A common cold could mean just that — common cold or it could be a sign of something more uncommon, like lung cancer. Sounds scary? But it’s true. I have tracked down 10 such medical conditions that might have serious repercussions on your health. It’s time to be careful!

 1. Sign: Recurrent coughing

It could simply mean that that last chilled glass of orangeade you had after a workout did not agree with your throat. Or it could be an indicator of something more serious. Dr Pramilla Roy informs us, “A cough isn’t usually a symptom of a life threatening illness but continuous coughing could indicate an obstructed airway, congestive heart disease, asthma or even lung cancer. If it persists for two weeks or more with no obvious medical explanation such as a cold, consult your doctor.”

2 . Sign: Persistent, low-grade fever

It can indicate a number of ailments. Dr Roy explains, “A fever is a sign that your body is combating an underlying illness. In general cases a pill might do the trick but if it extends for a week or more, seek your doctor’s advice. An early diagnosis of the cause might just save you from some debilitating disease that may accompany it.”

 
3. Sign: Light-headedness or shortness of breath

Do you find yourself panting for breath? While it is normal after working out on the treadmill, it’s a sign of something serious if it happens suddenly when you are seated at your desk at work. “It could indicate pulmonary embolus, which is basically the blockage of an artery in the lungs by fat, air, blood clot or tumour cells. Symptoms include rapid breathing, feeling light-headed or short of breath when at rest. It requires immediate medical attention,” cautions the doctor.

 
4. Sign: Swollen eyes

“Something is wrong for sure and it’s better not to take any chances with your vision,” advises eye specialist Dr Arunabh Jha. “It could be an infection or allergic reaction and in the worst case scenario, it could be optic neurosis, a medical condition that affects the nerves in your eyes. Since eyes are every sensitive get them checked with an eye specialist immediately; it might just save your vision.”

 
5 . Sign: Severe back pain

You have tried every possible remedy from applying heat to taking painkillers, but your backache just doesn’t quit. So how do you make it get off your back? At the root of pain are problems pertaining to muscles, ligaments and tendons. In case of back pain it may even suggest a weakness in the lower back. But can it mean something else as well? Dr Roy elaborates, “If back pain is severe and persistent, it could be an aneurysm. It’s a condition in which a sac is formed by the dilatation of the wall of an artery, vein or even heart. Pain subsides after your body’s main artery bursts. The pain could also stem from kidney stone. The best option is for you to consult your doctor and get a CT scan done to throw light on the exact condition.”

6 . Sign: Persistent headache

In most cases it is attributed to migraine which can be alleviated by a painkiller. Under more unusual circumstances it could be a sign of brain tumour or brain haemorrhage. “There are no two ways about it. If your head hurts constantly or there is a persistent pounding, especially on one side of the head, accompanied by watery eyes or nausea, you must go visit your doctor now,” urges Dr Roy.

7  : Sudden drastic weight loss

If you haven’t been dieting or working out which could explain the weight loss, it might suggest some abnormality of the endocrine, thyroid disorder, depression or diabetes. It’s better to consult a physician.

 
8. Sign: Your waistline measures more than 34 inches.

If not now, he could face the problem of erectile dysfunction later in life. “Overweight men usually have clogged arteries which restrict the blood needed to get an erection.  Take up a gym membership immediately and lose the flab around the waistline,” is Dr Roy’s advice.

 
9 . Sign: Sudden sharp pain in the shoulders or neck

Pain is felt differently by men and women and can be interpreted differently too. In case of women symptoms of a heart attack may not be as severe as with men and may even be overshadowed by other, less obvious ones. These include discomfort or pain in other areas of the body such as the neck and shoulders, upper back or abdomen. The trick is to be aware of them and know when it occurs.

 
10 . Sign: Painful urination

Relieving yourself may seem like a major task and your urine may even have a tint of red. Dr Roy states, “Painful urination and blood in the urine are common causes of cancer in men and smoking could aggravate the condition. It could also indicate bladder infection. Get a thorough check-up done immediately to avoid complications later.”

 “This is ridiculous!” He muttered to himself as Joy took long steps and walked faster towards the main office. He was 5 minutes late.

The split AC of the office didn’t help much, as beads of perspiration formed on his forehead.

 “Is it done?” Praful asked from his seat as he passed him by.

“Hmm…” he nodded. He didn’t bother chatting and walked faster.

 He entered his boss’s plush, mahogany, carpeted office.

 The place always gave him a sense of power and accomplishment. But today, it made him extremely nervous. His boss was late but he was thankful for the delay. It would give him some time to calm himself. It was an important meeting. He stood in the middle of the empty room and hoped everything would go well.

 Couple of minutes later, his boss Swaraj entered the cabin in a hurried pace. Looking flustered he nodded impatiently to him and sat in his chair.

 “I hope this time there are no silly errors”, he asked impatiently.

 Clutching his folder tightly, Joy nodded.

“Then what are you waiting for?” He said stretching his arms towards him.

 Slowly but confidently Joy handed him the file.

 For the next 10 minutes he wasn’t sure of what Swaraj was thinking while looking at his concepts. His face was devoid of any expression and he did not look up once.

 He waited.

 After, what seemed like eternity he closed the file and gave him a long, hard yet blank look.

 “This is what you call a concept for a car? We are here to sell the product and not make a joke out of our client! What were you thinking? This is absolute crap and sub-standard work!”

 The words cut him like a knife.  Joy felt his knees shaking. As his boss continued to berate his work, Joy suddenly felt very dizzy.

 All he could think of were the sleepless nights he had put into designing those concepts, resulting in the lack of having  a life for the past 3 weeks. He could not even attend his cousins wedding or his nephew’s seventh birthday party.  But it did not matter anymore. The confidence he felt about his work sometime back was replaced by a feeling of sheer humiliation and incompetence.

 “Listen Joy. You have been in this agency for 5 years now and I have to say your work really surprises me. Sometimes it’s out of the world and sometimes I don’t have a clue of what you trying to say!”

 These words suddenly brought Joy back to the present and he realized that his boss his still talking.

 “I am not here to train you. Since we are investing in you, we need to get something back. Start taking copywriting seriously and think in a way that can appeal to the client but not  to you only. We are here to sell a product but I don’t know how that can happen with the type of concepts you come up with”!

 With those words he threw the folder on the table and picked up his mobile which was ringing for a couple of seconds.

 Joy realized that it was time for him to get up and leave, but he just kept sitting there, trying very hard to gather his thoughts for couple of minutes.

 His ideas were just thrashed.

 Slowly he picked up the file from the table, took a deep breath and walked out of the cabin.

 His boss was still on the phone and did not even notice him leaving.

 He entered his small, suffocating cubicle and sat down with a thump on the chair. Feeling depressed beyond words, he looked at the layouts  spread in front of him.

 “Where did I go wrong”? He wondered.

 He remembered the time when he was fresh out of college. With majors in literature, and a very uneventful college life, Joy had confidently decided that his days of formal education were finally over.

 Full of life. Full of vigor. He was ready. Ready to face life head on. Ready to begin his life.

Soon after, he had taken up a job in a small advertising agency as a trainee for zero salary. From serving coffee to seniors to photocopying papers, he did everything, and did not mind. He was observing everything and it was there that he dabbled a bit into copywriting, and had gotten hooked. The whole concept of putting together a few words to sell a product seemed fascinating to him. He knew this is what he wanted to do.

 “You want coffee?”

 Joy was back to reality. He looked up and saw Naira holding a coffee mug and munching on a doughnut.

 “No thanks. Not in the mood” He smiled weakly.

 “Ok sweetie. But remind me later. I have to tell you some latest gossip”.

 Naira winked playfully and disappeared. Joy could not help but smile. She was always so perky and happy. Considering the crazy amount of time she spent in office as a client servicing executive, she was probably one of the saner ones in office.

 He looked at his watch. Already 4.30pm. But he was in no mood to do anything.

 “Maybe I will just go home and sleep for a couple of days”, he thought dejectedly.

 He leaned back on his chair and closed his eyes.

 “What happened to me?”, he thought.  I had plans for a life. I wanted to do some good work, travel the world, be surprised, face life, and go bungee jumping. Just feel alive. But now all I want to do is to crawl under a rock and die”.

 He wasn’t sure whether he liked copywriting anymore. He wasn’t sure what he liked anymore. Because of his crazy work life - due to a deadline sometimes he often slept in office itself, over the years slowly he had lost contact with his old friends, acquaintances and even his family. It is no surprise that his fiancée broke up with him last year. Love life had never gotten a chance. His life has become one big deadline.

 His eyes still closed he realized for the first time that his life has become the only thing he didn’t want it to be. Stagnant.

 “Is it worth it?”, he asked  himself.

 He was still in a gloomy mood when he suddenly remembered about the meeting that was announced in the morning.

 He got up with a heavy heart and slowly walked towards the conference room.

 “I wonder what this is about” Naira whispered to him as she whizzed by him. 

 To Joy’s surprise, the room was packed. Everyone in the office was present.                 

 “Thank you all for coming”, Swaraj began.

 “Now, the reason for this meeting is that the very important Rs.18 crore account we pitched for last month, Apex air-conditions, has finally made a decision and they have chosen our agency to handle their account”.

An excited applause went through the crowd.

 “As you all must know that this is a very crucial account for us. All of us have worked very hard the past two months to make this happen….”

 “But…”, he continued. “I must give due credit to the person responsible for this. It was Joy’s brilliant concept that they found unique. I must admit that I wasn’t too much in favor if it.” He gave out a short laugh and the whole office clapped lightly.

Joy, taken aback, looked at Swaraj and smiled.

“I want to you to be the Creative Supervisor for this account Joy”, Swaraj told him and made sure everybody in the room heard him say. Afterall, it is a big thing. The Creative Supervisor himself is offering a copywriter not just an account, but the biggest one for this agency so far. That too, in front of the whole office. It is an opportunity of a lifetime.

Joy still silent realized that this was the opportunity he has been waiting for. After this day and after he says a yes, all his sacrifices, his broken relationships, his heartaches will be worth it. This is his chance to validate his life. He just had to grab it now.

Joy looked at his boss of three years.

 “Thank you for the offer Swaraj but I am resigning today”.

 As a shocked whisper went around the crowd.  Joy walked upto Swaraj. His face could barely contain the emotions of anger and confusion.

 “I am grateful that you think I am worthy of such a big responsibility, but I have some different plans for my life”.

 Joy walked out of the office smiling, thinking where he would go for bungee jumping.

Note: This story was published earlier in this page but had to be deleted due to a technical hitch. 

To all the married people I know. I am sure you are really happy with your decision and really excited about spending your life with your chosen bakra. But if you already feel like hitting your head with a baseball bat repeatedly, then sigh! Read on and feel worse!

Recently, I met up with a couple friend of mine who have been dating for a year or so and just announced that they are engaged. ( Let me just tell you that they have broken up at least 200 times and to be honest, I didn’t take this news seriously because I was convinced that it is one of those ploys couple play to keep each other from running away)

And here is the best part. They chose to tell me this information last!

I was the last one to know about this act of their’s and boy, was there smoke coming out of my ears!

How dare they??????

I was the one listening to her when she would scream like the devil almost making me deaf and tell me how uncaring he is thus wanting to do voodoo on him.

I was the one who heard him sob and cry over drinks when he wailed like a baby about her and called her a blood sucking leech and thus should be squished.

If I were to charge them by the hour for the amount of hours I heard them whine, cry,  sob and abuse each other, I could have bought myself the Birkin bag! (In bright orange, mind you)

And to imagine that I get this information LAST!!

I couldn’t imagine!!

So I walked into the restaurant and confronted them. Those ungrateful little  @#$%^^&!!!!!!!!!

I think I managed to scare them enough because before I could say anything, just they blurted out in unison.

“We wanted to tell you…but since you are so cynical about marriage…we thought we will do it personally…and tell you that it is not a mistake and we are happy”.

And just to give it a dramatic ending to that ridiculous line, they gave me a Kodak “come frame our faces” smile.I was almost threw up the pizza I had for lunch.

First and foremost, I am NOT cynical about marriage. Yes, I do have my reservation about it, but not cynical. Oh just screw it! I am not trying to impress anybody!

Yes. I AM the biggest cynic about marriage. I also think that you have to be seriously demented or emotionally suicidal to go for it voluntarily. (There! I said it!)

But before you start chasing me with torches with the intention of setting me on fire, let me just tell you….I don’t care! I stand by my point.

But for the sake of world peace, Mother Teresa or the Rajasthan royals winning the IPL, (which ever you believe in) look around you and do a simple task. Look closely at the face of somebody whom you know is married. But avoid the people who are “just married”. They will think that I am the devils messenger anyway and most probably they will pelt you with stones too. Go for the faces which are condemned for a year or more. Tired, haggard and a look of genuine apathy floats on their faces. It’s like they have made the decision to bungee jump because it is thrilling and exciting initially, but then as they continued they realized that their eyes are popping out and gravity loves them more than they thought. Welcome to joyride!

Bah!

Divorce rates are skyrocketing thus making divorce lawyers very rich. Extra marital affairs are as common as 2 min noodles. People rather spend long and useless hours at work rather than going home and spending some time with the “love of their life”. Everyone wants their “space”. And my morning yoga just don’t sync in if I don’t read front page news about a man chopping his wife into 2 million pieces because of some vague reason like not enough salt in the dal.

 I just love myself too much to put myself through all this self-imposed misery. To all those people who will throw the lines like “grow old with somebody” “somebody to love” and “somebody back at home waiting me for” kind of corny stuff, let me just tell you something -

• You will grow old anyway
• If you want somebody to love, consider joining Osho ashram (Yes, it is a different kind of love they propagate, but there is no harm trying!)
• It won’t be too much fun if the “somebody waiting for you at home” is busy playing video games or is making love to the TV via the remote

A warning : This article is strictly for women and sexually confused men. Rest all…go take a hike!

Okay ladies, Remember Kate Winslet in Titanic or Julia Roberts in Erin Brockovich? Apart from being great actors with brilliant performances, the one thing they have in common is perfect outer and perfect innerwear. To those unused to thinking on these lines, take a minute and conduct a mental scan of the ladies. Imagine now those beautiful clothes over ill-fitting, unflattering innerwear. Not a pleasant sight right? Isn’t it surprising then, that we continue to wear appalling innerwear with the most carefully chosen outerwear.

Dissatisfied with the idea of having to wear a heavy corset underneath a new sheer evening gown she just bought for a social event, socialite Mary Phelps Jacob of New York and her maid, Marie, devised a backless bra made from two handkerchiefs, some ribbon and cord. Amazingly she started getting orders for it that very night

Bra history began as far back as Cretan times, but 1907, was the year when the word brassiere was first reported in an American copy of Vogue. The original French meaning was support, but the word was out of use and the French chose to call a bra soutien-gorge.

When choosing any outfit, be it an elegant evening dress, office wear or casual wear, most women are consciously or subconsciously attempting to project a certain attitude or image. The effectiveness of this communication could very easily be diluted through a lack of attention to ‘what lies beneath’. The most beautifully cut outerwear still draws largely on innerwear to achieve that perfect silhouette. You may have got the right accessory, make up and shoes; but the wrong inner wear can ruin the ensemble.

The first modern brassiere to receive a patent was one invented by a New York socialite named Mary Phelps Jacob in 1913.

Most of the major designers of the era have tried to lay claim to designing the first bra. Poiret probably had the strongest claim. What is certain is that all the designers promoted a simple breast retaining garment as better for the newer simple straight dress styles. In the costume history of bras these early bras were similar to camisoles tops of the 1980s and 1990s. Initially at the turn of the 20^th century even the word camisole was used too, but replaced by ‘Bust Bodice’ by 1905.

An unhealthy and painful device designed to narrow an adult women’s waist to 13, 12, 11 and even 10 or less inches, the corset is attributed to Catherine de Médicis, wife of King Henri II of France. She enforced a ban on thick waists at court attendance’s (1550’s) and started over 350 years of whalebones, steel rods and midriff torture.

Many of us don’t realize the importance having a good support system until it’s too late.

Where do we go wrong you may ask?

• Wear fabrics with a smooth silky fall and match it with ill-fitting innerwear that shows through your outerwear as ungainly criss cross lines.

• Wear knits or figure hugging clothes and then wear functional innerwear that does absolutely nothing to flatter your figure

• Wear innerwear that brings too much support into play and immediately conjures images of pop icon Madonna in metal cones.

• Skip a bra when wearing a backless top. Unless completely unaffected by gravity, please do not attempt this.

Knowledge on how to team one’s inner and outerwear could transform the way you look and feel.

Warner produces the first popular all-elastic bra, which shows off a woman’s curves.

 SOME POINTS TO REMEMBER:

•  A balconette bra is designed to lift the breasts so as to give a fuller and rounder look by pushing the breast up from the bottom.
• Low back outfits, halter, and racer back tops require a transparent backed bra that provides the complete backless look.

• A seamless bra has moulded cups and no seams. It gives a smooth appearance under clothing. A wonderful style when you want a bra that is almost invisible for sheer or clingy fabrics.

• Low cut dresses and eveningwear call for a push up bra / plunge bra that is designed to push the breast from the bottom and the sides to add a cup size. This gives the required lift and is ideal when an outfit calls for a more filled-out look.

• The 4 way bra can be worn with straps / without straps / with a single strap / straps that criss cross is made with specially designed elastics to ensure a better grip and does not slip. It’s a much-needed wonder bra that can be tweaked to suit almost any tricky requirement.

The first bikini swimwear is introduced in Paris in 1946

Every woman is unique in body and soul and one should wear a bra that complements that.

The 1960s saw the women’s liberation movement denouncing bras as a symbol of conformity and servitude and encouraging bra burning rallies. The Hippie and free-love movement would see the bra abandoned altogether, resulting in the braless look.

 There are some movies that make you cry. Then there are some that lift your spirits and re-confirm your faith in humanity.(If that is even possible) But lets be honest here. Don’t we just looove those movies that leave us unsettled, disgusted and completely shell shocked?!! ( Yes. I knew it!) So here it is. List of 10 most disgustingly amazing movies that is gurantedd to leave you depressed for weeks. ( I can see you smiling now!)

Remember, the list is not in any particular order.

Enjoy and don’t forget the popcorns!!

Requiem for a Dream (2000)

Based on a 1978 novel of the same name, this complex, psychological drama depicts different form of addiction leading to the characters’ imprisonment in a dream world of delusion and reckless desperation, which is then overtaken and devastated by reality.  The story revolves around four characters.  Mother Sara (Ellen Burstyn) is going to appear on TV game show. She wants to fit into a beautiful red dress which gets her addicted to diet pills. Meanwhile, the son (Jared Leto) his girlfriend (Jennifer Connelly) and his best friend are fighting their addiction of drugs, very unsuccessfully. All of characters spiral out of control and fall into a pit of darkness and misery with no scope of recovering. If you are looking for a movie to cheer you up, then this isn’t definitely the one.

Casualties of War

Based on a true story, this Brian De Palma film stares Michael J. Fox as a soldier in Vietnam in a squad led by Sean Penn. While on patrol, in the wake of an ambush that has left friends dead, they kidnap and rape a Vietnamese woman–then murder her. But Fox, one of the soldiers who refused to participate in the rape, is so appalled by the killing that he reports it–and finds himself being treated as the villain. Penn is scarily tough as the vindictive soldier. Throughout the movie the gore is shown thorough the brutal actions of the actors which in turn leave you mortified at cruelties of the human mind.  Not a family entertainer for sure.

Pi

Math is a universal language. Everything can be represented with numbers. If you are smart enough to understand the pattern, you can decode anything. The Torah for instance is a long string of numbers. Decode that and you can know the true name of god. Sounds a bit odd? That’s what Pi is all about. Max (Sean Gullette) is a genius mathematician who’s built a supercomputer at home that provides something that can be understood as a key for understanding all existence. Representatives both from a Hasidic cabalistic sect and high-powered Wall Street firm hear of that secret and attempt to seduce him to get the string of numbers that can decode anything. Brilliantly written and directed by Darren Aronofsky, this dark and disturbing drama didn’t get the attention it deserves. But a must watch nevertheless. 

Natural born killers

The story is about tow natural born killers, Mickey (Woody Harrelson) and Mallory Knox (Juliette Lewis) who thinks that killing is some sort of a higher cognitive activity. They do what Bonnie and Clyde did year’s ago. They enjoy senseless and meaningless murders without a motive. Everyone in the movie seems to be ready to kill one another. Directed by Oliver Stone, this satirical film highlights the sensationalized way crimes are depicted in the media and the manner some killers have been glamorized. Although it was the most controversial movie of its time, the film was criticized for its excessively graphic and violent content. Depending on how you view it, it could be an intelligent attack on your senses or a well crafted aggression that can have any impact on you. Be sure to watch this one.

Ichi the killer

Have you ever seen a movie that just left you sitting there with your eyes wide open, begging for more? Based on the popular manga by Hideo Yamamoto the story is set within the yazuka underworld. After his yazuka boss goes missing, Kakihara (Tasanobu Asano) uses his sadistic methods of interrogations to find the boss’s assumed killers.  Working his way through the underworld connections-with the use of hot oil, piercing needles, and large hooks-Kakihara discovers this boss demise came at the hands of Ichi (Nao Omori), a mysterious figure that slices individuals into bloody pieces with razor sharp blades strapped to his boots.  As Kakihara draws closer, Ichi turns the tables on the hunter and brings his own vengeance, served up sushi style. Directed by Takashi Miike, Ichi the Killer is one of the most violent films ever to have been made, and the intensity of the emotions aroused by its depictions of countless acts of brutality is enhanced by the exaggerated manner in which these acts are presented. Highly recommended, but be forewarned, it will take a strong stomach.

Irreversible

The basic story of Irreversible involves three protagonists; the sultry Alex, her boyfriend Marcus and her ex, Pierre. During a night at a friend’s party the relationship disintegrates - due in part to Marcus’ drug-taking and womanizing and the on-going sexual tension between Alex and Pierre - which eventually results in Alex leaving the party early. Unable to cross the street, she takes the underpass and is violently raped and beaten. Still high and irrational, Marcus drags Pierre through the nocturnal Parisian streets (quizzing local gangsters and prostitutes for information regarding potential attackers), before eventually ending up at the gay S&M club. Here the story comes to a head and a scene of violent retribution plays out.  Extremely disturbing French film directed by Gaspar Noé, Irreversible features a revenge plot told in reverse chronological order (similar to Memento) - punctuated by extreme violence and a brutally graphic rape scene that runs approximately nine minutes. Surely not for the faint hearted.

Eraserhead

Considered one of the truly groundbreaking independent films to emerge in the horror and horror/thriller genres, Eraserhead offers a vaguely linear plot, ambiguously motivated and realised characters, and despite an atmospheric dreamscape created via such familiar images from psychoanalysis as spewing liquids and worm-like organisms, an arguably incoherent set of messages about the interconnectedness of sexuality, identity, violence and loss. It is a surrealist horror film with no definite script. You have to watch it to believe its intensity and how it plays with the human mind. Eraserhead initially polarized and baffled many critics and movie-goers, but over time the film has become a cult classic.

Seven

A serial killer is on the loose. That’s never a good thing, but what makes this guy particularly gruesome is that he’s got a style. Each of its victims are so called perpetrators of the sol-called “Seven deadly sins”.  (Gluttony, greed, pride, envy, sloth, envy and wrath). Step forward two detectives and reluctant partners David Mills (Brad Pitt) and William Somerset (Morgan Freeman) who are handed the job to track down the psychopath before he can complete his plan. This is one of those dark movies, where it is constantly raining and wet and where light always seems to be dim. If you are not one for blood and gore, you might want to miss this as director David Fincher doesn’t hold back when it comes to showing of the various victims in all their grisly details. Seven attempts to be a statement about humanity: no one is without sin.

 
A Clockwork Orange

Set in the near future, the movie centers around the life of the fifteen-year-old protagonist Alex (Malcolm McDowell), who, along with his gang, roams the streets at night, committing crimes purely for enjoyment. The crimes increase in severity from assault, to robbery, to arson, to a fight with rival gang, to a break-in at the house of a handicapped man, where the gangs rape his wife. Equally violent is the state’s aversion therapy Alex is forced to endure to cure him of his addiction. Adapted from Anthony Burgess’s slim best-selling novel, A Clockwork Orange became infamous in 1973, not because of the extreme violence on show, but for director Stanley Kubrick’s decision to withdraw the movie in the UK, because of copycat acts of violence blamed on the film. A must watch movie for those who don’t mind violence at the cost of brilliant film making.

 
Salo: The 120 days of Sodom

Salò is one of the handful of genuinely disturbing movies ever made. It leaves you shaken, not simply because of what it is depicting but also because of how. Four upper-class libertines gather in an elegant palazzo to inflict the extremes of sexual perversion and cruelty upon a hand-picked collection of young men and women. Meanwhile, three ageing courtesan’s enflame the proceedings further by spinning tales of monstrous depravity. A cinematic ground zero, Salò confirms the cruel meaninglessness of everything human. Based on the infamous book, The 120 Days of Sodom by the Marquis de Sade, Salo contains its fair share of disturbing imagery and graphic violence, including rape, torture and murder. For this reason, it is still banned in some countries even to this day - good luck finding a copy! Director Pier Paolo Pasolini was brutally murdered shortly after the film’s release. Be warned–Salò will test the very limits of your endurance.

Summer is here and it is already scorching my head and heart, leaving it terribly dehydrated. To be honest here summer is not my best times. And you cant blame me! It is blazing hot, no matter how less I dress it always seems more, and it is one of those rare seasons when I don’t feel like stepping out of home at all.

( Some of you may not that a big a deal, but for me, it is like going without water)

But there is always a light at the end of the tunnel because there is something that makes the treacherous heat of the summer bearable.

There will be no guessing games…so let me just get straight to the point.

Mangoes!

Yes…that yellow…juicy…fleshy…hmmm…( Okay…I will get a grip now) piece of fruit just makes me want to die, given the condition that I will be surrounded by mangoes on my deathbed and there will be loads of dancing mangoes in heaven…just for me.

Sigh!

Let me just assure you that my love for mangoes is just not a floozy, timepass sort of love.

No sir..it isn’t!

During this season, I make sure I keep myself abreast with any and every food festival that is happening in city, with a mango theme. And I usually manage to try all of them.

( I really like mangoes ok…sue me!)

Therefore, just like Frodo had a mission in life, I am always on the quest to find the best mango dishes in town that will lead me salvation. And I was in luck!

I came upon the Mango Festival that is happening at the Intercontinental, Marine drive in Mumbai. Each restaurant at the InterContinental, Marine Drive is thematically driven by the tempting king of fruits. They had every dish available which could be made through a mango. Aam ki kheer, kache aam ka jhinga, mango cheesecake, smoked chicken & mango…it is my Disneyland!!!

But just like a true adventurer, I just didn’t stop there. I got a chance to talk to the chef who prepared this delectable menu, Chef Amit Bharadwaj, Executive Chef of InterContinental.

So while eying all mouth watering spread of mango dishes behind and thus getting intensely distracted, I managed to ask the chef a couple of questions.

Me: What inspired you to have a mango festival?

Chef: The fact that what is in season is healthy, if nature produces something in a particular season, we must eat it then!!

Me: Most of the restaurants in town are having similar festivals. How does your stand out?

Chef: We have taken a holistic approach to the “KING” Alphonso and let it reflect in all the different courses of the meal this sets us off as a unique meal experience.

Me: How did you decide upon such a delectable menu?

Chef: We let our creativity be inspired by the magical Mango… the menu was the result!

Me: What goes in making a good festival?

Chef: The timing, the uniqueness and the singular will to “WOW” our customers f!

Me: What other fruits would you like to use for a festival like this?

Chef: Why use anything else to dilute the mango, we have used the mango in all its different forms, be it the dried powder, the fragrant Ripe mango or the and young green mango.

Well said chef!

I think by now, I have given the slight idea that I might be obsessed with mangoes. ( What was your first clue?!!) But then can you blame me? It is the best fruit that is created by nature and with its versatility, you make more or less 500 drinks, dishes, starters, pickles and various other edible items out of it. Most of the other fruits stay limited to squashes or syrups!

Now before I continue my rant and narrate in explicit detail my dream where I had a serious conversation with a mango…just go and enjoy the fruit. The season will come to and end soon and so the reign of the king. ( And by “king” I don’t mean Shahrukh khan!)

Visit http://mumbai.burrp.com/events.html for more information.

“What? Are you crazy?”  My mother asked me, absolutely flabbergasted.

Erm…no? I said confidently not ready to give up so easily.

 “Then how the hell are you going to make it”?  She continued staring at me, like I had decided to go and watch ram gopal verma ki Aag on dvd.

If you are wondering what was causing my mother such excruciating grief, then let me tell you. I had just told her that I was going backpacking across Rajasthan. Simple enough, right?

Well, hold on before you say “wow that’s so cool”. The fact is that I was going on a shoestring budget. To be honest, it was just a “string budget”. Shoes are too expensive and overrated anyway. My budget for the overall trip including returning home in one piece was 3000 k. Yes…you heard me right! 3000 bucks. And I am not crazy!

Now before you jump to conclusions and say that “It’s impossible” let me just straighten my collar and tell you that I have done it before. A lot of times. I am an avid backpacker. Yes, I have backpacked across the whole of Rajasthan within the aforementioned amount and I can say, very proudly, that it’s a very achievable task. All it takes is a little bit of planning and the stamina to rough it out! (But trust me, IS also a lot of fun!).

I made my first trip when I was 16 with a bunch of girls I wasn’t too fond of. I went to across Maharashtra, spent 1200 bucks for 15 days, listened to them bicker about the heat and headed back home. It is not that I like traveling like a pauper (which I am, most of the time. But that’s beside the point) but the idea of backpacking, is to use minimum resources and see maximum places. Yes, you do need a certain amount of cash but what is more important is a sense of adventure and challenge and being open to the idea of stealing from roadside eateries in alien cities.

Now all these gyaan seems a lot of fun when you are just reading it. But the problem is that most of us, Indians, get our thrill, or sense of “adventure” by just watching AXN and silently hoping that they get to take part in a survivor or amazing race one day. I love us. But come on people, get real! If your idea of adventure is to go trekking to bushy dam in lonavla and are one of those who prefer to get your beauty sleep every weekend then this isn’t for you! Go back to sleep and don’t thrash in bed!

IF you are still reading then, I am guessing that you do like traveling and the idea of shoestring backpacking is something that you want to consider.

Super. Read on.

No first, let me just clear some myths about the notion of backpacking.

• It is NOT an activity undertaken only by hippies or phirangs.
• You do NOT have take a year off or a month to backpack. (But if you could then it will be awesome). It can be done within 2 weeks.
• You do NOT have to burn hole in your pocket to travel. You’ll keep losing your change, see?
• And lastly, you do NOT have to head to Europe or any other country to backpack. Apna India has a lot of fantastic places to go to.

Now since all that is cleared, let me just get in to the details. (This is crucial for budget traveling).

 Step 1: Now that you have decided to travel I hope you know where you want to go. No? Then what are you waiting for? Christmas?

Okay, that bit. But I am allowed one bad one.

Take out a map of our country and mark a place. But before you do that fix on a budget because that will primarily decide how far you can venture. Now you can’t go to Arunachal Pradesh with a budget of 5 k, can you? Not unless you are not planning to return. And don’t worry if your budget is not too much. Just be prepared to slog a little.

Now that your budget is in place and you know where you are going.

Step 2: Next step, book the cheapest tickets possible. And I don’t mean air tickets! Railways zindabaad. But before that find out if there are some alternative ways to get to your destination. For example, if somebody you know is going in that direction via car or anything the just join them. Sounds cheap? Well it is, but whom are you kidding. You’re reading this article and you’re poor. Deal with it.

Shelf your pride. Period.

Once when I had to gone to Himachal Pradesh I went along with an uncle whom I had never seen before till Delhi in his car. Imagine the amount of money I had saved!

Step 3: Before you jump in to your mode of transportation, do some research. This is where Google comes handy. Find out the cheapest places to stay in. Hotels, hostels, guest houses, etc. With some good research, you will be amazed at the amount of options of you will find. Take a printout with you and don’t lose it! Making paper rockets when bored isn’t an option either.

Step 4: So you have reached your destination. Don’t rush towards a hotel! Mingle with the locals for a bit because in some places you can stay with the families also for dirt-cheap prices. With food. Just don’t be uptight, act lechy with the women or inform them about your fascination with blood.

Step 5: One big reason people usually end up spending their money before time while traveling is because they are idiots. Don’t shop and you’d probably never come across a better time to diet. Now come on people, if you are traveling, you don’t want to have a burger do you? Ok, even if you do, then too bad. Try the local cuisine which will be way more exciting and new. And you are traveling, not for shopping. You do that enough once at home. And besides, such faltu kharcha will set you back on your budget. If you want to pick up souvenirs for family and friends then it is always a great idea to get them some sand and rocks. They’re not available at home, will remind you of your trip and are free.

Just don’t go on a spending spree. Remember every penny counts.

Step 6: Be open to adventure and fun.  Don’t just stay in your room. Step out, meet people, visit the tourist sites, there is so much to do! Just be safe and don’t do anything stupid like taking lifts from strangers and venturing out in the middle of the night alone!

We know money’s tight but mugging never helped anybody.

Once you are out, you are responsible for your own safety. Keep in touch with your family and let them know where you are constantly. In your state of adventure don’t give your parents a hard time.

Remember, they gave you life and considering you’re unlucky enough to be poor, chances are, they WILL take it back.

As a fan of traveling I always suggest traveling in a group. Think about it! There is a lot of advantage. Your costs get divided, you have company and in general it is a lot of fun to travel with your buddies. But just in case you plan to make a solo trip, then just make sure you don’t make the trip too cheap. Keep a slightly higher budget and pick modest hotels with sane managers and staff. Don’t try and mingle with strangers too much and in general don’t try and act oversmart! Might just cost you big time.

All said and done, there is no bigger joy than a good trip. I have made numerous ones myself and I have never spent more than 5 k for any of my trips. Yes, I am super poor. Big whoop.

That is considering, I have stayed in people’s verandahs, monasteries and once under a tree. Ah…the way the crow poop moisturized my curly locks!

Now before I go into my nostalgia trip, go start preparing. And don’t forget to click pictures or make a diary of your trip at the risk of sounding like your 3^rd grade teacher. That will just motivate you to make a next trip. And dont forget to psot some pictures!

Some common symptoms that you are as tongue tied in front of you in-laws as a wet rabbit infront of a wild boar:

• You start stuttering and stammering and discover than you can actually speak Peruvian!

• You agree with whatever they say. (Even if that means that your house is too small and their daughter deserves a place to stay)
• You watch saas bahu serials with them because they say it’s “educational”.
• You don’t even let a squeak out when they shove enormous amount of greasy and bland food down your throat!

Fear not! You are not alone my friend!

You are just a part of the every growing clan called:

I rather crawl into a hole and die in fetal position, than to face my in-laws.

Okay, I agree! Some in-laws are total terror to deal with, but brace it guys and girls, it is your fault too! Okay, before you start hyperventilating, hear me out!

Phew!

Now….

There is just life altering word that you need to know before you realize that, the situation isn’t that bad. So brace yourself….here it comes…DIPLOPMACY.

There…I said it!

Usually, before tying the knot, a girl and guy can throw their weight around their parents cry and scream if she/he doesn’t like something, hold their breath till they turn blue, and voila..! All their demands will be met!

But the story is a little different after marriage, isn’t it? Your mother in-law might like that ugly pair of shoes that looks like a reject by a drag queen. Or your father in-law picked up a shiny new shirt for you, which makes you look like Neil Diamond.

So what do you do? Tell them honestly?

NO!

Unless you want to be tagged as “Unappreciative”, “Difficult” or the classic one…”Why did I get my son/ daughter get married to this ungrateful little snip”.

Ouch!

So at the end of the day, the question is what should you do? Since you are reading this article, I am sure that diplomacy isn’t one of greatest skills. So read on…because its time you acquire that crucial trait.

Here are some tips that you should follow:

Ø If you go shopping and she/he picks up something that you hate, don’t tell her directly on the face. Instead tell them that you think it looks good, but also provide them with more options and things that you think will look better. To make your case stronger, get the opinion of other people as well. For example, the sales woman.( Maybe bribe her from before)

Ø Convince her that it was their idea in the first place. Your in-laws might not like what you think, but if you make them believe that the idea was theirs in the first place, they will definitely swoon. For example, “Remember dad, you always wanted a corduroy suit? Why don’t you get that one instead?

Ø Use your smile. And by that I don’t mean in creepy way. Say what you think with a smile on your face. There are two reasons behind that. Firstly, an opinion with a smile will make less threatening and that way you will have more chances of getting your way. So next time, use the potent power of your smile.

Ø Keep giving subtle hints about what you like, hate, what you think is good or bad. Remember, the key word hers is subtle. Don’t go on announcing to the whole world but make sure it reaches the ears of the concerned person. For example, “I have there is a new cooking class which teaches all the gourmet meals. I have heard that they are great…..”

Now these are just some of the tips, but remember to rely on your wit and brain to get yourself out of a tricky situation. Yes, you do have some, I am sure! But at the end of the day, if you think the situation is getting out of control, don’t be afraid to speak your mind. Whats the worst that can happen?

If nothing else, they will respect you for your honesty and not take you as a pretty mannequin.

Yes ladies, we all want the perfect man. We all want our prince charming on his shiny bright, white limousine and we all want to keep him. Next to wherever we want him.

But everything requires tact and yes, resolution.  But before you start rolling your eyes, I must explain that this isn’t primarily about finding Mr. Right or finding his second car for that matter.

It’s about keeping Mr. Right and making it work. I know, all relationships are different and then obviously require different kinds of ways, you know, to make them work! But some rules never change. The basic, fundamental rules are the elementary ones for all relationships and unfortunately the ones we tend to overlook most of the time! But no time to mope ladies! Here are my 5 cardinal rules for the relationship of your dreams unless you’re dating a cat or, your hand. They’re both really difficult to comprehend and generally to understand, you see!

So…

 1-      Never ever let him know of how much you dislike his folks. Elementary ladies, they might be from hell but they’re still his family and if you like this man enough to actually want his family to be a part of yours, be nice!

2-      Listen to him. Yes, we know men should be told this but women tend to be really inattentive at times as well so listen to him. Thoughtfulness pays, and how!

3-      Mention your ex’s once in a while. That reminds him that you have a past and expect a future; even if you don’t badger him about him constantly. And also that your life doesn’t revolve around him. (pay extra attention, if it actually does)

4-      K.I.S.S. Keep It Simple Stupid! Okay, okay, that was lame but you get my drift right? Men are uncomplicated creatures and admit it; they help uncomplicate us at times. So, relax, and take it easy! We all deserve sanity don’t we?

5-      Most importantly, always know what you both expect out of your relationship unless it’s a super exclusive case where it’s the sanest to keep it dangling for the moment. Talk, communicate and let each other know!

So, there, you have my rules of wisdom! Of course, irrespective of what everyone says, some things only you would know answers to. But remember, honesty, respect and communication. The HRC trio never fails unless again you’re dating a cat or your own hand in which case you really should get out more often! So, then, read the next article about socializing in the city, why don’t you?

Most of the population these days suffers from exhaustion. Back aches and headaches have become so common that usually no one even considers taking treatment for it anymore. What’s the point afterall right? Many have tried countless way of treatment, yet the hope to restore ones health wanes day after day. In this modern age of prescribed medicines and expensive drugs, many times its results are futile on the body. There are countless stories of people who are miserable and suffering because regular and expensive medication failed to help.

But an alternative form of medicine, with the belief that it can work, came to their rescue.

Sujok works on the principle that the fingers and toes carry information about ones health. In fact, hand and foot are miniature bodies in themselves.

Fingers host the so-called correspondence systems. It is a system of highly active points connected to every area of the body. The movements of the fingers stimulate this very protective system of the body. It is in this way that our organism maintains and cures itself.

Sujok treatment is done by applying various seeds to the various corresponding points at the fingers. These seeds which have tremendous healing powers in turn apply pressure and stimulate the points.

Sujok therapy, as an accessible method of improving health, is a very important and effective method of treatment. Fast and marked curative effect is achieved after correct stimulation of correspondence points. The effectiveness of the system is so high that the results are seen within minutes. Its one of the safest application. The stimulation of the accurately located point’s results in improvement, the stimulation of inaccurately found points cause no harm, it is simply ineffective.

Alternative medication has always been a matter of debate. But in this day and age when complications for the human mind and body are increasing, people are turning more towards the unchattered fields and sometimes, they are not disappointed.

*Sweta Patyal.

She is an expert in the field of Sujok and has treated numerous patients with various aliments. She runs a private clinic from home and does only private consultations. She can be contacted at 9819929478