SUMMER & SWIMWEAR SPECIAL JUNE (FIRST) 2016 ● ` 40

HUMOUR
HOW TO CAPTURE A
WORKS
MAN’S HEART WONDERS
WHAT DOES
WHEN EYES
SUCCESS ARE MORE
CONNOTE ELOQUENT
TO YOU?
IF HE COULD
THE KEY TO THE
SUSPECT HER PLOT
FASHION WORLD
IN THAT
SWATI SCULPTED
MORE THAN
MOMENT YOU SCULPTURE
FEEL YOUR
ARRIVAL! SHE AVENGED HER
SISTER’S MURDER
SOME WAYS TO
HANDLE YOUR SOME FRUITY
FLATMATE DELIGHTS
 Founder: Vishwa Nath (1917-2002)

JUNE (FIRST) 2016

Vol 43, Issue No. 1020
womansera.com BUILDS HAPPY HOMES

Articles
06
10 WAYS
TO SOLVE YOUR
WHAT DOES FLATMATE
A MAN WANT? PROBLEMS
Vibhor Sharma Shubham Verma

65 HIGH TECH TOYS

Mala Ashok

10 WAYS TO
BEAT STRESS
Lesley D. BIswas

OUR EYES

11 28
SAYS IT ALL
Vandana Aggarwal

WHAT SUCCESS WEIGHT SWIM WEAR

MEANS WATCHERS’ BLISS Romola Shanbhag
I. M. Soni Kalpana M Naghnoor

IT GUTS YOU!
Renu Bhatnagar
Cookery

EXPRESSION
OF GREEN
Abhishek Kumar

46
FRUITY
DELIGHT
Pomegranate Parfait
Fruit in Cheesecake

14
SKIN CANCER: Pineapple Rissoles
EXCESSIVE Fruit Quesadilla
EXPOSURE TO THE Apple Crumb Cake
SWIMSUIT Spiced Fruit Soup
SUN IN SUMMERS GALORE
Sreoshi Sengupta Priyanka Kalra Fruity Breakfast Cake
Fresh Fruit Spring Rolls
Apple and Cucumber Salad
Kiwi Fruit Chutney
and many more...
 22 NEHA’S REVENGE
Brajendra Singh

36 WHO BLEW IT?

Scott Snyder

A SISTER’S PRIDE – (PART-I)

Sinjini Bose
Fiction
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BANK BY WOMEN, FOR WOMEN
I
ndiaʼs first womenʼs bank, the Bharatiya Mahila
Bank that was inaugurated three years ago in
Mumbai, has been growing despite all odds. Bank's
priority was to improve financial literacy among women
and provide loans to women entrepreneurs to set up
small businesses so as to become self-reliant.
However, after Modi took over the regime at the
Centre, there were rumours that Bharatiya Mahila Bank
would be closed down as it was established by the
previous UPA government. Even the ministry sources
had hinted at that time that BMB could be merged with
State Bank of India. No one can deny BMB has huge
potential not only in urban areas, but also in semiurban
and rural areas. All it needs is some more time to
stabilise and some support from the government.
The bank needs professionals, including CAs and IT
to help in expansion and launch of IT-based services to
reach out to wider clientele. If BMB is closed down or
merged with a large bank, all the purpose of
establishing it will be lost as it has different mandate to
empower women. All the rumours of closing down or
merger resulted in that during the first half of 2015-16,
the bank did not grow as expected, as it was not
allowed to go in a big way or open desired number of
branches to expand its business.
On NPA level also, BMBʼs performance has been
commendable as it stood at less than 0.25 per cent
since the bank doesn't go for big ticket loans and keep
following up the accounts. Otherwise, too, bank
continues to report profit, against SBI Cap's initial
projection of loss for first five years. The bank
increased number of branches to 100 from 56 in just
four months. As of today, it has 102 branches and
planning to take it to 150 this year. Bank's client base
doubled to 3.5 lakh in one year; of which around 70 per
cent are women.
ASSEMBLY ELECTIONS AND AFTER
G
rand Old Party, Congress has been the biggest
loser in assembly elections held in five states.
Even since the last general elections, the party
has been sliding down everywhere, except in Bihar
where it made some comeback riding the alliance of
JD(U) and RJD. Results of just held assembly elections
have thrown the party further downward.
Now, voices of discontent and frustration are rising
within the party and even among the ranks. Senior
leaders such as Digvijay Singh and Shashi Tharoor
are asking for action instead of introspection and
contemplation. But they are confused as to what the
real action should be. Their utterance is an indication of
greater dissension brewing up deep within the party.
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
EDITORIAL
Congress has now only one large state, Karnataka,
left in its hold. National leadership has become
completely ineffective. Its vice-president Rahul Gandhi
failed miserably to come up to the expectations of the
party cadres and leaders, but the problem is there is no
second-line leadership to take over the control. Party
paid for this dearly in Assam where Tarun Gogoi had
been ruling for 15 years. But party projected him as the
chief minister and gave him every freedom to make the
political fortune of his son. As a result, discontent grew
within the party and several senior leaders defected to
BJP.
No one knows when the party will do introspection
and what will come out of it. Earlier, after the general
elections, a committee had been formed for this
purpose but nobody knows what happened in the
committee in the name of introspection. Party, if it
wishes, can learn a lot from BJP, for if everything is
destroyed future is still left.
WRESTLING BEFORE WRESTLING
R
io Olympic Games are about to start after two
months but a tussle is going on in India over
selection of players. This ongoing tussle
exposes the factors responsible for our poor
performance in the Olympics. Recent example is the
dispute over representing India in 74 kg wrestling event
– whether to choose Narasimha Yadav or Sushil
Kumar.
Although, Delhi High Court, after hearing a petition
from Sushil, has directed the Wrestling Federation of
India (WFI) to take final decision in view of his previous
records. Narasimha has already qualified for the
Olympics in this category, but Sushil Kumar threw
spanner in his selection arguing that a better candidate
should be sent to the Olympics. Simultaneously, he has
thrown an open challenge for a direct bout between
him and Narasimha. All this development gives an
impression that personality has become more important
than the country.
Narasimha has been contesting in 74 kg category
since long and last year he won bronze medal at Las
Vegas World Wrestling championship. He has been
selected for Rio Olympics on the basis of this
performance. Sushil has been contesting in 66-kg
weight category that has been done away with in the
Olympics. He is also facing several problems of injury
and lack of proper preparation.
WFI is facing the problem of acting impartially. It has
to make the right selection without hurting anybody's
personal interests. At the same time, it has to see that
country performance at the Olympics also does not
suffer just for pleasing a famous person.
write to: editor@womansera.com We
5
Few rules to ʻruleʼ his heart!
By Vibhor Sharma
They say men are from Mars and
women are from Venus. Well, they
donʼt actually mean that because we
all know that human life is only existent
on Earth and nowhere else, as of now.
So why does the saying even arise in
the first place? Have you ever thought
why your man is always moody,
sometimes plays hot and sometimes
cold? Have you ever felt that your man
is a creature, with whom, despite
spending your entire life, you will never
really be able to understand him or
decipher what precisely goes on in his
mind? Have you totally given up on
figuring out what your man actually
wants in his life, and from life in
general? If you feel such questions are
constantly pulling your energy levels
down, fret not, for the man is nothing
but only human, just like you, dear lady.
Hereʼs a quick guide for all women out
there, who feel they need to understand
their husbands or boyfriend better, in
order to be able to live a life far better,
than what they are currently living!

He’s hungry, FEED HIM!
Most men can show aggressive
behaviour at home and turn non-
issues into issues primarily, if they
are hungry. Men, after a long dayʼs
work, want to be served food they
like to eat, so that their hunger is
satiated and they can relax and
unwind from the stresses they may
have faced during the day. If you,
instead of providing him with snacks
or dinner, begin to discuss matters of
money, vacation, shopping etc, it is
only natural for your man to flare up.
The golden rule for every woman out
there is that you should always keep
your man well fed and happy. Making
delicacies that he yearns for and
relishes, will only help in
strengthening your relationship.
Does he always
WANT SEX?
Your man is YOUR man, and
therefore he expects to find love and
sex from – who else? but you! – Men,
due to their hormones, are wired in
such a way, that they want sex
frequently. Not hourly, or even daily,
but, say, weekly! By having sex with
your man, you are not only releasing
his stresses but yours too. Making
love is not something that you should
run away from, but something that
you both should cherish and look
forward to, because the fact is, he
surely looks forward to it, but mostly,
itʼs just you who isnʼt interested! By
keeping your man happy in bed, you
tend to show him that you truly care
about his feelings, and well yes,
about his “urges” too!
He splurges?
OH, LET HIM!
Men, no matter to social strata
they belong have this “urge” to spend
their income on watches, gadgets,
shoes, suits, and all things manly!
Whether itʼs a Michael Kors watch or
a personally autographed Sachin
Tendulkar cricket bat, men just love
spending their moolah on such
goodies! So, while you feel itʼs
justified that you go to the Mall and
buy yourself 10 pairs of heels, five
designer dresses, and two luxury
handbags, give your man a break,
and let him do his own shopping
once in a while, will you?
He wants to meet
his parents?
SO LET HIM?
Most women feel that if they can
somehow “control” their man and
prevent him from meeting his
parents, they hold the key to their
relationship firmly. Wrong! You donʼt
understand that, if you stop your guy
from seeing his old folks, you are
only making him feel, his need of
seeing them greater. By separating
a man from his parents, a woman is
only calling for trouble because,
eventually, whether you like it or not,
your man will go to his parents! A
healthy way to prevent this, is to
allow your man to visit his people
whenever he likes. This way, your
man will be happy and his folks too
will think that their son is in a
relationship with a good girl who has
no glitches whatsoever.
He makes the house
A DUMPSTER
It is a well-known fact that while
women are organised, neat, clean,
and ultra-tidy, men on the other hand,
love to live life like pigs! So, if your
man disorganises the entire house
on almost a daily basis, there is really
little that you can do. For starters,
you can tell him to try and avoid
indulging in such acts and, if he
doesnʼt respond fittingly, you can only
clean up, after the animal has left for
work! Men, think sub-consciously that
it is their right to live in their house
according to their own terms, and if
their terms cause the house to look
messy, so be it. So, while many
women take the assistance of a maid
and set the house be right every
single day, some feel it is best to let
things be as they are, and are
content to be living in a pigsty!
Whichever one of the two types you
are, you choose!
Alcohol and tobacco
ARE HIS “BESTIES”!
While drinking and smoking are
irrefutably injurious to health and can
cause serious degradation of various
body parts, such as the liver and
lungs, men just donʼt listen, do they!
So, if your man has developed a
habit of either of these evils, see to it
that he either completely stops
indulging in them or limits his
consumption to occasionally
instances. It should also be noted
that most men drink and smoke when
they are stressed or emotionally
preoccupied, so this is where you can
step in. Try and talk with your man
about the things that are bothering
him. This way he will prefer to come
to you and discuss, rather than
consume alcohol and tobacco and kill
himself slowly.

He swears TOO MUCH!
Men, since their childhood have
been brought up to believe that using
abusive language is cool and okay.
While parents are not to be blamed
for this as they try their best to teach
good values and manners to their
boys, it is the school where boys
develop a flair and knowledge for
uttering profanities. This, they
faithfully carry into their adulthood.
So, if you feel that your man uses
cuss words way too often, then you
must put your foot down. You must
proclaim that it is very ungentlemanly
and unparliamentary for your man to
be saying things that are derogatory
in nature and hurtful. Teach him to
be calm in situations of stress, and
think logically before going on a
raving and ranting spree!
Personal HYGIENE!
“Cleanliness is next to Godliness”,
whatever does that mean? This is
what most men donʼt seem to feel.
So, if your man doesnʼt shave his
beard, emits foul body odour, has a
tendency to scratch himself like a
monkey in public, thereʼs little that
you can do! While women like to
keep themselves well bathed and
smelling fresh as a daisy, most
men feel that having a bath regularly
or even shaving regularly is not
important. They further feel that doing
so is only important when they have
to go somewhere nice or meet
someone important. Men think,
roaming around the house while
smelling like rotten flesh is just fine,
and if it bothers others, so be it. This
is where you step in! You, as a
loving, caring (and smart) partner can
coax him into believing that your ideal
is someone who smells good, and
therefore feels good to be with!
He drives RASHLY?
Whether itʼs driving a car or riding
a bike, men get an adrenaline rush if
they hit the accelerator hard. So,
while your man may be obeying all
traffic rules like a good puppy, but
has a tendency to immediately speed
up after a red light turns green, the
only thing to blame is his nature of
driving. Most men impulsively feel
MEN THINK, ROAMING that if they drive fast, and still spare a
car from getting crashed, their
AROUND THE HOUSE manliness comes to display. Idiots,
WHILE SMELLING LIKE surely! You, as any other deeply
ROTTEN FLESH IS JUST concerned girlfriend or wife must
FINE, AND IF IT inform your man that if he speeds up
BOTHERS OTHERS, while driving, heʼs only beckoning for
SO BE IT. THIS IS WHERE his harm and also the harm of
YOU STEP IN! YOU, AS A innocent bystanders and fellow
LOVING, CARING (AND drivers. Educate him by showing him
ghastly car crash videos on
SMART) PARTNER CAN
YouTube. And if thatʼs not enough,
COAX HIM INTO play the emotional card by saying,
BELIEVING THAT YOUR “My love, what will happen to me if
IDEAL IS SOMEONE WHO something happens to you?” This will
SMELLS GOOD, AND surely melt his loyal heart, and the
THEREFORE FEELS GOOD next time he sits in the driverʼs seat,
TO BE WITH! heʼll think twice before driving rashly.
All men are CHEATS
Most women feel that all men out
there are cheat, and are looking for
opportunities to hit it off with good-
looking women. While this is partially
true, since, there really are such men
who, despite being in a relationship
like to have extra-marital affairs, you
must come to terms with the fact that
not all men are the same. Never
generalise anything and, when it
comes to men, never judge a book
by its cover, or fall in the gossip
of others! There are many men
out there who are extremely loyal
and faithful to their partners and donʼt
wish to be with anyone else. So, if
your man loves you, takes good care
of you, buys you stupid gifts, and is
always there by your side, donʼt hate
him if he looks at another woman at
the restaurant. Heʼs only just curious,
not serious! We
Man can never be a woman's equal
in the spirit of selfless service with
which nature has endowed her.
 I
know a man who used to
work as a clerk in an import-
export firm. He liked his job
and was performing it so
efficiently that he attracted the
attention of an executive, who
promoted him to head a small
department. This first success turned
out to be a tough break, for not only
was he no longer doing the kind of
work he enjoyed so much, but he
also fell victim to the jealousy of his
new subordinates, who resented
being passed over for the promotion.
They managed to
make life so unbearable
for him that he finally
resigned and looked
for another job. When
offered a promotion in
the organisation he
joined next, he
WHAT SUCCESS MEANS
Run your own life or someone else will. By I. M. Soni
surprised the executive by turning it
down. He is now a happy man doing
the type of work he likes to do, which
is all he had always wanted. Who
could say he is not successful?
"When a man does not know what
harbour he is making for, no wind is
the right wind," said Seneca.
In modern speech this amounts to:
"You cannot achieve success unless
you know exactly what the word
means to you personally."
Before you join the millions of
people engaged in a frantic race for
money, promotion and fame, stop,
look and listen to your heart, for your
own definition of success may be a
far cry from that of the fellow next
door.
Lots of people envy the wealth
and fame enjoyed by kings, and
others of high social rank. What was
the late President Abdul Kalam's
vision of success, for example? Is it
not to be found in the fact that he has
written books for youngsters and
visited educational institutions to
deliver lectures and mix with
students, budding writers,
scientists and technocrats?
Roget, a physician by
profession, compiled what
is known worldwide as a
thesaurus.
You probably do not
know the story of an
American Indian who was sitting
peacefully puffing at his pipe. Along
came a tourist, who started giving the
Indian a pep talk.
"Why don't you go to town and get
a job in a factory? Then you could
attend night school after your day's
work and get an education. With a
degree, you could get a better job,
make more money, get promoted to
higher and higher positions, and
make so much money that after a
while you could retire and take it easy
for the rest of your life."
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
The Indian pulled the pipe out of
his mouth, and replied. "Well, that's
just what I'm doing right now."
In spite of the obvious
exaggeration, the jokesmith who
made up the story had a point. As a
matter of fact, he had two points. One
is the fact that peace of mind,
perhaps the most valuable form of
success, cannot be attained by the
individual who follows the crazy
crowd around him and plunges into
the exhausting rat race. The other is
that big money, the kind that all of us
are trying to make, is not necessary
to buy this valuable possession.
THE DIFFERENCE
What is the basic difference
between the millionaire who inherits a
colossal fortune and the one who
makes it.The latter, whose life has
been brimful of the deep satisfaction
enjoyed by self-made men, sets up
foundations and similar
organisations to make this world
a better one to live in. The
former, who lives in the shadow
of his father's reputation, is even
struggling to come out into the
sunshine of personal recognition.
His futile attempts lead to the
playboy eccentricities one reads
about in newspapers now. This trend
seems headed for a decline, as once
in a while we hear about a rich man's
son who breaks away from the
shackles of his old man's money and
goes out into the cold world to "start
from scratch" on his own.
“In every work of genius, we
recognise our own rejected thoughts”
– R. W. Emerson. We
Don't aim for success if you want it;
just do what you love and believe in,
and it will come naturally.
11
SKIN CANCER:
EXCESSIVE EXPOSURE TO THE SUN IN SUMMERS
American Research
reveals majority of
people use sunscreen
incorrectly, putting them
at a higher risk of
melanoma and
carcinoma, the worst
types of skin cancer.
By Sreoshi Sengupta

T
he depletion of the ozone
layer and lack of proper
measures to control the
situation has led to the
spread of skin cancer in all
geographical areas of the world. It is
no more limited to the people of
Europe (though they run at a higher
risk of developing skin cancer due to
lack of melanin production in their
bodies), the tropical and equatorial
areas are also getting severely
affected, as the recent reports and
surveys reveal. The worst types of
skin cancer that are affecting the
majority of the population are
melanoma and carcinoma, targeting
Asians, Africans, and Europeans
alike.

Melanoma

Carcinoma

What exactly is Melanoma? And
why are we so scared of it?
Melanoma is considered the most
dangerous among the varied types of
skin cancer which are caused by the
unrepaired DNA damage leading to
the mutation of the skin cells,
compelling them to multiply rapidly,
causing malignant tumours. The
damage can be due to various
factors, but the most prominent one
is exposure to ultraviolet radiation
from excessive sun exposure or
using tanning beds to get that
artificial tan.
The source of the disease.
The source of origin of these
malignant tumours is the pigment
producing melanocytes located in the
basal layer of the epidermis. The
melanomas sometimes originate from
the moles, and also resemble them,
being black or brown in colour with
variations such as red, pink, purple
or white coloured mole formations.
People who are prone to sunburns,
extreme exposure to the sun for long
hours or even frequent users of
tanning beds run a greater risk of
developing melanoma, especially if
they have a family history of skin
cancer.
What the studies say?
Research conducted by the
American Academy of Dermatology
revealed that melanoma kills around
10,130 annually in the US, which is a
scary figure. If treated early, the
condition can be cured, but most
often people are unaware of this
disease in its early stages, noticing
it only when it has advanced enough
to be fatal and impossible to treat.
16
AMERICAN CANCER
SOCIETY ALSO
COLLABORATES THE
FACT BY STATING
THAT EVEN THOUGH
MELANOMA IS THE
RAREST FORM OF
SKIN CANCER BUT IT
IS RESPONSIBLE FOR
MORE THAN 10,000
DEATHS ANNUALLY,
IN THE US ALONE.
Even though it is not the most
common type of skin cancer, it leads
to the most number of casualties.
American Cancer Society also
collaborates the fact by stating that
even though melanoma is the rarest
form of skin cancer but it is
responsible for more than 10,000
deaths annually, in the US alone.
What is carcinoma? How fatal
is this type of skin cancer?
Carcinoma or squamous cell
carcinoma is the second most
common type of skin cancer that is
caused by the abnormal production
of the squamous cells present in the
upper layers of the epidermis. In
2002, around 700,000 cases of
carcinoma were registered and
diagnosed in the US, and the
situation has got worse over the next
decade. There has been a 200 per
cent rise in cases in the last five
years, in the US.
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
Appearances of carcinoma and
causes?
Carcinomas often appear as red
patches on your skin, can look like
open sores or seem to be wart-like,
an outgrowth that is visible on the
surface of the skin. They can also
form crusts with flakes and bleed
from time to time. The prominent
factor that leads to such condition in
people is the intense sunburn caused
by the excessive exposure to the
sun, resulting in the absorption of the
harmful UVA and UVB rays,
responsible for the disease.
Other factors include the skin type
and colour, genes or family history of
being affected by any form of cancer.
Though it can appear in all areas of
the body, most commonly they
appear on the ears, the lower lip,
neck, hands and legs. The telltale
signs of areas which are prone to
carcinoma are the wrinkled skin of
the face, neck and hands, pigmented
skin, freckled skin, areas with broken
blood vessels, etc.
Warning signs of carcinoma that
you can look out for early detection of
the condition are:
● A scaly or crusty red patch that
often bleeds
● An elevated skin growth that
also has a central depression and
bleeds often
● An open sore that refuses to
heal for weeks
● Skin growth that looks similar
to warts and bleeds occasionally
Shocking revelations made by
the American Academy of
Dermatology?
Dermatologists, from all around
the world, prioritise on protection
from the sun to prevent all types of
skin cancer. And they recommend
the correct use of sunscreen with
suitable SPF for protecting the skin
from the UV rays. But the latest
research by the American Academy
of Dermatology reveals that most of
the consumers are not aware of the
correct SPF range suitable for them
and they are using sunscreen
incorrectly which put them at a huge
risk of developing skin cancer.
Their studies show that only 32
per cent of the consumers are aware
of the fact that SPF 30 does not
mean it will provide twice the
protection from the sun as compared
to SPF 15 and they need to reapply
sunscreen every two hours if they are
continuously exposed to the sun.
In summer months, the sun
exposure leaps even higher than
usual as people prefer comfortable
clothes that lead to excessive
exposure of arms and legs in the sun.
The beach holidays and sea bathing
activities that people often indulge in
the summer months adds to the sun
exposure. Instances of taking a swim
in the chlorinated water of the
swimming pool also result in
excessive exposure to the sun,
leading to melanoma or carcinoma
which can be fatal if not detected at
the early stages.
Preventive measures to be
taken?
The American Academy of
Dermatology recommends that
people should not rely only on the
form of protection from the sun. They
Wrong reformation?
In the year 1974 I was working
for Vijaya Bank in their Athikaribettu
branch. It was a rural branch in the
South Kanara district of Karnataka.
It was my native village. Life was
routine and peaceful.
Nothing lasts forever. We
received a transfer order of a man
to our branch who happened to be
a union leader. It was evident that it
was a punishment transfer. There
was a belief that all union activists
were rowdies. My manager and me
made elaborate plans to get rid of
him once he joins the branch.
18
One day when I entered my
branch in the morning for my work, I
saw a man sitting opposite my
manager indulging in a verbal fight.
No guess was needed to know who
that man was. The manager was
threatening him and he was
fearlessly threatening him back. After
seeing me they stopped their
arguments.
I had a good look at that person.
He did not remotely look like a rowdy.
When not provoked he was gentle
and jovial. Due to his reputation I
never trusted him. So, the manager
and I proceeded with our plans of
removing him from our branch.
He used to come to the bank on a
bicycle covering a distance of five
kms. I asked him whether he is
interested in a mutual transfer to the
town he is coming from. Any sane
person would have taken the chance
without hesitation. But he didn't
agree. I thought there must be some
reason behind this madness. I
realised it later.
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
should focus on diverse ways to
avoid UV ray absorption. It also
suggests that people can consider
seeking shade while outside, use
sunglasses with maximum coverage
as often as possible, wear clothes
that expose minimal skin and apply
sunscreen on all exposed parts of the
body, not just the face and neck, to
protect the skin properly. If there is
a family history of cancer, they
should go for screening at least once
a year as there is a 20 per cent
chance of developing skin cancer if
someone in the family is already
affected by it.
It is better to be aware of the risk
factors, warning signs and preventive
measures to protect yourself from
skin cancer. Being conscious about
these aspects and taking appropriate
actions round the year can save you
from skin cancer and let you lead a
fulfilling life with your family and loved
ones. We
Step with care and great tact,
and remember that Life's a Great
Balancing Act.
I had a good-looking cousin
sister who used to constantly visit
our work place. This man was quite
friendly with her. One day out of the
blue I asked him, “Do you want to
marry my cousin? She is beautiful,
well educated and has a good job
as a teacher.” He answered “I don't
love her. If at all I marry, I will marry
you. Are you ready?”
His proposal was too sudden for
me to answer. After the initial
mistrust, I had developed some
corner for him. Above that, I had
seen numerous Hindi movies where
the girl reforms the boy after
marriage. I faintly said ' “YES.”
I am married to Arthur for 42
years. Our three children are
married and settled in different
parts of the globe.
Out of curiosity you may ask
whether I have succeeded in
reforming him. My answer is: I am
still trying.
– Henrietta Fernandes,
Pune.
 This picture obtained from French National Digital and
Automation Research Institute shows a man using the
experimental virtual reality platform "Six Fingers", developed
by INRIA's Hybrid and Mimetic teams, which allows the user
to observe a sixth finger on their own hand.

Six Fingers
The Nice Guys

A model shows the

'Unique Pink', a rare
and exceptional
fancy vivid pink
diamond weighing
15.38 carats during a
press preview by
Sotheby's auction
house on 9 May in Actress Greer Grammar attends the Warner Bros. premiere of
Geneva. The ʻUnique The Nice Guys, at the TCL Chinese Theatre, in Hollywood,
Pinkʼ was offered at California, on 10 May.
the 'Magnificent
Jewels and Noble
Jewels' auction in
Geneva on 17 May
with a pre-sale
estimate of $28-38
million.
The “Unique Pink”
Soldiers of the People's Liberation Army pose for
pictures in front of 32-meter statue of late
Chairman Mao Zedong in his youth in Changsha,
capital of Hunan province. Fifty years after the
Cultural Revolution spread bloodshed and
turmoil across China, the Communist-ruled
country is driving firmly down the capitalist road,
but Mao Zedong's legacy remains-like the The legacy remains
embalmed leader himself - far from buried.
 Ballet dance
Australian Ballet dancers in white swan tutus pose
during a media call on a 20-metre barge in Penrith
The competition

Lakes in western Sydney on 6 May.

Singapore's Angela
Lee (top) competes
against veteran
Japanese Mei
Yamaguchi
(bottom) in a five-
round battle for the
inaugural ONE
Womenʼs
Atomweight World
Championship in
the Mixed Martial
Art (MMA) at the
Indoor Stadium in
Singapore on 6
May.

Largest glass sightseeing platform

People posing on a glass sightseeing platform in
Shilinxia scenic spot in Pinggu District of Beijing. The
sightseeing platform, which hangs 32.8 metres out from
SOFEX exhibition

the cliff, is claimed to be the largest glass sightseeing

platform in the world.

People visit the Special Operations Forces

Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) on 11 May at
the Marka Military Airbase in the Jordanian capital
Amman. SOFEX was founded by Jordan's King
Abdullah II in 1996 and is held every two years.
More than 380 companies from 37 countries are
taking part in the current SOFEX in Amman, the
organisers say.
Short Story
L
ife in today’s modern world is something that many
people don’t want to take seriously. For such
persons, love and romance are just temporary
pastimes. Most well-off youngsters want only
enjoyment for the hour. They want to go through life like
butterflies, flitting from one flower to the next. They are
not really interested in assuming responsibility and
sweating it out; all they are in for is fun and games.
Unfortunately, quite often it is not the boys, but the girls
who have to pay the price for this type of attitude; a fact
that they normally do not realise till it is too late.
Neha lay naked on the bed gazing at the ceiling.
Vipin lay by her side, his hands gently stroking her body,
while he murmured how wonderful she was and how
much he loved her. He seemed to be relaxed, happy
and contented. Neha, on the other hand, was feeling
depressed. She was certainly not ashamed of herself, for
this was not the first time that she had allowed Vipin to
make love to her; but still, she wondered how long this
would go on. The secret meetings, the rendezvous in
cheap hotels, the feelings of guilt and fear; she was
getting tired of their seemingly never-ending affair.
She had initially met Vipin on Facebook and had
been intrigued by his looks and his open praise of her
beauty. Her fascination for him only grew after meeting
him in person since, unlike many others who painted
vastly overrated descriptions of themselves, he seemed to
be exactly the type of person he had described himself to
be. He quickly charmed her, and it seemed that in no
time she fell in love with him.
22 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
Neha’s
Revenge
If only Vipin could suspect her plan…
By Brajendra Singh
“What do you mean – incompatibility?” Neha
had been suspicious.
“Sex, my dear, sex! The basic urge of life! The
main reason for marriage. The honey and light
of life. I can assure you that over ninety per
cent of all quarrels between men and women
are solely due to sex.
Since she considered herself to be a modern liberated
woman, she told Vipin clearly that she felt that he was
the ideal man for her, and so she wanted to marry him.
He said that he was flattered and more than ready to
take her for a wife, but marriage was a serious matter,
so he would have to give it a little thought. This only
made Neha more eager to marry him, but Vipin, a glib
talker with a ready explanation for every action he took,
or did not take, kept putting her off with various excuses.
Finally, in desperation, Neha had agreed to accept his
reservations about putting an official stamp on their
relationship. She agreed to have an affair with him to
prove their ‘compatibility’, a point which Vipin insisted
on, before they formally become man and wife.
S
he still remembered that evening a month ago.
They were seated in Vipin’s bachelor-apartment,
he with a drink in one hand, she with a frown on
her face.
“But, Vipin,” she had said, “it is now over two months
since we first met. Surely, we know each other well
enough to get married.”
“No, my dear,” he had replied. “You are still a child
in these matters. I agree with you that we have come to
know each other fairly well in the past two months, but
only on the surface – only on the surface.”
“What more is there for us to know about each
other?” Neha sounded exasperated.
“Plenty, my dear, plenty,” Vipin’s voice had been
soothing; somewhat like a grown-up explaining a
difficult point to a child. “Why do you think so many
divorces take place these days? Why do you think there
is so much fighting between husbands and wives, plenty
of heartaches and misery? It is all due to
‘incompatibility’!” He pronounced the word as though it
he had only become more vague as to how quickly they
could get married. Now, Vipin’s hand slid caressingly
down her body, occasionally squeezing the soft flesh
with a sigh of pleasure.

N
was the only one in the dictionary. eha started feeling his touch repulsive, as her mind
“What do you mean – incompatibility?” Neha had forced her to accept the fact that, despite all her
been suspicious. sacrifices, she had come no nearer to marrying
“Sex, my dear, sex! The basic urge of life! The main Vipin than she had before her surrender to his desires.
reason for marriage. The honey and light of life. I can She decided that she had had enough and that she
assure you that over ninety per cent of all quarrels could not possibly endure another bout of lovemaking
between men and women are solely due to sex. A boy with him. She groaned.
and a girl think they know each other and decide to get “I am having a headache,” she said, in reply to
married. Then disillusionment comes only on the Vipin’s questioning gaze. “I don’t think I will be able to
wedding night or during the honeymoon. They suddenly continue. I want to go home, please.”
discover that they are incompatible – and then – another “Oh, I am sorry to hear that, darling,” Vipin’s voice
marriage goes down the drain and two more lives are was full of concern. “I was just beginning to enjoy
ruined.” myself. But I can’t put you to any inconvenience, can I?
“What are you suggesting?” Neha’s voice gave For me, no sacrifice is too great for you. Put on your
away the fact that she knew what the answer was likely clothes, I will drop you home.”
to be. Neha dressed hurriedly while Vipin sat
“Nothing much. All I say is that we should watching her. He waited for her to finish
take suitable precautions to prevent such a
That was over a before getting dressed himself. Suddenly,
happening with us.” month ago and, Neha started feeling ashamed of herself. How
“Precautions such as…?” since then, she long could they continue like this?
“Well, there is only one way we can prove “Oh, Vipin!” she begged “Haven’t we
that we are compatible, and that is by having had had several proved our compatibility as yet? Can’t we get
an affair – making sure, of course, that there intimate trysts married now? I am getting so tired of all this
are no undesired side results…”
“That will be enough!” Neha had
with Vipin. With secrecy and hiding.”
“But of course, darling,” the reply had
interrupted; there was disgust in her voice. “I each meeting he been quick – too quick she thought. “We will
am surprised at you, Vipin. had only become definitely get hitched up. I will fix up all the
I thought you were a gentleman. How can required details in a few days and then we
you even think of suggesting a thing like more vague as to can have a grand wedding, as soon as
that?” how quickly they pundits fix an auspicious date.”
His reply had been calm and soothing, “But why must we wait for the pundits to fix
could get
“You seem to have formed a wrong a date?” Neha was getting annoyed now.
impression about me, my dear. I am not married. “Why can’t we get married on whichever day
suggesting anything crude or dirty or illegal. we wish? Surely you don’t believe in all this
All I am saying is that let us have a suitable test before hocus-pocus of auspicious dates, stars and horoscopes.”
we finally accept each other for the rest of our lives. Oh, “No,” replied Vipin. “Although I agree with you that
I am sure we will discover that we are totally compatible. these ancient customs of ours may not be compatible
After all, don’t we know each other very well? Then why with our modern thought processes, we should not take
are you worried so much? Do remember that we are any chances with fate. Please try and understand. We
more than likely to be married within a short time, so if have taken all necessary precautions so far. Why risk
we carry out a compatibility test, we will only be doing our future just by being impatient for a few days?”
what we will do regularly after we get married. What Neha had not felt up to arguing with him, and so they
objections can you have to that?” had left it at that.
Three days later, Neha fainted while climbing some

N
eha, despite being broad-minded and an
extrovert, was not happy with Vipin’s idea, and
had argued against it for a long time with him,
over a period of several days after that. But he had
dismissed all her fears, mollified her with soft words and
costly presents; so finally Neha, desperate to marry the
man she loved, had given in.
That was over a month ago and, since then, she had
had several intimate trysts with Vipin. With each meeting could just stand and stare at her.
stairs. She got herself examined by a doctor, and found
to her horror, that she was pregnant. Immediately she
decided to call on Vipin to tell him about her condition,
so that he could expedite the date of the wedding. It was
too confidential a matter to be discussed over the phone.
She rang the bell of his apartment with trembling hands.
The door opened to reveal a pretty, young girl who was
obviously in an advanced stage of pregnancy. Neha

24 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

 She finally found her voice. “Is…is Vipin at home?”
“I am afraid we haven’t met,” said the other girl
politely, probably referring to the fact that Neha had not
introduced herself. “I am Vipin’s wife. Vipin hasn’t
returned from office as yet. Can I do anything for you?”
Neha felt herself rooted to the spot. She opened her
mouth but no sound came out. Then, suddenly, she was
sobbing and running; running away from the nightmare
that threatened to engulf her, a nightmare which had
shattered her dream world to pieces.
Gradually, her mind cleared and a cold fury gripped
her. A burning desire for revenge possessed her soul. It
is truly said that ‘Hell hath no fury like a woman
scorned.’ Neha turned into a chemist’s shop.
V
ipin threw the last file of the day into the out tray.
He was worried. What had made his wife come to
visit him? When her pregnancy had been
confirmed several months back, he had managed to
leave her with her parents, on the pretext that he had
been unable to obtain suitable accommodation at his
place of work, and that, for her first pregnancy, she had
needed to be looked after by her mother. He had
promised to make all efforts to rent a small flat in the
meantime. He had also vowed to take leave to visit them
She finally found her voice. “Is…is Vipin at
home?”
“I am afraid we haven’t met,” said the other girl
politely, probably referring to the fact that Neha
had not introduced herself. “I am Vipin’s wife.
Vipin hasn’t returned from office as yet. Can I do
anything for you?”
26 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
as soon as the child was born. Then why had his wife
come here? Was she suspicious of his behaviour? No!
She couldn’t be. There were no reasons why she should
be. He dismissed the thought from his mind.
But he must be careful that Neha did not meet or see
her. He resolved that he would send her back to her
parents as soon as he decently could, without giving her
the impression that he wanted to get rid of her. He
thought that Neha too was beginning to get suspicious of
his intentions. He had better do something about her
also, despite the fact that he was extremely reluctant to
do so. She was a delightful mistress, who provided him
with much pleasure. He could not give her up so quickly.
He smiled to himself as he thought of a way to fool her
for some time longer. He would remove her suspicions
by fixing a date for the wedding, and then arrange a
convenient tour at the last possible moment, so that the
nuptials would have to be postponed. He could always
postpone the finding of another auspicious date after his
return from the ‘tour’.
H
e was humming contentedly to himself as he
prepared to leave the office, when the phone
rang. It was Neha, sounding more cheerful than
she had been in a long time, “Hello, darling, are you
free for the evening? How about coming down for some
coffee? We could go out to dinner if you feel like it and
after that we could… um… try our compatibility some
more. I have been thinking about us, and decided that I
have not really been fair with you. I therefore want to
make up for my grouchiness of the last time…”
His heart had leaped at her words and he had
replied breathlessly, “Of course, I am free and more than
willing to…” He suddenly remembered his wife, and
mentally blasted her. “No, I am very sorry, darling, but I
just realised that I am dining out with an important client
of ours. I am afraid we will have to postpone our
pleasure for some other day. You are disappointed? So
am I, darling, so am I.” And he sighed with genuine
regret as he thought of Neha’s soft body… “You want
me to at least come and have coffee with you. Okay, if
you insist, but I can’t stay long…”
Neha was humming a popular tune as she prepared
the coffee. The piercing ring of the doorbell cut across
her thought. Quickly she opened the small bottle with
prominent red skull on its label. Unhurriedly she tilted it
over the coffee pot and carefully counted several drops
one by one. It was a blood-thinner used for killing rats.
Humans too used it, but in microscopic quantities. The
heavy coffee flavour would mask its taste completely.
Death was guaranteed within a few hours. As for her
own coffee; she would ‘clumsily’ spill it and then make
herself a fresh cup.
The doorbell rang again and, with a smile on her
face, Neha went out to welcome her lover. We
No man succeeds without a good woman behind him. Wife
or mother, if it is both, he is twice blessed indeed.
W
Swimwear
afternoon? Shweta came
Your key to the fashion world.
ill you come shopping with
me to the mall this
over to ask me. “I want to get
a swimsuit, and I would like your
opinion as I try these out.”
“I didnʼt know you could swim,” I
said admiringly.
“I donʼt,” she rejoined.”This is for a
pool party on Saturday.”
“Oh?”I said, my puzzlement
increasing.
She grinned at me cheerfully.
“Most of us donʼt even like to get our
feet wet, yaar. These pool parties are
just to flaunt pretty swimwear, you
know…”
She studied my surprised face
with amusement.
“There are the most exciting
ranges of swimwear in the market
which we girls are dying to wear. And
where else can we do it except near
water; the swimming pool or the
beach? So, we buy these and flaunt
these at the convenient pool or beach
parties, even though most of us
cannot swim for nuts!”
When we visited the mall later in
the day, I understood fully well just
what she meant. The dress designer
By Romola Shanbhag
shops had stacks and stacks of the
most exquisite swimwear. It was a
mind boggling array, and Shweta
went quiet crazy trying these on and
traipsing before me for my
very attractive sports activity. A very
enjoyable way of having fun and
getting exercise in the bargain.
And why not? The young are
superconscious of their fit, slim
comments. bodies. And they do like to display
“Get one for yourself, Anuja,” she these too, and where else, and how
coaxed. “We can bring a friend along, else except at the swimming pool,
and Iʼll take you to the party. Come and in those delectable itsy-bitsy
on, choose one …” clothes?
I laughed and looked ruefully at ʻIf-you-have-got-it, flaunt-itʼ is the
my plump midriff. “I will cut a sorry new mantra. And no one objects
figure. I am not slender like you, either. Times have changed, attitudes
Shweta,” I protested. are bolder and more liberal and well,
“Not to worry,” she assured me. who will object to seeing beautiful
“There are some for every figure and bodies both male and female when
age.” there is water to swim in close by to
And, indeed,there were, and the give them credibility.
spandex one-piece I chose made me When confronted with the
look inches slimmer and elegant. And numerous items in the swimwear
I did accept her offer to accompany
her and had a great time too.
Although Shweta candidly
confessed that she wore
swimwear without ever
getting into the water,
for many others,
swimming is a
range, you can be forgiven if your
head swims (pun intended). Broadly,
you have the one-piece and the two
piece bikini. IF YOU ARE ONE OF
So, can you simply trot off to the
shop or troll the net markets to place THOSE LUCKY FEW
an order? WHO HAVE LOVELY
Best approach is to consider the
different varieties you can choose LONG LEGS,
from. A TRIM BUTT, FLAT
TUMMY AND A PERKY
THE SEXY BIKINI BOSOM, BE BOLD
Consider the flimsy, sexy bikini?
First ask yourself – Do I have the
AND TRY OUT THE
figure for it? Be honest.If you have STRING BIKINI WHICH
some trouble spots, here are some
tips:
USES STRINGS
If your bust and tummy are not INSTEAD OF STRAPS.
exactly like Mallika Sherawatʼs, try
out the tank-top bikini which will
discreetly hide the sins of your
bosom very neatly.
A wee-bit heavy butt? Plump
thighs?Opt for the bikini which has a
nifty skirt over the mini panty…You
will look svelte and fashionable at
once.
If you are one of those
lucky few who have lovely
long legs, atrim butt, flat
tummy and a perky bosom,

be bold and try out the string bikini
which uses strings instead of straps.
Not for the faint-hearted but the
confident girl who will walk with held
high and proud.
Bikinis are two-piece or with
hidden seams to join cunningly the
top to the bottom.
There are frilly ones which
judiciously camouflage the not-too-
great parts of your anatomy too.
Now, to come to the more
ubiquitous Indian-woman figure,
nourished on good desi ghee, sweets
and pakodas…are they banished
from the swimwear fraternity?
Not at all. There are so many
models fashioned just for these
women which fit firmly and coyly
around their bodies like normal
clothing without in any way
hampering them in water and out of
it.
are swimsuits to cater to every
shape, purse, occasion and age.
Special add-ons like lounging
gowns, sarongs, and jackets to throw
over your microscopic attire when
you wish to drape yourself
engagingly on the pool deck chairs
are also there for the asking.
Swimwear has come a long way
from prehistoric times, when these
did not exist at all, as cavorting in the
water was mostly in the nude. History
saw strange designs like the pubkini,
the lower section of it was a very brief
V-shaped material in the front which
hugged the hips from the rear to
reveal pubic hair!
Tankinis and mix-and match
numbers made their debut in the
1990s and then came Speedoʼs
For women who wish to follow the fastskin series. Mimicking shark skin,
dictates of their community, there are even to the ridges and bumps, the
head-to-toe swim suits which provide suit promised to channel water over
head coverage too. the swimmerʼs body 3 per cent more
Polka-dotted, flowered, stringed, efficiently than costumes made of
micro, mini, mix and match, or mono traditional material to optimise certain
for the sun-bathing beauties. There swim strokes, by compressing some
parts of the body and giving freedom
SWIMWEAR HAS to others.
COME A LONG WAY Expectedly, the FINA banned non-
textile, non-woven material swimwear
FROM PREHISTORIC in competitions. Called “performance
TIMES,WHEN THESE enhancing costumes” it claimed that
this hindered the ability to accurately
DID NOT EXIST AT ALL, measure athletesʼ performance.
AS CAVORTING IN The new ruling states that where
women swimsuits in competitions
THE WATER WAS should be from shoulder to knee,
MOSTLY IN THE menʼs should cover the area from
navel to knee.
NUDE. HISTORY SAW Fashion industries are busy raking
STRANGE DESIGNS in the money on their swimwear
range, and understandingly so. Their
LIKE THE PUBKINI. offerings come with clinched waists
and constructed bustlines, to mink
trimmed ones. And then there are the
accessories earrings, bracelets, hats,
scarves, sunglasses, bags, et al.
Small wonder, girls like Shweta
and me can get well and truly hooked,
although we are no Esther Williams
or Deepika Padukone who can rule
the waters. For us, swimming can
wait, swimwear cannot! We
Success is not final, failure is not
fatal, it is the courage to continue
that counts.
 NUTRI-POWER
A package of good health.
W
heatgrass is a food prepared
from the cotyledons of the
common wheat plant Triticum
aestivum (subspecies of the
family poa (eae). It is sold either as a
juice or powder concentrate. It
contains schlorophyll, amino acids,
minerals, vitamins and enzymes. Its
health benefits range from providing
supplemental nutrition to having
unique curative properties.
Wheatgrass can be traced back
in history over 5,000 years to ancient
Egypt and perhaps even early
Mesopotamian civilisations. It is
purported that ancient Egyptians
found the young leafy blades of
wheat as sacred and prized them for
their positive effect on their health
and vitality.
This super food contains a host of
vitamins, folic acid and calcium, iron
and chlorophyll. Prepared by
dehydrating tender shoots of wheat, it
allows the nutrients to be present in
their natural form, hence easily
accepted by the body.
Wheatgrass powder offers
numerous benefits. It is a detoxifying
agent that keeps gut healthy,
improves haemoglobin levels and
aids in regeneration of healthy cells
in the body. It is also beneficial for
hypertension and in maintaining
arterial health. Wheatgrass also
supports immunity and keeps
infections at bay, has anti-ageing
properties, improves oral health, bad
breath and prevents body odour. It
also provides precious nutritional
support to chronically sick individuals.
Native to India and Africa,
Moringa is a nutritionally complex
super food naturally abundant in
vitamins, minerals and amino acids
– the building blocks of protein.
32
Moringa is considered one of the
most complete, nutrient – dense
plants on earth. It is used worldwide
to combat malnutrition and its leaves
have been eaten for thousands of
years as a staple of the local diet.
Daily use of Moringa can add
concentrated super food nutrition to
your diet and help you to consume
the nutrients in the recommended 6-
10 servings of vegetables per day.
Moringa leaves are abundant in
vitamins and minerals including
vitamin A, B1, B3, iron, magnesium,
potassium, amino acids and
polyphenols.
Containing 18 amino acids, it is
considered one of the most complete,
and nutrient-dense plants. Dried
Moringa leaves are a storehouse of
concentrated nutrition. So even a
small daily dose can help correct
imbalances in the body, add
concentrated nutrition to your diet
and help you reach the
recommended daily dietary target of
fruits and vegetables.
● Moringa leaves have four times
more Beta-Carotine (raw form of
vitamin A) than that of carrots, 17
times more calcium than that of milk
and 25 times more iron than that of
spinach.
● A rich source of vitamin C.
● An excellent source of Amino
acids. Amino acids form proteins.
Taking Moringa capsules is good
for those suffering from malnutrition
and those who require extra
nourishment such as athletes, body
builders, sports persons, expecting
and lactating mothers, growing
children and chronically ill persons.
Traditionally, Moringa has been
used for years with no side effects.
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
According to a research:
● There is an anti-bacterial and
anti-inflammatory effect when applied
to wounds or insect bites.
● Extracts can be used against
bacterial or fungal skin infections.
● Eating Moringa food products is
good for those suffering from
malnutrition due to the high protein
and fibre content.
Further study shows:
● Flower juice improves the quality
and flow of motherʼs milk when
breast feeding.
● Flower juice is useful for
uninary problems as it encourages
urination.
Moringa pods medicinal uses
and benefits:
● If eaten raw, pods act as a de-
wormer and treats liver and spleen
problems and pains of the joints.
● Due to high protein and fibre
content they can play a useful part in
treating malnutrition and diarrhoea.
Moringa seeds medicinal uses
and benefits:
● Used for their antibiotic and anti-
inflammatory properties to treat
arthritis, rheumatism, gout, cramp,
sexually transmitted diseases and
boils. The seeds are roasted,
pounded, mixed with coconut oil and
applied to the problem area. Seed oil
can be used for the same ailments.
Moringa is useful medically as
well as nutritionally. Its continual use
can enhance health and mental well-
being. In nutshell a super health
tonic.
Wheatgrass and Moringa is
super way to sound health. We
I am two months pregnant. Please
tell me how to avoid the ugly
stretch marks which many women
get after pregnancy, and also how
to treat these if I get these.
Yes,stretch marks can be the
bane of a new mother’s life. Often
these silvery lines are caused when
the skin tugs and stretches in a
pregnancy. These usually run in
parallel bands and can be grey,
silvery, purple or light pink.
Slathering the vulnerable parts
of your body, tummy, breasts,
thighs, etc, with rich creams can
lessen their appearance. Also,
keeping a check on your weight
helps.
If these do appear, there are
several therapies you can try.
Although with time, these will
naturally fade. Creams rich in
retinol which restore collagen are
helpful. There are laser therapies
like pulsed dye laser, fractional
photo thermolysis, etc available
with some doctors. Some women
swear by microdermabrasion treat-
ments.
You can also camouflage visible
marks with a good foundation
cream or a concealer.
But take care to never have
these laser treatments before the
delivery as it can harm the unborn
child.
Although the rest of my body is not
so dry, my feet are scaly and
cracked, especially the heels. Is
there some easy home remedy, for I
really cannot spare time to go to
the beauty parlour regularly?
Mix one part milk with six parts
water and prepare a foot bath in a
basin. Soak feet in this for 10
minutes daily. This will soften and
soothe skin within a few days.
Make it a nightly routine when
relaxing in front of the TV.
Make a foot scrub with sugar,
olive oil and honey.Mix this into a
paste and apply on feet every night.
Pull on cotton socks. Keep till the
morning and wash off with warm
water.You only need a few days to
see a big difference in the texture of
your feet skin.
As far as possible, keep feet
protected from dust and grime
when you go out, by wearing socks.
I love using bright red lipstick even
in the daytime. Somehow, with my
other make-up, I do tend to present
a garish look. Please advise me on
how to treat the rest of my face if I
use bright red lipstick to look chic
and elegant and not bawdy.
Normally, bright red lipsticks
are reserved for evening times. If
you have a weakness for it, go
ahead and wear it. You should keep
a few points in mind to avoid
looking like a painted doll. Use
minimal make-up or avoid it
altogether. Simply use a mild
moisturiser with a good SPF if you
need one.
Accentuate your eyes with an
eyeliner but do not apply mascara
or heavy eye make-up. If you are
used to applying blush or rouge,
keep it minimal, or stop it
altogether. Use a concealer to hide
blemishes only.
The bottom line is: when using a
bright lipstick, the rest of your face
should show a nude look. This will
not only dramatise the lips but will
make you look glowing delicately
without the gaudy touches.
I hate going out without make-up,
but I have to go to the cloakroom to
re-apply it frequently because it
tends to fade. Why does my make-
up fade? I am a busy professional,
27 years old.
Make-up will fade and eye
shadow and liner will crease if you
apply it straight on the skin. The
secret is to first use a primer (liquid
foundation) and then the
moisturiser and make-up. If you
apply primer on your eyelids and
below eyes, your eye colour will stay
put for a long time. It also helps if
you lightly powder your face as a
final touch. This absorbs sweat and
prevents make-up fading.
Why are my elbows dark while the
rest of my arms are fair? How can I
make these whiter?
Elbows and the nape of the neck
are notorious for getting darkened
over time if special attention is not
given to them.
The usual soaping and washing
does not suffice. Use a loofah or a
rough towel to scrub the elbows
firmly at every bath time. You will
notice that with this treatment,
within a couple of days, the areas
will become lighter because the dry
skin and dead cells will get
slouched off.
Apply juice of lime on your
elbows. Keep for an hour and then
wash off. Apply a little milk cream
so that the elbows do not become
very dry. There are many whitening
creams of reputed brands in the
market which you can use as well.
Once the elbows become smooth
and fair, continue to take care so
that these do not blacken again.
Short Story

Who Blew It?

Swati sculpted more than sculpture. By Scott Snyder

W
ill Will’s mother say, ‘I’ve made a will?’” she an IT firm. She could have too, with that razor-sharp
asked and looked at me. I looked at her. The face brain, she could have ruled the word, but wanted an
had a question in the brows, and a smile well out let for her creativity. A career as a sculptor, and in
hidden in the eyes. India? I had my doubts, and prayed for her success.
“Hmm,” I said. “Likely, she’d say, bill instead of will.” Sometimes during the ever-dragging team meetings I
“Then it’d be, ‘I’ve made a bill,” Swati smiled. wondered how the scene would have been with Swati
I reflected the smile, “Chances are, she’d just say, around. She always had bright, fresh ideas which she
‘son’.” poured out as if there was no tomorrow.
“You are a big spoiler alert, you know that?” she Selflessness and disdain for money can stifle
said, an admonishment I’ve got to like. entrepreneurship, I told her, while she smiled lost in her
I knew the whole spoiler alert thing, but my slow brain own world. She had broken nails as she had been
looked at things for what they are – a line is a line, a working with woods, soft stones and gems. Often, her
square, a square. Swati’s emotional quick witty brain, nails had grime so thick they looked like small black
saw a thin man in a line, an old man in a square, sculptures set against a white background. Once, for a
without any logic, I should add. Even prosaic lines made project, she caught spiders and introduced them as her
flip-flaps in her brain to churn out as witty humour, which sculpture of a modern city. The project never got any
I could never match up. Not that I didn’t try. I read many financial backing, but the spiders thrived and had a
a book of jokes with diverse titles like, splendid city tailor-made for them. She never cleaned
Twenty jokes to rumble your stomach and that part of her studio, but never had any
Hundred very funny jokes. Still, however Selflessness and spider bites. I, on the other hand …oh, leave
hard I tried, a joke never sounded funny disdain for money it, I hate spiders.
coming from my lips, my brain and their can stifle She also had a blaring instinct, which she
grey cells. “Oops!” Swati would say and the entrepreneurship, I relied on more than she should. The first
whole room would laugh. I could never told her, while she boyfriend I had was dismissed as a ‘puerile
understand why but I laughed too. smiled lost in her bit of virus’ and he turned out to be a deadly
We went to the same school. Once, in my own world. She had virus. Well, that’s not me getting back at my
mother’s version of the story: “You and Swati
broken nails as she ex – he truly was/is. The second one, I didn’t
were playing near the fish tank. I was introduce, just referred to the relationship,
listening, you know, when you said, ‘My had been working hoping the name didn’t turn her instincts on
dad says colour fish are painted by god.’ with woods, soft the wrong side. Not sure that I understand
Swati promptly added, ‘No, I saw my uncle stones and gems. the whole instinct theory – I need at least
painting them and leaving them in the Often, her nails had three meetings to draw a conclusion about a
water.’ You looked at the fish and started grime so thick they person, much like the rest of humanity. Swati
crying, then Swati cried looking at you and looked like small and her pointed radar had it all too easy in
your brother sleeping next door joined too. It black sculptures set the judging department. Oh, and she dislikes
was so funny.” I don’t remember this against a white my sister too, but that isn’t much of an
incident, but have heard so many versions instinctive reaction, just a friend’s reaction to
background.
that I’d be surprised if the incident never seeing her friend being bossed around by
happened at all. The story was embarrassing her big sister.
since my mom made a point of recollecting it when my

friends were around. Moms!
Another time, we were watching a bird pruning
herself on the big neem branch outside her home. The
bird lazily stretched its leg together with one of its wings
in one big gesture. Swati imitated the bird to the ‘T’. It
could have been hilarious, if not for me who broke the
spell with my own feeble doubtful imitation.
After school, we Swati and I, went to the same
college, but settled at different jobs. She became a
sculptor, while I earned my bread – more like pizza – at
I
got angry every 20 times a day. Then logic didn’t
have any hold, just pure anger and me. Many
people managed to bring out the worst in me.
When I have to make a decision, I ask around and they
say, “You know, it’s your decision, no right to advise
you” – but, manage to pour heaps of advice at other
times.
Another common statement is, “Can’t you trust me?”
How can someone trust a stranger? I suspect, half of
India’s population is the result of this question. They say

36 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

enjoy nature, and when you stare at a tree there will be
a miserable soul coming up to you asking, “What are
you thinking?” or “Penny for your thoughts?”
You hear people say. “Listen more than you speak?”
Don’t believe them. Introverts get instructions to enjoy life
from every stranger.
Can you blame me when I get angry? That meant I
had very few friends – though I am not an introvert,
ahem – but not a loss since they were the best in the
world.
Okay, back to Swati, she loved animals. She was the
only person I knew who loved cats and dogs equally.
Cats and dogs played together in her house – hard to
believe unless you saw them playing around.
Our friendship brought both the families together.
Diwali season was the best with sweets and lights. We
children used to light the diyas all over the home, either
Swati’s or mine.
Good old days, easy to laugh, easy to cry. I haven’t
shed a tear in three years. The last cry, for three straight
days, was for the boyfriend when he became ‘ex’. Not
that I don’t empathise, or felt sad after that, I just haven’t
cried. As if all the tears went away to live with my ex.
Hmm.
This lazy afternoon is just a week before her
wedding. (Tying the knot at 22, she is insane!) I have to
fly back to the USA tomorrow, while she will settle in
India itself. I was there for her engagement ceremony,
five months ago, but will miss her marriage. She doesn’t
mind it, or so she says, as my face was already present
in her engagement album, a consolation prize but better
than nothing. Her future husband is a bureaucrat in a
local office. He, when I caught sight of his head for the
first time, was going bald, and had a pleasing smile on
his face. His moustache had more hair, by contrast, with
two white hairs now black with the dye of the same
colour. He was also polite to the guests and stole furtive

S
wati’s mom had tasty hands glances at his would-be bride.
– anything she made with I told Swati, “Your She was resplendent in a maroon sari, and tried
those hands was tasty. Lunch mother-in law looks hard to keep up the smiling face – very difficult
was served in banana leaves with so young,” and within a flow of 5000 guests. Wonder how she’ll
rice, sambar, avviyal, mango waited for the manage the wedding smile. From the looks of it,
pickles and pappadam. I can still reaction. he’d manage the smile like a snake, hmm. And his
roll my tongue and feel the taste. A flicker of mother looked younger than her 46 years. You have
Afternoon time spent watching something, or did I to understand the role of a mother-in-law in India.
movie on the TV, debating on who just imagine? “True, She juggles the role of a president, prime minster
would move to change the tuner, poor thing has been and finance minister. Since the daughter-in-law
with most of us napping on the sofa alone for a long comes to live with her, she is the cynosure of all eyes
too lazy to get up. time,” said Swati. in an Indian wedding – judged more than the
Evening, it was cracker time “She calls me bridegroom. A smile, and you’ve got a good
with sounds in varied proportions. ‘daughter’ and has a mother-in-law. Swati’s mother-in-law had a smile all
That was in the past, as special room for my
environmental attention meant no sculptures.”
crackers anymore, just lights for “You are lucky,” I
Diwali in a different land. murmured.
right, but I didn’t quite like the young mother-in-law.
Mothers, if you ask me, should be old with visible grey
hairs. Vilasini, Swati’s future mother, widowed at 19,
looked just two years older than her son, an Indian
version of a Meryl Streep.
I told Swati, “Your mother-in law looks so young,”
and waited for the reaction.
A flicker of something, or did I just imagine? “True,
poor thing has been alone for a long time,” said Swati.
“She calls me ‘daughter’ and has a special room for my
sculptures.”
“You are lucky,” I murmured.
“Listen,” said Swati, “ I’ll send you snaps of the
wedding, happy journey and don’t forget to call me.”
touched her cheeks, they were indeed soft. Nowadays,
girls used anti-ageing cream before they reached 20,
while she had always found refuge in papaya,
sandalwood paste and orange peels. Her hair was still
black, and wrinkles were but two just around the corner
of the mouth, invisible to the naked eye.
Some of Swati’s friends wondered why she remained
unmarried. Vilasini didn’t know the answer, her excuse
had always been fear for her son’s future, and also
reluctance to share her son’s love, even if it was just her
husband. If only her parents had pressed her more – the
second marriage was mentioned only twice, four days
after her husband’s death and 10 days later. If only they
had pressed more but now it looked really late.

V A
ilasini tried to close her ears. Still she could hear fter her husband’s demise, it came down to two
distinctly the sound of violent lovemaking in the choices – live with her parents or remain in her
adjacent room. She tried to deflect her thoughts husband’s home. She returned to her parental
and tried repeating, “Hare Rama, hare Krishna.” It was home, which looked the lesser of the two evils. Money
impossible as the thoughts had a life of their own and was not a problem; the land she had inherited was more
returned to the taboo subject. Didn’t her mom’s guruji tell than enough to provide a decent income. But there were
her the human mind held only one thought at a time? many unwritten rules she found stifling. She couldn’t light
Well, Vilasini was confident; he was wrong, the lamp, couldn’t laugh loud, couldn’t be the
damn wrong. She could say a mantra and “She has a good first face anyone woke up to, couldn’t wear
still think ‘unholy thoughts’ on the couple heart, just that she flowers in her hair and so on. It was
next door. There was picture and audio, like laughable; they all enjoyed the food cooked
two minds each with its own life. She could likes giving advice, by her, even licking their fingers shamelessly
see a lizard moving across the ceiling, pale which I don’t take,” like that morning.
and alien across the mosquito net. So, She laughed for the The only true possession was her son, the
Vilasini found that there were three forces at first time in the boy she could love for the rest of her life. He
work, her eyes on the lizard, one mind was hers right from the moment of
conversation, it
reciting mantras and another on the couple conception. When he was a year old, her
next door. pained me. “And she husband used to play with his son, while she
She felt hot but didn’t move to switch on doesn’t like pets at was busy in the kitchen. Her husband, in
the fan, her mind roamed to her last time, home, which I can some deep moments of paternal endearment,
wasn’t it a long time ago? Did they make a live with.” It always lighted incense and showed it around his
sound when they made love? She doesn’t
came down to that – son’s face. A speck fell on the baby’s cheek,
remember, except for some silent gasps. which brought a frantically panting Vilasini
She remembered her husband three days marriage changed fresh from the kitchen, frying pan in hand to
after the wedding how his eyes sparkled in people however the room. She saw the black mark on her
the dark looking at her face, the smile hard they tried to baby’s cheek, however small it was, and hit
paying hide and seek, the smell of his resist it. her husband bang with the frying pan. He
hands, and the wetness of his sweat. Fast just stared at her for a minute and left the
forward two years, and he was gone leaving her with a room, never mentioning the reason for the deep cut in his
baby. head, which stayed red even five hours after his death.
First thing tomorrow, ‘I have to ask them to change When her son was 10, she moved to a new but
bedrooms,’ she thought and felt a powerful emotion in bigger house – a white house with spacious rooms,
her chest. She remembered the wedding, how the guests decorated with geometric paintings and a long foyer.
had commented on her young, beautiful skin. Vilasini The garden had long pruned trees, chemically treated
lawn, and many shrubs from which the gardener had a
Manufacturers, service providers and hard time removing spiders’ webs every day, in addition
publishers can send details to the caterpillars. A clean garden but the gardener was
for showcasing their sure that half the trees had sprouted out of bird and
products in the magazine and human shit. But no one wanted genesis, and no one
on our website cared.
www.womansera.com to: Sometimes, the caterpillars squirmed at his hand, and
Features@womansera.com he wondered if it was the right thing to do, but always
completed the task as per instructions given. He felt

40 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

jealous seeing the woman at the big house, happy,
single and beautiful, shielded from the hot, cruel sun and
insects and often flaring up over the sins of killing small
bugs. The son was worse – with a pleasant smiling face
he patiently listened to the question put to him, shaking
his head up and down like a banana leaf, only to
answer, “Ask my mom.”
It was a small world of two people, excluding the two
servants and the gardener. Marriage was never uttered.
As for sex, men always found a way to convey, not
always through words, their availability. She, in turn,
fantasised the men she met, her husband’s friends, movie
stars and relatives. After all, anything was possible in the
imagination. She missed her husband as much for the
lack of a sounding board, as for the physical closeness.
Of course, had she wished, she could have had any man
she wanted, but never ventured that far, why? She never
understood.
Y
ears rolled on, and a friend told her about a girl
for her son. She was a distant relative, from a
good family and worked from home. That meant a
daughter-in-law for company, and she was glad to see
Swati. Even after marriage, her son, the bright boy, was
always near her. He even cancelled his honeymoon
for fear of leaving his mother alone. I am lucky,
Vilasini sighed and waited for sleep.
Swati’s voice sounded different. “It’s like I
am calling from a different country,” I said,
and laughed.
“You are,” she replied but didn’t laugh.
If she had, I’d have deciphered. I could
always do that, finding meaning in her
abstract sculptures, give them funky titles
and urging her to do more. She had creative
juices, turning clay into forms I’d have never
imagined. Not many collectors understood her work,
which meant that she gave away most of them as gifts.
Looking at her sculptures, I’ve always felt that she has a
dog’s eye view of the world, definitely not how I saw
things.
“How’s life as Mrs Bharat Talwande?” I asked. Didn’t
I tell you, her husband was named after his country by
his mom? Have to give it, mothers knew best.
“Good, marriage is good,” the voice seemed to come
from Antarctica, cold and distant.
“Shudh, is something wrong?” Shudh meant ‘pure’
and I liked it better than ‘Swati’. That said, I’ve seen
Swati argue when someone called her Shudh, she
obviously liked her name with an ‘a’, but never corrected
me.
“You mean like the USA fighting in Afghanistan and
Iraq,” she said.
“No, like you idling without new works or leaving
home.”
“Come on. I just got married, you know.”
“No, not after three months. That bald man troubling
you?”
“Hey, you are talking about my husband,” her anger
was fake, I knew that.
“And your mother-in-law?”
“She has a good heart, just that she
It was surreal; I couldn’t
believe what I was hearing. The
rain roared outside, with the
lightning eyeing an immobile
me with a mobile in hand. I
repeated, “how?” Strangled by
her own husband! Numbed.
likes giving advice, which I don’t take.” She laughed for but Vilasini thought her brows were beautiful enough
the first time in the conversation, it pained me. “And she naturally. Swati used her sculpting scissors to trim her
doesn’t like pets at home, which I can live with.” It brows, which went so haywire that she was forced to
always came down to that – marriage changed people take her to the beauty salon.
however hard they tried to resist it. Soon, Swati won’t Soon, however hard she tried, Vilasini couldn’t help
have time for me with a family to cater too. One person sharing the faults of Swati with her son. Shouldn’t she
less to talk to, and it was irritatingly natural, but a part of share the budget at home instead of wasting time at
me fervently wished that she would remain the sculptures? Swati laughed too much, and
same, with the same sense of humour. One day, Swati joked when it was unnecessary, had a big
Vilasini tried to be a mother to her
wanted to get her mask on her face. His mother also reminded
daughter-in-law. Every morning she found her him of the many girls who could have been his
daughter-in-law with coffee and breakfast. eyebrows done, but bride. That worked, as she found her son’s
‘That must have made me happy,’ she Vilasini thought face uncertain and bitter.
thought. “Instead, I find more sugar in the her brows were When her son fought with his wife for the
coffee and more salt in the idli.’ beautiful enough first time, Vilasini felt with lighted heart, and
“You should let me do the breakfast,” she saw the return of her son, and silence into the
naturally. Swati
finally told Swati, adding, “You can work, bedroom next door. The room specially
you know.” used her sculpting allotted for Swati’s sculptures didn’t see any
“Then how will you break the fast? I’ll do scissors to trim her new addition. The new stones and metals
the breaking mom.” Vilasini blinked, and left brows, which went remained untouched, and Swati found refuge
the kitchen humiliated with what she so haywire that she in the kitchen most of the time, staring and
considered, ‘instant snub’. staring at nothing.
was forced
It was surreal; I couldn’t believe what I was
to take her to the hearing. The rain roared outside, with the

S
wati was everywhere. It was the same
with her son – he wanted Swati to bring
towels to his bathroom, eat with him,
and called out her name when he returned
from office.
One day, Swati wanted to get her eyebrows done,
beauty salon. lightning eyeing an immobile me with a mobile
in hand. I repeated, ‘how?’. Strangled by her
own husband! Numbed. Why was I outside
my body? I saw the wall in my room, the dead red
curtain, the water on its first journey to the sea, the small
crack in the wall, and Swati’s face. Again, the visuals of
the room, and strangulation in my throat. Where am I?

Life
Wasn’t Swati special and always indestructible?
“They have buried her inside her husband’s house,”
continued my mom. “The neighbours wanted the mother-
in-law to pay for her sins. Now they’ll be together
Life is full of highs and lows.
forever – one dead the other living. Poor girl, such a
When you are in a sad mood,
beautiful smile.”
You can either sit and brood
My mother’s voice jarred on,still unsure of the tone to
Or think of ways to regain your smile,
employ, “They are planning to erect a museum for her
Remember it will all pass in a while.
sculptures in the city. We didn’t want you to find out but
To expect and hope is the problem.
your dad felt it was better coming from us.”
Do not be a receiver but a giver,
I couldn’t hear more as wind snatched the mobile, or
Then none can give you pain.
did I throw it? I was outside my body, watching scenes
When a giver, spread only joy,
in counterfeit motion: Swati smiling in a frame, her jokes
Even if you are in pain, it will pass,
in a different frame; the dirty fingernails, the big wide
If you remember that you are a giver.
eyes; listening to her twisted stories filled with giant
Givers do not receive anything,
monsters and outlandish birds; making me eat bizarrely
No joy, pain or sorrow,
sweet home-made candies. Huh, stupid world. Feeling
For they are always in a constant
sick and contrite at the same time, I remembered her
state,
scabrous husband. How could the bastard do that to her?
Only seeing to see what they can do,
Wasn’t she the only person in the world to accept me
Not caring what they get in return.
as I am? I felt angry at her, where did her fabled instincts
– Michelle Ruth Clarke.
hide when she needed them the most? Why? Just why? I
am laughing. A lonely tear found its way down my
cheek. We

Morality is the basis of things and truth is the substance

of all morality.

44 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

 What’s Your
Lifestyle
Selected entries will be published in the
forthcoming issue of Woman’s era. Look
out for the 16 July 2016 issue.
?
Attach a photograph of your friend for a better
chance of featuring in Woman’s era.
Last date for sending entries: 30 June 2016

Q
When you need a go-to jacket, you

1
turn to your:
a. Classic trench coat. R
b. Wool car coat.
c. Cashmere wrap. MCJ
d. Leather biker jacket.
1st Floor, Shop No. F-2, 4, 6 & 8, Shopperʼs Point,

Q
For your job, you: Hem Barua Road, Fancy Bazar, Guwahati-781001 (Assam)

2
a. Travel a lot.
b. Attend many formal meetings or give
Scoring Terms and Conditions:
presentations.
Don’t you hate those artificial quizzes that only have one obvious right answer?
c. Work with your hands. Jewellery and its lineage is fluid. So answer according to what you feel is best.
d. Collaborate with a lot of creative folks.

Q
Name Age

3
When you have downtime, you most enjoy: Address
a. Hiking or being outside. PIN
b. Curling up with a good book or movie. Phone: E-mail
c. Painting or other creative pursuits. Occupation
d. Shopping or dining at the newest
Don’t forget to attach a photograph
restaurants. 1. Mark the answers and send us the cutting of this quiz along with this coupon. The
last date is 30 June 2016. So hurry up and post it now. 2. The decision of the editor

Q
will be final. 3. Depict your true self only. 4. Send a photograph of your own. It may
When you go out for a night on the town, be printed in Woman’s Era, along with the results. Send to: Woman’s Era,

4
you always wear: Delhi Press, E-3, Jhandewala, New Delhi-110 055.

99
a. Something tailored.
b. Cocktail dress.
c. Soft colours, flowy fabrics. Answer the Winners of Jewellery
d. Something downright sexy.
questions Quiz Contest

Q
If you could redesign your bedroom,
&
5
it would be: Kanjana,
a. Monochrome and calm.
b. Cheery and colourful.
win
a grand
52, 177/8,
Greater Green Park,
Bareilly - 243006.
c. Dark and moody.
d. None of the above. prize
 Some
lip-smacking
desserts.
By Anupama Gupta

cream cheese, and cinnamon into

POMEGRANATE a food processor. Process until
PARFAIT pureed and smooth.
Divide papaya sauce evenly in
INGREDIENTS: the goblets, covering the
1-1/2 cups pomegranate seed pomegranate mixture. Garnish
1/ cup grapes each dessert with chopped or
2
1 orange segmented sliced fruit, and mint leaves.
1 cup ripe papaya
(cut into chunks)
1/ cup orange juice
2
4 tbsp cream cheese
FRUIT IN
1/ tsp ground cinnamon
4 CHEESECAKE
12 mint leaves INGREDIENTS:
METHOD 1 cup chopped fruits
Gently stir together 10-15 digestive biscuits crushed
pomegranate, grapes and 1 cup cottage cheese
oranges until combined. Divide in 1 cup yogurt
6 goblet glasses. finely grated zest of 1 lemon
Place papaya, orange juice, 1/ tsp vanilla essence
2
2 tbsp powdered sugar
1 tbsp cream
METHOD
Put the digestive biscuit
crumbs in glasses.
In a mixing bowl, beat together
the cottage cheese, yogurt, lemon
zest, vanilla essence, cream and
powdered sugar until smooth.
Spoon the mixture into the
Pomegranate glasses. Top each portion with an
parfait
equal amount of the chopped
Fruit in fruits. Cover and chill until ready
cheesecake to serve.
 Pineapple

PINEAPPLE
rissoles

RISSOLES
INGREDIENTS:
1/ cup cottage cheese
4
1 tbsp condensed milk
2 tbsp thick cream/malai
4 bread slice fresh crumbs
1/ cup assorted dry fruits
3
chopped finely (cashew,
pistachios, almond, walnut)
1/ cup pineapple finely chopped
2
1 tbsp powdered sugar
METHOD
In a pan toast all the dry fruits, Fruit quesadilla
on low heat and take out in a
plate. In the same pan cook
pineapple and sugar till it is
cooked and forms a thick paste. FRUIT
Mix the dry fruits and keep aside.
Add cottage cheese,
QUESADILLA METHOD
condensed milk, cream, bread INGREDIENTS: Heat tortillas until soft. Spread
crumbs and sugar and blend. Mix 2 flour tortillas peanut butter on one tortilla.
it with dry fruit and pineapple 1/ cup thinly sliced apples Layer pineapple ,grapes and
2
mixture. Make balls by rolling 1 banana thinly sliced banana on top of peanut butter.
gently in between two palms. 10-12 grapes Drizzle with mixture of cream and
Heat oil in a pan and deep-fry all 4 tbsp peanut butter honey.
the rissoles till they are golden. 2 tbsp fresh cream Top with second tortilla. Press
Serve with chocolate sauce. 1 tbsp honey firmly, then cut into quarters.

Apple crumb cake
For filling:
2 cups fresh bread crumbs
3/ cup sugar
4
1 tsp cinnamon powder
1 tsp ginger powder
1/ lemon, juice and rind
2
METHOD
Combine the bread crumbs,
sugar, cinnamon, ginger, lemon
juice, zest and melted butter. Mix
well and set aside. Wash apples
and remove their core. Then slice
them very thinly.
Butter the interior of the
container all the way up to the
edge. Next, put the tbsp of flour in
the container so that you have an
even coat of flour stuck to the
butter inside the container. Begin
Spiced fruit soup
layering the apple slices. The
bottom layer will become the top
when you flip the cake out of the
APPLE CRUMB container.
Add a layer of bread crumb
CAKE mixture. Alternate apple and
bread crumb layers until your
INGREDIENTS: container is full .
3 apples cored and sliced Cover tin tightly with foil. Put 1
3/ cup butter melted
4 cup of water and place the trivet
1 square butter softened (or steamer basket insert, or
2 tbsp flour anything that will hold your
1/ cup sugar powder
4 container out of the water). Lower
the container in the pressure
cooker onto the steamer
basket/trivet. Close the lid of the
pressure cooker. Pressure-cook it
on high flame till it is about to
whistle, lower the flame and cook
it for 5 minutes and switch off the
gas. let it cool and then open the
lid.
Carefully remove the container
from the pressure cooker and
remove the tin foil. Place your
serving dish on top of the
container and flip it upside-down
so that the serving dish is now on
the bottom.
Sprinkle the top of the cake
with powdered sugar . Grill until
the sugar has melted and the top
of the cake is a beautiful golden
brown.
SPICED FRUIT
SOUP
INGREDIENTS:
1/ cup sugar
4
2 cup water
2 pieces ginger
1 piece cinnamon stick
1 tsp lemon zest
1 banana
1 guava
10-12 grapes
1/ tsp garam masala
4
2 tbsp lemon juice
METHOD
Cook the sugar, water, ginger,
cinnamon, zest and guava over
high heat in a pan. Bring to boil
and cook until sugar completely
dissolves.
Mash the guavas with a potato
masher and strain into a large
bowl. Stir in the lemon juice,
garam masala and sliced banana
and chill in the fridge for at least 1
hour.
Garnish the soup with grapes
and serve.
FRUITY METHOD
In a bowl combine the flour, FRESH FRUIT
BREAKFAST milk, lemon juice and oil. Cover
and let sit for 7-8 hours. Grease a
SPRING ROLLS
CAKE baking dish. Preheat the oven. In INGREDIENTS:
1 apple
a bowl combine the fruits,
INGREDIENTS: 1/ grapes
1/ cup riceflour cinnamon, 2 tbsp sugar and 2 2
2
tbsp cornflour. Pour into the 1 peach
1/ cup flour
2
prepared pan. Bake the fruit for 1 kiwi
3 tbsp milk 4 strawberries
10 minutes.
1 tbsp lemon juice 10 raspberries
Add the egg, 1 / 4 cup sugar,
3 tbsp oil 1/ cup pomegranate
baking soda and salt to the 8
1 egg 5 mint leaves fresh
1/ cup powdered sugar soaked flour. Beat well until
4
combined and all lumps are 4 tbsp cream cheese
1 tsp baking soda 4-6 bread slices
1/ tsp salt removed.
2
Remove the pan from the oven METHOD
2 cup mixed fruits (grapes,
and spread the cake batter on Start by chopping fruit. Cut the
apple, pineapple, banana)
1/ tsp cinnamon powder top. apple and mango in long, thin
4
Return the pan to the oven. strips. Slice the strawberries,
2 tbsp sugar
Bake for 35 minutes. Allow the raspberries and kiwi into rounds
2 tbsp cornflour
cake to cool before serving, so and cut the grapes. Cut the sides
the fruit mixture can thicken. of the bread and with a rolling pin
The cake can be served thinly roll the slices. Spread
with flavoured yogurt cream cheese in the centre and
on top. put all the cut fruits and roll the
slice. Repeat for each spring roll,
making one at a time. Quickly
make the dressing by mixing the
chocolate sauce, cream and
Fruity
breakfast powdered sugar together in a
cake bowl and serve with the fruit
spring rolls.

Fresh fruit spring roll

 fresh and crisp and then tear it
roughly into pieces. In a bowl,
take juice, salad oil, red chilli
flakes, chopped coriander, mint
Apple and leaves and salt and mix well. In a
cucumber salad serving plate, arrange the lettuce
leaves and pour out about one-
fourth part of the dressing on top
of it. Mix apples, orange
segments, carrot, tomatoes,
spring onions and rest of the
dressing. Toss well. Arrange the
mixture over lettuce layer. Serve.

KIWIFRUIT
CHUTNEY
INGREDIENTS:
2 kiwifruit peeled and sliced
2 bananas peeled and chopped
grated zest of 1 lemon
3 lemons juice
1/ cup raisins
Kiwifruit chutney 4
1/ cup brown sugar
4
1 tsp ground ginger
APPLE AND 2 tbsp fresh coriander leaves
(chopped)
1/ tsp cayenne pepper
4
1/ tsp ground allspice
CUCUMBER 1 medium carrot
2
1/ tsp freshly ground nutmeg
2
1/ tsp ground cardamom
(cut into thin strips)
SALAD 2 medium tomatoes
4
1 tbsp salt
INGREDIENTS: (quartered & sliced) METHOD
2 apples (thinly sliced) 2 spring onions (sliced) Place kiwifruit, bananas,
2 tbsp lemon juice salt to taste lemon zest, lemon juice, raisins,
2 cucumbers METHOD brown sugar, ginger, cayenne
1 orange Take the sliced apples and pepper, allspice, nutmeg,
8 leaves lettuce sprinkle some lemon juice on it cardamom, salt and white vinegar
1 tbsp salad oil and mix well to prevent apples into a heavy saucepan.
1/ tsp red chilli flakes
4 from turning black. Put the lettuce Bring to boil, lower heat, and
6-8 leaves fresh mint leaves (torn) leaves in ice-cold water to keep it simmer uncovered until thickened.
NO BAKE FRUIT
PIZZA
INGREDIENTS:
For base:
1 cup whole almonds
15 whole dates
(with stones removed)
For filling: No bake fruit pizza
1 cup cottage cheese
1 cup yogurt blitzing the almonds in a food to set. If you don't have much time
1/ orange juice processor until they have broken then you can put it in the freezer
2
1/ tsp orange zest down into a fine consistency, for 15 - 20 minutes.
4
1/ tsp vanilla extract almost like almond flour. Add the Make the filling by mixing the
4
dates, and vanilla extract and cottage cheese, yogurt, orange
Fruit topping: continue to blitz until the dates juice and zest together in a bowl.
strawberries, kiwi, berries or any have been finely chopped and Now, spread this mixture onto the
fruit of your choice, all chopped everything is well combined. top of the pizza base and then
METHOD Press the mixture into a tart dish decorate with the fruit topping of
First make up the base by and place in the fridge for an hour your choice. Serve .
CREAMY
COCONUT
AND BANANA
KULFI Open fruit sandwich

INGREDIENTS:
11/2 cups full-fat yoghurt in coconut flakes, then re-cover
2 bananas very ripe the blender and pulse briefly to
1/ cup whole milk combine.
2
1/ cup coconut milk Put the pureed mixture evenly
2
3 tbsp honey into the moulds and dislodging
3/ cup unsweetened coconut
4 any air bubbles that may have covered on low flame for 3
flakes formed. Cover the mould and minutes.
freeze until completely firm, at Remove from heat and mash
METHOD
least 5 hours. the mixture finely. Shape into
Place the yogurt, bananas,
small round balls. Mix maida with
milk, coconut milk and honey in a
little water in a bowl to make a
blender. Blend until smooth. Stir

Creamy coconut and banana kulfi

BANANA BALLS smooth thin paste. Dip the
banana balls into the maida mix.
INGREDIENTS: Heat oil in a frying pan and fry the
2 ripe bananas balls until golden on all sides.
3/ cup coconut powder
4
Serve hot.
2 tbsp sugar
1/ tsp cardamom powder
2
few cashew nuts
few raisins
OPEN FRUIT
4 tbsp maida
oil (for frying)
SANDWICH
2 tbsp ghee INGREDIENTS:
4 bread slices
METHOD 1/ cup cottage cheese
2
Heat ghee in a pan and add 2 tbsp fresh cream
bananas, sugar, cardamom 2 tbsp condensed milk
powder, coconut, cashew nuts, mix fruits
and raisins. Mix well and cook 1 cup finely chopped
1 tbsp honey
4 tbsp grated coconut
Banana balls
METHOD
In a blender, blend cottage
cheese, fresh cream and
condensed milk to a fine paste. In
a bowl take finely chopped fruits
and mix honey.
Toast the bread slices and
spread the fine paste of cottage
cheese on the slices.
Now, put the finely chopped
fruits on the top of the bread
slices and garnish with freshly
grated coconut and serve. We
 The
Olden Charm

The designer Tajana Štasni from Croatia draws

her inspiration from Gothic and Old Hollywood.
The lines that emphasise femininity complements with
fluttering fabric and soft and rich lace. In this collection made
for Brocade Budoir the designer has moved away from the
previous very dark themes and now experiments with golden
lame and white tulle. All dresses are light and comfortable to
wear and emphasise all the perfections on female body.
Off-white strapless
gown with flowers and
leaf net detailing.
White, strapless
gown with a net skirt.
Golden, shimmery,
weap-around
backless, gown.
Emerald green
dress with black
detailing and a
black net train.

Satin red backless

gown with the
knee-high slit and
embellished belt.
White lace
victorian-style
dress.

Phtoto & Retouche: Tomislav Čar

Lighting Assistance: Tomislav Valent
Make-up: Ingrid Gregory
Hairstyle: Danijela Dunđer
Hairstyle Assistance: Irena Brcković
Dress Design and Styling: Tajana Štasni for Brocade Budoir
Models: Marija Pavlović, Anamarija Tadić, Nensi Kereš
 HIGH TECH TOYS
Digital parenting takes on new meaning. By Mala Ashok
M
ove over with Electronic
Parenting, Digital Parenting
is here. For years parents
have faced the ire of
grandparents, sociologists, and
psychologists for using TVs as
electronic babysitters. Video games
came next and were also accused of
turning kids into zombies.
Now, Disney is launching a line of
toys that combine high-tech wearable
gadgets with superheroes. The toys
involve role-playing to keep kids
moving while engrossing them in
sub-plots from shows like The
Avengers and Star Wars. This new
line is called “Disneyʼs Playmation”. It
hit American stores in October. It has
a forearm armband called a
“repulsor” that puts kids in the role of
a Marvel superhero Iron Man.
The toy is recommended for ages
six and older. A robot J.A.R.V.I.S. –
which is Iron Manʼs computing system
– guides such children through the
first series of 25 missions, where they
must use their imaginations to
navigate different terrains, then use
the repulsor to fire missiles, shoot
beams and raise shields.
What is the big deal about this
game? Kids must physically jump or
hide to dodge incoming attacks in
order to progress and earn points.
Two sensor-laden base stations
called “power activators” serve as
stands for figurines, which pop off
when theyʼve sustained enough
damage. The first so-called “smart
figures” are miniature versions of
Captain America and villain Iron
Skull.
Sensors inside the armband and
base stations help determine whether
shots hit the target and if players
dodged or hid successfully. If players
fail to dodge well, a buzz inside the
armband represents getting hit. For
now, up to two players can go on
missions together or play against
each other. A toy which kids will love
and parents approve of is obviously
not going to come cheap – it costs
US $ 120. “Kids are aspirational; they
want to become the heroes.” As for
parents, digital parenting just became
easier. We
My father has a flourishing legal
firm and he is trying hard to train
my brother into joining it, and is
even coaxing him to take up legal
studies abroad. My poor brother is
least interested. His passion is cars
and he wants to do automobile
engineering instead which Dad
does not want to hear about!
I, on the other hand, adore law
and would love to help out Dad. He
is reluctant to let me join him
because firstly, he is wondering
about “what will people say?” and
also, he thinks, when and if I
marry, my working with him could
disturb my marital relation. Please
tell me what to do. I am 16 years old
and my brother is two years older.
This situation is so very
common in many families. Firstly,
it is not at all advisable to force
your reluctant brother into the
firm. Also, your father should
ignore social comments and do
what is right for his family. Even if
you marry, there need be no
opposition from your in-laws if you
work with your Dad, if matters are
first frankly discussed with them.
Nowadays, people are very broad-
minded and adjusting.
Your family should sit together
and discuss matters in a calm and
affectionate manner. You can invite
some trusted person to sit in the
meeting to co-ordinate.
My boyfriend and I are both 18
years old and classmates. We are
very fond of each other, but
recently, he is asking for sex. He
admits that he is not a virgin and
keeps telling me that it is no big
deal. He frankly tells me that he
has no intention of marrying me,
or even having me as his only girl
friend. I am confused. I love him
and do not want to lose him. Is it
really no big deal?
In today’s world, especially in
the more liberal West, one-night
stands are a part of the lifestyle for
many youngsters. This trend is now
making inroads into our society as
well. Whether sex without commit-
ment is a good thing or not
depends on the individuals
involved. It will be a simple
gratification of the sexual urge. But
girls usually give a bit of their heart
with it. And therein lies the rub.
Your boyfriend will move on, and
you may nurse a broken heart, and
feel used, betrayed and grieved. If
you can cope with this possibility,
go ahead. You are both adults. Do
take precautions against STD and
pregnancy as your friend seems to
have multiple partners.
My only ambition in life has been
to marry and have a home and
family with my long-standing
fiance to whom I am engaged. I
think I can be called a “home bird”.
But my parents are insisting that I
at least have a degree before I settle
down. I cannot see any logic in
waiting. How will physics, math
and science help me in my daily
life? Also, frankly, I hate studying
although I am bright and good in
many arts.
Your parents are right.
Education is like money in the
bank. It will come in handy in
emergencies. An educated and well-
informed wife is an asset to her
husband; an unschooled girl will be
unable to be a proper helpmate for
him. Where is the hurry to set up
home? Enjoy your singledom to the
full. Later you will tied down by
household responsibilities and
duties. Then you will long for the
carefree days of your youth. There
are many undergrad courses which
will not just educate but help in
your life. Consider these.
I am a 16-year-old girl in a terrible
quandary. My beloved mother died
two years ago after losing battle
with breast cancer. After her
demise, my father has been my
caretaker and support; we have had
a contented life.
Last week, he shocked me by
asking if I would object if he
marries again. Apparently, he likes
a colleague of his, a childless
widow, and he felt she could be a
second mother for me.
Although he wishes to remarry,
he promised me that he would
abide by my decision. I loved my
mother and would hate to see
someone in her place, but at the
same time, I do not want to hurt
my father. It will make a big change
in my life and I am not sure if it
will be good. Why does he want to
remarry? Please advise.
You are right, his remarriage
will bring about a big change in
your life. You will have to share
your father with another woman,
who will take your mother’s place.
On the other hand, you should
realise that your father needs a
spouse and companion too. Some
years later, you will perhaps find
your own partner, and leave your
father. Do you feel he will object to
that? Surely not.
Your fears are not completely
unfounded. Do ask to meet and get
to know this lady. She could be the
older mother figure you need at
this age.
Be open and broad-minded. You
could even talk this over with an
older female relative like a
grandmom or aunt. Be generous
and cooperative as best you can.
Your caring father would never do
something which could cause you
pain, right?
 10
WAYS to solve your
FLATMATE PROBLEMS
Deal with the situation serenely.
By Shubham Verma

Having a problem with your

flatmate but donʼt know
how to deal with it?
Conflict is a natural
part of life. Everyone has
different wants and
expectations. For
instance, you need the
kitchen to be cleaned by
your flatmate, but your
flatmate wants to go to the
pub instead of doing the
cleaning stuff. Then surely
there will be an argument
which will result in a fight.
Conflict is normal, but if you deal
with it wrong it can be worse. By
dealing it with patience and calmness,
you can solve your problems.
Here are some tips for resolving
conflict between you and your flatmate.

Calm DOWN
Shouting at your flatmate doesnʼt
help. It will make them angry, and
youʼll definitely end up in a fight. If
you argue while you are angry, your
emotions can nullify your thinking,
and the situation might become
worse. Calm down first and start
thinking about the conflict. Make your
flatmate aware of the reason for
which you are angry.
Remember your
RELATIONSHIP MATTERS
This might be a good friendship
that you want to keep, or you just
want to live in peace. Just be honest
and tell your flatmate that you want to
keep the healthy relationship. Saying
the things like this will make your
flatmate more likely to listen. Develop
a healthy relationship with them by
giving love and respect.
Keep FOCUSED
Keep the conversation focused on
one issue. If your flatmate says
something else, then handle it calmly
or set it aside for later. Be extra
careful not to bring up unrelated
issues yourself, else it could be
problematic. Discuss as much as you
can, but donʼt boil up with anger. Just
try to find and fix the area where the
problem persists. This will help you
and your flatmate to live in harmony.
Discuss FACTS
Talk about facts that anyone can
70
REMEMBER ONE
THING, THAT YOU ARE
NOT HERE FOR ANY
COMPETITION.
EVEN IF YOU WIN, YOU
END UP OFF WORSE.
RATHER THAN TRYING TO
WIN, FOCUS ON
SOLVING THE PROBLEM
IN A WAY THAT MAKES
EVERYONE HAPPY.
observe. Donʼt invade the privacy of
a person, just state what is going on.
Donʼt say anything that makes the
person defensive. This will only result
in end of the conversation. Bring
facts in front of them which they are
ignoring. This will ensure that you
only believe in their welfare.
Share your FEELINGS
Use “I” statements to tell your
flatmate how you feel. Make them
aware that we should be responsible
for our own mess, and it irritates you
when they do not keep the things in
the proper place. This is not about
making the person guilty, as you are
only letting them know why the issue
is important to you.
Find out how your
FLATMATE FEELS
Conflict can only be resolved with
the involvement of both people. Pay
attention on how your flatmate feels
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
and try to get their point of view. You
could ask them their opinions on the
discussed issue. It is important to find
out how they feel so that you can
resolve the conflict.
Listen and respond
POLITELY
Discussions are pointless if you
donʼt listen. Pay attention and also
respond to what they say. This lets
them know youʼre listening and
ensures that you understand them. If
you miss this step, you've got no
chance of solving the problem. You
cannot suggest a solution unless you
understand your flatmate's situation.
Take RESPONSIBILITY
If you are responsible for some
part of a conflict then accept it and
apologise. If your flatmate is saying
something or sharing any problem
that he is facing, then you should
respect his feelings and take
responsibility for your part in the
conflict. Donʼt deny but accept the
problem and try to maintain a mutual
understanding on such issues.
Don't try TO WIN
Remember one thing, that you are
not here for any competition. Even if
you win, you end up worse. Rather
than trying to win, focus on solving
the problem in a way that makes
everyone happy. Always think about
the happiness of others. It will give
you an overall satisfaction.
Find a SOLUTION
A solution is mandatory once you
have found out all the facts. If your
flatmate is struggling to balance their
time, you might offer to do the work
together to make it faster or if the
problem still persists, then try
something else to minimise the fights.
This won't always be easy. You might
have to swallow your pride and make
a few sacrifices.
But in the long run it will give you
an overall relaxation and help in
making your relation with your
flatmate happier. We
Action expresses priorities.
Breast cancer
‘tsunami’ in India
The incidence of breast cancer has increased globally in past two decades. For
younger women aged 15 to 49 years, breast cancer is common in developing
countries as compared to developed countries. This variation in incidence may be
due to multiple factors such as geographic, ethnic background, lifestyle changes ,
environmental factors and socio-economic status.
The healthcare burden related to breast cancer in India is steadily increasing.
Approximately 150,000 new breast cancer cases are diagnosed annually in India. As Dr Anil K Dhar, MD
Chairman Medical Oncology and
per ICMR-PBCR data , breast cancer is common in urban registries of Delhi, Bone Marrow Transplantation,
Mumbai, Ahmadabad, Kolkata and Trivandrum where it constitutes more than Nayati Hospital, Mathura

30% of all cancers in females.

Important Worrying trends about breast cancer in India

The important worrying trends
about breast cancer in India are:
✓ Age shift (More young ladies
are affected)
✓ Rising number of cases of breast
cancer in India
✓ Late presentation of breast
cancer. (This directly decreases
long-term survival of the patient)
✓ Lack of awareness and
Screening (Screening is the
single most important factor
responsible for better survival of
patients in the west)
✓ Aggressive cancers in youth
(Generally, younger the age i.e
below menopause, the more
aggressive the cancer)
Risk factors for Breast Cancer
Breast cancer is hormonally
mediated disease and is caused by
repeated exposure of breast cells to
circulating ovarian hormones. A
variety of constitutional risk factors
have been reported, such as
nulliparity, early onset of menarche,
delayed first birth, late menopause,
and decreased parity. These risk
factors point towards endogenous
estrogens as likely players in the
initiation, progression, and promotion
of breast cancer. The other factors
are family history, lifestyle changes,
alcohol consumption, smoking and
obesity.
Prevention of breast cancer
Lifestyle changes as per the study
have proven to decrease breast
cancer risk even in high-risk women.
The incidence of breast cancer can
be reduced by taking following
precautions.
1. Limit alcohol. The more alcohol
you drink, the greater your risk of
developing breast cancer
2. Avoid smoking. Smoking is
associated with increased risk of
breast cancer, particularly in
premenopausal women.
3. Control your weight. Being
overweight or obese increases the
risk of breast cancer
4. Be physically active. 150
minutes a week of moderate
aerobic activity or 75 minutes of
rigorous aerobic activity weekly,
plus strength training at least twice
a week reduces the incidence of
breast cancer.
5. Breastfeed. Breastfeeding might
play a role in breast cancer
prevention.
6. Limit dose and duration of
hormone therapy. Combination
hormone therapy for more than
three to five years increases the
risk of breast cancer.
7. Avoid exposure to radiation and
environmental pollution
8. Eating healthy diet. Women who
eat a Mediterranean diet
supplemented with extra-virgin
olive oil and mixed nuts may
alleviate the risk of breast cancer.
Indian women and breast cancer
Breast cancer accounts for nearly
25% of all new cancer diagnosed
among Indians. Approximately 61%
of Indian women diagnosed with
breast cancer are in the age group
of 35-50 years. The urban women
are more affected than their rural
counterparts. Most of the ladies are
not aware of breast screening
programmes as they are busy taking
care of their families.
Majority of ladies in India are
diagnosed with breast cancer in
advanced stage and a sizable
number of patients fall prey to quacks
which leads to increased mortality
and morbidity. The most alarming
thing about breast cancer in India is
that India has the highest number of
women dying from breast cancer in
the world. According to DALY
(Disability Adjusted Life Years) India
ranks number one in number of
healthy life years lost due to breast
cancer.
Bengaluru is the breast cancer
capital of India with maximum
number of newly diagnosed breast
cancer cases. Oncologists believe
that it is because of rapid
urbanisation and lifestyle changes.

Dr Anil K Dhar, MD Fellow Medical Oncology. Ex TMH and Ex Army, Chairman Medical Oncology and Bone Marrow Transplantation,
Nayati Hospital, Mathura, U.P.
Mob: 9810818266, E-mail: anil.dhar801@gmail.com
10
W
In a life stifled with stress, a little humour can work wonders.
hen I recently called up my
aunt to tell her about a
blockage found in grandmaʼs
artery she said, “Why donʼt
the docs just have something like a
Drainex for hearts and flush out the
blockage?” Although I was aghast at
the metaphor, the very absurd
thought made me laugh and I
instantly felt my chest muscles relax.
I knew that by no means was my
aunt undermining her motherʼs heart
condition. All she did was that she
chose to look at a stressful situation
over which she had absolutely no
control in a lighter vein. Humour has
many benefits but the most ardent in
our modern-day lifestyle is to beat
stress. Here are some easy ways to
introduce humour into your life and
show stress the back door.
72
By Lesley D. Biswas
Create a humour trove
In our day-to-day lives we often
come across humorous instances.
Kidsʼ anecdotes, comic strips, jokes
in newspapers and magazines,
friends sharing jokes over social
media, comedies, funny You Tube
videos – the resource is infinite. All
you have to do is file them and keep
them handy because there is never a
wrong time to have a good laugh.
Make humour a habit
Make it a point to use humour in
your daily dealings and in your
relationships. When it becomes a
habit, humour not only improves your
own immune system it makes you a
more attractive person whom people
are always pleased to be around and
to associate with.
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
Humour works at work
Have you gone through Andrew
Tarvinʼs book titled Humor That
Works: 501 Ways to use Humor to
Beat Stress, Increase Productivity
and Have Fun at Work? In his book,
he mentions that, according to a
survey conducted, 98 per cent of
CEOs attributed humour to be a
valuable asset for a candidate
seeking a job. You can introduce a
board at the office where employees
are urged to pin up jokes, cartoons
and funny quotes. However, make
sure you avoid things that hurt
sentiment, especially of your boss.
Humour what alleviates
problems
Like my aunts did. It might not
make the problem any smaller but it
will definitely reduce its overwhelming
impact and relieve your stress and
discomfort momentarily. Humour will
give you a better perspective of the
situation and help you find a solution
to your problem. Abraham Lincoln
had said, “With the fearful strain that
is on me night and day, if I did not
laugh, I should die.”
Humour is everywhere
It depends whether you can see it
or not. Train yourself to pick out
humour in different situations,
specially those situations that lead to
your stress on a daily basis. I knew a
friend who found humour in things
that would send a stress alarm
ringing for many women alike. When
her maid informed her that she would
be quitting, she turned around and
said, “Good you took the decision
yourself because I couldnʼt have the
heart to ask you to go just because
you have become old, arrogant and
sluggish.”
Cultivate a sense of humour
The good thing is that you can
learn how to use humour for your
benefit. For one, donʼt be harsh upon
yourself if you have goofed up. Laugh
The coat and the other
side of poverty
He was a clerk in a mid-size
company. He would not mingle with
anybody. He was always serious
and would concentrate on his work
alone. With his hard work, honesty,
punctuality and sincerity he was in
the best books of his superiors at
the office. He was always seen in a
simple dress and would always
wear a coat regardless of weather,
occasion, etc. Though he stayed a
little away from his office, he would
always walk down the road. Seeing
74
at your embarrassing moments and
little follies. See the human side of it.
Rabindranath Tagore said, “The
burden of life is lightened when I
laugh at myself.”
Surround yourself with
humour
Imagine waking up and first thing
in the morning you see a picture of
your kid making a funny face back at
you or Mr Bean with Teddy. Use
funny pictures as screensavers,
amusing ringtone as a caller tune or
even your calling bell. Save a comical
password and add some funny quote
magnets around the house. Some
people cleverly write humorous to-do
notes, like “Help! Suffocating...need
breathing space,” near an
overflowing laundry basket.
Best joke contest
This can be a real stress-busting
session. Have it anywhere, amongst
colleagues, family or friends. Itʼs such
a huge advantage that you can
encourage kids also to participate but
make sure jokes are age-appropriate.
In this way you get to know whatʼs
going on in their peer circle as well as
tickle your funny bone. And the best
him in a coat always, his colleagues
would always tease him and pull his
legs.
One day this tamasha crossed all
the limits and someone pulled his
coat and forcibly removed it. To their
horror, they saw a torn and soiled
shirt and they understood that, to
cover this, he would wear a coat
every day. Tears rolling down his
cheeks as he told his colleagues,
“Bedridden parents, unemployed
brother, sister still studying,
exorbitant rent, ever-increasing
household expenditure and stagnant
salary, I cannot even dream of buying
a new shirt.”
On hearing this, his colleagues
apologised to him and repented for
their act. Later they took up the
matter with the company manage -
ment and helped him. This is the tip
of the iceberg of the plight of the
working class in the unorganised
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
way to get kids on board is to offer a
prize for the best laugh.
Your regular supply of
humour
Over time, jokes can tickle less
and become boring when repeated
and so can the impact of comics and
comedies. Make sure you add to your
resources. Subscribe to newsletters
that have humour. Keep an eye out
for new humorous book. Best of all,
be around children. A park is a good
place to ensure you get your daily
dose of humour.
Spread humour
When you meet people, apart
from the regular “how are you?”
thing, make it a point to ask them
about anything funny that took place
in their lives.
Most of all, be the source for
spreading humour. We all have
problems and stress but whenever
someone asks you how you are,
instead of counting your problems
and adding to their misery, share the
fun things in your life. We
The trouble with being poor is that
it takes up all of your time.
sector of the country.
– Ramanand Sharma, Bengaluru.
Has something
happened in your life
that has left an indelible
impression on your mind? Some
experience that gladdens your heart
or which makes you shudder with
pain or embarrassment even after
years! Why not share it with the
readers of Woman’s Era? All
published incidents will be paid
Rs 200. Send your entries to:
THE INCIDENT I CANNOT FORGET
E-3 Jhandewala Estate, New Delhi-110055.
Womansera.com
Name:
Mobile:
E-mail:
Long Story – Part-I

A Sister’s Pride
Justice was not only delivered, but it appeared to have been done.
By Sinjini Bose

P
etrucia had just put her coffee cup in the sink when the same lines as her, ‘had something gone wrong with
the telephone rang. She felt a bit irritated on mom?’. “It is about your mother,” said the principal with
hearing it. It was already 8 in the morning and she that same expression on her face. Petrucia’s heart missed
had to reach her boutique by 8.30. Petrucia a beat, she didn’t think that she was capable of listening
Freeman was 28, she lived alone in her apartment in to the principal any further, it was as if she already knew
New York, was a designer by profession, and had what had gone wrong with her mother. She always
everything in her life that a woman, her age could ask knew, she was a very intuitive person. It was Gracie who
for. Petrucia’s father had died long ago, when she was finally said, “What is it ma’am... just tell us whatever it
only eight. Her mother had never been right in the mind is…“ “Children, as much as it pains me to say this, but
after his death, so both Petrucia and her sister the school received a call from your uncle this
Gracie had been sent off to a boarding morning, who informed us that your
school by a distant uncle of theirs mother, your mother... is no more.”
when they were just nine and seven Petrucia looked at Gracie with
each. Their mother, being an ashen face. She was already
mentally unstable and lost in the in tears. Gracie was always
grief of her dead husband, very emotional, it was a thing
had never been able to about her which Petrucia
gather the strength to had never liked, and she
oppose their uncle from particularly didn’t like it
sending them away. now because she was
When Petrucia was
13 and Gracie 11,
they both had been When both of the
summoned by the sisters asked why they
school principal one had been summoned,
morning. The moment the principal looked
Petrucia had entered sadly at them and
the office, she had asked them to sit
known that
down. “I’m really
something about the
room’s atmosphere pained, my dears, that
was not right, in fact, I have to be the cruel
it was ominous. The one to trouble you
principal’s expression with such a painful
was that of a news, especially at
harbinger of some such young ages.”
dreadful news.
When both of the
sisters asked why they crying in front of an
had been summoned, the outsider. Petrucia felt that
principal looked sadly at it was their grief, and how
them and asked them to sit ever much the principal
down. “I’m really pained, my may pretend to understand,
dears, that I have to be the she never would actually.
cruel one to trouble you with Gracie had no right to publicly
such a painful news, especially at display her emotions, thought
such young ages.” Petrucia. She tried to calm her down,
Petrucia looked at Gracie, and she but Gracie was inconsolable. Petrucia
knew that Gracie was also thinking along asked the principal with that same stony

76 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

I nfertility commonly referred as
childlessness, is the inability of sexually
active couples to achieve pregnancy after
one year of unprotected intercourse. About
one in seven to eight couples suffer from
infertility. In around 40% cases underlying
cause can be due to problems in females
like hormonal disturbances leading to
defective egg production, Polycystic
ovarian syndrome, blocked fallopian tubes,
Endometriosis and many others. In another
40% of cases the underlying reason can be
abnormal semen parameters like poor
sperm count, motility or morphology,
erectile or ejaculatory dysfunction and
varicocele in the male partner. In rest of
the cases the cause remains unknown or
unexplained.
How do we check if fallopian tubes
are open or blocked?
The patency of fallopian tubes can be
checked with Hysterosalpingography
(HSG), Sonosalpingography(SSG) or by
INFERTILITY:
Reasons and Management options for Infertility
Laparoscopy. It is generally done between
7 to 10 days of a woman’s menstrual cycle.
What if the fallopian tubes are
blocked?
If the fallopian tubes are blocked on
HSG or SSG, then the woman needs
Laparoscopy and evaluation of the site of
blockage and extent of damage. If the tubes
are blocked at the ends i.e. cornual or distal,
they can be corrected at the same time. But
if there is block that cannot be repaired then
the couple may need to go through IVF or
test-tube baby process.
What is IUI? What are its
prerequisites and success rate?
Intrauterine insemination or IUI is a
technique to enhance fertility in which
washed semen of husband is placed directly
inside the uterus of the wife around the time
of ovulation with a special catheter.
For IUI woman should be ovulating,
fallopian tubes should be open and sperm
count should be > 15 Million/ml and the
motility should be > 40%. At our centre,
the success rate of IUI is between 18-20%
per cycle and after 3 cycles about 60%
couples conceive.
What is IVF?
IVF i.e. In Vitro Fertilisation or
commonly known as Test-Tube Baby
Process is considered as the revolution in
the field of infertility management. In IVF,
the woman is given hormonal injections for
8 to 12 days to produce more number of
SARVODAYA FERTILITY & IVF CENTRE
GD-28, First Floor, Main Road Pitampura (Opposite metro pillar no.365), Delhi -110034, Tel: 011-27312289, 45871563
Timings: Monday to Saturday, 10:00 AM to 5:00 PM
E-mail: sarvodayafertilityivf@gmail.com, Website: sarvodayafertilityandivfcentre.com
Dr SHIKHA JAIN
MD (Obs & Gyn), FNB (Reproductive Medicine)
Gold Medallist
Chief Consultant Reproductive Medicine & IVF
Sarvodaya Fertility & IVF Centre
Mobile No: 9971748982
Formerly at Sir Gangaram Hospital, New Delhi
Experience of more than 9 years &
1000+ successful IVF cycles
RIGHT TREATMENT
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eggs and the monitoring is done with
transvaginal ultrasound. When we get the
desired response, the woman is given
ovulatory trigger and after 34-36 hours of
this injection the eggs are taken out through
a special needle under general anesthesia.
These eggs are then fertilised with
husband’s washed sperms so that embryos
are formed. After 2-5 days of culture in IVF
lab, 2-3 embryos are transferred to the uterus
of woman with the help of a special catheter.
The woman is given some medicines for 2
weeks and then pregnancy test is done.
What are the success rates for IVF?
Success rate in IVF depends upon
multiple factors: First and foremost is the
age of the woman, underlying cause of
infertility, training and expertise of the IVF
specialist & embryologist and last but not
least is the quality control inside the IVF
lab. On an average 45-50% couples get
pregnancy in their first IVF cycle and after
3 cycles up to 75-80% of them conceive.
If the sperm count is zero, what are
the options?
If there is nil sperm count in a male, we
order hormonal tests and ultrasound
scrotum for him to make out whether any
sperms are actually being produced in his
testes. If yes, then these sperms are taken
out directly from the epididymis or testes
by PESA/TESA/TESE procedures and
utilised for IVF-ICSI. If we don’t find any
sperm production, then donor sperms from
the semen banks are used.
Creating Life’s Most Precious Gift…
A TEST TUBE BABY CENTRE
What is ICSI?
ICSI or Intracytoplasmic sperm
injection is the boon for those males whose
sperm count is very low, motility is poor
or the sperms have to be recovered
surgically from the epididymis or testes.
ICSI is done along with IVF process where
single egg is injected with single sperm
with the help of a special needle. By this,
the chances of fertilisation increase up to
80-90%.
Is your clinic fully equipped for all
the tests and procedures related to
infertility management?
Sarvodaya Fertility and IVF Centre is a
tertiary care ART centre where all facilities
starting from Hormonal assays, Semen
analysis, Ultrasound Follicular monitoring,
Fertility enhancing Laparoscopic and
hysteroscopic surgeries, IUI, IVF, ICSI,
Blastocyst culture, Freezing of
sperms/Eggs/ Embryos, Surgical sperm
retrieval-PESA/TESA/TESE, Donor egg
and Surrogacy services are available under
one roof. Our experienced and dedicated
team, transparent & ethical work culture,
24 x 7 embryology lab, a full-time
embryologist and high success rates make
us stand apart.
What are the situations where donor
egg is useful?
Donor eggs are used in the conditions
like premature ovarian failure, certain
genetic conditions, advanced age of the
woman, where eggs are less in number or
cases with repeated IVF failures due to
poor egg quality.
What is surrogacy?
Surrogacy is an agreement where a
woman carries the genetic baby of a couple
through IVF and gives birth to the child
and handsover the baby to them. It is
indicated where in a female uterus is absent
from birth or surgically removed due to a
disease condition, intrauterine adhesions,
thin endometrium, repeated abortions or
repeated implantation failures.
Any message for our readers and
growing infertile population?
Since the birth of the first IVF baby in
1978, the field of IVF is expanding fast
with newer techniques day by day to the
extent that 80% of infertility cases are now
treatable. So, the aspiring parents need not
give up hope. Choosing the right specialist
and the right centre is the first step. Go
ahead and all the best.
expression, “Then I presume, ma’am, that arrangements
must have been made for us to go home?” “Yes, my
dear, the school has arranged a car for you children as
your uncle was too preoccupied with the funeral to come
over here and pick you people up,” said the principal
with that same sage-like expression, which Petrucia had
almost started hating. “Do you want me to send
somebody so that they can pack up your things from the
dormitory, my dear...?”
Petrucia was about to grimace at her, when she
composed herself and told her “no ma’am, we are
perfectly capable of doing that ourselves. I think we
should leave now.”
“Yes, yes, sure you must. I will be praying for you
people and your mother’s soul.” Petrucia felt that she
couldn’t stand it any longer... so without further ado she
left the office and almost dragged her sister along with
her who was now semiconscious.
Bloomingdales she had been saving all her money.
Finally, one day, she called up her uncle at a restaurant
and gave him all his money back. Although not quite in
the way she had planned, because she thought that her
uncle was not worth even that. That was the last that she
saw of him.
Although irritated she was, she picked up the receiver
and said, “Hello.” There was some man speaking on the
other end of the phone with a strong British accent “Who
is this? I’m sorry, I don’t recognise you...” She thought
that this might be some usual prank call, and was about
to put down the receiver when she heard the name
‘Gracie’ spoken from the other side.
“Excuse me, who are you and how do you know my
sister?”
The man spoke again. There was a lot of static, so
she wasn’t able to hear properly. “Hello, hello, are you
still there? What did you say your name was? Arthur, is
it? Yes, I can hear you now, please. Could you repeat

T
he day after their mother’s funeral their uncle yourself, Mr Arthur?“ The man spoke this time, Petrucia
called on both of them. “As your mother has was visibly alarmed. Her face had gone pale. In a
passed away now, I feel it necessary to say that panicked tone she spoke, “But how do you know all this?
you both are now my responsibility until both of you are How are you related to her? And how am I supposed to
of age. Now, your mother has left you both know that you aren’t some freak, who’s lying
with practically nothing, so I believe you Petrucia wanted to just for the fun of it?”
understand what kind of financial trouble I’ve The man spoke some more.
to go through to support both of you along punch him. But “What do you mean by that? Oh, for
with my family. So, I expect from both of you, she couldn’t, as she heaven’s sake, it is 8 in the morning. I’ve got
especially you Petrucia, as you are the elder knew that both of a boutique to run, and you want me to get on
one, to cut off your personal expenses as some stupid plane and fly off to London?
long as you are living under my shelter.” them needed that Who the hell do you think I am? The
Petrucia wanted to punch him. But she man until they President of the United States of America?
couldn’t, as she knew that both of them That there will always be some private jet at
needed that man until they could fend for
could fend for my disposal?”
themselves. Gracie was still in too much themselves. Gracie The man on the other side almost sounded
shock to be able to answer. So, it was was still in too exasperated and also tense. He said
Petrucia again, who did all the talking. “I something else, on hearing which Petrucia
assure you, uncle Jack, that we will behave much shock to be had almost started shaking... “What? All
ourselves and won’t give you or aunt Muriel able to answer. right, I’m coming. I’ll take the first flight to
a single chance to complain about us. And London.. until then you please take care of
as for the finances you were talking about, consider her and how am I supposed to recognise you at the
them as a loan I will give you back each penny that you airport? All right... okay, I get it. I’ll see you there, and
have paid for us when I start earning.” Her uncle’s Arthur just take care of my little sister until I reach.”
expression was scornful. He said, “Do me a favour,

girlie, and just come of age as fast as you can, so that
you can drag yourself and your sister out of my house.”
With that he slammed the door on their faces.
Petrucia made a mental note that day that she would
start saving each penny the moment she got a job, and
she would also keep a note of all the money that their
uncle would be spending for them and finally when she
would have made that much of money, she would just
throw all of it at her uncle’s face. From that day
onwards, the sisters never returned to their uncle’s place,
nor even during their vacations.
At 16, Petrucia got a job as an assistant librarian in
the school library. Since then until her very first
professional job as an assistant manager at
T
hroughout the flight, Petrucia could only think
about her sister. She couldn’t get herself to eat or
drink anything, She couldn’t even sleep. The man
had said that Gracie was in a very critical condition, that
she had fallen off the stairs. But the man didn’t think that
it was an accident. It was the last bit which horrified
Petrucia the most. She couldn’t imagine any situation
which Gracie could have been in, which would have
compelled her to take her own life. She had just chatted
over the phone with her last week. Everything had
seemed normal to her. It was true that Petrucia wasn’t
very good with emotions and sentiments, but she was
sure that she would have at least got a whiff if something
was wrong with Gracie. After all, how detached could

78 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

one be from one’s own sister. Gracie had been in
London for the past two years. She had been working as
an assistant manager at The Plaza, one of London’s
famous and prestigious hotels.
Petrucia was quite happy when she had heard the
news initially. Gracie had been calling her up since
then, so that they could meet up for a week or so and
celebrate her job. She would always call and say, “Oh,
Pety, you should really pay a visit... London is great. It
would just suit your taste. Maybe, you could open up a
boutique here. Then we both could be together again
just like old days.”
Petrucia had smiled slightly over the phone, it was just
like her sister, always so sentimental and so very naive.
“You know, Grace, it’s not possible, so don’t hurt
yourself by even thinking about all of that.”
Had somebody hurt her sentiments badly at work? Or
some guy maybe, which had forced her to attempt
suicide, Petrucia wondered. She quickly brushed aside
the stupid thought, her sister was more pragmatic than
that. She wouldn’t attempt to take her life over some
lame guy or some weirdo at work. Arthur was her
landlord, that much Petrucia knew. Arthur was a retired
banker who stayed along with his wife. Gracie had
always talked very fondly of Arthur, but she had
forgotten the man’s name. So, she wasn’t able to
recognise him at first over the phone.
S
he wondered if she could trust this man because,
unlike her sister she had trust issues. In fact, she
did not trust anybody completely except herself.
Whereas for Gracie it was just the opposite, trust was
something which came easily to her, or probably came
along with her. Petrucia had tried to forbid her sister on
many occasions from opening herself up to
everybody to which she had replied,
“Come on, Pety, if we do not trust
our friends and share our
problems with them then what
are we left with? It’s but for
them that life is enjoyable for
us” and she had said all of
this with such an innocence
that Petrucia had forgotten to
mention that unlike her she
did not have many people
that she could refer to as
friends.
In fact, when she had given
it a deeper thought, she had
found out with some guilt that
her sister and her boutique
manager were the only two
people whom she could count
on as friends.
Petrucia came out of her
reverie when she heard the
pilot’s voice announcing their
80 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
arrival at the Heathrow airport. It was almost 11 at night
when the plane finally landed, and it took her another
half hour to complete all the formalities and collect her
luggage before she reached the passenger exit doors
where she expected Arthur to find her. As she reached
the gate a thought crossed her mind, ‘How is this Arthur
supposed to recognise me? Is this a trap?’ At that same
moment there was a small tap on her shoulder. She
turned around to look at a man whose hair had turned
white completely. He had blue watery eyes and his skin
had started showing the first signs of wrinkles. Petrucia
assumed his age to be somewhere near 65. The man
cleared his throat and said, “Hello, Miss Freeman, I’m
Arthur Waston, your sister Gracie‘s landlord. It’s a
pleasure to finally meet you. Your sister had been filling
my wife and me in on all kinds of stories about you.”
On hearing all of this, the first question which Petrucia
felt like asking was “is she all right, I mean my sister is
she fine?”
T
he old man let out a long sigh and his expression
changed visibly.. “To that, Miss Freeman, I would
not like to comment. My wife is there at the
hospital, she has been in the intensive care unit since last
night.”
Petrucia gasped, with a horrified look on her face,
she couldn’t imagine her naive little sister being all
wrapped up in syringes and saline bottles.
“Why is it, Mr watson, that my sister has been in the
ICU since last night, and you informed me about that in
the morning?” asked Petrucia with a voice which was
about to break with emotion, but she somehow
maintained her composure.
“Miss Freeman, I apologise for the delay, but once
we got the news, our initial motive was to admit her into
the hospital as she was losing a lot of blood. It hadn’t
crossed my mind at first that I had to inform you.
Moreover, a lot of formalities had to
be covered up in the hospital,
which took up most of our time. It
was nearly 10 in the morning
when my wife and I returned to
our house from the hospital.
“You will understand that both
of us were extremely exhausted
from the previous night’s events,
so we decided on taking a nap.
The old man let out a long sigh
and his expression changed
visibly.. “To that, Miss Freeman, I
would not like to comment. My
wife is there at the hospital, she
has been in the intensive care unit
since last night.”
Only after that did I think about you and
called you up.”
Petrucia was a bit embarrassed at
her own behaviour. She said, “I’m
sorry, Mr Watson, for being so rude.
Actually all of this has come across as a
shock to me”
“Oh, that is no problem, my dear. I
surely do understand you present state
of mind. And. by the way, please do
call me Arthur instead of Mr Watson.
Your sister always did.” Petrucia smiled slightly. ”Come
on now, we shouldn’t be wasting any more time
standing over here. I can fill you in on more details in the
car.”
Once in the car, Arthur turned the heater on. Petrucia
realised for the first time, since she had arrived in
London, that it was much more chilly than New York. In
fact, the weather seemed uncomfortable to her. “Is the
weather always like this, Arthur, at this time of the year?”
Arthur chuckled slightly and said, “Oh yes, in fact
much worse than this. It is almost the end of November
after all.”
etrucia sighed, she didn’t like the cold very much.
P Then suddenly she said, “Arthur, how did you
know how to find me, or how I looked? I mean we
haven’t met before.”
To that he laughed heartily and said, “Miss Freeman,
don’t you know your sister very well? Do you think that
after living with us for all this time, she wouldn’t have
shown us a single photograph of yours? In fact, she has
got dozens of them.” He then added
sadly, “She is a wonderful child. It is
really sad that something so horrible
crossed her path!”
Petrucia was growing restless by
each passing minute. “How far is the
hospital, Arthur?” she asked without
hiding her restlessness.
“I’m afraid we have covered only
half the distance till now. It will take
another half hour to reach.”
Petrucia started fidgeting. She tried
to relax but it seemed impossible.
Gracie’s face crossed her mind more
than a few times. As she was thinking
about Gracie, she suddenly
remembered Arthur’s words over the
phone.. “I don’t think that it was an
accident, Miss Freeman.” She had
forgotten about that part of the
problem.
“Arthur, why did you think my sister
attempted suicide, I mean, do you
know about anything that might have
been troubling her?“ Arthur glanced
at her in an odd way and started
82 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
saying, “Miss Freeman,” when
Petrucia interrupted him, “Please
call me Petrucia.“ “Very well then,
Petrucia, I don’t think, I mentioned
anything about your sister trying to
take her own life. That is, well, I
think your own presumption.”
Petrucia tried to correct him and
said, “Oh no, no Arthur, you must
have forgotten. Remember, you told
me that you didn’t think that it was
an accident, that Gracie had fallen down the stairs.”
rthur stared at her for a long moment and said,
A “Yes dear, I perfectly remember what I had said
over the phone. Despite my age, I must say I’ve
got a very detailed and sharp memory. But I never
mentioned that it was an attempt at suicide.”
Petrucia’s face lost its pallor as understanding
dawned on her, “What do you mean, Arthur? Are you
trying to say that somebody tried to kill my sister?” Arthur
gave her an ominous glance and said, “I think so.”
Petrucia couldn’t believe her ears. It was impossible.
Her sister was so guileless and naive! How could
somebody even think about killing her and, more
importantly, what motive could they have behind all this?
At the same moment, when Petrucia was going to voice
her thoughts to Arthur, he called out to her and said in a
soft voice, “My dear, we have reached the hospital.”
(To be continued)
The good man is the friend of all living things.
The Wait
The eyes are burning...
The throat is choking...
But, I am still waiting.
Waiting for you,
Waiting for you, my sweetheart!
It has been a long wait...
Seasons came and went.
Droplets of rain,
The tall trees,
The pretty lilies,
The sweet smell of earth – all
Enchanting
And Captivating...
But,
The spirit of my wait...
The never-ending wait
Still
Persists. – Nivedita Dinkar.
 OUR
The face is a wonderful mirror
of our emotions and eyes
have been called, ʻthe
windows to our soulsʼ. If
ʻseeing eye to eyeʼ is
important, ʻkeeping an eye on
thingsʼ is equally necessary.
We can send messages
across rooms without uttering
a word. Raised eyebrows can
show disapproval or be
questioning, a piercing stare
or a gentle glance both
convey a message quietly,
quickly and effectively.
Maintaining the right eye
contact is a vital tool in
building a relationship. The
eyes are our implements of
nonverbal communication
and itʼs just not about how we
speak, but what our eyes say
as we do the talking.
84
EYES SAY IT ALL
Making silent contact.
By Vandana Aggarwal
Maintain
eye contact when
MEETING PEOPLE
Start on the right foot with proper
eye contact. Greet people with a
smile and a direct look. Your eyes
should be welcoming not blank.
Notice how newsreaders hold your
attention by looking pleasantly into
your eyes. People with an honest,
open and confident gaze are
considered more self-assured and
above-board. Eye contact establishes
your position as a poised
professional and makes the other
person feel important.
When listening to
PEOPLE
Pay attention when people talk to
you. Being unattentive is not
complimentary to the speaker. Show
that you are tuned in by keeping your
gaze focused. However, donʼt fix an
unblinking stare on the speaker. Eye
contact for an extended period may
be considered disrespectful or a
challenge to the authority. There can
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
be nothing more uncomfortable than
having someone following your gaze
and staring. In fact, staring at a
person can be considered as
confrontational.
Sneaking a look at the
smartphone is addictive but definitely
sends out the message that your
mind is elsewhere. Give the speaker
your undivided attention.
Why is it so difficult to talk to
someone who doesnʼt look at you in
the eye? It is because we look at the
other peopleʼs eyes to gauge their
expression as we communicate. The
same applies to a person wearing
sunglasses. It can be disconcerting
because you donʼt know what
emotions the eyes are mirroring
behind the glasses.
When addressing a
GROUP OF PEOPLE
Look all around the room when
you are addressing a gathering of
people. Donʼt fix your gaze at a few
people. The people sitting at the back
and sides are just as important and
 should be made to feel so. A
sweeping all-encompassing gaze all
around the room makes people feel
included.
Staring at space when talking or
addressing only a few people will
make the others feel bored and
disinterested. A clear gaze will build
up intimacy and rapport with your
audience. It will encourage the shy
members to open up and interact
with the speaker. Avoid focusing on
familiar faces or moving eyes quickly
as if you are following the ball in a
MAINTAINING THE tennis match. Remember they too
are looking at your eyes and gauging
RIGHT EYE your behaviour.
CONTACT IS A VITAL Have your notes well prepared. A
TOOL IN BUILDING quick glance at them should suffice.
Refer to them by all means but make
RELATIONSHIP. the pitch yourself while making eye
THE EYES ARE OUR contact.
IMPLEMENTS OF Dealing with
NONVERBAL DIFFERENT SITUATIONS
COMMUNICATION No two days in the office are alike.
You may have to congratulate your
AND IT’S JUST NOT colleagues for a job well done or
ABOUT HOW WE empathise when breaking some
SPEAK, BUT WHAT news about a bad review the other
day. Your eyes should be the portal
OUR EYES SAY AS WE of your feelings. They should mirror
DO THE TALKING. the emotion and be believable. They
should project empathy, support and
understanding if the need arises.
86 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
Look out for eyes that are damp, sad
or frustrated. Your colleague may
silently be sending out a message
asking for help.
Eyes demonstrate our emotions
well. It is normal to connect with
people who have warm or twinkling
eyes rather than those that are cold
or indifferent. Why mask them with a
dead-pan expression? Use them to
your advantage.
During an INTERVIEW
During a prospective job interview
the interviewer observes very
carefully to evaluate the person being
interviewed. Blinking too much
indicates nervousness while staring
without blinking is a sign of
aggression or may just keep the
person out. Make positive eye
contact to show interest in the job
being offered to you. Averting the
gaze, or being shifty eyed can
suggest that the person is lying.
Looking at shoes may result in a
person being categorised as
someone who canʼt hold his or her
own.
Convince the interviewer that you
are the right person for the job by
looking straight into the personʼs
eyes much like a salesman trying to
sell a product. Itʼs perfectly all right to
look away for a few seconds to
gather your thoughts, recall
information and break the stare.
Honest eyes convey your
competence and eagerness for the
job easily and effectively.
A shy person will benefit by trying
to look into the eyes of people to
improve the quality of interaction, and
come across as a warm person full of
positive energy.
Building lasting
RELATIONSHIPS
Eye contact is the key to build up
a relationship that is likely to continue
long after your meeting is over.
Create a bond. Eyes donʼt lie and
thatʼs the reason why professional
poker players are known to wear dark
glasses to hide their expressions. Let
your eyes meet as you say goodbye.
Shifty-eyed people do not promote
faith or build a bond and are not
considered trustworthy. You may lose
out on a great business opportunity if
your eyes communicate mistrust or
offend your clients.
Avoiding
EYE CONTACT
Have you noticed waiters who
avoid eye contact in restaurants? The
signal that they send out is that they
are too busy to serve you. Most of us
avoid eye contact with strangers in
lifts or in public spaces. It is just a
way of masking our insecurity of
being in a place where we donʼt know
anyone. We avoid eye contact when
we are hiding something; we are
angry, fearful, surprised or nervous.
In other words we avoid eye contacts
when we mask our emotions, making
people feel that there may be more to
it than meets the eye.
Eye contact with those you
DON’T KNOW WELL
The guy in the lift, your driver in
the car, the janitor who cleans the
office or the nervous intern who just
joined work are all worthy of a
glance. There is no need to look
coldly or patronisingly at people who
you mistakenly think donʼt matter.
They all do, and a compassionate
glance makes them feel that you are
warm and sociable. It gives them
88
dignity, a feeling of being needed,
and helps to build a happy
relationship. A laser-like stare can cut
people down and make them feel
small and unwanted. Make it a habit
to have a smile on your lips and a
twinkle in your eyes and see what
difference it makes to the
atmosphere around you.
Eye contact with the
OPPOSITE SEX
Inappropriate eye contact may
become flirtatious and unsuitable in a
workplace setting. Avoid a persistent
or beady-eyed gaze. A prolonged
gaze with soft eyes may have sexual
undertones. Experts insist that
looking at a person, then looking
away for a few seconds and then
back again is a classic way to flirt.
Similarly, looking at a person through
lowered eyes may be suggestive. If
you have a habit of winking, avoid it
at the workplace.
Something which is acceptable
between friends may slip out at an
inopportune moment and come back
to haunt you. Be careful that when
you look at a colleague your eyes
donʼt linger over body parts. The
briefest of glances can be detected,
especially by women who are
biologically more versed in non-
verbal communication.
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
Talking silently with
YOUR EYES
Even as infants we learn to look at
the eyes of people around us and
react. A motherʼs stern stare can stop
children from playing pranks and an
encouraging gaze may motivate them
to try their hand at something new.
This early childhood training can be
put to good use as adults. Looking at
people as you speak will help you
interpret their reactions. Your talk
then becomes a two-way street and a
conversation where one is speaking
and the other is quiet yet conveying
through the eyes whether the
speaker has been able to hold their
attention. You can see if peopleʼs
eyes and attention are focused on
you and tweak your narrative
accordingly.
THE LAST WORD
A cold stare can cut down a
person and stop him or her in mid-
sentence, a compassionate glance
can bring tears to the eyes, a sly look
can bring your hackles up while an
encouraging gaze can get an
introvert to speak up. We
Work hard, stay positive, and get up
early. It's the best part of the day.
How can a Kanjeevaram silk sari
be tested, in a simple manner?
Take any corner of the sari. Fold
it. Then either straighten the saree
or unfold it and see, whether
original fold lines are there. If
they are present, the silk sari is
genuine.
How can we know whether a red
coral is pure ?
Place red coral in a glass of milk.
If a red tinge appears in milk, the
coral is genuine. If nothing
appears, the coral is fake.
I want to buy a locker for my home
valuables. Could you tell what things
should be scrutinised ? I want a
locker, with modern features.
The locker should be of tough
build, there should be an alarm
system, sensors to alert (if the
locker is moved) are a must, and
an electronic touch pad keyboard
must be there, as burglars can
easily pick locks.
I offered an office space as gift to
my sister. Would I be taxed ?
No. Gift to sibling is not taxed.
If I want to take a child insurance
policy, would there be medical
check-up for the kid?
No, generally there is no health
check-up for children.
Should we buy imitation jewellery
also from a big shop outlet ?
It is recommended that you buy
imitiation jewellery from a large
jewellery shop. What you can do is
buy 1gm gold piece or silver plated
jewellery.
Are there refrigerators which keep
food fresh during a power cut ?
Yes, one refrigerator keeps
foodstuffs fresh for two hours
during a power cut. There is
another fridge, which helps food
retain their freshness for seven
hours.
Is there an organic way to keep my
wardrobe free from insects and
bugs? I don’t want to use
mothballs.
You can use dried neem leaves
and cedar blocks in your wardrobe.
How can hair be straightened
without using a hair straightner ?
Mix equal quantity of lemon
juice and milk and apply on head.
Later, wash off with mild warm
water.
Does household insurance cover
cash ?
No. A household insurance
policy does not bring cash under
purview.
I want to buy a term insurance
policy. Which document will tell
about claim settlement rate by
different companies ?
You should look up each
company’s public disclosure
document or the annual report of
Insurance Regulatory Development
Authority.
I have heard about maintenance-
free battery for inverter. Is it
suitable ?
A maintenance–free battery
lasts for four-five years. On other
hand, tubular battery runs for
seven-eight years. It is a bit
expensive but lasts longer than
maintenance-free battery and flat-
plate battery.
I don’t want chemical cleaners for
home. Would you suggest natural
substances ?
Combine vinegar, lemon juice
and baking soda and use it for
cleaning. From sink to tiles,
everything would become sparkling
new.
I put the air conditioner on and
sleep, but have to get up in the
middle of the night and switch it
off, as it becomes too cool and
instructions also say that the a/c
has to be turned off. Is there
any device which can solve my
problem ?
Buy a time switch, and
programme it, so that air
conditioner is switched on for 20
minutes, switched off for 40
minutes and then again switched
on for 20 minutes.
This process will go on taking
place automatically throughout the
night and you can catch up on your
sleep, happily.
E-mail your queries to:
money@womansera.com
Meenakshi Subramaniam
is a former IRS officer, answering
all your money queries, right from
income tax to supermarket shopping.
Mail your queries to:
WOMAN'S ERA,
E-3, Jhandewala Estate,
Rani Jhansi Marg,
New Delhi-110055.
 ’
s B l i s s
a t c h er
W e i g ht W
During thirsty days this summer!
By Kalpana M Naghnoor

T
he battle with weight continues for most. Itʼs all about
getting trimmer, better, prettier and handsome too!
Why not some guys sneak a peek into a girlʼs
magazine, because there is more information on health,
nutrition and interesting short stories in them, than any
other magazines. Other magazines feature business
analysis and political as well, yes, analytics are ruling the
roosts there. They make psephologists, demo graphers
and political editorial experts. Yet most readers, they all
take a peek into what the nutritionist has to say before
they venture into their own professions. Hence the girlie
magazines clearly win over the others, in the library
because they carry socio-politico-eco articles while staying
with a healthy outlook in life!
The summer months are ahead and – letʼs face it – we
need our drink to keep the thirst down. We reach for
anything that will immediately quench our thirst! So letʼs
look at the way we can get the drinks with fewer calories
and nutrition.
SPARKLING YOGHURT the fruit with 2 teaspoons full of
sugar, to get you your energy, also
FRUIT JUICE SMOOTHIES you can replace that with honey, as
you wish.
INGREDIENTS: INGREDIENTS: Then add the yoghurt and blitz to
100 ml orange juice 100 gm strawberries blend well and the smoothie is ready.
100 ml sparkling water 40 ml water It has fewer calories than a full
1 tsp honey smoothie and the same nutritional
2 tsp sugar
grade as A.
METHOD 100 ml yoghurt low fat
You can add a slice of lemon and
a sprig of mint to it. The calories
count is around 69 and with
nutritional value of B+. The fruit juice
is a natural choice for most. People
are now pretty aware that carbonated
drinks are really not ad good as a
fruit juice. But the easy availability of
carbonated drinks is the factor that
influences us to take a sip of it. The
chilled bliss of that bubbly soother on
a warm day! But here are the facts. A
flavoured soda like Pepsi, Miranda
and Coca cola will have around 150
calories, with a nutritional grade of
D+. So here is a solution. Take a
bottle of sparkling water, a plain
soda. Measure out 100 ml of the
METHOD
liquid to that add a teaspoon of honey
and stir well. Add 100 ml of your You can save a few slices of the SOUP
favourite juice, not necessarily orange strawberry to garnish and the Soup is another nutritious food
juice, the calorie count will be around strawberry leaves make for a pretty which can be low in calories too.
69 calories with a nutritional grade of garnish too. Nutritional grade is A Soup is usually considered as a
B+. You do understand that there will and the calorie content is 62. winter food. But when you want to go
be a slight calorie variation in a 100 Normally there are 122 calories in slow in the summer on the main
ml of different juices and all juices one serving of strawberry yoghurt course, soup is a good and satisfying
are healthy. Now a glass of orange with nutritional grade of A. But just to food to eat. Here is a very tasty soup,
juice will have around 122 calories reduce the calories this summer, low in calorie as promised. This
and the nutritional grade B. The here is a recipe, of course you can recipe serves 4 persons and is 74
sugar content of the orange juice will use any fruit of your choice as long calories per serving. So, a light
naturally be higher than when diluted as it pairs well with the slight tang of sandwich with it will make for a light
with sparkling water. So go for the yoghurt. 100 grams of your favourite summer lunch, but if you want to
sparkling orange juice drink and fruit, save a few slices for garnish! keep it lighter, save the sandwich for
enjoy the cooling effect as well as the Garnish always enhances the visual dinner and pair the soup with a good
nutritional value with lower calories. perception of enjoyment of food. Blitz salad!

94 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016


INGREDIENTS:
150 gm peas
50 gm onion
20 gm celery
10 gm green chilli
100 ml milk
2 tsp butter
1 tbsp flour
4 cups water
1 tsp salt
1/ tsp pepper powder
2
METHOD
Set a deep pressure pan on the
stove at high. Once hot, lower the
heat to medium. Put 1 tsp of butter
into the pan add the onions. Fry the
onions until glazed. Add the peas,
celery, green chilies and saute. Add
the water and allow three whistles.
Puree the ingredients in a food
processor. Take another deep
vessel. Set the heat on high and
lower to medium. Add 1 tsp of butter.
Add the flour, roast it stirring
continuously. Add the milk and make
a smooth sauce. Add the pureed
ingredients into the sauce and stir
well. Add the salt and pepper. This
soup can be garnished with a sprig of
celery, or even served with celery
sticks.
FRUIT TEA
The recipe here is for 4 persons
and it has 91 calories per serving.
The nutritious grade is B+. So it
makes for a great fruit tea. This tea
96
can be stored for three days in the
refrigerator. One can make it from
other dried fruits like prunes and
raisins too.
INGREDIENTS:
100 gm dried apricots
75 gm sugar
1000 ml water
40 gm lemon juice
10 gm cinnamon
METHOD
Wash the Apricots and soak
overnight. Slit the apricots and de-
seed them cook the de-seeded
apricot in sugar and water until
tender. Blitz it lightly, allow it to be
pulpy and textured.
Garnish this drink with a sprig of
mint if you like. And since this drink
will be on the sweet side a little
sparkling water or lots of ice can be
added, and thereby the calories
reduced.
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
CAFFEINE
DRINKS
For those who like the hit of
caffeine well there are a lot of drinks
you could conjure up for that head-
clear we all look for. I have one
recipe with tea and it will not only
clear your head, it will prepare you
for the day. Cinnamon in it will have a
calming effect, the lemon will give
you the PH balance, the carom seeds
will calm the belly. A great way to
start the morning.
INGREDIENTS:
250 ml water
1 tsp tea
2 gm cinnamon
2 gm carom seeds
1 tbsp honey
20 gm lemon juice
METHOD
Boil all the ingredients together
except the lemon juice and honey.
Strain into the tea mug. Now add the
lemon juice and honey and sip away!
This recipe serves 1 person, and
had a calorie count of 94 and a
nutrition of B-. Those who like coffee
can make it the same way without the
lemon juice. Coffee and lime does
not pair well! This drink can be made
without the caffeine carriers too. Just
the rest of the ingredients boiled will
make for a good morning start! Now
that summer is here, make the best
of it keeping hydrated and healthy.
Enjoy the low-calory drinks and the
swimwear together! We
The journey of a thousand miles
begins with one step.
I am a 36-year-old woman with a
daughter aged six. Recently I got a
divorce from my husband of eight
years because we had realised that
we were totally incompatible.
I wanted custody of our
daughter and my husband was only
too glad to give it to me because he
is planning to remarry while I am
not.
But the condition under which
he gave me custody was that I
should not ask him for any child
maintenance or expect him to have
anything to do with our daughter
and myself. I agreed to this, but
this meant that I would have to
work and be totally responsible for
my daughter.
I worked in a film production
company before I got married and
was very good at my job. So when I
recently approached my ex-boss
and told him that I was available,
he at once offered me my old job
back. Of course I accepted it.
I will have to shift house and my
daughter will have to change
schools when I begin to work, but
we will be comfortably off. The
middle-aged woman who has been
my daughter’s nanny since birth is
a part of our family and will
continue to be with us.
But I realise that things will not
be easy. In the eight months since
my husband left the house, my
daughter has been weeping a lot
and has changed from being a
joyous always-laughing girl
to being moody, bitter and full of
rage.
What should I do? How can I
make my little girl happy again?
Would it help if I remarried?
You and your husband seem to
have decided on a divorce without
thinking too much about your
daughter. Your husband continues
to be self-centred and totally
indifferent to his daughter but you
seem to be genuinely concerned –
at least now.
But till now even you do not
seem to have thought of the effect
on your child of her father
disappearing from her life and you
becoming a busy single mom. You
do not seem to have realised that
this would be traumatic for a six-
year-old.
A child’s self-confidence and her
positive attitude to life, depend on
the unstinting love she receives
from her parents. In your
daughter’s case, this love was
suddenly snatched away and this
can make her lose all her
self-confidence, to become an
introvert and to lose interest in life.
What makes it all worse is
that children often blame
themselves for the break-up of
their parents.
Your daughter will also realise
that while she has lost her father,
all her friends and classmates still
have theirs. She will also be asked
about her father at school. All this
will make her confused and
unhappy and you will have to deal
with her pain.
You will need to be very patient
and loving towards your daughter
now. This will be difficult because
you yourself will be going through a
lot – but you cannot think of
yourself at all.
Your daughter may also need to
see a counsellor who can help her
come to terms with her new life.
Getting the divorce and getting
back your job was the easy part –
seeing that your daughter grows up
happy will be the difficult part.
As far as remarriage is
concerned, do not get married for
your daughter’s sake. But if it
happens and you marry a good
man, it will be good for your
daughter.
I am the 55-year-old mother of two
married daughters aged 30 and 28.
Though my husband and I chose
their husbands with equal care and
spent the same amount on their
weddings, my younger daughter’s
husband inherited a large sum of
money from a distant relative soon
after marriage. He has invested this
money wisely and now my younger
daughter is much better off than
my elder daughter.
My elder daughter has taken
this very badly. She accuses my
husband and me of having shown
partiality towards our younger
daughter.
The accusation is so absurd that
we do not know what to say to her,
but the relationship between the
two sisters is being soured. What
can we do?
Very little! Your elder daughter
will just have to grow up and accept
that life does not distribute its
favours equally and that her
brother-in-law has had a stroke of
luck that comes the way of very
few!
When your elder daughter has
calmed down you can try to talk to
her affectionately and calmly and
explain to her that no one could
have foreseen what would happen.
You can also tell your younger
daughter not to talk too much to
her sister about the money her
husband has inherited, what they
plan to do with it, what they have
bought, where they have gone etc,
as this would rub salt into her
wounds.
But there is little else that you
can do.
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THE ULTRASOUND
Essential during pregnancy. By Dr Praveen N.S

P
regnancy is a crucial phase in every
womanʼs life with many uncertainties. It is
the time of new emotions, concerns and
questions. It brings many wonderful
moments but at times due to some problematic
features, it may not follow that normal expected
path.
Pregnancy complications can range from mild
and annoying discomforts to severe, sometimes
life-threatening illnesses. Sometimes it is difficult to
determine which symptoms are normal and which
are not. Therefore, during this vital period,
ultrasounds undoubtedly play a remarkable role in
the life of every pregnant woman.
With the advancement in medical science today,
ultrasounds are safe, non-invasive, accurate and
cost-effective investigations during pregnancy.
They are an indispensable obstetric tool and help
to monitor normal foetal development and screen
for any potential problems by evaluating the health
and growth of the foetus. They are required
passively for patients with special cases like
hypertension, kidney problems, multiple
pregnancies, diabetes and other foetal
abnormalities.
 During the different trimesters of
pregnancy, ultrasounds are important
to confirm pregnancy, check the
foetal heartbeat, determine the
gestational age of the baby and
estimate the expected due date,
check for multiple pregnancies,
examine the internal reproductive
organs, check for birth defects,
diagnose for an ectopic pregnancy
and look for any abnormal growth in
the foetus.
Different types of ultrasounds
are:
The foetal
VIABILITY SCAN
It aims at ensuring if the
pregnancy is progressing normally
inside the uterus or not. The foetal
viability scan is performed during the
early stage of the pregnancy and
becomes essential if the patient is
experiencing pain or bleeding during
pregnancy. It should be carried out
vaginally between six and 10 weeks
for women who also have had previous
miscarriages or ectopic pregnancies.
THE NT SCAN
NT Scan is the compulsory scan
done to assess the risk of Downʼs
syndrome (a major cause of mental
retardation in humans) and other
chromosomal abnormalities. It is
performed around 11-14 weeks and
is useful to clarify if the pregnancy is
a healthy one, both for mother and
the child. It measures the size of the
foetus and diagnoses major foetal
anomalies and also is useful to
calculate the expected date of
delivery.
a small baby or have an existing
medical condition such as diabetes
or high blood pressure.
The foetal
ECHO SCAN
It is done in special circumstances
such as suspected foetal heart
disease while performing any normal
ultrasound, previous child with heart
problems, family history of congenital
heart disease or when pregnant
mother suffers from diabetes or
increased nuchal translucency during
NT Scan or any other abnormalities
detected during anomaly scan, etc.
3D/4D imaging
SCANS
3D/4D technology is designed to
give a better view of the baby when
compared to the traditional 2D
ultrasound. 3D scans show still
pictures of the baby in three
dimensions. It allows one to visualise
the face and body of the baby with
definite shapes and precise volumes.
It is essential for the detailed
assessment of few foetal anomalies
like brain, face, spine, limb problems
etc. 4D scans show moving 3D
images of the baby, with time being
the fourth dimension. It produces
lifelike images so that you can
actually see how your baby looks
like. A 4D ultrasound is better able to
capture highlights and shadows.
Movements of babyʼs yawning,
waving hands, moving, etc. can be
captured by 4D ultrasounds.
The anomaly/
MORPHOLOGY SCAN
Anomaly scan is the most
important ultrasound to be performed
during the second trimester (20
weeks) of pregnancy. It is the
detailed study of the foetus to
exclude any physical abnormalities.
The development of most of the
babyʼs organs will be over by the 20
weeks of pregnancy and the
movements will also begin. Basic
study of the foetal heart is also done
with anomaly scan and is sufficient
in all low-risk pregnant women.
The growth or
WELL-BEING SCAN
The growth/well-being scan during
the third trimester of pregnancy
checks if the baby is growing
normally or not. It is done between
28 and 32 weeks of pregnancy and
examines the biophysical profile, the
position of the umbilical cord.
It also measures the amount of
amniotic fluid, maturity, position and
weight of the baby and the babyʼs
head and abdomen circumference.
Undoubtedly, with so many
investigations through ultrasounds/
scans this field of medical science is
ensuring a safe and healthy
pregnancy for both the mother and
the child. We
A coward is incapable of exhibiting
love; it is the prerogative of the brave.

Doppler studies
EXAMINATION
A Doppler scan is performed at
the same time as a normal
ultrasound. It is vital in evaluating
your babyʼs health. It measures the
blood flow in different parts of the
babyʼs body such as umbilical cord,
brain and heart. It is also significant
in identifying whether he/she is
getting all the required oxygen and
nutrients via the placenta. Doppler
examination is also useful if you are
carrying twins or previously have had
Behind the pragmatic face
Well hidden behind the mask of rationality
There is a wild side to her.
She goes on diligently with what she is supposed to do
Fulfilling all her duties and responsibilities
And yet her heart craves something else.
She
Tired she is of the pretence
Jaded she feels of putting on
And wishes to be free of all facades.
And hence, when the sun goes down
She pulls out her mask
Disconnecting from all that is faux
While the moon looks at her uninhibited self
She dances in the wildernesses
Free from all bondages… – Neelam Saxena Chandra.

102 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

Short Story
The Dispute
The Saroja-Lakshmi face-off. By Radha Murthi
C
hinna, Chinna!” Rama Rao called. “Did you call
me?” his wife Saroja enquired. “I didn’t call you.
Where is Chinna? Has she already left for
school?” Rao asked.
“Last night I told you that Chinna’s mother Lakshmi
and I had a tiff. She told me that she had had enough of
my nagging. She went and locked herself up in her
room. I think she wants to go back to her village,”
replied Saroja. Saroja was not in a good mood. “Can’t
you see me slogging since the morning? Unless you pay
some attention how will you notice what is happening in
the house?” grumbled Saroja.
“I keep telling you not to quarrel with servants
specially those on whom we are dependent. See now
you have to do everything,” sympathised Rama Rao. “By
the way, is she taking Chinna too with her?” queried
Rao.
Saroja was aghast. She bombarded, “What are you
saying? If the mother goes how can the child stay back? I
am not an angel to take care of a child left behind and
that too of a sulking servant.”
Rao decided it was better to leave the grounds seeing
the mood of his wife. “Amma, my mother is still sleeping.
I want milk,” said Chinna walking quietly into the
kitchen. Saroja said okay. “Shall I cook, amma?” was
Chinna’s next question. Saroja was too busy to reply,
but when she returned she could see Chinna dumping
the vegetables from the fridge onto the floor.
“You don’t have to worry, take this milk and get lost,”
Saroja shouted at the little girl. Chinna took her glass of
milk and disappeared forgetting to ask for some biscuits.
With all the cooking and cleaning done, Saroja sat
down for some introspection. ‘I should not have been so
rude to Lakshmi. Of late, she is showing so much of
attitude. Once she finishes her work, she retires to her
room and does not show up in the evenings even if there
is some work to be done,’ she thought. ‘I support
Lakshmi sometimes more than even my own children.
She has forgotten all that I have done for her during the
last five years. But then, one thing I must also accept.
Lakshmi does many things very efficiently. She does not
demand any extra favours and is very honest. Doesn’t
gossip and backbite with other maids. Still I can’t accept
her attitude,’ grumbled Saroja.
S
aroja’s thoughts went back to the time when she
was desperately looking for a whole-time servant,
when her servant of many years left her because
of her failing health. Lakshmi’s parents brought her to
Saroja. Tall, dark, thin, Lakshmi 18 at that time was four
months pregnant.
Her parents told Saroja a sob story of how they got
her married to a fellow who turned out to be a good-for-
nothing and ill-treated her. When the ill-treatment and
abuse crossed the limits, Lakshmi left her husband and
came to her parents’ home. They told Saroja that they
were leaving Lakshmi with her as they couldn’t feed one
more mouth and, after a few months, it would be two
mouths. They assured her that Lakshmi would do any
work at her bidding. Her requirement was food and
shelter and nothing else.
After five months the parents came to take their
Saroja’s thoughts went
back to the time when
she was desperately
looking for a whole-time
servant, when her
servant of many years
left her because of her
failing health. Lakshmi’s
parents brought her to
Saroja. Tall, dark, thin,
Lakshmi who was about
18 years old at that time
was four months
pregnant.
daughter with them for delivery. Exactly after 15 days
Lakshmi came back with a cute baby girl. She had to
chase her husband away when he came asking her to
come back with him. She requested Saroja to stop him
from visiting her. “He is coming with the intention of
selling his daughter and not because he has any love for
his child,” Lakshmi explained. Saroja took action and the after when she was big. For that she must study well. The
visits stopped.
When the child was six months old Lakshmi asked
Saroja for `3,000 and went to her village for the Bonalu
festival. She came back with a document wherein her
village panchayat gave her the child’s custody, made
her marriage null and void and gave her permission to
and eat, why can’t she sleep with Saroja? When will
they fix AC in her room, why should she call them amma
and sir, why can’t she call them grandpa and grandma.
Saroja, felt guilty and explained to the child that
whatever Lakshmi does is her job. Chinna had her own
family whom she should love and respect and even look
child was also learning how to be useful and was doing
odd jobs along with her mother. In between all this
Saroja and Lakshmi had this unpleasant incident.
Lakshmi had not stepped out of her room for the last four
days. Only the child kept coming to take the food.

marry whoever she wanted. Since her husband was
willing to take her back and she refused to go back,
Lakshmi had to pay `2000 fine to the panchayat to get
this document. She spent `1000 to provide food and
drinks for the village panchayat elders. Saroja was
amazed at the courage of that 19-year-old
illiterate girl. ‘This girl is strong-minded, does
not need anyone to liberate her. She stands
liberated,’ thought Saroja.
started probing would promptly land up to whisk her and the
O
ther servants in the neighbourhood started probing
the matter. They even advised Lakshmi to get back
to work. Nobody, not even her parents, would
look after her and her daughter like this. When amma
did so much for her, doesn’t she have the right to shout
at her when she was upset, whosoever might
Other servants be at fault? Thus, the servants discussed
in the among themselves. They warned her that if
neighbourhood Lakshmi’s husband got a hint of this episode he

A
s time passed, Saroja’s family developed the matter. They daughter away.
a strong attachment with the beautiful Next morning, when Saroja opened the
daughter of Lakshmi, and used to look
even advised kitchen door, Chinna entered and asked
after her like their own grandchild. They even Lakshmi to get amma, “Shall my mother cook?”
admitted her into a school when she attained back to work. Saroja still with a bruised ego asked, “Why
the age of six. Saroja taught Lakshmi how to Nobody, not even did your mother send you as a messenger?
cook, keep the house clean and many other her parents, Can’t she come and say the same thing?”
minor things which she learnt to do very quickly would look after Chinna, taking it as a positive reply, asked
and very efficiently. Saroja’s friends used to her and her again. “Then can I cook?”
warn her not to pamper a servant’s daughter so daughter like Saroja said, “Yes you do that and I will be
much. Even Lakshmi used to throw her weight this. arrested under the child labour act.”
about and tell Saroja not to spoil her child as “What should I tell my mother?” looking
she cannot maintain the same standard which puzzled Chinna asked.
the child will get used to. “Tell her to sit and cry,” Saroja said. “That she did
Meanwhile, Chinna started growing and at the same last night. Shall I call her?” Chinna repeated.
time started thinking too, noticing the differences. She “Tell her to come when I am gone!” Saroja meant
would ask Saroja many questions like why should her when she left the world. The innocent child couldn’t get
mother only cook, why can’t Saroja’s sarcasm and left the place happily to convey
Chinna sit at the dining table the message to her mother.
That evening when Saroja entered the
house after work it was sparkling clean. There
She would ask Saroja was a freshly ironed tablecloth on the dining
many questions like why table and flowers arranged in a glass jar.
should her mother only On the kitchen slab there was freshly
cook, why can’t Chinna made snacks and orange juice.
sit at the dining table and Feeling embarrassed at the face-off,
Lakshmi left for the vegetable market
eat, why can’t she sleep
along with Chinna. Saroja heaved
with Saroja? a sigh of relief, happy that
When will they fix AC in everything had come back to
her room, why should she normal. We
call them amma and sir,
why can’t she call them If everyone is moving forward
together, then success takes care
grandpa and grandma. of itself.

106 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

 GARDENING THOUGHTS
Functional ideas.
I
have a vegetable garden.
The monkeys take my
brinjals, the parakeets take
the chillies, the moles take
the cauliflower, leaf curl gets my
tomatoes, and squirrels come for
some seeds. I get the mint, dhaniya
and the different saags. Over the last
one year I have been dealing with
different ways to get a more equitable
share of the vegetables, and some
of these work. For instance, we
discovered that monkeys only eat
round brinjals. Now, we plant only the
long ones. (However, the probable
truth is that we feed the monkeys
every morning with two chappatis
By Maneka Sanjay Gandhi
and a banana and then they go
away.)
You can keep animals out of your
farm and garden without resorting to
traps, guns and poisons. Letʼs start
with the farm first. I had written about
this earlier but here are some more
ideas :
In Saswad near Pune, they are
experimenting with machines. On the
perimeters, they use motion sensors
which can detect the presence of a
wild animal. Once the sensors detect
the presence of a wild animal, the
gadgets set off flashers with bright
lights or loud sounds, which drive the
animals away from the field.
Farmers in Tamil Nadu use
second-hand fishnets as fences.
They are not expensive, look like
metal and deter both boar and gaur.
They buy the fishnets in Gudalur for
`80 a kg. Monkeys stay away
because they are scared of being
caught in the net.
Rotten eggs, mixed with water,
also work in some areas. Some
farmers burn sticks dipped in phenyl.
Burning dung with half a kilo of
chillies is being done by farmers in
Himachal Pradesh, who have found
the method effective in keeping away
wild boar. Demonstrations in Odisha,
Karnataka and Chhattisgarh show it
works even better in keeping away
elephants. The simplest method
consists of planting a wide row of
chilli peppers around cultivated fields
and gardens.
According to scientists, animals,
especially deer/gaur, etc. only come
into the farms during the dry season.
If the farmers dig water holes in the
forests and plant fruit/berry trees and
bushes they would not come out at
all.
In Varanasi, fences are being
made with reels of audiotape that are
wrapped round bamboo stands.
Other farmers use reflective ribbons.
Here are the garden ideas:
Vegetables should be planted on
raised beds. Small animals, like
squirrels, moles, rats, are
reluctant to get on to raised
beds as they avoid areas
that make them visible.
Make paths between the
beds very narrow so that
they can feel they
cannot hide there.
Coffee grounds add
nitrogen to the soil and
keep slugs and snails
away. They are also
good as a base when you
grow radishes, peppers,
potatoes. Soak a couple of
packets of chewing tobacco
in a bucket full of water. Let this
sit overnight and next day spray it
all over the garden. The snails will
run away.
Mint, sage, parsley and lemon
balm will also keep slugs and snails
away; and so will small bunches of
human hair kept in different places in
the garden. Dog and cat hair will also
do.
Corn can be protected by inter -
planting pumpkins, gourds and
cucumbers.
Aphids are small insects that suck
sap from plants, resulting in leaf curl
or yellowing. They feed in clusters on
new plant growth. Neem oil should
be sprayed onto plants infested with
aphids. Place aluminium foil at the
base of your plants. The foil reflects
light onto the undersides of the
leaves, which scares away aphids.
Sunflowers are hardy and a trap crop
for aphids and other pests.
Neem oil also controls funguses.
A solution of several teaspoons of
baking soda dissolved in water can
help prevent and treat fungus and
powdery mildew on plants. Use as a
preventative and acute treatment.
Chilly plants that are showing leaf
curl should be sprayed with diluted
curd or buttermilk.
Growing garlic and onions in
between aphid-prone plants is
another way to keep them away. Or
bring in ladybirds who are natural
aphid eaters. Growing coriander and
COFFEE GROUNDS
ADD NITROGEN TO
THE SOIL AND
KEEP SLUGS AND
SNAILS AWAY.
THEY ARE ALSO
GOOD AS A BASE
WHEN YOU GROW
RADISHES, PEPPERS,
POTATOES.
marigold attracts ladybirds. In fact,
interplanting any of these, either
chives lavender, keeps most animals
at bay.
Itʼs difficult to detect rats or to get
rid of them. I just notice those huge
holes in the vegetable patches and
my heart sinks. But lavender,
marigold and mint keep them away
as they really hate these. Spray
peppermint oil, or soak cotton in it
and put it all over the garden, they
will stay away.
Squirrels like freshly planted
seedbeds. They also like beans,
cucumbers and eggplants. To keep
them away, mix 1/3 cup flower, two
tablespoons red chilli powder and two
tablespoons powdered mustard and
sprinkle around the garden. If you
want to spray it, add four cups
of water and some vinegar.
Even sprinkling vege -
tables with pepper will
deter monkeys from eating
them.
Using mulch, which
includes straw and small
bits of wood bark,
between the vegetables
not just regulates the soil
temperature but it also
deters animals who donʼt
like walking over it.
Place a few stout sticks
near the vegetables for
protection from the monkeys.
They have an aversion to sticks
(as we all do).
Make small sealed packets with
boneless dry fish pieces and keep
them around the field. After opening
the packets monkeys rub the fish with
both hands. They hate the smell and
constantly rub their hands on rocks
till they bleed. They donʼt come back
after that.
Adilabad farmers use colour and
sound. They use cheap coloured
saris to fence fields, and empty liquor
bottles and large tin cans to create
unnatural sounds that spook the
fauna. We
In a gentle way, you can shake
the world.
IS YOUR
CHILD
BEING ABUSED?
W
e do not want to believe that
our children may be getting
abused, but it is a possibility
How to recognise and deal with such one has to accept, that there
trauma. By Rungeen Singh are many people who can abuse
children, and they may include
people whom you trust. So, mothers
should be sure that their children are
not being abused, as abuse of any
kind can be traumatic and cause
lifelong psychological damage by
interfering with the childʼs
development, happiness and peace
of mind.
The abuse may be social, where
someone is bullying the child. The
abuse may be emotional, where
someone is making life miserable for
a child by harping on some weakness
that the child has. And both girls and
boys can be on the receiving end of
sexual advances that can scar them
for life. What parents can do is make
sure that their child is safe from
abuse of any kind. For this it is
essential that they stay alert and
watch their child and talk freely to
them.
It is a necessity to note the gravity
of abuse, specially sexual abuse.
Every parent needs to have an
awareness that anyone can abuse.
Tragically, incidents of rape show
that not only strangers, but also
people known to the child can be
responsible.
Relatives and friends may
sexually exploit children. Teachers
and home tutors may abuse
students. Servants may abuse
children. Even a father can abuse a
daughter. So it becomes
indispensable to be alert to see that a
child is not being exploited, but is
safe.
 Many times the incident of abuse
is hidden and the victim may not
speak about it for fear of violence by
the abuser or due to feelings of
shame, coupled with the fear that the
parents will not understand or may
not be able to protect them. It is then
difficult to make out whether a child is
being abused.
So it becomes imperative that
mothers should be alert about the
symptoms that may show that the
child is being abused. There can be
many symptoms and these
symptoms can be of varied kinds.
What parents should really be
watchful about are any sudden
change in their childʼs behaviour, but
the reaction of every abused child
may be different.
Of course, a parent should not
become hyper and oversuspicious
about their child. Many children
normally show a change of
temperament and behaviour as they
grow up. It is not necessary that they
are being abused. The parent should
be watchful without getting paranoid.
The parents can note the changes
in their children.
AN INDICATOR
If their extrovert child suddenly
becomes extremely reticent and
fearful, it may be an indicator that the
child is suffering. Fear can make a
child start with surprise at everything.
Children may show nervousness,
they could also become hypersen -
sitive. Children may become extra
alert and vigilant.
Some children may become
anxious or depressed. They may
become passive and show little
enthusiasm for anything. Some
children may become too compliant
and obey everyone blindly.
Some may become detached from
people as they have difficulty forming
relationships. Some children hide
from people. Some may become
withdrawn totally, till they become
anti-social. This can be coupled with
low self-confidence and a poor self-
image. Some children may be unable
to trust anyone.
Some children may just start
angrily and telling them that they are
fibbing.
Parents should be careful not to
leave the child alone and also not
force the child to meet people the
child does not want to meet.
Actually, parents should not scold
the child in front of others or the
prestige of the child suffers and the
self-esteem goes down.
Generally, the abused children
may also develop a guilt complex as
they may blame themselves for what
is happening to them, so the parents
need to be more cautious. Such
children need totally unconditional
love and the feeling that their parents
depending totally on the mother or will listen to and understand what
any elder sibling. Some children can they have to say.
become demanding and aggressive. If the parent comes to know that
Some children may become someone is exploiting the child, they
destructive and cruel. They may need to tread carefully. The child may
become prone to compulsive and be afraid that if the person comes to
obsessive disorders. They may be
prone to sleep or speech disorders.
They may have a very low
perseverance where their studies or
any extracurricular activity may be
concerned and even become weak
in their studies.
At times, the abuse may be so
shattering that the
child may become
self-destructive and
suicidal. Teenagers
who cannot vent their
suffering, may resort
to alcohol or drug
abuse which
provides them
escapism from the
trauma of abuse.
If parents note
any such symptom,
they should be
careful that they are
understanding towards
their child. The most
important thing is to
gently make the child
talk and then listen to
the child patiently.
Parents should believe
the child, without any
judgemental criticism.
They should be a
support instead of just
snapping at them
know that the child has told the
parents, they may be more vindictive
towards the child. Then it is the
prerogative of the parents how they
deal with the situation. The bottom
line should be that the repercussion
should not boomerang on the child.
Maybe, the person is confronted and
forced to confess. Maybe the person
is just kept away from the child
through careful vigilance. But it is
best that the child has the assurance
that the person will never be allowed
near him or her.
INSTRUCT THE CHILD
The child also should be told not
to open the door for the person,
specially when the child is alone. Tell
the child it is all right to say ʻnoʼ to
relatives and that telling about the
abuser is not tattling. Tell the child it
is not cowardice to run away when
faced by something that is traumatic
for them. Moreover, the child should
be told what action can be taken
when faced again with abuse, to
make sure the child knows how to
behave in every situation. The
children should also be taught to
manage their negative emotions of
fear, anger and hatred.
Thus, it is necessary to build self-
confidence in the children them -
selves, as well as build the trust of
the child in the ability of the parents
to manage well, with the assurance
that the situation will be resolved and
what they tell will be kept
confidential. There should be a
conscious planning that there is no
further opportunity for the abuser to
abuse.
If the abuse is being done in a
school or any other institution, the
teachers and the principal should be
contacted and the problem discussed
and ways found that does not harm
the victim in any way. If the
exploitation is serious, and the child
fears retaliation by the abuser, the
child may be taken away from the
school.
DEEP SCARS
The scars of child abuse can run
very deep. They can live with the
child throughout life and bring
complexity. To remove the scars of
child abuse, the children should be
made to feel good about themselves.
The children should be made to feel
loved, cared for and accepted by the
parents. The children should have a
sense of belonging to their family, so
that they feel safe and secure. It is
essential that such children respect
their own selves. Any guilt that they
feel should be removed by good
commu nication. It is necessary to
develop effective communication
skills in such children. So, basically,
the parents should make the child
feel that they trust the child and
believe the child, as this will increase
their self-confidence. Love, care and
understanding can help the child
confide in the parents. So mothers
should become like friends so that the
child confides everything in her. We

Wings of Desire
Wings of desire spread wide apart,
Like an innocent maiden singing to start,
To start a journey within and without,
Without the fear of losing out.

To see herself in the mirror magical,

Radiating charm in the love ethical,
‘Ethics in love?’ The mirror laughed aloud,
Pointing out towards a scene critical,
‘The crowd of lust, the crowd of pain,
Eating her up like its food and grain.’

Wings of desire spread wider even long,

Pricking the mirror, proving it wrong,
Holding a hand of the sun so bright,
Smooching the dawn and mating the night,
The night of thrill and freedom strong,
The dawn of hopes with no ray wrong.

The sun, the dawn

The night so warm
Hopes and freedom
The mirror, the charm
Fighting till the end for that love ethical
Taking her along to a victory unbeatable… – Priyanka Apte.

114 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

 136
ST
CONTE
✂

1 2 3 4 5 6 7
A U A

Across O
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Tear along the dotted line and mail to Crossword No. 136 Womanʼs Era, Delhi Press, New Delhi-110 055.

1. Ornamental parapet railing. (10) 9 10 11

8. Describes an epiphany moment. (3) T T R
9. Stammer. (7)
10. Ovum. (3) 12 13
12. Feel remorse. (6) T T
14. In any place? (8)
18. Wrap around. (5) 14 15 16
20. Presses down. (6) N H R E
23. Rajya Sabha (short for). (2)
24. Sleep symphony! (5) 17
26. A pit. (3) R U
27. Exists. (2)
28. A refreshing brew. (3) 18 19 21 22
20
29. Long story. (4) A T M
30. Relating to sound. (5)
33. A kind of floor rug. (3) 23
34. Daniel is his first name! (5) T S
24 25 26
Down
1. Illegitimate. (7) 27
N
28
U
29
2. Awful. (5) I S E A A A
3. Rested down. (3)
4. Not here. (5) 30 31 32
5. Not as common. (5) O C U
6. Biblical garden. (4)
7. A light carriage. (3) 33 34
11. The Grand Trunk Express. (2) T E F
13. Boggy material. (4)
15. You remove water with this. (5)
16. Show unnecessary concern. (4)
17. A sacred mantra. (2)
19. You pay this or else…. (6)
Rules and Regulations: ● Entries must be written on the crossword
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Across. 1. Gorilla, 5. Rind, 9. Car, 10. Rti, 12. Bus, 14. Molasses, 16. Yes, 17. Ac, 18. Sty,
Answers to 19. Noise, 21. Sweden. 23. Vintage, 25. Nog, 28. Potter. 31. Aa, 32. Ta, 33. Limbs, 34. Hornet.
Crossword-134 Down. 1. Gormand, 2. Rail, 3. Lobster, 4. Asses, 6. Icky, 7. Na, 8. Dresden, 11. Toco, 13. Us,
15. Stew, 20. Irony, 21. Seep, 22. Dint, 23. Veil, 24. Alas, 26. Oe, 27. Grit, 29. Oto, 30. Tar, 31. Ab

Please accept my entry for the Name

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W
hen you traverse the course
of the Ganga, you see a
dichotomy - nature so pristine
at the source and so sullied
by the influence of humanity as you
go down," she sighs. And yet she
can't stop singing paeans to Ganga.
Dia Mirza is truly living everyone's
dream. "I'm so glad you feel that..."
she says her eyes sparkling.
"Because I would keep thinking to
myself 'Oh gosh! if I wasn't doing this
and if I watched somebody else be a
part of this journey I would feel very
envious...' I hope that, that envy gets
translated into love and a desire to
go out there and get people to create
their own experience for themselves."
She urges people to chart their own
path because "that will change the
narrative of this river".
As adventurous and fascinating as
this journey was that she had some
out- of-the world experiences and
discovered things about herself that
she didn't know. "I had a lot of
reiterations..." she says with a
faraway look. "I had moments of
Utopia like you know in your heart
118
u t s Y o u !
It G
THE SHOW GIVES
VIEWERS A PEEK
INTO THE
FASCINATING
LEGACY THAT IS
SHAPED BY THE
COUNTRY'S LONGEST
RIVER. IT EXPLORES ALL
THAT THE RIVER HAS TO
OFFER – THE PEOPLE,
HISTORY, MYTHOLOGY
AND THE CUISINE.
that you've always known this to be
the truth, and in that moment you
realise you've arrived. And you won't
let anybody change that about you
as a person who feels so connected
to the universe, to nature, to people.
It gave me a kind of access into the
lives and the minds of the people. It's
like an epiphany. It touches you to
the core. I have cried sitting by the
river, specially when I saw Ganga in
her most pristine form..."
The good comes with the bad and
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
A great debuting
experience.
By Renu Bhatnagar
Dia shares what horrified her as she
traversed the course. "As you go
lower down you see the human
population intensifying and you start
seeing what we're doing to her. It
guts you. I was completely shaken
and deeply moved. It made me make
an even stronger resolve than ever
before to do more. We need to start
focussing on how important, relevant
and connected this is to our lives
even though we live so far away in
our urban jungles."
THE ADVENTURE
Amidst all this adventure Dia
confesses she discovered new fears
even as she surmounted her
phobias. "I've always been scared of
heights and I managed to overcome
that. But I discovered new fears that I
didn't know I had. I realised that
narrow roads really freak me out
specially on a hilly terrain where
you're manoeuvring yourself in the
pitch of the night and you have
drivers who are so used to driving
blindly in that terrain. I would tell
them 'bhaiya gaadi roko, let me walk
around because I can't deal with this'.
But there was also the joy of
suddenly seeing a wolf crossing the
road in the middle of the night."
About debuting on television Dia
says that the medium allows a
greater reach, especially the show
Ganga – The Soul of India. Followed
by 11 cameras. Dia is happy that
audience will see her just as herself
because the show is not scripted.
“The format of this show allows you
to discover, explore, meet people and
travel. Itʼs spread across eight weeks,
each episode lasting a good 45
minutes. The length was also just
right. It gave me the opportunity to
go into real peopleʼs lives and be just
like one of them. Itʼs been a great
experience for me. This is something
that I would give my life to because it
is so much fun, itʼs so inspiring, so
motivating, so educational. I worked
hard with full dedication,” she said.
“It is a river that compels you to think
more than you would. The
experience also compels you to think.
For me, television is a very unique
opportunity because it is one platform
which directly reaches the homes of
people.
The show gives viewers a peek
into the fascinating legacy that is
shaped by the country's longest river.
It explores all that the river has to
offer – the people, history, mythology
and the cuisine. Says Dia, "It's
impossible for me to encapsulate in a
sentence the boundless joy, the
learning, the discovery, the adventure
the show has brought to my life.
Nature enthusiast, that she is Dia
was particularly bowled by dancing
with the Santhal tribals of Sonajhuri
in West Bengal, leading a cleanliness
drive in Varanasi and practising new
yoga techniques at Mahesh Yogi's
ashram in Rishikesh made famous
by the Beatles
Avid adventurer and traveller that
she is you bet she couldn't have had
similar soul-stirring experiences in
some other place. She insists that
nature has no boundaries. "The fact
that this is our nation and I was born
on this soil, it kind of gives you a
deeper ownership on every
experience that you have. I feel that
way with nature. Geographical
boundaries are man-made and
nature has no boundaries." We
Strive not to be a success, but
rather to be of value.
Creativity inspires the artist.

Expression of
An artist who loves to be lost in the green
pastures of Nature.

T
raditional Kerala paintings
such as floor pictures done in
colour powder or mural
paintings did not even
Murali Nagapuzha
warrant a situation to have landscape
Shows: Participated in many
at all in the works. Landscape is a
group, solo and camp shows in
fragmented nature articulated
India and abroad.
composi tionally to enhance the
Collections: Various places
meaning of the context, to
across the countries.
contextualise an episode or even to
Honours and Awards: National
give an atmosphere of scenic beauty.
fellowship from Ministry of Human
This is what the paintings by Murali
Resourses, Govt. of India for
Nagapuzha explore wearing lush
research work in 1986 and others...
green landscapes of Kerala on large
canvas.
Nature as such has only a
secondary existence in all such
works from renaissance period
onwards or in the miniatures by Ravi
Varma. In India nature is more a
motif than just a background in
painting and Murali Nagapuzhaʼs
artworks are one fine take.
57-year-old and a self-taught
artist, he does the painting works
residing in a rich natural abode in
Kerala. Recently, Murali Nagapuzha
replied to some queries put up from
Womanʼs era.
Excerpts:
What about the present theme
and major subjects you do
painting on?
In my present series, especially
the native-titled paintings children
become more predominant. I am
trying to show the innocence by
depicting them as the central figure.
Greenery is the prime motif in
your paintings. Your explanation?
In the 18th and 19th century,
green was associated with the
romantic movement in literature and

120 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016

Artistʼs main purpose is to create own horison.
art. Green was contrasted with the
smoky greys and blacks of the
industrial revolution also.
What happens to the body in
the presence of green?
Your pituitary gland is stimulated.
Your muscles are more relaxed, and
your blood histamine levels increase,
which leads to a decrease in allergy
symptoms and dilated blood vessels,
aiding in smoother muscle
contractions. In short, green is
calming, stress-relieving, and – a bit
paradoxically – invigorating. Itʼs been
shown to improve reading ability and
creativity. By all means green gives
you a positive energy.
What about your journey as an
artist till now? What about your
plans for future as a master artist?
I have to go miles to become a
master painter. Still, I am only a
student. Not even a drop in an ocean.
I have seen many master paintersʼ
works in India and outside.
Do you find an influence of Raja
Ravi Varma's style of work on your
artwork-technique?
Ravi Varma studied the chemistry
of painting from western masters. Oil
paintings have long history.
Methodology of oil paintings evolved
through many experiments by
masters and it has a proven
chemistry behind it. There is no short
cut for this. But I feel many of the
Art is not what an artist see, but what you make your viewers see.
contemporary painters do works
without knowing this. We have to do
many layers and allow each layer to
dry, for oxidation to transform the
pigments to glycerol and fatty acids.
Then only the work will exist.
Leonardo da Vinchi had done 58
layers on Monalisa. Ravi Varma was
a master craftsman and I do admire
him.
You donated your paintings to
CRY along with legendary MF
Hussain's paintings. How are you
associated with CRY?
I am still associated with CRY in
all there charity activities. They are
using my paintings for their Cards,
desk top calanders, annual sheet
calendars and diaries. Legendary MF
Hussain, Ram Kumar and many
dignitaries in the world have donated
their works and signatures for raising
fund for CRY. President Barack
Obama, Bill Clinton and Mac Cartney
are among the few who are
associated with CRY. I am always
happy that my works are useful for a
charity purpose. WWF is also using
my works. In Kerala, for raising
funds, IRPC (initiative for palliative
care and cure) is using my paintings.
Kerala government tourism depart -
ment also used my works for its
promotions abroad. What else to get?
What else you relish doing
along with painting?
From my student life I was very
Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016
active in politics. In the 70s when the
revolutionary uprising came in
campuses I was also with them. After
that I was a very active party worker
in Kannur.
Nowadays I have nothing to do
other than painting. But my mind
keeps searching for something else
to do for my society.
Any message for budding
artists for a colourful success like
you in the world of art.
I have not grown enough to give
any message to my fellow artists.
As I have to study a lot from them.
But one thing I wish to remind my
friends that we have enough patience
to paint... and work like a bull... as
mentioned by Van Gogh.
As an artist, deeply disturbed by
onslaughts on nature in his home
state, Murali says that we all know
Kerala is one of the most beautiful
places, but the natural beauty is fast
getting extinct here. The natural
wealth is getting affected by the
commercialisation of the place and
increase of waste and pollution. Just
imagine the scenario when we will
get to know about flowers and plants
only in the books, or about the
animals on Internet. People are not
realising the importance of nature.
They are just treating it as a
commodity and are taking the natural
wealth for granted.
– Abhishek Kumar
121
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design, with a Brazilian back. Recently a lot of
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to give it another edge, as if it needed any.

Monokini –
A
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Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016 125

How can we soften brown sugar
which has hardened, as we cannot
get rid of it as it is quite expensive?
Once brown sugar dries out, it
can be re-moisturised by placing it
in a bowl covered with a clean
damp cloth and leave overnight.
You can also place a piece of apple
or bread inside a lightly sealed
container. After a day or two the
brown sugar will soften and the
bread will dry up or the apple will
shrivel. Don’t forget about it
though, or the apple will go mouldy
and ruin the sugar. Hardened
brown sugar can also be softened
for immediate use by microwaving
a little bit. This should only be used
for immediate use because after the
sugar cools it will have lost more
moisture.
Chutney and chaat are like the two
sides of a coin. A chaat will not be a
chaat without chutneys. How many
types of chutneys are required for a
perfect chaat platter?
Though there are innumerable
types of chutneys in the Indian
cuisine, the most essential for a
chaat platter are, date and
tamarind chutney. This can also be
made with amchur or dried raw
mango instead of tamarind and
green mint coriander chutney-this
too you can make with raw mango
or amla segments. Spreading these
chutneys over chaats like samosa,
bhel puri and pani puri will give
you the best and most
unforgettable experience.
In this fast and mechanical life,
almost all of us have become
participants of this rat race. Till
one day we realise that we earn “to
eat to be healthy and be happy”, so
why this struggle to earn and not
finding any time to eat. Please
advise us on the need of this
hour.
It is in fact the need of this hour
to make wise choices for a bright
and health-perfect future. We must
understand that our body is like a
machine which requires fuel for
performing in the form of
nourishing food; and not fancy
quick-fix meals.
Believe it or not, most
nourishing foods are not very
expensive, at least their costs are
low when compared to the medical
bills that you may land up paying
for your neglect towards self-health
and the health of your family. We
all know that prevention is better
than cure.
Nowadays our markets are full of
adulterated food items, be it spices
or vegetables or salt and sugar.
Please tell us about some
adulterant agents and how we can
find out if our grocery items are
adulterated?
Leave alone expensive spices,
dealers have not even left the
humble salt unadulterated for us.
Red chilli powder is made
poisonous by mixing in it brick
powder and red colour. To find out
for sure if it is adulterated or not,
fill a bowl with water and mix in
the red chilli powder. The red chilli
will float on the surface while the
brick powder will settle down on
the bottom. Salt and sugar get a
seasoning of chalk powder.
Sprinkle some water on the salt or
sugar. If there is a change in colour
it means they are adulterated. If
you want to find out if turmeric
powder contains yellow coloured
flour, add some to a bowl of water.
The turmeric will settle on the
bottom while the flour will float on
top.
I am very fond of cooking and
baking. I would like to make bread
at home, please give some useful
tips.
You will get all the instructions
in the recipe itself. There are a few
points which will be useful for you.
Always use butter, stick margarine
(with at least 80 per cent oil) or
shortening. Don’t use light or
whipped butter, diet spread or tub
margarine. Use aluminium pans
with a dull rather than shiny or
dark finish. Glass dishes and
dark finishes will produce darker
crusts.
To allow for good air circulation
while baking, leave at least one
inch of space between pans and the
sides of the oven. If you use the
right amount of water, knead the
dough nicely and bake at the
required temperature, you will get
a nice, soft loaf of bread.
– Savita Bhargava.
If you have any
problem in cooking or
kitchen, write to Woman’s Era.
We shall try to help you
sort it out.
Address your queries to:
WOMAN'S ERA,
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Rani Jhansi Marg
New Delhi-110 055
Click womansera.com to
lodge your queries.
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SHOPPING INFORMATION
On the cover:
Actress: Nyra Banerjee
Clothes by: Collezioni Moda Fashions Pvt Ltd
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128
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TOURS AND TRAVELS
PLANET Goa: Make a memorable holiday
destination. Domestic/International airtickets/-
Rail. Hotel reservation event management
and real estate properties/flats/shops for
sale. Contact: 0-7776983495.
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TRAVELESE: For rail and air ticketing, car
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REQUIRED Hindi comics and magazines
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Muskan issues (1-100) Nutan,
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 favourite device would cause them in attention and caring that they want
the long run but are unable to digitally more than the material things.
detox themselves, until medically In the words of Virginia Satir
advised. “Every word, facial expression,
– Preetha Rengaswmy, Chennai. gesture, or action on the part of a
parent gives the child some message
about self-worth. It is sad that so
BE A ROLE MODEL many parents don't realise what
A Little
The article A Little messages they are sending.”
Kindness by C. V. So, parents and teachers can play
ess
Aravind, WE March II Kindn on kids. Be
tende
Don’t be harshones. By C.V. Aravind
r
a big part in making or breaking a
with the little their daughter
the
might
them to disciplinecould. Thus,
conduct. way they trauma of
only best saved the girl the

edition started with a

improper

child. Harsh words and curses said in

for girl, the front of
that boy ly, the have tarred in
incident st and his having her image might not
n a tragic recently in Incidental of a cardiologi s and she

I
a class topper her classmate over the edge.
happened ld girl daughter wife, was
, a 15-year-o her employed her teachers. been driven that it was the
Bengaluru highly by on have
d from and was rated an act committed It was alleged that she was
was suspendea half after she was obviously tongue-las hing who
a day and The suicide the girl mother –

NEED OF DIGITAL
in physical an impulse, as y to by her
school for the disciplinar by the
was caught
engaging . She stomach which submitted a mouthful
been given – proved to be the
with a
classmate could not the school as had
to her initiated by her family the
intimacy
life by plunging flat. action her and school authorities the cause,
ended her the tenth-floor letter had shamed
Whatever
that she could

RTA UALITY
last straw.

sad incident. The anger can never be taken back. They

death from news reports the well. teenager
had decided
and that
led her
According
to
handed over to her D take it anymore such a brutal
E WAS NEEDE
and not in
that had
been own life

VINOT
authorities take her
mother by
the school to read was ADVIC in the to that
girl chanced her to take were raised fashion. painful is
which the Many questions Could the school What is extremelyisolated cases.
that propelled death.

VIRTUE
the trigger wake of her a little more these are no longer as five have
have shown

DETOXIFICATION
the fatal leap. cry, the g as old as
hue and at authoritiesand resorted to counsellin reasons
After a public were not the Children suicide for concentrate
that they been leniency out to her committed to
school clarified the girl had and pointing conduct? Perhaps trivial as being asked the TV set and
IS fault and that
several
times. But the her y of
and impropriet have taken
her
her parents
on on studies,
switch off

author has well can affect the tender minds of our

warned on deaf ears could
first and prevailed
had fallen other they
l world. warnings left with no the into confidence
in the virtua
had been
that they her and (Second) 2016
Embedded
to suspend Era ● March
option but Woman’s
Nawaz
By Heera 80

The article Virtuality written about how kids these days children. Children should never be
I
is not a Virtue by
magine the
say 100 years
Indian city,
following
scenario
ago in a small at
which was
indeed
of
have to be treated with great care, treated s vessels to empty our
“net-free”: a crumpled but

Heera Nawaz, May I

that time

gauging their moods, etc. There must frustrations and irritation. Even
draped in an
A mother kitchen of
was in the a stove,
elegant sari with
complex, then
apartment , which she
chapattis
rolling out over the stove
on both sides into a healthy
heated turned
until the chapattis room of the
In the living
brown colour. her sister, another
was her
apartment was with

issue was thought

woman who a young school-

be ways and means to prevent such punishments and reprimands should

grown-up
daughter,
12-year-old on the threshold of
going child, The mother was
nce. r’s thick black a
adolesce
her daughte it up with
combing it and trying
hair, plaiting
ribbon.
bright pink

provoking. In the days happenings from an early stage. be such that the children are able to
of joint family tradition 3-4 families Infants understand the language see the love behind them.
lived under the same roof and the of love even before they learn any Before pushing the children to
problem of 'generation gap' did not other language. Children these days perform better, let us spend time with
exist, as the house consisted of have enough of toys. So, it is gentle them, love them, and understand
members of all ages. Of course,
some if's and but's and quarrels did
take place, but 'unity' existed. EDITORIAL
ills, sends
talking on
More men
a wrong message. but never to
driving
phone while the police could have
could be
be caught.
seen

consulted
tips, before
In
ACT TO CONSERVE changed to "accumulate water, use it
WATER
present campaign, ns for better

Now, with nuclear family norm and build the future". This will put all
FEAT for the and child
organisatio
FABULOUS tion to Deepa
Karmakar
22-year-ol
d women ahead with
such an initiative.
LITY
big congratulaRio Olympics. This they went MENTAsevere
the first
DROUGHT
A qualifying
gymnast
for
the
has become
from Tripuraevent in Olympics
to qulify for a tough qualifying too a
in her
round. en states
are currently
Supreme
reeling under rightly
Court has
nt for its inaction
Indian woman
category,
After a gap
in
beating othersan Indian gymnast, world to
of 52 years, top gymnasts of
compete
woman, will for the country.
with
Deepa’s
the
that

achieveme
she achieved
nt T drought

in dealing
censured
and the
the Central
Governme
Spurred by
with the situation.nt sent a train
, the governme of Maharash
the apex

tra carrying
court
to drought
5 lakh
view that censuring Chief Minister
bag a medal remarkable in ns played Latur district mum over Delhi of

This is with concerned on the toes as far as the

litres

and advancement in technology and

more associatio affected but kept 10 lakh
becomes and sports litres of water providing
by herself proposal from drought. to
this feat all . with Arjuna Kejriwal’s suffering
in her promotion been conferred in meeting Arvind the people Delhi is ablecity
little role Deepa has per day for matter if as the
Although is far from
enough such watercould be a debatable on daily basis, t on
a single award player. Besides, It
amount of
water
itself dependen for
Award but of a budding after a player becomes provide this state is Punjab
all the needs only formative UP and n
presented During their Haryana, this suggestio
awards are comes in limelight. water. But another serious
popular and keep pining for alludes
to unequal
years, they govern - that is,
from the problem, among
incentives houses. n of water various

reference to the issue of water is concerned.

distributio

invention of hi-tech mobiles adults on

corporate even among
ments and states and
so? a state.
Why it is for cricket
has
parts within write off
In fact, craze other sports, We cannot as
all generosity
swallowed which is Kejriwal’s to the
especially
athletics game. to show mirror as it
a poorman’s gimmick nt
considered are marked by all Central
Governme
solve the
Other games n of sports urgency to
exploitatio shows an on priority
basis.
types of women, water crises the other hand,
especially funds are, on
persons, of There blame
and misappro
priation
In such harya, who
Shankarac for prevailing

par with children are hooked to their editorial, Drought We have numerous industries in
officials. a
by sports expecting like Dwarka and Sai
all people worshippin g Shani water resources
circum stances, would be too backing from women Minister of who says we
gold from
Deepa get good there is Union Bharati,
she must drought. And rejuvenation Uma for unless
and
much. Instead, and Ganga in advance, measure its
for drought we
quarters. cannot prepare us how can
WOME N ONLY?or driving a scooty or until it actually strikes corrective
steps. she has been
WHY walking on
road will be
? Your answer think severity
and take her approach
as
years. In
s a woman be right in about two

I Maruti car
mere a showpiece
‘No’. But
a resounding During the ‘Road
Bangalore
traffic police the
Safety Week’, that handling
city with
posters
She may

compariso
her ministry
n, southern
for only
United States
states in the length but people
years at
reeled

Mentality (May I) which the country which have rooftops,

way. for several shortage of water.

mobiles to update themselves as per

in an other littered the entire as advice under drought any from Indian
tic messages never faced prompt response
traffic police misogynis living there
in
extremely same has passed
splashed
of tips –
all directed Can we expect a single year another state had
on ‘safety’. give all types e for all nt? Not when one
or
responsibl governme water policy
These postersas if only they are poster campaign endent India a comprehensive its place,
this post-indep But In
towards women,roads. In a way, le for all
mishaps suffered drought. us by its absence. bulging
the wrongs
on responsib their not conspicuo commodity that fetches we are
to hold women them not to disturb They has been made a in times
seems and instruct are driving. has been
on roads while they of water for its traders, especially We
occurring boyfriends who are habitual profits . ansera.com
hubbies and women as bad drivers currently
witnessing write to: editor@wom

the present trends of life. Saying that asks a pertinent canopies and shades through which
even portray on the wheel. irrespectiv e of
mobile while for all, of all
talking on is a concern as a cause
Road safety only women
portraying
gender, and (First) 2016
Era ● May
Woman’s

he/she is a regular user of Facebook, question i.e. can we expect a thousands of gallons of water flows
Twitter, Instagram and other social prompt response from the Indian down the drains. Encourage such
networks has become a 'pride' Government in the context of industries with some incentives to
among adults.Giving feedback (Like, drought. It is sad that even after sixty have their own water-harvesting and
Invite, Comments)to all that is posted eight years of Indepen dence this conservation units. Buildings,
and displayed on the monitor screen question needs to be asked. The housing societies and even shanties
makes them feel close to each other, slogan during all these years has can accumulate water and the civic
though in reality it is not. Nowadays, been, "Save Water, Save Future". authorities can make arrangement to
members of a family hardly have time Such a slogan has negative collect the water and store it with
to talk to people at home as overtones. Thereby the successive proper arrangements.
everybody's eyes are glued to their governments have been putting the What is required is the will to do it.
mobiles, laptop or PC. (Personal onus of tackling the water crisis on In a school a teacher asked question
Computer). Mom would say that it is the people absolving themselves of to the students, 'What's the best way
easy to contact her daughter through the responsibility in a way. to tackle inflation?'. Almost all the
mobile while she is at home and Even with the shortage in rainfall students answered, 'thrift', and one
clarify her queries rather that talk to in India in any given season there is said,' we must earn more'. That logic
her in person. Such are the days still plenty of rain if proper water applies to the issue of water also. Let
ahead of us and it is high time we conservation projects are put in the slogans in respect of water be
wake up. Interrupting children or place. Why does not the central positive. Even a spendthrift realises
adults while playing games on an government as also the state the value of money when he starts
electronic device makes them violent governments take it as their earning the same on his own. So,
while this harsh nature is not obligation to have at least one new one must earn water, beginning with
revealed when disturbed otherwise. water project every year to the govern ment. Can one really
Continuous users of these, are accumulate every drop of water expect a prompt response from the
well aware of the hazards and during every monsoon? For that to government?
irreparable health problems their happen the slogan will have to be – Ramesh N. Hasgekar, Mumbai.

Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016 129

them. Then they will take us into
confidence in every stage of their
lives. Let us be role models whom
they can look up to.
– Shiny Babu, Chennai.
BAN CHILD MARRIAGES
It is unfortunate that girls below
the age of 18 years are getting
married in India despite this practice
being illegal. Further, India has the
dubious distinction of having the
highest rate of child marriages and
globally, the highest number of child fact, there are more nonagenarian
brides. It is sad to note that the rate women folk than men in India.
of decline in child marriages during But this fact, it appears, has
the last 15 years is as low as 11 per become a bane in disguise for our
cent. As per the statistics, over 50 younger generation. Todayʼs sons
per cent of child marriages are taking and daughters-in-law think it is a
place in Rajasthan, Bihar, Jharkhand, burden to look after their parents who
Madhya Pradesh, Utter Pradesh, had fondled and cuddled their
Chhattisgarh, Andhra Pradesh and offspring with utmost care and
West Bengal. unconditional love. They are at the
It is pitiable and shocking to note receiving end and left high and dry by
that as many as 2.13 lakh girls of 15 their children.
years of age are now among the In the bygone days parents were
married while 21 per cent of them regarded as demigods and
have become mothers. goddesses by their children and they
It is painful to note that according used to take care of them and return
to Protection of Children from Sexual the same love and affection they
Offenses Act 2012, girls below the once received during their childhood,
age of 18 years are not fit to have and even in their teens and
sexual freedom. Many minor girls are adulthood. But now the scenario
targeted by their own parents and seems to have become topsy-turvey.
getting them married. At this juncture I wish to cite the
Child marriages are condemnable bizarre case of my own aunt. She
as they are unfair and unhealthy to and her husband had left not a stone
the core. This prevailing practice of unturned to bring up their four
letting child marriages take place is children, all sons, decently with their
not only a legal offence but is also meagre income.
fraught with several disadvantages Now, the foursome are highly
from the health point of view of the qualified and well placed but
children. unfortunately their widowed mother is
Keeping in view the betterment being ill-treated and neglected and
and welfare of girl children, the Prime might be shifted to an old age home.
Minister and the present government What a quirk of fate!
who have been paying a great deal of Shame on them and the tribe of
attention on the issue of girl child as such Indians.
the first and foremost objective, – Amar L. Naik, Karwar.
would do well to ban child marriages.
The prize is awarded to:
– Bh. Indu Sekhar, Hyderabad. Ramesh N. Hasgekar, Mumbai.

A
woman in
Devika Bai

lodged a
IAS, collector
mentally
Kabirpanth

complaint
of Datia
tormenting
seemingly

her for years

out of his
in failing health,
her eighties i (82), approache and
Commissio
Human Rights G.P.Kabirpanthi,
Madhya Pradesh that her son
who had

palatial bungalow.
d the
n

been
District (MP) end, had finally
on She
was also
“OLD AGE – A WOMAN'S ERA
invites readers’
drive her Kumar Sambhav, giving her
chosen to

CURSE”
her grandson, He was the one plausible
added that out. had some
dly thrown
hamhande collector might have but it need
hardly
asylum. The icate his grandson

ABAD
excommun
reason to

HYDER
AT ITS WORST of the pathe
tic elderly. opinions and
This refers to the
Awful abuse
alan
By T. Rajagop

him and who

that pushing

could easily
was today, , act. Even one with
a monstrous his ruthless and
forgive him
for
out his mother
be stressed must have struggled as an inhuman,
be classified
who gave
to make him

a steely heart
heartless
act.
the family
r, 2013 when Nageswar a Rao
life to
what he
nay
will not

of the
reactions on
12 Septembe
On 10 or Akkineni colourful

article Hyderabad at its

Telugu thespian birthday with es joined
renowned his 90th
celebrating film personaliti Bharati
(ANR) was a galaxy of

articles, short stories

eclat and at the Ravindra in the
fanfare and ns effusively film producer of note in
the celebratio a Telugu cast ANR
Ironically, orti, who his
Theatre. ddi Krishnamo Son) breathed
1970s, Thammare Datta Putrudu (Adopted
at the advanced
his hit movie in Hyderabadto me and he sent
old-age home known,
last in an opus (the
above
He was personally his magnum produced other
age of 95. to witness had also news was
me four passes Theatre. He

Worst by T.
Shanti This sad I felt

and features published

movie), in like Zamindar. a corner and
l movies in old-age
successfu an English daily away in an
in his passing , admitted
reported
to know about also a film personality
distressed his son,
home. Probably old-age home. must have
ordeal it
him in a paid-up and painful namma, who
agonising
What an Kanduru Ramakrish flesh of her life
and
95-year-old son, a
been for the of the house by her town of Nelluru,
was sent
out in the bustlingshe was driven out
blood in the

in Woman’s Era. The best

After
blood of her Andhra Pradesh. outside
on the floor police

Rajagopalan, WE
district HQ
in , she lay r
a lab technician the Balajinaga fan as
by her son, information a table
On receiving a cot and
the house. arranged
the spot and m
rushed to summer. rian Ananthara
it was scorching a nonegena in his son’s
June 2013, was found locked
On the 4
delicate health,
Shetty, in

March II. I fully agree letter will be given a prize of

with the views and the facts `500. Address your letters by
E-mail to: letters@womansera.com
expressed by the author, since this is
or by post to:
the tragedy of our society today. Our
government has taken pains in all AS YOU SAY
aspects to prolong the life span of its
denizens. E-3 Jhandewala Estate,
New Delhi-110055.
According to a recent survey the Womansera.com
average life expectancy of Indian
Name:
males is 64 years and that of females
Mobile:
68 years. The number of non -
E-mail:
agenarians, is steadily on the rise. In

130 Woman’s Era ● June (First) 2016