A
festival of colours
Prof (Dr) R D Gupta
The Holi festival- the merry making
day of hues and colours is, infact considered as
one of the biggest festival of India. Generally,
it comes of in the month of March every year,
which
corresponds to the full moon day (Purnima or
Puranmashi) of the Falgun (Fagun) Mahina or
sometimes Chet (Chait) or Chaiter Mahina
according to Bikrami Era.The Holi festival
imparts us the message of love, brotherhood and
communal harmony. This sacred festival is
celebrated by all the communities with out any
caste, colour and creed by the throwing or
sprinkling all sorts of colours in plenty
forgetting their enmity and rancour. This is,
thus, a festival of for-giveness.
Legends with regard to celebrate Holi festval :
i) The Holi festival is celebrated in honour of
Prahlad the devotee of the Lord Vishnu and the
son of proudy king Hiranayakashipu.
Hiranyakashipu was a demon King in ancient India
probably in Satyug. He used to take an avenge of
the demise his younger brother who was also a
demon and had been killed by the Lord Vishnu.
Hiranyakashipu regarded himself as God and
declared that every body of his kingdom will have
to worship him. But Prahland did not consider his
father as God and worshipped Lord Vishnu. On
this, his father became furious and planned to
punish him by throwing into a blazing fire.
Accordingly, child Prahland was made to sit kings
sister-Holikas lap in afire to burn.
But with the grace of Lord Vishnu, Holika despite
immune to burn was burnt and Prahland escaped
unburnt. Since then, this victory celebrates good
over evil in the form of Holi celebration. . .. . .....more
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Heroes,
Victims or Martyrs?
What can you say
about a child of eight, a star overnight,
when he refuses an award bestowed on him
for his brilliant performance in a
difficult role on grounds that he was the
'hero' of the film and not a 'child'
actor? The electronic media went wild
right across television channels the
other day closing in on this wonderful
little boy whose instant stardom has
clearly gone to his head. Darsheel
Safary, the wonder kid of Taare Zamin
Par, insists that he is the hero of the
film so why should he be chosen for the
'Best Child Actor' category by a weekly
trade paper for its annual film awards
this year? Shoma A. Chatterji
tries to find out whether the child actor
is a hero, a victim exploited by his
family and the film's publicity machine,
or an unwilling martyr to
media-hype…
It is amusing to discover the
contradiction. A boy who does not
understand what 'jury award' means
refuses 'the best child actor' award. Is
his response spontaneous? Or did his
parents and family doctor it? Why weren't
they questioned about the child's
decision? Where were they when the boy,
whose final exams are round the corner,
was being interviewed by every news
channel that jumped on the story for its
'man-bites-dog' element of sensation?
Darsheel has been the media's favourite
lollipop ever since Taare Zamin Par hit
the screens across the country. He has
been giving television and press
interviews left, right and centre,
appearing at press conferences and
generally having a whale of a time.
Shouldn't he be getting back to where he
belongs - to his parents and his school
and his games of football and cricket?
Should he be questioned about whether
girls' attitudes toward him have changed?
Or, whether he likes girls or not, again
and again? By the simple logic of a
child's mindset, Darsheel ... .. ....more
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Govinda Welcome
Back
Inder Jeet S ‘Prince’
 Life is a mixed bag for
actor-turned-MP-turned-actor Govinda. Just when
everybody had written off his career in films, he
made a grand comeback in films like
‘‘Bhagam Bhag’’ &
‘‘Partner’’. The last one
(Partner worked wonders for him at the
box-office.
Govinda, the Congress MP from Mumbai North, who
won the last general elections defeating his
nearest rival and former Minister Ram Naik Ji,
reveals that his plans to become a political hero
gave gone down the drain. His colleagues and
friends turned in to foes when he joined
politics. His name was even dragged in to the
alleged underworld connections. Suprisingly, out
of 25 film stars who were present at that
function in Dubai (in 2005) only Govinda’s
name was getting dragged. His political career
was cited as one main reason behind that
conspiracy to malign his image in general public.
In the words of Govinda, ‘‘Some big
politicians of Maharashtra were conspiring
against me. A top leader had employed the
underworld to teach me a lesson. Unfortunately
for them and fortunately for me, the news leaked
out. Why should I get into all this ? I’d
rather be a screen hero than a real
life-hero.’’
Govinda was in the lime light in the beginning of
this year for slapping a person on the sets of
his new film ‘‘Money Hai to Honey Hai
!’’. It so happened that Govinda saw a
man misbehaving with some.girl dancers on the
sets of his film. Then, that person stood behind
Govinda’s chair and started pushing it.
Govinda, asked him if he was a junior artiste or
a media person, he replied in the negative to
both. Then he told him with a lot of attitude
‘‘Main Bahar Se Hoon!’’. In a
bid to correct him, Govinda slapped him.
Govinda believes that the man whom he slapped was
someone sent by the opposition to create
disturbance in his social and film life.
‘‘And this was not the Ist example. Two
years back, the same . . ......more
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Holi care
Shahnaz Husain
The dry "Gulal" and the
wet colours used during Holi are not derived from
natural sources. They contain chemicals, shiny
particles of mica and even lead, which not only
irritate the skin, but collect on the scalp.
Since Holi is played out of doors, sun-exposure
can also have a detrimental effect on the skin.
Apart from harmful UV radiation, sun-exposure
makes the skin dry by causing depletion of
moisture. People with dry skins can really
suffer, even causing skin sensitivity, with
itching, flaking and rough patches. Both the skin
and hair can become dry and dull after playing
holi.
Remember to apply a sunscreen and moisturizer 20
minutes before going out to play holi. Use a
sunscreen of SPF 15 and above. SPF is Sun
Protection Factor and this should be mentioned on
the label of the sunscreen product. If your skin
is prone to pigmented patches, select one with a
higher SPF. Most sunscreens have built-in
moisturizers.
The real problem is removal of colours after
playing holi. Before for your bath, use a
cleansing gel or cream, applying it on the face
and massaging it gently on the skin. A cleansing
gel helps to dissolve the colours and facilitates
their removal. Then wipe the face with moist
cotton wool.
Sesame seed (til) oil can also be used to remove
colours, massaging it on the skin on face and
body. This not only helps to remove the colours,
but gives added protection to the skin. Sesame
seed (til) oil actually helps to counteract
sun-damage. While bathing, scrub the body with a
loofah and remember to apply a moisturiser after
your bath, while the skin is still damp. This
helps to seal in moisture. While washing the
hair, first rinse with plenty of plain water to
wash away the dry colours and tiny particles of
mica. Then apply a mild herbal shampoo, working
it into the hair with the fingers. Massage the
scalp gently and rinse thoroughly.. ........more
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Stem cells-
a genetic boon
Prof P L Bakhshi
 Stem cell research
is on the cutting edge of the
science of Genetics today as it
has the potential in many areas
of health and medical research.
Stem cells are primal cells
common to all multi-cellular
animals that retain the ability
to renew themselves through cell
division and can differentiate
into a wide range of specialized
cell types. Research in the human
stem cell field grew out of
findings by Canadian scientists
Ernest A McCulloch and James E.
Till in the 1960's. Embryonic
stem cells were first isolated by
Dr. James Thomson in 1998 using
leftover embryos donated by
couples who had undergone
fertility treatments. Since then
we continuously get information
about new ways that researchers
globally are trying to create
human stem cells for scientific
experimentation without running
to ethical objections over
destroying embryos. In order to
overcome ethical concern
scientists have now found
amniotic fluid and placenta as a
new source of stem cells and that
does not involve destroying
embryos. These cells can be
harvested easily from samples
taken for amniocentesis - which
involves testing the amniotic
fluid for any signs of genetic
disorders, and also from the
placenta. Researchers have
directed amniotic fluid derived
stem cells to become numerous
cell lineages, including muscle,
bone, nerve, fat, liver and cells
that line the blood vessels and
are fully confident that these
cells will provide a valuable
resource for tissue repair for
engineered organs as well.
In recent years stem cell
research promises to offer
unprecedented opportunities for
developing new medical therapies
for debilitating diseases.
Cancers of specific types,
diabetes, brain disorders
including Parkinson's disease,
Alzheimer's disease,
hematological diseases, cardiac
infarcts, skin and pigmentation
disorders, orthopedic and . . ... ......more
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Cricket in race
mixer-grinder
G. Rajaratnam
Accused of just about everything
over the past two months and booed repeatedly,
Indian cricketers flexed their muscles as they
came off the Gabba after a historic tri-series
win. Matthew Hayden and Andrew Symonds may hate
Indian cricketers but they have definitely
emerged as a symbol of standing up to the
Australians' much-talked about arrogance. Ricky
Ponting, the Australian captain, acknowledged
that his team had been outplayed and made no
excuses. He also admitted that his own form had
been "awful" and he was "as
guilty" as anyone else.
Cricket is considered to be "gentlemen's
game", but Ponting has a disturbed past. In
his younger days, he was likened to John McEnroe.
As captain, he has swung from one extreme to the
other; in the past year, he has revived the
"Ugly Australian" label of the 1970s.
He did it with his eyes open and the option was
entirely his. There was a price though. Cricket
Australia had to accept that the Ponting team
evoked very little trust in the middle-its word
on a catch was not going to be the final one, not
when its spontaneous "walkers" had
little problem appealing for dubious dismissals.
In a sense, Australian cricket's racism problem
is an internal one. As any tourist will
acknowledge, the country, especially in its big
cities such as Sydney or Melbourne, is no longer
just a white Caucasian domain. It sees itself
with some justification as a multicultural and
increasingly multiracial society.
The Australian cricket system is a laggard in
this respect. It is not inclusive; unlike
England, its first-class teams do not have a fair
sprinkling of cricketers of colour. In the Test
XI, before Andrew Symond. .. ..........more
Man of faith and
nobility
Dr Pinki Pargal
 Saints are the ocean of
peace, renunciation and bliss. They have untold
compassion in their hearts, they enlighten the
true path for human being. Their entire life is
dedicated to the well being of humanity. They are
the font of true love. They enlighten the path of
Bhakti by their nectarean words and sermons.
Their own life become living example inspiring
the human being to tread the true path. One such
great saints of 18th century was ‘Baba
Wadbhag Singh Sodhi Ji Maharaj of Tapoasthan
Manji Sahib, situated in village Mairi, district
UNA of Himachal Pradesh; where Baba Ji meditated
under a Ber Tree for 18 years.
His holiness was born on 2nd September 1710 to
Baba Ram and Bibi Raj Kour Ji. He was great
Grandson of Guru Hargobind Ji Maharaj in 5th
Generation. At the time he was born mid-wife
Kulwant Bibi was astonished to tell parents that
the child took birth with smile and he did not
weep as new born usually do. From early childhood
itself he used to pray God calmly and deeply. He
was offered ‘Amrit by Panj Piaras through
the devout Jatha of jathedar Jassa Singh Ji
Ahaluwalia. He accepted five Kakars and vowed to
follow Sikh Panth in early life.
Besides an illuminated being, Baba Ji had
infinite courage and volcanic dynamism. During
his lifetime he fought 5 battles to save
principles of panth. He reconstructed Gurudwara
tham Sahib Kartarpur which was damaged by
Mughals. He was not only an able administrator
but a benevolent Guru too. He used to inspire
people to resort to Amritvani. He declared that
only name of God can act as panacea for all
problems. Legend says, after having being
compelled to abdicate his religious seat at
Kartarpur in Jallandhar following Ahmad Shah
Abdali’s invasion of Punjab in 1756, he
proceeded towards village Mairi, with Afghan
forces chasing him. ......more
Essence of
Bhagwat Gita
Vish Nath Jotshi
(Bhat)
In essence the
purpose and doctrine of Vednata is the
cessation of all pain and attainment of
bliss.
What is the root cause of all pain?
Ignorance is the root cause of all
suffering. It is also the forgetfulness
of ones own self. A human beings
predicament is that he has forgotten
himself. He thinks about others and
uselessly envying and criticizing others.
Ignorance is the utter darkness. Unless a
person experiences transcendences it, he
cannot find perfect contentment.
Brahman, of consciousness, appears as the
mind, senses, Gunnas and other
principles. Gunnas do not define Brahman
but they are reflected in Him. The Gunnas
are under the control of the supreme
reality and carry out their respective
functions in the form of senses. Brahman
or the supreme principle is the light of
all lights. That light was in the form of
Lord Krishna. Lord Krishna does not
represent conversion of Godhead into
flesh but he represents turning of
manhood into God. The divine forms
(Pursha) and matter (Prakriti) belong to
one spiritual eternity. Man is inclined
to turn towards objects of the world
instead of directing his mind to the
Creator. So, our senses turn to outward
objects, which get us, enslaved,
alienated with the result we become full
of sufferings.
Gita says that the real is the absolute
Brahman. Its aim is not so much to teach
the theory as to enforce practice of
Dharma. Dharma is what promotes worldly
prosperities and spiritual freedom.
Instead of rejecting the duties and
relationship of life, Gita accepts them
as opportunities for the total
realization of life itself.
Dharmakhetra Karukshetra suggests that
life is a battle, the warfare against the
spirit of evil. Acharya Abhinav Gupt
preaches in his Gita Sangraha that
Karukshetra are one's senses.
Dharmakhetra is one's body. It is the
body where attachment, renunciation,
anger ...
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Reality
shows high on intellect
Aditi Singh
Roll over Rakhee
Sawant-there is no glitz or glamour or
celebrity judges here. The stage is set
for yet another reality show-but with a
difference. Participants on this show are
dressed in formal office wear and come
armed with laptops. The judges are
stalwarts in their own fields but have no
association with the world of glamour.
The winner will be decided purely on the
basis of innovativeness and business
acumen. CNBC TV 18's new reality show-the
Philips Simplicity Challenge-is all about
the search for a potential entrepreneur
with a simple business idea.
For the average telly viewer tired of
teary-eyed reality shows, here is some
respite. After endless music and dance
contests, reality programmes on the small
screen are now donning an intellectual
flavour. The CNBC show is not the only
one. ESPN Star Sports has a reality show
called Dream Job which is a hunt for a
Generation Next sports presenter for its
new channel STAR Cricket.
Even general entertainment channels such
as Sony Entertainment Television have
introduced reality programmes that are
moving away from the Bollywood formula.
Sony's latest show, Champion Chaalbaaz
No. 1, is about choosing a contestant who
can pull off audacious pranks. Modelled
on the American show Pranksters,
contestants have to use their wit and
surprise viewers with their pranks. Star
One's reality show Lead India judges its
participants on the basis of their
leadership skills.
This was inevitable. With time, channels
had to move beyond the typical song and
dance reality shows.
The Simplicity Challenge now has three
contestants-from the original 19-vying
for the top spot in its final lap. The
biggest difference in this show is that
the success of the contestant does not
depend on luck or audience votes. Unless
you are talented and have the
intellectual ability, you will not win.
It is a serious competitive show. . ........more
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