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October 2008 Free Copy

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A Lifestyle and Entertainment Magazine for Today’s South Asian

CityMasala www.citymasala.com 6 www.citymasala.com October 2008

CityMasala is published by CityMasala LLC. The opinions and viewpoints of our contributors and advertisers do not necessarily reflect those of CityMasala’s. CityMasala disclaims any liability with respect to the use of our 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 unac-ceptable or inappropriate for publication in CityMasala. Every effort has been made to ensure accuracy and originality of content. Copyright © 2005 CityMa-sala LLC. All rights reserved. Reprinting of any material without prior permission from CityMasala is prohibited.

Published By CityMasala LLC

Marketing Tampa 813-476-5415 813-642-3313

Email Sales: [email protected]

Editor and Publisher Chhaya Sanghavi

Shaphali Jain Marketing Representative

Tampa & Orlando Anil Botre

Marketing Representative South Florida

Anant K Panchal: 786-683-0779

TEAM MASALA Anita Singh Anil Shah

Ashish Jain Javid Lateef

Dr. Maulik Trivedi Nandini Chakraborty

Nidhi Chanani Shahnaz Husain

Sheniz Janmohamed

TEAM MASALA Vish Viswanathan

Email [email protected] [email protected]

On the Web www.citymasala.com

IN THIS ISSUE October 2008

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

12 COVER STORY Sultry Shriya

She is one of the top heroines in Tamil cinema of “Sivaji - The Boss”

fame, an emerging one in Bolly-wood, thanks to films like

“Aawarapan”, and now she is starring in a Hollywood based Ashok Amritraj production by the name of

“The Other End of the Line.”

24 BOLLYWOOD Countdown 2008

Do you realize that there are only 3 more months left in 2008 and that

there are still some highly anticipated films getting ready to try their luck at

the box office? We thought this would be a good time to give you a breakdown of what you can look

forward to in October, November and December.

26 DARU KA NASHA Bar Essentials

Covering the basics of what every darubaaz should know seemed like a good idea, so the next 3 articles are

going to be fashioned after a “Dummies for Daru series” - host a

balle balle style holiday party by the end of the year.

10 BEAUTY Treating Oily Skin

Oily skin has sebaceous (oil-producing) glands which are overac-tive. The constant oozing of oil on to the skin’s surface enlarges and thick-

ens the pores.

14 CRICKET The Setting Sun

As we draw closer to the end of 2008, the sun is also setting on some old

stalwarts of Indian Cricket.

31 FENG SHUI FOR YOUR HOME

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and science that believes in trying out simple tips to maneuver environment and energy around you in a way that

benefits you the most. Check out a few of the suggestions we’ve put together

for you.

16 THE HEALTHIER YOU 17 10 Tips for Men Turning 40

Do you remember thinking that this number was “old”? Well, you've made it to the big FOUR-O and even though you’ve taken your body for granted up till now and have been more occupied

with planning your post-work fi-nances, it may be time to focus on more pressing matters: your health.

8 Chaat Masala 14 Comic Strip: Small Hands 18 Parents’ Chat Room 18 10 Tips on Talking to Your Kids 28 Auntyji Ko Pucho

30 TechTalk: Digital Broadcasting 31 In The Kitchen: Recipe:

Chicken Chettinad Curry

32 Star Lite Star Brite: Horoscope


If you have an event or an interesting tidbit to pass on to us, please send an email to [email protected]. Pictures make the story more interesting, so please provide them when you write to us.

Traditional Music from India featuring Ramesh Narayan and Aditya Banerjee at Mu-seum of Fine Arts in St. Pe-tersburg on October 3rd 2008 from 6:00pm to 9:00pm.

This is their First Friday sea-son which is being kicked off with an evening of Tradi-tional Music from India. The museum will feature two of

India’s most renowned musicians live in the Conserva-tory.

Mr. Ramesh Narayan is a singer and composer who has composed music for films in India and Mr. Aditya Banerjee is a Tabla player who teaches and performs in the New York area.

Admission is $15.00 for non members and $10.00 for members and includes the When Gold Blossoms exhibit that is on display in the Hazel Hough wing. The MFA Café will also be open for dinner and will feature a spe-cial menu for the event. A beer and wine cash bar will be available as well.

The 21st Annual India Festival Tampa -2008 is coming up on November 8, 2008 at the USF Sun dome in Tampa.

After last year’s grand extravaganza, this ever expanding festival is de-signed to be bigger and better this year. It was attended by over 12,000 people from all over Flor-ida and neighboring states

last year, and due to this, the committee has added more areas of the Sun Dome to accommodate more shopping and food stalls. More than 85 booths will include jew-elry, boutiques, audio-video, home decor, photo studios and mehndi and much more. The visitors will enjoy a wide variety of cuisine catered by more than 15 restau-rants from all over the state.

As usual there will be garba, raas, bhangra, folk dances and classical dances which create a colorful variety show.

This year a separate category called the “College Cate-gory” has been carved out for competitions. This will

allow high school teams to have a fair chance of winning, as they will not be competing against college students. In addition to beautiful trophies, cash prizes will also be given out to the first prize winners.

The performances and appearance of Bollywood and TV celebrities are also a special attraction. The ‘Voice of Florida’ singing competition organized with the sup-port of the legendary Pandit Jasraj School of Music, is an additional item which adds to the entertainment list.

A new feature has been added this year called the ‘Health Forum’. The forum’s goal is to provide free health screening in the area of Diabetes, Blood Pres-sure, Cholesterol, Osteoporosis etc. Besides free gifts at the booths, our community will benefit from well dis-played information and handouts on basic common health issues. Volunteers will be available to answer questions. Chairman, Dr. Nandkishore Shah recom-mends that no one should miss this great opportunity to get their health in check.

For further info. Visit www.gujaratisamaj.org or call- Malti Pandya : (813)931-1980 (for competition entries) or Nikunj Patel: (813)968-6038 for booths or P.D. Patel : (813)949-0715.

The Association of Asian Cultural Festi-vals presents the 11th Annual Diwali Mela on Saturday, October 4th, 2008.

The admission is FREE and it is being held at the Disney Am-phitheater at Lake Eola in Downtown Disney from 4 pm - 9 pm. There will be light music by a live band, folk and classical dances, songs and bhajans by Central Florida groups, top guest ap-pearances by famous personalities, booths with a variety of items and lots of food! The DJ for the event is GT Sound Machine and there is also a Miss Diwali Contest for ages 16 - 21.

For more information, please contact Lalman Persaud @ 407-532-1980.

On October 6,7,8 & 9 in the Lotus Room with Sri Swami Adhyatmanandaji Maharaj who is the current acharya at the Sivananda Ash-ram in Ahmedabad.

Under his leadership and care, the ashram has blossomed into a marvelous spiritual and cultural center. People from all over the world have been

highly im-pressed by his spiritual aura, charming mul-tifaceted per-sonality, boundless enthusiasm and unique efficiency.

He is a powerful speaker and a spiritual preceptor in India as well as abroad. He is well known as a yoga teacher and has conducted yoga camps for the Indian army, various universities and private enterprises.

If you wish to get Swamiji’s Bhiksha or are interested in a home visit, please contact Rashmi Jakhotia at 813-962-4172. For more information call Hitesh Adhia - 813-784-1132.

Presented by the Gujarati Society of Central Florida on October 3, 4, 10 and 11 from 8pm - 1am at Lyman High School on 865 S Ronald Reagan Blvd in Longwood, FL.

The Lakhia Brothers and Raj Pandya will be performing.

For more information call Nilkanth Kapadia at 407-832-3835, email: [email protected] or visit www.GujaratiSocietyCFL.com.

On October 22nd sponsored by Park Square Homes. You will learn about Anand Villas at Veranda Palms, a com-munity developed with your health and wellness in mind. Amenities to include a Cultural Center with community kitchen, resort style club house, daily yoga and meditation classes. Limited space - call 407-529-3083 or email [email protected].


By: Shahnaz HusainBy: Shahnaz HusainBy: Shahnaz Husain

Cleansing is the main aspect of care for oily skin, especially since it tends to attract more dirt and pollutants from the environment. The surface oil also has to be removed and the pores should be kept free of hardened oil. However, this does not mean that the face should be washed with soap and water several times a day. In fact, too much soap and water washing disrupts the normal acid-alkaline balance of the skin, which becomes prone to problems like pimples and acne. The skin should be washed or cleansed only twice a day.

Use a cleanser that is specially formulated for normal to oily skins. A cleansing lotion or face wash may be used. For problem skin (spots, black-heads, pimples, acne), use a medicated soap or cleanser, which helps to remove impurities without disturbing the acid-alkaline balance. It also creates a germicidal environment on the skin.

Astringent lotion helps to remove oiliness. After washing the face, wipe with an astringent lotion, using cotton wool. Astringent helps to reduce oili-ness, but some can be really harsh on the skin, since it is alcohol based. If there is any burning for more than a minute, the product should not be

used. You can mix the astringent lotion with rose water in equal quantities and use it. In fact, this also helps to tone the skin.

Rose water by itself is a powerful natural skin toner. For oily skin, rose water can be mixed with cucumber juice in equal quantities and used to tone the skin and reduce oili-ness. We recommend a rose or lavender based skin tonic. It is gentle on the skin and can be used several times a day to wipe the skin and refresh it.

Exfoliation is an important aspect in the care of oily skin. This involves the use of cleansing grains or scrubs for deep pore cleansing. These should be

rubbed gently on the skin and washed off with wa-ter. They help to remove dead skin cells, refining the pores and keeping them free of hardened oil. They also improve the skin texture. Cleansing grains, mixed with a rose-based skin tonic can be used in the treatment of blackheads, to dislodge and discourage them. You can make a scrub at home by mixing rice powder with rose water and ap-plying it on the face. Rub gently with circular movements and wash off with water. This not only helps to prevent black-heads, but also to close the pores gradually. How-ever, if you have pimples, remember that grains and scrubs should not be used on them.

Fuller’s Earth (Multani Mitti) also helps to re-duce oiliness and to close the pores. Mix multani mitti with rose water into a paste and apply three times a week. Wash off when it dries. Ingredients

like gram flour (besan) and oatmeal help to cut down on oiliness. Besan can be mixed with yogurt along with a pinch of turmeric (haldi) and applied on the face, to be washed off after 20 minutes. Rinse very well with water. Similarly, oatmeal can be mixed with yogurt and egg white and applied.

For open pores, mix oatmeal with egg white and apply three times a week on the area. Wash it off when it dries. However, if there are pimples, it is better not to use besan or oatmeal. Use only yogurt and haldi - apply daily on the face and wash off after 20 minutes with plenty of water.

The removal and prevention of blackheads is very important if you have oily skin, as it helps to prevent pimples and acne. It is also important to keep in mind that an acne condition needs profes-sional care. Acne must be controlled, so that it does not spread and cause scarring. scars.

Oily skin has sebaceous (oil-producing) glands which are overac-tive. The constant oozing of oil on to the skin’s surface enlarges and thickens the pores. Finally the pores lose their elasticity and remain open. This is why oily skin can also have a coarse texture. Oily skin is never very clear. It is prone to open pores, blackheads, spots, pim-ples and acne and can be very frustrating for the person who has it.

ACNE TREATMENTS ♦ Apply sandalwood paste on the eruptions.

♦ Mix sandalwood with a little rose water and apply on the entire face. Wash off with plain water after 20 to 30 minutes.

♦ Mix together one tsp cinnamon powder, half tsp methi seed powder, a few drops of lemon juice and few drops of honey to form a sticky paste. Apply only on acne eruptions and leave on for a couple of hours, or even overnight.

♦ Simmer a handful of neem leaves on very low fire in 3 cups of water for one hour. Leave it overnight. Strain and use the water to wash the face the next day. The leaves can be made into a paste and applied on pimples, rash and acne.

♦ Mix 4 parts water with one part vinegar. Dab the skin with this mixture using cotton wool.

TIPS TO PREVENT ACNE

♦ Do not pick or squeeze black-heads, pimples and acne.

♦ Keep your hair away from your face.

♦ Wash your pillow covers and face towel daily in warm soapy water.

♦ In warm humid weather, wash your face often with plain water.

♦ Exercise regularly. This also helps in reducing stress, which can trigger off or aggravate acne.

♦ Acne can be due to a congested system, so drink 6 to 8 glasses of water daily. Add the juice of a lemon to a glass of tepid water and have it first thing in the morning.

♦ Include fresh fruits, raw salads, sprouts, whole grains and yogurt in your daily diet.

♦ Medicated cleansers and topical preparations are available for treating acne. So before the con-dition gets out of hand, seek pro-fessional care to avoid extensive scarring.

MAKE-UP TIPS

♦ It is best to use water based foun-dations for oily skin types. You can even add a drop or two of water, before applying this foun-dation. This helps to give a lighter coverage.

♦ Go for pan sticks, which are also called “cake foundation.” They are hard, so add water, pat the foundation with a damp sponge when you apply it.

♦ During the day, avoid foundation and use only powder. Pressed powder (powder compact) helps to reduce an oily look. A powder compact comes in different color tones, so one can choose accord-ing to your skin color.

♦ During summer, carry wet tissues (wet wipes) and a powder com-pact. Wipe with tissue and touch up with compact powder to re-fresh the skin and remove that oily look - ensure that you cleanse at night.


By: Shaphali Jain

CM: Shriya – tell us about yourself – where are you from and where did you grow up? Shriya: I was born in Hardwar. I had a very sim-ple and protected upbringing. My mom is a teacher and dad is an engineer. They are the most dedicated parents. I also have an older brother and we’re all really close. I try to spend most of my holidays with them.

CM: We hear that you’re a great Kathak dancer – any movies you’ve acted in which have given you the opportunity to showcase this talent? Shriya: I went to Delhi to study for both college and for Kathak. I went to DPS Mathura Road and Lady Shriram College in Delhi. As far as the movies that I’ve acted in and being able to show-case my talent, I would say that each one of them has given me that opportunity at some level or the other. Kathak still remains my passion so it’s good that I’m able to stick with some form of dancing.

CM: How did you get into the film industry in the south? Did you speak Tamil to begin with? Shriya: I started by starring in a Telegu film. When I was in the first year of college, they were making a music video and my dance teacher, Guru Shovana Narayan, suggested me as one of the dancers. One thing lead to another and I kept getting more and more roles. Initially, I didn’t speak the language, but I kept learning and now I can speak it quite well.

CM: How did your parents feel when you were given this opportunity at age 17? Shriya: They have always been amazingly sup-portive and positive.

CM: What gave you a break in Bolly-wood? Shriya: Well, my biggest breakthrough has been Sivaji and because of the success of that movie, doors started opening up for me and I got the role in Shukriya and then Awaarapan. I am really thankful to Rajnikanth sir.

CM: Tell us about your role in “The Other End of the Line” – who ap-proached you for the role? Shriya: They were looking for a girl to

play the role of Supriya and I was given the script. I liked the script because I was able to indentify with Supriya. The entire unit felt the same and I got the role!

CM: What was it like to work with Jesse Met-calfe? Shriya: He’s an amazing actor – very young and full of life. He fits the role he’s played like a glove and looks absolutely amazing in the film. He was also very helpful and we had a lot of fun preparing for our roles together. He’s a really dedicated and hard working actor.

CM: Rumor has it that the two of you are cur-rently an “item”? Would you like to shed some “light” on this? Shriya: That’s just silly. We’re NOT seeing each other. It was great to get to know him and to have worked with him and that’s all. We’re not seeing each other.

CM: Which has been your favorite Bollywood male co-star so far and why? Shriya: I’m going to answer that question by putting the entire Indian film world under one umbrella – Indian cinema. I think it’s really silly to separate the industries within the same coun-try. To answer your question, Rajnikanth sir will always be my favorite because there is no bigger star who is also so humble and so honest about who he is. I appreciate him very much. He be-lieves in sticking to his roots and doesn’t let fame or ups and downs affect him.

CM: How about a favorite Bollywood female co-star? Shriya: That would have to be Tabu. I am a big

fan of her acting – she is extremely underrated and I find that really unfair. Indian cinema is changing and so many exciting things are hap-pening so hopefully, things will change and these brilliantly talented actors will get their due.

CM: You have starred with Bobby Deol in Ek, which is still to be released, and with Vivek Oberoi in Mission Istanbul. What were the two of them like to work with and please be honest. Shriya: I had a great time with both of them. We shot for Ek in Chandigarh – I play a Punjabi girl in the movie. Bobby is a very sweet and simple guy. We had a good time together. Vivek was the same way.

CM: Tell us about “What Is Cooking” – you must have been blown away when you were approached by Deepa Mehta for a role in this movie? Shriya: Oh! Yes!! I am a BIG fan of her work and was totally blown away when she called me and asked me if I wanted to be a part of the film. She made sure I received a script and then met with me after I had read it. She was very open and wanted me to feel I could bring whatever I wanted to in the film. The film is written and produced by her and directed by her brother, Dilip Mehta. She saw Sivaji and that’s what made her approach me.

CM: You got the chance to work with the likes of Seema Biswas and Lisa Ray in this movie – what are they like and again, please be honest. Shriya: Seema brings a lot to the table and shares a lot about herself, how she grew up and what influenced her. She makes the effort to connect with you as an actor.

Initially, I was really scared at the thought of working with her and when she got to know about it, she laughed. The entire unit was scared of her! She would give me extra time before and after work and she really spent a lot of time with me. She even made sure that we had lunch to-gether.

I met Lisa Ray for the first time. Growing up, I had seen her as a model and thought she was beautiful. I told her that I liked her. She would do

She is one of the top heroines in Tamil cinema, an emerging one in Bol-lywood - thanks to films like “Aawarapan”, and now she is starring in a Hollywood based Ashok Amritraj production “The Other End of the Line” which is set to release in the US on October 31st. It is a romantic comedy starring Jesse Metcalfe of Desperate Housewives and 25 year old Shriya whose other claim to fame is the hit movie “Sivaji: The Boss” in which she starred opposite Rajnikanth. In “The Other End of the Line”, Shriya plays a call center executive in Mumbai who believes in chasing her dream and believes that her dream will come true.

Shriya’s other accomplishments in Bollywood are “Mission Istaanbul” and the upcoming “Ek”. She has also starred in Deepa Mehta’s “What Is Cooking” which is to be released soon. “The Other End of the Line” also stars Sara Foster, Anupam Kher, and comedian Larry Miller. CityMa-sala talks with Shriya to get to know her a little better.

Contd. On Page 22

Shriya Saran


A time it was, what a time it was … it was …

As we draw closer to the end of 2008, the sun is also setting on some old stalwarts of Indian Cricket. Laxman, Dravid, Kumble, and even to an

extent Tendulkar, are in the twilight of their careers. Sourav Gan-guly has just been axed from the Rest of India squad that is playing the Irani Trophy, and has been told that he is no longer in contention for a spot in the Test side. What has also been conveyed to the seniors - “perform or perish!”

The Indian batting’s middle order has been almost impossible to replace. During the last decade Tendulkar, Dravid, Laxman and Ganguly have racked up runs against all opposition, making it virtually impossible for any of the young-sters to nudge their way into the team. Occasionally Laxman or Ganguly fall out of favor and they try people like Kaif and Yuvraj, but nobody seems to be in their caliber.

Fast forward to the just concluded Lanka se-ries. All the hype was about Ajanta Mendis, this unorthodox leggie who was gaining all sorts of accolades. The battle was the tried and tested Indian middle order against

the spin of Murali and Mendis. India lost the se-ries 2-1. The “fab 4” as they are called could not read Mendis at all. He had them looking like school kids playing International Cricket!!!

For the ODIs, Dhoni returned as captain and the middle order reverted to a younger, more aggres-sive middle order. Instead of letting Murali and Mendis dictate terms, the batsmen were aggres-sive; Dhoni leading from the front here with in-nings after innings of calculated aggression.

I am guessing this was as an eye opener for the selectors. Laxman and Ganguly are (were) pretty good players of spin, but they seemed too scared to use their feet against the Lankan spin attack, unlike Gambhir and Sehwag (who were the only 2 batsmen to score), who made batting look quite easy when they were at the crease. They were using their feet to get to the ball and not letting the spinners dictate terms.

Let us not forget what these guys have done for Indian Cricket though. Ganguly was the best In-dian test captain we have seen, till now. He brought an aura of aggressive behavior around the squad that was missing in all previous teams. Dravid has been “Mr. Consistent” for as long as I can remember. The “Wall”, as he is called, has been the backbone of building an innings for the Indian team for a long time. Laxman, a supreme artist with wrists so supple, a mere caress seems to send the ball rocketing to the fence, and who can forget the innings against the Aussies at Chepauk that turned the tide and won the series for the Indi-ans.

It is a time of change and these older players will be phased out. Rohit Sharma and Badrinath seem to have the temperament to play Test cricket. Others like Suresh Raina and Manoj Tiwary are immensely talented, but will need a few longer innings in Domestic cricket to prove themselves.

It is an exciting time for all Indian fans as there is a change in the horizon. The youngsters are knocking on the doors, and this bides well for the future of Indian Cricket.

Till next time … adios.

BY: Javid Lateef

It is an exciting time for all Indian fans as there is a change in the horizon. The youngsters are knocking on the doors,

and this bides well for the future of Indian Cricket.

S. Badrinath


IS SMOKING BECOMING MORE OF A PROBLEM THAN A

PLEASURE?

You know exactly where to find the smokers - they’re usually camped outside your favorite restaurant, the front of the office building or under an awning when it’s raining. They are relentless in finding a spot to do what they need to do and despite a great number of gov-ernment agencies and other bodies work-ing hard to regulate where, when and how smokers are allowed to light up, they usu-ally find a way to, here’s the interesting part, cause harm to themselves!

Well, it is an addiction and statistics show that most people try to quit smoking a few times before they finally succeed. So, for those of you who are still trying to quit, take heart as failing is not failure - it's practice. Keep at it: studies have shown that some combination of drugs, stop-smoking aids, counseling, support, and changes of habit can work for you.

Non-smokers feel that there should be strict bans on smoking, both in public and private spaces. Many people feel that smoking around children should be illegal, that it should be banned in all public places, regardless of children being in the immediate area or not.

When talking about money, many people think that smokers should pay more for health insurance and some people think that taxes should be raised so that the price of a pack of cigarettes will be $10 or even $20! A lot of people are against watching smokers on the big screen and believe all scenes with smoking should be banned from movies and billboards, and magazine ads for smoking should be made illegal.

There are many smokers among us, but there is a significant number that supports government intervention in the form of laws and taxes that will prohibit and mitigate the proliferation of tobacco use and the spread of second hand smoke. It remains to be seen whether or not these regulations will go into effect, but in the mean-time, smokers are definitely finding it harder and harder to find smoking a “pleasure”!

MEN’S HEALTH 10 TIPS FOR

MEN TURNING 40 Do you remember thinking that this number was “old”? Well, you've made it to the big FOUR-O and even though you’ve taken your body for granted up until now and have been more occu-pied with planning your post-work finances, it may be time to focus on more pressing matters: your health. Read on to learn what preventative measures you can take right now to get your body ready for 50 more years of health, wealth and happiness. 1. STAY AWAY FROM TRANS-FATS -

Research has shown that these stealth fats

found in fast food increase LDL cholesterol and can also increase your risk of heart dis-ease. Even without added "help" from trans fats, as men get older, their cholesterol lev-els naturally rise, which increases their risk for heart disease. Stick to healthy fats like omega-3 found in fish, flaxseeds and wal-nuts to keep your ticker in tiptop shape.

2. SEX IS IMPORTANT - Most cases of erectile dysfunction (impotence) in older

men have a physical cause which has to do with not getting enough blood to the area in question. To improve circulation, refrain from smoking, which constricts blood ves-sels, exercise more and consult a physician about current medications. Some prescrip-tion drugs that treat high blood pressure or depression may worsen ED.

3. DON’T IGNORE YOUR PROSTATE - The prostate gland begins a growth spurt at age 40, a condition called benign prostatic hyperplasia, that has been related to hor-mone fluctuations. If you're urinating a lot at night, this might be happening to you. Don’t worry though - benign prostatic hyperplasia isn't cancer, doesn't lead to cancer and is rarely life-threatening. To treat this condi-tion, see your doctor and get a prescription for alpha-blockers, which relax the pros-tate's smooth muscle.

4. BEAR WEIGHTS - Not to depress you, but once you hit 40, a man's body starts producing less testosterone. Lower levels can affect your memory, sexual function and even muscle mass. To stave off decreas-ing muscle mass (once you hit 50 it declines 15% per decade), prevent back injuries and protect against heart disease, incorporate strength training into your work out.

5. WAIST NOT WANT NOT - Have you noticed your belly expand? This can result in dangerous visceral abdominal fat that can increase the risk for heart-related problems,

including a heart attack or stroke, especially if your waist size exceeds 40-inches. Exer-cise for 30 minutes at least three times a week and eat nutritious food which incorpo-rates a variety of whole grains, lean meat and fruits and vegetables.

6. THE MULTIVITAMINS CHECK - Recent research discovered that your seemingly harmless daily multivitamin may be promot-ing the very conditions you're hoping to

prevent. Since most men already get their recommended dose of vitamins from enriched foods, exceeding the amount the body needs can up your risk for chronic diseases. Too much folate, for example, can increase your risk for colon cancer, while an excess of vitamin E may increase mortality. To be on the safe side, talk to your doctor about your nutritional habits before starting any supplemental regime. 7. FOCUS ON FAMILY AND FRIENDS - A happy home is the foun-dation to maintaining a healthy mind and body. Research also shows that a good social network made up of friends, fam-ily and peers can help steady you in times of stress and create a sense of be-longing. 8. GET RID OF PROCESSED FOODS - Instant mashed potatoes, white bread, and other ready to eat foods are quickly broken down in the body, which can increase the body's absorption of glucose and rapidly drive up blood sugar levels. High blood sugar can con-

tributes to weight gain, diabetes and other health problems. In order to maintain steady blood sugar levels, reach for foods with a low glycemic index, such as whole grains and vegetables, which are digested slowly and don't cause sugar spikes.

9. LESS ALCOHOL - Did you ever thinking that drinking beer could give you a reason to rejoice? If you would much rather crack open a cold one than uncork a Bordeaux, you, too, can now rejoice. According to one study, drinking beer in moderation can de-liver protection against heart attacks, stroke, hypertension, diabetes and dementia. That doesn't mean you can throw caution to the winds - drinking more than one drink per day, defined as a 5-ounce glass of wine, 12-ounce beer or 1.5-ounces of 80-proof dis-tilled liquor, can increase your risk of liver disease and stroke, according to the Mayo Clinic.

10. WATCH OUT FOR PROSTATE CAN-CER - This is the most common kind of cancer among men, other than skin cancers, according to the American Cancer Society. To reduce your risk, eat low-fat, high-fiber foods, such as soy beans, tofu and plenty of vegetables. Taking vitamins D and E, sele-nium and green tea may also help prevent prostate cancer, but before embarking on any supplemental diets, check with your doctor.


Q Dear Dr. Trivedi, my son just went to a birthday party with about fifteen of his class-mates who are all in second grade. It was

an amazing production

with two clowns, a magi-

cian, pony rides, and a dog act - there was even a lifeguard by the pool and this was all done at the child's home! Meanwhile, my son's birthday is coming up and he wants to invite the very same children to his party. We have planned a small party and a sleepover out in a tent in the yard. My husband and I thought that the kids would really enjoy this but after attending this child's party, I am feeling inadequate right now. What should we do? Latha, Valrico

A As adults, we all have a tendency to compare. What is even more true is that we usually fall short of our own expectations. This leads to our feelings of inadequacy. What we compare in material value as adults is seldom what children see. They value natural and unbound flow of love and energy more and rejoice in the experience of pure joy. It doesn’t matter much to them what they are provided to play with or interact with at a party.

Stop dwelling on your thoughts of inadequacy. Instead, accentuate your positives. Focus your

party plans on what brings pleasure to your child and his friends. It doesn’t have to cost a lot of money. It only has to provide a theme that your son and his friends can enjoy. Giving second graders the experience of camping right in your backyard can become a lifelong memory. Filling their young minds with facts about our galaxy, telling them a fantastic tale about an intergalactic voyage, or even watching a movie relating to the outdoors is sure to leave a lasting impression.

You have the potential to give these children a unique experience that they are sure to treasure for years to come.

Q Dr. Trivedi - I know that this column is called "The Parents' Chat Room" but I read it from time to time. I thought I would ask you this question because I need to figure this out. My mother and I are really close about most things. I am 13 years old and although I tell her almost everything, there is only one problem. She does-n’t know I go out with boys. She is always telling her friends that I am different and not interested in that sort of thing. I want to know if I should tell her. Would it be the end of the world if she didn't know about it? The one other time I lied to her she cried because I kept a secret from her. I need help. Anonymous

A I write this column to bridge gaps in human relationships. My work would be only half com-plete if just the parents’ wrote questions to me and read my answers. So, I am very pleased that you have taken the initiative to take a peek at “The Parents’ Chat Room’ and are now asking me a question.

My suspicion and hope is that many other young

readers such as yourself read this column and use the advice to bridge gaps with their own parents. Furthermore, it is very much possible that other teenagers are going through the same experiences that you are. By being brave enough to ask, you are highlighting an important issue for all of our young readers.

Now, to answer your question. Apparently, your mom maintains a very firm view of you as her daughter. It upsets her very much when you devi-ate from her image of who you are. But, it appears to me that the person she imagines is quite differ-ent from the real person that you are. In any case, your dilemma will be resolved when both the im-age and the reality of who you are become one. In short, you need to be truthful and your mom needs to know the real you.

Here are some tips on how to go about this proc-ess. Start by understanding your mom’s perspec-tive. Ask her questions that help you understand why it’s very important for her to see you as dif-ferent from other girls your age. Once you under-stand her perspective, you will know how to pre-sent your viewpoint. Expect her to struggle with your confession. She may feel at first that “this just can’t be true.” Then she may start accepting the truth and become angry over it.

If you approach her with understanding and open-ness, address her concerns responsibly, and reas-sure her about her every fear, then you may be on the brink of having a major break-through in your relationship with your mom. Dr. Trivedi is a Board-Certified Psychiatrist. He treats children, adolescents and adults. Please visit www.MINDvantage.com for more information.

We all realize how difficult it is to raise children, and when it comes to raising them in a different culture or this complex world, the job becomes even tougher. Raising a child is probably the most gratifying job any of us will ever have, and one of the toughest. How does one even begin to talk to them about issues such as sex, HIV/AIDS, vio-lence, drugs and alcohol, and how does one decide what age is appropriate to have this conversation?

Consider this - our children are already getting a ton of information from TV, movies, magazines and school friends - and it may not be the right kind of information. If we don't talk with them early and often, and answer their questions, it is likely that they will get distorted facts from some-one or somewhere else. We will have missed an important opportunity to offer our children infor-mation that's not only accurate, but also in sync with our own personal values and moral princi-ples.

So, keeping these thoughts in mind, here are 10 tips for you to make this a less daunting task! 1. START EARLY They are being exposed to

information at a very early age when they may

not be ready to process what they are hearing - so start early.

2. START THE CONVERSATION FIRST Don’t wait for them to come to you. Use tools such as a TV show and talk about topics such as teenage pregnancy. The best technique: use simple, short words and straightforward expla-nations. If you have children of different ages, make sure you speak to them separately.

3. TALK ABOUT SEX AND RELATION-SHIPS You’re not alone if you feel uncomfort-able talking about this. For your child’s sake try to overcome your nervousness.

4. CREATE OPENNESS Children thrive in an open and free environment and will turn to us with questions only if they feel free to do so. Be encouraging, supportive and positive no matter what is being discussed.

5. SHARE YOUR VALUES Talk to them about more than just the facts. Communicate your values and they will listen.

6. LISTEN Give them your undivided attention. It helps to build their self-esteem and helps us understand them better so we can’t blame prob-

lems such as a different cul-ture or even a generation gap.

7. BE HON-EST Other-wise they are left with trying to figure out what the truth is which can lead to a lot of confusion. You don’t have to share all the details, just be pre-cise.

8. BE PATIENT Don’t finish their sentences. Let them put their thoughts together to give you the complete picture.

9. GRAB OPPORTUNITIES TO TALK In spite of busy schedules and a child’s natural resistance to resist formal discussions, use "talk opportunities," such as an article or a TV show.

10. TALK AGAIN & AGAIN & AGAIN... When they’re younger, they tend to forget.

Repeating the conversation from different an-gles will reinforce what you had talked about.


extra readings with me during the workshops and if I had an idea, she would really encourage me to bring it out. The entire unit was very gen-erous about ideas and help. I don’t have too many scenes with Lisa, I have more with Seema, but Lisa connects well with everyone.

CM: When is this movie set to release in the US? Shriya: I have no idea. They are still working on post production.

CM: OK – on to some “sensitive” topics. Rumor has it that you created quite a buzz with your attire at a silver jubi-lee function for “Sivaji – The Boss” and that you had to issue an apology for it. Other Bolly-wood actresses have gone through similar situations. How do you feel about being dictated to as to what you should and shouldn’t wear based on relig-ion? Shriya: Oh! It wasn’t such a big deal. It was just a group of people who had a problem. When the media spoke to people in Chen-nai, the CM’s daughter supported me, the CM supported me and so did Rajnikanth sir. I gave a writ-ten apology. You know, at the end of the day I like the city and have great respect for the people who live in it. It’s deeply rooted in it’s culture, the women still wear flowers in their hair and it has some other customs that I am

not aware of - like you’re not supposed to cross your legs and sit on stage – I didn’t know that! So, giving an apology because I may have hurt the sentiments of a few people didn’t seem like such a big thing for me.

CM: The movie “Sivaji – The Boss” has been a resounding success all over India – how has it been to be a part of such success? Shriya: It feels really really good! I am so grateful to God. You know this is the first film my dad saw with me and he was so proud of me. The problem is, you get one Sivaji and you want more. God probably thinks – hey, I gave you one - don’t keep asking for more! This kind of success makes you believe in yourself and of course, you tend to get more respect from the film fraternity.

CM: Some of your favorite movies… Shriya: I saw this movie called Wednesday which I really liked - every-one should watch it. From the older ones, I really liked Mandi and I have to give you a Shah Rukh Khan movie – it would have to be Dil To Pagal Hai!

CM: A final message for our readers here in Florida? Shriya: Try to give back as much as you can to your country whether it is your adopted one or the one you were born in. Give to charity, be positive and spread happiness and don’t forget to watch all my movies and make them big hits!

Contd. From Page 12

You know, at the end of the day I like the city and have great respect for the people

who live in it. It’s deeply rooted in it’s cul-ture, so, giving an apology because I may have hurt the sentiments of a few people didn’t seem like such a big thing for me.

Jesse Metcalfe and Shriya in The Other End of the Line

Anupam Kher and Shriya in The Other End of the Line


KIDNAP (Release date: October 2nd) This thriller comes from the director of Dhoom series, Sanjay Gadhvi. The film pits a newcomer opposite one of Bolly-wood’s finest in a cat and mouse action packed movie. From the first look at song promotions, you can tell that new-comer Imran Khan has taken a polar opposite role from that of Jai in Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na. He plays a kidnapper who abducts the daughter (Minissha Lamba) of a rich executive played by Sanjay Dutt. The film is set to release in theatres this October.

DRONA (Release date: October 2nd) After two fairly disappointing outings this year in Love Story 2050 and God Tussi Great Ho, Priyanka Chopra is looking forward to a big hit in the latter part of 2008. Drona could give her that. The film also stars Abhishek Bachchan, who looks quite cool in a gold costume, Jaya Bachchan and KK Menon. This is a fantasy action adventure with Pri-yanka (looking fabulous of course) performing some daredevil stunts - she plays the role of Abhishek's bodyguard (!) - and a knockout final fight se-quence between Abhi and KK. The plot concerns the journey of a man who turns into a hero and involves magic, myths and mayhem - a world where a single spell can turn flesh into stone. Sounds very mysterious and exciting!

HELLO (Release date: October 10th) Produced and directed by Atul Agni-hotri, the film is based on Chetan Bha-gat’s bestselling novel, One Night At A Call Centre. The cast includes Shar-man Joshi, Sohail Khan, Ishaa Koppi-kar, Amrita Arora, Gul Panag, Sharad Saxena, Dalip Tahil and Suresh Menon. There are also special appearances by Salman Khan, Arbaaz Khan and Katrina Kaif. The story revolves around six call center employees and what happens in their lives. One night God (Katrina Kaif!!!) calls them and… well, you will have to watch the movie to see what happens next!

KARZZZZ (Release date: October 17th)

After Aap Ka Suroor, Himesh Re-shammiya is back with a remake of the old hit Karz which starred Rishi Ka-poor, Simi Garewal and Tina Munim. The remake starring Urmila Matondkar and of course Himesh himself has been produced by Satish Kaushik. Himesh has been at the helm of the movie’s music as well and because of the great melodious tracks, the soundtrack is already doing quite well. It is to be HOPED that the movie will be just as great!

ROADSIDE ROMEO (Release date: October 24th) Yash Raj Films and Walt Disney Pic-tures team up for the first time to pro-duce this animated film. Providing the voices for the two main characters, Romeo and Laila, are Saif Ali Khan and Kareena Kapoor. Also lending his voice to the project is Javed Jaffrey. All of the animation has been done in India, and the film will feature classic YRF staples, such as dancing, romance, and songs. Jugal Hansraj is behind the camera this time, making his directorial debut, while Salim-Suleman has com-posed the music and Jaideep Sahni has penned the lyrics.

FASHION (Release date: October 29th) If his past track record is anything to go by, multiple national award-winning director Madhur Bhandarkar’s latest film is likely to be the underdog of this year. Despite several successes, Bhan-darkar has stayed true to his belief that it is not a big budget that makes a film work, but a strong story. Even though Fashion is his most expensive film yet, a film of this magnitude has set exam-ples for the budget it went with. Like all his films, the main character is a female played by Priyanka Chopra.. Bhandarkar has brought out the per-former in several actresses in the past and one hopes he does the same with Priyanka who is currently witnessing a terrible lull in her career. Will Fashion do the trick for her? After all, she was a model before she became an actress!

GOLMAAL RETURNS (Release date: October 31st) After the success of Golmaal: Fun

Unlimited, it was inevitable that the film would be followed by a sequel. The principal star cast consisting of Ajay Devgan, Arshad Warsi, and Tusshar Kapoor is back, but Shriyas Talpade has replaced Sharman Joshi in this one. The glamour quotient is also getting an upgrade with Kareena Ka-poor, Amrita Arora, Celina Jaitley and Anjana Sukhani in the mix. If you loved the first one, then this one should be an even more of a rib-tickling ex-perience according to the buzz.

WANTED (Release date: October) It seems to be the year of the remakes and we have the very talented Prabhu Deva with his very first Bollywood directorial debut, Wanted Dead or Alive. This is the remake of the Telugu superhit film Pokiri starring the Prince of Teluga Cinema, Mahesh Babu and Ileana D'Cruz. The Bollywood remake presents a new and fresh pairing in the form of Salman Khan and Ayesha Takia and judging by the promotional pictures, the two are set to rock the screen. This project is produced by Boney Kapoor and has music by Sajid-Wajid. The story is about a mafia henchman, the love of his life and a twist in the climax that will surely take you by surprise. Look out for this ac-tion packed drama set to release this October.

HEAVEN ON EARTH (Release date: Late October or early No-vember) No matter what she does, it makes news. This is because of the simple fact that world-renowned filmmaker Deepa Mehta is a master of her craft. Perhaps the most intriguing part of all her films is that she doesn’t shy away from ex-posing things and she tells it like it is. With Heaven on Earth, she tackles the issue of domestic abuse and puts a magical spin on it. The film has been screened at the Toronto International Film Festival and both Deepa Mehta and her leading lady, Preity Zinta, re-ceived standing ovations. It is being said that this movie not only marks one of Mehta’s finest works to date, but also Preity’s as the best female per-formance of this year.

By: Nandini Chakraborty Do you realize that there are only 3 more months left in 2008 and that there are still some highly anticipated films getting ready to try their luck at the box office? Bollywood has had some ups and downs so far this year at the ticket counter. “Jaane Tu Ya Jaane Na” and “Rock On!!” rocked the box-office and “Singh is Kinng” was KINNG. Others drowned without much noise or notice. We thought this would be a good time to give you a breakdown of what you can look forward to in October, November and December - here are some previews and we will break them down into some for this issue and some for the next. Get your movie watching evenings or weekends organized now!


Covering the basics of what every darubaaz should know seemed like a good idea so the next 3 articles I write will be fashioned after a “Dummies for Daru series”. If you follow the next three articles, you will be well prepared for hosting “balle balle” style holiday parties at the end of the year.

For this issue, we will cover the hardware or the essential tools of the trade that are needed in your bar. November will address the software or the es-sential liquids, daru and any mixers that are needed and finally December will cover all the presentations or the different glassware that is needed.

As usual, I have to share a story first. This is about a daru party that was hosted for me the day before I got married. It was a cocktail party and there

were over 150 people partying it up until almost 4 AM. The dhol guys had been playing from 11 PM and fresh seekh kababs and chicken tikkas were doing the rounds. Our house in Delhi has a huge wet bar in the basement built under the supervision of yours truly (!) and a lot of the information in these three articles comes from my experience from entertaining there. Go-ing back to that cocktail party, the police were also invited - not as guests but in order to break up a fight that was started by people who weren’t in-vited in the first place!

Enough said and now, back to the business of hosting. There are some basic tools needed to make cocktails. Some of these items are already in the kitchen and the rest can be purchased at prices that fit any budget. With these basic essentials you can mix cocktails that are sure to please with ease.

By: Ashish Jain

COCKTAIL & BOSTON SHAKERS There are two basic types of shakers avail-able in the market: the Cocktail or Tradi-tional Shaker, also called a "cocktail shaker" or "martini shaker", which is the classic shaker and the Boston Shaker.

A shaker has three parts - the cup, the top and the cap. Place ice, then the liquids into the cup, place the top and the cap tightly onto the cup, shake (away from the guest, especially while you are not com-fortable with this item). To serve, remove the cap. The top works as a strainer.

Boston Shaker– this shaker serves a dual purpose because it is comprised of a 16 ounce mixing glass and a larger, flat-bottomed metal cone. The glass can be used by itself for stirring drinks over ice and the two pieces are used together for shaking ingredients with the metal part fitting over the glass. The Boston Shaker requires the use of a strainer.

JULEP STRAINER A perforated metal strainer in the shape of a soup spoon that is used when drinks are strained from a mixing glass.

JIGGER A metal measuring device that usually has two cones on either end. The larger cone typically holds 1 1/2 ounces while the smaller cone holds 3/4 or 1 ounce. The jigger is an essential, aesthetic piece of the bar set up which helps ensure precise measuring of liquids.

BAR SPOON Different from the average spoon, a bar spoon typically has a long, spiral handle and a petite spoon bowl. This type of spoon is essential for stirring and layering drinks.

MUDDLER A thick stick, made of either wood or stainless steel, used to mash ingredients at the bottom of a glass. Often used to mix sugars, bitters, and also to extract juices and oils from fruit and mint. Muddling is an essential step in making old-fashioned Mojitos and Caipirinhas. Ghar ka belan

will NOT do!

SPEED POURER The speed pourer, or bottle pourer can be handy for big parties for quick and easy pouring. Remove these pourers from bot-tles after the party or your hangover, whichever is later, and seal bottles with their original caps. This prolongs the shelf life and the freshness of the daru.

WINE OPENERS Wine openers, from a simple corkscrew to the fancy "estate" wine openers, the most popular is the "waiter's corkscrew" which is small, easy to use, and folds up. If you drink a lot of wine, definitely invest your money in a good wine opener. A wine fridge is also a must for wine drinkers (price ranges from $90 dollars to $1,000 and up).

BOTTLE OPENERS Corner of the kitchen table will do if the wife is not looking or if you are under 20, you can even use your teeth. The other alternative is to invite some one who wears a kada as it is an excellent bottle opener. For better and more consistent results, invest in something simple and easy to replace as they have a habit of disappear-ing.

ICE ACCESSORIES Ice is key to the bar and items like ice buckets, crushers, scoops and tongs are essential. I cannot tell you how important ice is in hosting a party. Extra ice bags are imperative for a successful party.

ELECTRIC BLENDER A blender is essential for preparing frozen drinks like frozen Daiquiris and Margari-tas, and it is also used to crush ice and puree fruit.

You now have a shopping list for your next party. Hopefully, this will get you going and I will see you next month with my next edition in the series. Until then, have a balle balle of a time shopping for bar es-sentials.

Questions? Write to [email protected].


Q: Dear Auntyji, my husband and I have no close relatives or relative who would be willing to take our three children if something were to hap-pen to the two of us. We really do not have many close friends, but there is a couple we know with four children. The children are nice and the family shares similar educational and religious values as we do. Our children will not be any-one’s burden, they would come with income suf-ficient to care for them, and enough money for their college education. Do you think we should ask this family to take care of our children or should we consider sending them back to India should anything happen to my husband and me? Anjali from Coral Springs

A: Anjali - aap kaun si duniya mein rehti hain? Auntyji considers herself to be a wise woman, and can give advice on a lot of issues to help people, but she would never venture to make such a deci-sion. You want to decide the fate of your children based upon a paragraph question that you are pos-

ing to a faceless person in a maga-zine. Auntyji just hopes that not all decisions in your life are made in such a frivolous manner. Deciding your children's future is a very serious matter and needs more thought than you have put into it. How old are your children? How well do you know this couple? What is the financial status of this cou-ple? How can you say that your chil-dren will not be a burden … you may have pro-vided for them financially, but have you thought about that couple

having to raise seven kids? That is a complete lifestyle change for anyone. Have they expressed any interest in taking care of your children? You talk about sending them to India - to whom? Will they want to take care of your kids? Will your kids be able to adjust there? What would your kids want?

Auntyji is not saying that she has the answers, but she feels that you have not really asked yourself all the questions. It is a good thing that you are concerned about the welfare of your children if something were to happen to you because a lot of people never think about it. If you are financially well off, you can set up trusts in your children’s names. You can direct the money specifically for their living expenses, education, to be given to them as an adult etc. Make sure that you and your husband have wills and that your wishes are clearly expressed.

If after all your considerations you still feel that this couple is the best choice, go ahead and ap-proach them. You are asking them for a lot, so

give them time to think. You might also want to think about compensating them in some way for doing you such a big favor. Just don’t get of-fended if they say no. As for sending your kids to India, the same considerations hold true for who-ever will take care of them there. On top of it, your children will have to adjust to a complete change in lifestyle, which can be very traumatic. You are the best judge for your children. Consider all of your options. Nothing is set in stone. Some-where down the road you can change your mind if you meet more people or your situation changes - and hopefully, you will be fine and live to see your children grow up to become fine adults.

Q: Dear Auntyji, you seem to have a flare for both men’s and women's fashion so I thought I'd take a chance and ask you this question. It's about men's hairstyles - I am balding and de-cided four years ago to shave my head completely bald for a cleaner look. I received a lot of positive attention from women at the time. However, over the last year or so I have noticed more men with longer hair and women paying less attention to bald-headed men. Are bald-headed men out and longhaired guys in? Pawan from Florida

A: Arre babu, if you are old enough to start going bald, then you should be smart enough to know that people are attracted to the person and not the length of his hair. Fashions come and go, and you live with them or without them. If you are a balding person, there is not much you can do about it or think about having long hair. Sure, you can do the comb-over, or a hair weave, or wear a toupee, but you will just look silly and people will laugh behind your back.

You have already done the smartest thing for bald-ing men … either wear the hair very short or shave the head. Auntyji finds that to be a very sexy look on most men … and she is sure that she is not the only one who feels that way. So, forget about fleeting fashions and even flightier women and show your shaved head with confidence. And, with all the money you will save on hair styling products, go buy yourself some trendy new clothes. Soon you will be attracting more women than you can handle.

Don’t forget, life is short - live it to the fullest with attitude! [email protected].

Auntyji’s birthday party was a huge success. The house and the pool looked fabu-lous. The food was delicious; the booze flowed freely and the bhangra beat was intoxicating. Auntyji wore a black chiffon saree with a backless choli and looked absolutely stunning. A lot of people came, and they all came bearing bottles of vodka. Now she has cases full of it to last her for years (not really … but should be enough for a week or two).

Auntyji was in her element. She carefully balanced her dirty martini while nib-bling on her chicken tikkas and mingling with her guests. Everyone was smart enough to pay her compliments and tell her how young she looked, and she ac-cepted their lies graciously. Even the sudden summer rain shower did not ruin her mood … she just burst out singing ‘Ye raat bhigi bhigi” like a true Bollywood heroine and felt like Mumtaz (or Helen) when the rain drenched saree clung to her skin (a lot of you CityMasala readers are too young to know who they were … you are lucky she did not compare herself to Geeta Bali). There was a silver lin-ing to this rain … in true Bollywood fashion, Auntyji got to do a costume change and re-appeared in a stunning red dress.

Now Auntyji has a bone to pick with CityMasala readers. It was her “special day”, and she did not receive even one lousy card or wish, let alone a present, from any of her admirers or readers. When did they all turn into miserly baniyas and marwaris ? Don’t you know that there is no such thing as a free lunch! You think that she listens to your problems and doles out free advice without having any expectations? If she knew she was going to get stiffed, she might as well have been filing her nails, eating Bon-Bons and watching Oprah instead. Now some of you who know her well may say that she sounds very much like her good friend Ramu when she whines like this … get over it! Next time just remember to send her a drink.

Speaking of drinks … Diwali is right around the corner. It is Auntyji’s favorite festival. Not only does it stand for a lot of virtues - celebrating good over evil, worshiping knowledge and wisdom, celebrating the Hindu new year, a time of giving and kindness, a joyous occasion to bring together family and friends … it also gives Auntyji another opportunity to indulge in eating (especially the barfis and jalebees) and drinking without feeling guilty. Many feel it’s OK to gamble too ... so Auntyji does not argue with that and makes her pilgrimage to the casi-nos for some indulgence.

Diwali is also a time to be grateful for what we have and say thank you for our health, wealth, family, friends, and all the other things that we take for granted in life. Auntyji just learnt about a friend of hers who passed away from cancer and wishes her well wherever she is now. Events like this make us realize how fragile we are … and that we should embrace every moment of life. We should be really thankful for what we have, and help those that are not so fortunate.

By: Auntyji


By: Vish Viswanathan Questions - [email protected]

WHY DIGITAL?

Analog broadcasts have worked well for a long time, so, many wonder why they have to make the switch at all, let alone as soon as next year. There are a variety of reasons to go digital, but the primary one is to conserve what has quickly become one of our most precious natural resources: radio spec-trum. There’s a fixed amount of spec-trum, meaning there are only so many frequencies available to handle televi-sion, radio, cell phone, networking, emergency, and other wireless traffic. Analog and digital transmissions eat up the same amount of bandwidth, but there’s a big difference between the two technologies. Digital transmis-sions can have compression and other technologies applied that are off-limits to analog transmissions. These tricks let broadcasters squeeze several digital channels into the same amount of bandwidth that one analog channel requires. This is important where HDTV broadcasts are concerned be-cause HDTV transmissions require more bandwidth than standard-definition channels. We have no way to increase available radio spectrum, so we must decrease the amount of spectrum each channel requires. Digi-tal is vital today, where hundreds of channels must coexist.

WHAT ABOUT ANALOG?

An analog TV can not use a digital signal. A DAC (digital-to-analog convertor) must receive the incoming digital signal, convert it to analog, and output the signal to your analog TV. If you have an analog TV and subscribe to cable or sat-ellite (digital or otherwise), you already have the

hardware that incorporates a DAC — so few of us will notice the difference once the content switches to all digital.

If you’re using an antenna to pull in free OTA (over-the-air) broadcasts, you may have a prob-lem. Right now, broadcasters transmit digital and analog OTA signals simultaneously, but on Feb. 17, 2009, the analog transmissions will stop. If your TV has an analog tuner, you’ll need a DAC

box to convert the digital signal. If your TV has a digital tuner, however, you’ll be able to enjoy OTA broadcasts. Check out the “Are You Ready For DTV?” table for a convenient break-down.

If your TV was manufactured after March 1, 2007, it has a digital tuner. Otherwise, check the manual or call the manufacturer to see what type of tuner is installed. Keep in mind that even if you have a digital HDTV, it may still have an analog tuner, as crazy as that sounds.

DACs are available in preparation for switch, but they’re not free; the NTIA (National Telecommunication & Infor-mation Administration) is subsidizing the cost. The most important thing to keep in mind before the transition is that there’s no need to panic. Your old TVs won’t become worthless, and new TVs will be ready to go once the digital switch is thrown, without you needing to buy any additional hardware, cables, or other accessories.

ARE YOU READY FOR DTV?

Most of us are already prepared to usher in the age of all-digital television, but refer to this chart for each television you have in the house to see what type

of hardware you need come Feb. 17, 2009.

Finally, here are some web-sites that have addi-tional information: Digital TV Transition from FCC - http://www.dtv.gov/consumercorner.html

All about DTV and Coupon Program - https://www.dtv2009.gov/

WHAT TYPE OF TUNER DOES YOUR TV HAVE?

HOW DO YOU RECEIVE YOUR TV SIGNAL?

WHAT YOU NEED FOR THE DTV TRANSITION

An analog tuner Over-the-air A DAC (digital-to-analog convertor) box

An analog tuner Via cable or satellite service Your existing cable or satellite equipment

A digital tuner Over-the-air, cable, or satellite service Nothing extra at all

Will I need to buy a new TV? Not necessarily.

How can I tell if my TV has a built-in digital tuner? Consult the owner's manual, look up information about your TV on the manufacturer's website or if your TV set has a connection labeled "digital in-put" or "ATSC" (for Advanced Television Sys-tems Committee, the DTV format), then it is digi-tal-capable. In addition, a TV labeled "HD Built-

In" or "Integrated HDTV" should include a digital tuner.

Will I need to purchase a converter box in order to watch television? You will need to buy a converter box only if you're receiving broadcasts through an antenna on an older TV - one without a built-in digital tuner.

How much does a digital converter box cost, and where can I get one? Every US household is eligible to receiving up to two coupons, worth $40 each, toward the purchase

of digital-to-analog converter boxes. This is a one-time cost.

Who will the transition to digital af-fect? Where will the shift occur? The nationwide switch will affect anyone who receives broadcasts with an antenna on a TV that doesn't contain a built-in tuner.

GO GREEN! Electronics waste is the leading contributor of lead in landfills. Recycle your old set if you’re getting rid of it and don’t simply throw it away.


INGREDIENTS ♦ 1 kg chicken, washed and cut

into medium sized pieces ♦ 1 cup chopped onions ♦ 1 cup chopped tomatoes ♦ 1/2 tsp turmeric powder ♦ 10-12 curry leaves ♦ 1 cup coconut milk ♦ Coriander leaves for garnish ♦ Salt to taste ♦ 2 to 3 tbsp oil

MAKE A PASTE WITH ♦ 2 green chillies ♦ 8 garlic flakes ♦ 1tbsp ginger ♦ 1 tsp poppy seeds

ROAST AND MAKE A POWDER WITH: ♦ 1/2 tsp peppercorns ♦ 1/2 tsp cumin seeds

♦ 3/4 tsp fennel seeds ♦ 1 1/2 tbsp coriander seeds ♦ 6-8 dry red chillies ♦ 2 cardamoms ♦ 1 stick cinnamon ♦ 6-7 curry leaves ♦ 1/2 tsp oil METHOD 1. Take a griddle, add one tsp oil and roast the

cumin seeds, coriander seeds, peppercorns, fennel seeds, red chillies, cardamom, cinna-mon and curry leaves on medium heat stir-ring constantly for 2 to 3 minutes.

2. Cool and grind into powder. 3. Make a paste of ginger, garlic, green chillies

and poppy seeds. Keep aside. 4. Heat oil in a heavy bottom vessel, add the

chopped onions and curry leaves and sauté until onions are transparent.

5. Add the ground paste and cook for a minute before adding the chicken and cook on high heat for approx 4 minutes. Keep stirring the chicken once in a while.

6. Reduce to medium heat, add salt, turmeric powder and tomatoes. Mix well. Let the chicken cook uncovered for about 4-5 min-utes.

7. Add the coconut milk and transfer the con-tents to a pressure cooker. Pressure cook for 4 minutes or for one whistle. Open lid and mix well.

8. Finally, add the ground garam masala pow-der and cook for 3 more minutes. Turn off heat and garnish with fresh coriander leaves.

To submit your recipe along with original pic-ture, write to [email protected]..

Feng Shui has a controlling 'chi' or a life force energy as its ultimate aim. The chi is of two types: Yang, which is dynamic and expanding; and Yin which is receptive and contracting. A balance of these two types of energies is essential to a harmo-nious and prosperous home.

The five basic elements should all be in balance: ♦ Metal - as represented by metal base lamps ♦ Water - as represented by tabletop fountains

and aquariums ♦ Wood - as represented by wooden furniture

and flooring ♦ Fire - as represented by candles, fireplaces

and gas-stoves ♦ Earth - as represented by pottery and indoor

plants and flower arrangements

According to Feng Shui, the area of a home or a room is divided into nine parts in an octagon or square shape - eight equal wedges and a center. The central position is for health while the other eight aspects correspond to marital relations, chil-dren, help from others, success in career, educa-tion, love within the family, money and fame re-spectively. A problem in any one of these aspects

may indi-cate a need to change the ar-rangement of the room in that par-ticular area.

Mirrors and smooth reflective finishes are meant to increase good 'chi' . Do not hang them in front of a door as this can make the chi bounce off the home.

Wind chimes or moving objects represent the wind element and their pleasing sound is also be-lieved to be therapeutic.

Green plants signify life and energize the area but dead flower arrangements are not recommended.

Money will flow in with water elements repre-sented by fountains, fish tanks, images of water, a

sailing ship model in artificial or real gold point-ing inward in the wealth aspect of the home.

Single guys and girls seeking a perfect mate should display photos or paintings of couples while those who want children should put up pictures that have children in them.

In the bedroom, position the bed so that you can see the door easily and not opposite it. The head-board should have a solid wall instead of a win-dow for support at the back. Beds should not have beams or canopies above them and mirrors should not reflect the bed in them.

Bathrooms should be clean and airy and should not face the entrance of the house.

Sofas in the living room should be placed so that you can see everybody upon entering the room. Keep minimal furniture with clear pathways. Round coffee tables and ottomans and furniture with rounded corner are preferable.

In the kitchen, cooking frequently invites wealth in the home. The person who cooks should easily be able to see people who enter the kitchen - place mirrors if this is not the case in your kitchen.

Feng Shui is an ancient Chinese art and science that believes in trying out simple tips to maneuver the environment and the energy around you in a way that benefits you the most. This manipulation can help you in areas of health, wealth, a more well balanced domestic life and can also help in eliminating stress from your daily life. Feng Shui deals with the placement of a house in relation to its landscape, of a room in the house, of doors, windows, furniture and accessories. Here are some tips to invite and promote the good things in life into your home and to eliminate the negative ener-gies or at the very least, to minimize them.


Aries: Mar 20th - Apr 19th Ruled by Mars Gemstone: Red Coral Lucky Day: Tuesday Lucky Number: 9

This will be a better month for you. The transit of the Sun at 6th place indicates that you will over-come your enemies and competitors. You will get some good news from your maternal relatives. The transit of Jupiter at 9th place indicates a very auspicious time. It might bring new opportunities for progress. There is a good chance that you may take a long trip.

Taurus: Apr 20th - May 20th Ruled by Venus Gemstone: Diamond Lucky Day: Friday Lucky Number: 6 This month is favorable and en-

couraging. The transit of the Sun at 5th place warns you not to invest in share lotto otherwise you may incur losses. The transit of Jupiter at 8th place may lead to philosophical beliefs, unex-pected benefits through ancestral property or part-nership dealings, and you will find an improve-ment in financial matters.

Gemini: May 21st - Jun 20th Ruled by Mercury Gemstone: Emerald Lucky Day: Wednesday Lucky Number: 5

You will not feel at ease this month. The transit of the Sun at 4th place indicates that it is not a favorable time for business or for a job. Your wish to purchase a vehicle or a house may remain unfulfilled. Women may have to face problems related to their children. The transit of Jupiter through 7th place may bring an opportunity for marriage or a good relationship with your busi-ness partners. You will get support from your friends.

Cancer: Jun 21st - Jul 22nd Ruled by the Moon Gemstone: Pearl Lucky Day: Monday Lucky Number: 2

This month you will have an average time period. The transit of the Sun at 3rd place indicates that you will face some stress related to a bank loan or government affairs. A difference of opinion with a sibling may be resolved. The transit of Jupiter at 6th place may improve your relationship with your competitors, get good news from the maternal side, present new opportunities in business or at

work and an auspicious event may take place in the family.

Leo: July 23rd-Aug 22nd Ruled by The Sun Gemstone: Ruby Lucky Day: Sunday Lucky number: 1 The transit of the Sun at 2nd place

indicates that a family problem may be solved after some delay. Your expenses may go out of control. Transit of Jupiter at 5th place indicates that students will get rewarded for their hard work, adults will accomplish their goals at work, will feel relief from financial crisis and those who may have been facing problems related with their children will find relief. Share- lotto will be bene-ficial.

Virgo: Aug 23rd - Sep 22nd Ruled by Mercury Gemstone: Emerald Lucky Day: Wednesday Lucky Number: 5 The transit of the Sun indicates that

you will have to be careful about your health. The transit of Jupiter at 4th place indicates that you will do well in business, may get power and pros-perity, and may be presented with some new op-portunities for a job. Your wish related to a house or a vehicle will be satisfied. A difference of opin-ion with your parents will be resolved. You may plan for travel.

Scorpio: Oct 23rd – Nov 21st Ruled by Mars and Pluto Gemstone: Red Coral Lucky Day: Tuesday Lucky Number: 9 The transit of the Sun at 11th

place indicates that a difference of opinion with a friend may be solved. You will get power and prosperity in both social and political fields. Do not take over anyone else’s responsibility or guar-antee. The transit of Jupiter at 2nd place indicates that a good occasion will take place in your fam-ily. You will get relief from familial responsibili-ties and may see an increase in your income.

Sagittarius: Nov 22nd - Dec 21st Ruled by Jupiter Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire Lucky Day: Thursday

Lucky Number: 3 The transit of the Sun at 10th place indicates that problems related to ancestral property will be solved. You will also get desirable profit in your business and could be transferred to a desired

place at work. A difference of opinion with your father will be solved. The transit of Jupiter from your zodiac indicates that health-wise, this time is favorable as well.

Capricorn: Dec 22nd - Jan 19th Ruled by Saturn Gemstone: Blue Sapphire Lucky Day: Saturday Lucky Number: 8

This month you will feel more at ease. The transit of the Sun at 9th place indicates that a wish related to a foreign land will be granted. You may plan a visit to a religious place, may get a promotion, business relationships may improve, and you may get a desired profit in business. The transit of Jupiter at 12th place indicates some auspicious expenses, benefits from ancestral property, and improvement in the health of an elderly person.

Aquarius: Jan 20th - Feb 18th Ruled by Saturn and Uranus Gemstone: Blue Sapphire Lucky Day: Saturday Lucky Number: 8 The transit of the Sun at 8th place

indicates that delays related to ancestral property will be resolved. Your business problems will also start to solve themselves. Do not take any extra risks otherwise you may incur losses. The transit of Jupiter at 11th place brings a new charm to life with memorable and fun events, unexpected help and support from friends and an outstanding time for partnership in business.

Pisces: Feb 19th - Mar 19th Ruled by Jupiter & Neptune Gemstone: Yellow Sapphire Lucky Day: Thursday Lucky Number: 3

This month is a crucial one for you. The transit of the Sun at 7th place indicates that your wish re-lated to a house will remain unfulfilled. You will face stress at work or in business as well as some obstacles either in your married life or related to your wedding. The transit of Jupiter at 10th place indicates that you will get support from people at work. New developments will take place where your business relations may also improve. You may also see relief related to your father’s health.

The Horoscope Column has been compiled by Astrologer Anil Shah who claims exper-tise in horoscope reading and predictions.

For more information, Anil Shah can be contacted at [email protected] or visit www.anilastro.com.

By: Astrologer Anil Shah Zodiac of the Month Libra: Sep 23rd - Oct 22nd

Ruled by Venus; Gemstone: Diamond; Lucky Day: Friday; Lucky Number: 6

Your birthday month is an even-toned time period for you. The transit of the Sun at 12th place indicates that you may plan a visit to a religious place. It also shows that you may face obstacles in business developments, and could be transferred to an undesirable place at work. Exercise a fair amount of caution as there are those who could be jealous of you and may want to undermine your efforts both at home and at work. The transit of Jupiter at 3rd place might present a good opportunity for a job. You will meet with success when it comes to bank loans and government matters.


She was so envious of Neeru’s life; it ate at her from the insides every single day. Neeru would have been really surprised if she ever found out and she couldn’t tell her – not in a million years. Except that she felt she was slowly losing her mind and she only had this one friend that she could really talk to.

Neeru was single, footloose and fancy free and yes, so she went through dating and relationship disas-ters, but that still left her free. Chitra wanted so much to be free. Free of her marital obligations, of being a parent, and sometimes even of being a daughter. She wanted to explore where she could take herself if she were given the option to live her life all over again. Actually, she wouldn’t mind if life could reverse itself to about 15 years ago – the exact time she had been married. Her mind drifted to her other friend, Mira.

Mira had gotten married fairly late, well, late if you looked at it from the desi point of view. She had been 35 and this was her first seven rounds around the fire or walk down the aisle, whatever you wanted to call it. She had fallen in love with an Amrikan and had somewhat dislodged the whole equation the three of them had always shared by doing this. This gora husband of hers would do things men just weren’t supposed to do, or were supposed to do but didn’t, especially the desi ones.

It made their monthly lunch and their bi-weekly ladies’ night out sessions very unbalanced because now all that Mira could talk about was how caring Mark was, how he cooked dinner for her every single day because she had to work late, how he would go shopping with her and finally, the last and most hard hitting blow, how he actually spent time with her parents when they came over for a month long visit! How could anyone be so happy? And yet, it wasn’t Mira’s life that Chitra envied, it was Neeru’s – her friend of over 20 years and one she would have gladly given her right arm for.

“Hey, which world are you lost in?” Neeru asked her. They were out shopping for groceries. Neeru’s weekly, or was it monthly, stock was neatly tucked away in one small basket while Chitra pushed her already overfilled cart towards the next aisle.

“Oh, nothing much! Just thinking about what else I might need that I may have forgotten to put on my list.” Chitra had two boys and a husband, all of whom loved to eat. Problem was, Chitra couldn’t have cared less about food and on top of being a completely indifferent cook; she was also quite a bad one. Her family had subsequently been raised on instant meals from the Indian store as well as the regular grocery store and each one of them had weight issues that they wrestled with. Except, of course Chitra, who cared even less about eating than she did about cooking.

“You really need to look into introducing a health-ier diet into your lifestyle, Chits” this from Neeru who was a health fanatic. She worked out at the gym religiously, six times a week, and watched her diet to the point that it drove everyone around her absolutely crazy. Neeru’s only indulgence was ice-cream which happened to be the one comfort food Chitra also craved. Both had spent many an eve-

ning in the days of yore when they would go through whole tubs with nary a second thought.

All that had changed when Chitra got married. “Did you hear what I said?” Neeru demanded as Chitra brought herself back to the present.

“Yes, yes I did. I know. I should do something but just the thought of staying in that kitchen any longer than I have to makes me shudder.”

Neeru shook her head mournfully. “You know, when you got married I thought I would finally get home cooked meals and I could pile on to you whenever I wanted. I waited and waited for you to become domesticated and it never happened – not even when you got pregnant!”

Chitra hit Neeru playfully and said, “Yeah right! Like you didn’t know how every attempt at cooking even before I got married ended up in flames or in the trash. Don’t try to pile on any guilt on me. It’s not going to work. I’ve known you for too long.”

Neeru looked at Chitra carefully. Under the smile was that familiar strain she had been seeing on her friend’s face for quite some time now. At first, Neeru had thought it was one of Chitra’s boys acting up – one was 14 and the other one was 12. Both of them were good kids but in Neeru’s opin-ion, they walked all over their mother much in the same way Chitra’s husband, Virag did. She was so easy going and laid back most of the time that people thought it fair game to do as they pleased with her.

At some point Neeru had also tried to talk to Chi-tra, to draw her out, but Chitra had never been one to talk too much about herself or her problems. Neeru also knew that when the time came, Chitra would let her know what was wrong. It wouldn’t be a very wordy conversation, merely a factual one devoid of drama. Neeru felt in her bones that something was wrong, that her friend was hanging on by a thread but didn’t know how to get through to her.

“You know something? Let’s get the hell out of here and get something to eat.” Neeru said to Chi-tra grabbing her cart and pulling hard.

“What happened to changing my lifestyle and eat-ing healthy?” chimed in Chitra smugly and Neeru just grinned.

“Do you want to call Mira and find out if she can come too?” asked Neeru.

“Why? So we can hear how perfectly wonderful Mark is at everything?” Chitra said this realizing at the same time that she had better watch it. Bitter-ness was seeping into her tone of voice. Moreover, Neeru and she had never really talked about how Mira’s married life grated on Chitra’s nerves.

Neeru giggled, “You feel that way too? Oh God! I want to kill her sometimes. My life is so perfect, my husband is so perfect, my home is so perfect, my job is so perfect! It’s like nothing is normal about her any more – it’s just perfect!”

Chitra gaped at Neeru with her jaw dropping down to her chest. “Oh my God! I had no idea you felt the same way. And here I am feeling miserable that

I have all these negative thoughts in my head for a friend instead of being deliriously happy for her!”

Neeru looked a little sheepish. “I do feel happy for her, very happy. It’s just that she seems to be so radiantly happy all the time! It’s not normal. She hasn’t always been like this. It’s like she’s desper-ate for things to be “perfect” and she thinks that if she talks about how perfect they should be, they actually will become that way. I don’t know – she’s been married for almost two years now. Things should have settled down into some kind of a rou-tine by now. And yet, every time we see her it’s about some perfection or the other – how is that possible, really, I want to know!”

Chitra looked at Neeru with renewed respect. She really hadn’t attributed such a healthy dose of “bitchy” to Neeru and yet what Neeru had said rang with more than a note of truth in it. Could Mira be hiding something? Was it possible to do that with friends? Almost with a physical force, Chitra felt like she had been hit in the stomach. Wasn’t she doing the same thing? Hiding? Pretend-ing that things were fine? Agreed that she did it minus the high pitched delirious joy that Mira dis-played, but the fact remained that she was in hiding too.

Chitra sighed as she started putting her groceries on the belt to get cashed out. She felt that feeling creep over her again – of feeling trapped and heavy – of not being able to breathe. She really should take on a healthier lifestyle. Maybe it would help alleviate these negative vibes. Or maybe she should listen to Mira more carefully when she extolled the virtues of meditation – that could be the answer.

She looked over at Neeru who was now on the phone with Mira. “Mira can join us. She wants to know where we’re headed. Where do you feel like going? Panera or that yummy Thai place?”

Chitra smiled in answer. She knew Neeru and Mira would come up with a place with very little input from her and that was fine by her. She didn’t like making too many decisions. Maybe that’s why marrying Virag had seemed easier than figuring life out on her own.

As she paid for her groceries, Chitra thought about her two boys, Amit and Vijay. They were so much like their father. She saw so little of herself in them. She loved them very much but always feared that the passion that you are supposed to love your child with was missing. Maybe the problem was within her – maybe the passion within her was just not there – for anything. She felt tears well up in her eyes. Damn this self pity – she was getting so tired of it.

She pulled herself together just as Neeru came up behind her saying “so how much of your fortune did you just sign away for all those groceries?” She pretended to be busy arranging the bags in her trolley to avoid looking at Neeru but Neeru held her shoulder very gently and said, “hey Chits – is everything OK with you?”

To be continued in November’s issue ...

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october 2008 free copy 2008 free copy www. citymasala.com a lifestyle and entertainment magazine for...

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