"Indian-Times"

facebook.com/indiantimes1  Call us on 13000 22225 FREE Monthly Magazine Twitter @indiantimes1

time discovers truth

June 2014

Ramadan Mubaarak

P11A

Humshakals

Tamannaah returns after a year with Humshakals

INDIAN TIMES

Mobile: 0433 676 636 www.indian-times.com.au E-mail: editor@indian-times.com.au Postal Address: P.O. Box 9251, South Yarra, VIC 3141 New Fax: (03) 9077 5076

INDIAN TIMES

CONTENTS

Indian times

4a

4A

indiantimes

5a ne

ws Who will keep th e tricolor... ws Skill, Scale, Spe 11a ne ed: PM Mo ws Tam di... a n n a ah returns 14a ne after a yea ws Succ r... e s s, High sa 17a N la ry put...

EWS 80% Indians ha ve skewed 18a T lipid...

ECHNOLO G Y R esearcg 21a discove televIsio rs how. .. n Amitab h Bachcha 22a Food & W n micro-... ine Corn Palak...

23a Tr avel CHAMBA.. .

SIDE A

4b

SIDE B

r... gears up fo i h s k a n o 8b OD S . .. ” BOLLYWO in a K Vill ... b VIEW “E E R P legal notice 9 IE s d V n e s MO ra p Cho Priyanka ’s... 10b D O O W Y Bollywood : h BOLL g in S r e nve 14b OD Ra O W Y L L UGLY’...

O ‘F B W IE V MUSIC RE D O O W ather... 18b Y L L godf BO n tur Salman lay... 19b Dhoni to p Bollywood e c r fo y a ts m y... 20b Contrac e in Hocke g n Sports e ll a h c e spin 22b ...

India fac s t por S eases with r c in k is r r e Why Canc health

June 2014

INDIAN TIMES

9a ne

Melbourne Office

Indian Times

Postal add: P.O. Box 9251, South Yarra VIC 3141 Phone: 13000 22225 Mobile: 0433 676 636 (Formal Melbourne City Newspaper weekly and Computer Traders Newspaper weekly).

Chief Editor: Paul McLane Email: editor@indian-times.com.au Sales & Accounts: Pummi Mobile: 0433 676 635 Email: accounts@indian-times.com.au Management: info@indian-times.com.au Head Designer: Raj Email: design@indian-times.com.au Web/Graphic Designer: Raj Email: web@indian-times.com.au

Send Art work:

Email: ad@indian-times.com.au Indian Times welcomes Community Notice & free write up, feedback including information about errors and suggestions to: mail@indian-times.

com.au

Disclaimer: Indian Times and web indian-times.com.au due care in the preparation of the publication but is not responsible or liable for any mistake, omissions or misprints. Indian Times prints advertisements provided to the publisher, but gives no warranty and makes no representation as to the truth or accuracy of any description and accepts no liability for any loss suffered by any person who relies on any statement contained herein. Indian Times reserves the right to refuse, abbreviate or delete any advertisement at any time. Advertisements are responsible for advertising copy by virtue of the Trades Practices Act and advertisements are published in good faith. All logos and trademarks are the property of their respective owners. Images are for illustrative purposes only.

Photo source: PTI

Rupee up 5 paise on fag-end dollar selling

S

napping a four-day losing trend, the rupee today recovered by 5 paise to close at 59.33 against the US currency on fag-end dollar selling by banks and exporters on hopes of good foreign capital inflows into equities.

At the Interbank Foreign Exchange (Forex) market, the local currency resumed lower at 59.40

June 2014 Edition

as against the last closing level of 59.38 and dropped further to 59.48 a dollar.

However, it recovered later to 59.20 per dollar on fag-end selling of dollars by banks and exporters before settling at 59.33 -- a gain of five paise or 0.08 per cent. It hovered in a range of 59.20-59.48 during the day. Rupee had lost by 45 paise, or 0.76

per cent, in the last four days.

Pramit Brahmbhatt, Veracity Group CEO: “Dollar demand from importers forced rupee to trade low initially. However, it recovered at the end. Investors are being watchful ahead of US job data due later today,” Veracity Group CEO Pramit Brahmbhatt said.

The dollar index, consisting of

six major global units, was up by 0.05 per cent.

In London, the dollar was bobbing near a 3-1/2 month high and shares dipped for a second day today, as the recent jump in US borrowing costs weighed on markets before what is set to be an action-packed ECB meeting.

However, in New York market, the dollar inched down against

major rivals yesterday as investors looked ahead to a European Central Bank meeting that is likely to bring additional easing, which could support the case for dollar strengthening in the longer run.

Meanwhile, the BSE benchmark Sensex moved down by 52.76 points, or 0.21 per cent, to 24,805.83.

www.indian-times.com.au

News

indiantimes

5a

W

ithin just about three months after the national capital got its highest flagpole installed at the Central Park in Delhi, disagreement has now surfaced over who will bear the maintenance cost, running into lakhs of rupees, to keep the tricolour flying.

The tricolour, which is 90 feet wide and 60 feet long and flies atop a 207-foot flagpole at Connaught Place, was put up jointly by Naveen Jindal’s Flag Foundation of India (FFI) and the New Delhi Municipal Council (NDMC) in March.

According to the FFI, which is at present bearing the maintenance cost, the organisation was responsible till the flag was hoisted, since then all expenses were to be borne by the agency on whose land it was installed in this case, NDMC. “According to the practice, once we gift the tricolour to a particular agency or individual, then it is their responsibility to take care of the expenditure. We have put up 56 such flags across the country, and the organisation on whose land a flag has been hoisted bears the expense,” said a senior FFI official.

While the FFI maintains that it is the civic agency’s responsibility, NDMC officials claim the decision that the Flag Foundation will take care of all the expenses was taken before the flag was put up.

“It was pre-decided that FFI will bear the expenditure.

We had told them before installing the flag that NDMC will not take care of any expense other than lights (installed to illuminate the tricolour),” a senior NDMC official said.

The NDMC is only bearing the expenditure of the halogen lights installed to illuminate the flag during night, while other maintenance costs are now being borne by the FFI. According to the FFI, the expenses include Rs. 52,000 per month for three guards who man the structure round-the-clock, Rs. 8,000-10,000 for one-time repair of the flag as and when required, Rs. 64,000 for a new flag, the cost of CCTV cameras installed around it, and other miscellaneous expenses.

The FFI has written a letter to NDMC to bear the rest of the expenditure. According to FFI officials, the civic agency has been “non-committal” in its response and has instead asked the FFI to bear the expenses.

“The flag got damaged many a times. Sometimes it is reparable, sometimes we have to replace it. A single flag costs Rs. 64,000. Also, initially there were cases when people used to mount the pole and write something. We had to paint it,” the FFI official said.

Thereafter, the FFI has

Photo source: PTI

Who will keep the tricolour flying in Delhi’s Connaught Place?

constructed a four-foot-high steel enclosure and the entry is restricted beyond it. According to the official, the construction cost of the enclosure came around Rs. 4 lakh.

The FFI official said that this is the first time it is facing such a problem with a government agency.

“For example, the Jaipur Development Authority bears the maintenance costs as the flag stands on their land. Same is the

case with other agencies across the country who have requested us to put up the structure,” the official said.

“In the national interest and as a goodwill gesture, the FFI continues to bear the expenses. Though we are awaiting a positive response from NDMC,” he said.

The FFI has also revamped the area around the structure.

It has put up several write-ups on national symbols with their pictures

such as the Ganga, peacock and tiger.

“Within the Central Park, there should be a Tiranga Park...” the official said, adding that they had received several requests to keep the park open beyond 9pm.

The future plans of the organisation include making the area more lively and evoking a patriotic culture by allowing bands of paramilitary forces to perform on weekends.

If you’re injured in a transport accident, we’ll help you get back on track.

You probably know the TAC for our road safety campaigns, but perhaps you didn’t know that if you are ever unfortunate enough to be injured in a transport accident, we’re here to fund treatment and support services.

So please contact 1300 654 329 or tac.vic.gov.au.

We’re here to help.

TRANSPORT ACCIDENT COMMISSION

June 2014 Edition

www.indian-times.com.au

6a

News

T

he ascent of Hindi at Raisina Hill — which houses the Prime Minister’s Office and powerful ministries of defence, finance and external affairs — is one of the first perceptible signs of change promised by

Photo source: PTI

PM Narendra Modi brings Hindi back to Raisina Hill

Narendra Modi.

Be it the cabinet or Congress core group meetings, English was the dominant language in the UPA’s top echelons. But Modi — who can speak English — is more comfortable in Hindi, un-

apologetically so. And the impact is visible.

During his meeting with secretaries last week, he spoke only in Hindi. When deciding on a PMO appointment, sources said, the candidate’s fluency in Hindi is a

criterion to enable easy and direct communication.

In a break with tradition, the PM has also decided to speak in Hindi during bilateral meetings with foreign leaders and have interpreters translate it, emulating China and Russia.

Moreover, Modi communicates in Hindi with senior ministerial colleagues and party leaders, switching to Gujarati only when meeting leaders of the state.

The rise of Hindi has led to murmurs among bureaucrats, particularly those from south India, that this approach will put the non-Hindi speaking officials at a disadvantage.

But a minister, who did not want to be named, rejected this perception.

“It is a level-playing field. Top ministers are from north and west India and may prefer Hindi. But they can work well with leaders and officials from across the linguistic divide,” he said.

He added that the BJP wants to build on electoral gains in south and east India. “We will obviously not going to get trapped in the politics of language,” he said.

Purushottam Agarwal, a wellknown Hindi writer and a visiting professor at the Centre for the

indiantimes

Study of Developing Societies, says the use of Hindi is a sign of “rootedness” of this government.

As the “first true non-Congress PM” and a man with a massive mandate, Agarwal argues, Modi suffers “no complexes”.

Agarwal says that the usage of Hindi also has a political point for Modi, who positioned himself throughout the campaign as an outsider, a man of the masses against Delhi’s English-speaking elite. He also rejected the charge of lack of diversity, saying other languages were not being suppressed.

The development has sharpened the debate between advocates of non-Hindi languages, who complain about the bias for Hindi, and proponents of Hindi who believe English is given weight disproportionate to its reach.

Bureaucrats down south think the transformation from English to Hindi should be gradual since translators and interpreters can make governance difficult.

“After 10-20 years of service in a state like Kerala, when a bureaucrat reaches Delhi, he will find it difficult to grasp the written language,” said K Mohandas, former secretary of Shipping.

FOR SALE Children’s Play Centre and Cafe Operating for many years locating to Brand New Building in Mill Park Only serious buyers please call Jenny on 0425 733 795 June 2014 Edition

www.indian-times.com.au

News

indiantimes

7a

Photo source: PTI

Coast Guard gets two more fast vessels; 14 more by 2017 D efence minister Arun Jaitley, commissioned two more fast patrolling vessels for the Indian Coast Guard Ships (ICGS).

Prior to this, at 11.40am, the minister visited Indian Navy Ship (INS) Viraat along with Chief of Naval Staff.

After 26/11 Mumbai terror attacks, the government had said Coast Guard would be provided 20 fast patrol vessels. Of this, four were inducted earlier. The remaining 14 are expected to be inducted in a staggered manner by 2017.

ICGS ships Achook and Agrim, inducted on Saturday, were designed and built by M/s Cochin Shipyard Limited.

Each ship costs around Rs 68 crore. The 50-meter endogenous fast patrolling vessels displace 270 tonnes and can achieve a maximum speed of 33 knots with an endurance of 1,500 nautical miles at economical speed of 13 knots.

The ships have been equipped with state-of-art weaponry and advanced communication and navigational equipment,” said an ICGS officer.

Speaking to media for the first time after taking charge

of defence ministry, Arun Jaitley said his ministry faced two major challenges: more procurement and faster purchase of equipment. He said in order to do that red tape involved in the purchase of defence equipment should be cut. “This government is committed to national security and we feel red tape involved in purchase of defence equipment must be cut down and some mechanism set up to speed up the procurement process,” said Jaitley.

He also said INS Sindhurakshak, which was brought to the surface two days ago, would soon be handed over to the Indian Navy. To a question, he said naval experts would examine the submarine and decide whether to decommission it or not.

On INS Vikrant, Jaitley said: “Following the Supreme Court order, the ship was shifted from the naval dockyard to Daroo Khana. I know that Mumbaikers want the ship to be turned into a museum.

Even a few MPs from Mumbai have spoken to on the matter. However, we will have to abide by the decision of the court.”

- French style, Australian character -

Andrew Corrigan MW Master of Wine & MW Course Director.

“The Parawa Ingalalla Grand Reserve 2007 deserves to be placed among the great cabernets of the world,” Poh Tiong Wine Writer / The Wine Review / Chinese Bordeaux Guide / Chinese Cuisine & Wine ����� “Scented, of taut blue fruits, ripe capsicums and cedary oak wrapped in an atom core of vivacity.

Stunning freshness over intensity of fruit. Stamina, energy and length. Balanced, elegant and fine. Epic future ahead.

Worthy of a Left Bank Cru Classé. I rate the wine 5 stars or Outstanding, the maximum in our 1 to 5 star rating system.”

Andrew Corrigan MW Master of Wine & MW 課程主任。 “The Parawa Ingalalla Grand Reserve 2007 可躋身世界頂級赤霞珠行列。” “成熟黑醋栗果香，伴隨橡木桶的清新， 盡顯堅果特質。口味悠長，有少許單甯質感， 餘味十足。” Poh Tiong ����� 酒評家 / 葡萄酒評論 / 波爾多葡萄酒指南 / 美食與美酒 “包裹著藍色水果、 成熟青椒以及雪松橡木等令人愉悅的香氣。 驚豔的清新氣息超過了水果的香味， 充滿活力，回味悠長。 品質平衡、典雅且精緻，堪比 Left Bank Cru Classé。

Phone: 03 97939201

我將此款葡萄酒評為五星或者出色， 即1-5星評分系統中最高的一級。”

www.parawaestate.com.au

June 2014 Edition

www.indian-times.com.au

8a

News

indiantimes

A

single term seems to provide the answer to many health problems these days. Want to know what will cause you to age? Want to know how you will react to statins? Want to know if you are extra-susceptible to tuberculosis or cancer? Genetic testing or DNA tests, we are told, will tell us all.

Genetic testing is growing fast as a sector in itself in India. Every few months, start-up companies as well as established ones come up with an increasing number of tests - from a person’s entire genome data to his/her predisposition to various diseases and his/her genetic compatibility to a to-be spouse.

After all, such tests are known to confirm or rule out a suspected genetic condition or help determine a person’s chance of developing or passing on a genetic disorder.

This week, Singapore-based Global Gene Corporation began operations in Mumbai promising tests customized for the Indian genotype. “Our tests are unique because the typical tests being offered in India are based on Caucasian populations and their datasets,” said chairman Sumit Jamuar. In other words, the results from their laboratories will be based on data compared to facts drawn from genetic mutations among Indians instead of Caucasians or Japanese. “It will

hence be more appropriate for Indians,” he said.

Another company which has started operations in Mumbai, Finlinea Healthwits from Italy, offers gene tests to determine factors that will cause you to age.

Depending on the test results, consumers will be given customized supplements to beat the aging process. “Our USP is customized anti-aging solution as per the predisposition of a person’s DNA. It is a new science with the potential to help every person,” said Finlinea’s CEO. The new entrants have not only brought variety, but brought about a reduction in prices as well. Sandeep Saxena from Acton, one of the first entrant in the genome market in India in 2011, said prices of tests have fallen by almost a half. “Our sector is on fire. Prices have crashed.

What we did for Rs 40,000 a couple of years back is on offer at Rs 25,000,” he said, adding that costs will drop further within a few months due to technological advancements.

Saxena says all the tests results are adapted to an Indian database. “Many companies these days offer results based on single nucleotide polymorphisms or genetic mutations. These are not the same as entire genome studies,” he said.

But how dependable are these genetic tests?

Photo source: PTI

Customized gene tests for Indians are available now

The New York Times carried an article in December 2013 about a reporter who received three different results from three companies.

Dr Aabha Nagral, who treats many genetically inherited diseases, said that the focus right now seems commercial. “Just because a person carries a genetic mutation it is no guarantee

that the person will get cancer.

Not all diseases need such screening tests. These tests can only lead to paranoia,” said Dr Nagral, adding that only people with a family history of diseases would benefit from such tests.

Dr Aniruddha Malpani, director of HELP Library, said, “These tests and technologies may be highly ‘advanced’ - but right

now, given their limitation, they are just sophisticated and expensive quackery designed to take patients for a ride. The truth is that there is very little we can do to affect the natural history of over 95% of patients with cancer. In spite of the ‘War Against Cancer’, we have made very few advances in the last 50 years.”

Photo source: PTI

Startups bring the doctor and hospital home

H

ealthcare will now be made available right at your door step. Thanks to start-ups who are using disruptive technologies to pioneer a home-based medical care model to address healthcare needs at the comfort of homes, shifting from the traditional hospital-centric delivery platform. Companies have now evolved to provide not only basic healthcare, but also speciality care to those suffering with chronic diseases, and to a largely untapped elderly population at their homes.

Fuelled by the growing burden of chronic diseases in the country, rising demand for elderly care and post-surgery rehab services, companies like Portea Medical, Healthcare at Home, Medwell and India Home Health Care are focussing on a homebased healthcare delivery platform, by providing home visits from doctors, nurses, physiotherapists, and offer post-operative, palliative and ICU care.

Home healthcare, an established model in the US is pegged around $80 billion,

June 2014 Edition

while in India it is at a nascent stage, estimated around $3 billion, and growing rapidly. Globally, geriatric care accounts for 70% of home healthcare visits.

The potential for the business is huge given the rise in NRIs, nuclear families, an ageing population and those who are working away from home. The demographic target for these start-ups is thus wide, anyone suffering from a chronic disease or even with a basic healthcare issue, in the age group of 45 to 80 years, and older. ”We estimate that roughly 80% of the care that is currently given in the hospital can be delivered in the home setting, with the proper use of technology. Our biggest segments are geriatric care (elder care) and post-operative care (after hospital procedure care). Besides, we are evaluating to bring in personalized medical devices/wearables to India for personalized monitoring of patients at home”, serial entrepreneur and co-founder of Portea Medical, K Ganesh said.

www.indian-times.com.au

News

indiantimes

9a

Photo source: PTI

Skill, scale, speed: PM Narendra Modi’s formula to take on China

would be the only way for India to really benefit from the fact that “70% of the population is under the age of 35”. The demographic dividend depended on skill development. India today was struggling to educate its people even though it had historically been an exporter of teachers to the rest of the world.

In Gujarat, he noted, he had set up the first university dedicated to teacher training.

By scale, Modi said he meant the need for India to “think big” and end its tendency to “think very small”. We like to think express trains rather than bullet trains, he said.

The PM also noted that when most people spoke of “infrastructure”, they tended to think of physical infrastructure, but it also had to be about handling data. He spoke of developing both “highways and i-ways”

— a reference to information highways.

On speed, he referred to the slowness of decision-making and policy implementation in India.

“Files moving in the government,” he said half-seriously, “are driven by a special fuel that not only makes them move slowly but sometimes even slip into reverse gear.”

Modi repeated his desire for four “colour revolutions” based on the hues of the Indian flag. “You think of something different when I say saffron,” a jovial Modi told the audience. “However, I think of energy when I invoke saffron.” He noted that India was blessed with enormous amount of sunlight and, therefore, it made sense for the country to develop solar energy.

Renewable energy was also important, he said, because “climate change is a subject close to my heart”.

He cited how the United States had ended its dependency on West Asian oil and gas and become a net exporter of gas as an example of how a national focus on energy could succeed.

He spoke of a need for a white revolution that addressed India’s extremely low dairy productivity and a green revolution that

IT’S EASY AS...

1. VIEW

2. REGISTER

3. BID

Photo source: PTI

On the day Chinese foreign minister Wang Yi arrived in New Delhi, Prime Minister Narendra Modi said India would need to work on “skill, scale and speed” if it hoped to compete with its northern neighbour.

He also iterated a four-colour economic revolution, based on the colours of the Indian flag, on changing the Indian economy.

The PM was speaking at the release of a book, Getting India Back on Track, edited by economist Bibek Debroy and Indian-American foreign policy analyst Ashley Tellis, at 7, Race Course Road on Sunday — a day ahead of President Pranab Mukherjee’s address to a joint sitting of Parliament where he will lay the roadmap of the new government.

The first requirement to compete with China, Modi said, was “skill”.

Education and human capital

took a look at increasing pulse production and the protein content of pulses. “The second green revolution,” Modi said, will be about adding value to farm produce and reducing the 30% waste in agriculture.

Modi also spoke of a blue revolution, the colour of the Ashoka Chakra, which would be about increasing fisheries production to the point where India could export fish to the world and water management that would ensure “more crop for the drop”.

The event was arranged by the new Indian chapter of the US-based think tank Carnegie Endowment. Modi noted he had already implemented one of the book’s recommendations: abolishing the empowered group of ministers system of the past government. He also noted how think tanks and universities were needed, that there was “low intellectual input in policymaking”.

Finance minister Arun Jaitley, speaking at the same event, said India needed “credibility” on the economic front and that the “world is looking at us again”. However, he said, the government must avoid transient populist measures that would make the country feel good for the first few years but would have large negative economic consequences in the third or fourth year.

Jaitley is presently readying a new budget, expected to be presented in July.

Exclusive Auctioneer for the Victorian Government

www.pickles.com.au June 2014 Edition

www.indian-times.com.au

10a

News

indiantimes

ven as Sikh groups in Punjab and in the diaspora prepared to make the 30th anniversary of Operation Bluestar a memorable event, the violence in the Golden Temple complex has left them angry and disappointed at what most saw as a “senseless action that has brought disrepute to the community”.

The clash has been universally condemned even by hardline Sikhs, who were upbeat at the recent moves to request the United Nations to investigate alleged human rights violations during the army action on the Sikh shrine.

With new evidence about Operation Bluestar surfacing in recent months, the demand for an international investigation has acquired traction and all eyes were on New York where the Sikhs for Justice – a human rights advocacy group -- is submitting a formal complaint to the UN Assistant Secretary General for Human Rights. After the United Nations launched an investigation into war crimes and human rights’ violations in Sri Lanka, Sikh groups and parliamentarians of Sikh origin in the UK and Europe have been pressing for the same for Operation Bluestar and its aftermath.

As news of the clash spread on Friday, many in the Sikh intelligentsia felt it is against the ethos of the religion and also that “publicity seeking gimmicks like this” would do more harm. According

Photo source: PTI

Sikhs dismayed at Golden Temple clashes E

to Gurpreet Singh of the Kendri Guru Singh Sabha, “Mr Simranjeet Singh Mann lost his security deposit in the Lok Sabha elections from Khadoor Sahib. This clash looks like it was designed to get him some limelight and was avoidable.”

There is also dismay at the potential that incidents like this have in disrupting the peace of the last

few years in Punjab.

The laxity of the security apparatus to anticipate trouble on a momentous event like this, particularly at a time when the proKhalistan elements in India and abroad are itching for trouble is being questioned. Says Mandeep Bajwa, a Punjab-watcher, “The Parkash Singh Badal government has failed to maintain law

and order and this incident will be welcomed by the pro-Khalistan lobby lobby abroad.” For the past 30 years, the anniversary of Operation Bluestar has been usually marked by pro-Khalistan slogans and speeches with the kin of former militant being honoured at times.

Dr Gurtej Singh, another radical Sikh scholar, who still believes

in the idea of Khalistan is equally critical.

“Is it reasonable to draw attention in this manner by pulling out swords? It displays a lack of imagination and failure of leadership.

Mr Mann was given complete trust by the community in 1989 when he won the election with an overwhelming majority, but failed to do anything worthwhile,” he said.

Photo source: PTI

Badaun gangrape case: In new turn Kids go spiritual if they

C

ontradicting the post mortem findings in the alleged rape and murder of two cousins who were found hanging from a mango tree at Katra Sadatganj village in Badaun district last week, Uttar Pradesh DGP A L Banerjee said on Saturday that “one of the girls may not have been raped” and “there is a possibility that the case is not how it appears”.

“There is a need to conduct narco analysis and lie detector tests of all those involved in the case. There is a possibility that the accused could be innocent, we have to still conduct more enquires. From our investigations

June 2014 Edition

so far, we are suspecting there could be a different motive to the murders, and the crime is of a different nature. I will not use the term honour killing now before I can prove it,” said Banerjee, adding that the girls’ family members as well as the witnesses would be subjected to the tests. “The girls were strangulated before death.

From our investigations and the information available with us so far, it appears that one of the girls may not have been raped,” he said.

The post mortem reports accessed by The Indian Express had said the deaths were caused by “asphyxia due to ante mortem hanging”, meaning that the girls

spend time outdoors

T

ake your kid to the park today if you are convinced after reading this.

According to an interesting study, children who spend significant time outdoors could have a stronger sense of self-fulfillment and purpose than those who do not.

Kids who played outside five to 10 hours per week said they felt a spiritual connection with the earth and they have a role to protect it, said researchers from Michigan State University.

These values are incredibly important to human development and well-being.

“Modern life has created a distance between humans and nature that now we are realising is not good in a whole host of ways.

So it is a scary question: How will this affect our children and how are we going to respond?” explained Gretel Van Wieren, an assistant professor of religious studies at Michigan State.

During the study, children

Photo source: PTI

were alive when they were hanged.

The reports also said the “perineal findings were suggestive of rape” for both girls, quoting specific genital injuries.

Dr Rajeev Gupta, who headed the panel of doctors who conducted the post mortems, declined to comment.

Banerjee said call detail records (CDRs) and forensic evidence collected from the spot had revealed “new angles” to the case.

He said \four empty bottles of beer and a piece of cotton wool with blood on it was recovered from near the spot. The DGP said the people whose CDRs are being analysed include the girls’ relatives and witnesses.

He said there was a possibility that in the case of one victim, who was an only child, a plot to seize the family property could be a motive. “I am not talking about the rape here, but the murder,” he said.

Meanwhile, both the Badaun SSP Atul Saxena and officiating District Magistrate Udairaj have been suspended. On Saturday, a forensic team from Lucknow and Bareilly visited the spot where the girls were found and the house of the accused.

“We always knew the police was biased… They are trying to frame our family to save the accused who are all Yadavs. We will leave the village and go to Delhi to fight for justice,” said the father of one of the victims.

expressed feelings of peacefulness and some believed that a higher power had created the natural world around them.

They also reported feeling awestruck and humbled by nature’s power such as storms while also feeling happy and a sense of belonging in the world.

The researchers also measured children’s aesthetic values, finding that those who engage in free play outside on a regular basis have a deep appreciation for beauty, order and wonder.

Van Wieren and co-researcher Stephen Kellert from Yale University, used a mix of research methods, including in-depth interviews, drawings, diaries and observation, as well as conversations with parents.

The researchers also found parents of the children who expressed the highest affinity toward nature and the strongest spirituality spent significant time outdoors during their childhoods.

www.indian-times.com.au

News

indiantimes

11a

Tamannaah returns after a year with Humshakals

A

little more than a year after her last Bollywood release Himmatwala, Tamannaah Bhatia is back in Bollywood with Humshakals. Though she continued to be busy with her stint down South (a couple of her films have already released in last 12 months), her Bollywood journey would resume with Humshakals followed by Its Entertainment.

Actress Tamannaah Bhatia, whose forthcoming movie is entertainment loaded “Humshakals”, says she has her reservations about donning a bikini and kissing on-screen.

“I have always maintained that I will not wear a bikini and will not do kissing scene on-screen. This is something that I have maintained, and I intent to keep that. I am not comfortable (with it) at all,” Tamannaah said.

For a scene in “Humshakals”, all three actresses – Tamannaah, Esha Gupta and Bipasha Basu were required to wear a bikini, but Tamannaah chose to cover it up with an unbuttoned sleeveless top and a pair of shorts.

The actress, who has two film releases lined up – “Humshakals” with Saif Ali Khan and “It’s Entertainment” with Akshay Kumar, says both the actors are very different from each other.

“Saif can pull off any role – be it ‘Omkara’, ‘Hum Tum’ or ‘Agent Vinod’. His kind of films are very different, wheras Akshay has a genre which he is good at. They are very different individuals,” she said.

There were reports that there was animosity between Bipasha, Esha and Tamannaah. But the “Himmatwala” actress says Bipasha “was very sweet on the sets”.

“She is an established actress, but she was very cordial with us.”

Kandel Consultant make your career with...

“We love and support International students”

Attention International Students Get the right Agent & College. Don’t risk your future.

We have 13+ year experience in Australian Education

Courses

•

Professional Year

•

IT, Dental Technology

•

Telecommunication Network

•

Fabrication and Welder

•

Building and Construction

•

Carpentering

•

Painting & Decorating

•

Automotive Engineer

•

Child care

•

Electronic Engineering

•

Horticulture

•

Nursing & Accounting *Conditions Apply*

June 2014 Edition

Free Counselling Scholarship Free ipad Offer - if you refer friends Up to “Job Assistance” to the relevant study* $4000* (*to the eligible students only*)

Huge Success Rate Our Services • • • • • • •

Flexible payment plan Assistance for letter of release Visa application New admission and COE from $500 Tr a n s f e r t o a l l M a j o r C i t i e s o f A u s t r a l i a C r e d i t Tr a n s t e r Applying from Overseas

ENROLL NOW!!!

Save Money & Time

Contact:

Raj - Mob:0425 779 082

Ph: (03) 9642 8554 Fax: (03) 9642 1587 Level 10, 230 Collins street, Victoria 3000

Email: info@kandelconsultant.com Web: www.kandleconsultant.com www.indian-times.com.au

12a

News

indiantimes

Aam Aadmi Party to go for organisational revamp

Photo source: PTI

IBM biggest spender on Indian temporary talent

Photo source: PTI

I

R

eeling under electoral debacle, Aam Aadmi Party convener Arvind Kejriwal declared that the fledgling party was going into rebuilding mode to strengthen its roots.

Talking to scribes on the sidelines of AAP’s National Executive Council meeting, Kejriwal said that important decisions were taken and announced several measures to stem the rot that the anti-corruption outfit had tail-spun into.

Informing about the measures, Arvind Kejriwal said, “We will reestablish political affairs and national executive committee and re-energise the party from booth to national level.� “‘Mission Vistaar’ will be started in the country wherein from boothlevel to national level workers will visit villages and urge people to join AAP. The party was born to ensure that corruption is uprooted and we want to establish an hon-

est government.�

Talking about infighting within the AAP, Kejriwal said that Yogendra Yadav was like his elder brother, who could “scold and slap� him if he went off the track. “I am human and I make mistakes. Yogendra Yadav has the right to point them out,� he added.

Reflecting on AAP’s performance in the General Elections, Kejriwal quipped, “Though there was a wave of ‘someone’, but AAP did extremely well in Lok Sabha polls.�

He also took the opportunity to congratulate the Bharatiya Janata Party-led National Democratic Alliance (NDA) government, and said, “We congratulate Narendra Modi and hope he will fulfil expectations of people.�

He also lauded the NDA government’s take on black money and averred, “We welcome the

EXPERIENCE

SIT on black money and hope that the government stops all routes of black money going out of the country.�

Kejriwal hoped that the NDA government would put a check on rising prices and said, “According to reports, the new government is planning to double gas prices. If this happens, the prices of power and food items will shoot up. We appeal to the government not to go ahead with it (hike).�

He urged the BJP to address water and electricity issues, especially in he capital, and said, “We demand subsidies for water and electricity from Central government for Delhi. AAP’s MPs will raise these issues in the Parliament.�

Talking on the topic of Punebased techie’s murder, he added, “We condemn murder of techie in Pune, and hope the government takes swift action in the case.�

BM is the biggest spender on IT contract workforce hiring in India, and the spend is almost double that of the next biggest spenders. The New York-based technology company spends over $150 million annually to hire contract IT staff, which as per estimates translates to more than 15% of its overall workforce.

Accenture, Microsoft and Cisco spend over $80 million each on maintaining a vast pool of contract workforce, while Cognizant, Oracle and HCL Technologies shell out over $50 million each to augment their IT staff with contract resources that work as an extended IT team.

An email sent to IBM didn’t elicit a response. The figures were obtained from a leading staffing firm that did not want to be named. Contract employees are hired through staffing agencies or third-party IT vendors IBM is estimated to employ close to 1.5 lakh people in India. It has been sharply increasing its India headcount and steadily reducing its US employee numbers. IBM employee organization Alliance@ IBM puts the US figure for 2014 at 83,000, down from 127,000 in 2006.

Assuming most of the contract staff is junior staff with an annual salary of about Rs 4 lakh, IBM will have over 22,000 people in this category. �IBM’s spend on contract staffing in India is smart given the talent base in India, and despite the rising cost structure. In the war for talent, skilled resources are needed

a magi l WintEr

Wo d rla d

across the world. India happens to have great depth for technology resources,� said Ray Wang, CEO of Constellation Research.

IT and technology companies hire contract workers to beat margin pressures, maintain lean benches, and facilitate just-in-time hiring in today’s highly volatile market.

Contract hiring provides quick access to skilled technical people and is a cost-effective alternative to supplement existing IT staff without incurring recruitment or training costs. “Tech firms have seen cyclical business globally.Aflexible workforce helps to manage an extended IT workforce at relatively lower costs.

For some MNCs it’s a good way to show a reduced headcount,� said Kamal Karanth, MD of US-based staffing agency Kelly Services India.

Moorthy Uppaluri, CEO of staffing solutions firm Randstad India and Sri Lanka, said, “The flexibility of a having a contract workforce fosters incremental growth and allows companies to utilize their existing staff on strategic business initiatives and core competencies. With such a virtual bench there is no upfront cost commitment and you can bring more predictability to hiring budgets.�

Karanth said contracts can last for three months to a year on a project basis and skillsets that are commonly outsourced include Java /J2E, testing and data-warehousing where employees get paid on an hourly basis.

KID

FRES ARE E!

*

at Healesville Sanctuary!

Visit us these school holidays! Starts 28 June Be enchanted by our magical Winter Wonderland! For a limited time only, put on your winter woollies and experience faux snow play, puddle zones, storytelling by the campďŹ re, and meet our ‘Ice Queen’ to discover how some of our most endangered animals live above the snow-line. Free with general admission.

Open daily 9am to 5pm www.zoo.org.au

*Free admission for children under 16 on weekends, Victorian Government school holidays (June 28 – July 13) and public holidays.

June 2014 Edition

www.indian-times.com.au

Two new A380 services call for double the celebration.

For the first time, Singapore Airlines will launch A380 services to two destinations on the same day. With two new flights that take you directly to Delhi and Mumbai, getting to India’s business and cultural centres has never been easier.

SINGAPORE SQ402, B777-200 SQ406, A380

DELHI DEP: 0235 ARR: 0535 DEP: 1725 ARR: 2005

SQ401, B777-200 SQ403, A380

SINGAPORE DEP: 0925 DEP: 2205

ARR: 1740 ARR: 0610+1

SINGAPORE SQ422, B777-200 SQ424, A380

MUMBAI DEP: 0235 DEP: 1915

ARR: 0525 ARR: 2155

SQ421, B777-200 SQ423, A380

SINGAPORE DEP: 0845 DEP: 0025

ARR: 1645 ARR: 0820

14a

News

indiantimes

new study on Indian women has found that those who are more educated than their husbands, or who earn more, face a greater threat of domestic violence.

The authors of the study said that this is probably because men resort to violence as their dominant status in the family is threatened.

Generally, it is easier for educated women who are not financially dependent on their husbands to walk out of a bad marriage, but according to the study, Indian women stay due to the stigma attached to divorce. What is also surprising is that around 35% women reportedly said that not cooking properly results in physical abuse.

“When a woman is in a superior position, the man’s ego takes a beating since many men expect women to be their subordinates.

Men tend to become violent when their egos are hurt. I have seen men inflict physical, mental or emotional harm on their wives in nine out of 10 cases. Men still think that it is their wives’ primary responsibility, and not theirs, to cook and take care of the kids.

I’ve seen many cases of dispute between couples who work in the IT industry, in which the man gets violent if his wife is doing better than him,” says senior designated counsel Pramila Nesargi.

Nishant Joseph, a brand devel-

oper, is baffled with the findings.

He says, “In this day and age, it is hard to believe that this is the mindset of some men. Husbands and wives are supposed to support each other and there shouldn’t be any unrest simply because the woman earns more. The male ego and an inferiority complex probably make men act violently. Also, I think it’s important for women to not start seeing themselves as superior because they earn more.

Both are equals in the relationship.”

Clinical psychologist Lata Hemchand agrees that gender roles are to blame, but adds that violence in general is on the rise. “I think gender roles have been fairly welldefined for centuries. In the patriarchal system, the man has to be the main decisionmaker and earning member, and it’s not easy to change this thought. When a woman takes on traditional male roles, the man starts to feel like the lesser person and that’s where the threat originates from,” she says.

But Lata warns that one must be careful before making generalizations. “Violence in general is on the rise. It is not just men, but even women who are abusing their husbands. As they become financially independent, some women become overconfident and feel that they can abuse men. I have male clients who complain of harass-

Photo source: PTI

Success, high salary put women at abuse risk A

ment and of being beaten by their wives. We shouldn’t adopt a onesided view,” adds Lata, who says that 15%-20% of the men that she counsels complain of some form of abuse — either emotional or

physical — from their wives.

Executive search consult Priya Chetty-Rajagopal, however, feels that studies can be misleading.

“Statistics lie; you can move them around and use them to support

any hypothesis. I don’t believe in the findings and feel that this study is retrograde. It is quite ridiculous, since all matrimonial ads these days are for well-educated and employed women.”

Photo source: PTI

Government may expand aid to urban areas

Minister Venkaiah Naidu has already said that the NDA will come out with a new mission to make the existing cities better and also to develop new cities in a planned manner.

E

xpanding central help to uplift the living condition in urban areas, the NDA government is likely to provide financial aid to areas which don’t fall within the municipal limits.

June 2014 Edition

During UPA rule, the central assistance under JNNURM was only for municipal bodies.

The financial support to these areas will be in the sector of waste management,

water supply and physical infrastructure development.

“We have seen how there is a greater need to ensure that the areas not falling under municipal limits also need to be upgraded.

Haphazard developments in such unregulated areas create bigger problems. Unless you also address issues pertaining to these areas, city life will never improve. So, now the

focus will be to ask the states to make master plans of all cities — bigger and smaller — so all areas are covered,” said an urban development ministry official.

Minister Venkaiah Naidu has already said that the NDA will come out with a new mission to make the existing cities better and also to develop new cities in a planned manner.

Sources said that the ministry officials are preparing the policy framework and document so that government can start its project soon. It has learned that under the new scheme, which is under preparation, the Centre will give more liberty to the state governments to choose projects and there will be greater monitoring. These were largely missing during the implementation of JNNURM. Another focus area will be use of more information and communication technology (ICT) tools for better governance and service delivery, sources said.

“This will include creating Wi-Fi zones across cities. First target would be the public places and commercial complexes. We will also fund projects for IT based monitoring of public transport for efficient management,” another UD official said.

He added that the focus now is on pushing the concept of twin cities by improving transport networks between a bigger and another adjoining smaller city.

In its poll manifesto, the BJP has committed to create 100 new smart cities.

www.indian-times.com.au

Advertisement

STOP SMOKING START REPAIRING In 1 week

your sense of taste and smell improves

In 3 months

your lung function begins to improve

In 8 hours

excess carbon monoxide is out of your blood

In 1 year

a pack-a-day smoker will save over $4,000

australia.gov.au/quitnow

In 12 weeks

your lungs regain the ability to clean themselves

In 12 months

your risk of heart disease has halved

In 5 days

most nicotine is out of your body

16a

News

Photo source: PTI

Eight-year wait ends, Mumbai Metro finally on track

A

fter an eight- year wait and 10 missed deadlines, Mumbai Metro’s first line, Versova-Andheri-Ghatkopar, will be thrown open to public on Sunday. Mumbaiites can take the first

ride at 12pm by buying a Rs. 10 ticket, a promotional single-journey fare for a month irrespective of the distance one travels.

The inauguration, however, could be a bitter-sweet affair with

the state government and the concessionaire (developer and operators) — Reliance Infra headed Mumbai Metro One Pvt Ltd (MMOPL) — locked in a dispute over the proposed tariff for the

11.4-km Metro line.

Instead of a political triumph, the opening of the Metro line has turned into an embarrassment for the government, as according to sources, MMOPL did not take the state into confidence before announcing the launch on Saturday.

So while chief minister Prithviraj Chavan will flag off the Metro’s first journey on Sunday, t he Mumbai Metropolitan Region Development Authority (MMRDA) has already moved the Bombay high court against the operator, seeking an injunction on the fare hike. The HC will hear the case on Monday.

The government is insisting on keeping the fare between Rs. 9 and Rs13 as finalised in the concessionaire agreement. Reliance Infra, however, has revised fares to Rs. 10-Rs 40 owing to an increase in operating costs and in line with the Central Metro Act. “This three-fold hike in tariff is unacceptable to us. I am fighting solely in the interests of the citizens. This kind of a hike has to be justified before a central tariff fixation committee or the court,” said Chavan. “I will flag off the metro.

But, this promotional fare (Rs 10 for the first 30 days) can’t be a compromise. We want them to stick to the earlier tariff or get the new tariff ratified by a competent

indiantimes

authority.”

The CM also slammed the BJP, principal opposition party in the state, claiming that they were putting pressure on the government to start the Metro immediately.

Reliance Infra chief executive officer Lalit Jalan said: “The project is developed for Mumbaiites and it will be opened for them on Sunday. We have welcomed the CM to flag off the Metro. We hope he will come.” Reacting to the government’s move to go to court over the fare issue, Jalan said: “We will see what we can be done legally.

But, it will not affect Metro operations.”

Reliance Infra is planning to study traffic pattern for a month and then revise the fare. “The fare structures we have come up with are based on provisions of Central Metro Act, which has superseded the concession agreement. But, we will study traffic pattern, customer preference for 30 days and then take a call on fares,” added Jalan.

When asked why Reliance Infra did not wait for a few days to resolve the fare issue before announcing opening of the Metro line, Jalan said: “The issue has been pending for a year. I don’t think it would have been resolved in two-three days.”

A

fter promoting tourism in Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Gujarat, Amitabh Bachchan will now be seen pushing juicy fresh fruits produced in Maharashtra.

Maharashtra not only has the country’s largest film industry, but is also the largest fruit pro-

June 2014 Edition

Photo source: PTI

Photo source: PTI

Amitabh Bachchan to be Maharashtra’s Dehradun fake encounter: CBI seeks death for cops horticulture ambassador

ducing state of India.

Big B will not be just promoting the state’s horticulture in the country to help farmers, but also abroad in order to boost the country’s fruits export.

Horticulture Minister Jitendra Awhad told reporters that he recently met Bachchan in this connection and that the actor

accepted his request to promote horticulture in the state.

Awhad said Bachchan’s support will help the sector to get better market in the state.

Bachchan Senior has excitedly tweeted about his new role as the face of Maharashtra’s success as the fruit-producing state.

T

he CBI demanded death penalty for seven of the 17 Uttarakhand Police officers convicted of murder in the fake encounter killing of an MBA graduate the day before.

Special CBI judge J P S Malik reserved his order on sentencing for June 9 in the case of the extrajudicial killing of 22-year old Ranbir Singh, in which 17 accused policemen were convicted on Friday.

Singh was killed on July 3, 2009, in a fake encounter staged by the cops in a jungle near Dehradun.

Senior public prosecutor Brajesh Kumar Shukla demanded death sentence for seven officers pointing out that the incident was a “coldblooded murder in which bullets were pumped into the victim’s body

from close range”. The death penalty would deter other policemen from following suit, he added.

Defence counsel RM Tufail, appearing for 13 of the convicts, said that they had no criminal history, nor was this a case of ‘supari’ killings (such as the 2006 murder of real estate agent Ramnarayan Gupta.) This case didn’t fall into the category of the “rarest of the rare,” he argued.

The court had on Friday held seven of the 18 policemen, whom the CBI had chargesheeted in July 2009, of killing of the victim, who had gone to Dehradun to take up a job in July 2009.

Ten were sentenced for related charges, while one was freed on time already served.

www.indian-times.com.au

News 17a 80% Indians have skewed lipid level, 72% low good cholesterol

H

ere is a reason why heart attacks kill every fifth Indian: More than three-quarters (79%) of Indians have skewed lipid levels. Any abnormality in the level of lipids — fatty acids that are essential for the working of every cell — can lead to thickening of arteries, and thereby lead to heart problems.

This is a finding of the first phase of a 28-state study by the Indian Council of Medical Research (ICMR) on diabetes, dyslipidemia (abnormal lipid level), hypertension. Data from four regions — Maharashtra (West), Chandigarh (North), Jharkhand (East) and Tamil Nadu (South) — was analyzed to detect the incidence of dyslipidemia among Indians.

Another finding is the low levels of the good cholesterol or HDL among Indians. Dr Shashank Joshi, lead author of the study published in PLOS One medical journal last week, said low HDL level was the most common lipid abnormality among Indians. “Almost 72% of Indians have low levels of HDL.” The finding of the ICMR study that 72% Indians have low levels of the good cholesterol or HDL holds true across the country, be it in Mumbai, Chandigarh or Chennai.

“The reason could well be genetic, but we cannot rule out environmental reasons,” said one of the authors of the study, Chennai-based Dr V Mohan.

The study’s lead author is Dr Shashank Joshi, endocrinologist from Lilavati Hospital, Bandra.

Indian diet is traditionally high on carbohydrates, which have been associated with high levels of fat or triglycerides.

“When a person has high levels of triglycerides, he or she will have low levels of HDL. There is an inverse relationship between triglycerides and good choles-

June 2014 Edition

terol,” added Dr Mohan. Almost 30% of Indians have high levels of triglycerides, according to the study.

While the study found that living in an urban area was a risk factor for dyslipidemia, Maharashtra was a surprise. Dr Joshi said there was little or no difference in lipid levels between urban and rural populations in Maharashtra. In other words, the rural population that was supposed to be more physically active and therefore healthier, is no longer so.

Dr Mohan said Maharashtra’s “urban” results are an indicator of things to come for India. “India is rapidly urbanizing. The number of people with dyslipidemia is going to increase. While the trend of low good cholesterol levels and high bad cholesterol levels was known to doctors, we are now finding more people with high levels of total cholesterol.

This was thought to be a Western phenomenon that wasn’t seen in India,” he added.

There is no magic pill to increase the level of good cholesterol. While drug statins can control the level of bad cholesterol, exercise and diet control are the only hope to boost good cholesterol.

Dr Nalini Shah, who heads the endocrinology department of KEM Hospital in Parel, said there is a need for better awareness about the ill-effects of the “extra dense calories we are tucking in” and the “complete sedentary lifestyle we need where

Photo source: PTI

indiantimes

all we move is a few buttons’’.

“We are seeing 12-year-olds with obesity, dyslipidemia and diabetes because

we are not careful about the quantum or kind of food we lay on our tables,’’ she added.

www.indian-times.com.au

18a

technology

indiantimes

Photo source: PTI

Researchers discover how to tell the age of a fingerprint

W

ithin a year, police forensics could be employing the new method of determining which fingerprints are relevant to a crime scene.

Police could soon be using a new technique that accurately dates fingerprints, thanks to a new technique developed by

researchers at the Netherlands Forensics Institute that can date fingerprints within one to two days, if the print is less than 15 days old.

This isn’t quite down to the hour or minute yet -- but the breakthrough means the technique can be developed and refined, right down to the hour.

“It’s not quite the Holy Grail of fingerprinting, but it’s a very important discovery,” NFI fingerprint researcher Marcel de Puit told AFP. “Being able to date the prints means you can determine when a potential suspect was at the crime scene or which fingerprints are relevant for the investigation.”

Fingerprinting, a practice that

began in the late 19th century, used the unique patterns left behind when a naked finger touches a surface to identify the individual to whom those prints belong. Fingers leave behind sweat and sebaceous matter (from touching the face -- a mix of amino acids, chlorides, fatty acids, and triglycerides).

Previously, attempts to date

fingerprints relied on the amounts of these materials, but they were unsuccessful. The NFI team’s research, however, discovered that the proportions of these chemicals in relation to each other -- controlling for conditions such as temperature and humidity -- is key to gauging their age.

“The chemicals in these fingerprints can be analysed,” De Puit said. “Some disappear over time and it’s the relative proportions of these chemicals that allow us to date a fingerprint.”

The amino acids in a fingerprint, moreover, may be used to determine more information about the person. For example, if you drink a lot of diet drinks, the aspartame will leave amino acids in your body, which may be left behind in a fingerprint.

The technique will need to be tested on real crime scenes to build up a database of fingerprints before it can be used in prosecutions. The team is hoping that institutions such as the FBI and New Scotland Yard may be interested enough in the research to trial it, with the hopes that it could be fully deployed within a year.

Photo source: PTI

Apple allows ‘approved’ virtual Best wireless mobile drive for Android currencies in Apps

Photo source: PTI

O

A

pple Inc will let software developers include virtual-currency transactions in their applications, paving the way for new forms of money to appear on iPhones and iPads.

“Apps may facilitate transmission of approved virtual currencies provided that they do so in compliance with all state and federal laws for the territories in which the app functions,” Apple said in an update to its App Store review guidelines.

June 2014 Edition

Apple did not provide details on the approved virtual currencies.

Apple spokeswoman Kristin Huguet did not immediately respond to an email seeking more information.

Virtual currencies are not backed by any government or central bank and are bought and sold on a peer-to-peer network independent of central control.

Several U.S. state regulators are looking to toughen rules

on the use of the controversial cryptocurrency and have over the last few months warned investors to consider the risks associated with virtual currencies before trading in them.

Last week, satellite TV operator Dish Network said it would accept bitcoin payments from customers from the third quarter, joining companies such as Overstock.com Inc and Zynga Inc in accepting the digital currency.

nly Android users will enjoy the full potential of the Samsung Wireless, but enjoy it they will.

The new device -- which is the latest in the the increasingly popular area of wireless portable drives -- has the best support for video media formats I’ve seen. On top of that, it serves up fast performance, long battery life, and it can function as a juice pack. Technically it works with all mobile operating systems via a Web browser, but its native mobile app supports only Android.

If you’re an Android user, I can recommend the Samsung Wireless heartily as an excellent accessory. On the other hand, if you have an iOS, a Kindle Fire, or a Windows 8 mobile device, there are others on this list of top mobile wireless drives that might be a more compatible investment.

The Samsung Wireless is not new. It’s basically a 1.5TB, USB bus-powered, portable hard drive, and it works like one. However, it comes with a built-in battery and an embedded Wi-Fi network.

When connected to a computer, while it’s working as an external

storage device, it also charges its battery. (It can also be charged with the included adapter.) When unplugged from a computer, the device can then function as a wireless storage device; it allows up to five Wi-Fi clients to connect to its Wi-Fi network. These clients can then stream content (photos, video, and music) that’s stored on the drive, or use the drive’s storage as the backup destination for user-generated content.

There have been many similar devices using the same concept, such as the Seagate Wireless Plus or the Corsair Voyager Air. In fact, the Samsung Wireless looks almost identical to the Seagate Wireless Plus, and it uses a Seagate hard drive on the inside.

However, the Samsung Wireless is the first that, at least at launch, supports only the Android mobile platform -- all other wireless drives always try to support as many mobile platforms as possible. The Samsung is the first among mobile hard drives to serve as a juice pack, and with a 4,000mAh internal battery, it has more than enough juice to give most smartphones a full charge.

www.indian-times.com.au

News

indiantimes

19a

Photo source: PTI

Back-bencher Rahul Will finally lead in the House

T

he first day, he sat in the second-last row. The next day, he was in the third-last row. Then, he was in the fourth-last row. But that day, as he was walking back from the “well” of Lok Sabha after taking

oath as Member of Parliament, colleagues nudged him to settle in the front bench.

Rahul Gandhi’s seating preference is a hot subject among partymen and observers alike, with the crucial question on every-

one’s lips being if he would take his place in the front row in the 16th Lok Sabha.

His inconspicuousness in the first week, when seats are still to be allotted and MPs sat as they wished, is widely being seen as

the sign of a reluctant leader — the preference for the back benches as another indication after his refusal to lead the Congress in Lok Sabha.

Given the impression about Rahul, the suspense over the seating arrangement in the lower House is intense. While the Speaker decides who will sit where, there is consultation with political parties on who they want seated where in their bloc of seats. Sources said the allotment may only happen in the budget session next month.

Rahul spent the 14th and 15th Lok Sabhas sitting in the back benches, surrounded by the party GenNext. But in those tenures, Congress had a huge tally with stalwarts and allies dominating the scene. The hierarchy gave Rahul the perfect alibi to be in the back benches.

In contrast, post-2014 humiliation, Congress has just 44 MPs in which the senior-most is Kamal Nath and Mallikarjuna Kharge has already been named leader of the party in the House. Then, there are some MPs who have multiple terms under their belt but are nowhere in the leadership ladder. A clutch of debutant members make up the tail of Team Congress.

The composition of Congress is such that Rahul should be seated

in the front row of the bloc. Partymen close to him are optimistic that he would, adding that acting otherwise would look very odd.

But if there is anxiety in certain quarters within, it is because of his apparent shyness to be seen as leading in Parliament, a sense heightened by his refusal to take up the post of party leader in the LS. Some feel the young Gandhi is still not fully engaged with parliamentary proceedings that require constant, diligent engagement and that makes him settle for an inconspicuous place in the lower House.

In the past few days since Rahul opted out in favour of Kharge, surprised partymen have spoken to him on the “why and how” of the issue.

A Congress leader said Rahul wants to build the party organization by being its agitational face.

However, they have not understood how being ‘leader of opposition’ would hamper his focus to revive the party.

A strong section aligned with the Gandhi scion wanted him to take up the ‘LoP’ mantle, some even arguing that it would have shown him as confident as also marking the next stage in his political evolution. The decision to duck in the time of crisis can demoralize workers looking up to their young chief, they believe.

Facebook COO’s first India visit to focus on SMEs, developers

June 2014 Edition

Photo source: PTI

A

ggressive on tapping the multi-billion dollar opportunity in the Indian SME market, Facebook Chief Operating Officer Sheryl Sandberg is scheduled to make her maiden trip to the country as the social networking giant deepens ties in its second-largest market.

Sandberg, who will be in India in the last week of June, is scheduled to meet small and medium enterprises (SMEs) in Hyderabad, followed by a media roundtable in the national capital next month.

“She will be coming to India later this month but we are not in a position to share the details yet,” an official from the company said.

India is the largest market for Facebook outside the US, with over 100 million users.

The company has been aggressively hunting for new avenues to increase advertising revenue and the SME sector in India, which has over 25 million firms, could play a crucial role.

Facebook’s revenue for the first quarter of 2014 rose to USD 2.5 billion from USD 1.46 billion a year earlier.

Revenue from advertising was USD 2.27 billion, an 82 per cent increase from the same quarter last year, with mobile ads accounting for about 59 per cent.

Sandberg is also expected to meet developers at the company’s headquarters in Hyderabad.

Sandberg, who oversees business operations, including sales

and marketing, business development and public policy, may also meet Prime Minister Narendra Modi, who is an ardent social media supporter and utilises Facebook and Twitter extensively in his communications, and government officials.

Powered by burgeoning smartphone adoption and increasing Internet penetration in the country,

Facebook has seen a meteoric rise in its user base since setting up its first office in India in 2010 in Hyderabad.

Back then, it had about 8 million users in the country. According to Facebook, 84 million of its 100 million users in India access the social networking site from mobile devices.

The company, headquartered

in Menlo Park, California, has already projected that growth will come from mobile as more users in emerging markets, especially India, log on to the site through handheld devices.

Set up by Mark Zuckerberg in 2004 from a college dorm, Facebook had 1.28 billion users worldwide as of March 31.

Sandberg, who was with

Google before joining Facebook in 2008, has been named one of the 100 most influential people in the world by Time magazine.

A Harvard Business School alumnus, Sandberg has served as chief of staff for Undersecretary for International Affairs of the US Department of the Treasury Larry Summers in the Bill Clinton administration.

www.indian-times.com.au

S

News

indiantimes

MH370: Kin announce $5 mn ‘whistleblower’ reward

everal families of those aboard Flight MH370 on Sunday launched a drive to raise $5 million to reward any insider who comes forward and resolves the mystery of the plane’s disappearance exactly three months ago.

The “Reward MH370” campaign launches on fundraising website Indiegogo and aims to raise at least $5 million “to encourage a whistleblower to come forward with information”, the families said in a press release.

The Malaysia Airlines jet lost contact on March 8 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard — about two-thirds of them Chinese.

The Boeing 777 is believed to have crashed in the southern Indian Ocean, but an extensive search has turned up no sign of wreckage so far, leaving frustrated and anguished families of those aboard suspecting a cover-up.

“We are convinced that somewhere, someone knows something, and we hope this reward will entice him or her to come forward,” said Ethan Hunt, a technology company chief who is heading the “Reward MH370” project.

Sarah Bajc, partner of American passenger Philip Wood, said a handful of families were behind the campaign to look at the unprecedented aviation mystery with “a fresh set of eyes”.

“Governments have given it their best shot but have failed to turn up a single shred of evidence, either

Photo source: PTI

20a

because of a faulty approach or due to intentional misdirection,” she said.

Malaysia and Australia, which is leading the search far off its western coast, have promised that the hunt for the plane will continue. An international team is now determining an expanded search zone of up to 60,000 square kilometres based on where the aircraft last

communicated with an Inmarsat satellite.

Australia has also released a request for tenders for a company to be engaged as a prime contractor and provide the expertise, equipment and vessels needed to carry out the deep-sea search from August. Malaysia — ruled by the same coalition since 1957 with a history of sweeping scandals

aside — has taken the brunt of criticism from upset relatives.

The country has insisted it is doing all it can and working closely with Australia, China to find the jet.

Another search begins *The “Reward MH370” campaign aims to raise at least $5 million “to encourage a whistleblower

to come forward with information”, the families said. *The families believe that either governments took a faulty approach in their search for the jet or the search was “intentionally misdirected”. *The Malaysia Airlines jet lost contact on March 8 en route from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing with 239 people aboard.

A

t least 24 students from an engineering college in Hyderabad were feared drowned in the river

June 2014 Edition

Photo source: PTI

24 engineering students feared drowned in Beas river

Beas near Thalot village in Himachal Pradesh’s Mandi district after large quantity of water was released from Larji reservoir.

The students of VNR Engineering College were on a tour to Himachal Pradesh and taking pictures on the banks of the river at

Thalot when hundreds of cusecs of water discharged from Larji Hydro Power Project’s reservoir at around 7pm, Sunday, ended up in the bizarre catastrophe.

According to police, the students, 18 boys and six girls, were heading towards Mandi from Manali on a bus when they decided to get down and walk to the river bank to take pictures with the Beas in the background. Just when they reached the banks, a sudden, huge gush of water washed them away.

Sources said Larji power project management had not issued any notice before releasing water from the reservoir.

A massive rescue mission was launched with professional rafters and divers called in to look for survivors. Police and people from nearby villages too joined in the search for students but it was impossible to locate them in the dark. Sources said the massive current must have carried them to another reservoir 20km downstream at Pandoh.

More rescue teams have been sent from Mandi.

The Larji project, where students were clicking photographs.

The possibility of finding survivors is slim, said sources.

Twenty-four students are still missing, said Mandi superintendent of police RS Negi. “They were taking photographs by the banks of the river and their fate is still not known,” he added.

Police source said they would try and find out if any or some of them got stuck along the banks downstream. Sources said there was slim chance of finding survivor in the cold waters of Beas, which is in spate.

Water of Beas beyond Thalot is almost stationary till the Pandoh reservoir and its depth is 10 to 50 feet with several small whirlpools in about 20km span.

The river is flowing deep below the road in a narrow valley, at some areas below more than 500 feet. Its banks are accessible only by riding boats or raft.

Angry people blocked MandiManali highway and hundreds of vehicles were stranded.

Residents of Thalot and nearby areas accused the project authorities of discharging water without warning, that caused the mishap.

www.indian-times.com.au

TELEVISION

indiantimes

21a

Photo source: PTI

Amitabh Bachchan micro-managing every detail of his TV show Yudh

A

t the age of 71, Amitabh Bachchan has taken on a new task — acting on

the small screen. Although he has been the host on the game show, Kaun Banega Crorepati,

for many years now, with this upcoming TV show, he will make his fiction television debut.

Sidharth Shukla again on Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa

T

anishaa Mukerji and Ragini Khanna will no longer be part of stand-up comedy show Gangs Of Husseepur. However, Mandira Bedi, who is Tanishaa’s partner, has been retained.

Says a source from the set, “The production house wasn’t too happy with Tanishaa and Ragini and felt they needed to be more spontaneous. Not everything can be scripted.”

However, the channel refutes this. Says a channel source, “We haven’t asked Tanishaa to leave. There is absolutely no bad blood and the decision is a mutual one. The show is undergoing a makeover and the new format doesn’t require two haseenas (jury), so we are

June 2014 Edition

retaining Mandira. Ragini will be replaced by Suresh Menon and Sanket Bhosale.” Why did they decide to retain Mandira and not Tanishaa? “She has date issues. The schedule of the show had to be realigned because of the change in the format and despite trying, she couldn’t make time for it,” adds the source.

Tanishaa’s spokesperson says, “She was contracted for 16 episodes out of which 10 have already been shot. The channel told her that the show wasn’t raking in good ratings and they wanted to restructure it. Post this, there has been no update.” Ragini says, “I was signed up for only eight episodes. However, I shot 10 episodes with them.”

Photo source: PTI

Photo source: PTI

Tanishaa Mukerji, Ragini Khanna out of comedy show

And since Big B is venturing into this territory for the first time, he is paying great attention

to the way the show is being marketed.

Besides sharing tips on marketing, he has also been regularly meeting the core team involved in the promotion of the series.

“He is readily sharing his inputs with the team and is also taking time out from his chaotic schedule to have closed-door meetings to get a sense of how things are shaping up,” says an insider. Bachchan also makes sure his film commitments are not affected by the show. So when the crew of his movie take a break for lunch, he has working lunches with the show’s team to check on the developments.

“For any other matter that is pending, he waits for the shoot to finish,” adds the insider.

Interestingly, the veteran actor has apparently also got the creative director of the show, Anurag Kashyap, involved in these meetings.

“Right from the promos that go on air to the final edit, he (Bachchan) is overseeing everything. The best part is that he is also taking into account the opinions of the people who are present on the set,” says the source.

The idea of airing the first promo of the show during the IPL was one that emerged from these meetings.

S

idharth Shukla, a contestant in the last season of Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa, will be part of the show’s upcoming edition as well. He will appear as a celebrity guest, to promote his Bollywood debut.

Says the actor, “It’s like homecoming for me. I am not going to perform on the show except for maybe a small, impromptu jig. I received a warm welcome from the

team and we chatted all day long.

It was a beautiful experience. The judges were also happy for me.”

And how was it meeting previous season’s co-participant Drashti Dhami, who he was recently linked with? Sidharth says, “It’s bizarre to read stories about our link-up; we have hardly met a couple of times.

I don’t even want to acknowledge such rumours by commenting on them.”

www.indian-times.com.au

22a

Food & Wine

indiantimes

Paneer Capsicum Sabji Corn Palak

Ingredients

• 1 bunch of spinach • 2 cups of boiled sweet corn • 1 table spoon of cumin seeds • Little bit of turmeric powder and red chilli powder • ½ table spoon of garam masala powder

• ½ table spoon of kasuri methi • ½ cup of cream • 1 medium sized onion and tomato • Little bit of chopped ginger and garlic cloves • Some muskmelon seeds for garnishing

Method:

- First of all wash spinach leaves. Later, cut them properly.

- Boil the sweet corn for some time till it gets soft.

- In another sauce pan, heat oil and add chopped onion and tomato.

- Now, add garam masala, kasuri methi to it along with garlic and ginger.

- Keep stirring the mixture till it’s cooked properly - Add cumin seeds along with turmeric and red chilli. Stir it again.

- When it’s cooked, add spinach and cover the pan.

- Now, add sweet corn and cook it for 15 more minutes.

- Corn palak is ready. Now, you just need to garnish it with cream or cheese and musk melon seeds.

Photo source: PTI

All alcohol, even wine, raises risk of gout flare-ups

B

ad news for gout sufferers who enjoy drinking the fruit of the vine - new research finds that all types of alcohol, even previously exempt wine, can bring on attacks of the painful condition.

“I don’t want to sound too dogmatic and say, ‘You must stop drinking,’” lead author Dr. Tuhina Neogi told Reuters Health. But, the Boston University rheumatologist said, “based on this study, I would counsel patients that any type of

June 2014 Edition

alcohol may trigger an attack.”

“It’s not just beer or hard liquor that can trigger attacks, but also wine,” she said.

Gout is a potentially debilitating form of arthritis that afflicts more than 8 million American adults, and the number is rising, Neogi’s team writes in The American Journal of Medicine.

The so-called disease of kings causes joints to swell and redden.

It most often strikes overweight men’s big toes but also claims

feet, ankles, knees, hands and wrists. A link between intoxicating beverages and gout has been suspected since ancient times.

A 2004 landmark study of more than 47,000 men found that drinking beer and hard liquor but not wine - increased the risk of developing gout.

Neither has wine been shown in other studies to bring on attacks in people who already have gout, the way beer and liquor have.

Nonetheless, Neogi said, some

of her patients report “they can’t even sniff wine without having a gout attack.”

To investigate the effects of all types of alcohol on the shortterm risk of a gout flare-up, Neogi and her team examined survey responses from 724 adults with gout, 78 percent of them men, from across the United States between 2003 and 2012.

Study participants completed questionnaires every few months about their gout attacks, medications, exercise, alcohol use and diet.

The more alcohol they drank, Neogi’s team found, the greater their risk of having a gout attack within 24 hours.

A five-ounce glass of wine, a 12-ounce beer or up to 1.5 ounces of liquor were considered one drink.

The researchers compared the study participants to themselves on days when they had no alcohol.

When participants had a single drink, the risk of gout attack didn’t change much. But with one to two drinks in a 24-hour period, the risk of a gout attack rose by 36 percent. With two to four drinks, the risk rose by 50 percent.

Wine was one of the worst triggers, at least for men.

Regularly drinking a glass or two of wine hiked the odds of recurrent attacks by 138 percent, and drinking two to four servings of beer raised the risk by 75 percent.

“Moderate drinking,” which is one drink for women and two drinks for men, did not significantly raise women’s risk, but there were too few women in

the study to estimate the effect, the researchers note.

“Our study results indicate that alcohol intake, regardless of type, can increase the risk of gout attacks,” Neogi said.

“Additionally, increasing amounts of alcohol intake of any type, even at moderate levels, can increase risk of gout attacks.”

Wine may not have raised the risk of developing gout in past studies for a variety of reasons, Neogi’s team points out in their report. People who drink only wine tend to have healthier diets and lifestyles, overall, than people who drink only beer, for example.

“They’re making healthier food choices, exercising more and not smoking as much as beer and hard liquor drinkers,” Neogi said.

That may have masked wine’s effect on gout in the 2004 study.

Dr. Gary Curhan of Harvard Medical School, senior author of that study, told Reuters Health in an email, “I do think that doctors should advise their patients with gout to minimize their alcohol intake.”

Because his study controlled for diet, Curhan discounted the notion that wine drinkers’ healthier lifestyles explained differences between his and Neogi’s results.

Though Curhan’s study considered some food categories associated with gout, such as meats and seafood, it failed to include other categories, such as processed foods, or other lifestyle factors, like exercise and smoking, Neogi said.

“It just may be that without accounting for these other factors, we can’t see the true effects of wine,” she said.

www.indian-times.com.au

indiantimes

travel

23a

Chamba Photo source: PTI

Beautiful hill resort

Chamba is a beautiful town located in the picturesque valley of Himachal Pradesh. It is one of the most beautiful hill resorts and one of the best tourist spot in India. Chamba lies on the banks of the River Ravi and is 56 km from Dalhousie. The beautiful valley of Chamba looks spectacular with its valleys of wild flowers and stunning sunsets. Apart from its captivating beauty, it also houses many magnificent and ancient temples, which are a source of attraction for all tourists. The Laxmi Narayan Temple of Chamba catches the attention of many tourists. It has six temples in the complex, three of which are dedicated to Lord Vishnu and other three to Lord Shiva. The architecture of the temples is an example of the Hindu shikhara style of architecture.

Photo source: PTI

Photo source: PTI

About

The town of Chamba, the district headquarter of Chamba district is situated in the western Himalayas between north latitudes 32°10’ and 33°13’ and east longitudes 75°45’ and 77°33’. The town stands on a plateau on the right bank of the Ravi river valley between Dhauladhar and Zanskar ranges south of the inner Himalayas. This town was founded by Raja Sahil Varman when he conquered the lower Rani valley from the petty chiefs called Ranas and Thakurs in the beginning of 10th Century. It seems the original name of the town was Champa as mentioned in Kalhan’s Rajtarangani. In the bansauli or genealogical rolls of the Chamba Rajas a reference occurs of place which was adorned with highly fragrant Champaka trees and guarded by Goddess Champavati or more popularly known as Chameshni. The temple was built by Sahil Varman in the honour of his daughter Champavati who is worshipped as a goddess in Chamba. Champavati temple became the family temple of the ruling family.

Chamba Tourist Attractions

A small town located on top of a plateau in Himachal Pradesh, Chamba offers tourists the perfect destination for a dream vacation. This beautiful locale is situated in the valley of river Ravi. A sightseeing tour to Chamba will be no less than a rejuvenating vacation as you get to treat your eyes to some of the most scenic natural surroundings. Explore the various tourist attractions of the valley and get bedazzled by the unique amalgamation of the past with the present. Check out the places to see on a sightseeing tour of Chamba.

Chamunda Devi Temple : -The ancient temple of Chamunda Mata is dedicated to Goddess Chamunda, one of the incarnations of Goddess Durga. Just behind the main temple, is a small shrine dedicated to Lord Shiva.

Chamunda Devi Temple situated on a hilltop and offers panoramic views of the entire Chamba, the mighty River Ravi as well as the surrounding villages and countryside.

Katasan Devi Temple: -Katasan Devi Temple is situated near Baira Siul Project, approximately 30 km from Chamba valley. One of the main reasons for the popularity of the temple comprises of its calm, peaceful and serene locales that offer beautiful views of the valley.

Chowgan: -A sprawling grassland and boulevard in the heart of the city, Chowgan is the hub of local trade. It is also the starting point of the procession that forms a part of the Minjar Fair. Even the weeklong celebrations of the annual fair take place here only. During that time, the boulevard witnesses a host of cultural events, shows, programs and sport activities.

Approach

Chamba is approximately 52 kms from Dalhousie. The distance is reduced by 6 kms. via Upper Barkota and Khajjiar road. Bus and taxi service is available from Chamba to Pathankot, Delhi, Dharamsala, Shimla, Chandigarh, Jammu and most of the Punjab cities along the national highway.

Photo source: PTI

Photo source: PTI

Climate

June 2014 Edition

The climate of Chamba in general is tempreate with well defined seasons. However, there may be variations because of micro-climatic systems depending upon altitude and mountain aspect. The winters last from December to February. March and April generally remain cool and dry but snowfall does occur at higher elevations during these months. The temperature begins to rise rapidly from the middle of April till last week of June or first week of July when monsoon breaks-in. Monsoon continues till the end of August or mid September. During the monsoon, the weather remains misty, humid and cloudy. October and November are comparatively dry but cold.

The maximum temperature in Chamba town in summers is 38°C and the minimum in winter is 0°C.

How to Reach Chamba

By Air: The nearest airport from Chamba is that of Kangra, located at the distance of 180 kilometer, and offers facility for reaching the place by air. Flights are easily available from all the major cities, like Delhi and Chandigarh.

Once dropped at Kangra, tourists can always board the buses running on regular basis, on the Chamba-Kangra route. Taxis are also easily available.

By Rail : Pathankot is the nearest railhead from Chamba, situated at the distance of around 122 kilometers. Tourist can come to Pathankot and from here, can opt for bus services or cab services, available to reach Chamba. From Pathankot, there is direct link to many big cities in India, like Amritsar, Delhi, Mumbai and Kolkata. Another option is Dalhousie, which is around 52 km from Chamba town.

By Road : The nearest bus station from Chamba is located at Chowgan. Bus service is easily available for reaching the place, from different destinations like Delhi, by road. Generally, the journey from Chamba to Khajjiar takes 1½ hours, to Bharmaur takes 3½ hours, to takes Dalhousie 3 hours, to Pathankot takes 6 hours and to Dharamshala takes 10 hours.

www.indian-times.com.au

R amadan...

the greatest religious observance in Islam Ramadan (also known as Ramadhan or Ramzan) is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. It is a period of prayer, fasting, charity-giving and self-accountability for Muslims in Australia. The first verses of the Koran (Qu’ran) were revealed to the Prophet Muhammad (also written as Mohammad or Muhammed) during the last third of Ramadan, making this an especially holy period.

When is Ramadan in 2014?

Ramadan in 2014 will start on Saturday, the 28th of June and will continue for 30 days until Sunday, the 27th of July.

What do people do?

Many Muslims in Australia fast during the daylight hours in the month of Ramadan. Fasting during Ramadan is one of the Five Pillars (fundamental religious duties) of Islam. It is a time of self-examination and increased religious devotion. It is common to have a pre-fast meal (suhoor) before sunrise and an evening meal (iftar) after sunset during Ramadan. Some groups of people, including the chronically ill, mentally challenged, and the elderly who cannot participate due to health reasons, are exempt from fasting. It is also not allowed to have sexual relations or smoke during the day.

Ramadan is also a time for many Muslims to donate to charity by participating in food drives for the poor, organiz-

ing a collection or charity event, and other voluntary activities. They are also encouraged to read the Qur’an often during Ramadan. Some Muslims recite the entire Qur’an by the end of Ramadan through special prayers known as Tarawih, which are held in the mosques every night of the month, during which a section of the Qur’an is recited.

Public life Many Islamic businesses and organizations may amend opening hours to suit prayer times during Ramadan in Australia. There may also be some congestion around mosques during prayer times, such as in the evenings.

Background Ramadan is the ninth month in the Islamic calendar, which consists of 12 months and lasts for about 354 days.

The word “Ramadan” is derived from an Arabic word for intense heat, scorched ground and shortness of food and drink.

It is considered to be the most holy and blessed month. Fighting is not allowed during this period.

The month of Ramadan traditionally begins with a new moon sighting, marking the start of the ninth month in the Islamic calendar. Many Muslims (except children, the sick and the elderly) abstain from food, drink, and certain other activities during daylight hours in Ramadan. This is considered as the holiest season in the Islamic year and com-

memorates the time when the Qu’ran (Islamic holy book) is said to have been revealed to the Prophet Muhammad.

This occurred on Laylat Al-Qadr, one of the last 10 nights of the month. Ramadan ends when the first crescent of the new moon is sighted again, marking the new lunar month’s start. Eid-al-Fitr is the Islamic holiday that marks the end of Ramadan.

Ramadan conveys an extraordinary sense of emotional enthusiasm and religious eagerness among Muslims of all ages. Even though fasting is compulsory for adults alone, children as young as eight readily watch fasting with their elders. Children look forward to the thrill of the moon sighting and eating unique meals with their relatives. Adults are grateful for the chance to double their rewards from God and ask for pardon for their past sins. Ramadan highlights Muslim brotherhood and customs and brings about a special feeling of closeness.

What are the expectations towards charity?

Charity is an important part of Ramadan. The fast emphasizes self-sacrifice and using the experience of hunger to grow in empathy with the hungry. During Ramadan, Muslim communities work together to raise money for the poor, donate clothes and food, and hold iftar dinners for the less fortunate.

What scriptural study do Muslims take part in?

Many Muslims use Ramadan to read the entire Quran or read the Quran daily.

Many communities divide the Quran into daily reading segments that conclude on

Eid ul-Fitr at the end of Ramadan.

Can non-Muslims participate?

Non-Muslims are free to participate in Ramadam. Many non-Muslims fast and even pray with their Muslim friends or family members. Non-Muslims are often invited to attend prayer and iftar dinners. Those wishing to be polite to someone who is fasting for Ramadan may greet them with Ramadan Mubarak or Ramadan Kareem, which mean Have a Blessed or Generous Ramadan.

What is the ‘goal’ of Ramadan?

In general, the practices of Ramadan are meant to purify oneself from thoughts and deeds which are counter to Islam.

By removing material desires, one is able to focus fully on devotion and service to God. Many Muslims go beyond the physical ritual of fasting and attempt to purge themselves of impure thoughts and motivations such as anger, cursing, and greed.

Do all Muslims take part in Ramadan fasting?

Most Muslims believe Ramadan fasting is mandatory, but there are some groups that do not. Pregnant or breastfeeding mothers, people who are seriously sick, travelers, or those at health risk should not fast. Children that have not gone through puberty are also not required to fast during the month Ramadan.

Benefits of Ramadan The lessons learned during Ramadan should last throughout the whole year Through fasting, a Muslim experiences

hunger and thirst, and sympathizes with those in the world who have little to eat every day.

Through increased devotion, Muslims feel closer to their Creator, and recognize that everything we have in this life is a blessing from Him. Through increased charity, Muslims develop feelings of generosity and goodwill toward others. The Prophet Muhammad (peace be upon him) once said, “A man’s wealth is never diminished by charity.”

Through self-control, a Muslim practices good manners, good speech, and good habits.

Through changing routines, Muslims have a chance to establish more healthy lifestyle habits -- particularly with regards to diet and smoking.

Through family and community gatherings, Muslims strengthen the bonds of brotherhood and sisterhood, in their own communities and throughout the world.

Ramadan is a very special time for Muslims, but the feelings and lessons we experience should stay with us throughout the year. In the Qur’an, Muslims are commanded to fast so that they may “learn self-restraint” (Qur’an 2:183). This restraint and devotion is especially felt during Ramadan, but we all must strive to make the feelings and attitudes stay with us during our “normal” lives. That is the true goal and test of Ramadan.

May Allah accept our fasting, forgive our sins, and guide us all to the Straight Path. May Allah bless us all during Ramadan, and throughout the year, with His forgiveness, mercy, and peace, and bring us all closer to Him and to each other.

facebook.com/indiantimes1 Call us on13000 22225 FREE Monthly Magazine Twitter @indiantimes1

time discovers truth

June 2014

Ramadan Mubaarak

P8B

EK VILLAiN

Ek Villain: Sidharth Malhotra And Shraddha Kapoor Bonding!

INDIAN TIMES

Mobile: 0433 676 636 www.indian-times.com.au E-mail: editor@indian-times.com.au Postal Address: P.O. Box 9251, South Yarra, VIC 3141 New Fax: (03) 9077 5076

INDIAN TIMES

Enrol your professional year through us and receive upto $1000 off tuition fee AND a free iPad! Limited seats available!

Danford College’s mission is to educate students in the business sectors in order to prepare them for a rewarding career and for full, engaged, and meaningful lives. Our trainers / assessors are highly experienced and successful in the industry. All trainers are working with the latest creative techniques and styles. We provide a learning environment in which education and culture go hand in hand, as it seeks to develop the full potential of each student. We provide state of the art professional training facilities to give students the maximum comfort and friendly atmosphere to complete their training.

Courses Certificate III in Business BSB30112 CRICOS Code: 080746F ($3500, 6 months) Certificate IV in Frontline Management BSB40812 CRICOS Code: 080747E ($3500, 6 months) Certificate IV in Human Resources BSB41013 CRICOS Code: 080748D ($3500, 6 months) Diploma of Human Resource Management BSB50613 CRICOS Code: 080749C ($4000, 6 months) Diploma of Management BSB51107 CRICOS Code: 078036K ($4000, 6 months) Advanced Diploma of Management BSB60407 CRICOS Code: 078037J ($6000, 12 months)

ARTICULATION

For guaranteed credit transfer into higher education please contact the college for more information

9 MONTHLY INTAKES 9 AFFORDABLE PRICES 9 FRIENDLY STAFF 9 FLEXIBLE TIMETABLE

**Please contact Danford College for current promotions

RTO: 21979 | CRICOS: 02996A DO NOT LITTER

Basement 416-420 Collins Street Melbourne VIC 3000 Ph: +61 3 9642 1667 | Fax: +61 3 9642 2664 Email: info@danford.edu.au Web: www.danford.edu.au Star Gazers Education Pty Ltd T/A Danford College ABN: 80 125 139 433

4b Bollywood

indiantimes

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Amitabh Bachchan to launch Mallika Sherawat’s draped in Indian flag for Dirty Politics Dilip Kumar’s biography

D

ilip Kumar’s story — from an unknown newcomer to a Bollywood super star — is surely an inspiring one.

And author Udaya Tara Nayar has captured this story in a biography of the star.

While the book was supposed to be launched last year, and got delayed due to Kumar’s ill health, the date for the launch is out now.

On June 9, Kumar’s peers and even younger stars will gather at the biography’s unveiling, which

W

will take place at the hands of Amitabh Bachchan.

Sources close to the veteran actor inform us that a suburban five-star hotel has been booked for the launch and the team has already begun the prep work for the event. A close aide of Dilip saab’s family, Murshid, says, “The book will be launched by Mr Bachchan, who has been a great admirer of sir’s craft. Dharmendra, who is also very close to Dilip saab, will also be present at the

event. Other celebrity invitees include Lata Mangeshkar.”

In a coup of sorts, the three Khans — Aamir, Salman and Shah Rukh — might also come together at the launch. A source confirms that Aamir will be present at the do. “Shah Rukh and Salman have also been invited. The three of them are in the city at that time and have already made changes to their schedules to attend the function,” says the source.

hen Mallika Sherawat is there, can controversy be far behind?

The first look of her new film, Dirty Politics, is out and la Sherawat has not failed us.

Draped in an Indian flag, Mallika is sitting atop an Ambassador with a red beacon - the symbol of political power in India.

The film is reportedly based on the Bhanwari Devi case and stars Om Puri, Jackie Shroff, Anupam Kher and Ashutosh Rana among others.

The film is under production and is slated to release later this year.

This is not the first time Mallika has made news for being draped in a flag.

The poster of her film Politics of Love saw her on a bed with Brian White and the American flag draped across the two.

Bhanwari Devi was a nurse in Rajasthan who was abducted and killed in Rajasthan in 2011. Politicians from the state were implicated in the case.

has recently signed a new project, which is women-oriented.

“I have now signed a new film which has a women-oriented subject. I am quite excited about that project, but I’m not allowed to talk

about it till the producers make an official announcement,” Sonakshi said.

Asked if the movie is a remake of a southern film, she said: “Wait till the announcement.” The ac-

tress says she received varied offers after her strong performance in “Lootera”.

“I was approached for many films post ‘Lootera’, but I didn’t feel strongly about them. ‘Lootera’ was

written for me, but the other offers that I got post ‘Lootera’ were not convincing,” she said.

Her new movie “Holiday”, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, features Akshay Kumar as the male lead.

A

ctress Sonakshi Sinha who garnered positive reviews for her performance in “Lootera” and is now gearing up for the release of “Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off Duty”, says she

June 2014 Edition

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Sonakshi gears up for women-oriented film

www.indian-times.com.au

Bollywood

indiantimes

5b

Westech Computer Services

Computer Setup, Support, Upgrades, Software Installation, Configuration, Laptops, Networking, Anti-virus solutions etc.

Call Vijay for free quote on 0411 623 737 Email: info@westechcomputerservices.com.au Website: www.westechcomputerservices.com.au

Olympian Sushil Kumar to train Sohail Khan

S

ohail Khan who is set to return to acting with a biopic on the legendary wrestler Gama Pehelwan will get a helping hand from another legend of the ring, Olympian Sushil Kumar.

Writer-director Puneet Issar has roped in the bronze-medallist to train the actor for the film which will be produced by his elder brother Salman Khan. Sohail will undergo a threemonth-long training session in wrestling from July.

Sushil’s guru and father-inlaw Satpal Singh will also give him tips. He is presently beefing up for the role under the guidance of Salman, who is monitoring his gym sessions and his diet.

As Gama, the actor has to weigh 99 kilos

and has already gained 15 kilos. He has still to put on nine kgs in a month.

Child Protection Leadership Opportunities!

Department of Human Services Salary range is $82,512 - $99,833 depending on the role. ϐ Ǥ ǡ ǡ ǫ ǡ ǡ Ǥ

ǡ ǡ ϐ ǣ Ȉ Ȉ Ȉ ǯ Ǥ ǯ Ǥ ǣ Ȁ ͷȀͲͳͳͷ

ZO440437

Rewrite tomorrow, one child at a time.

To apply, please go to www.dhs.vic.gov.au/childprotectionjobs June 2014 Edition

www.indian-times.com.au

astrology

6b

indiantimes Readers please note that the below predictions are given according to North Indian tradition of Hindu Vedic Astrological methods, using your Lagna as the base.

Monthly Astrology - JUNE 2014 Aries – Mesha

You will become very courageous and will conquer your enemies. You will be victorious in conflicts. By putting forward your endeavours in a proper manner and by facing situations with confidence, you will make excellent progress in your professional sphere and will have boosted earnings. You will receive favours from authorities and form new relationships.

You will become very popular in your circle of acquaintances and your social status will be considerably improved.

Taurus – Vrushabha This is not a favourable position. You should take proper care of your health and you should also remain careful while driving as you will be prone to sustain injuries which can even make you bed-ridden. You should also keep a close check as fire can cause some havoc during this period. The health of your children may cause you some concern. You should try to overcome your argumentive tendency as this would otherwise lead you to have conflicts at your workplace. You should do better by staying away from any speculative investments for keeping your financial position in a stable condition. By putting forward your endeavours you may increase your own earnings to some extent.

Gemini – Mithuna

You may have to face many problems in your home-front and in respect of property-matters. Health problems of the fam-

ily members may also cause you some concern. There might be loss of property and you may have forced change of residence. You may become tense, worried and pessimistic during this time. Dealing in land, buildings, building construction materials and agricultural implements could fetch you good returns.

Cancer – Kataka You will enjoy good health and so will do the other members of the family. Your family-life will be blissful and bright with happiness. Your earnings will receive a boost and you will have new acquisitions which will improve your living condition and increase your satisfaction. Your relationships with relatives and friends will improve. In professional sphere, things will be in your favour during this period. You will secure favours from persons of rank and authority, besides enjoying many other benefits. Opportunities will come your way and you will make timely use of them in a prudent way. Socially you will gain more popularity and prestige.

Leo – Simha

You will have all round success and prosperity in all areas of life. You will gain favours from your superiors and have betterment in career; your earnings will increase and you will have gains from various other sources. A distant journey may prove to be fruitful. Your family-life will be peaceful and comfortable with all it’s members very cordially disposed to one another and remaining in the pink of their health. Time is favourable for forming new relationships, improve the exist-

ing ones and also for socializing. Your name and fame will be widespread and popularity will also increase considerably .

Virgo – Kanya

You will tend to become impulsive which you should try to overcome. You should closely watch your words as this can spoil relationships and cause bickerings in the family and also in the sphere of profession. The health of your spouse may cause serious concern. Your children may be prone to feverish complaints and sustain minor injuries. In financial matters you may face some problems.

Libra – Tula

You will be somewhat indisposed and your enemies can create troubles for you. Your children may not remain in good health. Medical and other wasteful expenditures could tilt your balance while your income may shrink and your investments could be in a stage of stagnation.

Journeys in connection with profession will not bear fruit during this period of time.

Time is not propitious for you; so you must refrain from speculative investments. Your friends may not be very helpful during this time. So you should think twice before making commitments.

Scorpio – Vruschika

Your earnings will improve and you will have gains from various sources. You may be benefited by receiving a windfall quite unexpectedly. You will form new

friendships and will become very popular in your friends’ circle. Some of your ambitions may be realised and you may have new acquisitions that will add to your comfort. You will lead a prosperous and happy family-life; there could be a celebration in the family. The performance of your educational activities, will instil a sense of pride and joy in your mind. You may spend a lot for having some renovations done to your house-building. Your mother may suffer from some minor ailments.

Sagittarius – Dhanu

You will be very fortunate and will receive special favours from the authorities. You will be successful in all your endeavours and rise to a powerful and lucrative position. Some of your cherished desires will be fulfilled and you may have new acquisitions. Your family-life will be happy with comfortable surroundings and socially you will gain more popularity. Your relationships with relatives and friends will become more cordial. You will be a centre of attraction in social gatherings.

Capricorn – Makara

This position offers mixed influences. You may become less energetic and lose confidence. Your wandering tendency and wasteful expenditures may increase. The healthcondition of some of your male relations may deteriorate and arouse your anxieties. Your earnings will be somewhat increased. The position however is favourable for securing higher education, having long journeys and pilgrimmages; it is also a propitious period for developing foreign connections from which

you can derive benefits in future.

Aquarius – Kumbha

You will have success in your endeavors and may have gains from various sources.

You may have good gains from a new venture and also from prudent investments.

Some of your ambitions will be realized and you may secure a lucrative promotion that offers liberal perquisites as well.

In academic pursuits also you would gain distinction. You will be fortunate in respect of romantic liaisons. Your family- life will be joyful and happy; some of your children could be a source of pride. You may have journeys in connection with your profession which will be fruitful. You will have success in all your endeavors and may have gains from various sources. You may have good gains from a new venture and also from prudent investments.

Pisces - Meena

You may have problems either with your business or marriage partner and the health of your spouse may make you anxious. Romantic liaisons if any could take a bad turn and you may become a victim of slander and disrepute. You may be emotionally disturbed and may not be in good health. Journeys in connection with profession may not bear fruit excepting in the direction of east.

For securing new deals the period is not favourable. You should try to avoid quarrels and confrontations by being diplomatic.

If you wish to know the difference between Eastern & Western Astrology you are invited to visit http://jyotisha.00it.com/Difference.htm

Monthly Predictions for JUNE 2014 By Lakshman Abeykoon - Noble Park, VIC 3174 - Phone (03) 9548 1613 - http://jyotisha.00it.com

Charity Without Selflessness Is Useless

H

uman requirements are many. Wanting much more than what you require is called greed.

Further, greed begets greed.

If all this has to be satisfied, even unlimited time will be inadequate. Given that we have

June 2014 Edition

limited time and resources the biggest challenge is, how we lay our focus on what life is after all meant for. Is salvation to be attained only through satiety?

Ramakrishna suggested the path of nibritti. This does not mean denial of every

little harmless desire. He rather reinforces Buddha’s middle path. Desires such as consuming a special type of sweet may immediately be satisfied and then the individual may resume his search for the ultimate. If the desire remains in

the mind for long it will obviously distract the mind. At the same time unending desires cannot be satisfied in full. Moreover there are desires which take us away from the main path of seeking, for a considerably long period of time. So rationality is important. In Ramakrishna’s counsel it is called vichar.

Knowledge helps us do the vichar: what is intoxicating and what is not, what is distracting and what is not. Similarly, with regard to certain desires one may rationalise by asking oneself, what is that which will receive satisfaction, what is that which i am presuming will give me satisfaction. When it comes to bodily pleasure one may look at it clinically: ‘a bunch of bones, flesh and blood and that is what i am looking for’!

People talk about money.

But how far can it take us? We need food, clothing, shelter for our survival. But once that is done why can’t we think of distributing the surplus among those who have practically nothing?

The mind always says to itself, “let me acquire this and then i will turn to what life is meant for”. But that stage never comes.

If butter has been extracted from the milk and it is placed in water, there is no fear of having

it mixed up. But if milk is directly added to water there will remain no distinction between the two, and it may get impossible to separate the milk from the water.

The spiritual attainment is of so much importance that without it selfless action is not possible.

One may remain engrossed in charitable activities but ultimately the desire for fame can be seen as the driving force. And if that is the case, the action is certainly not selfless.

Spiritual attainment helps one free his mind from the desire for fame and then what he pursues is divine and beneficial for the world.

Karma that does not have the backing of knowledge and bhakti can be beneficial neither for the doer nor for whom it is done. Even parental duties, which are said to be pure in relative sense in the realm of worldly affairs, at times involve gross expectations and thus, end up in outcomes that hurt both the parties. After attainment what one does or says becomes absolutely pure because it is selfless in the absolute sense. The doors and windows of a chamber are kept wide open for the fresh air and light to enter. How can then remain an iota of darkness or delusion? What one pursues then becomes beneficial for all.

www.indian-times.com.au

Bollywood

indiantimes

7b

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Salman Khan, Katrina Kaif to reunite

promotional song for producer Sajid Nadiadwala’s debut directorial.

An industry insider reveals, “When the discussion over who’d be cast alongside Salman in the promotional song came up, the entire unit, includ-

ing Sajid, agreed that Katrina would be the perfect choice.�

The duo’s last appearance together was an Eid release two years ago (ETT), and they might come together again for this project,which is set to release during Eid.

Learn English online with your own teacher

We’re told that this promotional song will be picturised only on the two actors. “Sajid is waiting for Salman’s nod about bringing Katrina on board.�

In the past, too, the two actors have done a promotional song together, when Katrina

Saif plays peacemaker between Karisma, Sunjay Kapoor

Just choose one hour the same time each week If you want to learn English at your own pace, in your own home and at a time you prefer then AMEP Distance Learning is for you!

Learning English online or by telephone offers: t 0OF UP POF UFBDIJOH t 4QFDJBMMZ USBJOFE UFBDIFST t $PVSTFT TVJUFE UP ZPVS JOEJWJEVBM OFFET t -FTTPOT XIFSF BOE XIFO JU TVJUT ZPV t 4UVEZ POMJOF PS XJUI QSJOUFE NBUFSJBM Free to eligible AMEP clients.

Enrol for AMEP Distance Learning now!

Find out more $BMM ".&4

Email: AMEPDL@ames.net.au OR Visit: www.ames.net.au

www.ames.net.au

June 2014 Edition

The Adult Migrant English Program (AMEP) is funded CZ UIF "VTUSBMJBO (PWFSONFOU %FQBSUNFOU PG *OEVTUSZ

appeared in the title number of Salman’s film, Bodyguard (2011).

When contacted, the spokesperson of the film says, “We will shoot the promotional song around mid-June, and make a formal announcement.�

B

ollywood splits tend to be venomous but according to a source present in the judge’s chamber on Saturday where Karisma Kapoor and Sunjay Kapoor signed their divorce papers, theirs could be “the ugliest�.

The couple had long-drawn arguments while in family court but finally agreed on `divorce by mutual consent’, thanks to some well-timed intervention from Karisma’s brother-in-law Saif Ali Khan.The source tells Mirror that had it not been for the actor, the proceedings, which lasted six hours, might have ended in an impasse and the warring couple may not have signed the divorce papers at all.

Reveals the source, “Karisma and Sunjay started hurling accusations at each other from the word go. The couple arrived at the Bandra family court at 11 am and by afternoon, things went out of hand.� The scene became so ugly by 2.30 pm that it was assumed that the couple would get a date for another hearing.

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

T

heir last outing together was the 2012 hit, Ek Tha Tiger (ETT). Now, if all goes according to plan, Salman Khan and Katrina Kaif will be seen together on the big screen once again.

This time, it would be for a

Seeing that matters were becoming worse, Saif, who was accompanied by wife Kareena Kapoor, decided to take charge. “He had a meeting with Lolo and then spoke to Sunjay too,� the source revealed. And what did he tell them?

Said the source, “He told Sunjay and Lolo that there was no point in dragging the fight and they need to move on with their lives.

He categorically told them to ease their tempers as anger will not help the process.

He spoke to them about the similar situation (with his ex-wife Amrita Singh) that he had gone through.�

Saif married Amrita in October 1991 and 13 years and two kids later, the two parted ways in 2004.

Lawyers Mahesh Jethmalani and Kranti Sathe represented Karisma while Aman Hingorani and Priya Hingorani from Delhi argued for Sunjay.

Jalaja Nambiar, Narayan Suvarna and Radhika Mehta who form Sunjay’s Mumbai legal team were also present.

www.indian-times.com.au

8b

Bollywood

indiantimes

EK VILLAIN

Director: Mohit Suri Producer: Ekta Kapoor Cast: Sidharth Malhotra, Shraddha Kapoor

Ritesh Deshmukh, Kamaal R Khan

E

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

k Villain movie is based on the character Guru who is quiet, tough and ruthless boy, working for a politician, Prahlad. A dark past refuses to let Guru sleep at night until he meets a girl, Aisha.

He falls in love with her, his life changes and he convinces Aisha to get married to him.

Guru even quits his job and moves from Goa to Mumbai to make a new beginning with Aisha. Just when things seem perfect, she falls prey to an attack.

Devastated, Guru starts hunting the miscreant and is shocked to learn of his seemingly innocuous and simple identity. Something is amiss and Guru is unable to place a finger on the precise problem.

Who is the real assailant? Does Guru succeed in getting even with the assailant? And what is the motive behind her killing?

The plot thickens as the astonishing mystery unveils and new realizations come to the forefront.

This visceral, hard-boiled edge-of-the-seat drama with romance and chart-busting music, comes from director Mohit Suri, renowned for his inimitable cult films, Woh Lamhe, Zeher, Awarapan, Raaz-2, and the recent Aashiqui-2.

Balaji teams up with Suri on his first directorial feature outside the Mukesh Bhatt and Mahesh Bhatt banner. It also marks the first-time pairing of Sidharth and Shraddha.

I used to sell railway tickets in Jaipur: Vijender Singh

B

eing back in the Pink City, for the promotions of Fugly, got Vijender Singh all nostalgic and made him spill the beans about the days he spent here. “I have spent three years of my life in Jaipur. During my time here I used to work with the Indian Railways and was deputed at the main junction. I used to sell tickets at the window.

Yahan maine struggle bhi kiya aur kaafi masti bhi ki hai. Iss shahar ne mujhe bahut saare dost bhi diye hain. In fact, Jaipur ka kuch contribution bhi hai mujhe actor banane mein. Jab main ticket window par tickets bechta tha, toh girls aakar mujhe compliments diya karti thi. In fact,films mein luck try karne ka idea bhi mujhe yahin se mila,” said the boxer-turned-actor. Even as Vijender is giving his all to the promotions of his film, he is ensuring that boxing doesn’t take a back seat in his life. “Before

Your dream home is waiting for you in regional Victoria.

starting with the promotions, I was in the Patiala camp practising for the upcoming boxing events.

After Fugly is released, I will go back to my camp to prepare for the Commonwealth Games and then the Asian Games. I did this film just to try my hand at acting, but that doesn’t mean that I am quitting sports. Boxing is my passion and it will continue being that. Acting just happened in my life. I used to watch Akshay Kumar doing stunts on the screen.

To a great extent, he is the one who inspired me to take up acting. His death-defying acts on screen inspired me a lot. I thought, ‘I should also try this, at least once’,” said, Vijender. But, it is neither acting nor boxing that gives Vijjender a challenging time.

“Film promotions are tougher and more taxing than boxing in the ring or acting in front of the camera,” Vijender signs off.

A move to regional or rural Victoria could be the best move you ever make.

Explore your move at

Authorised by the Victorian Government, 1 Treasury Place, Melbourne.

June 2014 Edition

www.indian-times.com.au

Bollywood

indiantimes

9b

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Manoj Bajpayee refuses to play Shahid Kapoor’s uncle

ters with grey shades in the past,” said a friend of Vishal. However, he insisted there is no bad blood between the actor and the filmmaker saying, “They hardly meet each other.

Moreover, Vishal didn’t go to Manoj directly; it was the film’s casting director who approached Manoj.”

Vishal Bhardwaj, who was in Paris last month to direct an opera, has returned to India and was busy on Haider’s edit, and couldn’t be reached.

Manoj Bajpayee too remained unavailable for comment.

Priyanka Chopra sends legal notice to ex boyfriend T

he inevitable has happened. In a bid to thwart the biopic of her former manager, Prakash Jaju, Priyanka Chopra has sent a legal notice to her ex-boyfriend Aseem Merchant, who is producing the film.

The actress believes that the film will revolve around her personal and professional life and has sent a copy of the notice to Jaju too.

The notice, sent by Priyanka’s lawyer Anand Desai states: “Our client is shocked to note that while

June 2014 Edition

all the news articles men tion the proposed film as your (Jaju’s) biopic, the promotions largely refer to our client and inclusion of aspects of her and her family life rather than references to you. You are intending to collude with Mr Merchant in violation of our client’s rights, including right to privacy, defaming our client and lowering her reputation, seeking to subject her to hatred and ridicule.

Our client calls upon you to withdraw all the publicity material of the

film with immediate effect, desist using or referring to any personal or confidential information about her and/or her family, desist from producing, releasing the proposed film and tender an unconditional apology to her.” Aseem, who was dating Priyanka when she was crowned Miss World in 2000, recently launched a production house, Limelight Motion Pictures Pvt Ltd has maintained that the film, 67 Days, is a “biopic of Priyanka’s exmanager Jaju”.

The actress had an ugly fallout with Jaju which led to him being arrested and imprisoned for 67 days in 2008. According to Jaju, the actress owed him a huge amount of money and refused to clear his dues. The situation worsened when Jaju allegedly started interfering in Priyanka’s personal life. This led to her father (late) Dr Ashok Chopra filing an FIR against Jaju, stating that he was not only making false allegations against his daughter but also threatening the family mem-

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

I

t’s been reported that the role Kay Kay Menon is playing in Vishal Bharadwaj’s Haider was first offered to Manoj Bajpayee. Mirror has learnt that the reason behind turning down such a plum offer was because Manoj was not ready to play uncle to Shahid Kapoor. ”The role offered to Manoj was that of Shahid’s uncle’s. It would have required him to look much older, especially while sharing screen space with Shahid. He wasn’t keen on that though he has played older charac-

bers. Jaju went into hiding and was finally arrested from Mau, MP. When contacted, Aseem told Mirror that his legal team is looking into the matter. Meanwhile, Jaju wants Priyanka to take a call after she has read the final script.

“If she still has any objection, then we shall drop the film. I don’t want to hurt her sentiments. The film is about me, not Priyanka. She is just a chapter in that.”

Priyanka remained unavailable for comment.

www.indian-times.com.au

Bollywood

indiantimes

10b

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Ranveer Singh: Bollywood’s unexpected star

“

This year at the IIFA Awards, I fell really ill and had to perform for over 50,000 people,” says Ranveer Singh excitedly.

Yes, excitedly. Because when he went on that stage to perform, he saw a face in the crowd cheering him on. “It was Govinda. And

almost magically, I was infused with energy,” Singh says. “So I sucked it up and danced, just the way my idol would.”

Singh, 28, says he owes a lot to Govinda. Growing up, he never met the ‘90s superstar but knew that he wanted to be an entertainer like him. “I have always been

a performer,” Singh admits. “I am an outsider. So is Govinda. I knew I could realise my acting dreams if I just followed in his footsteps.”

Which he did. And today, after four years in films, life has come full circle: Singh will appear alongside Govinda in the upcoming Kill Dil. “How amazing is that!”

In 2010, if someone told you that a not-so-good-looking boy with no filmi connections would be the next big thing in Bollywood, you’d have laughed. Singh’s preference for velvet jackets and checkered pants made Johnny Depp look stylish in comparison. And where most actors dream of breaking into the endorsement game with a cola or sports gear, he signed on for, of all things, a condom brand. And yet, Ranveer Singh is breaking through. “Because I don’t think of consequences,” he states simply. “I am willing to be called arrogant for that.”

If you’re going to call him arrogant, don’t forget he’s also cheerful and hyper energetic.

“Why should I be anything else?

I am so many different characters in my films, I will forget who I am if I start pretending in real life as well,” Singh says.

It is also this image that lets him off the hook at times. Singh’s endorsement of condoms, a product most other actors wouldn’t be seen with, garnered lots of praise, but little surprise. Singh, for his part, doesn’t understand why people can’t talk about sex.

“In our country, we should endorse condoms a lot more aggressively because clearly, we’re having a lot of sex.” Now, with a few hits under his brocade belt, he’s upped his whimsy. He got rid of the moustache just as ev-

eryone was falling in love with it; he declared his love for Deepika Padukone (under the influence of medication after a bout of dengue), and is wearing even stranger clothes.

Fame is also allowing him to display another trait. “Ranveer has a quiet side,” says Vikramaditya Motwane, director and close friend. In Motwane’s Lootera, Singh gave a restrained, critically acclaimed performance that one did not expect from the same guy who played the street smart Bittu in Band Baaja Baaraat.

And it slips through when he talks of his struggle to break into the industry, the 19 months without a release when he hurt his back on the sets of Lootera and the fear of losing himself. “I went through the grind of auditions to get Maneesh [Sharma] to cast me in Band Baaja Baaraat,” he says.

“That grind didn’t bother me. The prejudice within the industry did.”

Last year, he entered the Rs. 100 crore-club with Goliyon Ki Rasleela Ram-Leela. “Even I didn’t think I would be here,” Singh admits, laughing. “But it’s great to get validation from people.” The actor says he’s learnt some tact since, even though he finds it “painful” to lie. “I hold back if I feel it might upset people. But lying is not my favourite thing.” There you have it... Ranveer Singh!

Deepika Padukone to play Saina Nehwal onscreen

June 2014 Edition

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

W

hile there have been reports that a biopic on Saina Nehwal is in the pipeline by none other than veteran filmmaker Mahesh Bhatt, Saina is keen to have Deepika Padukone roped in for the same.

At an event that the Olympic Bronze winner attended earlier this week in the city, she said, “I think only Deepika Padukone can do justice to my onscreen image.

Firstly, people should be able to connect with the character and given Deepika’s popularity, she would be perfect for the role.”

Apart from being one of the top actresses in the industry, Saina feels that Deepika is the only actor who can pull off a badminton player’s role well. “She knows badminton quite well. Apart from the strokes and bends, she is aware of all the actions in the game. And since it will be a film based on a sportsperson’s life, it wouldn’t be right to go with flaws in strokes and patterns. I have seen her play, and she is really good at it,” Saina added.

Speaking on the confirmation of the film being made, Saina said, “There have been media reports about the film and only Mahesh sir can take the final call on it. But Deepika would be the best choice for it,” she gushed. When we followed it up with Mahesh Bhatt, he confirmed saying, “There is a very honest intention to contract a

meaningful document which captures the essence and resilience of Saina’s life. However, the project is in its nascent stage now. It has to be given a green light and be com-

missioned. Once it is done, I am sure it will come out very well.”

While Saina is keen on her biopic, she feels she isn’t ready to face the camera as yet. “I want

people to know me for the sport and my game, and for nothing else. Also, it’s very important to remain focussed as once you lose focus you can’t perform well any-

more. So it is a conscious effort on my part to avoid the limelight. If the film happens, it will only show my struggle to achieve what I have,” she added.

www.indian-times.com.au

VI C

T O RI A

< 250 LOTS

T O RI A

VI C

T O RI A

2012

2011

2012

2010

AWARD

VI C

APARTMENT

PROJECT OF THE YEAR VI C

T O RI A

2012

T O RI A

APARTMENT

PROJECT OF THE YEAR

2012

AWARD > 250 LOTS

VI C

HI A

HI A

UDI A DEVELOPMENT

EXCELLENCE

2012

DEVELOPMENT

EXCELLENCE

2012

AWARD

UDI A

2010

2010

UDI A JUDGES’

LANDSCAPING

12b

Bollywood

indiantimes

Eventograph photographs from latest B-Town Events

Kabir Sadanand at Fugly Movie Promotion

Heman Pandey at Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai Press Meet

Tamanna Bhatia and Ritesh Deshmukh at Humshakals Press Conference

Amrita Puri at Filmistaan Special Screening

June 2014 Edition

Jimmy Shergill at Fugly Movie Promotion

Swara Bhaskar at Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai Press Meet

Esha Gupta at Humshakals Press Conference

Tabu at Filmistaan Special Screening

Kiara Advani and Vijender Singh at Fugly Movie Promotion

Saif Ali Khan at Humshakals Press Conference

Murli Sharma at Machhli Jal Ki Rani Hai Press Meet

Ali Fazal at Bobby Jasoos Trailer Launch

Vidya Balan at Bobby Jasoos Trailer Launch

Anand Gandhi and Sharib Hashmi at Filmistaan Special Screening

Dia Mirza at Bobby Jasoos Trailer Launch

www.indian-times.com.au

Bollywood

indiantimes

13b

Eventograph photographs from latest B-Town Events

Sonam Kapoor at Bollywood at Cannes Film Festival 2014

Sonu Sood at It`S Entertainment Trailer Launch

Mallika Sherawat at Bollywood at Cannes Film Festival 2014

Tamanna Bhatia at It`S Entertainment Trailer Launch

Dibakar Banerjee at Byomkesh Bakshi Location Shoot

Zoya Afroz at XPOSE Film Promotion

June 2014 Edition

Akshay Kumar at It`S Entertainment Trailer Launch

Sushant Singh Rajput at Byomkesh Bakshi Location Shoot

Himesh Reshammiya at XPOSE Film Promotion

Aishwarya Rai at Bollywood at Cannes Film Festival 2014

Kashmira Shah at It`S Entertainment Trailer Launch

Arunoday Singh at Pizza Movie Trailer Launch

Akshay Oberoi at Pizza Movie Trailer Launch

www.indian-times.com.au

14b

Bollywood

indiantimes

bollywood music Fugly Music Review :

T

he score begins with the title-song, which comes at the end of the film. ‘Fugly Fugly Kaun Hai’ is a trivial, typically ‘today’ number, with irreverent lyrics. However, irreverence is one thing, being offensive another ( ‘Jaan ke chipak ke baitha Buddha / Auzaar hai dheela phir bhi tharki’). Yo Yo Honey Singh writes, composes and sings this song, and since the man is riding the crest of popularity today, with kids loving him specially, he would do well to respect that and stick to respectable words. The catchy beat and repetition of the hook-cum-mukhda lingers, but that’s a short-term effect. And the woman singer in the beginning is not credited.

Yo Yo’s other song here, ‘Banjare’ scores much better, though the lyrics, while aspiring to make an impact, remain at the average level. The tune and musical arrangement are different - at least for Yo Yo’s style - and the song connects a lot more than the title track.

The catchiest song on the score is the Raftaar-written, composed and rendered ‘Dhup Chik’. Though there are innuendos in these words too, the song is a clear satire on the situation and the tangential take works.

Raftaar sings with spirit and his composition and laidback (rather than overpowering) orchestration connects.

Four songs here are composed

by Prashant Vadhyar and the only one that makes a mark of sorts is the slow ballad, ‘Dhuaan’ (Arijit Singh with Pawni Pandey). Arijit’s trademark vocals are familiarly alluring, and the lyrics (Arshia Nahid) are familiarly pleasant too. However, we wonder why a recurring musical phrase seems

to be lifted straight out of another Arijit song, ‘Kabira’ from Yeh Jawaani Hai Deewani. Isn’t it a bit too early for inspiration?

Vadhyar intentionally spoofs the beginning of the cult ‘Jumma Chumma De De’ from Hum as the vocal prelude to ‘Lovely Jind Wali’ (whatever that means) sung

by Pawni Pandey, Santokh Singh and Vadhyar himself. This one’s

an item song that claims (as per Niren Bhatt-Rajveer Ahuja’s lyrics) not to be one ( ‘Isse item song samajh naa baby / Yeh dil ki mere calling hai’). That’s sadly right, because it simply does not have what it takes, lyrically, musically and vocally, to be even an average number in this muchmaligned genre.

The remaining two tracks

“When I despair, I remember that all through history the way of truth and love have always won. There have been tyrants and murderers, and for a time, they can seem invincible, but in the end, they always fall. Think of it--always.”

Mahatma Gandhi

"1( 'PUP Aishwariya Rai’s photo taken by Guruswamy at Taj Palace New Delhi, 1994

June 2014 Edition

Still Photography for all events including weddings, corporate functions, outdoor events and much more.

CONTACT: Guruswamy Mob: 0406 820 413

(35 years experienced photographer)

have nothing to write home or anywhere else about. ‘Good In Bed’ (sic) is an obnoxious song, despite its peppy rhythms. The lyrics (Niren Bhatt) talk about a man who possesses...er, bedroom skills and (literally) nothing else. The singers (Prashant Vadhyar, Rajiv Sundaresan, Sunaina Sarkar) go through the motions.

The tastelessness also per-

vades ‘G Pe Danda’ (Aman Trikha, Pawni Pandey, Prashant Vadhyar) with words (Sumit Aroraa) that go ‘Tere Armani ke suit ko kaatke / Kachhe main banaoon / De G pe danda kaske / Tu gaur se rehna bachke’. The sentiments, however crass, exactly reflect the increasingly public ire against such poor stuff masquerading as Hindi film songs.

Latest Latest TopTen Ten Top Music Music #1 #2 #3 #4 #5 #6 #7 #8 #9 #10

Mast Magan Locha-E-Ulfat Baby Doll Palat Offo London Thumakda Chaar Botal Vodka Party With The Bhoothnath Chaandaniyan Suno Na Sangemarmar

2 States 2 States Ragini MMS 2 Main Tera Hero 2 States Queen Ragini MMS 2 Bhoothnath Returns 2 States Youngistaan www.indian-times.com.au

Bollywood

indiantimes

15b

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Small stunts can also kill you: Akshay Kumar

A

kshay Kumar has jumped off a building’s terrace and engaged in a violent fist fight for his forthcoming film “Holiday: A Soldier Is Never Off

Duty”. But he believes that small or big, one needs to be cautious while doing any stunt as it can be fatal.

When asked if agile body, sharp

memory and rational mind are required for doing risky scenes, he said,`I agree, but it’s not just for difficult stunts. Even a small jump from a stool requires all of that. We

can’t take small stunts for granted because the biggest stunt doesn’t get you hurt. It’s the small stunt that can kill you.` For the forthcoming actioner, directed by A.R. Murugadoss, the makers roped in popular British stuntman Greg Powell, known for his work in Hollywood’s super hit franchises such as “Harry Potter” and “James Bond”, to ensure that each stunt is executed well.

And Akshay says that the action sequences will certainly surprise the audience. `My director loves realism.

That’s why when you will see the fight sequences, you will be surprised. It’s all real fight. I got to do AKIRU (a form of martial art),` said the 46-year-old, who plays an army officer in the film.

The realism doesn’t end with a few action moves. He says that the entire movie, shot in Mumbai and the capital, was filmed outside studios. `We have not even entered a studio for the film. All were shot in real locations. The director refused to go near studio for the film. It was great working on real locations because it’s not easy when public is there but we did manage everything,` said Akshay.

He goes on to say that even when the film’s producer Vipul Shah suggested to shoot in a studio with a fake ship, Murugadoss refused.

`We did a climax on a ship. The director wanted to shoot on a real ship. It was little difficult to get permission to shoot on ship but we got it for a few days,` said the actor, who has often collaborated with Shah.

The two came together and gave blockbusters like “Waqt - Race Against Time”, “Singh is Kinng” and “Namastey London”. `The kind of films he (Shah) makes is the kind that I also like.

We get along very well. That’s why we succeeded in making six to seven films by now,` said Akshay.

Akshay may lead the cast of the film, but he feels Murugadoss is the hero of `Holiday...`.

Akshay is all praise for the `Ghajini` director and gives a lot of credit to the latter for the way the movie has come out. `I met them (police officials and families) for a while but Murugadoss has been in touch with them for the last three years and tried to get whatever he could to incorporate in the film, so he did more homework than all of us put together,` he said. `The whole film is dedicated to the Indian Army. The subject i.e sleeper cells that’s the highlight of the film. We think we know terrorism but how they operate is the best highlight of the film and the biggest USP is my director. He is the hero of the film,` he added.

“ It’s very important.

It could save you thousands.”

“It was a serious anaphylactic reaction to a bee sting.

Before I collapsed, I told my daughter to call the ambulance. The doctors told me that I was lucky to be alive. I remember being so grateful I have Ambulance Victoria membership!”

Asha Prakash

Ambulance Victoria Member

$

Singles

Families $

40.30 p.a. 80.60 p.a.

Join now. Call 1800 64 84 84 or visit ambulance.vic.gov.au

June 2014 Edition

GENUINE AMBULANCE VICTORIA MEMBERSHIP. Be sure. Be covered.

www.indian-times.com.au

16b LOCAL News

indiantimes

India-born doctor receives top Australian honour

Photo source: PTI

A

prominent India-born doctor based in Australia has been conferred with a prestigious award by a top medical body here in recognition of his outstanding service to the medical profession and the community, the Australian Medical Association (AMA) said.

Mukesh Haikerwal, 54, a general practitioner and former AMA president, was presented the AMA Gold Medal, the association’s highest honour, at the AMA National Conference Gala Dinner earlier this month, the medical association said in a statement.

Steve Hambleton, president of AMA, said in his presentation remarks that Haikerwal had been a leading figure in the medical profession for many years, and his long list of significant and enduring achievements warranted the association’s highest accolade.

“In the last two decades, Dr Haikerwal has been an extraordinarily active and committed member of the AMA, advancing the interests of members and patients at almost every level of the organisation,” Hambleton added.

Haikerwal became an AMA Victoria state councillor in 1995, rising to be state president in 2001 and became federal AMA president in 2005.

In 2008-09, Haikerwal was a commissioner of the Australian

Health and Hospitals Reform Commission, which recommended major changes, including the introduction of activity-based funding in public hospitals and the establishment of local hospital networks.

“During his long and distinguished record of service he has been at the forefront of many issues pivotal to the healthcare system,” Hambleton said.

A recipient of the AMA president’s award for 2009, Haikerwal confronted the spectre of medical racism, and led the AMA in condemning abuse of international medical graduates. He was also instrumental in putting the AMA at the centre of the ehealth debate, according to the AMA. He has been a member of the World Medical Association since 2007, and in 2011 became the first Australian to be elected as the chair of the world body.

Haikerwal has also been recognised for his outstanding contribution with a string of honours, including the Centenary Medal, Fellowship of the AMA and being made an Officer of the Order of Australia.

The Australian Medical Association (AMA) is the apex membership organisation representing registered medical practitioners and medical students of Australia.

India expects Australia to return 900-year-old ‘Dancing Shiva’ statue

BEYOND INDIA BHARAT TIMES G'DAY INDIA HELLO BOLLYWOOD INDIA AT MELBOURNE INDIAN LINK INDIAN TIMES INDIAN VOICE INDO TIMES INDUS AGE PRAVASA BHARATHI SANTA BANTA SATYA TIMES MILLENIUM SOUTH ASIA TIMES TAMIL MURASU AUST

Moti visa Dinesh Malhotra Tonee Sethi Srikanth Balan Anil Sharma Ashish chawla Paul McLane Raj Dudeja Taswinder Singh Sidharth Suresh Srinath Nadador Vandna Bhatia Bharat Shah Mani Maaran Neeraj Nanda Ravi Ragupathy

Beyond.India@optusnet.com.au dm@bharattimes.com editor@gdayindia.com.au sri@hellobollywood.com.au indiaatmelbourne@gmail.com info@indianlink.com.au editor@indian-times.com.au editor@indianvoice.com.au editor@indotimes.com.au sid@indusage.com.au srinath@pb1.com.au info@santabantamedia.com.au satyatimes@ymail.com dmaaran@gmail.com satimes@gmail.com raviaustra143@gmail.com

0412 087 192 0412 767 197 0412 114 383 0400 422685 0433 447 150 0468 389 272 0433 676 636 0414 499 442 0419 316 544 0424 934 804 0403 424 134 0431 800 994 0433 308 002 0401 738 848 0421 677 082 0432 594 170

PATRON (ON BEHALF OF CGI)

Rakesh Kawra

Rakesh.Kawra@cgimelb.org

0430 963 554

Office-bearers of the Executive Committee (For one year on a rotational basis) President: Raj Dudeja Vice-President: Dinesh Malhotra

Secretary: Srinath Nadador Treasurer: Tonee Sethi

Member: Paul McLane Member: Taswinder Singh Member: Bharat Shah

All correspondence to be addressed to: The Secretary, IMOAA - contact@imoaa.com.au PO BOX 1009 | Blackburn North | VIC 3130

June 2014 Edition

I

ndia on Wednesday said it expects Australia to return a 900-year-old ‘Dancing Shiva’ statue and another stone sculpture bought from a disgraced Indian antiquities dealer. “We are satisfied with the steps taken and cooperation extended by the Australian government in response to this issue,” India’s High Commissioner Biren Nanda said in Melbourne.

“We had formally requested the return of the statues and currently there is a process which is being followed to resolve the issue. We expect that the statues would be returned to India,” he said in Melbourne. The Canberra-based Indian High Commission had formally requested the return of a 900-year-old Dancing Shiva statue from the National Gallery of Australia and a stone sculpture of the god Ardhanarishvara from the Art Gallery of New South Wales.

Following the request of Indian government, the two galleries in March this year “voluntarily removed” the sculptures from public display.

Both artefacts were bought from Indian artefact dealer Subhash Kapoor, who is currently on

trial in India for looting and wanted in the US for allegedly running a smuggling operation.

National Gallery had paid $ 5 million for the Shiva statue in February 2008 while Art Gallery of NSW bought six items from Kapoor, including the Ardhanarishvara sculpture for $ 300,000 in 2004.

According to Tarun Kumar, the first secretary at the Indian High Commission, the case was currently being probed by Tamil Nadu police and there was no time frame regarding the decision on when the idols will be returned. However, he said, Australian authorities had taken steps on the Indian request.

In March, both the artefacts were moved in the care of Australian federal government under the Moveable Cultural Heritage Act, a law that allowed the galleries 30 days to challenge India’s claims. As the deadline for contesting the claims expired on April 26, the idols were forfeited to the Australian government. The decision is now in the hands of the Commonwealth.

www.indian-times.com.au

Bollywood

indiantimes

17b

MEDIA RELEASE

Last Chance to Purchase in Central Equity`s Landmark CBD Tower-MelbourneONE

A

fter a hugely successful sales period, construction has commenced on the CBD’s newest apartment complex, MelbourneONE. There are currently a small number of apartments available for sale but if the popularity of the project so far is any indication, they will sell fast.

A project of multi-award winning developer Central Equity, MelbourneONE will rise 45 levels above 618 Lonsdale St. A landmark blend of heritage façade and modern tower design, the architects have integrated the original, ground level early 1900`s building with a striking, modern glass exterior.

A variety of retail outlets on the ground level will be crowned by elegant apartments offering stylish, contemporary CBD living with easy access to the

best the city has to offer, including key employment, education, sports and entertainment hubs.

All apartments have floor-to-ceiling windows that open to a balcony or terrace for natural light.

Versatile kitchens feature composite stone benchtops, and the latest in quality fittings and fixtures, including European appliances and German tapware. Bathrooms have full height wall tiling, semi-frameless shower screens, large mirrors, high gloss cabinetry and stone vanities. A washer/ dryer is also included.

Exclusive resident facilities include an indoor heated pool, BBQ, gymnasium and concierge services. MelbourneONE is on the doorstep of the city’s best commercial, education and lifestyle hubs. Key local business centres include

the prestigious legal precinct, just one block away and leading Australian and international corporate offices within walking distance.

Residents will have easy access to transport with Southern Cross Station, Flagstaff station, tram and bus routes only one block away.

Central Equity brings more than 25 years of design and development experience to MelbourneONE. The company is often referred to as the pioneer of inner-city living, having developed over 70 innercity projects and having won several major industry awards.

Central Equity can also provide all leasing, property management and resale services in a one-stop shop of property management requirements.

Call 1800 445 520 or visit www.melbourneone.com.au for more info.

Soha in a film on 1984 Sikh riots

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

S

June 2014 Edition

hivaji Patil, who made the National Awardwinning Marathi film, Dhag, is now planning to make a film based on the real-life story of a Sikh family that was saved by three Hindu families on the day the 1984 Sikh riots broke out after the assassination of then Prime Minister Indira Gandhi.

Patil recounts, `I was in Delhi for the National Awards when a gentleman came to me and told me his family’s story; he told me how they were affected by the violence when he was just seven years old.

When I heard about the ordeal they went through after Indira Gandhi was assassinated, I was moved by it all.’’ He adds that his film will tell the story about this Sikh family that lived in Janakpuri with their twins and how three Hindu families helped them escape death. It is a story of three nights of ordeal,’’ says Patil.

It seems that the person who approached Patil has chanced upon letters written by his father that chronicle their ordeal in detail. It is said that the film will draw heavily from these letters. Patil reveals that Vir Das will play the husband’s part while Soha Ali Khan will play the wife.

Delhi is not the same anymore so we are shooting in Ludhiana, which looks similar to the Janakpuri of 1984. Our art director Bhupinder Singh has managed to get hold of old Ambassador cars, burnt DTH buses and other items that were needed to make it look real.’’

Producer Harry Sachdeva plans to release the film on October 31, the day when Sikh riots broke out in Delhi.

www.indian-times.com.au

18b

Bollywood

indiantimes

H

e didn’t have a godfather when he started out in Bollywood almost three decades back. However, once success touched his life, Salman Khan didn’t stop himself from giving back to the industry that made him a superstar, over the years.

Often referred to as the oneman-army of Bollywood, he has been the reason and route for not one or two but countless talents, who’ve made a name for themselves in showbiz. While for many like Arjun Kapoor and even Hrithik Roshan, ‘Bhai’ has been an inspiration and guiding force, for others including actors Sneha Ullal, Zareen Khan, Sonakshi Sinha, Hazel Keech, Daisy Shah, and even music composers Sajid-Wajid and Himesh Reshammiya, he has been the launchpad himself, giving the newbies the dream debuts of their life.

And then of course are the slew of actors for whom Khan has been nothing less than an anchor, rescuing their careers from drowning into the deep sea.

This list includes names right from Asin to Elli Avram, Ashmit Patel, Sana Khan, Jacqueline Fernandez and of course his much-hyped ex, Katrina Kaif.

This year will see the big daddy handhold a bunch of new youngsters including Athiya Shetty, Kiara Advani, Isabel Kaif, Sooraj

Pancholi and even his rumoured flame Lulia Vantur.

Added to this list are also Raza Murad’s son Ali, Danny Denzongpa’s son, Rinzing, and the late Vijay Anand’s son, Vaibhav Anand.

1.Sajid-2.Wajid: Brothers Sajid Ali and Wajid Ali made their Bollywood debut with Salman’s 1998 hit Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya. Eventually, the music composer duo delivered numerous hits but continue to be a favourite of Salman Bhai, for whom they composed for films like Dabangg (2010) and Jai Ho, this year.

3.Himesh Reshamiya: It was all about one-off music albums for Himesh until his big break in Bollywood came from Salman Khan in form of Pyaar Kiya To Darna Kya (1998) where he got the chance to compose some of the songs. A known name today, Himesh’s initial hits were all from Salman’s films - Dulhan Hum Le Jayenge (2000) and Tere Naam (2003). Gradually, Himesh outgrew himself from Salman, and the two had a public spat of sorts in a reality show around 2008.

However, in 2011 they decided to bury the hatchet and once again worked together in Bodyguard.

4.Hrithik Roshan: Hrithik was launched by his dad Rakesh Roshan in Kaho Naa... Pyaar Hai but not many know that it was Salman’s training that went into creating that Greek Godlike

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Salman turns godfather to 11 wannabe stars in 2014

physique. More recently after his split with wife Sussanne, Hrithik,

reportedly spent a lot of time with ‘bhai’, pouring his heart out.

Time for Love.

Picture source: lightscamerabollywood

Don’t want to cause ‘national embarrassment’ by dancing: Karan Johar F

June 2014 Edition

ilmmaker Karan Johar won’t be seen shaking his leg during the new season of the dance reality show “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa” as he doesn’t want to cause “national embarrassment” to himself.

Karan, one of the judges on the show, did not mind hitting the dance floor himself earlier.

“This season I am keeping myself away from dance. I think I have caused national embarrassment by dancing, so I am not going to dance,” Karan told reporters here at the launch of the new season “Jhalak Dikhhla Jaa”.

The other judges on the show are choreographer-director Remo D’souza and actress Madhuri Dixit. The 13 celebrity contestants are Purab Kohli, Andy, Sukhwinder Singh, Karan Tacker, Sophie Chaudhary, Kritika Kamra, Mouni Roy, Sreesanth, Puja Bose, Palak (Kiku Sharda), Shakti Mohan, Akshat and Ashish Sharma.

The contestants performed during the launch this evening.

“This season will be a challenge for contestants as they will have to learn to earn (marks),” Madhuri said. Remo also made it clear that they will be more strict this t me with contestants.

The show is slated to go on air from this weekend on Colors channel.

www.indian-times.com.au

sports

indiantimes

19b

F

ormer India wicketkeeper Syed Kirmani, who won the ‘CEAT lifetime achievement award’ here on Monday, feels that “commercial considerations” may be preventing India skipper MS Dhoni from quitting at least one format in order to preserve himself for a longer duration.

“The ball is entirely in his court.

If he is fit, he can play in all formats,” Kirmani said in an exclusive interview, before explaining why he thought Dhoni may be keen to play for India in all formats.

“You see, he is on a contract.

All Indian players are on a contract with some firm or the other, where they endorse their products. These companies would like to see the players, who they pay to endorse their products, play in all the formats so that their logo is seen all the time. This is holding the players from taking a break. There could be other reasons too,” Kirmani said.

The 64-year-old, who played 88 Tests, was a part of the ‘Kapil’s Devils’ team which won the World Cup in 1983. All through his career, he had to live in the shadows, while others around him hogged the limelight, whether it was the famous quartet of spinners he kept wickets

for or Kapil Dev, with whom he added 126* for the ninth wicket against Zimbabwe to save India the blushes during a World Cup game in 1983.

While it was Kapil who justifiably hogged glory at Tunbridge Wells for his glorious 175 not out, Kirmani’s contribution - an unbeaten 24 at a critical stage, was no less vital. In the Indian dressing room, thanks to his changing hairstyles and fabulous sense of humour, he remained a popular character.

Kirmani expressed happiness upon receiving the award, but also rued the fact that he could have played much more for India, but wasn’t ‘allowed’ to. “It [the award] is a matter of honour and I am thankful for it. However, to be honest, I don’t think I was allowed to ‘achieve’ in my career.

I had a lot of cricket ahead of me.

In my opinion, though, it is God who makes the destiny of an individual. This award is given to one who has literally served the country till he retires after achieving everything. I was at the pinnacle of my career. I was mature and improving match by match, when the almighty said ‘enough is enough.’ However, I have no regrets at all. I am enjoying life, and there is no time to crib,” the man with the famous long and

Photo source: PTI

Contracts may force Dhoni to play all formats: Kirmani

thin moustache said.

Kirmani was impressed with the talent displayed by young stumper Sanju Samson, but had a word of caution for him.

“He has shown maturity in his approach. However, it is important for a youngster to retain his

head on his shoulders, and not get carried away by his good progress and talent. Many promising youngsters have slipped into wilderness because they lost their heads,” he felt.

Being a stumper, Kirmani relished Kings’ keeper Wriddhiman

Saha’s unbeaten 115 in the IPL final. “It was wonderful to see a keeper-bat come out to open the innings and click so well. This shows that consistency in fielding a player brings out the best in him,” the ex-Karnataka player stressed.

season -- it was the first time they reported patellar tendinitis.

The Portuguese have been drawn in Group G at the World Cup and will face Germany on June 16 in Salvador, the United States a week later in Manaus and then Ghana on June 26 in Brasilia.

“We hope that Cristiano is in good enough shape to play -and to help the team,” teammate Nani, who plays for Manchester United, told reporters.

Ronaldo “is going well, and he is relaxed about it ... Things are going the right way,” he added, after hundreds of fans welcomed the team at the Newark airport in New Jersey, just outside New York City.

Portugal will play two friendlies while in the United States. They take on Mexico in Foxboro near Boston on Friday -- at the home of the NFL’s New England Patriots.

Next Tuesday they face Ireland at the Jets’ MetLife Stadium -which hosted the Super Bowl in February.

Nani, 27, who missed out on the last World Cup in South Africa due to a shoulder injury, said fitnes woes can make a player “distracted and less sure of himself.”

“If for some reason (Ronaldo) is not there, whoever is there playing has to be confident in their ability to get the job done,” he said.

“The World Cup is a one-of-akind challenge. I want to be fully fit, and in top form alongside my teammates. I could not be there last time, but happily, I am here now,” said Nani, who has played 73 games and scored 14 goals with Portugal’s national side.

He said the first clash with Germany will be key to setting the tone for the rest of the tournament, preferably a winning one.

Portugal fret over Ronaldo fitness ahead of World Cup

Portugal were gearing up for the World Cup on Tuesday in New Jersey, fretting over the fitness of superstar Cristiano Ronaldo.

With the World Cup looming, the FIFA Ballon d’Or winner as best footballer of last year, had some bad news about his recent aches and pains.

June 2014 Edition

Ronaldo has a “muscle injury on the back of his left thigh as well as left-leg patellar tendinitis,” the Portuguese Football Association said in a report on his medical issues and those of stars Raul Meireles, Pepe and Beto.

Amid some heavy downpours, the four spent their time at the

New York Jets’ training center grinding it out on different exercises meant to get them in the best possible shape in the final sprint before the World Cup starts June 12.

While Portugal have previously discussed superstar Ronaldo’s thigh injury -- sustained late in the

www.indian-times.com.au

20b

sports

indiantimes

Photo source: PTI

India face Spain challenge in hockey WC

B

ogged down by two successive losses, an under-pressure Indian hockey team will be confronted

by Spain’s livewire strikers when the two teams clash in their preliminary league encounter of the World Cup at the Greenfields Stadium.

After conceding match-winners to Belgium and England in the closing stages of successive

matches, the Indian defence will need to raise its game several notches against Spain, who won a penalty shootout against India for the fifth position when they last met in the 2013 World League Semifinals.

Financial woes have forced the Spanish hockey team to opt out of some big-league events over the past two years, but the crux of the team is still there,

and could again be troublesome for the Indian defenders. Santi Frexia and seasoned Eduard Tubau would be major threat to the wobbly defence of India.

Indian team’s technical director, Roelant Oltmans feels the high-quality individuals in the Spanish team could pose problems for his team. But Indian players, according to Oltmans, are professional enough to

overcome the trauma of the losses in earlier games.

“We’ve not played Spain often in recent times, but they have several high-quality players in their ranks,” said Oltmans.

“We’ll have to perform well as a team to overcome this rival.”

Oltmans said it was disappointing to have lost two matches due to late goals, but the Indian team has “played quite well.”

Oltmans said there were clear signs of the team’s rising performance graph, and it should be visible more in the World Cup itself.

“We’re disappointed over the result, but not at the level of performance by the boys. In due course, it should lead to better results. The Indian team needs to lift its game further,” he said.

While India have no points from two outings, Spain have just one from a 1-1 draw against England following which they were beaten 3-0 by defending champions Australia.

Spanish coach Salvador Indurain says his team has not lost hope of making the semifinals.

“We’ll now play every match as a final. The Indians are complicated rivals. India is also ranked higher than us and it’s not going to be easy for us,” said

Indurain, aware of the problems the Indians could cause for Spain.

“We know how the Indians play and they’ve improved a lot.

We’re not as strong as we used to be a few years ago, although we have several senior players,” he added.

Eight players in Spain’s team have played more than 100 internationals. Tubau’s 269match experience makes him the most experienced, followed by Ramon Alegre (256 matches) and David Alegre (219 matches).

Captain Frexia, the star strikers of many internationals for Spain, has featured in 179 matches, while goalkeeper Quico Cortes has 162 international caps against his name.

Others who have played over 100 games are Roc Olava and Miquel Delas. Indian captain Sardar Singh has 182 caps, while others with more than 100 appearances are Gurbaj Singh, V R Raghunath and S V Sunil.

Coach Indurain would prefer Spain going into the contest as the underdogs, since that could take the pressure away from his players.

“We have some fine players in the team, but the entire unit needs to focus on competing.

They should not let other factors distract them,” said Indurain.

Tendulkar savours Lara partnership in Lord’s bicentenary

June 2014 Edition

Photo source: PTI

R

etired Indian cricketing legend Sachin Tendulkar said Tuesday he is savouring the opportunity to pair up with West Indies great Brian Lara at Lord’s for an exhibition match marking its 200th anniversary.

Marylebone Cricket Club last month confirmed that Lara will join an MCC XI captained by Tendulkar and also including Australia’s Aaron Finch, India’s Rahul Dravid and Pakistan off-spinner Saeed Ajmal.

The side will play a Rest of the World XI captained by former Australia leg spinner Shane Warne and featuring Sri Lanka’s Muttiah Muralitharan and England’s Kevin Pietersen in a 50-over match on July 5. Tendulkar said he and Lara played together in 1994 in Toronto in the Sky Dome.

“We played for the same team and we had a wonderful partnership. So I’m hoping for another one this time,” he told reporters at the Singapore Cricket Club.

Tendulkar is in the city-state for a promotional tour. “It’s always been a joy to play against him. I loved watching Brian scoring runs against other nations, not India,” Tendulkar said.

Tendulkar, who held a “masterclass” for young cricketers on Tuesday, said it is “surely possible” for cricket minnows Singapore to host top cricket events. The wealthy city-state has a rising number of Indian expatriates and later in June will open a new national stadium that can be converted into a 35,000-seater cricket arena. “I don’t see any reason why not... whenever we played here in Singapore, the response was really good,” said Tendulkar, 41, who retired last year as the world’s leading batsman in both Test and one-day cricket.

“As a cricketer I feel proud that various nations are taking initiatives in constructing state-of-the-art stadiums and making sure that every measure is taken to globalise the game,” he said.

Tendulkar also said investigations by the International Cricket Council (ICC) into corruption are “critical for the game”. “I think the concerned people are taking really important steps because it is critical for the game to make sure that the spectators... watch a fair competition,” he said.

ICC chief executive Dave Richardson said last month an inquiry into a match and spot-fixing scandal which has rocked world cricket is entering its final stages.

www.indian-times.com.au

health

indiantimes

21b

IBD (Irritable Bowel Disease) and Ayurvedic assistance Dr. C.R.S. Kumar

I

rritable bowel disease (IBD,) mainly affects the both small and large intestine. IBD term given to a group of different conditions, most widely Crohn’s Disease and Ulcerative Colitis sufferers are major among the group.

According to the conventional system there is no known cause for this condition. (ABC 2012) In Australia almost 60,000 people are suffering from above both conditions with almost no solution left other than using some corticosteroids and immunosuppressant drugs. It affects both the males and females equally, and tends to develop most commonly between the ages of 15 to 30.

Ayurvedic View:

In Ayurveda this condition is denoted as “Grahani”. Grahani is the term given to Duodenum structurally and functionally given to entire intestine. The most import function is to digest and absorb the food.

Term Grahani is widely used in the Ayurvedic literature, with the three different types, goes according with the Ayurvedic constitutions of VATA, PITTA and KAPHA. It can also be the combinations of them or it can be caused by the

“tridhoshas” (Sannipathaja).

Most of the symptoms according to Ayurvedic Grahani are increased frequency of loose motions with lots of mucus, pain and bad odour, bloating, twisting feeling, if it is aggravated with Pitta, the symptoms may associated with bleeding which is quite common in Ulcerative colitis.

Grahani is a syndrome in which AGNI, the digestive power is presumed to be the culprit. In which the Agni is suppressed, which inturns aggravate the AMA (Toxins) ( Undigested or left over waste material in Gastro intestinal tract), which accumulated will pass along with the stools. So even the line of treatment should also focus on the

Eat grapes daily for eye health

improving the individual AGNI.

Conclusion:

Ayurveda explains the Nidana (causative factors) and Samprapti ( pathophysiology)of the most of the conditions comes under IBD ( Grahani) with significant treatment methods which may be helpful in balancing the AGNI and other symptoms related. Ayurvedic Diet

and lifestyle recommendations along with Ayurvedic Treatments can have combined positive impact on the GIT to get the symptoms under control. You may also combine the both conventional medicine with few ayurvedic herbs along with diet and lifestyle modification to get the better health out come.

AYURVEDA Melbourne CBD, Surrey Hills & Canberra

Photo source: PTI

Live life...Naturally

A

part from other health benefits, do you know that grapes can work in multiple ways to promote your eye

health?

This is what research suggests, adding that regular grape consumption may play a role in eye health by protecting the retina from deterioration.

“In mice, the grape-enriched diet provided substantial protection of retinal function which is very exciting,” said lead author Abigail Hackam from University of Miami, Florida.

Grapes promote eye health from signaling changes at the cellular level to directly countering oxidative stress, he added.

The researchers investigated whether a diet supplemented with grapes could protect the photoreceptors in mice with retinal degeneration.

The retina is the part of the eye that

June 2014 Edition

contains the cells that respond to light, known as photoreceptors.

Mice were either fed a grapesupplemented diet corresponding to three servings of grapes per day for humans or one of two control diets.

The results showed that retinal function was significantly protected in the mice consuming the grape-enriched diet.

They also exhibited thicker retinas.

Grape consumption also protected retinal function in an oxidative stress model of ! degeneration.

Further analysis revealed that the grape diet resulted in lower levels of inflammatory proteins and higher amounts of protective proteins in the retinas.

The findings were presented at the Association for Research in Vision and Ophthalmology conference in Orlando, Florida recently.

Specialized treatments available for: • Arthritis • Psoriasis • Erectile Dysfunction • Premature ejaculation • Impotency • Depression • Anxiety • Knee pain • Back pain/sciatica • UTI • PMS • Pregnancy care • Weight loss • Paralysis • Haemorrhoids • Fistula-In-Ano • & various ailments

Dr. Kumar CRS BAMS (Gold Medallist), MPH(Deakin), MHP(Deakin).

Principal Ayurvedic Physician and Panchakarma Specialist Jeeva Health

Other Services:

Homeopathy Consultations Remedial Massage

JEEVA HEALTH PTY LTD

• • •

!

SUITE 412, LEVEL 4, 480 COLLINS ST 3000 1103, RIVERSDALE ROAD, SURREY HILLS, 3127 1ST FLOOR DICKSON CHAMBERS, DICKSON, ACT

Ph: 03 9939 9474, 0402 282 745 Email: info@jeevahealth.com.au www.jeevahealth.com.au www.indian-times.com.au

22b

health

indiantimes

‘India in midst of stroke epidemic’

Photo source: PTI

C

hanging habits and sedentary lifestyles have made the incidence of strokes more prevalent among South Asians, notably Indians, and can induce permanent disability or prove fatal, even as preventive measures are at hand, doctors maintain.

According to them, an aggravation of intracranial atherosclerosis (ICAD), the hardening of the arteries that supply oxygen to the brain, can impede blood flow by narrowing and obstruction of blood vessels and result in strokes.

“While ICAD in Western population could range from 8-10 percent of the stroke patients, it could be as high as 35-40 percent for South Asians,” says Shakir Husain, chief of interventional nueurology at New Delhi’s Saket City Hospital.

Alarmingly, the prevalence is more pronounced among the country’s youth because of a lifestyle where smoking is fashionable and alcohol consumption is trendy. “There is this urge for wanting more and stopping at nothing, along with stress,” Hussain noted.

According to a recent study published in the Journal of Stroke by two experts, Jeyaraj Durai Pandian and Paulin Sudhan, the prevalence rate of strokes is 84262 per 100,000 population in

rural India and 334-424 out of 100,000 population in cities.

“India, like other developing countries, is in the midst of a stroke epidemic. There is a huge burden of strokes with significant regional variations,” they said in their paper, adding this called for an organised effort by both the government and private sector.

“It’s assumed the average age of patients with strokes in developing countries is usually 15 years younger than those in the developed countries. In India,

nealy one-fifth of the patients with first-ever stroke admitted to hospitals is estimated at 40 years or less.”

According to the Stroke and Neurointervention Foundation, an Indian non-profit that spreads awareness on this ailment, a stroke is a localised damage to brain tissues, caused by loss of oxygen or interbal bleeding. In many cases, a stroke can be fatal.

Doctors explain that the risk factors include, hypertension,

diabetes, obesity, smoking, nutritional deficiency, high cholesterol, Type-A personalities like high achievers under constant stress and lack of information about its early symptoms and intensity.

“From the preventive healthcare point of view, our country needs to be educated. Doctors will be of little help in this sphere.

The government would have to take initiatives to facilitate awareness among both rural and urban populations,” said Husain.

In a study published last Octo-

ber in leading health journal The Lancet, titled “Global and Regional Burden of Stroke” - which looked at its incidence between 1990 and 2010 - a third of all strokes globally now occur in the 20-64-year age group.

Even as the overall deaths rates due to strokes were down globally, the number of people who succumbed to it was 10 times higher in the lower and middle-income countries, said the study, predicting the numbers to double worldwide by 2030

Photo source: PTI

Why cancer risk increases with age

A

new study has suggested that the accumulation of age-associated changes in a biochemical process that helps control genes may be re-

June 2014 Edition

sponsible for some of the increased risk of cancer seen in older people.

Researchers suspect that DNA methylation, or the binding

of chemical tags, called methyl groups, onto DNA, may be involved. Methyl groups activate or silence genes, by affecting interactions between DNA and the

cell’s protein-making machinery.

Zongli Xu, Ph.D., and Jack Taylor, M.D., Ph.D., researchers from the National Institute of Environmental Health Sciences (NIEHS), part

of NIH, identified DNA methylation sites across the human genome that changed with age.

They demonstrated that a subset of those sites- the ones that become increasingly methylated with advancing age- are also disproportionately methylated in a variety of human cancers. “You can think of methylation as dust settling on an unused switch, which then prevents the cell from turning on certain genes,” Taylor said. “If a cell can no longer turn on critical developmental programs, it might be easier for it to become a cancer cell.” Xu and Taylor made the discovery using blood samples from participants in the Sister Study, a nationwide research effort to find the environmental and genetic causes of breast cancer and other diseases.

Taylor said that DNA methylation appears to be part of the normal aging process and occurs in genes involved in cell development. Cancer cells often have altered DNA methylation, but the researchers were surprised to find that 70-90 percent of the sites associated with age showed significantly increased methylation in all seven cancer types.

Taylor suggested that age-related methylation may disable the expression of certain genes, making it easier for cells to transition to cancer. The study was published in the journal Carcinogenesis.

www.indian-times.com.au

health

indiantimes

Stress, the root of most illnesses

our mind is in constant communication with your respiratory, digestive, reproductive and central nervous systems, and fully controls the entire health and functioning of your body. We automatically associate the term ‘health’ with physical wellbeing.

The fact that most health-related issues are psychosomatic in nature is not dismissed anymore, with neuroscience providing data of sufferers’ astounding recoveries from diseases as deadly as cancer and heart diseases. Other disorders such as depression, IBS (irritable bowel syndrome), insomnia, migraines, asthma, ulcers, digestive and sexual disorders also have a mental connect.

Another alarming aspect is that the stress of suffering from any of these ailments often leads to alcohol and substance dependency as a coping mechanism. It’s a vicious circle and there is only one way to break it — get working on your mind.

The number of people affected by stress today is staggering; few of them do anything to cope with it. At the most, we talk to a friend or go for a walk, which temporarily helps, but only at the surface level.

Many take to binge eating, drinking and smoking in the face of stress.

More load on the digestive system, liver and the lungs will only put your

body under chronic stress.

We tell you how stress is affecting your health every day and how you can manage it in healthy and simple ways. Stress is the foundation in the pyramid of all illnesses “A typical stress reaction, which most of us experience countless times each day, begins with an avalanche of endless biochemical reactions in your body,” says Dr Jon Kabat-Zinn, founder of the Stress Reduction Clinic, MIT, Boston, USA. He adds that when left unchecked, these reactions turn into illnesses, premature aging, and impaired cognitive functioning.

“It drains our energy and robs us of our clarity and effectiveness,” says Kabat-Zinn. * Stress can turn smart cookies into dumb automatons * Stress can also make smart people do dumb things. * It causes what brain researchers call “cortical inhibition”. Simply said, stress arrests a small but very important part of your brain, and one can’t function at their best.

We’ve adapted to stress in a way that it has become a normal state of being * A common scenario is that our body can be experiencing stress physically, but because we’ve become so used to being in that state, we are oblivious of it on a mental level. * Stress emanating from tiny

everyday issues gains momentum over time and deters our ability to have clarity vis-à-vis our emotional and mental lives in the long run. * Stress is bound to end up as a bad decision, or an unanticipated illness. * Managing stress will help you get a handle on many physical health problems such as chronic pain and gastrointestinal disorders as well.

How To Handle It All We cannot control the myriad issues that come our way, but what we can control is how we respond to them. To reqire your stress response, the first and the most important step is to recognise you are about to be stressed. Follow these tips.

1 Breathe: Take long and deep breaths for about two-three minutes, and breathe right. Your belly should expand as you inhale and retract as you exhale. This simple technique relaxes your body, thereby calming your mind as a by-product.

2 Music therapy: Pick a soothing track, and tune out of the stress and into your inner calm. Soothing music is known to relax the neurocircuitry.

3 Pet-love: Hug and cuddle your beloved dog or cat. Having physical contact with your pet not only lowers your blood pressure, but also makes you feel loved, and calms your mind.

Photo source: PTI

Y

23b

Older people should walk 20 minutes daily

www.indian-times.com.au

Indian Times time discovers truth

Contact: 13000 22225, 0433 676 636

www.indian-times.com.au

June 2014 Edition

Photo source: PTI

Read Online...

A

new study has revealed that older people can increase their quality of life with just little mobility, that could include 20 minutes walk per day.

The Lifestyle Interventions and Independence for Elders (LIFE) Study found that capability to walk without help is a key to functioning independently, as reduced mobility is a major risk factor for illness, hospitalization, disability, and death.

After more than two years of trail and follow-up the results showed that the risk of major mobility disability was reduced by 18 percent among people in the physical activity group, meaning that they were more capable of walking without assistance for about a quarter mile.

Thomas Gill, M.D. said that to maintain mobility, it is important to alter lifestyle for older adults as it is both a public health and a clinical priority.

www.indian-times.com.au