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August 2015

Volume 1 Issue 4

MUMBAI RNI No . MAHENG/2015/6304

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content August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | wwww.livinglocalmag.com

22 8 8 Taskbob - Creating Happy Households What started off as a dream is now becoming the happy reality of many households in Mumbai.

Taskbob, a reliable, one-stop solution ...

22 Why is it so difficult to achieve weight loss?

On the 30ish Slope

16 In 2015, Patriotism is Progressive.

Patriotism in 2015 expects us to lay the foundation of intellectual freedom for generations to come. India is striding towards a positive society...

If there really was an ‘air tight’ mathematical relationship between calorie intake and fat loss then cutting daily calories...

26 Hair Care

Baldness runs in my family. But I seem to have caught it young...

16 Advertise with Living Local Mumbai 4

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32 Chef Around The Corner

32 Chef Mitesh Rangras

Chef Mitesh Rangras, owner and chef of Lemon Leaf Bandra & now Andheri, with over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry...

39 WHAT’S HAPPENING

39 Lokhandwala Shopping Carnival

Lokhandwala Shopping Carnival is a shopping experience for the entire family, showcasing everything from home accessories, clothes...

40 The future of tryst with destiny

36 INSPIRE

36 Kathak Ki Kahani

In September, Pandita Uma Dogra will receive The SangeetNatakAkademi Award from the President of India at the RashtrapatiBhavan...

On the eve of Indian Independence, our new country’s first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the Indian Constituent Assembly. His words...

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August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai |

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Contributors SIDHARTH SODHI Actor Writer

POOJA KOCHAR The founder of 30ishblogging. blogspot.in. She wants her readers to “Bet On Themselves”. Speaker, blogger and photographer by profession, she believes that everyone should celebrate their individuality.

One life, many dreams.

SANJAY HINGORANI I am foodie who lives to eat. I may write a cook book someday but at the moment I am just enjoying my passion, cooking great food be it Indian, Italian, Thai, Arabic.

VISHAL DHAWAN Vishal Dhawan is a financial planner by profession and founder of Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors Pvt. Ltd. vishal.dhawan@planahead.in

KARISHMA PINAK Dancer by Heart.

Entrepreneur by Profession.

Teacher by Choice.

DR LILY KISWANI, MD,DGO Integrative Medicine, A4MI Nutritional Therapeutics e-mail: drlk.integrative@gmail.com

TRIPTI GUPTA Lifestyle Nutrition Consultant Health / Beauty / Wellness Founder- iPink The Color Of Health www.triptigupta.com

AHANA BANERJEE Dog lover and PG Wodehouse fan.

MOHINI Mohini is a Tarot Card reader, Hypnotherapist and a Life Coach. She also teaches reading Tarot Cards and various self-healing techniques.

PRIYA SHAH Founder & Chief Image Consultant at Bespoke image solutions. www.bespokeimagesolutions.com

NYMA SINGH MERCHANT Aims at discovering the world through food. Can sing, dance and write.

NIVEDITA MATALIYA is a counseling psychologist specializing in children and relationship counseling.

Her initiative, ‘Little tornados’, is a child empowerment center in Lokhandwala. littletornados@rediffmail.com SUBHASHINI SHEOPURI An Andheri West resident.A freelance journalist for past 15 years.

Do you like to write? How about clicking photos? As part of the Andheri West Hood we would love for you to share them in your very own Living Local Mumbai magazine. Let your voice be heard whether it is on the topic of health and wellness, local news, or an event you want to share in your Hood. Write to us at: articles@livinglocalmag.com

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| August 2015 | Volume1 Issue 4 Living Local Mumbai

MUMBAI

August 2015 Volume 1 Issue 4

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Made in India

sually, one can tell the origin of a product from the stamp that it has, but some of the best products that are made in India, do not come with a stamp – us Indians.

It’s not about being born in this motherland, nor is it about being educated or raised here. It is about what makes us inherently Indian. I remember being teary-eyed when I was leaving for the USA for further studies. I was going to miss my family and the friends I grew up with, but not a single tear was shed in the name of being away from the country where I grew up. The country I was going to was a dream come true for most Indians and I was looking forward to a whole new world of experiences.

Being Indian was a concept that I was first introduced to during the orientation in my new foreign University. It’s not something that comes to the forefront in your own country, where you belong. Soon enough, more than belonging to India it became about representing India. The melting pot of the USA, was like a beautiful mosaic where individuals added the colors and flavors of their respective countries.

As much as I wanted to discover and explore the new country and the different cultures there, my non-Indian friends were just as curious to know my background, my culture; simply put - things that made me Editor-in-chief Indian.

Anubhav Anand The beauty of India came out best when I had to share it with others.

Twitter- @anubhavanand The more I shared, the more I came to realize what it meant to be Indian.

While I may have started wearing clothes and eating food that was not made in India, everything on the inside was made in India. The values, the culture, the emotions, the celebrations, the connections, the relations; everything that made me Indian.

All this would have made no sense if I were writing this while sitting in a swanky downtown office in a skyscraper in an American city. I fondly write these memories from my office in India where every now and then, I swat a mosquito that tries to suck my Indian blood. Just a few days remain before the Indian flag waves high signifying our 69th year of Independence, and I cannot be more proud to be ‘Made in India’.

Owned, Published, Printed and Edited by Anubhav Anand.

Printed at SWASTIK PRINTS, Gabriel Joseph Compound, Kajuwadi, Cardinal Gracious Rd., Chakala, Andheri (East), Mumbai- 400099 and Published from G-701, Sky Anchorage Co-Op Hsg Society Ltd., Panch Marg, Off Yari Road, Versova, Andheri West, Mumbai - 400061.

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Disclaimer: The views expressed by contributors and advertisers in our publication and on our website do not necessarily reflect those of the editors or publishers.

The Publisher shall not be liable for any direct, indirect, incidental, consequential or punitive damages or losses arising out of the use or inability to use the magazine, any errors on pages, misrepresentations or omissions in the content, advertisements or products and services offered and take no responsibility for any issues arising from the use of suppliers who have advertised.

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 11 7

LL | lifestyle

Taskbob – Creating Happy Households

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hat started off as a dream is now becoming the happy reality of many households in Mumbai. Taskbob, a reliable, onestop solution for on-demand home services is reaching out with its services to more and more homes. The team behind Taskbob came together when a bunch of IIT-IIM graduates decided that today’s homes deserve much better when it comes to the household services sector. Taskbob is a platform that provides speedy home services including a handyman (plumber, electrician, carpenter), home appliance repair, deep home cleaning (space, object, full home, regular), car cleaning (interior, exterior, super detail) and driver services to customers through its cutting-edge mobile application.

The one-of-its-kind app offers holistic solutions to all the three quandaries faced by customers regarding the delivery time, quality and price of such home services. Customers simply have to tap on the required service on the mobile app of Taskbob with

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the assurance of having servicemen at their doorstep. “We believe that people have lost trust when it comes to getting home services done. We aim to make a difference to people’s lives by offering them a dependable solution.

The support has come from people mainly because they share our vision of creating a reliable solution for all household hassles”, says AseemKhare, CEO & Founder of Taskbob.

A notch above the rest On the quality of the servicemen and their work, Aseem says “What sets us apart is our commitment to providing a service that is complete in every respect. That means, you don’t have to worry about finding a serviceman, the time, the quality or the price. Unlike other players, Taskbob is not an aggregator. We just don’t collect contacts of servicemen and send them to your place. We perform thorough background checks on every worker, then screen and pick only those

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professionals who meet the Taskbob quality standards. These workers are trained in the latest procedures using the best technology. Finally, we make sure our servicemen charge according to the fixed market rate card, which has been created after multiple market surveys. The service provided to the customers is in no way short of the very best, and this is reflected in the reviews.”

One thing that makes Taskbob stand out is the importance it attaches to customer satisfaction. “We are enthusiastic to entertain suggestions from the customer, be it in any service.

Should a customer feel unsatisfied, we give 100% cash back - no questions asked. One thing I can promise you right now is that the value of customer feedback will never be undermined here. In fact, we get a lot of customer suggestions on various new services.

Our team is working 24x7 to get these added as soon as possible”, he added.

Top Services With the onset of monsoon, there has been a surge in the customers wanting their ACs repaired and serviced. This points out the lack of steadfast servicing that prevails in the market. Research shows that many customers don’t service their ACs frequently enough, despite the fact that servicing your AC more than doubles its lifespan as well as reduces your electricity bill by 25%.

Taskbob has seen a surge in its driver service as well, “The driver service is also something that we saw as a necessity in today’s market as cab services, though plenty, are not an answer to the problems faced by people who already own cars but are not always in a position to use them.

Further, the driver-on-call charges exorbitantly - you must pay for at least 6-8 hours to get a driver for your car.”The Taskbob driver service, like other Taskbob services offers an instant, high quality and standardized solution to people’s problems.

Their home and car cleaning services go beyond superficial cleaning as well. While house cleaning ranges from regular house cleaning to deep cleaning, the car wash includes even the inside of the vehicle which makes your car truly stand out. Through the cleaning line, it has been Taskbob’s aim to create a hygienic environment and improve the quality of living in households. This means not only keeping your house spic and span, but also sanitizing it from pathogenic germs with advanced cleaning using more than 20 disinfecting solutions.“In the busy buzz of today’s life, we are hardly left with any time to fret about our household. We often take it for granted. But as a part of team Taskbob, my job is to ensure that

once a user taps the phone, we take care of the rest. We wish to implement such a model plan across India”, said Aseem.

Customer Satisfaction Mrs. Priya Pillai, an NRI resident from Lake Homes, Powai who had been frustrated with the poor service she received from local repairmen, finally decided to call up Taskbob.

Of Taskbob she says, “Definitely download the app! The electrician arrived within 15 minutes of selecting the required service on this very userfriendly app. Definitely recommend this to people who are tired of waiting for servicemen to show up, or having to chase them to show up at all! Big thumbs up!”

Mr. Yash Sethia, another satisfied Taskbob user said, “We are fortunate to have such a service here. With how hectic life can get sometimes, it was long overdue. Taskbob is doing a brilliant job with the reliable services that it is offering.”

Taskbob is absolutely thrilled at the response it has been receiving since its inception. From favorable reviews from all over Mumbai, to the appreciation of the novel approach taken by Taskbob, there is little more the team at Taskbob could have asked for. “From the very start we knew fully well what our aim was - reaching out to people and offering the best services to them. To bring all these services under one roof and to be able to maintain the standard expected of us has been a challenge, but I am glad we have lived up to the expectations so far. Moreover, the tremendous support that we have been receiving, especially in the past few days has motivated us to keep going ahead”, Aseem added.

Call Taskbob at 8080809019 OR download the Taskbob App at Google Play store

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai |

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LL | lifestyle

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Essential Tips for Smart Shopping!

by: by: Priya Priya Kanakia Kanakia Shah Shah –– Certified Certified Image Image Consultant Consultant

“I have nothing to wear for this occasion!” or “I’m tired of repeating my clothes!”- do these lines sound familiar? The struggles from every morning, when you stand in front of your closet deciding what to wear?

Let me tell you - your struggle isn’t not enough or too many clothes in your closet. When you don’t have enough of something (“I have nothing to choose from!”), a sort of inferiority complex takes over. On the other hand, when you have too much (“How can I pick just one?”), confusion takes over.

The thing is, shopping taken very lightly - it is considered a fun activity to do with your friends or loved ones. Some people just shop for the heck of it and say, “Shopping makes me happy and I’m just indulging in some retail therapy.” So the cause of your havoc is that you aren’t taking shopping seriously!

What many people do not realize is that by thinking like that, they’re just turning their closet into a dumping ground. Most individuals who want to make a great first impression appear influential in person as well as in their social and professional spheres, and put in their best effort every morning. However, rarely does anyone put in any hard work at the right place for acquiring and planning the clothes they should buy.

It is recommended that the first shopping trip should be with a trained Image Consultant, who familiarize you with tips and tricks to build the perfect wardrobe for your lifestyle.

They could help you out with your personal style, body shape, colors and show you how to create clusters (small group of clothes that can be mixed and matched well) to create numerous looks, so you never feel like you’re falling short of clothes.

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Here are few essentials to keep in mind before you spend your hard earned money!

PREPARE A LIST Always go with a list which comprises items that you need to buy so you don’t pick up random garments. Spontaneous buying is usually just a waste of money. Remember how many times you may have absolutely adored the garment in the fitting room but never worn it after that? This is a common situation. The thing is, the garment still looks great but doesn’t match your lifestyle. A list will also help you be on track so that you don’t waste time pondering in each store.

TRY SHOPPING ALONE

Shop alone without any distractions so you can evaluate the clothes before buying them.

Taking a friend or a family member along is not a great option. Firstly, they might be interested in their own shopping (which can be a continuous interruption in your thinking) and secondly, their personal style may not match yours and if so, you’ll end up purchasing clothes of their choice, not yours.

On the other hand, a personal shopper/image consultant/ friend who can devote all the time to you & can understand you and your style can be a great asset as well.

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LL | lifestyle www.shutterstock.com/AS Inc

SHOP AT ODD HOURS Morning to late afternoon is the best time to shop - the crowd then is minimum. During sales, I prefer a weekday, but in non-sale season I like to take my chances on a weekend since most brands have discounts or promotional offers going on. If you stay or work around a mall (or any other place you frequent for shopping) then plan a list and plan your day in a way that you can shop for good 3-4 hours and get back to work.

DRESS COMFORTABLE BUT ATTRACTIVE First things first, avoid high heels - they’re never comfortable to walk in for long hours. Try to go with what you know when you feel messy or if you’re having a bad hair day because you’ll dislike anything you wear. Also keep away from wearing uncomfortable or tight clothes that will distract you.

Dress comfortably and attractively in something that is easy to slip on and off (refrain from wearing shrugs/cardigans/jackets/shawls or something with many zips/buttons/hooks/ buckles). You can simply try a skirt or leggings and a t-shirt. Wear lingerie that supports your body shape to get the best silhouette.

CARRY A SHOULDER BAG Do not carry any unnecessary items. Carry a medium sized shoulder bag for your vitals – garments and jewelry for mix and match, hosiery if you’re looking for dresses, lingerie for specific outfits. If you are unable to carry the garment, carry a swatch for the color. It is always better to have the real thing than to imagine what it may look like.

Also, a spacious bag could fit things you’ve just bought rather than having to carry multiple bags, since submitting and withdrawing those at the baggage counters at different stores can be time consuming.

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Shop when you are in the mood and energetic, and allow yourself enough time instead of making any hasty decisions.

Allow for at least 2-3 hours of serious shopping. Shopping when you’re anxious, tired or bored will reap nothing out of the excursion. Especially when depressed - one should never shop for expensive items when your rationality is compromised, because the more expensive the item, the more the purchase should be taken into consideration. If you hate shopping, then the easiest thing to do is to hire someone to shop for you or schedule a once-a-month trip.

Keep these tips in mind, and shop smart this season!

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BUILD A RELATIONSHIP WITH THE SALES PEOPLE Get acquainted with and befriend the sales person - they can be quite helpful in informing you about the incoming merchandise and upcoming sales. Once acquainted with you, they will willingly offer favors of keeping pieces aside for you. At the same time, do not get intimidated by them. Their goal is to sell the product but yours is to buy the right one.

NEVER SHOP OUT OF ANXIETY

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LL | lifestyle

Freedom: Financial and More Vishal Dhawan is a financial planner by profession and founder of Plan Ahead Wealth Advisors Pvt. Ltd. He can be reached at vishal.dhawan@planahead.in. He frequently writes columns in various business and general media, both domestically and internationally, and appears on television.

I

Booking and planning his holidays each year ...

The finances for these holidays are a part of his financial plan.

ndependence Day normally involves a short holiday, hosting gatherings or planning outings with friends and family.

I’m sure a lot of you are also targeting your own financial independence? In fact, a very large number of investors whom we work with, when asked about their financial goals, indicate that they would like to achieve financial freedom. When we ask them what financial freedom means to them, their answer is: ‘When we do not have to work for the money and can actively decide how, when, and with whom we choose to associate in my professional life.’

Financial freedom can mean different things to different people. Financial planning allows them to be financially free - decide how they wish to lead their lives. Over my years of running a practice, here are two examples of people I work with, for whom financial planning has helped achieve the freedom to do what matters most.

Firstly, Dr. Kumar (name changed), who is a cardiologist and runs a hospital in suburban Mumbai. Irregular, long work hours mean that there is very little time to spend with his two young kids and his wife. What he really looks forward to is spending time with his family - enjoying the kids growing up and continuing to stay connected with his wife. Booking and planning his holidays each year – one long international holiday, another week to ten day long domestic holiday and some weekend breaks are what he absolutely loves. The finances for these holidays are a part of his financial plan. Whilst there are clearly earmarked long term investment strategies for his longer

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term goals like retirement and education for the children, there are also separately defined strategies for shorter term holiday goals that use financial instruments that give him the most optimal returns for these goals, on a post tax basis.

Staying on the path to financial freedom for yourself and your family is the first step to pursue your dreams.

The second example are Sanjay and Rashmi (names changed), who are currently 41 and 39 respectively and have a young daughter. Sanjay runs a small sized family business and Rashmi works with a chartered accountancy firm.

When most couples are just about beginning to save for their financial goals, and are looking to save for their retirement and children’s future, both Sanjay and Rashmi have already achieved their financial goals - even if they do not save any monies from here onwards, and let their existing portfolio grow, they should be achieve their financial goals. This has been possible through a combination of a conservative lifestyle with controlled expenses and a savings rate in excess of 40% of total income. They also controlled use of leverage on a home loan that has been prepaid aggressively, and a diversified portfolio across equities, fixed income, real estate and gold, that is rebalanced regularly.

India has had many historic events which finally helped us achieve freedom. Similarly, your path to achieving your financial freedom will be a long-term process, where there will be struggles and various factors out of your control.

However, staying on the path to financial freedom for yourself and your family is the first step to pursue your dreams.

Happy Independence Day!

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 15

LL | lifestyle On the 30ish Slope

In 2015, Patriotism is Progressive.

Pooja Kochar is the Founder of 30ishblogging.blogspot.in. She is a Speaker, Blogger and Photographer.

Patriotism in 2015 expects us to lay the foundation of intellectual freedom for generations to come. India is striding towards a positive society - according to market trend studies, India’s strength is our youth.

Ever wondered what makes them so powerful?

They are progressive.

Earlier parents influenced our career choices, now they trust our decision. This generation is not waiting to join MNCs - they dream about start-ups and building their future. They want to be entrepreneurs, and redefine their boundaries.

#Life Hack: If each one of us accepts the challenge of progress being a personal responsibility then our nation will never have to look back.

30ish is a cusp age group, when you are fully aware of the expectations of the previous generation, but still in sync with Gen-Y. This makes us more powerful and capable to drive change. Compare this to a situation 100 years ago, when our freedom

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fighters took the initiative to fight for their rights.

They did not wait for political leaders to rally them, but instead formed power groups and chased every opportunity to defend the pride of our motherland.

A century back, they screamed, “I am the change.”

Now it’s our responsibility to own their legacy.

Endorse ‘I am the change’.

We have the capability and strength; there will be no Modi-fication unless you modify yourself. Start with your hood, collaborate and grow. There is so much talent around us, the first step could be to support each other. The virtual world gives us the liberty of time and space, and we should believe in people.

It is not about big promises, but small steps in the right direction. Our Yuva has the potential to take India to the next level - all we need to do is channel their energy.

Respect your individuality, it’s precious.

Jai Hind!

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 17

LL | lifestyle

Krishz DIY Tips

by Karishma Pinak

Every stain has a story of how it happened - while laughing uncontrollably at a joke, staring at that special someone, playing a prank, multitasking, a first attempt at cooking or gardening, or simply because you were being clumsy.

Whatever the reason, let only the memories remain and not the stains.

Krishz presenting the second set of home solutions to the most common stains!

BLOOD STAINS I sincerely hope none of you have to deal with these!

Never use hot water to treat blood stains. a.

• • • b.

• • c.

• • •

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Talcum Powder: Make a paste of talcum powder and water and apply it to the stain.

Let it dry and brush out the stain.

Substitute the talcum powder with cornstarch if you are out of talcum powder.

Cola: Works specially when you are out of home and can’t find detergent Soak the stain in cola, overnight for best results.

Wash as normal.

Cold Salt Water: Soak the stained item of clothing in a cold salt water bath for about 3-4 hours.

Rub the stain lightly with detergent.

Wash normally.

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TEA/ COFFEE As much as we enjoy these beverages; the stains they leave are not as enjoyable. a.

• • • b.

• • • c.

• • • •

Beer: A beverage to remove a beverage.

Rub some amount of beer on the stain.

Rub the beer lightly on the material and watch the stain disappear.

Repeat if necessary.

Egg: A magic ingredient I can swear by!

Beat the egg yolk and rub it on the stain.

Use a terry towel to work the yolk on the stain for about a minute.

Wash the stain and watch the stain disappear.

Vinegar-detergent: A concoction that will not fail.

Soak the stained fabric in lukewarm water.

In a small bowl, mix vinegar and liquid detergent, then dab it on the stain.

Wash in hot water.

Avoid using bars or powder soap, which set the stain permanently.

CURRY/ GRAVY A category of tough stains, specially the turmeric based gravy. a. Glycerin: • Apply a generous amount of glycerin on the stain.

• Rub it on the stain with your fingers and let it stand for a few minutes.

• Then soak and wash as normal. b.

• • • •

Lemon: The citrusy scent is a bonus.

Squeeze lemon directly on the stain.

Add a couple of drops on it and rub it lightly.

This mixture acts as mild bleach and helps get rid of the stain.

Repeat if needed.

c.

• • •

Alcohol: Make sure you don’t drink it!

Treat the stain with alcohol using a dropper.

With a soft sponge rub the alcohol on the stain.

Wash normally.

BERRIES For best results tackle these as soon as possible. a.

• • b.

• • • • c.

• • •

U.V. Rays: Wash the stained garment and hang it on the line or on the hanger under the sun and let the U.V. rays do the magic.

If the stain still remains, scrub a lemon slice on the stain, then soak and wash it as normal.

Boiling Water: Be very careful while doing this.

Wash the garment in cold water.

Stretch the stained part of the garment over a steel bowl or a bucket and secure with a rubber band.

Carefully pour boiling water through the stain from about 2 - 3 feet high. (Be careful. Don’t splash on yourself!)

Repeat if needed. After the stain is gone, wash normally.

Non-gel Toothpaste: Wash the stained garment in cold water.

Rub non-gel toothpaste on the stain.

Wash normally & repeat if needed.

These stain removal methods are incredibly simple and require no fancy and expensive detergents. I hope you have found them useful.

For Krishz DIY tips for home décor to make your home festival ready, stay tuned!

In the mean time, enjoy the much awaited rains and make memories!

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 19

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health & beauty LL | lifestyle

The Hurried Woman Syndrome: A Modern Day Malaise Lifestyle Nutrition Consultant - Tripti Gupta

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ffecting as many as 30 million women each year, the Hurried Woman syndrome can leave you feeling irritable, permanently tired, sleep deprived, find it difficult to keep weight down (or steady) and suffering from a low libido.

Sound familiar? None of these symptoms are what we go to the doctor for, so there are higher chances of the malaise going undetected for years!

What are the major signs of this Syndrome?

• You feel tired through the day and lack the passion for daily challenges as compared to before • You lose interest in doing most things as well as the capacity to feel satisfied • You are irritable and lose your temper even for the smallest things • You wake up tired, needing a coffee to keep going. While lunch is invariably small, the tiredness continues into an afternoon nap. You often start feeling more awake in the evening, post dinner time when all the chores are done and the family is ready to sleep • Suffers from weight gain which cannot be explained by any kind of binge eating, plus an inability to lose the weight despite controlling what you eat • Blood clots in menstruation • Low libido A lot of the symptoms associated with the Hurried Woman syndrome could be mistaken for thyroid imbalances or the onset of menopause and it takes a good doctor to recognize these symptoms for what they signify.

Who could be suffering from the Syndrome?

It is said that women between 25 to 55 years, with children ranging from 6 to 16 could show the signs. Usually stay-at-home are the victims, but even women who work (may not be moms) may be susceptible!

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What could cause this?

A stressful career, a sick relative, overwhelming responsibilities of child rearing - different people react to stress differently, and the syndrome could hit anyone even if you are calm and composed on the outside.

Stress seems to be the biggest cause and how you handle the stress is important. Most stress today is considered to be “normal” and the Syndrome is the body’s mechanism of trying to cope.

Men produce testosterone at times of stress, while a woman produces oxytocin. Prolonged stress means the body starts to function on adrenaline rather than the balance of progesterone, estrogen and other hormones which further lead to the Hurried Woman syndrome.

But, is stress not normal today?

Continuous stress over a long period of time can be overwhelming. This may sometimes cause a chemical imbalance in the hormones which creates a sense of fatigue and a huge appetite. When the fatigue becomes chronic, you lose interest in the things you once enjoyed and you are left with no stamina to stick to an exercise regime. Combine this with a larger appetite and you gain weight. This makes you feel guilty so you start dieting, making you hungry and irritable. Thus, the cycle goes on…

What are the solutions?

If by now, you realize what has been going wrong with your body, you could address the main symptoms.

Here is what can make you feel good:

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•

Create a balance in your body with vitamins, exercise and limit your toxins (like excessive caffeine) • Treat medical conditions immediately such as thyroid, anemia, high cholesterol, etc.

• Correct hormonal imbalances, if any • Find the right caloric balance between what you eat and what you burn • Follow a healthy balanced meal plan that gives you the right amount of carbs, as well as the essential fats your body needs • Have a well-planned lifestyle diet designed for you, which is practical and easy to follow based on your needs • Increase hydration, balancing electrolytes scientifically for the ‘feel good factor’ • Engaging in an exercise of your choice is a must. This releases the cortisol required to help ALL of the above A gentle word for the gentlemen you too can help. Make your partner feel special, take time out for a “date night”, tell her you love her and learn to relate to her in non-sexual ways.

All this will go a long way towards releasing her happy hormones.

Remember! There is no haste even if you think there is no time to waste… your answer is simply to UN-HURRY. Rediscover what you enjoy and we promise it will make you smile.

We hope you start feeling more like yourself soon!

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 21

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LL | health & beauty

WHY IS IT SO DIFFICULT TO ACHIEVE WEIGHT LOSS? Dr. Lily Kiswani MD,DGO, INTEGRATIVE MEDICINE

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f there really was an ‘air tight’ mathematical relationship between calorie intake and fat loss then cutting daily calories from 2,000 to 1,500 would result in a whopping 25 kg reduction in body weight in only one year. Which,we all know, doesn’t really happen.

This is why calorie counting could just be one of the biggest nutrition myths EVER. You have probably noticed this for yourself, the last time you followed a ‘calories in/calories out’ type approach, in most circumstances it would have worked in the beginning for losing a few kilos. But, very quickly, it would have stopped working or even worse - your weight might have rebounded, leaving you right back where you started (or worse).

This is because there are other very important factors in play: 1. Hormones The action of eating foods creates a hormonal response. Hormones are THE single most important (and overlooked) aspect to losing stubborn body fat.

Example: When a man’s testosterone levels increase, he will lose fat and gain muscle. This is because testosterone helps your body convert calories you

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eat into muscle—instead of being stored as fat.

When a woman ages, or goes through menopause, her estrogen levels begin to decrease. So she suddenly begins to gain weight rapidly as her body increases fat cell production as a means of increasing her estrogen levels.

And the ‘unfair’ part is that this will happen to a woman even if she is eating nothing but twigs and berries!

What’s more, the fat deposited is not inert. It releases hormones which decrease satiety and lead to high insulin levels. Unfair? Again!

The connection between thyroid and weight gain is well known.

2. Toxins The personal care products we use – lipstick, creams, shampoos and home cleaning products - are laced with chemicals which are toxic to us and our children. In fact, these are the #1 cause of poisoning in children.

Toxins are fat soluble. So the body deposits extra fat to keep the toxins sequestered relatively safely.

This means that while we are exercising outdoors to lose weight, the traffic pollution is spewing toxins which lead to weight gain! Talk about diminishing returns!

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Other toxins are pesticides, artificial sweeteners, and endocrine-disrupting chemicals such as PCB’s in plastics.

3. Antibiotics Antibiotics, hormones and other growth enhancing drugs found in non-organic meats promote obesity by killing off beneficial gut bacteria.

4. The food we choose to eat.

A calorie is a calorie is a calorie, right? Wrong. Chips out of a packet or a vadapav not only provide calories and no nutrition, but they also use up the existing vitamins and minerals in the body in order to digest them, thus further depleting the body of nutrition.

Liquid calories in juices, even fresh juices, can pile up the calorie count without providing satiety.

Whereas calories from fresh organic veggies pay for themselves in terms of nutrition and can be indulged almost limitlessly. No need to count THESE calories.

5. Not enough fibre Fibre creates fullness, limiting calorie intake. It also nourishes the good bacteria in the gut. Increasing one’s fibre intake is imperative for a healthy body.

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LL | health & beauty 6. Not enough Vitamin D. Most of us have low Vitamin D, which is associated with weight gain and several metabolic processes.

7. Exercise You’re exercising, but not in a way that’s benefiting your body!

Enjoy a variety of workout techniques: weight training, Pilates, yoga and interval training. Not only does weight lifting prevent injury by strengthening the bones, but it also builds muscle mass and increases metabolic rate. Weight lifting, at varying intensities, is beneficial for any person of any age or gender.

8. Your digestion and absorption is not optimal.

You are not what you eat; you are what you digest and absorb! Our gut health will determine our overall wellbeing.

The bacteria that lies in our gut helps us to fight disease, process our food, make nutrients and make hormones etc.

9. Sitting all day Sitting is the new smoking in terms of impact on health.

We must try to get up and go for a short stroll, even 5 minutes every hour.

10. Stress Stress can impact weight in a number of ways. Long term stress results in high cortisol, which is linked to blood sugar imbalance and weight gain around the mid-section.

11. Not enough sleep Lack of sleep increases appetite-stimulating hormones and does not allow the repair and restoration processes to work optimally.

12. Not enough protein intake Protein is the satiety macro nutrient that helps us to balance out blood sugars, keeps us feeling fuller longer, and helps control our weight.

www.shutterstock.com/ studiostoks

13. You’re scared of good fats.

Don’t be! Good fats, such as those present in avocados and EGG YOLKS are so, so important to your brain, heart, and for making hormones. The body actually uses good fats and they will help to lower your LDL cholesterol.

14. Sluggish liver If you’re feeling low, tired, and moody and your diet contains alcohol, coffee and sugar, you may have a sluggish liver. It struggles to process substances/toxins/hormones efficiently and this leads to toxic build up and will inevitably cause weight gain.

www.shutterstock.com/Ruslan Semichev

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www.shutterstock.com/Valery121283

15. Overly conscious of Self Image Self-image is the number one concern for many young people. People may overestimate their size or weight or think that their muscles should be bigger. When one confuses body with personality and self-worth, it may even lead to an eating disorder.

So what can we do to improve our inherent health and well-being?

It’s all laid out for you step by step inside this.

Hormone Balancing Nutrition Plan Take inches off your waist and add years to your life!

How to finally put a stop to waistline increasing, emotional eating once and for all using simple, easy to follow tips from Integrative Medicine: 1. Avoid all processed foods.

2. Avoid refined oils.

3. Avoid toxins, use organic as far as possible.

4. Avoid refined carbohydrates such as maida.

5. Eat plenty of vegetables, esp green veg, and some fruit.

6. Eat enough protein and good fats.

7. Sleep well, destress, get back to nature. Eat together

as a family. Enjoy.

8. Supplement where necessary.

It’s easy to do. My husband Mukesh has lost 16 kgs and I have lost 7 in the last 3 months (he had more to lose!). What’s more, our waist circumference has shown the most change.

Which is always the most stubborn aspect of weight loss. Plus, all our health parameters – blood sugar, cholesterol, etc are within normal limits.

Dear Readers, here’s a little quiz for you. Which do YOU think are the healthiest fats to cook with? Send your replies to drlk.integrative@ gmail.com. 2 readers will win a whopping 40% off on first consultation!!!

Answer next time!

Eat Healthy. And Stay Healthy.

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 25

www.shutterstock.com/Antonio Gravante

LL | health & beauty

HAIR CARE

by Dr. Snehal Sriram (MD) Medical Director (Trica)

Q. Baldness runs in my family. But

I seem to have caught it young. My father started losing his hair at 40, whereas I am losing it since I was 25 years old. Right now my hair line is receding, my forehead looks larger and I have started seeing my scalp on the top of my head too. I am very worried about it. Why is it happening so early?

- Amit Kshirsagar, 28 years.

Dear Amit, Hair loss at a young age can be very distressing. Let us understand what’s happening in your case and what can be done about it. Hair loss in men happens due to a process called miniaturization. Miniaturization means shrinking and thinning of hair follicles, ultimately making it so thin as to make it invisible.

This tendency is triggered by a male hormone product DHT (di-hydrotestosterone). Our genes make us susceptible to the hair thinning action of DHT. But in addition to genetic tendency, many lifestyle factors too can accelerate the hair loss. Skipping breakfast, eating lots of processed food, diet rich in saturated fats and refined carbs, smoking, persistent dandruff, environmental changes are all aggravating factors and can lead to early hair loss. Some of these could 26

probably explain the early onset in your case.

Ultimately this miniaturization makes the hair follicle totally inactive and causes premature balding. Hence early treatment is imperative to revive the follicles.

Treatments that counterbalance the effect of DHT help in controlling the progression of the hair loss. Today we have advanced technologies that enable this at the hair root level, not affecting the whole body. Depending on the condition of hair roots, one may need root strengthening treatments and hair nutrients too. Of course, identifying lifestyle factors that could be aggravating the hair loss and making appropriate changes is vital. You should consult a hair specialist doctor who can determine your specific hair condition and prescribe appropriate treatments.

Q. I am a model and my hair goes through a lot every day: curling, ironing, gels, back-combing, blow drying, colouring. The list is endless.

How should I look after my hair so that it is not damaged?

- Neha Kapoor, 26 yrs.

Dear Neha, I can understand your concern. All the hair grooming treatments that you mentioned can end up damaging

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your hair in many different ways. Heat producing treatments like ironing, blow drying etc can make your hair dry and brittle in long run. Whereas colouring, straightening etc break the structural bonds between the hair and weaken the hair.

What you need to do is to ensure your scalp and hair are protected and your hair roots are strong and healthy to withstand all the abuse. Work at three levels to achieve these - eat right, use right hair care products and opt for scalp and hair protecting treatments.

Hair friendly foods include proteins (soya, milk, lentils, egg white, fish), antioxidants (naturally colourful foods like berries, papaya, pomegranates, carrots, leafy vegetables) and 2-3 ltrs of water per day. Add 4 almonds and 3 walnuts to complete the perfect shine on your hair. You may benefit from taking hair vitamin supplements for that extra support. Choose hair care products that help repair the damage - go in for shampoos and conditioners with acidic pH - these help close the hair outer layer and prevent further damage. Scalp and hair protecting treatments regenerate the scalp and nourish the hair roots to make your hair strong and healthy from within.

Got a question about your hair and didn’t know whom to ask? Please write in to snehal@trica.inand Dr Snehal Sriram would be happy to answer your queries.

health & beauty

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LL | health & beauty

S p a c e Problem?

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n this issue of Living Local Mumbai, we will be discussing the never ending topic of space!

In this city, we are negotiating with available space - be it in our lives or in the bumper to bumper traffic. But here we will be discussing the much more nagging issue of the space between our teeth!

Once upon time - and even today in some parts of the world, including India, space between the front upper teeth is considered a good omen or lucky. I may personally agree with this belief or superstition, but what about those who genuinely want to get rid of the gap in their teeth?

To overcome these problems, one must get their teeth & gums checked regularly. If teeth, especially the gums, are kept clean and healthy during conception and pregnancy, the problem of inflamed gums or gingivitis will not occur. Because of inflamed gums, the grip of bone over the roots of teeth gets loosened, resulting in ‘shaky teeth’ or ‘fanning of teeth’ which causes gap formation!

Once gaps are formed in the front teeth, it has to be treated in the following manner to avoid unattractive front teeth. ●Thorough cleaning of gums ●Immediate composite build up (repair) to close gaps (see pic 1&2) ●If gums are not very weak and are capable of good bone support, braces may help (orthodontics) to close gaps (see pic 3&4)

as the original teeth are shifted to close the gaps. It takes at least a year to get results (pic 3&4). There are chances of mild relapse if retainers are immediately not given.

Pic 5: Before

Pic 6: After Pic 1: Before

Pic 3: Before

Pic 2: After

(See pic -1 lady) This lady in her late 30s was not at all comfortable with the present status of her teeth. She even felt guilty and ashamed about her seemingly unattractive smile, which was not at all like this when she was in her teenage years. So what was the missing link between beautiful teeth as a teenager and the unsatisfactory smile line in her late 30s?

The answer lies in many issues: ●Poor oral hygiene ●Pregnancy gingivitis (swollen gums) due to sudden hormonal changes. ● Night grinding (bruxism)

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Pic 4: After

●Lab made laminates (ceramic) to be cemented on front teeth (see pic 5&6) Results and effects of different treatment techniques: ●Composite build up (instant repairs) is recommended treatment for quick results (pic 1&2). It needs a follow up with yearly maintenance visits to the dentist and regular brushing. It may need touch up after 5 to 6 years. ●Orthodontics (braces) are considered very safe and conservative

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●Lab made laminates are a very good option for those in acting or entertainment industry. It takes hardly two weeks to achieve expected results (see pic 5&6). Except for the higher expenses, it does not have any other shortcomings.

It is always better to consult an expert cosmetic dentist. After making necessary investigations (opg & profile x-rays/ photography/ digital imaging) and study models, it is very safe and allows for satisfactory results.

Orthodontics (braces) are considered very safe and conservative as the original teeth are shifted to close the gaps.

www.shutterstock.com/ Syda Productions

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LL | health & beauty

Do your supplements stack up?

4 tips to ensure they make the grade (BPT) - Maintaining a healthy diet that includes all the recommended vitamins and nutrients can be a challenge, particularly when the current food landscape is full of overly processed foods that rarely contain essential nutrients. Supplements can provide a great way to enhance a healthy diet with those elements you might be missing, but how do you go about figuring out what you need?

"Everyone stands to benefit from adding high quality supplements to their diets," says Registered Dietitian Paul Kriegler, Life Time weight loss and training supplementation expert.

"The supplement industry, which is regulated by the FDA, though loosely, has a tarnished reputation with many consumers. There are irresponsible manufacturers who routinely make low quality products with inflated claims. However, there are also highlyreputable supplement producers who routinely earn the support and praise of medical professionals and fitness enthusiasts alike; the trick is finding out which companies are out for profits and which are focused on your health."

When looking for supplements, keep these tips from Kriegler in mind, so you know you're getting exactly what you need: Read the label Nutrient forms can vary dramatically from one like product to another. The nutrient form not only determines the price of a product, but also influences

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whether that nutrient will be absorbed or not. After all, if you don't absorb what you're taking, you throw away a lot more money than when you spend more for something that actually works. Look for methylcobalamin over cyancobalamin, natural folate (5-methyl-tetra-hydro-folate) over folic acid, and mineral bisglycinates over cheaper carbonate and oxide forms.

Know your needs Each body functions differently and has different supplemental needs.

Life Time Fitness offers a variety of lab tests and assessments that give valuable insight into how your body operates. On-site registered dietitians can evaluate results to determine which supplements would best suit your body composition, diet, hormone, stress and sleep needs to ensure you're supplementing accurately. Cliff Edberg, registered dietitian at Life Time, notes that you are not what you eat, but what you eat, digest and absorb.

Look for certification There are several certifications you can look for to ensure the supplements you buy follow a good manufacturing process and contain high quality ingredients. Certifications to look for include: Current Good Manufacturing Practices (CMPG), Therapeutic Goods of Australia (TGA), National Science Foundation (NSF) and United States Pharmacopeia (USP). For fish oil, look for International Fish Oil Standards (IFOS). In its clubs across the country and online, Life Time offers a line of

| August 2015 | Volume1 Issue 4 Living Local Mumbai

branded products that carry only the highest quality, most efficacious and purest nutritional ingredients available.

Be wary of over-promising in the messaging If it sounds too good to be true, it probably is when it comes to supplements promoting weight-loss miracles. Supplements are designed to enhance missing nutrients from a daily diet that the body needs. So if the label - or the commercial - is promising a huge change in your life from a simple pill, be suspicious and don't waste your money.

In the end, Kriegler encourages men and women to eat high quality, whole foods to get the nutrients they need, adding a high-quality multivitamin to fill in where your natural diet may be lacking in addition to other supplements recommended by a registered dietitian to enhance a healthy way of life.

There are irresponsible manufacturers who routinely make low quality products with inflated claims.

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LL | food Chef Around The Corner

CHEF MITESH RANGRAS

by Nyma Singh Merchant

Chef Mitesh Rangras, owner and chef of Lemon Leaf Bandra & now Andheri, with over 14 years of experience in the hospitality industry sits down to talk with us about his food journey - from the Ahmedabad Institute of Hotel Management to Lemon Leaf Andheri’s Asian Gastro-Pub.

Q. What is your most memorable experience with food?

Far too many to list, my top 5 would be: 1. Rajma Chawal made by mom 2. Wagyu Beef steak with a garlic jus 3. Chili Con Carne in Mexico 4. Som Tam with soft shell crab in Bangkok 5. Pho in Ho Chi Minh City

Q. What made you realise that you wanted to be a chef?

I was never any good with anything else. I couldn’t see myself doing a desk job or becoming a CA or a doctor. Food always excited me, but I never thought of it as a profession until catering college.

Q. Is there a sign that parents should look out for in their child to see a

future chef in the making? How should they best be encouraged?

Most importantly, let the children be. Don’t look for signs in them, let them decide what they want to be themselves. As a parent, I feel the key is to give them exposure - introduce them to ingredients, show them your homecooking techniques; let them take pride in what we make at home. Show them the importance of an honest home cooked meal and the effort that goes into it and take them to markets to buy the ingredients.

Q. Who is your everyday culinary inspiration? And why?

Inspiration can come from any place, it could be a hawker making grilled sweet potato or my staff cook whipping up something his mom makes at home. We should keep our eyes open at all times and be open to learning from anywhere and anybody. Thankfully in today’s technological times, there are millions of ways to get inspired and if I want to stick to one person as my inspiration, I think it would just be my loss.

Q. When at home, do you still cook or is that your down-time?

I do cook, mostly breakfast (for my wife) because other times I’m at work.

Q. If you do cook at home, what kind of food do you make?

Nothing fancy, simple ingredients and simple recipes. The idea is to make it interesting, extract as many flavors as possible and keep it light.

Q. What is your favorite ingredient to use and why?

Chilli, because of its versatility.

Q. Is there anything you dislike eating/cooking with, and why?

Nothing in the cooking department, as I’m cooking for someone else to eat.

If he/she has ordered it and is willing to pay for it, it’s our job to make it to the best of our ability.

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Appetizers To Try

Q. What is your comfort food?

Daal palak and rice with cucumber.

Q. Who are your favourite chefs?

Anthony Bourdain, Gaggan Anand, David Chang, Jamie Oliver

Q. Tell us the idea behind Lemon Leaf and why you chose Pan-Asian

cuisine.

I always thought of it as an all-day eatery that serves light, tasty food at honest, value-for-money prices. I also imagined all those street cafes around Thailand that do the same, that play great music and are very high on energy. This is the feel I wanted in the place and that is exactly what we have attempted in Andheri.

Crispy-fish-tacos

Q. How did the evolution from Lemon Grass to Lemon Leaf happen?

We were looking at expansion and hence were keen to create a brand new restaurant with the same warmth, concentration on great food quality and value for money proposition, but in a more modern and experimental setup at our Turner Road address. Our new restaurant is Lemon Grass’ evolution into Lemon Leaf with a bold new culinary voyage, where the cuisine still remains South-EastAsian and packed with the essence of the original Lemon Grass but with renewed, cultured and refined Asian flavours.

Q. What made you bring Lemon Leaf to Andheri West?

Crispy Prawns With Wasabi Mayo

It’s a growth hub. I have always thought that if you are worth your salt you need to be able to run successful places in Bandra and Andheri, hence Andheri.

Q. Two must-have dishes at the Lemon Leaf Andheri West branch.

The Baos, dimsums and the curries, especially khaosuey.

Q.

How do Andheri West and Bandra compare in terms of foodies and the response to Lemon Leaf?

They are not really that different, in the sense that all of the guests now know exactly what they want to order and with all the technology that has now come into play, it’s a really exciting space to be in.

Q.

“You may be travelling global, but you are always living local.”

What does that mean to you?

Motto of my life, going local is the key.

Signature Veg Crystal Dumpling With Shiitake Mushroom

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LL | food

R E C I P ES

by Sanjay Hingorani

CHICKEN CHOW MEIN

Ingredients 3 cups half boiled noodles 300 gms boiled shredded chicken 2 medium capsicum, thinly sliced 1 medium onion, thinly sliced 1 medium carrot, thinly sliced 2-3 stalks of spring onions, chopped 1 cup chopped cabbage 2 tbsp garlic paste 2 tbsp green chilli sauce 2 tbsp soy sauce 2 tbsp rice wine vinegar/vinegar 4-5 whole green chillies Peanut oil to cook Method Heat some oil in a wok on high heat (peanut oil makes all the difference in terms of flavour), add the garlic paste, green chillies, sliced onions and capsicum. Flash fry them, keep them crispy. Add the chicken and the boiled noodles. Stir continuously. Add all the sauces and vinegar and cook for 10 mins, tops.

Serve in a dish. Use spring onions to garnish, and some mint leaves would be nice as well.

Eat n Enjoy !

SWEET N SOUR VEGGIES

Ingredients 3-4 large tomatoes, blanched, skinless and mashed/blended Fry (or boil) 3-4 different types of veggies you like (I used green bell peppers, carrots, chopped cabbage and paneer pieces. You can also add mushrooms) 1 tsp garlic paste 1 tbsp rice wine vinegar/vinegar 2 tbspSchezwan sauce 2 tsp light soy 4-5 tbsp ketchup (add 1 tsp sugar for proper sweetness.)

1 tsp Worcestershire sauce 1 tsp fish sauce (optional for veggies) 1 tsp corn flour mixed with little water 3 tbsp oil Method Cook the tomatoes and all the ingredients except the veggies and corn flour on a low flame in oil. Cook the tomatoes properly for 20-25 mins. If the sauce becomes too thick, add some water. Towards the end, bring it to a boil and add the corn flour. Add the veggies now. Mix together. Done!

Garnish with chopped mint/spring onions.

This dish is best eaten with either steamed rice, fried rice or soft/crispy/pan fried noodles.

Note: Boiled chicken can be added for the non-vegetarian version. Eat n enjoy !

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LL | community INSPIRE

Kathak Ki Kahaani As told by Sangeet

Natak Akademi Award winner Pandita Uma Dogra

Article by Sidharth Sodhi

Q

Q&A with

Pandita Uma Dogra (Andheri West Resident) In September, Pandita Uma Dogra will receive The Sangeet Natak Akademi Award from the President of India at the Rashtrapati Bhavan – the highest national recognition in the field of performing arts, for her relentless endeavor in kathak. One of the leading exponents of kathak dance, for her it has been a journey of over forty two years of performing on stage and fifty years as a student of dance. She jokes, “So you can guess how old I am!” and laughs.

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When did your journey as a kathak dancer begin?

I am from Jammu, but I was born and brought up in Delhi. My father was an artist. He was a sitar player and a disciple of Pandit Ravi Shankar Ji. He worked with All India Radio as a sitar player and was also a very good singer and tabla player. I grew up with music. We are eight siblings and I am the fifth child. My father taught several students to play the sitar. But when it was his turn to teach his own children, he was quite disappointed. He tried to teach my four elder siblings, and by the time my turn came, he had left all hopes that anyone in the family would become an artist. He refused to teach me. I wanted to be a sitar player back then. I loved the way he played. Then my mother noticed that I was actually quite keen on learning something. So she enrolled me in dance classes.

A few years later when my elder sister was getting married, my brother in law came to meet her for the first time. He was a top dancer in Bhartiya Kala Kendra then. They told him, “Humare ghar mein bhi ek bachhi hai jo bada aachha dance karti hai, mujhe khada kardiya gaya”. When he saw me dance, he said I had ‘potential’. He told my mother to ensure that I receive proper training. So at the age of nine I joined the Kathak Kendra in Delhi.

That is how the journey of kathak began in my life. My mother plays a very big role in my life. A lot of credit goes to her for the position I hold in life today.

Q What are the kind of stories you tell through your dance,

your abhinay ?

The word kathak is derived from the word ‘katha’ meaning story. Earlier, stories were based on Krishna, Rama, stories from the Vedas, and the Puranas. We used to depict those stories.

Today, times have changed. Pollution, farmer suicides are major issues. Dancers, musicians are creating pieces on such themes too.

I choose my pieces. For example, if I feel people are becoming ruthless in today’s times, I select a piece from Buddha’s life which shows compassion, mercy. I do what appeals to me.

Q What are the qualities needed to be a

good dancer?

Not just for a dancer but for any artist, the most important thing is that he/she should be a good human being. People think that one can go on stage with a poker face or a ‘mukhauta’ (mask) and the audience will not understand what kind of a person you are. Your arrogance, cruelty, greediness all come in to your art. Dance is beautiful. You cannot make it ugly. If you are honest and hard working, ‘Ishwar phir sab deta hai’.

Q Any changes you would like to see

in Andheri West that would benefit the people, the working professionals?

Our area (Versova) is so beautiful but it is not maintained. The entire Versova - 7 Bungalows road is quite happening. The sea is stunning. We should have our very own Versova beach festival. Like they have the ‘Puri beach festival’ in Orissa.

There can be local music, Marathi music, Sufi music playing, dancers performing, classical singers performing, bands playing. I think several sponsors would come on board, so much money can be generated. This money can then be used to clean our beach, maintain the area. Just put a few lights on the sea and you will see the magic of the sea. People will come from all over Mumbai saying, “Chalo, Versova

beach festival chalte hain”. (smiles).

Also, there is no walking area here. The pavements are swamped by hawkers. Half the road is covered by parked vehicles. The other half is occupied by those big buses and cars. Where will the old people walk?

I am fifty nine years old. How do the old people cross the road or go to the grocery store? The elderly feel nervous, they start shivering. They look here and there when they have to cross the road. It is deeply disturbing.

Q You may be traveling global but you

are always living local. What does that mean to you?

It means spreading your roots wherever you go. Always remaining connected to your roots.

Q Your favorite hangout spots in Andheri West?

Chai-Coffi, Urban Tadka.

‘Uma Dogra’s School of Kathak’ and the ‘Sam Ved Society for Performing Arts’, both started by Pandita Uma Dogra, have been training dancers and giving them platforms to perform for the last twenty five years. She has also written a book, ‘In praise of Kathak,’ which talks about her guru, her dance, and her journey.

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LL | community WHAT’S HAPPENING

‘Pedopathshala’ at The Club Pedopathshala is a twoday intensive programme for training in the field of clinical Pediatric Dentistry conducted

by Dr. Meenakshi Kher, founder of Happy Tooth Clinic for children. The course is only applicable to pediatric dentists, and the curriculum follows a hands-on, practical approach to sharpen your clinical skills, expand your treatment apparatus and help to better deal with reluctant patients.

ASMITA for Women Empowerment – By Women, Of Women, For Women!

L

okhandwala Complex has many beautiful gardens, and hundreds of residents enjoy the beauty of these lush green gardens with neat lawns and small bandstands for gatherings.

In these gardens, there are many social and spiritual mandals and I feel this is like paradise on earth. Right in the midst of all this beauty is the majestic Pushpanjali hall, which is the breeding ground for 8 batches of yoga classes. In this celestial hall last year, a new and eclectic organization was born under the guidance of yoga supremo Smt. Smita Kamat. The organization called ASMITA was started as a small enterprise by a collection of about 20 odd women from all age groups, to encourage other women to participate in social and educative processes to enlighten each other. The mantra of this group is – One teach ten other.

There is so much women can teach each other. Music, dance, arts & craft, dramatics, sewing, cooking, reading, writing, debating and a lot more.

The purpose of this group is to teach others with complete selflessness.

Those who take a class do not charge any remuneration from other women, as all of them are like sisters in this project. Women are the backbone of our society and they spend most of their lives nurturing their families. This group was started to inculcate new

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teachings and enthusiasm in women, so they feel the thrill of the new and wonderful innovations of modern day living. Women in their 50s and 60s are as welcome in the group as young housewives who are always open to advice and suggestions from others.

The younger generation today is lucky to have a free and understanding kind of family support to pursue their careers without hindrance. The generation of the 1960s and 1970s lived in a very different atmosphere where marriage and settling down was the priority. There are so many women who wanted to pursue their education or careers, but had to give up everything to take care of their kids and family. Today, so many new avenues have opened up to women, and this group gives a new ray of hope to them all. The group meets once a month in the house of any one member selected, and after a few minutes of general discussion, an aspect of study commences for an hour. It could be anything from spiritual chanting to a proper class in drawing or even a group debate on the relevant topics of today’s society.

This non-profit group is open to all women, and can be joined by just one phone call to – Manager (Asmita) – 9833297956

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When: Monday, 24th & Tuesday, 25th August Timings: 8:30 am to 6:00 pm Course fees: 20,000 INR (Inclusive of hands-on course material, breakfast, lunch and tea on both the days) Venue: The Club, D. N Nagar, Andheri (W) For registration contact: Dr. Priyanka Desai 9833966504 or Dr. Mitali Kochar - 9820276356

‘Change the Lightbulb, Brighten Your Future’ at The Club A series of seminars conducted by Brigadier Sushil Bhasin that aims to help you on the path to self-discovery, enhanced confidence, productivity and contentment.

Brigadier Sushil, after being in the army for 34 years decided to implement all his training experience by helping others and began Empower Activity Camps for students, teachers and corporate executives.

He has also studied various courses and conducted multiple training workshops across the world. Prior registration is required.

Timings: Batch 1 - 10:45 am to 1:00 pm, Batch 2 - 3:00 pm to 5:00 pm When: Saturday, 8th August Cost: 594 INR Venue: The Club, D. N. Nagar, Andheri (W)

WHAT’S HAPPENING QUOTES “I believe that the civilization India evolved is not to be beaten in the world. Nothing can equal the seeds sown by our ancestors - Rome went, Greece shared the same fate, the might of the Pharaohs was broken, Japan has become westernized, of China nothing can be said, but India is still, somehow or other, sound at the foundation.”

– Mahatma Gandhi

‘Mumbai Street Food Festival’ at Vedge Vedge brings Mumbai’s favourite street food offerings ranging from Pav Bhaaji, Misal Pav, Paneer Bhurji Pav & Dabeli to Samosa Chaat, Ragda Pattice and even Momos under one roof! For all your favourite masaledar Mumbaiyya foods, as well as drinks and desserts head down to Vedge in Fun Republic mall, Andheri(W).

“India shaped my mind, anchored my identity, influenced my beliefs, and made me who I am. India matters to me and I would like to matter to India.

The memories of the first Independence Day may have faded, but the power of that magical moment must never be forgotten.”

– Shashi Tharoor

Timings: 11:30 am to 11:00 pm When: 15th July – 15th August Phone Number: 022 61668906

A two-day intensive workshop that will cover all the bases of wedding photography - ambient lighting, off-camera lighting, reflections, silhouettes, etc. with Soumalya De who has over 10 years of experience in the field. Soumalya will be shooting a real couple, creating a mock-up of all the possible things that a wedding photographer needs to take care of on the day.

‘Wedding Photography A Workshop by Soumalya De’

When: Friday, 14th & Saturday, 15th August Timings: 11:00 am to 5:00 pm Cost: 4500 INR (including lunch) Contact: Soumalya De - 9004365272/soumalya. photography@gmail.com

‘Lokhandwala Shopping Carnival’ Lokhandwala Shopping Carnival is a shopping experience for the entire family, showcasing everything from home accessories, clothes, bags, shoes, fashion accessories to gourmet food, health food, chocolates, cupcakes and much more, all under the same roof!

When: Sunday, 16th August Timings: 12:00 pm to 8:30 pm Venue: Time And Again, #9, 1st Floor, Raheja Classique, Oshiwara Link Road, Shastri Nagar, Lokhandwala, Andheri (W)

Where the mind is without fear and the head is held high; Where knowledge is free; Where the world has not been broken up into fragments by domestic walls; Where words come out from the depth of truth; Where tireless striving stretches its arms towards perfection; Where the clear stream of reason has not lost its way into the dreary desert sand of dead habit; Where the mind is led forward by thee into ever-widening thought and action Into that heaven of freedom, my father, let my country awake.

– Rabindranath Tagore “We owe a lot to the Indians, who taught us how to count, without which no worthwhile scientific discovery could have been made!”

– Albert Einstein (Theoretical Physicist, Germany) “India is the cradle of the human race, the birthplace of human speech, the mother of history, the grandmother of legend, and the great grandmother of tradition. Our most valuable and most artistic materials in the history of man are treasured up in India only!”

– Mark Twain (Writer, America) “If there is one place on the face of earth where all the dreams of living men have found a home from the very earliest days when man began the dream of existence, it is India!”

– Romaine Rolland (French scholar)

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 39

LL | community

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www.shutterstock.com/Jiri Flogel

n the eve of Indian Independence, our new country’s first PM, Jawaharlal Nehru addressed the Indian Constituent Assembly.

His words impressed upon the audience the magnitude of our freedom, and transcended history to bring together the past, the present and the future seamlessly.

Widely considered one of the most impactful speeches of all time, Nehru’s words about the challenges and changes that the country would have to prepare to face are relevant even today.

Below are a few extracts that impress upon us the need to remember these words from the India of the past to improve with the one of the future.

The Future of Our Tryst with Destiny

by Ahana Banerjee

The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer.

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“Freedom and power bring responsibility.

The responsibility rests upon this assembly, a sovereign body representing the sovereign people of India. Before the birth of freedom we have endured all the pains of labor and our hearts are heavy with the memory of this sorrow. Some of those pains continue even now. Nevertheless, the past is over and it is the future that beckons to us now.

That future is not one of ease or resting but of incessant striving so that we might fulfill the pledges we have so often taken and the one we shall take today. The service of India means the service of the millions who suffer.

It means the ending of poverty and ignorance and disease and inequality of opportunity.

The ambition of the greatest man of our generation has been to wipe every tear from every eye. That may be beyond us, but as long as there are tears and suffering, so long our work will not be over.

And so we have to labor and to work, and work hard, to give reality to our dreams.

Those dreams are for India, but they are also for the world, for all the nations and peoples are too closely knit together today for anyone of them to imagine that it can live apart.

Peace has been said to be indivisible; so is freedom, so is prosperity now, and so also is disaster in this one world that can no longer be split into isolated fragments.”

“The future beckons to us. Whither do we go and what shall be our endeavor? To bring freedom and opportunity to the common man, to the peasants and workers of India;

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to fight and end poverty and ignorance and disease; to build up a prosperous, democratic and progressive nation, and to create social, economic and political institutions which will ensure justice and fullness of life to every man and woman.

We have hard work ahead. There is no resting for any one of us till we redeem our pledge in full, till we make all the people of India what destiny intended them to be.

We are citizens of a great country, on the verge of bold advance, and we have to live up to that high standard. All of us, to whatever religion we may belong, are equally the children of India with equal rights, privileges and obligations. We cannot encourage communalism or narrowmindedness, for no nation can be great whose people are narrow in thought or in action.”

“And to India, our much-loved motherland, the ancient, the eternal and the ever-new, we pay our reverent homage and we bind ourselves afresh to her service. Jai Hind.”

India as a country views its multicultural definition with a great deal of pride. Post independence, we have (for the most part) molded our identity to expand and boast of the variety of food and languages that make us stand out - the cocktail of diverse cultures that make us India.

This kind of identification seems to be matter of fact - it’s obvious that this is who we are. However, it is significant that this new version of India is one that is entirely its own. It may be influenced and diluted by our history, but it embraces its post colonial status to become part of the global network - and that is what makes us special.

So, for our 69th year of Independence, here are a few facts that illustrate the bizarre, the amusing and the typically Indian.

Independent India Celebrates it Quirks In a strange mix of faith and simple trust, Shani Shignapur in Ahmednagar district of Maharashtra is famous for not having locks on their doors, or even safes for their valuables. Even stranger - the village has yet to report a theft!

Another popular game, Snakes and Ladders, has its roots in India. Created by the 13th century poet Sant Gyandev and originally called ‘Mokshapat’, the ladders in the game represented virtues and the snakes indicated vices.

With time, the game become far more commercialized, and brightly packaged for children but the morbid initial meaning remains - good deeds take people to heaven and evil to a cycle of rebirths.

Chess, the game of the intellectual and high class, was invented in India! It was called Chaturanga, and can be traced back to as early as 6 AD. Be warned: You may actually lose your family at a KumbhaMela, which is one of the world’s most attended events. The one in 2001 even made the news, since not only was it attended by 60 million people but it was also visible from space.

Maryam Asif Siddiqui, who is Muslim, made news recently for being winning the Bhagavad Gita Champion League organized

by ISKCON, making her the poster child for secularism. Not only did she win, but she also donated all her cash rewards to various charities in different states. The best part she’s only twelve.

In West Bengal, cows must have a Photo ID Card to prove that they are Indian! As ridiculous as it may seem, the reasoning behind it is quite sound - it was implemented to prevent Indian cattle being smuggled along India’s border into Bangladesh.

India’s first rocket was transported to the warehouse on a cycle! History was created in the small coastal village of Thumba in Thiruvananthapuram on 21st November 1963 and the photograph of a technician carrying the sounding rocket from the assembly line to the launch pad on a bicycle caught global attention.

Police officers in Madhya Pradesh are given a slight pay upgrade for having a moustache. “A good one has to take a turn near the angle of the upper lip,” said Mayank Jain Jhabua district police chief, encouraging the flourishing of facial hair on our policemen.

Wireless communication, so important for the scientific community, not to mention the world in general. IEEE has proved that the pioneer of wireless communication was Prof. Jagdish Bose and not Marconi, and in fact the processes employed to popularize its use were based off of Bose’s theories.

Breathing the air in Mumbai for just one day is equivalent to smoking 100 cigarettes. Invest in some CNG engines and air filters!

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 41

LL | community Entrepreneur Of The Hood

Central Mart Comes to your Rescue!

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uilding a new home or office?

Getting the interiors done? Reworking a few rooms to suit your tastes or needs? These are tasks that need attention and upkeep from time to time. We invest a lot of our money, time and effort trying to get the job done competently, and quickly. Yet, for most of us these turn out to be painfully terrible experiences.

Centralmart.in, co-founded by brothers Rishit Dalal and Vishesh Dalal, aims to simplify and transform the whole design and build process for real estate interiors.

Rishit Dalal is an engineer from BITS Pilani, and did his management from London Business School. He also worked with KPMG as a management consultant for three years. I asked what made him quit his high profile job and take the leap to be an entrepreneur.

R.D. : Sometime in 2013 we were redoing our home interiors. My father always handled this sort of thing, so I thought I would take up the responsibility that time.

But I was completely lost as to who

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by Sidharth Sodhi

to contact first. I asked my family and friends for references and eventually finalized one interior designer. The designs were made, budget allocated and the work started. And it turned out to be a complete nightmare! We would spend hours in different markets, purchasing lights from one vendor, bathroom fittings from another, and wood/ laminates from a third place. The designer’s designs were good but he had ten projects running simultaneously so he wasn’t able to concentrate. Be it coordinating with the contractor and designer, dealing with the labor, or facing cost overruns and delays, the entire process was a mess.

We had hoped to finish the work in three-four months but it took nine months to get the job done. Even after that there were issues.

A lot of lights we purchased in bulk had simply fused, so I went back to the vendor. He told me they were not responsible for anything. I argued that he would lose customers with this kind of service. The last thing that he said was, “You go, we do not care if we lose you as a customer. There are thousands more

Solve a ‘real‘ problem.

Only then will a business become sustainable & profitable.

that will come to us”.

That is the approach of most vendors in the building material and home improvement sector. There are no professional, organized and educated players who understand the customer needs and offer quality products and service. This opened my eyes. I thought, why not take this opportunity to do something new, innovative and create a unique and different experience for the customer?

So be it your home, office, or shop, we at Central mart will understand your needs and accordingly give you the right interior designer to trust. Central mart will guide you through the entire project. All the products will be through our online platform so there is a lot of transparency, and everything we sell is with a warranty. We are also building technology to manage the project. Right from designing, budgeting, ordering, project management, coordination, the whole experience will become extremely seamless and transparent.

Q. What advice would you give to someone thinking of starting their own business?

RD: Whenever you are starting a

business, first identify the need for the business. Solve a ‘real‘ problem. Only then will a business become sustainable and profitable.

Q. Andheri West, so many people here start from scratch. What is it about this place that pushes people to go out there and make a mark for themselves?

RD : This place gives you very positive and energetic vibes. You will always find people who are ambitious. The network systems I have created here are fantastic.

People are inspiring and there is so much to learn from each other.

Q. Your favorite hangout spots in Andheri West?

RD: Brewbot, Woodside Inn, The Little Door.

Q. You may be traveling global but you are always living local. What does that mean to you?

RD: You may have traveled to a hundred countries. However, when you are living in a particular city or suburb it is only the places and people around you that matter in your immediate life.

Contact: www.centralmart.in

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 43

LL | community WOMEN - Making a Difference

Andheri West gets a taste of High Tea!

by Nyma Singh Merchant

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perating out of her home in Four Bungalows, Anuradha Chatterjee Khopkar started Kitchen 1623 about 3 weeks ago with the aim of bringing ‘High Tea’ to the masses. The concept of ‘High Tea’ comes from an age-old British tradition that was usually an evening meal or dinner of the working class, typically consisting of a hot dish, cakes and bread, butter & jam sandwiches.

Anuradha hopes to educate people about this long-lost tradition, give them a reason to dress up & make merry and of course relish the delicacies that she takes so much pride in making. On request for a high-tea spread, Kitchen 1623 will take care of everything from the food, teas & coffees to the crockery & cutlery and table-linen as well!

Anuradha herself will also provide the history behind the event itself and each dish.

Anuradha is an actress-cum-dancer from Jamshedpur, who moved to Mumbai for her acting and dancing shows. Somewhere along the way she discovered her love for food and since then, there has been no turning back.

Her culinary education spans from Hotel Management courses in Mumbai and Australia, as well as a Diploma in Patisserie from France. Post completing her education, she worked at getting some entrepreneurial and business experience with companies like deGustibus Hospitality Pvt. Ltd. and Speciality Restaurants Ltd. Now with a full bag of education and experience she decided to start something of her own to share her love of food - and so, Kitchen 1623 was born. Kitchen 1623, Anuradha says, was named because the word ‘kitchen’ does not limit her to making any one kind of food or cuisine, and ‘1623’ comes from her husband and her respective birth dates.

With this venture, she aims to attain the feel of a mother’s kitchen where you get everything you would want to eat - combining the rustic feel of home-cooked food with the finish of professional cooking.

On asking, Anuradha recommends her Guinness Stout Beer Cake and Italian Carrot Cake; but as part of her high-tea spread she makes a variety of cookies (sugar, chocolate chip, dark chocolate with white chocolate

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shards, red velvet, etc.), cupcakes (smore-inspired), a number of cakes (angel food, ginger beer, chocolate upside-down), pies, finger sandwiches, jams (charred orange & vanilla, spiced pineapple, apple & limoncello), brownies and blondies, and an endless list of other mouth-watering desserts.

At the moment Kitchen 1623 only caters desserts, but she plans to foray into making all kinds of cuisines, spices, dips, made-to-order Christmas cake, corporate hampers, desserts for restaurants and even homemade and bottled Limoncello! No matter how things turn out in the future, the one thing she is most committed to delivering through her food is consistent taste and freshness. Once things start kicking-off, she even plans to hold workshops and classes to facilitate a sharing of knowledge and love for food.

Despite having studied and travelled all over the world and within India, Mumbai is the place she chooses to call home saying “Even after travelling global, my roots are still deeply grounded locally, especially here in Mumbai.” Being based in Andheri West, she obviously has a great love for the area stating, “It’s a positive place to live in and the people are very nice - they live and let live. Also, it is very accessible. You can get everything from sabzi to dresses, to bags and food, all in the same place. There are so many restaurants at such close intervals, and

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the variety of food is amazing!” Her favourite places to eat in Andheri are Woodside Inn, Gajalee, Oh! Calcutta, Sweet Bengal and among street food - Hangla’s, Jai Jawaan and Breadkraft frankie in Lokhandwala market.

Anuradha lives for food and you can almost taste and see the love and pride she put into what she does; so for a taste of high tea in your home, or just to satisfy your sweet tooth with some out-of-the-box creations contact Kitchen 1623 at 9820077504; kitchen1623@gmail.com or on their Facebook page Kitchen-1623.

WHAT’S HAPPENING

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 45

LL | community KARAOKE - Hangouts in Andheri

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athroom singers and tone deaf people can now venture into the wild - Andheri’s neighborhood has seen a veritable mushrooming of karaoke bars. The opportunity to belt out your song of choice - regardless of your skill - lets you live out your brief Beyonce or Springsteen fantasy, and here’s the best part, it’s not a competition.

Popular bars and restaurants have taken to pledging one evening of the week for the chance to goof around with your friends, serenade your partner or even just show off your vocal pipes. Japan and South Korea, with their cultivated love for the activity, have encouraged the trend to flourish into a culture, the world over.

Used as a chance for co-workers to bond or even fun on a date, working as the equalizer to break the ice has appealed to India as well.

Not exactly shy about our fondness for a little song and dance (with the accompanying drink of course), it comes as no surprise that the Indian public would take to karaoke like a fish to water. Andheri West, with its

rich nightlife culture has embraced karaoke with an open mic.

Karaoke hours at most establishments fit neatly into happy hours, and with most of them being held on weeknights, it lets you blow off steam after work and gives you a chance to take a breather to hold you off till the weekend. Take your pick of the list provided, grab the mic and check out what the fuss is about!

Harmonize in your Hood!

The Little Door (Lokhandwala) on Sundays Don’t forget to try the Jack Daniel’s Chocolate Mousse, Koto Yemista, Tequila Chicken and Greek Style Nachos in this little tucked away joint with its picturesque decor!

He Said She Said (Veera Desai Road) on Mondays They pride themselves on their Classic Chilly Chicken and the Cheesy Nachos from the food menu.

Their Selfie Booth is another great idea for those who would like an Instagram worthy keepsake.

O15’s Cafe (Four Bungalows) on Wednesdays The Chicken Tenders from the starters menu come highly recommended in this retro inspired joint!

Road House Bluez (JP Road) on Thursdays Popular for their rock tribute atmosphere, their patrons also enjoy their screening of the sport of the season.

Hymus Restobar (Oshiwara) on Thursdays Ideal for a smaller group of friends, Hymus’ karaoke selection is part of their appeal, not to mention their innovative Drunken Chicken.

Boveda (Oshiwara) on Wednesdays This music oriented venue does some mean Cottage Cheese & Spinach Croquetas in addition to an evening of impressive singing. For the most part.

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by Ahana Banerjee

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Lemon Leaf (Lokhandwala) on Tuesdays The new sister branch of the Bandra establishment; visit them to see what made them so popular in Bandra, and how they’ve settled into Andheri!

Harry’s Bar + Cafe (Lokhandwala) on Wednesdays This Singaporean chain is known for their in-house custom cocktails, notably their Singaporean Sling and a wide variety of starters.

Woodside - All Day Bar & Eatery (Oshiwara) on Wednesdays At this fairly appropriate date spot, remember to sample the Chicken Stuffed With Fresh Mozzarella and BBQ Chicken Burger and their sangrias.

Need Of The Hour Community Centre for Senior Citizens in Lokhandwala Complex

www.shutterstock.com/Africa Studio

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enior citizens form a large part of our society. Parents and grandparents give us a feeling of belonging and it is always a pleasant sight to see young children clutching their grandparents’ finger and walking about in the park. Several grandparents even accompany their grandchildren to school or sports activities. These seniors exude so much joy at being with their family, but I have often heard them say that they wished to study or read or learn something new, something that they were not able to do in their youth.

I think I can understand what they are trying to say. People do not fade into the background after a certain age. They are living breathing creatures with the desire to fulfill dreams and wishes.

Abroad, there are many Community Centres where seniors above the age of 60 can register for an opportunity to take part in study groups, participate in sports and board games, art and craft classes, learn how to play a musical instrument, read books, take part in debates and several other activities so that age does

by Subhashini Sheopuri not prevent them from feeling like an active part of society.

A centre for their exclusive use helps gain purpose and meaning to life. It provides excitement and thrills tired minds, and encourages people to be healthy and alert. Why should a senior citizen feel fragile and vulnerable? Being active also helps to combat health issues and mental capability. If such a centre was started in Lokhandwala Complex, it would set an example for other areas in Mumbai.

Just visualise a centre that would give our seniors their own little paradise to go and study or play, like the much frequented clubs and activities for younger people.

Such a centre would be a joy to behold, with books and musical instruments, neatly placed tables and chairs, with games like carrom and Ludo and Scrabble, dictionaries and newspapers to pour over and maybe a computer for the tech savvy ones. Don’t you think so too, dear readers? Maybe we should get together and plan that centre!

(Contact: subhashiniswar@gmail.com)

August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 47

LL | community

Artist Krupa Shah

by Nyma Singh Merchant

B “Art is everywhere, you just have to get your eye on it”

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orn and brought up in Mumbai, Krupa Sandeep Shah has been artistically inclined since she was a little girl. She remembers being drawn towards the canvas and discovering her own individual style as a teenager - her ideas translated into paintings instantly.

However, it was only recently that she discovered her inborn passion for art in a way that she couldn’t look back.

From a devoted mother to a dedicated artist, Krupa essays many roles in her life and she fulfills them all dutifully.

Mentored by senior artists and veterans in the field, Krupa honed her talents to her current level. She feels fortunate to have the support and guidance of such esteemed artists as well as her loved ones, both of which have only fostered her craft.

With abstract paintings, Krupa portrays her feelings to her audience and lets them interpret them in the way they feel. She draws inspirations from the things around her. “Art is everywhere, you just have to get your eye on it,” she says gaily. Of abstract paintings and her process, she says “Abstract painting is a thoughtful process, and the unconscious mind is an important force in creating art. Before I start my painting, I meditate for half an hour. After that, I use just use the brushes and knives to paint the colours I see during my meditation. The chant of ‘Om’ during meditation serves as my

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inspiration, and it is considered a holy sound because it is believed that consciousness manifests itself as forms through its sound.”

Krupa’s knowledge and understanding about art comes from the real world and the experiences she has lived and learned from. Fearlessly independent, she believes that every woman and girl has a right to follow her true calling and her calling was in the field of art. Not only does she wish to showcase her art to the world, it’s also her goal to ensure that the money received through her art is then utilized for a good social cause. Krupa has showcased her work at group exhibitions across India, as well as in Vietnam & Dubai and has even won the Best Artist award at Women Leaders in India & Awards 2014.

On a parting note, she says “Analyzing and reassembling the scattered material and shapes in an abstract form makes the artwork very important and interconnected with life.

Make sure that you allow yourself to enjoy all of life’s colors and distinction.

See if you can suspend your judgment and simply observe and take it all in.

Allow yourself to just experience the moment.”

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www.shutterstock.com/ Poznyakov

LL | kids & parenting

Your Child: Your Extension or an Individual?

Nivedita Mataliya is a counseling psychologist specializing in children and relationship counseling.

16 year old Samaira (name changed) excelled in dancing. She was selected for an international dance competition.

Her father ‘used his contacts’ and got the selection cancelled. He reasoned that he would rather have his daughter do an MBA, find a stable career and finally a suitable family to get married into. Samaira resented her father and lost interest in her studies. She experienced anxiety and a loss of concentration.

A scene from the movie ‘3 Idiots’ comes to mind - as soon as the child is born, he is labeled to be an engineer by his father. Of course, the last thing parents want to do is burden the child.

But unconsciously this is precisely what they end up doing. Whether it is a career option or a personal characteristic, parents sometimes want to live their unfulfilled dreams through their children.

Brad Bushman, a professor of psychology at Ohio State University, states in his research that, “Some parents see their children as extensions of themselves, rather than as separate people with their own hopes and dreams. These parents may be most likely to want their children to achieve the dreams that they themselves have not achieved.”

Here are some of the repercussions of this tendency:

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Self Esteem Issues: Parents who are on a project to shape the child within their own expectations tend to be too strict, or overly critical of their children. This leads to the children having low self esteem, as the children feel unable of gaining their parents’ approval.

Strangling the Child’s Individuality: Your expectation is like a chain that is tied around your child. It takes away their freedom to be themselves.

Myopic View of the Child’s Future: In trying to fulfill their own vision, the parents often neglect the child’s strengths, talents and the opportunities where the child is most likely to excel.

children a taste of all cuisines, but at the end, it is for the children to decide what they want to do eat.

Let Them Live Their Dreams: Teach your child to be committed, persistent and work hard at whatever they do, instead of telling them what to do. The key to success is not a particular profession. Success is doing well in whatever profession they choose. This is the most important thing to remember.

The quality imperative to success is hard work and persistence. Parenting is a never ending lesson of joy, tears, patience, surprises, frustrations, doubts, love and care. So keep learning and happy parenting!

WHAT CAN BE DONE Understand Your Child: Know your child. What are their hobbies, likes, dislikes, tastes and preferences? What is their temperament and talent? This is achieved by chatting with your child regularly and entering their frame of reference, rather imposing your perceptions.

Complete Acceptance Of The Child: They are what they are. Accept that.

This does not mean that parents are not supposed to teach or guide their children. Teaching is one thing but badgering is another.

Help your child explore various options. Parents can help provide their

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The key to success is not a particular profession.

Success is doing well in whatever profession they choose.

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August 2015 | Volume 1 Issue 4 | Living Local Mumbai | 51

TAROTSCOPE

YOUR FORECAST FOR THE MONTH OF AUGUST 2015

THE YEAR AHEAD FOR LEO Happy Birth Anniversary!

You are about to receive the opportunities you need to feel better, to take wiser action, and to improve upon your social skills. By being alert, you will be able to make those particular situations better that were nagging you for a while. Health will benefit from care and expert advice, as will finances.

(Please note: The guide uses Zodiac Signs according to date of birth, and not according to your Sun Sign, Moon Sign or Ascendant. There is no cusp.)

ARIES (March 21st-April 20th): Your tremendous enthusiasm to surge forward will serve as your closest ally, in August. Even if things turn out to be more confusing than usual, you can succeed by the force of your determination. If safety attracts you, play a little slow. Health will be good if you take care against colds and infections.

TAURUS (April 21st-May 20th): Your indomitable will to maintain the ideal in your life will serve you very well in August. Even if people around you are changing their minds too often for comfort, know that you are stable and your guardian angels are looking out for you.

Health will benefit from rigorous workouts.

GEMINI (May 21st-June 20th): August could offer you interesting ideas, and along with it, much puzzles to solve. Your enviable mental agility will help you make through the emotional lags that are likely to come up. Have friends around you at all times, and you will feel better. Health will love you for walks and meditations.

CANCER (June 21st-July 21st): Your deep understanding of the power of emotions will help you make a very good situation out of apparent confusion. In fact, you will not need to take much action, as your very confidence will settle any turbulence that rises around you. Health will need you to engage with some happy cardio activity.

LEO (July 22nd-August 22nd): Your reserves of courage will be called upon in August, using which you will do spectacularly well. So remember this advice in any challenge or a half, and they will be as ashes before your fire. Health will benefit greatly from exercises you enjoy.

VIRGO (August 23rd-September 22nd): Your sharp mind and understanding will unravel much of the surrounding confusion before they take hold, so August is a good month for you to be noticed for all the right reasons.

Also, make way for others to do their own jig. All is well.

Health will benefit from activities that excite you.

LIBRA (September 23rd-October 22nd): Your keen sense of harmony and balance will help you negotiate much of what happens in August. Since you understand people so well, you just need to stay in touch with your own motivation. By and by, your guardian angels will pop up to lend you their shoulders. Health will be happy when you meditate, eat right and sleep well.

SCORPIO (October 23rd-November 22nd): Your ability to understand the depths of human nature will help you to unravel all complications, in August. Remember to take it easy on yourself, and wait for the bigger picture to emerge, as it will. Invite for yourself the good will of people who help you feel stable and calm. Health will benefit from long walks and dancing.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st): Your adventurous spirit may serve you fairly well in allowing events of unlikelihood to also happen around you, in August.

When things are contrary, many look at you for guidance. Do that good turn to yourself as well. Health, especially mental health, will be well with as much meditative and visualisation practices in which you can engage.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd–January 19th): Your immense practical sense and patience will be the precise resources that you and others around you will be grateful to have, in August. You will be a bedrock of sense and there will be much to make sense of and understand. There will be nothing to aggravate you, even when things are trying. Health will benefit from active exercises.

AQUARIUS (January 20th–February 18th): You could be having a very good time in August, and it could be a playfield for all ideas that you hold dear. The events this month will engage you in experimenting and if you can share your enjoyment with others, it would be a blessing that will return manifold. Health will be good with only a little alert about colds and infections.

PISCES (February 19th-March 20th): August is a special month for you, as the events now will encourage you to apply on them your own ideas of a wonderful life. Also, there will be no opposition to what you do, so you will be happy in your own world. Health will benefit from activities which encourage physical exercises.

MOHINI BASU is a Tarot Card reader, Hypnotherapist and Life Coach. She can be contacted on mohini.tarot@yahoo.com. Her website is theredfoxanddeerlady.wordpress.com.

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