Centre cuts urban reforms grant by 10 pc, J&K to ... - Daily Excelsior

SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 03, 2013 (PAGE-4) daily
Excelsior
BOLLYWOOD-BUZZ
'Award ceremonies have become TV events'
Ranbir Kapoor is sweeping Best Actor Awards at
all major award functions for the last two years
- If last year it was Rockstar, this year it's Barfi.
Sreya Basu in conversation with the actor
The award season has started and you have
already bagged two Best Actor awards. But with so
many shows around, do you think awards are losing
their flavour?
When I was growing up, I was always thinking of the
award I will get as a debut actor and how the feeling would
be. Bu today, award ceremonies have become television
events and that kind of takes away the joy of winning. There
are more than 12 award shows every year and the number
is growing! It feels great to be awarded, get a pat on
my back; but the joy has gone. To be honest, when I win
a Best Actor Award, of course it feels great, my parents feel
proud of me, I get a chance to thank the people I have
worked with. But I do hope award ceremonies find some
dignity and become more reciprocating towards good work
and maintain a more honest outlook towards it.
Do you think the scenario will change?
I am quite optimistic about it. I am sure it will change
because otherwise awards shows will die; nobody will be
interested in attending these award ceremonies.
Do you remember your first shot?
Yes. My first shot was actually as a duplicate of Mr
(Amitabh) Bachchan in Black (2005). If you saw the first
shot of the film, the man who was sitting by the fountain
with Alzheimer's (disease) was me with lots of padding
and Rani Mukherji comes and jumps on me.
How was the experience?
I was just too excited that Rani Mukherji was coming
and jumping on me!
Can you pick one film where you could identify
yourself with the character you played?
Out of all the films I have done so far, I think I was
decent enough in Rockstar (2011) and Wake Up Sid
(2009). Rest of the films, I didn't like me on screen, be it
Rocket Singh: Salesman of the Year (2009) or Rajneeti
(2010). For example, in Rajneeti, I had no idea what was
happening. I was working on a world of politics with actors
like Manoj Bajpai, Ajay Devgn and Nana Patekar. It was
when I was dubbing the film, I was like: "Oh, so it means
this!" I was lucky that I was backed with a good character,
great supporting cast and the drama was very strong.
In Rocket Singh, I remember Shimit Amin (director) told
me that he doesn't want me to play and authentic Sardar,
who becomes the talking point of the film, but he wanted
me to bring out the goodness of the character. I didn't know
what homework to do. Superficially, I researched on what
salesmen do. But what really helped me was going to the
Golden Temple where I stayed for two nights.
You are the only younger generation star who has
probably worked with the maximum number of newcomers.
I have worked with more than five newcomers so far
and honestly, I have no problem working with newcomers.
My father (actor Rishi Kapoor) worked all his life with
newcomers as he always had a baby face and all the
actors at that time were older than him. It is actually great
as newcomers come with no pre-conceived notion; but
with a lot of passion and ambition about doing well, and
seeing new faces on the film sets, charges you up as well
because it shows you another aspect of acting.
But isn't there a kind of pressure on you when you
are working with a newcomer given that not many
can match up to your acting skills?
It's not a pressure on me, but it's the director's job. My
responsibility is to do my work. I try to be as helpful as I
can towards my co-actors. But somewhere I want to do
so well for myself that I only want to concentrate in my
work and also want to my co-actor to do well so that I can
Shahnaz Husain
Good grooming is a total effect
and the smallest details count.
Believe me, chipped nail varnish or
untidy hair can mar the total effect.
Afew "pick me ups" and tips can help
to make you look good.
Give yourself a manicure and
pedicure the day before the big
night. Soak your hands and feet in
warm water and massage with a rich
cream, so that the skin is smooth
and soft.
Keep a bowl of rose water in the
fridge, with cotton wool pads soaking
in them.
A "pick-me-up" face mask can
leave your skin clean and glowing.
Mix half a teaspoon honey, one teaspoon
rose water and one teaspoon
dried milk powder. Mix into a paste
and apply on the face. Wash off after
20 minutes. After washing off the
pack, give the skin a compress with
the rose water soaked cotton wool
pads.
After applying the face mask,
take two of the cotton wool pads
soaked in rose water and use them
as eye pads. Squeeze out the rose
water and then apply on closed lids.
If your hair is looking dull give it
a quick conditioning treatment
before your shampoo. Mix one teaspoon
each of vinegar and honey
with one egg. Beat them together
well. Massage the mixture into the
hair. Then wrap the hair in a hot towel
for twenty minutes, before washing
the hair. Your hair will have more
body and look shiny and manageable.
If you suddenly find your hair has
too much static - or a "fly away" hair
problem. All you need to do is to wet
your hands with water and smooth
your palms over the hair. And, avoid
too much brushing.
To soften rough, bushy or frizzy
hair, mix some water with creamy
hair conditioner and put it in a spray
bottle. Spray the mixture on the hair.
Then comb the hair, so that it
spreads through the hair.
Colour Magic
A special occasion or party night
means those special touches that
give my performance the way I want to. Today's directors
are intelligent enough and there is so much talent and
competition around that they select the right people. It's
not that a very beautiful lady has come from somewhere
and a director thinks let's cast her and make her a star.
It's talent that matters and today talented people are getting
opportunities in the industry.
Of the younger generation actors, whose work do
you like?
I like Ranveer Singh's work. Arjun Kapoor did a great
work in Ishaqzaade (2012). Ayushman (Khurana) did very
well in Vicky Donor (2012). I like Imran's (Khan) work in
certain films like Delhi Belly (2011).
What would you have done had you not been an
actor?
If I would not have been an actor, the clichéd answer
would be, a struggling actor. On a serious note, I would
have been a karate instructor or may be a football coach,
I am really very passionate about the game.
Being one of the busiest actors of today, how much
'me' time do you get for yourself?
It's a misconception. I don't work too much. I worked
on Barfi over a period of one year, while we shot the film
for only 110 days. So rest of the time, I was sitting at home
only. Also, at the moment, we have only four-five big
actresses and they do three-four films a year. And when
they are offered a film by any Khan or Akshay Kumar,
people like me don't get dates and I keep waiting. So I
get a lot of time to do things I like in my personal life, like
playing football and video games; I also read a lot. Reading
is a good exercise for your mind and helps you think
of certain characters and nuances when you work in
movies. (TWF)
BEAUTY TIPS
help you stand out in a
crowd….whether it is a new hairstyle,
great accessorizing or highlights
in make-up.
Think about what you will wear
and the ideal accessories that will
add the right touches to your attire.
If you do it in good time, you have
the chance to try out different accessories,
or get some new ones. It
gives enough time to co-ordinate
your look.
A new look is truly renewing and
has a positive impact in terms of
boosting confidence. You can try a
change of hairstyle, like putting up
your hair with fancy hair accessories
or ribbons. Wearing flowers in the
hair can be quite alluring. Or, leave
it loose, but be sure to wash and
condition - adding lustre to the hair.
You can also add a touch of glamour
with colour streaks. Try herbal
hair mascara. The effect lasts till the
next shampoo and really helps to
limit damage to the hair. Adding
streaks of colour is an easy way of
highlighting the hair and adding
glamour. Even a single streak will be
good.
Try nail art with the temporary
stickers, or make a style statement
Ranbir kapoor is presently shooting in Pahalgam (Kmr)
Party Night Tips
with French Manicure.
Fake eye lashes, eye lash extensions
and even individual lashes are
being used, to add glamour and
make the lashes look longer and
thicker. They really help to add that
extra touch. Try using an eyelash
curler for an attractive effect. Then
apply mascara.
To help lipstick last longer, powder
the lips first. Then outline with lip
pencil. Obviously outlined lips no
longer "in", so the lip pencil colour
should close to lipstick colour. Apply
lipstick with a brush and fill in with
colour evenly. Add a touch of lip
gloss on the centre of the lips.
Choose from colours that are warm
and bright, like copper, bronze, plum
or coral. Red is very much in. Abrickred
colour would also suit. Try dark
red, but avoid very dark colours, like
dark maroon or brown. Artificial
lights drain colour. Golden foundation,
with gold tinted powder would
be great for party night. Our Pot of
Gold Foundation lends a golden
glow. Also, to add that extra touch of
gold, you can use gold dust for glitter!
Dr Jitendra Singh
An epidemic of obesity is currently
sweeping the globe. India too is a witness
to this worldwide upsurge. Protagonists
of economic growth may cite
this phenomenon as an indicator of
India's giant strides on the course to
prosperity because obesity is also
known to be an outcome of economic
development and globalization. For
the scholars of medicine, however,
this could be a matter of grave concern
because obesity is now recognised
as a disease in itself closely
linked to a host of other disorders
including Diabetes.
Statistics reveal that the risk of
developing Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus
is 2-folds in presence of mild obesity,
5-folds with moderate obesity and 10folds
with morbid obesity.
DANGEROUS NEXUS
Obesity and Diabetes together
form a dangerous nexus. The situation
turns even more ominous if it is in
addition also accompanied by other
related disorders like high blood pressure,
lipid disturbance, etc.
Obesity, in most simple terms,
results from an imbalance between
energy expenditure and energy
intake. Diet, nutrition and changing
lifestyle are foremost among the
principal drives of obesity. There is
an intimate relationship between
obesity and diabets mellitus. Even
though the mechanisms through
which obesity can precipitate or
trigger or initiate diabetes remain
still not fully defined, International
Diabetes Federation has declared
obesity as the most preventable
and important risk for type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus.
Insulin Resistance or decreased
effectiveness of Insulin or decreased
sensibility of body's various biologic
processes to insulin is perhaps the
earliest detectable abnormality in
obese persons with type 2 Diabetes.
ABDOMINAL OBESITY POSES
HIGHER RISK
Even though the relative proportion
of body fat in the upper body versus
lower body has been considered a crucial
factor for several decades but in
the last few years more attention has
celsior MAGAZINE
MAGAZINE
HEALTHLINE
Obesity and Diabetes interlinked
Dr. Akshi Jasrotia
There are certain myths relating to oral
health prevailing in our socirty that need
to the talked about and clarified
* Myth: When we brush, bleeding is normal.
* Fact: Bleeding gums are one of the signs
of gum disease.
* Myth: We brush teeth to remove food
particles.
* Fact: Daily brushing and flossing keep
the formation of plaque to a minimum,
preventing periodontal disease and also
remove food particles.
* Myth: Bad breath is caused by lack of
oral hygiene.
* Fact: There are some bacteria on the
tongue and throat that produce volatile
sulphur compounds. Excessive sulphur
compounds result in the bad breath.
* Myth: Pregnant women do not need den-
TREND
No wall-flowers these
With the growing demand of brands in almost
all aspects of our lives, the eagerly looked-forward
annual calendar has also undergone a
huge transformation. Priyanka Roy looks at
the new avatar
This is that time of the year when the new calendar, to
adorn a wall or a table, is eagerly looked for. As they arrive,
courtesy a client, as a corporate goodwill gift, or even bought
from the roadside shop, hot discussions begin on the merits
and demerits of 'this year's calendar.'
The calendar as a concept is not a modern innovation,
though. With the progress of human civilization the system
of tracking dates and auspicious days for festivities also
developed. Different cultures had different calendar systems
for calculation. For example, the Mayan calendar (which was
in the news recently for apparently predicting the 'end of the
world' on December 12, 2012), Sumerian, Greek and Islamic
calendar, etc.
Today, however, from this basic function, the calendar
has moved on to a new avatar. People are more discerning
these days and regard the calendar as a style statement
rather than a device for viewing dates and months. A Debu
Ratnani calendar, for example, with its snazzy, innovative
photographs fits the bill.
Partha Samaddar, an IT professional, acknowledges the
new trend but stresses that subject is the chief factor of this
business. "Irrespective of brand or popular publishing houses,
it's more important what a calendar chooses as its subject.
If it is stimulating and invigorating, then only it merits
popularity."
In the West the Pirelli calendar is famous for its glamour
quotient and restricted availability and is much coveted. Back
home, the Kingfisher calendar is somewhat in the same category
theme-wise with highly publicised model-hunt kind of
'do'.
One good thing about all this change is that the calendar
has acquired a depth in presentation with an eye to creativity
though the 'usual' calendar with flowers, scenery or even
religious idols is still very popular.
Then there are also those who take to designing individual
calendars with a desire to reach out through images.
Kolkata's Bijoy Chowdhury, a well-known photographer, has
been doing it for seven years now, putting together his own
calendar to be gifted to a select group of his friends. His
2013 calendar explores the Chinese community of Kolkata
through a gamut of images.
"I started designing calendars of my own with the aspiration
to showcase my photography; but now my calendar
is earning a name for its content," Chowdhury says.
He feels that a calendar has to depict a pertinent subject
and have a classy look so that it catches attention and evokes
appreciation.
One reason why Chowdhury embarked on this labour of
love even while holding his busy job in an ad agency is
because he found exhibitions a tedious process for airing
his works. Besides, "these artistic creations scarcely get
acknowledged". So he thought of this innovative idea of
putting his art form in calendars and is much appreciated
today.
Statistics reveal that the risk of developing Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus is 2-folds in presence of mild obesity, 5-folds with
moderate obesity and 10-folds with morbid obesity.
tal checkups.
* Fact: Periodontal health can affect the
health of unborn baby. The periodontal
disease during pregnancy may increase
the risk of delivering a premature underweight
baby.
* Myth: Our overall health does not
depend on our oral health.
* Fact: When the gums are infected, periodontal
bacterial by-products can enter
Generally, the upper-end calendars try to highlight a
theme. Span calendar, published by the Public Affairs Section
of the US embassy highlights different aspects of the
country with beautiful photographs. Its 2013 calendar
focuses on young achievers. Each cityscape or countryside
highlighted in the particular month is where he or she
belongs to. For instance, the beginning of the year, January,
carries the image of Boston city by night which is
accompanied by photograph of Indian origin Shree Bose,
a Harvard student researching on cancer and winner of the
first Google Science Fair.
The ITC company is another bigwig which shows a
keen interest in classics. Piyali Mitra of Kolkata is a fan of
ITC calendars. "Every year it comes with some distinct collection
of ethnic images and paintings. They are classy and
valuable," she says. Last year it chose miniature paintings
of the 17th and 18th centuries as its theme. This year too
the calendar is a tribute to the rich heritage of India's miniature
art.
However, producing a good, classy calendar is certainly
not an easy job as it involves a lot of production cost
and technical knowledge. Apart from this, the selection of
a unique subject also plays a major role to augment the
significance of a calendar.
On the other hand, it becomes challenging for local publishers
to compete with the big houses. Often, to meet the
demand, they have to incorporate new techniques which
become too expensive for them to bear.
But Chowdhury feels that publishers with the regular
kind of calendars n the kitty are doing well despite the
competition because the number of discerning customers
is limited. "It's too early to claim that old calendars
are on the wane. Most people still go by the usual
kind of calendar for the usual purpose- keeping track
of dates and months," he argues. (TWF)
been focussed on abdominal obesity
rather than obesity as such. Furthermore,
Asian Indians have been found
to be particularly susceptible of developing
abdominal obesity and insulin
resistance which might account for
excessive morbidity and mortality from
diabetes in this population.
There are clear indications that
not only does the abdominal obesity
predispose to Type 2 Diabetes
Mellitus but the presence of
abdominal obesity in a person who
is already a known diabetic might
predispose to a host of diabetic
complications. Obesity is associated
with insulin resistance which is
in turn closely linked to diabetes. In
addition, it has also been suggested
that obesity might cause diabetes
by overstimulating the pancreas
thereby leading to pancreative
exhaustion. A link has also
been postulated between obesity
and insulin receptors.
In a nutshell, the metabolic consequences
of obesity could be varied
depending on the cause, distribution
and character of the excess fat and
adipose tissue. In other words, obesity
and adiposity carry a penality in that
these lead to worsening of different
elements of metabolic syndrome
including insulin resistance, hyperinsulinemia,
disturbed lipid/cholestrol
levels, hypertension or high blood
pressure etc.
Myths About Oral Health
the blood stream and may result in heart
disease, stroke and under-weight baby
birth.
* Myth: If we eat more sugar, teeth will
decay more.
Fact: It is the amount of time that the sugar
has contact with the teeth is important.
Foods like sodas and candies remain in
the mouth for longer periods of time,
increasing longer exposure time of the
teeth to the acids formed by oral bacteria
from the sugars.
* Myth: Dental decay is the problem of
only young persons.
* Fact: In elders, root decay occurs due to
reduced saliva production as a result of
some drugs such as antihistamines, antidepressants,
diuretics and sedatives.
The author is a House Surgeon in Indira
Gandhi Government Dental College
and Hospital, Jammu