appointment, for example, note how your stylist applies products or holds her brush as she dries your tresses. Get a new hairdo and a free styling lesson! The Gemini Friend: If you’re a social sort of person, you’ll love the Gemini friend for his or her lightning-fast mind and wide variety of interests. Gemini will go just about anywhere with a friend, especially if the environment is mentally or visually stimulating. When life gets too serious or heavy, call a Gemini friend for a refreshing new perspective. Gemini’s best friendship asset: light-hearted curiosity.
CANCER ( Jun 22- July 22) Work: Your mind is quick and sharp, and you should find that your energy is perfectly suited to tests of mental agility. It’s a great time to assert your point of view. Love: If you’re expecting something big in your love life, be aware that romance wants to defy expectations in crazy ways. The best thing you can do, for the time being, is to watch and wait. Health/Style: Feeling a little slow? Then stick to activities that don’t require speed! Take a yoga class rather than kickboxing, for example, or stick to small boutiques where you can really browse and forego the huge maze of mall stores. The Cancer Friend: The Cancer friend will give you the shirt off their back. Unfortunately, they may expect you to wash, press and return it with a home-cooked meal in return! Loving and caring, the Cancer friend is loyal but sometimes expects dependency from friends in return. The best Cancer friend will let their friends grow up. Cancer’s best friendship asset: deep feeling.
LEO ( July 23- August 22) Work: You snag a new point of view from someone whose wisdom is unquestioned - but it still makes you wonder who’s right. Your amazing mental energy helps you sort it all out and absorb it all quickly. Love: A love affair provides all the expected trappings of satisfactory romance, with the bonus of bringing you tremendous amusement and joy. Health/Style: You’ll need to turn inward now to make the best decisions about your outward appearance. Do you think you look as sophisticated as you feel, for example, or that you’re honouring your true creativity? The Leo Friend: To Leo, friendship is a kind of foreign country with odd residents who keep far too much distance. Leo tends to romanticise everything and want to be the centre of attention. However, Leo can be a generous and creative friend too, especially when the Lion learns that other residents of the jungle │eclectic │ 79 have something offer than being Leo’s times Januarymore 2011to audience. Leo’s best friendship asset: warmth.
VIRGO ( August 23 - September 21) Work: Your sense of right and wrong is now intensified - and you might have to enforce justice! It could even be you that’s in need of schooling, so make sure you’re ready for anything. Love: Romantic matters may stall out for now but it’s all for good reason, and when it all gets started up again (soon!) you’ll have a much better understanding of how it all should work. Health/ Style: Anxieties felt could spill over into your physical being. Having a favourite method of relaxation is crucial at times like these, whether it be yoga, reading a book, or shooting the breeze over drinks with friends. Otherwise, you could stress yourself into sickness and injury! The Virgo Friend: You can ring up your Virgo friend when you’re in a fix and they will zoom around in 10 seconds, looking as neat as a new pin, interrupting your tale of woe with a hundred handy hints to work your situation out successfully. Their ceaseless search for perfection can sometimes go too far, and a Virgo will become fussy and finicky and pick holes in everything. Virgo’s best friendship asset: steadfastness.
CAPRICORN ( December 21 - January 19)
Work: You could be exposed to some new point of view that really makes you think and shower you with new insights. It’s a good time for you to take a fresh look at your old problems. Love: It’s what’s inside your head that counts right now. You lose interest in anyone who doesn’t keep up mentally, no matter how cute they are on the outside. Brains have never been sexier. Health/Style: Keep up your faith in trusted or recommended beauty products. Just because you can’t see the effects of that antioxidant-rich facial serum or nourishing cuticle oil right away, doesn’t mean it isn’t working wonders! The Capricorn Friend: Never known for joviality, Capricorn, nevertheless, makes a reliable and realistic friend to count on when fair-weather friends have gone. Though you might need to lift the Goat out of blue moods from time to time, in return you’ll find an ambitious friend who knows how to make the rules of society work to his or her advantage. Capricorn’s best friendship asset: steering friends toward concrete goals.
LIBRA ( September 22 - October 22) Work: You are totally focused on your co-workers and with good reason! Most of them are up to some shenanigans or in need of some solid advice, and you’re just the person to bring them back on track. Love: Has your sweetheart been kind of closemouthed and acting anxious lately? Let them know you’re here and that you want to help. Your knack of getting straight to the point might be just what they need to hear. Health/ Style: Dress to spread cheer! Wear bright colours and rainbow patterns, jewellery made from glossy enamel and bold, chunky beads - then just add a smile - and you’re ready to go! The Libra Friend: The sign of the Scales is about partnership and the balance requires maintaining good friendships. The Libra friend loves harmony and will go out of his or her way to avoid ruffling a friend’s feathers without good reason. The Libra friend also loves entertaining and making any environment more beautiful. Libra’s best friendship asset: balance. SCORPIO ( October 23 - November 21) Work: It’s all about beginnings now. You may want to try a fresh start with an old project, or you may want to launch your own business. As long as it’s starting, it should go well. Love: Something that appeals to you intellectually will have a positive impact on your relationship, so be open to all possibilities. The two of you may have more in common than you think! Health/Style: Look past the surface of your hair, skin and nails in your mission to keep them strong and healthy. A deep-conditioning treatment, a vitamin-rich dinner and a tall glass of water would be a good place to start! The Scorpio Friend: Scorpio may have trouble trusting others, and sometimes they may let jealousy, fear of betrayal or other negative feelings get the best of a good friendship. However, once the Scorpion can learn to relax and let down his or her guard, he or she may be the most loyal friend possible. Scorpio’s best friendship asset: passionate commitment. SAGITTARIUS ( November 22 - December 20) Work: You are all fired up with positive energy and you just need something to do with it! Fortunately, you probably have a few ideas kicking around in there that just need a spark to ignite. Love: Don’t forget to follow up when it comes to your love life! You have to be pretty conscientious about answering messages and sending invites now - otherwise, you might miss out on someone really great. Health/Style: You can take it all in now, from little things right up to the biggies. It’s a great time to plan your look for any upcoming events. The Sagittarius Friend: You’ll need to have high energy and an open mind to keep up with the Sagittarian friend. A clown when you’re down, but not always the best listener, Sagittarius can nevertheless make you feel you never had problems to begin with. Sagittarius’ best friendship asset: optimism.
AQUARIUS ( January 20 - February 18) Work: Your newest idea is a killer and at least one right person is willing to listen! Turn on that mad-scientist charm and see if you can recruit others to your side, because you need to get going on this one. Love: Focusing on just one person may be enticing, but until you learn more, it’s better to keep all options open. You’ve got amazing energy right now, so more opportunities should come your way. Health/ Style: Take a long look in the mirror. Do you like what you see? Have you gotten lazy? Are you flattering your shape and complexion? The Aquarius Friend: As the sign that rules friendship itself, Aquarius has the home court advantage. The Water Bearer knows how to view people as unique individuals capable of forming friendships with others and together forming the fabric of humanity. Aquarius’ best friendship asset: allowing friends the freedom to be themselves.
PISCES ( February 19 - March 20) Work: Your work environment seems to be calm, just the way you like it and, as a result, you could very well make some nice progress. Love: How’s that concept of ‘not your type’ working out? It could be time to give someone a little different shot. What you want is actually pretty fluid, and you never know who might feel right, in an unexpected way. Health/Style: Nurture is in high indication for you. For yourself, this reflects a desire to take better care of your physical well-being, with light exercise, a balanced diet and vitamin supplements. The Pisces Friend: The Pisces friend loves to share emotions and feels a little cheated when friendships remain too superficial. The Fish’s worst tendency is towards escaping or flaking out on friends. However, when present to a friend, nobody’s more compassionate. Pisces’ best friendship asset: being a good listener.
An Italian Affair
RG Baruah Road, Guwahati Meal for two: Rs. 1000-1200
T
he words insalate, primi piati, secondi piatti, dolci might well sound as if they come from a line from Dante’s Divine Comedy, but actually they are Italian terms for salads, the courses and - da ultimo - the dessert. Oreggano provides you with a perfect Italian dining experience if you are looking for a gateway to the land of the Colosseum or the Pantheon. Even the menu retains the Italian touch with images of Venetian gondolas and Al Pacino. We decided to dive into the Italian heartland with some classic pizza, pasta and lasagna. The first to arrive was Pizza Napoli. The thin-crusted pizza with tasteful doses of mozzarella, capsicum, chicken, sun-dried tomato and jalapeno marinated in chilly oil set the appetite rolling. And, of course, the thin crusts were way different from the Americanised versions of pizza that one normally finds in the city. There is absolutely nothing to suggest the heavy and greasy ritual that pizza eating is normally associated with. And even after healthy helpings, there is always space for some more! Next in line was Pasta del Barone. The pasta has a classic noble sauce with béchamel, tomato sauce, red chilly and parmesan cheese. The textures were simple and the béchamel sauce had a consistent flavour
in the City that you could savour independently. Next to come was the chicken lasagna which was again a hearty dose of béchamel sauce and cheese. The way the lasagna melted inside the mouth was heavenly. The desserts were a rich and guilty indulgence. Tiramisu, Panna Cotta, the Chocolate Bomb and the Chocolate Walnut Fudge with Vanilla. The Tiramisu was the perfect end to the amazing Italian experience of the classic sponge cake soaked in rum and coffee. The five layers of the Tiramisu, along with it being visually distinct, amazingly complemented each other. The layer of coffee on the top had a laidback texture while the rum gave an intoxicating run throughout the bite. Non-traditionally, we even tried out the Indian fare with a simple chicken curry, a grated cottage cheese dish and the standard accompaniment of butter naan and tandoori roti. Worthy of mention was the cottage cheese which worked around perfectly inside the mouth and a tinge of spiciness hit the tongue almost as an afterthought. All in all, those two hours within the walls with framed mirrors, was a tasty affair. Ribhu Borphukon January 2011 │eclectic times │ 81
Twenty-four-year-old Priyam has been modelling for the past one year and hopes to make it big in this scene. Originally from Sivasagar, she completed her MBA from IFIM, Bangalore and is now based in Mumbai. She is really passionate about modelling, travelling and dancing. Recently, she won the crown for Miss Catwalk at the Dabur Gulabari beauty contest held in Guwahati. Vital Stats: 30-24-32 Height: 5’5” Photographs: Johnson, Diva’s Fashion, Bangalore
Kiranshree Portico, A centrally air conditioned has 61 well-appointed rooms, including Presidential Suite , Chairman Suite , Corporate Suites , Royale Club Rooms , Elegant Club Rooms. The Rooms are spacious and tastefully embellished. All the rooms include a tea/ coffee maker, a well stocked mini bar, data ports, L.C.D. T.V., electronic safe lockers and other modern amenities in all category rooms .For the culinary delight the White Pearl, our multi cuisine restaurant, The Mezz9, our Coffee Shop & the @mosphere the cozy bar The hotel has an efficient 24 hour room service as well as offers the best of Conference & Banqueting facilities 15 to 500 PAX at Crystal, Coral, Onyx, Topaz & sapphire. Thus ensuring Kiranshree Portico, Guwahati would be the perfect venue for your conferences, meetings, interviews, seminars, weddings and parties.
TATTVA CREATIONS
The First class Business hotel In North East India
Paltan Bazar, G.S Road ,Guwahati-781008 Mob No:+91 9706098015 Ph No : +91 361-2735300-10 Fax : +91 361-2735311 Email ID : reservations@ kiranshreeportico.com Web Site: www.kiranshreeportico.com
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E
ver since we’ve stepped into the 21st century, the pace of our daily lives suddenly leapt and nearly everything became ‘mobile’, ‘automatic’ or ‘instant’. Friendship, romance and family – all got managed at the click of a thumb. From multinational industrialists to the daily labourer, everyone could reach anyone else through cell phones. Then came the need to open windows to the real life of reel life - the Reality Show. TRPs skyrocketed due to its super-ability to glue the whole family to the screen. The whole bubble called ‘life’ burst into tiny bits of reality, and interests became fancier than ever. While all that was going on, someone thought that ‘global events of the millennium’ needed to have India at the very core. So whether it was the Commonwealth Games, Formula One, nuclear missiles, international fashion magazines, or the revival of dharma and the soul-stirring chemistry of yoga, we in India were all very, very IN. In fact, the West turning to the East is less a concept and more an itinerary now; perhaps Pamela Anderson was the first recruit! Soon, we could even be holding campus interviews in ‘their’ institutes and employing people from abroad! Uncle Sam is surely working on it but we wouldn’t know the ideal global plan from a well-devised ally strategy. Whatever, we are still celebrating the US President’s humility with our fellowmen. In all of this, one thing is sure. The youth has realised that dreams are not always sweet playfulness in a wonderland of candy trees. To actually make wishes come true, you have to struggle and fight back in ways that even you didn’t know you were capable of. They have figured out that all the glitz and glamour that entices them, are neither leap years away nor are they as glittering as they seem. Behind every shimmer, there is a lot of makeup; and for a fact, that makeup needs to be put on and carried off. That is hard work. Winning has just one focus; not your competitors but your goal. It’s about how quickly and shrewdly you can reach it without mudslinging with the others. So whether it is against a colleague, a rival or a sibling – a game is a game. Even social responsibility comes with commercial benefits. It has become a mandatory entry in the curriculum vitae of not only wealthy corporates but also
renowned celebrities, to extend a hand in growing big together. The upshot is that they don’t just look affluent, but also responsible and reliable to the more naive levels of society. That is how the whole game of life is played. Being smart and quick can take you only so far, what wins you the throne is the aforementioned - and a pinch of fox cunning. We have grown, and grown up, in length and breadth. From being almost Gandhians (the true blue ones are already dead) to becoming worldly wise in respect of marketability of our own goods, we have travelled an empire mile. We have realised that looking to the West is not enough. Rummaging our homes for heritage trophies and flaunting them before the swanky global crowd, and fooling them to come hither and rest in peace, have become our forte. We have started digging into our ancestral Indian cunning for global use, and making way for our children to sit on their own soil and make money. All that remains is to put that plan into steady implementation. In the larger spectrum, we Indians have been the only ones who are still developing. After a decade of such rippling growth, beginning from the exotic Asian mainland to multicoloured India, 2011 is going to be even smarter. Things will be faster and more teleportable, and ideas will be zooming in and out of human minds like Ministry of Magic (courtesy: Harry Potter series) documents. And yes, before I forget, all those followers of the 2012 apocalypse saga can wait for a thrilling prelude towards the end of the New Year. Our Standing Babas are already making predictions. Just keep checking your tweets and Facebook updates! Agamonee Barbaruah
Do you fancy writing for this page to close in the issue? If so, send in your contributions with your photos to: Eclectic Times, Saraswati Market, 2nd Floor, Above SBI, Six Mile Branch, G.S. Road, Guwahati - 781022 or email us at editorial@eclectic.co.in
January 2011 │eclectic times │ 85
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