February 2012 by Youth Incorporated Magazine

you t h incorporated

THE BLOGOPHILES: YOUNG BLOGGERS MAKING WAVES

EDUCATE + ENTERTAIN www.youthincmag.com

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 8 FEBRUARY 2012 > ` 50

THE VALENTINE’S DAY INDIA’S SURFING SCENE

SURVIVAL GUIDE

THINGS NOT TO GLOBAL MED DO AT WORK SCHOOLS feb_cover.indd 13

AMAZING THAILAND

THE ALLIMPORTANT MBA 20-01-2012 10:36:06

Volume 1 Issue 8 February 2012

you t h incorporated www.youthincmag.com

Editorial Editor-in-Chief NITISH SHAH Executive Editor SHRADDHA KAMDAR Managing Editor MINAL PATODIA Sr Correspondent BEVERLY PEREIRA Fashion Contributor ANU CHOWDHARY Contributors APOORVA NANJANGUD ANKITA DEURI TANAYA RAMYANI

Design

Art Consultant DONUT DESIGN Graphic Designer BIPIN BALAKRISHNAN

Ad Sales KHURSHEED MISTRY

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NIKHAT ALI

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NAHIDA COELHO

nahida@youthincmag.com

Marketing

ANYA GONCHAROVA ZAINAB SIDHPURWALA SAGAR SHAH

Circulation

NISHANT SHINDE SAMEER LONDHE

Administration

FATEMA BISMILLAH Printed and Published by Nitish Shah on behalf of Splash Publication Pvt Ltd Published at: 9 Forjett Hill, British Express Bldg, 2nd floor, Mumbai 400036. Editor: Nitish Shah

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Editor's

note

Now that the holiday, wedding and party season is over, I have finally begun enjoying some ‘me’ time and went to watch a friend’s film Tutiya Dil last week. The film was about a love triangle between a girl and two guys where the protagonist compared men to turkeys who just want to impress hens and keep changing partners. So with Valentine’s Day around the corner and after getting inspired by this movie, we decided to do an interesting cover story on how singles can survive Valentine’s Day with so much mush around. Also, for those deeply in love and spending the day with their partners, we have thought up some unconventional ways to celebrate it. Often, many of us wonder about how we are faring at work and at times doubt our own skills. Following that thought, we present to you a SWOT analysis where you can analyse your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats at work. Also, try out a quiz that tells you the type of employee you are in an organisation – a leader or follower. On a lighter note, check out our list of the top 10 things not to do at work to create the best impression. The world is fast becoming a smaller place and it’s the advancements in technology and the Internet that has kick started this connectivity. For instance, blogs have become all the rage. The blogosphere has grown by leaps and bounds, offering a space to document insights, trends and opinions. It’s really amazing to see that serious bloggers are taken on an equally serious note. Read all about the progressive world of bloggers with in-depth insights from popular food, fashion and travel bloggers in our entertainment feature. While on the subject of technology, there are gadgets that can help those who are keen to get fit. Our fitness feature shows you how to get started on upping your fitness levels with the help of gizmos from the future. Talking about fitness, we bring you the top medical schools from across the world. Also in this issue, we take you backpacking through magical Thailand. Stepping away from the conventional beaches and islands, we found a dream destination that encompasses delicious food, massages, shopping galore, exotic locales, thrilling adventure sports and pristine natural wildlife parks. Travelling back to love, I would like to wish all of our readers a very happy Valentine’s Day!

Nitish Shah FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated

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contents FEBRUARY 2012

Also on the

PAGE

COVER

MANAGEMENT ON TOP

Why an MBA is the most popular postgraduate option

10 THINGS NOT TO DO AT WORK Avoid these career killers at all costs

THE SCIENCE OF HEALING

A look at the top medical schools in the world

THE BLOGOPHILES

Meet India’s young bloggers

AMAZING THAILAND

Explore the kingdom of Thailand

SURF'S UP

Everything you’ve wanted to know about surfing

Cover Story

(Educate) THE VALENTINE’S FOCUS FEATURE 10 A fast buck DAY SURVIVAL GUIDE 12 Scoring success

How education suffers due to students taking up part-time jobs

From non-clichéd ideas for a romantic day with your special someone to those enjoying the kingdom of singledom to the fullest, our Valentine’s Day special covers it all. Check out our Valentine's Day poll where our reader's weigh in with their thoughts! 2

Do marks really make all the difference?

EXAM FEVER 'Entrance' annoyance

Many class 12 students have to forego a few entrance exams due to clashing dates

WALK OF LIFE SWOT analysis

Assess your strengths and weaknesses at the workplace

What’s your work style? Find out if you are a leader or a follower

AWARENESS Stand up for your rights!

How to get justice against consumer brands that fail to satisfy

OUT OF THE BOX The right mix

Explore a career as a sound engineer

Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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Lend your voice! Let your voice earn you money as a voiceover artist

FASHION SoFake yet so good!

64 65

The inside story!

Youth Inc selects the sexiest inner wear

Prem Mehta, Chairman, Northpoint Center of Learning, talks about creating an industryready talent pool

GIFTS by

GATSBY See page no 87

Is a career in nutrition and dietetics the right one for you?

IN CONVERSATION We need more collaborative partnerships

FREE EXCLUSIVE

A look at Sapna Bhavnani’s new androgynous fashion label

CAREER WATCH A healthy calling

WIN

FITNESS Turn on, tune in, get fit!

75 66

Catch the yellow fever

Must-have gadgets to reach your fitness goals with ease

A look at the latest trends in yellow

INSIDE DOPE When labs overlook football fields

Explore the spacious campus of DG Ruparel College

67 PRODIGY Of technology giants

Eyes only for you

Our picks of the most gorgeous eye makeup

FYBMM student Rupali Moghe talks of balancing various interests with academics

(Entertain) YOUTH ISSUES Plastic is bad, especially if it’s a smile

How to spot and deal with the ‘plastic’ mean girls

EDITOR’S NOTE…1

EDITORIAL CONNECT…4 AROUND THE WORLD…6

Phanindra Sama, CEO of redBus talks about growth of technology entrepreneurship in India

STUDENT SPEAK Master of all

STAPLEdiet AWARENESS…28 COUNSELLOR Q&A…30 WORD ZONE…46

SKIN SUTRA Dr Good Skin

Glow your best this Valentine’s Day

MAKEOVER Refresh

Two readers get a whole new look

ECOWATCH A (banyan) tree of hope

Youth Inc speaks to the founder of the Grand Banyan recycling project

MODEL WATCH…68 GAME OR LAME...77 DROOL OF THE MONTH…78 IMHO…80 RESTOMETER…82 CELEB TADKA…83 HANGOVER…84 RISING STARS…85 STAR STRUCK…86 GRAFFITI…88 FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 3

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editorial connect Write to us at mail@youthincmag.com

THE KING With reference to ‘Arranged in heaven’ (YI December 2011), marriage is universal. But in India, marriage is a social phenomenon. As opposed to the West, in India, a girl is married to a family rather than only to her husband. Unfortunately, the joint family system is becoming redundant. Plus, Indians have taken to the Western practice of living away from the family post marriage. For the Indian middle class parent it is still a major responsibility to get their children married. Marriage in India is still considered sacred. We must try and preserve the sanctity of this ideal. Mahesh Kumar Chartered accountant, Delhi

GREAT MAGAZINE! I happened to read my first issue of Youth Incorporated in December 2011(Yes, I had noticed your signage at Churchgate during your launch phase too). It’s one great magazine whose time has come. The article ‘Nectar of Gods’ on Rajeev Samant and ‘Throw an Eco-friendly Party’, particularly made for very interesting reads. Lovely look, great print quality and loads of good and meaningful stuff to read! This indeed makes Youth Inc a super offering for the youth! Let me admit, I actually started feeling a wee bit younger at heart by the time I finished reading the magazine! Wishing you all at Youth Inc a huge jump in circulation numbers! Anand Shirali Media head, Mumbai

CROSSING CULTURES I thoroughly enjoyed reading ‘Map of Love’. It is refreshing to know the views of expats living in India. I have been dating an English guy for almost a year now, and I totally related to the article! I agree with the writer when she says that Indian women have a lot of expectations. And, I also agree with the fact that the temporary nature of such cross-cultural relationships is the most exciting aspect. I hope to see more such articles in the future issues of Youth Incorporated. Sharlene Soares Student, Kolkata

SOCIALLY YOURS:

RUNNER’S DELIGHT

The article on the man who ran marathons across all the seven continents was an inspiring read. This year, I participated in the Mumbai Marathon. After reading this article, I pushed myself more. And when the day of the marathon arrived, I gave it my all. Thanks to Youth Incorporated for featuring this amazing marathon runner as well as for giving your readers something to believe in. I also benefitted greatly from ‘Boot camp benefits’. I recently sampled a session, and it’s true, I don’t think I can look at joining any other form of fitness routines!

IDEAL MIX

Meena Shah Professor, Delhi

Sandeep Mehra Student, Delhi

It’s quite rare to come across a magazine that is youth-oriented to the core. I just picked up a copy as it appealed to me and I quite enjoyed the read. It’s a good mix of entertainment, education and fashion. I loved the IMHO page too; it’s something new. I have always wanted to pursue an MBA. The MBA story in the December 2011 issue really gave me a good amount of details and structured information. Do keep coming up with many more such helpful stories. Thanks a bunch!

like us on

Youth Incorporated

@YouthIncMag

Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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educate Explore a career as an audio engineer if your passion for sound runs high

K E E PI N S I D E яГо

Pg10 Pg20 Pg24 Pg42 A FAST BUCK HOW EDUCATION SUFFERS WHEN STUDENTS TAKE UP PART-TIME JOBS

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WHAT'S YOUR WORK STYLE? ARE YOU A LEADER OR A FOLLOWER AT THE WORKPLACE? TAKE A QUIZ TO FIND OUT!

STAND UP FOR YOUR RIGHTS! LEARN HOW TO GET REDRESSAL AGAINST CONSUMER BRANDS THAT FAIL TO SATISFY

OF TECHNOLOGY GIANTS THE CEO OF REDBUS.IN ON TECHNOLOGY AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

19-01-2012 13:26:33

NewsNewsNews New News _EDU NEWS

Around the World

CampusFrance 2012 admission tour comes to India

f you are looking to study at one of France’s top institutes, then a visit to the CampusFrance 2012 Admission Tour will be a lucrative one. Scheduled to take place in February 2012, this event offers a platform for Indian students to meet their French institute of choice directly. After a one-to-one meeting with representatives of the French institutions, spot admissions will also be offered here. However, those interested need to register in advance here: www.salons.campusfrance.org. After registering, students will receive an intimation of their appointment with the representatives of various French institutions. Visitors will also get a chance to explore programme options and scholarship opportunities besides getting their profile assessed and application questions answered. Among the 25 French institutions are 12 business schools, nine engineering schools, three universities, one specialised institute and one center for the teaching of French as a foreign language. The event will take place in New Delhi (February 4th and 5th), Bangalore (February 8th and 9th) and Mumbai (February 11th and 12th).

ONE IS BETTER THAN TWO!

ere is some good news for students! From the next academic year, those studying at the Mumbai University can simultaneously take up two full-time courses. The report was approved by the University Academic Council, which has also decided to scrap the decree which made it compulsory for all engineering students to complete their course in eight years. The students have to block their admission in one college, seek a no-objection certificate from the principal and confirm admission in the second college. However, students will not be considered as special cases during examinations if their papers overlap. The students will be allowed to pick two courses depending on the eligibility criteria and the conditions, the attendance requirement at both colleges and also as per the availability of courses and the capability of students. 6



HOW TECH SAVVY IS YOUR SCHOOL?

s the world moves down the technological and information highway, schools are adapting to hitech devices to bring about major changes in the classroom. For instance, Podar International School in Mumbai plans to introduce the Apple iPad 2 in classrooms to encourage technology-driven learning. Interestingly, D Y Patil International School in Worli introduced iPads in 2010. The parents of the students have the choice of purchasing the iPad 2 from the school itself on an outright basis or they can avail of a financial scheme on offer. With innovative methods of teaching like 3D images, topics such as the solar system can be taught effectively rather than teachers simply explaining such topics. However, psychiatrists are worried about the sudden tech boost where human interaction is taken over by gadgets as well as the decline in the student-teacher bond.

NIIT University’s scholar search programme A scholar search programme has been announced by NIIT to help students secure early admission in the BTech programmes of the university on the basis of their performance in class 10 and 12 examinations. Students appearing in class 12 exams in March/April 2012 and those who have passed in either 2010 or 2011 with physics, chemistry and mathematics or physics, chemistry and biology or physics, chemistry, mathematics and biology with a minimum score of 60 per cent are eligible. Students with 80 per cent and above in class 10 can apply under early admission mode and those with an aggregate of 70 per cent or above can apply under the early application mode. Students who secure more than 70 per cent in class 12 need not appear for an entrance examination. However, students who have secured less than 70 per cent in class 12 need to submit their IIT/JEE, AIEEE or SAT rank/scores or appear for the NU entrance test (NUET).

Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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NewsNews

News NewsNews

News

Mumbai collegians launch transgender awareness campaign

ass media students of Wilson College, Mumbai have launched a campaign in an effort to create awareness about the transgender community and their causes in the city. Known as ‘De Taali’, this campaign’s end goal is to include the transgender community in the education and employment process without the social stigma that is generally attached to them. The group of students have tied up with activists as well as NGOs that work with transgender people. As part of this initiative, the Wilson students organised an awareness concert with bands like Agnee and Mumbai Stamp. Also on the agenda are workshops and seminars across Mumbai’s colleges. They plan to screen documentaries and start discussions on this topic. The campaign has taken off really well from the looks of it as the ‘De Taali’ Facebook page has already managed to receive 282 likes.

Italian business university set to be established in India

niversità Bocconi, Italy is all set to become the first leading international university with plans to open a business school in India. It has been decided that the university will be named the Mumbai International School of Business Bocconi and is scheduled to open its doors in July this year in Hiranandani, Mumbai. The main reason behind choosing India to set up this new project is in response to the strong request for managerial education that characterises the Indian market. It has come to be known that the university will offer a two-year postgraduate programme that is very similar to an MBA and will accommodate only 100 students per programme. It is also known that every week, students will be sent to corporate houses to learn the ropes about corporate culture. India has a good number of exchange programmes and tie-ups with overseas universities in the country, but there are no international campuses in India due to certain regulations. This Italian university has also set up an Indian trust and has tied up with a group of entrepreneurs known as Ultimate Knowledge System. This has permitted the university to go around India's ambiguous regulations that have previously prevented similar business school tie-ups from offering degrees in India. The Italian university will provide the school’s faculty and set the curriculum in accordance with local regulations. The entry of overseas universities is seen as game changing for India’s higher education scene, which is controlled by a rigid and centralised bureaucracy in New Delhi.



IIM-A PROGRAMME RANKED AS WORLD'S BEST

he Indian Institute of Management, Ahmedabad (IIM-A) has been ranked number one for its agribusiness management programme. The ranking took place across five continents. The postgraduate programme (PGP-ABM) was ranked as the world’s best in the ‘Best Masters in Agribusiness/ Food Industry Management Global Ranking’ by Eduniversal, a French consulting company and rating agency that specialises in higher education. This achievement will highlight the significance of the programme. Recruiting companies are likely to give ample attention to students of the programme. Besides Ahmedabad going green with the highest agricultural growth in the country, students will also get to enjoy the fruit of labour! FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 7

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_SPECIAL FEATURE

MANAGEMENT ON TOP EVEN THOUGH THERE ARE UMPTEEN POSTGRADUATE OPTIONS AVAILABLE TO OUR GRADUATES, IN WHICHEVER DIRECTION ONE GOES, MBA SEEMS TO BE A CLEAR WINNER

Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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ver the last many years, the student mix at many top-notch B-schools has grown to be diverse. Now, there are engineering graduates, advertising professionals, accountancy specialists, pharmacists and even medically qualified doctors who want to get the coveted MBA? Why is MBA still the most popular option among those who are looking at specialised higher education after graduation? The answer according to many is simple. It has a 'good' future. "I want to do an MBA because I now that once I clear out of a good B-school, I will be placed well from campus itself. Thereafter, I do not have to bother, the ladder to success will be easy to climb," says Premal Parekh, a qualified chartered accountant, who has also cleared his second year law exams and is now preparing hard to appear for the CAT. He realises that he could make a similar career in chartered accountancy, but his eyes belie the fact that the glamour of getting into a highly regarded b-school has consumed him. To him, it'll be 'cool' to graduate from IIM-A or even the Jamnalal Bajaj Institute of Management Studies (JBIMS) closer to home. And for now, his rose-tinted vision about life after the MBA cannot be replaced with any other reality. "Of course it cannot be replaced. It is a field that has proven itself time and again and helped fresh graduates to get a great head start and has catapulted those with experience straight to mid-management level," says IIM graduate Nirav Mehta, who now runs coaching and counselling centres for those seeking admission to an MBA programme. For many, it is clearly about the financial aspect. Shruti Menon completed her BSc in Life Sciences, and is now preparing for the various entrance exams to an MBA programme. It doesn't bother her that her fundamentals are geared towards the sciences, and for a management entrance exam, she'll have to start from scratch. "It isn't as difficult as

you make it sound,” she says, "besides, once I graduate from a good college, I'm likely to make much more than I would have ever made as a research scientist after completing my MSc." Well there she is correct. During placement season, the papers are full of stories of the kinds of placements that MBA graduates have landed. Annual salaries have known to go as high as a crore! Even if we consider the average starting salary that a student can draw after being placed through the campus, it touches about ` 3 lakh. That is an amount a researcher earns after putting in at least two to three years in the lab. Even after, increments and incentives are never going to be comparable to that of an MBA graduate. It is therefore obvious that students want to look at greener pastures! There is, however, a flipside to this like everything else. "Lack of introspection and information many times results in young people applying to these programmes whether they have the aptitude or not, and the mushrooming of sub-standard institutes catering to the demand, which provide MBA degrees that can only be described as worthless. Very often, a person finds that the MBA degree does not get the promised job in a good company," says Sriram Karanth, Director, Growth Centre+. "Even though there is high demand for MBA graduates in our country, our country needs almost five lakh 'efficient' graduates, the operative word being efficient. I want to highlight this fact because most of them are just finishing their degree in order to acquire high packages," says marketing professor Rasmikant Parekh. "A majority of students opt for MBA to pursue 'the great middle-class Indian dream' – to achieve success, fame and money in a short span of time. What they don't realise is that interest, inner talent and background matter a lot to achieve success." That's where students need to realise that a mere MBA label is not a ticket to a good career. The student must

MBA Some facets 

• Just having an MBA degree will not help you. Dig into the reason why you want to do an MBA. Discover your core skills, and choose your course accordingly. • If you are good at creativity and have an aptitude for advertising, advertising schools are a better option for you than a B-school. • Don't get bogged down by the pressure of securing a fat pay package. These are just a function of economic growth.

learn everything that may be required in business situations. A good personality should be developed. Unfortunately, many lower-rung institutes and university departments do not have facilities for personality development or teachers trained in group dynamics and group methods. yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated

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A FAST BUCK

WITH A GROWING NUMBER OF STUDENTS TAKING UP JOBS WHILE IN COLLEGE, MANY ALLOW EDUCATION TO SUFFER, FINDS A YOUTH INC CORRESPONDENT

“W

hen I have money, I get rid of it quickly, lest it find a way into my heart,” said 18th century theologian John Wesley. But well, it makes no sense to Indian students in the 21st Century! They know that the world runs only on one fuel: a small blue-green piece of paper, or rather, money. A large number of students are now seeking jobs, at as young as 17 years of age. “Extra money never harmed,” says 17-year old Pooja Manghnani, who gets enough pocket money from her parents, yet works as a salon assistant to make that extra buck. She says she needs it to party every Saturday night with her friends and to go to expensive hangout spots with them.

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_FOCUS FEATURE

So when does she attend her BCom lectures? “That’s not necessary,” is the immediate answer. “All I have to do is clear exams,” she says. And has she thought about a career? “What career? I live for the present, and I am thoroughly enjoying it!” The parents find solace in the fact that at least she’s going to complete her graduation! It doesn’t end there. Call centre employee 20-year old Abhishek Shah failed his SYBA as he was unable to devote any time to lectures and exams. He is quite unperturbed though. “It’s just a matter of time. I can clear the exam next year, but just imagine at the rate of about `12,000 per month, you can guess I’ll be richer by about 1.5 lakh! I cannot sacrifice that kind of money!” he says in a matter-of-factly manner. Further, he has no intention

of pursuing any studies as he is happy with the money he is making now. He just appears for his exams on his parents’ insistence. “And what about the future?” one might ask… “Who cares!” is the instant reply. During the submission of his semester project, third-year engineering student Aditya Mantri was busy writing a software programme for a website he had undertaken. “It was no charity work!” he exclaims, “I was earning a sum of money equivalent to almost six months’ pocket money! Besides, I had already asked for an extension on the project, it wasn’t like I was going to fail the exam or lose a year because of that.” It is when children reason in that manner, parent’s have no logical explanation for their own school of thought. Says Mantri’s mother Kalyani, “In our times, education was paramount and nothing even came close. Today, that is not the case. I do agree that everything is being vastly monetized now-a-days, so his proposition of earning that amount was not wrong. However, I do fear that if one money-making project leads to another, Aditya might be tempted to pursue it at the cost of getting a degree – and of course, Bill Gates and Steve Jobs examples are just easy to quote!” she fears. That’s exactly the reason why many parents don’t want their children to start earning at a young age. “I am of the belief that once a child starts counting money very young in life, he is blinded by it. Nothing seems more important, not even studies and establishing a career. And the kind of jobs that undergrads take up nowadays can hardly be termed as being on a career path,” says parent Kantilal Vakil, who did not allow his son Nirav to take up a job when he was studying for his BCom. Another reason according to Vakil is that up to graduation, life gives you an opportunity to enjoy your youth in a very carefree manner, where your only job is to study as you are fully supported by your parents

then. “After that, you anyways have to get into the rigmarole,” he says. Nirav, who completed his LLB, now understands the thought process of his father. “I was hell bent to take up a job related to computers then. Of course, it was paying peanuts, but I just wanted to take it up. I was blinded by the money then,” he relates. He however, respected his father’s decision and is happy with the way he enjoyed during his graduation days. Sometimes, with others, it becomes a way of life. “For me it began eight years ago as a summer internship after class 10,” says Bhumii Shah, who worked in the media thereafter for many years, “It just didn’t end with the summer, and went on to become a full-fledged job,” she adds. She, however, didn’t allow education to take a back seat and went ahead to complete her BA through correspondence. In fact, the urge to be further qualified has taken over her so much that she has recently enrolled for her MA as well. The other side of the coin is presented by many who took internships and are happy they ended in jobs. “But we are not talking of internships,” replies Paulomi Parekh, whose daughter Aakanksha is in her final year of graduation. “A fullfledged job, during college hours definitely takes away a lot from the kids, without them realising. And once they have a free hand in money matters, it would be next to impossible to teach them any value for money. We are already at our tether’s end on how to inculcate the right values in modern times of corruption,” she adds. “The society is at such a point when there are mixed groups visible everywhere,” says consulting psychologist Dr Milind Joshi. “There are those who earn and still have their head firmly on their shoulders, and there are others who just show off their parent’s wealth. It’s very difficult to judge where today’s youth is heading, and one can only hope that it is in the right direction,” He ends. yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 11

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_FOCUS FEATURE

Scoring

SUCCESS ARE MARKS A PRE-REQUISITE TO SUCCESS? IS IT THE ONLY WAY TO MAKE IT? YOUTH INC EXAMINES ALL THE FACETS TO THIS ARGUMENT

onsider this: The final examinations are nearing, and a parent bribes his child saying, "If you stand first, I'll get you the latest Play Station. If, however, you stand second, then we'll see what to get you." In another home, a parent tells her child, "For every test that you score full marks in, I will give you fifty rupees." Competition can be good, if it is healthy. But, in this day and age, the word has transformed into a different meaning altogether. So much so that the race to score high has become a part of the lives of very young students. "Sometimes, even parents cannot be blamed for they know that the system is so marks-oriented, that nothing else will work," says software engineer Geeta Sheshadri, who has always been an academic topper."If, even after scoring a decent 78 per cent in class 10, a student cannot get admission to a college of her choice, what options are left?" she adds. This leads us to a vital question: Are excellent marks a pre-requisite to success? Not all success stories say so. In 1975, a young student dropped out of Harvard University at the age of 20. Today, the company he started employs more than 64,000 people across 85 countries. He is the richest person in the world according to Forbes' 2006 list and is widely considered to be the world's most giving humanitarian as he has donated more than half his fortune to charities. He is Bill Gates, co-founder, chairman and chief software architect of Microsoft Corporation. If there is a lesson to be learned from his life, it isn't that dropping out of school is a good idea. Rather, it's the dedication and hard work that will prove rewarding, if only you believe in your dreams and work towards achieving them. KNOWLEDGE IS MORE IMPORTANT "Marks are important, but not the end of education. The mark made in life is

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far more important, and to make this mark, knowledge, skill and the right attitude is essential. This comes from education. "Marks may or may not reveal these qualities but low marks show the absence of knowledge. In that sense, marks are important," says Prof BK Nair, head, Department of Business Management, NM College. According to Nair, any education programme has three objectives: concept clarity, skill development, and information, which are not always determined by the marks you score. "The student, marks or results are not the product. The teaching-learning process is," adds Nair. Final year MBBS student of TN Medical College and Maharashtra University topper, Riddhi Shukla, feels that at the professional level, there is no difference between the topper and the next 20 rankers. "The entire system is so marks oriented, that students feel they have no other option. In medicine, your marks don't necessarily reflect the kind of doctor you are since the theory papers don't depend on how much you know, but how good your presentation skills are," she says, adding, "so, just because you don't score well, it does not mean you are a bad student." OTHER FACTORS "I don't agree with the word 'excellent' with reference to marks," says Hafiza Bhamjee, principal, Royal Girls High School. "If I were to give my own example, I was always an average student. But I have reached this position due to discipline, sincerity and punctuality." According to Bhamjee, the student's emotional quotient (EQ) plays as important a role as his intelligence quotient (IQ). "A balanced personality can handle any sort of pressure and is a much more confident," she says. For class ten student Ankita Naval, karate instilled a certain discipline in her, which helped her improve her scores as well. "My friends are often not allowed to join any extra curricular activities since they have to

'score well'. In my case, however, if I don't train in karate, I will lose all my interest in studies too!" "When a student is in his/ her board exam year, marks are an end-all and be-all of one's life. It's only when one has becomes a professional that he/ she realises that it doesn't matter so much," says Sheshadri. Shukla feels that in any professional course, a lot depends on how you perform on the day of the exam. "Not only that, there's a factor of luck involved. A lot could depend on the examiner you get and how his/ her mood is on that day! So then, how can marks be claimed as a fair judge of the kind of student or professional you are?" EACH STUDENT IS DIFFERENT "The beauty in a person standing first comes from the fact that there is someone who is second. Thus, in that way, every student has his or her own place," says mathematics teacher Rohini Parekh. However, Bhamjee believes, "Each student is good in his own way. I make it a point to motivate my students to develop their talents, and do the best they can." There are many who add to this point. "Just two or three hours on one particular day can never determine your mettle, is what I have learnt," says Sheshadri. "All my life, I believed in scoring

top marks. I always had an excellent academic record, always stood first in school and topped engineering too. Add to that, I have an impressive extra-curricular activities list. Yet, I came across many classmates during engineering who had a much better grasp of the subject than me. My skill lay in the fact that I could present my papers well, but in practical life, engineering skills were far more important!" she says. She gives the example of her classmate who obtained a much better placement than her since the classmate was a better engineer. Period! THE FLIP-SIDE A major reason why parents push their children so much is the difficulty in procuring admission for higher learning."If you don't score well, you have no options left," says designer Sibrata Ray, whose son is in class 10. "I don't expect him to score 100 on 100 in every paper, but I do expect him to score enough to obtain admission to a decent college, even if he has to work hard all year round!" Lack of knowledge is another common problem. Prof Nair says that memory-based subjects are a challenge, maybe even difficult to study. But what's worse is that exams are, to a large extent, memory-based. So students develop a technique to FEBRUARY 2012 â&#x2022;&#x2018; Youth Incorporated 13

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_FOCUS FEATURE

and economics so that I could move ahead with the class," says financial management professor Pathik Shah. In such a situation, the greater dilemma is whether to continue with the scheduled class or to help students brush up their knowledge. "What knowledge? There is none. The system of marks allows for no learning. The students that I talked about earlier, have had five years of learning the subjects. And yet, I have some of them staring at me when I talk of the most basic concepts. Like I just talked in Greek or Latin!" says Shah.

"Marks are important, but not the only purpose of education. The mark made in life is far more important, and to make this mark, knowledge, skill and the right attitude is essential. This comes from education." learn by rote without understanding. "Thus, everything is known, and yet nothing is known," he laments. This is a problem faced by several instructors in the higehr education scenario. They expect students to have a basic understanding of several

concepts, especially those that are directly related to their undergrad majors, and yet find students lacking. "I was not asking of the moon and the stars! I just expected my students, who are all commerce graduates to know the concepts of accountancy

TACKLING STUDENTS WHO SCORE LESS MARKS Students are often heard complaining about 'favouritism' in class. Teachers believe that this behaviour varies from individual to individual. "A teacher must have the maturity to handle an entire class which is a mix of all kinds of students," says Bhamjee. In fact, she says that it's the weak students who need more attention. Jitiksha Shah, math and science teacher with Villa Teresa High School says, "I take it upon myself to motivate weak students so that they can do better with each exam. I give the class extra worksheets and when I set the paper, I ensure that the difficulty level is such that every student will be able to answer at least 50 per cent of the questions." She also makes an effort to understand the student's psyche and tackle students accordingly. "I encourage my students to come to me if they have any sort of problem. We try solving the problem together. That way, the child feels more involved." Bahmjee says that she motivates students to set individual and realistic goals for themselves in each subject. While correcting papers, she checks on those who have deviated from their goal and tries to reason it out with the students. In this way, thereis an increase in effort to understand the subject. Thus, the general conclusion is that marks may not be important, but education certainly is! yi

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_EXAM FEVER

‘Entrance’ annoyance

With too many entrance exams to be taken, class 12 students have no choice but to forego a few due to clashing of dates

here was a time when a class 12 science student could breathe a sigh of relief after a whole year’s effort, once the board exams were done. Their future rested on this one exam, and they put their heart and soul into preparing for it. For the past decade, the case has changed. Preparatory time has gone up to two years, owing to the various entrance exams that students have to take for admission to professional courses, like engineering, medicine, pharmacy and architecture. Students are forced to start gearing up almost two years in advance. They start attending coaching classes while they are still in class 11, and sometimes even before that. Entrance exams were not entirely unheard of before this. There were a few, like the IIT Joint Entrance Examination (IIT-JEE) conducted by the coveted institutions for entry into undergrad engineering programmes. There was also the Pre Medical Entrance (PMT) conducted by the CBSE board for entry into some of the medical programmes in the country. But such exams were few in number, and more importantly, were not mandatory. It depended on the student, whether he or she wanted to opt for these programmes. The courses at all the other institutes simply depended on marks scored in class 12. Students now have to take at least one, since admission to all programmes is based on an entrance exam. It is obvious that students don’t want just one shot, so they end up taking many entrance exams. There are so many of them, that there are not enough days for them to be conducted by the authorities!

Most often than not, they are held on weekends. They have to commence only after the various state and central board class 12 exams are over (after March), and have to be over before the academic year starts in June. By June, the admission process has to begin. Thus it leaves the authorities with an average of only eight weekends to conduct all these exams. So many times students have to skip a particular exam, since it overlaps with another one. This year, the IIT JEE is to be held on April 8, where as the other major engineering entrance the All India Engineering Entrance Exam (AIEEE) is to be held on April 29. In between, there is the ISAT, the entrance exam to programmes at the Indian Institute of Space Science and Technology on April 21 which is also the date for the VIT Engineering Entrance Exam (VITEEE) for admission to the Vellore Institute of Technology. Students in Maharashtra will have to take the Common Entrance Test, the MHT-CET-2012 for all health sciences, engineering and pharmacy degree courses on May 10, which is also when the BITSAT, the Birla Institute of Technology and Science Aptitude Test, for admission to the Birla Institute of Technology and Science campuses located in Pilani, Goa and Hyderabad. Besides these there are numerous national and state level exams that students are opting for, and going a little bit crazy keeping track of. The only solace is that they’ll get a short break from everything after all these are done, since most of them don’t even have the capacity to think of a long-term career after they have been drained with all the preparation. yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 15

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_WALK OF LIFE

10 things not to do at

At some point or the other, people always do something they are not supposed to at work. Minal Patodia lists the top ten things that could get you in serious trouble

WORK! S

o it’s another dull day at the office with your manager making the same routine demands on you as the day before. The concept of giving your time to someone else doesn’t come easily to most individuals and we all need some time to do our own thing. But certain acts that really cross the line could get you fired! So, we’ve come up with the top ten things you should not do at work.

Watch porn/soft porn You Tube videos allow for a fair amount of uncensored material, from music videos to personal ones that

don’t really cross into the porno realm. But watching suggestive scenes from the Dirty Picture or checking out the wet girls in bikinis at Victoria’s Secret is really best done at home (if you don’t have Internet or live with your parents, try an Internet café!) Shalini Sharma recounts, “Some colleagues and I were watching a video on YouTube that was pretty racy (but without nudity). But the suggestion was enough for some guys. They got really embarrassed and had to be excused!” Regardless of the presence of your colleagues, this behaviour reflects badly on you and could lead to charges of improper behaviour and you losing your job.

Snooze time This is a toughie after a night of partying. But it’s so difficult to keep your eyes open at times. We would suggest stocking up on Red Bull and keeping yourself alert with lots of coffee. If you find yourself nodding off at your desk on a slow day, it’s not really helpful to take a nap at work! It shows that you are not alert and gives a very bad impression to your colleagues and manager who may think that you are not taking work seriously or are unable to meet your commitments. If you don’t take any kind of caffeine, a brisk walk in the fresh air will help to clear the fog in your head. In the worst case, at least try to find a quiet secluded corner where no one is likely to stumble upon you as you visit dreamland. Or better yet, take a sick day and go home!

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_WALK OF LIFE

Affair with your boss We all love men/women in power. After all, sex is also partly about power play. Having an affair with your boss though is one of the top 'not-to-do' things that should be avoided at all costs. It’s going to weigh in to your interpersonal relationship at work and will probably hamper productivity for both parties. In rare cases do such relationships work out; more likely, it will blow up in your face and lead to you having to leave a job that you like. At this point, you may be wondering if a colleague may be acceptable for an office romance? Unless you plan to marry the individual, it’s probably going to wreck your professional career (not to mention that it's a huge distraction to play footsie at meetings). In case you do decide to throw caution to the wind, make sure that no one at work ever finds out. Otherwise, you may have to kill them.

Download movies/ surf online/ Skype your long-distance lover There’s the new Batman movie you are dying to see. And you probably have a fast Internet connection at work. Or if you are dying to see the latest post from your friends about that party they all went to last night. What most people don’t realise that the computer you use is property of your company and your Internet use is likely to be monitored and logged. Also, using the office Internet excessively for your personal use will certainly reduce the office bandwidth and make the Internet unbearably slow for your colleagues. Moreover, this kind of online faffing can take away hours of productive work time and will probably be noticed sooner or later. So if you are fine with your private life being pasted all over the management’s desk, then go on and Skype your partner. Otherwise, it makes sense not to misuse your office resources for yourself.

Go to work looking like a hobo So you probably didn’t have time to shower or change clothes while

sleeping at the doorstep of your workplace. But it would behove you to take some care with your personal appearance and hygiene. Smelly colleagues are liked by no one! In an emergency, it helps to pop into a departmental store, pick out some new clothes and wear them in the office loo. Slap on some deodorant and accessories and you’re good to go!

Help yourself to office supplies I actually knew someone who used to swipe the toilet roll kept at the loo! If you have ever considered the same, then ask yourself, are you really not being paid enough? (A note to all the interns out there, we love you, but seriously! Ask for a stipend if that’s the problem). Maybe it’s time to switch jobs… it starts with pens and staplers, but watch out for the hidden

report that to his or your supervisor. And if things become heated during any discussion or negotiation, it’s always good to keep your cool and not aggravate people the wrong way. Leave the filthy language at home!

Listen to obnoxious music This includes Justin Beiber, for obvious reasons. Buy some headphones and update your mp3 collection while you are at it. People are trying to get some work done.

Bitch about your colleagues/ boss The walls have ears, especially at the workplace. And don’t be daft enough to email your opinions to a colleague when you’re at work! Even your private chat messages belong to the public domain, and yes, big brother

WE ALL LOVE MEN/WOMEN IN POWER. AFTER ALL, SEX IS ALSO PARTLY ABOUT POWER PLAY. BUT HAVING AN AFFAIR WITH YOUR BOSS IS ONE OF THE MOST IMPORTANT WORKPLACE 'NOT-TO-DO' THINGS THAT SHOULD BE AVOIDED AT ALL COSTS kleptomaniac in you. Soon it will be the petty cash, USB drives, notepads, headphones and what not. These resources belong to your workplace, and taking them for your own use essentially amounts to stealing. You may think it’s no big deal, but if your boss decides not to look the other way, it could easily form grounds for dismissal.

Tell your clients/colleagues to f*** off Tempting, isn’t it? But it’s best not to use abusive language at work, even while making jokes. Even if you have your own set of friends with whom it’s probably ok, when used in the context of work, you can be easily overheard and misunderstood. If a client or a colleague is using abusive language with you, then the best thing is to ask him not to and if he continues, then to

is watching. Friday night drinks were invented for this reason, as were smoking breaks. It’s an excellent reason to take up the habit. If you’re adamant not to drink or smoke, then you just have to suck it up and cry to your mother when you go home.

Apply for another job So you are looking out for a career change. But applying to your company’s competitors while you are at work is not the best idea. You may sometimes get emails or calls from recruitment companies, but it’s best to take these calls outside your workplace. If they are not available outside of work hours, then take a break and step outside where you can discuss the role and remuneration without any worries. Otherwise, you may be switching jobs sooner than you think! yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 17

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_WALK OF LIFE

SWOT

YOUTH INC SHOWS YOU HOW TO DO A SWOT ANALYSIS FOR YOUR JOB

Yo u r s e l f

dentifying your strengths, weaknesses, opportunities and threats for your job can help you to uncover opportunities that you would not otherwise have spotted. And by understanding your weaknesses, you can manage and eliminate threats that might otherwise hurt your ability to move forward. If you look at yourself using the SWOT framework, you can start to separate yourself from your peers and further develop the specialised talents and abilities you need to advance your career. To begin your analysis, fill out the answers to these questions on a

paper divided into four sections. For more information on the SWOT analysis, log on to www.mindtools. com. Strengths Your strengths are your intrinsic characteristics that set you apart from others. These will be present regardless of external conditions. Consider your strengths from both your personal point of view and that of others around you. Think as objectively as possible. • What are the advantages that set

you apart from others (for example, skills, certifications, education, or connections)? • What tasks are you better at than anyone else? • What resources can you access that nobody else can? • What do your managers and colleagues see as your strengths? • What achievements do you take most pride in? • What are your core personal values that are special and unique? • What kind of personal network or influential connections do you have that can help you at work?

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TIP: If you hit a roadblock in identifying your strengths, think of your personal characteristics which may be strengths at the workplace. Weaknesses Consider your weaknesses from both personal and external perspectives. What weaknesses do others see that you don't? Are you lagging behind your co-workers in key areas? Try to be realistic and face any unpleasant truths as soon as possible. • What tasks at work don’t you feel confident doing? Do you avoid any tasks because you don’t feel confident enough to do them? • What do your managers and colleagues see as your weaknesses? • Where are you weakest in your education and skills training with regards to your current job? • What are the work habits that affect your job negatively? For example, punctuality issues or poor handling of stress are negative work habits. • Are there any innate personality traits that hold you back in your work? For instance, fear of public speaking in a job where you have to conduct meetings on a regular basis would be a major weakness. Opportunities While you consider the external opportunities in your industry and company, consider your strengths and ask if these can open up any opportunities for you. Conversely, examine your weaknesses ask if you could create new opportunities for yourself by eliminating these weaknesses.

• What are the current trends in your company? How can you take advantage of them? • Are there any gaps in your competitors’ products or services? How can you take advantage of their mistakes? • What are the needs in your company or industry that are not being fulfilled? • What are the complaints of your customers or vendors in your company or industry? Can you offer a solution?

• Are there new technologies that can help you at work? Can you get help with your work from others via the Internet? • Does your industry show a positive trend in the market? How can you take advantage of this? • Can you ask for help and advice from a network of influential contacts?

TIPS: The following events may provide useful opportunities • Making new contacts and knowledge gathering at networking events, classes or conferences. • Taking on a colleague’s responsibilities for the experience you gain while he or she is on leave. • Learning new skills to fulfill

the responsibilities of a new role or project, such as public speaking. • Helping the company’s expansion or acquisition with your unique skills. Threats • When you are at work, what are the major obstacles you face? • Do your colleagues compete strongly with you for projects or roles? • Do the demands of your job or the skills you need ever change? • Do you feel that changing technology threatens your position? • Can any of your weaknesses end up leading to threats? Performing this SWOT analysis will often provide key information. Now you can point out what needs to be done to improve your performance at work and to put problems into perspective. Good luck! yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 19

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_WALK OF LIFE

t takes all types to keep the business world thriving. When experts study various types of workers, they often limit themselves to levels of authority: those who are leaders and those who are followers. But there are other ways to categorise workers to get a better understanding of their contribution to a company. Professor Michael J Kirton, in his research at the Hatfield Polytechnic Institute in St. Albans, England, studied the work styles of more than 500 employees. He correlated each worker’s style with his or her value in the firm, then classified each of them on the basis of how they tackled job problems and how they felt about work. For the most part, two groups emerged: adapters and innovators. Adapters are the steady performers who carry out daily tasks without fuss. Innovators are those who desire and need change. Indeed, both types complement each other and are vital to company growth. Reflect on your present or past work situations. You probably haven’t thought much about whether you are an adapter or an innovator. Here’s a chance to find out where you stand.

What's your

WORK S T {

ARE YOU A LEADER OR A FOLLOWER? FIND OUT WITH THIS QUIZ!

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In the following quiz, answer each item as it best describes you. Give yourself a score of 4 for A, 3 for B, 2 for C and 1 for D. Count the total number of points and see if you are an innovator or adapter at work! 1) I approach problems in a precise and methodical manner. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me 2) I don’t have a problem with doing boring jobs. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me 3) I find it difficult to cope with several problems at the same time. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me 4) I work like a ‘steady plodder’ at assignments and projects. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me

5) I’m a conformist; I tend to follow society’s expectations as compared to others. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me

9) I prefer to work with colleagues who don’t suggest too many changes to projects. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me

6) When doing routine tasks for long periods of time, I tend to make very few mistakes. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me

10) Detailed work does not bore me as easily as it does most people. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me

7) I tend to apply tried-andtested solutions to problems. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me

11) Acing without my boss's permission bothers me. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me

8) I prefer working for a company to working for myself. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me

12) I take pleasure from doing detailed work. ☐ A. Not like me ☐ B. Somewhat unlike me ☐ C. Somewhat like me ☐ D. Very much like me

S TYLE? RESULTS 12- 24: you are an adaptor Adaptive workers, more so than their innovative comrades, can handle (and generally enjoy) jobs that require accuracy and precision. They are tolerant of repetitive work, make fewer errors than innovators

in performing the same task, and deal better with details. Compared with innovators, adapters are rulefollowers. They dislike surprises and prefer predictability. They try to do things better, while innovators try to do things differently. If given a choice, adapters usually opt to work in

a company rather than on their own, believing that a company provides security. 25-48: you are an innovator Innovators, on the other hand, have a strong need for variety in their daily activities. They try to handle several projects at once and tend to be risk-takers who try new twists on old routines. They like to experiment, and they trust their own resources when confronted with novelty. Adapters and innovators often make excellent teammates, whether in work, friendship, or love. More often than not, they tend to balance each other out. Check out personality quizzes on www.chatterbean.com for more information and compare your answers with your friends! yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 21

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the

Science of Healing Are you interested in saving lives while maintaining an enviable quality of life? Consider studying medicine at these top global institutes

KAROLINSKA UNIVERSITY HOSPITAL

www.karolinska.se/en/

arolinska University Hospital located in Scandinavia is a leading medical institute and hospital in Sweden. Through their vision: 'Future health care based on science and development', the institute has been educating and training future medical specialists and healthcare professionals. Karolinska University Hospital works in collaboration with several colleges and universities mainly Karolinska Institutet, and also with SĂśdertĂśrns University College, Stockholm University, and the Royal Institute of Technology. With 69 departments, Karolinska University provides clinical training to over 5,000 students. Formally established on January 1, 2004 through the merger of Huddinge University Hospital, Inc and Karolinska Hospital, the institute represents both a proud tradition of academic excellence and dynamic advancement of modern science. The Karolinska University Hospital manages patient care, research, and education at several locations in Stockholm, mainly in Huddinge and Solna. Besides this Karolinska University Hospital is the largest and most complete clinical laboratory in Northern Europe. So if you want to witness this scientific expertise and high level

of competence then Karolinska University Hospital is the place to be.

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_FOREIGN SHORES

UNIVERSITY OF TOKYO www.u-tokyo.ac.jp

niversity of Tokyo is also known as ‘Todai’, a name that comes from the abbreviation of the Japanese characters which make up the name. It is ranked 17th in the world and first in Asia by Global University

UNIVERSITY OF TORONTO

www.utoronto.ca

ituated in Ontario, Canada and founded more than a century ago in 1827, University of Toronto was called King’s College before it was assumed to its present name in the year 1850. The department of medicine of this university is one of the oldest and largest in North America since its establishment in 1843. The department supervises over 130 graduate students through the Institute of Medical Science, the Programme in Clinical Epidemiology and Health Care Research. University of Toronto is ranked first in Canada and 27th worldwide in the Academic Rankings of World Universities first in Canada and 17th worldwide in the Times Higher Education global ranking. The design of the university is inspired partly by Romanesque and partly by Gothic Revival architecture in the eastern and central portions of the campus. The western section was mainly developed post World War II and consists mainly of modernist and internationalist structures. The university campus is home to 33,138 undergraduates and 12,732 postgraduate students. So, if you are preparing for a medical course with a top class, quality education, University of Toronto is what you should be looking for!

Ranking 2011. Located in Tokyo in Japan, this university is considered as one of the most prestigious universities in Japan. The Graduate School of Medicine of Tokyo University established long back in 1858 provides students with optimum quality academic facilities. Every year, 100 to 110 students join the medical school and about 40 are admitted to School of Integrated Health Service. Moreover with the school’s highly competitive PhD-MD programme and the Medical Scientist Training Programme that was started in 2008, several outstanding medical students have already taken their first steps on the road to research careers. A diverse campus life with students coming from Asia, Southeast Asia and also from other regions the university becomes a hub of various cultures. So if you want to experience a slice of truly amazing Tokyo with unlimited opportunities, put University of Tokyo on your checklist!

YONG LOO LIN SCHOOL OF MEDICINE, (NUS)

www.nus.edu.sg

tudying medicine is a tough job; tougher is to choose a good school. The Yong Lin School of Medicine in Singapore which has been offering broad-based education for over 100 years is one of the most renowned med- schools in the Asia Pacific region. Established in 1905 as the Strait Settlements and Federated Malay States Government Medical School, NUS the school was ranked as the top medical school in Asia and 18th in the world overall by the QS World University Rankings by Subject. The school's 17 departments work closely with the Alice Lee Centre for Nursing Studies, the Centre for Biomedical Ethics, and the Centre of Excellence for Health Services Research. The school has undergrad, graduate research studies and postgraduate medical programmes. Besides, NUS provides awesome campus life with myriad opportunities. Students can explore their interest and discover or contribute their talents through various student-run groups. Overall, NUS helps in understanding a little more about yourself with the excellent academic support which will inevitably help you in this quest of knowledge. FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 23

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_FOREIGN SHORES

UNIVERSITY OF OXFORD www.medsci.ox.ac.uk

he name says it all! One of the pioneering institutes of education, Oxford University has been imparting knowledge to students across the globe for nine centuries. Be its global appeal or historically rich background, Oxford University is a fantastic place to pursue your higher educations. Oxford’s Medical Science’s Graduate School offers cutting edge facilities and generous funding facilities to students all over the world. With varied options available for graduate students, Oxford Medical School furnishes the students with high quality academics and hands on practical work. The school has 24 departments and also provides PhD (D Phill) which is fully funded, covering fees and living expenses. Oxford is a unique and historic institution, with which every student in the world would hope to be associated. Studying amidst the lap of historic and beautiful architecture can be awe inspiring. There are numerous coffee shops, restaurants, thriving bars and hip and happening clubs to choose from, so life in Oxford will never be dull.

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH JOHNS HOPKINS UNIVERSITY www.jhu.edu COLLEGE OF MEDICINE ant to be a doctor and serve humanity? Why not www.ed.ac.uk

estled in the beautiful and vibrant capital city of Scotland, Edinburgh, University of Edinburgh was founded in 1583. It is tagged as a UNESCO World Heritage site. With Charles Darwin, David Hume, James Clerk Maxwell and Gordon Brown as alumni, it receives approximately 47,000 applications every year, making it the third most popular university in the UK by volume of applicants. The College of Medicine and Veterinary Medicine has a long history as one of the best medical institutions in the world. In the last research assessment exercise, it was rated top in the UK for medical research submitted to the Hospital-based Clinical Subjects Panel. All of the work was rated at international level and 40 per cent at the very highest 'world-leading' level. The school provides both undergrad and postgrad programmes. It has also an online distance learning programme on 16 courses which is ideal for people who wish to have a world-class education from anywhere in the world.

go to a university that is reported the 'best'? Johns Hopkins University, School of Medicine was founded in 1893 and is located in Baltimore. It’s been over a century of imparting medical education to students. The institution assures that students are motivated to fight diseases with the knowledge and experience imparted to them by the faculty. Though the university has nine academic divisions and campuses, the schools of medicine, public health, and nursing share a campus in east Baltimore with The Johns Hopkins Hospital. The students who go here are more than just future physicians. They are some of the finest minds also interested in other things in life, like sports, cultural activities, reading and art. Students enjoy their stay at the campus and get involved in many co-curricular and extracurricular activities. "I enjoy the neighbourhood feel; a different neighbourhood for each experience," quips Karlo Perica, an MD/ PhD student. So it is not always 'all work no play' at Johns Hopkins School of Medicine.

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MASSACHUSETTS UNIVERSITY OF CAMBRIDGE INSTITUTE OF TECHNOLOGY he Cambridge campus is in heart of the citywww.cam.ac.uk and has web.mit.edu

lready known to be one of the, if not 'the' top institutes of the world for technological education, MIT is also well-known for its courses on health sciences, engineering and medicine. The programme of medical sciences began in the year 1970 when MIT and Harvard Medical School agreed to develop a joint programme in medical science, that came to be known as HST. It offers undergraduate, masters, PhD and MD courses on medicine and health sciences. The students come here from all sort of science backgrounds which gives it a lot of diversity among them and helps them to come up with many new ideas to showcase to people. "The best thing about HST is the endless possibility for connections," says HST PhD candidate Amy Shi. The campus of MIT is covering 168-acres of land and is located north side of Charles River basin directly opposite to Black Bay neighbourhood of Boston, Massachusetts.

UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA

www.universityofcalifornia.edu

recently reached a milestone with the opening of the new ÂŁ35-million redevelopment. It offers all the advice and support you need for not only education and career but also personal issues. The department of Clinical Medicine is a much sought after institute across the globe. The School of Medicine was established in 1976. An additional year was added to the clinical course as its final year, to make it more comprehensive. Studying in an environment that actively encourages critical inquiry, and with greater opportunity to get involved in real clinical research, medical students at Cambridge are able to acquire a sound grounding unknown to past generations. The department of medicine accepts around 260 British medical students and an additional 20 students from overseas. The Department of Medicine itself has a lot of other schools like Clinical Biochemistry, Clinical Neurosciences, Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Psychiatry, Radiology and so on. So there is a varied platter for a student to choose from. Cambridge is one of the oldest universities of the world as well as one of the leading centres for education in the in the world.

stablished in 1868, today University of California (UC) has spread its campuses to 10 regions of California and the school of medicine is situated in six of these campuses: Davis, Irvine, Los Angeles, Riverside, San Diego and San Francisco. The health programme run by UC not only consists of medicine but it also includes dentistry, nursing, pharmacy and related health care disciplines. At present around 14,000 students enrol to this course annually. UC campuses are home to hundreds of libraries, museums, performing arts spaces, botanical gardens and natural reserves. All these campuses enrol both undergraduate and graduate programmes. For nearly a century UC is successfully providing the best education in campus, distance courses as well as online and is known to be one of the best institutes in USA as well as all over the world. FEBRUARY 2012 â&#x2022;&#x2018; Youth Incorporated 25

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STAND UP _AWARENESS

FOR

go about getting value for our hardearned money?

ave you ever experienced a sense of dissatisfaction after buying a product, felt helpless and not known how to go about getting the issue redressed? As consumers, we expect to get a correct measure of whatever we purchase. Back in the day, some shop keepers blatantly cheated their customers by sticking magnets to their weighing scale, making the actual quantity of the product weigh less than what the customer requested for. Even today, there are a large number of brands that ‘cheat’ their customers in a wide variety of ways. How then, do we as consumers

Know your rights For starters, it is important to be aware of your rights as a consumer. The Consumer Protection Act, 1986 states that as consumers, we have the following rights in India: • Right to choose: Consumers have the right to choose from a large variety of products and services, priced competitively and with the assurance of good quality and service. • Right to be heard: Consumers are assured that they will be represented so that their interests and complaints are heard with sympathy and understanding. • Right to redressal: Consumers have the right to fair settlement of just claims that enables them to receive compensation for misrepresentation or for inferior goods and services. • Right to consumer education: Consumers have the right to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to be an informed consumer. • Right to information: Consumers have the right to be protected against fraudulent, deceitful and misleading information, advertising or labelling needed to make an informed decision. • Right to safety: Consumers must be protected against the marketing of goods that are hazardous to health or life.

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IN A WORLD WHERE THE CONSUMER IS SUPPOSEDLY KING BUT IS MOST OFTEN MADE TO FEEL OTHERWISE, YOUTH INC SHOWS YOU HOW TO GET JUSTICE AGAINST CONSUMER BRANDS THAT FAIL TO SATISFY

YOUR RIGHTS! Now that you are acquainted with your rights as a consumer, it is important to act on them if you need redressal for a certain product or service that failed to satisfy. Power to the people There are a number of ways to go about the process of redressal. In fact, when combined, these methods are sure to offer you some form of justice. Filing a redressal at the consumer court would be the first thing that comes to mind when a consumer seeks justice against malpractices on the part of a retailer or manufacturer. A written complaint needs to be filed before the District Consumer Forum for a pecuniary value of up to rupees twenty lakh, the State Commission for a value up to rupees one crore and the National Commission for any value above rupees one crore with regards to defective goods or services. Raise your voice (online)! It is common knowledge that in India, going through the legal route can turn out to be a futile attempt with much wastage of time, energy and resources involved. Hence, to ensure prompt redressal, the Government of India has facilitated an online registration process that allows the consumer to register complaints via the Internet. Known as CORE (Consumer Online Resource and Empowerment) Centre, this grievance system offers a dual platform to consumers and large companies alike. In addition to helping consumers get their grievances

redressed, CORE also runs a customer retention programme that helps large companies retain their customers and build their brand around them. To lodge a grievance online, one needs to visit the CORE website (www.core.nic.in). Once the complaint is registered, it is forwarded to the complaint manager, who then goes through the complaint to check its legitimacy. If it is found to be genuine, an alert is sent to the brand in question, after which, the company’s response is directly published below the complaint in the assigned area. The consumer is also notified about the same and is requested to comment on his or her satisfaction with the response. But if the complainant is not satisfied, he or she can write back to the CORE Centre in confidence. A dedicated CORE complaint manager will once again take up the issue with the concerned brand for an amicable resolution. The online forum of the consumer court of India (www. consumercourt. in) is yet another effective route for consumers to seek justice against dissatisfaction against consumer brands. The website is user-friendly and is divided into different areas of consumer goods and services. Brands go social Besides lodging a grievance via the CORE Centre and on the consumer court of India website, many unhappy Indian consumers find that speedier redressal is achieved by harnessing the Internet, particularly social

A consumer’s guide to justice www.ncdrc.nic.in www.consumercourt.in www.consumergrievance.com media like Twitter and Facebook. Interestingly, every major Indian consumer brand and service such as Airtel, SpiceJet, Kingfisher, Pepsi, Garnier, Cafe Coffee Day, Vodafone and Nestlé happen to have a Twitter and Facebook profile. According to a recent research, approximately 40 per cent of Indian consumers use social networking websites to air their problems with regards to consumer brands and services. Whether you want to complain against a faulty product or a service that has not been provided to you, social media networks seem to be the quickest way to get your issue addressed. The viral nature of such media is what makes brands bend backwards to satisfy their customers in an attempt to hush down all sorts of negative publicity. A large number of companies have hired professionals to respond to irate online messages. For instance, Airtel's social networking team always gives complaining customers a timeframe by which the company will revert. The Indian consumer is getting more aware. Thus, the day is not far off when they will be truly empowered. yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 27

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_AWARENESS

Is this development or destruction?

> Student activist Megha Shah asks if the wanton destruction of slums in the name of development of urban areas is really helping anyone

he beginning of the year started with celebrations for most. But the residents of ‘slum’ districts at Khar, Vikhoroli, Govandi and near the airport in Mumbai awoke wondering if their houses would still be standing the next day. Residents have been fighting a year-long battle with property developers, the Maharashtra Housing Road Development Authority (MHRDA) and policemen to keep their homes. Photos and videos of the residents being forcibly manhandled and their possessions thrown out on the street are available on YouTube and social media platforms. After watching these, one thinks of what we mean by ‘development’ in India – is this the best way to go about it? Are we simply removing these signs of poverty from our visible zones and making life more difficult for these workers who then have no choice but to commute long distances to work?

Moreover, the plan for rehabilitation of slum dwellers is riddled with corruption at all levels. Often, the disenfranchised of society have no choice but to see their belongings taken away from them by developers. Then they are put in ‘halfway houses’ by the developers, temporary premises until they are permanently relocated, where the living conditions are scarcely better than prisons. Will these slum dwellers really see any property being returned to them after bulldozers have razed down their houses? There are instances when developers have even set fire to the slum areas to drive people out. We need to reconsider as a nation what it means to have slums in our cities. We may think of slums as synonymous with abject poverty, disease and social discontent. But this is a categorisation that is often false. There is immense solidarity and communal feeling in areas such as these and even middle-class households often

lack the same amenities by which we would categorise a slum. We have to ask if the categorisation and removal of slum areas in our cities go hand in hand with development or just play into a cartel of powerful developers. We are not in a hurry to demolish illegal constructions such as the Adarsh Housing Society, are we? Then why destroy the homes and livelihoods of the poorest segments of the city with no other recourse. Surely, providing better amenities and working within the system as it is would be better, should we find the social and political will to do so. Until then, the residents of slums are putting up valiant, peaceful protests against the bulldozers razing their homes. At meetings, they discuss the Egyptian revolution and other populist ideas. Local politicians with an eye on the upcoming BMC elections are also vocalising their support. But whether these people will be included in India’s development agenda is another question altogether that remains to be answered. yi

you t h incorporated EDUCATE + ENTERTAIN

www.youthincmag.com

h t n o m this ► More info and articles on music, books and movies ► An in-depth look at the Youth Inc & Education Times Global University Rankings 2011-2012

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_COUNSELLOR CONNECT

JAYANTI GHOSE

Jayanti Ghose is a career and education consultant. She holds an honours degree in economics and a degree in education. Her research in career counselling and guidance spans more than 25 years. She pioneered the concept of career counselling and career writing in the print media. She is actively involved in personal and group counselling. For queries email studyindia@youthincmag.com

Mass media - advertising I have completed class 12 with the commerce stream. I want to make my career in mass media (advertisement). What are the suitable courses and colleges for mass media at undergraduate level? -Palash Chaplot Among the prominent universities offering bachelor’s degree courses in mass media/ media studies/ mass media and mass communication are University of Mumbai, Mumbai; Guru Gobind Singh Indraprastha University, Delhi; Symbiosis International University, Pune; and Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi. Advertising would normally be offered either as a specialisation during final stages of the programme or as an elective. Examples are indicative. You could do a postgraduate diploma in advertising after BA or BCom also. A bachelor’s degree in applied art or communication/ graphic design can lead to a career in advertising as a designer/ artist.

International Baccalaureate I am an undergraduate IB (International Baccalaureate) student, I have plans to study in India itself after class 12. Is it possible to pursue a career for undergraduate programme in India itself after opting for IB? I would also like to know how well are IB students recognised in India and what will be the difference altogether. -Jeet Khona An IB Diploma is recognised for pursuing undergraduate studies in India. However, the choice of subjects in IB has to be appropriate and suited for the particular programme you have in mind. For example, in the context of BCom or BSc or BE/BTech or MBBS/ BSc Agriculture/ BPharm etc, there would be particular combinations of subjects that may be required at the higher level. In the case of courses which admit on the basis of entrance tests, you must have the schedule of application for the test in mind, and ensure that you appear for it at the right time. When you are applying for admission you must pay attention to the deadline for submission of the final mark sheet because if your IB grades aren’t available on time, you’d have to wait for the next year’s admission round.

Weapon technology and engineering I am in class 12 with physics, chemistry, mathematics and computer science. I am inerested in a very niche field, weapon technology. What kind of courses are available in India? Which institutions offer programmes in weapon technology and/ or engineering? -Manu Bhandari MTech (Mech) Weapons is offered by Defence Institute of Advanced Technology, Pune (www.diat. ac.in) to candidates who have completed BE/ BTech in mechanical/ automobile/ metallurgical or production engineering and have a valid GATE/UGC-CSIR NET exam score. School of Artillery, University Wing, Devalali, Dist Nashik offers MSc Tech Weapon System. At this point, your focus has to be on pursuing engineering, and while doing so you can continue to search for other choices of higher studies related to weapons, weapon systems, weapon technology etc.

Choice of board I am studying in class 11 (ISC) with physics, chemistry, and biology. Which between the ISC and CBSE is more competition-friendly for biology? -Sahil Khanna While preparing for national level medical entrance tests, both ISC and CBSE are equally useful. The state level medical entrance tests are usually based on the curriculum of the higher/ senior secondary exam of the state board.

Base for civil services I am pursuing class 12 with physics, chemistry and mathematics. I want to make a career in the civil cervices. Keeping that in mind, should I pursue BA or BSc at the graduation level? -Shivendra Rai Go through Civil Services Examination notification on www.upsc.gov.in and you will find that the choice of subjects is wide and varied. Hence, without restricting yourself, choose your stream of graduation based on your own abilities and interests.

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PERVIN MALHOTRA & ZUBIN MALHOTRA

Pervin Malhotra has helped students for over 15 years to make educational and career choices by providing them with information and guidance on the options available. Zubin Malhotra is a management graduate and journalist by training. He is an alumnus of IIM Kozhikode where he majored in marketing and finance. For queries email studyabroad@youthincmag.com

Exams for studying abroad I am pursuing my BTech in electronics. I am interested in doing postgraduation in either technology or management from a foreign university. Can you let me know if I will also have to take the Graduate Aptitude Test in Engineering (GATE) besides appearing for the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)? -Saurabh Pandit The GATE scores are not required for admission to postgraduate courses abroad. For seeking admission into an MS or MTech course in the United States, you need to take the Gradtuate Record Examination or the GRE as it is popularly known, particularly if seeking financial aid. Some universities in the US may also require you to take GRE subject tests (specialised tests) in the concerned area, especially in the science and technology streams. For MBA courses in the US, the Graduate Management Aptitude Test (GMAT) scores are necessary. However, for Canada, the UK and Australia, the marks you have scored here and TOEFL/ IELTS (International English Language Testing Service) scores would generally suffice. Admission to postgraduate courses in these countries is mainly based on academic merit. The good B-schools require at least three to four years of work experience in addition to a decent GMAT score. In any case, whichever programme or country you opt for, you should make it a point to check out the specific requirements of the course you are contemplating, and for which you wish to enroll on the institution’s website. One thing you must also keep in mind is that in foreign countries, particularly for postgraduate level programmes, the admissions committee looks at your application in totality and not just your scores at the required examinations. As a whole, all aspects would matter: your prior education, your eagerness to be a part of the programme, your statement of purpose and other essays, your work experience and extra-curricular activities.

Comparing costs What is the average fee required in a year for BTech in Computer Science from a Canadian University? How does this compare with the costs of studying the same course in the UK? -Pratap Pal It is critical that you factor in the total cost of a programme and not just the fees in a single year while comparing your foreign study options. Technology and engineering programmes in the UK and Canada differ in both the duration and nomenclature. In Canada, the BTech programme offered at various universities is of four years’ duration, similar in structure to that in India. However, the equivalent degree programmeme in the UK is a BSc and is off three years’ duration. While comparing costs, you should factor in the tuition fees, as well as living expenses, cost of travel, entertainment, clothing and other expenses to arrive at your likely total expenditure. For a Canadian BTech programme, your annual total expenses would be approximately 30,000 – 40,000 Canadian dollars. Over a four-year period, this would translate to approximately `60 to `80 lakhs, depending on the university you attend. (1 CND = approx `50.20) In the UK, the tuition fee and other living expenses would range between 25,000 - 30,000 pounds. This works out to `60 to `80 lakhs over the three years. (1 GBP = approx `78.83) So while the annual expenses in the UK are higher, the additional year that you will spend in completing your BTech programme in Canada bring the overall costs to be similar. In addition to acaedmic costs, you must also factor in other criteria such as ranking of the university, strength and specialisation of faculty in your subject area, placement track record, likelihood of finding a job straight after completing your course, regulations related to work permits and visa rules. You should also factor in the living costs at the different universities you have shortlisted for your programme.

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_OUT OF THE BOX

THE THE THE RIGHT RIGHT RIGHT MIX MIX MIX E

IF YOUR PASSION FOR SOUND RUNS HIGH ENOUGH TO WANT TO MAKE A LIVING OUT OF IT, EXPLORE A CAREER AS AN AUDIO ENGINEER. BEVERLY PEREIRA FINDS OUT ALL ABOUT BREAKING INTO THE SOUND INDUSTRY

very time one hears a good song, whether it is live or studio-recorded, one generally tends to glorify the musician. A majority of people are able to distinguish good music from bad, but few are trained to figure out how good the quality of the sound is. Are the guitars overpowering the vocals when they aren’t supposed to? Or perhaps the same song on a CD sounds better than it does on a cassette. These seemingly minute factors that help bring out the best quality sound are of paramount importance and are

brought about by the indispensable audio engineer. What does an audio engineer do? An audio engineer is the person responsible for tweaking the sound of music albums, jingles, radio spots, films and documentaries so that the final product sounds polished and enhanced. He or she undertakes a wide variety of audio-related jobs that include high-quality music recording, dubbing and sound design amongst others. An audio engineer uses equipment to record, synchronise, mix and reproduce music, voices and sound

effects. In a large studio, there could be as many as three different types of engineers – the main recording engineer, the recording assistant and a mix engineer. While the main recording engineer undertakes the actual job of recording high-quality, live music in such a way that it matches up to how the musicians wish the track to sound, the recording assistant helps with the pre-session setup of microphones and equipment as well as anything that needs to be setup during a recording session. The mix engineer is responsible for mixing the tracks after they are recorded.

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Career options An audio engineer can either work in a studio environment or can choose to specialise in live sound for concerts and events. With regards to the former, you could be working in different studios everyday in tandem with musicians and voice-over artists, but if you choose to be a live sound engineer, you will be working at a different live venue for each job. You can specialise in any of these profiles – dubbing room engineer, mixing engineer, audio operator, broadcast technician, mastering engineer, acoustic consultant, sound editor, control operator or foley engineer (one who creates sound effects).

A DAY IN THE LIFE OF AN AUDIO ENGINEER • Setting up and testing recording equipment • Conferring with producers and musicians to achieve the desired sound • Regulating volume levels and sound quality during sessions • Mixing and editing voices, music and sound effects • Synchronising and equalising prerecorded dialogues, music

Requirements Sound engineering courses offer an indepth understanding of what it takes to become a successful audio engineer. Courses include formal lectures, practical workshops, assignments and audio projects. Guest lecturers are invited to give students an insight into this field. Courses also offer you individual studio time that is vital to grasp the skills and techniques that are employed in recording studios. You'll also get access to cutting-edge equipment and software. You must have an ear for different types of sounds and a balanced sense of timing, pitch and rhythm. Working as a studio apprentice will teach you a lot about different engineering methods. According to musician and producer Aldrin Rodrigues, who has worked in the sound industry for over 15 years and owns Rhapsody, a sound production company, “It’s important to get a formal education in sound so that one gets a head start in the field. On joining a studio, one can learn the technicalities involved in recording and engineering. Having said that, even after doing a course, one has to do his time and gather the maximum experience possible before he starts looking for opportunities as an independent engineer.”

Institutes and workshops The internationally-renowned SAE Institute has centres in Indian metros like Mumbai, Chennai, Bangalore and Delhi. You can opt for the Diploma in Recording Arts at the institute. The Audiophile Institute of Sound Engineering in Cochin offers a one-year diploma in sound engineering (`1,75,000) for which one must complete class 12 with a science major. The Satyajit Ray Film and Television Institute, Kolkata offers a three-year fulltime postgraduate diploma course. Graduates with a specialisation in physics are eligible for this course. Mumbai's Digital Academy offers a Sound Recording and Engineering course for `2,49,999. Demanding job The working hours of an engineer are unpredictable. You might find yourself working for long and irregular hours in a confined studio environment or at a live show. You might also sit through late nights, weekends and public holidays to finish projects. After all, it depends on when the artists and producers are available. A good amount of dedication is required too. Since a single day could comprise working on varied projects at a single time, the ability to multitask should also be your strong point. Lucrative or not? The boom in the television, radio and advertising industry has resulted in an increased demand for audio engineers. Opportunities are abundant in India’s mushrooming studios as in-house engineers. The salary of an in-house audio engineer ranges from `12,000 to `70,000 as per the level of skill and experience. If an engineer is not affiliated to any studio and works as a freelancer, one can charge on the basis of a shift or on a per project basis,” explains Rodrigues. If the technicalities of sound fascinate you, it's time you embark on a sound career! yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 33

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_OUT OF THE BOX

LEND YOUR

VOICE! Youth Inc gives you all the facts about embarking on an alternative career as a voice-over artist

voice-over is the art of using one's voice to sell, inform or entertain across different media like radio and television while the professional who lends his or her voice is known as a voice-over artist. A voice-over is a technique of narration and/or dubbing wherein the voice is modified to suit the accompanying visual or music. If you are considering a career as a voice-over artist, chances are that someone has told you that you should lend your voice to commercials. You must remember that while a good voice is an inborn trait, it does need to be trained much like an instrument that hasn’t been tuned but can yet be played. In the same way, potential voice-over artists need to train their voice to modulate it as per the requirement. The voice-over industry offers a vast sea of opportunities for professional artists. Production houses and media houses alike are always in search of new and fresh artists. As a trained artist, you will be providing your voice for video and radio programmes, documentaries, animations, jingles, presentations and phone software. The salary of a voice-over artist depends on the length and popularity of the programme as well as the versatility of the artist. For instance, seasoned voice-over artists are paid as per their standing in the industry. Seasoned or not, a good voice-over artist can get paid anything between `5,000 and `8,000 per recording; `15,000 for a documentary or corporate film and `25,000 to `75,000 for a single character in a well-budgeted film. There are some important factors that need to be met before you can think of becoming a successful voice-over artist. Your natural musicality – rhythm and timing – are of importance when recording as is your diction. Voice training can either make or break your voiceover career. It's thus advisable to sign up for a voice training course at a reputed institute or studio that offers part-time courses and workshops. For starters, practice reading out

• RK Films & Media Academy, Delhi

TRAIN YOUR

VOICE!

• Institute of Voice Culture and Digital Dubbing Studio, Mumbai • In Sync Studios, Mumbai

copy from advertisements, record the same and try to improve wherever you can. Work on your voice pitch, tone and modulation. Practice is the key here. As with any other career, passion acts as the fuel to propel you into the voice-over industry. A good deal of hard work is required too. Dedication and commitment play a vital role in the establishment of your voice-over career. Your ‘Demo CD’ will act as your calling card as it showcases your capabilities to those concerned. In order to get started, it’s important to find a good studio, one in which you feel comfortable recording. It’s also important that the studio specialises in voice-over production as they will know the demands of the industry as well as how to best emphasise your strengths. Market your talent by hiring yourself an agent or getting yourself listed with an agency. This profession is highly competitive and you will constantly need to be in touch with the concerned people. Get yourself listed with online voice-over artist communities to get a better reach too. All the best! yi

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A Healthy Calling

_CAREER WATCH

With the realisation of the importance of a healthy diet, Ankita Deuri explores the vast sea of opportunities that a career in the field of nutrition and dietetics can offer you

eople’s love for food is genuine and undeniable. Of course, our taste buds never let us stop at just one food item since we love to experiment with our palate. With this role of connoisseurship comes the need to keep a tab on one’s health. In today’s age, people are becoming a lot more vigilant about the right intake of food as compared to erstwhile times. The importance of a nutritious diet is significant in the hum drum of the busy schedules that

people are adopting these days. This is where the role of a nutritionist comes in. A career in dietetics and nutrition is a growing field with regards to job opportunities. In fact, every hospital, nursing home and health club recruits people who are proficient in this field. AN OVERVIEW Dietetics is the science of managing and promoting wholesome and nutritious food to people with the aim of bettering their health. Nutritionists help to promote good health through

correct and proper eating habits. They assist people in planning meals depending on their age and work routine as well as counsel and educate them about healthy eating with regards to selection and preparation of food items according the nutritional value of food. In addition, they evaluate and make changes in their clients’ diet from time to time. They can offer their services in fields as diverse as fixing nutritional regimens for patients in a hospital to athletes in physical training camps. They conduct FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 35

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_CAREER WATCH

research on the nutritional value of food, which helps to understand the various components of food we eat and the right type of food that provides a balanced mix of the essentials, such as vitamins and minerals, that a human body needs. The work of a dietician may also include the estimation and purchase of food supplies and equipment as well as receiving, checking and taking inventories of provisions. Apart from being a part of organisations, they can also choose to practice on their own and advise their clients at sessions and therapies. According to Ishi Khosla, clinical nutritionist, author and director, Whole Foods India, “Nutrition is a multidisciplinary subject. The sub-specialties in nutrition include therapeutic nutrition, food science and institutional food administration. The scope of each is quite distinct but often overlaps.” Therapetic nutrition deals with nutrition with respect to diseases and its scope includes job openings in hospitals, health clubs, hotels, airlines, corporate offices, healthrelated government agencies and NGOs. Food science deals with foods with respect to their chemical and physical properties. In this subject, one can expect to work as a food technologist in food manufacturing and nutraceutical companies or in the field of teaching and research. Institutional food administration, Ms Khosla explains, deals with the handling of food and its management in an institutional setting that could include hospitals, hotels, restaurants and food services, as well as in airlines, railways and hostels. REQUIREMENTS For those who aspire to embark on a career in the field of nutrition and dietetics in India, the courses are countless. Undergraduates should preferably study home science and dietetics and nutrition or courses that offer food science and technology. Preferably, opt for a graduate programme in microbiology, chemistry, food science, hotel

management or catering technology. You can then go in for a postgraduate course (MSc) in nutrition for an indepth study of nutrition and dietetics. If interested, one can also choose to go in for research work (PhD) in food technology depending on the kind of prospects that you have in mind for the future. Those who take a doctorate in this field can be assured of a prospective career in the academic or research field. Apart from academic qualifications, a dietician or nutritionist should acquire or have a basic interest in food and food preparations as well as the desire to help people. Good communication skills and patience is

yet another requirement that comes in handy when counselling patients. Topnotch management, administrative and organisational abilities will also prove to be helpful in the long run. “Professional success depends upon your own personal strength and caliber. Remember, you have to carve a niche for yourself. It can be extremely challenging at times,” explains Ms Khosla. WHERE DO I STUDY DIETETICS? There are innumerable universities and colleges across India that offer different courses in nutrition and dietetics for undergraduate, graduate and postgraduate studies.

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•• Acharya N G Ranga Agricultural University, Saifabad (Andhra Pradesh) •• Assam Agricultural University, College of Home Science, Jorhat (Assam) •• Lady Irwin College, New Delhi •• Indira Gandhi National Open University, New Delhi •• University of Mysore, Mysore (Karnataka) •• Bishop Choolaparambil Memorial College for Women, Kottayam (Kerala) •• University of Mumbai, Mumbai (Maharashtra) •• SNDT Women's University, Mumbai (Maharashtra) •• University of Pune, Pune (Maharashtra) •• Viharilal College of Home and Social Science, Kolkata (West Bengal) •• University of Delhi, New Delhi •• University of Allahabad, Centre of Food Technology, Allahabad (Uttar Pradesh) •• Bharath Institute of Catering Technology and Hotel Management, Thanjavur (Tamil Nadu) •• Holy Cross Home Science College, Tuticorin (Tamil Nadu) •• Punjab Technical University, Jalandar (Punjab) WHAT LIES AHEAD? Nutrition and dietetics is a growing arena with endless possibilities and job opportunities. In fact, this field is ever evolving as a result of new studies and research that are conducted from time to time. Nutritionists and dieticians are generally employed in hospitals to provide suggestions and advice to patients with regards to the intake of healthy food. Besides, there are job prospects in fitness clubs and spas. Apart from these, one can also be a part of catering departments at hotels to decide the menu as per the nutritional value of food and guests' requirements. Openings in the mass media industry are also abundant. Here, top priority is given

Professional success depends upon your own personal strength and calibre. Remember, you have to carve a niche for yourself. It can be extremely challenging at times to disseminating vital information on healthy living, which has incidentally become all the rage today. Lastly, you can also work independently as a consultant at a private practice. If one has opted to get into the field of research and academics, one can expect to conduct research on the nutritional values of different foods and other by-products. You can also take up a job as a teacher or lecturer at a college or university and contribute to the field of academics. There are good career opportunities in the food industry too. For instance, many food companies employ nutritionists and dieticians to check the nutritional quality of food products and for new product development and marketing. Nutrition professionals can also work in the department of social

welfare, particularly in public health departments run by the government that help to improve the eating habits and health of the public. REMUNERATION The job may or may not satisfy you salary wise as the remuneration is dependent on the kind of area you work in. Trainees in private hospitals can earn `2,500 per month and after they gain experience, the pay could fall in the range of `8000 to `10,000. The range can vary with the type of organisation. And if a person reaches a stage where he or she has their own practice, then they can set their own fees. A dietician can earn approximately `3,00,000 to `4,00,000 per annum. A career in this field can prove to be very lucrative. yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 37

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_IN CONVERSATION

We need more COLLABORATIVE PARTNERSHIPS

e’s an industry stalwart who has led Lintas India Pvt Ltd for many years. He’s got forty years of experience under his belt, with names like Unilever and Proctor and Gamble. He has been awarded the ‘Hall of Fame’ by the Advertising Agencies Association of India. He has addressed MBA students at Columbia University, New York; and HEC School, Paris; and has been a regular speaker at industry forums. No wonder, Prem Mehta had the vision to transfer the valuable knowledge he had gathered to those aspiring to make big. And that is what motivated him to conceive The Northpoint Centre of Learning in Lonavala. His take: I have had the opportunity to engage with management education in India and abroad, both as a recruiter as the Chairman and Managing Director of Lintas India, and on the governing boards of B-schools; and as a trainer at Columbia. Over the years, I have been conscious of the gap between training and the realities of the business world. According to me, this gap has been growing due to several factors. The first is the rapid transformation that business has been going through. All the rules have changed due to the pace of activity, the drive for shortterm results and increasing impact of technology. Cultural changes caused by the new demands on human resources have created new challenges as well. New business models have

“

PREM MEHTA, CHAIRMAN, NORTHPOINT CENTRE OF LEARNING, TALKS TO YOUTH INC ABOUT LINKAGES NEEDED BETWEEN INSTITUTES AND THE INDUSTRY, AND CREATING AN INDUSTRY-READY TALENT POOL brought about new opportunities as the scene of action has shifted from the developed to emerging markets. Not all old models have proved to be effective in the long run. However, academics do not seem to be investing enough in research to keep pace with the change, and adapt curricula at schools. Secondly, most trainers at business schools seem to be largely disconnected from the industry. Very few have worked inside organisations and even fewer have the facility to maintain a sustained inter-play with operating companies and real life challenges. Training is thus based on the theory, which in turn, is based on historical experience. This makes most training outdated and irrelevant. Thirdly, the tremendous increase in opportunities and demand for trained graduates has led to the proliferation of institutions that claim to train managers, but neither have the right motivation nor the qualified staff to deliver quality. In this context there is an urgent need for centres of learning that address these issues and create a model that produces talent which is more responsive to industry needs. This new model needs to make training more relevant and create a sustained process that keeps it that way. For this, it is necessary to engage closely with industry to devise curricula, keep it updated and ensure interaction of trainers with industry to it relevant. It is also necessary for the industry to see itself not just as a buyer of talent,

but as a partner with institutions to ensure the quality of talent they finally get benefit of. This requires on-going commitment and investment on the part of the industry. For CEOs, people development needs to grow into an essential activity. Development needs to be more holistic with a focus on developing well-rounded professionals with the right values and perspectives. An ability and willingness to work with others would go a long way in building their value, particularly in an increasingly individualistic world. I can see no discernable difference between the calibre of Indian students and their international counterparts. In fact, Indian students are excited by the opportunities available in the new environment, are ambitious and confident. They are innovative, willing to experiment and open to exploring non-traditional options as entrepreneurs. At the postgraduate level, more seriousness about the learning, and gaining real knowledge, would add to their benefits from training. If these benefits are to filter down to the lower edges of the pyramid, private institutions with track records of quality need to be given the freedom to develop their own training models, and relieved from governmental control. To create such models, trainers need to be better trained. They need to continuously develop their knowledge through research. yi

”

38 Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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_INSIDE DOPE

labs overlook football fields ONE OF THE LARGEST AND GREENEST CAMPUSES IN THE CITY, DG RUPAREL COLLEGE OFFERS BOTH - IDEAL SPACES TO STUDY AND RELAXING SPOTS TO UNWIND

hen one enters the gate of the most popular science colleges in the city, (in fact the most popular since the latest cut-off percentages have always been above 90 per cent) one can hardly imagine the size or beauty of it. The most commonly used gate of D G Ruparel College, the one close to Matunga Road railway station on the Western Railway line, initiates no curiosity or enthusiasm in the person passing through it. It is only after you get inside and explore the buildings (they have identical buildings for Arts and Science, since the commerce faculty was instated much later) does one realise the true size of the campus. And mind you, the buildings are mot tall rises, but broad, sprawling structures with only

two or three storeys each. The college, located on a campus measuring 40,217 square metres, allows for several building spread all over. This gives students an opportunity to take a leisurely or brisk walk from one location to the other, depending on the time and mood. Even on a day when you just want a quick sandwich from the canteen, you have to spare at least 10 minutes since the canteen is located that far from your class! On the upside, while you are engaged in a physics practical at the laboratory located on the ground floor of the Science building, you can look out and soak in the beauty of the lush green patch between the Science and Arts buildings. Many a time, students prefer to spend a quiet afternoon sitting on

the parapet of the ground floor or in between the buildings soaking in the winter sun. It provides a perfect location for girls to discuss their latest beauty buys and for boys to discuss the details of the previous evening's cricket match. Not only that; students use the space to sit out and get lost in their novels or academic notes, depending on the time of the year. It could literally be that at one minute you are indulging in a hardcore discussion about molecular biology, and at the other minute after a casual glance at the notice board, you are engaged in another serious discussion of a different kind. One about a movie released the previous Friday or the new promos on the block. Or one about which lecture to skip to make it for the new film!

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What makes the space even more special is its ability to host any kind of programme or festival that the college students want to host. Students fondly remember the various musical events held in this space and the rendition of classic Hindi duets by the otherwise serious science professors in class. They were in for a surprise when a physicists rendered a song by late singer Mukesh almost flawlessly. The best part of the campus, as compared to other college campuses, is the sprawling football field that is well maintained and kept green all year round. The sight of practising sportsmen is just the kind of boost the serious students need when taking a break from hardcore sessions of academic prep. The walkway around the football field provides a leisurely walk for students and alumni alike. Many alumni find the need to take a day off work, and make the campus a meeting point to catch up over a plate of hot pakodas and chai. It is not only the memories that whet their appetite for times that have gone by but also the connection they feel with current students on belonging to the same campus. Few colleges in Mumbai are able to offer so much to their students in •• In 2010, the college was re-accredited with the prestigious A Grade by the NAAC. •• In the past two years, three teachers have won the Best Teacher Award conferred by the Government of Maharashtra. •• In 2007-2008, the college won the Best College Award from the University of Mumbai. terms of campus size. It is this feeling of a large space, and the beauty of the lush green fields that allows the mind to shut out the dilapidated look of the buildings, which the students come to love these buildings in the time they spend there. yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 41

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19-01-2012 13:05:10

_PRODIGY

Phanindra Sama, the CEO of redBus.in, talks to Minal Patodia about the growth of technology entrepreneurship in India

Technology

Giants

hanindra Sama, ‘Phani’, is co-founder and CEO of redBus.in, India’s largest bus ticketing company. Phani was ranked third amongst India’s most promising entrepreneurs by Business World. He has been chosen as a Global Shaper 2011 for the World Economic Forum. He was awarded Entrepreneur of the Year award under IT, ITES category by ET NOW and the BITSAA 30 under-30 award. He is also selected as a high-impact Endeavor Entrepreneur (www.

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endeavor.org) and TiE Entrepreneur (www.tie.org). Founded in August 2006, redBus today has operations across 22 states. redBus was amongst Forbes top five startups to watch in 2010 and was ranked first amongst the fastest growing companies in India in a survey done by All World Network. It was awarded India’s best Internet start-up, 2010, by IMAI. Yi: What do you think of the technology business market in India at the moment? PS: The world is going through a rapid change. While China went through a manufacturing revolution, we went through a technology revolution. Today, the best technology innovation is happening in India. People are creating products for the world from India. I think it’s a revolution that is happening thanks to the talent ability and the technology available. Indian companies that started up two to three years ago are now famous in Silicon Valley. The mobile is another revolution that is happening right now. The highest mobile commerce is actually in Africa – in Kenya! Yi: What are the drivers for this technology revolution? PS: Education to begin with; a lot of people in India have become technology literate in the past two decades. This has created a huge talent pool that has been working for ten years in the service industry and has acquired knowledge of international systems and processes. This is the most important factor. Now this talent pool is driving innovation. Another major driver has been the Internet. The early stage of the revolution was kicked off thanks to the democratisation of knowledge via the Internet. Anything that people are creating and inventing in the world is available to everyone. Our talent pool is now as well informed as someone sitting in Silicon Valley. That creates a lot of confidence

that our companies are as good as anywhere else in the world. Another driver is thanks to our freedom of speech. Our media celebrates entrepreneurship and today we have dedicated magazines for entrepreneurship. That fuels people. This encourages people to make products for the world. In China, for instance, all media is regulated so there are no heroes made out of entrepreneurs. Finally, there is a lot of venture capital available to start ups as well as mentors and advisors who help them to scale up. All cities have angel funds; the ecosystem for entrepreneurs is building up and there are non-profits that are helping to provide knowledge and funding. When we started five years ago, none of this was available. When we started redBus, it is a small simple application to book bus tickets online – we thought that it was already being done. But nobody else in the world had done it! Yi: Do you think that being in India offers entrepreneurs any strategic advantages? PS: A while back, I was touring South-East Asia to find out how the bus industry was really working there. In Malaysia, the entire population is almost the same as a city in Mumbai. Only three people will be working on one product over there, while we have 40 people here given the same amount of capital. Because of their geography and population, their scope is limited. Ours is such a vast country that we have plenty of potential here. Our market is huge, so we are lucky to be here. The market is vast and we have the potential to expand. It’s a great time for technology in India. Yi: What are your future plans for scaling up redBus? PS: We are going through a huge growth phase; we are growing to about three times our size. We are aiming for a `4000 crore turnover in a few

years. We are looking at managing this growth properly. Also, we are setting up offices across the length and breadth of the country. This will give us a strong holding in the country. We are creating more call centres as we are seeing growth in our offline options. We have launched a mobile app that now contributes to over ten per cent of the traffic we are getting on the web. We think this app will drive immense growth in the coming years. Moreover, we are at early stages of understanding the market in neighbouring countries to start with and we will go international at the appropriate time. Yi: What do you think are some of the promising technology start-ups in India? PS: Some of the promising start-ups in my opinion are Inmobi, which has the second-largest ad network in the world for mobile phones and Mouthstack based in Bangalore, which develops content for iPads and iPhones for international customers. These companies are only a few years old! Yi: What are some of your recommendations for young technology entrepreneurs in India who would like to follow in your steps? PS: One of the things that greatly helped me was my initial two years of working. I would recommend that entrepreneurs understand the other side of the table before they start off. They learn many things that are very valuable that one doesn’t learn in college or school. Entrepreneurship is all about growing successfully and fast. For both of these, you need that kind of exposure. It’s all about how valuable your company is and not about how young you are. Out of a hundred companies, about 98 will die after a few years. Be well equipped when you jump into the market and when you do, be successful. yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 43

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_STUDENT SPEAK

FIRST YEAR BMM STUDENT RUPALI MOGHE TALKS OF A MASTER BALANCING ACT – ONE WHICH ENABLES HER TO TAKE HER VISHARAD EXAM IN MUSIC, APPEAR FOR THE IAS ENTRANCE, LEARN A FOREIGN LANGUAGE AND NURTURE A DREAM TO BECOME A CRIME AND WAR REPORTER

Master of

all!

strongly believe that miracles do happen because my birth itself was a miracle for my mother’s gynaecologist and for my parents. I was unlucky as I couldn’t get my mother’s first warm touch as I was immediately kept in the incubator for a month due to my premature birth. It was not my luck to be bundled in woollen clothes; instead, I was tangled in a web of tubes providing blood, oxygen and saline under the morose blue light of the incubator. But I finally managed, not only to survive, but to make it to the minimum weight I should have been at. My mother recounted a very interesting incident about myself when I was a year old. I used to always cry while bathing. One day, while my mother was bathing me, I started to

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cry as usual. She immediately started humming melodiously the musical notes of sa re ga ma pa. As if by magic, I stopped crying! It was at that time that she figured that her musical genes might have passed on to me. Since then, I have come to realise that music could be an umbilical connection that my mother and I share. I was fortunate to have my mother as my guru in music. I started learning music with her when I was three and thus began my musical journey. Participation in various competitions followed, and with that, I emerged as a winner in many state and national level events. At this point, I was introduced to participating in live shows with her, and that exposure worked well to strengthen my bonds with music. One of the most memorable concerts I did was when I performed with my mother in Nashik. We sang Raag Madhuvanti, which is a raga based on the foundation, eternity and colours of love. It is a very sweet raga with a very simple philosophy of love and romance. It was a very proud moment for me, since several music aficinados complimented me that I sing exactly like my mother. It is often said that the universe conspires to give you something you really want. I distinctly remember an incident which made this thought true in my life. I was a participant at the Nrityanjali Fest – a competition for Indian classical and semi-classical vocals. Unfortunately, I was running a high fever and coughing continuously on the day of the competition. Needless to say, there was little way out. I, however, did not want to give up till I had done everything in my power to sing at the competition. I went to the venue, determined to pull it off. My aunt had given me reiki through distant healing. I truly believe that due to the healing, I didn’t get a single bout of cough during my performance. And what’s more, I actually won the competition! By the time I was in class six, I had gone through several varied experiences in music. In class six, I got

lucky and with God’s grace, I met my second guru, Pandit Chandrakant Limaye, who helped me to continue my journey in pure classical music. Under his guidance, I performed at various well-known concerts like Hori Ke Rang and Savan Ke Rang. During my school days, you could say I was an ordinary student academically, but I was heavily involved in extra-curricular activities. It was around class nine or perhaps class ten, when everyone started thinking of their future course in their studies, that I realised that mathematics as a subject was just not my cup of tea. Thus, I did not want to associate myself to any field that even remotely had its basis in mathematics. I decided to gain some leverage out of my interest in the arts and to take a sip of an artistic cup of tea; I therefore took up that stream for junior college. Nonetheless, I was pointedly thinking of academics and decided to try my luck at the Indian Administrative Services (IAS) examination under my father’s guidance and tutelage. Fortunately, around the same time, I cleared the class 12 board examinations with flying colours and got admitted into Ramanarain Ruia College to pursue a Bachelor’s degree in mass media. As I was passionate about learning new languages, I started learning German and successfully completed the two levels. I am currently doing my Visharad in music along with a two-year diploma in Natyasangeet. Initially, it was tough for me to manage academics, music, German classes and my preparation for the IAS simultaneously; especially when I compared my life to my friends’ since they were enjoying while I was busy holed up in my room studying all the time! Gradually, with everything

progressing smoothly, I came to realise that it was a choice I made and I felt satisfied sticking to it. The dream of a successful future made it easier to make compromises. It was during this phase when I got involved with the Art of Living Foundation and started volunteering for it. As part of the organisation, I went to teach children in the Gasdarban slums in Mumbai. It was an experience that moved me a lot. However, not all my experiences have been so intense. I love adventurous sports and have tried zorbing, water zorbing, river rafting, valley crossing and paragliding. Now, I aspire to become a successful crime and war journalist along with being a renowned classical singer. I want Indian classical music to reach every individual. I look forward to setting new standards for all the Indian arts, especially music. I have a lot of patience which I have got from my father, and therefore, I am very sure that I will reach my destination one day and serve my country by becoming a successful journalist and a responsible IAS officer. Most importantly, I want my parents to be proud of me. I want to take care of them as well as cater to the needs of my sweet little angel: my little sister. I want to live my life to the fullest by exploring the world of my dreams and converting these dreams into reality, because life is all about transforming your dreams into reality. yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 45

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_WISE UP

- By Niloufer Gandhi Choose the option that is closest in meaning to the highlighted word and complete the sentence.

1. Inamorata (in-am-uh-rah-tuh)

The sales of the newspaper soared when it exposed the scandalous affair of the renowned footballer and his _______. (a. calumniator b. paramour c. nitpicker)

2. Amorous (am-er-uh s)

At the Christmas dinner with her family, Jane blushed each time her boyfriend Mike gave her a _______ glance. (a. besotted b. glacial c. jaundiced)

3. Amorists (am-er-ists)

Also renowned for her intelligence and wit, the college beauty queen was perpetually surrounded by ________. (a. detractors b. charlatans c. suitors)

4. Quixotic (kwik-sot-ik)

John was unsuccessful in his ______ attempts to woo his girlfriend. (a. commodious b. impractical c. efficacious)

5. Venerate (ven-uh-reyt)

To live in peace and harmony, it is imperative for people to _____ all faiths. (a. revere b. purport c. bemean)

6. Allures (uh-loo rs)

The majestic beauty of the Taj Mahal _____ millions of visitors each year. (a. extenuates b. entices c. dissuades)

7. Connubial (kuh-noo-bee-uh l )

The septuagenarian couple organised a lavish party to celebrate fifty years of _____ bliss. (a. scrupulous b. marital c. estranged)

8. Ineffable (in-ef-uh-buh l)

The crowd was in _______ joy when the favourite football team won the World Cup. (a. inexpressible b. comprehensive c. insidious)

9. Rapturous (rap-cher-uh s)

“You know you're in love when you can't fall asleep because reality is finally better than your dreams,” quotes Dr Seuss, a favourite author among children. Isn’t that really true! Smiling as you think of your loved one, longing when apart and feeling euphoric when together… Well, let’s start with a few basic words that you can use in your day-to-day conversation.

Fans broke into an ______ applause after the lead guitarist played his piece at the rock concert . (a. indignant b. audacious c. ecstatic)

10. Reverie (rev-uh-ree)

With her elbows on the table and her palms cupping her face, Lisa slipped into a _____ about her crush during the physics lecture. (a. consensus b. spectrum c. daydream)

Answers: 1. B 2. A 3. C 4. B 5. A 6. B 7. B 8. A 9. C 10. C

46 Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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entertain Want to ride the high wave? Check out India's surfing scene!

K E E PI N S I D E яГо

Pg48 Pg51 Pg74 Pg75 THE BLOGOPHILES THE COUNTRY'S BRIGHT, YOUNG BLOGGERS WHO ARE CREATING RIPPLES FOR ALL THE GOOD REASONS

53 ent sec.indd 13

PLASTIC IS BAD ESPECIALLY IF IT'S A SMILE HOW TO DEAL WITH THE 'PLASTIC' MEAN GIRLS AT COLLEGE

A (BANYAN) TREE OF HOPE YOUTH INC CATCHES UP WITH ATTERO, INDIA'S PIONEERING E-WASTE RECYCLING COMPANY

TURN ON, TUNE IN, GET FIT! GADGETS THAT HELP YOU REACH YOUR FITNESS GOALS WITH EASE

19-01-2012 19:11:44

_ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE

The BLOGOPHILES FROM THE SATIRICAL TO THE INSPIRATIONAL, THE VISUALLY-PLEASING TO THE THOUGHT-PROVOKING, BEVERLY PEREIRA ROUNDS UP INDIA’S SENSATIONAL BLOGS AND GETS ACQUAINTED WITH THE BRAINS BEHIND THEM

t started off as an outlet for their creativity, a space to document their thoughts and passions with no volition for fame or money. Let’s face it; there are a lot of a bloggers out there. The blogosphere is abuzz with travellers, fashionistas, foodies, photographers, movie buffs and occasional hipsters who provide an incredible sense of value to the people around them and in the virtual world. They are a part of the growing tribe of bright, young things who prefer to live outside the stencil, building on their unconventional thoughts, all the while dedicating much time to their blog. Blogging has finally come of age in

India. Serious bloggers are now asked for their take on those topics that they are well-versed with and for which their blog has come to be known for. Dhruvi Shah, the blogger behind Alice Wandering (alicewandering. wordpress.com) says, “I have noticed a shift in importance and seriousness when it comes to bloggers. Blogger meets are organised, bloggers' opinions are taken into account and they are approached to cover important events. Brands tie up with bloggers and both benefit from the exercise. It's great. It's a new, vibrant space and I'm glad bloggers are being taken seriously. Eventually, we all want our voice to

be heard and our opinion taken into account, so it's great that we're being taken seriously!” Living the lifestyle There was a time when Dhruvi worked as a columnist and feature writer with the magazine Filmfare, where she wrote about the styling of film characters, costume designers’ thoughts and directors’ takes, all the while executing and styling for photo shoots. She quit her job to start her blog Alice Wandering in 2010. The dearth of blogs that offered a dual focus on fashion and films prompted her to start one of her own. “I figured

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Dhruvi Shah

that I’d have to write what I wanted to read about,” she says of her preblogging days. “A dear friend lovingly called me Alice. I sort of took on the name as a pseudonym. Since the blog was going to be about my adventures, I decided to call it Alice Wandering,” she reminisces. As the blog gained popularity, everyone started associating it with Alice in Wonderland – a book that she loves and a movie she’s crazy about. Today, it has evolved into a lifestyle blog that covers the entire spectrum from the latest film and food reviews and contests with exciting giveaways to pop culture and fashion inspirations. For Dhruvi, whose blog serves

as a creative vent, the desire to experiment and the burst of ideas is the motivation behind her regular blog posts. “I blog about putting together pieces from my closet at times. When I’m inspired, I blog,” she explains. Opportunities came flowing in along in the way. Dhruvi teamed up with a fellow blogger and started ‘The Rabbit Hole’, a venture that organises garage sales for the fashion conscious across Mumbai. She has also been approached to write guest film reviews for widely read websites and newspapers. “The process of blogging has helped me evolve. My sense of style has become more refined; as a writer, my style has changed in that it caters to people who love to engage in conversation with a writer. I’m often told that reading my blog is like talking to me and that’s a huge compliment! Blogging has definitely helped me evolve as a person,” concludes Dhruvi.

The digital nomad A few years ago when Ruchika Vyas was constantly asked to help plan trips for her friends, she realised that a blog would be an effective way to share travel stories and to offer an objective viewpoint of what to expect when travelling to a certain destination. Traveller Stories (travellerstories. com) was the outcome of just this. A published travel writer by profession and an amateur photographer, Ruchika also happens to be the owner of a chocolaterie for two years. “Blogging is an easy medium for sharing one’s travels with the world. My intention was to share stories and hear others on the way, so as to make travelling an even more enjoyable experience,” she says. For Ruchika, travelling offers a sense of liberation and she hopes to continue helping readers plan their trips and enjoy them to the fullest because she sincerely believes that travelling is a must for all. A photo feature of Sula Vineyards’ Sula Fest, solo travelling tips, travel book recommendations and reviews of destinations as diverse as Kargil, Brussels and The Maldives are just some of the interesting reads. And, if you haven’t made it to the Louvre yet, this blogger has gone all out and posted a virtual museum tour. On the subject of bloggers being taken seriously by the media today, she

Ruchika Vyas FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 49

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_ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE

Manou

ecstatically says, “I think it is a good change. I’ve heard of many people acquiring jobs based on their blogs and that is incredible! It’s great to see blogging become such an effective platform for writers as it lets them voice their opinions their way.” Street style savant Fashion blogs are plentiful but only a few stand out with their quirky styles. While those that showcase street style are ubiquitous all over the world, for India, street fashion seems to have finally come into its own with Wearabout (wearabout.

wordpress.com), a blog that serves as a documentation of sorts, featuring street fashion that catches the fancy of Manou, the blog’s creator. The blog not only covers stylish people walking about town but also those who have no clue that their daily garb can make a fashion statement. Manou clearly has an eye for unmasking the individuality in people – from construction workers to urban fashionistas – in their natural settings. Interestingly, this NIFT student’s post-college days included work as a graphic designer, photographer and copywriter before he took off to Auroville for a two-

month teaching stint. For Manou, the inspiration behind Wearabout was the creation of a platform to share photographs that he had taken during his stay in Dharamshala where he volunteered for a few months. Monks, travellers and locals donning colourful textures and patterns found a place on this blog. One can browse through the extensive photo features of people wearing all sorts of scarves or carrying umbrellas in different prints and hues. Things obviously fell in place, for today, Manou’s blog has a good number of profiles of interesting people that he has met along the way at fashion events. “So far it's been a simple documentation. But it's hard to run a blog for long and not get personal with it. So sometimes it may reflect in some posts but it's rare. It's always been difficult for me to share my feelings with people I am not close to. But I am coming to terms with it and that might change,” explains Manou. Like every writer, he experiences writer’s block. “I have gone without blogging for 20 days, considering the fact that I myself don't know how to deal with it. Although sometimes, sitting and working at a coffee shop helps,” he says. When asked for tips on how to create a space like he has done with Wearabout he says, “I use a simple font, a clean layout, a constant size for all photos and try to blog regularly. I got my blog page on Facebook and Twitter too. I'm usually not a very confident person so I don't push anything. I let things be and take their own course.” Bloggers come under the critical scanner at times and most treat critique as a penny for their thoughts. “I like critics as long as they have something constructive to say. If there is no logic behind the criticism, then it's pointless,” concludes Manou. These bloggers call a spade a spade, upsetting a few along the way, but mostly succeed at inspiring people for the best part. This is how movements are started and fans – true fans – are created. yi

50 Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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19-01-2012 17:58:33

PLASTIC IS BAD

_YOUTH ISSUES

ESPECIALLY IF IT’S A SMILE

APOORVA NANJANGUD EXPLORES THE SYMPTOMS, CAUSES AND CURE TO THE WORLD OF ‘PLASTIC’ MEAN GIRLS

SYMPTOMS dentification: look out for a skinny frame, extra short attire, artificially straightened hair, fake giggles, blackberry curves with gaudy covers, a hint of attitude in the heavily made up eyes and a raised eyebrow. Some exploit kajal that oozes out the ethnic, chic vibe to get the ‘EMO chick’ look. But these are only the superficial aspects. The ‘plastics’ build a whole world around themselves; they need to be at the centre of attention and ensure that the only topic of discussion is them. They leave no stone unturned to undermine anyone who crosses their way for no reason other than their own pleasure. Seeking male attention is another top feature of the plastic bandwagon. A certain “twang” – faking an American or British accent – is something that these girls tend to adopt, even when they do not know the difference between the two! They are the very reason why intelligent (read deserving) girls are single for life as they garner undivided attention from the guys! CAUSES Psychologically, an attention-seeking disorder is the main reason why you see these girls tip-toeing around college campuses in those heels with a bag on the shoulder that even does not accommodate a single book.

There is no measuring to what extent these girls will try to bring down others when they are at their feline best. Why do they do that? Why does BBM become the ultimate measure of hotness? The whole shallow youth culture does that to them. Following western trends as they see them on television, global exposure and fashion channels are why girls are channelling their energy in the wrong direction. The fact is that an increasing number of girls are falling in the ‘mean cap’ day after day. CURE These girls are the women of the future; society’s symbol of dignity, purity and responsibility. When you see women like these who are going against the set ideals, then it is baffling for many. People would appreciate if these fake girls would take some inspiration from Regina George in the teen chick flick, Mean Girls, and overcome the ‘selfobsession’ disorder. On an ending note, beauty with brains or just brains should be better appreciated as that is what counts in the long run. Training your powerful gray matter is what lays your foundation for a steady future. Some things in life look the best when simple and that is something that needs to be understood by the sorority queens. Then the world will be a better place to live in. For them and for us! yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 51

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19-01-2012 13:14:30

_COVER STORY

The

Aren’t you tired of the over commercialisation of the day celebrating love? Avoid red hearts everywhere; here are some romantic ideas that will add some spice to your love life!

Valentine’s D Survival Guide GIFTS

A bunch of red roses and heart balloons on V-day are the two most common presents given to loved ones. Get out of the box and think creatively! Wouldn’t it be better to give your lover a present that is special and unique and reflects something of their personality? So break the mundane mould and get a present that shows them how much you care. The best thing would be to make something special with your own two hands. You don’t have to be an artist to put together a present any more. Try to represent your times spent together and your shared dreams for the future. Some ideas are to make a CD with your favourite music that reminds you of times you have spent together; make a photo album with your pictures together; inscribe a collection of Pablo Neruda’s poetry with ‘these words say everything that I feel’. Just think of something personal!

VACATION

So you’re really not a Valentine kind of person and just want to escape the whole business? Why don’t you do just that – but with your partner? A great way to enjoy your time together 52 Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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20-01-2012 13:24:05

Videotape and Y Tu Mamá También (And Your Mother Too).

WALK

s Day

and to celebrate your relationship is to take a vacation together. You can really think of something different here if you want to escape the banality of the commercial V-day. Think adventure sports like white water rafting, kayaking, bungee jumping, paragliding and so on; these are sure to inject some adrenaline into your love life! You could also go camping somewhere by the beach or in the hills where you are the only people in sight. If you’re not the outdoor kind, maybe you could think of a pampering, stressfree break at a luxurious spa.

MOVIE

There are a number of movies that you can enjoy with your partner while staying well away from the Breakfast at Tiffany’s and Dilwale Dulhania Le Jayenge kind of romcoms. From sexually charged Secretary to morbid American Beauty, enjoy a non-diabetic version of love on reel and yours will seem that much better. And both of you are sure to enjoy a good movie rather than a soppy, sentimental flick that should be relegated to manic PMS days only. Our favourite picks are: Closer, Match Point, Two Days in Paris, The Apartment, Sex Lies and

One of the best ways to enjoy the February chill is to go for a long walk along the seashore and talk about anything and everything from your families to your dreams. Hold hands and talk about when you first met and of special times you have spent together. Wear some comfortable clothes and sneakers if you don’t want blisters! An interesting thing to do is just to people-watch or rather ‘couplewatch’ on this day; rate couples on your own impressions of how they behave with each other on whether they will make it or break it. It’s bound to be a memorable day for both of you!

DINNER

Cook, cook, cook! Do something you want to do and feed your lover with your own two hands. If you don’t know a griddle from a pan, then hit the local delicatessen and pick up lots of little nibbles that you can throw together for a great meal and some wine. Pick up those delicious aphrodisiacs that are more effective than a witch’s love potion; but stay away from garlic if you want any kisses! Natural aphrodisiacs are asparagus, bananas, avocados, oysters, almonds, figs, basil, chocolate and honey. Nothing will be more romantic than staying in and spending some time together – and don’t forget dessert! Whipped cream is great for the night that follows. yi

Legend 1

THE HISTORY OF VALENTINE’S DAY

cross the world, heart-shaped chocolates, flowers and gifts are exchanged between loved ones, all in the name of St Valentine. But who exactly is this saint and from where did all these traditions emerge? The history of Valentine’s Day is shrouded in mystery, with a number of legends attached to it. In fact, there existed three Catholic martyrs by the name of St Valentine.

According to one legend, a Roman emperor banned soldiers from marrying way back in the third century. St Valentine, who was the only one to take up this issue, became an advocate for soldiers and was finally executed for being outspoken.

Legend 2

The second legend says that St Valentine was killed for his belief in Christianity. Before he died, it is said that he left a farewell note for a loved one signed as “From Your Valentine.”

Legend 3

Yet another legend states that the Christian church may have decided to celebrate this day in the middle of February in an effort to ‘Christianise’ celebrations of a pagan festival. Interestingly, in ancient Rome, February was the official beginning of spring and was considered as a time of purification. February 15 was also celebrated as a fertility festival. FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 53

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Kingdom of

Singled o

SET MENUS, OBSCENE PRICES AND EXCESSIVE MUSH IN THE ATMOSPHERE. VALENTINE’S DAY – THAT ONE DAY IN THE YEAR DEDICATED TO LOVE - CAN TURN OUT TO BE A NIGHTMARE IF YOU ARE SINGLE OR DATING. STAY AWAY FROM THE CLICHÉS WITH THESE OFFBEAT IDEAS IF YOU HAPPEN TO BE FLYING SOLO

ingle while the rest of the world celebrates the muchhyped holiday of love? No problem! We got you covered with some exciting things to do on Valentine’s Day if you happen to be as single as a slice of cheese. And, we don’t imply that you sit around at home eating ice cream in your comfort clothes while watching one of those Valentine’s Day-themed shows on the television.

TREAT YOURSELF

If you don’t have that special someone to get you through this clichéd day of indulgence, then it’s time you take the bull by its horns. Go all out; pamper and love yourself to the fullest! Girls can spend a day in the spa for a heightened sensory experience or splurge on a new wardrobe since there’s nothing more uplifting that retail therapy! The boys on the other hand might enjoy watching a game at a lively pub. Spending an exorbitant amount on one of those lustworthy, must-have gizmos is yet another brilliant way for the boys to remember this Valentine’s day for a long time to come. It's all about treating yourself! 54 Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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_COVER STORY

TAKE A NEW CLASS

d om

Are you flying solo this Valentine’s Day and have absolutely no idea what to do while the rest of the world goes gaga over going romantic? It's time you start loving yourself. Take up a class or participate in a workshop that you are interested in. Bartending, dancing, art appreciation, yoga or baking are some of the more interesting ones to choose from. Opt for kickboxing if you want to avoid a tear-inducing stress fest of a day!

THROW A PARTY

Why suffer alone when you can actually have a blast with your friends? Host a party for all your single friends and take the fun factor of

The HYPE You know Valentine’s Day is approaching when all the stores turn into a bright shade of red and burst with gifting options like greeting cards, stuffed teddy bears, hearts, flowers, heart-shaped candy and jewellery! V-Day is the most lucrative holiday for restaurateurs, florists, jewellers and greeting card companies after the holiday season. And why wouldn’t it be! Consumers are bombarded with advertisements that scream SPEND. At one point of time, Valentine’s Day was a day of youthful love. A card was exchanged; perhaps a single rose accompanied it. It was the thought and the time spent together that mattered and not the amount of money spent. These days, no sooner do store owners pack away their Christmas and New Year’s wares than they begin to festoon their stores with gifts of love. It’s no wonder then that the world’s most widely celebrated holiday turns out to be a commercial success.

your party up a notch by making it a theme party. Yes, we do realise that Halloween is long over, but you can always get creative with your theme to ensure that your guests pour in by the dozen. Ask your guests to dress up from a vintage era or as their favourite superhero or comic character, or even as someone from the ‘60s! Accordingly, you can plan your décor, refreshments, games and music, a task that is bound to keep you occupied for a good number of hours on the day itself. Let your creative juices flow and go all out for this party. Naming one of your drinks ‘Flirtini’ is a good start!

STAY IN AND GO ALL OUT!

We promised to stay away from the done-to-death mushy movies and comfort food sessions and we will. Instead, we suggest you stay in to cook up an epic, multiple-course meal for your close friends. Devour it and enjoy a movie marathon of all your favourite flicks. If you really want to stay away from the V-day mania, steer clear of all cheesy rom-coms. All you boys can stay in and enjoy endless rounds of video games on a day like this. Didn't we tell you! Being single can be fun! yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 55

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20-01-2012 13:14:17

_COVER STORY

SRINITA BHOUMIK TALKS ABOUT BEING SINGLE FOR 30 YEARS ON VALENTINE’S DAY… WHICH ALSO HAPPENS TO BE HER BIRTHDAY!

Single on

V-day!

reeting card companies ruined my life. I know that sounds dramatic but it’s true. The Hallmarks and Archies of the world just swooped in and made what should be a special day just plain annoying. But then who can battle the cruel effects of commercialisation – I was just another victim. Before you wonder what I am rambling about, I’ll get straight to the point. I was born on the 14th of February. I’m sure this statement will elicit some eye rolls while some of you wonder why I am being so dramatic about it – surely it can’t be that bad. Well let me put it this way: it's worse than you can ever imagine. I’m not a romantic, I never was and

I really doubt I ever will be. I have seen that pragmatism serves me better than any rosy notions of life and love. And this in particular has been the cause of my misery. To start at the beginning, the whole process began when I was about 12 years old. Before that, the 14th of February was like any other day. But almost as if fate was not on my side, as I moved into my teens, the whole world decided to go red on my birthday. Everywhere I went, I was assaulted by balloons, hearts, chocolates and sickeningly sweet cards. So much so that every year, my friends would proceed to buy V-day cards on my birthday and promptly scratch out the ‘Happy Valentine Day’ and replace it with ‘Happy Birthday’. But it’s only over the years that

things have really gone out of hand. Unfortunately for me, I am what you would call the ‘eternally single’ woman. For as long as I can remember, I haven’t really been in a relationship (at least not one in which didn’t end in a few weeks). And living in a city like Mumbai has not helped. It’s ok to be single here on 364 days a year – it’s only that one day when things get tricky. With every passing year, I realised that the number of people who wanted to attend my birthday bashes was dwindling. Though some of it I may attribute to my cranky nature which has gotten worse with age, the main reason for this was the fact that most of my friends were getting into relationships. And they wanted to spend the day with their respective partners, not getting trashed with me. And then there was the issue of getting reservations; every place was overbooked and getting a table was a near impossibility. Ah, and the worst were the phone calls. Every year aunts and uncles from all around the world call to wish me and then proceed to lament my mother’s fate, for not being able to welcome a jamai into the family. V-day is round the corner now. And I am sure many single women share my predicament. Take heart girls and don’t let Hallmark make you believe that you’re a lesser mortal for not having ‘a sweet hunnybun’ in your life! As far as I’m concerned there’s one person I fall in love with a little more each birthday – myself – and that is as good as it gets! yi

56 Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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20-01-2012 13:19:49

How does it feel to be single on Valentine's Day?

YOUR

_COVER STORY

VOICE Aishwarya Paraskar, 18, Journalism student “Being single is not a big deal. After having experienced a bad relationship, I realised that I can have at least as much or more fun being single. Who wants the drama of a relationship? I am looking forward to having a blast with my friends.”

Prachi Jadhav, 18, BMM student “No doubt it feels bad to not have your love around, but then what are friends for? They have been there throughout and I enjoy being with them!”

Hrishikesh Ghag, 24, Civil Services aspirant “This is the day that you show someone of the opposite sex that you like or care for that person. But if I had someone in my life, it would not take a special day to show that I care about them. So I don’t think it’s a big deal. I might do something just to make her happy.”

Kanchi Shah, 19, BCom student

Yash Bhansali, 19, BCom student

“Being single is more of having all the freedom to do what you want to and not being nagged by anyone all the time. On Valentine’s Day, you need not essentially have someone. Even your brother or your grandfather can be your Valentine. At the end of it, singlehood is a lot better and keeps one happier than being committed. It’s all about having fun and enjoying yourself totally.”

“Having a date or not on Valentine’s doesn’t really matter to me. It’s not a big deal for guys but Valentine’s Day is everything for a girl. If I had a girlfriend, then great; we would probably do something together. And if not, then I just end up chilling with a couple of my friends, happy being single!”

FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 57

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19-01-2012 16:12:46

Amazing

_OFF THE MAP

THAILAND YOUTH INC TAKES YOU ON AN UNFORGETTABLE JOURNEY THROUGH THE KINGDOM THAT ENTICES TRAVELLERS WITH ITS SENSORY BEAUTY

ith the Indian Rupee falling against global currencies, Europe is quickly losing her charm as the backpacking haven. With the number of young tourists growing at the rate of over 50 per cent per year, Thailand seems to have become the new backpacking destination for the youth. Besides the beautiful islands of Thailand, several towns close to Bangkok are worth a visit. Nakon Nayok is a beautiful province, situated 100 km east of Bangkok. The province sits on a plain at the foothills of Khao Yai National Park. Nakon Nayok is famous for its rivers and waterfalls and although many of the waterfalls die during the dry season, the recent construction of the huge Klong Tha Dan Dam means that river Nakon Nayok now has a constant flow of water throughout the year.

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_OFF THE MAP

Nakon Nayok is the centre for adventure sports such as rafting, kayaking, rock climbing, ATV rides, and trekking. Itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s also a good idea to stay in Nakon Nayok and visit the spectacular Khao Yai National Park. Driving through the town of Nakon Nayok, one will see roadside vendors selling an exotic range of local fruits or roasting whole chickens on open spits.

A group getting ready to battle the rough terrain with ATVs

Hungry deer waiting to be fed at a Deer Park in Nakon Nayok

58 Amazing Thailand_new.indd 60

Nakon Nayok hosts one of the largest Ganesha statues in the world. The beautiful statue, about five storeys tall, dominates the temple premises around it and sends out a comfortable feeling of blessing all the devotees. From afar, one can see a line of people whispering wishes into the ears of the large stone mouse, who as the legend goes, will request Lord Ganesha to make these wishes come true.

23-01-2012 12:24:48

> WHERE TO STAY? The Royal Hills Golf Resort can be booked for as little as 2400 THB. 100/3 Moo2 SarikaNangrong Rd, T Sarika, A Mueng, Nakhon Nayok 26000, Thailand

View from Royal Hills Golf Resort

The Muthi Maya Forest Pool Villa Resort is rated among the top 10 romantic resorts in the world by Reuters. Absolute heaven on earth, this stunning property is located around 2.5 kms away from Kiramaya Golf Resort and Spa. Visitors will find themselves indulging in the chic elegance of contemporary living blended seamlessly with natural beauty. The Muthi Maya harmonises with the forest and surrounding mountains, becoming a part of Khao Yaiâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s panorama. The Muthi Maya features forest pool villas that have been specially designed, built and

Kirimaya Golf Resort and Spa

FEBRUARY 2012 â&#x2022;&#x2018; Youth Incorporated 61

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_OFF THE MAP

Things to do at

Kirimaya

Pool area at the Kirimaya Golf Resort and Spa

• Night Safari at Khao Yai National Park • Bird Watching • Phimal Historical Park • Phanom Rung Historical Park, Buriam • Dan Kwian Pottery Village • Elephant Trekking • Pakchong Night Market furnished, keeping in mind the beauty of Khao Yai. To experience this piece of heaven, it would cost you around 21,000 THB per night. Located at the edge of the Khao Yai National Park, the Kirimaya Resort offers experiences which will help visitors discover nature’s gifts; rejuvenate at wellness spas; and try their hands at a game at the pristine championship golf course. Situated 1351m above sea level, the

temperatures here are lower than Bangkok. It is really cool from November to February. Winter is the best time to spot wild elephants, and in February the birds come into full song with the onset of the mating season. A night at Kirimaya can be bought at as little as 4,500 THB. PB Valley, one of Thailand’s largest vineyards, is situated on the edge of the Khao Yai National Park. It is where the Khao Yai wine region was born. In 1989, Dr Piya Bhirombhakdi, a visionary, set up this vineyard spread over a total of 20 hectares and planted Shiraz (for red wine) and Chenin Blanc (for white wine), featuring French rootstock, and Tempranillo from Spain. With the harvest of 1998, PB Valley Khao Yai Winery celebrated its first milestone and the 1999 vintage proved that quality wine could be successfully produced in Thailand. The winery now sits amidst a lush 320-hectare plantation, of which 80 hectares is dedicated to growing grapes. Today, the PB Valley Khao Yai Winery is Thailand’s only fully-accredited winemaker. With

PB Valley

its professional, large-scale wine operation, featuring state-of-the-art technology, it strives to produce worldclass wines for local as well as export consumption, and is the leading winery in Thailand and Southeast Asia. The capacity of the winery is around 10,00,000 bottles per year. Make sure to wear some warm clothing when visiting this winery as the temperatures are between 15-180C in the winter months.

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19-01-2012 16:13:36

Hotel InterContinental Bangkok â&#x20AC;&#x201C; Style has a new expression A renowned five-star property, the InterContinental Hotel is one of the most ideally located and beautiful hotels in Bangkok. InterContinental Bangkok is centrally located in Ratchaprasong district, perfect for both business and leisure

Intercontinental Hotel

travellers. Near the hotel are several international companies, numerous embassies, top-flight medical facilities including Bumrungrad Hospital and major shopping destinations such as Central World, Gaysorn and Paragon. InterContinental Bangkok puts you where you need to be - right in the centre of Bangkok's top location for business and leisure. InterContinental Bangkok offers 381 luxury guest rooms along with more than 20 meeting and event venues. Club InterContinental located on the 37th floor affords panoramic views of the city. Moreover, Spa InterContinental on the 36th floor offers exclusive privileges within a luxury environment. The staff at the hotel is exceptionally friendly and caring. You can be sure that your needs will be taken care of even before they arise. The breakfast buffet is elaborate and offers several vegetarian options as well. A night at the Intercontinental Bangkok can be booked for just 5,500 THB.

Thai Spread

Kirimaya Golf Resort and Spa FEBRUARY 2012 â&#x2022;&#x2018; Youth Incorporated 63

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19-01-2012 16:13:41

_FASHION FEATURE

SAPNA BHAVNANI TALKS ABOUT HER NEW ANDROGYNOUS LINE, SOFAKE, AND WHY IT'S SO GOOD!

t’s time for boy collars to meet girly frills and for fashion to meet compassion! Celebrity hairstylist Sapna Bhavnani and designer Sukriti Grover recently merged their genius to bring to India one of its first androgynous clothing label, SoFake. The brand aims to bridge the gap between male and female clothing to create a monochrome black and white (and sometimes grey) collection. The clothes have clean lines and structured shapes adding to the drama of the stark yet evocative pieces. The buzz generated by SoFake is a clear sign that Indian fashion is finally ready for sexual and gender crossovers. Women have been pulling from men’s fashion for a while now, but SoFake promises to let men enjoy this privilege for the first time.

SOFAKE

yet

SO GOOD! Why SoFake? What is the inspiration behind the brand? The name 'SoFake' is derived from my surroundings where everything I see is artificial and it’s rare to find genuine people. From pro hairstylist to fashion designer. We know specialisation is for insects, but you've really got your fingers in everything. How do you juggle all of this? Hair, makeup and fashion all go hand-in-hand; they are incomplete without each other. I have a lovely partner Sukriti to help with our line. Sukriti has been my client for a long time and I’ve always admired her style. Unlike me, she is trained in design and has all the armour and skill necessary to plough through this. We work on ideas together and she executes. It’s a beautiful relationship! What, to you, is the look of the brand? The look stems from all things unisex. I love wearing boy's clothes and love boys who wear women's clothes. Hence, I decided to make

couple shopping easy and buy one set for both. The look is strong, classic, comfy and independent. Does SoFake also relate to your love for animals? Yes, SoFake will definitely keep my love for animals in mind. We will not work with fur or leather or anything that is taken from animals. We hear you're not big on trends. Tell us more about that. Trends are for people with no vision or definition of who they are. They need the help of others to blossom. And that’s okay. But trend breakers are so much cooler! What radical ideas do you have for the future of fashion? Do you see Indian fashion morphing into something big? Are we already there? What's your take? To be honest, I have no clue about the industry. Hair or fashion, my motto is always to follow my gut and be true to myself. The rest DOES NOT MATTER! I believe that fame and money are not the right reasons to get into anything. What are you plans for the brand? The plans for the brand are to stay true to the vision. Simple.

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The Inside Story!

Benetton Bra and Knickers Price on Request Available at United Colors of Benetton, Linking Road, Bandra

IT’S TIME TO DROP YOUR PANTS IN STYLE! BRING SOME COLOUR, GLAM, FUN AND FUNK TO YOUR 'INNER' LIFE WITH THESE CUTE-AS-HELL PIECES FROM THE BEST IN INNERWEAR

Persian Red Lace Bra `220 Available at Hill Road, Bandra

Benetton Boxer Shorts and Underpants Price on Request Available at United Colors of Benetton, Linking Road, Bandra

Pink Polka Dot Bra `250 Available on 33rd Road, off Linking Road, Bandra

Blue Hipster Lace Panties `80 Available on 33rd Road, off Linking Road, Bandra

Calvin Klein Underpants `1,299 Available at Palladium Mall, Lower Parel

Mucchad Men’s Boxers `785 Available at Play Clan on Hill Road, Bandra

Calvin Klein Underpants `999 Available at Palladium Mall, Lower Parel

Diesel Price on request Available at the Diesel Store, Juhu

Boxer Store `599 Shop online at www. theboxerstore.co.in

Haveli Women’s Lounge Shorts `785 Available at Play Clan on Hill Road, Bandra West

University Print Boxers from FCUK `559 Available at Palladium Mall, Lower Parel

FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 65

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_TREND UPDATE

Catch the YELLOW FEVER!

Yellow Tiered Dress

Carolina Herrerra

Yellow Wallet

nd we don’t mean the disease! We’re talking about the bright happy colour that hit the runways this year. And we’re not talking pale, pastel yellows either. The season is all about bold yellows: canary, banana, mustard, meringue and gold! And on the runway, it was worn from head to toe – so this trend is for the very brave! The colour popped up on many runways in long dresses, bold accessories, patterned shorts and feather vests. Marc Jacobs, Chanel, Burberry Prorsum, Sonia Rykiel and other well-known designers showcased the colour in their collections. Celebrities too love the colour: from Lindsay Lohan to Eva Longoria, Rihanna to Megan Fox. Yellow may seem like a difficult colour to wear but it’s quite flattering on a variety of skin tones. This colour trend lets us break out of our box and have some fun shopping for clothes in the warmer tones of yellow. This colour can be especially hard to pull off by the boys – so avoid the head to toe full yellow suit (for obvious reasons) but keep in mind that the colour still looks good in small doses. Wear a pair of bright yellow corduroys or a tee, paired with something neutral or even just a pair of bright sneakers. And if you have a fear of wearing bright colours, or if you hate yellow, then just add a small yellow accessory to your look. Try yellow handbags, ballet flats, hair accessories or scarves. You could even just wear yellow nail polish, and if you still hate it, it’ll just come right off!

Jennifer Lopez

Blue Inc

Batchel from the Cambridge Satchel Company

Ferragamo Womens Varina Flats

Aldo Krogman Sneakers

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Eyes Only YOU 1

Body Shop Eye Definer `415

BAT THOSE LONG LASHES AND MAKE YOUR EYES POP WITH THESE MUST-HAVE PRODUCTS

A fade-resistant, intense colour pencil for outlining and defining the eyes. It is soft enough to enable smooth application yet firm enough to be smudgeresistant.

MAC Eye Shadow Royale `900

Have a beautiful eye day, all day with this light, velvety cream that glides on vibrant colour that wears up to 10 hours, stays beautifully crease-proof and colour true. In pearly shades from subtle to high-lustre.

Body Shop Shimmer Cubes `1,245

Clinique Quick Eyes Cream Shadow `1,250

This purple eye shadow from MAC is sure to turn heads wherever you go!

MAC Chromographic Pencil in Process Magenta `1,000

Add some color to those lids with this brilliant Magenta color pencil from MAC.

Celeb

Secrets

Model and actor Nidhi Sunil was first spotted on Channel V in the 'Get Gorgeous' model hunt

Beauty regime

My beauty regime is simple: keep your face clean and well moisturised, use sunscreen and exercise regularly.

Magic makeup trick

Whenever in an absolute hurry, lightly smudge kohl under the eyes and a little colour on the cheeks.

Makeup tips

Keep it simple. Find products that work for you and stick by them.

5 items in your travel kit

Sunscreen, lip balm, water, music and chocolate. Each shade of these Shimmer Cubes contains a high concentration of make-up pearls of different sizes and shapes that subtly attract and refract the light. Violet and purples come together beautifully in this Palete 23. Choose from Orchid Purple, Candy Pink, Pearly White and Velvet Plum.

Favourite fragrance At the moment, Gucci Envy.

Beauty faux pas Clinique Color Surge Eye Shadow Velvet `1,200

Get smoky, sultry eyes with this eye shadow that will make your night!

Personally, I find clumpy mascara a massive faux pas as well as wearing too much makeup; knowing when to stop is an underrated virtue.

FEBRUARY 2012 â&#x2022;&#x2018; Youth Incorporated 67

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Model

watch

ey guys! This is a new platform for models and actors and for those who have always wanted a break in the glam world. Send your portfolio pictures to us and if you are selected by our team, we will send your images to leading production houses in the country.

Interests: Dan ci

AMIT KHA

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ng, watching T V, working out an listening to musid c

Interests: ening to st Singing, li ing a nd ad re c, musi travelling

a Vinay Sindyext film n his Preparing for AMIT KHAN NA

Fa Just graduated frrida Sham om to enter the ente college and getting set rtainment indust ry Interests: Acting,

football

Vikrant B Pursuing a courshalla e in acting

theatre,

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Send your images to modelwatch@youthincmag.com No phone calls will be entertained. Disclaimer: Youth Inc is only a platform to share your pictures. Youth Inc will not be responsible for any decision made by you or any sort of contract signed between you and the production house. Send your pictures at your own risk.

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DR MALAVIKA KOHLI A renowned dermatologist, she has made her mark in aesthetic dermatology in India for over 15 years. Send your query to skin@youthincmag.com

Dr Good SKIN

I'm 24-years-old had prominent white facial patches till I was 10 years old. They disappeared when I turned 16 years, only to have resurfaced recently. I tried a few creams and home remedies but nothing has worked. What should I do about this? Ruhi Ahmad, Delhi As a child, white patches on the face can be due to nutritional deficiencies or eczema called atopic dermatitis. In adults, they develop due to dry skin, unprotected sun exposure, fungal infection, etc. Long term use of topical steroids can also give rise to white patches in both children and adults. It's better to consult a dermatologist and start treatment accordingly. My skin (body and face) has become tanned. I apply sunscreen on my body. Is there something I can do to prevent my face from getting darker? Sheena Fernandes, Bangalore Sunscreen is vital to prevent pigmentation, tanning and photo-aging. It should be applied 20 minutes before sun exposure and repeated every four hours. Oil-free sunscreens with liquorice extracts help to prevent tanning. To remove a tan, you can use creams containing kojic acid, arbutin and liquorice. Try skin lightening treatments as advised by a dermatologist to speed up the process. The skin on my face has a lot of open pores. They are visible even when I use makeup. How can I deal with open pores? Karuna Moses, Mumbai Some skin types have open pores and can get prominent with aging. It’s difficult to get rid of them completely but they can be blended in. You can use retinol-based creams or go in for treatment with Intense Pulse Light to reduce them. My hair has become very scanty and thin due to hair loss. I'm eating right. But, I have no idea what I should do to make my hair seem more voluminous? Jahnvi Singh, Calcutta Take a multivitamin with amino acids, biotin, zinc and selenium once a day for three months. Use hair lotions containing minoxidil (2%), amenexil, biotin, etc daily at night for at least three months. Hair loss in women can be due to nutritional deficiencies or hormonal imbalances. Severe hair fall can also occur post illness, pregnancy and stress or if a patient is on chemotherapy.

V-Day Vanity V

alentine’s Day is a day to celebrate love with that special someone who makes your life complete. And no matter what, we want to look our gorgeous best. ‘Wear your skin,’ is the new mantra today. Stunning attire paired with beautiful skin is the icing on the cake. Following are some skin care tips, which can be followed to enhance the glow and radiance of your skin for this special day. Basic skin care routine: Daily use of a gentle cleansing face wash according to your skin type followed by a good moisturiser is a must for healthy skin. Dry skin accentuates wrinkles and dehydration makes your lips shrink and shrivel, which is a complete no-no especially for a Valentine’s Day special moment! So using a good moisturiser and lip balm is essential. Be sure to stay hydrated with water, juices, soups and green tea and cut back on your caffeine intake. Tanned skin tends to look duller and since you'd like your skin to look bright, fresh and clear, use your sunscreen well in advance. A good sunscreen with a minimum SPF of 30 or above should be applied 20 minutes prior to sun exposure. It helps to prevent sunburn, unwanted pigmentation and photo-aging. Reapplication of sunscreen is very important as most sunscreens work best for three to four hours. Use a night cream depending on the requirement of your skin. Lightening creams containing Vitamin C, kojic acid, liquorice extracts and arbutin not only give you a glow but also take care of pigmentation. Retinol creams take care of fine lines and wrinkles, while creams containing Hyaluronic acid make the skin supple. The saying ‘We are what we eat’ stands true about our skin as well. Hence, a healthy diet with a good amount of proteins, almonds, walnuts, fruits, green leafy vegetables and yogurt plays a vital role for healthier skin. A low-salt diet and avoidance of alcohol and caffeine prevents undereye puffiness. Also try to avoid late nights and smoking two to four weeks preceding the special day. If you have specific skin concerns, your dermatologist can perform a thorough skin analysis and recommend a treatment plan that will help you meet your skincare goals of flawless skin for that special day. Enjoy Valentine's Day with your loved one! FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 69

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refresh} _MAKEOVER

Rutika Yeolekar gets a plain-tochic makeover by Nicole Serpis of Nalini – The Salon

RUTIKA YEOLEKAR

“At first, my hair was so simple. Now, it’s really funky and goes with my bubbly character. This is what my friends are saying! I love it!”

( HAIR ) PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROHAN FERNANDES

• Chopped off a bit of the length of Rutika's hair • Cut her hair in different layers to exude a voluminous look • Gave Rutika a side fringe, making her face cut and features stand out • Used magenta red panels to highlight her hair along with her fringe for an edgy look • Blow dried and ironed her hair

( MAKEUP )

• Used a light foundation to cover up a few blemishes • Gave her eyes a smoky look • Used a pink lipgloss

Nikhil Changlani gets a cutting-edge look by Catherine Awungshi of ASIF – The Salon and GATSBY

NIKHIL CHANGLANI

“Having a bad hair day was common. This is like a new me with classy spikes and a complete makeover from my old temple/mohawk style. ”

( HAIR )

• Trimmed and washed to soften the hair. • Styled with Gatsby Super Hard Water Gloss – for a stunning spiky look. • Application of Gatsby Hair Spray to complete the lift on the front section.

CATHERINE AWUNGSHI

( MAKEUP )

• Used compact powder to cover up the dark circles

Top stylist, Asif – The Salon

“A Mohawk never goes out of fashion, but having a spiky style gives you an edge above the regular fashionistas. The Super Hard Water Gloss variant from GATSBY is perfect for the evening party look.” Send your photos to Youth Inc to get a makeover and transform your look! Email us at makeover@youthincmag.com 70 Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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_SPORTS

SURF’s

Up UNNATI AGARWAL ASKS WHY SURFING IS REDUNDANT IN INDIA, THE PLACE THAT GAVE THE SPORT ITS NAME

ccording to the Etymology Dictionary, the word ‘surf’ came into use in 1685. The word ‘surf’ is derived from the Indian word ‘suffe’, which means coastline. Portuguese sailors picked up this word in the 1600s and suffe soon became surf as we know it today. The origins may be Indian but the sport is redundant in the very country that gave the sport its name. This, even though surfing as a pastime or as a way of life generally promotes health and spiritual well-being to make one a better individual. With a coastline that stretches over

7000 kilometers along the southern end of the continent, India is an untapped market for this sport. There is a gross misconception amongst youth that the waters of India aren’t surf-able enough as the waves aren’t as big as the waves one gets elsewhere in the world. The problem isn’t the lack of swells but rather the lack of initiative on our part to find surf-able spots in our country. There are waves in India all year round, averaging three to five feet, but the season for big waves (eight feet plus) is from May through September. This is the pre-monsoon and monsoon

season. At this time, the surf ranges from 8 to 15 feet and bigger. Although these monsoon waves are often blown out and messy, there are times when the conditions are fantastic — with super glassy and offshore winds — and then, you can expect some worldclass waves. Along the western coastline, the swell direction is usually best when coming from the south or west; although an occasional north swell does provide good surfing conditions. On the eastern coastline, the swell is almost always from the south or slightly south-east direction. Straight

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BEST SURF SPOTS IN

INDIA

• Kanyakumari • Kovalam Beach • Rameswaram • Auroville • Jagannatha Puri • Gokarna • The Andaman Island Archipelago long beaches are also a dominant feature of the Indian coastline. Taking a leaf from surfers in Florida and Australia, nowadays, it is also possible to create flat-water surfing spots that enables surfing across water bodies which may not have waves; for instance, in fresh water bodies. Flat-water surfing is about creating an ambience for surfing and enabling surf sports in natural water bodies that may not have swells needed for surfing. It makes surfing accessible and does away with the wrong notion that India doesn’t have waves big enough or surfing. It is also less risky, easy and independent of the weather forecasts needed for big swelling waves. Surfing is one of the most rigorous fitness regimes in any watersport and has been embraced by men and women across the globe for that reason. It is a sport that helps to bring about unity within the person by providing physical fitness and giving mental peace. It is a sport meant not only for men but also for women looking to find new forms of fitness and recreation. With international travellers and surfers waiting to tap Indian waters, this is the time for there to be awareness with the youth to know their turf. We need to know enough about the sport to help form deeper ties with the surfers from across the globe. With changing times, many small surf clubs have cropped up in

"One of the greatest things about the sport of surfing is that you need only three things: your body, a surfboard and a wave." – Naima Green India where surfing is being promoted and taught. The Mantra Club in Mulki, the Shaka Surf Club in Mumbai and the Surfing Yogis in Puri are a few of the prominent groups that help young guns train in the art of surfing. If we can create and identify surf spots along the coastline on both sides of the country, then multiple collaborations can help promote more tourism and create employment of millions living along the lengthy coast along with providing recreation for the masses. With the increasing numbers of tourists flocking to India, it's time for us to use the vast expanse of coastline to find the best surf spots around our country. THE SURF FESTIVAL @ PURI: 7TH FEB TO 9TH FEB The founder of Surfing Yogis, Sanjay Samataray, is the man behind the latest phenomenon in the surfing scene in India: the Surf Festival at

Seven best movies on surfing • • • • • • •

Big Wednesday-1978 Blue Crush Surfer, Dude Stranger than Fiction Surf’s Up Blue Crush 2 Loose Change

Puri this month that features flatwater surfing. Talking about starting a venture like this, he says, “Three years back when we started up, we were looking for proper swells around the Indian coastline to create and identify surfing spots around the country. Then we realised that there was an option for flat-water surfing in India. Given the mainstream lifestyle of Indian youth, we felt it would be easier to locate spots where we could entertain surfing sports and races even in fresh-water bodies along with the major seas and oceans around the country.” The Surfing Yogis believe that surfing will help create a healthier lifestyle among the youth of India as it depends solely on the motivation and technique of the surfer and doesn’t affect our ecological barriers. In an effort to explore the possibilities of this sport, they have collaborated with surfers from across the globe to create a platform for the masses to come explore the waves of Puri. They believe that surfing is a spiritual journey and they want to create an atmosphere where surfers can come explore India as well as promote the sport across the country. Samataray says, “This epic event will be a pipeline to connect powers of sun healing with the art of surfing to become a subtle tool of meditation, which will help synchronise all of us with the cosmos. It will be the conjunction for many more such surf events across the country with more awareness and more spirit to explore the yet unknown waters around India.” From all the talk about surfing, it seems that surfing and spirituality are intertwined; if we can feel emotions that helps one attain some form of mental peace and serenity, then we, as a nation, should give surfing a shot. After all, what do we have to lose? So let the wind be always on your back, let the sun shine warm upon your face and let the good times roll among the mystical waves! yi FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 73

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_ ECOWATCH

A (banyan) tree of

HOPE

APOORVA NANJANGUD TALKS TO SANJAY SRINIVAS, FOUNDER OF THE GRAND BANYAN PROJECT ABOUT THIS LARGE-SCALE RECYCLING PROJECT HITTING SCHOOLS ACROSS INDIA

he current global scenario is witnessing a dwindling sense of social responsibility in people. Fortunately, projects like the Grand Banyan strive to search for a ray of ‘green’ light and instil a sense of responsibility in people to promote sustainable living. The Grand Banyan is a national recycling project initiated by the NGO ‘I Love My Mother Earth’ foundation in association with the British Council. The project aims to demonstrate the power of ‘collective’ action by the young and old alike to make the planet a better place to live in. The founder of the project, Sanjay Srinivas, calls it more of a ‘movement’ than a project simply because the goal is long-term

rehabilitation of the disturbed global ecosystem. Srinivas is an accomplished theatre and film writer, director and producer. ‘The Million Notebooks Challenge’ that ran from August to October 2011 was a novel inter-school initiative. Participating schools were encouraged to collect as much paper waste that could be used for the processing of notebooks. These were distributed as writing material to disadvantaged children on Children’s Day. Schools worked with a goal of contributing paper waste to enable the production of approximately one million notebooks. “We have already produced one lakh notebooks and are continually working towards more,” says Srinivas. He commented that this movement was different from others in the same league saying, “The reaction that we got from the schools was very positive. Everyone has sold paper before and collected funds but giving away paper for recycling is a new thing and was very well received.” The Grand Banyan project was proposed to the corporate world to adopt schools and to support the cause of educating one million children across India. This drive saw corporate

India working together with children to spread awareness and made people act everyday to fight global warming. With regards to the alliance with the corporate world, Srinivas says, “Some companies don’t have a dedicated waste management system while some do. But those who didn’t were very happy to lend us their support.” Corporate giants like Infosys, Godrej, Jet airways, HDFC, to name a few, are already a part of the Grand Banyan project. A national inter-school competition was organised where various teams presented a paper on a new, green idea in the area of sustainability that had to work within a budget of one lakh rupees. “The ideas have started coming in and we are working on them,” says Srinivas. On asking whether his career as a successful artist, director has taken a backseat, he laughs saying, “Not at all, in fact I make sure I dedicate equal time to both of these things.” Their future plans include hitting the million notebook mark and working effectively towards a sustainable environment. “I want to make this a global phenomenon in years to come,” says the founder. If such thoughtful people do exist in our trying times, then the problem of illiteracy, education, waste management, energy conservation and over-all development will never be an issue. And finally, Mother Earth will be proud to have children like us. yi

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_FITNESS

Turn on, Tune in, GET FIT!

YOU DON’T NEED TO BE A HEALTH CARE PROFESSIONAL TO MONITOR YOUR VITALS. A WHOLE NEW CLASS OF GADGETS PROMISES TO HELP YOU ACHIEVE YOUR FITNESS GOALS

ant to get fit and make your workout more fun? Along with will power, modern technology can also work wonders! Technology is fast becoming an essential aspect of everyday life. Whether it is the ubiquitious mobile phone, laptop or MP3 player that tend to make life a tad easier, technology has become user friendly and highly accessible. Just as technology has advanced to a grand extent, so has the health industry. When combined, the advancements in these two fields can offer a good deal of benefits to those looking for ways to monitor their own health with the aim of reaching a particular fitness level. We tend to get excited with devices that help us in the kitchen or gadgets that beautify us. So why not be equally enthusiastic about gadgets that can help you become a healthier and fit you?

YOUR PERSONAL TRAINER The Nike + iPod kit is one of the best things to have happened to the world of fitness. Not only does it make exercising a blast, but it also gives you feedback that is vital to reach your fitness goals with ease just like a pedometer does. The kit comprises a pair of Nike + shoes and a sensor, both of which sync with an iPod nano, iPod touch or iPhone. All you need to do before starting your exercise regime is place the sensor in the shoe’s designated slot, then, wirelessly connect the receiver to your Apple device and select your mode of work out and music playlist. As you exercise, your iPod or iPhone will inform you of the time, distance, pace and calories burnt. You will also get a reminder at the halfway point and in the final lead-up to your goal. Later, when you sync your device to a computer, you can analyse your performance, break your last record and even see how near or far away you are from your goal! FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 75

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_FITNESS

WII GET FIT! If you really want to work on your fitness levels or lose weight and have an exceedingly fun time while you’re at it, then the Wii console will be your best bet. Games like Wii Fit Plus offer you a number of ways to get a fit and toned body. You can choose from 15 balance- and aerobics-based games as well as from six strength training and yoga activities. Your motivation levels will run at an all-time high as you’ll be working out under the guidance of a virtual trainer. Plus, added features like a calorie-burning counter, the ability to create customised fitness regimens and to choose from specialised routines based on your objectives and time will help you achieve your goals with ease. Along with the Wii Fit Plus game, you will also get the pressure-sensitive Wii Balance Board that helps the user to improve their posture and balance. This board is used for an array of fun and interactive activities like aerobics, muscle stretches, yoga and other fitness games.

HEARTY WORKOUT

OFF THE COUCH!

It’s quite a task to get a wholesome workout without a heart rate transmitter that keeps you in the loop with regards to how hard and far you take your workout. After all, the best measure of the depth of your exercise is your heart rate. The Nivia Heart Rate Monitor not only acts as a watch, calendar, alarm clock and timer but also as a gadget that monitors your heart rate, exercise time and calorie consumption.

Take gaming to a whole new level with the Kinect for Xbox 360. The Kinect is a webcam that uses impressive technology to turn your body into a controller for every video game that you play on the Microsoft Xbox 360 console. For instance, if you want your onscreen avatar to jump, then you’ll have to jump too! One of the fun video games to try out in sync with the Kinect is Zumba. For those who aren’t in the know, Zumba is actually a hugely popular fitness trend that combines Latin and other world music with a rigorous, calorie-burning workout. Now that Zumba is available as a video game, it's won't be so difficult to get off that couch and work up a sweat!

WONDER WEIGHT WATCHER It works like every other weighing scale: You step on it and it displays your weight. The only difference is that it happens to be much more intelligent. The Wi-Fi Body Scale transmits data using your Internet connection to a computer, mobile phone, iPad or iPod Touch. The scale’s software then displays a graph of your weight over time and goes on to calculate your fat percentage and body-mass index (BMI). Perfect for those who are looking to shed a few kilos, the Wi-Fi Body Scale permits you to create profiles for eight people so that each person’s weight can be tracked on a dedicated graph. 76 Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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GOTHAM CITY IMPOSTERS

PLATFORMS:

XBOX 360, PS3, PC

Lame?

GaMe:

_GAME REVIEW

This first-person multiplayer shooter by Monolith Productions will see players rebelling against conformity. There are two groups of Gotham citizens that are trying to kill one another; the first group is called the crazies and are followers of the Joker. They are out to kill the Bats who happen to be the vigilantes of Gotham. One of the fun game modes is Psychological Warfare. One of the teams has to pick up a battery and take it back to home base to power a brain-washing machine without getting killed. If the team manages to place the battery and defend it for around 30 seconds, then it will detonate and cause the opposing team to become demoralised (they can kill people using their hands sans a gun) for a few seconds. In-game customisation including insane costumes, numerous maps and modes, homebrewed gadgets and a wide range of traditional and outlandish weapons alike, make Gotham City Imposters a treat for fans of DC Comics. The game play is fantastic. On the whole this game is quite impressive!

THE ADVENTURES OF TINTIN This adventure game is based on the action-packed movie of the same name. Developed by Ubisoft in close collaboration with the filmmaking team, you can expect the visuals to be top notch. The Adventures of Tintin takes you through investigations of mysteries that may lead to one of the greatest sunken treasures known to mankind! Experience the game though characters like Snowy the dog, Captain Haddock, Tintin himself and three other unlockable characters, all of whom have their own personalities and skills. There are 20 different exotic environments to choose from, including Karaboudjan and the city of Bagghar. Expect to pilot a plane, swim through underwater caves and sword-fight a 17th century knight in this thrilling game. Furthermore, if you have the Xbox Kinect or the Playstation Move, you can enjoy a good deal of enhanced immersion. You can choose to play solo or in the two-player co-op mode if you need a little help from your friends in solving mysteries! The Challenge mode is perfect if you want to battle your wits against the AI.

PLATFORMS:

PS3, XBOX 360, WII, 3DS, PC

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o Dr ol FOR TECH LOVERS 

of the MONTH

 EDIFIER TICK TOCK RADIO (`3,620)

Keep one foot in the past and the other in the future with this retro-looking alarm clock. Its LCD display screen shows the time and date clearly in an analog format. The best part about this alarm clock is that it features a pair of one-and-a-half inch speakers that exude a rich sound. Choose to wake up to FM radio or your favourite tune that can be played through a USB or SD card as this futuristic-looking alarm clock features a USB slot as well as a card reader. It might be a tad pricey for solely being an alarm clock, but considering that the Tick Tock Radio offers a good deal of benefits, it can be a valuable buy for those who are audiophiles and who like to start their mornings on a good note!

 UBISLATE 7 (`2,999) Remember the ultra-cheap Aakash tablet? Well, with a price tag so low, who wouldn’t! If you weren’t too happy with its limited specifications but were attracted to the price, check out the upgraded version. From the makers of Aakash comes Ubislate 7, an evolved version of the Aakash tablet. The specifications have been taken up a notch, but the affordability still remains the same. Powered by Android 2.3, the Ubislate 7 offers you many reasons to lust over it. It sports a 7-inch (800 x 480 resolution) resistive touch screen and runs on a Cortex A8 700 MHz processor and an impeccable graphics accelerator HD video processor. With 256 MB of RAM and 2 GB of internal memory, you can be assured of the tablet’s speedy processing power. A USB port, 3.5 mm audio jack as well as GPRS and Wi-Fi support seal up the features of this nifty tablet that is perfect to carry around just about anywhere. And, it doesn’t look too bad either! Plus, you can watch movies and videos on-the-go, listen to music and enjoy a smooth browsing experience using this low-cost tablet. 78 Youth Incorporated ║ FEBRUARY 2012

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_TECHNOLOGY

MUST-HAVE GREEN GADGETS!  SOLARMIO SOLARKINDLE COVER (`4,136)

 MUSHROOM GREENZERO TRAVEL CHARGER (`1,807)

If you are looking to drop off the map with just your Kindle for company, we suggest you get yourself this eco-friendly device. Slip this cover that has a built-in reserve battery and solar panel on to your Kindle to enjoy extended reading time be it in the mountains or in the most electricity-deprived location. Plus, the cover also comes with a pop-up reading light! The battery takes eight hours of direct sunlight to charge, giving you three days of Kindle use for every hour that you charge this cover for!

Don’t be an energy vampire any more! Help save electricity using the GreenZero charger, which has an über-cool, mushroom-like design and can power any device that can charge via USB, including the iPhone and iPad! The best part about this charger, besides the fact that it offers you a green solution, is that when you want to start charging a device, you simply have to press the big green button on the charger. When your device is fully charged, the green button pops out on its own and the charger automatically stops sucking power from the socket!

APPS

of theTH

MON

SHAKESPEARE IN BITS – MACBETH (`106)

THE BEATLES LOVE (FREE)

Why settle for loose translations when you can learn more about Shakespeare’s Macbeth in all its linguistic richness with this fun app for the iPhone? The original play’s text has been broken into ‘bits’ that can easily be understood. The accompanying visuals and music makes your learning experience much more vivid. This app offers you the original text, easily understandable text, notes, analysis, translations for difficult phrases, two and a half hours of animation, biographies of each character and a character relation map. Other famous titles like Romeo and Juliet and A Midsummer Night’s Dream are also available in the Shakespeare in Bits series.

Celebrate the musical legacy of the Beatles and the magic of the worldrenowned Cirque du Soleil performers with this app. Learn more about the collaboration between the late George Harrison and the founder of Cirque du Soleil. This collaboration showcases aerial performance and urban, freestyle dance set against panoramic sound and visuals at The Mirage in Las Vegas. Watch video clips from the show and from the making of the show ‘All Together Now’ as well as related news. This app is available on Android phones and iPhones.

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iMHO {

SO MANY FUN THINGS, SO LITTLE TIME! HERE'S THE SCOOP

I N

M Y

H O N ES T

O P I N I O N

AGENT VINOD

SKY RABBIT – SKY RABBIT

Starring: Saif Ali Khan,

Kareena Kapoor, Ravi Kishen, Vesilisa Petina An Illuminati Films production, Agent Vinod promises to be a nail-biting thriller with a nuclear twist. Saif Ali Khan plays the role of a slick and daredevil spy. Kareena Kapoor plays his leading lady who's a secret agent with shades of grey in her character. Both Saif and Kareena will be seen doing some deadly stunts in the film that include jet skiing and sky diving. Director Sriram Raghavan promises that it will not a remake of the 1977 movie, but we will wait to pass the verdict.

movies

EK MAIN AUR EKK TU Starring: Imran Khan, Kareena

Kapoor, Randhir Kapoor, Boman Irani Rahul Kapoor (Imran Khan), an uptight architect, and witty hairstylist Riana Braganza (Kareena Kapoor) get married in Las Vegas after one too many drinks. To make matters worse, he has also lost his job. After this night of debauchery, Rahul realises that he has more than just his job loss to hide from his parents. When they decide to get their marriage annulled over the next ten days, they go through a series of arguments, laughs and a few good moments, that results in a very unlikely friendship! So, will you be checking out this Karan Johar comedy?

THE WOMAN IN BLACK

Starring: Daniel Radcliffe,

Movies / Music / Books

{

Ciaran Hinds, Janet McTeer, Sophie Stuckey, Liz White Now that the Harry Potter series has come to an end, Daniel Radcliffe is in a way trying hard to shed his teenager image. This morbid movie is based on Susan Hill’s novel of the same name. A young lawyer (Radcliffe) comes to a remote village leaving his son in London to settle legal affairs of the recently-deceased Alice Drablow. He uncovers some tragic incidents about the mysterious woman in black. From here starts his race against time when the spirit lunges towards his son in a cruel twist of fate. Directed by James Watkins, the movie seems to be a promising horror movie.

The shiny, new avatar of Medusa has meandered into the experimental mode and is doing a mighty good job in the electro-rock realm. The four-piece band is tight and has interesting electronic samples thrown in for good measure. The album starts off with Anti-Coke Ganpati – a catchy, song with lyrics that urge, more like, subtly scream for a change. At first, the album could sound much like it’s on music loop, but that's the beauty of it. The more you progress into the album, the more you realise you are addicted to Raxit’s mellow voice and the band’s top-notch musical abilities, including that of drummer Harsh Karangale. One favourite is the slick March. Swimmer stir ups this hauntingly nostalgic emotion. I become I has got the right groove that won't let you sit still, while Clone is fantastical to the core with mesmerising guitar riffs. It’s an album for pure aural pleasure that is only upped with the album’s super-fine production.

KAILASA – RANGEELE

Fresh, dreamy, beautiful, meaningful are just some of the words that can be used to describe Kailash Kher’s latest album. Kher, known for his soulful lyrics and energy, comes across in the most effortless manner that he is known for. This 12-track album reflects the different perspective of love. Naresh and Paresh accompany Kher on guitar and add melodies that lend a blissful dimension to each of the songs. New instruments heard on this album make each of the songs stand out. One of the favourites is Tu Kya Jaane, after the album’s opening song Albeliya. This album perfectly sets the mood for an energy-filled day with songs like Kathagaan, Rangeele and Daaro Na Rang. There’s much movement, many soulful layers and a good deal of passion that comes through. Kailasa’s latest album stands out for its distinguished song writing, singing and music. So go on, give it a listen and get inspired.

WANDERLUST

Starring: Paul Rudd, Jennifer

Aniston, Justin Theroux, Ken Marino, Joe Lo Truglio Wanderlust revolves around a married couple from Manhattan, George (Rudd) and Linda (Aniston). George’s sudden unemployment leaves both of them with only one option: to move in with George’s awful brother in Atlanta. Rattled by their helplessness, they start their journey only to find a rural idyllic commune ‘Elysium’. Should they get lost in the ‘Elysium’ or keep a foothold in the real world? This is the crossroad that the couple is stuck at. The movie is directed by David Wain and is set to release this month.

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I NEVER THOUGHT I COULD FALL IN LOVE: MY JOURNEY FROM LUST TO LOVE!

books

`99

READING LIST

Author: Chanchaldeep Singh Sandhu First time writer Sandhu has tried his best to be a Chetan Bhagat wannabe with his book, but has failed miserably. It’s all the same: an engineering college saga with ragging escapades, new friends, crushes, girlfriends and falling in love at the end. The protagonist Ronnie is just another lad hailing from Patiyala who has no big dreams but just likes to have fun and gala time with his friends. The story revolves solely around Ronnie and his antics of being a teenage guy with no proper ambition. His life in college, first sexual encounter on the fresher’s day with the most popular girl of the college, flirting and flings and exam tensions till he actually falls in love makes for dull reading. There is no novelty in the storyline and the plot is weak and thin. Though the writing is good and the writer has potential, he still has a long way to go. It certainly cannot be recommended as a good book but one can have a good and light read of it on a train or flight.

NEVERWHERE by Neil Gaiman is a light, funny fantasy novel where an ordinary man, Richard Mayhew, falls through a crack in reality into the underworld and finds that he no longer exists.

SCAMMED: CONFESSIONS OF A CONFUSED ACCOUNTANT Author: Anonymous Hitesh Shah has been stuck at the same position at a coveted job in an accounting firm for seven years. Disciplined, honest and hardworking, he picks up the slack for his manager and colleagues, but is not considered to be a ‘team player’. After being passed over for a promotion one too many times, he decides to accept a position as a CEO at an offshoot of a failing automobile company. Thanks to his efforts, the company’s fortunes turn around with his. He is a rising star in the corporate world; his parents finally stop nagging him; and he starts dating a glamorous model. But Hitesh’s luck seems to be in the doldrums. Just when things are going well for him, he is accused as the perpetrator of a financial scam. On the run from the law and thousands of investors vying for his blood, he soon finds that he has run out of options. The corruption in ‘new India’ has no place for honest and ethical behaviour. Will Hitesh manage to get out of this mess? The novel is realistically narrated and Hitesh’s predicaments strike a familiar chord to those in the corporate world with sharp insights into the corrupt machinations of large industries today.

NOW AND THEN

PICKS

Starring: Demi Moore Four childhood friends who are now successful women reminisce about the summer of 1970, breezing through heady days of truth-and-dare sessions, padded bras, the year they turned 12 and everything in between.

`17

THE COMPLETE SHERLOCK HOLMES by Arthur Conan Doyle is a great collection of the classic Baker Street saga that stars detective Sherlock Holmes and his assistant, Dr Watson.

ROCKFORD

Starring: Rohan Dey, Nandita Das A 13-year-old boy goes through the ups and downs of living in a Catholic allboys boarding school. With no parental safety net and with dramatic life changes, he must learn to fend for himself amidst ragging and other situations.

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_RESTAURANT REVIEW

Resto/Meter THE TASTY TANGLES, MUMBAI

THE BEST NEW FOOD SPOTS IN T O W N ////////

`600

n per perso

What started as an anticipation of some lip smacking Mexican fare for my cousins and me, ended up with some strictly average South East Asian food, thanks to the Sunday night rush. The Tasty Tangles in Khar, Mumbai does not live up to its name, at least for the vegetarian offerings on the menu. With an average starter price of `250 and an average main course dish at `350, one would expect decent food at least. Or have the basics correct. The steamed rice accompanying our Thai green curry was undercooked and the lemon grass cooler (I don’t remember the name) had no flavour of lemon grass! It just tasted like diluted lemon iced tea. The Tasty Tangles special fried rice had peas (who puts peas in fried rice?! Not even the street Chinese stalls commit such blasphemy!) Our vegetable dumplings were stuffed with veggies that were cut salad style and falling out, rather than some lovely and sticky veggie mince that makes for a great dumpling filling. The saving grace was just the vegetable green Thai curry, which tasted like it should have. The Shanghai noodles with vegetables did nothing special for us, we just ate because we were hungry and we paid `399 for it! Of course, till then we had not counted the VAT and the service charge that we were going to pay. Since we were a hungry bunch that Sunday night and the food disappointed us so much, I can’t say that the quiet, spacious and clean ambience did anything to enhance our dining experience even a little bit. All in all, it was disappointing. And, I am sorry to say, I certainly can’t recommend the place; in fact, I will dissuade anyone who wants to go there voluntarily! Pinnacle House, 1st Floor, P D Hinduja Marg, Khar West, Mumbai - SHRUNAL KAMDAR

GIRL IN THE CAFÉ, CHANDIGARH Girl in the Café is a newly-opened café in the heart of Chandigarh city that is known for its lovely ambience and décor. Families and groups of friends can have a good time over food and conversation here as well as those who like to spend some quality time with their book over a frothy cup of coffee. In spite of the slow and over-rated service, and even though the restaurant is known to be a bit pricey, the great location and relaxed décor completely makes up for it. The café offers a varied menu consisting of cuisines as diverse as American, Italian and Mexican and also includes some mean seafood dishes. Looking for food for the soul? Then this café’s sandwiches and burgers will steal the show. The café also serves alcoholic as well as non-alcoholic drinks. Visiting is a good idea if you and your group of friends like to explore new places and experiment with your taste buds! SCO 117-119, Level II above Canara Bank, Sector 17-C, Chandigarh - ANKITA DEURI

`400 n per perso

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In a

_CELEB TADKA

Jiffy

Chef Rakesh Sethi has an impressive culinary history, training in various sections of the kitchen and working for many reputed hotels. To cook correctly, with passion and intelligent use of ingredients is what he propagates. His focus lies in sharing his experience and work philosophy gained through this experience to broaden the vistas of the chefs around him. Currently, Chef Sethi is the Food Editor for the channel, Food Food. He hosts the show 'Tea Time' where presents a variety of recipes for the viewers from Indian to fusion.

THREE BEAN SALAD TARTLETS

Category : Snacks Preparation Time : Less than 30 minutes (soaking time extra) Cooking Time : Less than 30 minutes

INGREDIENTS 9 tartlets/ wonton cups For the salad 60 grams each of three types of beans, soaked and boiled (chickpeas/ sprouted moong dal/ black chana) One finely chopped onion ¼ red capsicum, finely chopped ¼ yellow capsicum, finely chopped ¼ green capsicum, finely chopped 1 teaspoon finely chopped parsley Salt to taste ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper For the dressing 1 tablespoon olive oil 1 tablespoon lemon juice ¼ teaspoon crushed black pepper Salt to taste For the garnish 9 cherry tomatoes, halved 9 parsley sprigs 9 gherkins slices (optional) 9 thin lemon wedges

METHOD •• In a bowl combine the boiled beans and onions. You may choose any other lentils in place of these beans. •• Add the capsicums and toss well. •• In a separate bowl, make the dressing. Combine the oil, lemon juice, crushed black pepper and salt, and mix well. Pour this dressing over the salad. Add

finely chopped parsley to the salad. Toss again. •• Spread the tartlets on a plate. Fill them with the salad and decorate each tartlet with halved cherry tomatoes, lemon wedges, parsley, and gherkin slices and sprinkle black pepper powder. •• Serve chilled. FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 83

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_AFTER DARK

hangover  

OVER THE WEEKEND HANGOUTS

SHAMROCK – THE IRISH BAR, HYDERABAD Irish corned chicken, chicken pot roast with beans and wine and Irish martinis! The menu just gets better with every single turn! Shamrock Irish Pub, located in Hi-Tech City, is one hot spot of a place. Clearly, Shamrock has tried to recreate the Irish pub atmosphere, complete with the ubiquitous green theme underlying their decor. Expect to be greeted by waiters decked in Irish aprons walking about the cosy room with its Irish green walls and paintings. In addition to typically warm Irish hospitality, the pub offers an extensive menu and a wide range of beers, wines and spirits that include all your Irish favourites too! Beers are priced at `200, while other drinks could go up to `500. Shamrock also has a wide range of Chinese, continental, Indian and Italian food on the menu. With the reasonablypriced food and drinks, scrumptious food and pub music, Shamrock is an ideal place to hang out with your friends where you can get a relaxed drink, unwind and have a great time altogether. Whether you are stopping by for a pint, to meet new people or simply to relax, Shamrock Irish Pub will give you some moments that you will cherish for a long time to come. Just be sure to bring your sense of Irish humour! 101, #13, 13/1, 11, SBR Gateway, HITEC City, Hyderabad

- TANAYA RAMYANI

UNDERGROUND, KOLKATA

PHOTO CREDIT: SAMRAT DAS

If you are on the lookout for a party in Kolkata, Underground is one the popular hangouts that will guarantee you a superb night of music and fun. The ambience tends to remind one of the London Underground, while the club itself exudes a fusion of an upbeat and hip style. Enter by climbing down a chic wooden staircase that leads you to the basement where the three corners of this club are named after Leicester Square, Trafalgar Square and Oxford Street. The fourth corner houses a 600 sq ft dance floor. It is in this zone that you can feel the energy as the city’s party animals groove to the beats of the DJ. The bar is well stocked and the shots, flaming cocktails and other innovative drinks tend to make people flock here. Cocktails are priced at `600, which is not too bad if you consider Underground to be an after-party place. Partying hard for a night at Underground won’t hurt you much if you are looking for a really great weekend and want to dance till dawn. 235/1 Hotel Hindustan International, Acharya Jagadish Chandra Bose Road, Bhawanipur, Kolkata

- ANKITA DEURI

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Rising

_WATCH OUT FOR

STARS

Youth Inc gets to know all about the glamourous Megha Burman

QUICK PICKS

he’s talented, gorgeous and the face of many a prominent brand. But, Megha Burman is so much more! This vibrant stunner recently played a powerful role in the Hollywood production – Dam 999. Acting in movies comes as a natural for this young beauty who is known to strike a keen balance between commercial and off beat cinema. She is said to have an adventurous side and enjoys horse riding. In fact, as a teenager, she often participated in equestrian events! Always eager to learn more, Megha considers herself a work in progress.

Favourite music genre: Rock music Must-have in-bag items: Pocket notebook, pen, keys, Revlon eye pencil, Mac SPF lip conditioner, wallet, iPod, earphones, iPhone, Nature Valley oat bar Mountain or beach person? First a mountain person and then a beach person Favourite scent: Changes every six months. I’ve been alternating between Magnifique by Lancome and Apple by Nina Ricci You can’t seem to get enough of : Haruki Murakami Your dream co-star : Javier Bardem Favourite cuisine: Chinese Favourite movie : Cinema Paradiso Perfect date : Dinner and a movie Shoe or bag fetish?: Shoes A passion you couldn’t do without: Acting Your sense of fashion: Loose curls, distressed jeans, tank top, combat boots, lots of accessories Favourite album: Abbey Road - The Beatles Best career moments: Yet to come Latest obsession: Illustrated novels FEBRUARY 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 85

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_HOROSCOPE

AQUARIUS/JAN 21 - FEB 20 Try to explain to loved ones that work may be a priority this month. Remain focused and determined to achieve your goals. Spending a quiet evening with close friends will help you relax. It would be good if you were as considerate and praiseworthy of yourself as you are critical. You may also spend time in beautifying your surroundings. Lucky Numbers: 6, 8 Lucky colour: Indigo Love Dates: 15th, 29th

PISCES/ FEB 19- MAR 20

AJAI RAI MADAN Astrologer, Numerologer & Aura reader

STAR

STRUCK

CANCER/ JUN 22 - JUL 22

This is a good time to make money through a business association or friendship. It is also time to be resolute and not let yourself be taken for granted. Chance meetings could lead to new opportunities or valuable information coming your way. Good financial management will swing things your way. Do also take time out to pursue hobbies. Lucky Numbers: 4, 7 Lucky colour: Blue Love Dates: 17th, 23rd

New people will enter your life and you will alter your direction for the better. It will boil down to putting your heart into the things you want to do. It may be time to get down to the task by getting past personal distractions and avoid being overcome with negative emotions. Donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t give in to provocations and keep your temper under control. Lucky numbers: 3, 7 Lucky colour: Olive green Love Dates: 17th, 27th

ARIES/ MAR 21 - APR 20

LEO/ JUL 23 - AUG 23

A popular Bollywood vedic astrologer takes you through your starry forecast this month

SCORPIO/OCT 24 - NOV 22

Your work could expand as a result of your initiatives. Pay due attention to all important financial matters. Proposals regarding new work offers or business ventures will proceed smoothly. But make your expectations and responsibilities clear. You may also capitalise on your people skills to make financial gains. Travel plans are likely to materialise. Lucky numbers: 5, 8 Lucky colour: Black Love Dates: 21st, 29th

Work issues may have greater priority than domestic commitments. However, you need to explain this to loved ones to prevent misunderstandings. Try to remain focused on your goals. Spending a quiet evening with close friends will help you relax. Be as considerate and praiseworthy of yourself as you are critical. Lucky numbers: 3, 5 Lucky colour: Yellow Love Dates: 16th, 20th

TAURUS/ APR 21 - MAY 21

VIRGO/AUG 24 - SEP 22

SAGITTARIUS/NOV 23 - DEC 23

Look at potential opportunities in the changes at work. It will benefit you to overcome the apprehension of unknown consequences. Your passionate opinions on new developments will be appreciated. Clear decisions affecting the interests of others would be well appreciated and also pay off in the larger scheme of things. Lucky numbers: 2, 5 Lucky colour: Red Love Dates: 15th, 29th

Legal matters and negotiations are indicated. As you move along, there is concern for involvement in important information. Positive energy will help you to stay ahead even if core issues take time to resolve. You will lift the spirits of people you meet and exchange valuable ideas with them. There may be an opportunity to travel overseas. Lucky numbers: 1, 4 Lucky colour: Magenta Love Dates: 14th, 28th

Working in groups will allow you to exert your natural leadership skills. Examine what is important and of lasting value. You will be able to influence someone who needs encouragement. You may also perceive how to proceed with plans regarding your goals. Chance meetings could lead to new opportunities. Lucky Numbers: 4, 7 Lucky colour: Silver Love Dates: 18th, 22nd

GEMINI/MAY 22 - JUN 21

LIBRA/ SEP23 - OCT 23

You will realise that you have been hovering on the brink. Look for ways to raise additional funds to support your ambitious plans. Be extra careful while dealing with your seniors and colleagues as they may cause a panic situation. To have a greater say in the decision making process, be patient and wait for the right moment to bring up your views. Lucky numbers: 3, 6 Lucky colour: Orange Love Dates: 11th, 23rd

Your public actions will be filled with grace from the core of your inner self which will be fulfilling. You can look forward to opportunities involving frequent travelling, which will fetch substantial gains with enhanced reputation. Your associates will support you in your endeavours if you are willing to share your plans with them. Lucky numbers: 1, 6 Lucky colour: White Love Dates: 17th, 24th

You will be involved in realigning as well as improving key relationships. There will be plenty of scope for fun also. Amusement, games of chance and involvement with children is indicated throughout the month. Enjoy yourself. This is a good time to make money through a business association or close friendship. Lucky numbers: 2, 6 Lucky colour: Ivory Love Dates:12th, 21st

CAPRICORN/DEC 24 - JAN 20 A marvellous phase is in the offing for you, both in terms of promise and hope. Travel, fresh alignments and new collaborations will lead to success. You will derive income from several sources but your expenses will be high. Careful budgeting will be necessary. Good financial management will swing things your way and also enable enhanced savings. Lucky Numbers: 5, 9 Lucky colour: Violet Love Dates: 19th, 26th

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_GRAFFITI

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 JOBS

ACCOUNTS MANAGER

RELATIONSHIP MANAGER

HOTEL SALES MANAGER

Email Sunil Kadam at admin@atozworld. in to apply

Email Asha at spectrumhr@rediffmail.com to apply

To apply email Vedangi Rawool at hr1@orchidhotel.com

A to Z Retail Ltd which is into retailing, wholesaling and exporting, is looking to hire an accounts manager who will be responsible for accounting of data, sales invoices and billing. Candidates will have to ensure proper data entry and communicate with vendors as well as take care of payment collection. All candidates must know Tally.ERP 9.

Oberoi Mall in Goregaon requires a manager to handle relationships with corporates and agencies. Undergraduates with any specialisation and postgraduates with an MBA in marketing can apply. Exposure to sales functions and managing relations is a must in order to be eligible for this job.

Hotel Orchid is looking for a front desk manager to maintain sales systems, records and reports, conference calendars, and to maintain and enhance client relationships. Candidates should have a degree from a premium hospitality management institute or an undergraduate degree in sales/ marketing. Prior experience at a luxury hotel would be an asset.

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RNI Number: MAHENG/2011/38909

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