2011- a start for the end??

I have been hearing about many misunderstandings in relationships nowadays (ie) from this year beginning. Every relationship like husband and wife, between friends, mother and daughter, a guy and a girl, etc., is found to have many misunderstandings leading to fights. But what is the reason behind this?  Is it the lack of communication or God’s play? A few believe that the world is going to end in 2012. A few don’t. But these fights and chaos in relationships make ‘those few’ to believe that the world is really going to end in 2012. A relationship must not have an end. We live just to retain our strong bonds with people and we think that those bonds should last forever. Though the job of proper communication is in our hands, something is basically wrong with the time factor. This makes people impatient. Impatience is not the solution for anything. I have been coming across many people posting emotional status messages, relating it to the relationships, in a few social networking sites. What is the exact solution for all this?  I feel it is the same ‘time’ that will heal everyone’s misunderstanding and problem. So give it sometime. Do not hurry up. Try to spend some time with yourself. Think positive and act positive too. It is not too late. Analyse things with at most patience.

Kolhapur special

Kolhapur is well known for its textiles and cottons, in particular Kolhapuri saris. But it is of course most famous for its jewellery and leather sandals or the famous Kolhapuri chappals. You could easily get five pairs of sandals for less than Rs. 500. The age old Leather and Footwear Industry in Kolhapur is a unique identity of Kolhapur in India. Apart from exporting Leather raw material in a big way, the traditional Chappals made here have a unique ethnic look and have been equally popular in India and abroad. These Chappals are still mainly prepared by hand, which helps them retain their unique appearance. Places like Kapashi, Kurundwad and Airoli in Kolhapur district have roughly 500-700 Small and Large scale Industries where these Chappals are manufactured. Regular kolhpuri chappals are ideal for daily wear. Kolhapuri chappals adorned with gold cord, zari strips, pom poms or gota could be also worn on special occasions such as weddings and parties. 


Kolhapuri chappals are made from processed leather. Hides of buffalo, goat and cow are processed and grazed. Grazing of leather makes the leather hard enough for daily wear and tear use. Using specific templates, the basic chappal design is then cut out. Depending upon the final product, the cut outs are kept in natural color or dyed as per specifications. An amazing thing to note here is that not a single iron nail is used in the entire manufacture process. The sole and the upper body of the chappals are joined together by stitches which are done with a leather cord. Other embellishments and adornments then follow in making a fancy pair of Kolhapuri chappals. Some of the traditional designs of Kolhapuri chappals include Kachkadi, bakkalnali, and pukari. 

Harmful effects of cell phones

It was observed that people using cell phones were prone to high blood pressure. A study at the University of Montpellier in France was carried out on 6000 chick embryos and suggested that the heavily exposed chick eggs were five times less likely to survive than the control group. A study brought out that longer the people used mobile phones, the more likely they were to report symptoms such as hot ears, burning skin, headaches and fatigue.
The study did not include a control group (that is people who do not use mobile phones, to make a comparison); therefore the symptoms reported could have been caused by any number of other factors in the mobile phones users' environment, such as working with computers, stress, driving or reading. There have been various studies into the connection between mobile phones and memory loss. A study looked into the effect of radiofrequency (RF) on the section of rats' brains that is linked with the memory. The results showed that RF could modify signals in the cells in a part of the brain that is responsible for learning and short term memory. Some researchers claim that holding a mobile phone between the raised shoulder and the ear could have a damaging effect on muscles, bones, tendons and discs. These problems would apply equally to a cordless phone or a landline phone as to a mobile phone and are the effect of bad posture.

Rejuvenation Therapy or Rasayana Chikitsa

Rasayana Chikitsa is a unique therapy in the science of Ayurveda. It helps keeps the body young and agile. The various cell and tissue components of the body undergo changes as age advances. Hence, it is necessary to rejuvenate the body systems for a better harmony of the “Body, Mind, and Soul”. Rasayana Chikitsa is also known as rejuvenation therapy, which decreases comparatively the rate of degradation and thereby rejuvenates the body.


The treatment is a process that enables to relieve tension, overcoming sexual debility and improving vitality. This treatment consists of body massages with hand and foot by two masseurs with medicated oil and cream, internal rejuvenative medicines and medicated stem bath. The time constraint for this therapy is for 90 minutes to 2 hours per day for 7 to 14 days. This therapy is to rejuvenate mind body and soul, to tone up skin, to strengthen all systems so as to achieve ideal health and longevity.

It is recommended for all ages between 16 and 70 years. The major benefits and advantages of the treatment are increase of lifespan, improved memory and intelligence, better complexion, restoration of youthfulness, enhancement of endurance levels and better and improved sensory perception.

The Rasayana therapy is taken in two different ways

• Kutipravesika(Pronounced as ‘Koo–ti–praa–vey–shi–ka’). Regards to this particular therapy, the person has to stay indoors while taking the rasayan. Elaborate arrangements are made for the construction of a special type of cottage where the individual is to be confined. The person or the patient has to diligently follow the diets and other directions of the physician. He should undergo Panchkarma therapy before taking the rejuvenation. This type of therapy is, therefore, not very suitable for a person who has to carry on his profession or job.
  
  
• Vatatapika
  
  (Pronounced as ‘Vaa–taa–ta–pi–ka’) This method is best for people who are time constraint and who do not have time to stay in the Ayurvedic clinic to take the first kind of rejuvenation. This type can be taken while doing your daily work. It comprises of different types of Ayurvedic herbal preparations which are taken as prescribed by the physician. On an empty stomach, these medicines should be taken at dawn. It can be taken without undergoing Panchkarma therapy

Skin care

Why is skincare considered so important? Surely our ancestors managed well without this kind of thing! Wrong! Our forefathers and mothers were very much into skin care. The products they used may not have come out of a jar or a tube. But the concept of caring for skin was always a prime concern. Oil baths, scrubbing the body with besan (Bengal gram flour) were a part of their weekly routine. They also used turmeric and sandal wood paste to keep away acne, pimples and heat boils. In the olden days, the skin was kept well hydrated with water, oils and a healthy diet. But the modern generation has to contend with the after effects of junk food, long hours in air-conditioned rooms (dehydrates the body), stressful lifestyles and time constraint. These factors adversely affect our skin. - We therefore need to take adequate care of our skin - to keep it nourished and refreshed. Unless the skin is cared for, it could end up looking weather beaten and ravaged. This could hasten the onset of wrinkles and fine little lines. Good skincare is all about keeping your skin clean, healthy and beautiful. It's about keeping it clear of pimples and other eruptions. It's about keeping your skin youthful and refreshed. Skin needs to be protected from the vagaries of weather, pollutants, age and inappropriate lifestyles. Regular skin care is the best way to get a beautiful and ageless skin. Inculcating a skincare regimen into our daily lives would go a long way in keeping our skin healthy and rejuvenated. 

Chennai Sangamam

The fifth edition of Chennai Sangamam will feature over 1,300 artists from all over the State, including about 800 folk artists. Chennai Sangamam is the biggest open-air festival of India. A significant feature of this year's festival was performances by the underprivileged children, children from slums, differently abled and transgenders. The children presented folk dance programmes, whereas the orchestra was by the visually challenged. The transgender group  staged a play. This year chennai sangamam had a documentary festival too. Oyilattam, KokkaliKattaiattam, Thevarattam, Villuppaattu, Sakkaikuchchiyaattam, Thappaattam, Kaniyaan Koothu, Periya Melam, Jimplaa Melam, Kalarippayitru, Kummiyaattam, Poikkaal Kuthirai Aattam, Kazhiyalaatam, Therukkoothu, Nayyaandi Melam, Kaavadi Aattam, Paavaikkoothu (Leather puppet show), Karagaattam (Maadattam, Mayilaattam, Karadiaattam, Puliyaattam), Jikkaattam, Silambaattam, Chendai Melam and Tudumbattam are the various folk arts performed.

Sarangi - a palace of Kanjivaram saris

Sarangi, ideal store for silk saris celebrates the spirit of the Kanjivaram with a range of saris that are elegant, beautiful and always special. Never blatanly modern, each sari is designed keeping the aesthetics and sensibility of The Kanjivaram in mind. The name Sarangi(sau (meaning “hundred”) and rang (meaning “colour”) is inspired by the Indian musical instrument of the same name, whose sound is as expressive and evocative as a hundred colours. When asked about the idea behind starting Sarangi, Ahalya, creative head of Sarangi told “To me when something is beautiful, whether it’s jewellery or silk saris, there’s harmony, meaning and purpose. And for that to happen it must compliment their personality and be relevant to their life & lifestyle.” Sarangi is housed in a vintage 1963 bungalow, tastefully modified to suit the requirements of a sari store. It shares space with Rasvihar, the jewellery store. It creates space that offers privacy, luxury and comfort to our clients. A space where they could browse at their leisure, in a relaxing environment. 

If you have time and the interest to visit this palace of Kanjivaram saris, here is the address

#17a, Sterling Avenue
Nungambakkam Chennai -600034

Fish Pedicure

There’s a new trend in the world of beauty that has some health officials concerned. The demand for an unconventional procedure known as a “fish pedicure” is growing in popularity. A fish pedicure is a foot treatment that involves placing the feet into a tank filled with small fish called Garra Rufa. These fish enthusiastically devour dead tissue on the feet leaving them softer and easier to manage. This is usually followed up by a standard pedicure performed by a human.

"A pedicure is not a very enjoyable experience, the normal pedicure. We wanted to make it much more enjoyable and fun loving for people. We thought that when they come here. They should enjoy and have a good experience. We wanted to give them a lively experience and through fish pedicure we have been able to give them that," said Rahim, Director, Naturals Salon and Spa. The beauty solons in chennai which provides fish pedicure are Naturals Unisex salon, Tulip beauty care, Kanya, Trends in Vogue,etc.,

WARNING…!!!

There is warning if anyone is opting for fish pedicure. According to officials, a fish pedicure can cause tiny nicks or scratches on the skin which have the potential to become infected with bacteria and fungus.These fish are kept in non-chlorinated water which could be a source of bacteria and fungi that could lead to foot infections.