TALK JANUARY 21, 2012

talk Volume 1 | Issue 24 | January 24, 2013 | Rs 10

the intelligent bangalorean’s must-read weekly

and times: Swami * Life Balagangadharanatha of Krispy Kreme * Review doughnuts * Ayyotoons: Rape mania

VEGANISM Dr Nandita Shah on how a dairy-free diet can reverse stubborn diseases.

Plus: Recipes 22 SALE! It’s retail madness as malls and big brands slash prices 16

RAMESH HUNSUR

Lalitha Ramkumar conceived after a surgical intervention.

Her daughter Akanksha is now 17

PROJECT Iconic journalist P Sainath on his ambitious archive of rural India18 Stress, family pressure and genetic factors are causing an alarming rise in childlessness among urban Indians.

Savie Karnel brings stories of despair and hope from across Bangalore 10-14

FIGHTING INFERTILITY

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

team talk

mail

Thank you for the life and times of ‘giant-killer’ activist SR Hiremath Congratulations to Talk and Basavaraj Megalkeri and for the comprehensive and wellresearched story on the life, work and achievements of SR Hiremath (Man with a mission, Issue 23) , one of the most accomplished activists of our time.

Dr K Puttaswamy JP Nagar Nanotech knocks I read your cover story on nanotechnology by Prashanth GN (The Science of Small Things, Issue 22) and found it amazing.

Nanotechnology is a booming field in modern science and it feels good to know that that Bangalore is pioneering its research in India. To my knowledge, this is first time in Bangalore that any publication

has carried such detailed and indepth coverage of the subject.

Supriya Sinha Roy via email Crime Folio for me My father is rarely interested in magazines. In fact, he prefers crime thrillers, comics and graphic novels, of which he has a huge collection. So I was surprised when he asked me to get a subscription for Talk, a magazine I had not heard of at the time. Only later did we realise his true purpose. Apparently, he does not want to miss the Crime Folio columns by well-known criminal lawyer CH Hanumantharaya. He is now addicted to the column, and thrusts it upon everyone in the house. To tell the truth, it never took much persuasion, and now

the arrival of Talk is an event at home. We wish you good luck.

Swarup D Byappanahalli Recipes came just in time I live alone, away from my family in northern Karnataka. I was happy to read the huggi recipes, since they helped me prepare traditional Sankranti dishes by myself. May I say the recipes were thoughtful and timely?

Srinivasa Achar Hanumanthanagar Not available with vendor I picked up copies of Talk a couple times from stores. When I approached my vendor, he couldn’t help with any details.

Please let me know how I can subscribe.

Prakash G Jayanagar (Please call 95388 92600) Write to letters@talkmag.in

EDITORIAL

EXECUTIVE TEAM

SR Ramakrishna Editor Sridhar Chari Consulting Editor Prashanth GN Senior Editor Sajai Jose Chief Copy Editor Savie Karnel Principal Correspondent Basu Megalkeri Principal Correspondent Prachi Sibal Senior Features Writer Sandra Fernandes and Maria Laveena Reporters and Copy Editors Anand Kumar K Chief of Design Shridhar G Kulkarni Graphic Designer Ramesh Hunsur Senior Photographer Vivek Arun Graphics Artist

Sumith Kombra Founder, CEO and Publisher Ralph Fernandez Manager - Marketing Aaron Jones Asst Manager - Marketing Abhay Sebastian Asst Manager - Sales Mithun Sudhakar Asst Manager - Sales Kishore Kumar N Head - Circulation Vinayadathan KV Area Manager - Trade Yadhu Kalyani Sr Executive - Corporate Sales Lokesh KN Sr Executive - Subscriptions Prabhavathi Executive - Circulation Sowmya Kombra Asst Process Manager

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Editor: SR Ramakrishna. Editorial Office: FF70, Gold Towers, Residency Road, Bangalore -560025 Email: info@talkmag.in Phone: 08040926658. © All rights reserved. Reproduction in whole or part without permission is prohibited.

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pontiff power

Swami and friends Balagangadharanatha Swamiji rose from humble origins to become the first guru to tap into the political and financial resources of the powerful Vokkaligas. His passing marks the end of three decades of canny enterprise

BASU MEGALKERI basavaraju@talkmag.in

or a swamiji, 68 is no age to die.

Balagangadharanatha Swamiji, who discarded his mortal coils at that age earlier this week, was much younger than his peers. In the neighbouring district of Tumkur, for example, the pontiff of the Siddaganga Mutt, a hoary Lingayat institution, is going strong at 105. Vishwesha Teertha Swamiji, another prominent religious leader of Karnataka, is often out on punishing tours, at 83.

Balagangadhara’s passing is thus a shock to many, but people close to him say his kidneys had failed four KING OF KINGS The pontiff with the then chief minister Sadananda Gowda and other years ago, and he hadn’t been political leaders in 2012 doing too well. the mutt grew, and his influence from professional courses even as spread, he travelled all over the it provides free education to about Spirit of enterprise Balagangadhara’s story is one of world to raise funds. He used the 5,000 students. It runs a free enterprise more than spirituality. money to open schools and col- school for the blind at When he took over the leges in an era when the demand Archakanahalli, near Ramanagara.

Adichunchanagiri Mutt in Mandya for professional courses was high, It also trains young men to district, 96 km from Bangalore, its and the middle class was being become priests.

For a spiritual leader, finances were so bad it couldn’t arm-twisted into paying ‘donaeven offer prasad to the devout tions’ for medical and engineering Balagangadhara’s business sense who flocked to its seats. The mutt now runs four was acute. He started a multi-speengineering col- ciality hospital and medical college Kalabhairaveshwara leges, two medical in Javaranahalli Cross in Mandya temple. It drew For a spiritual colleges, two district. The high-tech BGS some Vokkaliga Hospital in Bangalore, just off Ayurvedic coldevotees from leader, his Mysore Road, competes with the leges, and four Mandya, Bangalore business sense hospitals, besides corporate hospitals of this city, and Tumkur, but was acute a host of schools both in its pricing and its amenithat was it. After and undergradu- ties. taking over the mutt as a 30-year-old, ate colleges.

Thanks to Balagangadhara’s Guru in a chopper Balagangadhara started ploughing its land, and growing crops that he relentless efforts, the once small As Balagangadhara continued on a would use to feed devotees. He mutt now boasts 40 branches all path of expansion, the went around the region, collecting over the country. With 460 educa- Adichunchanagiri Mutt grew into pulses, especially ragi, and tional institutions under its a rich, politically powerful institucoconuts from kind villagers. As administration, it makes money tion. The Kalabhairaveshwara

F

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

editor talk When we started working on our cover story on infertility, we discovered some startling statistics. According to the International Institute of Population Studies, infertility in India has grown by 50 per cent in three decades, and the problem is only getting worse. Many factors are blamed, with pollution, smoking and drinking, tight-fitting trousers, and excessive use of laptops being among them. Our reporters spoke to several hospitals and infertility clinics, trying to understand the phenomenon.

Their conversations yielded some insight, but many surprises lay in store, too. Some childless couples complained how difficult their family and social lives had become. Others spoke about how they had conceived once such pressure eased. The urban lifestyle is already jittery as working couples try hard to balance their careers and personal lives.

The relentless pressure to procreate pushes some to seek psychiatric counselling. Among men, the sperm count is on the decline, and for reasons that aren’t all under their control. Family and friends don’t consider it wrong to prod couples to announce ‘the good news’. Infertility can also set back couples on the money front. Their unhappiness gets worse when, at the end of expensive treatments, they still remain childless. Amidst all this, our reporters found a silver lining. One doctor is recording successes just by counselling patients, and encouraging them to relax. We also have personal accounts of couples who conceived after years of trying.

Dr Nandita Shah, a doctor promoting veganism, visits Bangalore every now and then. You will find in this issue a feature on her unusual work, and some vegan recipes. Enthusiastic shoppers are sure enjoy Sandra Fernandes’s piece on retail discounts. We ran into some distribution glitches last week.

Subscribers should get their issues in time this week, and hereafter. Happy reading!

SR Ramakrishna ram@talkmag.in

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temple is no longer a simple shrine today.

The mutt spent Rs 85 crore on its renovation recently. Swamijis attached to the institution, who once went around seeking donations, now travel in imported luxury cars. Balagangadhara, who loved the steady drive of his Benz, was also the only swamiji in these parts to fly around in a personal helicopter, donated by his devotees in the US. The property of the mutt is valued at between Rs 15,000 crore to Rs 20,000 crore.

All this came about in the three decades since Balagangadhara took over.

Born on January 18, 1945 at Banandur village of Ramanagara to Chikkalinge Gowda and Boramma, Gangadharaiah was a bright boy. His grandfather nicknamed him Swami, but had never imagined he would become his namesake, a monk. Like the other children of his village, Gangadharaiah studied at the Ramanagara Government High School. He then joined the school as a clerk. After a short stint, he moved to Bangalore and graduated in sciHI-TECH SWAMI Balagangadharanatha Swamiji and former chief minister Sadananda Gowda atop a moving platform at a ‘guruvandana’ event in 2012 ence. Soon after college, in 1968, he joined The mutt was no longer just a relithe Adichunchanagiri Mutt in Bellur, a finding his feet, and needed political sup- time ever in the mutt. He fell at two-hour drive from Bangalore, and then port. This story has a surprise twist. Almost Balagangadhara’s feet. An anti-Congress gious centre. Opportunistic politicians, little more than a sleepy hamlet. three decades later, when Srikantaiah died wave was sweeping Karnataka, and Deve corrupt bureaucrats, and real estate dons The then pontiff Ramanandanatha in 2011, Balagangadhara went to the col- Gowda was spearheading the Janata Party’s met here, and struck deals. Balagangadhara Swamiji was ill. He was looking for some- lege, which had then become big and pros- campaign. He was a frontrunner for the needed them, and they needed him. The one to head the mutt, and placed an adver- perous, and staked his claim. It came under chief minister’s post, but with at least a Adichunchanagiri Mutt took inspiration tisement in the newspapers. The spiritual- his control. He had outsmarted a politician couple of strong rivals coveting that seat, from some Brahmin and Lingayat mutts, and did almost everything they did, includly inclined Gangadharaiah applied, and was who believed he had it all worked out. he was unsure he would make it. selected. The pontiff changed his name to But in the 1980s, it was early days yet: Deve Gowda then hit upon the idea of ing consolidating the interests of the comBalagangadharanatha, and the Vokkaligas of organising a rally at National College munity to the exclusion of others. sent him to Kailash Mutt, Chunchanagiri weren’t so grounds in Bangalore. He invited Mutt's property on the outskirts of About Rs 20,000 crore enamoured of the mutt. Balagangadhara and turned the political Mutts as power hubs Bangalore, for training in They did not keep pictures rally into a Vokkaliga convention. That was Balagangadhara’s success led many other the scriptures. There, the young monk of Balagangadhara in their puja corner, like a master stroke, but it was fraught with lower castes to see mutts as a passport to studied Advaita philosophy and got a a small number do today. Soon, another political risks. A good majority in the political clout. He could swing the fortunes degree in Sanskrit. On September 25, 1974, Vokkaliga politician, G Puttaswamy Vokkaliga community supported Deve of politicians, help people who had landed he returned to Bellur and was anointed the Gowda, saw how Srikantaiah was using the Gowda, and he became the chief minister, in trouble for wrongdoing, and broker 71st pontiff of the Adichunchanagiri Mutt. mutt to his advantage. Puttaswamy Gowda but he had also transformed from a secular peace between powerful warring groups. started regularly visiting the mutt and grew farmer leader into a caste leader.

Many castes got busy setting up their own close to Balagangadhara.

In those days, In later days, Deve Gowda tried to set mutts. Politicians spouted a secular Nexus with politicians Puttaswamy Gowda and HD Deve Gowda, up an alternative mutt, rhetoric outside, but On a personal note: I first saw the swamiji undermine Swamiji's preferred covertly encouraged the in 1983. I was a student at the who later became prime minister, were and modes of travel establishment of mutts on Adichunchanagiri College at battling for the same turf in Hassan dis- Balagangadhara’s influChannarayanapatna in Hassan district. trict. Puttaswamy Gowda made friends ence. But in 1994, Deve Mercedes Benz cars caste lines.

In 2008, when the BJP Though the college was named after the with Srikantaiah and joined the Congress Gowda’s victory was seen Personal helicopter as proof of the soft power came to power for the first mutt, it was actually run by HC to contest elections against Deve Gowda. of Balagangadhara. The media started time in Karnataka, it started the practice of Srikantaiah, a powerful politician and minreporting about him. Leaders big and small allocating funds for mutts in the state budister. The naming was Srikantaiah’s ploy to Deve Gowda's love-hate get. As chief minister, BS Yeddyurappa gave keep litigation at bay. The land where the It may look strange now, but Deve Gowda, started seeking his blessings.

It was perhaps at this juncture that away huge grants to mutts. He was genercollege stood belonged to the Vokkaliga who took the initiative to perform Sangha, an umbrella organisation of the Balagangadhara’s last rites, was never a big Balagangadhara decided to put his political ous with tax payers' money in appeasing agricultural Vokkaliga community. The admirer of the swamiji, though they hail connections to good use. As the mutt caste interests. Swamijis, traditionally seen politician had used his clout to acquire the from the same caste. When the Janata gained in prominence, many young men as conscience keepers, accepted the money, it as junior swamijis. and didn’t oppose the practice. land to start the college. He expected court Party was in power from Balagangadhara's joined Balagangadhara also took The Adichunchanagiri Mutt is among cases to follow. He had named the institute 1983 to 1989, Deve Gowda after the mutt, thinking people wouldn’t never stepped into the mutt. neta connections part in political rallies of all the richest religious institutions in HD Deve Gowda hues, sometimes sharing Karnataka today. After Balagangadhara’s drag a religious institution to court.

His party lost in 1989, and When Balagangadhara came to the the Congress came to rule.

Sadananda Gowda the dais with gurus such as passing, the media went overboard, praisSri Sri Ravi Shankar. By ing his goodness. What will happen to his college for an event, students lined up and By then, many politicians BS Yeddyurappa now, he had a sprawling empire now? It hasn’t run into succession strew flowers and petals at his feet. The had become close to the and many more centre in Bangalore, where trouble, as Sai Baba’s empire in Puttaparthi principal and teachers fell at his feet and mutt, and begun to believe sought his blessings. Srikantaiah was right. Balagangadhara could sway the electorate, he ran an international school and a media did. Will it continue as a hub of powerful institute. The school catered to the ultra- political and caste interests? Can it transNobody filed a case against the college. But especially the Vokkaligas. it wasn’t as if this smart move only benefitDuring the assembly elections in rich. A flyover in the heart of the city was form into a spiritual centre that attracts people from all communities? ed the wily politician. Balagangadhara was 1994, Deve Gowda set foot for the first named after him.

fun lines

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political diary

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Where are the women politicians?

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RAMESH HUNSUR

Karnataka’s political parties have nearly zero female presence, but they continue to mouth platitudes about women's empowerment Like in other fields, women remain 'the largest minority' in politics as well. Take the case of the Congress, headed by a woman. It initiated the still pending Women's Reservation Bill, but gives few opportunities to women in its own ranks.

Rani Satish, former minister and one of the few women leaders in the party, told Talk, "In the last assembly election, the Congress had given tickets to 13 women and all of them were defeated.

The men use this as an excuse to demand seats for themselves from the High Command. But of the 210 tickets given to men last time, only 70 won, while double that number, 140, lost. But no one wants to talk about this."

During a recent meeting with Sonia, Rani Satish suggested the Congress lead by example by setting aside at least 10 per cent of its tickets to women.

The situation of women in other

parties is no better. In four and a half years of its reign, the BJP has given power to just three women: Energy Minister Shobha Karandlaje, Women’s Commission Chairperson C Manjula and Karnataka Film Academy Chairperson Tara.

Perhaps this was only to be expected from a party that loyally follows the edicts of RSS chief Mohan Bhagwat, who recently said women were better off staying at home for their own safety. However, women as a vote bank are precious to all parties, and the BJP is not blind to the electoral rewards of talking about them. And when it did convene a women representatives’ conference recently, Karandlaje was kept out, possibly because of rumours that she’s about join BS Yeddyurappa’s KJP. Deve Gowda's JD(S) has the picture of a woman carrying a

TOKEN FIGURES (From left) Congress’ Rani Satish, BJP’s Shobha Karandlaje, KJP’s Pooja Gandhi and BSR Congress’ Rakshitha are among the few visible female faces in state politics

bundle of straw on her head as its election symbol. The presence of women in that party is also symbolic: there is neither real respect nor opportunity for them.

Film star Pooja Gandhi had joined the party with much fanfare, but was forced to leave.

Taking a cheap shot about one of her recent films, where she played a negative role, Ayanur Manjunath, BJP leader from Shimoga, called her 'the queen

anything different from them.

They have hardly any female presence, except for former actress Rakshitha in BSR Congress and Pooja Gandhi in KJP. The fact is that even if many women join these parties, they are unlikely to reach positions of power. In the face of such total As for the rest, the BSR Congress neglect, it is left to the and KJP are both cut from the womenfolk to teach these same cloth as the BJP, and it political parties a lesson in the would be unrealistic to expect coming elections. of Dandupalya'. JD(S) leader HD Kumaraswamy, who was expected to defend her, instead said the party does not depend on movie stars to draw crowds when he could do it himself.

Humiliated into leaving, Pooja has since taken refuge in KJP.

The squabbles have begun

Yeddyurappa with Lingayat pontiff Shivaratri Deshikendra Swamiji of the influential Suttur Mutt

Lingayats against Yeddyurappa?

Apparently, the same Lingayat community which backed its leader Yeddyurappa in 2008 is against him now. A Lingayat leader of the BJP explains it thus, "Yeddyurappa has joined hands with the Congress to protect himself from the CBI. His agenda is to defeat the BJP and bring the Congress to power. If that happens, either a Kuruba, a Dalit or a Vokkaliga will come to power. Once again the Lingayats will be cast into political wilderness. Why then should we support

Yeddyurappa? Instead, if we support Jagadish Shettar, who has been announced as the BJP's chief ministerial candidate, at least we will have our leader in power, even if the party is forced into a coalition government with the JD(S).”

While that seems like sound logic, one question remains: if the community turns against Yeddyurappa, then does it mean he gets no returns on the crores his government 'donated' to the Lingayat mutts and swamijis?

Last week, the Congress completed its 'Congress nadige, Krishne kadege' (Congress walks towards the Krishna river) padayatra, which was also an occasion for the public to enjoy the drama they have come to expect from the party's programmes. This time, it meant the usual suspects SM Krishna, Ambareesh and DK Shivakumar absenting themselves, Siddaramaiah excusing himself after two days citing ill health, and Anil Lad fuming that he was not allowed on the stage in Hospet, his home district.

Nothing like a Congress programme to highlight the truth about our politicians: they are basically armchair activists who sweat it out for a couple of months every now and then, and then sit back and enjoy the 'fruits of their labour' for years.

For such men, there is nothing more threatening than the prospect of taking to the road, where they risk confrontations with the very voters they have so skillfully avoided all along. At this latest padayatra too, many Congressmen were overheard openly cursing the leaders who announced the padayatra; ‘Why should we punish ourselves to install somebody G Parameshwar

else as chief minister?’ was the most common grumble. The leader who feels most harassed among them is none other than the KPCC President G Parameshwar, who by virtue of his position cannot excuse himself, whether or not others attend. What's worse, even if the party comes to power, it is sure to choose some other leader for the post of chief minister.

The talk doing the rounds is that a depressed Parameshwar is already planning his retirement.

BASU MEGALKERI

wedding web

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Site of conflict

Unsuspecting girls using matrimonial sites complain that some boys just want to flirt.

Expectations about the sites vary, and are creating confusion MARIA LAVEENA maria.laveena@talkmag.in

ishakh Raghavendran (name changed) is a young corporate professional who is “looking for a girl” on a matrimonial website. Actually, his friends created the account a month ago to play a prank on him. But Vishakh has let his account and profile stay.

“I never really bothered to remove my profile, as the notifications were hilarious and kept me interested,” Vishakh says, smiling. “I like the idea of meeting new people but certainly not for marriage.”

That is the crux of the problem.

While those like Vishakh see matrimonial sites as hang-outs where they can meet girls and flirt, others expect them to work like old-school matchmakers, giving prominence to parents and elders in the negotiations.

What Vishakh expects is what the West calls dating, but it is something that is catching on in India, even though dating websites are not as popular as matrimonial ones.

Adam Sachs, co-founder of Step Out, an Indian dating website, says, “Dating culture in India is evolving rapidly. Changing cultural dynamics like the increase in average marriage

V

How to guard yourself

Adam Sachs, co-founder of the dating site Step Out, suggests some safety tips:  Don't post personal information like telephone numbers and personal email IDs.

about yourself. Most people are looking for someone they share interests with and not just someone who has an attractive profile picture.

 Be careful while choosing your username and picture.

A name or picture that's  Select a password that's hard to guess. too sexy might get you Don't use your birth unwanted attention or date or name as your create a wrong password. impression about you.  Use a recent photograph and write a truthful description

 Report concerns and problems to customer service immediately.

age and decrease in arranged marriages are contributing.”

Pauline (name changed), a software professional in the city, wanted nothing to do with matrimonial websites, but her parents created an account on a Christian website without her knowledge.

“Parents think the information is in safe hands but it’s actually not. It just got me into trouble. Anonymous people kept calling me and most of them thought I was ‘their kind’. They wanted to flirt, and said that was their way of getting to know me.”

Pauline’s parents later removed the profile, and with a proposal coming through from a family friend, wedding bells ring next month.

Many complaints about online matrimonial scams are posted at the consumer rigths website Indian Consumer Complaints Forum. But that could be because of the difference in expectations: some visit the sites for marriage, and some for dating. There is the additional problem of such sites being used to pull off financial fraud.

Ali Khwaja, a well-known marriage counsellor and chairman of the counselling and training firm Banjara Academy, says that several girls complain they were deceived online. “Though the basic idea of these tools is excellent, unscrupulous things can happen,” he told Talk. Khwaja says two kinds of deception happen online. The first is by professional criminals out to dupe people. The second, which can have equally harmful consequences, is suppression or misrepresentation of facts and opportunistic trickery.

A young girl once approached Khwaja, asking him how to send 500 dollars to a friend on a matrimonial site. “She had met a boy on a matrimonial site. She was made to believe that he was from Singapore. Their relationship continued for over a year. One day he said he desperately wanted to meet her, but had no money to come to India. He wanted money transferred to his bank account so that he could set out and see her,” he recalled.

Though he advised her against it, she did send the money, only to regret it when he vanished without a trace. He adds a warning: “The general tendency is to think of ourselves as smart and clever, not the sort to get cheated. But there will always be smarter people out there!”

A major concern with matrimonial sites is that they accept personal details as true, and make no background checks.

A Talk reporter created a profile and was surprised when, within five minutes, he got two calls asking what kind of girl he was interested in.

Membership categories on these sites, with names like Premium, Gold, and Platinum, promise some protection against fraud. The fee is between Rs 2,000 and Rs 5,000 a month, and the services are touted as necessary to guard against fraud.

Navami Sreekumar and her family thought they would be able to find her a Mr Right after paying extra but are upset as their information has gone into the “wrong hands”. “What is annoying is that many boys just want to date and have no serious intentions of marrying. I feel it has spoiled the value of arranged marriages,” says the M Phil student.

The more conservative users of matrimonial websites expect boys to conduct themselves with decorum, and are scandalised by conversations that might sound too friendly, or worse, sexually explicit.

Additional commissioner of

Police T Suneel Kumar told Talk: “We do hear such stories, but only if someone lodges a complaint can we take action. The truth is that many do not report these cases to the police.”

Varsha Suresh, an avid matrimonial site user, had this experience: “A guy seemed very interested and wanted to go on a date to find out what kind of a person I am. I agreed and went for coffee but was shocked to find that he looked nothing like his profile photo! I immediately stopped all contact.”

But Varsha is a believer, and has scheduled a date with another boy.

She has verified his details using social networking sites.

Sampath Raj, who got married through a matrimonial site, says users must be wary of false profiles.

Private detectives who specialise in matrimonial investigations are doing good business. Viswanath V Katti, managing director of Guardwell Detective Services, says: “More and more people are coming to do background checks.”

(With inputs from Vaseem Chaudhary)

tech trend

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Tablets transform the PC market not the norm. Therefore, we hypothesise that buyers will not replace secondary PCs in the household, instead allowing them to age out and shifting consumption to a tablet.”

The transformation was triggered by compelling low-cost tablets in 2012. “On the positive side for vendors, the disenfranchised PCs are those with lighter configuSRIDHAR K CHARI rations, which mean that we should see an sridhar.chari@talkmag.in increase in PC average selling prices as orldwide PC shipments declined users replace machines used for richer 4.9 per cent in the fourth quarter applications, rather than for consumpof 2012 from the previous year’s tion,” Kitagawa added, in a Gartner press quarter, to 90 million units, pointing to a release.

The launch of Microsoft’s Windows 8 “structural shift” in the personal computers market, arising from problems “beyond a did not have a significant impact, the weak economy,” according to technology release added, citing “somewhat lacklustre form factors” in vendors’ Windows 8 prodresearch firm Gartner.

While declining PC sales have been a ucts.

Beleaguered PC maker HP, the world’s clear trend ever since Apple successfully revolutionised the market with its iPad largest technology company by revenue, regained the top position in tablets, Mikako Kitagawa, worldwide PC shipments in principal analyst at The shift was the fourth quarter, though Gartner, said recent numnot growing compared to a triggered by bers indicated that not only year ago. will individuals shift to new, low-cost Lenovo droppedyy to “consumption” activities on tablet models the No 2 position but had a tablet, but will perform the best growth rate (8.2 per creative and administrative tasks on shared PCs in the home or office. cent) among the top five PC vendors “Tablets have dramatically changed worldwide.

PC shipments in Asia-Pacific totalled the device landscape for PCs… There will be some individuals who retain both, but 29.9 million units in the fourth quarter of we believe they will be the exception and 2012, a 1.8 per cent decline from the fourth

The personal computing landscape is undergoing a dramatic shift—all thanks to the tablet rage

W

quarter of 2011. Here, too, the introduction of Windows 8 “met with lukewarm response and availability was primarily on the higher-end models, which were priced beyond the mainstream price point for volume sales.”

For 2012 overall, PC shipments were 352.7 million units, a 3.5 percent decline from 2011. HP retained the top spot in the global PC market, accounting for 16 percent of the market. Lenovo was the No 2 vendor with 14.8 percent market share.

Asus showed the strongest growth among the top five vendors, with shipments increasing 17.1 percent.

While fourth quarter numbers for India have not been put out yet, Gartner had reported a 5.9 per cent decline in the third quarter of 2012 for the desktops and mobile PC market in India at 2.9 million units. Consumers had accounted for 47 percent of total PC sales in the third quarter. Analysts said that the market in India was impacted by “high inflation, global economic uncertainty and limited share of wallet as consumers preferred to spend on other consumer durables.”

Lenovo was at the No 1 position in the third quarter of 2012, riding on a massive Tamil Nadu government order.

sandalwood

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Parari vs Censor Board Director KM Chaitanya’s film runs into an official hurdle for the use of the word ‘Shiva’ in an item number

MARIA LAVEENA maria.laveena@talkmag.in

fter the hit gangster drama Aa Dinagalu, Kannada director KM Chaitanya is back with a slapstick comedy called Parari. The audio of Parari was released on Tuesday by actor Raghavendra Rajkumar. The songs are composed by Anoop Seelin of Sidlingu fame. One of its upbeat numbers, Beeja Beeja! Beeja modala? Beeja modala? Mara modala? (Did seed come first or the tree?) has run into a storm. Penned by Nagendra Prasad, it has words like ‘Shambo Shiva, Bham bham bhangi Shiva’ in the last line of its chorus. The Regional Censor Board has demanded that the word ‘Shiva’ be replaced, as they feel bhangi is an insolent word when it is attached to the name of god Shiva.

Bhangi can mean several things like ‘posture’ or ‘ganja’ (cannabis).

Director Chaitanya told Talk, “We mean it as posture. I surely know that I haven’t made any item song

A

SounDesigns Rs 30

IT’S ALL FUN A scene from the Beeja Beeja! song in Parari, which has provoked the Regional Censor Board’s displeasure

that is worse than what we see on TV every day. There are so many other item numbers that are crappy but the Censor Board has had no problem with them.”

Censor Board member K Nagaraj has a different take. “We have an examining committee of two people and they found it was inappropriate to use words like Bhangi Shiva, as the song has a sensual scenario.”

Nagaraj believes the song may offend some.

Lyricist Nagendra Prasad, who has written songs for over 300 movies, is unhappy, too. He suspects the song is a victim of vendetta.

“Recently, in a TV show, we had spoken out against the Censor Board officer and that is why he is giving us trouble.” He says he wouldn’t write something that would land his team in trouble.

The team may not appeal in court. “We are at their mercy. If he is adamant, we will have to replace the word. Court proceedings take a long time and we want to release it in February.” The Parari team has now

decided to use the word ‘Jiva’ in place sang praises to God also sang ninda of ‘Shiva’. Though the word may sthuti (satirical praise), which was sound irrelevant, it rhymes with the annoyed poetry. Nobody thought it was offensive and it was well acceptreplaced word in the song.

Talk spoke to film critic N Manu ed.”

“They had diversity, variety and Chakravarthy, a keen observer of Kannada movies. “Here, we are refer- the culture that had resilience to take all these things. The ring to a song with a Censor Board is a passing mention of bureaucratic agency Shiva. But, in earlier The filmmakers and not a cultural days there were say they are at one. They don’t movies like Bedara the mercy of the know any cultural Kannappa, where complexities to take the main character Board a stand,” he added.

Kannappa, on findHe believes literary ing a Shivalinga bleeding from its ‘third eye’, puts his critics and cultural theorists must feet on the idol, plucks one of his own decide what is good and bad poetry, eyes out, and fixes the idol’s eye. and not the Censor Board.

The album features five songs Visually it was quite horrendous but people understood it in the context of and the title track is sung by Shankar Mahadevan. “I feel this is the best the culture of bhakthi.”

Chakravarthy says people were album in my career as I have not just culturally spirited in those times composed the music but have also unlike today. Bhangi could mean a sung two songs,” says Seelin. Mudu Dalit, and Bhang means liquor or mudagi and Kailasa Kayiluntu are opium, he says. “Bhangi Shiva is cer- sung by Anoop and a retro song called tainly not an insult to God. In the tra- Neenadarunane is sung by Indu dition of Bhakthi poetry, those who Nagaraj.

fertility matters

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Waiting for the little one Infertility and delayed conception are an increasing problem in the cities. To make things worse, Indians are genetically predisposed to child-bearing difficulties, reports Sanchita Sen and Savie Karnel ong commutes, hours in Diseases), excessive use of contracepfront of the computer, tion—especially emergency contrairregular sleep, lounging ceptives, and abortion of first concepin front of the television— tion are also major factors.

“There is in these cases an these constitute a typical day in the life of many Bangaloreans. increased risk of uterine and genital Doctors say that this stressful, infections that affect fertility,” said Dr fast-paced, but essentially sedentary Padmini Prasad, a well-known gynealifestyle is affecting the fertility of cologist.

“An ego-centric nature is a manboth men and women. Infertility is on the rise in India, especially in the ifestation of the underlying stress among young couples today. This cities.

While it is known that long leads to hormonal problems because work hours and stress affect fertility of which women face difficulty in and conception, the less known fact is conceiving, despite being medically the genetic predisposition of Indians fit,” Dr Padmini said.

Many women prioritise work to the problem.

“The same factors do not trigger over personal life and take the artifiinfertility to that extent in our west- cial route to bringing home the ern counterparts. Indians have a low proverbial bundle of joy.

“With changing priorities, both ovarian reserve and in many cases we see instances of unexplained prema- men and women first prefer to estabture ovarian failure,” said Dr Reeta lish themselves as career people, Biliangady, Clinical Director, Sure delaying marriage. And even after marriage, with this kind of hectic Fertility.

She points to obesity as one of lifestyle, jam-packed with meetings, the contributing factors, especially in conferences and travel, couples are rarely left with the women. time and energy for “In 70 per cent Indians are intimate moments,” of cases of polycystic said Dr Padmini. ovary, a condition in more vulnerable Couples then which the reproducto infertility suddenly wake up to tive hormones are genetically societal pressure affected requiring and do not mind medicinal help for conception, the women are obese,” trying assisted reproductive technology because they do not have the she said.

Even in men, obesity is known patience to wait for the natural to cause hormonal disturbances that course.

Pressure from friends and family might affect fertility.

Infertility also seems to be comes in the form of constant queslinked to the changing attitudes tions, verbal prodding, and probing towards sex. Doctors in the city say looks.

For over eight years, from 2004 that STDs (Sexually Transmitted

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UNDER PRESSURE Urban Indians can no longer take conception for granted

to 2012, Neha and Jatin (names changed) tried to have a baby. They underwent endless treatments, and tried ayurveda, besides two sessions of in-vitro fertilisation.

Deeply disappointed, they gave up. Hoping to be left alone at least, they sternly told their families, “We don’t want to have children. Don’t ask us about it again.”

Then suddenly, Neha conceived.

She was 35 years old then.

“The pressure from our families was so much that we were stressed out during that period. But when making love was no longer a task, I automatically got pregnant,” says Neha, a BPO employee.

Dr Muraliraj says people underestimate the effect that such societal

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pressure can have on couples. “We have to understand that one has to feel at ease while trying to conceive. If pressurised, it just does not happen. There are scientific reasons behind it.”

Women's bodies follow a certain ovulation cycle. It is scheduled to happen at a certain time of the month, and conception happens around the time of ovulation. Stress affects the process and the timing for it becomes erratic, which in turn affects calculation for the ideal time for conception. Stress also affects the male reproductive system, by reducing the sperm count and sperm mobility.

Neha feels that if the pressure had continued, she would never have conceived. “We would calculate the date of ovulation and set aside two days in a month. My husband would try not to go on official tours on those days,” she recalls.

Every month, her sister-in-law would call her and ask if she had conceived. At social gatherings, relatives would ask the question. “I simply wanted them to shut up. I remember I used to be very irritable those days. My husband and I would fight often,” Neha says.

Not all couples can boldly ask their relatives to stop pestering them. Some silently suffer and get depressed, which makes conception more elusive. Given these problems, it is small wonder that IVF clinics are mushrooming in the city. There are at least 50 such centers in Bangalore while the number of specialised infertility clinics is around 25.

Though there is no city-specific study indicating the percentage of infertility, doctors estimate that it may be as high as 15 to 18 per cent of the general population, and increasing.

They feel it will be even higher in urban centres.

“Nearly one in five healthy men between 18 and 25 years has an abnormal sperm count,” said Dr Kamini A Rao, medical director, Bangalore Assisted Conception Center (BACC). “The sperm count of a normal adult male in India is now around 20 million per ml, one-third of what it was 30 years ago. The urban male is worse off: in the last half century, the mean sperm count in normal men has dropped by 40 to 50 per cent.”

One of the main factors affecting male fertility is spending long hours with the laptop placed on the lap. “This increases the temperature in the thigh region and near the scrotum, affecting the quality of the sperm. Excess heat is known to affect the quality of sperm as has already been established in cases where men work as cooks or in places near a furnace,” Dr Rao said.

Other factors like wearing tight trousers and underwear, bathing in very hot water, consuming excess amounts of caffeine, and obesity, affect fertility.

In 40 per cent of the cases of infertile couples the problem is due to male infertility, and an equal 40 per cent is due to female infertility.

In 10 per cent of the cases both the couples have problems, while in the remaining 10 per cent, the cause is unexplained.

Never underestimate stress, say doctors.

“Stress affects the timing of ovulation in women and sperm quality and motility in men,” said Dr Muraliraj.

And apart from workplace stress as we have seen, the pressure of not being able to deliver ‘the good news’ adds to the woes of couples toiling to secure a future for themselves.

Francis and Gracy (names changed) are among those who have mentally broken down.

Their parents have vowed not to visit them until they bear them a grandchild. “If we visit them, they don’t talk to us properly. My parents have called up Gracy’s parents and complained that we aren’t making a baby,” says Francis, a manager in an event management company.

Gracy is 26, and works as a soft skills trainer. Francis is 31. Their doctor has been telling them that they are a young couple and need not worry. “At social functions, relatives point out that we have been married for four years. They do not take into account that we are relatively young,” he says.

They are seeking psychiatric help for stress. “Gracy keeps crying and gets angry at the slightest thing. Whenever she sees anyone with a baby, she sobs. Now, she avoids social gatherings,” Francis says. The tension has taken a toll on Francis as well. He has been taking medication for stress.

Dr Padmini says couples mainly need a lot of counselling to bring down stress, so that they can conceive normally.

Dr Rajalakshmi is an infertility specialist with an ‘integrated medicine’ philosophy. “I do not guarantee a baby to my patients. I guarantee a peaceful life,” she says. “When people have their minds at ease, a baby follows.”

Lalitha Ramkumar, who used to run a fertility support group, puts it this way: “Nature intended sex to be a stress buster. Sex releases feel-good hormones. But it doesn’t happen when love making is results-oriented.”

Rising numbers

A 2011 report by the International Institute of Population Sciences says infertility is growing at an alarming rate, especially in metros. Of the 60-80 million couples suffering from infertility worldwide, about 15-20 million are in India alone. A KuicK Research report estimates that in India, approximately 1520 per cent of married couples in the fertile age group suffer from infertility.

Some dos and don'ts  Avoid sitting for long hours with a laptop or desktop  Have a healthy and nutritious diet  Exercise regularly  Avoid multiple sex partners  Manage stress effectively  Avoid emergency contraceptive pills  Avoid abortion  Stop smoking and cut back on caffeine and drinking

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Not now, baby Women who want to delay child birth are increasingly opting to freeze their eggs in a bank for future use, reports Sanchita Sen fter pursuing higher frozen oocytes.

“I feel so secure and relieved studies, achieving a certain professional status about my personal future now,” said and some financial sta- Sushma Mohan (name changed), a bility, and finally find- 35-year-old unmarried executive working with an MNC. She opted ing Mr Right, many women pause.

Professional plans dictate that for cryopreservation of her oocytes a a baby has to be put off for some year ago.

“There is so much stress on the time. professional front, and I travel a Except that the biological lot. The pressure of setclock is ticking. tling down and having a To hedge against baby was too much. that, many Bangalore So when I first women are opting heard about oocyte for oocyte cryopcryopreservation, reservation, where I was instantly their eggs, or i n t e r e s t e d ," oocytes, are Sushma said. frozen for future What is use in an egg more, the quality bank. of the egg is When the retained at the age at woman feels that she which the oocyte is is in a position to start frozen, providing greater a family, the eggs can be chances of a healthy baby, said thawed, fertilised and transDr Ramesh B, founder and director ferred to her uterus.

Dr Kamini A Rao, medical of Dr Ramesh Hospital.

The extraction does not director, Bangalore Assisted Conception Centre (BACC), told require surgery. The woman visits Talk: “This is a relatively new tech- the clinic for about two weeks to nology, around for a couple of years, receive hormone injections that and we are now seeing a gradual stimulate ovaries to create multiple increase in the number of enquiries, eggs.

While ICMR (Indian Council mostly in the 25-35 years age bracket.” About 50 women have gone for Medical Research) guidelines state that embryos can be frozen for ahead with cryopreservation. five years, there is Not all are no limit on oocyte married women. cryopreservation.

Many unmarried About 50 women Infertility experts women take the have already are of the opinion option, as they opted for cryopthat even 10 years then do not have to is okay, but most worry about findreservation in doctors assume ing the right partBangalore that women will ner in time. When not delay pregnanit does happen, they feel reassured that the biologi- cy more than five years after freezcal status of their bodies will not ing.

The technology was initially come in the way of having children.

It also provides for another created with the aim of aiding cankind of insurance. Legally, while the cer survivors. “Since chemotherapy embryo is the property of the cou- and radiotherapy is known to dample, the egg is the woman's individ- age the quality of eggs, young ual property. “Cryopreservation women can opt to freeze their eggs gives a woman the option of having before starting chemotherapy,” said a baby later, even if she is divorced Dr Ramesh. Now, it is also becoming a lifestyle aid. from her husband,” said Dr Rao. The costs range from Rs 1-1.5 The centre has also seen four cases of successful pregnancies from lakh.

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fertility matters

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Testaments of hope Two women who overcame the painful experience of being childless recount their experiences

‘I am not poultry’ Lalitha Ramkumar grappled successfully with her infertility problem and then ran a support group in the UAE to help people in similar circumstances e got married in 1988 when we were both under 25. Only when we were about 28 did we think of having a child.

I failed to conceive even after a year.

In India we always blame the woman. The problem is often with the man, but they don’t like to undergo tests. But in my case, I knew that the problem could be with me. I had Polycystic Ovarian Disease (PCOD). With PCOD, ovulation is irregular and the menstrual cycle unpredictable.

A gynaecologist prescribed hormonal pills to regularise the cycle. Two years passed, but with no success.

We then went to a fertility specialist, which we should have done in the first place. She suggested intrauterine insemination (IUI). I had injections so that I produced enough eggs. The sperms were then injected into the vagina. Again, no success. This was our first shot at Assisted Reproductive Technique (ART). We went through three cycles of IUI, with no results. We gave enough time between the

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IUI procedures. Too much hormonal medication can lead to hyper stimulation.

Normally the body produces one egg, but the medication can lead to the body making 10 to 20 eggs. Of these 20 to 25 per cent are good eggs.

Another gynaecologist said I had anti-sperm antibodies, which were killing the sperms. He suggested more medicines to make my body fertile to sperms. Since I was still under 30, doctors said that I had time.

The infertility specialist then recommended gamete intrafallopian transfer (GIFT). This calls for a surgical procedure, a little more expensive than the IUI. The ovaries were stimulated and my body produced 40 eggs. I said, “I am not poultry” The doctors harvested 16 good eggs.

They put four eggs and the sperms in my fallopian tube. It is a laproscopic procedure, where a small incision is made.

The journey of the sperms from the vagina to the uterus is cut short. The sperms and eggs are made to meet in the fallopian tube. Here there are chances of twins.

I said that I would not be able to handle two babies. The doctors told me there was just 20 per cent chance of pregnancy. Of the four eggs, perhaps only one could be fertilised and become an embryo.

After a blood test, they called and said, “You are pregnant.” It was a shock. I said that I couldn’t be since all the urine tests I had undergone gave negative results. Then they told me that urine tests couldn’t be always right and blood tests made things 100 per cent sure.

One of the four eggs had turned into an embryo and that was our daughter.

We didn’t tell our families for the first three months, since these months are critical.

I had gestational diabetes and so cut down on sugar, exercised and walked regularly. I didn’t put on much weight unlike most women. My pre-pregnancy weight was 68 kg. On the day of delivery it was 76 kg.

On the day that the doctors said that I could perhaps deliver, I felt that I was going to give birth. I walked for about 8 kilometers because someone had told me that walking would help me have a normal delivery. The doctors admonished me.

The next day I felt the contractions.

But I said that I wouldn’t go to the hospital until I was sure. Finally we let go in the interest of the baby. I was very happy until the water broke. Then I remembered all the Gods and used swear words! It was a huge ward and there were many people ready to deliver. There was also an Arab woman who had an 18-year-old son and had come to deliver her 10th child. Since this was in the Gulf, the doctors prefer a natural delivery. In my case, they went for a Caesarian.

I had gone screaming into the ward, and came out unconscious. They then brought my daughter to me wrapped in a blanket. I saw her and said, “This is not my child.” They then showed be a tag on the baby that read, ‘Baby of Lalitha Ramkumar.’

Our daughter came to us on 29 December 1995, almost eight years after our marriage.

A miracle after nine years Priya Singh (name changed).

Priya is a project manager in a leading BPO. e met in college when we were studying for our MBA, and we got married in 2003, when I was 28, and he was 31. We wanted to give ourselves about three years to settle down in our careers, and only then have a baby.

My parents and in-laws too didn’t put much pressure on us, except for saying occasionally, “Do not delay too much.”

When we started trying for a baby after three or four years, it didn’t happen as easily as we thought it would. We weren't too troubled. We told friends that we still had our freedom to go on trips and be young. It was only after the fifth year that we started getting anxious. I was already 33.

The pressure from our families too started building up. We were the only childless couple in our group of friends. I don't think people meant to hurt us, but they asked questions like, ‘Why don’t you have a baby? Is there a problem?”

Though my in-laws live in a village, they were supportive. My mother-in-law was struck with paralysis. My father-in-

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law is a very quiet person. It was actually the other relatives and cousins who built up the pressure. At every social function, they would ask questions. What started with “When are you planning a baby?” moved on to “Who has the problem?”

Some relatives started picking on my brother-in-law’s (husband’s brother’s) wife.

She had two children. They said she had done some black magic so that I don’t have children. People said she wanted all the ancestral property to go to her children. If we remained childless, my husband’s share too would go to her kids.

Naturally, these accusations irked her.

She started pressuring me. She kept a tab on my menstrual cycle dates, and checked with me regularly. Prayers and pujas followed. I visited almost all major temples in the country, gave up non-vegetarian food, tied wishing threads in dargahs and tied a tabeez around my arm.

We sought medical help too. The first doctor we saw put me on medication— tablets for ovulation. She would draw a chart and mark the days of ovulation, and ask us to have sex on those days. We religiously followed it—it became a chore. But nothing came of it even after a year.

My parents started asking me to tell my husband to get tested. He didn’t like it at first, but agreed after some cajoling. The results said that the sperm count and mobility was fine. After about one and half years of medication, I conceived. It was six and half years after marriage. But the foetus didn’t develop a heartbeat and had to be aborted.

Though I was sad that the baby died, the conception made me feel relieved. It meant that I was not barren. It gave us hope that we could conceive again. My husband too told his family about this. He said that if I didn’t conceive again, they could not call us infertile.

After a couple of months, the doctor suggested IVF. We underwent the procedure, but without success. We did it a second time, but it failed again.

A friend of ours suggested another doctor. This doctor simply suggested changes in lifestyle for both me and my husband. We joined a gym to reduce weight. We were not obese but were overweight. We controlled our diet, avoided oil and rice. We mostly ate chapattis and greens. We avoided eating out. Since I was working, we hired a cook so that we ate home food regularly.

Still, no luck. We just dropped the idea of a baby. Our families too had given up hope. People too stopped asking us. It was over seven or eight years of marriage.

People suggested adoption. We were not ready for it. Perhaps my husband can love another’s baby. I don't think I can. I

would always have it in mind that it was someone else's child. I would not have been able to give the time and care that I should. We planned our lives with just the two of us in mind. The money that we had kept aside for a child’s expenses was now used to buy a house. We splurged on the most expensive clothes and gadgets and went on holidays.

My husband is in marketing and his company gave him a promotion and sent him to a different city. He visited me once in a week. The ovulation calendar too wasn’t followed. Then out of nowhere, I conceived last year. This was after nine years of marriage. I am 37 now and due in a couple of months. I was on bed rest during the first trimester, but am back to work now.

It’s a miracle. My doctor says it because of the lifestyle change, weight loss and a stress free mind. My relatives say it’s my mother-in-law’s prayers. She died in early 2012. They believe that she must have worked a miracle for me from heaven.

Infertility Clinics in city B’lore Assisted Conception Centre, High Grounds 22260880 www.baccweb.com Sahaya Medical Centre 26576701/9042 www.sahaya.in Dr Lohit's Ayur Infertility & Sex Clinic, Basaveshwara Nagar, 9916496969, 9620496969 Dr Chaitanya’s Clinic (Homeopathy), Jayanagar 9008116666, www.drchaitanyas.com Dr Joy’s Health Clinic (Homeopathy), Cambridge Layout 25561088 / 9448461088 www.drjosyjoy.com Shrushti Global Medicare, Vijayananda Nagar, Phone: 23577979 / 9343431303, www.shrushtifertility.com Dr Patil’s Fertility Centre, Bannerghatta Road 080 - 41201357 / 41462419 9945221622 www.drpatilfertilityclinic.com Herbal Cure (Unani), RT Nagar, 66493181 Ramesh Hospital, Rajajinagar 23151873 /23148918 www.laparoscopicsurgeries.com Gunasheela IVF Centre, Basavanagudi 41312600, www.gunasheela.com Sure Fertility Centre, JP Nagar 4350 0123/ 6799 9999 www.surefertility.com

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Ovulation strips: do they help?

A new product aims to predict a woman's most fertile period accurately, but is not without its problems PRACHI SIBAL prachi.sibal@talkmag.in

aunched a year ago, Piramal Enterprises’ i-sure ovulation strip aims to predict a woman’s most fertile period in a month with 99.9 per cent accuracy. It still appears to be the only one of its kind in the market.

With a simple urine test, the strip detects the luteinizing hormone released during ovulation. “It aids conception by detecting the two most fertile days in a month,” said Kedar Rajadyne, President and COO— Consumer Products, Piramal Enterprises.

Dr Praveena Shenoi, consultant gynecologist, Cloud Nine Hospitals, said, “The ovulation strip test is quite reliable, more so with women who have regular periods. But sometimes the levels of luteinizing hormone may be naturally high and the test result in such cases can be misguiding,” The test is common worldwide and she sees no harm in it being used.

“Personally, I rely on follicular monitoring which is the most effective method for detection of fertile period.

Other methods like the basal body temperature chart are also effective.

Sometimes, women themselves realise that they are ovulating,” she explains.

Dr Padmini Prasad, gynecologist and sexual health consultant, regards the non-invasive method “harmless but approximate”.

“Ovulation time varies with all women. We usually ask couples to plan intercourse for the 10 middle days of the menstrual cycle. A test like this

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may certainly help busy couples especially those who travel. There are problems though, in cases of irregular periods and when contraceptive tablets are being consumed,” she said.

Dr Prasad also pointed to costs, at Rs 500 for a set of 10 strips. “Also, people need to understand that testing the fertile period does not guarantee conception. There are several other subtleties involved,” she says.

Timed intercourse itself can be problematic, she points out. “With the focus on timed intercourse and pregnancy, the man can develop sexual health problems. Erectile dysfunction due to pressure is quite common in such cases,” she explained.

Dr Rajalakshmi, who treats infertile couples, also says while ovulation is critical for pregnancy, ovulation alone cannot guarantee pregnancy.

She does not approve of the focus placed on ovulation periods. “I’m very unhappy with the drastic fall in sexual health. Nobody is talking about sexual health, people just want to get pregnant. The focus on ovulation also produces high levels of performance anxiety in men during those two days. For newly married couples especially, sex should not be an issue. Why focus on ovulation?” she said.

While the strips are being advertised and retailed to aid conception, they can also obviously be used as a contraceptive aid, though the failure rates can be high.

“When the ovulation method and ovulation strips are used for contraception, the focus becomes avoiding pregnancy. The risk of Sexually Transmitted Diseases (STDs) remains,” Rajalakshmi noted.

The company though maintains a clear stance with a note in the pack that says ‘This test is not to be used as a form of birth control’.

Rajadyne adds, "I would say i-sure helps detect those two days with the highest chances of getting pregnant.

However that does not mean the chances of conception on the other days are nil."

fertility matters

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For love or money With couples grappling with problems relating to sperm quality and ovulation, sperm and egg banks have become an option. Enter the donors

SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in

or 28-year old Kichchu, a health care professional, and a registered sperm donor, sperm donation is “social work.”

“I have seen people facing difficulty in having a child. I want to help them out.” he told Talk.

It’s not the same for Mallika (name changed) who has registered as an egg donor. “I want to make some money for my children’s school fees,” says the mother of two.

If you run through the profiles of donors registered on surrogatefinder.com, you can’t help but notice the difference between the socio-economic backgrounds of sperm and egg donors in Bangalore.

Most sperm donors are well educated and hold MNC jobs, while egg donors come from the lower strata of society.

“There is a huge difference both in the process, and the remuneration,” points out Dr Kamini Rao, medical director, Bangalore Assisted Conception Centre (BACC). While men might get about Rs 350 per donation, women may be remunerated around Rs 25,000.

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While sperm donation involves a private room with some pornography as stimulus, egg donation means multiple visits to the clinic and medication.

“Many are students. We have techies, doctors and highly qualified donors too,” says KT Gurumurthy, an embroyologist and Managing Director, Shrushti Global Medicare and Research Foundation.

Shrushti provides a tablet to its donor for better ejaculation. The semen is kept in cryocans and used only after a minimum freezing period of three months. “That’s because it's the window period for HIV or any other virus. We conduct tests for Hepatitis, AIDS and STDs, before the donation and also test the sperm at the end of the freezing period,” he adds. The mobility and quality of the sperm head is also checked.

Some men are regular donors.

Most centres too do not specify the number of times they can donate or the upper age limit. While Shrusthi has no limit on the number of times they can donate, BACC puts the cap on 75 times and the age limit at 45.

The centres also specify the education qualification of sperm donors.

“They should be graduates at least.

Recipient parents enquire about it,” says Dr Rao. When it comes to egg donors, the educational requirements are relaxed a bit. The centres ask for women who have studied at least till PUC. But the requirement may not always be met, because the stress is more on the fertility of the egg. “The woman should be between 21 to 30year-old and should have at least one child,” says KR Chandrakant, Shrushti. If the woman is a mother, it

provides surety that her eggs are fer- month the woman’s body releases one matured egg for fertilization. The tile and healthy.

Shrusti is also an agency that hormonal injections given to the provides eggs to hospitals and infer- donors release multiple mature eggs. tility centres throughout south India. “This means that the number of ova “We get around 50 to 60 donations in the body depletes faster or that so per month,” says Chandrakant. Most many months are lost. This makes of the donors are from the lower stra- menopause come early,” she says.

Sperm donation may not have ta of society. “Sometimes we have family members volunteering to adverse health effects on the donor, donate their eggs. Most of the times but Dr Prasad advises men not to it’s women looking to earn some donate frequently. “The recipients extra money for the family,” he says. don’t know whose sperm they get. If a The agency charges Rs 55,000 person keeps giving sperms and many from the recipients. “We pay Rs babies are born of it, there can be 25,000 to the donor per extraction, inbreeding. The children may grow irrespective of the number of eggs and marry amongst each other. It will retrieved,” he says. At one time, at be children of the same father marrying each other. least eight to ten Children born of eggs are retrieved.

Sperm donors such marriages Before acceptcould have genetic ing someone as a are usually defects,” she warns. donor, she is subjectaffluent, but egg Having a ed to tests for donors are not choice, recipient Hepatitis C, tuberparents do specify culosis and STDs. Besides the mandatory medical the kind of person they want sperms check-ups the donor has to take hor- or eggs from. “Being a country preocmonal injections continuously for 10 cupied with white skin, many prefer a to 12 days. These lead to the produc- fair donor,” says Dr Rao. Many want tion of multiple mature eggs, which the height to be 5.2 ft at least. Many are retrieved for fertilisation. The also ask that the donor resemble the process of retrieval of eggs lasts for recipient parents. “We do specify that about three hours, and the donor is you can't have designer babies. We try to match as many physical attributes on anesthesia.

Unlike the multiple chances of as possible,” she says.

People also want the donors to donation that sperm donors have, egg donors can donate just six times in be of their own religion, but are their lifetime. There should be an relaxed about castes. “We match interval of two to three months Hindu donors to Hindu recipients and Muslims to Muslims,” says between donations.

Consultant gynaecologist Dr Chandrakant.

Donors from other religions are Padmini Prasad points out that egg donations could bring in early rare. A Christian recipient couple can menopause. A woman’s body has a opt for either a Hindu or Muslim fixed number of ova or eggs. Every donor.

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15

Religious custom turned lifesaving procedure

Caesarean SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in

hen we hear of someone giving birth, one of the first things we ask is, “Normal or Caesarean?” Going under the scalpel for a Caesarean or a ‘C-section’ is common these days, but the word had stranger connotations in the past.

The term Caesarean operation has its origin to Lex Caesaria, which means the ‘imperial law of Caesar’ or of Rome. According to this law, if a woman died at childbirth, her stomach was to be cut open and the baby removed W from the womb. It first began as a religious practice, where women were not buried pregnant. It was to ensure that a child was not buried alive in the womb.

Later, the procedure evolved as a way to save the life of the infant when the mothThe Talk er’s condition was criticolumn on word origins cal. This procedure

W

was used only if the mother was already dead or beyond help.

Some legends say that Julius Caesar was born after his mother’s stomach was cut open. If such a thing had happened during his time, then his mother should have died delivering him. But his mother Aurelia lived long and became his advisor while he reigned. Many historians discard this legend relating the origin of the term Caesarean.

Roman author Pliny the Elder in one of his works refer to an ancestor of the future emperor who was born after his mother’s womb was cut open. The baby’s head was full of hair, so he was called Caesaries, meaning head of hair. This child later came to be known as Caesar. His name went on to be attached to the surgery as well. His descendants, including the most famous of them all, Julius Caesar, went on to use the word as a title. This surname of the emperors was later attached to the royal law.

While the story of the birth of the first Caesar may simply be a legend, it also tells us that the term Caesarean was commonly used in early Rome for this particular way of child birth.

Some etymologists say the word

K E Y

O R D S

A 16th century drawing of C-section, which involves the cutting open of a mother’s stomach to deliver a child

comes from the Latin caesus, meaning to cut. This theory isn’t very popular. The connection to the Roman emperors is seen in other European languages as well.

The term section was attached to Caesarean in 1598, by French surgeon Jacques Guillimeau in his book on midwifery. After that, increasingly, section was used instead of operation with the term Caesarean.

The term Caesarean section is first seen in English in anatomist Helkiah Crooke’s A Description of the Body of Man, written in 1615.

In those days, most women who underwent Caesarean operations died. The

first successful Caesarean section where the woman survived was in Switzerland in the 1580s, when a pig gelder (castrator of animals), Jacob Nufer, performed the surgery on his wife after a prolonged period of labour. He then sewed up her stomach the way he would sew up his animals. His wife survived and is believed to have given birth to twins in her next pregnancy.

As with many medical terms, the Caesarean section has been now shortened to C-section. With the advancement of medical science, the surgery is not just used in complicated labour, but is also chosen by some mothers who want astrologically to time the birth of their children.

sale season Marks & Spencer

For those who make the most of the sale season to shop for luxury brands, Marks & Spencer is a good option with discounts of up to 40 per cent (though the discounts are applicable on a few selected items). You may not many options to choose from, but if you want a brand name and quality, this place is worth a try.

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

Reliance Trends

One of the least expensive places, Reliance Trends too has been offering discounts up to 50 per cent (though this is only for a few items including kidswear). There is a wide range of clothes available at a flat 30 per cent discount. We picked traditional wear and western wear for the ladies and sportswear and t-shirts for the guys.

Black and red top

Sparsh salwar set

This casual top when paired with jeans looks perfect for a day look.

There are other interesting tops too if you are not bound by a strict budget.

MRP: Rs 2,199 Discounted price: Rs 1,190

This salwar set is for those who like traditional wear and don't mind experimenting with colours.

MRP: Rs 1,099 Discounted price: Rs 769

This pink top can be worn for a casual lunch, or can be teamed with pants for a party as well.

MRP: Rs 899 Discounted price: Rs 499

This formal short skirt can be worn either during the day or can be teamed up with a sequined top and could be just the thing for evenings.

MRP: Rs 1,299 Discounted price: Rs 790

Green t-shirt

Half jacket This half jacket will surely keep you warm in Bangalore's unpredictable sunny-yet-cold weather.

Recommended for guys, especially the bikers among you.

MRP: Rs 3,499 Discounted price: Rs 2,490

The active ones among you can go for this sports jacket. Available in dark blue, black and white colour.

MRP: Rs 999 Discounted price: Rs 700

One of our favourite stops for bags and shoes, Bangalore Central has good discounts on these, apart from apparel. While they offer up to 50 per cent off, we noticed that some items had as much as a 60 per cent discount. On sale are bags from Lavie, Baggit, Holii and shoes from Tresmode, Solovoga, Catwalk, Inc.5 and more.

This blue top paired with light blue or white jeans could complete your look.

Surprisingly, there are limited options among tops that start at Rs 199, but those that offered a discount of 30 per cent offered greater choice.

MRP: Rs 999 Discounted price: Rs 399

AND Dress Jack n Jones T- shirt This brand is offering flat 70, 50 and 30 per cent off on its collection. Though the clothes in the 70 per cent category were not quite appealing, we found clothes in the 50 and 30 per cent category worth a buy. The quality and patterns of t-shirts get a thumbs-up from us.

T-sshirts are priced at Rs 695 onwards

Lifestyle

One of the most popular destinations for shopaholics, Lifestyle is offering up to 50 per cent discount. While we were in a fix about what to pick we shortlisted a few items for both men and women which are worth a buy. We noticed that most brands were offering flat 50, 40 and 30 per cent discounts with a wide range of options.

One of the best deals we found here was on watches-look out for them.

Lavie bags

Ladies looking for dresses will however be spoilt for choice here. The AND range offers a great variety and is reasonably priced, with a flat 30 per cent discount. Pair this dress with some heels and you are all set to go.

MRP: Rs 2,999 Discounted price: Rs 899

Fame Forever top

This bag is ideal for its space—something that every woman wants.

Add a flat 30 per cent discount, and our choice is clear.

MRP: Rs 3,420 Discounted price: Rs 2,394

This bag is perfect for a lunch date. Team it with a dress or traditional attire.

MRP: Rs 2,300 Discounted price: Rs 1,250

Tresmode shoes These cute ballerinas are a steal. Team them up with a floral print or classic white top and jeans and look like a diva.

MRP: Rs 2,500 Discounted price: Rs 1,500

RAMESH HUNSUR

Guys can pick this t-shirt for a casual outing.

Also available in blue, yellow and green colour.

MRP: Rs 399 Discounted price: Rs 280

Performax jacket

Bangalore Central

Austin Reed top

It’s sale time again, the one which shopaholics wait for all year long, when nearly every brand and retail outlet in town comes up with 'super discounts'.

Sandra M Fernandes picks out the best deals for you

Performax t-shirt

Guys can opt for this t-shirt for a casual day out.

Available in colours like blue, yellow and red. Team this with a pair of blue jeans and you're set.

MRP: Rs 800 Discounted price: Rs 390

As the store that houses many retail brands under one roof, Shopper's stop was definitely on the top of our list for bargain hunting. While the promos said up to 50 per cent off, there were very few items that actually had 50 per cent discount. Here is apparel for men and women that we thought were the best deals, though it's definitely women who have more options here.

Only till stocks last

Sepia top

Black skirt

Shopper's Stop

Celio jeans This pair of jeans is comfortable and stylish. Guys can splurge here as Celio is offering flat 60, 50 and 40 per cent discounts on their men's range.

MRP: Rs 1,799 Discounted price: Rs 800

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Nothing like this floral top teamed with blue or black jeans, if you want to catch a movie or head out for lunch with friends.

MRP: Rs 499 Discounted price: Rs 250

Code dress This dress defines a summer afternoon.

Team it with a pair of flats and you are all set for a fun day out.

MRP: Rs 1,099 Discounted price: Rs 659

Giordano watch This studded watch is a steal as when you buy one, you get another one of a lower price absolutely free.

Perfect as a gifting option.

MRP: Rs 7,000

Club Hoppers waistcoat Guys, make heads turn as you team this waist coast with your suit or wear it over a formal shirt.

MRP: Rs 1,699 Discounted price: Rs 699

Peter England sweater Pick this sweateravailable in three colours-to beat the cold Bangalore winds. You can avail a flat 30 per cent discount.

MRP: Rs 1,699 Discounted price: Rs 1,189

Bossini t-shirt This green t- shirt with blue and white stripes is stylish and comfortable and can be worn for a casual outing.

MRP: Rs 1,199 Discounted price: Rs 600

rural archive

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18

A ‘somewhat insane’ project Award-winning journalist P Sainath has taken up what is perhaps the most ambitious cultural project of our time: a 'people's archive of rural India' to be hosted on the Net

SREEJA VN

SAJAI JOSE sajai.jose@talkmag.in

t’s a project so formidable in scale and scope that its founder refers to it as “a somewhat insane project.” It’s a fitting description for journalist P Sainath’s brainchild, an online archive of Indian village life. For, what he is building is a gargantuan, ever-expanding website that will host hundreds of films and audio recordings, thousands of photographs and articles—all contributed by volunteers—that will document just about every aspect of life in rural India, warts and all.

The author of the acclaimed Everybody Loves a Good Drought was in Bangalore last Sunday for an informal meeting on the project. He was surprised by the response at the event, jointly organised by the Kannada online magazine Avadhi (avadhimag.com), the literary group Abhinava and Karnataka Gandhi Smaraka Nidhi. As part of his presentation, Sainath showed clips from some films, with subjects as varied as pottery in Dharavi in Mumbai, a dance form from Kumaon, and traditional martial arts from Kerala. When Talk caught up with him afterwards, he told us he has had no contributions from Karnataka yet, but many people were keen on participating in the project.

In a concept paper about the project, Sainath asks, “Can a project’s success be judged on the basis of its never being completed?” and answers his own question thus: “Yes, if it's a living archive of the world’s most diverse and complex countryside.”

Excerpts from the conversation:

I

VILLAGE VOICE P Sainath’s journalism has brought him many honours, including the prestigious Magsaysay award

ment everything about rural India— largesse. All the content will be languages, occupations, customs, licensed under Creative Commons, utensils, arts and crafts. It will have which means it will be available for films, audio recordings, photographs, non-commercial use.

To be a genuine people’s archive, and a blog that will have travel diaries and articles on village life. To what- it will have to be a public resource to which people have ever extent possible, free access. It will the stories, the work, ‘If not archived, be registered in the the activity, the histories are narrated an entire cultural name of a trust we have formed for this by rural Indians galaxy would be purpose, the themselves. Above lost to us’ Counter Media all, it will be about Trust. There will labour and the labour process, and will feature every- also be a Counter Media Network, day people talking about themselves, which will be a collective of 1,000 members or more that will support their work and their lives.

At the same time, we want to and fund the trust and the archive. show the other side of rural India, which is more challenging. For What made you think of setting up instance, it’s easy to capture the story such an archive? of a manual scavenger, but not that of I have spent 18 of my 30 years as a his oppressor. That’s where it gets journalist covering rural India fulltricky, but we will surely attempt it time. In this time, I have watched because it would be intellectually and with deep sadness the erosion of journalistically dishonest not to have some of the most colourful societies it. In that sense, our films won’t be on earth. Rural India is one of the documentaries, strictly speaking, but most diverse parts of the planet; its nearly 800 million people are part of documentary journalism. countless culturally distinct societies, and speak hundreds of languages and How do you plan to fund it?

The archive will be a non-commer- dialects, some of them thousands of cial, non-profit enterprise, so we are years old. There are some tribal lanclear it should not take government guages spoken by just a few thousand Tell us about the archive.

The archive project seeks to docu- funds, or be dependent on corporate people, and many of these are dying

out. Rural occupations, arts and crafts, culture, literature, legend, transportation (I have used 16 forms of transport in rural India while writing a book) are equally diverse.

Right now, the Indian countryside is going through an extremely painful transformation. People in traditional occupations, from weavers to toddy tappers to professional storytellers, are in danger of extinction.

Many of these professions, cultures, arts and crafts and livelihoods, and with them whole histories and life stories, could be gone forever in 20-30 years. Few have been recorded in a systematic way so that this incredible, unparalleled diversity is preserved in some form. Without an archive, an entire cultural galaxy will be lost to future generations.

What made you opt for a virtual archive?

I first thought of setting up a physical archive. But then I realised I can’t even afford to buy a toilet in Mumbai!

Besides, kids don’t go to places like archives or museums anymore. They prefer to spend time online. But when I thought about it, I realised that I could do much more with a virtual archive than a physical one—I could reach out to the whole world.

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

What’s the status of the project now?

The response has been good. I teach journalism students and many of my students and former students are involved in this.

We have more than 10 filmmakers who have contributed their work already. More than 20 technical experts, spread all over the world, are working on setting up the platform, all on a voluntary basis. We hope to have an experimental website up by June.

We have distributed 15 video cameras to rural stringers. For example, we have given a camera to a member of Kerala’s Kudumbasree mission for women. We have not told her what to do. Let her run riot for a year, and let’s see what comes out.

We invite everyone to contribute, as long as it fits our mandate. You could shoot a short film on your cell phone and send it to us. However, this won’t be a Wikipediastyle platform—there will be strict quality control and editorial intervention, which I feel is essential.

What are the major challenges you face?

Our biggest problem is film editing. In Hindi and Marathi, we have the people to do it, but in other languages, it becomes difficult. For example, we’ve got a beautiful film about a tribe in Arunachal Pradesh called the Apathenis. They are a people

19

Walmarts, but don’t destroy what is already sense; it is way behind other sectors.

Besides, the philosophy of growth there. itself is a dubious one. In 2003, Afghanistan was one of the fastest growing countries in In policy circles, the view seems to be that the world. And that’s because they had farmers have to be weaned away from agribombed it to rubble, where if you set up culture. For instance, P Chidambaram has said agriculture is doing well as a sector, but two schools, it would register as high growth. As the late ecologist Edward Abbey To shift the focus a bit, as a journalist cover- it’s the individual farmer who is not doing said, “Growth for the sake of growth is the ing rural India, can you talk about the ongo- well because there are too many dependent ideology of the cancer cell.” on agriculture. ing agrarian crisis in India? Farmers are in Chidambaram, Sharad Pawar, distress, but agribusiness is booming…

Everything in Indian farming, except labour Chandrababu Naidu, they have all said Is India's future urban? If so, how viable do and ownership of land, is controlled by cor- that. A McKinsey report commissioned by you think that will be? porations. And the government gives con- Naidu recommended that 40 per cent of All studies on urban growth suggest a third farmers should be thrown of humanity will live in urban slums by cessions to the same corout of farming. Instead, 2030. Africa and India will see perhaps the porations at the expense ‘The government the 40 per cent threw out greatest share of those slums. The 2011 of the farmer. Earlier, the now acts as the Naidu. Many farmers census shows us that for first time since government would act as want alternatives, but 1921, India’s urban population has gone up an executive committee militia of the have they created jobs? In more than its rural population. The move for corporations, but now corporations’ the public sector alone, towards greater urbanisation is clear and they act as their militia. one million jobs have dis- will intensify. How that will pan out That’s what we saw repeatedly, at Nandigram, Kalinganagar, appeared. We just keep parroting that we depends on the nature of our urbanisation Posco… Likewise, the argument that need to move more and more people out of and how society and economy themselves Walmart’s entry into retail will be good for agriculture without a thought about where evolve over the next few decades. As it farmers is ridiculous. They even dictate the they will be absorbed. Not a single job has stands, it will be pretty dismal as more and size of onions to their suppliers! In the US, been created with that path in mind. The more dispossessed people huddle into ever one of the biggest trends is the return of the old kind of industrialisation is dead and growing slums that lack even basic amenilocal farmer’s market. Here, every market is thousands of factories in the cities that ties. There’s also got to be a whole different a farmer’s market, but they are being once absorbed the migrants are closed. approach to rurality that neither romances destroyed now. Let them have their Even to say agriculture is doing well is non- it, nor trashes it. who consider mother earth to be so sacred that they won’t use any implements to farm, instead they use their feet to plough the soil. We need an editor who understands the language and cuts the film accordingly.

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Rewind The week that was  Sandy aid: The US House of Representatives approves 50.7 billion dollars in emergency relief for Superstorm Sandy victims, ending painful party divisions for more than 10 weeks.

...you’re paying the whole country's tax amit kulkarni @askammya ...you say dead end for a cross road while guiding someone.

Vijay S @vijaymalaivedan ...you are not surprised when an autodriver in your city speaks half a dozen languages.

 Grounded: Japan's two leading airlines grounded their fleets of Boeing 787s after one of the Dreamliner passenger jets made an emergency landing.  Suicide: Aaron Swartz, Internet activist and founder of the RSS feed network, committed suicide at his New York apartment, after being indicted for illegally downloading millions of documents from academic website JSTOR.  No incursions: Rejecting Pakistan's allegations, Army chief General Bikram Singh says Indian troops have not fired withour provocation, and any casualty on the other side may have been due to retaliatory firing.  Convicted: Former Haryana chief minister Om Prakash Chautala, his MLAson Ajay Chautala, and 53 others are convicted by a Delhi court for illegal recruitment of over 3,000 junior basic trained (JBT) teachers.  Back to jail: Majlis-eIttehadul Muslimeen (MIM) leader Akbaruddin Owaisi is sent back to Adilabad jail after four days of police questioning in a hate speech case.  Clearance: Kingfisher Airlines receives a "no objection certificate" from oil companies and aircraftleasing companies. This could help the struggling company restart operations.  Notice to Ashok: The Karnataka High Court orders issue of notice to deputy chief minister R Ashok, in response to a petition claiming falsification of income details by him.

You are a Bangalorean if…

Trending on Twitter, as we go to press, is a hashtag about the unique characteristics of Bangalore. Without much ado, let us present to you, unedited, the polyphony of voices, some from old Bangalore, some from new Bangalore, and many from just plain confused Bangalore.

So, you are a Bangalorean if…

Amith Richard @amithrichard ...your city doesn't have an airport, but a village outside your city has

Abishek Bhat @abishekk92 ...you speak in a fake accent.

Mandar Mutalikdesai @mrmdesai ...you know what the expression "wonandaaf sir" means. supreeth @Supreeth_Ckm ...u know abt chat street in vv puram:-) Manish Purohit @ThandiBeer ...you don't have a night life. shreyasraos @shreyassrao ...you have avrekalu upit all through the season!

Shilpa @sheefal ...you go to wedding receptions and wait for the bride & groom to arrive abhijeet @abhilives ...you get emotional when someone mentions Masala Dosa shefali shetty @ShefShetty ...your time to reach home from airport is greater than the flight duration.

Gautam Anand @gauttham ...you think every politician is a kall nan maga :P Ramesh Srivats ...while giving directions, if it's nearby you say, "Straight hogu" and if it's far away, you say "Straaaaaaaaight hogu."

The Sardonic Verses @SardonicVerses ...half your family works at BPOs!

Sahana Rao @spicy_words ...you have heard conductor in BTS ( now BMTC) buses say "raiyyaa raiyya" and the bus moves.

Amit Sharma @am_sharma ...you know that, congress is also a tasty snack Yes!

Wraters is the latest among websites that host screenplays by aspiring writers so that they stand a better chance of getting noticed by filmmakers and producers. Focused primarily on Hollywood, the site is the brainchild of US-based Raghunandan K, a 28-yearold computer science graduate from Melkote in Karnataka.

Get your screenplay noticed by Hollywood

Screen-writers can upload and host their screenplays on the platform with full control over privacy settings, and invite peers to submit their reviews and give

varun .cp @CpVarun

feedback, all for free. The site also offers a paid service, where writers can Raghunandan K get their work reviewed by a team of experts for a fee. This facility is currently limited to English screenplays written for Hollywood. According to

Sahir Gupta @suffocatedcitz ...you add 'Maadi' after ever verb. Stop-Maadi, StartMaadi, Eat-Maadi

Raghunandan, the chief benefit of going to his site is that it protectss the copyright of screenplays registered with it. He also plans to have features that enable screenplays in Indian languages, particularly Kannada, to be hosted on the website.

For more information, log on to www.wraters.com

Writer Girish Karnad at Lekhana 2012

A weekend literary fest Lekhana, which describes itself as 'Bangalore's literary weekend,' started off as an intimate gathering of lovers of literature and books in an informal space, one where the city's writers would interact with each other and with readers. Their 2013 edition, to be held at Jagriti Theatre in Whitefield over a weekend, promises to be more. It features readings, conversations about literature, some theatre, music performances and workshops. Among the book sellers are Sankar's and The Book People. You will be able to pick up the works of all participating authors at Lekhana this year.

The theme for this year is 'Writing for the Spoken Word' with an emphasis on poetry, drama and oral histories. The event will feature well-known writers from Bangalore and elsewhere.

Lekhana 2013 is being organised jointly by Bhoomija Trust for Performance Arts, Sangam House International Writers' Residency, Out Of Print Magazine, Jagriti Theatre and BooksTALK (audio books). * Lekhana 2013 is on from 18 to 20 January at Jagriti Theatre, Whitefield. For details, log on to www.facebook.com/LekhanaBan galore

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Forward The week ahead

Distance learning centre for women The Karnataka State Open University, a pioneer in distance education, has opened a unique Women's Empowerment Centre at Malleswaram.

Spread across 50,000 sq ft, it includes classrooms, computer laboratories, an auditorium, restrooms and a dining hall that serves subsidised food.

The centre is all set to enrol about 25,000 women for a variety of courses. About 2,400 students already use the centre.

Chief Minister Jagadish Shettar, who opened the centre on Tuesday, believes it will go a long way in helping working women, besides women who can’t go in for formal education, achieve their academic aspirations. KSOU promises a wide array of courses.

Bloom time

The hugely popular annual Republic Day flower show at Lalbagh is open from January 18, and will go on for 10 days. The star attraction this year is a floral Swami Vivekananda and a 35foot replica of the famous Eiffel Tower in Paris, built with more than 2.5 lakh roses and 10,000 orchids. Other highlights include exhibitions of potted plants and cut flowers, Thai art, ikebana, bonsai and vegetable carving. The show is organised jointly by the Karnataka government's Department of Horticulture and the Mysore Horticultural Society.

The talk will be held at the CIS office, near Domlur Club, at 7 pm on 23 January, 2013.

 US gun lobby: The US gun lobby is heading for a clash with President Barack Obama, accusing him of being an ‘elitist hypocrite’ for providing secret service protection for his daughters but balking at having armed guards in schools.

Folk festival The Blue Lotus Festival is a unique music festival dedicated to the richly varied folk genres of India. Its organizers describe it as an "unprecedented event focused on presenting Indian Sufi, folk, gypsy, tribal, devotional, spiritual and indigenous music." The festival will be held in Pushkar, the culturally and historically important ancient town of Rajasthan that regularly attracts foreign tourists. Over 300 talented artistes from just about every state will participate, and perform folk genres that are flourishing, and some that are vanishing. The Blue Lotus Festival is on from 13 to 18 February, 2013.

Digital money!

The Centre for Internet and Society (CIS), Bangalore is holding a talk on digital currency, which some say is the future. The talk will be delivered by Aaron Koenig, managing director of Bitfilm Networks of Hamburg, Germany who created Bitcoin, a digital currency and payment system designed for the voting process of the online Bitfilm Festival for Digital Film. Since 2000, the Bitfilm Festival has been showcasing films that use digital technology in a creative and innovative way.

Each of the 59 nominated digital animation offerings has its own Bitcoin account, and users worldwide can vote by donating Bitcoins to the films they like, anonymously and without any transfer costs. The donated money will be divided among the most popular films (the films with the most votes or Bitcoins).

 Pak crisis: Pakistan is headed towards a tumultuous week with the Supreme Court ordering arrest of its Prime Minister Ashraf Raja and Canada-returned cleric Tahirul-Qadri rallying thousands towards Islamabad.

www.bluelotusfestival.com

And in London, HMV fades Iconic UK-based music record label and retailer HMV (Originally His Master's Voice) is on the verge of closing, with consultancy firm Deloitte being appointed to sell off the century-old business.

Experts have been quick to point out that music retail is on the downslide as more and more people prefer to download their music online, whether paid for or otherwise.

With 239 shops, HMV was Britain's last remaining major CD and DVD retailer, and its 'downfall' is being construed as signaling the last days of the traditional entertainment retailing industry. But some observers believe at the most it marks the end of retail chain stores, because independent music stores are doing well in the UK and elsewhere.

 China warning: Chinese armed forces are expected to head into battle exercises after being instructed to raise their fighting ability amid heightened tensions with Japan over disputed islands.

The two countries are also planning a joint survey of disputed territory.  Subway death: Erika Menendez (31), accused of shoving Indian immigrant Sunando Sen to death in front of a New York subway train last month as she hated "Hindus and Muslims", has been indicted on charges of murder as a hate crime.  Prosecution: Religious leader Asaram Bapu is in for fresh trouble with a new inquiry into a Rs 700 crore land grab case in Madhya Pradesh.  Probe: The Lucknow bench of the Allahabad High Court has ordered the UP police to present its report on the inquiry done so far into allegations against Foreign Affairs Minister Salman Khurshid’s private trust.  Infy drive: Infosys will take over the Corporate Affairs Ministry's ambitious (and lucrative) e-governance initiative MCA-21 from its rival Tata Consultancy Services (TCS).  Corporators tense: BBMP corporators are expected to take steps to form ward committees but are reluctant for fear of losing their hold over decision-making.

wellbeing

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RAMESH HUNSUR

NATURE CURE Dr Nandita Shah says a vegan diet helps even those with diabetes and cancer

Dr Nandita Shah, who is campaigning for veganism (shunning of meat, dairy and all animal-origin foods), was in Bangalore earlier this week. Talk attended one of her workshops, and returned with notes on an unusual dietary philosophy that claims to reverse stubborn diseases

The peas activist SAVIE KARNEL savie.karnel@talkmag.in

he claims cancer and diabetes are reversible. She says a 70-year-old woman who follower her advice reversed her heart problems without any medication. When you hear Dr Nandita Shah for the first time, she sounds like a miracle healer.

After attending her Peas vs Pills programme, a workshop she conducts across cities and which she has brought to Bangalore several times, we find she is talking about the benefits of veganism.

Veganism is an enhanced form of vegetarianism, shunning not just meat but also dairy and other foods of animal origin, such as honey.

Among her more radical claims is that diabetes can be sent into remission, or, to use everyday lan-

S

The vegan philosophy Vegans are motivated by compassion for suffering and respect for life. Both modern science and simple common sense tell us that animals, besides humans, feel pain and fear death. Vegans empathise with living creatures and they also understand that humans don’t need to eat meat, wear leather, or drink milk to survive. (In Defense of Animals, USA)

guage, ‘cured’.

“Sugar isn’t the cause of diabetes. Diabetes sets in because the pancreas stops producing insulin.

The solution is diet. Understand the cause. The cause is almost the same for all diseases like cancer, PCOS and even for ailments like backache,” she says.

When she was practising as a homeopath, an elderly woman came to her with severe diabetic complications. Dr Shah suggested she eat only vegan food and cut down on her medications drastically. The 70-year-old, she says, recovered completely within a couple of months. Dr Shah has since moved from classical homeopathy: she is studying the healing possibilities of diet, yoga, exercise, meditation, and such other non-intrusive methods.

Dr Shah conducts extended residential workshops for 21 days, during which the participants eat only organic vegan food. Patients undergo a total check-up before the programme and find that after the workshop they are healthier. “Just 21 days are enough to change our taste buds,” she says.

Her rationale is that humans are born herbivores. If you disagree, she has her projection slides ready. She

asks you to compare the teeth of her- humans,” she says. A calf grows to its bivores and carnivores. A cow has full size in 18 months, while human even teeth like humans, while a tiger babies take 18 years to grow into has sharp ones. A cow sips water, adults. “Cow’s milk has growth horwhile a tiger laps it. We humans fol- mones. Humans don’t need it,” she low the cow’s pattern. “So, we are her- says. bivores,” she declares. She believes For Shah, milk is worse than our bodies are designed to eat only tobacco. She asks participants of the plant-based food. “Let’s go back to workshop, “How many of you know nature. Trust your of someone who has instincts,” she says. lung cancer?” No Dr Shah, who hands went up.

‘If ‘cured’ means healed herself of a “How many of you normal blood paralysis of the know of someone sugars, we lower limbs, who has breast canbelieves the wrong cer?” she asks. achieve that’ kind of food is driAlmost 20 hands go ving humans to disup. She believes milk ease and death. If you go on to an is one of the causes of breast cancer. orchard, you feel like plucking the Her workshops are attended by fruits and savouring them. But when curious people contemplating a you see a hen, you don’t feel like bit- change of diet, but a majority are ing into it. “Our instincts ask us to eat patients who have found no relief fruits and not animals,” she says. Her from conventional methods. Not all advice is that we should only eat what of them are easily convinced. can be eaten whole and raw.

One question they ask: If we do not eat meat and drink milk, where will the protein come from? Dr Shah Cow's milk for calves A main contention of veganism is talks about vegetarian alternatives that dairy isn’t for us. No milk? like soya beans, nuts, peas and lentils.

Haven’t we been taught that milk “Have you heard of anyone suffer makes us healthy? Haven’t our moth- from protein deficiency?” she asks. ers forced it down our throats? “Cow’s No adult, in her view, ever suffers milk is for calves and not for from protein deficiency.

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

Goodness of organic When it comes to vegetables and grains, she suggests they be organically produced. “You may wash the vegetables, but the pesticides are inside,” she says. The main nutrients are in the skin. There is no point if you peel it. But then, isn’t organic food expensive? “A heart bypass is more expensive. It’s better to pay more for organic food than pay your medical bills,” she says.

Organic makes you eat less, and you actually don’t end up spending too much. “In a month, you actually eat half of what you would eat otherwise. The nutrients you are eating are double,” she reasons.

Her food is devoid of oil. She says sugar can be replaced with dates and raisins. Jaggery can be used only for special occasions, but it's definitely not for diabetics.

Vegan recipes Believe you just can’t make some delicacies without milk and dairy? Dr Nandita Shah’s recipes tell you how you can Soya milk 1 cup of soyabeans soaked in water overnight.

Drain and discard the water. Grind the beans in a blender, making a smooth paste. Add water till you have the right consistency.

Boil the milk for 20 minutes stirring while boiling. Cool and refrigerate. You can use the milk for three days.

Add a dash of jaggery, if you like it slightly sweet.

Converts speak Nina Oswald, 35, a German researcher, turned vegetarian when she was 17, but continued to have problems with digestion. “I became vegan a year ago, and now I have no problems at all,” she says. Nina now runs vegan cooking classes in Hyderabad.

Arun VR, a techie, is an active member of the Vegan Bengaluru group. “I had heart burn and reflux.

After I turned vegan I could finish among the top 10 in a marathon,” he says. His uncle and aunt attended Dr Shah's 21-day workshop and their diabetes got better. “After 21 days, their blood sugar was lower by 100 points,” says the 28-year-old.

But that still doesn’t count as a cure? “If healed means normal blood sugar and no medications, then we achieve that. You cannot solve a problem by continuing the lifestyle that got you there, so if you go back to that lifestyle you will get your diabetes back,” Dr Shah says, adding that any allopath is welcome to verify the effects of her treatment by conducting lab tests.

Even accepting that, isn’t it risky to ask people with life-threatening diseases to change their lifestyle?

Their condition could worsen for some other reason, but she could still get blamed. “Is it risky to ask a patient with a life-threatening condition to stop smoking or drinking? This is no different,” responds Dr Shah. She is confident a healthy vegan diet helps anyone who is unwell, because “it’s the right fuel for our species.”

(To contact Dr Shah, call 0413 2622637 or visit sharan-india.org)

23

Coconut milk 1 cup grated coconut, 1 cup warm water Place the grated coconut in a grinder. Pour ½ cup water and grind. Sieve the mixture and collect the coconut milk. Squeeze the grated coconut to extract more milk. You can repeat the procedure by adding a little water.

Peanut butter Peanuts Roast peanuts on a slow flame till the skins crack. Do not let them burn. Roll them between your hands to let the thin skins fall off the peanuts. Grind the peanuts in a grinder till they turn into butter.

Chocolate cake 1 ½ cups unbleached flour, ¾ cup sugar or other sweetener, ½ tsp salt, 1 tsp baking soda, 3 tbsp cocoa powder, 1 tsp vanilla, 1/3 cup canola oil, 1 tbsp distilled white vinegar, 1 cup cold water Preheat the oven to 350 (175) degrees. Combine the flour, sugar, salt, baking soda, and cocoa powder in a bowl and stir with a fork until mixed. Make a well in the center and add the vanilla, oil, vinegar, and water. Stir with a fork until well mixed. Pour into a 9 x 9-inch baking dish (or cupcake pan), and bake in the preheated oven for 30 minutes, until a toothpick inserted in the centre comes out clean.

Cool completely, then frost with Chocolate cream frosting.

Makes one 9-inch cake or 8 cupcakes

Banana ice cream 4 or more ripe bananas, cinnamon, walnuts Place peeled and halved bananas in the freezer. After two days take them out and put it in a blender. Grind it to get a smooth creamy ice cream. Add some cinnamon and walnuts.

What instead of milk?

Plant-based milks, made from soya, almond, peanut, rice, and coconut are possible substitutes, but vegans believe humans don't really need to drink milk. Even children do fine after they are weaned from breastfeeding.

Substitutes may be used for taste, says Dr Shah, but are not essential.

L I S T I NGS

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swedish house mafia

food  Festivities galore: Still in the mood to celebrate Lohri? Head to this place to savour some of the Lohri specialties like bharva alu, channa tikki, khaata paneer tikka, murg patiyala, Punjabi murg musallam, sarson da saag, chana masala, Punjabi ghar ke alu gobhi, Punjabi paneer, murgh makhni and jalebis with rabdi.

Soul Kadhi, #3, Laurel Lane, Richmond Town, till end of January 9686601021  Sip some wine: If you love wine, then this is the place to be. Head to Toscano every

Wednesday and choose from a wide variety of wines. Avail a discount of 25 per cent on your purchase.

Toscano, 2nd floor, Forum Value Mall, every Wednesday evening 25939224  Throw the perfect tea party: Next time you have a high tea party, be ready to prepare your own menu. You can attend the demonstration by Chef Anurag Barthwal where he will teach you to prepare some desserts. You will receive a kit of two desserts also.

The Oberoi, 37-39, MG

to some seafood as you feast on some lobsters, crabs, prawns and a variety of fish. There will be different fare from pot roasted to tawa fried fish and more.

Jashn, Le Meridien, # 28, Sankey Road, January 21 onwards 30412940

Road, January 19 25585858

 Bake like a pro: Love baking? Then attend this baking workshop this week where you learn to bake thin crust pizza, cinnamon and savoury rolls with known food writer

Priya Bala. Fee for the workshop is Rs 1,200 including the equipment and high tea afterwards.

Cilantro, 4th Block, 4th Main, Kormangala, January 20 41102200  Seafood madness: Treat your taste buds

 Bring out the chef in you: Pick one of the exotic peri peri sauces from Nando’s and create your own dish. Share this with them on Facebook and you could win lots of prizes.

Nando’s, #1/A, Church Street, M.G Road

 Dance all night: One of the biggest acts in electronic dance music, Swedish House Mafia will be performing in the city this weekend. Put on your dancing shoes as you head to their last concert together. Watch Axwell, Steve Angello, and Sebastian Ingrosso churn out some tunes from behind the console. The group was officially formed in late 2008 and was placed at number 10 on the DJ Magazine Top 100 DJ Poll 2011. Watch them perform some of their songs like Save the World, One, Greyhound, Leave the World Behind and their latest Don't You Worry Child. For tickets log on to www.bookmyshow.com Bhartiya City, Thanisandra Main Road, January 20, 4 pm onwards

theatre

music Akhilesh Kumar

Robinson and Crusoe The play is about two soldiers, Robinson and Crusoe who are stranded together on a roof, surrounded by a vast ocean and develop a friendship.

The play is filled with energy, stunts and humour. Directed by Gracias Devraj the play has been popular with kids.

Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar, January 19 and 20, 3 and 7.30 pm 26592777  Adhura Toye Madhura: Directed by Firoz Bhagat, the play is about Shantilal Parekh who invests his entire life savings to buy an apartment.

He moves out of his chawl and moves in to a flat with his wife Tara, two sons Amar and Raju and daughters-in-law. Kanubhai is a close friend of his and frequently visits them but he is not liked by the elder sons. Due to some difference in their opinions the sons separate from the family.

Crisis in the share market and inflation compels the family to sell their apartment and the sons look at this as an opportunity.

They forge their father's signature and dupe him.

Chowdaiah Memorial Hall, 16th Cross, Malleshwaram, January 20, 2.45 and 6.30 pm 23445810  The Elder Brother: The play is based on a short story Bade Bhai Sahab written by Munshi Premchand and on The Proposal

by Anton Chekhov .

While The Proposal mocks many rules of the society, The Elder Brother is a story of human relationships depicted through funny, sweet and sour developments in the lives of two young, growing brothers. The play is directed by Amitava Baksy.

KH Kala Soudha, Hanumanthanagar, Ramanjaneya Temple Compound, January 19, at 3 and 7 pm 42064969  Robinson and Crusoe:

 Man of the heart: This play is about the life of Lalon Fakir.

Lalon Fakir was a Bengali Baul saint, songwriter, social reformer and secular thinker. He worked for the cause of religious tolerance and secularism. His songs inspired and have influenced many poets and social and religious thinkers in Bengal.

Ranga Shankara, #36/2, 8th Cross, 2nd Phase, JP Nagar, January 18, 7.30 pm 26592777

 Fun with Akcent: This weekend have some fun with Akcent, an all boys pop dance band from Romania. The band consists of Adrian Sana, Mihai Gruia and Sorin Brotnei. Some of their hit numbers include Kylie and Jokero. Tickets are priced at Rs 800.

Pebble, Princess Academy, # 3, Bellary Road, near Palace Grounds, Sadashivnagar, January 19, 5 pm 9243777970  Singers unite: Three individuals, three different roles with just one thing in common; music.

Watch Kamal Singh from 3 Sevens band, guitarist and vocalist Akhilesh Kumar from Solder and Sidhant Shukla from Three's A Trio as they showcase their original tunes as part of the Singer/ Songwriter nights. bflat #776, 2nd Floor, 100 ft Road, Indiranagar, January 19, 8.30 pm

mation of alternative rock, reggae, ska and pop that is heavily influenced by cinema.

The band has also been part of the film industry. bflat #776, 2nd Floor, 100 ft Road, Indiranagar, January 18, 8.30 pm 41739250

41739250

 Dance all night: This weekend enjoy some foot-tapping tracks as Alesso pumps up the dance floor from behind the console. He is a well known EDM DJ and some of his popular tracks are remixes of Pressure, Calling, Years, Clash and City

of dreams.

The Chancery Pavillion, #135, Residency Road, Opposite Bangalore Club, January 20 41414141  A fine blend: All the way from Kolkata performing this week is Ganesh Talkies. The band’s music is an amalga-

 A classic evening: Phil Scraff will showcase his musical magic this week as he plays some Indian classical music on the saxophone. He has undergone training from various artists like Pt Shreeram Devasthali, Suryakant Khaladkar, and shehnai master Shyamrao Lonkar.

Alliance Francaise de Bangalore, # 16 GMT Road, Vasanthnagar, January 18, 7.30 pm 41231340  Back with a bang: Watch Agam perfrom this weekend after a hiatus of two months.

Bak Bak Bar, No. 1, Kira Layout , Koramangala, January 18 8792000392

L I S T I NGS

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

retail therapy

25

concert get one free offer on your purchase. Choose from reversible styles jackets, bomber jackets, sweat shirts and more. For the ladies choices range from demin jackets, t-shirts and more.

Available at all Wrangler outlets

 Beat the cold: Spare yourself the cold winds as Van Huesen has a range of clothing on sale.

Men can choose from a range of suits, blazers, shirts and shoes while the women can opt for dresses, tunics, skirts and tops. Avail discount upto 40 percent on your purchase.

Available at all Van Heusen outlets  Happy feet: Here is a reason to smile.

Avail up to 60 percent discount on your purchase at

Crocs. Choose from comfortable slip ons or stylish shoes in different colours.

Available at Crocs, Phoenix Market City and Mantri Mall  Free spirited clothing: Fusion Beats from 1090F introduces the Nomadic Collection. The apparel is a mix of African and Aztec prints, tribal sketches and intricate prints. The colour, prints and the fabric give a tropical, nomadic feel to the clothes. You can also avail a 30 percent discount on every purchase.

wine festival

Available at all 109ºF outlets  Add to your happiness: Keep your shopping bags ready as Sakhi opens another outlet at Sadashivnagar.

Shop for traditional clothing like salwar sets, sarees and accessories like bags, jewellery and more.

Sakhi, Tharangini, 12th Cross, Opposite Sadashivnagar Police Station  Sale season is here: Shop at Wrangler outlets and avail a discount of up to 50 percent or avail the buy one

 Grab your shopping bags: Revamp your wardrobe as you shop at your nearest Allen Solly outlet. Men can buy any two garments and get one free or avail up to 25 percent discount whereas women can celebrate with a flat 50 percent discount on a select range. Also available on discount is kidswear.

Available at all Allen Solly outlets

 Musical morning: Witness an early morning classical concert in an open air ambience.

Organised by Rajguru Smriti, an organisation set up in memory of the vocalist Basavaraj Rajguru, the early morning concert is in its 14th edition now. Titled Sur Prabhat, the concert will see Pt Parameshwar Hegde perform with accompanying artists Gopalakrishna Hegde on the tabla and Vyasa Murthy Katti on the harmonium. Besides pure classical compositions, some light devotional songs will be part of the performance.

Karnataka Chitrakala Parishath, Kumara Krupa Road, Seshadripuram, January 20, 7 am

 Comfortable excercising: Uncomfortable with your inner wear while you excercise? Choose from comfortable inner wear and do away with your sports bra. Zivame offers sports bra in regular sizes that offer a band and cup size. You can also shop for other excercise wear like track pants, training tops, shorts and briefs.

Shop at www.zivame.com/sportswear.html

film Les Miserables

 For all wine lovers: Do you love wine and have always wanted to sample different kinds?

Head to this three day wine festival, where you can taste wine, purchase some if you like and also be a part of the traditional grape stomping.

You can enjoy some great food at the live food counters and listen to music while you relax with your family and friends.

Orion Mall, Brigade Getaway, 26/1 Dr Rajkumar Road, Malleswaram, January 18 to 20 67282222

To get your event listed, write to us at listings@talkmag.in

 Les Miserables English Winner of three Golden Globe awards this year, the movie is about Jean Valjean who is hunted by policeman Javert for several years even after he's out on parole. Jean's life changes forever after he meets Cosette, whom he agrees to take care of. Directed by Tom Hooper, this musical stars Hugh Jackman, Russel Crowe, Anne Hathway and Amanda Seyfried in the lead.

INOX, Malleshwaram, Mantri Square- 10 am, 6.50 pm, 9.05 INOX, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road- 10 am, 12.50 pm, 3.40 Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road - 1.20 pm, 6.55 Q Cinemas, Ascendas Park Square, ITPL, Whitefield- 10 am, 5.10 pm,

9.40 Cinemax, Outer Ring Road - 1 pm, 7  Broken City English The movie is about Billy Taggart, who has a glorious career as a cop until he is involved in a controversial shooting. He is stripped of his badge but is kept out of jail because of the Mayor. He then tries to rebuild his career as a private investigator. Things take a different turn when the mayor offers Billy $50,000 to investigate the first lady's extra marital affair.

Directed by Allen Hughes, the movie stars Russell Crowe, Mark Wahlberg and Catherine Zeta-Jones.

INOX, Malleshwaram, Mantri Square- 10 am, 3.45 pm,

9.55 Rex Theatre, Brigade Road- 12.55 pm, 5.35 INOX, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road10.35 am, 1.15 pm, 3.55, 6.45, 9, 9.40 Q Cinemas, Ascendas Park Square, ITPL, Whitefield- 10.10 am, 3.10 pm, 8.10 Cinemax, Outer Ring Road- 11 am, 6.45 pm, 10  Inkaar Hindi The film is about Rahul Verma and Maya Luthra who work for an advertising agency. Things take an ugly turn when Maya files a sexual harassment case against Rahul. The committee needs to investigate and find the truth. Directed by Sudhir Mishra, Inkaar stars Arjun Rampal and Chitrangada Singh in the lead.

INOX, Malleshwaram, Mantri

Square- 10.10 am, 1.05 pm, 3.50, 6.35, 9.30 INOX, Garuda Mall, Magrath Road10.10 am, 3.50 pm, 9.30 Rex Theatre, Brigade Road- 10.35 am, 7.35 pm INOX, Jayanagar, Swagath Garuda Mall- 4.05 pm, 9.35 INOX, Bangalore Central, JP Nagar - 10 am, 12.55 pm, 6.25, 9.30 Innovative Multiplex, Marathalli11.40 am, 4.35 pm, 10 Fame Shankarnag, MG Road - 10.05 am, 3.45 pm, 9.25 Q Cinemas, Ascendas Park Square, ITPL, Whitefield12.45 pm, 10 Cinemax, Outer Ring Road-11.30 am, 4.45 pm, 7.15, 9.45  Mumbai Mirror Hindi The movie is about the life of a cop. The film throws some light on the risks that are involved in a policeman's profession.

Directed by Ankush Bhatt, the film stars Sachiin Joshi,

Gihani Khan and Prakash Raj in the lead role.

Cinepolis, Bannerghatta Road - 4.25 pm Q Cinemas, Ascendas Park Square, ITPL, Whitefield- 12.50 pm Cinemax, Outer Ring Road10 am, 9.30 pm Rockline Cinemas Jalahalli - 10.30 am, 6.45 pm  Lakshmi Kannada The film is directed by Raghava Loki and stars Shivarajkumar, Priyamani, Saloni Aswani and Komal Kumar.

The film marks Shivarajkumar's 101st venture and is produced

by Bhaskar of Bharani Minerals. Music is composed by Gurukiran is scoring the music Kapali - 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Veeresh - 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Uma10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30 Navarang- 10.30 am, 1.30 pm, 4.30, 7.30

food path

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

Mango and Kookie Krunch

26

Chocolate Dream Cake

This one is a treat for mango lovers.

Colourful and inviting, it is filled generously with gooey mango syrup that oozes out with every bite. The doughnut is coated with cream, cookie crisps and more mango syrup. The mango and cream combination in a doughnut could make it a winner for Indian taste buds.

This variety is for chocoholics only.

White and dark chocolate shavings, a chocolate topping and the chocolate filling took us straight to chocolate heaven.

Kookie Krunch This one is the cookies ‘n’ cream version of a doughnut. And the only one we sampled without the glaze. Vanilla cream topped, the doughnut has chocolate cookie bits to give it that extra crunch. The cookies also help control the sweetness that makes the other varieties overbearing.

Sugar high

merican cops like doughnuts, and if you like Hollywood movies, you might have noticed the cliché (which has some truth to it) reified in many a scene.

Though quite a calorific snack, it is enjoyed by many, not just cops, and come January 19, Bangaloreans who have grown up on "cream buns" and "sweet puffs" at the neighbourhood Iyengar bakery can experiment with a new taste that they have only heard their NRI cousins occasionally rave about on their visits home.

Krispy Kreme, a 75-year-old doughnut chain popular in the US (the other well-known name is Dunkin Donuts) is opening its first India store on Church Street.

They plan to have as many as 80 stores in South and Western India in a few years time.

Jeff Welch, President of Krispy Kreme International, told reporters on Wednesday that India presented a "great growth opportunity."

In India, including its well known 'original glazed doughnut' 15 varieties of doughnuts will be

A

Ahead of the launch of the cultish American brand’s first outlet in the country, here’s a sampler of the Krispy Kreme range of doughnuts

Chocolate Iced Glazed As the name suggests, the doughnut is both iced and glazed, a guaranteed sweet overdose. It is soft and takes no time to melt in your mouth though. It is first topped with the trademark sugar glaze and then a layer of chocolate. All in all, this sugar-chocolate combination can indeed satiate the sweet tooth.

available. "We will be localising recipes with help from our franchisee, to suit user tastes," Welch added. Apart from doughnuts, the store has tea, coffee and smoothies.

A single doughnut (regular) is priced at Rs 44 and a dozen (regular) is priced at Rs 450 without tax. There are introductory freebie offers.

A 'doughnut theatre' at the store has a glass viewing area where customers can see the doughnuts in the making, passing through a conveyer belt from one step to the next, ending in a "waterfall of glaze"—the sugary syrup on the doughnut.

What first-timers (not to mention the bakeries) will make of the doughnut remains to be seen. We have taken to burgers, pizzas, and fried chicken easily enough. And cheaper desi versions continue to flourish alongside. In the meantime, Talk brings you a "review" of the store's different offerings.

"Have it hot," Welch advised.

"If you’re taking it home, you can microwave it for eight seconds."

Original Glazed

Cinnamon Apple Filled Plain looking at first, this one is deceptive. Once you bite into the doughnut, juicy fruit syrup oozes out with apple bits.The sweetness is high as in the others, so you can hardly detect the cinnamon.

The original recipe and the trademark of the doughnut manufacturer, this one faced the highest expectations by our tastebuds. Quite the winner with its soft, cottony texture and the sticky sugar topping, the doughnut is definitely unlike anything else available in the city.

Beware the amount of sweetness though: it can instantly give you a sugar high.

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

27

DEMONSTRATED BY PRIYA CRASTA. PHOTOS BY RAMESH HUNSUR. TRANSCRIBED BY RADHIKA P

No school like life ducation should not be geared towards giving yourself airs and graces or just making money. We have many misconceptions about education in today’s competitive world. To learn truly is to properly ground oneself and grow in life. Let us not blame the young. It is the parents who aspire that their children win the rat race, and put them through the grind.

I often find individuals, specialists in their subjects, completely lack skills that would help live life well. Technical and engineering education, for example, is geared towards delivering better gadgets— mobile phones that turn into notebooks, watches that work deep under water—but what about bettering ourselves as human beings?

E

Way of Budo 17 The purpose of true education is to learn about life, and to perfect yourself as a person, says Sensei Avinash Subramanyam

As a warrior you study many things: another’s culture in order to blend into it or to understand the enemy you fight; masonry and carpentry to build a shack in a foreign land; and different terrains and climates to learn to adapt to them. Hitler lost many soldiers in the 1941 Russian war because he was unprepared for the bitter winter where temperatures fell 40 degrees below zero?.

In budo a man understands through his own touch and feel.

Equally important in education is inner refinement and perfection of body, spirit, mind and soul in order to become one with nature and the universe.

Japanese Finishing Schools were not about learning etiquette for mere fashion or display. To be polite and kind was to make others comfortable and happy. The person who was

important was the other, not you.

Isn’t it a contradiction that today the more educated you are the ruder you become? Living life in budo is simple. Be nice.

Use your reason to do what is right. Be good and kind.

Know that kindness pays even in a market that promotes aggression. It does not mean you stop charging your professional fees as a doctor, lawyer or engineer. But help someone in need, feed a hungry dog, don’t knowingly walk or drive over ants.

Kindness will not be an obstacle to professional growth.

Understand that corporations want you to be aggressive for selfish reasons, for their profit, and not for your benefit.

Treat your job only as a job, nothing more. Remember even a professional killer can be kind: he can avoid collateral damage

and kill with honour. Even in war. there are rules of engagement. Yhe Geneva Convention calls for humane treatment and protection of the personal dignity of the enemy.

Treat others with care and kindness because you want to be treated in the same way. Don’t you feel good when the manager and staff at the restaurant are polite to you?

Even if people take advantage of your kindness, understand it within the larger scheme of life. Always remember all that you have—health, wealth, happiness—and be grateful for that.

Never forget there are millions who have less than you. Also know that we only get what we deserve. Who is to measure the shortcomings and wrongdoings in our own lives?

Next Issue: What is true knowledge?

STRETCHING EXERCISE 1

This technique involves circling your hands at four levels of the body: front below (Pic 2-6), chest (Pic 7), front of your face (Pic 8), above the head (Pic 9). This helps in relaxing, strengthening and improving flexibility and blood circulation of the entire upper body.

3

5

4

3-6: Circle hands as shown with hands open, then to the side of the body and brought back to the waist level.

6

7

8

9

Starting Posture: Stand erect with feet shoulder width apart and parallel to each other. Back straight and body relaxed.

2

Cross hands with a closed fist in front; place left hand over right

Repeat the circle as above now, at the chest level

Repeat the circle as above now, in front of Repeat the circle as above, now above your face the head Inhale during one half of the circle; exhale during the other half. Perform 10 circles at each level

memoir

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

28

The principal of a Dharwad nursing college is accused of abetting rape, and outraged lawyers in that city refuse to take up her case

hree people were waiting in the evening in front of my office when I returned from court.

Among them was a woman, the wife of Dr Bellad, a senior doctor at Victoria Hospital in Bangalore. Her name was Rama Bhandari, and she was the principal of the Dharwad Nursing and Midwife Training Centre.

She had come along with Dr Patil from the department of forensic medicine at Victoria Hospital. They said they had been sent by the senior doctor Dr BC Chandre Gowda, who I knew.

VIVEK ARUN

T

Rama was facing a serious case. tell anyone as I would lose my repuA girl student had complained that tation. I didn’t know what to do, and she had abetted a man raping her. kept quiet. The following month, I The student, Sulochana, had lodged didn’t get my periods. When I told her, Rama told me not to worry. a complaint with the police.

The summary of the complaint After four months, on January 17, was: “Rama called me to her house 1987, she arranged for an abortion at one evening in September 1986. a hospital in Dandeli. One Dr Baikod When I reached there, she asked me did the abortion. Rama sent me to to do the dishes. I obliged and did the hospital with her sister Premabai. other chores too. When darkness fell, Premabai registered my name in the I asked Rama’s permission to leave. hospital as Shantha Krishne Gowda.”

Based on Sulochana’s comShe asked me to stay for a while, and said I could watch TV if I was bored. plaint, the Dharwad police registered a rape case against After a while, a man the unknown man came to the house. under Section 376, He directly went to The walls were and included Rama the bedroom. Rama filled with slurs as an abettor in the asked me to go there and slogans crime. They proto fetch something. duced her at the As I entered the against Rama magistrate’s court. room, Rama latched Later, the case it from the outside. I was terrified. When I tried to scream, came up for hearing before the the man shoved his hand into my Dharwad district sessions judge mouth. I felt suffocated. He then Ganesh Rao. Sulochana was subjectraped me. Rama warned me not to ed to medical tests at the district hos-

crime folio

The rape that wasn't Fabled ranconteur and Bangalore’s top-notch criminal lawyer brings you moving, sensational and bizarre stories from 40 years of his practice

CH HANUMANTHARAYA

pital, and Assistant Surgeon Dr Indira reported that Sulochana’s pregnancy had been aborted some time ago. At the same time, Dr Indira had recorded Sulochana’s statement saying she had her period the last time on September 10, 1986.

While narrating the story, Rama told me: “The Dharwad district civil surgeon has a personal grudge against me, and he has instigated my student Sulochana against

memoir me.” Her eyes welled up.

As I took the details of the case, at first, I suspected Rama. Without showing it, I told her, “Don’t worry. You will win, if you are innocent. But, it is your responsibility to furnish the documents I ask for.”

First, I had to save Rama from getting jailed. I needed to get her anticipatory bail.

Shivraj Patil, who became the Supreme Court judge later, and I took up her case.

When we jointly applied for bail at the High Court, the judge granted it. Shivaraj Patil’s role ended there.

The case had to be fought in Dharwad. The lawyers’ associations of Hubli and Dharwad had resolved that no one should appear for Rama. There was no way I could get the assistance of a local lawyer. The case had to be dealt with carefully, and I had to camp at Dharwad. After some thought, I said I could not take up the case. But my guru Prof MR Janardhan requested me to appear for Rama. I could not say no to him.

When I landed in Dharwad, the walls of almost all public buildings were painted with slogans against Rama. There were some derogatory and obscene comments about her, too. I remember All India Student’s Federation had painted most of the graffiti.

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

I studied the chapters on the menLawyers in Dharwad court looked down upon me, saying I had taken up the strual cycle, the normality and abnormality case just to make money. But I was not of the cycle, the process of ovation, the life of the ovum before fertilisation, and what deterred.

Samyukta Karnataka, the Kannada happens to it afterwards. Likewise, I studdaily, used to carry reports about the case ied chapters about sperms and other relatevery day. Communist and Dalit organisa- ed matters.

As soon as the presentation of the evitions had intensified their agitation against Rama. However, the heat was felt only out- dence started, the lawyers at the court side the courts; the case files didn’t indi- came to know about the truth. Such were the witnesses. cate anything that outrageous.

Dr Baikod, who had Meanwhile, during supposedly operated on police investigations, two Dharwad lawyers Sulochana for the abormore girl students gave tion, had never seen her sniggered that I statements saying they had before. He said he was been raped at Rama’s had taken up the seeing her only during house, and Rama had abetcase for money the hearing of the case. ted the crime. After this, He had handled an aborthe Dharwad lawyers started taunting me, “What else is left to tion case on January 17, 1987, but it was not Sulochana’s case. prove?”

Meanwhile, Sulochana had stumbled By then, Rama had given me all the documents I needed. Going through them, by giving contradictory statements about I was convinced she was innocent. But she the date of the rape. We gathered strong would get justice only if I could convince evidence to prove that the other accusers had also lied. They had just stated that they the court about her innocence.

Rama’s husband Dr Bellad and I went were raped by unidentified men at Rama’s around the bookstalls of Bangalore, and residence in November.

When I placed a document procured collected books on pregnancy and abortion. I remember we spent around Rs 5,000 from a registrar of Gandhi Gram in Tamil Nadu, the lawyers and the judge were for the books.

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stunned.

Rama had spent the entire month of November 1986 at the training centre of Gandhi Gram. I produced the TA/DA bills that Rama had got reimbursed. I had called for the attendance register of the training centre.

What is more, while Sulochana had complained that she had been raped in September 1986 at Rama’s house, the fact was that the nurses’ training was closed for the entire month as it was the vacation period.

By the time the arguments were done, most Dharwad lawyers had become my friends. GM Patil, principal of a law college, organised a lecture by me for his students, and felicitated me. Some lawyers offered me sweets at the canteen to express their happiness.

I stayed at a lodge in Dharwad for a month before the case was decided in favour of Rama. The government appealed in the High Court against the sessions court’s order. But the High Court upheld the session court’s judgment. Sulochana had filed a false case against the principal Rama Bahandari as part of somebody’s conspiracy.

Translated by BV Shivashankar

T I M E P A SS

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

30 Prof Good Sense

 I have been in love with a girl for the last five years. She is well aware of my feelings but never reciprocates.

Recently I mustered the courage to speak to her about it. She said she only saw me as a good friend. She also said that I should have revealed this earlier. I feel hopeless.

What do I do?

Janan Nambi, Madivala

I know you are going through a difficult time, but honestly, do you think you can force her into falling in love with you?

It would be better if you put this whole incident behind and moved on. We can never control others' emotions but can make attempts to work on our own. I am sure she has reasons for not being able to commit to a relationship with you now. Start afresh, instead of continuing to pin your hopes on her, and you'll feel a lot better.

Prof M Sreedhara Murthy teaches psychology at NMKRV First Grade College. He is also a well-known photographer.

Mail queries to prof@talkmag.in

talk the intelligent bangalorean’s must-read weekly

1st Cross

Talk’s weekly crossword for Bangaloreans who know their way about town the town’s municipality (10) Area home to the City Central Library (9) 13 Ashwini ____ : Bangalore based badminton star (8) 16 Bangalore had the ___ highest number of students scoring more than 99 percentile in the recent CAT exam (5) 17 Bangalore's favourite beverage (6) 11

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found in a tank in this taluka (5) Archbishop who recently spoke out against the saffronisation of text books (7,5) 7 Advocate who has filed a PIL seeking a probe into BBMP and BDA donations to Karnataka Rakshana Vedike (7,6) 8 Former Karntaka DGP who was indicted for alleged human rights violations (6) 9 City based tech company which bagged a Rs 54 crore Exam Management Services contract (10) 12 City in the news when a fire broke out at a candle factory (9) 14 Area in the news when three workers suffocated to death in a forging factory (6) 15 Theatre in Gandhi Nagar (6) 6

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Down: 1 Pavagada, 2 T M Dilshan, 3 Bus Day, 5 Courtesy, 6 Sandalwood, 8 K M Shivalinge, 9 Maddur, 10 Chinchansur, 11 Krishna Rao, 15 Fun, 17 Tipu.

They call these numbers Abhay 95388 92618 Mithun 98864 69787

talk|24 jan 2013|talkmag.in

Facebook makes you fat And broke too. At least, that's what a new 'study' says. The findings, which appeared in the Journal of Consumer Research, surveyed nearly 500 people, and found a connection between high Facebook use and things like credit-card debt and binge eating.

Apparently, just five minutes on Facebook is enough to temporarily improve your selfesteem. That might be a good thing, but the catch is that it also reduces your self-control when

Singh is queen We are snobbish about Bollywood in these parts, but even we make an exception for the one and only Chitrangada Singh, who is now back with another Sudhir Mishra film, Inkaar. Is there anyone at all to match her in our celeb sky that's so crowded with pretty young (and old) things? We certainly don't think so. In a more just world, the Kareenas and Katrinas of the world would be handmaidens crouching reverentially behind Chitrangada's throne, fanning her every now and then just so that Her Highness doesn't get any hotter than she is.

Incidentally, all the chatter about Mishra's 'unhealthy obsession' for his leading lady seems to miss the point—it would have been shocking if the poor man didn't develop one.

you make decisions, like choosing a snack, after browsing.

According to the study, this happens only if you are popular (Duh. isn't that the whole point?).

Facebook's ‘secret formula’ is nothing but the fact that it allows you to feel better about yourself without actually achieving anything (unless you count 'liking' your colleague's blurry holiday pictures as achievement, which it probably is). But now we know that there's a cost involved. Uh-oh.

The dope on dope Unknown to most those who actually smoke the stuff, scientists have always been arguing about the effects of marijuana on the brain.

Last August, a bunch of them from Duke University in the US published research findings that said marijuana permanently lowers IQ by several points in adolescents.

They reached that conclusion after tracking more than 1,000 marijuana users in New Zealand over three decades. Now another bunch of scientists from Norway says the stuff does nothing of the sort, and factors like economic class and home life could explain the IQ drop. Supposedly, this could 'ignite a firestorm of debate' in the scientific world, according to some. The rest of us needn't bother though. After all, what good is all that IQ if it makes you follow a thousand potheads for three decades without ever taking a drag yourself, only to be proven wrong at the end of it?

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