Yours Youthfully (April 2012 Issue) by Yours, youthfully

Fashion Sports Technology Health Sex Movies Music Photography

HEA L SPE TH CIAL ISSU E

SEX

APRIL 2012

Your style for this SUMMER

TONIGHT Meet your superheroes in

AVENGERS

FROM FAT TO FLAT

THE NEW iPAD

EAT BETTER, PUSH THAT BELLY IN

EGGS, CHICKEN, POTATO! All you need for a tasty dinner

HAVE BETTER

and why you should buy it

THE Take it from me: HOTTEST FIRDAUS KHAN BODIES IN BOLLYWOOD

THE BEST OF FOOTBALL

Photographer- Abhishek Patel

Editorial

Here ’s To a Healthier You Good health is probably the most sought-after aspiration and perhaps the hardest to accomplish. Scores of impediments arise in the path of a fit mind and body- excessive work load, paucity of time, dearth of facilities, stress from relationships and lack of will, to name just a few. In a world that is plagued by health problems and things that cause those health problems, it is indeed an arduous task to stay in the pink of one's health. It is difficult to say no to a friend who offers a smoke. It becomes a hard task to restrain oneself at the sight of packed chips served with a cold drink. At times, resisting chocolates is the hardest thing a person can do. But that is not the point. Saying a complete “NO” to anything that causes health problems is impractical. A more p ra g m a t i c a p p ro a c h would be to restrain oneself as much as one can. This would require

two things- proper knowledge and an unyielding will. Proper knowledge about how improper eating habits and an irregular lifestyle harm one's health and an unyielding will to know where to draw the line. Again, it is not viable to restrain oneself all the time so occasional indulgence in one's favourite dish and packet of chips is absolutely fine! This issue of Yours Youthfully aims to create awareness amongst people about the need for a fit mind and body and enlists some easy ways of doing that. It throws light on the fact that working hard for a healthy body should not only be done by those who don't have it but also by those who already do. The team of Yours Youthfully, now bigger and better than ever, has worked hard to bring out the most elaborate and expansive issue yet. As always, our columnists Bhumika Gupta, Rachana Pathak and Akshay Singh have done in-depth research,

Anant Singh Editor-in-Chief Follow Anant Singh on Twitterwww.twitter.com/youthfuleditor

“ ” Self control is, knowing that you can but deciding that you won’t.

talked to health experts and nutritionists especially for this issue, to bring out the best for our readers. Also, Mr. Firdaus Khan, a Mumbaibased model and upcoming actor (and now a Yours Youthfully guy) was kind enough to talk to us about his career and how to achieve a picture-perfect body. A beautiful saying goes“Self control is, knowing that you can but deciding that you won't.” Do give it a thought. Write to the Editor-in-Chiefanant_singh15@hotmail.com Write your letters or requests for the PDF format of the magazineyoursyouthfully@gmail.com Yours Youthfully - 4

Contents

OURS OUTHFULLY

March 2012 issue

indulge.

The March 2012 issue of Yo u r s Yo u t h f u l l y w a s centered around women empowerment. Inspired from Womenâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day in March, the issue was published with a vision to spread awareness and inspire both men and women alike about women achievers and appreciate their spirit of doing something meaningful. It is a salute to the women who dreamt big and made it bigger.

Editor-in-Chief Anant Singh Assistant Editor Meghna Rastogi Sports Vivek Singh Health & Sex Bhumika Gupta Movies Akshay Singh Food Rachana Pathak Fashion Ekta Batra Tanya Gaffney Music Maaruthy Kumar Special Correspondent Ankush Bahuguna Photographers Amartya Sen Sagarika Gupta Abhishek Patel

Read the issue herewww.issuu.com/yoursyouthfully/docs/march_2012

OURS OUTHFULLY

February 2012 issue

February is the month of love. With a week long celebration of love, including hugs and kisses that concludes with Valentineâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Day, Team Yours Youthfully decided to bring out an issue about the beauty of love and all its aspects. The issue also ventured into deeper aspects of love and the various forms of love prevalent in the society nowadays. This is one issue anyone in love does not want to miss!

Read the issue herewww.issuu.com/yoursyouthfully/docs/february_2012 Yours Youthfully - 5

Contents

18 FASHION YOUR STYLE FOR THIS SUMMER BE FASHIONABLE THIS WEDDING SEASON

SPORTS THE BEST OF FOOTBALL

FOOD POTATO PLATTER BAKED ALASKA & CHICKEN RECIPES

HEALTH & SEX SAY NO TO UNHEALTHY FOOD HABITS NATURAL APHRODISIACS

TECHNOLOGY THE ALL NEW iPAD AND WHY YOU SHOULD OWN IT

Yours Youthfully - 6

Contents

COVER FEATURE TAKE IT FROM FIRDAUS KHAN

THE HOTTEST BODIES IN BOLLYWOOD

GET THE BODY YOU ALWAYS WANTED

MUSIC ALL ABOUT IDENTITY

MOVIES MEET YOUR SUPERHEROES: AVENGERS Yours Youthfully - 7

Sports

THE BEST OF PLAYER OF THE MONTH ROBIN VAN PERSIE Football is known as a team game but there have been teams that have defied this idea to quite an extent and rode solely on individual brilliance of one player. The current Arsenal side is one such team. It relies heavily on Robin Van Persie and he, like most Dutchmen, boasts of a sound technique and is often compared with the likes of Marco Van Basten and Dennis Bergkamp. Robin has been in the forefront of the Arsenal resurgence and with 26 goals in the E.P.L he tops the strikers list. Playing with consistency, he has contributed in almost every game his team has played. There came a time when Arsenal lost Cesc Febregas and Samir Nasri, but with Robin being in sublime touch suddenly the team gained a new momentum in the E.P.L. Over the last ten years he has plied his trade as a playmaker, a marauder down the wings and has carved a niche for himself in the team. Robin is known for his strike rate but it is not just his strike rate that makes him fulcrum of his team. This man has also become a leader of his men. He values the armband and motivates his teammates with words as well as deeds.

Image Courtesy: zimbio.com

CLUB OF THE MONTH For Bayern Munich and its head coach Mr. Jupp Heynckes, things have been going swimmingly this year. Convincing wins in German Bundesliga against BM Hertha, BM Hannover and BMFC Nurnberg show that Bayern is finding it all easy to score and win. They have also qualified for the Champions League semifinal after cruising past Marseille. Let's talk about the team combination,

something that makes this team a team of winners. Leading from the front is Captain Mr. Philip Lahm who is leading the team in a perfect manner. Next up is Mr. Mario Gomez, every touch of his seems perfect, every move of his seems to find its man, every trick of his threatens to split open the defense and every shot of his almost find its mark. Bayern Munich's good show in Yours Youthfully -

Sports

FOOTBALL

Follow Vivek Singh on Twitterwww.twitter.com/pseudopatriot

MANAGER OF THE MONTH PEP GUARDIOLA

Image Courtesy: twelvepointsports.blogspot.com

Ask anyone to make a list of the finest managers on the planet and chances are that Mr. Pep Guardiola will feature in the top few. Ever since he came back to the club he has kept Barcelona at the very top, thanks to the way he sees football and the way he motivates the players. Barcelona won virtually everything last year which shows that Pep is an astute reader of the game. He, as manager, explains the game better than anyone. A lot of coaches will tell you to move right or to move left, but Pep gives reasons why to do so, which aids players in understanding clearly what they are doing and why they are doing so. And so, without even realizing it they learn more and more everyday and start to make their own decision on the field. Players want to have that feeling of pleasure but Pep doesn't let them take their foot of the pedal. He is always on their case and tries to get the very best out of each of the player. And while Barcelona is into semifinals of the Champions League for the fifth successive year, they are very much in the hunt for the La Liga title too.

BAYERN MUNICH Bundesliga and Champions League has been masterminded by Gomez, who is on a new high and has scored 23 goals in the German league. With Gomez in such a fine form, assisting him in almost every game is Mr. Frank Ribery. He is strong in the air and clinical in the midfield. Another midfielder, Mr. Arjen Robben, is playing his part too. Goal scoring midfielders are a valuable commodity

and Munich boss Mr. Heynckes is hoping that Robben and Ribery can maintain their impressive form. However, their real test would be against Real Madrid in the Champions League semifinals. Only time will tell if Bayern will flourish or flounder and if Bayern Munich fans will see them lift the trophy, but for now they're enjoying the top spot amongst football teams this month. Yours Youthfully -

Technology

THE ALL And why you DISPLAY The first thing that attracts a person towards the new iPad is its display. Apple's website also claims that it has “the best display ever on a mobile d e v i c e .” We a r e a l s o convinced to quite an extent. The display does look beautiful and extremely pleasurable to work on. The Retina display on the new iPad features a 2048-by1536 resolution, 44 percent greater color saturation, and an astounding 3.1 million pixels — all this in the same 9.7-inch space as its predecessor. That's four times the number of pixels in iPad 2 and a million more than an HDTV. PERFORMANCE The new iPad is armed with an A5X chip with quad-core graphics which supports four times the pixels of iPad 2 with the same smoothness and fluidity as before. The apps open immediately and the iPad does not stutter and stammer even after prolonged usage. Yours Youthfully -

Technology

NEW iPAD should own one... FEATURES Built with the latest in wireless technology, the new iPad lets you connect fast data networks around the world — up to 4G LTE. SAFARI web browsing in Safari on the new iPAD is fast and responsive. CAMERA The new iPad features Apple's 5-megapixel iSight camera. The camera is really good and the clarity of the photos is remarkable. You can also record 1080p HD videos with it.

FACETIME A really good way to video chat with people you know. MAIL You can flick through your inbox, tap to open attachments and pinch to zoom.

iBOOKS You can read books here and buy them too. MAPS Using GPS or a known Wi-Fi hotspot and a digital compass, Maps on iPad shows you around. NEWSSTAND Newsstand puts all your newspaper and magazine subscriptions in one place. MESSAGES iMessage lets you send text messages to anyone with an iPhone, iPad, or iPod touch running iOS 5. If you're texting over Wi-Fi, it's free and unlimited. The new iPad also has other built-in apps like iTUNES,APP STORE, GAME CENTER, PHOTO BOOTH. Ye t a g a i n , A p p l e h a s succeeded in making a device that mixes work and play. It is indeed a pleasure to work on the new iPad. (Technical data and images collected from Apples’s website- www.apple.com) Yours Youthfully -

Food

POTATO PLATTER The gift of the old-world to the new-world.

Rachana Pathak Most of us love potato in its various forms! Its plays every part in a dish so well- the principle ingredient, the filler, the binder etc. It goes with anything and everything on the kitchen table and we ought to thank the Americas

Mail Rachana Pathak onrachanapathak02@gmail.com

for it! The potato crop was unknown to Europe, Asia and Africa i.e. the old world, until Spain imported it from the Americas i.e. the new world. Most of us know that potato is neither a fruit nor a vegetable but a tuberous root! But how

many of you know that a potato plant bears beautiful purple flowers, well now you know! With a million possibilities of dishes that can be made using this wonder root, prepare yourself to taste a few baked potato delicacies!

properly. Golden brown potato rösti is taken out and served hot and crisp with veggies to go with! Switzerland is also a country of delicious Swiss cheese and when cheese is introduced in rösti, it makes for a perfect complement for potato. The German Switzerland considers rösti as its national dish. Like their secrecy at other things they have never disclosed their immaculate ways of preparing the perfect rösti. You may find rösti prepared by inexperienced chefs to be starchy or raw but

a perfect Swiss rösti is crisp on the outside, soft and meltingly potato-ey on the inside! Absolute yummyness!

ROSTI Rösti or Röschti as it is called is a Swiss dish which originated as a simple farmer household recipe to fill their appetite in minimum possible expenditure. Rösti literally means “crisp and golden”. That crispy roasted feel of potato, the warm aroma that ventilates your senses to tease you with a craving that only a potato chunk can satiate! Originally the dish consists only of grated potato but to make more recipes some more additions can be made. Potatoes are boiled and a l l o we d t o c o o l d o w n sufficiently or even boiled potatoes from a day before maybe used. They are grated in large strips, seasoned well with pepper and salt. Butter is melted in a pan and the grated potato and shallots are put into the pan and pressed down. It is allowed to get crisp on the underside. It is then placed in a preheated oven so that rest of the potato is cooked

Image Courtesy: chickyegg.blogspot.in

Image Courtesy: lulussweetsecrets.blogspot.in Yours Youthfully -

Food

POTATO-BEEF-CHEESE CASSEROLE The thing about casserole cuisines is that they come in all sizes and varieties. They are appetizing layered arrangements of combinations that taste great when made into a wonderfully baked gourmand composition. Potato is used in most combinations for the obvious reason of it being so well blending with any other ingredient of a casserole. In a potato-beef recipe, usually ground beef is used for casserole which is first browned before it is placed in the baking dish. The ground beef is placed at the base if the casserole dish, layered with thin onion slices, followed with a layer of cheese slices broken into random pieces. This layered arrangement is repeated once more, and after that the seasoned potato layer is placed on the top. The boiled potato is mashed with some milk and butter and a few f l avo u r i n g s p i c e s . T h e mashed potato layer is sprinkled with some cheese and bread crumbs and baked in a preheated oven until the potato becomes golden brown and the cheese on the top melts. The cheesy and scrumptiously potatoed dish is ready to be served then. The casserole recipe

can be tried with any combination be it vegetarian or non-vegetarian. Green peas maybe used, garlic and shallots may be introduced f o r s e a s o n i n g , o r a ny possible flavour that one may like! Christopher Columbus thank you that you

discovered America! And And Americans a bigger thank you to you that you grew potatoes! Perhaps Oprah Winfrey puts it the right way- â&#x20AC;&#x153;My idea of heaven is a great big baked potato and someone to share it with.â&#x20AC;? Cheers for the love of potatoes!

Image Courtesy: mycountrygourmet.com

Image Courtesy: simplypotatoes.com Yours Youthfully -

Food

How to cook: BAKED ALASKA The chicken and egg causality dilemma is age old and has occupied the mind of the greatest thinkers. But to a foody heart is that even a question worth asking?! Why bother, simply make yummilicious egg and chicken dishes and forget the question for ever! 7th of April is celebrated as the World Health Day, so honouring the spirit of this celebration let us venture into healthy ways of egg and chicken consumption. The dessert was named so at a Delmonico's restaurant to celebrate the purchase of Alaska from Russia by America in 1867 and since then it has become one celebrated cake, meringue being its principle constituent. Egg white is considered to be the healthier portion of the egg as it contains no fat and 10% protein, suspended in water. Healthy egg, white healthy you! To prepare baked Alaska you will need:

For meringue: 3 egg whites 1/3 cup sugar 1/4 teaspoon of salt 1/2 teaspoon of cream of tarta r 1 inch thick 3 slices of pound cake of decreasing size 500 ml tub of ice-cream (any flavour) Diced fresh fruits

Set the largest slice on a buttered baking dish and top it with hard frozen ice-cream, leaving 3/4 inch periphery clear. Place the second slice on top of it and place ice-cream again and cover it with the third cake slice. For preparing the meringue beat the egg white, salt and cream of tartar in an electric mixer till it forms soft peaks. And then add sugar and beat in slow stream to form hard peaks. Using a spatula/icing cone nicely spread and decorate meringue over the cake and ice-cream arrangement and keep it in refrigerator. Just before serving place it in a preheated oven (260 째C) so that without the ice-cream getting melted, the meringue becomes golden brown. Serve it warm with garnishing of fresh fruits. This serves for 4 people.

Image Courtesy: delish.com

Image Courtesy: kitchendaily.com

Yours Youthfully -

Food

How to cook: THAI STEAMED CHICKEN 1 chicken 4 stalks of lemon grass 10 kaffir citrus leaves 2 medium sized onions 3 shallots 4 garlic cloves 1 teaspoon pepper corns 3 tablespoon light soy sauce 1 teaspoon salt Image Courtesy: arthurhungry.com

Since we resort to butter/fat free cooking of chicken, this dish makes for a very healthy meal, with a fresh citrus flavour of the lemon grass. For making Thai steamed chicken you will need THE ingredients listed above. Pound the garlic with salt and pepper corns in a mortar and spread it over and inside chicken along with soy sauce. Marinade it for an hour in refrigeration. Break the lemon grass stalks, cut the onions in half and cut the shallots. Along with kaffir leaves put inside the chicken placing a few kaffir leaves under the skin. Wrap this up in an aluminium foil and steam for 2 hours, basting the chicken with the juices collected in the foil. The various sauces give the chicken its colour. Serve with chilli sauce, lettuce and tomatoes.

Image Courtesy: khiewchanta.com Yours Youthfully -

Health & Sex

FROM FAT TO FLAT Say NO to unhealthy eating and yes to a slimmer you.

Follow Bhumika Gupta on Twitterwww.twitter.com/bhumika198

Bhumika Gupta YES! I am fat….! So what? I do not want to live on boiled vegetables my entire life! Do you really think my taste buds don't exist?? Believe me they do…I am tired of having tasteless food just because good food makes my body grow. Every person definitely knows one jolly plump person who has spoken one of the above dialogues. Well, this is true…being ove r w e i g h t a n d o b e s e restricts you from having good tasting food and beverages as they induce your body's fat growth. The food market is very intelligent and to target such customers they have launched….SUGAR FREE food items and drinks, LOWFAT food and beverages, MULTIGRAIN products, DIET food and CHOLESTROL FREE junk. These labels scream from the supermarket shelf and the question is whether to ignore the screams or not? The question to ask is, whether these foods really prevent fat growth or is it just a marketing strategy. A far as the opinions of the

experts are concerned, these claims are generally unrealistic and fake and surely not scientifically proven. At times they are also heavily exaggerated. If you do not believe me, think about this…a candy bar is obviously fat free, but don't you realize it is entirely made of pure sugar. Following are some gory truths revealed about the most common DIET FOODS. There is no law or screening body that lays down laws of the portion of dietary fiber in your WHOLEGRAIN or MULTIGRAIN BREAD. You might not even know that your brown brad is made of

80% maida, 15% sugar and just 5% atta. Also the cereals used in the multigrain bread are not known and their authenticity not claimed. Another misleading aspect is the use of REAL FRUITS. Most candy, beverages, snacks and breakfast cereals claim to contain real fruits, instead only contain extremely processed fruit juices, flavors and extracts. Food that is TRANS FAT FREE is actually an increased threat to the body. It accentuates LDL that is bad cholesterol in the body. Having large portions of this kind of foods means ingesting a lot of bad stuff. One should also never confuse LOW FAT with no fat. Low fat chips and fries do have less fat that whole fried ones, but they are surely not sans fat completely. Thus, eating right would not solve your problem, eating in a calculated manner and the correct food is a solution to your problem. Do not be fooled by sellers, that is their job, you have to be a responsible consumer. Yours Youthfully -

Health & Sex

PUMP UP YOUR SEX LIFE With these natural aphrodisiacs.

Bhumika Gupta Having a great sex life….Bingo! If not, you might want to look up in your kitchen and find a bounty that might help you. Do you have a wonderful sex life but occasionally get bored or have issues being aroused? If yes, it is about time that you should be taking a step ahead towards your kitchen and; No, I am not talking about sex on the kitchen slab or the dining table. There are a myriad of different eatables that are natural aphrodisiacs and stimulate sexual desire. Given below are some such foods that will surely float your drowning sex life. A treat for not just the taste buds but also the hungry libido is CHOCOLATE. This is a traditional gift item and for more than just one reason. Chocolates are a perfect sex food, being rich, delicious and having a silky texture. In addition to that chocolates contain a chemical called phenyl ethylamine, which as the scientists believe is the very same enzyme that causes the wonderful warm tingly sensation of being “in Love”. Cocoa based products also stimulate the production of endorphins in the brain.

RAW OYESTERS have also been detected to have the natural aphrodisiac powers. There are two set of believers as far as sea food is concerned, the first set believes that it is due to the suggestive appearance of the seafood, while the other set believes it stimulates the production of testosterones and estrogens. The Apple of Love, more commonly known as TOMATOES stimulates blood flow to the mouth and lips thus aggrandizes sexual desires.

The texture of tomatoes is also very sexually arousing a nd toma toes enha nce sexual performance while ameliorating muscle control. The good news for all guacamole lovers is that the vitamin D in AVACADOS is a natural antioxidant thus succoring healthy skin. The healthy skin and vitamin D may increase arousal and intensify orgasms.

The best thing about all these Aphrodisiacs is that they are completely natural and non pharmaceutical. They get the blood flowing in the correct and desired areas. They can in one way also be called alternate medicine. It would be best if you eschew from the supplements and medicines that guarantee to improve arousal. This is so, as these supplements may have side effects and do damage. It is also possible that supplements that are labeled 'natural' may actually not be so. Thus keeping it natural is the best idea to better sex and if you really want to take some supplements, it would be best if you consult a health care provider rather than being swayed away by over the counter medication. Yours Youthfully -

Fashion

YOUR STYLE THIS SUMMER Summers are back and we are all set to pull up those teeny weeny shorts. This summer you'll find yourself hypnotised by the hues of mint green, yellow and orange. It's time to go berserk with patterns, prints and stripes. For those who want to explore the feminine side this summer, laces and creamy shades are totally for you, giving you an edgy and uber chic look. But face it, Blacks and Whites are always at your rescue during a fashion dilemma. This summer women blessed with slender figures and slim legs should flirt their way through with short floral dresses and airy shorts. On the other hand, women with more voluptuous bodies do not need to hold back. High waist flare pants are so in, this season. Add a dash of glamour to your pants with a slim belt. But ladies do not opt for baggy clothes! It is just a myth that they make your body look slimmer. On the contrary, they deprive your look of any shape and definition. At the same time extremely tight fitting clothes tend to accentuate those bulges and bumps and you really don't want that! We a r w e l l f i t t e d a n d properly structured clothes. Team up your ensemble with

flip flops or gladiators and sling across those small square shaped string bags (stylish and comfortable to those delicate shoulders of yours) or huge tote bags and you're ready to rule the summer streets. Guys we haven't forgotten you. There are a few pointers every man needs to follow. First, tight fitted T-shirts and pathetically baggy jeans showing your underwear

band is the last thing you would want to wear. Trust me, it's a sight for sore eyes. Second, your shoes. No one is asking you to invest in extravagantly priced footwear, a cool pair of canvas shoes definitely does the trick. And boys please pay special attention to your hair, it can make or break your look! Stay cool and stylish this summer. Cheers!

Image Courtesy: gossipgirl.wikia.com Yours Youthfully -

Fashion

Are you SUMMER READY? So people! Time of the year when it becomes imperative that your wardrobe undergoes a massive shuffling. With the summer goddess arriving on her chariot, the bells are rung and the hence the preparation must start as well. Dig deep into the closet and get those sun-blocks, cotton apparels, anti-tans and flip flop's out! Yes it's the time of the floral prints, neutrals and the pastels. While fighting with the summers and the task of being the 'fashionista' both weigh heavy on your shoulders, there are some basic issues that you need to keep in mind. The summers should be celebrated with the colors and prints that create the effect of tranquility and peace. Refrain from wearing colors that are either too dark or loud. The mint greens, turquoise blues and other earthly shades are colors that you must always pick on. Regardless of where you go each day-be it work or college a good collection of summer dresses and skirts never goes unnoticed. Make it peppy by accessorizing it with junk jewellery-waist bands, neck pieces and earrings. However a little cautiousness must be maintained when it is the case of office goers! One thing to be tied a knot about is that 'never over accessorize'. It may not only make you look the 'overreacher' but may also dub

you as the 'one-with-loads' figure. Flip flops, crocs, espadrilles are worth trying these summers. Team them up with shorts, skirts and even plain trousers. They go a long way in protecting the feet from bad odor but are also very comfortable to carry around. Also make sure not to overdo the make-up part. This might have been said over and over again since this is the only mantra that one has to make peace with. Excess of makeup will not only be the obtrusive but also will also

ruin your effort that you have quite in a sacrosanct manner tuned with the season. Add the sun block as the base along with the primmer which are really light and help keeping the make-up in place. As for the skin, go for the anti-tan facials. Manicures and pedicures not to mention are must haves. Drink loads of water to help your skin retain its full vigor. One personal tip-Beat the summers fashionably this time.

Image Courtesy: fashion-flick.blogspot.com Yours Youthfully -

Fashion

BE FASHIONABLY GAME FOR THE There is a without any bout of skepticism a wedging bell that is perhaps ringing either now or in the near future. In a rich and relatives-full country like ours, you barely need to wait for occasions like these. The weddings are such a grand affair and involve such a lot of prior preparation that each one of us is left to wonder as what to wear and which look to adopt? The questions to answer are herculean tasks in themselves. While there are a lot of events lined up, one really needs to plan and

Wedding Bells

shop well in advance. Make sure that you adopt a well tailored combination of western and Indian outfits. The engagement ceremony (if there is one) can be well taken c a re o f a b e a u t i f u l designer evening gown. The evening gown for sure adds pep to your already snazzy style statement. Make sure the colors are neither too vibrant and neither too dull so that it escapes notice! You need to be really particular about how you tune it with a smoky yet a subtle makeup.

The 'sangeets' are vivid and exclusive humdrum affairs where the actual light grabbing can be done by the way you indianize yourself. The main function i.e. the reception and the wedding is the actual display of how well your preparations have been! While this would require a little bit of hogging and slogging in the markets yet this is the event where you can actually take the cake away! A beautiful sari which suits your stature, complexion and body structure. It is advisable that the hair styles and draping be decided with the beautician in your previous sittings. Hence a g ree d w i t h ou t a ny doubts that by far the Indian weddings are the gargantuan storehouses for fashion display! What are you waiting for? Get set to take part in the parade and spread your fashion wings to the maximum possible.

Image Courtesy: weddings.iloveindia.com Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature

SHAPE UP! Read on to know the secrets of those who have the perfect shape!

Cover Feature

TAKE IT FROM ME Mumbai-based model FIRDAUS KHAN tells us the secret behind that core.

Photographer- Shashank Lawate

Cover Feature

â&#x20AC;&#x153;The greatest pleasure in life is to do things which other say you cannot...â&#x20AC;? 1. Firdaus, as we know you are a model and an upcoming actor. You have just shot for a crossover film as the lead protagonist. How was your experience? We always remember our first experience in every aspect of our life, so this does make a special and memorable experience. This was a dream come true for me, to work among very highly distinguished and creative film makers. I thank Almighty for giving me such a beautiful life. 2. What are your future plans, and 5 years from now where do you see yourself? Definitely expanding my horizon in Bollywood and climbing the ladder of success through hard work, commitment and dedication. The greatest pleasure in life is to do things which others says you cannot. 3. Before you became a model, were you a fitness freak and gym addict in your student life? I was a fitness freak but not a gym addict; I didn't want to limit myself within the gym premises. I was more into outdoor sports like cricket, football, swimming and running. Gym is not the only mantra to

achieve the real fitness; there are so many ways and avenues to achieve overall fitness. 4. As a model and as an actor, it is imperative that you remain in pristine physical condition. Take us through your workout. It's a coincidence that I am into this field but what I believe is that, irrespective of any profession, a person has to be in pristine and presentable condition. "Hum zindagi bhar paise kamane ke liye health ko ignore karte hain aur baad mein wahi paise hum health wapas pane ke liye kharch karte hain." So why not continue with the healthy life style from start to end? I am blessed with a very good metabolic rate, so considering this aspect my health regime is more of free hand exercises, running on the beach and light weight with more repetitions. Health is not merely physical, but it's more of a combination of mind, body and soul, so to add on further I do deep breathing and meditation as well. 5. Being a fashion model, the demand is not just having a great body but also being attractive and good to look

at. What is your mantra for the wonderful skin and hair that you posses? Thanks to my genes! (Laughs) Jokes apart, I know it sounds very clichĂŠd, but drinking lots of water, good quotient of sleep, have lots of green veggies, lean meats like chicken and fish, fibre, protein and vitamin C intake. 6. Since you have to travel abroad and across the country for assignments, how do you fit in the time for your workout? It's all about being passionate, I always take out time for my workout, as you take out time to sleep and eat. Workout is a great stress buster. 7. What is your diet plan, do you have your cheat days? How tough it is really to resist the temptations of your favorite dish? I eat each and everything but I make sure that I burn it off next day. 8. Firdaus, it is tough to sustain a six pack, you have to watch your salt, sugar and dairy intake. How do you deal with it? Any tips for our young readers? I maintain my body in such a condition that w h e n e ve r a 6 - p a c k i s required for my shoot, I can sharpen them within a week's time by controlling Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature

Photographer- Haider Khan

Cover Feature â&#x20AC;&#x153;Exercise, eat healthy, think positive and be happy!â&#x20AC;? on my sugar salt and dairy intake because having a 6pack 365 days is not good for health. 9. You are a model, actor and also a Japanese language interpreter. These are quite huge jobs to be managed at the same time. How do you distribute time and still not feel stressed out and look wonderful as ever? Thank you very much for appreciating my multitasking abilities. It's all about mind control, nothing is impossible; I believe "what you think, you can be."

catalyst to get the body you want. Any good brand of whey protein works out well for me. 13. Youngsters these days like instant results, thus resorting to steroids and fat burners. What is your message to them? It's a complete no-no. These products bring along a lot of side effects which can be very detrimental to one's health. It's better to be safe than sorry.

14. Are there any particular goals or standards that you would like to achieve in the sphere of fitness and body building? Consistancy is the name of the game, and that's the only standard I would like to achieve in the sphere of fitness. 15. Finally, your fitness mantra. Exercise, eat healthy think positive and be happy. Keep smiling...

10. Everyone has a role m o d e l wh e n h e s t a r t s working towards a sculpted body, who has been yours? I have taken the best not from one but from few and they are Sylvester Stallon, Salman Khan and Hrithik Roshan, they are the epitome of fitness. 11. In Bollywood, which actor and actress have the best body? Hrithik Roshan and Bipasha Basu. 12. Are you a believer in supplements? If yes, which ones have you used and how were the results? To be honest, as per my opinion supplements act as a

Photographer- Sriniwas Rapelli Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature

THE HOTTEST BODIES IN TINSEL TOWN by Akshay Singh Looks have always mattered when you come on celluloid, but long has the time gone when only looks mattered. Like Hollywood in apna Bollywood much emphasis is laid on the body, perhaps more than the looks. The audience is mesmerized and enthralled when it sees sculpted and worked out

bodies on the silver screen, which many a times work as an inspiration. The need and demand of cinema is such that there is no room for unfit performers, they have to look the part to play the part; so in today's day and age no one can be called unfit as of such. But there are some personalities who do not work out only

because every inch of their being is scrutinized; they do so to stay fit and healthy. For them being fit is more of a sport, a never ending love affair, it is their life style. We take a look at some of them who for years have set a bench mark in staying fit.

time out of his busy schedule to take up swimming and trekking with his son. It goes without saying that he never eschews working out in the gym. Sources close to Akshay stress that irrespective of how late he turns from his shoot, he will hit the Gym even at

wee hours of the morning showcasing is indefatigability. He scrupulously forbears from nicotine, caffeine, and liquor. He also recommends that the key to fitness is to have an ideal amalgamation of mental and physical fitness.

AKSHAY KUMAR Khiladi Kumar epitomizes fitness, perhaps one of the most well worked out bodies of tinsel town. Kumar's body is a fine balance between being lean and being brawn. Kumar once said â&#x20AC;&#x153;In 24 hours, if you cannot give one hour to your body, then you should kill yourselfâ&#x20AC;?. He is 41, and for decades he has carried the mantle of fitness on his able shoulders. He denounces the use of food supplements and Steroids in a bid to look muscular. His fitness mantra revolves around myriad exercises. It is a renowned fact t h at A ks h ay re l i g i o u s l y practices Martial Arts. He often takes up kick boxing to keep himself agile. Besides Martial Arts, he also regularly practices Yoga and meditates for catharsis. He often takes

Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature JOHN ABRAHAM It would not be unfair to say that John Abraham is the Indian version of Gerard Butler (in 300). Abraham came into the industry from a modeling background, understandably he was fit; but as the years have gone by John has changed his body dramatically. Whether it is the canary yellow butt kissing trunks in Dostana or the vindictive brawny cop in Force, he is the complete package. At 6'1â&#x20AC;?; Johnny boy has been quite vocal about the need for muscles on his tall frame and off late added a few more inches to his repertoire. Apart from a punishing workout schedule that comprises of cardio and weight training, John is a pescaterian. His diet comprises fish, eggs, beans, milk and other dairy products.

HRITHIK ROSHAN Hrithik is an inspirational figure. For someone who acutely stammered, who was once told by the doctors that he could not dance; he has covered a spell binding distance. Hrithik Roshan and fitness is ubiquitous. The real heartwarming aspect of his fitness is that he has at times failed; only to come out much stronger. Few months back, Duggu let his guard down. He was feeding off all the love of his family in the form of brownies and cupcakes, chocolates. The result being a double slip disc, expanded waistline and an inflated gut. He was smoking 3 packs a day

and was running high and low blood pressure. Hritik had a reality check when the Krish jacket just didn't fit him. Hrithik hired Kris Gethin and dropped 6 inches from his waist in ten short weeks. They employed a lot of functional training like Cross Fit along with muscle training. His diet mainly consisted of about 100 grams of meat, there were some fibrous carbs, like broccoli, sprouts and spinach, a cup of rice or pasta. He had pancakes with sugar-free syrup, which is made with a protein powder. He was having seven egg whites with two yolks and two slices of toast.

T h e e n d re s u l t Ro s h a n knocked 10 kilos and looks bigger than before somewhat like The Hulk!

Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature SHAHID KAPOOR Amongst the younger generation Shahid is one of the most physically fit actors in Mayanagri Mumbai. Being a strict vegan it becomes an arduous task for Kapoor to stick to his fitness regimen and not be deprived of animal proteins and other essential nutrients. Be it Kaminey or Chance pe Dance; Shahid has flaunted his physique extravagantly much to the delight of his female

audiences. Shahid follows the accepted norm and his work out is a fine balance between cardio and weight training. He makes it a must to run 15 mins on the treadmill and work at least one body part daily. His trainer Abbas Ali has also played an important role in Shahid getting the cuts in the right places. From a chocolate boy to a macho man, he has surely come a long way.

SALMAN KHAN For someone having a tiny, frail frame and transforming it into a physique of a warrior; there is no doubt that Salman Khan is the king of fitness in Bollywood, even the stars run to him for advice. Salman belongs to the old school of body building; he works out like a beast, doing 1000 pushups, 2000 crunches, and 500 pulls ups daily. According to his personal trainer D'Souza, his workout lasts for

2 hours which includes one hour of cardio and then focuses on two body parts at a time like biceps, triceps, chest, back etc. Salman famously carries a pair of running shoes and dumb bells even if he is vacationing or shooting in places where gymming is not feasible. Salman avoids sugar and his diet is protein rich comprising chicken fish and egg whites.

Jamwal matched John Abraham with his toned and worked out body in Force. Model turned VJ turned actor Sahil Shroff too packs a punch with his lean yet muscular look, a lot which bears resemblance to Akshay Kumar. In this age of equal footing

how can the fairer sex of tinsel town be left behind; they have bodies which turn every girl green with envy and the boys can't stop themselves from drooling. Here's a look at some of the fittest hotties of Bollywood.

Image Courtesy: myspacelayout.net

Amongst the other actors who have maintained enviable bodies over the years, Arjun Rampal makes the cut. Ajay Devgn off late has also joined the fitness bandwagon especially his looks in Singham were drool worthy. Amongst the new comers Vidyut

Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature BIPASHA BASU From a plump and curvaceous girl in Jism to the perfect beach body in Dhoom 2 to the sensual gyrator in Jodi Breakers; Bipasha has set a fitness trend which even celebrities follow. She is ever willing to try out anything that is introduced to her ranging from different types of yoga like acro yoga or swimming. She likes to take on fitness challenges in the gym. Her arms, back, rock-steady abs are due to her years of

strength training and cardio. No doubt her trainer Rijuta Diwekar calls her the Wonder Women! She does not believe in crash courses. She is ready to wait for results. She constantly consults her dietitian and nutritionist and sticks to the diet recommended by them. It was only befitting for her when she came out with her fitness DVD “ L o v e Yo u r s e l f - F i t a n d Fabulous You” Image Courtesy: funnyfunda.com

SHILPA SHETTY Shilpa Shetty is perhaps the first female star who drove home the importance of being fit and having a toned body. She may not have been very successful as a movie star but still people idolize her for her fitness obsession. She is one of the few actresses who have retained their bodies even after they were out of

spotlight which underlines the fact that for her fitness is lifestyle and not just a stepping stone for attention and glamorous. To maintain her shape and to be healthy she uses a combination of cardiovascular, strength, flexibility and physiological abilities. To have a great stomach – it is 90% diet. Her

diet is rich with anti-oxidants like aloe vera juice, green tea, wheat grass, lime and honey and lots of warm water. A lot of credit should also be given to her trainer Sherin Poojari, as a student is as good as his disciple.

LARA DUTTA After her crowning glory Lara stepped into Bollywood. She has an athletic frame and had a few extra ounces; but she changes all that and transformed into a hottie. Her sensual bikini scenes in Blue are still fresh in the minds of the audiences. Her toned torso is all due to her swimming, yoga, cardio and vegetarian diet. Lara was hydro-phobic before but she

overcame her fear and now on an average she tries to swim atleast thrice a week including15-25 laps per session. She also does art of living which is of great help to calm one's mind. According to her traine rDeanne Pandey she has the best hour glass body in the industry; well we sure are not complaining Deanne!

Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature DEEPIKA PADUKONE Amongst the new crop of heroines not only Deepika is the sexiest; the most successful; but she also has a body to die for. Whether it's her subtly tantalizing abs in Love Mera Hit Hit (Billu) or the toned booty in Housefull or whether it's the sensual moves in Dum Maro Dum; she is a complete package; maybe that is one of the reasons why she is envied by most of the females! Deepika has legs comparable to a professional athlete. She has supple leg muscles which are quite powerful. Apart from squats her workout involves short sprints to strengthen and tone up her legs. The workout regime over the six days consist of different combinations of running skipping sprints, jumps, martial art kicks and cartwheels.

PRIYANKA CHOPRA Priyanka Chopra over the last few years have jumped on the fitness bandwagon with full fervor, not only she has delivered mega hits but she has also become one of the most fit divas of tinsel town, with a figure to die for. She

brains hard with intervals using body resistance or light weights in high rep sets, and jumps rope intervals with push-ups, lunges and strict concentrated ab movements. Her trainer Charlene Oesterling rotated six basic workouts, and the most important thing was to keep

her core tight and body at center so every movement was balanced and designed to work her core. She religiously sticks to her diet and the result is for all to see in movies like Dostana and Don 2.

Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature

THE BODY YOU ALWAYS WANTED by Akshay Singh Health is wealth. A healthy mind resides in a healthy body. Maxims like these are inculcated in us from an early age. Whether we are in school or college, there is no denying the fact that health and fitness is emphasized on a pretty regular basis. The Central Board of Secondary Education and some leading colleges have started laying all the more stress on being fit and healthy as subliminally it does affect your performance. Being fit does not mean having a rippling six pack abdomen or biceps of a warrior; a lean and normal looking person can actually be fitter. There are many variables involved in being healthy. It comprises of a myriad of things; encompassing your daily routine; eating habits and schedule; lifestyle and even your posture. As the pace of one's life grows; host of other things start taking center stage; and funnily enough the upkeep of his own body takes a backseat. They say that health is an investment; the more an individual invests in his body; longer is the period of his reward. It is therefore important to take the issue of one's health with utmost seriousness and

inculcate habits which will hold us in good stead during the later periods of our lives. The youth is easily impressed by a good physique, washboard abs, brawny shoulders, tight tush; it is important to look beyond the temptation. A good body is just a byproduct of being healthy and fit; what is all the more important is the synchronization of the mind body and soul. Human body is basically a machine; and with time there is wear and tear in it; fasten your fitness belts to sail through these bumps with the help of some handy tips, talks and advices that YY shall be covering in the next few page. DIET AND EATING HABITS Sometimes it all seems like a cruel joke. God must be a sadist as most of the delectable and tasty things are unhealthy. Some of us may be blessed with a higher metabolic rate and chomp d ow n o n p a s t r i e s a n d burgers without tipping the weight scales but the bottom line is still that somewhere it is going to hurt you. Cardiac arrest, blood pressure, diabetes are no longer limited to obese folks, the apparently “thin and

healthy” are also equally at risk. One fine morning you wake up and find the weighing scales tipping towards the heavier side, your favorite jeans hardly fit you, the subtle paunch is no longer subtle, and layers of cloth can't hide the love handles. So what to do? Put yourself on a crash diet. Give up all things that taste good and be on a “healthy” diet of fruit juices, salad, and boiled veggies. Well, to begin with that is the worst you can do. It can do irreversible harm. You might suddenly develop eyesight issues, hastened hair fall to name a few. There might be some initial weight loss but it is only a bate that leads you to greater harm. The human body has a unique calorie meter. Let's say suppose that an adult requires 2200 kcal per day. You suddenly reduce your intake to 1600 kcal. During the initial time period there will be weight loss as the body would compensate the deficit of 600 kcal by consuming the stored fat. But after some time the body moves itself into a crisis situation and calibrates its calorie requirements to say 1400 kcal per day; so the extra 200 kcal starts getting stored as fat. As a result Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature instead of losing fat, you gain weight and not to mention the deficiency caused by lack of nutrients causes severe harm. The ideal way of consuming food is not the 3 basic meals a day. It has been proved scientifically that an individual should take 4-6 m i n i m e a l s a t re g u l a r intervals. Human body needs carbohydrates and proteins but they should be taken in an appropriate time and within an appropriate time window. Carbohydrates should not be consumed a f t e r 7 P. M , a n d consumptions of proteins should also be limited after dark as the body takes a lot of time to break it down. Intake of too much carbohydrate is a strict no-no as it leads to weight gain. Excess of protein also put pressure on the kidneys which is not advisable. When it comes to eating healthy; it has lot to do with will power. Most of us eat whatever we can as it is not something our parents focus on post teens. Our company also plays an important part when it comes to eating right; birds of a feather flack together; befriend people who are serious about fitness. Walk 3km to buy a packet of chips, even if there is a store nearby to even out the calories. Junk food and bad health go

hand in hand. Recently there was a front page about how leading food conglomerates like Mc Donalds and Maggi are flouting the norms and delivering misinformation about the energy and fat and Trans-fat content in their products. The thought of a burger, a cold drink or a chicken hot wings is tough to resist for even post teens leave alone teenagers. But there is light at the end of the tunnel; there are still some foods which are in fact beneficial for the health. Yeah1 that may sound a little odd, a health column advocating the merits of junk food, read on be convinced. The Virgin Mojito Lemon s e r ve d b y K F C i s n o t refreshing but it is also fat burner. It has around 65 kcal and 0 percent fat. Lemonade has earned its reputation as a fast, natural body cleansing juice. This along with the mint leaves helps in eliminating toxins from the body. Mc Donalds' Ice Tea has around 85 kcal and less than 3% of the total calories. It has been revealed that people who black tea, ice tea and green tea had significantly higher bone densities. The Green Apple Mojito served by Pizza Hut is also a FAT FREE option along with having health benefits. Similarly CafĂŠ Coffee Day's Green Tea is too fat free. Subway literally takes the cake, the Chicken Ham and egg sub is not only a filling treat, it has 355 kcal of which only 10% is fat. The reason

being lean meats like chicken and eggs have high thermogenic effect, which burn upto 30% of the calories during digestion. Eggs are also low in calories and full of essential amino acids and chicken boosts energy levels. The Roasted Chicken in multi grain sub is also a healthy option to alter your taste buds as it has also 10% fat of the total 320 kcal calories. Mc Donalds' Mc chicken, Spicy Paneer Wrap and KFC's Chicken wrap, without cheese and mayonnaise are also healthier alternatives. Many of us run away from the thought of green vegetables and are choosy about fruits. It has got to change if you have to reach your envisioned goal. Green vegetables like pumpkin, spinach and broccoli have time proven health benefits; some of them even fight cancer. Fruits like tomato, oranges, apricot, and lemon have anti-oxidants which are believed to play a role in preventing the development of such chronic diseases as cancer, heart disease, stroke, Alzheimer's disease, Rheumatoid arthritis, and cataracts. The human body is 50 to 60 % water by weight, therefore water become all the more important tool in a bid to remain fit. Many people religiously follow the 8 by 8 rule when it comes to drinking water, which in layman's terms means 8 glasses of water or 1.8 liters. Water not only hydrates the body but is also the carriers for toxins out of the body. A person with adequate water intake has a glow on his skin Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature and it is free from boils and acnes. In the morning having a glass of lukewarm water coupled with a half a spoon of honey is very beneficial. Many people believe that having warm water would burn their fat. It is a myth that hounds many souls. On the contrary, a glass of cold water serves as a calorie burner because energy is spent on warming up the water to the body temperature. In a nutshell, food and dietary habits play the most important role when it comes to being healthy and fit. Maintaining a balanced diet and not succumbing to temptations and myths is a shortcut to a healthier mind and body; but this shortcut needs arduous dedication and patience. WORKOUT AND FITNESS Many of us equate having a fit body with a membership at the local health club. It is partly correct. A membership at the local health club or gym certainly eases your path as trainers and dieticians are available to guide one through but at the end of the day it is your effort which counts. First and foremost one should understand the requirements and limitations of his/her body and exercise accordingly. You can't drop 10 pounds in a week nor have a body like Arnold in a couple months. Health is an investment.

Have patience. Learn to respect your body, it talks to you, listen to it. One of the basic exercises is running. Whether it is running on a treadmill or in the neighborhood, there are few things that need to be kept in mind. Most importantly never run without proper running shoes and ample padding, without which you could soon be heading to the doctor for a long and painful medication. On should always land on balls of the feet while running, a method many of us do not adhere too; the reason being that the sensory nerves in the balls transmit the message to the brain and prepare the knees for impact. The stance is also very imperative; the feet should never land much ahead of the body, and there should not be much clattering sound produced when running. Running is a very simple exercise but it is easy to go wrong with it, and the damage is permanent. If you are not a regular runner, it is advisable to strengthen the glutes, the hamstrings and the calf muscles by doing squats, lunges and calf raises so as they shoulder the burden of your knees. Recent studies have brought to light that one should do the cardiovascular activities in short intense bursts as it trains the body in aerobic as

well as anaerobic ways. Probably everyone is fascinated to have a flat stomach and especially females crave for a wellrounded tight derriere. Simple exercises like crunches and sit-ups go a long way in achieving your dream figure. The best thing with crunches and sit-ups is that they have a number of va r i a t i o n s t o i n c re a s e difficulty and kick out the monotony of the same workout routine. Squats, lunges and calf raises are also very essential for a strong lower back. All these exercises can be done with the comfort of your homes and require only proper technique and a yoga-mat. But it is not advised to do too many crunches and sit-ups as recent studies have shown that it would take 2,000,000 crunches to burn up a pound of belly fat! It is best to do 2530 reps of each exercise, in 3 straight/alternating or circuit sets. One of the best exercises for building the core strength is Planks, which like crunches and sit-ups can be varied a great deal. Therefore, a good body may be hard to get, but it is definitely worth the try. There is no better feeling than to shed your clothes and have a sexy blonde drool over your abs. Same goes for the girls too! Yours Youthfully -

Cover Feature

GYM POINTERS If you have joined a gym few things should be kept in mind to reap the maximum benefits: Do not quit midway; it's your hard earned money that will be wasted. To kick out the monotony, have some workout partners, or cajole your friends into joining a gym with you. It's always easier working out in groups. Enroll for group activities like aerobics, Pilates, hot yoga, power yoga, kick boxing etc.; most health centers across the country are adopting alternative workouts like these. Do not work out like a camel. It will do you no good. Keep yourself hydrated. Even the fairer sex can benefit from moderate weight training, as it does give you toned arms and legs. Know the limits of your body and be patient; looking yourself in the mirror every day and expecting immediate changes is not good for the morale. NEVER OPT FOR STEROIDS AND FAT BURNERS. USE BRANDED PROTEIN SUPPLEMENTS UNDER PROFESSIONAL GUIDANCE. Do not go overboard when it comes to cardio, you will soon have a burn out and dread the sight of an elliptical trainer or a treadmill. If the gym does not play good music, arm yourself with a sport headset and hit the gym with vengeance. Good music can do wonders to your workout and esteem in general. Never hesitate to ask for the trainers help or advice, be sure he is around when you are lifting heavy weights, and keep asking him to check your posture. There is a 20-60 min window after the workout; within which it is advisable to consume protein rich and high carb diet as it goes towards repairing the worked muscles; therefore less fat gain. Yours Youthfully -

Music

IDENTITY

Maaruthy Kumar

Identity is a primal need in everybody's life- a basic and primitive need. It is something the mind craves for, something the heart beats for and something the soul thirsts for. The sense of community and belonging that we derive from identity is priceless. The knowledge of existence of kindred spirits out there facing the same problems, looking for similar solutions gives us solace and the knowledge that some of them have overcome their problems brings hope. Every human being searches for identity – no matter how unique he thinks himself to be. The warmth of the pillow of precedence dominates over the urge to stand alone. In the modern world we have created for ourselves there are several factors which give us identity – family, work, where we live, how we live, age, gender etc and among this vast universe of factors one star glows bright- Music. Music - that cool breeze that blows through the fields of our minds. Music – so subtle you don't remember when you started listening to it and when you tipped over the point where you can't live

without it . Music - so innocent that sometimes people take undue advantage of it. Music - so unbiased that it is there for everyone – right from the aristocrat who watched his ward take piano lessons to that blind beggar you see on the street singing out his pain to the rhythms emanating from a steel plate. Yes, Music. Music has been through a long process of metamorphosis and has had a number of avatars in the process. It has several forms such as - Classical, Rock, Hard Rock, Jazz, Blues, Hindustani and what not. Music is so magnanimous that it takes so many formsone for each. It is in these forms that we usually find our identity. The basis for this choice is usually purely emotional. We listen to only the songs we like. This emotional approach to music, however, is seriously flawed. There is a very famous proverb which goes- there is no such thing as free lunch. We wear the medal our musical identity proudly on our chests; however we sometimes fail to pay our dues for the identity we gain.

By adapting this emotionally driven approach we sometimes listen only to a microscopic portion of a genre and assume its identity. We choose only the songs we like and the band we like and we assume we belong to the community. This in no way does any justice to the genre and to music as such. If one wants to earn the identity, one must explore every available star, planet, comet etc in that galaxy of music. In other words one must make an attempt to listen to every single band/artist who has contributed to that genre. To quote my friend Siddharth Nagarajan who is a journalist working for several online metal journals - “If you like a genre, every band belonging to that genre deserves a first listen. The second listen is completely upto you.” If making music is an art, so is listening to it. It involves dedication, analysis, thought, evaluation and understanding. Most importantly it requires conscious effort on our part. This might sound ridiculous to a lot of people. But let's not forget what's at stake here – Identity. And it must be earned, not assumed. Yours Youthfully -

Movies KNOW YOUR SUPERHEROES:

AVANGERS The foes no single superhero can withstand.

Follow Akshay Singh on Twitterwww.twitter.com/Ak_DarkEntity

Akshay Singh Taxes, rent, future, relationships, these words made no sense to us when we were kids, life was much simpler. For the ones, who have experienced the bliss of holding the latest edition of your favorite comics and bragging about our collections, it surely was a golden period. The characters of Chacha Chaudhary, Sabu, Pinki, Agniputra Abhay, Nagraj, Doga etc; their exploits are still fresh in our minds. Apart from a few exceptions like Phantom and Spiderman, the Indian kids of 80's and 90's

Were in complete oblivion of the myriad of superhero's that existed in Marvel Universe or the DC Universe. With Marvel studios rolling out the sixth installment of the Marvel Cinematic Universe, The Avengers which releases in India on April 27th, it becomes imperative to keep oneself abreast with the superheroes in the flick, for a complete paisa vasool. Avengers is a team of superheroes created by Stan Lee that were called the “Earth's mightiest heroes”, that consisted of Iron Man,

Ant-Man, Wasp, Thor, Black Panther, Hawkeye and the Hulk with Captain America being added later. The rotating roster has become a hallmark of the team, with one theme remaining consistent: the Avengers fight "the foes no single superhero can withstand". The teams, famous for its battle cry of "Avengers Assemble!” has featured humans, mutants, robots, gods, aliens, supernatural beings, and even former villains. The April extravaganza has the following characters: I

IRON MAN Played by: Robert Downey, Jr Alter ego: Anthony Edward “Tony” Stark Background: A selfdescribed genius, billionaire, playboy and philanthropist with a mechanical suit of armor of his own invention. Abilities: Genius level intellect, superhuman strength, supersonic speed at Mach 3 and regenerative life support. Yours Youthfully -

Movies CAPTAIN AMERICA Played by: Chris Evans Alter ego: Steve Rogers Background: A World War II veteran who was enhanced to the peak of human physicality by an experimental serum. Abilities: Physical attributes enhanced to peak of human potential, expert in martial arts and hand to hand combats, vibranium steel alloy shield.

Played by: Mark Ruffalo (He was cast after negotiations between Marvel and Edward Norton broke down.) Alter ego: Dr. Bruce Banner Background: A genius scientist who, because of exposure to gamma radiation, transforms

HULK

into a monster when enraged or excited. Abilities: Superhuman strength, speed, stamina, and durability, regenerative healing factor, underwater breathing ability, immunity to all diseases and viruses, vast leaping ability etc

THOR Played by: Chris Hemsworth Full name: Thor Odinson Background: The god of thunder based on the Norse mythological deity of the same name. Abilities: Healing factor, we a t h e r m a n i p u l a t i o n , longevity, flight, energy absorption & projection, we a t h e r m a n i p u l a t i o n , dimensional transportation, electric manipulation etc.

Yours Youthfully -

Movies BLACK WIDOW Played by: Scarlett Johannson (wuff! Scarlett in a cat suit!) Alter ego: Natalia Alianovna Romanova B a c kg ro u n d : A h i gh ly trained spy working for the international peacekeeping organization, S.H.I.E.L.D. Abilities: Slowed aging, enhanced immune system, peak athletic condition extensive military, martial arts, and espionage training.

HAWKEYE Played by: Jeremy Renner Alter ego: Clint Barton Background: A S.H.I.E.L.D. agent and master archer also known as the "World's Greatest Marksman" Abilities: Master archer, uses a variety of trick arrows, superb athlete, martial artist, and acrobat.

LOKI Played by: Tom Hiddleston Full name: Loki Laufeyson Background: Loki is a supervillain and also the adoptive brother and

archenemy of Thor. He is based on the being of the same name from Norse mythology.

Abilities: Mystical powers, t e l e p a t hy, f l i g h t , shapeshifting, teleportation and longevity.

Yours Youthfully -

Movies NICK FURY Played by: Samuel L Jackson Alter ego: Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury Background: Colonel Nicholas Joseph "Nick" Fury

is a fictional World War II army hero and present-day super-spy in the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Abilities: Halted aging from

the Infinity Formula, skilled and experienced soldier, skilled with many weapons and fighting techniques.

Chicago and had a disturbed childhood, upon reaching adulthood Hill first joins the United States armed forces,

and later becomes an agent of S.H.I.E.L.D. Abilities: she is a trained agent who works closely with Nick Fury and Iron Man.

S.H.I.E.L.D originally stood for Supreme Headquarters, International Espionage, Law-Enforcement Division

but within Cinematic presently Strategic

the Marvel Universe it stands for Homeland

Intervention, Enforcement and Logistics Division. It is a fictional espionage and secret military law enforcement agency.

Apart from this battery of superheroes, some mere mortals too will be seen reviving their roles from their previous franchises. Gwyneth Paltrow will again be playing, Pepper Potts the primary love interest of Stark. Clark Gregg will be reviving his role of Phil C o u l s o n , t h e n o sy ye t believing S.H.I.E.L. Doperative. Stellan John

Skarsg책rd will be essaying the role of Erik Selvig, and should be a scientist, although much about his character is not known as of now. The Avengers with its jaw breaking star cast and a monstrous budget of $220 million should be one of the best and more entertaining super hero flicks, if not the

pioneer of popcorn entertainment. The theme song done by Agnee for the Indian release is clever marketing and sprinkles it with a nice Indian touch, though to preserve the sanctity of the plot and to get the requisite thrills watching it in its original English narrative is highly recommended. (Courtesy for imagesxnys.blogspot.in) Yours Youthfully - 39

MARIA HILL Played by: Cobie Smulders (Smoldering!) Full name: Maria Hill Background: Born in

S.H.I.E.L.D.

The Awesome Column

Aur kitne interviews dega beta?

Mail Ankush Bahuguna onankush.bahuguna@gmail.com

“Aur kitne interviews dega beta, 8-9 toh de chuka…”, my mother whined as she served me breakfast. “Bas ek aur jagah try kar raha hu mummy, stipend achi hai”, I told her. “Stipend achi hai? Chal fir yahin join karle”, mummy's eyes lit up! She stuffed a rolled chapati in my mouth as I pulled the 'Satyam drycleaners S-1709' label off my white shirt. After having rehearsed some confident sitting postures against a mirror, I set out to hunt for the perfect cologne for the interview, generating a hurricane in the room. Does that one make me smell too old for my age? Isnt that one making me come across as a loud person? That one smells like something funny! Let's try this one… By the end of it, I smelled like a fridge full of rotten fruits. I wish I could help the people o n th e ro a d s d y i n g o f suffocation as I passed by them, but I couldn't afford to reach late! I called up the boss on his personal mobile number to confirm the interview schedule. Tu Hi haqueeqat, khwab tu…. I hummed along with the caller tune. “Hello?”, a fat grumpy voice interrupted the Emraan-Soha

Ali Khan saga. “Umm…hello, good afternoon sir, I am Ankush. I was supposed to appear for an interview at 3 today. I just called to confirm the schedule”, I said, in a tone so sugary that it made my lips stick to each other. I could hear other voices in his background. After waiting for a few seconds for a reply, I inquired, “hello?”. “Ya, hello? I'm sorry, I didn't hear you. Who is this?”, he said, shattering my confidence, by a single blow. Like the world's smartest parrot, I repeated myself. “Yes, you can come”, he said with a voice fading towards the end. Before I could sense it, he hung up. The dial tone sneered at me. I r e a c h e d e a r l y. A f t e r spending a while roaming about the dingy building, appreciating the dirt and cracks on the century old staircase walls, I turned my phone silent as I stood in front of the door which read 'Abitare Architects and Consultants – Dream Design Create'. I pushed open the door gently. “May I come in?”. A blank white wall stared at me,

against which the reception table positioned itself, laden with filth and piles of ancient folders, dug out of Mohenjodaro by archaeologists a few days ago. “Excuse me, may I come in”, I tried again, as if talking to an imaginary receptionist . Nobody heard me, it seemed. Embarrassing me in the most obvious way, two girls giggled sadistically, sitting on the right. The guy sitting on the left got up from his seat, exposing his computer screen which displayed his photograph being morphed with that of Katrina Kaif on Adobe Photoshop. He was the peon, proficient in using the software that I'd always failed at learning properly. “Baitho…”, he said, pointing to a set of two chairs so tattered that they could collapse even by a mouthful of air. Once he had confirmed my interview with the boss, he guided me to their conference room, where the interrogation was to happen. I felt my skin grow three shades darker as I entered into the furnace. I was facing those girls through the glass now. Yours Youthfully -

The Awesome Column “This is my best work, sir. It’s a kindergarten project that I designed...” “Okay, so I have seen your work,” he interrupted me. “We only need you to know basic software like Autocad and Sketchup...” peon fifteen minutes later. “Sir ji lunch kar rahe hain abhi…aap wait karo. Bas a a n e w a l e h a i n …”, h e informed me, chomping on the chips that I saw being served to the clients a few minutes ago. “Arre aap garmi mein kyu baithe ho, A/C on karlo…”, he suggested, having seen sweat dripping off my clothes, flooding the room. I tried, but the A/C just wouldn't switch on! And there I was, placed in a glass cabin with the sniggering spectators outside, failing miserably at switching on an air conditioner! One of the girls entered avoiding eye contact and put the plug into the socket. The A/C beeped and blew a breath of cool air. I chivalrously thanked her as she rushed out, sealing her lips tight trying hard not to burst out. Hiding herself behind the workstation, she told her friend about the incident, whose amusement knew no bounds! 5 minutes later, sir entered. I stood up to greet him, only to see him talking on the phone, not even considering my presence, let alone the cologne. He had a big

puckered face with a nose resembling a parrot's beak, the only difference between the two being that his' was pimpled, flabby and oily. His lips were too small to zip the opening of his mouth, bejeweled with dried white gooey saliva on the sides. There were at least two coats of grease on his Blackberry touch phone. His finger prints created shiny three dimensional optical illusions on the oily screen. He composed himself on the chair sagging with his weight by now, and started the interview at 3.45 p.m. He mumbled something incoherent, to which I just smiled. A moment later, I realized that it was a question that he had asked. “Sorry sir, I didn't get you”, I said. Tuning my ears to the best I could, I inferred that he wanted to know why I had applied there. I didn't want to blurt out that their stipend was what I was actually drooling over. Fortunately, his phone rang before I could answer. Life calling, it said. His speech was really hard to decipher, tougher than the periodic table of elements. With a bit of lip reading and e x p r e s s i o n a n a ly s i s , I managed to do just fine without too many “pardon sir?” moments. A few more

questions later, I had gotten adept in decoding the remarkable lisps in his fat voice. As I began to show him my p o r t fo l i o , h i s w i fe entered hammering the wooden floor with her heels. She wore a black knee length dress costing Rs. 4999 as the bright green Globus price tag that she forgot to remove, said. She buzzed something into his hairy ears and cat-walked back to her cabin. He was supposed to be somewhere, i t s e e m e d . “This is my best work, sir. It's a kindergarten project that I designed…”. “okay, so I have s e e n y o u r w o r k .”, h e interrupted me. “We only need you to know basic software like Autocad and Sketchup…”, he got straight to the point, flipping the portfolio shut. He diluted my gusto as an architect a couple more times. The chair bounced back to its original shape as he got up. “Aap Monday se join kar sakte hain”, he said as he shook hands with me, transporting a gallon of oil and a million germs along with it. Swinging the door open, the fat man rushed out. “Arrey A/C toh band kardo”, I heard the peon whine as I stepped out. Yours Youthfully -

OURS OUTHFULLY indulge.

Sports. Fashion. Movies. Music. Health. Sex. Technology. Food. Photography.

Read Us Read our issues on www.issuu.com/yoursyouthfully/docs

Like Us Like us on Facebook to subscribe and get timely updates. Just go to www.facebook.com/yoursyouthfully

Write To Us Your opinion matters to us. Tell us what you feel about the magazine. Mail us on yoursyouthfully@gmail.com

Photographer- Abhishek Patel