Herbs

Know your herbs

Know your herbs

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Find out which herbs you need to plant in your garden this monsoon.

Coriander leaves: Fresh coriander juice cleanses the urinary system and helps detoxify the body. It aids digestion when added to food.
Tip: While cooking with coriander, don't throw away the flavour-packed root. It can be used to lend aroma to tea.
Basil: Water-brewed basil or basil tea help relieve nausea. Basil is used for digestive disorders.
Tip: For long-term storage, pack dry basil leaves in layers in glass jars. Place a pinch of salt between each layer. When full, pour oil on top and seal tightly.

 

Holy basil (tulsi): It's a powerful adaptogen; it helps the body and mind adapt to stress.
Tip: Having an indoor tulsi plant can protect the whole family from cough, cold and viral infection. (Both basil and tulsi are members of the mint family)
Aloe vera: It soothes and rejuvenates skin, aids digestion, stimulates bowel action and boosts overall immune function.
Tip: Once you see a new aloe vera shoot pop up, it's time to move your plant to a bigger pot.
Thyme: Brewed with tea, thyme energises the whole system.
Tip: Excellent for treating physical and mental exhaustion, anxiety and depression.
Wheatgrass: A powerful antioxidant which helps protect against cancer and pre-mature aging, wheatgrass improves digestion and helps balance blood sugar. No wonder it is called 'liquid gold'.
Tip: Chewing fresh wheatgrass and spitting out the residual fibre is known to help better absorb the nutrients contained in it.
Herb care
It's best to consume herbs in plant form, absolutely fresh and organic (without the use of pesticides or chemicals). When you are starting to grow herbs, it seems easier to pick off a few big leaves around the bottom of the plant, and let the tender little ones at the top grow out. Wrong. Leave those large tough ones at the bottom. They are the solar panels that power your herb's growth. Although many herbs, such as thyme, sage, rosemary and oregano are Mediterranean in origin, most grow as well in the shade as under the sun. Parsley and coriander, however, fare better in a shady spot. The best way to keep herbs fresh for a long period of time is to keep their roots firmly planted in the soil, where they will be nourished and happy for several months. You can also store them in the freezer, especially those herbs that have high water content.

(Inputs from holistic nutritionists Priya Dhammi-Sharma and Mitalee Doshi)

Caught and framed

Sanjay Austa, March 3, 2013:

Picture perfect

Photojournalist Steve McCurry, best known for his photograph, ‘Afghan Girl’, never fails to invoke awe in the viewer through his astounding images. Sanjay Austa engages the ace photographer in a tête-à-tête.

His photograph of Sharbat Gula, the ‘Afghan Girl’, is probably the most recognisable photograph in history. But when celebrated photographer Steve McCurry is pushed to pick a favourite, he picks the picture of the dust storm moment he captured in rural Rajasthan in 1983.

In fact, his photographic journey across the world started with India, when, as a young freelancer in 1978, he made his first trans-atlantic trip here from the US, armed with a suitcase full of Kodachrome.

The story of how he intended it to be a six-week excursion and how it turned into a two-year sojourn is well known. From then on, McCurry has been a New Yorker in absentia, travelling almost eight months of the year. In a photography career spanning almost four decades, he has made more than 85 trips to India, but his fascination with the subcontinent remains undiminished.

In India recently for the Kumbh Mela and a talk, he cannot stop gushing about the life and energy he finds here.

McCurry made his reputation on his haunting close-ups, but he is equally adept at depicting the drama and energy of a street scene. He has demonstrated his skill in both photographing India. His solemn photograph of the boy smeared in Holi colours, or the poignant portrait of a mother with a child, begging at a traffic signal, exemplify the close-ups.

While the photo of the boy, captured in mid air, as he runs around a bend in a Jodhpur bylane with red hand-prints on the blue walls working as leading lines, or the two men balanced precariously on rocks in the foreground of a gushing waterfall in Goa — of his photographs for his book on monsoon — demonstrate his expertise in street photography.

Spontaneous creativity

McCurry says he never thinks whether it is going to be a portrait or a street scene, “It’s better to be curious and let things unfold and not try to be frantic and look for great pictures. It may be better just to relax and let it flow, as opposed to looking around. It almost seems too much like work,” he says.

But, is it easier to photograph in the chaos and crumble of developing nations like India and Pakistan than in the sanitised neighbourhoods of New York or London — places which the maverick Magnum photographer Bruce Gilden called the real “war zones” because in other places “people don’t care what you are photographing. Here (New York side walk), people do care. It’s like a war zone,”
McCurry, however, has an unabashed fascination for Asia.

Africa comes a distant second. His images from these developing countries has invoked awe in the viewer, showered a kind of benediction on the subjects, and contributed immensely to our knowledge of some of the lesser known cultures from these parts.

“I think you should just photograph what interests you. I don’t think we should feel compelled or required to do this or that. There are millions of places in the world. And they don’t interest me,” he says. He points out at the vanishing cultures around the world and the need to document them before they disappear.

“Let’s take the nomads in India. It’s a way of life that has evolved over thousands of years. It’s a whole way of life and it’s disappearing right before our eyes. It will be another generation or two and end of story. I think it’s important to have some memory of that and look back and think,” he says.

The last film

One of the things that did disappear right before our eyes was the grand old Kodachrome film — the preferred film of all top photographers. It took a final bow to the onslaught of the digital era and shut shop in 2011. And to chronicle its last glory for posterity and nostalgia was McCurry who requested Kodak to give him the last roll off its production line in Rochester, New York.

Armed with this last roll and its 36 frames, he shot around the world. In India, besides his street portraits of ascetics, Rajasthani women, passersby, he shot Amitabh Bachchan, Shekhar Kapur, Nandita Das and Aamir Khan in Mumbai. But it was Aishwarya Rai he really wanted to photograph.

“I would have traded all those guys for her — Amitabh Bachchan, Aamir Khan, Nandita Das, all. Just give me her. Unfortunately, she was in Sri Lanka and I was on a very tight schedule,” he says.

One of the other areas he left his unique mark on was an unchartered territory for him — the Pirelli calendar. The calendar which traditionally had fashion models in the buff and employed top fashion photographers of the world, turned a new leaf on its 40th anniversary by roping in photojournalist McCurry. He not only broke the hallowed tradition by shooting full-clothed women — one of them pregnant — but chose women who were contributing to social service in some way.

The calendar (2013) was very well received indeed, and is touted as one of the best Pirelli calendars of all times.

As McCurry explains, “I think you want pictures that are effortless and without a lot of fanfare around the technique. I think that’s where you want to strive. If a picture has insight into the human nature and condition, I think it’s going to be honest.”

After the interview, there is the daunting task of photographing the famous photographer. But McCurry is as comfortable in front of the camera as he is behind it. He positions his body three quarters to the camera. Brings one leg in front of the other. Shifts his weight to his back leg. Buries one hand in his pocket while the other probes his ear, his chin and his button. And you know you have

In sync with your growing teen

Tanuja Sodhi, May 4, 2013, DHNS:

TEENCARE

So, you think you are the busiest parent in the entire cosmos; more organized than the archetypal ant at work; a paragon of efficiency when it comes to being both - a provider and a caretaker at the same time. And yet, utterly clueless about how to deal with a brash and a difficult teenager back home? Time to hit the ‘pause’ button of your life really hard! Put on your thinking cap and rack your brains. If still baffled, ask yourself, “Do I spend enough time with my teen?” Crack goes the puzzle as you get your answer - “Probably not!”

In this day and age, working parents are slaving away at the office at the expense of spending quality time with their children. The increasingly busy lifestyles of both parents and teens can be a challenge for spending quality time together. We as parents need to develop skills that are significantly different and arguably more complex than they were three decades ago. The reality is that teenagers today are torn between asserting themselves as adults and being children who still need reassurance, as they are very vulnerable (although they may pretend otherwise).

If you are not sensible enough to reach out to them, nurture, and reassure them, it is likely that they will pull away from you and try to meet their needs elsewhere, which could make them more vulnerable to pressure from peers. This often leads to bad associations and complicated situations that could dramatically affect the entire family. Thus, the reasons for bonding with your teenager are greater than just finding an enjoyable way to spend time together. Modern day parents must make extra efforts to stay connected with their teenagers. By breaking out of the child-parent communication mold sometimes, you would be modeling healthy interactions for your teen's future relationships with colleagues, friends, and family.

Communication breakdown has been cited as a major cause of parent-teen conflict over the years. So, let the child talk freely with you with no fear of judgment. If they don't want to talk, that's fine too. When they really want to share their thoughts, they will come to you.

Let us step back a little to see where it all begins. As soon as the umbilical cord between the mother and her baby is cut at birth, the physical attachment to the mother may cease but the psychological and emotional attachment begins. And this provides a foundation for our young ones to thrive. A firm bond between mother and child affects reactions later in life. It reflects how well children do in school, how they build relationships with friends and how well they react to stressful situations.

Studies have found that children who have formed a strong bond with their parents are sociable and gregarious. Those children lacking a secure bond are more likely to be antisocial, withdrawn, hostile, and aggressive. Spending quality time with the teen helps parents and teens stay connected and can drastically improve teen behavioral issues.

Why scour far and wide for a worthy example to substantiate the case in point? Let me dissert my own case. While in a full-time employment when my son was a toddler, our inability to devote quality time to him made him an archetypal asocial child. He hated anyone and everyone who dared to come close enough to strike a conversation with his parents. He would go to the extent of displaying physical aggression to keep people off limits from his ‘nonpareil’ mom and dad. He understandably was a highly insecure child who craved our time and attention which was scarce and sporadic at best. It was only after I quit my full-time vocation and became a hands-on mother that he gradually transformed from a recluse to a more affable child. While I worked from home there on, to undo what could have been the most costly mistake of my life, deluging him with all my time and attention, he grew into a gregarious and convivial teen as I see him today. He is the undisputed ‘jokesmith’ of his class by his own admission, and I certainly am not complaining!
It is an accepted fact that bonding develops through interaction. If scouting for ideas, you could choose from the following list or devise your own innovative ways of spending quality time with your teens:

* Reading with your child
* Playing a board game
* Watching movies together
* Listening to favourite music together
* Laughing at silly things on YouTube together
* Visiting a coffee shop together
* Taking post dinner walks
* Going for a drive together
* Go shopping at their favourite mall
* Having them help you at home with cleaning, re-arranging the house, etc.
* Cooking with your teenager or teaching to cook favourite dish
* Renting movies and staying up late on weekends
* Volunteering for a noble cause with your teenager or just randomly going on a food distribution spree.
* Listening intently to what your child has to say about the life issues she/he may be facing. Inquiring about their hopes, wishes, interests, passions and aspirations
* Connecting over family dinner every night, which can be a great time to ask questions about your child's day without interruption.

There are myriad possibilities for doing fun things together. Although teens may not know how to express their appreciation, they won't forget the special times, especially the one-on-one times that you spend with them.

Teenagers, by nature, are driven to separate themselves from their parents and become individual, autonomous beings. They are no longer children yet not accepted as adults, their hormones are exploding, they're trying desperately to figure out who they are, what they believe and what their capabilities are. Though they are seeking independence, most teens are not emotionally ready to cut themselves off from a family that they love. At such a juncture, spending one-on-one time with teens-in-turmoil will not only have a profoundly positive effect on their behavior but also help you develop an unbreakable and deep-rooted bond with them.

A crucial afterthought: no matter how busy you may be or how wound up with chores, always remember to hug your children every day, preferably just as they are leaving for school and at the end of the day to let them know that you love them deeply.

Fighting dandruff head on

Dr Pranjal Shamsher, May 4, 2013, DHNS :

Headstart

Are those white, itchy flakes of skin stopping you from wearing your favourite black top? It could be dandruff and though it’s not a serious condition, we know it can be embarrassing. And yes, dandruff is a chronic condition, but it is quite harmless. Dandruff occurs when your scalp is either oily or very dry and characterized by itching, producing white flakes on your scalp. This is one condition which is found in people of all ages. There are three types of dandruff which might attack your scalp for different reasons. And each of these conditions has to be treated differently.

Fungal dandruff
There are times you may mistake dandruff for dry scalp and shampoo less frequently. However, what is shocking is that this just worsens the condition. There is a fungus called malassezia which lives in our scalp and the most common cause of dandruff is the overgrowth of this fungus. So, when you stop washing your hair as frequently as you should, your hair becomes greasy, the fungus feeds on this and dandruff grows.

Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
Seborrhoeic Dermatitis is a more severe form of dandruff which causes greasy bran-like scales. This type of dandruff is almost always accompanied by skin inflammation that will affect your forehead, eyebrows, the lines of your cheeks, the skin around your nose and even your armpits. The good news for those of you suffering from seborrhoeic dermatitis is that direct sunlight improves this condition and relieves its symptoms.

Scalp PsoriasisAnother common skin disorder that produces raised, thick, silvery scaly patches on the scalp is called the Scalp Psoriasis. It sometimes even spreads beyond the scalp to your forehead, behind the ears and back of the neck. Though very similar to dandruff, scalp psoriasis is much harder to treat.

This condition is not contagious. However, experts opine that scalp psoriasis could be a result of an abnormality of the immune system which makes the skin cell to grow very quickly, resulting in building up of patches. If scalp psoriasis runs in your family, you are more likely to be affected by it.

Causes Though the exact cause for dandruff-triggering conditions is not known, extremely oily scalp, hormonal imbalances, extreme stress, heart problems are often said to be the causes. In some cases, even the chemicals used in the hair care treatment is said to trigger dandruff.

Difference between seborrheic dermatitis and psoriasis Since both scalp psoriasis and seborrheic dermatitis are common conditions that affect the scalp, it can sometimes be difficult to differentiate between the two. In addition, even some of the signs and symptoms such are itchy, scaly scalp are same. However, here are few differences which your doctor might be able to tell: scales of scalp psoriasis are thicker and drier in appearance when compared to the scales of seborrheic dermatitis.

Scalp psoriasis affects not just your scalp but other areas of your body like elbows, knees, hands, feet or even your nails.

Signs and symptoms of Scalp Psoriasis

Your skin will have red patches with silvery white scales

These silvery white scales may be attached to your hair shaft

The patches or the thick crust on the scalp will bleed when you try removing them

These red patches might extend beyond your hairline

You will notice itching and soreness

Prevention of Scalp Psoriasis

Though complete cure of scalp psoriasis is not possible, you can take a few steps to ensure that the condition does not worsen.

Wash your hair daily

Avoid sunburn as psoriasis may develop on the injured skin.

Comb and brush your hair regularly. This can help prevent psoriasis on the scalp.

However, make sure you don’t brush too hard as scratching can cause irritation.

Signs and symptoms of Seborrheic dermatitis

You will notice red, oily skin covered with greasy white or yellow scales

In this case, the patches or the thick crust can be removed easily and there will be no bleeding

These patches are usually confined to the hairline

In Seborrhoeic dermatitis, itching might be severe

Prevention of Seborrhoeic Dermatitis
While it might be difficult to completely get rid of dandruff, you can definitely contain it.

Shampoo your hair regularly

Learn to manage stress as stress can trigger dandruff or exacerbate existing symptoms

Stay away from hair sprays and styling agents as they make your scalp oily leading to dandruff.

"Our Plant Needs Lovers''

"Our Plant Needs Lovers''

Environmental educator DAVID ORR tells POONAM JAIN that to protect Earth, our planet needs lovers of every shape and form

Real Education Is Mastery Of Oneself

Education will not save us — but education of a certain kind might just save the world. Therefore, the goal of education is not mastery of subject matter, but of oneself.

Do Not Dominate Nature

Lesson Number One, according to Orr, is: Do not dominate nature.To drive home this point, Orr helped create a 20,000-acre greenbelt at Oberlin University in Ohio, near Cleveland. Here, he promotes sustainable agriculture.“

The Oberlin Project launched in 2009 as a joint initiative with the City of Oberlin includes five very practical objectives as a part of a unified system. We want to build an example of a sustainable

economy powered by renewable energy in the heart of the US, and move an entire city to becoming ‘carbon positive,” summarises Orr.

Learn Mindfulness And Compassion

With the Oberlin Project, Orr endeavours to change minds. “I want students to grow in a state of mindfulness. I want them to see patterns and want them to have the courage to be compassionate.” He borrows from the philosophy of the river

of life; we have responsibility towards our ancestors from the past and our future generations to come.

We Are All Interconnected

Orr says, “This idea is ancient and is part of every organised religion. We have obligations to the generations past as well as to our grandchildren and theirs…we live in a seamless relation of obligation and opportunity that is both a constraint on what we do and what we would want to do. But let’s not forget that we are all

interconnected in this web of life.”

Managing Earth A Huge Task

According to Orr, lesson number two is: Even with enough technology and knowledge, we will never be capable of managing Earth. “Managing the planet has a nice ring to it. It appeals to our fascination with digital readouts, computers, buttons and dials. But the complexity of Earth and its life systems can never be safely managed,” elaborates Orr.

Education Limits Your Potential

He says that it is a common myth that educational certificates offer people upward mobility and success. “On the contrary, people become unfit for anything except in displaying an elaborate and completely artificial charade,” he opines.

New Definition of Success

Our planet doesn’t need successful people, but it does desperately need more peacemakers, healers, restorers, storytellers, and lovers of every shape and form. It needs people who live well in places they call home.“It needs people of moral courage willing to join the fight to make the world habitable and humane. And these needs have little to do with success as our culture has defined it,” says Orr, indicating that we need new paradigms to judge what we consider successful.

 

Good one must read

The spiral of silence

Shefali Tripathi Mehta, May 26, 2013, DHNS:

Home truth

When we see unfairness around us, our reaction is mostly to remain silent. The courage that is required to speak up in such situations is wanting. The negativity and the fear of confrontation force us to forfeit our rights and silence our voice of gumption. But, isn’t it about time we stood up for ourselves, and for others, wonders Shefali Tripathi MehtaAnew series of TV commercials that show the house-help being asked by the family to join them at the dining table for a meal, and a waiter being offered a cold drink by the customers he is serving, seem to have struck a chord with us. It asserts, ‘Hawa badlegi’, the winds of change are imminent.

So, who will bring the change? Any change, not just to have the house-help sit on the sofa with us, but the transformation of the innumerable situations which make us feel cheated, defeated, wronged because these are wrought out of some bias, unfairness, unreasonableness, or simply, unthinking, unsympathetic attitudes?

Big and little heartaches, injustices of life dot our days. Initially, when we are exposed to the vagaries of living in a world with others and the skewed balance of right and wrong, most of us try to take things on, improve, and make a difference. Gradually, as our attempts are thwarted, the ‘what can I do?’ helplessness that dismays at first goes on to become a way of life, a convenient refrain.

When we see a vehicle that is speeding, erratically driven, or the driver talking on mobile phone, we fume but do nothing about it. If the vehicle hits someone, kills someone, we are outraged. Bangalore hasn’t forgotten the 2006 accident involving a Volvo bus that ploughed into a bus shelter killing two and injuring 20. Yet, today, it is not uncommon to see Volvo bus drivers deep in conversation on their mobile phones while driving the enormous, speedy buses through our delinquent traffic. Why don’t the passengers object?

Blinding biases

We look for ‘someone we know’ in government offices, police department or any other agency that we need to ‘deal’ with; on being harassed or cheated, we do not report for fear of consequences, of a backlash. We conform to the ‘take it or leave’ attitude of those in control everywhere. Little children get abused in school buses and in schools, yet we do not report suspicious or unacceptable events or behaviour because we are afraid of the school’s disapproval or action against us. The same obsequious attitude persists in our other dealings — schools and colleges impose arbitrary rules, demand ‘development charges’ without receipt; packed malls and film theatres that make a few hundred on each ticket keep air conditioning switched off; clerks in offices are ‘not on their seat’ for hours while we wait; the courier reaches us in 10 days; some post never reaches us; the grocery store does not add the ‘free’ item; overcrowded ticketing, billing counters have one working among the several unmanned; and railways, the lifeline of the millions, grows out of bounds for them as shoddy technology in the name of progress takes over reservations, and touts find loopholes to sell tickets to those who can buy at a premium.
A person, apparently of limited means, travelling in an airplane, was treated contemptuously by the cabin attendant who kept asking him rudely what his problem (illness) was, insisting on speaking in English, a language clearly the passenger did not understand. The gentleman and his escort were travelling for treatment to a big city and only dire necessity could have compelled them to take a flight. The crew’s duty is to serve the passengers and not judge who deserves their attention or contempt. But bigotry and biases make people shame their position repeatedly. The person who needed the most care onboard was ignored and humiliated, and men in business suits, completely capable of wearing their own jackets, were graciously helped into them.

What were the other travellers, I included, doing? Watching it all, feeling the anger, the shame, the indignation, and yet keeping quiet? After I registered a complaint and was assured of necessary action, the incident came up on social media, people were disgusted, shared similar experiences and offered recourse, including never patronising the airline again. But social media is only a likeness of the real world. It is easy to vent on online forums. The courage that is required to speak up in real situations is wanting.
The negativity, and the fear of confrontation, of not finding support from others, or simply of what onlookers may dismiss as ‘making a scene’, stops us from putting ourselves into confrontational situations, forfeit our rights and silence our voice of gumption.

Apathetic system

Early this April, in a small town in Uttar Pradesh, four sisters aged between 20 and 30 years were returning home in the evening after invigilating a school exam when two men on a motorcycle sprayed acid on them with a Holi pichkari. One girl, severely injured, lost an eye, and the others suffered burns in the brazen attack, which was someone’s idea of fun, perhaps? Another young girl lost an eye and lies critically burnt after an acid attack on her just as she arrived in Mumbai to join the Army.

We, especially women, are told to fear and not take on hooligans, jealous exes and eve-teasers who may resort to revenge and who always seem to get away without punishment. Criminals, perverts, thieves and petty wrongdoers are a part of the society we live in. But for them to take control, to go about audaciously committing crimes and not be punished, adds to the despondency of the man on the street.

We have seen people losing lives over trifles. We have witnessed the ordeal the families of Sabrina Lal, Aman Kachru and Nitish Katara went through to get justice for their loved ones. But for each one that got justice, distressingly delayed even, there are hundreds that didn’t — Sanjana Singh of Bangalore, who died when a wall that was found to be of poor quality, constructed with no inspection and supervision, collapsed on her; or Kshama Chopra Shetye of Gurgaon who, along with her unborn baby, was crushed under the wheels of a rashly-driven BMW. We know how difficult the path to redress is. The fight is not just against the criminals, but against a system that seems to harass the victim.

Our judiciary, law, government, police cannot ensure that our rights will always be safeguarded. We know how money, status and power prevail over our rights. We have seen how those that have harmed and killed whistle blowers and RTI activists have not been brought to book. Manjunath Shanmugam and Satyendra Dubey were brazenly killed for trying to stop corrupt practices.

When in 1990, Ruchika Girhotra, 14, of Haryana, molested by the Inspector General of Police, SPS Rathore, made a complaint, she, her family and friends, were so harassed by the police that she committed suicide. It took almost 20 years before Rathore was pronounced guilty and given a diminutive sentence. Ruchika’s friend and eyewitness, Aradhana Prakash, did not buckle under the threats and fought for justice for her friend till the case was closed two decades later. But she is among the brave hearts that show exemplary, extraordinary courage. Normally, life demands less from us. By conceding our right to speak up against little wrongs like when cable TV, water supply, auto rickshaw unions act like mafia and render our rights ineffective, we encourage wrongdoers and set a vicious cycle of crime into motion.

A Mumbai housing society where people have been living and paying property and corporation taxes for 23 years has been declared unauthorised and is facing the threat of demolition. While the defaulting builders have absconded, the residents face an uncertain future. In the meanwhile, there are a hundred other illegal structures that are allowed construction so money can be made. How do we bear such skewed forms of legality?
Speak up, speak out

“Some things you must always be unable to bear. Some things you must never stop refusing to bear. Injustice and outrage and dishonour and shame. No matter how young you are or how old you have got... Just refuse to bear them.” (William Faulkner)
V S Sunder, who has raised his voice against the inflexibility and insensitivity with which people with disabilities are treated, recounts incident after incident of blatant disregard of their rights. Why should a person on wheelchair have to stand up for security check at the airport? Why should not the companion be allowed to accompany them? Why must the person be physically lifted to a seat somewhere in the middle of the aircraft? Why must all the questions be directed to their escort?

When a queue breaker comes barging in to get served first, we have the option to remind them politely; demand they come in line; or fume and do nothing about it. A person who has the audacity to break queue, will most likely not be affected by any of this and nothing will be achieved. If, however, the person at the counter refuses to take the order of the queue breaker, would anyone break the queue in the first place? Those in authority, those in charge, must act with fairness, always.

Humiliation and a sense of wrong made Gandhi, Martin Luther King Jr, Aung San Suu Kyi and Nelson Mandela fight injustice. When Rosa Parks was asked if she had not given her bus seat to a white because she was tired, she said, “No, the only tired I was, was tired of giving in.”

As Bangalore grapples with a population explosion that has its limited resources stretched to seams, we face acute problems of garbage disposal, water shortage, dumping of sewage water into lakes and contamination of water pipelines, chaotic traffic, missing pavements, indiscriminate tree cutting leading to loss of the green cover and rise in temperatures; superfluous, shoddily made, bumpy flyovers, the usefulness of which shall never be questioned; the buses that move and stop arbitrarily jamming traffic; the underpasses that have, despite protests, been dug and then abandoned following PILs, rendering the roads unusable; randomly constructed medians with no storm water outlets leading to flooding of roads after a 10-minute shower, we do nothing more than sigh.

The bellicose & the nosy parkers

Our anger and frustration with a system we cannot change surfaces in undesirable ways — road rage and unnecessary fights with fellow citizens. We live in an atmosphere of distrust, believing everyone is out to cheat and harm us. On an evening out, as we parked into an empty slot, two vociferous women with children came charging and began to fight because apparently we had parked where they were planning to. Since our action was unintentional and without malice, we waited while they vented. I wondered about those women starting off an outing with so much anger. What were the children accompanying them thinking and assimilating? Couldn’t they, if they felt wronged in the situation, have dealt with it with less acridity? Had they approached us with a ‘we had wanted to park here, could you park elsewhere?’ I doubt we would have refused.

Keerti, a friend who will go out of her way to ask after and help others, often wonders if people think of her as intrusive. Asking your neighbours unnecessary personal details is intrusive, being alert is not. If, for example, neighbours had been a little vigilant, would those poor kids who had been holed up in a Jaipur house, have gone unnoticed? Nearly 50 children, aged between 5 and 17, were kept in two illegal children’s homes in a residential colony for months with little food and in pathetic living conditions and no one noticed?

A burgeoning population of upwardly mobile, disposable-income-equipped middle class that can buy its safety and security, peace and distance, is increasingly seeking an easy way out, creating an insulated world for itself. If we can’t deal with apathetic agencies, we hire agents to get jobs done; if we can’t send our kids in unsafe school buses, we send them in chauffeur-driven cars; if we can’t send them to colleges for fear of ragging, we send them abroad or to the five-star institutions that offer mineral water and airconditioned hostels; if roads are unwalkable, we step out in cars. This disengagement with society leads to more blatant abuse of our rights. We continue to pay taxes towards infrastructure, public security, services like roads, streetlights, garbage collection, health services, preservation of monuments, emergency and disaster relief, but cannot be bothered by the sordid state of these.
Winds of change
In Bangalore, illegal dumping of construction material into Bellandur Lake at night was reported by irate residents and was stopped. But the audacity with which people do and get away with wrong because they are rarely punished, and because of the powerful that back them, stops us from making the effort and risk courting danger.

But how can we dream of change if we continue to keep silent? Change is not made without inconvenience. Complaining from the margins will not do. Social change does not require superheroes. We can each aim for a ripple effect — help one person and it helps their family, the community, and person by person, we help the world; set one thing right; or fight for that one cause that moves us. Each one of us has the power to make some impact.

As the American biologist E O Wilson famously said, “We are drowning in information while starving for wisdom. The world henceforth will be run by synthesisers, people able to put together the right information at the right time, think critically about it, and make important choices wisely.” Information is key — to be aware of our own and other people’s rights, and to know what to do when — how to administer first aid, help accident victims, who to inform in case of an accident, fallen electric wires, cutting of trees, garbage or debris being dumped, kids employed, or when house-help is ill-treated. Why let the wrong prevail? Why not speak up for what is right, always and every time?

Health

True or false?

Evening primrose oil soothes eczema
The facts: It may not exactly be a household name, but evening primrose, a bright yellow plant native to North America, has a large following in the alternative medicine world.

The seeds of the plant contain essential fatty acids, which are used to make an oil that has a variety of uses as a dietary supplement and folk remedy. Its most popular use may be for eczema, the skin condition that affects as many as one in five people. Widely marketed and easy to find, primrose oil contains gamma linoleic acid, which is thought to help reduce skin inflammation without the side effects of other treatments.

But a large new study suggests that people using evening primrose oil for eczema may want to save their money instead.

In the study, a review of evidence published in The Cochrane Library, researchers looked at data from 27 studies involving either evening primrose oil and a similar supplement, borage oil, which is also rich in gamma linoleic acid. The studies, which included about 1,600 adults and children, compared the supplements to placebo.

The researchers did not find that taking either supplement allayed eczema any more than taking dummy pills. But they did find a potential risk. Evening primrose oil can have anticoagulant effects that increase the risk of bleeding, something that is especially dangerous for people already taking blood-thinning drugs like warfarin.

The bottom line: Evening primrose and borage oils are widely used remedies for eczema, but according to research, they provide no benefits.

Health

Herbal remedies from mint leaves

Richa Hegde, May 4, 2013, DHNS :

Known for its own subtle flavour and aroma, mint is one of the oldest and most popular herbs grown around the globe and is used in a variety of cuisines.

Mint leaves are rich in minerals and vitamins. They contain calcium, phosphorus, Iron, good amount of Vitamin C, D and E and small amount of Vitamin B Complex.

It is a perennial herb. Its fragrant smelling aroma is transmitted by its fresh green leaves and oil. Mint has a number of medicinal properties and numerous vital benefits –
Mint leaves eliminate toxins from the body and when included in the diet on a regular basis, eliminates bacteria and fungus from the body.

The aroma of fresh mint is very effective in relieving respiratory congestion. It can also help to overcome cough.
The strong, sharp flavor and scent of mint is used for common cold.

Mint Oil is used as an environment friendly insecticide for its ability to kill common pests like wasps, hornets, ants and cockroaches.

It is a stimulant. It restores the normal tone of tissues as a tonic.

Mental fatigue, stress, depressive states and headaches can be ameliorated if mint oil is applied over the temples and backhead.

Consumption of mint leaves balances vata and kapha.

Drinking herbal mint tea reduces irritated bowel syndromes. Mint tea is also a strong diuretic and is used as an anti-pruritic, especially in insect bite treatments.

Crushed mint leaves helps in teeth whitening if used twice a week.

A refreshing mint scent is a powerful medicine to treat nausea.

Mint leaves are used in teas, beverages, jellies, syrups, candies and ice-creams.

Mint acts as a cooling sensation to the skin and helps in dealing with skin irritations such as acne, heat bumps and burns. Powder of mint leaves, when applied on face regularly, can do magic to lighten acne scars very naturally.

Mint leaves are also used as a main component in aromatherapy.

During summer, preparing sherbet and chutneys with mint leaves, helps to relieve problems associated with gas.

Mint essential oil and menthol are extensively used as flavorings in breath fresheners, drinks, antiseptic mouth washes, toothpaste, chewing gum, room fresheners, shampoos and mint chocolates.

The antifungal properties associated with mint helps in curing asthma and other allergic conditions.

Mint juice is a good appetizer. It soothes the digestive track in stomach ache.
It acts as an expectorant. Promotes the oral ejection of mucus by spitting.
Mint is found to be effective in the treatment of gall bladder disorders, vomiting, menstrual cramps, bleeding diseases, and diarrhea.

Honey in a jar

Honey in a jar

Honey is considered to be an elixir of life. This lustrous brown liquid works wonders for your health in more than one ways.

1. Immunity booster

The antioxidants and anti bacterial properties that honey contains, aids the improvement of the digestive system. Consuming this liquid can help boost your immune system and keep you healthy and fit in life.

2. Skin Care

Variety of beauty products available in the market contains honey as their prime ingredient. Honey not only helps to smoothen your skin but also keeps acne at bay. The anti-bacterial properties of this liquid can give your skin a nourishing look and feel.

3. Aids Weight Loss

Experts recommend eating honey mixed with warm water every morning. This unique combination helps you digest the fat in your body and aid the weight loss process.

4. Cancer preventive properties

Honey contains a number of antioxidants and flavanoids that help diminish the risk of a few types of cancer. These antioxidants kill the collagen in the body.

Trust Almighty (found this in TOI) must read

Once a baby Girl went to a shop with her mother. The shop keeper looked at the small cute child and showed her a bottle with sweets...
And said, "Dear Child, you can take the sweets".
But the child didn't take. The shopkeeper was surprised Such a small child she is and why is she not taking the sweets from the bottle.
Again he said take the sweets. Now the mother also heard that and said, "Take the sweets dear".
Yet she didn't take it. The shopkeeper seeing the child not taking the sweets. He himself took the sweets and gave to the child. The child was happy to get two handsfull of sweets. While returning home the Mother asked the child Why didn't you take the sweets, when the shop keeper told you to take..?

Her response:
.
.
.
Child replies Mom! My hands are very small and if I take the sweets I can only take few.. But when uncle gave with his big hands, How many more sweets I got!

MORAL :
When we take we may get little but when the almighty gives He gives us more beyond our expectations more than what we can think of Because His blessings are more better than we can even imagine.

5 ways to relax at work

You may enjoy your job but every profession comes with moments that make you want to tear your hair out. Here's how to relax at work:

1. Spare some time for yourself

 Schedule around 10 to 15 minutes only for yourself. Take a break from work and utilise this time to walk around the building, grab a cup of coffee or sit quietly in a private spot.

2. Soothe your senses

 Lavender is a herb that has long been praised for its soothing scent. Keep a bottle or sachet of lavender essential oil at your desk and breathe deeply.

3. Pamper your hands

 Midway through the day, give your hands a massage with a soothing lotion. Not only will your skin feel good, but your joints and ligaments will thank you too. Also, make sure your keyboard and chair are in correct positions to avoid any kind of pain or discomfort.

4. Meditate at your desk

 Perform a mini meditation. Download your favourite music onto your iPod and spend at least five minutes focusing on your breath.

5. Stop being a complaint box

 Once you leave office, try and focus on life outside work and what makes you happy. If you really wish to vent out your day's stress to your spouse or friends, limit the nagging to 10 minutes. Do not go on and on about it. Your blood pressure will thank you.

Just read

'Always pack a sense of humour'

The writer has posted comments on this articleNona WaliaNona Walia, TNN | Aug 4, 2013, 01.13 PM IST

READ MORE nona walia|journey|Friends|adventurer writer|writer

'Always pack a sense of humour'

British adventurer, writer and TV presenter Bear Grylls tells Nona Walia why jungle (concrete and real) survival is all about knowing how to laugh at yourself.

Adventurer Bear Grylls has a simple motto in life: Train hard. Fight easy. From learning bushcraft, building shelter deep into the wild, hunting for food to survive and eating goat testicles, this Briton has done it all. Known for his television series Man vs. Wild, Grylls teaches the art of survival in harsh landscapes in a survival academy he has recently opened.

He says, "Surviving life-threatening situations is a science of attitude, it can instill positivity, resourcefulness, energy and fire. The trick is in overcoming your fear. It's about making a decision, getting on and doing it." The man who has climbed cliffs, parachuted from helicopters, run through forest fires, eaten snakes, drunk urine saved in a rattlesnake skin, and eaten deer droppings, gives us a few lessons on survival.

Survival skills are your forte? How necessary is it as a quality in today's world?

We need to have definite plans to survive in life.There's a saying: 'No plan survives the first contact with the enemy'. In fact, I love it when things go wrong. I think the secret lies in thinking fast and with ingenuity. Be committed to yourself and your life goal. While facing tough situations in life, don't panic. It makes things worse. Try to be calm.

Your book, A Survival Guide for Life, inspires people to overcome their fears. What life lessons can you give those who look up to you?

Survival skills aren't taught in schools or written in textbooks. My motto is 'don't listen to dream stealers' or become over-enthusiastic. I teach people how to deal with adversity yet keep their character in today's cut-throat world. I tell people how to imbibe qualities of primal life. Dynamic self-rescue survival skills can save your life across a whole series of terrains.

What qualities should people hone to survive all odds?

Optimism, team work, initiative, courage, resourcefulness and determination. The kick for me is seeing people literally grow in stature and confidence as they learn many of the skills and attitudes in practice. It makes it all worthwhile. Adventure brings out the best and worst in people. The wild is unpredictable. However much we prepare, things sometimes go wrong, and that's true of life too. I encourage people to find the strength in themselves. We are much stronger than we think.

What are your five top tips for holidays on the wild side?

Be prepared. Go with good friends you trust and who are relaxed people. Have a backup plan. Pack a sense of humour.

How do you relax?

I take off with my family to our little island hideaway in North Wales. It has 20 acres of green and one small cottage. It's my heaven on earth.

Grylls' survival tips for life

Plan, execute goals, face danger, push your limits to sharpen your instincts

Chase the goal, not the money

Always say 'yes' to opportunities

Never give up

There is no education like adversity

You can't become a horseman until you have fallen off a horse

Don't worry too much

Tents don't repair themselves when things go wrong, set them right yourself

Paddle your own canoe

Don't assume too much

Dreams require sacrifice

Honour the journey, not the destination

To get, you have to learn to give

Humility is everything

Instinct is the nose of the mind, trust it

Laugh at yourself, a lot

Keep good company

Find a good guide

Seek out motivation

Money is like a river, it has to flow

Be a volunteer

Keep grounded

Learn courage

Take care of your possessions

Use time wisely

Everytime you surprise yourself, you inspire yourself

Do not judge someone by their status

Let others shine

Be cheerful in adversity

When you go through hell, keep going

Ask yourself, what makes you smile

Success is about embracing tears and heartaches

 

Home Remedies To Remove Skin Tags:

Home Remedies To Remove Skin Tags:

 SKIN TAGS:

The scientific name of skin tags are achrochordon,pendulum fibroma,soft fibroma,templeton skin tags etc.....thes...

e growth are not harmful to our body.
These tags can be seen generally in any part of the body mostly these tags are appeared on armpits,lower portion of breast,upper portion of chest and neck,generally it will cause there is rapid rubbing of skin with skin.they have no particular shape,they are composed of duct,fatty cells,fibers covered with epidermis.
These skin tags are common in middle age people, who are suffering from obesity,diabetes & pregnant ladies.These skin tags can be appear in both men and women equally there is no change.

Causes of skin tags:
Bunches of blood vessels are stuck up in the inner bits of the skin and leads to skin tags.
By rubbing skin with skin occurs in armpits,folds etc..
The main cause of skin tags are hereditary.
Treatment for skin tags:

Actually we don't have any problem with skin tags if you feel uncomfortable to do shaving,you got irritation when you rubbed with cloth.we have some treatments that are used to remove skin tags.
By using heat you can remove tags,by burning of using electrolysis.
By interrupting the blood flow to the skin tag .
by using liquid nitrogen.
Above treatments should be followed by a trained medical (or) dermatologist.

NATURAL HOME REMEDIES FOR SKIN TAGS

1. Ginger
Take raw ginger and make it into pieces and rub it on skin tags daily up to 2-weeks automatically tags will fall down slowly.


2.Nail clipper
Tags can be removed by using scissors,nail clippers.By pulling the tag away from the skin layer and cut it but bleeding and infection may cause,so sterilize the clippers and around the skin tags with isopropyl .Now keep the ice cube and pull the skin and cut it.


3.pineapple
Take pineapple juice and apply it on affected area 3-times in a day.do this 7 to 10 days without rinse it off .


4.Onion juice
Take onion and make it into slices keep it in a container with added salt 8-10 hours.morning make juice with that mixture and in the evening apply this juice on tags leave it overnight and wash it in the morning.do this process every night for 10 days.



5.banana peel
Take banana peel and apply it on affected area and cover up with bandages
overnight, in the morning remove the bandage and rinse it off with water and repeat this every night until the skin tag will cut off from skin.


6.Apple cider vinegar
Apple cider vinegar is a best preferable remedy for removing skin tags.Apply a dab of cider vinegar on cotton ball and apply it on the affected area it cause some pain for few minutes.Repeat this process 25 to 45 days to vanish your skin tags permanently.

Avoid These Tablets

This message is from a group of Doctors in India:
(forwarded in public interest) (share it )
1) Do not drink APPY FIZZ. It contains Cancer causing agent..
2) Do...n't eat Mentos before or after drinking Coke or Pepsi because the Person will die immediately as the mixture becomes CYANIDE..
3) Don't eat Kurkure because it contains high amount of Plastic.
If you don't believe burn Kurkure and you can see Plastic melting.!
(News report from"Times of India")
4) Avoid these Tablets, they are very dangerous:
* D-cold
* Vicks Action-500
* Actified
* Coldarin
* Cosome
* Nice
* Nimulid
* Cetrizet-D
They contain Phenyl Propanol-Amide PPA. Which causes Strokes&Are banned in USA...!
Please, before deleting, HELP your frnds by passing it..!
Let it reach d 121 crores Indians.
It might help sum1. Fwd to as many as u can.See More

---

Aloe Vera Benifits

SHARE....IT PLZZZZ

The aloe vera miracle: A natural medicine for cancer, cholesterol, diabetes, inflammation, IBS, and other health conditions...Must Share

...
• Halts the growth of cancer tumors.
• Lowers high cholesterol.
• Repairs "sludge blood" and reverses "sticky blood".
• Boosts the oxygenation of your blood.
• Eases inflammation and soothes arthritis pain.
• Protects the body from oxidative stress.
• Prevents kidney stones and protects the body from oxalates in coffee and tea.
• Alkalizes the body, helping to balance overly acidic dietary habits.
• Cures ulcers, IBS, Crohn's disease and other digestive disorders.
• Reduces high blood pressure natural, by treating the cause, not just the symptoms.
• Nourishes the body with minerals, vitamins, enzymes and glyconutrients.
• Accelerates healing from physical burns and radiation burns.
• Replaces dozens of first aid products, makes bandages and antibacterial sprays obsolete.
• Halts colon cancer, heals the intestines and lubricates the digestive tract.
• Ends constipation.
• Stabilizes blood sugar and reduces triglycerides in diabetics.
• Prevents and treats candida infections.
• Protects the kidneys from disease.
• Functions as nature's own "sports drink" for electrolyte balance, making common sports drinks obsolete.
• Boosts cardiovascular performance and physical endurance.
• Speeds recovery from injury or physical exertion.
• Hydrates the skin, accelerates skin repair.

Uses Of Toothpaste, Found it in some link...............

TOOTHPASTE IS FOR MORE THAN JUST TEETH!

We love finding different uses for the most ordinary h...ousehold items. This time it’s TOOTHPASTE! Yes! We are going to share some unusual tips and tricks for this ordinary household item that you can use to clean things around the house and make other things shine! So…now that we’ve gotten your curiosity up, let’s get started!

Removes Scuff Marks
Can you believe that just a dab of toothpaste can remove scuff marks from your favorite pair of leather shoes? It’s simply amazing! Just dab a little on the scuff marks, rub the area with a soft cloth, and then wipe clean with a damp cloth. You will make them look like new!

Cleans Piano Keys
Are the keys on your old piano looking yellow and dingy? Make them look brighter by cleaning them up with some toothpaste on a soft toothbrush, then after a little scrubbing, wipe them down with a damp cloth. This only makes perfect sense, since the little ivories are essentially elephants teeth. This trick also works well on modern pianos even though their keys are covered with plastic rather than the real stuff!

Cleans tennis shoes…the rubber part
Try a little of the non-gel variety on one of your old toothbrushes to clean and whiten the rubber sides of your tennis shoes! After scrubbing them, take a damp cloth to clean it off and they’ll look almost new!

Clean “Gunk” Off Your Iron
Non-gel toothpastes contain a mild abrasive, which is just what you need to scrub the “gunk” off the plate of your iron. Apply it to your iron while its cool and scrub with a rag, then rinse well.

Make Your Diamond Ring Shine
Next time your brushing your teeth, take your toothbrush and run it over your diamond ring to make it sparkle! Clean off any residue with a damp cloth.


Clean Your Watch Band
A little toothpaste on an old toothbrush will allow you to scrub all of the dirt away from your watch band. Rinse carefully so the watch don’t get water in it. Polish with a soft cloth.

Baby Bottle Deodorizer
Are your baby’s bottles starting to smell like sour milk? Toothpaste works well to remove this odor! Just put a little bit on the bottle brush and start scrubbing. Be sure to rinse the bottle out well.

Goggles Defogger
Wearing fogged-up goggles is not only frustrating but can be dangerous as well. To prevent this, coat the goggles with toothpaste and wipe off.

Mirror Defogger
Ouch! No wonder you cut yourself shaving…a fogged-up bathroom mirror certainly prevents you from seeing your face clearly. Next time (before you shave and cut yourself) spread a little non-gel toothpaste onto the mirror and wipe it off before stepping into the shower. When you’re done with your shower and ready to shave, the mirror won’t be fogged up!

Shines Chrome
You can find many commercial cleaners containing a very fine abrasive that are designed to make your chrome shine, but if you don’t happen to have one of these cleaners handy, try a little non-gel toothpaste instead (which also contains a mild abrasive) It will work just as good. Smear it on and polish the chrome piece with a soft, dry cloth.Like our page Learning Petals

Cleans Your Bathroom Sink, Destroys Odors From Drain
Non-gel toothpastes work just as good as any other bathroom cleaner when it comes to cleaning out your sink. How handy can you get, it’s sitting right there at your fingertips so why not use it? OR…if your family is like mine, they drop gobs of it in the sink while brushing their teeth so just take a sponge or cloth and make good use of their waste! Rinse it out and see it shine! An additional bonus even! This will also destroy any odors coming from down inside the drain.

Cleans Crayon Marks Off Walls
Did those crayon-toting angels of yours get creative and draw some fancy artwork on your wall? Don’t worry. Just grab a tube, a rag or scrub brush, and dab a little on the wall and start scrubbing. The fine abrasive in the toothpaste will take away the crayon marks every time. Rinse the wall with water.

Hang Posters on the wall Just put a litttle dab in each corner of the poster and a few in between on the edges. Put your poster up and it will stick like magic. When you get ready to remove it will come off easy with no holes.

Fill in holes in the wall
Ugly nail holes showing? Just a little white toothpaste will fill in the hole instantly. Let it dry and you can paint over it.

Get All The Toothpaste That You Paid For
When the tube is almost empty place in warm water for a few minutes while you shower. Lay it on the couter or on the edge of the sink, using your toothbrush handle push the warm toothpaste to the top of the tube.

Air Freshener For Your Car
Squeeze a small amount of toohpaste onto a the center of a paper towel. Roll or fold the towel up. Place under the seat. When the car is left in the warm sunshine it will heat up and the toothpaste will release a nice soft mint smell into your car. Replace as needed.

Make your own toothpaste for making your teeth whiter
This is so easy and will save you money. Mix Baking Soda and Hydrogen Peroxide blend into a paste. Add a few drops of peppermint or spearmint extract to flavor to your desired taste. It will make your teeth sparkle and will help whiting them at the same time.

This was oneof the nice one for parents

Pruning and preening your teen

Alvina Clara, July 27, 2013:

PARENTING TEENS

Teenage kids have enough of their own problems, even without your badgering and finger-wagging at them, writes Alvina Clara.

Teens of today have an unspoken message for their parents: “If you’ve got resolutions, we’ve got rebellion. If you’ve got arguments, we’ve got attitude!” What a paradox the life of teenagers is... These individuals are neither kids nor adults!

In the maze phase of life, teens undergo a sort of elaborate spasmic jig of exhilarated and exhausted feelings all at once. The teen transition phase in every child’s life is very chaotic and often drains parents trying to deal with them on a daily basis. The teens live at a very superficial level, succumb easily to bad peer pressure and are not able to accurately distinguish between right or wrong.

From the other end, the television and internet expose them to a whole different “glam” world. All around them, the media is subtly preaching that it is okay to do anything that makes you feel good. You are “cool” only if you have the latest gadgets, and dress like an icon to grab attention. The shows on television for this age group say all is fair in teenage - be it bullying, vulgar or skimpy dressing, premarital sex, violent behaviour, breaking rules, drug addiction. This leads to a trapped labyrinth that manifests into rebellious or aggressive behaviours that defy all odds.

Parenting teens, as taxing as it might be, needs a paradigm shift. Easy said than done, parents need to strike the right balance. For starters, complaining less and being more involved with them yourself might help. Emphasising the dos instead of the don’ts must be top on parent’s list. Here are ways to understand teens from their perspectives:

Coming to terms with their body

The angelic appearance of childhood gone, they are looking at strangers in the mirror: gawky, lopsided limbs, facial hair, pubic hair, and acne to mention a few. The hormone changes in the body make them fidgety, moody and irritated.

In search of their own identity

Teens struggle to find their own place in the society, to be recognized by peers and accepted for what they are. They are very bothered about the labels they might get - “nerd”, “geek”, “gossip girl”, “tomboy”, “pimply”, and the likes... There is a lot of insecurity and anxiety resulting from such social acceptance issues.

Tangled in the social media web

Teenagers are tied to three lifelines - the internet, cell phone, and television. On the social front, a new and tantalizing horizon opens up - dating, partying, hanging out with friends, vying for attention, amid constant distractions caused media, music, and internet relationships.

Neglecting health for “beauty”

The eating habits of most teens are erratic and unmonitored. The girls are follow crash diets, developing an anorexic look (to be popular) and the boys stuff themselves with unwholesome, fatty, high calorie junk food. Teen health is at high risk and it’s no wonder that this generation now is the victim of every obvious health problem.

Unstable emotions

It is a phase of chaos in scheduling, prioritizing, achieving, fulfilling parental expectations and conforming to peers’ expectations. The teen is unable to effectively handle all this under considerable emotional pressure. This is reflected in mood swings, from aggression to depression right down to a complete breakdown of the individual.

Peer pressure

Teens, to be accepted among peers, feel the need to become more trendy. The most immature and easy way out could lead them to other problems like formation of unacceptable habits, substance abuse, getting into trouble with the law.

An article about parenting.....nice one

Mary Chelladurai, July 6, 2013, DHNS:

SHOWPIECE BAROMETER

“Displaying” their offsprings as superkids is rather peculiar to Indian parents, muses Mary Chelladurai

A proud mother with her nose high in the air, pronounces “95.4%!” to all and sundry around her and commands her daughter to open her mouth (“Ah!”) and is just about to stuff a laddoo into her mouth. Just then another father hops in, snatches that laddoo and pronounces “95.5%!” and commands his son to open his mouth (“Ah!”). Yet another haughty mother joins the club, seizes the laddoo, declares “96%!” and finally stuffs the by-now-very-tired-laddoo into her son’s mouth.

Well if you are wondering what this is, it’s a commercial, that airs on our Indian television, for an online tutorial agency. A mad ad, to be more precise. But hats off to the impeccable imitation of the modern day Indian parental scenario!

The urge to 'display' their offsprings is typically peculiar to Indian parents. Earlier, it was as simple as a rendition of the classic 'twinkle, twinkle little star' at a social gathering. Now it's posting a compendium of photographs of everything from just-born to the first piano recital at school. India children have the highest display value and 'performing' kids are always a source of pride for their parents. Guess we should be grateful that we haven’t yet put price tags on our kids.

In our country, it has got nothing to do with the kids and everything to do with their parents. Parents constantly need to feel one up the other, and make their children the vessels that carry their pride. They exhibit their children to the world, making show-pieces of their living, moving, and thinking children. Do they see their children as free individuals wanting to grow in their own space? Or do they only believe them to be pots of unmolded clay and they as potters take it upon themselves to shape them in whatever way it pleases their own ego?

Let the show begin!

Start with the silver lining clouds of hospitals. The show well begins from here. The to-be mother proudly boasts of the pricey hospital she has booked herself in. The hospitals that “specialize” in delivering babies boast of “motherhood care”, and a single glance at their bank balance is enough to show that it works for them; they know the public’s mindset. They even give an aiding nurse to help you with babycare for the first ten days, and the whopping bill for all this can feed hundreds of hungry young children! 

Downright exhibitionism

There is pomp in the display of everything, right down to the “best diapers” used for the baby. The “modern” parents these days believe that the most expensive diapers will keep the baby comfortable. But the truth is far from it. It is a known fact, atleast among the older generations, that cloth nappies are more comfortable and cause lesser rashes than diapers. Despite being warned of this, the new-age parents stick to the pricey diapers nevertheless. What else is this, if not another form of parental flauntism?   

Pseudo-elevation

If there is one set of people who can make you feel incapable or incomplete, better than the advertisers do with their products, it is Indian parents! It is not uncommon to see parents fussing over their children for admission into some international school. An international school, where the child shall be taught French and German instead of our Indian regional languages. But pray that the child gets through the admission, lest (s)he “bring shame to the parents” by not being “good enough”. “Good enough” for what? For learning a fancy foreign language? Or for the admission? Or maybe the parents’ ego?
Selfless parents. Really?

“I do so much for you, son. And all you can manage is a B-grade!” Now, what part of this is selfless? Indian parents often try to induce guilt in their children by saying they do a lot for kids and only expect good grades in return. What are they saying! That should the grades be bad, then their children won’t get their due love from parents? That they should score good grades to please their parents who “do so much” for them? Children are only just beginning to see the world, and their parents are already burdening them with “you-owe-your-parents-atleast-get-good-grades” responsibility! What makes them think that the child is old enough to take on this kind of pressure?

Parenting or coaching?

Parents may, many a times, feel inadequate with their parenting role. But how many of them take some time off to relook at their parenting style? Are they truly parenting? Or are they merely being the tough coach? While being the tough coach is essential, there is a dire need to remember that they are parents first. The child sees them as much, and expects a kind and approachable parent; not someone who will yell and bring down the house for not getting good enough grades! Are our Indian parents assuming they are “doing it all for the child’s good”? Reality check. The kid doesn’t even know why or how to “feel shame” for being second; it’s only the parents’ own ego at stake and they are teaching the kid to feel low about it! 
   
Toddlers or gizmo-nuzzlers?

“You know I picked up this iPod for my daughter; does your little one know to use this? Of course, even as young as a year she started playing with this! Actually it is said that smart kids pick up things very quickly.”

Yes, and this mother doesn’t seem to know that her toddler might also be picking up eyesight problem very quickly.

“I’m sending my son for horse-riding classes. He can be a polo player some day! Isn’t that just great?”

Yes, and this fancy-pants lady doesn’t seem to be aware that her son might not even like a horse, let alone ride it, or be a polo player!

Ask these parents and they will vow by the commercial that blares “Tayyari jeet ki (Preparation for success)”. Assuming that their kids do not know what they are interested seems to be the norm for these parents! Their kids are empty vessels waiting to be filled with some exotic dish their parents fancy...

The “Gen-Y and Gen-Z” parents are so determined to have their children succeed in any and every platform possible, that they are forgetting that their kids are individuals with thinking and emotional capacity. They have unfortunately turned children into a barometer of parental success in the world. It’s high time parents look into themselves and understand that while bringing up children might be their responsibility, children are nevertheless separate individual human beings who have their own say in this world. Of course, it is natural to want your child to be successful and happy; just think twice before pushing over your own idea of success and happiness to them. Don’t try to build your kids a jetpack; just nudge them to use their own wings.

Useful article

Green fountain of youth

Swathi T S, July 5, 2013, DHNS:

There was a time when gardening meant growing beautiful flowering plants in your house. But now due to the increasing prices and to save our environment people are growing eatables in their gardens. “Grow food not lawns” is the new mantra. One such eatable you can grow with least monitoring is Centella asiatica.
Commonly known as Brahmi booti in Hindi, Mandukapani in Sanskrit and Ondelaga in Kannada it is a small, annual plant of the family Mackinlayaceae. It is native to India, Sri Lanka and other parts of Asia. The stems are slender, creeping stolons, green to reddish-green in colour, connecting plants to each other. It has long-stalked, green leaves. The flowers are pinkish to red umbels seen near the surface of the soil.

Medicinal value
Centella, commonly found as a weed in crop fields and other waste places throughout India is used as a medicinal herb. It is mildly antibacterial, antiviral and anti inflammatory. Centella asiatica may be useful in the treatment of anxiety. Several scientific reports have documented Centella asiatica’s ability to aid wound healing. In Sri Lanka it is believed to prolong life, as the leaves are commonly eaten by elephants. In China, it is used for treatment of depression, longevity and hence it is called the “fountain of youth”.

In India it is used in many recipes such as sambar, salad and juices.
The shovel shaped leaves are dried and powdered and stored to use when needed. It is believed that one spoon of Centella powder a day will increase the memory of children.

Centella is an easy growing plant which requires least attention, but should be watered daily. As the Centella is a ground hugging plant it can be grown easily in place of lawns that are spread across the ground.

Most Useful

Herbs to vanquish mosquitoes

Rashmi Shrinivas, July 5, 2013, DHNS:

HOME GARDENS

Apart from applying mosquito repellents on our bodies or spraying insect killers in the room, try growing herbs in your house that repel mosquitoes, advises Rashmi Shrinivas
Reports of Chikungunya and Dengue resurfacing in Bangalore and Mysore are disturbing a bit. Though we can take precautions such as not allowing water to stagnate in the under plates of the pots, discarded containers etc., thereby checking the growth of mosquitoes, the threat of mosquito bite that may often result in the epidemics referred above always persists.

We can protect ourselves from mosquito bites by using mosquito curtains while sleeping, applying mosquito repellents (available in the market) on our body or spraying insect killers in the room etc. It is not uncommon to find mosquitoes bred elsewhere taking shelter under the leaves of your garden, though your surroundings might be hygienic enough not to allow them to breed.

There is still another way to keep mosquitoes at bay. A number of plants, especially herbs, repel mosquitoes and your garden or home can thus be free of mosquitoes if you grow them. These plants are, in a way, a boon to us since they are easy to grow as well.

Lemon grass, commonly known as Majjige hullu is well known for its medicinal properties of releasing throat congestion when used in a concoction. What is little known to many of us is the fact that this plant also keeps away mosquitoes, besides being used in the perfumery industry and in aromatherapy. Belonging to the family Poaceae, it is botanically known as Cymbopogon. It is a big grass reaching a height of about 3 ft in city conditions. It can easily be grown in containers as well. Its sharp leaf blade when crushed on hand gives out a characteristic smell of its own which is disliked by mosquitoes. Hence the leaves are used in the preparation of mosquito repellents.

It grows in any kind of organically rich, well drained soil and grows into a bush. Its fibrous roots do not grow too deep. It can easily be propagated by dividing the bush into small plants of manageable size. Like any other city based garden enthusiast, I too faced a space constraint and hence this plant had occupied the narrow gardening strip by the side of my building and adjacent to the compound. Yet it grew luxuriantly, perhaps because my neighbouring site was vacant then and my plants got lot of sunlight.

Garlic, a close cousin of onion, is another mosquito repelling plant one should have in his/her garden. Belonging to the family Amaryllidaceae ( Amaryllis family), it is botanically known as Allium sativum. Bellulli is the Kannada name of this plant and in Sanskrit it is known as Lasuna. It has been in use in traditional Indian medicine in India since ancient times. Used also in cuisine, it is easy to grow even in pots. It grows in any kind of well drained soil. One clove of garlic is enough to raise a plant.

Since mosquitoes hate the smell of the garlic, they do not come anywhere in the vicinity. In fact, I had grown as many as 10 plants in different pots along with the main plants on the terrace of my previous residence. Believe me, my mosquito problem was considerably low at that time.

Marigold, commonly known as Chendu hoovu/Gonde hoovu in Kannada, is yet another easy to grow plant that can act as mosquito repellent, in addition to bearing attractive flowers that are offered to God as well. Mosquitoes hate the smell of marigold and thus your garden is protected from them by this plant. Botanically known as Tagetes, it belongs to the family Asteraceae or Compositae (Sun flower family). In fact, marigold is quite easy to propagate.

Interestingly, what is generally thought to be a flower is technically an inflorescence consisting of many flowers. Hence you can raise a number of plants from one flower. You can separate the seedlings when they are of manageable size. However, it is advisable to use a big pot for this plant since its roots are voluminous and take too much of space. It does not need any maintenance and hence convenient for those facing time constraint.

Then comes our own Tulsi or Basil (Occi­mum), traditionally grown in front of all Hindu houses. Though there are quite a few varieties, Shreetulsi (green coloured) and Krishnatulsi (bluish green coloured) are the most common ones in India. Religious importance apart, its crushed leaves are also used for treating insect bites. This plant is also known to keep mosquitoes at bay.

Though a number of other plants like Vetiver (Lavancha in Kannada), Eucalyptus (Nilgiri in Kannada) etc., are supposed to keep mosquitoes away, considering the large space required for these plants to grow and the limited space available to the city based garden enthusiasts, you can be content with any of the other plants discussed above and enjoy a mosquito free zone created by you in and around your residence, thereby protecting yourselves and your families from the deadly diseases caused by mosquito bites.