March 2012 by Youth Incorporated Magazine

you t h incorporated EDUCATE + ENTERTAIN www.youthincmag.com

VOLUME 1 ISSUE 9 MARCH 2012 > ` 50

POWER WOMEN

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Volume 1 Issue 9 March 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 ANKITA DEURI TANAYA RAMYANI

Art & Design

BIPIN BALAKRISHNAN MOULVI ABBAS HASAN

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Marketing

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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

There have been predictions galore that at some point in the future, women are going to rule the world. Ask any man in a relationship, and he’s sure to say that women already rule the world from the back seat! Jokes apart, across the globe, one can think of lots of examples of women who have not only lived on their own terms, but also been successful because of it. It is only befitting that on the occasion of Women’s Day, Youth Inc applauds these strong and dynamic women for showing the world that they can do it, and how! Apart from the ones who have become famous internationally, there are those young and vibrant ones in our own country who have made a mark. For centuries, India has always had strong feminine influences from our goddesses to our pre-independence days with likes of Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi and Sarojini Naidu, right up to Indira Gandhi and Kiran Bedi. I believe that women’s empowerment began in our country a long time ago and is now coming of age with thanks to increasing awareness arising from education and new laws protecting women's rights. The young women that we have featured may not be well known but they epitomise the spirit, strength and conviction of our modern-age women. They have achieved so much at such a young age, it is just remarkable. On another note, I have always been ambivalent about the topic of ghosts. Our entertainment feature on the supernatural this month brings the issue to fore. Why is our culture so mired in superstitious belief when modern science is making progress and reaching all corners of the country? The faith in the supernatural is just as strong as it ever was in India. In this issue, we look at the portrayal of horror in the media and the effects it has on our society, especially our youth. Do we actually like spooking ourselves? Another disturbing issue highlighted this month is that of drinking and driving in the wake of many accidents caused by young people driving under the influence. Despite strict regulation and numerous reports of accidents, why is it that the youth still think that it’s ok to drink and drive rashly? We need to learn to be more responsible with ourselves and others while still having fun. With weddings being such an important part of our lives and with such huge amounts being spent on them, it takes months of preparation and work to get the 'Perfect Wedding.' Check out a career in this rather exciting and innovative field with our directions on getting into the wedding planning industry. And, once again, a salute to all our WONDER WOMEN.

Nitish Shah MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated

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contents MARCH 2012

Also on the

COVER

AT THE CROSSROADS

7 tips to handle a career change

THE HIGHLANDERS

Find out more about studying in Scotland

THE RIGHT DESIGN

Check out careers in architecture

THE SUPERNATURAL FACTOR Explore the occult in India

FRIENDS WITH BENEFITS: ARE THE BENEFITS ENOUGH? Are the ‘benefits’ of a casual relationship really satisfying?

PAGE

26 Cover Story

THE WOMEN’S DAY SPECIAL The changing role of a woman is evident as she moves out of the kitchen and into the workplace and balances these aspects with finesse. Could this be the arrival of a new wave of feminism? We explore this change and the need for education in our Women’s Day cover story. Inside is our list of powerful game changers of the world, as well as India’s very own young achievers. 2

THE ‘CHILL’ PILL

The harmful side effects of the morningafter pill

(Educate) SPECIAL FEATURE No Reservations

Are visiting faculty members able to translate their experiences into transferable knowledge?

A Doctor’s Dilemmas Medical students face some problems from the word ‘go’

WALK OF LIFE Too much information!

Is reservation killing options for general category students?

FOCUS FEATURE Teachers Inc

EXAM FEVER In Competition

How to deal with information overload at the workplace

A look at why competitive exams are the pathway to a great career

IN CONVERSATION Loving Chemistry

Nuclear chemist Dr Zarine Rustom Turel talks of her love for both - her subject and her students

COVER & COVER STORY PHOTO CREDITS

CHHAVI RAJAWAT: We Women Today MASABA GUPTA: On cover Fashionfad.in : Cover story Topnews.in OPR AH WINFREY:Pop / Wenn SONIA GANDHI: Agência Brasil MARGARET THATCHER: Margaret Thatcher Foundation MOTHER TERESA: Wikimedia-Commons User Túrelio KALPANA CHAWLA: NASA MELINDA GATES: Flickr user Roebot

Youth Incorporated ║ MARCH 2012

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AWARENESS An Equal Footing

Better awareness needs to be created for our basic human rights

OUT OF THE BOX The Wedding Planner

Love weddings? Explore a career as a wedding planner

OFF THE MAP Bali: The Enchanted Isle

WIN

FREE EXCLUSIVE

GIFTS

Explore the magical island in Indonesia

FASHION Of scaffolding and silhouettes

An Indian fashion label with an urban twist

GATSBY See page no 87

SPORTS Power Shuttlers

INSIDE DOPE Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University

Priyanka Dhawan takes you on a tour of her college campus

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Watch ‘a lookin’ at?

Keep good time with these funky watches

The young brigade is providing some hope for the country’s future in badminton

ECOWATCH Green Spaces

Check out these models of ecofriendly architecture in India

STAPLEdiet 66 STUDENT SPEAK

DIY Clutch Purse

Make yourself a gorgeous clutch in a few simple steps

I ♥ Mumbai A French student talks of her experiences in Maximum City

(Entertain) ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE Musings from Literary Heaven

An inside look at the Jaipur Literature Festival

YOUTH ISSUES The Young and the Reckless

Drunken driving accidents are becoming more common despite strict regulation

EDITOR’S NOTE…1

EDITORIAL CONNECT…4 AROUND THE WORLD…6 COUNSELLOR Q&A…34 EVENTS DIARY…42 WORD ZONE…50 MODEL WATCH…68

Smells like teen spirit?

Try our selection of fragrances and deodorants for the summer

DR GOOD SKIN…69 REFRESH… 70 GAME OR LAME...77 DROOL OF THE MONTH…78 IMHO…80 RESTOMETER…82 CELEB TADKA…83 HANGOVER…84 RISING STAR…85 STAR STRUCK…86 GRAFFITI…88 MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 3

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editorial connect Write to us at mail@youthincmag.com

BE MY VALENTINE! I picked up your magazine for the first time because I was interested in the different perspectives of students and other youth on Valentine’s Day. I was confused about what to do with my girlfriend without going for overly cheesy and common gifts that have commercialised this day. The ideas of going for a long walk and making something as a present really struck a chord with me and were a big hit with my girlfriend. I also enjoyed reading about the history of Valentine’s Day and the perspectives of single people on why V-day is not a big deal for them. I think you’ve done a good job with this magazine; thanks for making my first Valentine’s a success! Karan Saxena Student, Pune

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

AMAZING THAILAND

THE ALLIMPORTANT MBA

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TOO COMMERCIAL

Seema Jha Student, Bangalore

Malini Agarwal Student, Kolkata

THE REAL DEAL?

SOCIALLY YOURS:

Hannah Fernandes Student, Mumbai

Shirin Bathena Media Executive, Delhi

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EDUCATE + ENTERTAIN www.youthincmag.com

I picked up Youth Incorporated looking at the cover on Valentine’s Day thinking that when you promise a survival guide, it may be different than what the other magazines write about. I, however, was disappointed by the old-school treatment of the occasion. I really do not think that educated people need a special day to tell their special ones that they love them, especially when it is so commercially motivated! I was really looking forward to something different.

I just graduated and will be entering the job space soon. I enjoyed reading Youth Incorporated’s on-the-job articles as I found them to be relevant at this point of time. The quiz that helps you decide your work style was a lot of fun. I have a suggestion: It would be great if Youth Incorporated could provide more quizzes. They are really practical especially for young people like me. ‘10 Things Not to Do at Work’ was also a great read! I actually found it very humorous. Keep it up Youth Incorporated!

Youth Incorporated ║ MARCH 2012

THE BLOGOPHILES: YOUNG BLOGGERS MAKING WAVES

The article ‘Plastic Girls’ really caught my attention. I related with it because in my college, there are several groups of ‘plastic’ girls who are extremely self-obsessed. I love the way the writer has subtly humoured the ‘plastics’! After all, it’s all about beauty with brains or simply just brains! The ‘Science of Healing’ was really helpful to me as well because I am planning on studying medicine abroad. I wasn’t too sure regarding which university to choose, but now I have narrowed down my choices.

As a reader of your magazine, I feel that it should have more stories that are real, in terms of more interviews of people in the concerned industry. I feel that the mix of stories is really nice as well as the information that is provided with regards to different courses. However, it would be really helpful for readers if you could provide something that people don’t already know about. I did appreciate the outof-the-box career articles though. A career in the sound industry as well as making it into the voice-over industry really proved to be beneficial for a friend of mine who is planning on getting into this field.

WORK SPACE

PLASTIC’S NOT FANTASTIC!

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educate intricacie Learn about the so wedding p f becoming a lanner Pg 36

K E E PI N S I D E 

Pg10 Pg14 Pg24 Pg48 TEACHERS INC ARE INDUSTRY EXPERTS ABLE TO TRANSFER KNOWLEDGE IN THE CLASSROOM?

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TOO MUCH INFORMATION LEARN HOW TO MANAGE THE STRESS OF BEING OVER CONNECTED

AN EQUAL FOOTING THE NEED FOR CREATING AWARENESS ABOUT HUMAN RIGHTS

I ♥ MUMBAI FRENCH STUDENT CAROLINE DÉCLAS TALKS OF HER ESCAPADES IN THE CITY

10-02-2012 14:19:16

NewsNewsNews New News _EDU NEWS

Around the World

USA’s Rutgers University to offer courses in India soon

special delegation from USA's Rutgers University is currently visiting the country meeting with institutions and colleges to discuss academic tie-ups. The trip has a two-part agenda; the first includes discussions to establish partnerships with colleges to offer their programmes and courses in India. The second part of the agenda is to attend the study tour with other colleges in association with the Institute of International Education (IIE). Rutgers already set foot in the field last year when it offered its mini-MBA, a week-long intensive management programme for entrepreneurs and other management professionals. According to David Finegold, Senior VP for Lifelong Learning and Strategic Growth, the university is now seeking to build and continue on that idea with other more focussed programmes like bio-pharma, digital marketing and an executive MBA with a partner school. Other programmes on the anvil include a feeder programme for those who want to opt for a business and science joint master's degree in the United States. "The feeder programme will help those students to bridge the gap of knowledge of what they have pursued here and what they are expected to know before they start the programme. It also would work for those who want to change their streams from arts or commerce to science," informs Finegold. Rutgers is also looking at agriculture courses and a few in the Indian languages.

REGISTRATIONS FOR THE AP TEST

he Advanced Placement (AP) tests will be administered by the United States-India Educational Foundation (USIEF) starting from May 7, 2012. A number of colleges and universities in the United States accept credits earned via the AP programme based on the score in these tests. There are many colleges in about 60 other countries that also offer similar advantages to AP students. Each institution has its own policies, but in general, a majority of schools require a score of three or more for credits to be granted. All students interested in taking these exams should contact the nearest USIEF office and register on or before March 30, 2012. Until now, only a couple of schools in Mumbai offered AP but only for their own students. However, the new centres are open to all. Any student of Class 10, 11 or 12 is eligible to enroll.



FTII TO SIGN MOU WITH UNIVERSITY OF WEST INDIES

he Film and Television Institute of India is all set to sign a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the University of West Indies. The two institutes hope to exchange ideas as well as skills with the aim of developing film culture in the two countries. A three-member delegation from the University of West Indies recently visited the FTII campus. The FTII is expected to help develop the infrastructure at the Department of Film Studies and Films of UWI. The Indian institute will be working on all aspects of film making including direction, editing, sound and cinematography. FTII is open to student exchange programmes. FTII is expected to help the University of West Indies set up their film industry by providing the necessary technical inputs.

2012 is National Mathematical Year

rime Minister Dr Manmohan Singh during an event commemorating the great mathematician Srinivasa Ramanujan’s birthday, talked about his concern on the insufficient number of mathematicians in the country including the fact that not many students today are opting to study mathematics at the higher level. Further, he declared 2012 as the ‘National Mathematical Year’ as a tribute to the math genius. In addition, Dr Singh mentioned that the youth today held a very negative perception of pursuing math as a career, one that made it unattractive and not lucrative enough. He mentioned that these perceptions needed to change with the changing times, where every field had enough to offer its participants, with newer careers emerging rapidly every year. Moving on, Dr Singh laid the responsibility of looking for conducive ways to deal with the shortage of intelligent mathematicians in the mathematical community. He said the community could do this by reaching out to the public, especially presenting the necessities of math in every walk of life in the modern context.

Youth Incorporated ║ MARCH 2012

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NewsNews

News NewsNews

News

The NASI - Scopus Young Scientist Awards

ven though India has come to be known for its expertise in computer science and software, and the general perception is that pursuing of pure sciences is on the decline, we still have umpteen brilliant young minds dedicated to science and research. It is for these young, scientific minds that the NASI - Scopus Young Scientist Awards are given out every year. In partnership with the National Academy of Sciences (NASI) India since 2006, these awards recognise and reward the talent, research and expertise of young, innovative researchers in the country. The awards are given away in 10 major scientific disciplines, including agriculture, chemistry, engineering, mathematics, physics, biological sciences, earth, oceanographic and environmental science, library and information science, medicine and the social sciences. The award carries a Scopus plaque, a citation and a cash prize of `50,000. Applications are invited from across the country, from students from scientific institutes and universities in different disciplines. The criterion for selection of the winner involves both quantitative and qualitative measures of the work. While Scopus provides the quantitative analysis of the work of the applicant, the subject experts from across the country assist in looking at the qualitative aspects of the research work. The primary criteria include research productivity, research impact, research excellence and research quality. Final selections will be based on short presentations of research work to be made by three shortlisted candidates in each subject area. To be eligible, you have to be an Indian citizen, currently residing and working in India. The registration for entries for the next round of awards will open sometime in mid-2012. Aspirants can log on to www.southasia.elsevier.com for further details on the awards. For those who wish to register their entries and receive updates on the upcoming awards can log on to www.southasia.elsevier.com/SYSA2012

Rachana Sansad to offer new courses

achana Sansad is now gearing up to offer new courses to students. The institute is adding three new courses to the already existing bouquet of 18 courses under the graduate and postgraduate faculty. The new courses to be added are valuation, estate management and landscape architecture. These courses will commence from the academic year 2012 onwards. The course on landscape architecture will be affiliated to the University of Mumbai. To be eligible for any of the new courses, applicants are required to have a BArch degree. The duration of all the courses is two years, with a total of 40 seats for each specialisation. Since the courses are targetted at working architects looking to get a specialisation, the classes are part time for 20 hours a week. For more details, log on to www.rachanasansad.edu.in

ď&#x192;Ž

META UNIVERSITY TO BECOME A REALITY SOON

he Government of India has proposed the concept of a 'meta university' to enable students to pursue cross-disciplinary programmes simultaneously. Expected to become a reality from the next academic session, the idea was proposed by HRD Minister Kapil Sibal. As per this concept, a student who is from IIT Kanpur for instance, will be able to enroll for a course in Ancient History from Jawaharlal Nehru University. 31,000 colleges and 6,400 universities are expected to be connected under the programme. It will offer India the benefit of innovation given that there is a demand for high-quality education. MARCH 2012 â&#x2022;&#x2018; Youth Incorporated 7

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_SPECIAL FEATURE

Reservations

AFTER 65 YEARS OF INDEPENDENCE, THE RESERVATION POLICY IN EDUCATION HAS JUST BECOME STRONGER INSTEAD OF BEING PHASED OUT. YOUTH INC TALKS TO STUDENTS ABOUT THE SENSITIVE ISSUE

The word ‘reservation’ when spoken in the education context, generates mixed responses from the student fraternity. In a one-sided picture, this seems alright, since from the general student’s perspective, the reserved category of students not only encroaches upon the seats available, but they also get admitted with much lower scores and lower fees. One may feel that the comments come out of the hapless situations they face, and also due to the reason that not many are aware as to why this quota system was set up in the first place. Not that any of them are interested. Forget competing with close to two lakh fellow-contestants for a couple of thousand seats in the IIMs. Forget the months – no, years – of preparation to crack the CAT/ JEE/ CET, et al. The idea of losing out to a student from the reserved category, who in your eyes does not deserve the admission can be a hopeless situation. Besides, it’s quite obvious that political motivations will always ensure that these quotas do not diminish, if not 8

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increase. So why debate it out? “We have very few premier institutions for a crowd of a billion people!” exclaims the aspiring engineering student Dhruv Kumar. He adds, “Sure, it may not be impossible for all aspirants to get into one of these institutes, but reservations make it that much more difficult. By the time my generation gets into the race, I doubt if we will have any option of trying for the top institutes in our own country.” Kumar’s sentiment is echoed at campuses across India. Sample this: “Point one, I think that the percentage of seats given to reserved classes is just too much. In many colleges it is as high as 40 to 50 per cent. Second, treating all the reserved classes as the same does not help the cause of providing a level playing field to all students,” says FYBCom student Shikha Keswani. “The word itself sounds like a dirty word, a sort of taboo among my friends who could not get into institutes of choice,” states Priyanka Kulkarni, a final year engineering student at Mumbai University. “If we take a list of the institutes or offices where seats are reserved, more often than not, the person who came in through the quota is looked down upon, since he or she is not considered to be up to the mark,” she adds. She also says that the general feeling is that the person has come in through his background. It may so happen, even if such a person is genuinely good at work, he or she is discriminated against. “In school, we were in a situation where one of the teachers was from such a category. I can’t say much about discrimination in the staff room, but I do know for a fact that students often thought her to be incompetent, and she was made the centre of their jokes. It perhaps led to her always remaining in the shadows. Is this what they really want?” Keswani asks, rhetorically. Dr Indu Shahani, principal of HR College and Sheriff of Mumbai sets the thought straight: “The quota

system is often required, otherwise students from underprivileged backgrounds may not get equal opportunities.” Most students feel that caste is a non-issue in urban India. “The distinction may be more visible in rural areas, but not that much in the daily events of cities like Mumbai or Delhi. Many students have rhetoric questions like why can’t the money that is spent on maintaining these quotas be used for developing the areas and providing opportunities locally? If you must have reservation, then why do we not provide adequate number of education institutes? “If we have a larger number of institutes, there will be hope and scope for everyone,” says 20-year-old college student Lakshmi Kumaraswamy. This discontent has been brewing under covers for a long time, but it may not take long to surface. TYBA student Meera Raman warns, “Uneven distribution has led to internal conflicts for a long time. Reservations were introduced to provide equal opportunities for those who would have never made it by themselves just after independence. What I fail to understand is why the successive governments, in 65 years, have not worked towards developing

The quota system is often required, otherwise underprivileged students may not get equal opportunities

the country and the system in such a way that reservations are not required, everyone would get equal opportunity. That apart, if the situation continues as it is now, an uprising from the general category students may not be far. Besides, I do not even feel that the situation will remain stagnant, it is bound to worsen with time.” But 21-year-old Sukriti Pandit begs to differ. She argues, “I do understand that these students have suffered for a long time, but now it is time to realise that students like us are suffering as well, and that too seems like injustice, since the playing field is unequal. If seats need to be reserved, why not just make special institutes for them, so that they stop encroaching on our seats?” She further suggests, “I feel that any student from the economically disadvantaged background should be given a chance, by giving them a slight relaxation in marks and may be a greater relaxation in fees. But the range when the general cut-off is 90 per cent and the reserved cut-off is 50 per cent, is just not fair.” Many students point to the lack of accountability in the system as one of the reasons quotas are not likely to work. So what will work? 22-year old Sandhya Madan, a science graduate, has a possible solution, “Has anyone tracked the careers of OBC or other reserved-quota students who have already completed college?” she queries. According to Madan, “How many have actually finished college? How may have dropped out? Before the government churns out greater percentages of reservations for reserved categories, they need to survey the trends. They need to know that just providing admission relaxations does not work. Who is going to help them get through the programmes? What about the academic part? They have to live up to the expectations of the average student in the institute as well, and that is where most of them fail.” Whatever be the case, the very core of why the reservation system was set up is lost in the rat race to claim a seat. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated

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_FOCUS FEATURE

TEACHERS INC WHEN INDUSTRY EXPERTS ARE CALLED INTO ACADEMICS TO SHARE THEIR KNOWLEDGE, THE GESTURE IS WIDELY APPLAUDED BY ALL CONCERNED. NOT ALL EXPERTS, HOWEVER, ARE ABLE TO TRANSFER THE KNOWLEDGE TO STUDENTS

ver since the modern concept of the ‘practical component’ of learning has crept into the higher education system, institutes have been widely advertising their interaction with the industry, experienced members of which lend themselves to classes from time to time. Developing these corporate linkages has become quite crucial for the students’ progress. With these corporate linkages come opportunities to conduct research, which is one of the two pillars of higher education, the other being teaching. Teaching is, no doubt, the basic activity, but research provides a certain depth to the work done in any particular field, and opens doors to new possibilities and learning. For over a decade now, the need for developing essential links between industry and academia has been felt, to add the so-called practical aspect to classroom activity. For this purpose, what is known as ‘sandwich courses’ were introduced in many programmes, where students use a whole semester to learn at a local workplace, get on-thejob experience of real-life situations. In turn, those from the other side – the corporate sector – get a drift of the prevalent practices in colleges and the products that they are churning out. Understanding the strengths

and weaknesses of students helps the industry experts to analyse newer requirements. The main focus of any academician is a situation that leads to a stimulating intellectual predicament. Initiatives which lead to better analyses and understanding of a concept become of primary interest. This provides the

multidimensionality in research where several options are explored to arrive at a particular solution. Of course, the process takes time, which is not favourable in churning out students year after year, especially students who can get to work from day one, with bare minimum induction at the work place. It is this process of having

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graduates ‘industry ready’ from day one that has prompted many institutes to work hard to get those with industry experience on their faculty. One assumption that is made, however, is that everyone who has the industry experience has the ability to teach. Simple? Well, not quite. “Many times, heads of institutions believe that that the years of knowledge gained by someone working in his respective field will automatically benefit the students,” says Pathik Shah, a finance expert who is a visiting faculty for management students. “Since they

experience, nothing else mattered. As far as the institute was concerned, he was a goldmine of knowledge,” says Shah. Somewhere in the middle of the semester, when students no longer keep quiet, complaints started to pour in. A majority of them was not able to get a grasp of what this person taught, and if they did, they thought the information was outdated. “In such a situation, the institute thought it best to discontinue his lectures. This led to the problem that such faculty members cannot be made accountable in an empirical way,” says Shah.

teaching skills are highly limited. “In fact, if they relieve this rule, I believe that there are many qualified students who have completed their Master’s in Commerce who are equally qualified and could do a better job. At least the colleges would be able to cast their nets wider,” says Mehta. A journalism student has a thought provoking example. “A very senior media executive was teaching journalism students. He’s a wonderful writer, but in class, he sat on the chair and lectured for two and a half hours straight, in a dull and monotonous tone,” says

A senior media person was teaching feature writing to journalism students. This person sat on the chair and lectured for two and a half hours straight. No breaks, no interaction, just pure lecturing!

have the single most important feature required – experience in the real world, no one even thinks of administering ‘test classes’ to checking their ability to transfer knowledge,” he says, giving the example of a very senior human resources professional who was hired by a reputed college to teach management students. “He had 31 years of

There also exists a problem of looking for such personnel who have the experience and also do not mind lending themselves to the colleges for providing industry insights. “Very often, the course coordinators are in a hapless situation, since they cannot fill in the gaps where faculty members are concerned. Thus, they employ anyone who is willing. This policy does not quite help the cause of ‘sifting the best’,” says chartered accountant Manoj Mehta, who teaches accounts in a degree college in suburban Mumbai. He explains that according to the rules of the University of Mumbai, only a professionally qualified and working chartered accountant can be employed by a degree college to teach accounts to the third-year commerce students. Now the colleges are at a loss, since professionally working chartered accountants cannot devote so much time to teach. So the universities have to make do with such teachers whose

a student. He did not establish eye contact. It seemed that he was just lecturing to some make-believe people midair, judging by the way his eyes were focussed. In another institute, a person with several years in human resources, run his class with military precision treating the students as his employees. “I couldn’t figure out whether he drew most pleasure out of making rules; or from monotonously taking attendance at the start and end of every lecture, so that he could catch all those who slipped out in the break. I don’t think we learnt much. We only remember his military ways in which he threatened us with giving memos!” says a student. There are many instances, but the hands of the institutes are tied. It’s not easy to find experts to devote time. On the other hand, many such self-confessed experts have made guest lectures another way to make a fast buck. The ideal situation lies somewhere in between. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 11

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_FOCUS FEATURE

TAKING A LOOK INTO THE LIFE OF A MEDICAL STUDENT, YOUTH INC FINDS THAT THE RATIO OF STRESS TO STIMULATION IS QUITE SKEWED FROM THE ASPIRANT DAYS TO THE INTERNSHIP PERIOD

Looking at the health situation in our country, there is no doubt that we need more doctors every year. Far more than the country currently produces. Unfortunately, in recent times, not many students are inspired to take up medicine as a profession, unlike the old days when anyone and everyone’s parents wanted them to be either doctors or engineers. And sometimes one feels it is justifiably so. From the moment a student harbours the aspiration to become a doctor, he or she is looking into at least decades of long hours of effort, burning the midnight oil, and fighting the odds. Add to that the fact that the number of applicants for the MBBS programme far outnumbers

the available seats, at least at the popular centres. So, there is always that lurking anxiety of making it to the admitted students list. Even the admission process comes much later, before that students have to put in over a year in preparing for the entrance exam, which of course isn’t easy. And if you are unlucky, in a particular year, you may be faced with the occasional scam on question papers being leaked or sold. And after that comes the admission rut. It is often thought that once the entrance tests scores are out, students who have made it would heave a sigh of relief. But this relief is quite short-lived. The infrastructure for admissions is not in place and the process is hardly streamlined. They do say that students have to go for ‘admission’ counselling regarding the

college they get, but there is no one to answer their queries. If that process goes well, sometimes (well, most of the times) the unsatisfied lot who have not secured admission to a college of their choice will move court over a particular issue, and then the matter gets stayed until a hearing is held. This brings forth unforeseen delays. “Even if a student is prepared for all of this and lives through the ordeal, there will surely be something else,” says ophthalmology student Rushita Rajesh, adding, “In going through so much, the student becomes thick skinned enough to go through the four and a half years of torture which is part of the process of becoming a doctor in India.” An article published in the Indian Academy of Clinical Medicine Journal says, “The state of medical education in India presents a scenario marked by rhetoric and wishful thinking rather than concrete steps in the right direction. The search for a need-based curriculum is not new. It has been felt for ages, but the curriculum has not really changed. It is an oft repeated criticism that our medical colleges are producing graduates who are not well equipped

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to tackle the health care needs of society.” “Looking into the current state of affairs, the article rings completely true,” says senior physician Dr Atul Mashru. According to Dr Mashru, students who have cleared the MBBS programme have all the knowledge of diagnosis and administering treatments, but is that knowledge enough? And if that is not enough, who is to blame? The student, the system, or the curriculum?” Is the structure of the average medical programme good enough for students to turn into motivated doctors? “That is hardly the case. The learning is still very information oriented, where practical learning comes in, but it is more patient-centric than learner-centric,” says senior orthopaedic surgeon,” Dr Ajay B Shah. Yet others opine that many times, students are just left to deal with the overload of information and patients. And yes, even if it is one of the most dynamic fields to be taken care of, the new knowledge takes a while to make its way into texts. Shrunal Sanjeev who recently cleared her final year MBBS exam, says that students are left at their tether’s end since they have to deal with the old as well as the new procedures. Keeping up with the guidelines provided by the Medical Council of India (MCI), the structure of the programme offers one year of basic sciences, one and a half years of paraclinical sciences and two years devoted entirely to clinical subjects. According to many experts, the breakup of the subjects is fine, but the problem lies in the execution where subjects are taught in isolation, and there is hardly any attempt to integrate the sciences. Needless to say, a curriculum that is integrated will make for a more meaningful experience. “Not only that, it’s a wholesome approach to patients and their problems,” says final-year MBBS student Anish Kadakia. The problems do not end with college. Dhara Sharma, who finished

her degree two years ago and is working with a general practitioner, laments about the real life situations, where doctors are not made aware of medical ethics and behavioural, communication and management skills. “For any profession, these skills are essential. Medical practitioners have to take care of language and should know the local language apart from English. They should be trained to talk softly, tyrants,” she says. Dr Mashru is of similar opinion. “Generally, students are left on their own to develop these skills. Also, a doctor has to portray a stern image;

otherwise folks are not very inclined to listen. Fresh graduates should use their internship period effectively to build these skills since they are busy with two things – handling way more patients than appropriate and preparation of postgraduate entrance examinations,” he says. Field experts feel that to uplift the standard of learning and to improve the system, focus should be given to the practical care of patients. Faculty members need to be made accountable for their actions. They should motivate juniors and students to be exemplary medical practitioners. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 13

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_WALK OF LIFE

Too much INFORMATION!

Tired of dealing with information overload? Minal Patodia offers some tips on how to manage the stress of being over-connected in the digital age

nformation has become the most important commodity in our knowledge economy. From our mobile phones, tablets and computers, we have 24-access to information all the time. We even get Blackberry messages and alerts at 5 am every time we get an email for work. But does being plugged in to the vast information network out there assist

or hinder you in your job? This deluge of data seems to provide more pain than gain. This is not only limited to the data that keeps hitting your inbox but also the compulsion that one feels to keep abreast of the latest news and trends to be updated at work. If you are one of those people who constantly looks at email, chat messenger and social media updates and suffers

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from withdrawal symptoms, then you may be one of those in danger of information overload! Well, here you may be asking, how bad can it be? Too much information can’t hurt anyone. Well, it certainly harms your productivity; according to one study, for example, people took an average of half an hour to return to their work after being interrupted by an email. Moreover, information overload affects managers at higher levels on a psychological level. According to a survey by Reuters, two-third of managers felt that information overload decreased their job satisfaction and harmed their personal relationships. Even more worryingly, one-third felt that their health had been indirectly damaged due to information overload. Research by the Harvard Business School proves that people have reduced creativity on days when they are interrupted every half hour or so. There are even some claims that the relentless flow of information lowers people’s intelligence! Here are some tips on how to avoid being flooded by information and keeping your focus on the task at hand while at work. SWITCH OFF YOUR EMAIL One of the best ways to deal with too much information is to just switch off for a certain period of time in a day and to take regular intervals away from your inbox. You will be able to concentrate on the task at hand.

Google even has an option that allows you to take a break from your email; when you click it, it turns your email screen grey and displays the following message: “Break time! Take a walk, get some real work done or have a snack. We’ll be back in 15 minutes.” PRIORITISE Another option is to set aside certain time slots to reply to your emails and social media networks, such as only in the morning or evening when you first come in and before you leave. If that is not possible for you, it would be a great idea to invest in software that prioritises your email for you, from critically important to spam. Similarly, only subscribe to the most important posts you want to see on your Facebook wall and hide the rest! PRODUCTIVE MINDSET There are a number of ideas espoused by productivity gurus on ways to take control of your information overload problem. This involves modifying your thinking and behaviour in small stems. For example, one can adopt Merlin Mann’s idea of ‘inbox zero’, or never letting your email accumulate to such an extent that it feels as if an avalanche is about to break over your head. Another mindset is to only use a limited number of sentences to construct short, sweet replies to your emails regardless of the subject or the person you are sending it to so you don’t procrastinate while answering emails. One can adopt a Zen-like

According to one study, people take an average of half an hour to return to their work after being interrupted by an email

philosophy to shed feelings of guilt for not reading or replying to every single message. If things get too bad, some even empty out their email inboxes altogether to get off on a fresh start. MANAGE YOUR INFORMATION To avoid being overwhelmed and constantly distracted by a slew of information, switch off automatic notifications on your email and your mobile and computer chat messages while you are working. Then during short breaks, check and reply to important messages only. If you can’t get to an email for some time, then let the sender know when you will be able to get to it. Also, when sending out emails and reports, create a clear subject line and use formatting like bullets, highlights and italics, to make important statements stand out. Also, for your own sanity, do your best to send out less emails and messages. For each message you send out, you are likely to get two responses. Now that you are aware of the havoc that information overload causes, ensure that you don't burden people with useless emails and messages. Keep it short, simple and sweet! yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 15

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_WALK OF LIFE

e h t S t A D A O R S S O CR THINKING OF CHANGING YOUR CAREER? TAKE THE RIGHT STEP FORWARD

here are many reasons why you might be thinking of changing you career path. Perhaps you have just lost interest or the market you are working in is contracting. Whatever the reason, remember that most working professions change their careers at least once in their lives. At the outset though, there are some important factors to consider so you can make the change that much easier.

CONSIDER THE PROS AND CONS Don’t just think of the negatives that you don’t like about your current job; that’s the easy part. Consider the things you like about your work so that you will know which direction to take your next steps in. What excites and

energises you about your job? Is it your colleagues, the research or the people you meet? Once you can figure this out, you can highlight the skills that you have developed in this area and use them in your next job search.

DO YOU REALLY WANT TO CHANGE YOUR CAREER? Consider why you want to change your career. Can you find another job with a different profile in the same career path that you are currently on? This will help you to maintain your current standard of living, as switching career paths will invariably result in a drop in income for most people. Can you simply consider doing a similar job in a different sector? Can you even modify your existing job so that it fits in with

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Speak to people who have been working in the profession for a few years as well as recruitment professionals and advisors who can mentor you

your new perspective, such as working from home or doing less administrative work? Thinking carefully about what exactly you want to change about your career will help you in the long run.

RESEARCH, RESEARCH, RESEARCH Once you know which field you want to explore, find out as much as you can about that field. Speak to people who have been working in the profession for a few years and will be able to answer your questions and address your doubts. Also consider speaking to recruitment professionals and advisors who can mentor you in this change. The more you know about the field you want to enter, the easier it will be for you to manage any doubts that crop up from switching a career.

TRANSFERABLE SKILLS You don’t necessarily have to start from rock bottom when switching to a new career. There are likely to be several skills that you have picked up in your current job, such as leadership, communication, networking, teamwork and so on. Make a list of the skills that will be a key part of your role in your new line of work and can help to propel your career forward. Map out any crossovers of responsibility that apply to your desired work. Then tweak your CV and application letter to show the experience you have already gained. This will help you to get the best possible job in your new career. Social media marketing executive, Ritika Ranjan says, “Having worked in marketing and editorial for magazines for a number of years, social media marketing was the logical career choice when I was looking for a change. It strikes the perfect balance of clever content, strategy and market awareness that I was particularly skilled at.”

FURTHER TRAINING Consider carefully if you need new specialised skills for the work you are looking to get into. If so, first find out if your current job will support or subsidise the cost of the training as part of the expansion of your current skill set. Ideally, you

should take a part-time evening or online course to gain the skills that you need. A certificate or degree course is important if you are thinking of switching from research into teaching, for example, and will give you a better understanding of whether job profiles in that field are the right fit for you. Primary school teacher Maria Coelho was working as a sales executive when she took up a course in Early Childhood Education on the Internet. She says, “I always wanted to work with kids but had no experience in the field. My certificate really helped me to get my first job, and I haven’t looked back since!”

WORK EXPERIENCE If you can gain some work experience in your chosen career as an intern or part-time working weekends before you switch completely, it will stand you in great stead in your next full-time job. Work experience will show you the real side of what it’s like to be working in that field and help dispel any rosy-eyed illusions you may have about the field. What you learn while working is much more relevant than anything you may learn from a textbook set on a course.

NETWORK From finding an experienced mentor who can guide your career shift to finding vacancies at the right time, it helps immensely to get your foot through the door if you know someone on the other side. While you are thinking of switching your career, go to meetings, conferences and parties where you can build a network of contacts in the industry you are interested in. This is one of the easiest ways to switch your career and start something new. Writer Megha Rathod says, “When I first started to write while working at a finance firm, I went to lots of literary festivals where I met literary agents and publishers. They helped and supported me immensely in my endeavour and I don’t think I could have managed otherwise.” yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 17

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_EXAM FEVER

In competition COMPETITIVE EXAMS ARE CONDUCTED TO MATCH THE SUITABLE CANDIDATES TO THE RIGHT JOBS. YOUTH INC ANALYSES THE TREND

ompetitive exams are held in many government organisations in India, and even some educational institutions. Very often, these exams are used as a benchmark for selecting the most suitable candidate for the various job openings that exist. When it comes to recruitment, these exams are of great help. This is because just like many other issues in our country, the huge population reflects just

this. There are so many job seekers compared to the number of openings that such exams help to filter out the unsuitable candidates. These exams are of extreme importance for a lot of applicants, since merit is not the only factor upon which the hiring list is prepared. There are many other factors like actions taken by the government as well as the reservation policy. The general idea of application of the reservation

policy is the need for providing appropriate and equal opportunities to the weaker sections of society or for those sections of the population which have been living on the periphery for long and are still wanting in terms of making it to the equal footing. The seats available for the general class, which represents a much larger chunk of the countryâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s population, is just a mere 51 per cent. In fact, owing to the Supreme Court rules, the percentage of reservation for these classes cannot exceed 50 per cent of the total seats, so they keep it just under. This poses a very difficult situation, where on the one hand, half the candidates are chosen by way of a competitive exam, for the others, the lucky factor is the caste they belong to. Of course, the step also helps uplift the weaker sections of the society, but one would think that after over 65 years of independence, you have the policies for upliftment in place. Interested candidates should know that different competitive exams are scheduled at different times in the year, and each one has its own eligibility conditions. With the number of jobs at stake via these exams, lakhs of students take them each year in the hope to make a career. There are many other competitive exams held across India. Some of the most important ones are held by the Union Service Public Commission (UPSC) including those for the administrative and the police services. The railways and the State Service Public Commissions, the University Grants Commission also hold such exams. The Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education in Mumbai is the main agency of the country for Olympiad programmes in mathematics and sciences. The Olympiads are special level exams that students can take voluntarily to check their liking towards and aptitude for certain fields. The main objective is to encourage excellence in the fields among senior school and junior college students. yi

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_IN CONVERSATION

Loving

chemistry

Dr Zarine Turel, recent recipient of the TATA Chemicals Honour for service to chemistry, talks to Youth Inc about her many interests and enaging the students in class

he’s got the highest degree that can be awarded in science, the DSc or the Doctor of Science degree, and has devoted 31 years of her life to teaching chemistry. Her field is radio and nuclear chemistry, and she is in complete love with it. At a time when very few women dared to go out of the realm of the usual categories in everything, not just academics, Dr Zarine Rustom Turel forayed into chemistry and specialised in bio inorganic chemistry, environmental chemistry and nano materials. And now, she’s seated comfortably in her room at Shri Vile Parle Kelavni Mandal’s Mithibai College, where currently she is an adjunct professor, and enjoying every bit of her stint. “During those day, like any other science student, my first love was surgery, but again, like many, I could not secure admission in the field. Chemistry was my second choice,” says the lady who was just conferred with the Tata Chemicals Honour for Distinguished Service to Chemistry Education. The awards are dedicated to the International Year of Chemistry – 2011. Dr Turel has won many awards and received several recognitions in the span of her career, but this one, she says, is doubly special for her. “Both my father and grandfather have worked with TATA at different points, and now receiving such a distinguished honour from the same company is

a matter of pride for me,” says the endearing professor. She’s also quick to point out that her children, in a lighter vein, complimented her by saying, “You’re appetite for awards is never getting satisfied!” After a few other jokes and exchanges, Dr Turel gets serious about chemistry. “I was overjoyed when I heard UNESCO declared 2011 as the International Year of Chemistry. At the time of the announcement, I was a part of a team working on a national level conference on the role of chemistry in health and diseases. This conference was among the first events to celebrate the year,” she informs. Apart from being engaged in teaching, Dr Turel has served as a guide to 33 doctoral students, all of whom have successfully completed their PhD under her guidance. She has over 200 research publications to her credit, and she is actively engaged in providing exposure to students about her subject. She holds regular seminars and workshops for her unique subject. Dr Turel says nuclear chemistry offers various applications for the environment and health, as well as other sciences. “I want to break the cliché that atomic energy equals to something negative. I was to spread the word to the world at large, and to the student community in specific, that atomic energy is not always dangerous. It can also be put to constructive use rather peacefully.”

Dr Turel is pleased by the fact that currently, a large number of students are interested in nuclear chemistry in India, and are opting for making their careers in the field. “It says a lot about the progress of the field in our country. I am pleased that there are so many laboratories apart from the Bhabha Atomic Research Centre (BARC) in Mumbai that conduct nuclear research,” says the lady according to whom life cannot exist without chemicals. Extending this thought to the classroom, Dr Turel strongly believes that chemistry learnt by way of project work will enable students develop a deeper understanding of the subject. “The projects have to also include experimentation, because when students discover something new, they are fascinated. This fascination leads to a new thirst for knowledge and that is how the cycle goes on,” advocates the voracious reader who has travelled widely, observing nuclear installations and attending international conferences and seminars. Even though Dr Turel has completed her post doctoral studies from University of Maryland in the US, she is a strong patriot. She is disappointed that India loses many fine, scientific minds to developed countries every year. “I wish they would come back to serve their motherland,” says the grand old lady of chemistry. At least that’s what we want to call her. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 19

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_FOREIGN SHORES

The

HIGHLAN D

a complete guide to studying in S YOUTH INC GIVES YOU A COMPREHENSIVE ACCOUNT OF STUDYING IN THE COUNTRY FAMED FOR ITS HIGHLANDS AND SINGLE MALTS

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N DERS

n Scotland

PHOTO CREDIT FLICKR

ith five Scottish universities in the league of the top 200 universities worldwide, it’s not just the lure of nature or the vibrant art and culture that draws students from India to the remote country but the promise of a world-class education. Yes, it’s a devolved country with its own parliament, part of the larger entity known as the United Kingdom. If you ever make the mistake of suggesting to a Scotsman that Scotland is part of England, you’ll be lucky to just get away with a few choice phrases you’ve never heard before. One of the primary reasons to venture to this cold, rainy and windy state has to be for the warmth and friendliness of the locals, numbering only five million – the same population of a small Indian city. Most love a good Indian curry and the bright colours of India have taken a hold in the many Indian festivals that are celebrated there. Indian students may particularly feel at home as the cultural parallels between Scotland and India are many; the hegemony of English and the disappearance of local, regional languages and traditions are prevalent issues; both have a sense of proud nationalism that has resulted from years of oppression by the same colonial power; and of course, both nations share a passion for finely distilled scotch. For those who love nature and the outdoors, the highlands of Scotland are some of the most beautiful regions in the world that beg to be explored at different times of the year. One can go hiking or mountain biking in the summer, while the winter sees a rise in skiers who come there to enjoy the late snows. Other popular recreational activities are sailing, thanks to the gusty winds and large lochs (lakes) in the region, and horse riding. The variety of sporting activities is a MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 21

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_FOREIGN SHORES

haven for students. The nightlife is vibrant and eclectic, especially in the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh. International artists frequently perform here, while the Edinburgh International Festival attracts music, theatre, film and comedy buffs from across the world. Even small pubs in the highlands host frequent acoustic nights where the locals often sing along to popular songs. If the insularity of Scotland bothers you, worry not. With low-cost airlines such as Ryanair and Easyjet offering direct flights from Scotland to most of Europe, one can fly to Paris for

the weekend for as little as `1,500. And with the strong pound, a trip to Europe is not an expensive proposition in comparison. If studying at a recognised higher education institute for a degree course, then students can work while they study for up to 20 hours a week during term-time, and full-time during holidays. This helps offset the cost of studies but will not be sufficient to cover the tuition fees. A number of scholarships are available for deserving students; for more information, visit your closest British Council centre or log on to www.educationuk.org

UNIVERSITY OF GLASGOW www.gla.ac.uk

Founded in 1451, the University of Glasgow holds the high claim of being the fourth university in the English-speaking world. Today, it is one of the world’s leading research centres with annual research grants of more than £129 million, one the UK’s top ten research earners. The university had the third most internationally diverse student body in the UK in 2010. Students rate their experiences at the university highly on academic, professional and social fronts, while an international student satisfaction survey across the UK placed the university first. The city of Glasgow offers great opportunities to students for work, learning and fun. With a number of festivals through the year, cosy cafes and leafy parks in the West End, over 700 pubs and clubs, live music, galleries and museums, the city of Glasgow is an experience for international students looking for a study-life balance. Travel writer H V Morton called it the ‘city of reality’, and Glaswegians have a hard-nosed, down-to-earth outlook on life with a healthy dose of dry humour.

UNIVERSITY OF STIRLING www.stir.ac.uk

The University of Stirling has been voted by students as the ‘best Scottish university’ and the second best in the UK for ‘a good place to be’. The Sunday Times newspaper has hailed the University as having ‘one of the finest campuses in Europe.’ It ranks high on student satisfaction lists thanks to the unique university experience it offers. The medieval town by the river Forth sprang up as a crossing from the Scottish highlands to the lowlands, and once was the heart of the Scottish nation. The University of Stirling was opened in 1967 outside the main town, and is famed for its peaceful surroundings near a loch and rolling hills. To the stunning environs, add top-notch sports facilities and an international student body with great campus parties and you have a winner on your hands. Moreover, one can reach the cities of Glasgow and Edinburgh within an hour.

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UNIVERSITY OF ST ANDREWS

www.st-andrews.ac.uk

PHOTO CREDIT FLICKR

As Scotland’s oldest university and the third-oldest university in the world, St Andrews has established a reputation for excellence for the past six centuries. Recent graduates included Princes Harry and William of the royal family. About 30 per cent of the student body comes in from overseas, representing over 120 nationalities. With over a hundred student societies catering to every interest in addition to sports clubs, there is something for everyone’s specialised interests. The beautiful, old campus town situated on the edge of the sea allows for some great parties on the beach with fire poi and bonfires. The campus offers a great mix of tradition, history and architecture with cutting-edge facilities and a modern science and arts curricula.

UNIVERSITY OF ABERDEEN

UNIVERSITY OF EDINBURGH

Tucked away in the north of Scotland, the University of Aberdeen boasts of a 500-year-old tradition in teaching, discovery and learning. It is the third-oldest college in Scotland, and the fifth-oldest in the United Kingdom. The original King’s College still stands today, a famous historical landmark in the region. With an annual turnover in excess of £200 million, the university has invested heavily in creating modern infrastructure for students, such as Wi-Fi across the campus, better housing facilities, libraries with over a million volumes and study abroad programmes. Interestingly, Aberdeen offers the United Kingdom’s only MSc degree in Environmental Microbiology and was home to the first MRI scan of a patient’s body.

Ranked in the top 50 of worldwide institutes, the University of Edinburgh is a leader in Scottish education. Spread over the beautiful capital of Scotland, the University is famed for its research in science and the arts. The Artificial Intelligence Applications Institute is one of the world’s top three research institutes for artifical intelligence, and the Europa Institute is the only such centre in the United Kingdom devoted solely to the study of the European Union. The arts campus is centrally located at the heart of the beautiful old city centre, while the science campus is a short 15-minute bus ride. The city is home to the Edinburgh International Festival each year in the month of August, that sees leading plays, music, art, comedy, movies and more come to the city from all over the world. Hogmanay, the New Year celebrations, is also an event that cannot be missed with spectacular street parties and fireworks over the old city.

www.ed.ac.uk

PHOTO CREDIT FLICKR

www.abdn.ac.uk

PHOTO CREDIT FLICKR

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_AWARENESS

An Equal

Footing A CLOSER LOOK AT THE SCOPE OF HUMAN RIGHTS REVEALS THE DIRE NEED FOR AWARENESS ON WHAT THE ISSUE ENCOMPASSES IN TODAY'S INHUMAN AND NEFARIOUS WORLD

chool-going child succumbs to injuries inflicted by teacher', 'Bride tortured to death for dowry’, 'Grandmother killed over property dispute'. These are but a few headlines that jump out at you on browsing through a newspaper on any given day. There are many more cases that go unreported every day. It is evident that the entire world, and not just India, is full of hatred, inequalities, discrimination, human degradation and erosion of values. 2012 marks India’s 65th year of independence. Yet, in many parts of the nation, people are unaware and live in the dark with regards to their rights as citizens of the world’s largest democracy and as human beings. In the World Report 2012, Human Rights Watch (HRW) said that it had been a disappointing year for India. Custodial killings, police abuses including torture, and failure to implement policies to protect vulnerable communities marred India's record in 2011. While NGOs and social activists take up the issue of human rights awareness, it is ironic that the majority of people are hardly in the know. According to Sahil Koul, who is in charge of the strategic functions of Youth for Human Rights India (YHR India), “More than 70 per cent of the educated youth don't even know how many human rights there are in total.” Right from the institution of the caste system, India has been witness to disturbingly huge instances of human rights violations. Even today, atrocities on women, religious- and politicallydriven violence, foeticide, child labour, deprivation of education and domestic violence are rampant in society. There is a grave need to spread awareness about human rights as a tool to

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cultivate defences against oppression and exploitation. So what exactly are human rights and what do they entail? Such rights are fundamentally inherent to a person simply because he or she is a human being irrespective of nationality, sex, ethnic origin, religion, language or any other status. Back in 1948, the United Nations Universal Declaration of Human Rights was signed to provide a common understanding of what everyone’s rights are. This was a result of the atrocities and enormous loss of life that took place during World War II. Article 1 of the declaration states: “All human beings are born free and equal in dignity and rights. They are endowed with reason and conscience and should act towards one another in a spirit of brotherhood.” The country's independence and the drafting of the Constitution of India were two important developments for India. Fortunately, since the Constitution was drafted at the time that all this movement was taking place in the international arena, the drafting process was heavily influenced by human rights. From as early as 1829, when the practice of sati was formally abolished, several human rights were charted out including those related to child marriage, disabled people, protection of scheduled castes, freedom of speech, human trafficking, religious violence and basic medical assistance, continuing up to the recent decriminalisation of homosexuality. “As we are associated with making people aware about human rights, there has been no considerable difficulty. But with regards to what I’ve noticed about this as a general social phenomenon, people are

very proactive to demand when it’s about their own rights. But it’s very important to be empathetic and understand that every person is guaranteed the same rights as we are. So we, as responsible and aware citizens, should first try to understand what human rights are and how many of them are there and what they actually guarantee you,” Koul explains. Proper education and awareness about human rights and its implementation will go a long way in creating a humane culture in the

YHR India is known to engage the youth in awareness drives and human rights walks. “Volunteers discuss these rights through our specially created education material. We also air a documentary that portrays human rights in a creative fashion! This helps us to form a connection with youth,” explains Koul. He feels that it becomes easier to demand justice only when we know what rights are withheld. Thus, awareness is key when it comes to the human rights issue. At the Jaipur Literature Festival earlier this year, Steven Pinker,

You can chain me, you can torture me, you can even destroy this body, but you will never imprison my mind.

~ Mahatma Gandhi

country. The concept of human rights is not static; it is constantly evolving with the times. Interestingly, the human rights awareness theme of 2011 recognised the significance of social media and technology in assisting human rights defenders in new ways. In December 2012, when the world celebrates Human Rights Day and the Nobel Peace Prize are awarded, India too will join in as a country that aims to spread a heightened sense of awareness of human rights through campaigns, drives, seminars and voluntary action mostly driven by the youth to build a better India by starting at the individual level.

experimental psychologist, Harvard professor of cognitive psychology and author of ‘The Better Angels of Nature: Why Violence has Declined,’ said that currently, there are greater levels of intellectual awareness in society and new ideas as opposed to early ideas of tribal purity. He feels that violence is at an all-time low today — and human rights, social equality and gender egalitarianism are at all-time highs. “The ultimate idea is the value of human life,” he said. Awareness, education and government action with regards to protecting human rights is indeed the need of the hour. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 25

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_COVER STORY

very year, the world ‘celebrates’ International Women’s Day on March 8. In fact, the year 2011 marked 100 years of celebrating womanhood. However, one wonders – in this day and age – does awareness on a single day help change the way a woman is perceived? What if the world celebrated this day every day? Would it really make a difference? Would women be free of the stereotypes that continue to be associated with them? While there are a growing number of women who pride in being the empress of their own free will, there yet exists a large section of society who face innumerable challenges and are forced to pay the price for choosing to tread their own path. The battle of the sexes is not something of the past; it isn’t a new concept either. From the days of patriarchal societies, women were conditioned to accept men as the superior sex. With a certain degree of awareness, education and dealing with life's struggles emerged the desire in women to shed their inhibitions. Inspirational women leaders, scientists, artists and from all walks of life have continued to inspire other women to overcome social obstacles. From the days of women’s suffrage rights up to culture-centric movements of today such as Slut Walk, it’s now quite evident that women have reached near empowerment if not already the empowered stage. And, we say near empowerment because in this day and age, women still face a high degree of discrimination and prejudice whether it is in the workplace or behind closed doors in the house. Women all over the world continue to work hard to make a difference to alter their lives and the lives of others.

goddess The

reviv a

THE CHANGING ROLE OF A WOMAN IS EVIDENT AS SHE MOVES OUT OF THE KITCHEN AND INTO THE WORKPLACE, BALANCING THESE ASPECTS WITH FINESSE. COULD THIS BE THE ARRIVAL OF A NEW WAVE OF FEMINISM?

If one looks at the quintessential woman of today, the first, second and third wave feminism movements can well be declared as history. In fact, a new strain of feminism has emerged, one in which women strive to support, inspire and motivate their kind. Today, women want to claim their right to be treated as equals with their male counterparts. They want to be able to be granted the right to be educated and to be protected from violence. A woman wants equality and to be able to access the same things that

her brother, father and husband have been able to access. For this sense of equality to be bestowed on women, empowerment alone is never enough. What is needed is a mass change in people’s mindsets to be able to regain the balance in the gender equation. In a country like India that is rife with barbaric practices like female infanticide, dowry murder, sati and the denial of education, it is fortunate that there are a number of micro movements, institutions and campaigns that work towards the empowerment of women. FIGHT-

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v al

BACK, an ongoing movement that has garnered much momentum over time, spreads awareness on gender discrimination. Hip hop rapper Hard Kaur, who happens to be one of the ambassadors of this movement, once said that she actually had a male performer come up to her backstage and boo her down saying, “You’re in the wrong place, you’re better off standing in your kitchen making hot rotis.”

EMPOWERMENT THROUGH ART

CONCEPTUAL ARTIST YOKO ONO, WHO WAS MARRIED TO THE LATE JOHN LENNON, VISITED INDIA LAST MONTH TO COLLABORATE WITH WOMEN ARTISANS FOR AN INTERACTIVE INSTALLATION CALLED ‘HEAL TOGETHER’. IT A PART OF ONO’S INSTALLATION ‘REMEMBER US’ WHICH COMPRISED HEADLESS FEMALE TORSOS LAID OUT ON BEDS OF BURNT WOOD CHIPS AND WALL ART THAT SCREAMED ‘UNCURSED’ IN ENGLISH, HINDI AND JAPANESE. SHE IS KNOWN TO DRAW ATTENTION TO THE CONSTRAINTS FACED BY WOMEN THROUGH HER ART. Zubin Driver, founder of FIGHT-BACK says, “FIGHTBACK believes in empowering people with information and perspective so that they can rally against gender inequality and create a more equally balanced and humane society. From female foeticide, child molestation, dowry deaths, to rape, Indian women have been victims too long. It must be noted that FIGHT-BACK supports male rights equally and believes that both genders need to work together to create a new paradigm of equality.” There has, without a doubt, been a shift in the definition of women’s empowerment. After all, women are tired of the male-oriented society we live in. The contemporary agenda to achieve gender equality is changing. Women are now coming out into the light and are ever ready to showcase the multi-dimensional aspects that represent womanhood. And people are waking up to the fact that a woman can be independent, careerdriven, powerful and intelligent and at the same time raise a family, feel beautiful and live life to the fullest. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 27

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_COVER STORY

power

The

women

OPRAH WINFREY (1954 – PRESENT) A household name around the world, this television show host, businesswoman and philanthropist overcame an impoverished childhood and went on to build a media empire. The self-made woman’s ragsto-riches story is an inspiration to many. The Oprah Winfrey Foundation has been committed to empowering women, children and families for years on end. “I am a woman in process. I'm just trying like everybody else. I try to take every conflict, every experience and learn from it. Life is never dull.” MARGARET THATCHER (1925 – PRESENT) She wasn’t known as the ‘Iron Lady’ for nothing! Margaret Thatcher became Europe’s first female Prime Minister and the only British Prime Minister to serve three consecutive terms. She worked against a fair amount of resistance and strived to turn Britain into a free-market economy. “In politics, if you want anything said, ask a man. If you want anything done, ask a woman.” KALPANA CHAWLA (1961 – 2003) The Indian-American NASA astronaut was one of the seven crew members who were killed in the Columbia space shuttle disaster. She died a role model for the youth. She often visited her hometown Karnal, where she encouraged girls to follow in her footsteps. Her achievements in aerospace engineering will forever be remembered. “You are just your intelligence.”

Youth Inc’s list of some powerful women who have played a major role in shaping how the world looks at the ‘weaker gender’ SONIA GANDHI (1946 – PRESENT) The Italian-born leader of India’s most powerful political party has been a dominant force in the country since the 1990s. With political skills like hers, anyone would think she had been born a Gandhi. “Investing in women is the highest-return venture. Even a small investment in women has great economic, political and social reverberations.”

MOTHER TERESA (1910 – 1997) Of Albanian ethnicity and Indian citizenship, Mother Teresa took care of the poor, sick, orphaned and dying throughout India and later in other countries. She founded the Missionaries of Charity in Calcutta in 1950. In 1979, she received the Nobel Peace Prize and the Bharat Ratna in 1980. Following her death, she was bestowed the title ‘Blessed Teresa of Calcutta’. "Yesterday is gone. Tomorrow has not yet come. We have only today. Let us begin.” MELINDA GATES (1964 – PRESENT) The American businesswoman and philanthropist is the co-founder of the Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation that aims to improve healthcare, education and reduce poverty globally. She previously worked with Microsoft, playing a huge role in developing products like Encarta and Expedia. “A woman with a voice is by definition a strong woman. The search to find that voice can be difficult. It’s complicated. In most nations, women receive substantially less education than men.”

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Real Indian The

women THE TECH QUEEN

WHO: DEVITA SARAF

WHAT: At the age of 24, Devita Saraf launched Vu Technologies, a luxury technology brand. In spite of growing up in the midst of technology (her father is the Chairman and MD of Zenith Computers and her elder brother, the CEO of Zenith Infotech) she has always been interested in gadgets herself, particularly in consumer technology, product design and human interface. She has been inspired by great queens such as Rani Lakshmibai of Jhansi, Queen Elizabeth I and Cleopatra. Part of MENSA and an Odissi dancer, Saraf believes that enthusiasm is the recipe for her success and that wanting to build a brand, launch a product, engage her team in a new innovation, design an ad and more can only be done well and fast if one has the enthusiasm to see one's ideas come to life.

_COVER STORY

A whole new breed of women is making it big in different fields – from business and politics, right up to fashion – in India. They are a young bunch of confident go-getters who aren’t afraid of starting new ventures or crossing boundaries. Youth Inc rounds up the country’s young achievers who represent girl power to the fullest WHY She feels that business growth is imperative to keep up with large competitors and at the same time be innovative and profitable. After successfully bringing luxury to the world of technology in India, she is looking at expanding the company to four times its size this year! “It is nice being in a man’s world if you are leading it! The technology industry has respectful and educated people who do not differentiate between man and woman. Your career growth depends on your knowledge, hard work, ability to innovate and lead. This is equally hard for a man or woman. When dealing with the grey market for televisions or some government departments, one does find that they don't take women seriously. I just lay low and let my hard work prove itself rather than hold any bias about women’s rights,” explains Saraf. MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 29

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_COVER STORY

FASHION’S FEARLESS FEMME

THE ALL ROUNDER

WHAT: Every fashionista’s dream, Masaba Gupta is considered to be one of the most promising gen-next designers to hit the Indian fashion scene. She may be the daughter of actress Neena Gupta and cricketer Vivian Richards, but she is a self-made woman. Most of her collections are based on her mixed heritage. She is known to feel passionately about women empowerment, not with regards to the activist zeal, but more on the lines of the fun, fearless and powerful kind. Her fashion label reflects this with the use of vibrant colours, bold bindis, Nehru waistcoats and saris with pockets. This SNDT graduate was a state-level tennis player and is a promising soccer player too!

WHAT: She has accomplished more than the average 19-year-old has, all the while being independent, curious and impulsive. Charu Sharma represented India in taekwondo, travelled on research expeditions across all seven continents that included exploring the rain forests of Australia and studying penguin species in Antarctica! That’s not all; in 2003 she was awarded the National Bravery Award for thwarting purse-snatching goons on a Mumbai train. And, this is just one of the five national awards and 1000 other awards that she has in her kitty! This go-getter has not only excelled in the field of academics but also in extra-curricular activities such as athletics, dance and theatre. The young achiever is a part of an equestrian, dance and debate team at Mount Holyoke College, USA where she is currently studying.

WHO: MASABA GUPTA

WHY

“Being Neena Gupta’s daughter doesn’t bother me. You always have to be in that shadow for a while until you branch out. It doesn't affect me because I think I have made my own identity with my clothes and a name for myself, even though I'll always be called Neena Gupta's daughter.”

WHO: CHARU SHARMA

WHY

“I love what I do and I do what I love. This is what keeps me going. I have developed an attitude to see the silver lining on every cloud. Believe in yourself and follow your heart. If you don't know what your heart wants, just have faith and remember that the dots will connect in the end!”

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THE NEW-AGE SARPANCH

THE SCALER OF HEIGHTS

WHAT: Chhavi Rajawat left the dog-eat-dog corporate world to return to her village in Rajasthan where she was nominated as its sarpanch. A graduate from Lady Shriram College with an MBA from IIMM in Pune, Rajawat has worked with several corporate houses in the past. She represents the arrival of the educated woman in grassroots politics. In the recent past, she spent a good deal of time building water harvesting structures to ensure safe drinking water for villagers. As one would expect she has indeed battled male prejudice and distrust from people around. But, the persistent woman that she is, Rajawat continues to battle on.

WHAT: At 19, Krushnaa Patil became the youngest Indian woman to climb Mount Everest. The quest to scale heights began when she got hooked to mountaineering after doing summer courses. The very next year she found herself climbing it! The next two years saw her scale six of the world’s highest peaks, one in every continent! India is proud of Patil who went on to become the first Indian woman to climb Mount Vison Massif in Antarctica. Krushnaa also accompanied her fellow-mountaineer on a biking expedition from Kolkata to Kanyakumari in an attempt to empower women through adventure. She is inspired by Indira Gandhi, characters from Ayn Rand’s books and Rihanna.

WHO: CHHAVI RAJAWAT

WHO: KRUSHNAA PATIL

WHY

“Don’t run away from your roots because that's your foundation and the nation’s foundation too. If you want to make a difference, you've got to start at the bottom. There is so much that one can do.”

As she prepares for her Kanchenjunga expedition she says, “Follow your dreams, however bizarre they may be or however much people say it’s not worth it. Even if you don’t succeed you will learn things you never would have learnt otherwise!” MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 31

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WOMEN’S COLLEGES IN INDIA

_COVER STORY

what

women want

IN A DEVELOPING COUNTRY, ONE OF THE MOST EFFECTIVE WAYS TO EMPOWER WOMEN IS THROUGH EDUCATION, FINDS A YOUTH INC CORRESPONDENT

ccording to the United Nations Population Fund, an international development agency, “Education is one of the most important means of empowering women with the knowledge, skills and self-confidence necessary to participate fully in the development process.” The thought rings true more in India than probably in any other developing country in the world, where women have been working hard to shine through in a male dominated society. Even though statistics suggest otherwise, immense progress is being made in women’s education in the country. Since fewer girls enroll in schools and many are forced to drop out, their literacy rate is lower than men’s education. To improve the situation, the government introduced the scheme of free education for the girl child until class 12. However, according to Sita Anantha Raman in “Women’s Education”, Encyclopedia

of India (vol 4), since 1947 the Indian government has tried to provide incentives for girls’ school attendance. In 1986, the New National Policy on Education laid emphasis on expanding occupational centres for girls and expanding the base for and primary and secondary education, in both rural and urban areas. Raman, however, also maintains that “while the educated Indian women workforce maintains professionalism, the men outnumber them in most fields and, in some cases, receive higher income for the same positions.” As of the decade ending 2010, there were 1800 exclusive women’s colleges functioning under the country’s various universities. The number in two years would have gone up, but not down. In fact, in recent years, the empowerment of women has been recognized as the central issue in determining the status of women. The National Policy for the Empowerment of Women was

• Indira Gandhi Institute of Technology, Delhi • Indraprastha College for Women, Delhi • Jesus and Mary College, Delhi • Lady Hardinge Medical College, Delhi • Lady Irwin College, Delhi • Lady Shri Ram College for Women, Delhi • Maitreyi College, Delhi • Miranda House, Delhi • Government Residential Women's Polytechnic, Latur • Janaki Devi Bajaj Institute of Management Studies, Mumbai • Usha Mittal Institute of Technology, Mumbai • Smt Hiraben Nanavati Institute of Management and Research for Women (HNIMR), Pune • SNDT Women's University, Mumbai and Pune • Sophia College, Mumbai • Mount Carmel College, Bangalore • St Agnes PU College, Mangalore • Karnataka State Women’s University, Bijapur

established in 2001 with the goal of ‘creating an environment through positive economic and social policies for full development of women to enable them to realise their full potential’. Considering the fact that women’s education plays a defining role in a nation like ours, this number is not large enough to cater to the current population. In many areas and communities, we still remain a maledominated society and no number of initiatives or laws can change that. On a more positive note, it is heartening to see that many nonprofit organisations are working on teacher sensitisation towards the girl student and looking at training and curriculum development in that specific area. It is, however, important to understand that merely enrolling girls and women in education and training programmes will not lead to the final goal. It is equally important that the education they receive is appropriate and forms the basis of lifelong learning, and provides knowledge, skills and attitudes for an active citizenship. After all, it is a said that ‘if you educate a man, you educate a person, but if you educate a woman, you educate a family.’ That is the power of a woman. yi

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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

ARCHAEOLOGIST I am a student of class 12 (PCM with multimedia and web tech). How can I become an archaeologist? Apurva Sahni ANSWER ANSWER

The starting point for pursuing archaeology would be studying history as a subject during graduation. BA with history (major)/ history honours would pave the way for a postgraduate degree in ancient Indian history, culture and archaeology or a postgraduate degree in archaeology to become an archaeologist. Archaeologists are employed in the Archaeological Survey of India, state departments of archaeology, as faculty and researchers in history departments of universities and in museums having archaeology sections. Opportunities for full-time, permanent positions are limited; consequently competition is fierce for the few jobs available. The growing interest in heritage preservation and its other aspects, developing cultural centres and mass media and publishing are other avenues for productive employment of archaeologists.

ANSWER ANSWER

You can enroll for actuarial training with the Institute of Actuaries of India (www.actuariesindia. org) after qualifying at the Actuarial Common Entrance Test (ACET). Minimum requirement for eligibility is having cleared the 10+2 examination or equivalent with English as one of the subjects. You may also apply for MSc Actuarial Science at IGNOU (www.ignou.ac.in); Madras University, Department of Statistics, Chepauk campus (www. unom.ac.in); Amity University (www.amity. edu); Central University of Rajasthan (www. curaj.ac.in) or University of Pune's MSc Actuarial Statistics (www.unipune.ac.in) with the required background in graduation. Indicative examples.

PRODUCT DESIGN Q: I am taking my class 12 exams with PCM. What should I do if I want to design mobile phones and electronic gadgets? Does this field have good scope? Sameer Ranga The person you are talking about is the product designer who has designed your personal computer, laptop or mobile phone, iPod and most of the gadgets and equipment you use in your daily life. The product designer could be developing a new design or altering an existing one. Product designers are employed by enterprises across a wide variety of industries such as those manufacturing medical equipment, automobiles, office equipment, furniture, etc. They could be employed by large companies or design firms or may work freelance. Product designers must also understand the technical aspects of how products function. You could either pursue a bachelorâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s degree in product/ industrial design or graduate in engineering and then take up a post graduate programme in product/ industrial design.

DEFENCE DEALS Q: I am currently pursuing MCom and want to join the Indian Army or any defence service with the aim of teaching (education). How do I go about it? Diksha Raman The Indian Army Technical Graduate Course (TGC) in the Army Education Corps is open to those women who have completed postgraduation and are between 19 and 27 years of age. Check the details on www.joinindianarmy.nic.in. The education branch in the Indian Navy (www. nausena-bharti.nic.in) offers Short Service Commissioned Office to female Indian citizens. Women postgraduates may also apply for the education branch (Short Service Commission) for ground duty in the Indian Air Force (www. careerairforce.nic.in). You can obtain further details through the links mentioned above.

ANSWER ANSWER

ACTUARY Q: I'm interested in pursuing higher studies in actuarial science. Which colleges offer it in India? Wasim Shaikh

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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

Choosing between a one-year and two-year programme will depend on several factors. The admission procedures and requirements are quite similar. Both will base their admission decision on a combination of your application package (essays, statement of purpose, career objectives and recommendations), GMAT scores, academic merit, and work experience. Both will cover similar topics in the classroom and placements too would be similar. The costs too are fairly similar. The choice will actually depend on the profile of the applicant. A one-year MBA is better suited for mid-career professionals, preferably with five or more years of experience. The shorter duration also means a lesser time away from your job, and thus, a lesser opportunity cost, an important consideration for 28 to 30-year-old mid-career professionals. Such a course is aimed at making you a better ‘general’ manager rather than enhancing your skills in a specific area. It is designed assuming that one who has worked for more than five years already has sufficient experience and has chosen his/ her area of specialisation. The one-year MBA, therefore, is to fine-tune managerial skills to gain a career jump. A two-year programme is better suited for those freshly out of college and those with lesser years of work experience. The structure provides a better grounding of the fundamentals, and then, depending on your interests, a specialisation is chosen in the second year. Most courses also have an internship period included. This programme may still make sense for someone with over five years of experience if a career shift is being considered. A one-year programme is usually more intensive as the course content is compressed to a shorter period of time.

WORK EXPERIENCE BEFORE MASTER'S? Q: I am in my third year of software engineering in Mumbai and I want to pursue a master's degree in the US. I am confused regarding having work experience on my resume at the time of applying. Should I opt for the master's right after I complete my bachelor's or should I work for a couple of years before? Would the experience help me to get into a top notch college or university? Venkatesh Rao Work experience is not a mandatory requirement for pursuing a master’s in engineering or technology in the US. Your admission to an MS/ MTech programme will be based on your academic track record, your GRE scores, your application essay, recommendations from your professors and extracurricular activities. Most US universities prefer applicants with a strong and consistent academic background, good GRE scores and a statement of purpose (SOP) that clearly communicates how the programme is going to make a difference to the student's future. What purpose it is going to serve in taking his/ her career forward. If you mention how you pursing the course can serve society, or science, it will be an added advantage. Work experience can go a long way in demonstrating your interest and desire to pursue further studies in a particular area. They key point being relevant work experience – experience related to the program you are applying for. Work experience can also give you additional ammunition to use in your SOP – projects worked on, achievements, etc. The work experience may also help you get a recommendation from an immediate supervisor or manager, which would shed light on your achievements and other factors not borne out by other material. On a personal front, a few years of work experience in a related area will also help you decide clearly your life goals and allow you to make an informed career choice – based not on assumptions and hear-say but on first-hand experience and facts.

ANSWER ANSWER

COMPARING MBA DEGREES ABROAD Q: I am considering doing an MBA abroad. In the US, the programmes are of two years duration, while those in the UK and Europe are year-long programmes. How should I go about choosing? Tushar Khandelwal

MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 35

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_OUT OF THE BOX

The

wedding Planner I

If movies like The Wedding Planner got you a tad excited to learn what it’s like to be one, opt for a career in this satisfying field

n a busy society like ours, it’s no wonder that a growing number of couples turn to a professional wedding planner to ensure that their wedding is as stress free as possible. After all, the very thought of planning a wedding can be exhilarating in itself and can tend to leave a couple tired and confused. Here is where a wedding planner comes in to ensure that every aspect of the wedding is taken care of. As

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a wedding planner you can have a rewarding career that lets you use your creativity to organise the happiest day of people's lives. As long as you have the desire, you can become a wedding planner. Candice Pereira, co-founder and creative head – Marry Me Weddings says, “I grew up in a household where my parents have been in the wedding business for the last 25 years. I have seen so many weddings as I grew up and I understood client expectations. Attention to detail, organisational skills and creativity all came to me naturally. After doing many friends' and family weddings, one day we decided to start Marry Me – The Wedding Planners.” If wedding planning sounds like the career of your dreams, then it’s time to convert your love for organising parties and your creative and helpful disposition into a fulfilling career. DEVELOP YOUR SKILLS Successful wedding planners have several traits in common. They are usually creative people with excellent interpersonal skills who love to plan events. While most of these traits are inborn for many wedding planners, a vital skill that some might need to develop is the ability to organise things and manage their time well. “One must be passionate about wedding planning or else working in this field can get challenging. Besides this, previous experience is a must. Brilliant organisational skills, a good deal of creativity as well as a background in hospitality and accounting for good money management helps,” explains Pereira, who is known to have a keen eye for detail. Create timeline schedules and checklists and use organisational tools such as a day planner to keep track of wedding details, tasks and paperwork. KEEP ON LEARNING There are numerous details involved in planning a wedding. You will be involved in the decision-making process with the couple right from selecting the wedding date to deciding

on the menu for the reception. You can learn how to plan weddings by opting for a short-term events management course. To teach yourself, attend and help out with as many weddings as possible, visit bridal shows, read wedding magazines and conduct informational interviews with recently married brides and anyone else connected to the wedding business such as florists and caterers. CREATE A PORTFOLIO A portfolio is a collection of photographs that show people your skill at planning weddings. To develop a portfolio, you might want to play wedding planner to friends and family who are getting married. You can ask them to write testimonials for your website as well. SET UP YOUR OWN BUSINESS Setting up a wedding planning business is no different from starting any other business. It's important to set aside an office space where you will be able to conduct client meetings. Set up costs will be minimal but you will need a computer, business phone line, business cards and marketing materials such as a website. PICK A SPECIALTY Wedding planners offer a variety of services and packages based on their specific skills and interests. For example, you could offer complete wedding planning services or you might even want to offer consultation for brides and grooms or even choose to specialise in wedding decor. Some wedding planners only focus on arranging destination weddings. DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH VENDORS Vendors are suppliers of any product or service related to weddings, such as car services, musicians, photographers, party supply companies and invite designers. Vendors can be valued partners in planning a successful wedding and great networking allies. Thus, it's important to develop

conducive relationships with a wide range of vendors. Conduct informational meetings to learn about their services and what discounts they can offer you as a wedding planner. Before recommending a venue for a wedding ceremony or reception, MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 37

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_OUT OF THE BOX

Over the last few years, Indians have started to understand the importance of engaging a professional to manage their weddings. Wedding planning is a lucrative career from a long-term perspective.

visit and inspect the premises. Take notes regarding the condition, size, cleanliness and capacity of each venue so that you can guide your clients in making suitable choices. GET CLIENTS One of the best ways to get clients is through your relationships with vendors. Word of mouth is also another great route to securing clients. Drop off your business cards and brochures to bridal stores, caterers, florists, photographers and other vendors you work with, and ask them to recommend your services to their customers. Other ways to market your services include advertising, networking, participating in bridal shows or even hosting your own events. WHAT'S IN IT FOR ME? “The trend of hiring a wedding planner has been popular in the West for a few years now. Only recently have Indians started to understand the importance of engaging a professional to manage their weddings. Hence, a career in wedding planning is definitely lucrative from a long-term perspective,” states Pereira. Speaking about the challenging nature of this out-of-the-box career, she says “One of the biggest challenges we faced (and continue to face) is the understanding of the role of a wedding planner. As a lot of clients are still not clear about the role of a planner, the scope can get very challenging at times. Also, weddings are about two families coming together and we usually have inputs and opinions from every member of the family and extended family. This too was very challenging especially when we just started out. The stress levels involved in planning a wedding and the erratic schedules, which at times can leave you with little or no time for yourself, also make it a challenging career.” It's vital to remember that for every wedding successfully executed, you are likely to generate a new set of potential clients! So give it your best! yi

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_CAREER WATCH

THE RIGHT DESIGN

Interested in the art and science behind buildings and structures? Tanaya Ramyani explores the prospects of a career in the creative field of architecture

hen one thinks of an architect, a few things that come to mind are buildings, skyscrapers, landscapes and even an entire city. An architect is the person behind all those mind-boggling structures and the ace who organises space. Being an architect is not easy, neither is it too tough a job. You

just need to have the zeal to create something out of nothing. If you are imaginative, analytical and a practical dreamer with ideas floating in your mind, then architecture could just be your game! Architecture is the seamless fusion of science and arts. Architects transform our need for places to eat, live, work and play into concepts and

then develop those concepts into tangible spaces. The positive punches of being an architect include being your own boss, artistic freedom and personal expression. Besides, there is an incredible variety of options within the profession. The challenging part about being an architect is dealing with clients and involves getting to know them, their likes and dislikes and what kind of structure they are looking at. The exciting part involves putting their ideas onto paper with twists and turns until satisfying results are obtained. The most fascinating part begins when you see your twodimensional drawings translated into a three-dimensional reality. Creatively hypocritical, flexible and vivacious architects are not rooted to age-old traditions and communication. In fact, they make the best use of technologies and tend to be quite tech-savvy. MARCH 2012 â&#x2022;&#x2018; Youth Incorporated 39

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_CAREER WATCH

WHAT IT TAKES You don’t need to have any ‘natural talent’ to be an architect but you do need to have a knack for designing and a whole lot of innovativeness. Architecture involves the use of all the senses. You should know the value of colour, the meaning of light and the importance of involving all senses in your work. While dealing with clients, you must be able to adjust yourself with their needs. Some people know what they desire and want their architect to execute their ideas, while others look to the architect for advice. In the latter case, you will need to create something fresh and unprecedented keeping in mind the client's interest. A misconception attached to architecture is that if you

want to be an architect, you must be good in drawing. Although, a little bit of knowledge on drawing won’t hurt. Besides, these days, architecture takes place in a digital environment. Software such as ArchiSuite, SketchUp Pro and ArchiCad 15 are used for architectural designing. Regardless of what kind of person you may be, you do need a few general skills to be a good architect. You need to be able to switch tasks and be able to flow with changes. You must also be able to prioritise tasks and deliver your projects on time. Just like any other profession, you need to be a good communicator. Flexibility, commitment to learning, logical reasoning, concentration power and the desire to immerse yourself in your

NEED SOME INSPIRATION?

Check out Bob Borson's peppy blog - ‘Life of an Architect’. The Texas-based architect received the Dallas Chapter American Institute of Architects ‘Young Architect of the Year’ award. He mostly designs modern, residential projects.

work are some desirable qualities if you wish to be an architect. WHAT YOU NEED Architecture courses give you the liberty to play with your mind and also gives you the opportunity to showcase your talents. Aspiring architects must undertake an architecture course of a minimum duration of five academic years. To be eligible for such courses, you must hold a class 12 certificate from a recognised board or university with mathematics as the main subject and with at least 50 per cent aggregate marks. Recently, the craze for architecture has increased tremendously as with other professional streams like engineering and medicine. In India itself, there are various tests like AIEEE, NATA and the popular Aesthetics Sensitivity test, which measures the aptitude of the applicant, mental ability, architectural comprehensive skills, creative capability, architectural awareness, etc. If you are interested in pursuing an undergraduate course in architecture (Bachelor of Architecture) in India, it is necessary to take the NATA (National Aptitude Test in Architecture) that comprises two parts – a paper-based drawing test and a computer-based online test. For the test, you need to do a bit of homework on subjects like mathematics, physics and chemistry that can be learnt at coaching classes as well as through self-study. Keep in mind that there exists tough competition in this field and hence you need to work hard to score high grades. The best thing about NATA is that all architecture schools, universities, governmentaided colleges and private colleges require applicants to take the NATA. Thus, all the dedication you put in won’t go in vain. There are different architecture programmes offered by design schools, each specialising in their own unique area of architecture. However, if you are confused, you can begin studying and then later move on to specialise in any particular field.

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ON YOUR

CHECKLIST • CEPT University,

Ahmedabad

• Sir JJ School of Architecture,

Mumbai

• School of Planning and Architecture (SPA), New

Delhi

• Indian Education Society's College of Architecture,

Mumbai

• Birla Institute of Technology,

Ranchi

• Maharaja Sayajirao University (MSU), Baroda • Rizvi College of Architecture,

Mumbai

• Rachana Sansad's Academy of Architecture, Mumbai There are numerous institutes that offer courses in architecture. Research institutes over the Internet and check the requirements for admissions. Before you enroll in an architecture course, always make sure it has good reviews and that it meets the criteria established by the country where you plan to live and work. WORK AND MONEY Architecture is a field that can never go downhill. With more and more planned cities coming up, architectural jobs are blooming. It can be a bit confusing and tough at the beginning. But after completing your course you can begin to chart out your career in architecture, landscape architecture, urban design, industrial design or other related fields. Ecofriendly architecture has also become all the rage today. There are a grand number of career opportunities open to architects. Architects can explore employment in both public and private sectors. A qualified

architect can work with government organisations like central and state public work departments, housing and urban development corporations, municipalities, city development authorities and state housing boards. Moreover, architects are also employed in industrial ventures, consultancy and private architectural firms, teaching institutions or real estate development firms. The ‘wow’ factor of being an architect is that after gaining some years of experience in an organisation, you can set up your own business, which means that you can explore your own style and creativity. In a private practice, an architect's client may be an individual, firm or local body. Without a doubt, the most important part of job satisfaction is

the money. Nobody really likes to work for peanuts! In the government sector, the pay scale is not as lucrative as the private sector. However, a fresh graduate working as a trainee has the opportunity to make fast bucks that lie in the range of `10,000 – `12,000 per month. An architect's salary largely depends on whether they are running their own firm or working for an established firm. Architects working directly on the payroll of firms, governments and corporations usually earn a regular annual salary. If you are considering a career in architecture, firgure out what you like, where your interests lie and what your skills are best suited to. If you can do that, you will definitely go along way, regardless of what your pay check might be. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 41

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SWAT AT EMDI INSTITUTE OF MEDIA AND COMMUNICATION

tudents Working Against Tobacco (SWAT), in its eighth year, is a CSR event organised by the students of EMDI Institute of Media and Communication. It is a student-oriented initiative working to educate, people to fight against the tobacco. This year, there were several events organised to attract a huge crowd and spread awareness about the cause. The SWAT event kickstarted with the sports meet on February 3, organised to promote the core idea – encouraging and sensitising the youth to the harmful after effects of tobacco. The respective teams slugged it out on the field at the games, including Rink Football and Box Cricket. That evening, at 7.30 pm, the SWAT candle march was led from Otters Club to Café Coffee Day at Carter Road, Bandra, Mumbai. There was a huge turnout from all the branches of EMDI. Students carried various banners with messages against tobacco, reading for instance, ‘Say No to Smoking’; ‘No Smoking Day’ and ‘Speed Thrills, Love Feels and Smoke Kills’. Donation boxes from CPAA carried by students throughout the march received a large-hearted response. Actor Vivek Oberoi recorded a special

message on Anti-Cancer (No Tobacco) Day which has been a part of the SWAT festival this year. The morning of February 4 saw the start of ‘The Speed for SWAT’, a treasure hunt kind of race across the city, starting from Bandra Fort at 10.30 am and culminating at the same venue at 4.00 pm. Twelve teams consisting of three to four members each took part in this quest. Each team had to get to successive destinations depending on clues provided. They were not racing for nothing; they were racing for a free stay at Goa, which was given away to the first six winners! Next up was a free stay in Ooty, and for the third team, free stay at Big Red Tent, Khopoli. The SWAT fest culminated with the most awaited rock concert that took place on February 4 at the Bandra Amphitheatre. The crowd went crazy with the music and several students of EMDI showed off their musical and vocal talents before the bands went on. The first band was ‘Life’, followed by ‘Rang’, ‘Aftertaste’ and ‘Color Compound’. The bands and the performers enthralled the audience with thumping music, which was a great mix of original compositions, rock songs and Bollywood numbers. The evening ended with the prize distribution ceremony.

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LALA LAJPATRAI COLLEGE HOSTS MEMORIAL LECTURE ON LAW AND JUSTICE

ala Lajpatrai College hosted a memorial lecture on February 1 to celebrate the birth anniversary of Lala Lajpatrai. The topic of the lecture was ‘Law and justice – The role of courts in modern India’. The event was inaugurated by Prof Kanan Bhatt, after which Prof Neelam Arora welcomed the staff members, students and guests. The guest of honour, Judge RB Malik, was introduced and was invited to share his valuable experiences. He praised Lala Lajpatrai, Bhagat Singh and Sukhdev who had gone through hardships and suffering as they toiled for the country. In the latter part of his presentation, he spoke about how law and justice are different, with law being existent for time immemorial and justice often denied due to technicality. A notable mention was made about women who fight for equality. Judge Malik also spoke of a book called ‘Law v/s Justice’ that was written by ex-judge VR Krishnaiyer. After the presentation, the audience left with a heightened and clear vision of law and justice.

SYMPHONY 2012 – IT’S ALL GREEK TO ME!

t the KJ Somaiya College of Engineering was another exciting festival packed with fun-filled activities. The festival was kick-started by the exciting a series of mechanical events called ‘Contraptions’ that were triggered by a particular action. It was followed by ‘Corporate Chanakya’, where writer Radhakrishnan Pillai gave an enlightening lecture on Chanakya’s leadership ideals for the Indian youth. Simultaneously, bands from all over the city battled it out and got the audience head-banging to the heavy distortion and thumping drumbeats. “KJ! KJ!” was the deafening slogan echoing across the athletics and football grounds as teams from different colleges contested for the coveted title in the internationally acclaimed track. Acclaimed dancer Marzi Pestonji and RJ Ruchi judged ‘Choros’ – the intercollegiate dance competition, where dancers put their best feet forward. A visually stunning ultraviolet dance competition was also held in the college

auditorium, which played host to an excited and enthralled crowd. Some other events of note at Symphony this year were the Model United Nations debate, an academic simulation of the UN’s General Assembly over a period of two days where participants deliberated and discussed world issues and ‘Motley – Q’, a general-knowledge quiz that drew participation from thinking minds across the city. Panache, the intercollegiate fashion competition played host to the prettiest, most confident and to those with the most spunk. Hindi rock band ‘Rang’ enthralled crowds with their renditions of hit numbers like ‘Ja Chudail’ and ‘Dil Chahta Hai’. Well done, students of KJ Somaiya College of Engineering, for pulling off a fantastic festival this year!

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_INSIDE DOPE

Jesus and Mary College, Delhi University

PRIYANKA DHAWAN TAKES YOU TO ONE OF DELHI UNIVERSITY’S TOP GIRLS’ COLLEGES, THE CHARMING JESUS AND MARY COLLEGE

“I

am from JMC,” comes a prompt and proud response from a student of Jesus and Mary College. Boasting of famous alumnae such as Priyanka Gandhi, Neha Dhupia and many more, Jesus and Mary College is one of the top girls’ colleges under Delhi University. Part of the Jesus and Mary Congregation, this girls’ college was founded in July 1968 for educating women. The college stands true to its motto, “Thou Art Light, Fill Me With Thy Light” – imparting

education to the young students who come to its portals with a thirst for knowledge and wisdom. The college offers a wide array of arts and commerce options such as Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in English, Economics, History, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, as well as Bachelor of Commerce (Hons). It also offers a Bachelor of Arts Programme, a course which allows a student to choose a combination of two disciplinary subjects. In addition, certificate programmes in financial

management, media studies, interior design and other popular subjects are also offered. JMC, with its lush green campus, is located in the ‘diplomatic’ area of Delhi. Upon entering the college campus, one can definitely find the latest fashion trends in vogue as the college provides freedom of clothing. Considering the college is all girls, one doesn’t need to bother about being ogled at by boys while wearing a short dress. The college is known for its academics as well as the excellent extra-curricular activities. On a usual day, one can find Mudra, the choreography society, practicing in the basement and on the other hand, the hockey team practicing in the large field. The college is known for its societies such as Kahkasha, The Hindi Dramatics Society and Tarannum,

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Students enjoying a summer afternoon

IF YOU HAVE BEEN TO JMC, THE FOLLOWING WORDS WILL DEFINITELY RING A BELL • Assembly – the daily ritual that leads us to think that we are still in school • Kareena Market – the place to buy mobile recharge, chips and of course, cigarettes • Basement – the place we all spend time at while bunking classes and chit-chatting • Tutorials – the not-sointeresting assignments everyone cribs about

the Indian Music Society. The college also has compulsory societies such as NCC (National Cadet Corps), NSS (National Service Scheme) and NSO (National Sports Organisation) to develop the all-round personality of a student. The college has also been a proud winner of the Vice Chancellors trophy for the past 14 years and brags about its unbeatable sports teams. Canteens are an essential part of college life, and the JMC canteen is one which will make you put on a few kilos with the sumptuous food options. Some of its best items are bhel puri, sev puri, rajma–rice and manchurian–noodles. The keema samosas are something which should not be missed, and it is best if you can lay your hands on one before noon as it usually gets over quickly. The canteen also has a Nescafé counter which serves tea, coffee and iced tea. If you are not in a mood to eat the canteen food, then you could step out to Café Coffee Day (better known as Taj CCD as it is opposite the Taj Palace Hotel) or you could go to Satya Niketan, a close-by market, which offers various options such as Chinese food, kathi rolls, milkshakes, and even the famous tandoori momos. If you happen to be in Satya Niketan, you are bound to bump into your friends who are also studying in the South Campus. Though the colleges in South

Sports day

Campus are not so closely situated as in North, the place has its own charm. Other than the great location, the college has excellent infrastructure to recommend it; JMC has an old library with a huge collection of books divided on three floors. A unique feature, which no other college under Delhi University provides, is an inhouse gymnasium. The gymnasium is open to membership for only students and staff of JMC. The college, wihch is also known for its psychology course, has a well-equipped lab. One of the most awaited events of the year for all the JMC-ites and the boys from Delhi University is Montage, the annual college festival. The two-day festival managed by the student body has a wide range of competitions such as street theatre,

ad-mad, Indian classical music, choreography and photography open to students from all over Delhi. The festival kicks off in the morning with competitions and concludes with a rock night on day one and a DJ night on day two. Apart from this annual festival, each department holds its own festival which brings together students from different colleges. The college has an experienced faculty who are always there to guide students and assist them. They allow students to grow as individuals and focus on all-round personality development. The faculty supports a student-body-run placement cell, which helps students get placed into companies in the final year of college. Studying here is a great choice for anyone’s future. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 45

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JOIN OUR Junior Editorial Board

Form IV STATEMENT OF OWNERSHIP Statement about the ownership and other particulars about newspapers entitled ‘Youth Incorporated’ as required to be published in the first issue of every year after the last day of February.

Your chance to be on our Junior Editorial Board (JEB), where you become the editors of Youth Inc’s anniversary issue. Just send in a 200 word essay on a topic of your choice to mail@youthincmag.com or on the address mentioned below. +7 youortphorated

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1. Place of Publication : Mumbai 2. Periodicity : Monthly 3. Printer’s name : Nitish Shah on behalf of Splash Publication Pvt. Ltd. Nationality : Indian Address : 9 Forjett Hill, British Express Building, 2nd floor, Mumbai 400036 4. Publisher’s name : Nitish Shah on behalf of Splash Publication Pvt. Ltd. Nationality : Indian Address : 9 Forjett Hill, British Express Building, 2nd floor, Mumbai 400036 5. Editor’s name : Nitish Shah Nationality : Indian Address : 9 Forjett Hill, British Express Building, 2nd floor, Mumbai 400036 6. Names and addresses of individuals who own the newspaper and partners or shareholders holding more than one per cent of the total capital : Splash Publication Pvt. Ltd. Directors Aarti Asrani and Nitish Shah I, Nitish Shah hereby declare that the particulars given above are true to the best of my knowledge and belief. Date: 16.02.2012 Nitish Shah ( Signature of Publisher)

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_STUDENT SPEAK

I Mumbai FRENCH STUDENT CAROLINE DÉCLAS, WHO IS PURSUING A JOURNALISM INTERNSHIP IN MUMBAI SHARES HER EXPERIENCES OF MAXIMUM CITY – FROM THE TRAIN RIDES TO THE FOOD; AND THE ‘FRIENDLY’ EXPERIENCES TO HAGGLING WITH THE TAXI WALLAHS

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hen I came to India, I felt I was born again, but without parents. Perhaps, even without hands and legs. India was not my first choice for an internship. Like every other student in the world, I wanted to go to the US. Later, I realised I wanted to go to a growing economy and my alternatives were narrowed down to the Commonwealth countries. I chose India because I wanted to discover new places and things, those that are different from what I have seen in France. I wanted to open my mind to a new world, and live by myself in a set up that I have not known. And I knew if I made it there, I could make it anywhere. The stress of going to a country where safety issues were a major concern was constantly on my mind. I wanted to be well prepared, because I did not want to pack myself off the country, after spending a couple of weeks, unable to adjust. It took me almost a year to mentally prepare myself to come here, and I do not regret it one bit. As a student of political science at the Institut d'Etudes Politiques d'Aix-en-Provence, we have to do an internship abroad in the third year, in any field. I came to a corporate events company, but soon realised that I was not doing any real work, and when opportunity knocked by way of a journalism (reporting) internship with a national daily, I really wanted to grab it with both hands. I had never thought of writing professionally until the day I was leaving home, when I mother cleaned out my room and put out my writing drafts for me to look at. At the very first meeting, the editor put me at ease and told me this was an opportunity, and introduced me to the person in charge of the education supplement who I was going to work with. I was quite sceptical that I was not going to get any concrete work initially, since I did not consider myself as a writer. Luckily, I was given an assignment immediately, and I got busy from day one. I was really taken away

by the trust everyone placed in me, and I soon figured that Mumbai is a city that gives you a break, and if you’re good, there is no reason why you will not progress. My Indian experience would not be so wonderful, had I not been in Mumbai. I love Mumbai. It is so much like New York City! I keep publicising Mumbai as the New York of India. I am able to move around easily and unlike European and American cities, taxis are affordable. The energy and vibrancy of the city makes me want to hang out late with friends, which again, is safe. I really appreciate the friendliness of the people, who will stop and show you the way if you are lost. And yes, though I do miss my regular food, I am starting to develop a strong liking for South Indian food, especially uttapams and upma. This city is truly a melting pot, not only of cultures, but also people and languages! I was afraid that English being my second language, I wouldn’t be able to pull along very well. Little did I know that I will be learning Hindi, picking up words and phrases from everyone around! Being in this

When I first came to Mumbai, I felt I was born again. Today, I haggle with taxi and rickshaw drivers like a local, except that I do it in broken Hindi

city has made me a very confident 19-year-old, who has learnt how to haggle, and if necessary squabble with the taxi and rickshaw wallahs. I want them to understand that just because I am a foreigner, they cannot take me for a ride! I learned it the hard way, but it was a lesson well learnt! I was glad that I had ample opportunity to show off these skills to my mother and aunt who visited me in January. It should not have been a surprise for them, I had already told them about my escapades in the local trains. While working at the events company, I used to live in Bandra and work in Andheri. Initially I opted for autos, but soon moved on to the trusted Western Railways. During my first train ride, I lost my balance and almost fell down, but since then, I’ve had no trouble travelling in the second class compartment to my destination. Apart from developing survival skills in this ruthless city, I have also had my share of Bollywood fun! The first movie I watched was Rockstar, and that too without subtitles. The two things I fell in love with were Ranbir Kapoor and A R Rahman’s music. Despite not knowing the language, I could follow the plot at least in the first half and the fun I had with the music more than made up for my loss at the language. When I went for The Dirty Picture, I had no expectations. I was already aware that there are no subtitles in Indian theatres, but the plot was very interesting. Vidya Balan did a great job, and I was really happy I could follow the story to the end! I could go on about my myriad other experiences, but the memories that will remain with me forever are of those small moments you chance upon in life. That of seeing my first published article in the newspaper and that of the kindness and trust that I have received in India. The sight of homeless street kids is something I will never forget, it still gives me goose bumps. I have, however, come to terms with the fact that I cannot help each one of them. And those will make up my Mumbai moments mosaic. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 49

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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. Myriad (mir-ee-uh d)–

The children tried counting the _____ stars shining in the clear sky, but their efforts were in vain. (a. finite b. innumerable c. disparate)

2. Efflorescing (ef-luh-res-ing)-

The scent of the ______ roses mesmerised everyone who visited the garden. (a. blossoming b. wilting c. endorsing)

3. Umbrage (uhm-brij)-

To avoid the hot sun, the farmers reclined under the _____ of the trees in the afternoon. (a. perforation b. sequence c. foliage)

4. Forage (fawr-ij-ing)

The campers fled from their camping site when they were attacked by a colony of ants that popped out of the ground ________ for food. (a. organising b. prattling c. rummaging)

5. Corral (kuh-ral)-

At dawn, the cowboys ushered the horses out of their _____ into the open fields. (a. paddock b. galley c. citadel)

6. Mellifluous (muh-lif-loo-uh s) –

The ______ song of the nightingale comforted Helen as she waited for her lover to return.(a.euphonic b.discordant c.tenuous)

7. Pristine (pris-teen)-

Hawaii’s ______ beaches make it a perfect destination for a relaxing holiday. (a. sullied b. immaculate c. obtrusive)

8. Exuberance (ig-zoo-ber-uh ns) –

Jim did not let his disability affect his _____ and he remained the life of the party. (a. despondency b. ebullience c. solidarity)

9. Fecund (fee-kuhnd) –

The minister could not believe that the drought stricken area he was visiting had at one time been a _____ farmland. (a. desolate b. fertile c. limpid)

10. Gambol

Sitting by the stream, the parents watched their children ______ on the grass. (a. entangle b. ramble c. cavort)

Spring brings immense joy to everyone around the world. The beautiful sights of colourful flowers blooming, the melodious sounds of birds singing and the earth covered in a layer of green herald the arrival of the king of seasons. The sight of life sprouting from the barren ground after a long, bitter winter symbolises a time of hope, a revival of life. Well, let’s start with a few basic words that you can use in your day-to-day conversation. Answers: 1. B 2. A 3. C 4. C 5. A 6. A 7. B 8. B 9. B 10. C

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entertain Find out how you can have fun on the enchanted isle of Bali

K E E PI N S I D E яГо

Pg56 Pg60 Pg72 Pg74 MUSINGS FROM LITERARY HEAVEN EXPLORE THE JAIPUR LITERATURE FEST THROUGH A BOOK LOVER'S EYES

51 ent sec.indd 13

THE YOUNG AND THE RECKLESS THE ILL EFFECTS OF DRUNKEN AND RASH DRIVING

POWER SHUTTLERS PRESENTING INDIA'S NEW BRIGADE OF BADMINTON PLAYERS

GREEN SPACES A LOOK AT HOW INDIA IS GETTING AHEAD ON THE ECO-FRIENDLY FRONT

11-02-2012 16:28:19

_ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE

THE SUPERNAT U FACTOR YOUTH INC INVESTIGATES THE VARIOUS ROLES THAT SPIRITS PLAY IN OUR WORLD AND ASKS WHETHER IT’S ESSENTIAL TO SEPARATE REALITY FROM OUR CULTURAL HISTORY

ave you ever seen a ghost when you were younger? Gotten that creepy feeling while staying at a dark, eerie old house that someone… or something… was watching you? You must certainly have heard stories from your friends about their ‘real-life’ ghost experiences. You may even know of some who were traumatised by their supernatural experiences till the end of their lives. The concept of malevolent spirits has taken root in our cultural imagination and forms an essential part of horror movies, gothic stories, books and even TV shows. With advances in science, there are ‘ghostbusting’ shows that explore the most-haunted places in the world with sophisticated technology that some claim can detect spirits floating around in the physical plane.

DAY OF THE DEAD CELEBRATIONS

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T URAL Why this obsession with the occult, one may ask? Is it a result of centuries of belief, impossible to dispel even with the advent of modern science? Is it simply fun and games when kids call ghosts and spirits together or does this affect their psyche at a deeper level? Is there any scientific truth to this kind of observed phenomena? Read on as we investigate the various roles that spirits play in our and other cultures and take a deeper look to separate reality from our collective cultural imagination. CULTURAL MEMORIES Cultures all over the world believe and speak of spirits that walk the plane we live in after death. Of course, today in the West these are regarded as fun holidays rather than serious religious events. The ‘Hungry Ghost Festival’ is a traditional Chinese festival where ghosts and spirits of ancestors ascend from lower levels. Giving tribute to one’s ancestors is common as well as releasing lanterns on water to give directions to lost spirits. In India, belief in the existence of troubled spirits is common, though some believe that ancestors can only enter our plane of reality from the underworld during the new moon. The ‘Mahalaya Amavasai’ is a twoweek festival where many rituals occur to appease one’s ancestors. Many other cultures also believe that the spirit realm enters our realm on a certain day of the year. Festivals such as the ‘Day of the Dead’ in Mexico and the Christian festival of

CANDLES LIGHT UP GRAVESTONES ON HALLOWEEN

‘All Hallow’s Eve’ or ‘Halloween’ have incorporated pagan festivities and beliefs for centuries past to honour the dead. In Taiwan, the ‘Ghost Month’ actually goes on for an entire month! Residents believe that ghosts haunt the entire island for this duration. The idea of spirits has been in oral folklore and in written texts for centuries. Our current imaginations of ghosts are often mired in myth and multiple retellings of stories that build on each other. Haunted areas instil a sense of fear – a touch of the gothic

‘sublime’ – of all that is unknown and thus terrifying in the world. From horror movies and TV shows to Steven King novels, ghosts and possession by them are an essential part of our horror-loving culture. EXORCISM AND GHOST BUSTERS Thanks to superstitions and lack of awareness on the subject in India, people with real medical conditions such as epilepsy and schizophrenia are thought to be ‘possessed’ by their relatives. Talking in strange tongues, MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 53

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_ENTERTAINMENT FEATURE

THE NE I FEMIN R O T FAC

More women tend to be ghosts in India than men. Could this be because women are more likely to have traumatic deaths? Or that the feminine represents the unknown, unknowable and terrifying? Either way, the juxtaposition of the terrifying supernatural spirit and women says something about the kind of gendered categories in our culture. There are several kinds of female ghosts in India, of which the two most common are Mohini and Shaakini. A Mohini is spirit said to be created when a young girl commits suicide out if a failure in love. They return as vengeful spirits to lure unsuspecting men through their charms, who are never seen again. A Shaakini is a ghost of a woman wronged, who has died because of dowry harassment or an accident. They often haunt their in-laws – so be careful of your bahu and treat her well, or she may just decide to haunt you!

hearing voices and seeing things that are not there could be signs of mental illness. But if it’s considered to be a haunting or possession, then there is a solution – an ancient ‘ghost fair’ that takes place in Madhya Pradesh. Over 200 witch-doctors and priests gather together in this unique event. Here, the haunted and possessed are sometimes beaten mercilessly to cure their ailments. One witch-doctor comments on his treatment, “Ghosts need a firm hand.” More modern ghost-busting shows take place with the TV Show, India’s Most Haunted, where presenters Rocky Singh and Mayur Sharma explore the scariest places in India to confront and face their own fears and beliefs in the supernatural. Together, they explore our lingering stories about the supernatural, talking to locals about their experiences and trying to come to terms with the stories they hear. Although they didn’t encounter spirits of the ‘other’ kind in the first season, they had enough ‘spooky’ experiences to put them off from running the second season of the show. Sharma says, “It was stressful for me as we shot in numerous spooky locations. I didn’t want to get a heart attack.” However, thanks to tourists looking for a ‘heart attack’, horror tourism is raking in the moolah!

HORROR TOURISM – INDIA’S MOST HAUNTED! Places all over the world that have witnessed some traumatic event in history have cashed on the horrortourism trend thanks to our fear of the supernatural. Haunted tours are common in most amusement parks, where monsters jump out at you through dark corners. Ghost tours take places in abandoned castles, palaces, catacombs and even in the chawls of Mumbai. Pictures of ghosts at ‘haunted’ areas routinely surface on the Internet. Ghost tourism rakes in millions of dollars worldwide!

The abandoned town of Bangarh in Rajasthan is famous around the world as the most haunted place in India. Even actor Daniel Radcliffe while shooting for his horror film, Woman in Black, came across it in his research. He said, “I wish I could personally visit the place and live my role of Arthur Kipps in real.” The town was created in the fourteenth century, and has been abandoned since the midseventeenth century after a vicious famine hit the residents. There are several legends accounting for the spirits that haunt the town. A well-known legend concerns the beautiful Princess Ratnavati, who a local tantrik or magician fell in love with. She spurned him and had him killed. As he lay dying, he cursed the town and everyone in it. The local sightings of ghosts have reached such a crescendo that the Government of India had to take action. They have prevented anyone from entering the area at night! A sign on the outskirts warns all visitors to stay away: “Entering the borders of Bangarh before sunrise and after sunset is strictly prohibited. Legal action will be taken against anybody who does not follow these instructions.” YOUTH AND THE HORROR PSYCHE Young people in particular tend to

INDIA'S MOST HAUNTED: THE ABANDONED TOWN OF BANGARH

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have a morbid fascination with the supernatural. As teenagers, we all had phases of ‘calling ghosts’ with various media. Bhashkar Krishnan says, “In college, we used an Ouija board to call a spirit. We all went to sleep thinking it was all in fun. The next day, one of my friends lost his mind. He was talking in some strange language and saying things in an agitated, violent manner. We made him sleep and prayed and thankfully he was fine the next day.” Many others have had similar experiences with long-lasting effects. Some even believe that calling spirits with the help of a guide allows

ACCORDING TO LEGEND, A DYING TANTRIK CURSED THE TOWN OF BANGARGH CENTURIES AGO

GOTH CULTURE Youth all over the world are obsessed with spirits and the supernatural. A common look in international countries is the ‘Goth’ look, which has come to India as the EMO look. This is characterised by lots of black clothing with metal studs and chains, black lipstick, a fringe covering the eyes and generally being in a different plane of reality because one feels so out of touch with this one. Goths are now making fashion statements everywhere!

one to clear away the negative effects in one’s life. Shweta Shetty had such an experience. A sceptic herself, she recounts her experience with a spirit about a decade ago. An astrologer called her family together to a séance where she lost consciousness. When she awoke, she was told that the spirit of her mother had entered her and

talked about its unfulfilled wishes to family members. To this day, Shetty does not know what to make of the experience. Part of her believes that she was hypnotised, while another part of her thinks she had a real-life ghost experience. With the overwhelming number of stories one hears from friends and

families about their supernatural experiences, it seems almost enough to sway sceptics. But there is still part of the mind that questions and that searches for truth rather than titillating fiction. Is there an answer to the supernatural mystery that does not defy logic? Is it possible that people are hypnotised, that they are the victims of elaborate setups that will be exposed in a Scooby Doo ghost-busting show to be hoaxes? Well, people have been taken in by con-artists in the past and will be in the future. The truth of the matter is that we believe that spirits linger in the world because we want to believe it; we want to believe in an afterlife so we can meet our great-grandkids. yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 55

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_FOCUS FEATURE

Musings from literary heaven

Beverly Pereira reminisces about the utopian atmosphere at the DSC Jaipur Literature Festival 2012

y New Year’s resolution for 2012 didn’t feature the intangible list of things that fail to get accomplished year after year. This time around, I fixedly decided to act on my dreams; to go places that I have always desired to. One such intent was realised earlier this year in January when I made up my mind to go to the Jaipur Literature Festival, a colossal literary meet of sorts. A 15-minute drive away from my hotel was the magnificent Diggi Palace, the festival’s venue for the five days that were to follow. This converted haveli built in the 1860s is owned and occupied by Rajasthani royalty to date. The air was festive with rainbow-hued flags and the equally kaleidoscopic crowd. Pouring over books in the book store and at stalls selling festival merchandise, food and knick-knacks that dotted the venue seemed to be the most natural thing to do as I whiled away time between sessions. The Pushkari tea vendors added to the charm of the surroundings, but more importantly lent warmth and the sweet fragrance of cardamom tea to the otherwise cold evenings. It was pure heaven for those like

me who were eager to soak up new perspectives and to hear some of the most revolutionary thinkers, authors, journalists and philosophers of our time. Some spoke about their thoughts on evolution; others on writing styles, trends and the art of the playwright and yet others on seemingly controversial topics as diverse as the bane of religions. I took back with me oodles of information and broadened my horizons about my passions as a writer and more importantly, as an avid reader. At first, remembering the names and locations of the venues in which concurrent sessions took place for the length of the festival was a task. On attending session after session in different spaces that included halls, lawns and tents, I began to associate characteristic identities with each venue. Baithak, a shady zone that seated less than a 100 people saw many an intimate dialogue, while the open air Front Lawns that hosted sessions by Oprah Winfrey, Tom Stoppard and Richard Dawkins, and which was always packed to the hilt with several thousands of people was a central hub of energy. As if all that intellectual stimulation wasn't a treat enough for me, there were music

1. Steven Pinker talks about the decline of violence in history 2. Shashi Tharoor moderates a session on the superpowers of the 21st century 3. Tom Stoppard on the art of the playwright 4. The crowd is all ears at a session 5. Oprah Winfrey enthralls fans 6. AC Grayling, Vijay Tankha and Steven Pinker in conversation 7. A Pushkari tea vendor spices up the evening 8. Richard Dawkins reads from 'The Magic of Reality' 9. The eager crowd waits for the next session to commence 10. Rainbow-hued flags brighten up the venue

performances by One Giant Leap, the ecstatic Parvathy Baul and Dub Colossus too. I had read so much about Parvathy Baul and here was the energetic, dreadlocked musician keeping the Baul tradition alive! The festival for me represented many things: free thinking, free spiritedness and a gathering of over 30,000 like-minded people! Freedom of speech is what we thought it was all about, and it was for the better part! But the Salman Rushdie episode, which incidentally failed to eclipse the goings-on at this event aside from a few renowned authors being issued death threats by certain groups of people, this very fundamental right was questioned by those present and continues to be the centre of debate in the country. Honestly, I was overwhelmed till the very last moment of the festival. It wasn't just due to the insane crowds that comprised the young and the old; it was the realisation of a dream and the opportunity to have been exposed to path-breaking thoughts and works by some of the most respected writers. Pangs to return to this haven lingered for days on end. I can only wait for next year's literary jamboree when words take centre stage once again! yi

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Friends with benefits: _RELATIONSHIPS

Minal Patodia asks if the benefits of a casual relationship can ever be enough to sustain it over a longer period of time

asual relationships seem to be all the rage amongst the college-going crowd in India. Rather than going for a string of meaningless one night stands, popular in western countries, the youth in India seem to prefer the long-term stability of ‘friends with benefits’. These kinds of casual relationships work like a friendship between a boy and a girl, but with the added ‘benefit’ of a physical relationship to satisfy their hormones. Although it is only an urban minority who opt for

such relationships, one must really ask – are the ‘benefits’ enough? After all, if you are friends, then you do enjoy spending time with each other and offer help and support when you can. Wouldn’t it be better then to have this from a partner who you can depend on to be there in difficult times? Some prefer not to be ‘tied down’ and to experiment when they are young while others don’t want to put themselves out there to get hurt. The wall of safety provided by a friend/lover allows precisely that. After coming out of a particularly serious relationship, Megha Shah

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Are the benefits

enough? wondered if it was wise to jump into another one. Yet the need was there to get out there and start dating. She met a boy who was on the right wavelength, but she did not want to get into something emotionally overpowering too soon. So, they became good friends and enjoyed each other’s company – both in and out of the bedroom. It was great in the beginning. So light-hearted and fun, she would wonder why more people didn’t just have easy relationships like these. No chance of getting your heart broken either. It was just sex with laughs and cuddles. She says, however, that it just wasn’t enough. “After a couple of months, a sense of dissatisfaction crept in. I wanted someone to hold hands with while watching a soppy romantic movie, to call just to make me feel great. I wanted to spend the night at his place instead of heading home like a fugitive. I wanted him to get more involved in the relationship instead of being reclusive and emotionally unavailable. But it was a difficult transition for both of us.” She eventually decided to end it. So where do you go from here? Either way, you have probably ruined a friendship. To have the benefits of a relationship without any responsibilities may seem like a great idea. But once one of you falls for the other, things change drastically. To continue your relationship, both people need to be aloof enough to continue your separate lives without too much crossover. Sara Fernandes had a casual relationship that turned ugly when her

“These kind of relationships only work for the very young urban crowd which is living away from home for the first time and wants to indulge in every kind of excess”

partner refused to leave her alone. She says, “He would randomly show up on my doorstep at odd hours and call me all the time. After some time, I began to feel stalked and it was suffocating. Thankfully, he got the message after I ignored him for some time.” She continues, “the realities in India with pressure to get married young means that people often don’t have the maturity to handle a relationship like this. It requires subtlety to maintain a certain level of affection and intimacy without letting it overwhelm you.” Of course, most in our culture frown upon these kinds of casual, and sometimes, open relationships. So social censure may outweigh any ‘benefits’ of your relationship. Even if you are free from such burdens, some say that one needlessly limits choices by entering into such a relationship. Karan Mehta, an advertising professional, says cheekily, “There is only one benefit to friends-withbenefits relationship!” He continues, “These kind of relationships only work for the very young urban crowd which is living away from home for the first time and wants to indulge in every kind of excess. Rather than tying themselves down and being exclusive with someone, they want to keep their options open. But being in a relationship like this only limits your options and may hinder you from meeting someone truly special.” So, what’s the verdict? Keep it casual and chilled or let your passion overflow into an all-consuming inferno? The choice is yours! yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 59

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_YOUTH ISSUES

THE YOUNG AND THE RECKLESS Supreme Court rejected an appeal filed by Alistair Pereira, directing him to undergo the three-year imprisonment slapped on him by the Bombay High Court for mowing down seven sleeping labourers under his wheels over five years ago. He was initially sentenced to six months of imprisonment by a Mumbai trial court. Finally in January this year, the Bombay High court intervened due to public outcry against this petty sentence for an offence that statutorily attracts a maximum jail term of three years.

Many lives have been lost on roads since the young driver felt it safe to hit the road after a drink. Youth Inc looks into the disturbing issue

f you happen to be reading this, you or someone you know may have been arrested for and convicted of driving under the influence of alcohol. Death lurks at every corner of the street with the sharp rise in people's tendency to drink and drive. According to recent reports, over 30,000 more people died in road accidents in India in 2010 as compared to the 1.25 lakh deaths in 2009. You might not even be the one doing the drinking or the driving – most passenger deaths are a result of car crashes caused by alcohol-impaired

drivers. Should those caught driving under the influence (DUI) of alcohol and involved in serious accidents be given a more severe punishment? Should drunken driving be made into a criminal offence? The existing law prescribes a two-year imprisonment, but the Law Commission wants to increase it to 10 years. These are some of the questions that India has been pondering over for a while. KILLER ON THE ROAD Asserting that reckless drivers who play with the lives of pedestrians don’t deserve to be shown any leniency, the

NEED FOR SPEED While most Indian roads are not exactly vehicle friendly and with the country’s bad traffic sense, there are a lot of youngsters that navigate the city’s roads without reaching the permissible driving age limit. Fatal accidents are the result of a speeddemon mentality along with drinking under the influence. Intoxication can result in bad judgement, leaving you feeling invincible, or, seemingly confident enough to drive you or your friends home. An alcohol drinker may lose their sense of distance, a particularly necessary aid when on the road. STAYING ALIVE If you are headed for a night out on the town, it's best to adopt a designated driver system or better still, to use public transport. Intervene if you see anyone driving in an intoxicated state. After all, enjoying a drink and getting behind the wheel is just not worth it. yi

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Do you think it’s alright to drive after one drink?

YOUR

VOICE Yes it is alright because the Mumbai Police have permitted a certain amount of alcohol intake of approximately 30mg/100ml that is indicated through the use of a breath analyser. Thus, I think it’s fine if people drive after consuming just one drink. If that single alcoholic drink does not exceed the limit permitted by the police, then that is absolutely fine.

Juhika Desai

18, BMM student

Gautham Subramaniam

Akshay Yeole

19, Engineering student One drink is totally allowed as long as the alcohol content in the person’s blood does not exceed the limit stated by the law. If the person can tolerate it and knows his limits, road safety rules and is cautious when driving, then why not?

27, Finance professional

d Apoorva Nanjangu I don’t think it’s alright to drink after consuming a single alcoholic drink. Then again, once someone recognises that he or she has had one too many, they get a little more alert, aware and careful. At least I do. But I wouldn’t take the risk, because it’s not worth it.

19, Student of mass media

In my opinion, it all depends on an individual and varies from person to person with regards to what their drinking capacity is and how much they can sustain. Some people tend to get high even after one drink, so to keep it fair and equal, either drinking and driving should be ruled out in total, or else all pubs and bars should do away with their parking lots!

Rutika Yeolekar

18, Student of mass media No. I don’t think it’s alright because sometimes people can’t handle even a single drink and by doing this one not only risks their life but also the lives of several other people around them. It’s not about how much you drink but about how socially responsible you act.

Tapan Nath 24, Student

I don’t feel it’s dangerous to drive after consuming just one drink. But that also depends on one’s alertness. If a person feels he is drunk, he shouldn’t drive. But according to me, after just one drink, I don’t think it’s deadly. But then again, it's better to skip the risk if you are not feeling confident. MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 61

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BALI

_OFF THE MAP

The Enchanted Isle

GET LOST AND NEVER BE FOUND AGAIN IN THE HAVEN OF BALI. MINAL PATODIA GIVES YOU THE SKINNY ON THE ISLE

rom surfing it up on pristine beaches, diving through aquamarine waters, old temples that are harmoniously integrated with nature, hospitality that is reflective of the culture to an amazing nightlife, Bali has it all. Once you visit its beautiful sand beaches, you really will not want to leave the sun dappled enchantment you fall under. Where to stay Bali is a great spot for students to visit thanks to its cheap accommodation and food. Two can spend the night at a 3-star hotel with a pool for about $30 (approx `1,500) a night, and there are higher-end spas and hotels all around the island. The commercial Kuta beach in the south has a number of budget hotels and is popular with

partygoers for its many cheap bars and clubs. Surfers from Australia flock to this sandy white expanse for a taste of the surf, and small cafés and shops line the narrow streets on either side. To escape the crowds at Kuta, should you happen to land in the busy tourist season, head north to the more peaceful Seminyak and Legian beaches. Legian has the same beautiful beaches that are popular with surfers and also some budget restaurants and bars but is far less chaotic that Kuta. Seminyak on the other hand proliferates with luxury resorts, fashionable restaurants, charming designer boutiques and art studios. If you are in the mood for some high-end shopping or spa treatments, you can’t go wrong in this upscale neighbourhood. It’s also home to Bali’s hippest nightlife, and most

places are packed on the weekend. Try the popular Ku dé Ta, a sleek restaurant and bar complex that is has innovative cocktails and divans on the beach. Dive the ocean blue Surrounded by pristine waters where colourful and diverse marine life has found a home, one must go diving or snorkelling on a visit. The most interesting dive spot is at Tulamben where one can explore the USAT Liberty shipwreck, a cargo ship that was equipped with guns for the Second World War and sunk by a Japanese warship in 1942. Only metres from the shore, the skip forms a gorgeous artificial reef that is often visited by large fish. If you are new to diving, this is a great spot to try it out as the wreck is easily accessible

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Kite flying in Bali is a popular past time. Enjoy the beatiful kites that come in all shapes and colours

The Shiva temple at Tanah Lot and safe. You can also snorkel at the wreck, as its highest point is about four metres below the surface. A short distance from Tulamben is Amed, a quiet fishing village that is another great diving spot for beginners who can try reef and wall dives. Historic temples The unique Hindu culture of the island makes it an interesting visit for Indians who may be interested in how the religion is interpreted in other parts of the world. The Shiva temple at Tanah Lot is built on top of a rock that is surrounded by the sea on all sides and is thousands of years old. The waves form a soft cadence as you step across the shallow wavers to enter the cave-shrine where a shivalingam is attended by priests. Water from the waves is channelled so there is a

• Almost 80 per cent of the population on the island of Bali is Hindu • The best time to visit is between October and March • The capital city of Bali is Denpasar • Visit Seminyak, Kuta, Ubud and Sanur constant stream that falls on the deity. Enjoy the sunset here in one of the most tranquil places in the world. Another must-visit temple is the Pura Besakih sanctuary, towering high on the slopes of the holy Mt Agung. The temple has three main shrines dedicated to the trinity, Shiva, Vishnu and Brahma. Also known as the 'Mother Temple,' it is considered the holiest in Bali and is a special pilgrimage site for locals. Art and Shopping Art lovers should head to Ubud to soak in Balinese paintings dating back to the turn of the century at the local museum before exploring the

Try a variety of cuisines

numerous art galleries nearby that feature more modern styles. Walking through the pretty streets is a pleasure by itself! While shopping, pick up clothes made in the traditional, handwoven ikat style from the textile capital, Gianyar. You can also attend a tour at one of the many factories in the region. A visit to Bali is sure to leave you in a state of bliss and enchantment, so enjoy your fairytale vacation on the island! yi

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_FASHION FEATURE

Of Scaffolding and Silhouettes

THE STORY OF AN URBAN FASHION LABEL

Gaurav and Ritika

aurav&ritika is a label that combines postmodern architectural forms and urban landscapes with the simplicity and effortlessness of geometrical precision. The two designers met at an all-India fashion competition in Mumbai; but unlike most competitors, Gaurav and Ritika made an instant connection that spawned a friendship that evolved into their fashion label, gaurav&ritika. Since their debut show ‘Defnite Space’ in Spring/Summer 09, gaurav&ritika has travelled to the Middle East and was last seen in Hong Kong at the World Boutique.

Their last collection was inspired by contemporary artists Ursula Morley Price, the ceramist, and furnitureproduct designer, Tejo Remy. Luxurious Italian suiting fabrics constructed in nonconformist silhouettes, traditional knitted wool frills and handmade crotchet panels explored the concepts of construction and deconstruction. “The cold greys and neutrals of ceramics were contrasted by highlights of stark red paint. Light and dense hues of blue sky were woven into dusty

browns of architect Kengo Kuma’s scaffolding concretes,” the designers elaborate. “Our inspiration comes from events, people and objects that we see around us from day to day. This has led to our natural affinity to lines and shapes, and a fascination for postmodern architecture. The haphazard geometry of Indian cities finds reflection in much of our work and has taken us on a tangent different from popular explorations of traditional Indian kitsch.” Already masters at patternmaking, they combine their patterns with traditional methods of draping to create distinct silhouettes. The designers take the concept of shape and form very seriously. “Rectangular or cuboid shapes are softened by folds, tucks and pleats to form garments which are feminine and modern at the same time.” And what do the designers plan for the spring season? Gaurav says, “I really want to do a watercolor/pastel palette. Fewer t-shirts and more shirts in light muslins and voiles, with interesting details paired with tapered ankle length trousers.” yi

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Fastrack Watch for Girls `895

Levi’s Watch for Girls `3,799 Buy online from Tradus.in

MTV Watch for Guys `649 Available at www.watchkart. com

ʻWatch’ a Lookin’ at? THERE IS NO EXCUSE TO BE LATE THIS YEAR! THE MARKETS ARE FLOODED WITH WATCHES OF ALL SHAPES, SIZES AND COLOURS - STRAP WATCHES, CHAIN WATCHES, CHRONOGRAPHS, CHRONOMETERS, STOP WATCHES, ANALOG, DIGITAL AND EVEN POCKET WATCHES

Rubber Bracelet for Girls `250 Bracelets are fun and easy to wear; just slip them on and head out for the day. Get them in all colours in street shops all over the city. Available at Hill Road, Bandra

Helix Girl by Timex for Girls `1,395

Swatch Watches

`3,500 Swatch is an all time favourite brand when it comes to this fashion accessory. Keep a look out for new colors, themes and limited edition collections

‘Chori’ Watch from Play Clan `1,385

‘Chaam’ Watch from Play Clan `1,385 Try these funky designer watches from Play Clan. Embrace the ‘desi’ spirit with Play Clan’s very Indian yet contemporary graphics MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 65

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DIY...

Make yourself a set of glam clutch bags with different fabrics to go with any outfit! Just follow these simple steps

SUPPLIES YOU WILL NEED •• Exterior fabric or faux leather: 1/3 metre •• Lining fabric or faux leather: 1/3 metre •• Canvas fabric: 1/3 metre •• 1 magnetic snap •• Metal studs/fabric flower

Step 1: PATTERN PIECES Draw your pattern pieces according to the desired measurement. Tape the pieces at the dotted lines. Pin the pattern pieces to the fabric/interfacing and cut the pieces.

Step 2: INTERFACING With raw edges aligned, pin the canvas fabric to the wrong side of the exterior fabric. Baste it in place a quarter of an inch away from the edges. Basting stitches are long, easily removable stitches.

Step 3: THE SNAP Attach one half of the snap to the exterior fabric 2.75 inches from the bottom edge. Attach the other half of the snap to the lining 1.25 inches from one short edge.

Step 4: FINISHING With the wrong sides facing out and raw edges aligned, pin the lining to the exterior fabric. Make sure the snaps are on opposite sides. Stitch half inch seams along all four edges. Reach through the opening and pull the clutch right side out. Fold the raw edges of the opening in and pin. Press all four sides of the clutch for a more finished look. Topstitch along the short edge, closing the opening along the way. Step 5: ADMIRE YOUR WORK! You can now embellish your clutch with a fabric flower, metal studs, buttons or lace.

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Smells like

Teen Spirit? TRY THESE GREAT SMELLING AND AFFORDABLE PRODUCTS FOR THE SUMMER MONTHS AHEAD!

Tatha Bath Oil `800

Peppermint Foot Mask from Body Shop `880

Lavender Vanilla Body Mist from Bath and Body Works `525

Secrets

fresh Foot Lotion from LUSH `870

Sahil Shroff is a top model who

recently acted in the Bollywood film, Don 2: The King is Back.

Rasa's Pure & Natural Peppermint Oil `55

Celeb

5 Pink Fresh & Clean Body Mist `875

Skin care regime

It's pretty simple. I do a lot of yoga and meditation. That really helps me. I drink a lot of water and avoid chemical products.

Benetton Hot `649

Hair styling tip Love Etc. Eau De Toilette from Body Shop `1,195

11 Adidas Dynamic Pulse Eau De Toilette `835

10 Seabuckthorn After Bath Oil from Fabindia `250

Axeâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s Click Deodorant `225

I have thick hair so I use almond oil. I use Shan hair products because they are natural and prevent hair loss and reverse hair damage.

5 cosmetic products in your travel kit

Natural aloe vera gel, natural body butter, Biotique rose lip balm, almond oil and American Crew hair products.

Favourite fragrance

The original Herrera cologne has sort of stuck with me. It's pretty difficult to find these days.

Grooming faux-pas

Gel is very outdated - It's too 80s! It makes hair look greasy and there are much nicer products available in the market. MARCH 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: A anchoring, da cting, ncin theatre, movieg, s, writing and travelling

Interests: ovies, Watching mut a nd o g in work fitness

i Punit Gawr

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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 decisions 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 have too much dandruff. This has been a problem for a year now. I am using Illusion shampoo, Kerotex oil and Danil anti-dandruff oil with the advice of a medical expert. I am also using VB7 Forte and Keraglo Forte tablets daily. Unfortunately there is no positive result. Is there an alternative solution for it? Reena Parekh, Mumbai Many times, a dry scalp is confused with dandruff. If it is very dry, oil your hair one hour before washing it. Dandruff can also occur due to a fungal infection called seborrheic dermatitis. Conditions like psoriasis can also look like dandruff. Use a good anti-fungal and tar combination shampoo as a second step after your regular shampoo. Leave it on for five minutes and rinse. At night, you can apply 10-12 drops of lotion containing a combination of clotrimazole and beclomethasone for a week. Wash your hair at least thrice a week and let it dry before you tie it. If you perspire a lot, then let your hair air dry when you get home. If the problem still persists please see a specialist. Due to a hormonal problem, I suffer from a lot of facial hair. I get it waxed regularly, I want a permanent solution. What can I do? Meena Saxena, Pune

Permanent laser hair reduction would be a better option to handle facial hair. See a hormone specialist and get the hormones corrected. Then start your laser treatment because if hormones are not corrected, laser responds poorly. After using a particular brand of after shave, I have developed a sore rash. I am using a cream to soothe the skin, but it is not helping much. Please advise. Saahil Aggarwal, Delhi Many after shave lotions are alcohol-based or may contain menthol or camphor for the cooling effect. This can cause irritation. Also, dry skin and a close shave followed by the after shave adds to the irritation. If there is redness and peeling, use a mild cortisone-based cream like hydrocortisone 1% or desonide 1% with a good moisturiser. If there are patches of raw areas, combine the cortisone with an antibacterial cream such as mupirocin 2% or fusidic acid. Take an anti-allergent like Cetrizine 10 mg or Fexofenadine 180 mg. If your skin doesn’t improve, see a skin specialist. I have large pores on my T-zone and blackheads on the tip of my nose. What should I do? Chandni Mehta, Nagpur It is normal for some skin types to have open pores. It’s difficult to get rid of them completely, but they can be blended in. You can use retinol-based creams or get a treatment with ‘intense pulse light’, which also works as an anti-aging treatment. For the nose, a retinol-based cream should help in reducing black heads. At times there are tiny hair on the nose, which can look like blackheads. You can check with a dermatologist and then opt for a laser hair reduction if required.

Keep up with the

FORECAST J

ust like clothes, different seasons call for different skin needs. As the body’s largest organ, our skin is far more delicate than you probably realise. Either way, you need to be updating your skin's wardrobe for the summer. Here’s how: •• A combination of heat, humidity and pollution can clog the pores,

so cleaning the face with an antibacterial face wash is essential. •• Shielding your skin from the sun is the best investment you can make for your skin’s future. Try and stay indoors between 11 am and 3 pm. Use a good sunscreen with SPF 30 or more regularly 30 minutes before you step out and reapply every four hours. If sweating or swimming, reapply every two hours. Newer sunscreens are cosmetically more acceptable with a matt finish and contain lightening agents like liquorice extract, which prevent darkening of the skin. •• Ready to dispense thermal spring water is available in the market, which you can keep spraying on your face during the day and then retouch with sunscreen. •• During summer, it is important

••

•• •• ••

••

to moisturise at night and hydrate the skin. Light, waterbased moisturising creams are recommended. One tans very easily in the summer, especially during a holiday. If the tan isn’t acceptable, then good skin lightening agents containing vitamin C, kojic acid, arbutin and liquorice extract can be used. Wear loose cotton clothing, a widebrimmed hat and sunglasses. Bathe twice a day to prevent fungal infections. Use absorbent antifungal powders in the body folds. Drink a lot of water and liquids and your skin will stay soft and moisturised. Avoid aerated drinks and caffeine as they are very dehydrating. Eat healthy, exercise and sleep well. Ready, get set for the summer! MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 69

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refresh} _MAKEOVER

Désirée Saldanha goes the funky route courtesy Fiza Malkani of Jawed Habib at Atria Mall, Worli

DÉSIRÉE SALDANHA

“I really love my new look! It's very different from my old hair style, which was so simple and boring! This look is really fresh, funky and a whole lot of fun too!”

( HAIR ) PHOTOGRAPHS BY ROHAN FERNANDES

• Cut the length of Désirée's hair by three inches and trimmed all her split ends • Gave her a multi-layered cut to frame her face • Magenta red and golden browns were used to highlight her hair • Blow dried her hair into soft curls; gave her a side parting • Applied serum for extra shine

( MAKEUP )

• Used Kryolan base to even out Désirée's skin; finished with Kryolan fixing powder • Applied peach blush to her cheekbones • Used a light pink eye shadow and applied mascara, kajal and eyebrow pencil to define her eyes • Applied pink lip gloss to complement her look

Mazhar Khan gets a whole new look courtesy Catherine Awungshi of ASIF – The Salon and GATSBY

MAZHAR KHAN

“As an intern, you always need to be well groomed. I’m so happy with my new hair style! I just love the way it has been given an Emo feel. This look is so funky yet understated!”

( HAIR )

• Mazhar’s hair was washed and blow dried to have better control on the shape and style of his hair • Styled with Gatsby Tough & Shine Hair Styling Wax to achieve the perfect flow and hold on spikes for an Emo style

CATHERINE AWUNGSHI

Top stylist, Asif – The Salon

“The Emo look is a rage in European countries. Styling your hair can be a task but the Tough & Shine variant makes it easy. Any type of hair with bangs in front and spikes can help you achieve the emo look. Send your photos to Youth Inc to get a makeover and transform your look! Email us at makeover@youthincmag.com 70 Youth Incorporated ║ MARCH 2012

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_SPORTS

INDIA’S YOUNG BRIGADE OF SHUTTLERS ARE SHINING BRIGHT AND DOING THE COUNTRY PROUD, FINDS TANAYA RAMYANI

one are the days when badminton was played as a recreational game. In fact, in India, badminton has quite an interesting historical background. The sport is assumed to be an offshoot of ‘battledore and shuttlecock’, a game played by two people using small rackets called battledores and a shuttlecock that is made of a light material like cork with trimmed feathers fixed round the top. The modern version of badminton was actually developed in British India during the mid-18th century in our very own Pune. Badminton has come a long way since then. Though it may not be as glossy as cricket, the sport has churned out some powerful stars. Of course we have had some ace badminton players in India like Prakash Padukone and Pullela Gopichand who won the All England Open in 1980 and 2001 respectively. But recently, many new players are emerging in this arena of sport. Some of the ace shuttlers who are currently ruling the roost are Saina Nehwal, Parupalli Kashyap, Chetan Anand, Arundhati Pantawane and PV Sindhu. SAINA NEHWAL Nehwal is a household name now. Ranked fourth in the world by the Badminton World Federation, she is the first Indian woman to reach the singles quarterfinals at the Olympics and the first Indian to win the World Junior Badminton Championship. Nicknamed ‘Super Saina’, she has inspired countless young children to take up the sport. She started her training under the guidance of SM Arif, who was once awarded with a Dronacharya. Winning the Junior Czech Open in 2003 was a major milestone in Nehwal’s career.

POWER

She also gave her best in the 2004 Commonwealth Games but could not bring back a medal. Nehwal took part in the Junior Asian Championship of 2004. Later, in 2009, she made a record in Indian badminton as the first Indian to win a Super Series tournament by clinching the Indonesia Open defeating the higher-ranked Wang Lin in Jakarta. Last year, she made it to the 2011 Super Series Masters final by defeating Tine Baun of Denmark in the semi-finals. However, she lost the finals against world number one Wang Yihan in a match that lasted for over an hour. Speaking of true girl power, Nehwal is an all-rounder. She earned a brown belt in karate when she was a child, but later went on to quit the art at the age of eight, when she was asked to have a motorcycle run over her stomach. She was also voted as the third best Badminton Player of the Year 2010 by readers of an international badminton magazine known as Badzine. PARUPALLI KASHYAP Better known as P Kashyap, he is the youngest Indian after Prakash Padukone to win a senior ranking tournament in India. Kashyap has come a long way from being the 2005 Junior National Champion to being a gold medal winner at the 2008 National Games. He also won the bronze medal at the Common Wealth Games 2010 and played a cardinal role for India after he won the silver in the Team Championships at the Common Wealth Games 2010. Later that year, Kashyap reached the semi-finals at the

Saina Nehwal

Indian Open Grand Prix 2010 but lost out to Arvind Bhat in the finals of the 75th Senior National Badminton Championship held at Rohtak in 2011. Just like Nehwal, Kashyap was also trained by SM Arif. He then went on to join the Padukone Academy in Banglore. Kashyap has seen some hard times after Parupalli Kashyap

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SHUTTLERS being diagnosed with asthma in 2003. He showed a great deal of determination to overcome the problem and emerged a winner! With his dedication and positive outlook, his condition improved and he continued his training at the Gopichand Academy in Hyderabad under Pullela Gopichand, a former All England Open Badminton Champion.

CHETAN ANAND Recipient of the prestigious Arjuna Award, Chetan Anand Buradagunta is considered to be one of the the best male shuttlers in India. Anand, a fourtime National Badminton Champion, dominated the Indian scene for long. He had a world ranking of 11 that dropped to 54 in October 2010 due to an ankle injury. He started playing at a young age with his father, who was an active badminton player. As a beginner, he participated in the Mini Nationals in Mumbai in 1992. He reached his first open nationals singles final at the age of 15 and emerged the runner-up. He won the doubles pairing with A Prithvi. He received a career boost when the legendary Padukone encouraged him to join the World Academy Camp in Kuala Lumpur to exercise his skills. Anand not only won the National Badminton Championship but also the Toulouse Open in France in 2004 and the Irish and Scottish Open tournaments in 2005. In 2008, he won his first Grand Prix title at the Bitburger Open. Besides being one of India’s top, young badminton players, Anand also happens to be a senior executive engineer at Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC). He was also signed as the first brand ambassador for Li Ning sporting goods in India in 2009.

ARUNDHATI PANTAWANE With her cute smile and bright eyes, Arundhati Pantawane is one of the fastest rising shuttlers in India. Recently, she broke into the top 100 in the world rankings. Arundhati Pantawane Pantawane jumped 19 places from 117 to achieve her maiden double-figure ranking of 98. S, like many others, has been trained at the Pullela Gopichand Academy. Pantawane played the Estonian Open where she began as a qualifier and went on to win the silver. She won a gold medal in the National Games in Ranchi. She played the Tata Open India International Challenge in Mumbai; the Syed Modi Memorial Grand Prix Gold at Lucknow and the Senior Nationals in Bangalore. Pantawane’s most spectacular performance was at the Polish Open 2011, where she began as a qualifier and reached the semi-finals. With great guts and power performances, this girl has come a long way and there is no doubt that she will soon be one of the best players in the country.

Chetan Anand

P V SINDHU Daughter of former international volleyball player and 1986 Asian Games bronze medallist P V Ramana, Pusarla Venkata Sindhu or P V Sindhu is only 16, but this girl is creating waves in the badminton world! Sindhu started playing at the age of eight and there has been no looking back! She started her formal training under the guidance of Mehboob Ali in Secunderabad and later on she went on to join Pullela Gopichand’s academy. Sindhu has an indomitable spirit, which has helped her in clinching P V Sindhu many titles. She won the Sushant Chipalkatti Memorial India Junior International Championship, Pune and the All India Senior Ranking Tournament, Atul. She also holds a bronze medal from the Junior Asian Championship held at Colombo in 2009. Then followed the runners-up finish at the Iran Fajr International tournament where she defeated players ranked much higher than her. She also reached the quarter-finals of the Junior World Championship in Malaysia in 2010. Sindhu is the youngest member of the squad to have reached the quarter-finals of the Uber Cup in 2010. She won the bronze at the Indian Grand Prix, Hyderabad. Our best wishes go out to India’s young badminton stars who continue to make the country proud! yi MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 73

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_ECOWATCH

E Green

spaces

SUSTAINABLE DEVELOPMENT GOES IN HAND WITH ECO-FRIENDLY BUILDINGS THE DRUK WHITE LOTUS SCHOOL, LADAKH

Some 3,500 metres above the sea level in the climatically severe landscape of Ladakh is a school that has been recognised as one of the most functional examples of sustainable, eco-friendly and cost-effective building development. Not only has the school combined traditional Ladakhi architecture with 21st century engineering excellence, but it has also been built with traditional materials like locally excavated stone, grass and mud bricks. The Druk White Lotus School went on to win awards for the Best Asian Building, Best Education Building and Best Green Building. It was designed and built by British architects and engineers, local educators and the Ladakhi mountain community for the Drukpa Trust under the patronage of His Holiness the 14th Dalai Lama.

LA CUISINE SOLAIRE- AUROVILLE,PONDICHERRY

One of the most innovative green spaces in the country has got to be a restaurant in Auroville, Pondicherry’s global township. All the food cooked here is vegetarian. The café’s solar-powered kitchen best demonstrates the bountiful goodness that can be harnessed using solar energy. The

verything seems to be going green these days; and the construction of eco-friendly schools, hospitals, stadiums, restaurants and even residential spaces are all part of India’s sustainable development goals. A green building or home is one that is designed so that it requires minimal maintenance and causes minimum harm to the environment. Simply put, eco-friendly architecture promotes energy efficiency, conserves natural resources, generates less waste and provides a healthier living space for occupants as compared to a conventional building. India has a number of buildings that serve as models of eco-friendly design by saving resources like water and harnessing solar energy. Now, these designs need to be adopted by mainstream architecture and construction.

GUHANTARA CAVE RESORT, BANGALORE

Hotels are known to consume large amounts of energy. On a daily basis, there is an unimaginable amount of laundry to be done while swimming pools eat up a considerable amount of energy. These days, many hotels are rapidly moving toward smart energy management solutions. Guhantara Cave Resort in Bangalore has gone one step ahead to offer a green lodging experience to its guests. It has been built around the five elements of nature and follows the natural contours of the land through the use of mud walls and terrace gardens. In spite of the cave-like atmosphere, the ventilation is optimum as windows have been built in the direction of the wind. Light streams in through these vents too. A rain water harvesting facility that resembles a lake, usage of minimum wood, biothermal power for heating purposes and the use of CFL bulbs make this hotel one of the greenest in the country. The entire resort operates solely on solar power. idea behind the name is the 15-diameter solar bowl that has been attached to the top of this green structure. On a clear day, the structure can generate enough steam at a temperature of 150°C that can be used to cook meals for as many as 1000 people, three times a day! It's amazing to see that solar energy is being harnessed to the fullest.

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_HEALTH

(

THE 'CHILL' PILL

TANAYA RAMYANI GIVES YOU THE INSIDE SCOOP ON THE MORNINGAFTER PILL BEING POPPED BY YOUNGSTERS

he tiny three-letter-word, sex, is becoming a pervasive theme in our present culture. It is no longer considered taboo as it once was and people are discussing it everywhere. Starting from television commercials to music videos, movies, magazines to the Internet, plots involving sexual pursuit and gratification are now staple content. The media is always bombarding us with these fanciful images of love, life, sex and happily ever after. But rarely is it true; life is not a movie where you meet a cute guy or girl, go out on some romantic dates and make magical love. There are hard facts to face: pregnancy, sexually transmitted diseases, disillusionment and yes, broken hearts just to name a few. Teenage pregnancy is quite a

common scene nowadays. Due to many factors, girls are reaching puberty at younger ages. Thanks to high fertility rates in the adolescent age group, alcohol and substance abuse, the rate of teenage pregnancy is increasing. It may sound exciting to live out the media’s portrayal of sex, but the outcomes are far from fun with problems like depression, social embarrassment and numerous other emotional and physical trauma. With the arrival of the emergency contraceptive pill or the morningafter pill, some teen pregnancies are being prevented but there are still many who experience unintended pregnancy each year. The pill, which is regarded as a revolution in birth control, is becoming a common habit of teenagers who have unprotected sex. But these have serious side-effects and

(

medical complications that most are unaware of. Morning-after pills alter the processes of ovulation that causes changes in the cervical mucus to prevent the rise of the sperm and prevents the implantation of fertilised egg, therefore causing contraception. The excessive intake of the morningafter pill, however, triggers various complications and health problems. Sometimes, the pill even fails to prevent pregnancy leading the girl to bear down the pains and trauma of abortion. Once considered as the ‘chill pill’, the pill is no longer cool. It should be kept in mind the pill should be taken only when the condom breaks and not as frequently as four to five times a month. It should not be taken as a routine contraceptive as it contains high amount of oestrogen MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 75

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_HEALTH

Besides commonly known side-effects like nausea and headache, the pill causes blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pains, severe abdominal pains and irregular menstrual periods

and progesterone, which causes hormonal imbalances in women. Besides commonly known sideeffects like nausea and headache, the emergency contraception pill also causes blurred vision, shortness of breath, chest pains, severe abdominal pains and irregular menstrual periods. The side-effects may remain longer then one day; although not life-threatening, one may experience mood swings and weakness for a long

period of time. A recent study has found that those adolescents who are in the habit of taking the morning-after pill quite frequently may be at risk for increased rates of anorexia, bulimia or depression, and these girls will have an increased risk of an ectopic pregnancy. Ectopic pregnancy is an abnormal pregnancy, which occurs outside the womb (uterus). It is also known as a tubal pregnancy. It happens in about

two of every 100 pregnancies in India. As the pregnancy grows, it causes pain and bleeding and, if not recognised, the tube can rupture, causing internal bleeding. It can be fatal. The pregnancy itself never survives; the foetus can't be moved to the womb and has to be removed. It should also be kept in mind that oral contraceptives should be taken under the consultation of a doctor. It contains numerous chemicals, which may have side-effects and harmful for the normal bodily function. Oral contraceptives also causes vitamin deficiency; the chemicals present in the pills interfere with the body's absorption of folic acid, vitamin B6, selenium and vitamin C. Folic acid prevents anaemia and cell changes that can lead to cancer. Vitamin B6 deficiency is linked to depression. Selenium and vitamin C are both important for maintaining a healthy immune system. Just like when we fall sick, we take the advice of doctors regarding medication, it is also very important that we consult the doctor before taking the morning-after pill or any other birth control, because if it is done improperly, it could have longterm side effects and can be harmful for the health of the girl. It is ideal that you be careful that no unprotected sex occurs. It is not logical to take the morning-after pill frequently since it must be understood that it is a method of emergency contraception only. It should be taken only during emergencies and with proper consultation of a doctor. It is very necessary that if you are suffering from any of these symptoms, you discuss it with your parents or a doctor for a proper diagnosis. Something which can be treated should never be kept hidden. Life is beautiful and fun only if you know how to live it. Our teens are one of the most precious stages when we come to know and face life. So donâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;t waste these precious moments with pain and sadness; while you have fun, remember to stay safe. yi

76 Youth Incorporated â&#x2022;&#x2018; MARCH 2012

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GRAND SLAM TENNIS 2

PLATFORMS:

XBOX 360, PS3

Lame?

GaMe:

_GAME REVIEW

The tennis season has begun with a bang and what better way to get into the mood with this EA video game that encompasses all four major world championships (Australian Open, French Open, US Open and Wimbledon). Play as or against tennis biggies like Nadal, Djokovic, Borg, Sharapova, Federer, the William sisters and John McEnroe. It's really amazing to see that the playing styles and behaviours of the players have been captured to a tee! One of the best features of this game is called ESPN Grand Slam Classics. It allows players to relive classic matches that went down in history. Who wouldn’t want to live those golden moments of the Nadal vs Federer match! As you play your way into history, you will be able to unlock 25 Grand Slam moments. The gameplay is quite intuitive and precise as gamers are able to control each shot with the right analog stick that allows them to carry out overheads, backhands, smashing forehands and volleys with power and accuracy. Lose yourself in tennis as you immerse yourself in the career mode or in a head-to-head battle online.

FINAL FANTASY XIII – 2 The sequel to Final Fantasy XIII, this game is bound to be a treat if you simply couldn't get enough of the Final Fantasy series. The game takes off three years after the events seen in the prequel. Serah Farron and a young man Noel Kreiss attempt to find Lighting, the protagonist of the original game and Serah’s sister. Like its predecessor, this game uses the Active Time Battle system, albeit with a twist. Players will be able to control the difficulty of battles, tame monsters and go through ‘quick time events’ also known as ‘Cinematic Action’ that allows them to cause higher damage to enemies. The Mog Clock feature appears in this game after a long break. Players will be presented with multiple endings as well as puzzle-like problems in a void between dimensions. Only after solving current anomalies (mini games) will players be able to solve a paradox happening in the real world. Players will also be able to jump through various time gates throughout the game, courtesy the Historia Crux system. All in all, Final Fantasy XIII – 2 manages to do away with all the shortcomings that previous versions had. The plot is interesting, graphics beautiful and the music fantastic.

PLATFORMS:

PS3, XBOX 360

MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 77

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o Dr ol FOR TECH LOVERS 

of the MONTH

 SAMSUNG MV800 (`13,800)

This is a point-and-shoot camera with a difference; the difference being that it has a super-cool form factor. The MV800 camera features a fun flip-out LCD touch screen that only makes it easy to click self portraits. Samsung claims that the multi-view camera allows one to capture images from virtually every angle by using its flip-out display. With a 5x optical zoom, photographs shot in 16.1 megapixels and a very responsive touch interface, this camera is quite a steal if you really want to get clicking. Plus, you get a number of filters to play around with as well as shooting modes such as panoramas and self shots. Self shot allows you to shoot images of yourself by flipping open the screen and a host of features like picture in picture, vignetting and close-up shots. The only drawback is that this camera lacks decent lowlight performance and image quality.

 ATARI ARCADE (`2,924) Even though Atari’s old-school favourites like Centipede, Missile Command and Asteroids are now available as a downloadable app known as the Atari Greatest Hits app for iPhones and iPads, the experience is still nowhere close to the retro experience that the golden joystick and buttons used to offer. You can now get the best of both worlds and experience a good deal of nostalgia using the Duo Powered Atari Arcade! Simply slip your iPhone or iPad into this rather cool console and game your way back into the good old retro days of arcade gaming. Even though the Atari Arcade works with just a single app (you get over 100 Atari games!), it’s well worth a buy, since no Atari game that is played on a touch-screen device has the power to make you feel warm and fuzzy about simpler times when all you needed was a joystick and four buttons! 78 Youth Incorporated ║ MARCH 2012

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_TECHNOLOGY

 SKULLCANDY PIPE SPEAKER DOCK (`3,400) Audiophiles will love this sleek piece of gadgetry. Why? Simply because it's not only a good looker but this speaker dock also sounds amazing no matter how loud you crank up the sound. And, it’s highly portable too! Slip it into your bag and listen to music anytime, anywhere. Compatible with the iPhone, iTouch and iPod, this dock is equipped with plenty of good features since the technology employed is top notch too. If you aren’t an Apple loyalist, use the provided cable to listen to music via any brand of smart phones, laptops or MP3 players. Expect some crisp sound quality along with decent bass and sharp trebles. Choose to power this speaker dock via AC power or by using a regular AA battery if you wish

to use it in the great wide outdoors. It's the perfect holiday gadget. Not only that; it fits in the smallest of bags too. Now you won't have to bother about lugging around a heavy setof speakers. Use it in your car for great on-the-go entertainment. Good looks, decent sound quality, an affordable price and easy portability make the Skullcandy Pipe Speaker Dock a good buy. The design is young but has a touch of sophistication with its chrome body. You’re bound to love the skull design on the speaker too! Bundled in the Skullcandy Pipe Speaker Dock is a remote control and an audio line-in cable. Affordable to the core, this speaker dock proves the old adage true that good things come in small packages!

APPS

of the

MONTH

iBOOKS 2.0 (FOR iPHONE AND iPAD) (FREE)

BIOPHILIA (FOR iPHONE, iPOD TOUCH, iPAD) (`642)

Apple has just made studying a lot more interesting with the latest iBooks app! Download interactive textbooks as well as just about any book under the sun for a fun learning experience that turns your iPad or iPhone into an e-book reader. Interact with diagrams, watch educational videos, thoroughly understand concepts through multidimensional objects and photos and take down notes with ease using this visually-pleasing app. iBooks is a great tool not just for students but also for educators who will soon be able to create their own iBooks textbooks and publish them to the iBookstore.

Now you can explore music in an innovative way. But, it’s not just any music that you’ll be immersing yourself in; this app is based on surreal musician Bjork’s latest album of the same name. Interestingly, the term biophilia relates to the possible bond between human beings and other living systems. The introduction has been narrated by David Attenborough. The app on the whole in quite a visual treat. Fly through a three-dimensional universe and learn more about the singer’s songs, view score sheets and musical structures and learn about natural phenomena too! Games, animations and musical essays complete the features of this app. MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 79

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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

LONDON PARIS NEW YORK

Starring: Ali Zafar, Aditi

Rao Hydari

London Paris New York is a coming of age love story that reflects three different states of love. The movie is said to bring back the missing humour in Bollywood’s so-called romantic comedies. London Paris New York revolves around two characters, Nikhil (Ali Zafar) movies and Lalitha (Aditi Rao Hydari), who are two diverse personalities but are still heavily attracted to each other. The movie details the couple’s journey in love as they meet in London, Paris and New York for a night in each city.

KAHAANI

Starring: Vidya Balan,

Emraan Hashmi

This upcoming Bollywood thriller closely resembles the Hollywood film Deception. Vidya Balan plays a pregnant woman in search of her husband and the father of her child. The movie takes her all the way to Kolkata from London. The film will be Vidya's third female-centric film after No One Killed Jessica and The Dirty Picture. Seven months pregnant and alone in a festive city, she begins the relentless search for her husband with nothing to rely on except fragments of her memories about him. In a city soaked in lies, Vidya is determined to unravel the truth about her husband - for herself and her unborn child even at the cost of her own life.

WRATH OF THE TITANS

Starring: Sam Worthington,

Liam Neeson

A decade after his heroic defeat of the monstrous Kraken, Perseus (Sam Worthington) the demigod son of Zeus (Liam Neeson) attempts to live a quieter life as a village fisherman and the sole parent to his 10-year-old son, Helius. Meanwhile, a struggle for supremacy rages between the Gods and the Titans. Dangerously weakened by humanity's lack of devotion, the Gods are losing control of the imprisoned Titans and their ferocious leader, Kronos, father of the long-ruling brothers Zeus, Hades (Ralph Fiennes) and Poseidon (Danny Huston).

Movies / Music / Books

{

SHUBHA MUDGAL, URSULA ROCKER, BUSINESS CLASS REFUGEES- NO STRANGER HERE

Inspired by Kabir’s poetry, this album seamlessly weaves versatile elements like electronica and jazz-influenced rhythms courtesy the Business Class refugees, strong Hindustani classical vocals by Shubha Mudgal and Ursula Rocker’s poetic multi-textured charm. Mudgal’s earthy voice is a force to reckon with in songs like ‘Drunk in music Love’. Expect to travel far when you hear this album as the musicians (Business Class refugees as well as composer and bassist Eyal Mazig) do what they do best, creating soundscapes that never fail to take you further into yourself. Rucker’s lyrics blend modern poetry with Kabir’s century-old Indian mysticism; it's a pure treat for the soul, if you are looking for more than just a listening experience. The production is fantastic and the album a fine interfusion of high-quality composition by top-notch musicians. This is one album that you shouldn't give a miss. It's not everyday that music lovers are regaled with such a musical delight.

NITIN SAWHNEY- LAST DAYS OF MEANING

The ninth album by the versatile Nitin Sawhney blends a variety of different sounds and genres together, with influences from Indian classical, flamenco and drum and base. The ‘concept album’ is an artistic metaphor about the political rhetoric against immigration in the UK; the album sounds like a script and was a theatrical idea to begin with. An angry, bitter old man is sent this album by his estranged wife and slowly softens and changes as he listens to the music. Interspersed with bluesy songs that just reach down to your soul, like ‘The Devil and Midnight’ about blaming the world for your problems, are screenplay-like dialogue by actor John Hurt. It seems that you are listening to a story being told and cannot be left unchanged by it. Buy it now!

MIRROR MIRROR

Starring: Julia Roberts, Lily Collins Mirror Mirror is a spectacular reimagination of the classic fairy tale Snow White. The movie stars Oscar winner Julia Roberts as the Queen and Lily Collins as Snow White. An evil queen steals control of a kingdom and an exiled princess enlists the help of seven resourceful rebels to win back her birthright in a spirited adventure comedy filled with jealousy, romance and betrayal that is bound to capture the imagination of audiences the world over.

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HOT TEA ACROSS INDIA

`19

books

OPENING NIGHT

Author: Diksha Basu The lure of Bollywood to American-born Naiya Kapur is such that she moves to Mumbai to explore the lights and glamour of the film industry. The publishers seem to sell this point as the USP of the book – finally, an American desi who is not looking to ‘discover’ herself or meet Mr Right, though she might do so anyway along the way. She’s just looking for fun and glamour in the ‘New India’ and become a star, ala Katrina Kaif. Still, that annoying American streak of superiority and disdain is so hard to silence, and the protagonist seems to thrive on killing the reader’s patience with her narcissistic views. Staying with two flatmates in hip Bandra, vivacious and experimental Jess and fellow expat Jay, she explores the seedy underbelly of Bollywood while looking for her big break. In the meanwhile, why sit idle – after all, she also needs a Salman to launch her into the big time. She hob nobs with the party circuit in the city and goes for plays at Prithivi. At a book launch, she meets Jay, an ex-model turned producer, who drags her further into the big bad world of sex, drugs and drama. Will Naiya naively continue to look for her big ‘Opening Night’ or will the realities of the city finally open her eyes? Do you really want to find out?!

GOOD WILL HUNTING

PICKS

Author: Rishad Saam Mehta For a country that survives on a ‘cutting’ morning, noon and night, and where chai-paani has a connotation which has nothing to do with tea or water, Hot Tea across India is an apt collection of tales from a travel writer and photographer. Written in first person about the various roles his cuppa has played through his journey through North India, Mehta presents witty descriptions of the people he has met along the way. From being the obvious – comforting to drink in the cold Himalayan valleys; to a conversation starter; to a bribe – both asked for and squiggled out of, and unexpectedly not asked for at all; to the culprit of a bad stomach; the cup of hot tea has served the author as a loyal companion. Each narrative leaves you hungry for more (or should we say longing for one more cup of tea?), and evokes a sense of adventure and beauty. On many of the fascinating escapades, Mehta is joined by his friends Chetan and Shapur. Mehta has a knack of making an instant connect with the reader with his style of writing, and dissipating even the most serious of moments with his words. And there, somewhere with these words comes in his cup of tea.

The tale of a janitor at MIT who has a secret gift for mathematics but needs psychological help to find direction in his life. The movie explores the boundaries between academics and those from blue-collar backgrounds.

READING LIST

LOLITA by Vladimir Nabokov is a classic novel about a middle-aged man who falls in love with a teen. The nefarious professor goes to any length to claim her, even marrying her mother.

`25

MAXIMUM CITY by Suketu Mehta is a rollercoaster ride through Mumbai's dance bars and seedy underworld in lucid, observant prose. Pick it up if you live in the city; it's a great commuting companion.

MUNNABHAI MBBS

The story of a gangster who goes to medical school with the hope of fulfilling his father’s dream of becoming a doctor, touching the hearts of many during his time there.

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_RESTAURANT REVIEW

Resto/Meter CHILI’S, DELHI

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

`600

n per perso

With many international food chains opening in India, Chili’s has finally made its way to Delhi. It is the perfect place to catch up for drinks and food after a long day at work or shopping. The restaurant serves American and Tex-Mex cuisine. The interior is very much like those of any usual American diner with rock music playing in the background. The place is crowded on the weekends, but you can manage to get a place within no time as the hostess is quick to arrange a table for you. For starters, I would like to suggest the ‘Classic Nachos’ and ‘Triple Play’. The nachos are loaded with cheese and jalapenos and Triple Play is a combination of chicken crispers, boneless buffalo wings and southwestern eggrolls served with three different sauces. The cocktails are a must try especially the margaritas. If you are a fish lover, Chili’s offers you ‘Cedar Plank Salmon’ and ‘Blackened Fish’. The Cedar Plank Salmon is a lovely salmon grilled on cedar plank, which is perfect with a little lemon squeezed on it. The Blackened Fish is a succulent basa fish for which you may not even be required to use your teeth. The ‘Chicken Fried Steak’ is also good option to try. Most of the platters are served with steamed vegetables and mashed potatoes and are sufficient for one person. Even though you might be full, you shouldn’t miss the ‘Molten Chocolate Pie’. In case you are planning to grab a quick bite, the place is ideal as the service is quick. 3rd Floor, Ambience Mall, Vasant Kunj, New Delhi -PRIYANKA DHAWAN

THE NAGA KITCHEN, BANGALORE

`500 n per perso Sounds exotic, doesn’t it? From its humble beginnings as a small hangout place in Guwahati, Naga Kitchen grew to establish itself in its hometown before moving on to Bangalore. With the burst of exotic and new flavours at reasonable prices, Naga Kitchen is the place to satisfy your hunger for authentic Naga food. The speciality of this cuisine is that it is cooked with less oil and sometimes, no oil at all! So if you are looking for some superb food without gaining those extra calories then this restaurant is the place to be. Its super-casual ambience with the open-air setting, wooden flooring and bamboo-panelled interiors makes for a pleasant view while you wait for your food to arrive. Don’t get too excited when you sniff the various flavours, which will stir up your starving imagination! Must-have dishes include the ‘Smoked Pork Chilly’ which with its crispy, bold and smoky flavour easily melts your taste buds, while the ‘Smoked Fish with Bamboo Shoot’ will make you plunge into a sea of authentic spices and exotic raw flavours. You can also try out the non-vegetarian thali that comprises Naga curry, boiled vegetables, pork curry, mashed potatoes, dry fish chutney and smoked pork fry. The vegetarian thali is also quite impressive with the ‘Naga curry' being the true winner. One can also pick up traditional pickles which are priced at `400 per bottle. So, if you are game for adventurous flavours to tickle your taste buds, then don’t miss this restaurant! #26, AVS Arcade, Kamanahalli Main Road, Bangalore -TANAYA RAMYANI 82 Youth Incorporated ║ MARCH 2012

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In a

_CELEB TADKA

Jiffy W

ell, if she is not wow-ing you with her food on Mummy Ka Magic, she is only impressing you with her wonderful smile on television ads and programmes or with cameos in runaway hits like the Salman starrer Ready. Meet Amrita Raichand as she cooks up one of the most sumptuous, hearty and healthy soups, perfect for pulling off those long nights before your exams.

PUMPKIN AND CORN SOUP INGREDIENTS For the soup: 2 tablespoons butter 1 teaspoon oil 1 chopped onion 350 gms pumpkin 150 gms boiled corn 350 ml vegetable stock Salt to taste Black pepper powder 100 ml milk Whipped cream for garnish For the corn: 50 gms boiled corn 1 teaspoon butter Salt to taste Black pepper powder

TRIVIA • Pumpkins are very healthy and apt for those who want to lose weight. They are low in saturated fat, Sodium, and Cholesterol • They have a high level of vitamin A, C, E and B6 and are rich in iron, magnesium and phosphorus • Pumpkins get their bright orange colour of from an important antioxidant, beta-carotene. • Corn is a high-fibre and fat-fighting vegetable.

METHOD •• Heat butter and oil in a wok. Add the onions and sauté till golden brown. •• Add the pumpkin and boiled corn and cook for five minutes. Now add salt and black pepper powder to taste. Add vegetable stock and after a boil, cook for 20 mintues on a low flame. Set aside to cool. •• Meanwhile, for the corn, in a separate pan, add the butter, boiled corn, salt and black pepper powder and on a high flame cook until corn gets a nice colour. Serve this in a separate bowl when the soup is ready. •• Now, add the cool pumpkin mixture to a blender and strain. Put it in a new saucepan. Add milk and check the consistency. Now serve in a bowl and garnish with whipped cream as desired. MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 83

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_AFTER DARK

LIV, MUMBAI

hangover  

OVER THE WEEKEND HANGOUTS

LIV, a signature statement nightclub, opened its doors in early January in South Mumbai. Being located in the city’s heritage district at Kala Ghoda, lends certain exclusivity to this boutique club. What makes it even more exclusive is that entry is by invitation only. The club, for anyone who is above 25 years of age, offers its guests

services in a flamboyant setting with luxurious seating and stunning lights. What makes the lights so stunning are the sound-synchronised LED lights that dance to the tunes of hip hop and electro music that plays. The lights shine through a huge chandelier above, setting the mood not only on the dance floor, but the entire club. The brilliant décor provides the perfect dramatic effect with its artsy brass wall trims adding a charm to the facetted black marble bar. The nightclub's signature cocktails come straight from the owners, even being named after each of the four of them – Aneeni (Aneesha Bahl), Crackling Shash (Shashi Thadani), Sunny All Night Long (Sunny Sara) and Jageritz (Ritik Bhasin), while the LIV One is a secret house special. An exotic menu from across the globe serving all sorts of delicacies from sushi to chicken liver pate, goes perfectly well with the drinks. The club is open from Wednesday to Saturday and can be reserved for private parties from Sunday till Tuesday. LIV, MG Road, Kalaghoda, Mumbai 400 023

BLUEFROG, DELHI

Remember Mumbai’s BlueFROG nightclub that revolutionised the indoor, live music scene in the city? Well, the ‘Frog’ has opened a second base, offering the Delhi folk a fantastic experience. Located at a 100-year-old traveller’s inn called the Kila, this nightclub definitely manages to deliver everything that it promised to. From a fantastic live music line-up to incredible sound (the visuals are stunning!) and lighting, BlueFROG is a must-visit especially if you happen to be a music aficionado. The club offers six nights of pure aural bliss; Mondays see the plush nightclub shut. Expect to groove to different genres of music like funk, blues, jazz, world, Afro, electronic, rock and folk here. BlueFROG is also a great place to visit if you want to enjoy a fine dining sit down dinner while you soak in a concert on the club’s stage. Although the Delhi edition of this nightclub lacks the spaced out, high ceilings of its Mumbai counterpart, the sound is still something to reckon with. The famous pods also find a place here. Reach early if you plan to enjoy a sit-down night of music, drinks and food. Cocktails are steeply priced at `600, but are well worth the price. BlueFROG, The Kila, Seven Style Mile, Mehrauli, New Delhi. 84 Youth Incorporated ║ MARCH 2012

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Rising

_WATCH OUT FOR

STAR

Tanuj Virwani in an exclusive conversation with Youth Inc

QUICK PICKS

anuj, the son of Rati Agnihotri and Anil Virwani, has indeed caught on strongly in appeal. The dapper star is all set to make his big-screen acting debut in Luv U Soniyo on May 11. “I’ve always wanted to do something in the creative field. But I never really imagined that I would be an actor one day,” he says. Tanuj thought that direction and script writing was his thing and even went on to assist in movies like Chance Pe Dance and Aao Wish Karein. “I understood the technicalities of film making as well as how to deliver when I’m in front of the camera.” The spontaneous actor has certainly done his homework well as he has already written, directed, scripted, edited and acted in three short films! “All eyes are on India now as we are on the brink of change and since today’s youth are dynamic, smart and full of conviction we are not far from being one of the leading countries globally in the years to come,” concludes an optimistic Tanuj.

Favourite band: The Beatles Passions: Movies, gaming, cricket Perfect date: Take her home and cook up a nice meal Most-Wanted stuff: Super hero figures Favourite cologne: Davidoff Cool Water Three things you can’t live without: Parents, dog and cell phone Car or bike guy: Car – Aston Martin DB9! Ideal holiday spot: Miami An actress you’d want to share screen space with: Kareena, Kareena, Kareena! Your weakness: My mom Favourite cuisine: Japanese Your proudest career moment: The day I got my first cheque for ‘Luv U Soniyo’ Your pet peeve: Badly manicured nails Latest obsession: Dark Knight Rises You can’t seem to get enough of: Love! MARCH 2012 ║ Youth Incorporated 85

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_HOROSCOPE

AQUARIUS/JAN 21 - FEB 20 You may feel the weight of your responsibilities as unforeseen delays impact your schedule. Taking a break from your commitments will energise you. Limit any arguments as opposing change could aggravate existing problems beyond tolerance. You may employ any means to change a negative to a positive. Lucky Numbers: 4, 8 Lucky colour: Grey Love Dates: 20th, 30th

PISCES/ FEB 19- MAR 20

AJAI RAI MADAN Astrologer, Numerologer & Aura reader

STAR

STRUCK

CANCER/ JUN 22 - JUL 22

Take the initiative to be recognised by your colleagues. You may have an opportunity to travel overseas on a prestigious assignment. Show your trust and respect to a loved one to gain a strong feeling of togetherness. There will be plenty of vigour for your plans. Be systematic for best results and don’t be anxious to move on to the next experience. Lucky Numbers: 2, 7 Lucky colour: Rust Love Dates: 14th, 23rd

A truly marvellous phase is in the offing for you now. Travel, fresh alignments, new tie-ups, collaborations and partnerships will definitely lead to long-term success. It is time to be resolute and firm of purpose. Don’t let yourself be taken for granted. You will be deriving income from several sources, but careful budgeting will be necessary. Lucky numbers: 1, 4 Lucky colour: Yellow Love Dates: 11th, 26th

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

Working in groups will allow you to exert your natural leadership skills. This is a good time to examine what is important to you. You will be able to influence someone that needs encouragement. Spending time communicating with people will help in understanding them better. You may proceed with decisions regarding your life goals. Lucky numbers: 3, 7 Lucky colour: Red Love Dates: 12th, 25th

You will be at ease with yourself and your surroundings. Being inventive is key; reckless energy is what you need to be careful of. There is a lot of happiness on the personal front and home is truly where your heart is. A marvellous phase of fulfilment will begin for you. Coupled with progress, this period will illuminate your life. Lucky numbers: 6, 9 Lucky colour: Crimson Love Dates: 15th, 23rd

TAURUS/ APR 21 - MAY 21

VIRGO/AUG 24 - SEP 22

SAGITTARIUS/NOV 23 - DEC 23

Your resolution and strength of purpose win the day for you. Your attention to detail helps in complex business negotiations. There are some brilliant ideas to be exchanged but some preparation is essential. Favourable circumstances will help you find original solutions and discover new elements to transform in your life. Lucky numbers: 5, 9 Lucky colour: Green Love Dates: 17th, 22nd

Your confident mood and positive outlook will inspire faith in your capabilities. Your confidence is on a high and that will help you to bring in the resources to you need to start new projects. Be open to advice from close associates. Ready initiative will be a tremendous aid to problem solving. Be a bit secretive about your financial affairs for now. Lucky numbers: 4, 9 Lucky colour: Violet Love Dates: 14th, 28th

Some work-related stress is indicated but you will also have the strength to cope with it gracefully. Take some time out for relaxation as it is well deserved now. You may feel duty bound to honour some commitments, especially to relatives. You do not need to be over-assertive but you will need to address some past issues in order to make progress. Lucky Numbers: 5, 7 Lucky colour: White Love Dates: 16th, 29th

GEMINI/MAY 22 - JUN 21

LIBRA/ SEP23 - OCT 23

You need to use your self-confidence and charisma without generating animosity from other people. This is not the best time to solve complex issues. Difficulties at work will be resolved with radical changes. Encourage personal and spiritual growth with your partner. You may have to take certain decisions immediately. Lucky numbers: 2, 6 Lucky colour: Blue Love Dates: 13th, 27th

You will make the best use of opportunities and take the initiative on personal and career fronts. Guard against losing your temper with those who cannot keep up with your pace. Waiting for a better time will ensure your ideas get the consideration they deserve. Do make a conscious effort to not hang on to problems or you may find yourself at a loss. Lucky numbers: 6, 8 Lucky colour: Orange Love Dates: 18th, 24th

Your dynamism at work will draw goodwill from colleagues. This is confidence surging from hidden depths as you connect with good friends or partners. Good career opportunities will beckon you. Avoid getting too involved in problems between loved ones as your efforts are not likely to cut much ice. Lucky numbers: 2, 5 Lucky colour: Silver Love Dates: 10th, 21st

CAPRICORN/DEC 24 - JAN 20 New contracts, partnerships, collaborations and deals are on the horizon. Management, negotiation, tact, diplomacy and kindness will take you far. Hectic social activity is indicated but neglecting close relatives will bring sorrow and disappointment. There will be some extra income from overhauling your finances. Lucky Numbers: 3, 6 Lucky colour: Black Love Dates: 19th, 31st

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_GRAFFITI

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By Gokul Gopalkrishnan

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