Living Local - Andheri West Edition (October)

October 2014

Volume 1 Issue 5

ANDHERI WEST EDITION

Complimentary Copy

BLENDING MODERNITY WITH TRADITION CHIKANKARI WORK

POWER DRESSING that might surprise you

EXPERT RULES TO BEAT stress

Pooja Chopra

does face matter?

ABOUT FACE FITNESS BEAUTY

HEALTH

LIFESTYLE

NUTRITION

ENTERTAINMENT

EDUCATION

COMMUNITY

DIWALI

FACTS YOU DIDn’t know

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7

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CONTENT OCTOBER 2014 Volume 1 Issue 5

32 www.shutterstock.com/ Andresr

13 from the Editors desk

The Festive Month 14 BLENDING modernity with tradition..

Chikankari Work 16 POWER DRESSING 22 expert rules to beat stress 26 right tools to invest in a Healthy Smile 28 THey call it god’s own country- Kerala 32 Simple tips for Feeling And Looking Your Best

Inside And Out 22 38 COVER STORY

POOJA CHOPRA 41 My first film festival

5th Jagran Film Festival 44 lokhandwala running club 46 46 bide your time Children 53 horoscope

October - LIBRA 54 DIWALI

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38 www.shutterstock.com/ Oksana Kuzmina

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Contributors

SIDHARTH SODHI

RATAN SETHI

Writer Actor

VIKETA ANAND

A foodie by nature.

Cosmotologist.

I eat. I pray. I love. (repeat)

Retired from a 9 to 5 job, Ratan feels blessed that he is able to travel to his heart’s content.

SALONI

A writer, social commentator and a journalist. A thinker who believes in inner transformation to overcome our shortcomings, only to achieve what we were always born to do.

MOHINI

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

CONTRIBUTE

MEERA

In the field of education for over 30 yrs / Conducts Teacher Training Programs / Integral part of The Little Company

GAURI GUPTA

A Certified Image Consultant.

Trained by the Image Consulting Business Institute,under the curriculum of Judith Rasband’s Conselle Institute of image management (Utah, USA)

Dr. ANSHUMAN MANASWI M.Ch.

Consultant Plastic & Cosmetic surgeon, Bombay Hospital, Mumbai, and Obesity consultant

PLLATTERATI

Duo Shweta Menon and Sunnaeya Kapur together run Pllatterati. A gourmet’s paradise and a one-stop destination for all at-home/ private/ corporate entertaining needs.

DIVYA PANDAY Working for HERE Maps, a really simple God Loving girl who loves to help people whenever possible.

Do you like to write? How about clicking photos? As part of the Andheri west community we would love for you to share them in your very own Living Local 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 community. Send in your entries: articles@livinglocalmag.com 12

www.livinglocalmag.com

THE FESTIVE MONTH My father was with the International Airports Authority of India (now AAI) due to which we pretty much shuttled between Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkatta. Apart from all the different cultures of these cities there was always one thing in common that I always looked forward to - The Festive Month. From the Pujas to Dussera leading up to the big day of Diwali and then Bhai Duj. This is probably the only time I wish that it’s nighttime all throughout the day so that the shimmering of the millions of lights that decorate the city is neverending. Festivities somehow translate to an overall positive energy. People seem happy, they spend money giving businesses a booming time, Bollywood has its top blockbuster releases lined up, etc.

Another fascinating thing about these festivities is that unlike a lot of festivals (also holidays), these festivities are best celebrated in your own backyard and people tend not to travel away from their homes. A lot may have to do with the Goddess of Wealth - Laxmi visiting :). And you don’t want to be away when she might just pay a visit to your house. www.shutterstock.com/ Mazzzur

There is also something Organic about these festivities that gives it that nostalgic feel and somehow very connected to the roots of the reasons of celebrating them.

The mitti ka diyas, the sweets, the mythologies, the people greetings... everything seems like what they say about the good old days.

Diwali has always been my favourite festival and it’s always best spent with family. The joy of being around the loved ones on festivals double-folds its value. Of course the friends are more visible during this time of the year at parties and taash games.

I wish you all a very Happy Festive Month from the Living Local team and hope you enjoy and spread the positivity all around. Be good and be safe.

COVER PHOTO by: martinprihoda.com

Editor-in-chief Anubhav Anand @anubhavanand

October 2014 Volume 1 Issue 5 Publisher: Urbane Living Media Printer: Swastik Prints, 5 khan compound, Andheri east, Mumbai-400069 Feedback: feedback@livinglocalmag.com Advertising: advertise@livinglocalmag.com

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Visit Us Online 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.

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BLENDING MODERNITY WITH TRADITION Chikankari is the intricate art of doing fine and delicate embroidery on cloth, which is known as ‘chikanwork’. The word ‘chikan’ is derived from the Persian word ‘Chakin’ or ‘Chikeen’ meaning a cloth wrought with needlework.

Leading designers of the country have embraced and patronized Chikankari in their designs for decades. It has been an element that lends their creations a touch of the timeless beauty.

An authentic Chikankari garment can take several months and even years to get completed, depending on the finesse and quality of the craftsmanship. Which is why it is really a luxury to be wearing an authentic Chikankari outfit.

Chikankari originated in Lucknow, a city that has lived through a rich Awadhi culture. Chikanwork originated in the 18th century and was meant only for royalty.

Rightfully labeled the 14

‘city of nawabs’, Lucknow continues to harbour this exquisite art within its fold almost exclusively to this day.

Vani Anand is a designer, you should know in the Chikankari industry. She is a Lucknow girl, who pursued her formal education at the Pearl Academy of Fashion in New Delhi. She discovered her love for this timeless art early in her designer education, mainly because of the exposure she got to this craft through her mother, who she also says has been a tremendous source of inspiration and encouragement.

‘My motto while designing is simple: Blending modernity with tradition’, she says.

Combing new designs, modern cuts and silhouettes into the art of Chikankari is what makes her designer wear elite. Every garment is an original design, giving her discerning clientele an exclusive experience of wearing something one of kind every single time.

Without naming any of her high profile and famous clients, Vani caters to people of all age groups.

‘Owning a fine Chikankari outfit today is every girl’s dream, and I love the fact that I get to design for all age groups’, emphasizes Vani.

Ask Vani when she realized she wanted to design and she is quick to answer that she knew she it since the age of 8. Ask about her inspirations and she will tell you that she feels inspired by the works of Elie Saab and Donatello Versace and Anamika Khanna.

Apart from retailing out of her Lucknow based studio cum workshop, Vani has ex-

‘

Lifestyle

‘

Owning a fine Chikankari outfit today is every girl’s dream, and I love the fact that I get to design for all age groups

hibited her collection at several high-end exhibitions across the country.

“I always feel overwhelmed with the response I get at most of these showings”, she says. “People understand the beauty of this work when they see it manifest in its true form. That is a very gratifying feeling for all the hard work that has gone into creating each and every garment I offer for sale”.

Outfits that take 6 months to a few years to get made, sell out in a matter of a few days. Bridal wear in her chikankari designs are especially sought after.

There is more to what Vani is trying to achieve as a chikankari designer. Under the guidance of her label, new and old artisans learn better craftsmanship. She wants to ensure that the traditional art form of chikankari continues and allows more skilled women to gain financial freedom.

“We encourage only the ‘real’ hand embroidery and the not the poor imitation work that you will come across so often”, Vani adds.

She further adds that a traditional craft like Chikankari requires two things to flourish, one, a thriving community of craftsmen who keep the craft alive in its truest forms, and two, the people who revel in the luxury of donning it.

Vani Anand takes pride in heralding a fresh look to this traditional craft with her contemporary designs. “I want to preserve the elegance and finesse of this art in all my creations. I want every client of mine to feel special when they wear what I make for them, knowing that they own a piece of a timeless beauty and priceless craftsmanship.”

Vani Anand will be exhibiting her collection in Mumbai from 10th October 2014.

For enquiries, please contact vani@vanianand.com 15

R

by Gauri Gupta

WHY IS IT IMPORTANT TO DRESS FOR SUCCESS? * You are marketing a productYOURSELF * First impressions are lasting impressions. It is important to give a positive If you carefully select, this resource helps first impression. you to create a positive first impression, * Will dressing appropriately get you the and also projects your personality traits, job? values, attitude, interests and abilities.

NO. But it does give you a competitive It also allows others to perceive and recog- edge. nize your credibility. Therefore, you feel more comfortable, confident, capable and HOW SHOULD I DRESS TO LOOK PROFESSIONAL? competent. * Wear clothes appropriate for the job * Conservative is always the safest route The universal effects of clothing and * Two piece dark business suit grooming are that they directly affect the way you think, the way you feel, the way * Pay attention to the FIT * Avoid wearing tight clothing you act, and the way others react to you.

You should be aware of the effects of your * Well-groomed hairstyle clothing in your life-in your home, school, * Clean and polished shoes * Clean and trimmed fingernails workplace, and so forth. Your clothes make a statement without saying a word. ely on clothing as a resource that you can control and use it to help you meet your needs and achieve your goals.

Therefore, people who understand how to use clothing and grooming to present themselves authentically, appropriately, attractively, and affordably are more easily able to achieve their goals-both personally and professionally.

However, clothing can’t take place of essential knowledge, skills and effort that is needed for success.

They must work together.

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Beauty/ Health

DOES FACE MATTER? There are over 7 billion of us on this planet and we all have one unique feature; OUR FACE; which is pretty astonishing when you think about it!

When you meet someone new, what do you notice about them? Their clothes, height and hair colour are some of the traits that set us apart! But it’s the person’s face that you remember and recognize in the future. Our face is our identity and distinguishes us from everyone else. But it does not end there. Most of our relationships - friendship, love, work begin on perception and you don’t get a second chance to make a first impression.

So when you look in the mirror, what do you see? More importantly how do you think the world perceives you?

They say, don’t judge a book by its cover, but everyone does! In a city like Mumbai where lifestyles are so hectic, with the added problems of sun, stress, smoke and lack of sleep, your face is fighting a losing battle. Most people use poor sunscreen or none at all and there is a distinct lack of clarity on how to maintain your face in optimal condition. Did you know that once you pass the tender age of 20, the skin on your face dies faster than it is replenished. By the time you reach the magic half century it is down almost 75%.

We need to have options to maintain and help refresh our look, rejuvenate ourselves and reverse the signs of aging.

Romey Chopra from London UK, founder and CEO, brings to Mumbai for the first time ABOUT FACE; affiliated to the Internationally acclaimed PPP Laser Clinics which have revolutionized facial wellbeing in South East Asia.

About Face is a unique Aesthetic and Anti aging center, which combines cutting edge technology with world-class service to give the safest, pain free non-invasive therapies.

Our luxurious flagship center in Linking Road, Khar opened its doors in June 2014. We are now proud to announce the opening of our 2nd center in Andheri West very close to the ever-popular metropolis Lokhandwala.

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The technologies have been market leaders in USA and Europe for many years with an impeccable safety record and superb results.

-ELOS by Syneron offering Permanent Painless Hair Removal using smart diode technolgy for both men and women.

-Revlite by Cynaosure, the gold standard in the treatment of pigmentation, freckles, brown spots and many other indications.

-Refirme, considered by many world-leading Dermatologists as the safest skin-tightening machine since it can be used on all skin types and skin color.

-Ulthera, the world’s first FDA approved technology for non-invasive facelift using Ultrasound. This technology is now considered the successor to Thermage, which for many years has been used for skin tightening, but never FDA approved for facelift.

Other therapies include Microdermabrasion, Mesotherpy and Chemical Peels such as Yellow Peel, offering benefits including skin polishing, skin lightening, instant glow and radiance, scar reduction and many more.

All therapies are conducted by medical practitioners supported by aesthetic consultants and facial therapists. Our Consultant Dermatologists offer the latest anti-aging therapies including the ever-popular Botox, full range of fillers, PRP, threads and now Ulthera by appointment.

But since no two faces are the same (even twins), each client has a customized plan of therapy defined by the Dermatologist during consultation.

At About Face excellence comes as standard; we firmly believe that everyone deserves to have a healthy complexion.

And Yes. Face really does matter.

Because You Only Have One!

Walk in for a trial at Shop no.108, 1st floor “Samartha Vaibhav CHS� Above ICICI bank, Oshiwara, Andheri (West), Mumbai 400 053 E: andheri@aboutface.in T: 022 26364472 18

Beauty/ Health

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www.shutterstock.com/ michaeljung

Where COSMETIC & Reconstructive Surgery Blend Dr. Anshuman Manaswi, MS. M.Ch. Consultant Plastic & cosmetic surgeon, Bombay Hospital Email : dramanaswi@yahoo.com

W

hen we walk on the road or go for an outing, often we come across people with deformities. We give a glance, sympathize and proceed. Many of us have come across such people in our family and wonder if anything can be done to improve their 20

quality of life. In this article I am taking you through a journey where such deformities are treated by Plastic (Reconstructive) surgeries to give them a better cosmetic appearance and function.

Hare Lip (Cleft lip) and facial deformities: By far one of the most common congenital deformities, when it affects the child, there is a gloomy atmosphere in the family. The baby has a face which can be scary. Nobody knows how to console the parents. For me, these kids are one of the cutest kids and most plastic surgeons will vouch for it. I can assert and say, that these children can be made almost normal without any significant stigma, by reconstructive surgery, which is actually a cosmetic surgery!!

Like wise, children can have Giant Hairy nevus (a huge mole), or a discoloration of the face, or an abnormal deformed face or skull, or an absence of external ears. All of these kids can be give a near normal appearance. Only thing which is required is proper guidance to the parents so that they reach a good plastic surgeon.

Ambiguous genitalia: It is surprising that even today in Mumbai, we come across adolescent children, who

have been assigned a wrong sex by their family/ doctors. Not every one has normal looking male or female external genitalia.

The type of appearance can be misleading and male genitalia may mimic a female’s and vice versa because of differential in the size and structure, but this does not mean that these children can be labeled as intersex (hijda) or assigned a sex to the contrary. Such cases should be investigated thoroughly. It may be surprising to know that majority of such children can be assigned correct sex and reconstructed to give a normal sexual appearance and function. Many of them can bear children as well. We should not be oblivious to the fact that the organization of the hijdas will otherwise take these children into their folds and do mutilating surgeries and spoil their lives.

Post cancer surgery reconstruction: Gone are the days when a cancer patient had to hide his/ her face after a deforming cancer surgery of the face and live a life of low self-esteem because of losing breasts due to cancer surgery.

Most of the deformities due to cancer surgery can be corrected to a significant level with reconstructive cosmetic surgeries and it is wise to be informed about it.

Beauty/ Health

Aesthetically speaking, many conservative surgeries have also come up now days which preserve the shape of the body without compromising on the disease, the best example is a breast conservation surgery for breast cancer.

Diabetes and its complications: When one gets diabetes, the primary thought which comes to our mind is to control blood sugar. Yes this is the most important aspect of the treatment. But this is not enough. Apart from heart, kidney and eyes, FOOT is one of the most important organs of the body to be protected. Because of less sensation in the foot (because of slow nerve damage in diabetes), often-small wounds are neglected and these, if unrecognized, can even lead to amputation of the leg. The most important aspect is to take a mirror and inspect your feet including the soles for any wound. From plastic surgical aspect, a plastic surgeon can salvage a foot and give it a shape or retain the shape and the function of the foot if timely intervention is made. The sensation in the nerve can also be improved by neurolysis (freeing of nerve from intrinsic compression).

Trauma: Last but not the least, when you have an injury of any type, you can request your doctor to involve a plastic surgeon in the team of doctors. This can be beneficial to you in the way that the scar can be less and the shape can be better of the area, which is damaged, by doing meticulous cosmetic reconstructions.

Plastic surgery, Reconstructive surgery, cosmetic surgery

www.shutterstock.com/ everything possible

are almost the same. The awareness about the field is very low even today. Even today, we don’t go to a plastic surgeon for cut requiring stitches, because we think that all doctors will give the same type of stitches.

This is not a fact. A plastic surgeon is trained to give you a better scar.

It is very simple. As in a case of chest pain, you see a cardiologist, with broken bone, you see an orthopedician, in case of wounds or injury, and plastic surgeon will help you better. This does not mean that in search of the same, precious time should be wasted; it just means that you have to remember to ask for his expertise. It is good to be aware about the scope and realm of plastic and cosmetic surgeries because medical science is progressing very fast.

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Follow these expert rules TO BEAT STRESS

by Dr. Jaishree Sharad

www.shutterstock.com/ Andresr

What products must a stress busting kit have? Any particular creams or lotions and the ingredients it must have?

Thermal water mist to refresh a tired face, pure minerals in water help to detox the free radicals Cucumber and mint hand creams to hydrate the skin and give a fresh feeling Sunscreen and moisturizer Calamine or aloe vera lotion to soothe the skin HOW DOES STRESS AFFECT OUR SKIN? Stress causes: 1. Dark circles and baggy eyes.

2. Dry, dehydrated skin.

3. Reduces skin immunity, thus making it more susceptible to infections and allergies causing itching, redness, hives, etc.

4. Exacerbates exist ing skin problems such as psoriasis, eczemas, rosacea, and seborrhoeic dermatitis.

5. Increases oil production leading to acne.

6. Releases free radicals in the skin resulting early wrinkles and fine lines and wrinkles.

7. Causes Hair Loss

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What are the foods that you must include in your diet so that its effects don’t show on your skin? Can any of them be applied on our face as well?

Almonds, walnuts are rich in vitamin E, an antioxidant that bolsters the immune system. Almonds also contain B vitamins, which may help your body hold up during seriously unpleasant events Science backs up the old warm-milk remedy for insomnia and restlessness. Calcium can reduce muscle spasms and soothe tension Citrus fruits rich in vitamin C are known to fight free radicals and release stress Spinach is packed with magnesium, which helps regulate your body’s level of cortisol, which tends to get depleted when we’re under pressure.

Go on a detox diet, plenty of water, tender coconut water, fresh fruits, salads, yogurt, no oil or sugar, no salt. No tobacco, nicotine or alcohol Mashed Oranges & papayas with a tsf of honey form an excellent mask for stressed, dull, pigmented and oily skin.

Almond paste, yogurt or milk cream can be applied on dry skin to brighten the skin.

Are there any home remedies or exercises that can beat stress?

Exercise improves blood flow and muscle tone throughout your body and helps normalise blood sugar and hormone levels which are altered due to stress. Half an hour of cardio daily in the form of jogging, skipping , zumba, treadmill, any form of dance or even swimming are big stress busters.

Yoga is another great way to distress.

Make a paste of 1/2 teaspoon turmeric and 1 teaspoon plain yogurt. Apply, then let dry 10 minutes.

Rinse with a warm, damp washcloth and remove any residual turmeric with a gentle toner. The turmeric reduces inflammation, while the yogurt kills blemish-causing bacteria & brightens the skin leaving you fresh and clean.

Are there any other interesting ways to beat stress?

I would also recommend taking 30 mins off for yourself, lie down in a cool dark room, put on some soothing music, cover your eyes with cucumber slices which are cooling and learn to enjoy the music and relax.

You can also take a short 24 hour trip to your nearest hill station or beach.

I love to put on some good music and go on a long drive on the outskirts of Mumbai when I am too stressed.

Pamper your skin with a good body massage at a good spa.

Get a nice pedicure/manicure.

Beauty

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What prompted you to write this book?

The publisher of Random House, which is one of the most renowned publishing houses Internationally, wrote a mail to me expressing their interest in having a lifestyle book on skin care. They wanted me to author it. I have always been passionate about writing. So when I got the opportunity, I thought this was a good way of spreading knowledge about skin care.

Who is the aimed at?

book

The book is for all age groups.

It is for girls, boys, both men & women.

How easy is it for people reading the book to follow the tips and routines you explain?

The book is written in simple English. There is no complicated medical jargon in it. I have written a number of small anecdotes or patient problems which one can easily relate to and then learn how to take care of his/her skin.

Can one really find treatment for pigmentation or under eye bags simply by reading the book or do they have to visit a dermatologist like yourself to be treated?

It is impossible to read a book and get treated for any ailment.

However, the do’s and don’ts are mentioned elaborately.

This also helps in the medical treatment that the person is undergoing. Skin care tips for a glowing skin and anti-aging 24

Interview with Dr. JAISHREE SHARAD can certainly be read and followed.

Is skincare for Indian skin very different from skin care for western skin?

Certainly, Indian skin is usually Fitzpatrick skin type 3-4 which is a medical classification. Indian skin tans easily but burns rarely. Indian skin is more prone to pigmentation, dark circles. White skin on the other hand is more prone to freckles, sunspots, early wrinkles, fine lines and sagging.

Why should one follow a different routine in winter, summer and the monsoons?

The environment and climate plays a huge role on our skin.

Winter dehydrates the skin, summer sweat makes it more prone to infections, Monsoons are a breeding time for microorganisms.. The book “Skin Talks” has it all mentioned.

Please go through it.

What causes ageing?

skin

Genetics, pollution, unhealthy lifestyle, sun, smoking, stress are all responsible for aging.

Skin Talks has a dedicated chapter on this.

Do creams WORK?

anti-ageing really

The best anti-aging creams should be good moisturizers first. Creams with peptides, coenzyme Q 10 , vitamin C will work provided sunscreen and moisturizers are used too.

How can busy people--men and women--incorporate an effective yet easy skin care routine in their lives?

Make sure you use a Sunscreen & a moisturizer. Have a low sugar low fat diet. Avoid smoking. Avoid alcohol. Destress, sleep for 6-7 hours and exercise at least 5 days a week for 30mins.

Do home remedies really work?

Not all home remedies work.

Some can have detrimental side effects. So please read the book Skin Talks and stay cautious.

Do home remedies really work?

Not all home remedies work.

Some can have detrimental side effects. So please read the book Skin Talks and stay cautious.

If so, please suggest one easy to follow home remedy for acne, acne scars, pigmentation and loose skin?

All given in Skin Talks. If I give all tips here, who will buy the book. :)

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Find the right tools to invest in a HEALTHY SMILE (BPT) - If you’re concerned about your oral health and looking to protect your physical and financial well-being, one of the easiest ways to do so is to practice preventive care. Attending bi-annual dental checkups and making smart oral health decisions can help you spot a concern well before it becomes an expensive problem.

Despite the obvious benefits of adhering to preventive care, many people forget this simple routine and risk bigger expenses down the road. Here are some easy tips you can follow to invest in a healthy smile and protect your oral health.

* Get serious about flossing. Daily

flossing is one of the most important things you can do to improve your oral health. Floss helps to get down into the crevices between the teeth. This is where plaque resides. Daily flossing helps you remove this plaque before it turns into tartar.

* Find the toothbrush that’s right for you. As the main tool for scrubbing

and brushing away unwanted plaque, the toothbrush tends to do the heavy lifting.

Most dentists today recommend using an electric toothbrush. This allows you to give your teeth a better cleaning in less time, and it ensures you are brushing with the appropriate pressure.

* What’s your toothpaste of choice?

With so many kinds of toothpaste, personal preference plays a big factor.

Toothpastes vary by flavor, whitening power and other additional features, so it really comes down to your brushing goals. Whichever brand you select, make sure the box has the American Dental Association (ADA) stamp. This way you’ll know your toothpaste has been regulated and tested.

* Don’t forget the mouthwash.

People tend to forget about this important last step in a mouth cleansing routine, but a recent Good Housekeeping study found that “More than 9 out of 10 respondents who are not currently mouth rinse users (93 percent) said they would use it if it could help improve their dental visits.”

Look for a mouthwash like the new Crest Pro-Health Tartar Protection rinse. This rinse does more than just provide anti-tartar and anti-cavity benefits, it also helps to freshen breath, fights unwanted surface stains and strengthens weakened enamel.

* Your smile is affected by what you eat. There are many products on the

market that that can help you whiten your smile, but you can also improve your pearly whites by making the right food choices. Eating strawberries, broccoli, apples and cauliflower, or drinking water and dairy products help to whiten your smile. Meanwhile, you should avoid drinking red wine, tea, coffee and cola, as these drinks can stain your teeth.

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Maintaining good oral health doesn’t have to be hard. With the right tools and an established daily routine, you can ensure your minor oral health concerns don’t lead to major dentist bills in the future. To learn more ways you can improve your oral health, visit CrestProHealth.com.

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They call it “God’s Own Country”

by Ratan Sethi

After I returned from Kerala it took me a couple of weeks to get over my seven days in that beautiful state. For several days I would wake up in the morning expecting to get a glimpse of a water body from my bedroom window. Whether it was the Arabian Sea in Varkala or the lakes and canals in the backwaters of Kumarakom, a week of being around water can calm your nerves like not much else can.

August turned out to be the perfect month to be in these places too. Sporadic rains washing away any dust off the lush green surroundings to turn them glossier and even more beautiful. A gentle cool breeze in the evenings on the beach, sitting under the stars and eating dinner is a setting that could not be more perfect.

Varkala, for those of you not familiar, is about 50 kms from Trivandrum, a sleepy little town along the sea. While there isn’t a whole lot of actual beach, the place is a series of cliffs and little portions of sand between these cliffs. The North Cliff is where all the tourist action takes place with local hotels, cafes, restaurants, some of which offer live music in the evenings along with the catch of the day. With thousands of coconut trees growing in the area, the place is a sight for sore eyes and simply perfect for having a lounging, lazy holiday.

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Tr a v e l

KERALA

A couple of hours away, the views completely change in Kumarakom. Instead of the sea, you are now among the backwaters and if you’re staying at the Vivanta by Taj, you have 15 acres of forest like foliage with only 28 rooms. With four of us traveling we had an entire 2 bedroom, 2 bath cottage to ourselves with a beautiful sit-out in the back listening to the sounds of insects and frogs and being visited by birds. With ponds both in the front and back of the cottage and a shower under the sky, the water bodies never really left us. If I could afford it, I would move in there for the rest of my life.

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Since none of us had had a houseboat experience earlier, we weren’t quite sure what to expect for our last night in Kumarakom.

Speaking for myself, I most certainly wasn’t expecting the beautiful, open on 3 sides sitting area, a dining room with seating for 6, 2 bedrooms with attached baths and a kitchen with a chef that turned out lavish and delicious meals for us. Oh the joys of affordable off-season travel! After spending several hours driving around the very large Vembanad lake, a trip that took us to a little village where we bought fresh tiger prawns for our appetizer course at night.

After dinner we sat in our moonlit living room, listening to sounds that we never get to hear in the city and experiencing a rare sort of quiet. Waking up early in the morning we savoured in the fresh air and as we sat by and watched little kayak like boats go by, we wished that life could be as undemanding as it had been the past week.

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Food

Karimeen Pollichadhu

by Ratan Sethi

by Shweta Menon and Sunnaeya Kapur

AAAACHOOOOOOO.....snif snif ....AAAAACHOOOOO Sun- God Shwetsie get a hold of yourself, go and see a doctor... too much noise pollution Shwetsie- (swollen nose and eyes watering) some friend you are...I’m sick and your making fun of me...

4 Portions S. NO. ITEM Qty. 1.

Pearl spot fish or any fish 800 gm 2.

Tomatoes chopped 2 cups 3.

Turmeric powder A pinch 4.

Salt taste 5.

Coconut oil 50 ml 6.

Shallots sliced 1 cup 7.

Ginger juliennes 20 gm 8.

Garlic 20 gm 9.

Green chilly 4 nos 10.

Curry leaves 2 sprig 11.

Mustard seeds 5 gm 12.

Coriander powder 10 gm 13.

Chilly powder 20 gm 14.

Turmeric powder 2 gm 15.

Pepper powder 3 gm 16.

Coconut milk 1 cup 17.

Kokum 5 nos 18.

Banana leaves 4 nos

Methods

IPE

REC

1. Clean the fish and make gashes on both sides.

2. Apply salt, pepper powder and turmeric on the fish. Shallow fry and keep aside.

3. Heat coconut oil and crackle mustard seeds.

Sauté shallots, ginger, garlic, green chilly and the curry leaves. Into this add the Indian Masala and then add chopped tomatoes stir till the oil leaves the masala. Now add the shal low fried fish to this thick gravy and mix in some soaked Kokum water and coconut milk coconut milk. Cover this and let the fish cook in it till the gravy becomes semi dry and the fish is cooked.

4. Wrap each fish individually in wilted banana leaf. Griddle this parcel both sides on a tawa.

5. Serve hot with lime wedge.

This recipe was part of the Travel to Kerela

Sun - Atleast you are distracted ...you know you should take in more of a Vitamin C rich diet. It will help boost your immune system my delicate darling , and in addition to fighting off the common cold can help treat gum disease, acne, bronchitis, stomach ulcers and even bladder and prostate infections.

Shwetsie- Really??? why don’t you remove your professor hat and make me something interesting for a change ...I feel like eating something chatpata and fast food types...

Sun - HMMMMM...I am going to make an Amla (gooseberry) chutney which you can spread over ur favourite crunchy khakra ....what say....avla is a very rich source of vitamin C Shwetsie - Avla???? yukkkkk....whatever, this is what happens when you don’t dawn the Chef’s coat . ....after 15 mins Sun- Soooooo will you stop chomp chomping on your snack and tell me how it is...

Shwetsie - (sheepishly) you do SOMETIMES make good food...

What’s in it???

rry)

be oose G ( a Aml Chutney

Sun - (one eyebrow raised) I’m an excellent cook, just don’t want to put you out of business...anyways grind together roughly chopped avlas, some coriander leaves, green chilli, some roasted peanuts or roasted sesame seeds or you can put both, garlic (if you like), little sugar to balance the acidity from the avla....

Shwetsie - (suitably impressed) wow...one could also make an amla chutney for idili dosa, by adding some coconut, green chillis, a little ginger, garlic and avla, salt to taste....

Sun - Ohhh god, here we go again Mallu...the world does not revolve around idili dosa ....

Shwetsie - AAAAACHOOOOOO..... .....and the drama continues

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Simple tips for feeling and looking your best - inside and out (BPT) - Feeling good about yourself goes beyond having a great hair day, the right outfit or the latest handbag - it’s something that starts on the inside. When you learn to live a healthier lifestyle, you can begin to reap the benefits of more energy, improved vitality and elevated spirits. Follow these simple and realistic steps to feel your best and increase your overall well-being.

BRIGHT IDEAS FOR YOUR DIET A nutritious, balanced diet helps keep your skin glowing and your body looking its best. When making food choices, the richer the colors, the better. Go for dark leafy green veggies like kale, collard greens and spinach, orange sweet potatoes, purple eggplant, yellow squash and tomatoes of all hues. The same goes for fruits. Look to the citrus family for bright yellows, greens and oranges. For purples and blues, berries of all kinds fit the bill.

Red can be found in the classic apple-aday.

Having the right tools will make your new vitality focus even easier. Consider kitchen items such as a spiralizer for making quick and easy veggie “noodles” for pasta dishes, stir-fries and salads, and 32

COUNT THOSE STEPS use a food steamer to cook foods without having to add oil. Invest in a quality blender, as it offers a convenient and tasty way to consume several servings of fruits and vegetables at once. The new Vitamix S30 - a high-performance personal blender with unmatched power and versatility - is compact, portable and perfect for people on the go. The S30 easily creates healthy and delicious smoothies, soups, sauces, frozen desserts and nut butters.

Toss in whole fruits, vegetables, or a combination of both, for a simple, yet nutrient-packed breakfast smoothie when you’re heading out the door. Or, instead of eating lunch at your desk, blend up a healthy smoothie and bring it on a lunchtime walk.

Incorporating exercise into a daily routine is important for your well-being. Simply increasing the number of steps you take each day can help. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) recommends adults engage in 150 minutes of moderate activity per week, such as brisk walking. To meet the CDC’s recommendation, take at least 7,000 to 8,000 steps a day. Other easy ways to increase your steps include parking farther away from a store or work entrance, opting for the stairs instead of elevators and escalators, and taking a sunset stroll. Exercising in the evening can also help you unwind from the day’s stresses.

Fitness

Find your motivation for working out and beginning a more active lifestyle by joining the gym with a friend, colleague or family member. Or, invest in a personal trainer. If you have a reason to keep moving, the change is much easier.

CREATE A REST ROUTINE Getting enough shut-eye is vital to looking and feeling your best. Skipping out on your sleep can have serious physical and mental impact. For a more restful night, The National Sleep Foundation recommends going to bed at the same time each evening and rising at the same time each morning. Don’t eat or drink within an hour of trying to sleep and avoid electronic screens for 30 minutes before retiring for the evening. You might enjoy a light activity, such as reading a book, to help clear your mind. Ensure that you continue to make rest a priority, even as your schedule becomes busier. Ample, quality sleep will be the building block for more energy, better focus and even improved digestion throughout the day.

With a few simple adjustments to your daily routine, you can look forward to feeling your best. By consuming a healthful diet, staying active and making sure to get enough sleep, you’ll quickly start to feel and look like the optimum version of yourself. Take care of yourself on the inside and out, and enjoy life from a fresh perspective.

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34

Fitness www.shutterstock.com/ Monkik

35

FOLKA The New Fitness Dance Rage ‘FOLKA’- THE NEW FITNESS DANCE RAGE! India is a land of diverse cultures and traditions. Each region of the country has a unique culture, which is also prominently visible in its various art forms. Almost all the regions of the country have their specific folk music and dance, which proves to be a wonderful way of expression of their community and its traditions. These dances are not only the exclusive art of a particular community, but also an asset of India’s cultural heritage. In our related section, we have discussed the introduction of ‘FOLKA’; which is a combination of fitness with folk dances of India.

‘FOLKA’ was originated by Choreographer’s Twinkle Talwar & Vivek Dadhich, for their dedication towards love and respect for the country’s folk dance. Obsessed with fitness and dance the creators combined them all & dedicated the choreography influenced by the folk songs of India and dance forms inspired from Lord Shiva, Lord Ganesha & many more….

Folka is a global lifestyle brand that fuses fitness, entertainment and culture into an exhilarating dance-fitness sensation! Folka exercise classes are “fitness-parties “ that blend upbeat world rhythms with easy-to-follow choreography, for a total-body workout that feels like a celebration.

Twinkle Talwar (Founder FOLKA)

Benefits of Folka Dance

1. Improved Cardiovascular Health Research has found that one of the best ways to improve the condition of your cardiovascular system is by performing physical activity that stresses the heart and the best option in the world is Folka dancing.

2. Weight Loss Another great fitness benefit associated with Folka dancing is the burning of body fat and weight loss. This is one of the most common reasons that people choose to join group exercise classes such as Folka. For the average person, engaging in Folka dance workout for one hour will burn 1200 to 1500 calories.

3. Stress Reliever Folka dance routines are all about releasing your inhibitions and losing yourself in the movements.

Vivek Dadhich (Vicky) (Founder FOLKA)

4. Improved Mood / Positive Self-Image Folka is an excellent option - it improves self-esteem, self-confidence, and self-image.

5. Improved Coordination Therefore, if you can improve (and maintain) your coordination as you age, you will be less likely to fall victim to these types of accidents.

6. Tones the Abdominals Many Folka dance moves aid in working on the core abdominal muscles – the girdle of muscles that gives the pelvis its strength and power. This means firmer abdominals and a lower risk of back pain.

7. Total Body Workout Regular sessions Folka dance have the ability to reshape and refresh all parts of the body, like the hips, the arms, the heart, and the mind.

8. Provides Benefits of Interval Training Folka incorporates the principles of interval training into every workout by using alternating fast and slow sequences to vary the intensity.

9. It’s Upbeat and Fun Learn new dance steps in an easy-to-follow, Fat Burn , Folk Fun!!

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Fitness

37

I

f Bollywood were to be a physical place like Hollywood, then Andheri West would definitely be the top contender. Not just the studios and Production Houses, this place has been home and still is to most of the celebrities in the Indian Film Industry. Pooja Chopra is one such known celebrity who resides in our Andheri West neighborhood. But that’s not really the reason why she is our Cover Story celebrity this month. Before she became an actor she had inspired a lot of women across the country when she won the Femina Miss India-World title in 2009. Her self-belief and candid nature, along with some of the hard-core Punjabi qualities (all good ones :)) makes her lovable off-screen as much as we have loved her on-screen in her debut Bollywood film Commando.

How Punjabi are you by nature?

Very Punjabi. I love food to begin with. I won’t say I am loud but definitely bubbly, chirpy and energetic… and jo hai mooh pe hai dil main kuch nahi hai. You know bada dil hota hai punjabyon ka. I am a lot like that. I haven’t lived in the north but I think the blood is Punjabi

Since you are there with your real friends right?

Yes exactly. Although I do have friends in Bombay too both from the industry and outside but they know Pooja Chopra miss world whereas my friends in pune know me how I was. I was such a brat. I can be myself.

Food being a main Punjabi trait, how does a Punjabi girl like u maintain her figure?

I binge on everything on Sundays… from Parathas to my sweet cravings. I will have ladoo and rasmalai n brownie and everything on a Sunday before 5. There’s no stopping me on Sunday. Other than that Punjabi food is quite healthy like my mum will not put ghee and oil she will make it in tamatar ka juice.

Were u into sports while growing up?

Not really. I was more of an indoor person. I was more into studies. I had a sister 7 years older than me who was a Hitler more than a sister. She would beat me black and blue if I did not fare well in my studies. But that made me participate in all extra curricular activities. On my sisters insistence I would participate at local

So if you were ever to be invited on a breakfast or lunch it has to be Sunday…

Even high tea with khakra or double choco-chip coockie and coffee with full cream milk. (chuckles) You are settled in Mumbai now?

Yes But you are basically a pune girl otherwise.

Yes most school n college has been in pune.

Do you prefer Pune or Mumbai?

For work Mumbai, otherwise Pune. I get lots of shoots in pune. I look forward to it and spend the extra night there. I love meeting my friends there. I think I survive and live in Bombay but I think I come to life in pune. I’ll be crazy mad.

Give us an example of a recent good film that you’ve watched.

Queen/Jab We Met/ Yeh Jawani Hai Diwani/Ashiqui 2. They are all different films. I really liked Queen/Love Aaj Kal.. films that are very today that I can relate to and that I would like to watch.

Are you a romantic by nature?

I don’t know as I’m not dating anybody so cant say.

And why is it that you are not seeing

There’s no stopping me on Sunday... from Parathas to sweet cravings...

Pune pageants and end up winning. And somewhere deep down I started liking it.

And then eventually miss India happened.

Any close people you have in in the industry here?

Quite a few to name. If I don’t name somebody the others will get angry. I’ll tell you what… I have a set of friends to chill out while the others to take work related advice from. Amit Sadh/ Tiger/ Ayushmann are the people I’ll chill with.

Little bit on professional front.

What is it that you are looking at to shape your career?

I wish it was easy to gauge or predict but

What crazy things you would do in pune?

Go for drives to lonavala, stick my head out of friends cars sunroof, eat maggi at 1pm. I wont do these things in Bombay.

If I’m not working then by 9.30-10 my phone is off and I’m in bed and will be up by 7 in the morning. In Pune I will be up till 2am.

Photo by: martinprihoda.com 38

things don’t move that way. You can’t follow anybody’s career graph. All I want to do is be a part of good films. Not want to be a part of films I wouldn’t go and watch in a theatre.

anyone?

Nobody has struck that cord yet.

What do you think that you really possessed that got you all these laurel’s like winning all these beauty pageants?

Immense self-belief. I would not say beauty, as beauty is very subjective. Confidence and self-belief.

Entertainment

Pooja

CHOPRA

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What do you think about the show Bigg boss?

I don’t watch. No opinion about the show. It’s tough. I did get a few calls from them but I said no.

What excites you about actingbeing dolled up and the glamour quotient or the creative aspects?

I don’t put any make up. Only Vaseline and a moisturizer. Making a character, adding life to a character is what excites me.

Your upcoming projects..

Zindagi Ek Pal. Another film with a new director where I’m playing a fun jovial Indian girl.

Favorite food Punjabi Favorite word Eshhhh...

Fav cuss word WTF Facebook or twitter Twitter All time favorite person Mommy Person you hate the most Not a very hateful person Fav food joint in Andheri West Jam Jar and Indigo Choice of local Cinema Have a projector at home

or then Cinemax

None in a saree clad role?

No not right now.

What’s happening on your personal front?

My AC (Ari-conditioner) is not working.

(That’s the funniest answer to this question ever) What’s happening on your spiritual front?

I look up in the sky and talk to God. Thank him fight with him. Argue with him ask him questions and all of that.

He’s my confidante and go to person.

You may be travelling global but you are always live local.. What does that mean to you?

Ya that’s true. I could be travelling the world but I crave Indian food. Local Food and local people.

We started our little chit-chat with your inherent Punjabi nature.. What better way to wind this up… Is it important your partner should also be Punjabi by nature?

I’d like the person be a good human being than anything else. And my mom calls the shots.

There you go folks… Food, Mommy, Punjabi by Nature, Bubbly, Chatty, Self-confident and most importantly a perfectly normal girl rooted to her values.

Photo by: martinprihoda.com 40

MF I

was going to attend my first film festival. I was super Psyched (meaning Excited)! Being an avid movie viewer, the chance to watch the best of Regional – Hindi – World Cinema, 7 days, at PVR and Cinemax Andheri(W), for a very nominal registration fee (rs. 500/- only) was a treat. “Jagran Film Festival” (jff).

Geographically, the largest film festival in India, which is a Travelling festival. This 5th edition of “jff” started in Delhi in july and culminates in Mumbai on Sep. 28.

Covering 16 cities in 9 States. The registrations for “jff” were handled by ‘bookmyshow.com’. Everyone was allowed up to 4 tickets a day. All information regarding the screenings and events were given on the website, enabling customers

Entertainment

Y IRST ILM FESTIVAL

by Siddharth Sodhi to make an informed choice. It took me 5 minutes to book shows for all 7 days. “jff” had taken steps to ensure a smooth ride for it’s cinema loving patrons.

The First World War started in 1914. A hundred years have passed ! Completely slipped my mind, and perhaps an entire generation’s. Hence, I felt it made complete sense to select the Austrian, ‘Anti-War Drama’, “The Woods are still Green” as the opening film. A story set during the First World War, about a soldier having to suffer the madness of a hellish war in all it’s human atrocities.

This festival showcased an exciting line up of films in diverse genres, under several sections : Cinematic tribute on

5th Jagran Film Festival

The 5th Jagran Film Festival concluded in Mumbai on 28th September, 2014 at PVR Cinemas, Andheri and Cinemax, Versova .

The festival started in Delhi, and travelled through Kanpur, Lucknow, Allahabad, Varanasi, Hissar, Ludhiana, Meerut, Dehradun, Patna, Ranchi, Jamshedpur, Raipur, Indore, and Bhopal, and will now culminate in Mumbai.

Actor Irrfan Khan (at the opening of “jff’). “..at a certain time a person Needs, the exposure ! When I was in Jaipur..we did not get to see such films..there was a place which showed ‘Government Documentaries’. So we used to see that then!

These guys (jff) are going into small small cities. It’s Fantastic.”

41

the 100th anniversary of the first world war, Cinema of the Uprising, International Competition, Indian Showcase and Country Focus. The Focus Country this year being Cyprus.

I got the opportunity to speak with the people behind the scenes. Mr. Manoj Srivastava: Strategic Consultant. Jagran film festival. Here’s a little insight from theie end: “The other festivals are rooted in major cities.They’re unable to reach out to the masses in India. Places such as RanchiRaipur- Patna.. where the world ‘Film Festival’ was not even heard off.

Films like “Manjunath” were not reaching out to the people.

There is a film called “Q”. Made in Rs. 10 Lakh.”jff” picked up the film. After it’s screening it got picked up for the “San Sebastian” and the “Rotterdam” film festivals. So “jff” recognizes talent and content in india- takes it to international level and also takes international level to our local level. We’re connecting both ways.

Mr. Vinod Srivastava: GM – Strategy and Brand Development. Jagran Prakshan Ltd. “Initially the festival response was slow.

But now people wait for this festival.

Shows are running housefull..be it Spanish or French cinema.

We change the content as per local requirement. We do not have the same schedule for all cities.we make content local. This is a uniqueness of the festival.

In the future, we’re also planning a Literature, Theatre festival..”

What I found quite unique about “jff” is that it did not just showcase and exhibit cinema. No. “jff” puts great emphasis to impart information and training in technical areas, to the people who are working in the field of cinema. As an Actor, hearing people like Manoj Bajpayee, Dibakar Banerjee, Atul Mongia, Hansal Mehta, Shoojit Sircar, Sanjay Gadhvi, Anubhav Sinha speak..presented me with several “Dimaag ki batti jalna” moments.

I was able to see things from a 360 degree point of view. An opportunity to interact with the doyen, Mr. Rajkumar Santoshi.

A chance to take a selfie with ‘The’ Irrfan Khan. A pic. Which was viewed over a 1000 times on Facebook which made my day ! After hearing Manoj Bajpayee Sir talk about his journey and process, it made me realize how so very little I am doing to hone my actings skills.

There were several other sessions- mas42

ter classes –coffee table discussions- a workshop on cinematography by Arri..etc. In a few workshops such as the one on “Casting : What do the Directors look for ?”, a few enthusiastic participants asked the Panel questions, that nobody understood…

Overall the festival provided a relaxed environment for cinema lovers to come – interact – learn – just enjoy themselves ! I am very much looking forward to “jff” next year..

Neck Of TheWoods Events Festivals Parties Activities

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Digital v/s Film Film-Making Seminar Event Date: 18-Oct-2014 Time: 2.30 pm – 7.30 pm Venue: MAAC, Andheri West Contact: Kritav: 09167112555 Rajesh: 09167717333

DN Nagar Oshiwara Versova Amboli

The Bar Carnival // 1st Year Anniversary Date: Thu Oct 09 to Sun Oct 12 Timings: 06:00 pm 01:00 am Venue: BOVEDA, Near Infinity Mall “Build your Confidence” series part 2 Date: Sat Oct 11 Timings: 02:00 pm Venue: Country Club, Andheri (W) Contact: 09930817992 Certificate in Sound & Frequency Healing Date: Sat- Sun,18th 19th Sept. 2014 Timings: 9 AM to 6 PM Venue: THE CLUB, Andheri (W) Contact No: 09920995455, 07738470003

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Why Do Entrepreneurs Miss The Bus? Date: Mon Oct 06 2014 Timings: 05:30 pm - 09:00 pm Venue: The Club, Andheri (W)

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Desi Couture Exclusive Wedding & Lifestyle Exhibition Event Date: Mon Oct 06 2014 Venue: The Club, Andheri.

Indian Folk Dance- Marathi @ Ensemble Dance Studios Age Group: 4 and above Event Date: Mon Oct 06 2014 Timings: 04:00 pm - 05:00 pm Venue: Ensemble Dance Studios, CitiMall Contact No: 9867982075

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RTO Office 111 D, Ambivali Village, Opposite Manish Nagar, Versova, Four Bunglows 26323315 26362252 24 Hrs Ambulance Service SRCT Ambulance 45204640 Love parents 45110142 KGN Ambulance 49171839 Pet Ambulance Service Save Our Strays 9820141310 Shree Ram Anugraha Trust 9619933223 Associations Punjabi 9324119795/ 9324220053/ 9833852467 Sindhi 9820625712 Lokhandwala Residents 9822254387 Lokhandwala Federation 9867764555 Vyapari Mandal 9322233191 Entertainment Industry The Film Writers Association 26733108 26733027 Indian Film & Television Directors Association 26733197 65164283 Cine Artist Welfare Trust 26730511 26730512 Wimptsea (Sound Association) 26744421 Clubs Andheri Sports Complex 26744266 26744989 Country Club 61638251 Celebration Sports Club 26367269 26332244 Renaissance Federation 26255579 The Classique Club 66955550

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Community

In Your

You are Stronger than you THINK

The Lokhandwala Running Club

or LRC as it’s more popularly known is a success story of its own. Not just because of its achievements but because of the family it has become to more than a dozen souls. The LRC core committee is a strong standing of 16 personalities who live and stick by LRC’s motto of “Run for your Life”. We at LRC believe in doing things the fun way while staying true to our motto and carrying forth our Captain’s dream of reaching out to more and more people to jump onto the bandwagon of fitness with charity as a way of living. We affirm that if you want to run fast run alone but if you want to run far then run together. Each event and each run brings so much energy that words cannot describe it.

Come and experience it! We transform non-runners into runners by becoming fit not just in body but in mind and heart as well. LRC is synonymous with the phrase “Do good. Feel good.”

The sheer happenstance of a conceptualisation has led to LRC becoming a trendsetter as far as running clubs go. The initial idea of our club was to run and create awareness about fitness but a very crucial aspect without which LRC wouldn’t be LRC is the charitable causes that it strives to head every now and then. LRC has a Facebook following of close to 1000 people in just a year and is still going strong since its inception on September 7th 2013.

Every success story has a pillar of strength and a path-breaking visionary backing it. LRC is no different. A chubby and obese young lad weighing 120kgs at 5ft 10” with an insatiable appetite and no inclination to workout sat in his home eyeing the chocolates in the fridge while his parents wondered if he would ever take his health seriously. As destiny would have it, this young lad became a man who crossed over the threshold from the ordinary into the extraordinary. He has grown to become a disciplined athlete and an unwavering Samaritan. From shedding 35 kilos by working out the Milkha way dragging a huge tyre behind him to running marathons constantly challenging his own limits, he has come a long way over the last 4 years. Till date, he has burnt the roads running 16 half marathons and 2 full marathons at various locations in less than a year. He is a powerhouse of dedication, stamina, endurance, strength and perseverance.

This probably sounds like an excerpt straight out of celluloid but it is all fact right down to the quintessential that LRC was indeed the brainchild of such a remarkable individual - Captain Mr. Darshan Divakaran.

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VISIT TO BAL BHAVAN

In a rare initiative never before taken up by any other running club, a team of 30 people visited Bal Bhavan, a girls home run by the Helpers of Mary foundation. Items of daily need and snacks were distributed among the 150 inmates there. It was an overwhelming experience for all of us – the feeling of giving and receiving at the same time was unbelievable. Since then every quarter LRC organises charity events and helps out any institution in and around the city.

On 31st May 2014, LRC organised a “NO TV DAY RUN” along with Hindustan Times, Running & Living and Dumbbelled.

So if you are looking for a way to be fit – in mind and body, come and run with us! Being a part of this superlative set of people has been a blessing for me for sure. You never know what’s in store for you till you make a conscious decision to live each day with these thought provoking words by our beloved Captain “What’s the point of being alive if you don’t atleast try to do something remarkable.”

In the near future we are organising free seminars on running, fitness and how to tackle medical emergencies related to sports.

You can check out the past and current events on our Facebook page. Simply send a request to join the LRC page at https:// www.facebook.com/groups/Lokhandwalarunners/ You can also contact Irfan Mohamad and Sanjana Chandni on Sundays at 6am, LRC base at Lokhandwala Joggers Park.

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Community

JIVAN ASHA, an old age home

Around March 2014, LRC sponsored bags, books, water bottles etc for about 40 kids studying at a street kids’ school on Veera Desai Road.

Recently on 7th September 2014, on account of our club’s first anniversary, LRC donated snacks, ration and items of daily use to Jivan Asha, an old age home. There couldn’t have been a more fitting way to celebrate for us! Being a part of this club has not only made us fitter but made us better human beings as well and revolutionized our lives. Whosoever wishes to be a part of this benevolent deed can come forth and give their support in any which way deemed fit. Neither is there any compulsion nor is there any demand made from the members to contribute. Everything is purely on free will. Infact there are even non-members who read up and know about LRC and they come forward to lend a helping hand!

www.shutterstock.com/ In Green

Bide your Time A man who was a loving gardener spent a great deal of time tending the flowers and plants and his gratification was in seeing them bloom. One day he saw a butterfly laying a few eggs in one of the pots in his garden. Since that day he looked at the egg with ever growing curiosity and eagerness. The egg started to move and shake a little. He was excited to see a new life coming up right in front of his eyes. He spent hours watching the egg now. The egg started to expand and develop cracks. A tiny head and antennae peeped through ever so slowly. The man’s excitement knew no bounds. He got his magnifying glass and sat to watch the life and body of a pupa coming out. The gardener saw the struggle of the tender pupa and couldn’t resist the urge to HELP. He went and got a small forceps to hasten the breaking of the egg with a small nip here and a nip there. And Lo Behold!

The pupa was out and the man was ecstatic. He waited now each day for the pupa to grow and fly about as a beautiful butterfly. But alas that never happened. The larvae pupa had an oversized head and kept crawling along the pot for about four weeks and then finally perished. The 46

gardener was very disheartened; and so he went to a botanist friend of his to talk about this and find out the reason why the pupa hadn’t become a butterfly and flown, as he had wanted.

HIs friend explained to him that the struggle to break out of the egg helps the larvae to send blood to the wings and the head push helps the head to remain small so that the tender wings can support it through its four week life cycle. In his eagerness to help the gardener had actually hampered the growth and destroyed a beautiful life.

Struggles strengthen! Our efforts go a long way in developing our character &

by Meera

ability to meet the challenges in our lives.

As parents, we sometimes go too far in trying to help and protect our children from the realities and disappointments of life. We don’t want our kids to struggle like we did. Overprotected children are more likely to struggle in maintaining relationship and in facing challenges head-­on. We could be sending out a message to the children that they are not capable of helping themselves. We should let them grow at their own pace and build their inner and outer strength. We should instill the confidence in them to face the challenges in life and guide them as and when needed but not make them wholly dependent on us.

A fruit plucked prematurely will not ripen properly. Children who are forced to walk before they are physically ready to do so often develop bow shaped legs. Similarly, children who are pressurized to talk before they are ready often develop a stammer or stutter.

www.shutterstock.com/ Oksana Kuzmina

One of the biggest virtues parents and adults have to develop is the art of patience. We have to bide our time to ensure that the children blossom and bloom at the pace they are ready to. Pushing them, or cajoling and pressurizing

Education

them will get us nowhere. In fact it will only create further resistance and self-­consciousness in the child.

Parents approach us at The Little Company with this query very often. My child is not speaking what should I do? She is not forming full sentences, what should I do? My child is still crawling and standing up but not walking or running, is that a problem? As they grow children will achieve their milestones though some may do it quicker and others may take their own time doing so. There have been instances wherein children have started walking very early and not spent much time crawling that is because they are ready to do so. Often children who have spoken in monosyllables will, when ready, start speaking in sentences and it’s such a wonder to hear them articulating with such ease, When we focus too much on any one issue on the child we are only making them more aware of it and this could lead to having a negative or discouraging effect on the child.

So as with most things in life, whether it’s the blooming of a flower or the marinating or slow fire cooking of a delicious dish, we need to bide our time patiently and see our children bloom, grow and progress at their pace without rushing them and without instilling an uncalled for sense of urgency in them. www.shutterstock.com/ Oksana Kuzmina

As Dr. Wendy Mogel, a clinical psychologist said “It is our job to prepare our children for the road and not prepare the road for our children”.

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PLAYSCHOOL WHERE YOU LEARN TO PLAY… AND PLAY TO LEARN. www.shutterstock.com/ Rawpixel

“Only where children gather is there any real chance of fun.” - Mignon McLaughlin Every mother whose child is about to be 1.5 years old has a big question on her mind- Should I put my child in a play group or it’s of no use? Well, here are some eye openers for such parents. We’d like to bring to light the answer to your important questions about how does a play school benefit your child and how can it define a major role in making your Childs basic foundation strong.

ing a lunchbox, folding a napkin and putting everything back after the meal is over and so on. Every parent will vouch for it that by the standards of toddler behavior this is a great achievement. Children are not born with these skills and they have to develop them. This is where the play school steps in to help the parents out.

Another advantage is that a child’s language skills develop faster as they interact with children of their own age or a little older.

Most parents give their children plenty of attention in terms of looking after their basic needs and showering them with toys to entertain them. In play schools, however, children are provided with the ‘right’ toys, i.e. those suitable and appropriate for their development at this tender age.

Also, it is important to make this a learning experience for the child for which the play is. The ideas is that children should transfer play behaviors such as feeding a doll, changing its clothes, etc. to themselves, and thus develop self-help skills. The thinking is that if a child can go through the motions of feeding a doll, it will soon learn to feed itself.

Play schools play an important role in preparing the children for their entry into formal school. The first day of school can be quite a traumatic experience for a child. Suddenly, he or she is thrust into a strange world from the warm cocoon of is home. At the age of three or four when the child goes to school for the first time, a lot is expected of him. Bawling children clinging to their parents on the first day of school is a common sight. Play school helps minimize the separation anxiety. We feel that play schools prepare a child to face the world by making them self-confident and independent. The child steps out of a playschool with better interpersonal skills and vocabulary.

Play schools also teach children to recognize their own possessions. Soon a child will learn to identify his schoolbag, learn the mealtime routine that involves open-

Children are not the only ones who benefit from play schools. A play school provides the parents with an external support system in terms of enhancing their

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child’s developmental skills. In addition, parents get an opportunity to interact with other parents and keep in touch with different approaches to parenting. Parents get a chance to observe other children thereby having a point of reference for judging their own child’s behavior. If a Parent is facing any problem with their child at home, they have access to trained supervisors. Simply put, play schools widen parenting horizons.

A play school curriculum provides variety and excitement every single day. The child benefits by learning a new habit and takes it back home as part of his or her quality growing experience.

Board of Directors Kaleidokids Kaleido EduVentures LLP

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PATIENCE In this whirlpool of life one thing that pulls you in is keeping abreast with the pace. One is so wound up with the constant hurry that your thought process becomes externally very impulsive. The rush in life is reckless and insensitive with most decisions and reactions stemming from the stressed conscious mind or the ego. Emotions and relationships are as simple as the microwave or mobile phone- instant food; instant coffee is similar to instant love, instant break up.

The advent towards making life simple has actually made living complicated. We have more of everything only to make us feel insufficient. The one spice lacking in the curry of life is patience.

By virtue of its ‘simplicity’ impatience is considered to be an age related issue and is expected to ease out with maturity.

But that seldom happens. Once reckless, always intolerant. The only difference being that earlier you drive your car in a tizzy but gradually that uncontrolled habit makes you lead your life hopelessly.

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by Saloni Bhardwaj

We want everything now, not realizing weather now is the moment of its germination or not. We desire it when we think of it; the mind plays dirty games leading you to a whimsical stage of frenzy. The sun shines when it has to, the flower blooms in the season; the mother delivers at a particular time. You cannot struggle against these cycles of nature. They have been planned this way. The time between a sunrise and sunset is beautifully utilized as ‘a productive day’. This is how your life functions.

Between stages of change to the other there is a prescribed time. All you can do is to wait with patience and utilize that time to its most productive second.

Situations like marriage, promotion or a change etc. will come to you when they have to your struggling against the moment will do no justice to the moment or your situation. Respecting the nature’s pattern planned for you and patiently accepting what is predefined is wisdom. Growth comes with time and that time is destined and is well spaced because when you grow

one step you are expected to be in that stage for a while so that you learn the lessons (and their executions) of that particular situation well and then graduate to the other. The interim period between two cycles should be utilized productively for personal evolutionary advantage and not for running behind astrologers to ask about the ‘right time’.

‘Be patient and have faith’ are not just words but have a depth. Be patient and calm down; your apt time for a change will come, is around the corner, have faith because there is nothing that is an incorrect situation, its how u take it; it’s a feeling in which you put an emotion to; a difficult situation will help you grow.

The way you deal with that situation determines weather you have learnt your lesson of life well or not & weather you have evolved from that condition of life or not. The degree of patience shows weather you just talk of maturity or you genuinely walk the talk.

(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.)

The year ahead for Libra (September 23rd-October22nd): Happy Birthday! From every place that has been a struggle up until now, you are emerging slowly and surely towards much wisdom and stability. Let go of the past, if you can. If not, try to transmute your memories into enhancement of your present behaviour. Results and outcomes will now become certain and materially satisfying. If you have learnt the power of proper gestation, your future is ready to impress even you! The pace of your life may slow down this year, and that would be a good thing. It should feel like relief, especially after your past experiences, so enjoy to the hilt!

ARIES(March 21st-April 20th) October is driven with high energy for you. However, you will feel something missing. Do not let it worry you. Try to grab enjoyment wherever you can. Look after your health.

LIBRA (September 23rd-October 22nd) There is a possibility of new endeavours, so if you want to start, make sure you are ready, complete with a background check on everything.

There is no need to hold back, and you will be taught patience and pacing along the way. Do not stress!

TAURUS (April 21st-May 20th) Though you may not want to be too active, October is good for you. It is possible for you to stay calm where others are not. Do not bother with what does not concern you. Health will be good.

SCORPIO (October 23rd-November 22nd) Intense energies will excite you, and you will need to have a strong foundation to express them. Work on the foundation first, and things will be good. Take care to not fritter away energy on meaningless engagements. Look after your health.

GEMINI (May 21st-June 20th) Make sure you know the difference between thinking and feeling, this month; it is important. Your feelings can tell you whether you are at the right place or not. Thinking is not helpful, now.

Health will be fair.

SAGITTARIUS (November 23rd-December 21st) While October may seem a good month for you, understanding emotions as well as you understand all the brainy stuff may not be up to the mark. You may rectify this right away, and get on top of your game again. Watch out for congestions and coughs.

CANCER (June 21st-July 21st) External situations may make you feel uncomfortable but your ability to handle them will be exemplary, making you a winner at the end of the month. Health will respond well to care.

CAPRICORN (December 22nd–January 19th) Your patience and understanding of what is needed at the correct time will help you deal way better than most people with this month’s energies. Make sure you remember what is going on, as a lesson for the future. If you repress emotions, your health will suffer.

LEO (July 22nd-August 22nd) This month is of mixed messages for you. Though you will be sure of your capacity to handle everything, it might get difficult to grasp a slippery handle! For you, the best idea is a tried and tested path. Health is fair.

AQUARIUS (January 20th–February 18th) October will not be a good month for you.

Having said that, just knowing this can help you relax and notch down any expectation, and eventually, have a good enough time. Be kind to people in trouble around you, and you will earn yourself good health.

VIRGO (August 23rd-September 22nd) October is good if you keep your temper controlled and make constructive use of feedback. If not, the loss is higher than warranted, so be alert.

The danger lies in overconfidence.

Look after yourself well.

PISCES (February 19th-March 20th): At a soul-level, you understand much, but do not try to communicate what you know to others who are struggling. Everything happens at the right place and time. Focus on interpreting your learning as lessons for the future. Stay grounded and look after yourself.

Have an awesome October! - Mohini (MOHINI is a professional Tarot Card reader. She can be reached by e-mail at mohini.tarot@yahoo.com) 53

Spiritual

HOROSCOPE (OCTOBER)

DIWALI - OCTOBER 23rd

YES I AM IN LOVE

by Divya Panday Yes I am in Love and I can proudly say it and it’s a wonderful feeling, so beautiful & pure. I have found the one on whom I can trust blindly. I have found the one who is always there for me, who always listens to what I am saying, see what I am doing, reminds me of important dates, things and almost about everything. www.shutterstock.com/ DK.samco

The Diwali or Deepavali festival marks the victory of good over evil. The Sanskrit word “Deepavali” means “an array of lights” and signifies the victory of brightness over darkness.

DID YOU KNOW?

• In 1999, marked with a “tilak” on his forehead, Pope John Paul II performed a special Eucharist in an Indian church at an altar decorated with Diwali lamps. His speech referred to the Festival of Light.

• The U.S. Senate’s Senate Resolution 299, recognizing the “religious and historical significance of the festival of Diwali”, was passed unanimously on November 14, 2007.

• The legend behind gambling on Diwali is that Goddess Parvati played dice with her husband Lord Shiva and declared that whoever gambles on Diwali night would prosper throughout the coming year.

Here is some background knowledge of why Diwali is celebrated: o In North India, people celebrate the return of Rama to Ayodhya after defeating Ravana and Rama’s coronation as king.

o In Bengal, Kali, Goddess of Time is hon ored.

www.shutterstock.com/ Mazzzur

o In Gujarat, people honor Lakshmi, the goddess of wealth. It is believed that Lakshmi the benevolent goddess will bring prosperity in the coming year if she visits the home, and the lamps are a means for attracting her to the home.

He never fights with me, never argues with me, gives me the things I want from Him and if He cannot afford it at that time, then He tells me to patiently wait for it and then the gift He gives me becomes the best gifts of my life. All the beautiful songs that exists in this world, I feel He is singing for me and He means every word of it.

My favorite one is “Mahi Ve” from Highway. If I ask any question to Him, He does not answer it immediately but sooner or later He gives me the answers of all my questions. He is the best thing that has happened to me.

The funniest part is He was always in front of me, with me, but I never ever noticed Him. I feel bad at times because I took His caring attitude towards me so casually. I was so busy that I even could not take out time for Him. I was really selfish. Actually most of the people are like me only, well not that I like to be compared with anyone but like me there are people who are busier doing things which are not really required.

Now that I have found Him, I feel secure. I feel on top of the world and He does so many things for me in a day that there is no scope of being sad.

The only thing that I regret is why I didn’t value His respect, care and love towards me before. It is so much of fun and I have started enjoying and cherishing each and every moment of my life. I do not care about the people anymore because He is always on my mind and in my heart. I see my life with Him, I see my dreams coming true with Him, I see my journey of Life with Him and I know He will love me even when I am gone. I Love You. I love you God...and I will continue to love you always, every second, minute, hour and day.

Yes, I am in Love and it’s a beautiful feeling...it’s a wonderful feeling being with you God...

CONTRIBUTE Do you like to write? How about clicking photos? As part of the Andheri west community we would love for you to share them in your very own Living Local 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 community. Send in your entries: articles@livinglocalmag.com 54

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