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CityMasala December 20061

A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s South Asian

December 2006 Free Copy

Star Performers Rupesh Rawal & DJ Jafar

CityMasala’sAnniversary Celebration

Achievers’ Club: Dr. Harish Patel

Bollywood Urmilla vying for Kajra Re Fame

CRICKETThe Leo Moxey Tournament

Tête-à-tête Shahnaz Husain


Also In this Issue:21 Reel Talk22 Global Masala: The Eternal Debate24 Zed’s Feature: Straight into a Man’s World26 Auntyji Ko Pucho28 Wining and Dining30 Tech Talk: Tips for holiday shopping32 In the Kitchen: Recipes34 Body Talk

35 Star Lite Star Brite: This Month’s Horoscope

On the Cover: Star Performers! Rupesh Rawal and DJ Jafar

8 Achievers’ Club: The Healers Amongst Us10 Rupesh Rawal: A Special Thank You 12 Tête-à-tête with Shahnaz Husain 14 CityMasala Anniversary Celebration18 Cricket: The Leo Moxey Tournament

20 Bollywood: Urmila vying for Kajra Re fame

CityMasala is published by CityMasala LLC. The opinions and viewpoints of our contributors and advertisers do not necessarily refl ect those of CityMasala’s.

CityMasala disclaims any liability with respect to the use of or reliance on any such information and further disclaims any liability to any party for loss or damage

caused by errors or omissions, negligence, accident or any other cause. CityMasala reserves the right to reject any advertisement they deem unacceptable or inap-

propriate for publication in CityMasala. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and originality of content. Copyright © 2005 CityMasala LLC. All rights

reserved. Reprinting of any material without prior permission from CityMasala is prohibited.

Editor and Publisher:

Chhaya SanghaviShaphali Jain

Graphic DesignerDawn Sallas

Junior EditorSurabhi Jain

Orlando Marketing Mala Chakravorty 404-547-1989

Tampa Marketing:813-476-5415

Content Contributors:Anita SinghAshish JainJavid Lateef

Kavita TrivediMala Chakravorty

Monica BhatiaNandini Chakraborty

Nicolas AujulaSanjay PuranikShahnaz Husain

Vish Vishwanathan

Zed RehmanGuest Contributor

Dr. Jain

Published By: CityMasala LLC

Telephone 813-642-3313

Email: [email protected]

On the Web: www.citymasala.com

IN THIS ISSUEDecember 2006

A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s South Asian CityMasala

One year old and going strong! CityMasala celebrated its fi rst anniversary and the success of the magazine with a party at Shalimar Restaurant. Dinner was followed by Masala Night during which our two talented performers, Rupesh Rawal and DJ Jafar, entertained the guests with their talent and music.

Achievers’ Club introduces Dr. Harish Patel. Armed with a few degrees, Dr. Patel also teaches medicine. He has worked tirelessly not only in his profession but also to benefi t the community.

Shahnaz Husain is now a part of Team Masala. Surabhi interviews Ms. Husain and lets you into the private world of this legend of beauty products.

Read about Rupesh Rawal, who is an amazingly talented singer. We were honored to have him with us at our anniversary party.

Sheniz Janmohamed is the latest addition to Team Masala. In CityMasala’s book club, Sheniz reviews “Born on the Mountaintop” by Satyam and Freedom Malhotra.

Javid regales us with a blow by blow account of a game played by a local cricket team, India, during the Leo Moxey Tournament. Dr. Jain points us in the direction of better health through better breathing exercises that promote spiritual and physical health. This month’s Global Masala has Monica and Henry address what most desis debate about, life in India vs. the US. TechTalk extends tips on the best online bargains which help save money and time. Auntyji, now a full fl edged Florida resident, is enjoying the glorious sunshine. Even the slight cooling temperatures don’t seem to have fazed her desire to help out lost south Asian souls. Daru Ka Nasha bubbles with information on the bubbly. Surabhi dines at Deeya restaurant in Clearwater and tells us what she recommends from their menu. Sanjay writes about the importance of nutrition and why your diet takes precedence over any exercise program that you may be considering. Zed goes to a wedding as a man’s date! Turn to page 24 to let the story unravel.

We would like to remind you to submit your recommendations on who should be featured in our magazine. We appreciate and look forward to feedback from our readers and it would not be possible to cover all the deserving people of our community without your help. Write in to [email protected] or [email protected] so we may look into your recommendations.

As always, please remember to talk about CityMasala, rave about CityMasala, make your friends read CityMasala and ask for your copy of CityMasala by its name!

Chhaya Sanghavi and Shaphali Jain

MEET OUR TEAM

From Our Desk to Yours


To CityMasala,I enjoyed reading about all the team members that bring CityMasala together. Knowing a little bit more about all of you makes reading all the articles more fun! Keep up the good work!Shaheen Mirza – Orlando - FL

Q: To CityMasala,I am really excited about the upcoming Beauty articles from Shahnaz Hussain. Can we write in with questions for her and which email address should we use?Swati Misra – Ft. Lauderdale, FLA: Dear Swati,You can write in to [email protected] or [email protected] and Shahnaz will be happy to answer your questions.

To CityMasala,I read your article on Global

Masala: Desi Acronyms. This article is extremely useful for my research and I would like to use the acronyms as I am writing a book on World of Indian. Neil Raymond

Q: Where can I fi nd your publication around the USF area?Your magazine is very intriguing, I really enjoyed it cover to cover.Is it a monthly publication?Keep up the good work...ThanksAndrew Gangaram

A: You can pick up a copy of CityMasala at most south Asian stores and restaurants. You may also read the magazine online at www.citymasala.com.

FROM YOUR DESK TO OURS:

We would like to feature someone whom you think deserves to be in our Achievers’ Club column. Send in your recommendations to [email protected] or [email protected].


Dr. Harish Patel hails from Baroda, Gujarat, and talks fondly about his father, Mr. Jesangbhai Patel who, he says, played a big part not only in his education, but also the education of the entire village that he belonged to. Jesangbhai Patel was a farmer by birth, and the fi rst person in the village to have become a graduate. The senior Mr. Patel instilled the importance of education in Dr. Patel who moved to the US after completing his MS from the Baroda University Medical College to study Psychology in New Jersey. After this, Dr. Patel completed his Hematology & Oncology Fellowship from the Cancer Center in Howard University in Washington D.C. followed by Internal Medicine and a residency in D. C. General Hospital. He followed this up with a residency in Neurology from Georgetown and Howard University combined. What confi dence would such a list of qualifi cations instill in a patient – especially considering the depth of knowledge such a physician would possess!

Dr. Patel started his practice here in Florida in 1992. West Coast Neurology in St. Petersburg specializes in treatment for headaches, neck and spinal injuries, dementia, strokes, and seizures.

What makes Dr. Harish Patel truly stand out in a community that certainly has no

dearth of physicians, is the keen desire to share his knowledge and his wealth of resources with the younger generation. Dr. Patel is an Associate Professor at North Side Medical Center and about twice a week, apart from teaching his students, he also advises them on a variety of subjects. He fi nds that a lot of the students are unaware of the number of appropriate resources available as well as how to get the required information from trained professionals. Dr. Patel helps the process along by setting up a platform of guidance on how to get into the right medical schools, getting placements by utilizing his connections and in general, by helping these youngsters realize their full potential. He says he is able to help about 40 – 50 students every year and is able to get about 6-7 students placed into rotation in his network of clinics. He says that he helps these students in any way that he can to get into US or foreign Medical Schools and teaches them not to settle for less.

Dr. Patel perpetuates this practice at home as well. He selects a group of children, mostly comprising of nephews and nieces, and allocates a certain amount of money to reward them for good grades in order to encourage them to always strive to do better.

Dr. Harish Patel is an important member of the Gujarati Samaj of Tampa Bay. For the year 2006, he served as the Chairman for the Samaj. He says that ever since he has moved to Florida, he has served the committee as a volunteer in fund raising and getting the optimum number of advertisers to support the efforts of the Samaj in order to celebrate their rich cultural heritage.

Dr. Patel also volunteers his time and services to other communities through various churches and temples.

Dr. Patel has two sons whom he is extremely proud of. Keyur Patel is in Lublin, Poland, studying at the Hope Medical Institute. He says, “Keyur is the kind of person who goes the extra mile for people. In High School, he would get up an hour early to help in providing

transportation to those kids who didn’t have any way of getting to school.” His other son, Shivas Patel is 24 years old and is in real estate. “Shivas is an extremely dynamic and helpful person. He has helped countless people set up businesses and fi nd jobs. I am very proud of both my sons. They are honest, reliable and extremely hard working.” Dr. Patel’s wife of 27 years, Hema Patel, is also always involved in community work and support.

When asked what he likes to do in his spare time, Dr. Patel says, “I really like helping people. I also like to read and am particularly interested in politics, US & Indian.” When presented with the omnipresent dilemma of every immigrant, what do you miss about your homeland, he replies, “The lifestyle and the closeness amongst family, friends and neighbors.” He likes to go back to India every other year.

Dr. Patel concluded his interview with an interesting anecdote which bears credence to his dedication as a healer. He says that a few years ago, an 18 year old patient was brought into his care. He had been shot accidentally in the heart. He was admitted into the ICU and for 7 days, countless doctors and nurses administered care and shared their opinions about his condition. At the end of the week, all the doctors gave up on him and pronounced him brain dead. Dr. Patel persisted because he felt that his brain was still salvageable. The patient’s family chose to have faith in Dr. Patel who eventually treated this patient into full recovery due to his expertise in the fi eld. The boy lives today and is a successful actor in New York. Dr. Patel may be contacted via email: [email protected] and by telephone: 727-528-2272.

If you would like to recommend someone whom you think should be in our Achievers’ Club column, please write in with your recommendations to [email protected] or [email protected].

Achievers’ Club The Healers Amongst Us

Dr. Harish Patel


Rupesh used to skip school so that he could spend time on his own music.

He has had the opportunity of being the keyboard player during one of Nusrat Fateh Ali Khan’s shows.

Rupesh’s second album, Tere Jaisi, was released in April of 2006.

Feedback on his albums: People across all age groups love the simplicity of his work.

Rupesh has worked tirelessly towards his career for the past 15 years. He now wants to fi nd a soul mate. Any takers?

Rupesh has also had the opportunity of performing with Asha Bhonsle.

Rupesh has recently recorded a Bollywood

song with his childhood pal, Sukhbir, (of Dhoom 2 fame) and is awaiting the release of the movie.Rupesh Rawal is an Aries. Ladies – would you like to check out those matrimonial charts?

Rupesh Rawal was awarded the title of Cultural Ambassador by the former Prime Minister of the Republic of Kenya, Daniel Arap Moi.

From age 14 to age 16, Rupesh composed 8 songs and recorded his own album in Dubai.

Rupesh’s childhood was surrounded by music. Both his parents are musicians and he could play whatever he heard from the age of 6.

Rupesh has performed on stage in over 14 countries and has done over 500 shows.

Rupesh considers himself to be a musician before a singer.

Rupesh’s fi rst album, Pehli Nazar, was released in 1998 in North America and England.

Rupesh’s albums are created by him for the love of music and for what is in his heart.

If Rupesh had not become a musician, he would have most certainly become a chef, or an interior designer. A creative person, he says that he is not cut out for the 9-5 life style!

Rupesh Rawal: A Special Thank YouBy: Shaphali Jain

Rupesh is a modest 33 year old whose love for his art pours forth in every facet of his life. He lives, breathes and works for his art tirelessly. When CityMasala requested him to be a part of their fi rst Anniversary Celebration, he made time in his busy schedule to accommodate this request and we got to see a side of him that deserves to be revealed to all of our readers. That such talent and dedication to art exists in our midst here in Florida is something to celebrate and with that in mind, here is a side of Rupesh Rawal that may not be apparent to all…

If you would you like to book Rupesh Rawal for your next celebration or to just set up a mehfi l, call him at 386-882-1462 or visit his website at www.rupeshrawal.net.


CityMasala is honored to have Ms. Shahnaz Husain as a part of our amazing team. Beauty – The Shahnaz Way will now be a regular column in which Ms. Husain will share some of her world famous tips on skin and hair care with our readers.

A warm smile, oodles of confi dence and a visible passion for natural skincare and beauty, Shahnaz Husain is a lady who can take one look at you and predict your skincare and beauty habits. Married at the tender age of 15, a mother by the time she was 16, Shahnaz Husain has come a long way. Today, she is the humble owner of the largest, one of a kind chain of globally located lifestyle shops featuring her Ayurvedic skincare products. She owns training institutes, spas, and has a name that stands for a global brand. CityMasala had the chance to have a tête-à-tête with the goddess of skin care and this is what she had to say… Beauty according to you is… A total impact. A beautiful woman is not necessarily one who has been endowed with classic features, but one who values herself physically, mentally, emotionally and spiritually. She is a real and vital person, who leaves behind a lingering fragrance of her personality. I always say, “There should be beauty power, brain power and spiritual power!”

Secret Mantra for timeless beauty spells…Total well being of body, mind and soul. Cosmetics help only 20%. Good physical and mental health makes up 80% of true beauty. The external body condition is a barometer of internal health. Timeless beauty, radiance and vitality come from physical fi tness, a nutritious diet, regular exercise and freedom from stress.

The most dangerous mistake people make with their skin and hair care is… Subjecting their skin and hair to the abuse of chemical ingredients and treatments. The human body is natural and best treated by nature.Your principle of “Care and Cure”says…That beauty lies in the good health of skin and hair. Through the principle of “Care and Cure” we offer protective, preventative and corrective beauty care, based on the holistic healing system of Ayurveda. I rejected “Color and Cover” and adopted “Care and Cure.”Just before hitting the bed, one should… Cleanse. Night-time cleansing is a must to remove all the impurities and pollutants that have been deposited on the skin during the day. Nourish the skin with a “skin-food” cream, if the skin is normal to dry. Remove all creams with moist cotton wool, so that the skin can “breathe” during the night and allow the body’s restoration and repair work to take over.Receiving the coveted Padma Shri award… Makes me feel honored. I have dedicated 35 years of my life and career to promoting my country with total devotion and a crusader’s zeal. I have always believed that India has so much to offer to the rest of the world. I have received much international acclaim, but receiving one of the highest civilian awards and recognition from my own country is the greatest honor. It has made my relentless efforts truly worthwhile.

Cosmetic surgery… Makes me think of the risks involved.

Avoid it if you can and rely on nature and natural remedies.

Daily makeup… Is part of good grooming. It imparts self-confi dence. Beauty is a matter of looking and feeling good. Daily make-up is easier if the skin is clear. How can the artist paint a beautiful picture if the canvas is not clean? Removing make-up before bedtime is as important as knowing how to put it on. Skincare over the past 10 years has…Made us look at nature with enlightened eyes. Nature is the best cosmetologist. An entire range of beauty products exist in nature and Ayurveda tells us how best to go about it.

Your biggest strength is… My relentless determination, iron will power, steel grit, ability for sheer hard work and inner spiritual strength.

Your biggest weakness is…My emotional and sentimental nature.

The healthiest skin that I have seen is … Madhubala. She had the most beautiful translucent skin. Among the other stars, Dimple has timeless beauty, Aishwarya and Kareena have good, healthy skin.

If not a beauty expert, Shahnaz Husain would have been… Cannot dream of being anybody other than who I am. My work is not merely my career. It is the sole purpose of my existence.

Joining the CityMasala team…Would be an enjoyable association for both of us.

A Beautiful Woman Values Herself

Physically, Mentally, Emotionally And

Spiritually.

Beauty The Shahnaz Way By: Surabhi Jain


November 18, 2006, CityMasala celebrated its first Anniversary with a formal party with dinner followed by Masala Night, a “By-Invitation” event. Invited guests included advertisers who have supported CityMasala since its inception one year ago, as well as people who have been featured in the magazine. Hosts, Chhaya Sanghavi and Shaphali Jain, along with Ashish Jain, Javid Lateef, Sanjay Puranik and Surabhi Jain represented Team Ma-sala.CityMasala wanted to commemorate its anniversary with an effort to honor those people who contribute to its success. We have worked very hard to get where we are but the sup-port that we have received has been phenomenal. CityMasala, now a household name, has made a distinct mark in Florida. Anu and Satbir, owners of Shalimar Restaurant, made the experience truly memorable with their excellent food, gra-cious hospitality and warmth. Guests were made to feel at home and individual needs were catered to in the most ac-commodating manner possible. The evening started out with a variety of appetizers followed by dinner. CityMasala’s trademark event, Masala Night, followed the wonderful dinner. The evening’s highlight was provided by the entertainment for the evening. DJ Jafar and singer, Rupesh Rawal, put on a show that prevented even the shy-est of guests from sitting and looking on. Masala Night was sponsored in part by Western Union and the lucky draw prizes included gift certificates from Shali-mar Restaurant, Hair Color Experts and Apna Bazar.Rupesh kicked off Masala Night with a soulful rendition of Himesh Reshamiya’s Aashiq Banaya and got the dancing enthusiasts off to a fabulous start. Even while tables and chairs were being cleared away, people squeezed them-selves in between to encourage the process along. Before the song ended, the vast majority of the people had de-scended to the dance floor asking for more. Rupesh obliged with Kajra Re and Dhoom Macha le and the crowd went Contd. On Page 16


CityMasala December 200616 CityMasala December 200616


I am devoting this article to local cricket and to the exploits of the Indian cricket team that plays in the Leo Moxey tournament that is presently going on.

The Leo Moxey is an offshoot of the Red Stripe Competition, which is loosely based on the old West Indian tournament. In 2004, the League obtained sponsorship from Winston Moxey, owner of Bowerbank Income Tax & Accounting Services, Inc. of Orlando, a long time supporter of cricket in Central Florida, and it was agreed that the name of the tournament would be changed from Red Stripe to Leo Moxey in memory of his deceased brother, Leo. This year, ten teams are involved in the competition, their makeup being representative of the West Indian countries and India. They are: Antigua, Barbados, CFCL Select (A youth team), Guyana, India, Jamaica, Rest of the World, Trinidad & Tobago, USA Select & Windies United. The teams are divided into two groups with each team playing the other group members on a home and away basis. At the end of the regular competition, the top two teams in each group compete on a knockout basis. The fi nal match is on February 4, 2007. That being said, our story begins on a cloudy, overcast Sunday morning as we make our way to Poinciana to take on Trinidad & Tobago in a crucial tie. We had narrowly lost the previous game against Jamaica and were determined to put up a better show this weekend. Our team, last Sunday, was led by Sanjay Puranik, who was captaining for the fi rst time in this particular tournament. The team consisted of players from 4 different

teams in the Central Florida region. The toss was won by Trinidad and Tobago and they decided to bat fi rst.

Our opening bowlers, Satish Konduri and Yogesh Mahadeviah, bowled a neat spell and we restricted them to 30 odd in the fi rst 10 overs. After a breakthrough by yours truly, there was a 2nd wicket partnership of 50 odd runs (between Laggan and Rasheed). Our bespectacled Kranti Vijay, a Dilip Doshi like left arm spinner, was in his element yet again. He has been the bowling fi nd of this season and he spun a web around the batsmen,

not allowing them any room to score at all. He fi nally had Laggan driving uppishly to mid-on for Ravi to take an easy catch and, with the very next ball, dismissed Ray Mohan. Jigar Desai took over for Kranti, who had the remarkable fi gures of 7overs-1maiden-12 runs-2 wickets. Jigar ran through the T&T middle order by taking 4 wickets. The ground fi elding was excellent and though they scored heavily in the last few overs, we restricted them to 169 runs.

It was our turn to bat and Avinash Puranik and Nikhil More opened the innings for us. They made slow but steady progress, adding 55 runs until Avi was bowled by a ball that turned in

sharply. Kranti joined Nikhil and they pushed the score up to 100 with good running and a few boundary hits. Nikhil was judged LBW, rather harshly, I might add, and to add insult to injury, he was 2 short of his half century .We were 100/2. This is when Amit Dehra went into bat. He had fi elded brilliantly in the outfi eld and he walked to the crease with us needing 70 runs at a run rate of about 7 runs/over. He started off with a bang, slamming the fi rst ball he faced to long-on for a boundary. He then farmed the bowling, running very aggressively

between the wickets. Kranti was run-out for a well made 22 and Ravi, Sanjay and I followed in quick succession. Amit never let up. He was always on the lookout, stealing that extra run when fi elders were not expecting it and cleverly working the ball around the fi eld. When I fell, we were looking at a run rate of over 8 an over for the next 3 overs, to win the game. Amit made a mockery of it by slamming a huge 6 over widish long-

on. Jigar and Amit brought the game home with 3 balls to spare in the last over. A match winning knock by Amit - one that we will not forget for a long time to come.

It was a nail biting, toe clenching fi nish to an amazing game, and as the winning runs were scored we all rushed into the fi eld towards Amit and Jigar. It is for moments like these that we play the game. The camaraderie on this particular Indian team is amazing and here’s wishing all the guys (moi, included) the very best for the remainder of games to be played. I will end this piece with a quote by the man of the match, Amit Dehra (tongue-in-cheek), “East or West India is the best!!”

Cricket The Leo Moxey Tournament By: Javid Lateef

The man of the match, Amit Dehra (right) withJigar Desai (left).


It’s all in the name!Amitabh Bachchan, who recently turned 64, has been in the news a lot lately. Firstly, he created cinematic record by completing 23 scenes in 5 hours. Then he was honored by Delhi University with a Ph.D. in literature for his contribution to Indian Cinema. Next he was in the House of Commons in London as the brand ambassador for the IIFA Awards. He also announced that he, Jaya and Abhishek will be acting together in a forthcoming Yashraj fi lm directed by Pradeep Sarkar of Parineeta fame. Family always comes fi rst for the Bachchans, it seems. He announced to the world that he was eager for Abhishekh to get married so that he could look forward to a male grandchild! Don’t you already have a male grandchild, Mr. Bachchan? Or does the fact that he is not a Bachchan make the difference?

Don…once again!Remakes and sequels have suddenly become quite hot in Bollywood! And apna Don-2 seems to be the latest star to get interested in this trend. King Khan says, “I suggested the idea of Don 2 to Farhan since ‘Don ko pakadna mushkil hi nahi namumkin hai!’ … if the audience likes it lets do another Don.” If Shahrukh has his way, we may

see Don sequels and Don merchandise for several years to come! Can we handle it?

Can you name the highest paid actor in Bollywood?No, it’s not a Bachchan or a Khan – it’s Hrithik Roshan! Almost written-off by show business after several fl ops, the phenomenal success of Krrish led to Hrithik signing an unbelievable deal with the Anil Ambani controlled Adlabs group – Rs. 35 crores for 3 fi lms. Now he is the uncontested highest paid actor in Bollywood! The Roshans can now wave cheerily at their detractors as they laugh all the way to the bank!

Amir Turns Director… Again!Famous for interfering in every fi lm he acts in,

the latest scoop on the perfectionist Amir Khan is that he had a major showdown with Amol Gupte, the director of his home production, Taare Zameen Par. Amir will direct the fi lm himself even though the credits may show Gupte as director. Defi nitely not a fi rst for Amir!

Himesh’s new AvatarAfter topping all music charts for nearly two years, Himesh Reshammiya has decided to try his hand at acting. Titled Aap Ka Suroor - The Real Love Story, produced by Vijay Taneja and directed by Prashant Chadha, the fi lm will launch two new faces. According to Himesh, the fi lm is a dramatic love story inspired by his life and will reveal why he never smiles, why his beloved leaves him at the end of every music video, and most importantly, why he always wears a hat!

Mehbooba MehboobaThe latest addition to Ram Gopal Varma’s Sholay is Abhishek Bachchan in a very special appearance. He will dance to Mehbooba Mehbooba á la Jalal Agha style while Urmila Matondkar will clone Helen. The senior Bachchan, playing Gabbar, will look on lasciviously. Urmila is very excited about having both the Bachchans

together for her dance perhaps hoping this will bring her the attention Kajra Re did for Aishwarya!

Salman -- Rajshri’s mascot?Salman Khan has been associated with the Rajshris since Sooraj Barjatya’s fi rst fi lm, Maine Pyar Kiya. All of Barjatya’s fi lms starring Salman have done well except for Main Prem Ki Diwani Hoon, which did not feature Salman, and was a miserable fl op. This time, Sooraj does not want to take any chances so Salman Khan has been co-opted into the fi lm in a unique way. The very fi rst frame of Vivah will have a poster of Salman! Hopefully Salman as a mascot will bring as much luck as Dharma Production’s mascots Kajol and Rani, bring to Karan Johar!

Ajay Directs Kajol!Ajay Devgan has been waiting to direct a fi lm for a long time. Raju Chacha, which was directed by his cousin Anil Devgan carried allegations that Ajay actually ghost directed the fi lm. Finally he is all set to direct a fi lm starring his Kajol. Devgan will play the lead role. This will be the star couple’s sixth movie together. Hopefully taking over the baton on the sets will not lead to confl icts on the home front!

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Sid (Rahul) is a local disc jockey who dreams of making it big one day. He meets Trisha (Mallika) at her own wedding where she ends up being the runaway bride! A few months later the two meet again, become friends, and eventually fall in love.. Three years into their relationship Trisha unexpectedly proposes to Sid during a cricket match. Confused and not ready to commit to marriage, Sid does not respond well to the marriage proposal and they break up. Trisha considers marrying her friend, Vivek (Jas Arora), a local businessman while Sid dates a music video girl, Tanya (Sophie), to get over each other. Will Sid and Trisha be able to clear up their misunderstandings and will Sid be able to commit to Trisha before it’s too late?

Debutant director Saket Chaudhury’s comedy focuses on the issues of love, commitment and marriage. These serious issues are dealt with humor and wit in a light hearted manner keeping the audience entertained and involved.

Rahul Bose is hilariously funny as Sid, and plays the confused and harassed lover brilliantly. Mallika sheds her sultry pouting image and plays

the role of a simple girl convincingly well whilst Sophie fi lls the void in the fi lm by oozing sex

appeal as the music item girl.

The music score by Pritam is average with a couple of foot tapping tracks. Overall, a funny adult comedy which will have you laughing. Highly Recommended.

The Indian police force embarks on a huge cat and mouse chase to capture Don (SRK), the ruthless drug mafi a king in Malaysia. Don becomes seriously injured in a police encounter and Vijay, his look-alike, is sent in to bring down the gang. When the man shielding Vijay’s identity is killed, Vijay fi nds himself being hunted by both the police and the gang. He decides to enlist the help of the glamorous Roma (Priyanka) and ex-prisoner, Jasjeet (Arjun), who have their own personal scores to settle with Don.

Director Farhan Akhtar’s third release is a slick remake of an Amitabh Bachchan classic. Technically, the fi lm appeals due to its edgy style, its exciting thrills, visuals, polished special effects and its modern spin on the original. The characters, however, lack detail and don’t quite have that unique quality which stood out

in the original 1978 classic. The brilliantly executed action and chase sequences and a surprise twist in the movie make up for some of the shortcomings.

Shah Rukh Khan steps into legendary Amitabh Bachchan’s shoes for the fi rst time. He plays both parts well while adding his own personal style and excels in the negative shades of the character. His dialogues are crisp, but not quite as intense and

convincing as the great Mr Bachchan’s. Kareena dazzles in the re-mixed item song Ye Mere Dil.

Don may not match up to the classic original, but this visually stylish suspense thriller will appeal to the younger masses. Worth Watching.

Bollywood Movie ReviewsBy Kavita Trivedi

Sana Azim (Kangana Ranaut) is a beautiful actress loved by millions of fans. However, her success and popularity are exploited by her superstar boyfriend, Nikhil (Shaad Randhawa), who uses her both physically and to make money. Struggling fi lm maker Aditya (Shinney Ahuja) is desperate for a hit and uses Sana by casting her in his fi lm for his own personal gain. After working with her he sees the caring and vulnerable side of Sana and falls in love with her. Loneliness, fear and insecurities slowly drive Sana to madness and she disappears from the limelight. Months later, Aditya receives a call that the woman he once loved is fi ghting for her life in a hospital after trying to commit suicide.

The issues of love, loss and despair are handled brilliantly in this fi lm and tell the story of director Mahesh Bhatt’s turbulent relationship with a schizophrenic actress, the late Parveen Babi.

Despite having only one fi lm to her credit (Gangster), Kangana Ranaut shows maturity as Sana and her emotional portrayal of schizophrenic Sana is tearfully fantastic. Shinney Ahuja excels as the arrogant Aditya, and turns in a confi dent performance. Debutant, Shaad Randhawa makes a good effort with the negative aspects of his role.

An excellent music score has been produced by composer Pritam with the funky beats of Kya mujhe pyaar hai as the most popular.

Woh Lamhe is a touching and hard hitting drama that follows one woman’s plight into self destruction. Above all, it is Mahesh Bhatt’s emotional tribute to the woman he loved and lost.

Highly Recommended.

R E LE T A L KDon

Dir: Farhan Akhtar Cast: Shah Rukh Khan, Arjun Rampal, Priyanka Chopra, Isha Koppikar and Kareena Kapoor

Pyaar Ke Side EffectsDir: Saket Chaudhury Cast: Rahul Bose, Mallika Sherawat, Sophie Chaudhury, Jas Arora

Woh LamheDir: Mohit Suri Cast: Shinney Ahuja, Kangana Ranaut and Shaad Randhawa





Cool Quotient: US versus India – A thought provoking article by a multi cultural coupleWhat do all immigrant desis have in common?

“Comparing” the two countries – India versus the US.

According to psychologists everywhere, humans are extremely adaptable creatures. We desis, in particular, are endlessly adaptable and can adjust to practically any condition within a certain physical range. People say things like “I couldn’t live a day without being able to see my favorite TV program,” or “I couldn’t live without electricity and running water,” but when these things are not available they adjust and continue living.

A move from India to the US means non-stop supply of water and electricity, no cows on the roads and no chaos! The organization is shocking! Where are the crowds? Where is the endless supply of

everything you need (and don’t need) being sold by street vendors? The ears can go numb with the absolute silence here.

Yet, we miss and talk about being Indian all the time. What is it that we miss? Ask anyone and they will say things like giving gaalis, the noise pollution, festivals, maids, and the life of a maharajah or family.

These days, every south Asian Indian I know is looking for an opportunity to invest in India; either in real estate, the services sector or simply investing in blue chip companies. The return on investment is booming across all sectors. Millions of dollars are being sent by NRIs to India every year.

Is life in America really better than life in India, or is it just a different set of problems? I think there is no simple answer to this. In India, life is a constant battle, and some of the less tolerable issues are:

• Nothing works in terms of

infrastructure.• Everyone is overly interfering. • Everything is chaotic and noisy.

In America life is a battle too. The “issues” seem fewer but they can be formidable:

• There is never enough time for anything.

• There is not much in the way of culture.

• Everyone wants immediate gratifi cation.

In India, the time crunch is being felt more and more as the country develops. Nobody has time anymore, and managing time becomes the single most important skill required for becoming successful and staying “on top” of things.

The key would then have to be in our attitude. Wherever you choose to live, there should be some balance in your life. There should be freedom to live in harmony with loved ones and to indulge in a great discussion over a hot cuppa coffee about life in India versus the US.

Health Talk Deep breathing is associated with deep benefi ts - spiritual as well as physical. It is a well known fact that most of our problems manifest themselves because of insuffi cient oxygen in our blood stream. I thought it would be benefi cial to cover some of the basic breathing exercises that can bring about a change in lifestyle as well as concentration levels. They take only a few minutes a day and can be done while driving, in bed or at work.

By: Dr. Adarsh Jain

Breathing Exercises Alternate Nostril

Breathing: Sit with your eyes closed. With the left thumb, close the left

nostril. Inhale and exhale deeply and slowly from the right

nostril. With the index fi nger of the right hand, close the right nostril and release thumb from left nostril. Inhale and exhale slowly and fully. Take at least 10 deep breaths from each nostril. Alternate nostrils and repeat these steps for three to ten minutes.

Abdominal Breathing Sit comfortably with a straight posture, or lie down on your back with your lower back pressed down on the fl oor.

Inhale while pushing the abdomen out and expanding the lungs to their maximum capacity. Then exhale while contracting the abdominal muscles in. When exhaling, think that your belly button is pressing down on the fl oor. This maneuver expands the lower part of the lungs.

Bellows Breathing (Kapaal Bhati)Exhale completely and follow by inhaling deeply. Next expel brief, rapid and forceful abdominal exhalations alternating with relaxed effortless inhalations up to ten times. Gradually, the number of forceful exhalations can be increased to 30-50 times.

Deep BreathingStand with your feet apart at approximately shoulder width distance.

Extend your arms to the side, left palm facing upwards and right palm facing downwards. Breathe deeply and regularly until the strain on the arms and shoulders is unbearable. Raise the extended arms slowly until your hands meet. Then lower the arms and relax. This allows the chest to open and expand fully.

BastrikaSit comfortably with your eyes closed. Join hands and raise them to shoulder level. While inhaling, stretch arms upwards and open out hands then join hands together again and bring them down. This maneuver must be repeated forcefully and rapidly fi fteen to twenty times in quick succession. Follow this by resting and breathing normally for a minute or two. This cycle is to be repeated three to four times.

By: Monica Bhatia Groover & Henry Grover Global Masala

Many of us breathe too fast. This fast, shallow breathing expels carbon dioxide too quickly and has many bad effects on our physical and emotional health. When our breathing is deep and involves not only the respiratory muscles of the chest but also the belly, lower ribcage, and lower back, our breathing slows down. This slower and deeper breathing helps to turn on our “relaxation response.” Such breathing helps to harmonize our nervous system and reduce the amount of stress in our lives. This, of course, has a positive impact on our overall health. Please feel free to write in with comments or questions to [email protected]


If there is anything I hate more than girls, more than the color pink, even more than people not being punctual, it’s weddings. This is mainly because a great number of giggling girls attend these functions, many of whom insist on wearing the color pink in some form or the other, and by God, I have yet to attend a wedding where the bride turns up at the allotted time. Some, if I may add, aren’t even fashionably late and end up looking like overly dressed up transvestites. And after embarrassing myself at the last wedding, where I mistook the groom’s mother’s ‘big bone’ body structure for being pregnant, I vowed I would, never, ever, EVER, attend another matrimonial event.

Of all the weird and exciting friends I socialize with, Joshua takes the crown for being the wackiest of all. His form of transportation is a vintage Vespa, he has a tattoo near his butt cleavage that reads ‘nice view?’, and if he ever eats peas, he does so only in even numbers. An amazing violinist, he frequently performs with the London Symphony Orchestra but currently thinks Paris Hilton’s new album is ‘pretty amazing’. Now, that’s just crazy talk, but then again, he is gay.

Joshua has asked me to meet him at our favorite French café in West London on a Saturday afternoon. ‘You must come. I demand it’ he says. ‘You must be out of your mind if you think I’m going to a wedding as your date’ I reply. ‘Don’t upset me, Zed. You wouldn’t want to see me upset’ he barks at me. ‘Or else what, your eyes will go green?’ I question. Before I knew it, Joshua had leapt out of his chair, yanked me off of mine, and pinned me to the fl oor with my arm bending in a way I did not think was possible. The eyes of the bewildered customers focus on me as I scream for help. But no help comes my way as Joshua’s sheer size is quite intimidating to approach. All I could hear was him

shouting ‘SAY YES. SAY YES, DAMMIT!!’ I would either have to say yes or lose my arm forever. And I love my arm.

Two weeks to the day, I fi nd myself waiting for Joshua outside the Hilton hotel in Park Lane. As we aren’t close family, we attend the reception where Joshua’s friends and peers greet him with cheers and salutations. A man, freakishly resembling Kevin Spacey says, ‘Ah. Josh. So this is the cheese you’ve been hiding for three months. I love your D&G suit, young man’. His comment is followed by a wink. ‘You’ve been hiding me Joshua?’ I ask. ‘You only bring out diamonds in the evening’ he replies to the Spacey look-a-like. ‘Ethan is that diamond and this Jack Squared wedding reception is that special evening’, he further elaborates. At this point, I am confused as hell. I give Joshua a stare, which speaks the sentence, ‘I want answers now’. Joshua pulls me back a little and whispers in my ear, ‘I had to lie to my friends that I’ve been dating a guy called Ethan, when in fact, he doesn’t even exist. And, when the Jack Squared wedding was announced, they all wanted to see him’. ‘But I don’t even look like an Ethan. Why did you choose me?’ I ask. ‘Because you’re the nearest thing to a closet homosexual’ he responds! I feel the intense urge to slap him but instead I say, (remembering how much I love my arm) ‘And why is this a ‘Jack Squared’ wedding?’ I ask. ‘The grooms are both called Jack’ he replies.

Accepting an orange juice from a waiter that passes by, I begin to put things into perspective. I am the pretend date for a gay man, at a gay wedding, with gay guests, and am wearing clothes by gay designers. My day could not BE any gayer even if Elton John made a guest appearance.

At the dinner table, I eat with a number of Joshua’s friends. He is clearly liked by everyone. They praise his work all

evening and it becomes apparent that he needed a date just to ensure he kept face. Such a talented musician can never be seen alone. I had never been surrounded by so many gay men before (of course, there were women present but they were heavily out numbered) and any other man in my place would’ve left the table when heated discussions about which James Bond looked best topless, started. But I stay to ensure Sean Connery is chosen.

I realize as I sit there that I should feel uncomfortable and perhaps a little intimidated. Many of them are highly successful and wealthy musicians, but I don’t. For the very fi rst time I can openly talk to not one, but a whole group of men, on our masculine attitude towards life, the fi re that fuels our envy on women having the best clothes, openly quote verse from musical legends, share tips on the best moisturizers and of course, how Hugh Jackman wouldn’t last one minute if he was dancing on top of our table. Well, the others raise the last point. I just gracefully nod a lot.

As our evening comes to a close, Joshua and I bid the guys farewell and make our way towards the nearest subway station. Shoving my shoulder as we reach the platform, Joshua smiles and looks at me. ‘Thanks for tonight, Zed. I appreciate you giving me your evening. The guys loved you’. ‘Of course they loved me’, I reply, ‘I’m super cool. Everyone loves me’. ‘I know. I think I love you too’ he says very slowly. I’m not sure if laughing in someone’s face is the standard reaction in such a situation, but that’s what I end up doing. And hard. Joshua however is not laughing at all and I realize he is being honest with me. As we board our train, we share an awkward silence. ‘I don’t think it would’ve worked out to be honest’ I tell him. ‘I think we’d argue over who would wear the trousers in the relationship’.

Straight Into A Man’s World By Zed Rahman


Q: Auntyji, I have a very big problem with my sister-in-law. She and my husband share a very close relationship because they lost their father at a very young age. She likes to control my husband’s every decision down to what kind of house we should buy and how we should decorate it. I can’t take it anymore. I have tried to talk to my husband but he says that I have to respect her. Respect is one thing and ownership is another. What should I do? Ready to Erupt in Orlando

A: Dear Ready to Erupt: Life will be easier for both you and you husband if you put a cork in it and calm down. When children lose parents at a young age, they become very dependent upon, and close to, one another, especially if there are only two of them. You will have to start accepting that they have a close relationship, otherwise you will drive your husband away. Auntyji thinks that your sister-in-law is probably only trying to give your husband the benefi t of her wisdom and support. You should be appreciative of this instead of whining like a spoiled child. Try to sit down with both of them to communicate more openly and you might be surprised at how she may welcome you into the decision making process. Remember – you catch more fl ies with honey than with vinegar. If all else fails, you can then try to persuade your husband to move - to a place far away from your sister-in-law.

Q: Auntyji, I am writing to you because

I like your common sense advice. I have recently moved to the US to join my husband here. I have left behind a very exciting and fulfi lling career in India and after having lived here for almost a year, I am beginning to feel a little depressed. I cannot work in this country because of my visa status and it is very disheartening to fi nd that my qualifi cations and experience amount to nothing here. How can I keep myself from stagnating?

Rusting Away in Miami

A: Do not despair my dear. This is just a temporary phase and will pass. Sometimes we all have to make sacrifi ces. Yours was to leave your career to follow your husband to this country. He could have come to you in India and you would still have your “exciting and fulfi lling career.” This could have left him feeling resentful about having left America. Do not be like those people who waste their whole life vacillating between where they want to live and never be happy.If this land of opportunity is going to be your future home, then be patient my dear girl. The time will come when you will be legally allowed to work. In the meantime, you can enhance your qualifi cations with refresher courses or just enjoy the free time you have now with some hobbies or other activities that you never had time to do earlier. Make some new friends or volunteer your time. If this doesn’t work for you, you can always count on Oprah and bon bons in the afternoon.

Q: Auntyji, my nephew is immigrating to the US with his wife and two children this winter. He does not have too many professional or employable skills and not too much spare money either. I am worried how he will survive here.Concerned Aunt in Jacksonville

A: Arre bahen, Auntyji knows exactly how you feel. You want them to come here and do well yet you are concerned because it is not easy. If you try to make your nephew aware of all the pitfalls that await him, he will not be able to fully understand what you mean. We have all had to go through various struggles in our lives and only those of us who have settled down in this country, can fully appreciate the countless sacrifi ces we have had to make to fully assimilate ourselves here. So, instead of stressing out, just letthem carve their own path and experiencetrue life in the United States of America.If they make it, you have another placeto go to for weekend dinners and get-togethers, and if they don’t, they have only themselves to blame.

On this note, Auntyji bids her readers alvida and waits to hear from you at [email protected]. Don’t forget, life is short – live it to the full with attitude!

Auntyji is enjoying the discovery of Florida and its offerings. Just the other day, she enjoyed her dirty martini in sunny 80 degree weather in South Beach while New York was having a winter snow storm! She feels so glad that she has made this move. In South Beach, like in Soho in New York, every corner was fi lled with beautiful people speaking foreign languages. Auntyji felt like she was at home in New York… except this was cleaner and warmer. One realization did hit her though – in this warm weather there is no hiding under layers of clothing, so one has to always try to maintain a good looking body.

Speaking of a good body - Auntyji is reminded of the hunky trainer, Yul. She is trying to convince him to take some time off from his busy schedule of fl exing muscles and laying on the beach to pose for CityMasala magazine. His good looks and great physique will provide a lot of inspiration. Can you believe this? He has never eaten a cheeseburger in his life - he is scared that if he eats it once he might like it and then want to eat it again and again, and then what would happen to his beautifully carved body?

Living in Florida defi nitely has certain advantages. There is no state income tax, groceries are slightly cheaper than up in the northeast, restaurants are cheaper, people are friendlier, weather is nicer and cities are cleaner. Florida is also the cruise capital of the world and Auntyji intends to make full use of this. Nothing can beat the sensation of fl oating on the ocean, basking in the sun, listening to your I-pod and waiting for your next huge meal.

Auntyji Ko Pucho By: Auntyji


A simple man with a simple mission: Aftab Singh’s (owner) desire is to serve authentic north Indian food in its most mouth-watering form. A chef par

excellence, Aftab Singh took over Deeya Indain Cuisine from its previous owner, Satish Nair, about 6 months ago. Aftab Singh has revamped the restaurant right from the menu, seating arrangement, and the service. He says, “I wanted to give a different fl avor not just to the food we serve at Deeya, but also in terms of the entire experience that our customers have here.”

Make sure you have a huge appetite for every imaginable north Indian delicacy on the menu. For appetizers, do not miss the chicken tikka, keema samosa, chicken pakoda and the chef’s recommendation - hot cheese pakoda made with home-made paneer.

In the drinks area, there is lassi, mango and regular, and a variety of alcohol ranging from Indian beer, wine and soda.

The main courses have 13 chicken dishes for the poultry lovers ranging from chicken tikka, tandoori chicken, chicken kashmiri, chicken do pyaza, chicken vindaloo and Deeya’s special tikka masala. However, butter chicken is the favorite of most people who frequent the restaurant. “Butter chicken is one dish that I always cook myself no matter how may orders we have in the day” says Aftab.

A wide variety of lamb and sea-food dishes are also available. Vegetarians can indulge in equally inviting treats ranging from kadhai matar paneer, shahi paneer masala, bhindi masala, aloo gobi,

mushroom masala and even the mughlai malai kofta on the platter. The authentic sarson da saag at Deeya Indian Cuisine will leave you wanting more.

Remember to keep enough space for those not-to-miss desserts. Home made pistachio and mango kulfi , warm gulab jamuns, kheer loaded with dry fruits are among the many sweet delicacies offered at Deeya.

Deeya Indian Cuisine offers a daily lunch buffet at $8.55 and also specializes in catering.

Deeya Indian Cuisine is located at 5166 E Bay Dr. Clearwater, FL 33764 and the phone number is 727-539-0273.

DAARU KA NASHA It’s the time of the year when we get into the “spirit” of the holiday season. Eggnog is a drink associated with this festive season and in my mind, this drink was probably discovered by someone with a huge need for adrenalin in their system or way too much time on their hands. Many believe that eggnog is a tradition that was brought to America from Europe. Later, here in America, a new twist was added to this wine and milk punch where rum was substituted for wine. In colonial America, rum was commonly called “grog”, so the name eggnog came about. I have tried it and that is all I have to say about it!

Another event to look forward to during this season is the advent of the New Year and as tradition dictates, we drink champagne at midnight to bring in this occasion. I have an interesting champagne story which happened way too long ago to me, back in desh. At that time, the only champagne available was an import from Russia. So, armed with this priceless booty from a foreign land, we made our way to Jaipur to celebrate New Year’s Eve with our friends. As we were all pretty new at the drinking game, we shook the bottle really well before opening it. The fi nal result was that once the carpet and fl oor was done with our priceless

foreign booty, we all got to have a “little sip”. Till date we have no clue where the darned cork went.

Sparkling wine and champagne usually refer to the same drink but real champagne comes from the Champagne region of France. Both champagne and sparkling wine are made with a blend of Chardonnay and Pinot Noir grapes. Champagnes and sparkling wines are classifi ed according to their sweetness. Natural - not sweet and very dry; brut -a little sweet and dry; extra dry - often fl avored with fruit; and pink or blush – sweet.

Let’s take a look at the different brands of champagnes and sparkling wines according to their pecking order (aka price):Cooks, Korbel, Moet & Chandon or Bollinger are the more affordable ones and if you truly have deep pockets, go for the Dom Perignon or Krug. If you can’t pronounce it, don’t drink it!

Balle balle to all and see you next year.

Dining: Deeya Indian Cuisine

By: Surabhi Jain

By: Ashish Jain



Tip #1Research the productIf you’re uncertain about which specifi c product to buy, don’t fret, there are plenty of web sites which will provide you with ample research data. Sites like CNET: www.cnet.com, ZDNet: www.zdnet.com, Consumer Reports: www.consumerreports.org, and PC Magazine: www.pcmag.com, provide you with product reviews and ratings for all types of gadgets and electronics. There are sites that specialize in specifi c technologies like Digital Camcorders: www.dvspot.com, www.steves-digicams.com, Digital Cameras: www.dpreview.com, Audio Video: www.avguide.com and www.avreview.com. Check these sites and others to narrow down your choices.

Tip #2Feel the productThe next thing I like to do after I’ve narrowed down my product list is to check out the products physically by visiting electronic stores like Best Buy and Circuit City. This not only gives you the opportunity to feel the products and check out the features but also helps you narrow down your list further.

Tip #3Use Comparison Shopping SitesSites like Shopping: www.shopping.com, Price Grabber: www.pricegrabber.com, Froogle: froogle.google.com, Price Scan: www.pricescan.com, mySimon: www.mysimon.com, and Yahoo

Shopping: shopping.yahoo.com can save you time as well as a considerable amount of money. These comparison shopping portals seek the lowest prices on everything from the latest cell phones to this season’s hottest fashions; plus they calculate shipping and sales tax for you. Yahoo Shopping even groups rebates and coupons with the items and lets you search by discount (e.g., 10%, 20%, and 50% savings.)

Tip #4Check out Bargain SitesThere are plenty of deals to be found on bargain sites. Spoofee: www.spoofee, Slickdeals: www.slickdeals.net, Ebates: www.ebates.com, Tech Bargains: www.techbargains.com, Hot Deals: www.hotdealsclub.com, and Fatwallet: www.fatwallet.com are a few of the largest sites. Members post deals and coupons and point you to the lowest prices and best sales. Check these sites often and move quickly if something catches your eye because these bargains often go in a matter of minutes.

Tip #5Find Coupons and CodeMany manufacturers and web sites offer online coupons for percentages off, free shipping, and free gifts. There coupons or discount codes aren’t highly publicized and are often provided to select groups (e.g., college students and retirees) even though anyone is free to use them. Site like Naughtycodes: www.naughtycodes.com and Currentcodes:

www.currentcodes.com offer thousands of discounts from merchants ranging from 1-800-Contacts www.1800contacts.com to Zappos Shoes: www.zappos.com.

If you’re looking to make a large purchase like a Plasma TV or a new PC, it might be worthwhile to purchase a coupon from eBay www.ebay.com. Sellers auction discount coupons that they received during promotions or as prizes from instant-win games.

Tip #6Look for RebatesMany items (especially consumer electronics gear) come with rebates that present signifi cant savings. Sites like buy.com and Amazon www.amazon.com let you fi le these rebates online so that you don’t have to worry about losing your receipt. Manufacturer’s rebates require you to mail in the UPC code and proof of purchase. In either case, make sure that you remember to fi le the rebate by the due date or you’ll be out of luck (and possibly a lot of cash).

Tip #7Save on ShippingSpend $25 or more on Amazon and you qualify for free shipping. Look for items marked “Eligible for Free Super Savings Shipping” and expect to wait for three to fi ve business days longer than standard shipping. Many online retailers like Circuit City www.circuitcity.com offer free shipping year-round when you spend more than $25 or you can pick it up at a Circuit City store near you.

Tech Talk By Vish ViswanathanGetting the Best Deals Online - Forget the mall…Hit the WebWe are heading towards one of the busiest shopping seasons of the year. How would it sound if I were to tell you to put down your car keys, skip the long checkout lines and hit the web this holiday season? Check out some tips that I have put together for shopping online. You can most defi nitely use these tips for electronic purchases but they apply to practically anything you might be in the market for.

So, work the web and Happy Shopping!! Please feel free to write in with comments and feedback to [email protected]


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SEVEN STAR FOOD STORE632 MASON AVENUEDAYTONA BEACH, FL 32117

INDIA BAZAAR5108 SUITE B 14TH ST. WESTBRADENTON, FL 34207

TRAVEL KINGS6610 E. FOWLER AVE. SUITE GTAMPA, FL 33617

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DESI BAZAAR8469 S. JOHN YOUNG PARKWAYORLANDO, FL 32819

INDIAN GROCERY10046 CROSS CREEK BLVDTAMPA, FL 33647

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K INTERNATIONAL GROCERIES9866 W SAMPLE ROADCORAL SPRINGS, FL 33065


Vegetables 10 to 12 small Karelas.

Note: scrape the skin from the karelas, make a slit and remove the seeds. Keep leftover masala for the gravy.

Roast these ingredients8 tbsp sesame seeds 5 tbsp coconut shredded 4 tbsp peanuts1 tbsp jeera 1 tbsp dhania seeds

Grind the above ingredients along with ½ tsp haldi

2 tsp salt1 tsp chilly powder2 to 3 green chilies 1 tsp tamarind paste1 tbsp garam masalaCouple of tbs of water to make it into pasty consistency.

Other ingredients1 medium sized onion (Grind this along with one bay leaf and 2 small cardamoms.)2 tbsp tomato paste or 2 medium sized tomatoes cut into small pieces.1 tbsp ginger garlic paste

1 tsp tamarind paste½ tsp mustard seeds½ tsp onion seeds (kalonjee)½ tsp fenugreek seeds 7 to 8 curry leaves2 to 3 red dry chilies broken into pieces1 bay leaf6 to 7 black pepper seeds 1 inch cinnamon stickSalt according to taste1 tsp red chilly powder1 tsp jeera powder1 tsp garam masala powder.½ cup oil1 to 2 cups of water

Method:1. Heat oil in a heavy bottom pan and fry the karelas until

they are slightly brown (not burnt).2. Remove from oil and keep them aside, save the oil. 3. Mix the ground masala well and stuff into the karelas.4. In the same oil used to fry the karelas, add mustard

seeds, onion seeds, dry red chilies, curry leaves, black pepper seeds, bay leaf, cinnamon stick and fenugreek seeds until they sputter.

5. Add the onion paste and fry till golden brown. Add

ginger garlic paste.6. Add salt, chilly powder, haldi and dhania powder and

cook for a minute or two.7. Add tomatoes/ tomato paste and sauté for 2 minutes. 8. Add the stuffed karelas and let cook for 3 minutes on

medium heat.9. Add the left over ground masala and tamarind paste and

cook for another 5 minutes. If you want more gravy, add a cup of water and then check for seasoning.

10. Add the garam masala powder.

Masaledar Stuffed Karelas

In the KitchenCreations by Anita Singh

Garnish with mint or coriander leaves.

Do you want to save the world? Strike that. Are you addicted to saving the

world? If you think addictions are only physical bad habits with psychological consequences, you are sorely mistaken. Satyam and Freedom Malhotra’s “Born on the Mountaintop” is a fascinating exploration of psychological addictions- from being addicted to saving the world to being addicted to fi nding the perfect love (and we know how fruitless that search is!).

The book sets up a dichotomy between two syndromes, ‘CLS’ and ‘ULS’. ‘CLS’ is the ‘Conditional Love State’ and ‘ULS’ is the ‘Unconditional Love State’. The main purpose of the book is to move from ‘The Conditional Love’ state to the “Unconditional Love’ state. The authors suggest that many individuals do not feel ‘worthy’ of love and therefore seek to gain

approval or worthiness through certain activities that become addictive. One of the reasons why individuals suffer from CLS relates to preconceived notions of ‘success’ and ‘worthiness’ perpetuated by societal and familial expectations.

The Malhotras state that it is important to recognize disappointment or failure because it is human. Reversing that disappointment or failure by forcing oneself to succeed is detrimental.

Born on the Mountaintop seems to be infl uenced by Buddhist philosophy and meditation techniques. Despite the fact that the book’s premise revolves around the problem of addiction and the constant need to be loved and to achieve higher success, it does not condone the opposite reaction: sitting at home and doing nothing. The purpose of the book is not to discourage one’s aspirations to achieve

success but to re-evaluate WHY one seeks success and acceptance.

Unlike many self-help books, Born on the Mountaintop does not suggest that the solutions provided will immediately transform one’s life. Instead, it urges readers to completely engage in the techniques indicated and states that it is only through a commitment to self-transformation that one’s life will be transformed. In terms of structure, the book is laid out neatly and concisely with inspiring quotes to set the tone of the new section or chapter.

Do you want to save the world? Find the perfect love? Get the perfect job? Make enough money? Work out to achieve bodily perfection? Then you’re addicted. Born on the Mountaintop might just be the antidote. This book can be purchased on www.memagic.com.

The CityMasala BOOK CLUBBORN ON THE MOUNTAINTOP: Satyam and Freedom Malhotra.By: Sheniz Janmohamed


Body Talk By Sanjay Puranik

The only way to keep your health is to eat what you don’t want, drink what you don’t like, and do what you’d rather not. - Mark Twain

Of course, Mark Twain died at the ripe old age of 75 (in 1910 that was probably pretty good!). Besides being a famous writer, he worked as a steamboat pilot, volunteered in the army, prospected for gold and timber and even tried his hand at journalism. All in all, a pretty active life style, I would say! I wonder what he would have done if he had 200 channels of TV, a car to get around, and the drive-through food joints that we all frequent!

As I mentioned in my previous article, changing to a healthier lifestyle is never easy. Next to regular exercise, good nutrition and eating right are the biggest part of a healthy lifestyle. In fact, I would argue that it is more important to begin with nutrition before you start an exercise regimen. This is especially true for people who are trying to lose excess weight. While most people realize the importance of physical activity, the role of food and nutrition is often overlooked and underestimated. Nothing could be further from the truth. In fact, exercise without a complementary diet is futile and self-defeating.

Nutrition 101

The 2-minute drill on the basics of nutrition - Food is a source of energy for your body to function just like your car needs gasoline to run. Body converts food to energy which in turn enables you to perform all physical and mental functions. There are six basic classes of nutrients: carbohydrates, proteins, fats, vitamins, minerals, and water. A balance between these nutrients is very important.For example, too little iron (a mineral) would lead to poor endurance and a lower ability to burn fat while too much protein can increase the risk of dehydration. Carbohydrates, proteins, and fats are considered energy sources since they can be ‘burned’ to produce energy. Vitamins and minerals are essential for chemical reactions in our body that produce energy. Water carries nutrients to all cells in the body and provides a medium for exchange and conduction; i.e. to bring good nutrients to the cells and take away the waste products from the cells. Water is essential for hydration to regulate the body temperature.

It’s time to change - In order to maintain energy from an exercise point of view, the general rule is to eat smaller meals at least fi ve to six times a day. A lot of people skip breakfast! That is one of the worst things you could do. A fi stful of oatmeal with non-fat milk and a banana is the breakfast of champions. Alternatively, eat a couple of boiled eggs (preferably

only the egg whites) with wheat toast and a glass of milk. Have a snack at 10 am (not a bag of potato chips but an energy bar or a piece of fruit should suffi ce) followed by a moderate lunch.

Carbs: The Reality! You need energy to be able to work out. Carbohydrates are considered the limiting energy substrate, which means you feel exhausted when your carbs run out. Eating carbohydrates at every meal is very important. Watch out for carbohydrate foods with a high glycemic index such as candy, potatoes and sodas as they produce an excessive insulin response which encourages your body to manufacture fat. Carbs with a lower glycemic index avoid this excessive insulin response, such as those found in apples, peaches, plums, kidney beans, chick peas, milk and yogurt.

Proteins: include some protein in all your meals but avoid going on a protein-rich diet that is defi cient in carbohydrates. Our bodies cannot process excess protein so it is useless to overdo protein in any single meal - unless you are training to be the next world body building champion and are working out at the gym 2-4 hours a day. Good sources of proteins include cheese, chicken (skinned and trimmed), milk, yogurt, tuna, soy, turkey and peanut butter.

Fats: pay attention to the amount and type of fats consumed. Fats are essential

for our bodies but most people consume more fats than they should. Eat foods that are lower in saturated fat. Keep that can of ghee to cook only Diwali foods. Put it away for the rest of the year. Olive and canola oils are good cooking mediums containing mono and polyunsaturated fatty acids which tend to lower cholesterol. It certainly helps to reduce the amount of oil used in cooking. That chicken curry will taste just as good even without an inch of oil fl oating on top!

Vitamins and Minerals: the best way to ensure adequate vitamin consumption is to eat a variety of fruits and vegetables every day. Vegetarians should consider vitamin supplements for iron and zinc, since these are predominantly available through meat sources.

Water: DRINK LOTS OF IT!!! I cannot emphasize this enough. Most people drink water when they feel thirsty. However, this thirst sensation is a delayed response to fl uid loss from the body. Staying optimally hydrated is very important, especially if you are planning to start an exercise program. Drink small quantities of water throughout the day for a total of 6-8 glasses per day.

Please send an email to [email protected] with questions or comments.

There is a lot of information available on the internet which may be contradictory and confusing. If you are not sure, consult yourphysician or a certifi ed dietician to plan your diet. Nutrition coupled with an exercise program is a great start to get you on your wayto a healthier lifestyle and general wellbeing. For more information on nutrition and nutrition related topics, check out the following websites: www.intelihealth.com or www.positivehealth.com.


HOROSCOPEZodiac of the Month

Sagittarius Nov 22nd – Dec 21st Ruled by: Jupiter; Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire; Lucky Day: Thursday Bestowed with optimism, you are a thrill seeker and love to takes risks. In your eyes nothing can bring you down. Being a natural adventurer you love to explore the world and to meet new people. Your love for knowledge is strong- whether in reading the latest novel or speculating over the ins and outs of philosophy. You have an inherent need for new information. You possess a strong yet erratic sex drive and your need for freedom should be respected. Your Horoscope: This can be a quiet and refl ective time when you spend time pondering over your life’s purpose. You become more secluded as you need time to yourself to analyze where you are going and where you have come from. This meditation can lead togreater inner transformation.Aries: Mar 20th-Apr 19th

Ruled by Mars; Gemstone: Red Coral; Lucky Day: TuesdayKeep a check on your fi nances and debts as you may overextend yourself without thinking. Pay off those piled up bills and avoid being extravagant otherwise you may fall deeper into fi nancial turmoil. New friends come along with whom you may develop an emotionally deep bond.

Taurus: Apr 20th – May 20th Ruled by Venus; Gemstone: Diamond;Lucky Day: Friday

Heated conversations and debates can highlight your relationship where you will enjoy challenging each

other’s view points. Just don’t let it turn into a power struggle that leaves you with a bitter taste in your mouth. Gifts from a signifi cant other can sweep you off the fl oor.

Gemini: May 21st – Jun 20th Ruled by Mercury; Gemstone: Emerald; Lucky Day: WednesdayThere may be ample opportunities for expansion within your workplace. New ideas and projects can take you places and there may be scope for work in other countries. Healthwise you may feel a little strained. Take plenty of rest and go on a healthy diet. A new fi tness regime will certainly get you back in shape.

Cancer: Jun 21st – Jul 22nd Ruled by the Moon; Gemstone: Pearl; Lucky Day: Monday

It’s time for fun and socializing! Attend parties and gatherings where you can let your hair down to

feel free again. Your creativity will come out to express your artistic side. Let your inspiration turn into reality as this will lead

to bigger and better things.

Leo: Jul 23rd – Aug 22nd Ruled by the Sun; Gemstone: Ruby; Lucky Day: SundayYou will be at your most comfortable at home where you will spend time entertaining friends and making your surroundings special with some new interior additions. Avoid getting involved in heated arguments with those around you as this can cause some serious damage to personal relations.

Virgo: Aug 23rd – Sep 22nd Ruled by Mercury; Gemstone: Emerald;Lucky Day: Wednesday

You are buzzing with new ideas and are eager to soak up knowledge by reading or taking a new course. Friends

can be a source of great mental stimulation for you as you expand your horizons and you will want to communicate your points of view to all and sundry.

Libra Sep 23rd – Oct 21st Ruled by Venus; Gemstone: Diamond;Lucky Day: FridayYou are an extravagant spender and will want to pull out all the stops as you go consumer crazy. Just remember to stay within your limit otherwise a scary credit card bill may give you the shudders. Avoid taking fi nancial risks. Friends may ask for money. Helping them out is fi ne but before handing over your cash remember that you may not see it again.

Scorpio: Oct 23rd – Nov 21st Ruled by Mars & Pluto; Gemstone: Red Coral; Lucky Day: Tuesday

You are bold and confi dent as you go about your daily life. However, don’t overpower those around you as they may

not be able to handle your new surge of

1000 watt energy. It is a time for initiating new goals and fi ghting forward with those ambitions. Nothing can stand in your way as you aim to reach for the stars.

Capricorn: Dec 22nd – Jan 19th Ruled by Saturn; Gemstone: Blue Sapphire; Lucky Day: SaturdayYou feel secure around friends and associates as you share similar ideas and ideals that are important to you. Working with others can lead to bigger and better opportunities for you. Old friendships can come to an abrupt end as you realize that you have outgrown certain people in your life.

Aquarius: Jan 20th – Feb 18th Ruled by Saturn and Uranus; Gemstone: Blue Sapphire; Lucky Day: Saturday

You will be ambitious and headstrong in your professional life as you make your way climbing the career ladder. Be careful about upsetting those

in authority as it can be a long fall to the bottom. This is a time for making those all important career changes that will affect your life for years to come.

Pisces: Feb 19th – Mar 19th Ruled by Jupiter and Neptune; Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire; Lucky Day: ThursdayA trip to another country can be very benefi cial for you as you will get much needed rest and respite. You will be able to mix with the locals to get a taste of the sights and culture. A romantic admirer from another country or from a different background can become more signifi cant in your life.

Nicolas Aujula is a certifi ed Astrologer with the New Age Foundation. He is a multi-disciplined practitioner qualifi ed in Natural Health and Holistic Therapies and is a Counselor and Therapist.

Star Lite Star Brite By Astrologer Nicolas Aujula


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