Stardom
no cakewalk for starsons
A C Tuli
It is quite natural for film stars
to groom their children for the profession which
has given them so much. And it is also quite
natural for their children to be attracted to the
world of glitz and glamour where, if successful,
they are elevated, almost overnight, to the
status of a star. And the heady wine of success
going to their heads, they start demanding
fantastic sums for working in films. Now, can you
imagine of any other profession so lucrative for
a rank of newcomer who may not have struggled
through even high school?
And, strangely, sometimes even when a star son's
debut film fails to attract viewers to cinema
halls, he still manages to remain in limelight,
thanks to the family he hail from. The case in
point is Ranbir Kapoor. His debut film 'Sanwarya'
flopped so miserably at the box-office that if
the hero of this film had been someone with no
godfather in the film industry, he would have
been sent packing to where he came from.
But this does not mean that the picture is all
that rosy for star sons. The star status of their
parents may help them to get a good launch under
a big banner, but in the long run their longevity
in the film industry depends on their own worth
as actors. If we look back, we find that very few
star sons could make it to the top. Most of them,
even after a good start, fell by the wayside and
were forgotten soon.. . . .....more
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400
years of Astronomy
G V Joshi
 Astronomy,
the oldest science in history, has played
an important role in most, if not all,
cultures over the ages.
On 25th September 1608, Hans Lippershey,
a young man from the Netherlands
demonstrated his invention - the
telescope. In 1609, four hundred years
ago the Italian astronomer Galileo
Galilee first turned one of his
telescopes, towards the night sky and
made astounding discoveries that changed
mankind's conception of the World for
ever.
It helped people to discard the old and
erroneous concept that earth was
stationary and all the stars, planets and
the Sun revolved about it.
To coincide with the 400th anniversary of
the first systematic astronomical
observations with a telescope by Galileo
and the publication of Johannes Kepler's
Astronomia nova in the 17th century, the
62nd General Assembly of the UN has
declared the year 2009 as the
International Year of Astronomy
(IYA-2009). It is a year-long celebration
of astronomy. Kepler's book gave the
details of three laws of motion of the
planets around the Sun.
It is an opportunity for the citizens of
Earth to gain a deeper insight into
astronomy's role in enriching all human
cultures. Moreover, it will serve as a
platform for informing the public about
the latest astronomical discoveries while
emphasizing the essential role of
astronomy in science education.
The vision of IYA-2009 is to help people
rediscover their place in the Universe
through the sky, and thereby engage a
personal sense of wonder and discovery.
IYA-2009 activities will take place
locally .
... .....more
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Simple
steps to control Asthma
Dr. Sanjeev Narang
 Thousands of people are
suffering from Asthma every year. If you have
Asthma, you should have faith and patience for
Asthma control.
While asthma is a chronic condition, you can
still enjoy your life with Asthma control
program. After diagnosing with Asthma, you feel
that you should make undesirable changes in our
lifestyles. Asthma changes your life but your
life also improves when you follow Asthma control
plan and look for support networks that offer
help in controlling Asthma.
Remember one thing that you are not alone
suffering from this chronic disease.
You should not hesitate in taking support from
family members and friends for Asthma control. If
you take support, you can make best out of your
life. There are many options you can look for
when you need support and help for Asthma
control.
You can control Asthma by following ten steps to
improve your quality of life.
Understand Asthma condition: You should know
about your condition, symptoms and type of Asthma
you suffer from asthma control. Once you know
about your disease, you can take control of
yourself and take decisions that your should make
to improve your health.
You should go in detail and deep in finding the
causes of Asthma for Asthma, control. Find out
what the symptoms that are affecting your life
are and what can be done to lead a healthy life
and make sure that you are going in a correct way
for Asthma control. . ......more
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'I
am a big time Dhoni fan'
 She is one
of the most gorgeous ladies in the industry leave
aside her acting skills. A combination of talent
and beauty, Amrita Rao has already earned a lot
of accolades for the powerful roles she has
portrayed within a short span of her career. As
Amrita readies for the release of yet another big
film, Victory, opposite Harman Baweja, she speaks
to Ritesh Sharma on her role, films future plans
and more.You seem to be on cloud nine these days
with most of your roles being appreciated by the
critics.
I am really happy and satisfied with the way
things have shaped up over the last couple of
years. And I really feel honoured that my roles
are being appreciated. For me good roles have
always mattered and I feel lucky that I have got
an opportunity to play them.
Do you particularly mean Shayam Benegal's Welcome
To Sajjanpur?
That was one of the good roles definitely. It was
a privilege working with Mr Benegal and this film
will always remain special to me. I still can't
believe that he chose me to play that role. At
least I will be remembered for being one of his
heroines, who worked with greats like Smita Patil
and Shabana Azmi. (Smiles).
You seem to be really happy.
Yes, I am with good roles coming my way.
This time it's another big film Victory opposite
Harman .. .........more
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Nail Beauty
Shahnaz Husain
 The nails can
reflect neglect and the state of
your internal health. A pinkish
colour indicates good health,
while a bluish tinge shows poor
blood circulation. A healthy nail
is smooth and free from ridges
and grooves. Regular care of the
nails prevents them from becoming
dry and brittle. Brittle nails
chip and break easily. Dietary
deficiencies can show up in the
form of flaking, cracking, dry
nails and other problems.
The cuticle (skin surrounding the
nail) should be kept soft and
smooth. Otherwise, it sticks to
the nail and gets dragged as the
nail grows. This causes the skin
to get stretched and torn. The
skin can even become infected if
this happens. Massage cream on
the hands and nails daily,
specially after performing your
washing tasks at home. Put cream
on each nail and massage the nail
and the skin surrounding it,
using your thumb and circular
strokes. Daily massage is even
more important during the dry
season, or if you perform a lot
of household chores, using
detergents.
Never cut the cuticle. After
soaking the nails in warm water,
apply cream on the nails. Massage
them, so that it helps to soften
the skin. Then push cuticles back
gently using a cotton bud. Never
use sharp instruments to clean
under the nails. Wrap cotton wool
around a thin tick, . . ......more
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Nandbab-the
mystic
C
L Trisal
 One rationale that
segregates saints is a classification based on
their diurnal natural behaviour and their
interactions in the world. Those that own
solitude to be immersed ever in the Supreme and
who shun their interactions with the world become
difficult to comprehend for the common man. And
then there are others who while being in
consonance with the Brahman do take part in world
for the good of many, not necessarily through
moral teachings and through purely esoteric
behaviour. These are called mystics. Swamy
Nandlalji, popularly known as Nanda Mot (Kashmiri
word for one who is ‘mad’ but implying
also an intoxicated mystic) especially because of
his strange attire and eccentric behaviour. As he
was a mystic of very high order, it was
imperative that he had no permanent place of
refuge. Some stray historical accounts of his
early life point at his being originally from
Nunar village of Kashmir.
By his physical frame he appeared thin; however
he was actually strong as he would be seen in an
agile manner taking long strides, walking swiftly
with a big stick in one hand and a bunch of
papers in another There could always be observed
an effulgence flowing out from his countenance
and from his eyes with an unknown gaze pointing
into empty space marking him as being absorbed in
a supernal ambience beyond the travails of the
four dimensions of this world. He was a deeply
compassionate personality who could not keep
himself insulated from the miseries of humanity.
This is evident from his grace which benefited
all without bar of caste and religion. And time
bears testimony to the fact that among his
admirers and followers were people belonging to
different religion, sects and faiths.
When he actively interceded in any one’s
life it only meant to alleviable his or her
suffering as he found himself linked to all. Our
scriptual saying of ‘’Vasudeva
Kutumbakum’’ this whole universe is one
family was clearly illustrated in his approach.
Metaphorically put, he was a big steamer carrying
so many souls across the waters of Samsara. Not
many saints are capable of this feat. It is meant
for only a chosen few elevated souls who
don’t seek their own moksha but suffer with
humanity to relieve some of its pain akin to
Jesus. These examples do tell us that one cannot
become a teacher of men unless he himself is
transformed and purged of his lower desires. As
the scripture proclaim that ‘‘Out of a
hundred thousand kites (patangs), only a handful
break free’’ it is only the true
saints, unbound in their ‘flight’, who
can provide a healing touch to the bound world.
Nandbab exemplified the highest order of saints
all his life by transforming the lives of those
who sought his blessings. There are many
anecdotes that can be picked from his life which
confirm this Nandbab showed an unusual frequent
behaviour of writing ‘pawanas’ implying
small chits of paper on which he would scribble
something obsure but that would actually prove to
be a blessing to many who received them. He was a
clairvoyant sage who could foresee future through
a word spoken was complemented .....more
FINAL
TEST
Deepak
Manchanda
 To be a part of the
oneness, Purusha (spirit) has to go through this
test on earth with the guidance of limited five
senses not only to understand and live in
Prakriti (nature) - the physical word but to also
create more consciousness through Karma. This
test binds us restricts us to the experiences
gained with the five senses leaving us ignorant
about other experiences and realities beyond
this.
Let's perceive once, that this Life is the only
opportunity to get out of this reality and
consciousness of physical matter.
Humans mostly perceive this life as a trophy, a
fun fair and wish this to happen again and again
which makes it harder to clear this level and go
beyond to a next level of consciousness. In this
known reality, we love this life, fear of death
and go on wishing long lives and physical matter
not realizing this test is a punishment if
repeated, rather than a reward.
Important is not the duration but your
contribution during your stay in this present
known level of consciousness.
Shabri could make use of her life by just
offering wild berries to Lord Ram. Nothing is big
or small; it should contribute in mankind without
any self appreciation and effecting harmony of
Prakriti......more
The
Shrine of Sheilputri
P
L Hangloo
 Situated the Shivalik
foothills of the outskirts of Jammu city, is the
Holy Darbar of Mata Vaishnav Sheil Putri Ji.
Located in the salubrious environs of Ambica
Vihar, Talab Tillo, the Holy Darbar can be
approached by a motorable journey of just four
kms from the famous Jewel Chowk.
Mata Sheilputri- the first of the nine forms of
the Divine Mother, infact has its original abode
at Baramulla in north Kashmir.
The entire lay-out of this sacred sanasthan was
conceived and conceptualized by Swami Gopal Nath
Jee himself and it took six years for its
completion. This Holy Darbar is spread over 35
marlas of land and is characterised by a
multiplicity of unique features. Inside the Main
temple, Mata Sheil Putri Ji is sevenely seated on
an ox in a Holy Spring over a mountainous abode,
impragrated with flowers, fountains and wildlife
which renders the entire atmosphere mesmerizing.
In the background of the Divine seat of Mata
Sheil Putri Ji, is a waterfall and towards the
sides bordering the Holy Spring are the idols,
Murtis of various deities enclosed in special
cabinets. A rare feature of this Temple is the
specially designed 45 feet long Gufa (Tunnel)
with varying heights and having ample provision
for aeration and electricity. In the centre of
the Gufa, lies the sanctum sanctorum’ where
‘Pindi Darshan’ reminiscent of Mata
Vashnav Devi Ji lands an added attraction.
The craftsmanship of the Gufa is so superb and
natural that it is hard to believe of being
man-made. Before seeking the Divine Darshan,
every devotee has to pass through 108
specifically laid Mantra tiles with chanting of a
selected Mantra on each tile symbolising 108
greetings to the Divine Mother. Atop the main
temple on the front side is the Durga Temple ......more
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